Four dozen organizations representing millions of hunters, anglers and the conservation community called on Congress to pass three pieces of legislation before the end of the year that benefit forestland, farmland, wildlife and wildlife habitat.
With mid-term elections in the rearview mirror, lawmakers are now back in Washington, D.C., for what is commonly known as the "lame duck session" or the final 50 calendar days until the next full session of Congress officially begins with its newly elected lawmakers on Jan. 3, 2027. With the holidays, there are very few actual workdays to get things done, so urgency is needed to get important bills across the finish line.
Specifically, the sporting-conservation community urged the House and Senate to pass the Fix Our Forests Act, America the Beautiful Act and a Farm Bill reauthorization.
"These priorities address three essential conservation needs: maintaining public access, restoring healthy forests, and supporting voluntary conservation on working lands," the consevation and outdoor groups wrote in a letter (see below).
How this legislation helps hunters
Fix Our Forests Act – speeds up forest restoration, wildlife and riparian habitat projects that support healthy big game, upland birds, waterfowl and other wildlife populations, and protect access to hunting opportunities
America the Beautiful Act – addresses deferred maintenance on federal lands and waters including roads, trails, campgrounds and other means that offer hunting access
Farm Bill reauthorization – supports a series of conservation programs that improve the ecological health of working grasslands and water quality relied upon by wildlife
If the bills are not passed prior to the end of the current session, the legislative slate will be wiped clean with the coming of the new year. Hunt 2 Conserve joins the 48 organizations below in calling on Congress to promptly pass these important measures.
About Hunt 2 Conserve
Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.
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November 5, 2026
The Honorable Mike Johnson The Honorable John Thune
Speaker Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries The Honorable Charles Schumer
Minority Leader Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510
Dear Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, Leader Thune, and Leader Schumer:
As we approach the end of the 119th Congress, the undersigned organizations representing hunters, anglers, conservationists, and the broader sporting-conservation community urge you to advance key bipartisan conservation and public lands priorities. In particular, we encourage passage of the America the Beautiful Act (S. 1547/H.R. 9250), Fix Our Forests Act (S. 1462/H.R. 471), and a Farm Bill reauthorization, all of which would deliver meaningful benefits for fish, wildlife, and the millions of Americans who hunt, fish, and enjoy the outdoors.
These priorities address three essential conservation needs: maintaining public access, restoring healthy forests, and supporting voluntary conservation on working lands.
America the Beautiful Act
The Great American Outdoors Act established the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), making a historic investment in addressing deferred maintenance on federal lands. These investments have improved roads, trails, campgrounds, boat ramps, fishing access sites, and other infrastructure that sportsmen and women depend on to reach public lands and waters.
By reauthorizing the LRF, the America the Beautiful Act would continue critical infrastructure improvements on public lands and waters. For hunters and anglers, this work goes beyond repairing facilities: it maintains and improves the access that sustains America’s sporting traditions.
Fix Our Forests Act
We also urge Congress to advance the Fix Our Forests Act to improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and accelerate forest restoration and hazardous fuels reduction. Overgrown forests and severe wildfires threaten wildlife habitat, watersheds, communities, and the public lands that hunters and anglers rely on. Improving forest management and expediting restoration projects can help sustain healthy ecosystems, support resilient wildlife populations, and protect access to recreational opportunities.
By addressing longstanding barriers to restoration, the Fix Our Forests Act offers an important opportunity to advance active forest management. Enactment would benefit sportsmen and women and support the broader conservation goals of healthy forests and resilient landscapes.
Farm Bill
Finally, we urge Congress to advance a bipartisan Farm Bill that strengthens voluntary conservation programs and supports farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in conserving wildlife habitat and improving natural resource management. Farm Bill conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), are important tools for improving soil health, protecting water quality, restoring grasslands, and maintaining the diverse habitats that support fish and wildlife populations.
A strong Farm Bill is essential to sustaining America’s hunting and fishing traditions, much of which depends on healthy working lands and productive partnerships with private landowners. By maintaining robust conservation investments and improving opportunities for voluntary, locally driven habitat restoration, Congress can help support thriving wildlife populations, strengthen rural communities, and expand the long-term benefits of conservation for sportsmen and women.
As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, Congress can reaffirm its commitment to America’s outdoor heritage by advancing the America the Beautiful Act, Fix Our Forests Act, and a Farm Bill reauthorization before the end of the 119th Congress. Together, these measures would build on bipartisan conservation achievements by improving public access, addressing critical infrastructure needs, and supporting healthier forests and fish and wildlife habitat for future generations.
Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to America’s lands, conservation legacy and hunting and fishing traditions.
Sincerely,
American Fly Fishing Trade Association
American Forest Foundation
American Fisheries Society
American Sportfishing Association
American Woodcock Society
Archery Trade Association
Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.)
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
Boone and Crockett Club
California Waterfowl Association
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Conservation Force
Dallas Safari Club
Delta Waterfowl
Ducks Unlimited
Fly Fishers International
Houston Safari Club
Izaak Walton League of America
Mule Deer Foundation
National Association of Forest Service Retirees
National Bobwhite & Grassland Initiative Foundation
National Deer Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Trappers Association
National Wildlife Federation
National Wild Turkey Federation
New York State Conservation Council
North American Falconers Association
North American Grouse Partnership
PERC (Property and Environment Research Center)
Pheasants Forever
Pope and Young Club
Public Lands Foundation
Quail Forever
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Ruffed Grouse Society
Safari Club International
Sportsmen’s Alliance
Tall Timbers
The Conservation Fund
The Nature Conservancy
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Trout Unlimited
Whitetails Unlimited
Wild Sheep Foundation
Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Management Institute
