California Sportsman/Hunting Lobby Groups

[Lock3]

Hi - I'm looking to donate to a California-specific sportsman group that lobbys with the state (similar to the California Rifle & Pistol Association or Firearms Policy Coalition). I'm finding 50 state orgs but want to focus my dollars in-state since we have crazy politics and a lot of the conservation groups I've seen are non-political or focused deer/waterfowl. I specifically want to find a general org that will throw dollars around across all types of hunting.

I know most of you are in free states but would appreciate any info you might have.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Beendare]

I belong to CBH- Ca Bowman Hunters...but honestly they don't have a lot of political might.

Most orgs that do are National....the best I've seen is SCI....they are always in lawsuits fighting for hunters in CA.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

I believe HOWL for wildlife is based out of California. They pick up most any state issue there. They were big in killing the proposed bear hunting ban in the legislation a few years back. Absolutely a must join/support for any hunter, but particularly California.

 

[Macintosh]

You might see if any of the national groups you "like" have a california CHAPTER--it's entirely possible you can donate directly to the chapter or work with them to donate to state-specific projects and efforts.

 

[eshunt]

California Deer Association is one I have donated to in the past when I lived in the Eastern Sierra. They advocate for more than just deer hunting.

 

[HbDane]

I second CBH but as @Beendare noted they’re “political pull” seems to be very low on the totem pole

 

[Huntindog45]

California Waterfowl does some great hunter outreach programs, they have a legislative group that works for us in Sacramento and they do some decent habitat projects.

 

[Sandhills]

California houndsman for conservation. They fight a lot of anti hunting bills, not just hound related

 

[WhiskeyBiscuits]

Hi - I'm looking to donate to a California-specific sportsman group that lobbys with the state (similar to the California Rifle & Pistol Association or Firearms Policy Coalition). I'm finding 50 state orgs but want to focus my dollars in-state since we have crazy politics and a lot of the conservation groups I've seen are non-political or focused deer/waterfowl. I specifically want to find a general org that will throw dollars around across all types of hunting.

I know most of you are in free states but would appreciate any info you might have.

Thanks in advance!

CRPA is prob the best one.

 

[antaresproper]

They all play their part in the ecosystem. Fund the ones you can or want to. Be active, attend the lobby days. Ask if they can get you a meeting with your legislator when there is an active issue.

As mentioned above, CRPA and SCI are going to have the most clout (money for good lobbyists and fundraisers). The politics are crazy, meaning lawsuits are a common need. Smaller orgs don’t have the war chest or the organizational capabilities to do that in CA. This is the headline anti gun and hunting stuff.

FPC is clearly the aggressive lawfare group. Marketing and PR isn’t my taste but someone’s gotta do it.

The species specific groups focus on a lot of habitat/wildlife management legislation/budget items. Funding for hatcheries, duck/bird nesting programs, water etc., not sexy but highly important. Also the good PR campaigns for youth hunts, education

HOWL seems to be focused on broad grassroots activation, important for votes in the legislature and at agencies. New kid on the block, off to a good start. They use software that lets you target your letter to the right gov officials, it’s not exactly cheap.

 

[IronSentinel007]

Two recommendations of groups that do good work for gun rights and conservation:

1. CRPA - California Rifle Pistol Association (https://crpa.org/) (follow them and one of their main law groups on x.com/twitter (Michel Associates) Chuck Michel is also CRPA president. Their team does good work:
   • https://x.com/MorosKostas
   • https://x.com/slowdowncounsel
   • https://x.com/CRPAPresident
2. California Waterfowl Association (https://calwaterfowl.org/) -- check out their hunts - they have good stuff.

 

[Lock3]

Thanks, all. Going to go with CRPA, FPC and HOWL for now. Appreciate all the advice.