Summary: The newly released U.S. Senate Farm Bill draft excludes anti-hunting restrictions and greyhound bans previously fought by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, securing a major step forward for conservation and hunting-dog owners.
In a major step forward for conservation and hunting-dog owners, Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, released draft text for his proposed Farm Bill. Importantly, Sen. Boozman’s version does not contain any anti-hunting or greyhound-related language.
What Was the Anti-Hunting Language in the House Farm Bill?
This Senate introduction comes on the heels of the recently passed House version – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which saw anti-hunting language amended into the House Farm Bill. That language, put forth by animal-rights groups, would have banned certain types of hounds and sporting dogs from hunting, as well as the use of “live lures” for training or field trials.
How Did Sportsmen’s Alliance Defeat the Restrictions?
After tireless advocacy by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, its members and affiliates, and strong Congressional leadership, the anti-hunting language was removed from the House version. We then immediately began working with Senate leadership to ensure hunting dogs and a single state-based issue, greyhound racing, were not included in the upper chamber’s language.
“We’re incredibly thankful that Chairman Boozman has put forth a Senate Farm Bill clean of anti-hunting and anti-sporting dog language,” said Torin Miller, Associate Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “Putting together a draft Farm Bill is no easy feat, and the Senate version shows thoughtfulness and an eye towards conservation, sportsmen, and our pursuits. We’re looking forward to working with the Chairman, the Committee, and the Senate to pass a clean, impactful Farm Bill.”
Why is the Farm Bill Vital for Conservation and Hunting Access?
Farm Bill passage is never easy, but it is vital. The Farm Bill positively impacts countless wildlife species, hunting access, and American families, and the Sportsmen’s Alliance applauds its introduction in the Senate. The Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation considered by the U.S. Congress. It contains funding and sets policy on items ranging from conservation programs valued by American sportsmen to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits that help feed low-income families. The Conservation Title of the bill outlines and funds numerous programs that benefit sportsmen and wildlife, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Improvement Program (VPA-HIP), which create valuable wildlife habitat and provide public hunting access.
What are the Next Steps for the 2026 Farm Bill?
The Senate will adopt and pass some variant of the introduced draft, and then leadership in both the House and Senate will reconcile each chamber’s version to pass a final, unified Farm Bill. The Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to work with both chambers to ensure that the passage of a much-needed Farm Bill does not include anti-hunting language.
Take Action: Contact Your Senator Today
To help ensure a clean Farm Bill, use the Take Action button to ask your Senator to support a Senate Farm Bill that remains clean of anti-hunting and anti-sporting dog language.
As sportsmen, we are the true frontline guardians of a lifestyle that is increasingly coming under political fire. While we actively fund conservation and manage the land, anti-sportsmen groups are busy filling public hearings to erase our way of life. The threats we face today are unprecedented. It is time for our community to stand together, match their energy, and fiercely protect our right to hunt, fish, and trap. This is how we ensure the legacy we inherited is preserved for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come.
Please forward this alert to your family, friends, and fellow hunters. Urge them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance to help protect, defend, and secure our outdoor freedoms for our future and future generations across our great nation.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance guarantees hunting, fishing and trapping for the American sportsman now and forever. We’re there when sportsmen need us most. We are the only organization specifically created to protect the individual hunter, angler and trapper – no matter the threat. We will never compromise when it comes to defending our way of life in the courts, in the legislatures, in the public square and at the ballot box. We make this promise to the American sportsman: we will never give up and never give in while proudly securing our future against those seeking to destroy our values, beliefs, and traditions. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
