On May 22, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane was appointed by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to serve as a member of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council.
The Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council will advise and provide recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Secretary Zinke on a wide range of issues including: wildlife and habitat conservation, increasing access to hunting and the shooting sports on public and private lands, increasing public awareness about the importance and benefits of hunting, recreational shooting, and many other issues concerning America’s sportsmen and women.
In addition to Crane, several CSF Board Members were appointed to serve on the Federal Advisory Committee including: Bob Model (Boone and Crockett Club), John Green (Crossroads Strategies), and Larry Keane (National Shooting Sports Foundation).
“I am honored to be nominated to this important Federal Advisory Committee that will address issues and advance policies that benefit America’s hunters, recreational shooters, and other outdoor enthusiasts,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.
Earlier in the week, Secretary Zinke also announced a proposal to expand hunting and fishing opportunities on 30 of America’s National Wildlife Refuges. This proposal would open up more than 248,000 acres to hunting and fishing within 30 different National Wildlife Refuges spanning across 22 different states. Hunting is currently permitted within 337 refuges, while fishing is permitted in 277 wildlife refuges. If approved, this proposal would expand hunting to 377 refuges, and fishing opportunities would be permitted within 312 refuges.
CSF looks forward to working Secretaries Perdue and Zinke, the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to advance the interests of America’s sportsmen’s and women.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?