The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is pleased to welcome the two newest members to the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC): Governor Greg Abbott of Texas and Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska. Governors Ricketts and Abbott join 26 other GSC members who work to protect and advance the interests of America’s sportsmen and women.
“The state of Texas has a rich history in sportsmen’s traditions, whether hunting, angling, recreational shooting or trapping. Ranking second nationwide in the number of sportsmen and third for sportsmen-related jobs, Texas’s sporting traditions have become vital to our state’s economic growth and livelihood. As Governor, I look forward to working with the state’s sportsmen and women and the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus to strengthen our rich traditions, our conservation and our leadership in sportsmen-related jobs and activity,” said Governor Abbott.
Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska represents a state steeped in our hunting and angling traditions as well. “No doubt Nebraska’s abundance of natural resources and wide open spaces were a driving force that compelled pioneers with an adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors to call this great state home. That same love for hunting, fishing and enjoying our natural heritage is as much a way of life for Nebraskans today as it was when we were still a territory. It’s a heritage worth protecting and a birthright we must safeguard for future generations. That’s why I’m proud to be a member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, a bipartisan caucus of governors collectively providing a voice for our nation’s sportsmen and women,” said Governor Ricketts.
The GSC, founded by CSF in 2009, includes Republican, Democrat, and Independent governors and a lieutenant governor who work to protect and advance the interests of America’s sportsmen and women, and advance professional fish and wildlife management. The GSC facilitates communication and information exchange between participating offices in support of policies that promote and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping. Guided by a leadership team of governors and staffed through CSF, the 28-member GSC complements and enhances the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, representing sportsmen constituencies from across the nation.
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?
