Why It Matters: In 2004, the bipartisan and bicameral Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus was formed as an entity through the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses – a national network of organized state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses with a current collective membership of approximately 2,000 legislators. Since its inception, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus has continued to work collaboratively for the benefit of conservation and Idaho’s shared outdoor heritage and sporting community by advocating for science-based policies to protect and advance hunting, angling, trapping, and recreational shooting.
Highlights:
- Idaho saw historic changes following the 2022 election, with more than 40 of the 105 seats being filled by new legislators.
- Committed to protecting and advancing hunting, fishing, trapping, recreational shooting, and science-based management of Idaho’s natural resources, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus will be chaired by 4 new Co-Chairs.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) looks forward to working with the new Co-Chairs to reenergize the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.
Idaho saw historic changes following the 2022 election, with more than 40 of the 105 seats being filled by new legislators. Of significant importance to Idaho’s outdoor sporting community, both the Senate Resources and Environment Committee and the House Resources and Conservation Committee have new Chairs with Senator Burtenshaw and Representative Mendive serving in those positions respectively. The Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus followed suit with a need to secure 4 new Co-Chairs and rebuild its ranks moving into 2023.
Thankfully, there is no shortage of passionate, pro-sportsmen and pro-conservation legislators in the Gem State. Following discussions with legislative leadership, the bi-partisan bi-cameral Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’ Caucus will be chaired by 4 new Co-Chairs, Sen. Mark Harris, Senate District 35 (R), Sen. James Ruchti, Senate District 29 (D), Rep. Judy Boyle, House District 9 (R), and Rep. Ned Burns, House District 26 (D).
“Committed to protecting and advancing hunting, fishing, trapping, recreational shooting, and science-based management of Idaho’s natural resources, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is in great hands with its 4 new Caucus Co-chairs,” said Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Assistant Manager with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
“As a sportsman myself, I am thrilled to be taking an active role in protecting Idaho’s conservation legacy alongside my fellow Co-Chairs. Conservation and sportsmen’s policy transcends party lines and bring folks together over a shared love of the outdoors,” Rep. Ned Burns.
“The outdoor sporting community is a critical component of Idaho’s cultural fabric and our shared outdoor heritage. I am honored to have been selected to serve as Co-Chair of the Sportsmen’s Caucus and am looking forward to encouraging members of the legislature to learn about issues that are important to our sportsmen and women,” Rep. Judy Boyle.
“Idaho holds world class hunting and fishing opportunities and that is, in-part, because of its dedicated and passionate outdoor sporting community. With the significant turn-over in the legislature this year, it is imperative that we reenergize the Sportsmen’s Caucus to ensure our sportsmen and women are well represented in the statehouse,” Sen. James Ruchti.
“We are very fortunate here in Idaho that many of the conservation battles happening in our neighboring states have not yet infiltrated our borders. However, that day will come, and we need to be prepared for when it does. That is why building an engaged and informed Sportsmen’s Caucus is so important,” Sen. Mark Harris.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation looks forward to working with the new Co-Chairs of the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping in the year ahead.
