The Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) has announced the new bipartisan leadership for the recently seated 114th Congress. Senate Co-Chairs include Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) with Vice-Chairs Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). House of Representatives Co-Chairs include Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN) and Vice-Chairs Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Congressman Gene Green (D-TX).
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was formed 26 years ago along with the CSC as a link between the Caucus and the sportsmen’s community. “CSF is honored to work with the leadership and the nearly 300 members of the CSC, who all share the common interest in protecting and advancing the sportsmen’s heritage through wildlife conservation policies that benefit hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping. With bipartisan members in the Senate and House from nearly 50 states, it is clear that outdoor traditions are enjoyed by all constituencies throughout the nation,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.
“It is an honor to serve as Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus after serving as Vice-Chair in both the 112th and 113th Congress,” said Senator Risch. “Like so many other Idahoans, I enjoy hunting, fishing, and shooting sports and value the strong principles associated with them. I look forward to working with Senator Manchin in the U.S. Senate on behalf of America’s sportsmen and women.”
“As an avid sportsman, I know firsthand that our hunting and fishing heritage is so important to who we are as West Virginians and as Americans,” Senator Manchin said. “It is truly a privilege to Co-Chair the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in the 114th Congress. As Co-Chair, one of my top priorities will be to make sure that the people in the Mountain State and across this nation will continue to enjoy hunting and fishing, recreational shooting and have the ability to appreciate all that the outdoors have to offer.”
“The contributions of the sporting community are absolutely critical for promoting conservation efforts across the nation. As a lifelong hunter and fisherman, I am proud to serve as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for the 114th Congress, and I am eager to continue working to champion policies that protect the rights of our citizens to enjoy sporting activities in the outdoors,” said Congressman Wittman.
“As a life-long hunter and outdoorsman, I am honored and excited to help lead this important Caucus. I look forward to working with my fellow sportsmen and women in Congress to protect our natural state treasures and promote our strong hunting and fishing heritage,” said Congressman Walz.
CSF would also like to thank to CSC leadership from the 113th Congress for their work on behalf of America’s sportsmen and women. Outgoing leadership included: Co-Chairs Senators Kay Hagan (NC) and John Thune (SD) and Vice-Chair Senator Mark Pryor (AR); and House Co-Chairs Congressmen Bob Latta (OH) and Bennie Thompson (MS).
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?
