February 8, 2021 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) announced changes to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) leadership for the 117th Congress during today’s virtual Changing of the Guard event.
CSF provides an important connection between the sporting community and Congress to ensure our rights as hunters and anglers are protected and advanced for generations to come. As the largest bipartisan Caucus in Congress, members of the CSC come together as pro-sportsmen and women elected officials to advocate for the interests of America’s sportsmen and women.
Normally held in person, this year’s Changing of the Guard was conducted virtually due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, providing an opportunity for CSC leadership to discuss upcoming sporting conservation priorities for the year with key members of the sporting conservation community.
Returning Senate CSC leaders include Co-Chairs Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Vice-Chairs Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Senator John Boozman (R-AR). Returning House leaders now include Co-Chairs Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC). The CSC leadership also added two new House Vice-Chairs, Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
Outgoing members of the CSC leadership include former House Co-Chairs Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) and Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA).
This event also included a special guest appearance by Wayne Hubbard of Urban American Outdoors.
“The CSC is the largest bipartisan caucus on Capitol Hill, and continues to increase its ability to work together to advance meaningful bipartisan legislation,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “They prioritize our sporting heritage and we look forward to working with these outstanding lawmakers in the 117th Congress. The CSC leadership in the new Congress will be crucial to advancing federal pro-sporting conservation policies.”
“As a lifelong hunter, angler and outdoors enthusiast, it has been an honor to serve CSC as both Co-Chair and Vice-Chair,” said Congressman Austin Scott. We’ve accomplished much in the last few years – Pittman-Robertson reform, the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, and a red snapper season in the Gulf of Mexico, to name a few. I am confident the incoming leadership will build upon these accomplishments, and I look forward to continuing to work with them and this important Caucus to advance the rights of America’s sportsmen and women.”
“For this last session, being able to accomplish everything we did, it was tremendous for the outdoors,” said Congressman Marc Veasey. I want to thank everyone at the Foundation for their perseverance. I am very proud of all of our accomplishments and proud to have worked together in a bipartisan way. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the organization.”
Currently, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus includes more than 200 members.
Title sponsors included Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. Host sponsors included Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Dallas Safari Club, Everest.com, Hornady Manufacturing Co., Lockheed Martin Corporation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Richard Childress Racing, Safari Club International, Shikar Safari Club International, Shimano, Southern Company, and Vista Outdoor Inc..
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?
