On February 9, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted its annual “Welcome Back to Congress” reception on Capitol Hill, gathering new and returning Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC).
Among attendees were 30 Members of Congress, including Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Senator Joe Manchin (WV) and Congressmen Rob Wittman (VA) and Tim Walz (MN), and Vice-Chair Congressmen Jeff Duncan (SC).
“It is a priority of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to pass a comprehensive sportsmen’s package during this Congress. Caucus leadership has been critical to the advancement of pro-hunting and angling policies, and gathering bipartisan support for this important package of legislation,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.
“We know it’s going to be a compressed calendar, we know it’s a Presidential election year, but people are counting on us to get it done. With your help, we will continue to push the [sportsmen’s package],” said Congressman Walz. “This is not just for recreation; it’s creating jobs and opportunities to spend time with our families.”
Congressman Wittman also urged attendees to reach out to their Members of Congress to support the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act. “This event is for welcoming [CSC Members] back, but also to emphasize that we need your help to get the SHARE Act to the floor, to get it passed, and to get it to the President’s desk,” said Congressman Wittman.
Recently, more than 50 leading national conservation organizations, including CSF, sent a letter to House of Representatives leadership, urging consideration of the SHARE Act for a floor vote. In coordination, CSC leadership delivered a letter directly requested floor time for the SHARE Act as well. The bill was passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee on October 8.
Title Sponsors were Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and ITC Holdings Corporation. Host Sponsors included: American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Anheuser Busch Companies, Bass Pro Shops, Crossroads Strategies, LLC, Ducks Unlimited, Hess Corporation, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Natural Resources Results, LLC, Oracle, Remington, Richard Childress Racing, Safari Club International, Shimano American Corporation, Smith & Wesson, Syngenta Corporate Affairs, and Vista Outdoor Inc.
Welcome to Congress Reception: CSF President Jeff Crane, Sen. Joe Manchin (WV), Rep. Garret Graves (LA), Rep. Collin Peterson (MN)
Welcome to Congress Reception: Rep. Tim Walz (MN), CSF President Jeff Crane, Rep. Rob Wittman (VA).
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?
