Nearly 60 Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, joined leaders from the sportsmen’s community in Washington, DC, for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) 29th Annual Banquet and Auction.
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue addressed the event’s reception as the keynote speaker, and discussed the importance of the upcoming Farm Bill Conservation Title.
“At USDA, we work on things that are important to our sportsmen. Good forest and farm management are good for wildlife, and we are about multiple uses [of the land],” said Secretary Perdue. “For the next generation we need to protect the things we love – the land – and protect the sporting [traditions].”
Today was also the first meeting for conferees to discuss the components of the 2018 Farm Bill.
“This year’s Banquet is focused on the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and their commitment to conservation,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “Established nearly 30 years ago, the Caucus is now comprised of nearly 300 bipartisan Members of Congress who work on behalf of sportsmen and women across the country to protect and advance hunting, fishing, and conservation priorities.”
Prior to the evening events, CSF Chairman’s Club members, and other CSF partners including CSF Ambassadors Dan Harrison and Lucas Hoge, gathered for a lunch to discuss the policy priorities for outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, and for fish and wildlife conservation. CSC Co-Chairs Senators Jim Risch (ID) and Joe Manchin (WV) led this discussion, showing that sportsmen’s interests are bipartisan.
Title Sponsors of the event included Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Safari Club International, and Vista Outdoor Inc. Host Sponsors included BP America, Ford Motor Company, and Hornady Manufacturing Company.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue at CSF’s Annual Banquet & Auction.
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?
