The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) worked with governors to ensure that Saturday, September 26, 2020, was recognized as National Hunting and Fishing Day in their respective states by issuing proclamations. Hunters and anglers are America’s true conservation heroes, and this day commemorates our nation’s valued conservationists. While additional governors are expected to sign proclamations this week, the 32 Governors who declared proclamations as of today, September 28, include:
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey*
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy*
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson*
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey*
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Idaho Governor Brad Little
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds*
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Louisiana Governor Jon Bel Edwards*
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker
Michigan Governor Gretchen Witmer
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves*
Missouri Governor Mike Parson
Montana Governor Steve Bullock*
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts*
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu*
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
North Dakota Governor Doug Burghum*
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf*
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem*
Texas Governor Greg Abbott*
Vermont Governor Phil Scott*
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice*
Utah Governor Gary Herbert*
*Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member
Also, the Ohio Senate passed a resolution recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2020 as National Hunting & Fishing Day in the state.
In addition to proclamations, CSF worked closely with National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucus leaders in states across the country to spread awareness about National Hunting and Fishing Day. These efforts have resulted in a minimum of 14 opinion editorial articles in 6 states that have been published online celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day and the importance of sportsmen and women to conservation funding and the economy.
Governor Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi (MS)
signs a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26 as
National Hunting & Fishing Day in the state this year to highlight the
contributions that Mississippi’s sportsmen and women make for conservation.
CSF’s Southeastern States Coordinator Mark Lance was in attendance
(2nd to the right of Gov. Reeves.) Also pictured are Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen’s
Caucus Co-chair Rep. Scott Bounds (4th to the right of Gov. Reeves) and
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, Executive Director
Dr. Sam Polles (3rd to right of Gov. Reeves).
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?
