On Saturday, members of the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) recognized the GSC’s 10th Anniversary, and reflected on sportsmen’s conservation victories as a result of efforts by pro-sportsmen governors across the country.
Hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), this reception gathered governors with representatives from the sportsmen’s community and allied industry partners.
CSF President reflected on the GSC milestone. “Ten years ago, CSF established the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, expanding the network of sportsmen and women-elected officials across the country, and complementing the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses.”
The GSC facilitates communication and information exchange for promoting and advancing hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping. This year, the GSC is led by Co-Chairs Governor Tom Wolf (PA) and Governor Asa Hutchinson (AR).
“I want to thank the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation for their support of hunting and angling across America,” said Governor Hutchinson. “I’m very proud of what we have to offer in our state, and what we offer [in the country as a whole]. We need to teach, and to conserve, and make sure our wildlife is there 
for the next generation. It is critically important that we succeed together.”
GSC Member Governor Jim Justice was honored by CSF with the GSC Heritage Award for increasing access and opportunities for the state’s sportsmen and women. Gov. Justice supported legislation that expanded Sunday hunting on private and public land in West Virginia as well as other pro-sportsmen’s initiatives.
Titles Sponsors included Bass Pro Shops, Bayer Corporation, BP America, Cabela’s, CropLife America, Reynolds American, and Wine & Spirit Wholesalers of America.
Bob Miner of BP praised the event and its importance to allied industries. “This [event] provides an opportunity for us to talk to people from both parties who are interested in and concerned about policy around outdoor sporting [issues] and conservation,” said Bob Miner of BP. “There’s a role that we can responsibly play as corporations to support land management, habitat conservation, and public access to private lands.”
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?
