On Saturday, members of the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) 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. Attendees gathered with members of the GSC and other conservation leaders to discuss policy efforts that ensure our time-honored traditions remain a vibrant part of our cultural fabric in states across the nation.
CSF President reflected on the accomplishments of the GSC. In 2009, 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. It’s through this network that sportsmen and women across the country are able to enjoy their continued outdoor pursuits”
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).
“Sportsmen and women are one of the original stewards of our lands, passing their conservation heritage down from generation to generation,” said Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Gov. Mike Parson. “This is incredibly noble and important work. As conservationists, it is important to remember that if we aren’t the ones protecting and passing that heritage on to the next generation, nobody is.”
GSC Member Governor Mike DeWine was honored by CSF with the GSC Heritage Award for his work championing policies benefiting the sportsmen and women of Ohio. Since assuming office in early 2019, Gov. DeWine supported conservation funding legislation that increased license fees, and Gov. DeWine secured $47 million in the state’s budget for a large land acquisition project to keep thousands of acres open to public hunting and fishing. Gov. DeWine has also promoted hunting and fishing by signing a National Hunting and Fishing Day Proclamation and by hosting numerous sportsmen-centric events across the state.
“Our Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus members provide tremendous strength to our success and progress that CSF makes to advance the interests of our nation’s sportsmen,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “We commend their vigorous work to implement policy in favor of sportsmen and women state-wide.”
Titles Sponsors included Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Reynolds American, and Wine & Spirit Wholesalers of America.
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?
