The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) announced and welcomed Governor Steve Bullock of Montana and Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania as the new Democratic Co-Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC). Governors Bullock and Wolf join Governor Phil Bryant (MS) and Governor Matt Mead (WY), the respective Republican Co-Chair and Vice Chair of the GSC.
“As a hunter, angler, and someone who enjoys the nearly 30 million acres of public land in Montana, I’m honored to Co-Chair the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus,” said Governor Bullock. “Protecting public lands and access to them is an issue that transcends party politics. It isn’t about Democrats, Republicans or Independents – it’s about doing what’s right for everyone who enjoys the outdoors.”
“I am pleased to join the leadership of the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus. With over 1.4 million sportsmen and women across the state, who spend over $1.5 billion each year, hunting and angling are a part of the fabric of life in Pennsylvania. Additionally, through the ‘user-pays, public-benefits’ American System of Conservation Funding, Pennsylvania sportsmen and women provide nearly $100 million in critical conservation dollars each year,” said Governor Wolf. “I look forward to working with this network of state executives to protect and advance our outdoor heritage.”
Founded by CSF in 2009, the GSC is a bipartisan caucus of 26 governors and one lieutenant governor, united to protect and advance the interests of America’s sportsmen and women, and advance professional fish and wildlife management policy. The GSC facilitates communication and information exchange among participating offices in support of policies and regulations that promote and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. Guided by a bipartisan leadership team of governors with support from CSF staff, the GSC complements and enhances the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses.
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?
