Contact: Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States Coordinator
On January 21, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) welcomed Missouri Governor Michael Parson as the newest member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC). Gov. Parson is the 26th member of the GSC, a bipartisan group of governors from across the country dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.
“I am proud to join the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus and look forward to working with my fellow governors in support of Missouri’s sportsmen and women. Our sporting heritage is critically important to our state’s culture, economy, and vast wildlife resources,” said Gov. Parson.
Since assuming office in June 2018, Gov. Parson has been a supporter of Missouri’s sportsmen and women, as well as its abundant wildlife resources. In 2019, he signed House Bill 260 (commonly referred to as the “Anti-Poaching Bill”) into law. This bill created additional civil penalties for the illegal pursuit and harvest of certain game species in Missouri. These penalties, in addition to those already provided in Missouri code, represent a strong measure to protect Missouri’s wildlife populations.
Gov. Parson’s membership in the GSC strengthens the network of elected officials from Missouri, including the Missouri Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus from the Missouri Congressional Delegation, who are dedicated to protecting the Show-Me State’s rich sporting heritage.
CSF looks forward to working with Gov. Parson and his administration to support Missouri’s 1.28 million hunters and anglers who contribute more than $1.67 billion annually to the Missouri economy and generated nearly $63 million in 2018 alone for conservation through the American System of Conservation Funding.
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?
