Why It Matters: Senator Cathey taking on this leadership role is important to the advancement of the bicameral and bipartisan Caucus, whose members are committed to ensuring the future of hunting and fishing opportunities critical to sportsmen and women and the state’s economy. Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise” for good reason, and the Caucus plays an integral role in ensuring it stays that way for generations to come.
Highlights:
- Recently, Senator Stewart Cathey, Jr. accepted the leadership position of Senate Co-Chair for the bipartisan Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus).
- Senator Cathey steps into this position following former Caucus Co-Chair Senator Rick Ward’s departure from the legislature.
- Senator Cathey joins Senator Gary Smith, Speaker of the House Representative Clay Schexnayder, and Representative Vincent Pierre as Co-Chairs of the Caucus.
In addition to a strong state Caucus leadership bench, Louisiana’s pro-sportsmen’s delegation also features National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council Member Representative Jerome Zeringue, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Governor John Bel Edwards, and numerous members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.
In 2021 alone, sportsmen and women in Louisiana contributed over $43 million to conservation funding through the “user pays—public benefits” structure known as the American System of Conservation Funding, emphasizing the need to have strong representation of hunters and anglers in the Capitol. To that end, the Caucus hosted a successful Caucus Luncheon this year and worked to advance numerous priorities for the Louisiana’s sportsmen’s community.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation looks forward to working with Senator Cathey and thanks Rick Ward for his invaluable leadership during his time as Caucus Co-Chair and wishes him success during his time afield and on the water.
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?
