On February 21, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) welcomed Governor Phil Scott as the 29th member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC). Governor Scott joins a group of bipartisan governors from across the country who are dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.
“Hunting, fishing and outdoor sports are such an important part of Vermont’s history, culture and our economy, so I’m very glad to join the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus,” said Governor Scott. “This group plays an important role in representing the value these activities bring for Vermonters, and all Americans, and I’m excited to be part of those efforts.”
Founded in 2009 by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the GSC facilitates communication and information exchange among the 30 participating offices in support of policies that promote professional fish and wildlife management.
“When Governor Scott was serving as Lieutenant Governor he was actively involved with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation through regularly participating in Vermont Caucus events in Montpelier, and serving as a keynote speaker at the 2015 National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit in Manchester, Vermont,” said CSF’s Northeastern States Director Brent Miller. “I am thrilled that the Governor has now joined the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus and I look forward to working with him to protect and advance our sporting traditions for my fellow Vermonters in the years ahead.”
Over 254,000 sportsmen and women in Vermont support more than 6,800 jobs across the state and contribute $442 million to the state’s economy. In 2015 alone, sportsmen and women in the Green Mountain State generated $15.13 million for conservation programs through the “user-pays, public-benefits” structure known as the American System of Conservation Funding, celebrating its 80th Anniversary this year.
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?
