Why It Matters: Governor Youngkin’s membership in the GSC expands the network of pro-sportsmen elected officials in Virginia, including members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, who are committed to advancing and protecting outdoor sporting traditions in the Commonwealth.
Highlights:
- On September 23, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin became the newest member of the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus.
- Comprised of 31 Governors from across the country, the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) unites pro-sportsmen governors through their affiliation with the GSC.
- The GSC is instrumental to facilitating communication and information exchange among GSC member offices to support policies that promote and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.
Governor Youngkin said, “It is an honor to join the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, as one of the thousands of Virginians that loves to hunt and fish. Our sportsmen and sportswomen are some of our most prominent conservationists. The hunting and fishing that takes place in our beautiful Commonwealth is crucial for the management and sustainability of many species, both on the land and in the water. I am proud to join other governors that recognize the importance and economic value of hunting and fishing, as well as the outdoor recreational opportunities they present.”
Since being sworn into office in January 2022, Governor Youngkin has been a strong advocate for Virginia’s sportsmen and women, including signing the public lands Sunday hunting legislation into law and issuing a National Hunting and Fishing Day Proclamation. The Governor’s commitment to our sporting traditions has now been further solidified through his membership in the GSC.
Founded in 2009 by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the GSC complements the work of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucus. Governor John Bel Edwards (LA) and Governor Kristi Noem (SD) are the current Co-Chairs of the GSC.
CSF is honored to welcome Governor Youngkin to the GSC and looks forward to working with the Governor to support Virginia’s 795,000 sportsmen and women who contribute more than $3.6 billion to the state’s economy and last year alone generated $63.66 million for conservation through the “user pays – public benefits” American System of Conservation Funding.
