(December 15, 2025) – Memphis, Tennessee – Last week, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted the 22nd Annual NASC Sportsman‑Legislator Summit in Memphis, Tennessee. Co-hosted by the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and presented by CSF and Ducks Unlimited, this year’s NASC Summit took place at the Guest House at Graceland – the Home of Elvis Presley.
The NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit is the premier annual gathering for state legislative sportsmen’s caucus members and partners from across the country. It serves as the leading forum for focused discussion, collaboration, and the development of strategies to protect and advance the interests of America’s sportsmen and women in state legislatures.
Held under the theme “Temperature Rising: Turning Up the Heat Through Proactive Sporting-Conservation Policy Initiatives,” the 2025 Summit brought together over 320 attendees, including 85 legislators from 25 states, state and federal agency leaders, conservation organizations, and outdoor industry professionals. This year’s event emphasized proactive policymaking to meet modern conservation challenges and ensure the future of America’s time-honored outdoor traditions.
“This year’s Summit theme captures the momentum we’re building through this event. We’re no longer waiting for challenges to come to us; we’re working together to shape the future of conservation and ensure the next generation inherits the same opportunities to hunt, fish, and enjoy the outdoors that we cherish today,” said Brent Miller, Vice President, Policy at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “The success of this Summit truly reflects the power of partnership between legislators, conservationists, and industry leaders. By working across state lines and political boundaries, we’re advancing the policies that strengthen wildlife, habitat, and the outdoor traditions that unite us all.”
Topics covered at this year’s event included, but were not limited to, achieving legislative results through proactive policy initiatives, investing in our public lands, the role of hunters in society, and so much more. In addition to educational sessions, regional breakouts, and Executive Council meetings, the Summit also featured group demonstrations, an auction and raffle, outdoor sporting activities, and an awards ceremony.
During the awards ceremony, CSF’s States Program Team recognized individual legislators and groups for their outstanding contributions to advancing conservation policy and furthering the mission of the NASC network. This year’s award recipients included:
NASC Regional Heritage Award
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- Northeast – Representative Mandy Steele (Pennsylvania)
- Southeast – Representative Chas Cannon (Georgia)
- Midwest – Senator Jon Bumstead (Michigan)
- West – Representative Paul Fielder (Montana)
- Friends of NASC Awards
- Ducks Unlimited
- Bass Pro Shops
- State Agency of the Year
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
- State Caucus Partner of the Year
- Friends of Connecticut Sportsmen
- Outgoing EC Member Awards:
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- Representative Bobby Cox (South Carolina)
- Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council of the Year:
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- Montana
CSF would like to thank all the sponsors who made the 22nd Annual NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit possible including Presenting Sponsor: Ducks Unlimited. Title Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops; Cabela’s; Capital One; National Shooting Sports Foundation; Outdoor Sportsman Group; Richard Childress Racing; Safari Club International; and The Kinetic Group. Host Sponsors: Delta Waterfowl; and Range USA.
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