Leaders and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) gathered for a reception running concurrently with the annual National Governors Association meeting to discuss annual priorities with representatives from the sportsmen’s conservation community.
The event was hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), and focused on accomplishments and challenges from the last year.
CSF President Jeff Crane welcomed attendees. “The Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus continues to grow stronger – now with 35 governors – and extends the network of elected officials who represent sportsmen, sportswomen, and fish and wildlife conservation in the halls of government across the country,” said Crane. “CSF would like to thank the 40 governors who signed proclamations in 2017 recognizing National Hunting and Fishing Day. We hope that every GSC member will consider signing such a proclamation in 2018 as well.”
This year, the GSC is led by Co-Chairs Governor Steve Bullock (MT) and Governor Matt Mead (WY), along with Vice-Chair Governor Tom Wolf (PA).
Governor Mead said, “This last fall, my son got his first elk in Wyoming; it is wonderful that he is going to be the next generation that carries on conservation efforts, the opportunity for outdoor recreation, and the spirit and tradition [of hunting], not only in the Western states, but across the United States. Sportsmen care about wildlife and the traditions of hunting and fishing, and [other] outdoor recreation.”
Former GSC Co-Chair Governor Phil Bryant (MS) also addressed attendees. “If it were not for [hunters], there would not be a deer population in Mississippi. We care about and nurture wildlife. We also understand that our land, water, and air is important. What the [Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus] does is ensure hunting and conservation in the future.”
About the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus
Formed in 2009, the GSC, a bipartisan caucus of governors, facilitates communication and information exchange between participating offices in support of policies and regulations that promote and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. Guided by a bipartisan leadership team of governors and staffed through CSF, the GSC complements and enhances the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. Presently, the bipartisan GSC consists of 35 members representing diverse regions of the nation.
Since 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted sportsmen’s organization in the political arena. CSF’s mission is to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. The unique and collective force of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), working closely with CSF, and with the support of major hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping organizations, serves as an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials that advance the interests of America’s hunters and anglers.