Sportsmen Govs’ creating outdoor conservation organization

Sportsmen Govs’ creating outdoor conservation organization

I HAVE TO say I was proud to be in Biloxi watching our governor, Haley Barbour, announce the formation of a bipartisan caucus of governors that will work to protect the interest of America’s hunters and anglers, and advance sound wildlife management policy.

The National Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus will facilitate communication and information exchange between participating governor’s offices in support of policies and regulations that promote and protect hunting and fishing.

At the official launch, members selected Gov. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Gov. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as the inaugural co-chairmen and also selected Barbour and Gov. Dave Freudenthal, D-Wyo., as the inaugural vice chairmen.

“The quality of life in this country continues to rely on the outdoor opportunities we provide, and we don’t want these rights and freedoms taken away from the next generation,” Rounds said.

Interest Of Outdoors

The Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus is patterned after the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus that has served the interest of outdoorsmen in the halls of Congress and federal land management agencies for 20 years. The caucus will work closely with state legislators in their home states and through the 38 state legislative caucuses that make up the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses.

Mississippi has the largest percentage of members participating in its Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.

8/3/9
Hattiesburg American

By: James L. Cummins – Executive Director of Wildlife Mississippi, a nonprofit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.