July 19, 2021 (Washington, DC) - Today, more than 30 Members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) - the largest bipartisan Caucus on Capitol Hill - joined the sportsmen's community and allied industry representatives for the annual Congressional Clays Competition.
Hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) just outside of Washington, DC, this trap, skeet, and sporting clays competition brings together Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to enjoy a shared American outdoor tradition and support CSF’s and the Caucus’s shared mission of protecting and advancing hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.
The competition was tough but Team Republican continues their winning streak.
Team Democrat - led by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI) - tallied up a score of 191; and
Team Republican - led by Congressman Richard Hudson (NC) - finished with a score of 286.
One of the fastest growing demographics in the shooting sports is women. In keeping with that trend, female participation was at an all-time high since the event first began; a strong indicator that our efforts to recruit new constituencies continues to gain momentum.
Each year, America’s hunters and recreational target shooters spend billions of dollars on firearms and ammunition to participate in these time-honored traditions. A portion of these expenditures go directly back to state wildlife agencies to support their mission of conserving wildlife and providing access for our nation’s sportsmen and women. For roughly the last decade, state wildlife agencies have received well over $600 billion annually, in some years north of $800 billion, thanks to the contributions of hunters and target shooters.
“The nexus between recreational shooting and conservation is a critical story that has long been recognized and championed by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus,” said CSF President & CEO Jeff Crane. “Our sporting community remains grateful for the continued advancements the CSC is making for our outdoor traditions and by having them join us today, they were able to gain a better understanding of the important role the shooting sports play for the conservation of our nation’s natural resources.”
Clays Competition Awards
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Individual Category
"Top Gun" Member of Congress: Rep. John Rutherford (FL)
"Top Gun" Democrat: Rep. Mike Thompson (CA)
"Top Gun" Republican: Rep. Trent Kelly (MS)
Top Skeet: Rep. Richard Hudson (NC)
Top Trap: Rep. Rep. David Valadao (CA)
Top Sporting Clays: Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC)
Experienced Category
"Top Gun": Forrest Wilson, Vista Outdoor, Inc. / Federal Premium
"Top Gun" Female: Tara Smith, Mike Torrey Association
Top Skeet: Bryan Barnes, Fiocchi
Top Trap: Jonathan Langenfield, Vista Outdoor, Inc. / Remington
Top Sporting Clays: Jordan Austin, Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l
CSF would like to thank our partners and sponsors who made this event possible.
Title sponsors include: Bass Pro Shops; Cabela’s; Hornady Manufacturing Co.; National Shooting Sports Foundation; and Vista Outdoor, Inc. Host Sponsors include: Amgen; Benelli; Dallas Safari Club; Everest; Hess; National Rifle Association; Richard Childress Racing; Safari Club International; Shimano, Inc.; Shikar Safari Club International; and Winchester Ammunition.
