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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Leslie Garrett
lgarrett@congressionalsportsmen.org
202-543-6850 x 17
Largest Gathering of Legislators, Agency Staff, and Outdoor Industry Representatives Tackle Conservation Priorities for our Time-Honored Traditions
December 13, 2021 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Last week, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted the largest gathering of pro-sportsmen legislators, agency staff, and outdoor industry representatives for the 18th Annual National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Sportsman-Legislator Summit in Little Rock, AR. Known as one of CSF’s premier annual events, this multi-day and one-of-a-kind Summit provides a venue for state legislators to discuss policy issues and share information relevant to our time-honored sportsmen’s heritage. Through informative discussion and networking, attendees develop a vision for future successes while highlighting the contributions of sportsmen and women to conservation.

This year's Summit theme was "Shifting Demographics: Challenges and Opportunities for Advancing our Time-Honored Traditions.” Among the many topics that were discussed were the 30x30 Global Initiative; Leadership of American Waterfowl Hunters in International Conservation; Politization of Hunting; Modernizing Conservation Technology; and more.

Keynote speakers for this year’s event included Mark Duda, Responsive Management; Tom Opre, Shepherds of Wildlife Society™; Simon Roosevelt, Boone & Crockett Club and Chairman of the CSF Board of Directors; Rep. Bruce Westerman, Vice-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC); Rep. French Hill, a Member of the CSC; and Governor Asa Hutchinson, a current Member, and former Co-Chair of the bipartisan Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus.

“Anglers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation are avid supporters of wildlife conservation and who also treasure the beauty and serenity of Arkansas.” Governor Hutchinson said, “It was an honor to host a celebration for those that understand the need to sustain our beautiful state and have contributed to the protection and improvement of vital habitats for years to come.”

During the Summit, CSF's States Program Team recognized several individuals and groups for their dedicated support to NASC and for their achievements over the past year:

  • Friends of NASC Award: National Shooting Sports Foundation and Boone and Crockett Club
  • State Agency of the Year Award: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
  • NASC Heritage Awards: Representative Jeff Wardlaw (AR); Assemblymember Colin Schmitt (NY); Representative Danny Crawford (AL); and Representative Regina Cobb (AZ)
  • Host State Award: Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
  • Brad Rowse Leadership Award: Gary Kania, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
 
The 2022 NASC Executive Council was also announced. Leadership includes Rep. Brian White (SC) (President) and Rep. Jeff Goley (NH) (Vice President). Members include Sen. Mark Allen (OK), Sen. Mike Bell (TN), Sen. Robin Webb (KY), Rep. Scott Bounds (MS), Rep. Patrick Brennan (VT), Rep. Casey Snider (UT), Rep. Bill Rehm (NM), Rep. Jeff Wardlaw (AR), Rep. Brad Witt (OR), and Rep. Jerome Zeringue (LA). Del. Ned Carey (MD) was elected to serve as the Alternate Member.

“The NASC program is the most successful state-based legislative program across this nation. Every year, our team tracks more than 5,000 bills and 10,000 regulations throughout the country, working side-by-side with more than 2,000 state legislators across 49 states to ensure our time-honored traditions are protected,” said CSF President & CEO, Jeff Crane. “We are grateful for the strong work of the state caucuses and their leadership, and look forward to applying what we learned during this year’s Summit to our work in the year ahead.”
 
In addition to the countless sponsors who support CSF and the NASC program, we would like to give special thanks to our 18th Annual NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit Title Sponsors including Bass Pro Shops; Cabela's; Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries; National Shooting Sports Foundation; Safari Club International; Sports South, LLC; Vista Outdoor and Walmart Foundation.
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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.

Working with Congress, governors and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting,
angling, recreational shooting and trapping.
 
For more information on the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation go to congressionalsportsmen.org.