Governor's Sportsmen Caucus Formed

HOEVEN AND ROUNDS WORK TO PROTECT INTERESTS OF AMERICA’S ANGLERS AND HUNTERS

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven and South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds have joined 16 other governors to form the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, which will work in the interests of America’s hunters and anglers by supporting policies and regulations that promote and protect hunting and fishing across the nation.

“Hunting and fishing are proud traditions of many North Dakotans,” said Hoeven. “We’ve worked hard to preserve North Dakota’s rich outdoor heritage, and we now look forward to partnering with Gov. Rounds and other governors to preserve those traditions across the nation.”

The Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus was established July 17 at the National Governors Association annual meeting in Biloxi, Miss. At the launch, governors emphasized the importance of hunting and fishing to their states’ quality of life, as well as their economies.

“Hunting and fishing are important to the quality of life in our states and to our national, state and local economies,” said Hoeven. “For this reason, it is important that we continue to work hard to protect and promote outdoor opportunities now and in the future.”

Each year, more than 40 million anglers and hunters contribute in excess of $70 billion annually to the national economy.

“Hunting and fishing are among the most popular outdoor activities for thousands of South Dakotans,” Gov. Rounds said. “It’s important to do everything we can to make sure that those traditions can continue to be passed along from one generation to the next.”

Rounds serves with Gov. Joe Manchin of West Virginia as co-chairman of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus.

“Sound wildlife management and the interests of America’s anglers and hunters are extremely important,” Rounds said. “I will work closely with Gov. Hoeven and other governors in the Caucus to advance and protect those interests.”

The Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus will work with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, which have been providing access and a voice for sportsmen for 20 years in Congress, the Administration and federal land-management agencies, and state legislatures.