Strickland Joins Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus

Bipartisan Group Established to Promote and Protect Hunting and Wildlife Causes

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that he has joined the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC), a recently established group of sitting governors who are committed to protecting and promoting the interests and agenda of sportsmen and women and wildlife professionals in Ohio and across the nation.

The group was launched this summer at the National Governors’ Association annual meeting in Biloxi, Miss.

"Sportsmen activities generate billions of dollars for our economy and provide employment opportunities for thousands of people," Strickland said. "I am proud to serve as a member of the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus, and I look forward to advocating on a national level for one of Ohio's most important outdoor traditions."

The goal of the caucus is to facilitate communication and information exchange between participating governors' offices in support of policies and regulations that promote hunting, fishing and wildlife management.

The caucus is charged with educating GSC member offices on public policy issues of importance to sportsmen; providing a conduit for hunting and fishing organizations to work with GSC member offices in support of pro-sportsmen's policies and regulations; and developing a coordinated resource base for sportsmen's policy issues addressed by the states.

The Governor's caucus stemmed from the success of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, which Strickland participated in as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

"With hunting and fishing being such an important part of our nation's heritage, I believe that it is critically important that elected officials know and understand the issues affecting sportsmen," Strickland said. "I look forward to sharing information and ideas with my fellow governors on the best policies to support sportsmen and wildlife professionals in our states and across the country."

In Ohio, one out of six residents participates in hunting or fishing activities. The state's 1.5 million hunters and anglers spend an estimated $1.9 billion annually, while travelers and tourists from across the country visit the state and spend hundreds of millions to enjoy their favorite outdoor pursuits.

To demonstrate a long-term commitment and appreciation for Ohio's outdoor heritage, Strickland and his wife, Frances, have promoted the state's fishing opportunities through annual participation in the Governor’s Fish Ohio Day on Lake Erie.

Strickland also encourages growing youth involvement in Ohio's hunting tradition by supporting the National Archery in the Schools program, which promotes student education, physical education and participation in the life-long sport of archery, and hosting the Governor's Annual Youth-Celebrity Spring Turkey Hunt.

The turkey hunt is inspired by the state's apprentice hunter program that allows young people and others who are interested in the outdoors and conservation to safely take part in the state's rich hunting tradition and learn from seasoned sportsmen. The event partners renowned hunters with up-and-coming Ohio sportsmen and women for a premier wild turkey hunting opportunity.

The Governors Sportsmen's Caucus is coordinated by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF).

Strickland is one of 16 governors from across the country who have joined the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus. The members are:

1. Gov. Mike Rounds, South Dakota (co-chair)
2. Gov. Joe Manchin, West Virginia (co-chair)
3. Gov. Haley Barbour, Mississippi (vice-chair)
4. Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming (vice-chair)
5. Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio
6. Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia
7. Gov. Phil Bredesen, Tennessee
8. Gov. Rick Perry, Texas
9. Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana
10. Gov. Butch Otter, Idaho
11. Gov. Mitch Daniels, Indiana
12. Gov. John Hoeven, North Dakota
13. Gov. Brad Henry, Oklahoma
14. Gov. John Lynch, New Hampshire
15. Gov. Jim Douglas, Vermont
16. Gov. John Baldacci, Maine