Secretary Zinke Announces Members of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the newly appointed members of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council. The Council was established on January 9, 2018, and is intended to provide the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture with advice regarding the establishment and implementation of existing and proposed policies and authorities with regard to wildlife and habitat conservation.

The Council will also examine ways to benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation organizations, state, tribal, territorial, and federal government; and benefit recreational hunting and recreational shooting sports.

We have assembled here some of the best conservationists in America,” Secretary Zinke said. “Over a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt established the American conservation ethic — best science, best practices, greatest good, longest term. These sportsmen carry on the American conservation ethic in the modern day. Bringing these experts together will be key to ensuring the American tradition of hunting and shooting, as well as the conservation benefits of these practices, carries on.”

“America’s hunters and recreational shooters have a champion in Secretary Ryan Zinke,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Zinke is fighting for our sportsmen and women to have greater access to our public lands. I am pleased to work with the Trump Administration’s new Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council to make it easier for Americans to enjoy our public lands.”

“I am honored to be nominated to this important federal advisory committee that will address issues and advance policies that benefit America’s hunters, recreational shooters, and other outdoor enthusiasts,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane.

“I am humbled and honored by my appointment to the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council Federal Advisory Committee,” said Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation Lawrence G. Keane. “Comprised of national leaders throughout the hunting and recreational shooting communities, the HSSCC is widely regarded as one of the most effective and productive federal advisory committees across the federal government. As a member, I will work diligently to promote policies that expand and enhance access and opportunities to hunting and recreational shooting for all Americans. I am deeply appreciative of Secretary Zinke and Secretary Perdue for this extraordinary opportunity.”

“President Trump and Sec Zinke continue to make major positive structural changes to America’s land and wildlife conservation systems,” said Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Founder Don Peay. “This new Council made up of the most accomplished hunter/conservationists in North America will assist in revitalizing conservation of our nation’s natural treasures for generations!”

“I am extremely honored to represent the archery industry and serve alongside such distinguished national conservation leaders on this important Council,” said Vice President & Chief Conservation Officer, Archery Trade Associations Dan Forster. “The incredible economic, environmental and social impacts derived from our nation’s hunters and shooters demands attention at the highest levels and I am excited to be a part of this national collaborative to serve, promote and invigorate hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts across America.”

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected as a member of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council,” said Former Chief ODNR Division of Wildlife Mike Budzik. “I pledge my support and energy in service to the Administration, Secretary Zinke, the sportsmen and women and shooting sports participants of this great country. I will strive to listen to the grassroots conservation leaders, industry professionals and the dedicated biologists of the Department of the Interior to provide the best input possible”.

“The Council provides a unique and valuable forum to convey the needs of ducks and duck hunters to the most important policy makers in the United States,” said Senior Vice President, Delta Waterfowl John Devney. “It will provide an incredible opportunity to contribute to the nationwide dialog on hunting and conservation. We are honored to be selected and excited to be a part of the good work the Council will undertake”.

“I am honored to be appointed by the Secretaries to this extremely important council that provides advice on wildlife management, hunting and recognizing the role hunter conservationists have played for over 100 years.” said CEO of Ducks Unlimited Dale Hall.

“This is truly an honor for me and a tremendous opportunity to carry forward the critical conservation work that must occur for mule deer conservation and our hunting heritage,” said President & CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation Miles Moretti. “I look forward to working with my fellow members of the Council to advise Secretary Zinke and Secretary Perdue and the agencies that they oversee on the issues that will make the biggest impact for our western wildlife species and the future of hunting.”

“As a lifelong hunter and shooter I am deeply honored to serve on the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council,” said Hunter Graham Hill. “Throughout my life I have enjoyed and benefited from the rich hunting and shooting heritage of our great nation. Ensuring that heritage continues to play its critical role in wildlife conservation and management by ensuring hunting and shooting opportunities across the nation are preserved and enhanced for our citizens will be the noble and important work I look forward to with my fellow Council members”

“I am very pleased and honored to be appointed to this Council by Secretary Zinke,” said Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Chief Conservation Officer Blake Henning. “I look forward to representing the interests of big game and big game hunters as this Council does important work.”

“I am honored and look forward to contributing to the conversation with Secretary Zinke’s newly formed Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council,” said National Co-Chair NRA Hunters Leadership Forum Trig French. “With a lifelong passion for the shooting sports and hunting in our great outdoors, the opportunity to promote and expand access to sustainable hunting and shooting sports on public and private lands is a long-held goal. With rational and thoughtful dialogue among varied stakeholders, one can be hopeful that consensus can be reached resulting in the fair and wise use of our public lands for the benefit both of the present and future generations.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to work hand and glove with the Secretary, the staff at the Department of Interior and serve beside the brightest in the conservation arena, while we work together to advance the cause of conservation in this country,” said hunter John Green. “We have a unique opportunity to impact the future of hunting and fishing going forward, while being thoughtful about the resources available, for the betterment of our outdoors people”.

“I’m honored to be part of the Hunting & Shooting Sports Conservation Council. I look forward to bringing my ideas to the table and making a positive impact for the next generation of hunters and outdoors men and women,” said Eva Shockey, Author of “Taking Aim” and Outdoor Channel Host.

What an exciting time for our hunting and shooting sports! This Shooting Sports Council is yet another way Secretary Zinke and staff is making the expansion of our great American heritage a priority,” said Smith & Wesson Pro Shooter and Consultant, Julie Golob. “It’s an honor for me to be a part of it alongside so many influential and truly passionate leaders in outdoors sports.”

“As a lifelong hunter I’m honored to have this opportunity to work with the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council on important wildlife conservation issues and raising public awareness of the many benefits of hunting and outdoor sports,” said President of the Liberty and Property Rights Coalition David Spady. “Hunters play a critical role in wildlife habitat conservation and provide necessary resources to help maintain our public lands and wildlife populations. It’s imperative the public understand the value hunting and sport shooting activities provide to the economy, physical fitness, wildlife conservation, recreation activity and generational family bonding.”

“I am honored to be asked by Secretary Zinke to serve on the federal advisory council,” said Bob Model, Chairman of the Boone and Crockett Club. “Sportsmen and women are vital stakeholders in federal land management. Secretary Zinke has made it a priority to improve public access to hunt on federal lands, and I look forward to serving on the Council to provide our best advice on how to tackle this quickly.”

“All Americans reap the benefits when we recover wildlife populations, expand opportunities to enjoy our outdoor heritage, and conserve our unrivaled natural resources,” said President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation Collin O’Mara. “As the parent of two young daughters and the head of America’s largest wildlife conservation organization, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Council and look forward to working with the Secretary to ensure that we pass on a nation with abundant wildlife and unparalleled outdoor experiences.”

The Council is strictly advisory and the duties will consist of providing recommendations for implementation of Executive Order No. 13443 (E.O.): Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation, Secretarial Order No. 3347: Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation, and Secretarial Order No. 3356 (S.O.): Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States, Tribes, and Territories.

Recommendations from the Council to the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture shall include, but not be limited to policies and programs that:

• Conserve and restore wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, forests and rangeland habitats;
• Promote opportunities and expand access to hunting and shooting sports on public and private lands;
• Encourages hunting and shooting safety by developing ranges on public lands;
• Recruit and retain new shooters and hunters;
• Increase public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and the social and economic benefits of hunting and shooting;
• Encourage coordination among the public, hunting and shooting sports community, wildlife conservation groups, state, tribal, territorial, and federal government.

The members of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council are listed below:

• Mike Budzik – Retired Chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Chris Cox – Executive Director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA)
• Jeff Crane – President of Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF)
• John Devney – Vice President of U.S. Policy for Delta Waterfowl
• Dan Forester -Vice President and Chief Conservation Officer for the Archery Trade Association
• Ward “Trig” French – Chairman of the Hunter’s Leadership Forum
• Julie Golob – World and National Shooting Champion, Team Smith & Wesson
• John Green – CEO of Crossroads Strategies; Board member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Former Policy Advisor for the Senate Majority Leader- specifically in conservation policy
• Dale Hall – CEO of Ducks Unlimited and former Director of the USFWS
• Blake Henning – Chief Conservation Officer for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Graham Hill – Principal and Founding Partner- Ice Miller Strategies LLC; Board of Directors for the National Rifle Association
• Larry Keane – Senior Vice President for Governmental and Public Affairs, Assistant Secretary, and General Counsel for National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF); General Counsel, Corporate Secretary for Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institutes, Inc (SAAMI); Serves on Board of Directors for Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
• Bob Model – Former President of the Boone and Crockett Club
• Miles Moretti – President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation and a previous Deputy Director of Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources
• Collin O’Mara – President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation
• Donald Peay – Founder and Former CEO of the Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (SFW);
• Eva Shockey – Co-Host of Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures on Outdoor Channel
• David Spady – President of the Liberty and Property Rights Coalition

The Council will meet approximately twice a year, and at such other times as designated by the Designated Federal Officer. The Council will terminate 2 years from the date the charter is filed, unless, prior to that date, it is renewed in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the FACA. The Council will not meet or take any action without a valid current Charter.

The Council is established to further the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701), the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd), other Acts applicable to specific bureaus, and Executive Order 13443, “Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation.” The Council is regulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.