NWF Outdoors attends National Association of Sportsmen’s Caucuses annual summit

• Aaron Kindle, Director of Sporting Advocacy
• Dec 07, 2022

The National Association of Sportsmen’s Caucuses annual summit happens every fall. It is hosted by the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation. The summit brings together sporting oriented state legislators, policy leaders, and sporting NGO’s to discuss the upcoming legislative sessions, and the issues affecting the sporting community in general. 

I appreciate attending these events every year as it is a great opportunity to meet new legislators, talk about state and national issues and catch up with old friends and colleagues.  This year I even got to spend some time in person with my NWF Outdoors podcast co-host, Bill Cooksey, and my friend and NWF colleague, David Willms. 

Some of my favorite sessions this year were hearing about the Boone and Crockett Club’s efforts to understand and combat poaching, learning the latest about wild sheep conservation, and seeing my friend and colleague Jesse Deubel speak about the New Mexico Wildlife Federation’s effort to keep elk tags from being further privatized in New Mexico.

I also had the chance to catch up with legislators I know from across the country, like Utah State Representative and former Trout Unlimited colleague Casey Snider, and friends and colleagues from other sporting conservation organizations like the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Safari Club International, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Ducks Unlimited, and Delta Waterfowl. And to connect with more affiliate friends like Mike Butler of Tennessee Wildlife Federation and Marcus Strange of Montana Wildlife Federation. 

I’m always honored to share time with these folks - the dedicated conservationists who love the outdoors and keep the conservation train moving down the tracks. It renews my spirit to see these folks in person, share some laughs, and think about the newest challenges we all face to keep the United States as the best wildlife country in the world.  And the summit always sets the perfect stage with excellent content, great company, and the unique chance to put our collective heads together. 

Here’s looking to a bright 2023 and being thankful for our abundance and opportunities, and to looking forward to the next NASC Summit. 

The NASC Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit is the largest gathering of pro-sportsmen legislators that occurs each year. This event provides the bipartisan group of sportsmen-legislators - representing states across the nation - with the opportunity to interact with state and federal natural resource agencies, allied non-governmental conservation organizations and industries concerned with the future of our nation's outdoor heritage. The meeting is also an opportunity for legislators to gather together to discuss issues impacting the sportsmen's conservation community and to share information relevant to America's hunters and recreational anglers and shooters. Visit www.nascsummit.org for more information.