SUBJECT: Governor Douglas Joins Newly Formed NGA Sportsmen’s Caucus

Biloxi, Ms. – Governor Jim Douglas today helped launch the new Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus at the National Governors Association Annual Meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi.

“Hunting and fishing have always been important in Vermont, and still are today with more than 168,000 residents and nonresidents buying hunting and fishing licenses and contributing significantly to Vermont’s economy each year,” Governor Douglas said. “Still, my administration is looking at ways to raise awareness and celebrate our hunting and fishing heritage in Vermont.”

Governor Douglas said that a recent survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed hunters and anglers together spend an estimated $253 million in Vermont every year. They hunted or fished a total of more than 2.7 million days in Vermont and averaged 15 days each.

The Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus will work closely with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses across federal and state levels to support legislation and regulations that promote and protect hunting, fishing and trapping across the country.

Governor Douglas joined Govs. Joe Manchin, West Virginia; Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming; Mike Rounds, South Dakota; and Haley Barbour, Mississippi, in kicking off the new initiative.

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