(McCall, ID) -The National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) held its sixth annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit in McCall, Idaho last week.

The three-day meeting, hosted by the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council, is the largest gathering of state sportsmen legislators in the United States and provides them with a unique forum to exchange ideas on pro-sportsmen legislation as well as issues and trends of concern to the outdoor community.

“The Idaho Sportsmen Caucus was proud to host the first NASC meeting held west of the Rocky Mountains. Idaho is fortunate to have some unique sporting opportunities near the scenic Payette Lake in McCall and we enjoyed sharing them with the attendees, said ILSC Co-Chair Rep. Donna Pence. ” However, the important part of of this meeting was the time the individual caucus members spent learning about and discussing issues affecting hunters, fishermen, and trappers across our nation.

The 2008 NASC summit: “Building on the Basics: Improving the Structure and Function of Your State Sportsmen’s Caucus” brings together state legislators, state and federal administrators, allied industry leaders, and leaders in conservation to discuss an agenda focused on policy issues of concern to the over 34 million hunters and anglers throughout the country.

“This year’s meeting was full of insightful presentations and thought provoking discussion focusing on legislation throughout the states affecting sportsmen,” said NASC Executive Council President Mike Pitts of South Carolina.

Policy sessions included: state legislative trends and victories, federal issues and current state issues such as: state wildlife management, building a state caucus advisory council, hunting & fishing education, puppy mills, trapping, state partnerships with non-governmental organizations, and micro-stamping/bullet serialization.

“The agenda of this year’s meeting provided a wonderful opportunity for our members to take these policy initiatives back to their colleagues in the various state legislatures in order to continue the success of NASC,” said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

Members of the NASC also voted four members and one alternate to the Executive Council. Rep. Jason Brown of Missouri, Rep. Carl Isett of Texas, and Rep. Mike Burris of Arkansas were re-elected and Rep. Mark Neuman of Alaska was elected to his first term. Rep. Pitts appointed Executive Council officers including Rep. Burris as Vice President and Sen. Robin Webb of Kentucky as Secretary.

The 2009 awards banquet, held the final evening of the summit, recognized the accomplishments of state caucuses, sponsors, and individual legislators and sportsmen. For the sixth consecutive year, the National Shooting Sports Foundation served as title sponsor of the NASC Summit. Altria served as 2009 host sponsor.

Tags: McCall Idaho, National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC)