States also Focused on Outdoor Recreation
The ATA also hosted Montana’s first “recreation czar,” Rachel VandeVoort, at the Show. VandeVoort was recently appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock to direct Montana’s office of outdoor recreation. By attending the Show, VandeVoort proved that growing and supporting our industry is a Montana priority .
Positions similar to VandeVoort’s are also part of state governments in Utah, Colorado, Vermont, Washington, North Carolina and others. According to the Interior Department, at least eight governors have created an office of outdoor recreation to ensure interaction among state programs overseeing health, transportation, parks and wildlife, and economic development. That oversight ensures the quality, dimension and sustainability of outdoor recreation, and enhances its impact on state economies.
The ATA is excited to see these state initiatives and collective efforts, and we hope our industry gets the time and attention it deserves.
Developing Plans
Zinke and May also hope to have recreation specialists advise governors in all 50 states. To aid that initiative, May invited key partners and leaders from state outdoor recreation offices and federal land-managing agencies to meet in Washington on Feb. 23. They hope to explore “coordination opportunities” during the meeting, and use the event as a national kickoff for this initiative.
The Interior Department believes outdoor recreation offices are critical liaisons with federal agencies, which manage about 30 percent of the nation’s surface area, including prime local and destination sites for recreation. This relationship makes access for hunting and shooting sports a primary goal of these efforts, and signals a great need for the ATA and its members to engage in state-level efforts.
May and VandeVoort’s presence at the ATA Trade Show clearly showed our community, and the nation, that our industry is a priority for outdoor recreation. Archery and bowhunting are vital to our nation’s outdoor heritage and economy, and high-ranking federal and state officials support them. May and VandeVoort also pledged to work together to help grow the industry by boosting recreational demands.
For those reasons and more, I believe things are off to a good start with this administration. Further, the Interior Department recently released its “2017 Hunting and Fishing Accomplishments,” with signed secretarial orders that seek to increase hunting and fishing opportunities. The orders place a special focus on veterans, minorities and youths. “We’re just getting started,” Cassidy said.
It’s Your Turn
I encourage ATA members to stay updated on state-level efforts so you can engage and promote archery and bowhunting priorities. It’s seldom fun or easy. Shaping government policy is a contact sport, after all, and only those who show up and participate get heard and wield influence. Best of luck, and let us know how we can help!