USFS, outdoor organizations sign memorandum of understanding

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Forest Service and the Boone and Crockett Club and various other groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) underscoring the importance of sustaining outdoor recreation opportunities with a particular emphasis on public access for hunting, angling, wildlife conservation, habitat stewardship, and conservation education.

Fourteen other organizations participated in the signing and are recognized as collaborating partners to support the implementation of the MOU. Under the framework the Boone and Crockett Club will convene with these partners to identify, develop and implement opportunities to enhance the recreational access on public lands.

“The Forest Service welcomes nearly 164 million visitors each year to our national forests and grasslands, and approximately 14 percent – nearly 23 million people – participate in hunting, fishing or target shooting activities annually,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “National forests offer stable, predictable, and affordable access to high quality wildlife habitat—an essential benefit for hunters and conservationists dedicated to fair chase and public land heritage. We are committed to strengthening this strong partnership with an historic institution, such as the Boone and Crockett Club.”

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“We appreciate the attention of Chief Schultz and the Forest Service, along with our partner conservation organizations, on the challenge of recreational access on public lands for hunting,” commented Boone and Crockett Club chief executive officer Tony Schoonen.

“Enhanced recreation and access opportunities can help increase awareness and engagement on forest health issues and build support for increased funding for access and conservation on national forests. We look forward to collaborating through this MOU to enhance recreational access to the National Forest System lands for hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters.”

The National Forest System and Forest Service came together through the vision of President Theodore Roosevelt, who founded the Boone and Crockett Club in 1887, and the agency’s first chief, Gifford Pinchot who was also a member of the Club.

The conservation and management of 193 million acres of forests and grasslands across the United States allows for significant recreational use by the public.

The Forest Service, Boone and Crockett Club, and associated stewardship partners will work together in the coming months to evaluate opportunities, resources, research, and other needs that will support efforts or projects to enhance recreational access.