Memorandum of Understanding Formalizes Partnership with Nation’s Oldest Wildlife Conservation Organization
The U.S. Forest Service and the Boone and Crockett Club 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.
Fifteen 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.
“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 access to the National Forest System lands for hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters.”
“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.”
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 – including America Outdoors Association, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Wildlife Federation, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Professional Outfitter and Guide of America, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Wild Sheep Foundation – 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.
MOU Collaborating Partner Quotes
Our members build their operations around the certainty that National Forest System lands will remain accessible and well-managed. This partnership creates a framework for cooperation and coordination to enhance, promote, and sustain outdoor recreation opportunities on those lands, ensuring the perspective of commercial outfitters—who facilitate access for millions of visitors every year—is part of that conversation from day one.” – Aaron Lieberman, Executive Director, America Outdoors Association
“This MOU strengthens a vital bridge between the archery industry and the U.S. Forest Service that manages some of our most prized bowhunting grounds. For the archery community, access is the ultimate currency. Without a place to hunt, the gear and the passion have nowhere to go. This partnership ensures that the unique needs of bowhunters are at the forefront of national policy. We are proud to stand alongside our many partners to ensure that the next generation of archers has the opportunity to experience the challenge and stewardship of the hunt on our National Forests.” – Dan Forster, Vice President & Chief Conservation Officer, Archery Trade Association
“The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is pleased to be a founding partner of this new collaboration anchored by the Boone and Crockett Club and the U.S. Forest Service. National Forest System lands are essential to address fish and wildlife management objectives for state fish and wildlife agencies and to provide access for hunting, angling, and nature observation. This framework will create new space to deliver outcomes good for conservation and good for outdoor recreation.” – Ron Regan, Executive Director, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is excited to expand our collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service along with many of our conservation partners. We look forward to advancing multiple-use management, including active forest management, across the National Forest System to enhance wildlife habitat and increase access for sportsmen and women, and we appreciate the Forest Service’s commitment to hunters and anglers through this MOU.” – Taylor Schmitz, Senior Vice President, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
“Since 1988, the Mule Deer Foundation has partnered directly with the US Forest Service on the ground — from habitat restoration to active forest management — because we know that healthy forests and healthy deer herds are inseparable. This MOU with the Boone and Crockett Club is an important step toward ensuring that hunting, wildlife recreation, and sound land stewardship remain central to how National Forest System lands are managed. MDF is proud to stand behind this effort and remains committed to being a partner in making that vision a reality across the American West.” – Steve Belinda, Chief Conservation Officer, Mule Deer Foundation
"NSSF strongly supports the rights of the people to utilize our public lands for hunting and shooting sports. We are eager to work with like-minded organizations to maintain and expand these opportunities.” – Lawrence Keane, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, National Shooting Sports Foundation
“As the U.S. Forest Service’s partner for over 40 years, the National Wild Turkey Federation has a proven track record of turning collaboration into on the ground success. This new cooperative of the Forest Service and the nation’s largest hunting conservation organizations ensures access for sportsmen and women is not only a high priority in Forest Service decision making, but they are also active partners in restoring healthy habitats and maintaining access for hunting and outdoor recreation.” – Kurt Dyroff, Co-CEO, National Wild Turkey Federation
“This collaborative effort between the U.S. Forest Service and conservation partners reflects a shared commitment to expanding recreational access, engaging like-minded groups, and increasing public awareness of opportunities on National Forest System lands. From our six native quail species to iconic western big game such as mule deer and elk, this partnership will deliver lasting benefits for all forests, wildlife species, and the people who enjoy them.” – Tim Caughran, Director of Federal Partnerships, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
“RMEF is proud to continue a long-standing partnership with U.S. Forest Service, and other partners, that focuses on actionable resolutions to challenges our members and supporters face. Solving public access challenges lies at the heart of RMEF’s mission. Since 1984, RMEF opened or improved public access to more than 1.6 million acres of elk habitat across the country for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other forms of outdoor recreation.” – Kyle R. Weaver, President & CEO, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
“We’re committed to being part of solutions with our partner, the U.S. Forest Service. Not just any partner, but the trustee of over 190 million acres of accessible wildlife habitat and hunting opportunity. Active management takes active participation and we’re all-in with this opportunity.” – Benjamin C. Jones, President & CEO, Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society
“Hunters and anglers commonly cite a lack of available access as the number one reason they hang it up and pursue other hobbies - a trend we hope to reverse. TRCP applauds the U.S. Forest Service and Boone and Crockett Club in completing an MOU that will enable cooperation and coordination to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities on America’s 193 million acres of National Forest System lands.” – Joel Webster, Chief Conservation Officer, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
“The Wild Sheep Foundation is proud to participate in the coordination between leading conservation organizations and the U.S. Forest Service to ensure outdoor recreation opportunities on National Forest System lands. The 193 million acres managed by the USFS serve as the connecting point for millions of Americans annually and are a hallmark of US conservation legacy.” – Corey Mason, COO & Executive VP of Conservation, Wild Sheep Foundation