Delta Waterfowl CEO Testifies in Congressional Hearing on National Wildlife Refuges
Delta’s Jason Tharpe serves as a strong voice for ducks and duck hunters
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jason Tharpe, chief executive officer of Delta Waterfowl, testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries today during a special oversight hearing titled, “Hunting and Fishing Access in the Great American Outdoors.”
Tharpe highlighted the unique connection between duck hunters and the National Wildlife Refuge System while speaking to Subcommittee members and Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“The National Wildlife Refuge System exists, in a very real way, because of the leadership of duck hunters,” Tharpe said. “More than 300 refuges in the system were purchased with proceeds from Federal Duck Stamp sales. As a result, the duck hunters I represent believe the Refuge System truly is our most-important legacy asset.”
During his testimony, Tharpe outlined the challenges and potential solutions to help address infrastructure and staffing needs to ensure the Refuge System functions optimally. Tharpe also advocated for expanded opportunities on refuges to increase quality access for the duck hunters.
“We need our refuge system working even harder to provide both high-quality habitat and high-value public hunting opportunities,” Tharpe said.
The messages Tharpe delivered to the Subcommittee are consistent with the work Delta has outlined in the organization’s recently announced “Restoring Our Refuges” initiative.
Tharpe addressed the need for significant investment in infrastructure to enhance habitat for the benefit of ducks, utilizing private sector expertise to assist refuge staff in actively managing habitat, as well as seeking additional hunting opportunities for duck hunters on refuges.
“Our members, volunteers and duck hunters nationwide have seen the decline in the refuge system,” Tharpe said after the hearing. “Today’s hearing, along with other positive signals from Congress and USFWS Director Nesvik, gives me hope that there is an opportunity to make real investments in the Refuge System that will translate into real and meaningful outcomes for ducks and duck hunters across the country. I was proud today to represent duck hunters across the country and bring their voices to Washington D.C., to address what is one of the most vexing challenges duck hunters face — the need for investment in our public lands.”
Tharpe reiterated that Delta Waterfowl is a ready and willing partner to help secure a brighter future for refuges and the ducks and duck hunters who depend on them.
“I’d also like to thank Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman and Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman and ranking members Jared Huffman and Val Hoyle for holding this important hearing,” Tharpe said. “Sportsmen and women have always been, and will always be, America’s greatest conservationists when it comes to funding, passion and willingness to take on any challenge related to habitat and wildlife. Additionally, hunting, recreational shooting, and fishing are key drivers of local and regional economies nationwide. As such, any and all opportunities to enhance access is vital to ensure hunter conservationists can continue to enjoy time afield and sustain their passion.”
Watch the hearing and Tharpe’s comments to the Subcommittee.
Find more information on Delta’s Restoring Our Refuges initiative at https://deltawaterfowl.org/whats-new/news/restoring-our-refuges/
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters OrganizationTM, a leading conservation group founded in 1911 that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.
For more information, contact Cyrus Baird at cbaird@deltawaterfowl.org.