Yes Virginia, there are members of U.S. Congress and the Senate who hunt, fish or participate in the shooting sports despite their Beltway jobs. Some have even made their passion public by becoming a member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), joining others in office that share a desire to ensure the future of the hunting, fishing and shooting sports and the sound scientific management of our natural resources they support.
It’s nice to know some backbones don’t turn to rubber when the Potomac’s “just a spit” down the road. It’s better yet when they’re part of a bipartisan group that erases party lines when it comes to conservation. Here’s a list of members if you’re interested whether your legislators are standing tall.
Members whose schedule allows participate in the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) annual Congressional Clays Competition. This year’s match took place last month at Prince George's County Trap and Skeet Center in Maryland. There, legislators, conservation leaders and industry partners got behind triggers for a day of sporting clays, trap and skeet shooting.
Scores were tallied and bragging rights earned, but there’s a broader purpose for the event. It provides a rare opportunity for policymakers from both sides of the aisle to connect outside the legislative environment, helping to foster cooperation on key issues to sportsmen and women.
“The Congressional Clays Competition is more than a day on the range—it is an opportunity for CSC Members to get to know each other on a personal level over some of our favorite activities,” said Taylor Schmitz, CSF senior vice president. “These shared experiences help build the relationships necessary to advance bipartisan conservation priorities and ensure the future of America's outdoor heritage.”
With more than 230 bipartisan members, the CSC continues to be the largest and most active bipartisan caucus in Congress, advocating for the interests of millions of Americans who participate in outdoor recreation. Through its partnership with CSF, the Caucus continues to play a central role in advancing legislation and initiatives that sustain the nation’s sporting-conservation legacy.
“Strengthening outdoor recreation advocates’ relationships while showcasing their marksmanship skills is a hallmark of the Congressional Clays Competition,” said Senator John Boozman, CSC Senate co-chair (R-Ark.). “Beyond the fun and bragging rights, it results in a more effective coalition working to benefit sportsmen and women across our nation.”
Speaking of bragging rights, here’s a list of legislators who took top awards during the 2026 Congressional Clays Competition.
- “Top Gun” Member of Congress: Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.)
- “Top Gun” Democrat: Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)
- “Top Gun” Republican: Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.)
- Top Skeet: Rep. Troy Downing (R-Mont.)
- Top Trap: Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio)
- Top Sporting Clays: Rep. Jeff Crank (R-Colo.)
