When hunting and conservation are at your core, you let others know about it.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources fired three hours of questions at Doug Burgum, nominee to become the next secretary of the Department of Interior. They ranged from energy development, national security and the environment to technology, federal disaster relief, the economy and natural resources.
When asked about what he would do to ensure the future of hunting and fishing despite attacks on multiple fronts, Burgum extolled the benefits of conservation and those who support such efforts.
“The greatest conservationists in our country, and some are probably listening today, but whether it’s the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, mule deer, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, you name any of these organizations, they’re the ones that raise the money that actually pour dollars into conservation in this country,” said Burgum.
Burgum grew up on a rural farm still owned by his family. A successful businessman and avid hunter, he joined RMEF in 2006 and served as North Dakota’s governor from 2016 to 2024 when he supported hunting, public access and hunter education efforts.
“These two things go hand in hand. You cannot separate hunting from the love of outdoors, respect for wildlife, and dollars that flow back into habitat and making sure that we’ve got the privilege of hunting for the public,” added Burgum.
Burgum also praised President Theodore Roosevelt as “a hunter who also set the ethic for conservation for our country.”
RMEF looks forward to continuing to work with Burgum on conservation issues at the Department of Interior.
Burgum is expected to be formally nominated after Trump’s inauguration.
The Department of the Interior is responsible for the management and conservation of more than 500 million acres of public land, which includes landscapes managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service.
Click here to watch the entire hearing.
(Video credit: Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources)