Columbus, OH – The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), a national organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of hunters, anglers, and trappers, has opened an office in Sacramento, California. This office will serve as a western U.S. headquarters for USSA and play a significant role in protecting the deep-rooted outdoor heritage found in the Golden State.

“Expanding our operations is a natural progression for our organization as we plan to more effectively protect the interests of sportsmen across the country,” said Nick Pinizzotto, USSA president and CEO. “Many of the issues caused by the anti-hunting community arise in the western U.S. and particularly California. With a mission to protect hunting, fishing and trapping, we see it as our responsibility to be there to defend America’s outdoor heritage.”

The western U.S. office will be led by Michael Flores who has a long and productive history of serving California on outdoor-related issues. Flores served as president of the California Fish and Game Commission from 2000 to 2007, was chairman of the California Wildlife Conservation Board, and was a director on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s national board from 2000 to 2006. He currently is Vice Chairman on the USA Shooting Foundation Board of Directors and has held numerous other esteemed roles including Secretary of Foreign Affairs for California.

Flores’ experience, coupled with USSA’s proven track record of success, will be the driving force behind the goal of building a strong coalition of members and member organizations throughout the region. Benefits of this coalition would include the capacity to proactively impact policies that affect citizens’ ability to hunt, fish and trap in California and beyond.

Integrating local community leaders, policy makers and conservation organizations is key to USSA’s success throughout the western states. These groups are recognized as critical components to keeping the outdoor community informed on hunting, fishing, and trapping related issues.

USSA has taken on the responsibility to provide leadership nationally in the battle against animal rights extremists and anti-hunting organizations. Establishing a western U.S. headquarters to complement its national headquarters in Columbus, Ohio will greatly assist us in that endeavor.