Welcome to GAINES & ASSOCIATES Government Relations
About the Principal
About the Principal
About the Principal
"I only work in the areas of interest I care most deeply about, am personally active in, and extremely well educated about -- wildlife management, conservation, hunting, and fishing."
Bill Gaines, Principal
Gaines & Associates
A nature lover and an avid outdoorsman his entire life, Bill Gaines and Gaines & Associates is not your typical "h
"I only work in the areas of interest I care most deeply about, am personally active in, and extremely well educated about -- wildlife management, conservation, hunting, and fishing."
Bill Gaines, Principal
Gaines & Associates
A nature lover and an avid outdoorsman his entire life, Bill Gaines and Gaines & Associates is not your typical "hired gun" contract lobbying firm. Gaines & Associates focuses only on policy which impacts wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation. Why? Because we personally care deeply about those issues. Gaines & Associates' unmatched background and knowledge of wildlife, hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, combined with our personal passion to protect and promote them for future generations to enjoy.
Bill's Story
About the Principal
About the Principal
An active hunter and angler his entire life, Bill Gaines began his career in wildlife-related policy in 1992 when he joined the California Waterfowl Association (CWA) as their Director of Government Affairs.
In 2013, after serving in the wildlife management policy arena in a variety of capacities for 21 years, Bill's extensive experience
An active hunter and angler his entire life, Bill Gaines began his career in wildlife-related policy in 1992 when he joined the California Waterfowl Association (CWA) as their Director of Government Affairs.
In 2013, after serving in the wildlife management policy arena in a variety of capacities for 21 years, Bill's extensive experience, excellent track record, and well-known name in wildlife policy compelled him to establish his own Government Relations firm, Gaines & Associates.
Bill and Gaines & Associates have since firmly established themselves as the leader in wildlife-related policy in the California State Legislature, in front of the California Fish and Game Commission, with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and all other political arenas where wildlife-related policy decisions are made in California.
Today, Bill and Gaines & Associates represent clients in the wildlife and outdoor industry whose interests include elk, deer, wild sheep, bears, waterfowl, turkeys, wild pigs, falconry, and hunting opportunity and public access to our outdoors. Mr. Gaines is a registered lobbyist, and Gaines & Associates is a registered lobbying firm with the State of California.
Bill was also a co-founder and currently serves as chair of the California Hunting and Conservation Coalition (CHCC) – an alliance of active wildlife conservation, hunting, fishing and shooting sports related organizations in California who support the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The mission of the CHCC is to ensure a strong future for wildlife management, habitat conservation, and the expansion of hunting, fishing, and shooting opportunity in California and beyond.
Established in 2016, the CHCC meets quarterly to facilitate the coordination between these outdoor interests and Department of Fish and Wildlife and Fish and Game Commission leadership to discuss issues of concern and effective partnership strategies for addressing them. Because of the success of the CHCC in California, Bill was asked to assist in establishing a similar forum in Oregon, with Washington, Colorado, and other states now also using our CHCC as a model for establishing similar coalitions.
Bill also serves as Chairman of the California State Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus Advisory Council. The purpose of the Council is to serve as the link between the California State Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus and the hunting, angling, and recreational shooting community. The Council provides on-the-ground support for the Caucus by maintaining an active presence in California’s State Capitol to assist with the execution of Caucus events and to ensure Caucus members have the facts and information on issues of importance to California’s sportsmen and women.
Bill graduated from the University of California at Davis with a B.S. in Agricultural and Managerial Economics in 1980.
Bill earned an MBA from Golden Gate University in 1990, graduating second in his class.
Some Accolades
About the Principal
Some Accolades
Working in an industry where there are few awards to be had, Bill has received many. Below is a list of some of them:
2008 - Asked by the White House to join President George W. Bush in the signing of critical federal legislation and to discuss issues of concern to our nation’s outdoorsmen and women.
1997 - At White House request, spoke
Working in an industry where there are few awards to be had, Bill has received many. Below is a list of some of them:
2008 - Asked by the White House to join President George W. Bush in the signing of critical federal legislation and to discuss issues of concern to our nation’s outdoorsmen and women.
1997 - At White House request, spoke prior to President Clinton at the dedication of the
Yolo Wildlife Area in 1997.
- Given the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the California Bowmen Hunters/State Archery Association in May 2023.
- Awarded a “Certificate of Recognition” for his “30 Years of Dedication to Wildlife Conservation and Outdoor Recreation” by now Congressman Kevin Kiley in October 2022.
- Received the “Above and Beyond” Award from the California Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation in April 2019.
- Presented the national “Conservationist of the Year” Award by the Conservation Force in February 2019.
- Given the “Californian of the Year” Award by the Outdoor Writers Association of California in April 2014.
- Presented the “Communicator of the Year” Award by the California Forestry Association in January 2013.
- Presented the “J. Martin Winton Award” from the Grasslands Resources Conservation District in 2000.
Our Clients in Conservation
Our Partners in Conservation
