WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign announced the formation of a New Hampshire "sportsmen coalition" Thursday, a day after his GOP presidential rival Mitt Romney was forced to backpedal from claims of being an avid hunter.

Former Granite State sheriffs Steve Hodges and Walter Morse, former state Rep. Allen MacNeil, and small business owner Luc Cote will lead the coalition.

Hodges, also a former New Hampshire Fish and Game Commissioner, said in a statement, "John McCain has consistently worked to secure the rights of gun owners and strengthen law enforcement," said Hodges. "I am honored to help build his effort in New Hampshire."

The announcement follows Romney's remarks at a Keene, New Hampshire appearance earlier this week that, "I've been a hunter pretty much all my life." An aide to the former Massachusetts governor said Wednesday Romney had only hunted twice in his life.

-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney