Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator
On February 19, the Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a meeting in Hartford, CT to discuss logistics regarding the upcoming Caucus Game-Meat Tasting Reception, proposed regulations from the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), and to review sportsmen-related legislation that has been sent to various committees thus far. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) New England States Senior Coordinator, Joe Mullin, was on-site for the meeting and spoke to some of the bills that have been identified as priorities in the Nutmeg State.
The meeting was orchestrated by Caucus Co-Chair Representative David Wilson, who led a discussion and update on the planned wild game meat tasting reception. Events such as these that demonstrate the benefits of hunting and harvesting game shine light on the essential role that the sportsmen’s community holds as a primary source of state-level conservation funding through the American System of Conservation Funding and as food-providers for both their families and their respective communities.
Rick Jacobson, Bureau of Natural Resources Chief of DEEP, took the floor to discuss regulatory proposals that the Department has planned for the coming year. One such proposal was extending when hunters can hunt wild turkeys in the spring from noon to sunset.
Mullin then addressed the Caucus to discuss several sportsmen-related bills that have been referred to committee thus far. Mirroring an anti-sportsman bill proposed last year, CT HB 5104 plans to prohibit the import, sale, and possession of items from legally hunted African species. Another topic of discussion regarded CT HB 5040, which would implement a 35% tax on ammunition. While this bill does not yet have a scheduled hearing date, CSF will work to fight against attempts to thwart the purchase of ammunition.
In Connecticut and throughout the nation, CSF will continue to work alongside state legislatures to promote and advance hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
