Last week during the National Trappers Association’s (NTA) Annual Convention, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator Ellary TuckerWilliams was a recipient of the President’s Award for her hard work and leadership in the fight to protect and advance trapping in New Mexico, Montana, and Colorado during the 2021 legislative session.
“I am truly honored to be given the President’s Award this year. The controversy surrounding trapping out West has increased significantly in recent years and it is going to take the entire outdoor sporting community to come together to protect our shared outdoor heritage,” said TuckerWilliams. “As an integral part of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, trapping is an absolutely critical and necessary conservation tool to be able to effectively manage wildlife and we need to do a better job as a community educating the public to this fact.”
TuckerWilliams was recognized by NTA President John Daniel as “the glue that held the New Mexico Coalition together” as they put in long hours in opposition of Senate Bill 32 (SB 32), which passed out of the legislature by a single vote, effectively banning trapping on public land in the state.
“New Mexico was a hard loss, but the fact that we came that close to defeating SB 32, despite the level of well-funded opposition, speaks volumes to the hard work, dedication and strength of the outdoor sporting community when we stand united. While I am so appreciative of the recognition I have received, I would be remised if I did not emphasize that it was genuinely a team effort that I was privileged to be a part of.”
While the focus of the President’s Award was on New Mexico, TuckerWilliams was also recognized for her involvement in advancing and protecting trapping in Montana and Colorado.
“I look forward to the continued partnership and collaboration with NTA. I and CSF are committed to standing next to you in this fight to protect our entire outdoor sporting community, trapping included.”
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?
