On September 1, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council (EC) President Brandon Phelps stepped down from the Illinois General Assembly after serving the people of Illinois since 2003.
Phelps held many leadership roles over his tenure in the legislature, including Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Chairman, NASC EC Secretary, NASC EC Vice-President, and finally retiring as NASC EC President. As one of the founding members of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, Rep. Phelps has been a true champion of sportsmen’s issues.
“It has been my honor to be a voice for our outdoor heritage,” said Rep. Phelps. “I’m grateful for the part I was fortunate to play in advancing hunting and angling in my home state of Illinois and for the work that the NASC program has been able to accomplish across the nation.”
With Phelps’s leadership, Illinois has made significant strides on behalf of its sportsmen and women including introducing bills in 2016 and 2017 designed to lift the ban on suppressors, and passing concealed carry legislation in 2013. Further, Phelps and the Illinois Caucus helped expand opportunities for Illinois hunters by passing bills establishing a bobcat hunting season, providing more opportunities for hunting using crossbows, and expanding an apprentice hunting license program.
“I would like to thank Representative Phelps on behalf of all sportsmen and women in Illinois for everything he has helped us accomplish,” said Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Board Member Representative Jerry Costello. “Brandon’s ability to cross the aisle in support of sportsmen’s issues, his enthusiasm for hunting and fishing, and his dedication to conservation are unmatched. The Caucus will work hard to carry on his legacy.”
Photo: Rep. Brandon Phelps receiving the Brad Rowse Leadership Award in 2015 for his committment and support of NASC and CSF
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?
