By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator
On April 23 and 24, the Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted the Annual Larry Magill Sportsman Challenge.
The two-day event brought together members of the Caucus; representatives from the state’s conservation community; staff from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism; Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Central Midwestern States Coordinator Joel Hodgdon; Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach; and allied industry partners. The bipartisan and bicameral Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is led by co-chairs Representative Ken Corbet, Representative Kyle Hoffman, Senator Rick Billinger, and Senator Mike Petersen.
“I am honored to be at this event and to help lead such an important caucus,” said Sen. Petersen. “It is our responsibility and privilege to represent thousands of Kansan hunters and anglers at the capitol.”
Now in its 12th year, this two-day annual legislative tradition celebrates Kansas’s strong outdoor heritage. On Monday, attendees took to the water for a day of fishing on Milford Lake, followed by an evening reception. The next morning, participants came together again for a round of sporting clays and a luncheon at Ravenwood Lodge outside of Topeka. This event provided a forum for discussion among caucus members and attendees about hunting, fishing, and other conservation issues within the Sunflower State.
“Our state’s sportsmen and women contribute heavily to both our economy and to conservation here in Kansas,” said Co-Chair Rep. Hoffman. “The funds we provide through the purchases of licenses and equipment helps conserve and enhance fish, wildlife, soil, water, and other natural resources for the benefit of all Kansas citizens, not just hunters and anglers.”
A special thanks to Joan Sutton and Whitney Damron for their assistance with this year’s Sportsman’s Challenge.
Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Kyle Hoffman breaking clays at the sporting clays event.
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?
