By Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States and Fisheries Program
On November 13, members of the Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the sportsmen’s community gathered at Ravenwood Lodge outside of Topeka, Kansas, for their annual sportsmen’s reception, followed by a day of pheasant hunting on November 14.
“The Caucus looks forward to this event every year,” said Caucus Co-Chair Representative Ken Corbet. “It’s an opportunity for legislators to get together with sportsmen and women for an evening of fellowship, talk about the significance of hunting and fishing to our state’s economy, and have a chance to get out in the field.”
This event brought together Caucus members; staff from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism; and local businesses and hunting conservation organization leaders.
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Midwestern States Senior Director Chris Horton presented on the importance of the American System of Conservation Funding, the “user pays – public benefits” system whereby hunters and anglers fund conservation in Kansas and nationwide.
The day following the reception, attendees headed out on a European-style pheasant hunt.
Sponsors for this event included: Adam Lusker, Ducks Unlimited, Hein Government Consulting, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Livestock Association, Kreidler Consulting Group, National Rifle Association, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, and the Ravenwood Lodge.
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?
