By Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator
On April 10, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Members convened in Boston for the first meeting of the year.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) New England States Coordinator Joe Mullin was joined by other organizations including the Gun Owners’ Action League and the American Kennel Club, to participate in this meeting and support the protection and advancement of the interests of Massachusetts’ sportsmen and women.
The discussion included several high-profile sportsmen’s policies that have surfaced in the legislature, such as promoting the Outdoor Heritage Resolution, authorizing crossbow use, permitting archery-only Sunday hunting, and minimizing setback distances for archery season. The Caucus then discussed plans for upcoming events and Caucus meetings for the remainder of the legislative session.
“I’m looking forward to a great session,” said Caucus Co-Chair Senator Anne Gobi. “We had new members join the Caucus, and are excited to work with them towards protecting the Commonwealth’s sportsmen and women.”
During the administrative portion of the meeting, the Caucus meeting appointed Representative Nicholas Boldyga to serve in the final Co-Chair position.
Massachusetts’ sportsmen and women are the primary funding mechanism for the Commonwealth’s Department of Fish and Game. Last year alone, Massachusetts’ sportsmen and women generated $18.53 million through American System of Conservation Funding – a “user pays – public benefits” approach that is widely recognized as the most successful model of fish and wildlife management in the world.
CSF looks forward to working with the Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus towards protecting and advancing sportsmen’s interests in the state.
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?
