On September 22, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Co-Chair Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi hosted a signing ceremony for a National Hunting and Fishing Day proclamation. Held at the Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, the proclamation and ceremony celebrated the important economic, social, and cultural role hunting and angling play in the Magnolia State.
In addition to Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Southeastern States Director Bee Frederick, attendees included representatives from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP); numerous members of the Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus; and representatives from Ducks Unlimited, Mississippi Wildlife Foundation, and Wildlife Mississippi.
An avid sportsman, Gov. Bryant noted, “Hunting and fishing is enjoyed by thousands of citizens in Mississippi each year, and there are numerous opportunities to get outside and celebrate this important day in the Magnolia State. Hunters and anglers are the original conservationists, and I’m proud to carry on that tradition by supporting this day and the associated economic benefit they have in Mississippi”
National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council member Representative Scott Bounds spoke about the role of the Sportsmen’s Caucus in the Mississippi State House and their work to protect and advance sportsmen’s priorities. “The Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is by far the largest bipartisan and bicameral in the State House. We are proud to work with Governor Bryant, the MDWFP, and other committed conservation organizations in the state to ensure the wise use of the natural resources within our state.”
Celebrated on the fourth Saturday in September every year, National Hunting and Fishing Day was established by Congress in 1972 to recognize the important contributions the nation’s hunters and anglers make to conservation and to the national economy. Mississippi’s nearly 800,000 hunters and anglers spend over $2.2 billion a year in their outdoor pursuits and support more than 34,000 jobs within 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?
