By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manger
On January 16, the Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, along with numerous sportsmen’s groups, held a kickoff reception in Helena to celebrate Montana’s outdoor traditions and the start of another legislative session.
The current Co-Chairs of the Montana Sportsmen’s Caucus – Representatives Zach Brown and Matt Regier, and Senator Jill Cohenour – discussed the purpose and function of the Caucus, while Mark Lambrecht, Director of Government Affairs for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), further elaborated on RMEF’s commitment to working with the Caucus. Conservation Director for the Montana Wildlife Federation Nick Gevock provided an overview of Habitat Montana, a key state program that uses hunting license revenues to help enhance wildlife habitat and provide additional sportsmen’s access. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Northwest States Senior Manager Zach Widner was also in attendance.
Governor Steve Bullock, former Co-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC), also addressed attendees and discussed how access is critical to the ability of Montanans to enjoy the outdoors.
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?
