Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager
On October 7, the North Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, a bipartisan group of outdoor oriented legislators working to protect and advance North Dakota’s hunting, angling, trapping, and recreational shooting traditions, hosted its 5th Annual Legislative Clay Competition at Capitol City Sporting Clays, in Bismarck.
“This event is something that both legislators and the conservation community look forward to each year,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s Nick Buggia. “Bringing together the conservation community at this event helps policymakers build relationships and learn more about the issues that are vitally important to the many sportsmen and women who call North Dakota home.”
The participants broke into teams and enjoyed an afternoon of fast-moving clays in the North Dakota winds, followed by a flurry shoot where five shooters worked as a team to break 25 continuous clay pigeons coming from every direction. The shoot concluded with a dinner and discussion of issues important to North Dakota’s sportsmen and women.
Joining Caucus Co-Chair Representative Todd Porter were staff from Governor Doug Burgum’s office and leadership of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Representatives from Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, North Dakota Bowhunters Association, North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society, the North Dakota Natural Recourses Trust, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, North Dakota Wildlife Federation, Pheasants Forever, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation were also in attendance.
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?
