Contact: Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director
On May 1, the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its annual spring legislative fishing event in Columbia.
The day began with striped-bass fishing on Lake Murray and concluded with a legislative reception and fish fry that evening. At the dinner, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) team prepared food for over 50 attendees.
Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Brian White noted the importance of the event. “As a Caucus, we want to continue to provide a voice for sportsmen and women in the legislature, and these events are the perfect opportunity to establish the relationships with fellow members and conservation partners as we look to provide information and education on timely issues.”
Additionally, the Caucus hosted the inaugural Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol recently, which featured a displays on the Capitol lawn from the South Carolina DNR, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Over 100 members of the legislature heard from various representatives within the sportsmen’s community on issues of importance.
Formed in 2006, the Caucus is continually one of the largest and effective bipartisan state sportsmen’s caucuses in the country, and is chaired by: Representatives Brian White and Roger Kirby, and Senators Stephen Goldfinch and Thomas McElveen. Rep. White also serves as Secretary on the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council.
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?
