On February 6, the bipartisan and bicameral Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted an inaugural Wild Game Dinner in the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The event, with support from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation (TWRF), served as a fundraiser for the Sportsmen’s Caucus and specific youth programs of the TWRF as well as a venue for interaction among conservation stakeholders.
Expanding upon a former annual legislative reception, the new event brought together pro-sportsmen legislators, legislative staff, TWRA staff and commissioners, and representatives from various sportsmen’s organizations to celebrate the contributions of sportsmen and women in Tennessee and raise funds to support the furtherance of these important traditions to the next generation.
National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council Member Senator Mike Bell noted the importance of a strong legislative sportsmen’s caucus and the success of the first-year event. “Tennessee has a robust history of hunting and angling, and we are excited to use the sportsmen’s caucus as a voice for conservation in the statehouse. We were very pleased with this event and look forward to continuing to grow the caucus and the event.”
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Southeastern States Director Bee Frederick attended the event and promoted the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. The Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is chaired by Senator Mike Bell, Representative Ron Lollar, and Representative Jay Reedy.
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?
