On March 23, the bipartisan and bicameral Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their annual legislative reception in the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. With support from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, the event served as a venue for interaction between legislators, staffers, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) staff and commissioners, and representatives from various sportsmen’s organizations. The event was attended by over 150 people.
Co-Chaired by Representatives Jay Reedy and Ron Lollar, and Senator Mike Bell, the Caucus had a very productive legislative session with significant growth and exposure in the Statehouse. In addition to the successful reception, the Caucus hosted numerous other meetings throughout the legislative session to engage legislators on conservation policy issues and sportsmen’s programs in the state. One of the many noteworthy legislative items was TN HJR 543, sponsored by Caucus Co-Chair Representative Jay Reedy that urges the U.S. Congress to support the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act. The resolution passed the Tennessee House of Representatives on April 4.
Representative Reedy noted the importance of a strong legislative sportsmen’s caucus: “Tennessee has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling and we are excited to use the sportsmen’s caucus as a voice for conservation in the statehouse. Working with great partners like the TWRA and the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, we are confident that we can protect and promote issues important to sportsmen and women in 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?
