On January 19, the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus met to examine the management of feral hogs and other problem wildlife species in Virginia. Exotic invasive species negatively impact native wildlife species and cause billions of dollars in damage annually in the United States. Speakers from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services discussed management options for invasive species, including resources for managing feral swine.
Formed in 2004, the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping in Virginia. Senator Emmett Hanger and Delegate Scott Lingamfelter have served as Caucus Co-Chairs since 2004.
Numerous bills of interest to sportsmen and women have been introduced in Virginia this year. Caucus Co-Chair Senator Emmett Hanger has sponsored a resolution to designate September 23, 2017 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Virginia, and Caucus Co-Chair Delegate Scott Lingamfelter has co-sponsored a knife ban repeal bill. Other legislation of importance this year include a resolution to study the current and potential impacts of zebra and quagga mussels in Virginia waters, a bill to clarify that the introduction of snakehead fish into state waters is prohibited, and a bill to authorize the use of slingbows for hunting. Coastal fisheries management issues will also continue to be a priority for Virginia’s anglers this year.
Virginia’s 1.07 million hunters and anglers spend over $2 billion dollars annually on their pursuits which supports over 39,000 jobs in the state and generates more than $242 million in state and local taxes.
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?
