On June 8, the West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their inaugural meeting at the statehouse in Charleston, WV.
The recently formed caucus joined the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), becoming the 46th state to establish a legislative caucus since NASC was founded in 2004.
The informal breakfast meeting served as an opportunity for sportsmen and women legislators, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources staff, and representatives from the sportsmen’s community to interact, discuss issues, and learn more about the form and function of the Caucus.
Caucus Co-Chair Delegate Chris Stansbury noted with enthusiasm, the beginning of a new caucus in the Mountain State. “I was shocked to learn we did not have a legislative sportsmen’s caucus. West Virginia is such a strong state for hunting and angling with a rich sporting heritage. We are excited to work in a collaborative fashion with all stakeholders to protect and promote these important issues.”
Joining Delegate Stansbury in leadership are Senator Daniel Hall, Senator Ron Stollings, and Delegate Rupert Phillips.
West Virginia is also home to Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Senator Joe Manchin, and three other CSC Members of West Virginia. In a coordinated effort, the federal and state caucuses and their members work to ensure that the over 447,000 hunters and anglers living in the Mountain State are well represented.
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?
