Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Inter-Mountain Western States Coordinator
On September 8, the Arizona Legislators for Wildlife Caucus held the first annual Birds, Burritos and Barbecue, a bipartisan dove hunt. Representative Tim Dunn hosted the event on his family property, along with multiple local Yuma farmers.
Guides were provided to work with first time hunters to create an engaging and supportive environment. “This awesome event brought out members of the legislature to come together for a very successful day of dove hunting. Many members limited out and there were several first-time hunters,” said Representative Regina Cobb.
National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council member, Rep. Cobb, worked with Representative Tim Dunn to encourage participation by all members of the Arizona Legislature.
“The true success of this event was not only allowing members to experience hunting for the first time, but providing a warm, friendly atmosphere of the bipartisan group,” said Rep. Cobb.
In 2018, Arizona’s 786,000 hunters and anglers contributed $59.44 million to conservation within the state through the American System of Conservation Funding. Such funding has supported the construction and maintenance of over 140 boat ramps, access to lakes and 90,375 miles of rivers and streams, 104 wildlife habitat projects, the Mineral Grassland Restoration Project, trout hatcheries, and numerous other projects throughout Arizona. Spending by sportsmen and women generated $132 million in state and local taxes, as well as support 18,220 jobs 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?
