On June 22, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted the 4th annual Wine, Wings & Wildlife western regional event in Sonoma, California. This event brought together members of the sportsmen’s community from across the western region for a shooting competition at the Wing & Barrel Ranch followed by reception and dinner at the Barn at Tyge William Cellars.
“CSF works closely with the California Outdoor Sporting Caucus as well as members of the California Congressional delegation to ensure hunting and fishing access for 1.8 million sportsmen and women in the state,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “This event provides an opportunity to discuss pro-sportsmen’s policies in the western region.”
In addition to representatives from sportsmen’s conservation organizations, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) President Representative Brandon Phelps (IL) also attended on behalf of the 48 sportsmen’s caucuses across the country.
“This annual event is growing every year because sportsmen and women from across California understand the importance of groups like the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, which works to ensure hunting and fishing opportunities in the state are available in the future,” said Darius Anderson, owner of Wing & Barrel Ranch and CSF Chairman’s Club member.
California’s sportsmen and women spend $3.5 billion annually on their hunting and fishing pursuits, and contributed $132 million in 2015 through hunting and fishing licenses and excise taxes on sporting equipment, which is directed to the American System of Conservation Funding.
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?
