On November 2, the California Hunting and Conservation Coalition held its quarterly meeting in Roseville, California. The Coalition represents a diverse group of hunting, conservation, and recreational shooting groups in that state aimed at advancing California’s outdoor sporting traditions.
The meeting was co-hosted by the California Waterfowl Association and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
“This coalition is an important tool for advancing and protecting our heritage as outdoorsmen and women in California, and we’re very pleased to have CSF actively involved,” said Bill Gaines of Gaines & Associates, who organized the group.
At a November meeting, the group discussed a wide range of issues, including recruitment, retention, and reactivation of new hunters; public outreach efforts; and updates on the 2017 California State Legislative Session. Representatives from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Fish and Game Commission also discussed their public/private partnership with conservation organizations, and provided updates on Department and Commission activities.
“The Department is committed to ensuring that all Californians continue to have access to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting,” said Stafford Lehr, Deputy Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Partnerships with groups like the Coalition are vital to achieving that goal.”
Coalition members include: Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, California Deer Association, California Bowmen Hunters/State Archery Association, California Hawking Club, California Houndsmen for Conservation, California Rifle and Pistol Association, California Waterfowl Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, California Chapter – Wild Sheep Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Gaines & Associates, National Open Field Coursing Association, National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pacific Coast Hunter Education Association, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Suisun Resource Conservation District.
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?
