The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was well represented this past weekend at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. CSF staff members, members of the CSF Board of Directors, and legislators affiliated with the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucus (NASC) were in attendance to celebrate and promote the organization’s long standing partnership with NWTF.
On Saturday, February 15, a luncheon was held for NWTF state chapter presidents and national staff to thank them for their partnership in the states and to explore ways to foster further relationships. NASC Executive Council President Senator Robin Webb expressed the importance of continuing the partnership. “NWTF has been a strong partner for NASC since the beginning a decade ago. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of NASC, we want to continue to stand together to promote our hunting traditions and protect them against the anti-hunting efforts across the states,” Senator Webb stated.
Additionally, NASC Executive Council Secretary Representative Brandon Phelps, Chairman of the CSF Board of Directors Bob Model, CSF Midwestern States Director Chris Horton, and CSF Southeastern States Manager Bee Frederick all briefly addressed the group to elaborate on the many functions of state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses.
At the NWTF Awards Banquet, Model was awarded NWTF’s Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award, which recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions in protecting our hunting heritage. The award is given in honor of Lynn Boykin, a former President and Chairman of the NWTF National Board of Directors.
Upon receiving the award, Model stated, “I am extremely grateful to receive this award. The NWTF, specifically Dr. James Earl Kennamer, has done an outstanding job restoring this iconic bird to national prominence. It is extremely important to me to be able to hunt and continue that legacy for future generations. I want to thank George Thornton and the NWTF national staff for their work, commitment to conservation, and for this award.”
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?
