April 2, 2020 (WASHINGTON. D.C.) – Yesterday, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) sent letters to all 50 Governors, 27 of whom are members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC), encouraging Governors to retain opportunities, where possible, for people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognizing the positive physical and mental attributes associated with activities such as hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting, CSF is committed to ensuring these opportunities remain intact to allow people to better cope with the significant restrictions impacting their daily lives while also abiding by the safe distancing guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Included in the letter, CSF provided the following suggestions: keeping turkey season open as scheduled; continuing to allow access to state wildlife management areas and other public lands; temporarily waiving fishing license requirements; withholding trout stocking announcements to prevent crowds from congregating at popular fishing locations; considering fishing tackle retailers and manufacturers as essential businesses; and, allowing shooting ranges to remain open while implementing social distancing practices.
Along with the physical and mental benefits provided by outdoor recreation, sportsmen and women are also the primary contributors to the conservation of our land and waters through the American System of Conservation Funding and it is critical for them to be able to continue hunting, angling, and enjoying other outdoor pursuits for the sustainability of our nation’s treasured natural resources.
CSF is committed to taking responsible action to ensure that hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting opportunities remain available to our nation’s constituency during these stressful times and encouraging all outdoor enthusiasts to practice responsible recreation.
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?
