Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator
On March 24, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont took strategic action to protect anglers who are gearing up for opening day on the water. Originally scheduled to begin Saturday, April 11, the Governor’s Executive Order No. 7L proclaims that “effective immediately and through the remainder of the 2020 fishing season, unless earlier modified or terminated by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, there is no closed season for fishing in the inland waters of Connecticut.”
Governor Lamont’s decision took into consideration efforts driven the bipartisan and bicameral Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to bring an early opening to the Nutmeg State’s fishing season. In response to the State’s efforts towards battling COVID-19, allowing anglers to get out at an earlier date may assist in dispersing the crowds that would normally gather at some of the more popular fishing sites on opening day. This move comes less than a week after Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Mills (ME) took similar action, waiving fishing license fees until the end of April.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) commends the Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for its dedicated efforts in seeking expanded opportunities for sportsmen and women during these trying times. CSF would also like to send its appreciation to Governor Lamont for executing this order and helping to keep the sportsmen’s community safe while affording them the opportunity to get on the water weeks ahead of schedule.
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?
