On October 16-19, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Southeastern States Director Bee Frederick attended the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Conference in Baton Rouge, LA. Joining state agency personnel, academics, and NGO stakeholders from across the region, CSF staff participated in various sessions, including state restrictions of hunting and fishing opportunities by non-residents, access to public waters, chronic wasting disease, feral swine management, angler and hunter participation insights, and many others. The annual conference provides a forum for information and idea exchange regarding the management and conservation of fish and wildlife resources through focused discussion of scientific research and various relevant issues and trends. CSF staff works closely with fish and wildlife agencies across the country to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping.
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?