By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator
On March 22, the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held a policy forum in Dover, Delaware. Caucus Co-Chair Representatives Jeff Spiegelman and William Carson provided legislative updates on issues involving game meat donation liability coverage, hunting with airbows, the possibility of expanding Sunday hunting opportunities, and deer management issues.
David Saveikis, the Director of the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife provided updates on the states Fish and Wildlife Advisory council and the state’s 2017 deer harvest, which saw hunters pass the 15,000 mark in harvests for the first time in the state’s history.
Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Shawn Garvin updated meeting attendees on forthcoming changes to the state’s Deer Management Plan. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture Michael Scuse also discussed some of the state’s plans as it relates to deer management and crop damage.
Public input on various topics was shared by representatives of the Delaware Forest Service, Delaware Nature Society, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Quality Deer Management Association.
The Caucus will meet again on April 26. All Caucus meetings in Delaware are open to the public.
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?
