By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator
On June 5, the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held a policy forum at the State Capital in Dover. Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Jeff Spiegleman and William Carson, as well as Senators Bryan Pettyjohn and Bruce Ennis were all in attendance. With the Delaware General Assembly closing out the 2018 session at the end of the month, the Co-Chairs provided updates on the status of several bills that are in need of urgent action.
Legislation that would expand opportunities for The First State’s hunters to use pistol caliber rifles for harvesting deer has been 
amended and passed the first committee. Another bill focused on game meat donation liability coverage (which is aimed at increasing the number of processors in the state willing to butcher venison meat for distribution to the state’s food banks) has also passed out of committee and is expected to make it through both chambers before the end of the month. Recently introduced Sunday hunting legislation, which was reported out of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Energy on June 6 also passed through the Senate chamber on June 7, and now awaits consideration in the House. Caucus Co-Chairs remain optimistic that the bill will continue to move forward before the end of session.
To stay up to date on policy priorities, events, and other Caucus activities in Delaware, check out the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Facebook page.
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?
