On January 10, Representative Jeff Spiegelman, Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, introduced House Bill 27 that would protect those who donate game meat to the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Sportsmen Against Hunger program and non-profits from civil or criminal liability.
The legislation is cosponsored by Caucus Co-Chairs Representative William Carson and Senators Bruce Ennis and Brian Pettyjohn, along with nine additional sportsmen’s caucus members.
The Sportsmen Against Hunger program has provided over 1.8 million meals since its inception in 1992. In the 2014-2015 hunting season, the program received over 18,000 pounds of donated venison to assist those in need. The Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus will be hosting their first policy meeting of the year on January 24, at which HB 27 will be a priority topic of discussion.
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?
