On September 7, sportsmen-legislators from across the West gathered in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho for a reception hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). This reception provided an opportunity for legislators to discuss upcoming priorities for sportsmen and women in the Western United States.
This year’s reception featured a discussion on western state land access programs and unique approaches to increasing hunting and angling access on public lands in the West. Legislators from state sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) network were represented. Among those in attendance were legislators from Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington.
“These types of events provide an opportunity to discuss the successes of the sportsmen’s caucuses”, said Representative Brad Witt (OR). “Sportsmen’s Caucuses associated with NASC provide a voice for hunters and anglers across the country. Sportsmen and women contribute to conservation of critical wildlife habitat that is fundamentally important to a well-functioning ecosystem.”
Organizations supporting the event included: Altria, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Foundation, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
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?
