On January 12, the Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their first annual meeting at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. The bicameral and bipartisan Caucus, composed of nearly 100 legislators, represents the interests of Kentucky’s hunters and anglers. The Caucus is co-chaired by Senator Robin Webb, President of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, and Representative Tommy Turner.
The initial 2016 meeting focused on Kentucky’s knife laws and included a program by Knife Rights’ Chairman Doug Ritter and Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Rathner. The program focused on ways in which knife law preemption would ensure citizens of consistent enforcement of state knife laws across Kentucky. Working to further clarify certain knife definitions, Senator Webb has introduced Senate Bill 112 as well.
Approximately 60 legislators and stakeholders attended the meeting. “I am honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Kentucky Caucus, along with Rep. Turner,” said Senator Webb. “When I speak out in support of an issue – or Rep. Turner speaks in support of an issue – we are only one voice. As a caucus, we are many voices and we are able to spread our message farther. As a group, we are not only able to reach more people, but we can share ideas and work together to reach common goals.”
“We, as sportsmen [and women], must stand united now more than ever, as our rights to hunt and fish are constantly under attack,” Representative Turner said. “I am honored to serve as Co-Chair with Senator Webb and look forward to what our Caucus will accomplish.”
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?
