Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator
On September 30, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF), New England States Coordinator, Joe Mullin, delivered a presentation at the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs (WCLSC) Leadership Conference in Westborough. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) generously opened their Field Headquarters to facilitate this event, which saw roughly 30 attendees, including rod and gun club management, leadership from MassWildlife, and in-state sportsmen’s conservation organizations and partners.
The leadership conference was focused on ways in which gun club owners can inject newer programs into their curriculums to engage their memberships’ varying age groups. The program also included, in large part, ways in which these owners can keep their members active with pertinent legislative and regulatory changes. Mullin introduced those in attendance to CSF’s mission to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. His presentation provided information on the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, the Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, regional sportsmen-related policies, and ways in which the club members can remain active on relevant legislation. The numerous breakout sessions that followed offered CSF the opportunity to listen to and participate in candid conversations regarding issues that gun club owners and directors have been facing in the region.
The leadership conference was an excellent opportunity for CSF to meet face-to-face with numerous members of the WCLSC – a consortium that consists of 50 clubs. CSF is most appreciative to have been a part of this event and is thankful for MassWildlife’s willingness to participate in and host such an important event.
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?
