By Zachary Sheldon, Upper Midwestern States Coordinator
On May 22, the bipartisan and bicameral Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their 4th Annual Afternoon Outdoors and Wild Game Dinner at the Capitol Area Sportsmen’s League in Lansing, Michigan.
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Upper Midwestern States Coordinator Zachary Sheldon joined the four Co-Chairs of the Caucus, Senator Peter MacGregor, Senator David Knezek, Representative Triston Cole, and Representative Phil Phelps, along with other Caucus members, staff from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, partners from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and other representatives from various hunting, angling, trapping, and recreational shooting organizations for an afternoon of outdoor activities followed by a dinner.
Attendees were able to participate in a wide variety of sporting activities during the event including archery and crossbow demonstrations, dog training demonstrations, bass fishing, fly casting, trap and five stand clay target practice, and lessons on patterning turkey guns. Afterwards, the group enjoyed a wild game dinner that included rabbit ravioli, pheasant stir fry, venison black bean chili, elk sliders, and venison and buffalo summer sausage, all prepared by MUCC’s Gourmet Gone Wild program.
Sportsmen and women in the Wolverine State contribute around $90 million dollars annually to the conservation of Michigan’s diverse natural resources through the American System of Conservation Funding. The state’s 2 million hunters and anglers spend close to $5 billion dollars annually on their outdoor pursuits, which supports over 72,000 Michigan jobs.
The Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council sponsored the event. The council’s members include: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, the Glassen Foundation, Michigan B.A.S.S., Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, Michigan QDMA State Chapter, Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen’s Association, Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, Safari Club International, Trout Unlimited, U.P. Bear Houndsmen Association, U.P. Sportsmen’s Alliance, and Zero-Day.
MI Senator John Proos fly casting at the event.
Photo courtsey of Mikayla Carter
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?
