The Missouri Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its 5th Annual Sportsmen’s Caucus Squirrel Gravy Kick-off Breakfast last week at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri. Chris Horton, Midwestern States Director for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), was in attendance and had an opportunity to address the gathering. “It’s a great event that sees good legislator turnout every year, perhaps because of the novelty of eating squirrel gravy for some, but for others it’s simply the opportunity to enjoy this traditional way of preparing squirrel,” said Horton. “Dave Murphy of the Conservation Federation of Missouri really knows how to make good squirrel gravy!”
The event is always near the beginning of the legislative session, where attendees can share their hunting experiences during the recent seasons, while also giving the Caucus a chance to discuss business at hand over the next few months. Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Eric Burlison related his experience and information gained during the 2013 NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit, and encouraged his fellow Caucus members to attend in 2014 in order to get a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities America’s sportsmen and women are facing nationally. The primary issue on the Caucus’s agenda this year is realizing the passage of a proposed constitutional amendment that guarantees Missouri citizens the right to hunt, fish and trap in perpetuity.
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?
