Contact: Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States
On May 1, the New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its Annual Sportsman-Legislator Breakfast, which was attended by 35 Caucus members as well as state and national conservation organizations, key members of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Senior Northeastern States Director Brent Miller, and allied-industry partners.
The event featured remarks from Caucus Co-Chair Senator Joseph Griffo and Assembly Member Marianne Buttenschon, who spoke about the importance of hunting and angling to the Empire State. Sen. Griffo also announced plans for future Caucus events to provide other members of the legislature an opportunity for hands-on learning about New York’s sporting traditions.
Tony Wilkinson, Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife within the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provided remarks at the event, noting the importance of sportsmen and women working alongside the legislature. The spring turkey season was also a key focus, which opened just a few hours earlier that day. Attendees addressed the role that sportsmen and women play in providing conservation funding that allows for abundant turkey populations in New York. Several dedicated sportsmen came to the event after an early morning hunt.
The Chairman of the New York Sportsmen’s Advisory Council Rick McDermott discussed some of the critical issues facing New York legislators this session, including: protecting the American System of Conservation Funding; establishing a universal hunting age of 12; expanding crossbow allowances; and safeguarding the management authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Sponsors included Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and Velocity Outdoor.
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?
