On October 23, the Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus joined members from the Ohio sportsmen’s community for an afternoon of shooting sporting clays at the Cardinal Shooting Center outside of Columbus.
The event provided a forum for the Ohio Division of Wildlife to provide updates on recent activities and announce the appointment of new Caucus leaders. The leaders, along with Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) staff, presented National Hunting and Fishing Day resolutions issued by Governor Kasich and both chambers of the Ohio State Legislature, which highlighted the important role that sportsmen and women play in Ohio. This year, Governor Kasich was one of 31 governors from across the nation to officially recognize September 26, 2015 as National Hunting and Fishing Day.
Ohio’s sportsmen and women generate $15.8 million in fishing license revenue and $10.8 million in hunting license revenue annually – which supports science-based management of the state’s fish and wildlife resources. This user group is also an economic driver for the state, generating over $300 million in state and local taxes and supporting nearly 50,000 jobs across the state.
“I was very pleased with the show of support from the sportsmen’s community as well as with the representation from our own Division of Wildlife. I know that the legislators that were able to make it had a great time as well,” said Caucus Co-Chair Senator Joe Uecker following the event. “As great a time as we had, if we can make this an annual event, I know it will grow each year.”
“This event was a great show of support for the sportsmen and women of Ohio,” added Sue Howard, Acting Chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
The event was made possible by the following sponsors: Ducks Unlimited, Ohio Conservation Federation, Ohio State Trappers Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Field & Stream, and the Athletic Club of Columbus Rod & Gun Club.
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?
