Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director
On January 29, the Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus welcomed members from Ohio’s sporting conservation community to the statehouse for a Caucus Reception to kick off the 2020 legislative session.
More than 100 people, including roughly 60 legislators, leadership staff from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and representatives from sportsmen’s groups and the outdoor industry, gathered in the statehouse rotunda to celebrate Ohio’s sporting heritage and discuss issues impacting sportsmen and women in the Buckeye State.
“The Caucus Reception was a great way to energize the Caucus, and I’m excited about the continued growth of the Caucus as we work to be an even more effective voice for sportsmen and women in the legislature. Many thanks to our partners in the sportsmen’s community for supporting the event,” said Caucus Co-Chair Senator Sean O’Brien
Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Sean O’Brien, Senator Michael Rulli, Representative Gil Blair, and Representative Nino Vitale welcomed new Caucus members and spoke about the importance of the bipartisan and bicameral Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus protecting and advancing Ohio’s sporting traditions.
“The strong turnout at the event is a testament to the importance of hunting, angling, trapping and recreational shooting to our state’s culture and economy. I’m honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Caucus and look forward to hosting regular functions this year to educate and provide information to legislators about issues important to the sportsmen’s community,” Caucus Co-Chair Senator Michael Rulli said.
Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted spoke about his personal connection to hunting and his commitment to supporting Ohio’s sporting heritage. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz talked about the importance of the agency working with the Caucus to support Ohio’s hunters and anglers.
Speaker Larry Householder and Senate President Larry Obhof were in attendance as well as many other legislators with leadership positions.
Knife Rights and Reynolds American were Title Sponsors for the event. Host Sponsors included American Kennel Club, American Knife and Tool Institute, Buckeye Firearms Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Ohio Conservation Federation, Ohio State Trappers Association, and Pheasants Forever.
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Southeastern States Assistant Director John Culclasure attended the 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?
