On Wednesday, March 18, the Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its annual banquet in Salem, joining with sportsmen’s groups, the outdoor industry, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to celebrate Oregon’s time-honored traditions of hunting, angling, trapping, and recreational shooting.
The bipartisan Oregon Sportsmen’s Caucus, comprised of 41 members from the House and Senate, was joined at the event by a wide array of state and national sportsmen’s groups, including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), National Rifle Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, B.A.S.S., Oregon Outdoor Council, and Oregon Hunters Association, among numerous others. Staff from the ODFW attended as well, including their new Director Curt Melcher.
The Oregon Outdoor Council presented its annual ‘Legislator of the Year’ awards, honoring Oregon Sportsmen’s Caucus House Co-Chair Representative Val Hoyle (D) and Oregon Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Sherrie Sprenger (R) for their efforts on behalf of Oregon’s sportsmen and women.
Sponsors for the event included CSF, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, Anheuser Busch, Ducks Unlimited, Gerber, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Outdoor Council, and Pac/West Communications.
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?
