By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager
On May 26, Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus will host a free youth fishing derby at the Oregon State Capitol Mall in Salem. A youth fishing license will not be required to participate.
Legislators from the Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, as well as representatives from numerous outdoor advocacy organizations and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, will provide equipment and assist participants with various fishing-related activities.
“With the overall decline we’ve seen in fishing participation in Oregon, it is critically important that we identify and create new opportunities for our citizens, particularly our children, to learn about and partake in the sport,” said Representative Sherrie Sprenger, Co-Chair of the Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. “In addition to the vast economic benefits that fishing provides to the state of Oregon, the revenue generated from the sale of fishing licenses and permits, as well as the excise taxes paid on fishing tackle, provide critical funding to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to manage our fisheries for the benefit of all Oregonians.”
Groups supporting the event include the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, B.A.S.S. Oregon, Coastal Conservation Association-Oregon, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Desert Springs Trout Farm, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Outdoor Council, and Trout Unlimited.
For more information contact Oregon Sportsmen’s Caucus Coordinator Andrew Mittendorf at oregonsportsmen@gmail.com or call (971)344-5744.
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?
