Contact: Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States & States Program Team Administrator
On May 28, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Senator Dan Laughlin was named the “2019 State Legislator of the Year” by Safari Club International (SCI) – a partner conservation organization to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Senator Laughlin has been an integral element in promoting and advancing pro-sportsmen legislation in the Keystone State, and his leadership in the Pennsylvania Caucus and dedication to the State’s sportsmen and women has been well acknowledged.
“I am proud to be named Safari Club International’s 2019 State Legislator of the Year. Thank you to all involved, what an excellent organization to be associated with,” said Senator Laughlin.
Over the past year, Senator Laughlin has made headlines in the sportsmen’s community, as he (along with fellow Caucus Co-Chairs and members) introduced S. 147 – legislation that was ultimately signed by Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Tom Wolf – allowing for archery deer hunting on Sunday, Nov. 15, bear hunting during the bear firearms season on Sunday, Nov. 22, and deer hunting during the firearms deer season on Sunday, Nov. 29. Pennsylvania has long been recognized as a historical hold-out state with Sunday hunting restrictions, but this has since ended as Senator Laughlin’s S. 147 came to fruition. Thanks in large part to the Senator’s staunch determination to promote access and opportunities for hunters, Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and women now have a momentous 2020 hunting season to look forward to.
CSF applauds SCI’s decision and would like to congratulate Senator Laughlin on this significant achievement. His unwavering leadership and efforts to protect and advance the interests of Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and women make him a strong asset to the Pennsylvania Caucus’ leadership bench. CSF looks forward to continuing to work with Senator Laughlin in protecting and advancing hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping in the Keystone State.
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?
