Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager
On January 23rd, the South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus co-hosted a legislative reception with the South Dakota Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. The event focused on Ducks Unlimited’s work in the state and the mission and goals of the Caucus.
The event had about 80 people in attendance including dozens of legislators; legislative staff; representatives from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks; staff from Governor Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Noem’s Office; and Congressman Dusty Johnson.
Ducks Unlimited gave a presentation on the important role the prairie pothole region plays in providing waterfowl habitat. Their presentation included a demonstration on wind erosion and how it impacts wildlife habitats.
Nick Buggia, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Upper Midwestern States Manager, and Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Gary Cammack and Representative Herman Otten discussed the history of the South Dakota Caucus, emphasizing its important role as a bi-partisan and bi-cameral group of legislators dedicated to advancing pro-sportsmen policy in the state, and other proposed legislation including additional funding for wildlife habitat. Rep. Otten also discussed his experience at the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Sportsman-Legislator Summit last year, talking about how educational it was for him as a policy maker, encouraging other legislators to attend.
During the event, several legislators chose to become members of the South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. CSF looks forward to working with the leaders of the Caucus leadership to continue to grow and strengthen the Caucus and support the sportsmen and women of South Dakota.
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?
