On Election Day – November 6 – the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) traveled to Houston, Texas, for the 6th Annual Bass, Bucks & Boots regional event.
The event gathered members of the Texas sportsmen’s community to discuss the importance of voting for candidates who support hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation.
CSF Honorary Board of Directors Member Bruce Culpepper (Shell Oil Company) welcomed attendees to Texas, and emphasized the importance of introducing younger generations to the outdoors. “CSF and partners are developing strategies for recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters and anglers. Introducing young people to hunting, fishing and conservation traditions is critical to the future of wildlife conservation,” said Culpepper.
CSF President Jeff Crane took the opportunity to highlight the significance of Election Day, as well as the responsibility that Americans have to vote in order to decide our country’s future. He also reflected on Hurricane Harvey aftermath recovery efforts by Texas Parks and Wildlife and thanked volunteers, including many outdoorsmen and women, for their dedication to rebuilding their community.
The event’s keynote speaker was Vincent Hancock, two-time Olympic champion in skeet shooting. Hancock elaborated on the importance of hunter recruitment efforts in the U.S.
In 2017, Texas sportsmen and women contributed $149 million to conservation efforts in the Lone Star State; Texas is ranked #1 in the country for conservation funding.
Title Sponsors included: Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Dallas Safari Club, Houston Safari Club, and Silver Eagle Distributors. Host Sponsors included: Harvey Builders, Hess Corporation, and National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Katy Dusters Sportsman’s Club and Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock
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?
