On March 26, the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held its Annual Sportsmen’s Caucus Reception in Montpelier, Vermont. Over 50 members of the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus were joined by state and national conservation partners and area sportsmen and women to discuss policy issues impacting Vermont’s outdoor heritage.
Additionally, staff from the office of newly appointed Vice-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, Governor Peter Shumlin, as well as staff of Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Member, Congressman Peter Welch, attended the event. Further, the Commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Louis Porter, attended the event and provided comments from the agency’s perspective.
“There exists a true spirit of collaboration within the sportsmen’s community in Vermont that goes beyond party lines, as evidenced by the Congressional, gubernatorial, and state legislative representation at Thursday’s reception,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Northeastern States Director, Brent Miller. “Vermont is very fortunate to have elected officials on all levels who are willing to put partisanship aside and work together to protect and advance our time-honored traditions.”
“It was once again our pleasure to have Northeastern States Director Brent Miller join Vermont legislators in welcoming area sportsmen and women at the Annual Vermont Caucus Mixer. This event has become a popular opportunity for sportsmen from all over Vermont to get together with legislators and share stories and opinions on a wide variety of issues,” said Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Patrick Brennan. “It also served as a venue to announce the 2015 National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Summit to be held this year in Vermont. We are both honored and very proud to be chosen to host this great event, and look forward to seeing everyone in October and introducing you to the Green Mountain State.”
Over $442 million is added to Vermont’s economy each year as a direct result of hunting and angling. Additionally, Vermont’s sportsmen and women contributed over $14.5 million to conservation through the American System of Conservation Funding in 2013 alone. To learn more about the positive impact of hunting and angling in Vermont as well as the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, click here.
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?
