On February 25, the Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, the 45th state to join the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), hosted an inaugural reception, bringing together over 40 members of this newly formed body as well as representatives from several sportsmen’s groups. The smell of wild boar meat filled the Assembly Parlor, as Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Joel Kleefisch served up barbeque boar sliders to the attendees, and stories of last season’s hunts and this season’s aspirations were shared.
Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch stopped by to talk with sportsmen and women and share in the camaraderie of the event. It was in fact the Lt. Governor and the Kleefischs’ daughter who harvested the boar that the attendees all enjoyed, exemplifying the family tradition of hunting that is a hallmark of our sporting heritage.
Rep. Kleefisch commented, “Wisconsin has a time honored tradition of hunting and fishing. It is fantastic to see so many members from both sides of the aisle honoring that tradition by joining our Sportsmen’s Caucus.” He went on to say, “Our event was a great way to kick things off. I look forward to working with the [Wisconsin Sportsmen’s Caucus] members to advance bipartisan legislation that will have a positive impact on our state’s sporting heritage.”
Caucus leadership wasted no time expressing their intention to send pro-sportsmen initiatives to the Governor’s desk, and announced plans to help expand the wild game meat donation program, enhance public access to public lands, and take steps to encourage more women to participate in hunting.
Following the event, Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Nick Milroy said, “The inaugural reception of the Wisconsin Sportsmen’s Caucus was very well attended by legislators from both houses. Many of our partners in the conservation community also joined us. It looks like we have a great team and, with the assistance of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, I’m looking forward to our bipartisan initiatives to grow our sporting heritage.”
As the 5th highest ranking state in total annual spending by sportsmen and women ($4.03 billion), it is vitally important both culturally and economically to safeguard Wisconsin’s time-honored traditions. This newly formed bipartisan and bicameral sportsmen’s caucus is poised to do just that. “I’m looking forward to working with my fellow sportsmen and women to protect and promote Wisconsin’s sporting heritage,” said Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Terry Moulton.
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?
