Hunters, Anglers and Trappers Show Up and Speak Up

“Maybe we don’t all agree on everything, but we need to be each other’s allies.”

– Rusty Kramer, President, Idaho Trappers Association

Camo at the Capitol began as a rather straightforward event: bring sportsmen and women together at the State House for a day of advocacy, lobbying and education. In the morning hours of February 7th, the white marble floor of the State House’s rotunda was covered in displays set up by hunting, angling and trapping groups from every corner of Idaho. Whitetail deer antlers graced the table of Northern Idaho Whitetails Forever; A few tables over, the Idaho Houndsmen Association was displaying a taxidermied black bear alongside other assorted skulls and furs. Every pillar of the first floor rotunda had a table beside it, represented by diverse organizations with one thing in common – the desire to advocate for the wildlife and wild places of Idaho.

As the day’s events unfolded, people learned about lobbying for their causes and interpreting important bills. Governor Brad Little joined the group after lunch for a quick discussion about sporting traditions in Idaho. Afterwards, the group attended a House Natural Resource Committee hearing where IWF’s Brian Brooks gave a testimony regarding a newly introduced bill, H.80, that would use sportsman dollars to pay for damages to irrigation equipment. That afternoon, legislators came to the rotunda to mingle with camo-clad sportsmen and women. It was a group of people that would make any hunter, angler or trapper proud.

With the average age of hunters growing, there is much discussion of the future. How will the community sustain itself with fewer young people interested in taking up the lifestyle. It’s a thought present in the mind of Ada County Fish and Game League’s board president Dawn Sessions, too.

“I came to the Capitol today because I’m concerned that if we don’t start taking care of the future and getting more young people involved in hunting and fishing, our interests will be neglected and ignored. I think it’s very important to get the issues of fish and game, conservation and public access more understood by young people.” stated Sessions, when asked why she chose to come to Camo at the Capitol and represent her organization.

Dawn Sessions, board president of Ada County Fish and Game League

Rebecca Peppersack, also with Ada County Fish and Game League and a lifetime hunter and angler echoed worries about the younger generation, her own generation. “I’ve always wondered ‘How much influence does one person have?’ But I think that’s the problem, that my whole generation feels that way. So that’s why I feel like I need to step up and speak up.”

Other attendees made the long drive to Boise representing organizations that focus on healthy wildlife populations. Bill Samuels of Orofino and with Northern Idaho Whitetails Forever is passionate about northern Idaho’s wildlife species and working with other stakeholders to address issues facing Idaho’s wildlife populations.

“I’ve learned that you have to quit the bitch session at the bar or cafe. You need to put your ideas down on paper – along with solutions – and come to the Capitol to help lawmakers understand the situation.”

Bill Samuels (R) speaking with another Camo at the Capitol attendee.

Perhaps no one said it better than Rusty Kramer, president of the Idaho Trappers Association (ITA), when asked his thoughts on the day’s event.

“One thing that I’ve appreciated about today – and the work that Brian Brooks does generally – is bringing all of these different groups together. Maybe we don’t all agree on everything, but we need to be each other’s allies. We need to join forces when there are bills that could hurt hunting. I think it’s critical that we all stick up for each other.”

Rusty Kramer at the Camo at the Capitol Legislative Reception

Collectively, hunters, anglers and trappers make up a substantial subset of Idaho’s population. In 2018, over 370,000 Idaho residents purchased a hunting or fishing license. During the autumn months you’d be hard pressed to drive by a trailhead without a glimpse of camo exiting or entering a truck. In July you’ll likely see anglers dotting the banks of Idaho’s rivers and creeks. Now imagine if all of these people put their voices together for sportsman’s issues. A pilgrimage to Idaho’s State House isn’t necessary, either. You can send your local elected officials a quick email or make a phone call to their office regarding specific issues or legislation. Respectful and open-minded discourse goes a long way and building relationships is important between legislators and constituents. If you want to follow specific bills during this legislative session visit our website where Bill Track 50 is up and running. You can also sign up for our email alerts.

Reflecting after Camo at the Capitol, one thing remains clear: we are stronger together.