Robert Crook, Executive Director, Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen | CT’s $200M outdoor industry

The Northeast Fishing & Hunting Expo rolls into Hartford this weekend at the Connecticut Convention Center. Is Connecticut a big fishing and hunting state? Do others come from out of state to go fishing and hunting here? 

Connecticut has about 60,000 hunters, 125,000 fresh water fishermen, and an unknown number of salt water fishermen (allegedly 200,000 to 300,000). Hunters come into Connecticut from Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island primarily for deer. The Housatonic and Farmington rivers are exceptional trout fishing areas although not well known throughout the country. The state Department of Environmental Protection has concentrated on improving fishing in the last decade and has done an exceptional job.

Has there ever been an economic impact study done on hunting and fishing in Connecticut?

The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation in 2006 included a study of Connecticut . Combined, 302,000 residents and nonresidents spent 5.86 million days fishing, for an average of 19 days per angler. It is reported they spent $243.5 million broken down this way: $130.7 million on trip-related expenses and $112.8 million on equipment and other expenses for an average of $785 per angler. There were 38,000 resident and nonresident hunters who spent 509,000 days hunting for an average of 14 days per hunter. The hunters’ total expenditures was $68.5 million with $5.9 million spent on trip expenses and $62.5 million on equipment and other expenses for an average per hunter of $1,725.

How big is the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen? What is its primary role as a group?

The Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen’s mission is to provide representation for the sportsmen community and to protect, preserve and promote their activities. To accomplish this, CCS provides full-time involvement by dedicated, knowledgeable and professional activists in four essential areas:

Legislative: CCS Provides the only continuous Capitol lobbying presence, during regular and special legislative sessions, the DEP and state police agency regulation process, and in cities and towns proposing sportsmen restrictions.

Politics-Elections: The coalition’s “Sportsmen’s Political Action Committee” (SportPAC) is the only state sportsmen’s PAC, and is the primary state contact for the NRA’s election and grassroots activity.

Legal: CCS has the only CT Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund. CCS was the coordinator and primary state fundraiser (solicited and contributed $30,000+) for Benjamin v. Bailey, the “Assault Weapon” court case; initiated and funded Kaluska v. Town of East Hartford (1997) challenging and winning an onerous discharge and hunting ordinance; financially supports clubs (Niantic Sportsmen, Metacon Gun) with lawsuits, and provides legal contacts and assistance.

Information/Media: CCS is the primary source to the state and regional media and to national sportsmen’s publications for sportsmen’s positions in Connecticut. CCS is the primary state contact organization concerning legislation for the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, 2d Amendment Foundation, and other national Hunting & Fishing organizations.

Also, CCS is an active member of the DEP Conservation Advisory Council, DEP Boating Advisory Council, DEP Fishing Advisory Council, the “Hunter’s For The Hungry” coordinating committee, and other state-wide sportsmen’s committees.

What needs to be done to improve the overall environment for hunters and fishers?

There needs to be more state general funding. Connecticut has ranked 49 or 50 of 50 for the lowest state funding for the environment for decades. Sportsmen pay 85-90 percent of fish and wildlife operations.