PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
The FRONT LINE
PUBLISHER Evan Heusinkveld
EDITOR Brian Lynn
ASSISTANT EDITOR Naomi Yates
ART DIRECTOR Brian Respress
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Connie Mendoza
PRODUCTION MANAGER Melissa Williams
PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
The Sportsmen ’ s Alliance has long fought to protect you in state legislatures , courtrooms and at the ballot box . For nearly 50 years , we ’ ve coordinated a defense that includes lobbying , litigation ( offense and defense ), research , publicity , education and more . No small undertaking , and all done in the name of defending and advancing hunting , fishing and trapping .
However , it doesn ’ t take public-opinion surveys or a comprehensive high-school curriculum to successfully teach the non-hunting public about the North American Model of Conservation and the benefits of hunting and other outdoor activities .
Each of us has the opportunity to inform , educate and influence those around us by talking about the hunting process in a respectful , informative way . As many of you already know , one of the easiest ways to bring someone into the hunting fold is to share the bounty of your harvest with that person . Throughout history , food has had a way of bringing people together , and even in our modern age , that remains true .
Food is at the top of the non-hunting public ’ s list when it comes to acceptable reasons to hunt . Moreso than the irrefutable need for scientific management or the individual desire to connect with nature , food is the undeniable gateway to connecting with people who otherwise might not care if hunting continues to exist or not .
If each of you holding this issue of The Sportsmen ’ s Advocate made it your mission to talk to non-hunters about food or , even better , shared some of your wild game this summer and fall with them , tens of thousands of non-hunters would be positively exposed to the hunting world . Over time , that experience and ensuing discussions can make a grassroots difference in the social and political protection of our outdoor passions .
As you might have guessed , this issue all about food and how our heritage , and future as sportsmen , is dependent on not just the conservation successes of our past , but on the ability of each of us to successfully relay the role hunting , fishing , trapping and gathering our food plays in our lives — and there ’ s no better way to make that concrete connection for a non-hunter than through jerky , snack sticks or a backstrap dinner .
Evan Heusinkveld , President and CEO
2 SPORTSMENSALLIANCE . ORG
CONTRIBUTORS Brad Fenson , Adam Heggenstaller
The Sportsmen ’ s Advocate is the official publication of the Sportsmen ’ s Alliance . Our mission is to protect and advance America ’ s heritage of hunting , fishing and trapping by uniting sportsmen to protect against legal and legislative attacks by the animal-rights movement , win public support for outdoor sports , ensure the future of this heritage by involving families in the outdoor experience , and by promoting the sportsmen ’ s stewardship role in the scientific management of America ’ s fish and wildlife .
EXECUTIVE STAFF Evan Heusinkveld President and CEO Jeff Nations Chief Financial Officer Todd Adkins Vice President , Government Affairs Brian Dowler Vice President , Membership Aaron Carmichael Vice President , Development Brian Lynn
Vice President , Communications and Marketing
Copyright 2023 by Outdoor Sportsman Group , 1040 6th Ave ., 17th Floor , New York , NY 10018 . All Rights Reserved . No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission . The Sportsmen ’ s Advocate is a trademark of the Sportsmen ’ s Alliance , 801 Kingsmill Parkway , Columbus , OH 43229 ; 614-888-4868 ; info @ sportsmensalliance . org .
The Publisher and authors make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy , completeness or timeliness of the information contained in this publication . Any reliance or use of the information is solely at your own risk , and the authors and Publisher disclaim any and all liability relating thereto . Any prices given in this issue were suggested prices at the press time and are subject to change . Some advertisements in this magazine may concern products that are not legally for sale to California residents or residents in other jurisdictions .