State Assembly Minority Leader Charles H. Nesbitt today announced the formation of a new task force charged with developing ways to improve and promote the hunting and fishing industry in New York State.

The Assembly Minority Hunting and Fishing Task Force will host regional public forums to gather information - from members of local hunting and fishing organizations, industry-related business owners, state officials, chambers of commerce representatives, local promotion and tourism officials, and other interested parties - about ways to increase the vitality of New York’s outdoor sport industry, increase the number of recreational anglers and hunters, invest in land for outdoor recreation, enhance New York’s efforts to manage game species, and improve relations between traditional outdoor sportsmen and sportswomen and the communities where these activities take place.

The 18-member Task Force is also charged with developing strategies to increase public awareness of the impact hunting and fishing have on the state’s economy.

Assemblyman Nesbitt (R,C,I-Albion) said, "From Montauk to Massena and the Berkshires to Buffalo, New York offers beautiful landscapes and countless opportunities for hunting and fishing. I created this Task Force to strengthen our state’s traditional sportsmen’s industry by developing programs and legislation that will improve and promote hunting and fishing here. New York’s sportsmen and women have a strong advocate in Albany in the Assembly Minority Conference."

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski), Task Force chairman, said, "In addition to raising awareness of hunting and fishing opportunities that are available in New York State, the intent of this Task Force is to support these industries which have a major impact on New York’s economy. We plan to hold roundtable discussions across the state to gather information from local sportsman’s organizations and other experts in the field on how best to boost hunting and fishing in New York State."

The Task Force’s first regional forum is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21 in Albany. Among the topics to be discussed is Chronic Wasting Disease among New York’s deer herds.

Members of the Assembly Minority Hunting and Fishing Task Force include: