Assemblyman Tom O’Mara (R,I,C-Big Flats) today joined National Rifle Association (NRA) CEO & Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and outdoor enthusiasts from across the state at the first annual Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day in Albany.

                “Today was a great event and a terrific way for people from across the state to come together and advocate for sportsmen rights and promote New York’s outdoors industry here in Albany,” said O’Mara.  “Hunting, fishing and other related outdoors sports are an important part of our local economy and need to be promoted at the state capitol.”

According to the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), hunting is among the most popular forms of wildlife recreation in New York.  Nearly 700,000 New Yorkers and over 50,000 nonresidents hunt in the Empire State. Revenues generated from hunting directly support wildlife conservation programs and provide substantial economic benefits to New York retailers and the tourism industry.

Assemblyman O’Mara also noted that there are more than 1.2 million resident sportsmen in New York State with hunting, fishing and trapping activities contributing more than $6.22 billion to the state’s economy each year.   

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