Assemblyman Christopher Friend (R- Big Flats) today joined sportsmen, businesses, and elected officials from across the state for the 2011 Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day. The event, sponsored by the Assembly Minority Conference, was held in the “Well” and third floor terrace of the Legislative Office Building. The day’s purpose was to highlight New York’s tradition of outdoor recreation and its impact on the state’s economy.

“As an avid hiker and fisherman, I have a great love for the outdoors,” said Friend. “New York is blessed with abundant and beautiful lands for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other recreational activities. It is one of our richest resources and we should do as much as we can as a state to cultivate that interest.”

New York is home to more than 1.4 million sportsmen. Outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, and trapping, contributes $6 billion to the New York State economy. There are well over 100,000 registered snowmobiles and nearly two million ATV users. Outdoor recreation is a large economic driver on top of being an honored part of the state’s cultural heritage.

“We can do more to foster this driving force of our economy,” said Friend, “I am committed to fighting excessive government regulation across the board, whether it impacts individual rights of responsible hunters and sportsmen or interferes with the success of our local businesses.”

Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day spotlights economic development, recreational opportunities, and constitutional rights. Representatives from the National Rifle Association, New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, Shooters Committee on Political Education, New York State 4-H State Shooting Sports, Trout Unlimited, and Remington Arms were on hand to discuss these issues. The day culminated in a keynote address from the NRA’s Director of Political Affairs, Chuck Cunningham.