AGFC pledges support for Anglers' Legacy program

LITTLE ROCK – The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation today announced a new partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to increase fishing participation by promoting the Anglers' Legacy program. The Commission is committed to carrying the Anglers' Legacy message in their annual 2008 Fishing Guidebook, a publication that reaches nearly half a million anglers throughout the state.

The AGFC will also promote the program by posting Anglers' Legacy links on their Web site, carrying the message to different events statewide and running public service announcements.

"All the studies out there indicate that the biggest way to get someone new involved in fishing is through mentoring," said the AGFC’s Aquatic Resources Education Coordinator Jimmy Barnett.  "Promoting Anglers' Legacy is a great way to recruit new anglers to the sport and the Commission staff is excited about this partnership. The 2008 Arkansas Fishing Guidebook will encourage anglers to 'Take the Pledge' and for doing so, they will receive a lapel pin with our agency and Anglers' Legacy logos."

"We're delighted that AGFC is supporting Anglers' Legacy," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "Their efforts will help reach avid anglers throughout the state of Arkansas who can make a difference in someone's life and help grow participation in the sport. Their 2008 Fishing Guidebook is a great place to start and we look forward to helping them recruit new anglers and increase fishing license sales."

"Anglers' Legacy Ambassadors on average generate 3.2 fishing licenses, and that can mean big rewards for our state," added Barnett. "We have approximately 400,000 licensed anglers in Arkansas. We hope to energize many of them to take the pledge and teach a newcomer what they know about the sport they love."

Launched in May 2006, Anglers' Legacy has collected more than 20,000 pledges. Through media coverage, industry partners and pro-staff and celebrity angler involvement, the program asks avid anglers to share their passion for fishing and to visit AnglersLegacy.org where they're asked to "Take the Pledge" – promising to take one new person fishing each year. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission joins a growing list of partners who are supporting the Anglers' Legacy movement. To see a full list of all Anglers' Legacy partners, visit AnglersLegacy.org and click on "Program Partners."