Post by torpedo on Apr 6, 2020 22:58:06 GMT
New Hunters On The Way?
numbers of new hunters. Efforts like NSSF’s +ONE Movement have been
instrumental in expanding opportunities. Visit www.nssf.org/plusone.
During a press event at SHOT Show, NSSF, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Delta Waterfowl and Savage Arms cited recent innovative programs that are attracting significant numbers of new hunters.
“We’re seeing many positive signs that show there’s hope for the future of hunting,” said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF’s director of research and market development. “New research and programs show many people are motivated to give hunting a try. They tell us it’s an activity to be enjoyed with family and friends, that hunting provides healthful meat for their tables and it allows them to put their busy lives on hold for a time to recharge and reconnect with the outdoors and nature.”
Representing USFWS, Wildlife Biologist Tom Decker shared his agency — along with state wildlife agencies — have made a concerted effort to open access to hunters.
“In 2020, more than 460 million acres of state-owned lands will be available to hunters, and federal agencies are making it easier to access federal lands as well,” he said. “The agencies are using mapping technology to provide better information on where to access land, and apps such as onX Hunt have maps that make it easy to find available lands as well.”
NSSF’s +ONE Movement mentoring program, Delta Waterfowl’s HunteR3 Initiative and Savage’s Generation Grit mentorship recognition effort have been successful in gaining interest from non-traditional audiences.
“We’re seeing many positive
signs that show there’s hope
for the future of hunting.”
signs that show there’s hope
for the future of hunting.”
Jim Curcuruto, NSSF Director of Research & Market Development
Delta Waterfowl’s HunteR3 Initiative has made several inroads through its three-pronged approach. Its First Hunt Program has introduced more than 75,000 people to waterfowl hunting; the University Hunting Program teaches future wildlife management professionals who have no hunting experience about the role hunting plays in supporting wildlife conservation; Defend The Hunt defends against threats to hunting while working to increase quality access for hunters.
Joel Brice, Delta Waterfowl VP of waterfowl and hunter recruitment programs, noted: “The launch of our HunteR3 Initiative reaffirms Delta Waterfowl’s commitment to hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation.”
Generation Grit was Savage’s way of honoring mentors who share their expertise with new hunters, according to Savage Marketing Manager Beth Shimanski.
“Their efforts deserve to be recognized as they strive to help us all change the trend we’ve seen in hunting participation. The overwhelming response from mentors shows us there’s hope we can continue the uptick we’ve seen in the number of new hunters, especially younger hunters and women,” she noted.
Additionally, NSSF’s Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Program — which awarded five grants totaling $100,000 in 2019 — has provided a windfall to grant recipients. (Sportsmen’s Alliance, NWTF, Pheasants Forever, Georgia Wildlife Foundation and First Hunt Foundation were awarded grants last year.) For 2020, NSSF is accepting grant proposals through May 15. Visit www.nssf.org/nssf-hht-grant-program for more information.
“State and federal wildlife agencies, along with many NGOs and conservation organizations, are doing terrific work recruiting new hunters, but the needle will move faster when more of the industry gets involved,” Curcuruto said. “The good news is the more manufacturers and retailers get involved in recruitment, the more new hunters we’ll have. It’s really that simple.”
nssf.org / fws.gov / deltawaterfowl.org / savagearms.com