AmmoLand.com

DNR Secretary Matt Frank Announces Successful Inaugural Hunting Heritage Conference

ROTHSCHILD, Wi – -(AmmoLand.com)- Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank congratulated and thanked the participants of the first Hunting Heritage Conference who met over the weekend to share ideas about broadening participation in the state’s hunting heritage.

The conference was funded by a grant from the National Shooting Sports Foundation and The Hunting Heritage Partnership. The grant provided funding to cover the complete cost of those attending the two-day conference.

The Department of Natural Resources invited representatives of local and statewide hunting and conservation organizations to the first ever event. About 115 hunting enthusiasts from mentors to safety instructors gathered at the Stoney Creek Inn for the two-day conference devoted to exploring ideas about building the state’s hunting future for generations to come.

“Wisconsin is a great hunting state with a wide range of hunting opportunities for both novice and experienced hunters,” Frank said. “But we cannot take our hunting tradition for granted. We are looking to build on our past efforts to work with young people as well as adults who have never had an opportunity to hunt. If we want our next generation not only to enjoy our natural resources but to become future conservationists, we need to think creatively and build upon our past efforts.”

The Feb. 19-20 conference focused on educating and training experienced mentors in passing on their knowledge to the next generation of Wisconsin hunters through the DNR’s popular Learn to Hunt program. DNR records show that in 2009, the Learn to Hunt Program had more than 1,500 participants in the turkey, pheasant, deer and waterfowl programs.

“We are very proud of our Learn to Hunt program, which has had the strong support of local conservation groups and volunteer instructors who work with our staff,” Frank said. “We are looking for ways to build mentor participation in this program – and expand it to more youth – boys and girls – from all ethnic backgrounds.”

The conference also featured researchers from the University of Wisconsin-System who shared their research designs on recruiting hunters and testing the effects of social networking and new media technologies to promote hunting.

“The main goals of the conference were to build community around the issue of hunter recruitment and retention; to facilitate networking between organizations; and, to share best practices for hosting successful Learn to Hunt Programs,” DNR Deputy Conservation Warden Benjamin Mott said of the event he helped coordinate. “And another main goal was to make sure clubs understand how they can receive reimbursement for conducting Learn to Hunt Programs.”

The Learn to Hunt Program is designed to help inexperienced hunters, both youth and adults, have a high quality, safe, and rewarding first-time hunt under the guidance of qualified Hunter Education instructors and hunting mentors. Participants receive both classroom and field instruction prior to an actual hunt.

Frank said the DNR hopes to make the conference an annual event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Benjamin Mott, Deputy Conservation Warden, Madison: (608) 444-1244; Todd Schaller, Conservation Warden, Madison: (608) 267-2774

Filed under: Hunting News by Ammoland No Comments »

Learn How To Hunt In A Safe Mentored Environment
Game and Fish partners with sportsmen groups to host clinics for first-time hunters.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Pheonix, Az --(AmmoLand.com)-Parents, do you want to see your kids take a break from playing video games all day and get outdoors for some healthy activity?

Then check out the Arizona Game and Fish Department, your outdoor recreation resource. The department has partnered with dedicated sportsmen groups to offer first-time hunters dozens of mentored, hands-on, how-to hunting and shooting opportunities this fall.

For the majority of these events, all the participant has to do is show up and the mentors take care of the rest, including food and equipment. For others, participants must bring basic outdoor camping gear, and some hunts may require a hunting license and appropriate tags or stamps.

“Hunting in Arizona is very safe and it provides a healthy experience for the body, the mind and the soul,” said Arizona Game and Fish Director Larry Voyles. “Not only is it fun and challenging, but hunters play a critical role in modern wildlife conservation through harvest, funding, habitat restoration, advocacy and more.

A national survey in 2008 reports there is overwhelming public support for hunting. One method identified by the study to increase hunting participation is to provide new hunters with a mentored experience to teach them the skills needed to foster their self-interest.

Therefore, in teaching this valuable tradition in the 21st century, the department is taking on an approach like that of organized sports. The department’s Mentored Hunting Camp Project connects experienced sportsmen organizations with interested new hunters into a setting that teaches them the basic skills, ethics, and how-to’s in a safe and positive environment to foster those who have an interest in hunting but have no means with which to get started.

“Hunting is an American tradition that historically has been passed down from generation to generation, much like a skilled trade. However, as Arizona continues to transform from a rural- to an urban-based society, these traditions are not fostered like in years past, resulting in hunter participation rates not keeping pace in comparison to rising population levels,” added Voyles

Funded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) Hunter Heritage Grant Program, the Arizona Game and Fish Department created a pass-through grant program to local nonprofit organizations for the Mentored Hunting Camp Project.

“Arizona Game and Fish’s mentor program is an excellent example of thinking outside the box to put new hunters in the field,” said Melissa Schilling, National Shooting Sports Foundation, recruitment and retention manager. “This proposal is a ‘model’ program for other agencies to roll into their hunter recruitment and retention efforts.”

Voyles noted, “The NSSF Hunter Heritage Grant Program provided our agency an invaluable opportunity to develop a new program with our sportsmen’s groups for recruiting the hunter-conservationists of the future.”

Hunters are the original wildlife conservationists. Dating back more than 100 years ago, forward thinkers like President Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, Aldo Leopold, and others began to establish laws and management practices that would assure the sustainability of wildlife and their habitats for future generations. These mentored hunting camps are a way for today’s youth to become a part of this ongoing tradition and play a role in wildlife conservation.

The types of hunts, time of year and location can accommodate nearly any schedule, and include:

• Sept. 26, 5-Stand and Sporting Clays Camp – Hosted by Mohave SCTP at Seven Mile Hill Shooting Range in Kingman. To register, call (928) 758-2355.
• Fall 2009 (date pending), Small Game Hunting Camp – Hosted by Northeastern Arizona Sportsman’s Association, at Vernon. To register, contact (928) 337-3768.
• Oct. 3-4, Trophy Squirrel Camp – Hosted by Chandler Rod and Gun Club at Forest Lakes east of Payson on the Mogollon Rim. To register, e-mail info@chandlerrodandgunclub.com.
• Oct. 8-11, Antlerless Elk Camp – Hosted by Outdoor Experience 4 All at Mormon Lake, south of Flagstaff, in unit 6A. Special hunt for children with a life-threatening illness (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, contact (480) 529-8340.
• Oct. 8-12, Junior Deer Hunting Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association at the Colcord Ridge Campground for units 3A, 3C, 22, and 23 (Open to those already issued a deer tag). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Oct. 15-18, Juniors Elk Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Elk Society at Bear Springs, near Overgaard, for units 3C and 4A (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, call (480) 720-2393.
• Oct. 15-18, Junior Elk Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Elk Society at Happy Jack Lodge for unit 6A (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, call (623) 594-7074.
• Oct. 15-19, Junior Elk Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association, location to be determined, for unit 3A and 3C (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Nov. 19-22, Junior Deer & Javelina Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona chapter of the Safari Club International at Marley Ranch south of Tucson for units 36A and 36B (Limited javelina tags still available, deer tags already issued). For information, call (520) 490-8367.
• Nov. 19-22, Junior Deer Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association, location to be determined, for unit 20C (Open to those already issued a deer tag). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Nov. 26-29, Bull Elk Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association at Bar D Ranch for unit 6A (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Dec. 5-6, Predator Hunting Seminar and Camp – Hosted by Huachuca Gould’s chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, at Rose Tree Museum in Sierra Vista. To register, contact (520) 508-4272.
• Dec. 5-6, Small Game Hunting Camp – Hosted by Chandler Rod and Gun Club, at Gold Canyon. To register, e-mail info@chandlerrodandgunclub.com.
• Dec. 11-13, Junior Waterfowl Hunting Camp – Hosted by Southwest Habitat Partnership, at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. To register, e-mail getoutsideaz@gmail.com.
• Dec. 18-21, Junior Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Camp – Hosted by Mohave Sportsman Club, at Cain Springs in unit 16A (Open to those already issued a deer tag). For information, call (928) 758-2355.
• December (date pending), Shotgun Shooting Camp – Hosted by Northeastern Arizona Sportsman’s Association in St. Johns. To register, call (928) 337-3768.
• Jan. 16-17, Quail Hunting Camp – Hosted by Cochise Bird Dog Club at Empire Ranch near Sonoita. To register, call (520) 458-1584.
• Jan. 21-24, Juniors Javelina Hunting Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association, location to be determined, in unit 20C (Apply for javelina tag before Oct. 13, Hunt No. 5039). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Jan. 21-24, Javelina Hunting Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association, location to be determined, in unit 23 (Apply for javelina tag before Oct. 13, Hunt No. 5040). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Jan. 22-24, Junior Jack Rabbit Hunting Camp – Host by Arizona chapter of the Safari Club International, at Altar Valley. To register, contact (520) 490-8367.
• April 15-18, Youth Turkey Hunting Camp – Hosted by National Wild Turkey Federation, location to be determined, in Unit 6A near Flagstaff (Turkey tag required, available at any license dealer). For information, call (928) 848-4549.
• April 15-18, Youth Turkey Hunting Camp – Hosted by National Wild Turkey Federation at Colcord Ridge Campground for units 3, 4, and 23 (Turkey tag required, available at any license dealer). For information, call (928) 848-4549.
• April 15-18, Youth Turkey Hunting Camp – Hosted by National Wild Turkey Federation at Alpine for units 1 and 27 (Turkey tag required, available at any license dealer). For information, call (928) 848-4549.

Several other events made available by the grant program have already occurred (see list below). However, many of these are annual events and are worth noting in your calendar:

• August, Christian Hunting and Shooting Camp – Hosted by Grace Community Church Group at Nowell Tree Farm.
• September, Junior Dove Hunt – Hosted by Chandler Rod and Gun Club and Arizona Game and Fish Department at department’s Robbins Butte Wildlife Area.
• September, Junior’s Fall Turkey Hunting Seminar – Hosted by Huachuca Gould’s chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation in Sierra Vista.
• September, Beginner’s Dove Hunt – Hosted by Chandler Rod and Gun Club and Arizona Game and Fish Department in the East Valley.
• September, Trap Shooting Camp – Hosted by Mohave SCTP at Seven Mile Hill Shooting Range in Kingman. To register, call (928) 758-2355.

To learn more about hunting, how to get a big game tag and other programs, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/hunting under “Mentored Hunting.”

About:
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

Filed under: Hunting News by Ammoland No Comments »