NWTF Regional R3 Goals Announced at NWTF Convention
The NWTF education and outreach staff helped kick off the NWTF’s 50th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak, with an informational and collaborative meeting, with NWTF education and outreach staff representing from every region across the nation. Each NWTF staff member shared their regional goals for the upcoming year.
Volunteers are the heart of the NWTF, which means the education and outreach staff are always excited to generate new ideas and work with volunteers to create successful R3 efforts – recruiting, retaining and reactivating.
In the Northeast, Jesse Warner, NWTF R3 coordinator for the Northeast, has a large focus on recruiting more mentors in his region that are willing to take out new hunters. Similarly, R3 coordinators from the Midwest are hoping to develop and coordinate mentorship and volunteer training resources and in-person workshops. Jen Davis, NWTF R3 coordinator for Michigan, also hopes to make information surrounding firearms safety more accessible. In collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Davis is aiming to develop an online resource that will list all reputable gunsmiths, gun dealers and shooting ranges, which will remove specific barriers new hunters might face when it comes to the purchase and use of firearms.
In Nebraska, Shelby Isensee, NWTF hunting and shooting R3 coordinator for the state, is hoping to take a more direct approach to removing barriers. Isensee is creating new gear libraries for college students to learn about various hunting gear, from hunting clothes to turkey vests, decoys, calls and anything that helps facilitating new hunters getting outdoors. She is also planning to collaborate with state universities to host small, mentored hunts with students in hopes that it will make it easier for students to get in the woods.
Out west, Kirsty Paulsen, hunting and shooting R3 coordinator for Arizona, is also targeting college-aged students with a conservation series she is working on with a Grand Canyon University professor and Trout Unlimited.
In Arizona, Paulsen has been consistently advocating for hosting more non-hunting R3 events for new hunters that aren’t as intimidating as guided hunts. She uses the approach of taking conservationists to create hunters, which has been successful thus far. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has seen an increase from 94 to 126 education and outreach events in the state over the last year, which is exposing more individuals to the NWTF’s mission: the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage.
“There’s no bag limit on conservation,” Paulsen said. “So, we can host more non-hunting education and outreach events throughout the year to get more people involved with our mission.”
Staff also invited Alex Baer from International Hunter Education Association; Lou Cornicelli from Southwick Associates, a market research and economics consulting firm that specializes in the outdoor recreation, hunting, shooting and sportfishing industries; and representatives from The Truth, a multi-faceted specialty branding and marketing agency.
On a national level, the R3 team is hoping to host a pilot conservation field day event, since they are becoming more popular across the country.
“Each state and region across the country has unique needs when it comes to R3,” said Mandy Harling, NWTF national director of education and outreach programs. “The NWTF’s education and outreach staff remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving our nation’s hunting heritage. Working alongside dedicated volunteers, state and federal agencies, and our industry and community partners, we continue to identify gaps, strengthen opportunities and deliver the support needed to ensure the future of our hunting traditions.”