RE: Question for you all!
The reason I ask is hunter retention is dropping, not only in my state but in many. We need to recruit and retain more hunters.
Some of the major issues for not hunting include:
Land access
Complex hunting regulations
Not having the time to go
Not having a "next step" after Hunter Ed course.
In NC and VA if you allow someone to hunt your land and do not charge them for it, you are NOT liable for them.
If you charge/lease it to them, you then become liable. Land owners need to know this.
The major reason land owners do not allow hunters/fishermen on their land is the fear of being liable.
If the land owerns were more educated about their rights, this would open up for land access.
The complexity of the hunting regulations does, at times, seem to be overwhelming. We need people who know the laws and can relate to the average Joe so they can explain it to them without them having to read over 100 pages of legalized terms.
Not having time to go. Well, you make time for what you really want it life.
The next step after the hunter's ed course, that's where my organization comes in and also where NC DNR and VA DNR is trying to step up.
There will be (shortly I hope) events after the hunter's ed course where hunter's ed instructors will be able to take students who do well on their tests, out hunting. It may be on shooting perserves, public dove fields, etc.
When I teach my hunter's ed courses, I also tell them about my organization and inform them that we deal with children only, however the parents/guardians are more than welcome to go with us so they can learn along with their children.
These are basic first steps toward recruitment and retention, but all experienced hunters do have a duty to pass along their hertiage to someone.
Maybe it's not always a child, but the guy who bought his license and went out one year, didn't have any luck and gave up. Or the ladies who feel it's not a womans place. We need to educated them about the women hunters and programs such as Women In The Outdoors.
Our organization, Youth Outdoor Connection, has just partnered up with NC Wildlife Resources Commission - Hunter's Heritage Program.
We are also working on partnering up with VA's DNR for the same reasons.
These are small steps, but with everyone's help, we can add to the numbers of educated, law abiding, ethical hunters.
I am attending a seminar in September where I will receive my IBEP certification and will be able to teach the Bow Hunter's course needed in many states. Beyond that there are many courses to take that come with IHEA certifications, including Trapping, Muzzleloading, Orienteering, and others.
It is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Why not look into becoming a volunteer instructor in your own state?