HHP Grant Recipients

This section features brief descriptions of state agencies' winning HHP proposals. Unless noted, descriptions show what was proposed, not what resulted. We provide no analysis of results. State agencies can use this section to learn about types of HHP projects undertaken nationwide, while giving them a chance to network and discuss projects of interest.

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

2004: MORE THAN $470,000 AWARDED

Alabama - Mentoring program: Alabama received $45,000 for a program to match novice hunters with mentors. Coupled with a statewide advertising campaign, the program offers participating mentors certificates, prizes and recognition. Alabama officials expect the program to have the dual effect of enhancing both recruitment and retention.
Contact: Jerry deBin, chief, Information and Education Section, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, (334) 242-3151, jdebin@dcnr.state.al.us

California - SHARE Program: California received $50,000 for the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program. This program is designed to increase public hunting opportunities throughout California, recruit and retain hunters, promote habitat conservation and foster cooperation among landowners, sportsmen, conservation groups and the California Department of Fish and Game.
Contact: Bill Gaines, director of government affairs, California Waterfowl Association, (916) 648-1406, Bill_gaines@calwaterfowl.org

Hawaii - Increasing hunting access: Hawaii received $47,560 for a program designed to increase hunting access and participation. The program will use special maps to identify land ownership patterns and provide funding for which to negotiate public hunting access leases with selected landowners.
Contact: Ed Johnson, wildlife hunting program manager, Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, (808) 587-4185, Edwin.d.Johnson@hawaii.gov

Michigan - R&R program: Michigan received $66,978 to develop a new program to recruit newcomers, retain existing hunters and evaluate the state's hunting access programs. Promotional materials, in the form of educational kits, will be distributed to outdoor and hunting groups.
Contact: Thomas Oliver, Hunting Heritage Program coordinator, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, (517) 241-2733, olivert@michigan.gov.

Nevada - Family Hunt Opportunity: Nevada received $25,000 for continuation of its Family Hunt Opportunity program. This year Nevada Division of Wildlife will expand on last year's NSSF grant, developing strategies and materials to promote hunting opportunities on both public and private lands and evaluate subsequent results. The agency's goal is to increase hunting participation by 5 percent over the next five years.
Contact: Les Smith, outdoor education coordinator, Nevada Department of Wildlife, (775) 688-1553, lcsmith@ndow.org

New Hampshire - Direct-mail campaign: New Hampshire received $22,000 for a direct-mail campaign targeting lapsed hunters encouraging them to purchase a hunting license. By communicating directly with lapsed hunters, the state could potentially bring 8,000 to 10,000 sportsmen and women back into the ranks of active hunters.
Contact: Judy Stokes, chief, Public Affairs Division, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, (603) 271-3211, jstokes@wildlife.state.nh.us

Ohio - Promotional information: Ohio received $45,500 for development of promotional information for distribution to hunters whose licenses are expected to lapse in 2004 to 2005. Officials also will measure the effectiveness of the campaign. The goal is not only maintaining numbers of hunting license holders, but also increasing the hunting activity of license holders.
Contact: Dave Scott, wildlife research administrator, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, (614) 265-6338, dave.scott@dnr.state.oh.us

Pennsylvania - Landowners survey: Pennsylvania received $87,000 for a comprehensive survey of active and recently lapsed landowners in a program designed to provide hunters with access to private lands. The survey will help officials improve the program, thereby increasing participation by the hunting public. The funds will also be used for mapping all hunting areas in the state to assist hunters in locating open areas in their vicinity.
Contact: Gary Camus, chief, Division of Federal Aid and Public Access, Pennsylvania Game Commission, (717) 787-6818, gcamus@state.pa.us

South Carolina - Hunting heritage trailer: South Carolina received $16,000 for its Take One, Make One hunting heritage trailer. The trailer is a mass communications tool that exposes visitors to the hunting and shooting sports. Live-fire practice sessions will be scheduled for enrolled students. A goal of the program is increasing the number of students and mentors involved in Take One, Make One activities.
Contact: Sgt. Lynwood Kearse, Take One, Make One coordinator, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, (803) 734-4011, KearseL@scdnr.sc.gov

Vermont - Direct-mail campaign: Vermont received $6,000 for a direct-mail appeal to potential hunters. The appeal will promote the sport and drive traffic to an associated Web site, where additional information can be obtained. The campaign is expected to stabilize or slightly increase hunting license sales in 2004.
Contact: Christopher Saunders, hunter education coordinator, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, (802) 241-3722, chris.saunders@anr.state.vt.us

Virginia - Comprehensive recruitment and retention: Virginia received $21,910 for a comprehensive program to recruit and retain hunters. A New Hunter Starter Kit, series of species-specific workshops, access mapping, promotional materials and actual hunting trips in conjunction with non-profit organizations are among the program's strategies.
Contact: David Coffman, sportsman's education coordinator, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, (804) 367-0720, david.coffman@dgif.virginia.gov

Wisconsin - Youth pheasant hunt and public access: Wisconsin received two grants, one for $7,000; and one for $10,000. The first will help fund the states inaugural youth pheasant hunt. Over the long term, this program is expected to increase the number of pheasant hunters by providing a safe initiation with a high probability of encountering game. The second grant will be used to expand the state's leased public hunting access program. Over 18,000 acres of private lands will be opened for hunting in 2004.
Contact: Keith Warnke, big game biologist, Wisconsin Department of Nature Resources, (608) 364-6023, keith.warnke@dnr.state.wi.us.

Wyoming - Private Lands, Public Wildlife: Wyoming received $25,000 to supplement its Private Lands, Public Wildlife program. Funds will go directly into easements that provide public access to private lands, or landlocked public lands, as well as promotional information. Officials expect increased hunter opportunity to result, which will translate to additional hunters.
Contact: Matt Buhler, statewide access coordinator, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, (307) 473-3400, Matt.buhler@wgf.state.wy.us.