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

2005: MORE THAN $420,000 AWARDED

Alaska - Recruitment, mentoring and clinics: Alaska received two grants for two separate hunter recruitment efforts: one for $15,296; and one for $15,000. The first will be used to help identify strategies to recruit new hunters-particularly from the state's urban areas-and to develop a network of experienced hunters to take newcomers into the field and mentor them. The second will help fund a series of hunting clinics aimed at recruiting new small-game hunters. A brochure promoting small-game hunting opportunities in the state will also be created.
Contact: Eddie Grasser, special projects coordinator, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, (907) 267-2116, eddiegrasser@fishgame.state.ak.us

Connecticut - Junior Pheasant Hunting Day: Connecticut received $11,562 to help increase participation of private hunting clubs in the state's Junior Pheasant Hunting Day program. Connecticut officials said 25 more clubs can be added to the program this year because of the grant. This year, the program will give 625 young, beginner hunters the opportunity to hunt in a controlled environment in the company of experienced adult mentors.
Contact: Dave Kubas, western district coordinator, Conservation Education/Firearm Safety Program, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, (860) 675-8141, david.kubas@po.state.ct.us

Florida - Survey and planning for 2005 Summit: Florida received $15,000 to help fund a survey and planning efforts for the 2005 Summit on the Future of Hunting in Florida. The survey's results will play a key role at the summit by asking Florida's licensed hunters to identify major issues facing the future of hunting in the state. The summit will bring hunters and organizations together to help secure the state's hunting heritage.
Contact: Nick Wiley, director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, (850) 488-3881, Nick.Wiley@MyFWC.com

Indiana - Annual Small Game Hunting Day for Youth: Indiana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee received $18,110 to create an annual small-game hunting day for Indiana youths. The event will be a first for the state. The program will initially focus on finding organizations willing to participate. Secondarily, it will supply them with the resources to get involved. Pre-hunt and posthunt analysis will help measure the event's successes.
Contact: Mark Reiter, public lands program manager, Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife, (317) 232-8129, mreiter@dnr.in.gov

Montana - Waterfowl hunter R&R: Montana received $55,000 for a project designed to enhance waterfowl hunter retention and recruitment. The goal is to better understand the relationship between hunting regulations and hunter participation and satisfaction. Identifying trends associated with regulations and participation will be key in making more informed and effective management decisions and will provide a stronger platform for retaining existing hunters and recruiting new hunters.
Contact: Jeff Herbert, assistant administrator, Wildlife Division, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, (406) 444-3940, jherbert@state.mt.us

Nebraska - Youth Mentored Hunt Access and Management Program: Nebraska received $45,000 to develop the Youth Mentored Hunt Access and Management Program. The program will provide accessible lands specifically for youth hunting. A Web site will be created to provide a reliable source for youths and their parents and mentors to find locations, schedule site use and determine suitability for specific hunting needs. Once up and running, state officials said, the program would be available as a model for use by other state agencies.
Contact: Jeff Rawlinson, outdoor education specialist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, (402) 471-6133, rawlinson@ngpc.state.ne.us

New Hampshire - Advertising campaign: New Hampshire received $32,000 for an advertising campaign aimed at increasing hunter education attendees and awareness of hunting in the state. The state plans to use NSSF's Original Outdoor Challenge advertising campaign on cable television networks, in selected print media and along the Interstate 93 corridor south of Manchester. The campaign is geared toward potential hunters ages 18 to 35. The state will also conduct follow- up surveys with recent hunter education graduates to gain an understanding of barriers facing the new hunter in New Hampshire and to develop and distribute a publication to the graduates about the next steps in becoming a hunter.
Contact: Judy Stokes, chief, Public Affairs Division, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, (603) 271-3211, jstokes@wildlife.state.nh.us

North Carolina - R&R symposium: North Carolina received $15,000 to conduct a symposium aimed at increasing hunter participation and retaining existing hunters in the state. During the event, a group of people with wildlife, education and hunting backgrounds will come together to discuss potential solutions, which will ultimately be used to develop a hunter recruitment and retention program tailored to the state. Contact: Susie Fish, hunting recruitment and retention coordinator, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, (919) 733-3391, ronda.fish@ncwildlife.org

Ohio - Promotional campaign: Ohio received $31,500 for a promotional campaign targeting the state's hunters likely to lapse in 2005. Postcard reminders will encourage these hunters to take part in the state's fall hunting seasons. The department will later attempt to measure the campaign's effectiveness.
Contact: Dave Scott, wildlife research administrator, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, (614) 265-6338, dave.scott@dnr.state.oh.us

South Dakota - Increase visibility of public access: South Dakota received $35,000 to increase visibility of the state's school trust lands available for hunting. The grant will fund the posting of signs on 700 miles of school trust lands with the greatest hunting access potential. By marking boundaries and notifying hunters of accessible land, South Dakota hopes to increase hunting opportunities for many species-deer, turkey, antelope and prairie grouse-and will in turn benefit state hunting license sales.
Contact: William Smith, senior wildlife biologist, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, (605) 773-3096, bill.smith@state.sd.us

Tennessee - Dove Field Lease Program and youth hunts: Tennessee received $42,000 to help increase dove hunting opportunities and participation among youths and families in the state. By marketing its Dove Field Lease Program to prospective landowners, the department hopes to increase access for hunters. Also, special dove hunting events for youths and their parents and mentors will be planned, and hunting opportunities will be promoted to recent hunter education graduates as well as youths involved in NSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program.
Contact: Donald Hosse, wildlife education program coordinator, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, (615) 781-6541, don.hosse@state.tn.us

Texas - Hunter Education Deferral Program: Texas received $6,000 for hunter education recruitment efforts. The grant will be used to measure the effectiveness of the state's Hunter Education Deferral Program, which allows novice hunters ages 17 and older to hunt without completing hunter education for up to one year if they are accompanied by a licensed adult hunter. The grant also will help develop a hunter education short course. The course, to be taught by outside instructors trained by the department's hunter education staff, would add convenience for potential hunters.
Contact: Steve Hall, education director, Hunter and Boater Education Section, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (512) 389-4568, steve.hall@tpwd.state.tx.us

Vermont - Hunting symposium: Vermont received $15,000 to hold a symposium on the future of hunting in Vermont. The project will bring together key organizations and individuals to develop a vision and framework for the recruitment of new hunters, retention of existing hunters and increasing hunting opportunities in the state.
Contact: Christopher Saunders, hunter education coordinator, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, (802) 241-3722, chris.saunders@anr.state.vt.us

Virginia - GIS mapping system: Virginia received $36,400 to create an interactive, Internet-based mapping program that will provide users with all they need to know about hunting opportunities. The site will include statewide public hunting land locations, wildlife management areas and leased lands, game species information and densities, historical harvest data, hunting regulations, aerial photography and topographic and road maps. The grant will also be used to expand outreach and promotional efforts to prospective hunting groups, including youths, novices and female hunters.
Contact: Tom Wilcox, grants coordinator, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, (803) 367-6892; Tom.Wilcox@dgif.virginia.gov

Wyoming - Private Lands, Public Wildlife: Wyoming received $35,000 to supplement its Private Lands, Public Wildlife program. Funds will go directly to promotional and educational materials for the program, which works with private landowners to gain access to private or landlocked public lands. Since 1998, the program has added 354 landowners and 482,396 acres for walk-in hunting access, and 578,672 acres in hunter management areas.
Contact: Matt Buhler, statewide access coordinator, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, (307) 473-3400, Matt.buhler@wgf.state.wy.us