What Is R3?

RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND REACTIVATION, “R3” is a nationwide movement to increase or maintain participation in and support for shooting sports, hunting, and angling. On the hunting and shooting sports side, this movement started as a result of a noticeable decline in hunting hunting participation in the 1980s and an uncertain future for shooting sports. The uncertainty in those activities, which sustain a multi-billion-dollar industry and provide the primary financial support for state-level wildlife conservation in the United States, posed a threat to wildlife conservation. In addition to hunting and shooting sports importance to conservation, these activities have also been integral to the American way of life and our culture as it has developed in our society having numerous benefits to those that participate.

The R3 movement has continually evolved since its inception. It has become much more than a program and being integrated into many state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and industry organizations as part of how they do business. The R3 efforts around the country are much more encompassing than just the traditional “learn-to-hunt” programs. Current efforts strive to improve property and information access, reduce regulation complexity, and diversify our participant base, just to name a few. The long-term goal of much of the movement is to provide improved support and experiences for existing participants, ensure that new participants are introduced from all different backgrounds, and ensure that hunting, shooting sports, and angling are seen as relevant throughout all segments of society regardless of the percentage of the population that participates.

These three simple Rs impact many people’s careers, the future of conservation, and the continuation of these activities that we have taken for granted for over a century. The R3 movement and your participation in it will play a large role in the continuations of hunting, shooting sports, and angling for generations to come. Check out the video below for a more detailed explanation of R3.