Welcome to the R3 Practitioner’s Guide

Since 1937, hunters and target shooters have been the primary source of funding for wildlife conservation through license fees and an excise tax on sporting goods and ammunition (made possible through the hunting and sporting arms industry). Since the 1980s, participants in hunting and the shooting sports have been declining, resulting in less funding for conservation.

If the downward participation trend continues, it will result in diminished capacity to conserve species cherished by hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts. The threat is real. But from these threats, an opportunity emerges—to ensure that wildlife conservation remains fueled by hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts. As organizations keenly interested in promoting wildlife conservation, the Wildlife Management Institute and the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports partnered to develop an action plan to reverse the decline in participation among hunters and target shooters.

The organizations assembled a development work group of experts, representing a cross-section of agencies, conservation and shooting-sports organizations and representatives from industry, to coordinate and optimize efforts to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts.

The resulting National Hunting and Shooting Sports Action Plan was released in 2016. The Plan inventoried current R3 efforts, coordinated resources, developed custom tool kits for agencies, conservation organizations and industry partners, and called for the creation of a national R3 workforce. To further implement the Plan nationally, an Implementation Work Group was assembled, which resulted in the creation of four Topic Guides and the National R3 Clearinghouse.

In response to the Plan, conservation agencies and organizations hired R3 practitioners across the country. This blossoming community of R3 professionals whose core responsibilities are to coordinate R3 efforts across states, regions, and national organizations has continued to grow in the years since.

In January of 2022, the Council formed a new assessment work group comprised of 37 R3 professionals from agencies, NGOs, and industry partners, to evaluate the current needs of the growing R3 workforce. The primary responsibilities of The Assessment Group (TAG) and TAG Review Panel were to:

1. Evaluate the products and topic guides generated by the National Hunting and Shooting Sports Action Plan Implementation Work Group.
2. Provide input on the 2023 Multistate Conservation Grant Program R3 Strategic Priorities.
3. Review, assess, and update (if necessary) the National Hunting and Shooting Sports Action Plan (2016)

Since 2016, significant advancements have been made in understanding R3 best practices. R3 practitioners nationwide voiced the need for gathering and disseminating R3 best practices and definitions to facilitate the implementation of recommendations outlined in the 2016 Plan. Consequently, the Council shifted its focus from updating the 2016 Plan to developing a new, readily accessible, and current virtual R3 Practitioner’s Guide.

In preparation for authoring the Practitioner’s Guide, the Council contracted the services of DJ Case and Associates to assist in Plan facilitation. In collaboration, these entities interacted with 117 R3 stakeholders from diverse regions, sectors, and leadership levels nationwide, utilizing partner organization focus groups, feedback sessions with Directors and the Council Board, findings from R3 practitioner surveys, and input from regional R3 Committees.

Please use the sidebar to navigate between chapters and use the collapsible pop-up navigation bar within each chapter to navigate between specific sections. All resources and citations have clickable links for a deeper dive into the content.

At the beginning of every section of this guide, you will find consistent sections labeled “What is it?”, “Why is it important?”, and “How can your organization help your practitioners?”. These sections provide essential speaking points and potential actions for organizational leadership. In subsequent sections of each chapter, you’ll find detailed suggestions and recommendations designed for R3 practitioners on how to best implement R3 efforts, links to external resources, and in-line citations for the resources used to curate this Guide.

In a landmark move toward modernizing the promotion of sustainable engagement within the hunting and shooting sports community, the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (Council) proudly unveils the National Hunting and Shooting Sports R3 Practitioner’s Guide. The updated national strategy is a comprehensive, interactive, virtual resource, serving as a cornerstone for recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) practitioners.

Culminating from a two-year deep dive by the Council, The Assessment Group (TAG), TAG Review Panel, and DJ Case and Associates, the R3 Practitioner’s Guide encompasses a wealth of knowledge curated by thought leaders from conservation agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry partners across the country. Through meticulous research, over 4,000 collective hours of engagement, input from 117 individual stakeholders, and real-world case studies, this guide equips practitioners with the tools needed to navigate the evolving landscape of hunting and shooting sports participation.

“As stewards of our hunting and target shooting heritage, it is incumbent upon us to ensure its longevity and vitality,” remarked Dr. Steven Leath, the Executive Director of the Council. “The release of the R3 Practitioner’s Guide marks a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to engage, educate, and empower current and future generations of hunting and shooting sports enthusiasts.”

In alignment with its goal of fostering thought leadership and collaboration, the Council encourages all stakeholders to explore the R3 Practitioner’s Guide and leverage its insights to drive meaningful change within their communities. Together, we can embark on a journey towards a sustainable future for hunting and shooting sports.

Project Lead

• Taniya Bethke, Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports

The Assessment Group (TAG)

• Swanny Evans, Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports
• Silvana Yaroschuk, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
• Jae Ellison, International Hunter Education Association
• Josh Gold, Archery Trade Association
• Justin Grider, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Rachel Crume, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
  
• Astrid Huseby, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
• Keith Warnke, Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
• Megan Wisecup, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Micah Holmes, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
• Craig Kelling, US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Mark Horobetz, Ducks Unlimited
• Colby Kerber, Pheasants Forever Inc.
• Phil Seng, DJ Case & Associates
• Brittany French, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors
• Michael “John” Hubener, USA Clay Target League

TAG Review Panel

• Carlee Koutnik, Artemis
• Chuck Sykes, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Susan Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
• Jim Curcuruto, Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation, Inc.
• Bruce Rich, One Montana: Master Hunter Program
• Matt Harlow, DJ Case & Associates
• Caroline Wilson, Brandt Information Services
• Christopher Kilgour, Color in the Outdoors
• Nick Wiley, Ducks Unlimited
• Joel Brice, Delta Waterfowl Foundation
• Mitch Strobl, Gordon-Darby
• Alex Baer, International Hunter Education Association
• Peter Novotny, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Thomas Floyd, National Archery in the Schools Program
• Mandy Harling, National Wild Turkey Federation
• Hunter Nikolai, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
• Mark Tisa, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
• Jared Ramero, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
• Coren Jagnow, Pennsylvania Game Commission
• Eddie Herndon, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
• Ben Paige, Sovereign Sportsman Solutions
• Rob Southwick, Southwick Associates
• Thomas Decker, US Fish and Wildlife Service

DJ Case & Associates and Contracted Authors

• Phil Seng
• Matt Harlow
• Hiro Hiyashi
• Bob Holsman
• Ashley Smith
• Matt Dunfee

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the over 40 R3 professionals and leaders from our community who participated in focus groups in support of this project.

In constant support of driving a unified R3 effort across the country, the following professionals have provided an incredible amount of support for this Guide individually and on behalf of their committees. With a heartfelt thanks, please recognize the leadership of the following:

1. NEAFWA R3 Committee Chair Astrid Huseby
2. SEAFWA R3 Committee Chair Justin Grider, Co-Chair Rachel Crume, Regional R3 Coordinator Olivia Harmsen
3. MAFWA R3 Committee Chair Megan Wisecup, Co-Chair Jeff Rawlinson, Regional R3 Coordinator Keith Warnke
4. WAFWA R3 Committee Chair Scott Lavin, Co-Chair Aaron Hershberger

Last, we would not be where we are today without the firm foundation laid by the original National Plan Work Group and the National R3 Implementation Work Group.