Council Executive Director Featured on Upland Nation Podcast with Scott Linden

Council Executive Director Featured on Upland Nation Podcast with Scott Linden

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 27, 2026

Contact:
The Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports
Lance Cherry, Communications and Marketing Manager
[email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – If you have ever wondered what it really takes to recruit a new hunter, or why recruiting the right new hunters matters, a recent episode of the Upland Nation Podcast offers an inside look at the research, funding, and strategies shaping hunter recruitment nationwide.

Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports Executive Director Chuck Sykes joins host and veteran outdoor communicator Scott Linden for the episode, “Insider: recruiting the right new hunters and how, where the money goes – and comes from.” Sykes brings more than 30 years of wildlife management and conservation experience to the discussion and now leads the Council’s national work to advance Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3).

“Successful R3 isn’t about getting someone to participate in one event and calling it a win,” Sykes said. “It’s about understanding who is most likely to become a hunter, what motivates them to participate, and then giving them the mentorship, access, and support they need to keep going. When we do that well, we’re not just creating hunters; we’re strengthening the conservation system that depends on their participation.”

As you listen, you will hear why successful hunter recruitment involves more than simply putting someone in the field for the first time. Sykes and Linden explore who research suggests may be most likely to become committed hunters, including why adults can represent an important recruitment audience rather than relying primarily on youth-focused efforts. They also examine what prospective hunters are looking for when they decide to try hunting and how experienced hunters can provide the mentorship, support and next steps that help newcomers move from an initial experience to continued participation.

The conversation also takes you behind the scenes of the conservation system that makes this work possible. Hunting and shooting sports provide critical financial support for state-level wildlife conservation, making long-term participation important not only to hunting traditions but also to wildlife management and conservation programs across the country. The Council works as a national hub for R3 coordination, connecting state wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, industry partners and R3 professionals with research, resources, training and strategies designed to improve recruitment and retention efforts.

Whether you work professionally in conservation or simply want to help someone become a hunter, the episode offers practical perspective on where you can make a difference. From understanding what motivates a potential hunter to providing the social support and mentorship that can keep that person engaged, Sykes explains why effective R3 work must focus on lasting behavior rather than participation in a single event. You can listen to the full episode of the Upland Nation Podcast, hosted by Scott Linden, now on CarbonTV.

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