Hunters and Fishermen Need to Become Leaders

[huntrights]

Powerful words that apply to all of us:

"Hunters and Fishermen Need to Become Leaders."

"#PROJECTELK Trailer"
Not a valid vimeo URL

[huntrights]

As urban populations continue to grow larger (Urban = 80.7%, Rural = 19.3%)[1], many of those people that live and work in urban centers become less connected with rural lifestyles, the natural environment, and the activities of hunting, fishing, and the shooting sports.  This is a national trend.  Hunters and fishermen need to become leaders in our communities and in the legislative process to inform and educate all people about the vital role that hunters and fishermen play in wildlife conservation and management, and the economy; our hunting and fishing heritage depends on it.

Watch this video, “The Colorado Model”[2], presented by the Nimrod Society[3].

Hunting Works for America[4] is another excellent education and outreach program; perhaps we’ll see it in Washington soon.  States that have joined the program include:

Arizona: http://huntingworksforaz.com/
Colorado: http://huntingworksforco.com/
Iowa: http://huntingworksforia.com/
Maine: http://huntingworksforme.com/
Minnesota: http://huntingworksformn.com/
Missouri: http://huntingworksformo.com/
North Dakota: http://huntingworksfornd.com/
Oregon: http://huntingworksforor.com/
Pennsylvania: http://huntingworksforpa.com/
Utah: http://huntingworksforut.com/
Wisconsin: http://huntingworksforwi.com/




1.   Bureau, U.S.C. Frequently Asked Questions - How many people reside in urban or rural areas for the 2010 Census? What percentage of the U.S. population is urban or rural? 2015  [cited 2015 8-8-15]; Available from: https://ask.census.gov/faq.php?id=5000&faqId=5971.
2.   The Colorado Model.  [cited 2015 8-14-15]; Available from: http://nimrodsociety.org/education/.
3.   Nimrod Society - Perpetuating the Sportsmen's Heritage and Wildlife Management Through Education.  [cited 2015 8-14-15]; Available from: http://nimrodsociety.org/.
4.   NSSF Program Hunting Works for America Continues Growth.  [cited 2015 8-14-15]; Available from: http://www.nssfblog.com/nssf-program-hunting-works-for-america-continues-growth-2/.

[huntrights]

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) has changed its name to:
Sportsmen's Alliance
http://www.sportsmensalliance.org/

"Sneak Peek: First Commercial from New-Look Sportsmen’s Alliance"
Read the article and watch video:
http://www.sportsmensalliance.org/news/sneak-peek-first-commercial-from-new-look-sportsmens-alliance/

Excerpt from the article:
"“We believe the discussion Jason raises in #PROJECTELK is an important one hunters must have, and that it will ultimately help the non-hunting public understand the importance of hunters in conservation and wildlife management. And those are the people we must reach if we hope to protect hunting, fishing and trapping in the future,” said Brian Lynn, vice president of marketing and communications for Sportsmen’s Alliance."

Join the Sportsmen's Alliance (Tell them you saw it in the Hunting-Washington forum in a huntrights post)

[bearpaw]

I agree, it's important that hunters become leaders. Also, I think there is a "Hunting Works For Washington" in the process of being formed.

[huntrights]

Hunting Works for Washington will be an important step in overall outreach and education efforts if we can get it implemented here.  This will help both hunters and non-hunters understand the significant contributions hunters and hunting make in our state.  An important step to take is educating the hunting community with these facts so they can help to educate the non-hunting public about the contributions we make.  As hunters, we need to become leaders in helping to educate the public.

The quote below is from the home page of Hunting Works for Oregon (http://huntingworksforor.com/).  All of the participating states start with a similar message on their Hunting Works For [state] home page.

“Welcome To Hunting Works For OR
Hunting Works For Oregon exists to promote the strong economic partnership between the hunting and shooting communities and the local economy of the state of Oregon.

WHO WE ARE
Our membership consists of businesses representing a cross-section of Oregon’s economy. These include sporting retailers big and small, restaurant owners, hotel, motel and resort operators, gas stations and convenience stores, hunting and shooting organizations, chambers of commerce and of course all the taxpayers of Oregon (hunters and non-hunters alike) who benefit economically and aesthetically from the license fees, taxes, and jobs the hunting and shooting industry provides both directly and indirectly.

WHAT WE DO
Hunting Works For Oregon advocates for public policy that supports jobs and economic prosperity. As a grassroots organization, we help tell the story of the role hunting and shooting sports play in both the heritage and economic health of Oregon.

WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our partners have a story to tell about the important economic chain involving hunting and shooting sports that supports many jobs, both rural and urban, across the state of Oregon. We believe that communication is important. Hunters and shooters face an ever increasing number of challenges today. Public policy decisions that impact hunting and shooting ultimately impact Oregon jobs. Hunting Works For Oregon serves as a vehicle to facilitate this important public policy dialogue and to tell the story about preservation and conservation and jobs.”


Although based on 2011 data, this report provided by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation illustrates the significant economic impact hunters and anglers have in Washington State (select the link below to view the report).

http://www.sportsmenslink.org/uploads/page/EIR_Washington_final_low.pdf 

[bearpaw]

Hunting Works for Washington will be an important step in overall outreach and education efforts if we can get it implemented here.  This will help both hunters and non-hunters understand the significant contributions hunters and hunting make in our state.  An important step to take is educating the hunting community with these facts so they can help to educate the non-hunting public about the contributions we make.  As hunters, we need to become leaders in helping to educate the public.

They called me a week or two ago, sounds like it's coming together, I agreed to support them! 

[huntrights]

Good News!

"Hunting Works For America Expands Presence in Pacific Northwest with Washington Chapter"
http://www.nssfblog.com/hunting-works-for-america-expands-presence-in-pacific-northwest-with-washington-chapter/

Here is a link to the new webpage:
http://huntingworksforwa.com/

Check it out!

[huntrights]

Sportsmen, Retailers, and Business Leaders Join Forces to Promote Hunting
http://www.kcentv.com/story/30004102/sportsmen-retailers-and-business-leaders-join-forces-to-promote-hunting

This is really good for the hunting community.