Why It Matters: Learn to hunt programs offer great opportunities for individuals who have little to no experience with hunting to learn new skills that are needed for hunting. Not having the proper knowledge when it comes to hunting can be a barrier for youth or first-time hunters. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have mentors to introduce them to our time-honored outdoor traditions. Recognizing this, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host several different learn to hunt programs, which introduce new hunters to the knowledge and skills they will need before they hit the field. Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation is one of the many focuses of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and these programs provide youth and first-time hunters with an opportunity to get involved.
Highlights:
- Hunter Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation, or R3, is a focal area for many organizations, including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
- Learn to hunt programs provide youth, new, and current hunters with opportunities to learn the proper skills needed to hunt.
- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources offers several learn to hunt programs, including a beginner fur harvesting workshop and a waterfowl course.
For many, the lack of hunting knowledge and skill can be a barrier for them to participate in our sporting traditions. Unfortunately, not everyone is fortunate enough to have the proper mentors to introduce or teach them the proper skills necessary for a safe, ethical, and successful hunt. To introduce youth, new, or lapsed hunters into the field, the DNR is offering several different learn to hunt programs to teach new hunters safe and ethical hunting skills. R3 efforts, like learn to hunt programs, are critical for recruiting and training the next generation of sportsmen and women, who will continue to carry on our time-honored outdoor sporting traditions.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources offers several learn to hunt programs, creating an opportunity for both youth and new hunters to get involved in our time-honored traditions. The DNR will be hosting a learn to hunt program for beginning fur harvesters, offered for both youth and adults who have little or no experience with trapping furbearers. Participants will learn the basic strategies needed for trapping, including the proper equipment, trap placement, trapping regulations and the proper steps for preparing the hides. Like the fur harvesting workshop, the DNR recently hosted a youth waterfowl learn to hunt program. This workshop introduces new hunters who have little to no experience hunting to waterfowl hunting. Participants will be taught the proper equipment needed, where to hunt, and how to cook their duck. Participants will also participate in a wing shooting lesson, which will teach firearm safety and shooting techniques.
Learn to hunt programs, like the DNR is offering, can be a great starting point for recruiting the next generation of sportsmen and women, and lead to a life-long passion of outdoor sorting heritage. While these learn to hunt programs are a great starting point, continued mentorship through multiple hunting experiences is pivotal for R3 efforts. Learning these skills and gaining the knowledge needed will help youth, new, and even life-long hunters continue to hunt safely, ethically, and successfully.
