By WWA’s Education Committee

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s December, 2021 Newsletter edition.

For several years, the common theme in the natural resource arena has been Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) of hunters, anglers and trappers.  For this article we’ll focus on R3 hunting efforts.

While R3 is often considered a very specific structure, action or process done by government agencies and/or conservation organizations, it doesn’t have to be.  We often hear about, or have been active ourselves with, mentored hunts or Learn to Hunt (LTH) programs, which is clearly R3.

While these structured programs have a place, one of the most impactful aspects for R3 is what we as individuals do to promote hunting through:

• Recruitment – introducing new individuals to the activity;
• Reactivation – re-introducing an individual who was previously engaged in the activity; and
• Retention – keeping those who are currently engaged in the activity.

Is RECRUITMENT for you? How about taking your son, daughter, grandchild, friend or co-worker out hunting?  Do your efforts include multiple outings? Does your outing include the field to table experience?  Is your outing fun and centered on the enjoyment of the new user?

What about REACTIVATION?  How are you connecting with individuals that used to hunt? What is your “hook” to get them back into hunting?  Are you re-introducing to the same hunting type or a new type? Is your technique a jump start or through several outings?

RETENTION, What keeps you hunting?  Maintaining traditions?  Staying connected to family and friends?  The table fare?  Your efforts in recruitment and reactivation?

Knowing one size doesn’t fit all, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Education Committee is interested in learning about your hunting R3 efforts.  Tell us your stories, experiences and what did and didn’t work for you.

While making a great future newsletter article, it is also a way to share new ideas and spark interest for others to become active in R3.

Please share your stories, photos and ideas by emailing Todd Schaller at [email]c217tazman@gmail.com[/email].