The Wildlife Management Institute is announcing a free webinar to be held on January 24, 2024, for state agency and partner communication specialists and biologists. Interested personnel may register for the webinar online.

All migratory bird hunters are required to register in the Harvest Information Program (HIP) by providing their names, addresses, and answers to several screening questions prior to hunting. Each of the 49 states that offer migratory bird hunting opportunities administer the collection of this information and transfer the required information to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for sampling purposes under various Harvest Surveys. However, data collection procedures and license types vary among states, leading to confusion within the hunting community about the propose and procedures of HIP.

The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), with support from Multi-State Conservation Grants, contracted with DJ Case and Associates to develop a HIP Communication Plan and to develop and test communication products and messages utilizing focus groups of hunters across the country. The fundamental goal of the Communication Plan is the use of common images and messages by agencies and partners to better inform hunters. This webinar will display the final product templates and messages for participants and demonstrate how to access the website. The products were designed to be adaptable and customizable as needed by participating agencies and partners in communication and social media efforts.