A national, Internet-based survey is about to be launched to assess current efforts, programs and activities targeted at increasing or enhancing hunter recruitment and retention (R&R) in the United States. This R&R assessment survey, developed by the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) in conjunction with D. J. Case and Associates, is the most recent advancement of the Hunting Heritage Action Plan (HHAP).

The HHAP was developed to act as a strategic coordination mechanism to enhance the effectiveness of current hunting heritage activities and to stimulate development of new activities that will contribute to this overall effort. With the strong support of numerous conservation organizations and a multistate conservation grant from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), WMI has been providing the leadership for and coordination of the HHAP since 2006.

Following the 2008 National Shooting Sports Summit, a group of technical experts representing state agencies and nongovernmental conservation organizations met at a R&R workshop hosted by WMI in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mediated by Bob Byrne, senior project manager for D. J. Case and Associates, the participants identified survey questions expected to capture comprehensive information about ongoing R&R efforts nationally.

"The new R&R survey is an important step toward advancing the HHAP," said WMI president Steve Williams. "The information and data we expect to obtain will provide essential guidance for the enhancement of our hunting heritage."

WMI plans to send the survey to all cooperating state and federal natural resource agencies, members of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners, and other conservation or sportsmen and sportswomen organizations that participate in hunter R&R efforts.

"In order to achieve HHAP objectives, we need the input, creativity and expertise of everyone who is working to preserve our nation's hunting heritage, " observed Byrne. He reported that R&R specialists from various agencies and organizations currently are testing the survey and, once it is finalized in September, he hopes to have it go live to target audiences. Respondents will have four to six weeks to complete and submit the survey.

The process used to develop the R&R assessment survey also will be applied to other focus areas within the HHAP, including education, legal and socioeconomic issues. A workshop on hunting access already has been scheduled for September 30, in Washington, DC. As with the R&R workshop, WMI hopes to develop a separate comprehensive survey to gain information on access programs and activities by tapping the knowledge of experts from agencies and organizations.

For more information regarding the HHAP, contact Steve Williams at swilliams@wildlifemgt.org or Bob Byrne at bob@djcase.com. To participate in the R&R assessment survey, contact Matt Dunfee at mdunfee@wildlifemgt.org. (mcd)