Wildlife management agencies and hunter organizations now have an additional resource to aid their efforts to recruit and retain hunters, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. Supported by a grant from the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, the North American Hunting Heritage Action Plan (HHAP) website is now hosting a unique searchable database of hunter recruitment and retention research.

This new, electronic compilation of literature (incorporating abstracts and/or full documents) includes references to surveys, technical reports, symposia transactions and academic studies pertaining to hunter recruitment and retention. Unlike many searchable literature databases, the HHAP tool provides users with search functions far beyond a simple author and title search. Utilizing a system of?10 logical categories, users can filter the contents of the database according to one or more predetermined filter options.

For example, a user wishing to research documents on the motivations of disabled hunters can select the "Hunter Values/Motivations" filter from the "Research Focus" category in combination with the "Disabled Hunters" filter from the "Subject Group" category. Thus, the filter system allows the user to target specific topics of interests by narrowing search results through a combination of filter options.

In addition, each database entry, when selected, reveals the series of filters under which it is filed. This effectively provides the user with a list of links to all other database entries listed by the same filters.

For those who know the author, title or publication of a particular document they wish to find, the database home page provides direct search boxes as an alternative to the filter system. If the document specifics are not known, the user simply needs to click on the "Advanced Search" button on the right side of the home page to access the filter options.

Reference information listed with each database entry includes a complete citation, abstract and, where permissible, an internet link to an electronic copy of the document along with a download link.

To access the new hunter recruitment and retention database, visit the HHAP website. Before using the database's search functions, please read the "Important Search Tips" link located in the yellow bar at the top of the basic and advanced search pages. (mcd)