AZGFD Invests In Retention Programs For New Hunters And Anglers

AZGFD invests in retention programs for new hunters, anglers.

The Arizona Game And Fish Department (AZGFD) has awarded $75,000 in grant funding for local sportsmen's organizations to provide public, hands-on, mentored projects focused on the retention of new hunters and anglers.

Of the 26 proposals that were submitted in this latest grant cycle and rated by a three-member panel, 17 were approved and awarded through a competitive application process that closed Aug. 15.

Next Generation Is Focus

"We continue to hone the Local Sportsmen's Group grant program using the latest science for developing – and, more importantly – retaining new hunters," said Doug Burt, the department's hunting and shooting sports program manager. "It's only through the network of dedicated groups who do the boots-on-the-ground work of sharing the knowledge, skills and passion of ethical, legal hunting and fishing to [ensure} the next generation of conservationist."

Development And Retention

The department is committed to developing and retaining the next generation of hunter-angler conservationists. A growing body of science points to the need for multiple experiences, social support and the mentoring required to develop hunter-angler conservationists. The 17 projects approved meet those objectives.

"While we provide this critical funding to groups, it represents only a fraction of the events and programs that are open each year to the public interested in learning about the great outdoors," Burt said.

Projects Awarded

• Anglers United Inc., "28th annual Just for Kids Fishing Day," awarded $3,500.

• Arizona Elk Society, "2018 Junior Elk Camp Unit 6A/5BS," awarded $3,900.

• Arizona Mule Deer Organization, "2018 Youth Deer Camps (five projects)," awarded $15,000.

• Ben Avery Clay Busters, "Upland Bird Hunting for Women and Youth," awarded $3,203.

• Christian Hunters of America, "Mentored Javelina Hunt," awarded $5,900.

• Southwest Wildlife Foundation, Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, "Youth Small Game Camp," awarded $5,000.

• Friends of Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, "2018 Cibola Junior Waterfowl Camp," awarded $3,000.

• Mule Deer Foundation, "Unit 9 Youth Hunt Camp," awarded $3,000.

• Mule Deer Foundation, "Units 34A and 35AB Youth Hunt Camp," awarded $4,000.

• Youth Outdoors Unlimited Inc., "Youth Javelina, Small Game and Predator Camp Unit 20C," awarded $3,900.

• Youth Outdoors Unlimited Inc., "Youth Deer Camp in Units 20C and 18B," awarded $2,500.

• Youth Outdoors Unlimited Inc., "Unit 1 Squirrel Hunting Camp," awarded $2,000.

• Youth Outdoors Unlimited Inc., "Wallow Fire Turkey Science and Hunting Camp," awarded $6,575.

• Southern Arizona Quail Forever, "Youth Quail Hunt 2019," awarded $3,830.

• Phoenix Varmint Callers Inc., "PVCI Take A Kid Fishing Derby," awarded $1,000.

• Southwest Fur Harvester Association, "SFHA November 2018 Youth Trappers Camp," awarded $5,946.

• Trout Unlimited, Zane Grey Chapter, "Youth Fly Fishing Club," awarded $2,746.

To learn more about the annual Local Sportsmen's Group grant program, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/LSG. For a listing of Outdoor Skills Network recruitment and retention events, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoorskills.

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for the Local Sportsmen's Group grant program. The program is funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, hunt permit-tags and stamps, and is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona.

Game and Fish does not receive any of the state's general funds and operates on a user-pay, public-benefit model.