Make Hunting Matter to the Next Generation
Jul
23
Written by:
7/23/2012 9:49 AM
If you are a seasoned hunter, you probably remember fondly the first time you went into the woods. Maybe your father, uncle or grandfather — or perhaps even a mother or aunt — guided you to harvesting your first deer, turkey or squirrel.
Unfortunately, that familiar rite of passage — the adult taking the youth hunting — doesn’t happen too often anymore. Studies have found that the number of hunters in the United States is steadily declining. However, studies also have shown that it takes a hunter to make a hunter. Those who take up hunting tend to have a family member who hunts.
Does Hunting Matter to you? Do you want to help preserve hunting for future generations in North Carolina? You can. The Hunting Matters! “Hats On” mentoring campaign allows hunters to volunteer to take someone new to hunting into the field in 2012.
The Hunting Heritage Program of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will provide a limited number of free, specially designed hats and bumper stickers to hunters willing to pledge to mentor a new hunter between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31. It doesn’t even have to be a youth. Have a neighbor, a cousin, a grandmother, or even a coworker, for that matter, who has never hunted? They count. Our campaign defines “new hunter” as someone who has never hunted before. In 2010, the first time the Wildlife Commission had a “Hats On” campaign, about 3,500 folks pledged to mentor someone. With about 304,000 hunters in North Carolina, opportunities abound for increased involvement.
Additional information including eligibility requirements for the Hunting Matters! “Hats On” mentoring campaign will be announced on Aug. 1 at ncwildlife.org/huntingmatters.
Also, stay tuned right here, to Conserve & Protect, for tips on taking a first-time hunter into the woods, getting started hunting and making a trip successful.
Mark your calendar and pledge to mentor a new hunter beginning August 1.