Recent years saw an increase in online programs that offer hunting, fishing and trapping education to the public. New research now available from the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation that evaluates the differences between in-person and virtual events, and provides recommendations to education and R3 professionals to increase their effectiveness and reach more people.
“Starting In 2020, many in-person education programs were moved online out of necessity. R3 professionals saw significant increases in the number of people served. However, questions have been asked if online or in-person programs were more effective in helping people become confident hunters, anglers and trappers,” said Evan Heusinkveld, president and CEO of Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “The new information will help state fish and wildlife agencies and other R3 programs better understand when to move these learning experiences to the virtual environment and which ones are more effective in person.”
Funded by a Multistate Conservation Grant awarded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, this project surveyed thousands of people who participated in virtual and in-person hunting, fishing and trapping education programs across the country in recent years. The motivations for taking classes as well as their perceived effectiveness were evaluated.
Results show online approaches can reach significantly more people per delivery dollar spent. Top insights include focusing in-person programs on beginning or entry-level programs while directing advanced lessons to online modules and programs, focusing online programs towards boosting confidence and days afield versus boosting license sales and more. The results are now available through a detailed technical report and a reader-friendly summary report below:
Through its foundation, the Sportsmen’s Alliance engages in public education, legal action and research to fully protect and advance the hunting, fishing and trapping lifestyle. This new research helps inform wildlife professionals in all 50 state fish and game agencies on how best to recruit, retain and reactivate sportsmen when offering educational and instructional material. Taken in coordination with the advocacy work in all 50 state legislatures, the Sportsmen’s Alliance provides an unparalleled protection of our hunting and wildlife management heritage.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
