Efforts to increase the number of hunters and anglers in Minnesota will gain new focus with advice from a 15-member council that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is establishing to zero in on hunter and angler recruitment, retention, and reactivation.
“Getting more people out in the water, in woods, and fields is a significant challenge and worthwhile goal for all Minnesotans,” said James Burnham, DNR hunter and angler recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) coordinator. “The outcome may decide the success of conservation efforts valued by Minnesotans whether or not they hunt and fish. But we need the public’s help and guidance to move the needle.”
Citizens can nominate themselves through Friday, June 22, to serve on the 10 open seats of the council, for two year terms, with meetings scheduled every three months.
The council will work with and advise the DNR on R3 efforts, programs, and potential partnerships that will benefit the recruitment of new hunters and anglers, the retention of current outdoor enthusiasts, and the reactivation of individuals who have not been active recently in hunting or fishing.
This council will build on previous work from an R3 summit convened by the DNR in 2016 with a variety of interested groups. Out of the summit came a recommendation for creating a council made up of Minnesota residents to help shape R3 efforts across the state.
The DNR has invited groups to nominate members to help lead the council, including the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Women Hunting and Fishing in all Seasons, Trout Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.
“We welcome anybody to apply who’s interested in helping reverse a projected national decline in hunting and fishing and the corresponding shortfall that will follow in how we manage natural resources,” Burnham said.
Applications and more information on R3 in Minnesota can be found at mndnr.gov/R3. Any questions about this process, or the role of the R3 council, can be directed to James Burnham at james.burnham@state.mn.us or 651-259-5191.
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