The Impact of Hunter Advocacy

Hunters were among the first conservationists, and their advocacy helped lay the foundation for modern wildlife management. Through the Pittman-Robertson Act, which directs excise taxes from firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to conservation efforts, hunters have contributed billions of dollars to wildlife habitat conservation, species restoration, public land access and more. This partnership between hunters and conservation has never been more critical.

Current research from the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports shows a notable decline in the approval of hunting and shooting sports in recent years, heightening the importance for hunting advocacy. The NWTF is deeply involved in the national R3 (Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation) movement to boost participation in hunting and shooting sports, particularly among new and diverse audiences. R3 programs ensure that new hunters are given the tools, education and mentorship needed to continue the tradition, while reactivating lapsed hunters and retaining active participants.

In addition to R3 efforts, the NWTF has spearheaded the national Hunt for Good campaign to increase our reach with the nonhunting community and educate more on hunting and the outdoors.

“Many components of the Education and Outreach department's aim is encompassed by building, supporting, and providing opportunities for individuals to become a hunter and avid outdoors enthusiast,” said Morgan Evans, NWTF national R3 and relevancy coordinator. “However, as recent research has indicated a statistically significant drop in the public perception of hunting, our organization has proactively worked in partnership with many groups to produce the Hunt for Good Campaign. This campaign helps to provide different ads that connect individuals' 'why's' and their connection to the outdoors directly back to hunting. This campaign is not designed to necessarily convince someone to join the hunting community, but rather to help the understanding of why people hunt and the role it plays in conservation overall. Although the campaign will not necessarily drive individuals into hunting, their positive perception is key to ensuring the preservation of our hunting heritage through policy support, support of new opportunities in their local communities, and the increased ability to correctly communicate how hunting and conservation work hand and hand."

Another cornerstone of NWTF’s mission is its grassroots advocacy efforts, which play a critical role in shaping policies that directly impact our lands and wildlife. Whether at the state or federal level, the NWTF’s work in legislative advocacy ensures that the voices of hunters are heard, protecting both our wildlife and our hunting heritage. Advocacy remains inseparable from NWTF's mission to conserve wildlife habitat, protect hunting access and maintain the health of the wild turkey population, as well as overall ecosystem health.

“The NWTF is made up of hunters working for hunters,” said Matt Lindler, NWTF director of government affairs. “Our government affairs team works diligently to ensure our members have access to hunt on well-managed federal public lands and our favorite turkey guns and loads are available to use in the field. We are proud to be the hunter’s advocate.”

As a hunter and conservationist, you have a voice. Joining NWTF’s advocacy efforts ensures that your voice is heard in the fight to protect public lands, promote responsible wildlife management and preserve our hunting heritage. Whether it’s reaching out to local representatives, joining conservation efforts on the ground or participating in grassroots advocacy campaigns, hunters can and should play an active role in shaping the future of outdoor conservation.

Recent policy wins and ongoing campaigns:

• EXPLORE Act — In April, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, marking a historic moment as the first-ever bill package focused specifically on outdoor recreation to clear the House. The EXPLORE Act aims to enhance access and improve infrastructure on public lands, supporting a wide range of outdoor activities for all to enjoy.

• Colorado Proposition 127 — This measure seeks to prohibit the legal hunting of mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado, as well as the already protected lynx. In July, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office announced that the animal rights organization behind the hunting ban has gathered enough signatures to place the measure on the November ballot. Voting begins Oct. 5 with the mail in ballot, and the general election is Nov. 5. Hunters' voices will be critical in this election.

• Oregon Spring Bear Hunting — In Oregon, animal rights and environmental groups aimed to shut down the spring bear hunting season. Thanks to public advocacy, including letters of support for science-based management and public testimony, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife made no major changes to the spring bear hunt structure, approved a small increase in tag numbers and added a new bear hunt for youth hunters.

• Vermont S. 258 — This bill would have restructured the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board, opening the door to anti-hunting advocates. The NWTF, in collaboration with the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation and the Vermont Traditions Coalition, mobilized outreach efforts and action alerts to inform the public, ultimately preventing the bill from passing.

• Oregon IP3 — A proposed statewide ban on hunting, fishing, trapping and ranching, Oregon Initiative Petition 3, failed to gather enough signatures to appear on the 2024 ballot. Chris Henry, Oregon NWTF State Chapter president played a pivotal role in mobilizing the Oregon NWTF State Chapter and NWTF staff to disseminate crucial information and mobilize support, ensuring this initiative was stopped.

• NWTF Pennsylvania Members, Sporting Community Rally to Stop Misdirected Funds — The NWTF and the sporting community throughout Pennsylvania rallied to oppose House Bill 1300, which sought to divert $150 million from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Game Fund to other uses, thus vastly reducing the agency’s ability to manage the commonwealth’s wildlife and wildlife habitat. Through the NWTF’s advocacy actions and the Pennsylvania sporting community’s unification, the provision has officially been removed from the bill.

It’s vital for hunters and conservationists to make their voices heard when it comes to policy decisions that impact wildlife, public lands and hunting opportunities. Legislative decisions at the state and federal levels can have long-lasting effects on conservation funding, land access and wildlife management.

“Sportsmen and women across the country have dedicated themselves generationally to ensure that the hunting opportunities persist into the future and that hunting continues to serve as a primary wildlife management tool for states to utilize,” said Tom Spezze, NWTF national director of conservation programs. “But hunting is a privilege that is under constant challenge and threat of loss. The NWTF is committed to being a hunting advocate through state policy with a spider web of hunting advocates through our volunteers and staff who engage in state legislative and wildlife agency boards and commission across the country. Every year, NWTF staff and state chapters engage in approximately 150 policy issues that will have some type of an impact on the NWTF mission. Our aim is that it be a positive one.”

You can also support NWTF by becoming an active member, donating to conservation and attending NWTF events. Every effort counts, and together, we can ensure that the natural resources and wildlife we cherish are protected for generations to come.