1. N ATIONAL Y OUTH H UNTING T RENDS By Olivia Dorothy Youth Program Coordinator Department of Natural Resources August 12, 2009

2. WWW. DNR. IL. US / NRAB / CC What encourages hunting and shooting participation? What do current and potential participants need to increase participation? How can we market these activities?

3. W HY J OHNNY W ON T H UNT The number of hunters have decreased The public supports hunting Fewer youth are involved Sportsmen contribute significantly to species management and habitat conservation Conservation donations Hunter: $53 / year Average American: $32 / year TrendsWho cares?

4. T RENDS

5. R ETENTION Younger initiation correlates with greater avidity Initiation is most common through male family members

6. I MPORTANCE OF F AMILY It takes a hunter to make a hunter

7. M OTIVATIONS

8. W HY DON T PEOPLE HUNT ? HuntersNon-Hunters

9. R ESULTS Declining due to increasingly urban and aging society Lack of access and awareness Lack of sufficient financial resources Lack of coordination to guide recruitment and retention programs

10. S UGGESTIONS Increase awareness of recruitment and retention programs, especially among outdoor recreationists who do not already hunt Create standardized teaching methods that maximize hunting participation after the course Foster the natural path to hunting, which begins at a young age when mentors take kids out hunting. Family support of hunting is critical. Enable the most simple activities for beginning hunters Intense hunting education courses should occur after initiation