Recruit and retain safe and responsible hunters and recreational shooters by providing opportunities to participate in shooting activities that encourage future hunter participation and…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) $967,676 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The award funds AGFC's efforts to recruit and retain safe and responsible hunters and recreational shooters by providing opportunities to participate in shooting activities that encourage future hunter participation and contributions to conservation throughout Arkansas. These activities align with the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which supports state wildlife agencies in delivering hunter education, safety training, and shooting range development and maintenance initiatives.

As part of this award, AGFC issued a federal grant sub-award to the University of Arkansas at Monticello effective September 18, 2025, to establish a collegiate Trap Shooting Team and expand the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program to the higher education level. This sub-award demonstrates AGFC's strategic approach to extending shooting sports opportunities and hunter recruitment initiatives beyond traditional programs to engage college-level participants in conservation-focused recreational shooting activities.

Recruit and retain safe and responsible hunters and recreational shooters by providing opportunities to participate in shooting activities that encourage future hunter participation and contributions to conservation in arkansas.