OutdoorNebraska

2018 Annual Report • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 9 R 3 T A S K F O R C E S E E K S T O R E C R U I T , R E T A I N A N D R E A C T I V A T E H U N T E R S A N D A N G L E R S In 2017, representatives from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission began meeting with partners from Cabela's, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever and other outdoor organizations in order to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters and anglers in Nebraska. This group, the R3 Task Force, strives to better understand the motives of hunters and anglers – as well as their barriers to participation. In 2018, the R3 Task Force released a series of videos aimed at inspiring seasoned hunters to take someone new into the field. The videos, which were shared on Facebook, were viewed thousands of times. The R3 task force also worked to develop several new programs for collegiate hunters. C O M M I S S I O N P R I O R I T I Z E S R E C R U I T M E N T , R E T E N T I O N A N D R E A C T I V A T I O N ( R 3 ) O F H U N T E R S A N D A N G L E R S In 2018, more than 325 individuals, including representatives from 40 state fish and wildlife agencies and various non-profit and industry partners, met for the first National R3 Symposium in Lincoln. The symposium provided a venue for state fish and wildlife agencies, outdoor retailers, and others with an interest in the continued success of hunting, fishing and shooting sports to share and compare data, discuss obstacles and share success stories and plan for the future success of these activities. The continued success of hunting and shooting sports is crucial to conservation management in the United States. Habitat work and other conservation efforts are funded by hunters and anglers, through the sale of hunting and fishing permits, and excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. Hunter numbers have declined over the past few decades, and in order for the current model of conservation funding to remain healthy, this trend must be reversed. On the second day of the symposium, the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS), Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Archery Trade Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding signaling their commitment to work together on efforts to retain, recruit and reactivate sportsmen and women. GOVERNOR PETE RICKETTS HELPS AT FAMILY FISHING NIGHT AT HALLECK LAKE IN PAPILLION IN SARPY COUNTY

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