Mentors provide support and practical advice, and help beginners build confidence throughout their hunting journey.
Recent surveys show the public’s approval rate for hunting is the highest it has ever been. That means there are likely new potential hunters who are ready to learn, but might not know where to start. The hunting community needs to empower each other, welcome new hunters, and strive to bring new participants into the hunting community.
It’s important to remember that hunting is available to everyone, but it’s an individual’s choice to actively participate. Teaching someone the skills to hunt can seem overwhelming, but a mentor doesn’t have to be an expert. Educating others about the benefits of hunting and the contributions hunting provides to conservation is important to share. The more knowledge and understanding people have about hunting, the more relatable hunters can be.
View the Mentor GuideField to Fork programs welcome newcomers to hunting, while teaching them valuable hunting skills with training and mentors. The programs provide social support and build the participants’ confidence as they learn how to source their own meat. The programs also help participants see the connection between hunting and sustainable organic foods. In addition, the programs help recruit and retain hunters, and expand the shooting community.
View the Field to Fork Guide
Case studies are used to highlight successful mentoring programs. Each program uses unique ways to assist a new hunter along their pathway. There are many successful programs aimed toward creating new hunters.
View Case StudiesTo view and download resources that accompany the Field to Fork Curriculum and Mentor Guide, such as powerpoint presentations, recipe cards, a field guide journal, event flyer templates and more, visit the ATA Resource Website.
View Resources
The White's Tale is an entertaining board game that challenges players to become creatures of the woods and survive the wild. The White's Tale is part of Explore Bowhunting, a curriculum that helps educators and program leaders teach bowhunting's basic skills.
Purchase the Board GameFor information about ATA Mentor Programs, contact:
Josh Gold
Senior Manager of R3 and State Relations
(866) 266-2776 Ext 107
Organized programs might be available for mentors and new hunters in your area. Check with state fish and wildlife agencies, local conservation organizations, or other outdoor groups in your community to get involved.
For information on the North American Model of Conservation, Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program, hunting federally and by state, visit USFWS.
Visit QDMA.com where you’ll find mentoring programs with a focus on deer:
• Field to Fork Program
• Guide to Successful Deer Hunting eBook
• Other QDMA deer and deer hunting related resources
For mentoring programs with firearms:
R3
Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation
Archery 360 and Bowhunting 360 are consumer-facing information-and-education websites, as well as social-media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, that encourage teens and young adults to try archery and bowhunting. ATA created these websites to attract and inspire new archers and bowhunters. The sites also help retain current archers and bowhunters, while reactivating former participants in both sports. These websites provide valuable archery and bowhunting content that promote the store locator while engaging your audience and helping your business grow.
We are here to help the industry, to help individual businesses get the most out of the industry, and to help you.
