Experts believe that America’s decline in hunting is directly linked to the negative attitudes towards guns by today’s generation. In fact, studies confirm that the millennial generation is less likely to be involved with shooting sports than previous generations because of their negative attitudes about guns.
That’s why it’s very unlikely that programs that simply tell young people to, “go hunting”, or “try shooting” will result in changing those attitudes and recruiting a new hunter. Most R3 professionals agree that recruitment into hunting is a stepping-stone process that first requires a young person, using their own value system, to decide for themselves that a shooting sport could be a fun and safe outdoor activity they would like to try. Then they need realistic pathways to expand their shooting sports interests into actually hunting.
So if the process of recruiting young people first begins with them deciding for themselves to try shooting sports, what tools can effectively make that impression? Research supports that today’s youth are greatly influenced in their lifestyle and recreational decisions in two ways: 1) Peer-hosted media that entertains, engages and educates them, 2) Peer-driven classroom activities where they share in a process of discovery and self expression. And once kids form their own value-based decisions, they have a major influence on their family’s recreational activities.
Unfortunately, few R3 or hunting related agencies or organizations have the multi-million dollar staff, media infrastructure, an Emmy-winning syndicated broadcast network, or today’s technical experience to produce and distribute television programs and classroom educational curriculum that can inspire millions of kids to want to explore shooting sports or to go hunting some day.