New Coordinator Focused on Increasing Hunting & Shooting Sports Participation in Georgia

Social Circle, GA (Feb. 4, 2016) — The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division has partnered with four conservation organizations to fund a position dedicated to recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) of hunters and shooters.

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) partnered with the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports, Wildlife Management Institute and numerous other organizations, to put together a national plan to recruit, retain, and reactivate hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts.  The creation of this position was provided through a partnership between the NWTF, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Quality Deer Management Association and Safari Club International.

“People ask why it is important to put so much emphasis on recruitment, retention and reactivation,” said Dan Forster, Director of the Wildlife Resources Division who chairs the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports.  “It is because these agencies have a vested interest in increased participation in hunting and shooting sports.  A majority of conservation funding in this country is provided through purchases of hunting licenses and excise tax on firearms, ammunition and shooting sports equipment.”

“Georgia has been involved since the genesis of the national plan and is eager to implement recruitment, retention and reactivation at a local level,” said Mark Whitney, Assistant Director of the Wildlife Resources Division who also serves on the R3 national initiative.

The role of this new R3 coordinator is to develop and implement a plan that engages state agencies, conservation organizations and other stakeholders to increase the effectiveness of outdoor education and mentored hunt opportunities for people of all ages, genders and abilities.  Charles Evans has been hired to serve as Georgia’s R3 coordinator.

“I come from a long line of outdoorsmen and to be able to take on a position that will be fundamental in ensuring the future of hunting and shooting sports is a dream come true,” said Evans about his new position.

Evans is a Georgia native with deep outdoor roots. From a young age, he has been an avid sportsman and conservationist. He earned his wildlife biology bachelor and master’s degrees from University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

For more about the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, visit www.georgiawildlife.com. For more on NWTF, visit www.nwtf.org.