Hunter/Angler Recruitment, Development & Retention planning

[fish_finder]

Originally Posted by Alex T.

Maybe I missed it,what's an FTE?

I could be wrong here but I thought the intent was to get people(especially kids) out from behind a computer,not sit on the NGPC website and play games.

Alex

They have to get the kids interested somehow. If they try the virtual outdoors and enjoy that they may take the leap and check out the real outdoors eventually. I think its a good idea.

[Alex T.]

If they try the virtual outdoors and enjoy that they may take the leap and check out the real outdoors eventually.

I think there is already enough virtual outdoor possibilites(PS2, Xbox,regular computer games,arcade games,free games on the interent,etc.) out there. Why spend money just so a kid can play the same basic game(s) on the NGPC website instead of somewhere else? An 8 year old kid doesn't care where the game is hosted from. I'd rather see money go towards better fishing equipment(some of the stuff I've seen used as loaner tackle is quite embarrassing) or spend money on stocking area lakes with easily
caught fish to keep a kid entertained once they do come outside and get fresh air.

Alex

[fish_finder]

Originally Posted by Alex T.

I think there is already enough virtual outdoor possibilites(PS2, Xbox,regular computer games,arcade games,free games on the interent,etc.) out there. Why spend money just so a kid can play the same basic game(s) on the NGPC website instead of somewhere else? An 8 year old kid doesn't care where the game is hosted from. I'd rather see money go towards better fishing equipment(some of the stuff I've seen used as loaner tackle is quite embarrassing) or spend money on stocking area lakes with easily
caught fish to keep a kid entertained once they do come outside and get fresh air.

Alex

How is a PS2 game going to direct kids in Nebraska to fish water in the state or even hunt in the state? Kids spend alot of time on facebook and twitter these days. Maybe the state needs a presence there that appeals to that group? I could see having some basic flash games relating to hunting and fishing on the site but also have contests and drawings for free fishing or outdoor equipment. I think it would be nice if the NGPC had a presence in the schools and promoted outdoor activities there more. I see there is an archery in the schools program. Why not have a fishing in the schools program? Maybe the NGPC could partner with Boy Scouts and Girl scouts in the state to help promote the sport to more kids. Just passively waiting for more participation by the younger generations will just continue the decline of new hunters and fisherman buying permits. I think there are opportunities around for the NGPC to make some inroads with young people they just need to have the right approach.

[thall]

After reading the Nebraska 20 year plan, I was curious to see what steps other states have taken on this issue.

An interesting report comes out of Michigan ( http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dn...l_212112_7.pdf ). Michigan surveyed its residents (ramdomly) and found that 1/2 consider outdoor activities extremely important and another 1/4 important. This large amount of attachment to the outdoors could have something to do with that fact that "Michigan state game and wildlife areas encompass more than 340,000 acres and are found primarily in the southern third of the state, where 85% of Michigan’s population resides. These areas are managed to provide optimal wildlife habitat and wildlife oriented outdoor recreation opportunity."

Another topic I have noticed is that other states lump outdoor activities together, not just focusing on hunting and angling. I am of the opinion that this is a good practice. All individuals that use the outdoors could benefit from expanded resources: more state land, better facilities, more conservation workers, ect. These individuals also pay park permits use of state facilities. The more individuals that get outside the better the chance that someone will take up fishing or hunting.

[Scott Eveland]

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I'm not on Twitter, but it appears there is a NGPC presence there too.

I think these are both pretty new.

[thall]

One another note, it would seem to me that Nebraska could benefit from some sort of branding. Following the same lines as the South Dakota Commerical that have been airing over the past 6 months.

A catchy slogan and some television advertising would be good for the Nebraska Game and Parks. Especially if the advertisements corresponded with a youth fishing day at Two Rivers or a Hunting Expo. A well put together, and timed, advertising campaign would be a good start to angler/hunter retention and development.

[fish_finder]

Been there, done that, continue to do that, will be expanding in the future. Could use more volunteers to help us!

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/fishing/.../aquaticed.asp

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife...rojectwild.asp

Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
daryl.bauer@nebraska.gov
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - Trout Stocking

P.S. Feel free to share this message with others if you wish.

Thanks Daryl.

[Alex T.]

A catchy slogan

"Come to Nebraska...the happiest place to be" BTW,my family is headed to South Dakota this summer in part cause of the commercials I've been seeing.Never been to Mt. Rushmore so(since seeing that commercial with it) we're headed there for a weekend.

I think it would be nice if the NGPC had a presence in the schools and promoted outdoor activities there more. I see there is an archery in the schools program. Why not have a fishing in the schools program?

I haven't got an answer(who is behind it) on this since Brandon is on spring break this week but he said they are having a fishing contest at school.

[OldBaldGuy]

Originally Posted by Alex T.

"Come to Nebraska...the happiest place to be" BTW,my family is headed to South Dakota this summer in part cause of the commercials I've been seeing.Never been to Mt. Rushmore so(since seeing that commercial with it) we're headed there for a weekend.

Be sure to allow time for Custer State Park, Alex.

I haven't got an answer(who is behind it) on this since Brandon is on spring break this week but he said they are having a fishing contest at school.

That'll be a little like Tiger Woods entering a pro-am. Hope the prize for second place is nice, too.

[thall]

First, I will apologize for my grammar in my previous post. I know that OBG is heading up this thread and my poor sentence structure probably gave him the chills.

Here is a link to a National Survey completed by WMI. I have not had a chance to thoroughly review this document, but I will within the next several days. Also, At the top of the page there is a tab labeled R&R Programs. This tabs gives links to different programs throughout the US.

If anyone has any specific questions with regard to the survey, I have contacted one of the individuals that administer it and would be happy to pass questions along (he gave me this link).

Hopefully this will help......

http://huntingheritage.org/

[thall]

Here is the response I received:

Thomas -- The results of the study are posted at: http://huntingheritage.org/ website. I suggest that you download the executive summary, but the full report is posted as well.
The biggest overall need is to evaluate various programs. This also means that programs need to do a better job of identifying specific goals and objectives. We are conducting a similar review of access programs and will soon be looking at the next steps needed to develop a national strategic plan.
I hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist further.

Bob

[DiggerDog]

Originally Posted by Alex T.

Way too much blah blah statistical reading there for me. How is anyone suppose to follow along with all that crap of this action plan number,that action plan number,etc. Why are they willing to spend money(about $2,000/year for 2-3 years) on NGPC employees hunting/fishing recruitment? So,those employees can better understand their job? Hello,that shoulda been done in their training when they got hired. I'll keep trying to decipher this thing and respond back.

Alex

Continuing Education in organizations is huge today and Learning Management Solutions (LMS) is a great way to continue and enhance the eduation process for all or some employees.

[DiggerDog]

Originally Posted by Alex T.

But is the NGPC willing to do it right? Are they willing to change things for the better even if that means some things that they have implemented are done away with? And since it is a politcial business,are they willing to step on "donors" toes to better the future of fishing/hunting?

Alex

I was thinking the same thing.

[DiggerDog]

Originally Posted by OldBaldGuy

I don't think of Alex as a negative person, Harold. I think of him as "optimistically challenged."

And I would welcome Alex's offer to serve on the panel. He knows where to find my PM inbox, if that's what he decides he'd like to do.

[OldBaldGuy]

Here are the members who have contacted me to volunteer to serve on the panel along with board members Chad and Holemplyr and non-board-member me:

DiggerDog
thall
Scotty
Hooligan
Slimdog
Alex T.
brian40
buglem
Fish Recycler
uglymike

Thank you to all who offered their help. It looks to me like we'll have a variety of viewpoints. <Do we have an "understatement" smilie? >

I contacted NGPC today, and they aren't yet ready to set up working groups for the various goals and objectives. They are, however, aware of our ongoing interest in both hunting and fishing aspects of the plan, and I'm confident we will have opportunities for active involvement.

[WalterPayton34]

I find this kind of interesting. I'm a young 20 yrs old and have been fishing my whole life and hunting, I don't hunt very often anymore, because I don't have the connections or know many hunters. However I try my hardest to get friends out fishing. I'm from Omaha so my friends are city folk. I probably have taken 10 friends fishing with me that have never fished in their entire lives, not once. This is due to their parents not fishing. Many of them call me up wanting me to take them now.

I think that it's bad for the licensing age requirement to be 16, because many of these people never got to go fishing until they were already 16. Tell me how to convince someone to invest in a permit if they have never fished before. This point coincides with the driving age, because when you get your drivers license many new recreational options open up. I think the permit age should be 17. On another note, I believe there should be a 'new fisherman permit' or something similar that is free, so people can at least try the sport before investing in it.


Switching gears, I think the state should have a fee enforced on recreational boaters. Why do fishermen have to pay for permits and they do not? I understand that our fees help pay for stocking and renovations, but a major reason renovations are needed is from the damage caused by wakes. I feel like they are riding the coat tails of anglers. We fund the money for the lake and they ruin it.

[jeffreyd]

What ever happened with this program? did it ever take off? We are facing the same issues in AZ, however our game and fish dept is sportsman funded. They get no tax dollars from the state however during budget crisis, they can sweep the funds that the gfd has in the rears. Looking for more info on this subject. Thanks Jeff