R3

Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation ​

Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) encapsulates the core strategy of to engage individuals in outdoor pursuits. Hunting, trapping, angling, boating and wildlife viewing can help connect people with nature and promote health and well-being in the lives of people who participate. Recruitment attracts new participants through marketing, outreach and educational efforts. Retention maintains the interest of current participants through ongoing support and community-building. Reactivation re-engages individuals who have previously participated in outdoor pursuits but have become inactive. This framework ensures the sustainability and diversity of outdoor opportunities by broadening participation and fostering long-term engagement. These are public activities, and they are open for everyone to connect with nature.

Teaching a young boy shooting skills

Target Shooting

Over 800 target shooting ranges have been designed, constructed, renovated or opened to the public in the United States

A man and woman holding the fish they caught

Angling

According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 39,935,437 people (age 16 & up) participated in angling in 2022

Spring turkey hunting

Hunting

According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 14,374,589 people (age 16 & up) participated in hunting in 2022.

Wildlife Watching Image

Wildlife Watching

According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 148,280,092 people (age 16 & up) participated in wildlife watching in 2022.

Featured Report

Fishing and Hunting, Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation in the U.S.

Addendum to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

The 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (Survey) indicates that hunting and fishing remain highly important lifestyle choices in the United States. In 2022, there were 14.4 million hunters and 39.9 million anglers 16 years and older. While impressive, there are several indications that participation had declined from prior levels. A number of Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) efforts have been implemented to increase hunting and fishing participation. By taking a deep dive into Survey data, this report seeks to assist those efforts by contributing to the existing body of participation-related research.

Fishing And Hunting Recruitment, Retention, And Reactivation In The U.s.
Featured Video

Hidden Opportunities

The Importance of Wildlife Management Areas

Across the United States, Wildlife Management Areas have provided public access to land that is operated and maintained as a result of funding from two sources including federal excise taxes paid by companies that manufacture sporting arms, ammunition, archery equipment, and fishing gear as well as state licenses, permits and stamp revenues paid by hunters, trappers, and anglers.  

In The News

Midwest Association Of Fish And Wildlife Agencies

Marine Manufacturing, R3

December 11, 2024
Motorized boating is a popular American outdoor pastime, an economic force, and funds conservation efforts across the Nation. To capture metrics on the time spent outdoors along with the economic impacts of recreational boating, the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation included motorized boating survey questions for the first time in the Survey’s 67-year history.
Fur trappers inspecting their goods

Education, Management, R3, Research, Trapping

November 12, 2024
Trapping is highly regulated by the state fish and wildlife agencies; biologists set harvest rates, trapping seasons, bag limits, and restrict trap types. Pittman-Robertson dollars, the federal excise taxes paid by firearms, ammunition, and archery manufacturers on select goods, fund furbearer management.
Three Boys Upland Game Hunting With Two Dogs

R3

September 26, 2024
Released last year, the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation indicates that hunting and fishing remain highly important outdoor pursuits in the United States. However, there are a number of indications that participation in fishing and hunting has been declining over the years. To address this decline Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation, also known as R3, efforts have been implemented across the nation to increase hunting and fishing access and participation.
Plato Madonna And National Hunting And Fishing Day 02

Angling, Archery, Firearms & Ammunition, R3

September 20, 2024
September 28 marks the 52nd National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual event first proclaimed by President Nixon in 1972.  Hunting and fishing and target shooting were then, and remain, lifestyle choices enjoyed by millions of Americans from all walks of life on every rung of the economic ladder.
Academics Afield Dove Hunt

Firearms & Ammunition, R3

August 15, 2024
College is often a time of self-discovery, and many students seek out new experiences through campus clubs, studying abroad, and trying new activities.
Female Archer

Archery, Education, Firearms & Ammunition, R3

August 2, 2024
For decades, American firearm, ammunition, and archery equipment manufacturers have shared a partnership with state and federal fish and wildlife agencies to support conservation as well as access to outdoor pursuits including shooting sports.
Wildlife Restoration Funded

Funded Target Shooting Ranges

Wildlife Restoration funds support the construction, operation, and maintenance of over 800 public target ranges in the United States. Explore these ranges with this interactive map.