NWTF, DNR Partner for Women’s Introduction to Firearms Course
NWTF and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources seek out new audiences to join in furthering conservation efforts.
NWTF volunteers are no strangers to helping introduce new folks to the outdoors, be it at tried-and-true NWTF education and outreach programs—such as JAKES Days, Mentored Hunts, Field to Fork, Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin Sportsmen events—or coming up with innovative opportunities. NWTF Maryland volunteers do both.
NWTF Maryland volunteer Russ Leith, retired, works part-time as a firearm instructor at his local shooting range, Guntry. Leith noticed the significant number of women who wanted to own a firearm and safely and effectively use it.
Bringing together the NWTF Maryland State Chapter and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Leith saw an opportunity to engage this untapped demographic, providing a service they were seeking while also illustrating the relationship of firearm ownership and conservation.
“Our end goal would be to spark someone’s interest enough to want to learn how to hunt,” Leith said. “But if we are able to engage someone with shooting sports and make them a lifelong enthusiast, we are still contributing to conservation efforts.”
Leith is referring to The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, popularly known as the Pittman–Robertson Act. The act provides funding for wildlife habitat, wildlife management research and hunter education programs from an 11% federal excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition and archery equipment, as well as a 10% tax on handguns.
The Maryland DNR also saw the opportunity to reach the demographic of potential conservationists.
“We believe that partnering with other organizations on events like these and others not only gets us, as a department, out of our ‘box,’ but it enables each organization to bring a unique audience to the table,” said Chris Markin, Maryland DNR information and hunting R3 program manager. “Collectively, we are able to bring new previously untapped audiences to events like these and not only teach them new skills in a safe, comfortable environment but to inform them that their new role as a shooting sports participant has wildlife and habitat conservation benefits.”
Within three hours of the event being advertised by Maryland DNR, over 80 applicants applied for the 24 openings available.
“The amount of women that applied in such a short time showed the need for events like this,” Leith said. “Since the spots were limited, we picked women who have never shot before.”
Those women showed up at Guntry’s premiere shooting facility. They enjoyed a light meal and heard from DNR representatives, NWTF volunteers and the owners of the facility about shooting, conservation and the importance of safety. After the introductions, the ladies enjoyed shooting for the first time and also got to practice in the state-of-the-art simulator.
“After the event, we were able to talk to them about their experience,” Leith said. “It was great to have people say ‘we can’t wait for another event like this!’ All parties involved were pleased with how it went: the participants were all safe, they all shot well, and everyone had a great time. We look forward to hosting a similar event in the near future.”
All year long, NWTF chapters across the country offer people opportunities to explore the outdoors through local hands-on events and hunts. Events are designed to pass on the traditions of safe, ethical hunting and teach conservation principals.