MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – September 20, 2024 – With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, hunting season has kicked off in earnest across many parts of the country. Once a hallowed and almost sacred pastime for generations of Americans, hunting finds stiff competition from an almost endless number of other activities people in the U.S. choose to spend their time doing, participating or practicing. The Outdoor Industry Communication Council (OICC) has testimonies, contacts and valuable data behind hunting, new hunters, mentorship programs and more. The OICC was founded by Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF), which also is pushing its Come With!™ initiative this fall.
Throughout modern history, hunting has been a major part of American tradition. For generations, hunting was introduced and passed down by families, neighbors and fellow community members. While some of that is true today, a lot has changed. Data from recent years tells us that hunting participation has plateaued or is in slight decline. There is a large mix of variables attributed to this data. But just as there are new reasons Americans don’t hunt, there are several new pathways into the pastime. The most effective way people adopt hunting or opt into the activity is by being introduced by someone who currently hunts.
“Hunters, the hunting industry, conservation organizations, NGOs and related organizations have spent a lot of time and money on R3,” said Executive Director of OSCF Jim Curcuruto. “R3 is boiled down to efforts of Recruiting new hunters, Retaining and expanding participation of current hunters and Reactivating those who have lapsed out of hunting. The most relevant findings are that the most effective efforts for R3 come down to providing information to prospective, current and past hunters and actually having a current hunter invite someone new to “Come With” them to the field. There are 60 million active HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and Shooters) across the US and when activated, they will be the best bet to help us increase overall participation.”
The OICC has hunter mentoring stories available for reference and repurpose. The OICC also has members that make up major brands and organizations in the hunting space, prominent conservation groups and other individuals with valuable connections and assets to hunting and the hunting industry.
Individuals looking for more written work to use/share or information for a contact to provide quotes or other insights and data to the topic should reach to OSCF executive director Jim Curcuruto at (203) 450-7202 or jim@stewardsofconservation.org.
General media inquiries are welcome to Curcuruto or Tim Brandt at tim.brandt@murrayroadagency.com. For more information about OICC and OSCF visit www.OutdoorStewards.org, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.
About OSCF: Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of hunting, fishing, trapping and target shooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and Shooters) and promote the fact that HATS are primary funders and stewards of conservation in America. To learn more about OSCF programs; “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag”, “Come With!”, “Donate a Deer”, “Connecting with Conservation” and the “Outdoor Industry Communication Council,” please visit www.OutdoorStewards.org or contact Jim Curcuruto at (203) 450-7202, jim@stewardsofconservation.org .
About the Outdoor Industry Communication Council (OICC):
Formed around the commitment to educate all Americans about the origins of conservation
funding in America, the Outdoor Industry Communication Council (OICC) is managed by
Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) and Wildlife Management Institute
(WMI). OICC works with outdoor writers to develop informative content that is available to
all outdoor organizations and media at no cost. A primary goal of the OICC is to better
inform and promote the positive contributions that wildlife agencies, industry
manufacturers, NGO’s and end users such as hunters, anglers, trappers and target shooters
make to conservation. Outdoor organizations interested in conservation are welcome to
use any OICC content to expand the reach of messages created by the OICC. To become a
member of the Outdoor Industry Communication Council, contact Jim Curcuruto of OSCF
(203) 450-7202 jim@stewardsofconservation.org or Jon Gassett of WMI at (502) 330-9025
jgassett@wildlifemgt.org. There are no costs involved to become a member of the OICC.
Members may utilize OICC materials as they see fit with no restrictions. For additional
information visit https://www.outdoorstewards.org/outdoor-industry-communicationcouncil-oicc/