April 6, 2022 – The National Deer Association (NDA) recently wrapped up its sixth season of the Field to Fork adult hunter recruitment program. Holding 43 events in 17 states, NDA continued to blaze new trails in hunter recruitment through education and proved the efficiency of recruiting new adult hunters. This wildly successful program sees that their recruits continue to hunt independently and share in the camaraderie of hunting.
Alongside traditional events held in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Vermont and Wisconsin, the Field to Fork program hosted events with organizations and conservation agencies across the country including Vortex Optics, American Outdoor Brands, Hunters of Color, The Nature Conservancy, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
“The Field to Fork program has been beyond successful and it’s really exciting to put another great year in the books,” said Nick Pinizzotto, President & CEO of NDA. “Hunter recruitment is such an important part of our mission and seeing so many new hunters get excited to learn and experience what Field to Fork really means is extremely fulfilling.”
“Field to Fork is proving there is strong desire among many non-hunting adults to learn to hunt deer for food,” said Hank Forester, NDA Director of Hunting. “They have the independence and ability to hunt on their own immediately after they receive a helping hand for their first experience, and more than 80% of Field to Fork recruits are in fact continuing to hunt independently. They are sharing their venison with others, buying hunting equipment of their own, and even taking other new hunters into the deer woods.”
Many of the 2021 Field to Fork hunts were organized and hosted by NDA’s volunteer branches, while other partners included Departments of Conservation & Natural Resources in various states. The diverse community created through Field to Fork is what makes the program successful. By bringing together individuals with a passion for wild food, wild spaces and deer hunting, non-hunters can experience the true excitement found in camp or when hunting with friends and family.
Following another successful year for the program, the NDA encourages more hunting industry companies to look within their employee rosters to recruit new deer hunters. For those working in the hunting industry that would like to plan a hunt, please contact Hank Forester, NDA Director of Hunting: hank@deerassociation.com.
To see photos and more information about Field to Fork, visit: https://deerassociation.com/ndas-2021-field-to-fork-report-43-hunts-17-states/
Join NDA and support their mission today, or sign up for their free e-newsletter to receive the latest on deer hunting and management at DeerAssociation.com
About the National Deer Association
Formally launched on November 10, 2020, the National Deer Association is a non-profit deer conservation group that leads efforts to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Formed by combining the strengths of two long-serving, successful organizations, the National Deer Association has a combined 38 years of action that has changed deer management for the betterment of hunting and protected North America’s most vital and admired game species for future generations. Visit DeerAssociation.com or follow @deerassociation on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.