Hunting for Sustainability was launched in 2016 by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers as a way to spur new, conservation-minded hunters and anglers while also engaging with college students who already hunt and fish, and it's expanding to a state near you.

With the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reporting a decline in hunter numbers overall, BHA’s Hunting for Sustainability addresses the challenge some would-be hunters experience as they attempt to break into the sport, offering novices a hands-on weekend of learning guided by seasoned hunters and other experts. A pilot program initiated by BHA in Montana in partnership with the Boone and Crockett Club covers topics ranging from hunting ethics and game management to firearms safety and field dressing techniques. Participants leave with the skills and knowledge to get started hunting – and a better appreciation of the public lands system and the role hunters play in conservation. 

The Hunting for Sustainability model has a proven track record of success. From purchasing a rifle as soon as they returned home from the event to buying a hunting license the same year, students gain the confidence to take those first steps toward hunting. Similarly, BHA club members who are experienced hunters have taken the time to lend knowledge to new or novice hunters. The University of Montana BHA Club is working hard to ensure that students returning from Hunting for Sustainability have guidance so they can take those next steps. Read more about what the UM club has done to lower the barriers for fellow classmates here. 

In 2018, Hunting for Sustainability will be expanding to Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming – and more states in the years to come. To help the program grow, donate below!