Happy pre-rut, you all! Speaking of excitement:

By Jon Zinnel - Federal Ammunition

The landscape of youth shooting sports is thriving with reports of continued growth year over year across many types of programs and organizations. Yet amidst this success, a critical question emerges; Are these programs effectively channeling their participants into hunting? As many state wildlife agencies report having declining participation numbers across both small game and large game license purchasers, recruiting youth target shooters into hunting is an opportunity.

The decline in hunters can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the rise of urban living and the conversion of once-prime hunting grounds into residential developments. As these landscapes change, so do the opportunities and traditions associated with hunting, creating a challenge for those who wish to preserve and pass on this heritage.

One promising approach to reversing this trend involves tapping into the existing pool of recreational shooters. These individuals, already adept in firearm safety and marksmanship through their participation in shooting sports, represent a great pool of candidates for recruiting new hunters. By transitioning these skilled participants into the world of hunting, we can leverage their existing expertise to cultivate a new generation of stewards for our natural resources.

However, this strategy is not without its hurdles. A few such hurdles include; the availability of mentors, as well as access to appropriate hunting grounds. Many aspiring hunters lack the guidance and support needed to make the transition from target shooting to hunting. Concerns include private versus public property lines, safety in the field, understanding of game species to maximize their chances, knowledge of rules and regulations, as well as what equipment is needed and how to acquire it.

Organizations like Pass it On Outdoor Mentors (PIO) have recognized this challenge and are pioneering solutions. By partnering with local high school clay target programs, PIO integrates hunting mentorship seamlessly into existing shooting sports initiatives. Their efforts have yielded encouraging results, with numerous successful hunts reported across multiple states each weekend during hunting seasons. To learn more about Pass it On Outdoor Mentors and their mission to empower young people through outdoors experiences and mentorship visit www.outdoormentors.org.

Financial support is another critical factor in the sustainability and expansion of youth shooting programs. It is imperative to continue to invest in these organizations and programs to keep growing the recruitment pool for those transitioning into hunting. Many organizations struggle with funding for basic operational costs, such as range fees, equipment, and travel expenses. The MidwayUSA Foundation plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges, offering grants and financial assistance to support youth shooting teams nationwide. Having recognized other challenges to growth such as coach attrition and range capacity concerns, the foundation implemented even more granting opportunities. Initiatives like the Range Grant Program and the Coaches Grant Program have been instrumental in bolstering the infrastructure and coaching support necessary for these programs to thrive. To learn more about the MidwayUSA Foundation visit www.midwayusafoundation.org.

Beyond financial and logistical challenges, there are cultural and societal barriers that must be overcome to encourage more young people to take up hunting. For many families, hunting is not merely a pastime but a cherished tradition and a rite of passage. However, busy modern lifestyles, financial constraints, and a perceived lack of accessible hunting opportunities often deter younger generations from participating. Overcoming these obstacles requires a concerted effort to promote mentorship, provide access to hunting grounds, and foster a supportive community for aspiring hunters.

In addition to nurturing the next generation of hunters, there is a compelling case for increasing support for recreational shooting access and wildlife conservation efforts. Most of these funds come from ammunition mostly used for target shooting versus hunting ammunition. Therefore, it would be safe to say that target shooters are supporting wildlife conservation across this country just as much or more than hunters do. The Pittman-Robertson Federal Excise Tax, derived primarily from sales of firearms and ammunition used in target shooting, is a vital source of funding for state wildlife agencies. This funding supports conservation initiatives, habitat restoration, and hunter education programs, underscoring the significant contribution of recreational shooters to wildlife conservation efforts nationwide.

It has become evident that many state wildlife agencies have yet to step up to utilize the program to further their support in hunter education and recreational shooting with building new facilities or enhancing current facilities for their citizens. If you live in a state that hasn’t become active with funding shooting ranges like I do, please make your voice heard and reach out to your state wildlife agency to encourage that they do so. Some state agencies that are doing terrific work increasing target shooting opportunities include; Alabama, Ohio, Missouri and Wisconsin. Unfortunately, across the country more than half the states have built or service less than ten ranges in their states and five of these from the list don’t even have a single range in their state.

As advocates for hunting and shooting sports, each of us has a role to play in preserving our outdoor legacy. Whether through mentoring youth, advocating for conservation funding, or simply introducing someone new to the joys of the shooting range or the thrill of the hunt, we can all contribute to ensuring that these traditions endure for future generations. By sharing our passion for the outdoors and fostering a sense of stewardship, we can inspire others to embrace and safeguard our rich hunting heritage.

Jon Zinnel is the senior conservation and youth Shooting Sports Manager for Federal Premium, Remington, Hevi-Shot, and CCI Ammunition. A little bit about Jon: He grew up in Northern Iowa. Growing up, he enjoyed being outside. It was there that he cultivated his passion for conservation programs and shooting sports. He manages relationships with many non-profit Conservation Organizations nationwide and assists in countless R3 programs to introduce our next generation to the outdoors and shooting sports activities.

2023-2024 Voice of Leadership Panelists

If there's one thing I'm sure we can all agree on as outdoorsy people, it's that the outdoors is brimming with life; from the tiniest creatures scuttling beneath the fresh autumn foliage to a massive whitetail ambling through a cornfield and everything in between. So it makes sense that when you're setting up a decoy spread in hopes of fooling some of our feathered friends, the one major killer of spread realism would be stagnancy. This is where motion decoys come in. There are motion decoys for all kinds of hunts, but since waterfowl is our passion, today we’re going to cover the ins and outs of utilizing motion in a waterfowl spread. What exactly does a little motion bring to your game, and why should you use them?

You can use any brand you like, but we are partial to Mojo, as they've been around the longest and truly have, in our opinion, the best motion decoys in the industry. In the simplest of terms, motion decoys attract ducks from a distance and make them want to be where you are. The flash of the spinning wings mimics the movement of ducks landing, making your spread visible from a long distance and sometimes even catching the attention of passing birds. Motion attracts ducks, suggesting the presence of live birds. They work excellent particularly in early season and on young ducks. The movement adds variety and liveliness, making your spread look less suspicious. A motion decoy adds realism to your setup, making it more convincing than a static spread. Not to mention, ducks are curious creatures. The sudden flash of the wings can spark curiosity, making ducks more likely to investigate and fly closer for a better look at what you have going on. Early mornings and late evenings are prime hunting times, and the contrast of the spinning wings in low light can be highly effective in catching their attention.

Motion also breaks up a spread’s monotony. Speaking of increasing visibility, when hunting in foggy, overcast, or foggy conditions, the movement and flashing of a spinning wing decoy can cut through the mist and provide that extra visibility. Ducks will often fixate on the motion decoy, drawing their attention away from the blind or us as hunters, giving you more time to prepare for the shot without being noticed. In areas where ducks have become wary of traditional decoy spreads, adding motion can make your setup stand out. After discussing why to use them, let's discuss how to implement them.

Place Them Upwind of the Blind: Position your spinning wing decoys upwind of your blind, where ducks will naturally want to land. Ducks typically want to land into the wind, so placing the decoys slightly upwind helps guide them toward the kill zone, as they’ll focus on landing in front of the motion decoys.

Use Elevated Poles for Visibility: If hunting in tall vegetation, use elevated poles to raise your spinning wing decoys above the cover. That way the decoy’s movement and flash are visible from a greater distance, making it easier for birds to spot your spread, even in dense environments.

Center the spinner in the middle of the spread: When using a traditional horseshoe or U-shaped spread, position the spinning wing decoy at the center of the opening. This placement acts as a focal point that draws ducks toward the middle of the spread, where you want them to land.

Set Multiple Spinners to Mimic a Flock: For high-traffic areas or if you’re targeting larger flocks, use two or more spinning wing decoys. Spread them out to simulate a group of ducks either landing or fluttering down together. This gives the illusion of a flock actively working the area, making your setup appear even more natural and inviting. However, keep in mind that there can be too much of a good thing. A few can work wonders, but there is such a thing as too much motion. Pay attention to the body language of the ducks and play around with the number that works best. 

5. Use Spinners on the Periphery: If ducks seem hesitant to commit, placing the spinning wing decoys at the periphery of your spread can help. Placing them on the outer edges draws the ducks' attention first, boosting their confidence as they approach the quieter, motionless decoys towards the center, where they are more likely to land.

6. Turn off or Remove Spinners in Late Season: Motion decoys can be used sparingly all season but ducks often become wary of them later in the season, so consider either turning off the spinner’s wings once birds are in close or removing the decoys altogether if the ducks are flaring. Another option is to switch to intermittent or remote-controlled spinners, allowing you to turn them off as birds approach to avoid spooking them. 

Let's hit the marsh and have a safe and productive season! Have something to talk about? Email us at keeptalkin@tflproductions.com and join the conversation!

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