25. - Teach best practices for hunting programs in formal training for federal land Managers

1) National Park Service (NPS) Federal law enforcement managers undergo rigorous law enforcement training, quarterly weapons qualifications, and an annual comprehensive battery of testing, all of which are mandated and regulated under federal regulation. Natural Resource Managers undergo firearms training and qualifications for such practices as culling, wildlife research activities and the dispatch of injured wildlife as necessary. Federal NPS managers qualify with both traditional and non lead ammunition.

2) In 2013, NPS set aside funding to develop comprehensive natural resource law and policy training for NPS natural resource managers. Specifically, work is being done to address consistent interpretation and implementation of 43 CFR 24, which will be followed by incorporation into NPS training modules at all levels.

3) NPS has a draft Ungulate Plan that will provide direction to NPS employees on native and non-native ungulate management. A key component of the plan is that active ungulate management is necessary in many situations in contrast to “let nature take its course management” that has been the unwritten policy for many years. The document emphasis collaboration with such stakeholders as adjacent land management agencies, states and private landowners.

The WHHCC sent a letter to the Department of the Interior commenting on the vision document for the National Wildlife Refuge System. The WHHCC called for further emphasis on the role of hunters and anglers in wildlife conservation. Additionally the WHHCC suggested additional employee training for employees about the North American model for conservation and specifically drew attention to action items 23, 24 and 25 in the Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Plan. The WHHCC followed up the letter to the DOI with a subsequent letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service reiterating its support and willingness to provide implementation teams on: strategic growth; communications; hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation; and interpretation and education.

The Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow is a non profit with the goal "to identify future and current leaders of the natural resource profession who do not hunt and provide them with an understanding of the diverse values and important roles of hunting and its impact on conservation." The CLfT, in partnership with the National Conservation Training Center, conducts training for federal employees on the history, ecology and management of hunting, albeit not specifically on public land.