New Publics in the Spectrum of a Conservation Agency

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify major areas of concentration that have an impact on state hunter education programs. The study specifically attempts to identify and analyze areas that prevent hunter education programs from being implemented to their fullest. The major reasons for this research include: to improve the awareness, knowledge, and skills of hunters, to help ensure that hunter education programs are utilized to their maximum, and to identify specific program strategies to help overcome major barriers to the successful implementation of state hunter education programs. Based on data collected, areas of significant concern that have profound effects on program implementation were identified and analyzed. The major concerns and constraints identified by the study were in the areas of program instruction, course content, program communication, program funding, and program evaluation. Each of the identified program constraints was analyzed with recommendations put forth which could lessen its impact on program implementation.