Conservation and Hunting in America (CHA)

Target Audience:

The target audience for the online Conservation and Hunting in America (CHA) course are field, regional and National-level staff.

Summary and Objectives:

Conservation and Hunting in America (CHA) is an online course for agency professionals to explore the conservation theories, policy, and practices that apply to hunting and the sustainable uses of wildlife in North America. The purpose of which is to provide natural resource professionals with an understanding of the role and impact that consumptive use (hunting, fishing, trapping) has on wildlife and habitat conservation. This is an online course for agency professionals to explore the conservation theories, policy, and practices that apply to hunting and the sustainable uses of wildlife in North America.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Research the profiles of hunters in the U.S.
• Identify historical importance of hunting/hunters in wildlife management and their influence on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAM).
• Recognize how Public Trust is germane to the work roles and daily lives of conservation agency and organization personnel with specific attention to the attending CHA Participants.
• Identify what species and populations are hunted on a national or other basis and why most birds and mammals are not game
• Consider the influence of violators, the illegal wildlife trade, and how hunters are partnering with agencies to combat those influences.
• Discover the National Standards set by IHEA-USA for all state approved hunter education courses, and the concept of reciprocity.
• Identify the five basic hunting firearm actions.
• Discover other equipment and accessories often regulated while hunting, trapping and fishing.
• Consider public perceptions and misperceptions of hunters and hunting and how those perceptions can influence hunting values and opportunities.
• Discover how hunter behavior affects the future of hunting and, by extension, the future of wildlife management.
• Consider why groups of hunters may disagree over hunting issues.
• Recognize that there are over 88 breeds of hunting dogs.
• Identify the need for planning, logistical organization, and communication.
• Recognize that game meat is a motivation for many hunters.
• Recognize that hunting related issues are rarely resolved with consensus.
• Recognize the scope and use of communication tools and strategies and potential outlets.

This course will be conducted online over a two-week period, there will be a combination of self-directed digital learning interspersed with facilitated live discussions.

Competency Addressed: 

Outdoor Recreation - Intermediate, Technical Credibility - Basic, Natural Resource Management - Awareness, Sociology and Anthropology - Awareness, Policy Implementation - Awareness