NRA Free Online Hunter Education Course Raises $150,000 for State Wildlife Agencies

by
posted on May 27, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
logo-and-motto.jpg
Your National Rifle Association is pleased to announce its free online Hunter Education Course has raised more than $150,000 for state wildlife agencies in matching Pittman-Robertson (P-R) funds.

“It is truly a win-win for everyone,” said Joseph P. DeBergalis Jr., executive director of NRA General Operations. “With no financial investment of their own, states can now access match money and new hunters will receive top-notch free education and certification.”

Officially known as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, P-R distributes monies to state wildlife agencies for a variety of wildlife, conservation and shooting program projects through the taxation of firearms, archery equipment and hunting license sales.

In 2019, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) said state wildlife agencies could count NRA’s free Online Hunter Education Courses as in-kind match dollars to access P-R funds. Oklahoma was one of the first states to take advantage of this change.

"Thanks to our partnership with the NRA and NRA-ILA, thousands of Oklahomans have taken the NRA free on-line hunter education course," said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and Conservation (ODWC). "Our transition from our own on-line course to the NRA course was smooth and flawless. In addition to great content, delivered at no cost, the ODWC has already received $81,880 in federal matching funds due to the NRA's donation of the course.”

Florida was also an early adopter of NRA’s free online hunter education courses. To date they’ve received $70,000 in federal matching funds.

“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is committed to providing a variety of educational formats and opportunities to satisfy the needs of those interested in learning how to be safe, knowledgeable, responsible and involved hunters,” said Bill Cline, FWC’s section leader for Hunter Safety and Public Shooting Ranges. “We appreciate NRA’s support of our program and their investment in producing a high-quality course that students can take for free.”

State agencies taking part in this new program can now provide a unique service for their residents and create additional fish and wildlife conservation programs by accessing long awaited P-R funds.

“We always believed a free, quality online hunter-education course would reduce the barriers of entry for first-time hunters while helping state agencies recover P-R dollars. Our hope is more states follow Oklahoma and Florida’s lead and expand their hunter education and wildlife conservation programs for all to enjoy,” said Peter Churchbourne, director of the NRA Hunters Leadership Forum.

To preview the free NRA Online Hunter Education Course, visit NRAHE.org. For information on getting the course approved for use in your state, email [email protected] or call 800-492-4868.

Latest

Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation Logo
Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation Logo

Oklahoma Wildlife Commission Passes Rules for Nonresident Hunters, Public Hunting Lands

New emergency rules and resolutions for public hunting lands were approved last month by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

First Look: Premium and Premium Deluxe Die Sets From Redding Reloading Equipment

Redding Reloading Equipment has expanded its Premium Die Set and Premium Deluxe Die Set product lines, including over seventy of the most popular cartridges in the industry today.

Junior Hunter Gear: Get Your Kids Into the Field

Looking for ways to get your fields out from behind the screens and into the great outdoors this summer? Check out these great pieces of outdoor kit to help spur the process.

Stealth Cam Adds On-Demand Livestream

Shortly after teasing the launch of its new trail camera functionality at the 2025 SHOT Show, Stealth Cam has announced that On Demand Live Stream is available via the Command Pro app.

#SundayGunday: Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I.

On this week's #SundayGunday, Digital Associate Editor David Herman talks with Benelli Vice President Tim Joseph about Benelli's new Super Black Eagle 3 with A.I. barrel technology.

NRA Foundation Awards $13,500 in College Scholarships

The National Rifle Association is proud to announce the Grand Scholarship winners from the 2024 Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.)—a group of exceptional students selected for their leadership, initiative, and dedication to advancing NRA programs within their communities.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.