Page 11 - 2021 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

Conservation in Oklahoma is funded New anglers don’t appear out of thin
primarily by anglers and hunters when air. They are mentored, taught, and taken
they buy hunting and fishing licenses and along for the fun. The support of a mentor heAtheR DeL MORAL/ODWC
certain outdoor gear. Since the Oklahoma is key in helping newcomers continue in
Department of Wildlife Conservation their outdoor pursuits with confidence,
receives no general tax appropriations until they are comfortable with their skills
from the state, it’s important to maintain and newfound identity as an angler.
the number of people who are fishing and According to research, mentorship in
hunting in Oklahoma in order to maintain outdoors skills is exactly what’s needed if
adequate funding to adequately manage the sportsmen and women wish to see their
fish and wildlife of the state. outdoor heritage passed down.
That’s why ODWC has embraced Having a mentor is invaluable for someone
planning and programs revolving around a just getting started with fishing. Teaching
concept called R3. It stands for Recruitment, has a profound impact on the next generation
Retention and Reactivation. And its goal is of anglers and their mentors. Gift them
to at least maintain, and hopefully build, the a˜fishing license, and take them fishing at Friends can enjoy fishing together.
ranks of outdoor enthusiasts. a nearby˜body of water. A mentor will then
Current anglers are in a great position to have a fishing buddy for years to come! BECOMING A MENTOR
help ODWC in this mission. Current anglers But there’s more to creating a new
are where the knowledge and experience are angler than simply taking someone fishing “Unlike traditional hobbies and sports
found. And that knowledge and experience for the first time. It can be a daunting available to children and adults alike, hunting
are the cornerstones for creating new anglers challenge. But here are some suggestions and fishing take introduction and mentorship.
through a mentoring relationship. for mentoring success. There aren’t teams, coaches and sign-up sheets
to recruit the next generation of outdoorsmen
steVe hiLLeBRAnD/UsFWs these outdoor pursuits to pass these skills along,
and women. It’s up to those of us who enjoy

and fishing is a perfect place to start.”
Wise words from the Wildlife
Department’s R3 Fishing Coordinator
Skylar St. Yves.˜
The national consensus about R3 is that
sportsmen must work with their respective
conservation agencies to pass along their
outdoor traditions or risk watching˜their
heritage of conservation slowly erode.
As the years go by, longtime anglers
and hunters are “aging out” of these
activities. In order to maintain the same
levels of participation (which equates to
funding for conservation, management and
opportunities), then those who are leaving
these pastimes must be replaced with new
people engaging in them.
Fortunately, Oklahoma’s outdoor scene
is strong, and its participants are passionate
—˜ a good thing when conservation is
funded by sportsmen and women when
they buy fishing and hunting licenses and
certain outdoor gear.
But passion alone isn’t enough. Yes,
sportsmen and women must actively
engage in the outdoors, but they must also
be part of a larger story — someone else’s
story —˜by mentoring new outdoorsmen
and women.˜
Becoming a mentor means making a commitment to the next generation. Simply put: It takes one to make one!

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