The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking applications for its Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) Grant Program
Donor Name: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
State: Wisconsin
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 09/15/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
In order to focus hunter training, development and education programs on adults, females and families, DNR has developed this new grant opportunity. There is a great need for strategically developed, tested programs and results on which to base future program priorities. The Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) Grant program will also focus on developing and pilot testing various programs and evaluating the effectiveness of those programs.
The primary purpose of the Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) grant program is to provide cost-sharing grants to local clubs, organizations, communities, governments, Wisconsin tribes, colleges, universities and technical schools to ensure the education, training and development of safe and ethical hunters and mentors.
This grant program is administered as a reimbursement program. This means you must incur and pay all costs associated with the project before seeking reimbursement from DNR. No grant advances are possible. It is possible for grantees to request partial (quarterly) reimbursements of the WDNR during the life of the project.
Grant Program Priorities
Applications that enhance public/private partnerships are strongly encouraged. Priorities for the Hunter R3 program include:
- Projects that are intended for people who do not come from traditional hunting backgrounds (have little prior hunting experience); and projects intended for families, women, and adults.
- Projects that demonstrate a likelihood of success and long-term sustainability; and a clear plan for evaluation.
- Projects that use best practices established by practitioners in the field of outdoor skills-based outreach and education. Please review the information in the R3 Practitioner’s Guide.
- Projects that address specific barriers to the recruitment, retention and/or reactivation of hunters.
Funding Information
The DNR typically has up to $75,000 available for grants each calendar year. Individual grant awards are capped at $25,000.
Eligible Items
- Salaries, wages, and benefits for employees
- Consultation services
- Purchased services
- Other purchased services
- Supplies
- Equipment: If you are purchasing equipment for the project, using equipment you already own or accepting donations of equipment use, please consult with Hunter Education and Shooting Sports grant manager for information on the equipment depreciation and hourly use policy.
- Hourly equipment rental charges
- Other: List costs that are needed to implement the project but are not captured in the items above
Eligible Criteria
- Wisconsin counties, towns, villages, and cities
- Wisconsin Universities, Colleges and Technical Schools
- Other Wisconsin governmental units, as defined in s. 66.299, Wis. Stats.
- Wisconsin Tribes
- Wisconsin School Districts
- Most if not all, conservation organizations (i.e., local rod and gun clubs, sporting organizations, local chapters, and national organizations)
- Individuals
For more information, visit Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
