EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The NWTF applauds the swift action of Congress and President Joe Biden to protect funding for schools that provide hunter education, archery, shooting sports and other school-enrichment programs for students.
Schools with these programs will continue to be funded by Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) funds after Biden signed the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act into law on Friday.
The overwhelmingly bipartisan-supported bill fixed language inserted into the ESEA last year by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022. The U.S. Department of Education misinterpreted that language to pull certain federal funding from schools that have programs that provide or train individuals in the use of “dangerous weapons,” including hunter education, archery and other shooting sports programs.
“This is an example of how when hunters, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts unite with one voice, we can make a difference,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “NWTF members and the members of many other hunting conservation organizations contacted their congressional representation, and Congress acted.”
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill nearly unanimously, with only one holdout, and the Senate was united in its support.
The language in question was intended by Congress to prohibit arming and training teachers and other school staff, but the Department of Education’s interpretation threatened to pull ESEA funding from schools that offer programs for students that involve training in firearms, archery equipment and similar equipment.
“At a time when hunter numbers are declining and threatening the future of conservation funding in the United States, the removal of these programs that serve as gateways into the outdoors would have severely hampered nationwide efforts to reverse the tide and recruit new hunters to the field,” Burckhalter said. “We are grateful for our members, the members of Congress and the president for their immediate response in support of these programs. It illustrates that hunting, archery and shooting are still cherished and relevant activities in our country.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.
2023 is the NWTF’s 50 th anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50 th anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and NWTF’s people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.
