Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00047
The Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program, commonly referred to as the Section 10 Hunter Education Grant Program, is a mandatory federal grant administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) framework. It traces back to the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, which originally created a long-running funding mechanism to support wildlife habitat work, wildlife management research, and public information and outreach tied to those projects. In 1970, Congress expanded the law to explicitly include hunter safety programs and the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. Later, lawmakers and partners in the sporting community argued that states were not consistently using available support to keep hunter education and shooting range programs strong and modern, especially as participation trends, safety expectations, and infrastructure needs changed.
To address those concerns, Congress passed the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, which created the Firearm and Bowhunter Education and Safety Program (Section 10). The central idea is to provide dedicated funding that helps states enhance existing hunter education and shooting range efforts rather than simply maintain the status quo. The legislation set aside $7.5 million nationally in 2001 and 2002 and $8 million each year thereafter to strengthen hunter education, hunter development, and shooting range opportunities. A key requirement built into the program is that Section 10 funds are meant to supplement, not replace, the separate Section 4(c) Hunter Education funds. In practical terms, states are expected to use Section 10 to add capacity, improve quality, expand reach, or modernize services rather than shifting existing costs onto this funding source.
States may use their apportioned Section 10 funds in several broad ways. These include enhancing hunter education, hunter development, and firearm and archery safety programs, where hunter development is specifically described as efforts that introduce new participants and recruit individuals into hunting, bowhunting, target shooting, or archery. The program also supports improving coordination across state lines for hunter education and shooting range programs, which can help standardize approaches, share best practices, and support multi-state initiatives. Another eligible area is expanding education, safety, or development programs focused specifically on bowhunters and archers. Importantly, Section 10 also supports tangible infrastructure work: it can fund the construction and development of firearm and archery ranges, as well as updates to range safety features, reflecting Congresss intent to pair education with safe, accessible places for supervised training and practice.
Examples of eligible activities illustrate how the grant can be used on the ground. Funds can support training that builds safe and proficient use of hunting equipment, teaches hunter responsibility, covers principles of wildlife management, improves wildlife identification skills, and reinforces safe firearms handling. Funding can also be applied to constructing or improving instructional facilities such as classrooms, shooting ranges, and other support buildings needed to deliver training effectively. States can use the program to gather and analyze information needed to develop, implement, and evaluate hunter education and safety grants, supporting evidence-based improvements over time. The scope also includes trapper education when it is tied to safety, responsibility, humane trapping methods, avoiding non-target species, and building practical trapping skills. Finally, the program allows communication and outreach efforts that share information about WSFR-funded hunter education and recreational shooting sports activities, which can help increase awareness and participation while reinforcing safety messages.
In the specific opportunity record provided, the funding opportunity is listed as F17AS00047, categorized as a mandatory grant in the education and natural resources activity areas, with CFDA number 15.626. Eligible applicants are state governments. The posting lists an award ceiling of $200,000, an original closing date of August 31, 2017, and identifies the administering agency as the Fish and Wildlife Service. The overall purpose remains consistent throughout: to strengthen and modernize hunter and bowhunter education and safety, support recruitment and development of new participants, and improve or expand safe firearm and archery range infrastructure through targeted supplemental funding.Apply for F17AS00047
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (Section 10 Hunter Education Grant Program)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.626.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-12-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-08-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (Section 10) - FAQs
What is the Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (Section 10)?
The Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program, commonly called the Section 10 Hunter Education Grant Program, is a mandatory federal grant administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) framework. It provides dedicated funding to strengthen and modernize hunter education, hunter development, and shooting range opportunities.
Which federal agency administers this grant?
The administering agency is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Fish and Wildlife Service), within the WSFR framework.
What is the funding opportunity number for the record described?
The opportunity record provided is listed as F17AS00047.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number provided is 15.626.
Is this a discretionary grant or a mandatory grant?
This opportunity is categorized as a mandatory federal grant.
What types of activity areas does this grant fall under?
The record categorizes the grant under education and natural resources activity areas.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are state governments.
What is the main purpose of Section 10 funding?
The purpose is to strengthen and modernize hunter and bowhunter education and safety programs, support recruitment and development of new participants, and improve or expand safe firearm and archery range infrastructure through targeted supplemental funding.
How does Section 10 relate to the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act?
The program traces back to the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, which established a long-running funding mechanism for wildlife habitat work, wildlife management research, and related public information and outreach. In 1970, Congress expanded the law to explicitly include hunter safety programs and the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges.
Why was Section 10 created?
Congress created Section 10 through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 to address concerns that states were not consistently using available support to keep hunter education and shooting range programs strong and modern as participation trends, safety expectations, and infrastructure needs changed. The intent was to provide dedicated funding that enhances efforts rather than maintaining the status quo.
How much funding is set aside nationally for Section 10?
The legislation set aside $7.5 million nationally in 2001 and 2002, and $8 million each year thereafter.
Are states expected to use Section 10 funds in addition to other hunter education funds?
Yes. A key requirement is that Section 10 funds are meant to supplement, not replace, the separate Section 4(c) Hunter Education funds. States are expected to use Section 10 to add capacity, improve quality, expand reach, or modernize services rather than shifting existing costs onto this funding source.
What does "supplement, not replace" mean in practical terms?
It means Section 10 funding should be used to enhance or expand hunter education and range-related efforts (for example, modernization, expanded offerings, increased reach, or added infrastructure) rather than paying for costs that would otherwise be covered by existing Section 4(c) Hunter Education funds.
What kinds of programs can Section 10 funds support?
States may use apportioned Section 10 funds to enhance hunter education, hunter development, and firearm and archery safety programs; improve coordination across state lines for hunter education and shooting range programs; expand education, safety, or development programs focused on bowhunters and archers; and support construction, development, and safety updates for firearm and archery ranges.
What is meant by "hunter development" under this program?
Hunter development is specifically described as efforts that introduce new participants and recruit individuals into hunting, bowhunting, target shooting, or archery.
Can the grant be used to improve coordination across state lines?
Yes. One eligible use is improving coordination across state lines for hunter education and shooting range programs, which can support standardization, sharing best practices, and multi-state initiatives.
Does the program support bowhunter- and archer-specific initiatives?
Yes. The program includes expanding education, safety, or development programs focused specifically on bowhunters and archers.
Can Section 10 funds be used for shooting range construction or improvement?
Yes. Section 10 supports construction and development of firearm and archery ranges, as well as updates to range safety features. It can also fund improvements to instructional facilities such as classrooms, ranges, and support buildings needed to deliver training effectively.
What are examples of eligible hunter education activities?
Examples include training that builds safe and proficient use of hunting equipment, teaches hunter responsibility, covers principles of wildlife management, improves wildlife identification skills, and reinforces safe firearms handling.
Can funding be used for facilities beyond the range itself?
Yes. Examples of eligible uses include constructing or improving instructional facilities such as classrooms, shooting ranges, and other support buildings needed to deliver training effectively.
Is data collection or program evaluation an eligible use of funds?
Yes. States can use the program to gather and analyze information needed to develop, implement, and evaluate hunter education and safety grants, supporting evidence-based improvements over time.
Is trapper education allowed under this program?
Trapper education is included when it is tied to safety, responsibility, humane trapping methods, avoiding non-target species, and building practical trapping skills.
Can Section 10 funds be used for outreach or communications?
Yes. The program allows communication and outreach efforts that share information about WSFR-funded hunter education and recreational shooting sports activities to increase awareness and participation while reinforcing safety messages.
What is the award ceiling listed in the specific opportunity record?
The posting lists an award ceiling of $200,000.
What was the original closing date listed for the opportunity record?
The original closing date listed is August 31, 2017.
What is the overall goal of the program as described in the record?
The overall goal is to strengthen and modernize hunter and bowhunter education and safety, support recruitment and development of new participants, and improve or expand safe firearm and archery range infrastructure through targeted supplemental funding.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F17AS00047) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY17 Region 7 Section 10 Hunter Education Grant Program - Open to State Fish and Game agencies only Apply for F17AS00075 Funding Number: F17AS00075 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $85,000 |
| R3 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY) Apply for F17AS00095 Funding Number: F17AS00095 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| R8 (CA/NV) Wildlife Restoration Grant Program for State Fish and Game Agencies Apply for F16AS00077 Funding Number: F16AS00077 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| R3 WR Hunter Ed Section 10 (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY) Apply for F16AS00076 Funding Number: F16AS00076 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| R8 (CA/NV) Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program for State Fish and Game Agencies Apply for F16AS00078 Funding Number: F16AS00078 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| R8 (CA/NV) Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program for State Fish and Game Agencies Apply for F16AS00080 Funding Number: F16AS00080 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| R6 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program TO STATE FISH & GAME AGENCIES ONLY Apply for F16AS00057 Funding Number: F16AS00057 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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