What is Field to Fork (F2F) and why is QDMA involved?
Why:
What is F2F:
F2F is a program where our Branches and volunteers recruit adults who want to learn how to hunt. The mentees are then brought through deer hunting 101 classes, basic conservation classes, hunter education, range time followed by one on one mentored hunts. While each program across the United States is slightly different this model has been successfully replicated across the country.
Mike Edwards, our Regional Director has been involved with mentoring a new hunter the past 3 years successfully helping each to harvest their first deer Mike has said “Being a part of my mentees first deer brought back the excitement and emotion of my very first deer 31 years ago. Truly my best hunts were their first.”
Why:
- The United States lost 2.25 Million hunters in the last few years
- Only around 4 % of the United States population hunts
- About 79% of the United States population supports legal, ethical hunting for food
- The average age of a hunter in the United State is in their mid-fifties, we are aging out
- For every hunter we lose, we lose a voice, a license sale, conservation funds, habitat and game population control.
- Research has shown the best way to recruit new hunters is through adult centered programs
- Hunting is an overwhelming task without a mentor. Think about the process, no coach, no program, no assistance. Just getting out to hunt is a huge task, now harvest a 110-180 pound deer the tasks ahead has just increased ten-fold
- Simply we have to; if hunter numbers continue to decline the anti-hunters win, habitat will decline, game populations will not be managed, disease and other game related issues such as car vs deer crashes will increase.
What is F2F:
F2F is a program where our Branches and volunteers recruit adults who want to learn how to hunt. The mentees are then brought through deer hunting 101 classes, basic conservation classes, hunter education, range time followed by one on one mentored hunts. While each program across the United States is slightly different this model has been successfully replicated across the country.
Mike Edwards, our Regional Director has been involved with mentoring a new hunter the past 3 years successfully helping each to harvest their first deer Mike has said “Being a part of my mentees first deer brought back the excitement and emotion of my very first deer 31 years ago. Truly my best hunts were their first.”
QDMA Regional Director Mike Edwards and F2F mentee Tanya Zwahlen (2018)
When & Where:
The Greater Rochester S. Tier Branch started the program in New York in 2018 under the leadership of Branch President Bob Rose.
In 2019 the Upper Hudson River Valley Branch joined in the program bringing Two sites to New York State.
The 2019 Collective F2F program in NY won the National 2019 QDMA Event of the Year award.
For 2020 we hope to expand the program in New York.
Here are some pictures of the the Rochester Branch and Upper Hudson River Valley Branch Field to Fork Events
The Greater Rochester S. Tier Branch started the program in New York in 2018 under the leadership of Branch President Bob Rose.
In 2019 the Upper Hudson River Valley Branch joined in the program bringing Two sites to New York State.
The 2019 Collective F2F program in NY won the National 2019 QDMA Event of the Year award.
For 2020 we hope to expand the program in New York.
Here are some pictures of the the Rochester Branch and Upper Hudson River Valley Branch Field to Fork Events
To learn more about Field to Fork across the country and our National efforts please use this link: