Opportunity Information: Apply for F15AS00040

  • The Fish and Wildlife Service in the education natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "R6 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program TO STATE FG AGENCIES ONLY" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.626 Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Dec 8, 2014 and posted on Dec 8, 2014.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Eligible applicants include: State governments.
Apply for F15AS00040

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Opportunity Summary:

The R6 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (Funding Opportunity Number F15AS00040) is a mandatory federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.626, Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program. It is limited to state governments, specifically state fish and game agencies, and it requires cost sharing or matching. The program uses funds apportioned to states under "Section 10" to strengthen and expand hunter education and safety efforts, with a clear expectation that these funds add to existing support rather than replace other dedicated hunter education funding. In other words, Section 10 dollars are intended to supplement, not supplant, Section 4(c) Hunter Education funds, so states can broaden their reach and improve program quality beyond what their baseline hunter education allocations can cover.

At its core, the grant supports work that improves public safety, responsible participation, and long-term engagement in hunting and shooting sports, including both firearms and archery. States can use their apportioned funds to enhance traditional hunter education programs, expand hunter development efforts that recruit and introduce new participants to hunting, bow hunting, target shooting, or archery, and improve the overall safety culture around these activities. The opportunity also emphasizes coordination across state lines, encouraging interstate collaboration on hunter education and on firearm and archery range programs so that training approaches, safety expectations, and program delivery can be strengthened through shared practices and aligned efforts.

A major focus is also placed on ranges and training infrastructure. Eligible uses include enhancing construction and development of firearm and archery ranges and updating range safety features. This can include building or improving the physical spaces needed to deliver instruction effectively, such as classrooms, shooting ranges, and supporting facilities tied directly to education and training purposes. These investments are positioned as practical, on-the-ground improvements that enable states to deliver safer and more accessible training, accommodate more students, and modernize facilities to reduce risk and improve supervision and instruction.

The announcement provides several concrete examples of activities that can be funded. These include direct training for participants in safe and proficient handling and use of hunting equipment, instruction in hunter responsibility and ethics, education on principles of wildlife management, wildlife identification, and safe firearms handling. It also includes gathering information and data to help develop, implement, and evaluate hunter education and safety grants, which signals that planning, assessment, and performance improvement work is considered part of the program, not just field instruction. Additionally, the grant can support trapper education when it relates to safety and responsible practices, including humane trapping methods, avoiding non-target species, and developing practical trapping skills. Finally, it allows for communication and outreach about Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) grant-funded hunter education and recreational shooting sports activities, supporting the idea that public information and program awareness are important for participation, transparency, and program effectiveness.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted December 8, 2014, with an original and current closing date listed as August 31, 2015, and an archive date of November 30, 2015. While the listing shows estimated total funding and award floor/ceiling as 0, that reflects how this particular apportionment-based program is displayed rather than implying the program has no funding; allocations are apportioned to states under the authorizing section. The listed contact for access issues or questions is Maria Sanchez (303-236-8185, MariaSanchez@fws.gov), and additional details were referenced through Grants.gov.

FAQs: R6 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (F15AS00040)

What is the R6 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program?

It is a mandatory federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under CFDA 15.626, Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program. The funds are intended to strengthen and expand hunter education and safety efforts related to firearms and archery.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F15AS00040.

Which federal program listing/CFDA is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.626, Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program.

Who administers this grant?

The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Is this a competitive grant or a mandatory/apportionment-based grant?

It is described as a mandatory federal grant opportunity. Funding is apportioned to states under "Section 10," rather than awarded through a typical competitive process.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to state governments, specifically state fish and game agencies.

Does the program require cost sharing or matching?

Yes. The opportunity requires cost sharing or matching.

What is the main purpose of Section 10 funds in this program?

Section 10 dollars are intended to strengthen and expand hunter education and safety efforts, helping states broaden reach and improve program quality.

Can states use Section 10 funds to replace other hunter education funding?

No. The opportunity clearly indicates the expectation that Section 10 funds add to existing support rather than replace other dedicated hunter education funding. In other words, Section 10 dollars are meant to supplement, not supplant, Section 4(c) Hunter Education funds.

What kinds of activities can be supported with these funds?

The grant supports work that improves public safety, responsible participation, and long-term engagement in hunting and shooting sports, including firearms and archery. It can be used to enhance traditional hunter education, expand hunter development efforts, improve safety culture, and support related range and training infrastructure.

Does the program support both firearms and archery education?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes both firearm and bow (archery) hunter safety and education, and it also references programs introducing participants to bow hunting, target shooting, and archery.

Can funds be used for hunter development and recruitment activities?

Yes. States may use their apportioned funds to expand hunter development efforts that recruit and introduce new participants to hunting, bow hunting, target shooting, or archery.

Is interstate collaboration encouraged?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes coordination across state lines, encouraging interstate collaboration on hunter education and on firearm and archery range programs to strengthen training approaches, safety expectations, and program delivery through shared practices and aligned efforts.

Are shooting ranges and training infrastructure an eligible focus area?

Yes. A major focus is placed on ranges and training infrastructure, including enhancing construction and development of firearm and archery ranges and updating range safety features.

What types of facilities or infrastructure improvements are mentioned as eligible?

Examples include building or improving physical spaces needed to deliver instruction effectively, such as classrooms, shooting ranges, and supporting facilities tied directly to education and training purposes, as well as modernizing facilities to reduce risk and improve supervision and instruction.

What are examples of educational topics that can be funded?

The announcement lists examples such as training in safe and proficient handling and use of hunting equipment, instruction in hunter responsibility and ethics, education on principles of wildlife management, wildlife identification, and safe firearms handling.

Can funds be used for evaluation, planning, or data collection?

Yes. The opportunity includes gathering information and data to help develop, implement, and evaluate hunter education and safety grants, indicating that assessment and performance improvement activities are part of the program.

Is trapper education allowed under this opportunity?

Yes, when it relates to safety and responsible practices. The examples specifically include trapper education covering humane trapping methods, avoiding non-target species, and developing practical trapping skills.

Can the grant support communications and outreach?

Yes. It allows for communication and outreach about Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) grant-funded hunter education and recreational shooting sports activities, reflecting the importance of public information and program awareness.

When was this funding opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on December 8, 2014.

What is the closing date for the opportunity as listed?

The original and current closing date listed is August 31, 2015.

What is the archive date for the listing?

The archive date listed is November 30, 2015.

Why does the listing show estimated total funding and award floor/ceiling as 0?

The announcement notes that the zeros reflect how this particular apportionment-based program is displayed, rather than implying the program has no funding. Allocations are apportioned to states under the authorizing section.

Where were additional details referenced?

Additional details were referenced through Grants.gov.

Who is the listed contact for access issues or questions?

The listed contact is Maria Sanchez. Phone: 303-236-8185. Email: MariaSanchez@fws.gov.

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R6 Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program STATE FG AGENCIES ONLY Apply for F15AS00042

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Region 7 2015 Wildlife Restoration Grant Program Open to State Agency Only Apply for F15AS00060

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Region 7 2015 Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program Open to State Agency Only Apply for F15AS00061

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R8 (CA/NV) Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program for State Fish and Game Agencies Apply for F15AS00093

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Canal Classrooms Corps Teacher Program Apply for P15AS00084

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Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Apply for F15AS00217

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Kentucky Waterways Alliance Cooperative Agreement Apply for F15AS00229

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CECH Cultural Landscape Improvement Apply for P15AS00163

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