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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the R8 (CA/NV) 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 the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. The program supports hunter safety and education efforts and related shooting range activities for state fish and game agencies in Region 8 (California and Nevada).

Which federal law authorizes this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is authorized under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937), with later amendments and updates that expanded allowable activities to include hunter safety and shooting range support.

How did hunter safety and shooting ranges become part of Pittman-Robertson funding?

The opportunity description highlights a 1970 amendment to the Pittman-Robertson Act that explicitly added support for hunter safety programs and for the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. The framing is that conservation outcomes and responsible hunting depend on well-trained hunters and safe places to practice.

What is "Section 10" in the context of this program?

"Section 10" refers to the Firearm and Bowhunter Education and Safety Program created by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. The purpose is to enhance and strengthen existing hunter education and shooting range efforts, rather than replace them.

What is the purpose of the Firearm and Bowhunter Education and Safety Program (Section 10)?

Based on the description provided, Section 10 is intended to improve safety education for firearm and archery hunters and to support the infrastructure and capacity that make safe training and practice possible, including activities connected to shooting ranges.

Does this program fund wildlife habitat or research work?

The background describes Pittman-Robertson as a long-running funding mechanism that supports wildlife habitat work, wildlife management research, and information sharing. This particular opportunity focuses on the hunter safety and shooting range side of those expanded purposes (as described through later amendments).

Is this a discretionary competitive grant or a mandatory grant?

This opportunity is listed as mandatory. That indicates it is tied to an established federal assistance program rather than a one-time discretionary competition.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this posting?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F15AS00093.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are state governments, specifically state fish and game agencies in the Region 8 footprint: California and Nevada.

Which states are included in Region 8 for this opportunity?

The Region 8 footprint for this posting includes California and Nevada.

What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number and title for this program?

The listing is CFDA 15.626, titled Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program.

What activity categories are associated with this opportunity?

The activity categories listed are Education and Natural Resources.

What type of award instrument is used?

The grant instrument type is a grant.

Is there a cost share or matching requirement?

The notice indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this posting.

When was this opportunity posted and created?

The opportunity was posted and created on February 5, 2015.

What was the application closing date?

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

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date is November 1, 2015.

How much funding is available under this specific listing?

The fields for estimated total funding and award floor/ceiling are shown as 0 in the source data provided. This typically means those dollar amounts were not populated in the listing itself (not necessarily that funding did not exist). Applicants would generally rely on the full announcement and apportionment details for the actual allocation approach.

Does the program have any historical funding set-asides described?

Yes. The description notes that Section 10 set aside $7.5 million in FY 2001 and FY 2002, and $8 million each year thereafter, specifically to bolster hunter education and range-related programs.

Where can applicants find the full announcement materials?

The listing points users to Grants.gov for additional information and access to the full announcement materials.

Who is the contact person for help with this opportunity?

The contact listed is Tracey Vriens, Grants Fiscal Officer.

How can someone contact the listed grants official?

Tracey Vriens can be reached by phone at 916-414-6525 or by email at TraceyVriens@fws.gov.

Which federal agency administers this grant?

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

What is the main idea behind adding hunter education and ranges to conservation funding?

The description frames it as a practical, field-driven need: conservation and responsible hunting depend not only on habitat and research, but also on well-trained hunters and safe public shooting opportunities. As participation, equipment, land access, and public expectations changed, Congress identified a need for dedicated resources to keep hunter education and range programs modern and effective.