Opportunity Information: Apply for F12AS00028

  • The Fish and Wildlife Service in the education natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Region 7 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program" 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 Feb 22, 2012 and posted on Feb 22, 2012.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Eligible applicants include: State governments.
Apply for F12AS00028

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Opportunity Summary:

The Region 7 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00028) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.626, Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program. It is designed to help state governments strengthen and expand hunter education and safety efforts, with a particular emphasis on firearm and archery safety, hunter development, and the supporting infrastructure needed to deliver effective instruction. The opportunity was posted on February 22, 2012, and had an application closing date of August 31, 2012 (archived August 31, 2013). While the listing shows estimated total funding and award amounts as zero, the narrative makes clear that funds are provided to states through Section 10 apportionments, which are then used for eligible program and range-related improvements.

At its core, the grant supports states in using Section 10 funds to enhance existing hunter education and safety programs rather than replacing other dedicated hunter education funding. The announcement specifically notes that Section 10 funds are meant to supplement, not supplant, Section 4(c) Hunter Education funds. In practice, that means a state should frame proposed projects as additive improvements such as expanding capacity, modernizing safety elements, reaching new participants, or strengthening multi-state collaboration, instead of shifting routine or already-funded hunter education costs onto this funding stream.

The scope of allowable activities is broad and covers both program delivery and physical improvements that support safe shooting and archery participation. One major focus area is enhancing hunter education, hunter development, and firearm and archery safety programs. Hunter development is described as introducing individuals to, and recruiting them into, hunting, bow hunting, target shooting, or archery. This can include outreach and introductory experiences that lower barriers for beginners, along with structured learning that promotes safe practices and responsible participation. The grant also encourages interstate coordination, meaning states can use funds to work across borders on hunter education or on firearm and archery range programs, which can help standardize safety approaches, share curricula, and coordinate training opportunities where regions overlap.

Another key emphasis is on bow hunter and archer education, safety, and development. This recognizes that archery participation has its own equipment, skills, and safety considerations, and it supports targeted programming that improves competence and reduces risk for bow hunters and recreational archers. Alongside programmatic work, the opportunity explicitly supports the construction and development of firearm and archery ranges, as well as updates to existing range safety features. This can include improvements that make ranges safer and more functional for training and public use, and it signals that facility-based investments are an intended and eligible use of funds when they directly support education and safe shooting sports.

The announcement provides examples of eligible activities that illustrate how states can put these funds to work. Eligible training activities include instruction in the safe and proficient use of hunting equipment, hunter responsibility and ethics, principles of wildlife management, wildlife identification, and safe firearms handling. On the infrastructure side, states may construct or improve facilities needed for instruction, including classrooms, shooting ranges, and other support facilities that enable organized education and skills development. The program also allows for gathering information to help develop, implement, and evaluate hunter education and safety grants, which can include needs assessments, participation tracking, program evaluation, and other data-driven efforts that strengthen program outcomes over time.

In addition, the opportunity recognizes trapper education as an eligible area when it relates to safety, responsibility, humane trapping methods, avoiding non-target species, and building trapping skills and knowledge. Finally, it includes communication and outreach about Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) grant-funded hunter education and recreational shooting sports activities, supporting the public information side of program delivery, such as explaining available classes, promoting safe participation, and sharing results and opportunities with communities.

Eligibility is limited to state governments, aligning with the program structure of Section 10 apportionments and statewide responsibility for hunter education systems. The funding instrument is a grant, and the listing indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. For further details or access issues with the full announcement, the listed contact is Tarajoy Mihan at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (907-786-3698, tarajoymihan@fws.gov), with the general additional information link pointing to Grants.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Region 7 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program?

It is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. FWS) under CFDA 15.626, Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program. The program is intended to help state governments strengthen and expand hunter education and safety efforts, with an emphasis on firearm and archery safety, hunter development, and the supporting infrastructure needed to deliver effective instruction.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F12AS00028.

Who administers this grant opportunity?

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

What CFDA program is this associated with?

This opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.626, Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to state governments.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on February 22, 2012, and the application closing date was August 31, 2012. The listing indicates it was archived on August 31, 2013.

Does the listing show available funding amounts?

The listing shows estimated total funding and award amounts as zero. However, the narrative explains that funds are provided to states through Section 10 apportionments, which are then used for eligible program and range-related improvements.

How is funding provided under this program?

Funding is provided to states through Section 10 apportionments and then used for eligible hunter education, safety, and range-related improvements described in the announcement.

What is the main purpose of the grant?

The grant supports states in enhancing existing hunter education and safety programs, including firearm and archery safety, hunter development, and the infrastructure needed to deliver instruction effectively.

Are states expected to use these funds to replace other hunter education funding?

No. The announcement states that Section 10 funds are meant to supplement, not supplant, Section 4(c) Hunter Education funds. Projects should be framed as additive improvements rather than shifting routine or already-funded hunter education costs onto this funding stream.

What kinds of projects fit the idea of "supplement, not supplant" in this announcement?

Based on the announcement language, states should propose improvements that expand capacity, modernize safety elements, reach new participants, or strengthen multi-state collaboration, rather than replacing existing dedicated hunter education funding.

What program areas can be supported?

The scope is broad and includes enhancing hunter education, hunter development, and firearm and archery safety programs, as well as supporting infrastructure such as classrooms and ranges used for instruction and safe participation.

What does "hunter development" mean in this funding opportunity?

Hunter development is described as introducing individuals to, and recruiting them into, hunting, bow hunting, target shooting, or archery. It can include outreach and introductory experiences for beginners and structured learning that promotes safe practices and responsible participation.

Does the opportunity support coordination between states?

Yes. The grant encourages interstate coordination, allowing states to work across borders on hunter education or firearm and archery range programs to help standardize safety approaches, share curricula, and coordinate training opportunities.

Is bow hunter and archer education specifically supported?

Yes. The opportunity specifically emphasizes bow hunter and archer education, safety, and development, recognizing that archery has distinct equipment, skills, and safety considerations.

Can grant funds be used for firearm and archery ranges?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly supports the construction and development of firearm and archery ranges, as well as updates to existing range safety features, when these improvements support education and safe participation.

What kinds of facility or infrastructure costs are described as eligible?

Examples include constructing or improving facilities needed for instruction such as classrooms, shooting ranges, and other support facilities that enable organized education and skills development.

What training topics are listed as eligible activities?

Eligible training activities listed include instruction in the safe and proficient use of hunting equipment, hunter responsibility and ethics, principles of wildlife management, wildlife identification, and safe firearms handling.

Can funds be used to collect information or evaluate programs?

Yes. The program allows gathering information to help develop, implement, and evaluate hunter education and safety grants, which can include needs assessments, participation tracking, program evaluation, and other data-driven efforts.

Is trapper education eligible under this opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity recognizes trapper education as an eligible area when it relates to safety, responsibility, humane trapping methods, avoiding non-target species, and building trapping skills and knowledge.

Does the opportunity allow outreach or communications activities?

Yes. It includes communication and outreach about WSFR grant-funded hunter education and recreational shooting sports activities, supporting public information such as explaining available classes, promoting safe participation, and sharing results and opportunities with communities.

Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

The listing indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.

Where can applicants find more information or access the full announcement?

The general additional information link points to Grants.gov, and the announcement provides a contact for further details or access issues.

Who is the contact person listed for this opportunity?

The listed contact is Tarajoy Mihan at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Phone: 907-786-3698. Email: tarajoymihan@fws.gov.

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