Hunting

Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant Program

Created in 2007, the Local Sportsmen’s Group (LSG) grant is to help local sportsmen’s groups fund projects that promote wildlife conservation through hunter, angler, shooter and trapper recruitment and retention through a competitive application process each year.

AZGFD continues to evolve this grant program for the best results by incorporating the latest national science in Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3), Adoption Sequence, partnership building, and through review and evaluation.

Key elements related to R3 are: right audience, progressive events, providing continued engagement / support, partnership models, collecting customer data, evaluation and improvement.

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for the Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general funds and operates on a user-pay, public-benefit model.

The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona and funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, permit-tags and stamps.

How much grant funding is available?

The Arizona Legislature and the Arizona Game and Fish Commission determine how much money is available each year, typically, $75,000 is available each Fiscal Year (July 1 – June 30).

Applicants may apply for single or multiple grants; more than one grant may be awarded to the same group (must be stand-alone projects). The Arizona Game and Fish Department may partially fund project(s) at its discretion.

Frequency

The grant is an annual program. It typically coincides with the State’s new Fiscal Year, which begins July 1. When that grant cycle opens, it will post announced on the Department’s website and the application will become available. Application window is a minimum of six weeks.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Local Sportsmen’s Group Grants applicants must meet the following requirements. Applications that do not meet these criteria will be rejected.

• Be a not-for-profit, non-commercial, local, Arizona-based, or Arizona-chapter of national sportsmen’s / outdoor development group / organizations
• The project must meet the current Funding Window
• The project must be related to hunter, angler, shooter, trapper, recruitment, retention, reactivation – and specifically related to the annual Funding Window
• The project must be conducted in Arizona and open to Arizona’s public
• The project must register participants using the Department’s free online registration system

• The project must collect survey information using the Department’s online survey tool
• The project must be completed before before June 30 of the fiscal funding year
• The applicant must register in ProcureAZ at https://procure.az.gov or call (602) 542-7600
• The applicant must obtain, and submit a certificate of general liability insurance coverage including sexual abuse and molestation insurance (S.A.M.I.) to the Department prior to signing the grant agreement to receive funding

What types of projects are eligible to receive grant funds?

The project must be related to hunter, angler, shooter, trapper, recruitment, retention, and / or reactivation. Specific Funding Window Focus priorities can change from year to year depending on objectives and priorities for the program and will be outlined in the annual application packet.

Grant dollars cannot be used for activities such as group banquets, raffle prizes, hunting competitions, for-profit projects, or for the purchase of hunting or fishing licenses, tags or stamps. Capital equipment investments and pilot educational projects are typically not funded.

How are grant awards determined?

Grant applications are scored by a panel of at least three department employees according to how well the proposed project meets the funding window priority and scoring criteria, which are listed in the grant application packet. The Arizona Game and Fish Department Director will approve final awards.

More information

Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant Administrator
Douglas A. Burt
dburt@azgfd.gov, 623-236-7487

Applicants Read and Recorded List for the Current Grant Cycle

The FY2021 Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant Program ($75,000) opened on May 5, 2020 and closed June 21, 2020 (6 weeks and 5 days) The list of applicants that submitted this cycle are noted and recorded below.

Summary
● 26 submissions
● 25 valid, 1 did not meet funding window criteria
● 18 unique organizations
● $117,150 requested
● Estimated reach: 2,223 participants; 6,190 attendees

Applicants
1. Anglers United Inc
2. Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped
3. Arizona Chapter of Safari Club International
4. Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited
5. Arizona Deer Association
6. Arizona Elk Society
7. Arizona Mule Deer Organization (6)
8. Arizona Outdoor Women
9. Arizona Predator Callers
10. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
11. Ben Avery Clay Busters
12. Christian Hunters of America
13. Ducks Unlimited Sierra Vista Chapter
14. Friends of Cibola NWR
15. Phoenix Varmint Callers, Inc.
16. Southwest Bowhunters
17. Southwest Wildlife Foundation
18. Youth Outdoors Unlimited (4)

All applications were evaluated by a 3-person panel according to the funding focus and scoring criteria outlined in the application. Awards will be distributed based on ranking and approval by the Director.

Next year’s grant cycle is expected to open in May 2021. Details will be posted here.

Hunter or Angler Development and Retention through Progressive Skills Programs

The Local Sportsmen’s Group grants program places a high priority on projects that involve the pursuit or harvest of fish or wildlife with a valid license (and necessary hunt permit-tag) and are geared toward participants who have the appropriate experience and skill levels relevant to a particular project.

Hunting and Angling Heritage Workgroup

Groups that apply for the Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant Program are encouraged to join the Hunting and Angling Heritage Workgroup (HAHWG). The HAHWG (pronounced hog), is an alliance of leaders of industry, conservation groups, youth groups, and wildlife management professionals to synergistically preserve the hunting and angling tradition. The HAHWG’s primary program for improving hunting / angling participation rates is through hands-on, introductory, mentored events. The group meets bi-annually and focuses on coordination, cooperation and communication for a common effort. More information

Outdoor Skill Network Event Calendar

If you’re interesting in events provided by the Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant program and other efforts/ partners who teach how to learn how to hunt, fish, trap and shoot, visit outdoor skills camps, and find an event using the “Outdoor Skills Events” calendar.

Other Grants

Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation/ Wildlife Conservation Committee: The Wildlife Conservation Fund from the conservation license plate program is a grant program open to 501c3 organization for the purpose of habitat projects deemed beneficial for all species of wildlife in Arizona, wildlife conservation education, and/or hunter/ angler recruitment activities. Application and past projects