Bridging the Gap:
How Dealers Can Help Pass It On to the Next Generation
A guided dove hunt could be the perfect first step to introduce the younger generation to hunting.
Image courtesy: Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors Inc.
If you’re like most outdoor professionals, you’re not just in the shooting industry to sell gear; you’re here to ensure that the traditions we all love — the crisp mornings in a tree stand and the camaraderie of the range — don’t become a thing of the past.
The reality of shooting sports are changing. According to recent US Fish and Wildlife surveys, there are now more hunters over the age of 65 than there are between the ages of 6 and 17. In fact, youth participation has plummeted by 50% over the last 50 years. As the “baby boomer” generation begins to phase out of the woods, they aren’t being replaced fast enough to sustain our outdoor heritage.
There is hope thanks to the incredible work of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors.
Image courtesy: Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors Inc.
Breaking the Barriers to Entry
Imagine being 11 years old. You’ve studied hard, passed your Hunter Education course, and you’re vibrating with excitement for your first hunt. But there’s a catch: you don’t have a place to go, your parents don’t hunt, and you don’t have a mentor to show you the ropes.
For many city-dwelling or non-traditional families, these hurdles are insurmountable. Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors is changing that narrative across the Midwest.
“By using outdoor experiences as a platform to mentor young people of diverse backgrounds, we are making a generational impact through the outdoors and passing along our outdoor heritage.”
— Pass It On Mission Statement
Image courtesy: Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors Inc.
What Makes Them Different?
Unlike many “one-and-done” youth days, this 501(c)3 non-profit focuses on continued engagement. Their unique model includes:
Dedicated Program Coordinators: Professionals who handle the logistics, so the focus stays on the experience.
Targeted Demographic: Focusing on youth ages 11+ who have already completed Hunter Education.
Total Accessibility: All events are 100% FREE for participants.
Comprehensive Scope: They coordinate access and mentors for hunting, fishing, and shooting sports.
Founded in 2002, the organization has already scaled across Kansas, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with an ambitious goal to serve 100,000 young people by 2033.
Image courtesy: Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors Inc.
How You Can Make a Difference
The future of the shooting sports and conservation depends on the “generational impact” people make today. Whether you are a firearms retailer, veteran hunter with years of wisdom, a landowner with a few acres to share, or someone who just wants to pass your love of the shooting sports on to the next generation, there is a place for you in this mission.
Way to Help ———— What It Involves
Become a Mentor — Share your passion and skills with a vetted, eager young person.
Provide Access — Open your land for a coordinated, supervised youth hunt.
Sign Up a Youth — If you know a child interested in the outdoors, get them involved!
Creating big smiles and great memories are just the beginning of instilling life-long participation
in shooting sports. Image courtesy: Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors Inc.
The Bottom Line
The best way to preserve shooting sports heritage is to share it. Encourage your team and customers to look into the work Pass It On is doing and consider how you can help bridge the gap for the next generation of outdoorsmen and women.
Ready to get involved? Visit their website to find an event near you or to learn how to become a certified mentor. Make sure the next generation doesn’t just dream about the outdoors — help make sure they live it.
For more information visit: Pass It On! Outdoor Mentors.
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