The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Forever Wild Families is a recipient of a $3,000 grant award from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) for Hunting Heritage  and Conservation Outreach. The award was used to purchase 19 Ruger American rifles for the program.

“The availability of high-quality equipment through the RMEF grant is a big contributor to the success of this recruitment program. We greatly appreciate RMEF’s donation and support of our efforts to educate and recruit new sportsmen and sportswomen. Passing on the hunting heritage benefits all wildlife management,” said Renny MacKay, Game and Fish Communications Director.

Forever Wild Families is an education program that provides a safe environment and patient mentors for those with little to no previous hunting or fishing experience. The program harnesses the power of family and community to develop new hunters and anglers. The goal of Forever Wild Families is to create lifelong anglers and hunters. Participants have gone on to understand and support the work of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and partner organizations, such as RMEF.

The Forever Wild Families program started in the spring of 2012 in the Lander area, expanding to the Cody area in 2013 and to the Laramie/Cheyenne area in 2014. About 40 families, totaling 174 individuals from Cheyenne, Cody, Lander, Laramie, Powell and Riverton, have participated in the program. Approximately 80% of program participants continue to purchase hunting and/or fishing licenses after completing one year in the program.