Legislation safeguarding hunting education in schools signed into law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 6, 2023 – President Biden has signed into law a bipartisan bill that safeguards funding eligibility for hunter safety, archery education and wilderness programs in our schools. Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act (H.R. 5110) by a margin of 424-1. The Senate passed it unanimously the following day.

The legislation comes in response to the Administration’s interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), signed into law in 2022, which had the unintended consequence of limiting funding opportunities for outdoor and hunting education programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). 

In August, Ducks Unlimited joined many partners in the sporting community – including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Safari Club International, and more – in sending a letter to Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, urging the Department to revise its interpretation of the law. H.R. 5110 effectively fixes this problem by ensuring these critical education programs continue to receive funding under ESEA.

"Today’s students are tomorrow’s conservationists," said DU CEO Adam Putnam. "The opportunity to learn about hunting and the outdoors is foundational to a well-rounded education. Programs that teach courses on wilderness, archery, shooting, and hunter education offer important exposure to our cherished sporting heritage and help preserve it for the next generation. We appreciate Congress for acting in bipartisan fashion to preserve funding for these important school programs."

H.R. 5110 was championed in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mark Green (TN) and Rep. Richard Hudson (NC).

For more information, visit www.ducks.org, and be sure to Follow DU’s Twitter feed – @DucksUnlimited and @DUConserve – to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands, and other waterfowl habitat. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 16 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent capital campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
 

Media Contact:
Parker Williams
(202) 621-1646
pwilliams@ducks.org