Empowering Wildlife Councils
Wildlife Council Best Practices
The Nimrod Society and its partners have developed a 10-page Best Practices manual for prospective or current council members. This document is meant to help guide council members through their roles as Wildlife Council members.
- What is a Wildlife Council?
- How is a Wildlife Council Established?
- How does the State Wildlife Agency interact with the council?
- Council member expectations
- How to select and engage a third-party marketing firm
Wildlife councils are charged with promoting the positive aspects of hunting and fishing to the general public through accurate and factual education and marketing campaigns.
Key Best Practices
Legislatively Established
Wildlife Councils are created and funded through legislation. The Nimrod Society helps advocates navigate the legislative process.
Creating a community of advocates will help better show the Council’s potential relevance to lawmakers.
Stakeholder Engagement
Hunting, fishing, conservation and shooting clubs can be reliable grassroots allies when establishing a Wildlife Council.
Agency Engagement
State wildlife agency engagement and support is critical. Helping wildlife managers understand how Wildlife Councils add value us an important step in the process.
Council Members
Wildlife Councils members are hunters, anglers, marketing professionals or business owners impacted by the hunting and and fishing industry.
The legislation establishing councils prescribes criteria for each seat on the Council. This includes hunters, anglers, business owners impacted by the hunting and fishing industry, and marketing professionals.
Hunters & Anglers
Hunters should consider volunteering their time to serve on Wildlife Councils if they are passionate about education of the general public. Legislation prescribes criteria such as license purchase history, conservation organization affiliation, etc.
Business Owners
Business owners impacted by the hunting and fishing industries are perfect candidates for the Wildlife Council members. The economic understanding a business owner brings is valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your role as a council member.
What is considered success for a Wildlife Council?
Success of a Wildlife Council depends on the general public’s perceptions and actions in regards to wildlife management, hunting and fishing. Success means the public understands the role hunting and fishing plays in conservation.
What is the primary role of a council member?
A Wildlife Council member’s primary role is to advocate hire, oversee and guide a third-party marketing firm charged with educating the general public about the positive benefits of hunters and anglers.
What resources are available to help me in my role?
The Nimrod Society and its partners provide various resources including training materials, best practices guides and access to experienced mentors to support you in your role.
What should I do if I encounter a conflict of interest?
If you encounter a conflict of interest, it is important to disclose it to the council immediately and recuse yourself from related discussions and decisions.
How often are Wildlife Council meetings held?
Meeting frequency varies. Michigan currently meets quarterly, while Colorado meets monthly. The calendar will be set in legislation, and council members are expected to understand the time commitment before committing to serve.
How can I stay informed about the latest conservation issues?
Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter, attending workshops and participating in webinars hosted by conservation experts.