Opportunity Information: Apply for F16AS00056
The Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the broader framework of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. The original Pittman-Robertson Act, passed in 1937 and implemented in 1938, was designed to support core wildlife conservation work nationwide by funding the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat, along with wildlife management research and the distribution of information produced through those projects. Over time, Congress expanded the Act to respond to changing needs in conservation and outdoor recreation, recognizing that sustaining hunting as a safe, responsible activity is closely tied to long-term wildlife management and public support for conservation.
A major expansion came in 1970, when Congress amended the Act to allow funding not only for wildlife restoration but also for hunter safety programs and the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. This reflected a growing emphasis on safety training and structured shooting facilities as practical tools to reduce accidents, improve hunter competency, and provide safer places for the public to practice. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Congress and stakeholders argued that states needed a stronger, more consistent level of investment in hunter education and shooting range development to meet modern demands. Sportsmen's organizations and the Congressional Resource Committee expressed concern that some states were not fully using available allotments or were not maintaining steady effort to support the future of hunting and safe participation.
In response, Congress passed the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, which created the Firearm and Bowhunter Education and Safety Program, commonly referred to as Section 10. The purpose of Section 10 funding is to enhance existing hunter education and/or shooting range programs rather than simply maintain them at the status quo. To make that possible, Congress set aside dedicated amounts specifically for this program: $7.5 million in 2001 and 2002, and $8 million each year thereafter. In practical terms, the program is meant to strengthen the quality, reach, and effectiveness of state-run hunter education efforts and to support the development and upkeep of safe, well-managed firearm and archery ranges that serve the public.
Based on the posted opportunity details, this grant is categorized under Environment and Natural Resources, uses a grant funding instrument, and is limited to eligible applicants from state governments. It is listed under CFDA 15.626 and was published by the Fish and Wildlife Service as Funding Opportunity Number F16AS00056, with an original closing date of August 31, 2016. The notice lists an award ceiling of $0, which typically indicates that awards vary by formula, allocation, or program-specific determinations rather than a single fixed maximum amount stated in the opportunity summary. Overall, the grant exists to ensure states have dedicated support to improve hunter and bowhunter safety education and to expand or strengthen shooting range infrastructure, reinforcing safe hunting practices and responsible participation that ultimately supports long-term wildlife restoration goals.Apply for F16AS00056
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.626.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2015-12-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-08-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (CFDA 15.626) - FAQs
What is the Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program?
The Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports state efforts to improve hunter and bowhunter safety education and to develop, operate, maintain, or strengthen firearm and archery ranges for public use.
What law authorizes or supports this grant program?
This opportunity sits under the broader framework of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. The program is also tied to later expansions of the Act, including amendments that allowed support for hunter safety and shooting ranges, and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, which created the Firearm and Bowhunter Education and Safety Program (often referred to as Section 10).
What is the purpose of Section 10 (Firearm and Bowhunter Education and Safety Program) funding?
Section 10 funding is intended to enhance existing state hunter education and/or shooting range programs rather than simply maintain them at current levels. The emphasis is on improving the quality, reach, and effectiveness of hunter and bowhunter education and strengthening safe, well-managed range infrastructure.
Why was this program created (what need does it address)?
Congress expanded Pittman-Robertson over time to address changing conservation and outdoor recreation needs. A key motivation for Section 10 was concern that states needed a stronger and more consistent level of investment in hunter education and shooting range development to meet modern demands, promote safe participation, and support the long-term future of hunting as a responsible activity linked to wildlife management and conservation.
What kinds of activities does the program support?
Based on the opportunity description, support is aimed at: (1) improving hunter and bowhunter safety education programs operated by states, and (2) developing, operating, maintaining, or strengthening firearm and archery ranges that serve the public, with the broader goal of reinforcing safe hunting practices and responsible participation.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The posted opportunity indicates that the funding instrument is a grant.
What is the program area or category for this opportunity?
The grant is categorized under Environment and Natural Resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments, according to the posted opportunity details.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The program is listed under CFDA 15.626.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The notice identifies the opportunity as Funding Opportunity Number F16AS00056.
When was the original closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed in the notice is August 31, 2016.
How much funding is available each year for Section 10?
The program description states that Congress set aside dedicated amounts for Section 10: $7.5 million in 2001 and 2002, and $8 million each year thereafter.
Is there a maximum (ceiling) award amount for this opportunity?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $0. This typically indicates awards are not governed by a single fixed maximum in the summary and instead may vary based on formula, allocation, or other program-specific determinations referenced by the program.
How does this program connect to wildlife restoration and conservation goals?
The program is framed as supporting safe, responsible hunting and access to structured shooting facilities, which helps reduce accidents, improve hunter competency, and reinforce public support for conservation. These outcomes are described as closely tied to long-term wildlife management and the wildlife restoration goals of the Pittman-Robertson Act.
What was the significance of the 1970 amendment mentioned in the description?
The description notes that a major expansion occurred in 1970, when Congress amended the Pittman-Robertson Act to allow funding not only for wildlife restoration but also for hunter safety programs and for the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges.
What does it mean that this is described as a discretionary grant opportunity?
In the posted description, the program is labeled as a discretionary grant opportunity. The provided summary does not define the term further, but it indicates the opportunity is administered as a grant program by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is limited to eligible state government applicants.
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