NRA Foundation supports Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program with in-kind grant

Students in Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program benefitted from mixed-gauge ammunition donated by the NRA.

By Margaret Miller

An in-kind grant of mixed gauge ammunition will benefit students in Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program at Texas Tech University, Abilene Christian University, Tarleton State University, and West Texas A&M University this fall.

“All UHP students attend a shooting skills day where they’re able to learn hands-on firearm safety and practice clay shooting,” said Aidan Flores, Delta’s R3 coordinator for New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. “The students can practice until they feel safe, comfortable, and confident before going on their first waterfowl hunt. We’re grateful for the support of the NRA Foundation and this in-kind gift which will help give students the shooting experience they need.”

UHP was launched in 2017 with the dual purpose of educating the increasing numbers of wildlife-management students from non-hunting backgrounds and recruiting new hunters through a hands-on waterfowl hunting experience.

“In their future careers, these students will allocate money from hunting licenses and permit sales to manage waterfowl, wildlife, and habitat,” said Joel Brice, Delta’s chief conservation officer. “Understanding how conservation is fueled by hunters will give these students the power to make decisions that benefit those who are helping to fund it.”

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation “supports freedom, family, and the future of the shooting sports.” NRA Foundation grants promote, advance and encourage firearms, shooting sports and hunting safety, educate individuals with respect to firearms, firearms history, participation in the shooting sports, hunting safety, and marksmanship, and conduct research in furtherance of improved firearms safety and marksmanship facilities and techniques. For more information, visit nrafoundation.org.

Delta is currently delivering UHP in 100 universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at deltawaterfowl.org/deltas-university-hunting-program.

A student in Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program practices shooting skills at a course, using donated shells from the NRA.