Nebraskaland

October 2021 • Nebraskaland 21 three John Deere gators from AKRS Equipment, along with other prizes from Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. The goal of both programs is for people to share their passion and bring along a new generation of hunters and anglers. "Everyone who is hunting and fishing had someone who took them out for the first time," said Douglas. "That is why I felt it was important to introduce Take 'em Hunting and Take 'em Fishing … to get people excited about taking others along and showing them how fun it can be." Douglas also has thrown his support behind efforts to offer additional outdoor skills training opportunities. After he became director in 2012, one of his first accomplishments was providing full support to the creation of the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. "He took a realistic look at what was needed in Lincoln for shooting sports and educational facilities," said Rawlinson, "and moved it to the front of the line for construction." Since its 2014 opening, the Education Center has hosted thousands of sports teams and participants from across the region, outdoor enthusiasts honing their archery and firearm skills on the indoor and outdoor ranges. Other educational shooting parks have been constructed across the state under Douglas' leadership, including at Platte River State Park, Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Chadron State Park. As part of the Nebraska Shooting Range Plan, developed by Douglas and his team, the Killdeer Wildlife Management Area Sight-in Range and Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area archery ranges were created. The Commission also is in the process of developing plans for a shooting range at Cedar Valley Wildlife Management Area near North Platte and at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Recreation Area. Once participants are introduced to shooting, Douglas has sought ways to keep them afield through programs and information on places to hunt and fish. The Next Steps mentoring program, a collaboration with Pheasants Forever, is one of those. This program capitalizes on the PF youth mentoring program by establishing partnerships with privately owned Controlled Shooting Areas across the state to host hunts. "The original concept of the Next Steps program came from Jim Douglas," said Kelsi Wehrman, state coordinator for Pheasants Forever. "It's been a huge support for youth." Kids who graduate from the program are offered up to three additional pheasant hunts with their mentor and an adult guest at a Controlled Shooting Area. "We've had traditional mentor hunts, but Jim wanted to provide more," Wehrman said. "These Next Steps hunts do that while also helping to create a bond between the mentor and the kid." The program also fostered partnerships between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever and the Controlled Shooting Areas throughout the state, another of Douglas' goals. "There weren't a lot of partnerships with our organizations and these CSAs," said Wehrman. "But Jim saw the need to create additional assistance for young hunters after their youth mentor program. It has helped provide the support these hunters need." Douglas has become known for his ability to see the needs of R3 and for sharing a vision to address them. Nationally, he has been instrumental in revamping the Midwest Associations of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' R3 committee into a tactical workgroup that has increased grant funding to aid R3 issues throughout the country. In Nebraska, R3 efforts continue to be a top priority for the Commission. The agency is working with some of the best partners in the industry to develop a new R3 plan, which will be expanded to include boaters, park recreationists and other outdoor enthusiasts, while continuing to focus on hunters and anglers. "Jim recognizes the importance of Nebraska's rich outdoor heritage and the critical role it plays in the quality of life for outdoor enthusiasts," said Dave Chanda, vice president of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and former director of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife. "As a result, he's engaged the entire agency to take an active role in angler/ hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts. It has been my honor and pleasure to work with him on these R3 initiatives." Regardless of what project is being carried out, Douglas will forever be known for developing plans to get things done. "If you don't have a plan, you are likely to become part of someone else's plan … and you may not like it" has long been his mantra, and a code that will live with those he's worked with long after his retirement. The Take 'em Hunting program challenges experienced hunters to take a novice with them. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND DIRECTOR JIM DOUGLAS

• Cover