(BOWIE, Md.) November 30, 2023 – Members of BSU’s Outdoor Club were hunting ducks at the Patuxent Refuge Center last weekend as part of the group’s affiliation with the Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program (UHP). Four students and two professors participated in the outing and applied what they learned to properly hunt waterfowl during duck hunting season.
Bowie State is the first university in Maryland and only the third HBCU to participate in Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program.
“I have always been fascinated with nature,” said Kenneth McMillan, a senior accounting major. “However, due to living in a large city, I was never granted the opportunity to explore my interest in things such as hunting, fishing or camping to the degree in which I wanted to. BSU’s Outdoor Club has given me a chance to make those fantasies of being an outdoorsman a reality.”
“We spent five to six hours taking an online training course, five hours of in-person coursework and four hours on the range practicing with clay pigeons to ensure everyone knew the processes and procedures that have to be followed while hunting,” said Dr. Sumanth Reddy, geography professor and the Outdoor Club’s advisor. “By participating in Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program, BSU students who do not come from families with hunting backgrounds will be introduced to waterfowl hunting so they can better understand the important role it plays in conservation.”
According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, less than 2% of African Americans in the United States participate in hunting. By participating in Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program, students will learn about science-based duck production programs, habitat conservation, critical research and waterfowl hunting in North America.
Azsa Farmer, a sophomore criminal justice major from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, says this was her first time hunting but surely will not be the last. “The experience has broadened my perspective and understanding of hunting. Being involved in Delta Waterfowl’s hunter education courses and the actual hunt has been the best experience. I’ve learned so much.”
Governor Wes Moore signed legislation in May that will allow the Department of Natural Resources to take steps to benefit ducks and duck hunters. Under the new law, major investments will be made in waterfowl conservation and enhanced access to quality hunting. The law also established the Wildlife Conservation Education and Outreach Program to provide hunting and conservation education at elementary and middle schools in underserved communities.
“I’m especially glad that the sport of hunting is being shared with minority students, as it is traditionally viewed as a white dominated sport,” said senior business administration major Brian Dickerson. “I had a ton of fun just being out in my element with others and seeing their first experiences in the sport of hunting.”
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl in North America. Over 100 colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada participate in Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program.
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Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.