Dr. Robert "Bob" Holsman

There are many factors that impact hunting participation. Biological capacity often caps the number of hunters for big game animals while development and posted land reduces participation in all types of hunting. Hunters' perceptions of overcrowding and/or game scarcity, distances required to access hunting, plus mandatory hunter education might further dissuade participation. In addition, constant social attention on ‘trophy species’ might be reducing interest and participation in hunting for small game, waterfowl, and other species, especially among new recruits. Concerns have been heard that the outdoor media’s frequent focus on over-subscribed hunts and occasional questioning of the necessity of R3 programs can turn hunters against R3. These issues may eventually combine to cap hunters’ numbers, push out existing hunters when new hunters are recruited, and potentially grow opposition to R3 efforts. Considering national trends in applied R3 efforts, hunting participation and public perceptions cannot be affected by a single or even several organizations. The R3 community must work together to answer questions and implement any changes. With coordination and facilitation from the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, this project will bring together leading R3 organizations to discuss and prioritize the issues, oversee research, develop potential community responses and actions to address R3 capacity and perception issues, and ultimately oversee implementation.

Bob worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a social scientist where he completed dozens of studies on hunting and fishing. Recent examples include a statewide survey of fishing license holders' opinions on walleye regulations and a contributed chapter on hunter lapse as part of comprehensive evaluation on the impacts of crossbows to deer hunting.

Bob facilitated six day-long planning meetings with thirty stakeholder groups for the Wisconsin DNR's Trout Management Team. The planning sessions resulted in a 10-year plan that was approved with strong support from anglers, landowners, business leaders and others.

Dr. Holsman served on the plan writing committee for the first ever National R3 Plan at the request of the Council to Advance Shooting Sports and the Wildlife Management Institute. His contributions included the need to "move beyond the choir" when marketing mentor programs and an emphasis on standardized evaluations to track effectiveness of strategies.

Dr. Holsman was a member of the wildlife faculty in the College of Natural Resources.  He received the Teacher of the Year Award in 2012.

He also holds dual bachelor's degrees in communication and political science, and a master's degree in environmental education from UW-Stevens Point.

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Dissertation: Stakeholder Values and Public Land Management in Southern Michigan