Connor Merritt

For the past 19 years, Dr. Amber Dankert has been a cornerstone of Fort Cavazos’ wildlife and natural resources management. As the supervisor of the Wildlife Management Team for the past 15 years, she has worked with a team of biologists, natural resources specialists, agronomists, and entomologists. Dr. Dankert’s extensive experience has positioned her to help lead the transition to iSportsman, a tool that has become central to the installation’s recreation management. 

Before iSportsman, the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (DFMWR) handled the processes that iSportsman now oversees. The shift to managing recreation using iSportsman was a necessary evolution; otherwise, the base would not be able to offer all the opportunities it does. While the transition wasn’t without its challenges, it ultimately paved the way for more streamlined operations. 

The Transition to iSportsman: Overcoming Challenges 

Adopting iSportsman was a significant change for Fort Cavazos. Dr. Dankert recalls the transition as “painful” — not because of the software itself but due to the additional responsibilities transferred to her team. She had to quickly adapt to managing recreation, a shift compounded by the learning curve involved in understanding iSportsman’s capabilities. 

With limited personnel resources, the integration of permit sales and area management into a single online system provided the necessary infrastructure to run their recreational program. 

Key Recreation Management Improvements: Going Digital 

One of the most significant shifts in making recreational management easier for Fort Cavazos was moving to an entirely online system. Permit sales, which previously required in-person transactions, were now available through iSportsman. This made the process more convenient for users and administrators alike, a move that was particularly helpful for Fort Cavazos, as the base’s size and complexity required a system capable of handling large-scale operations. 

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While there were broader changes to Fort Cavazos’ program, such as the elimination of guided hunts and permanent stands, iSportsman has been instrumental in enabling the base to maintain recreational opportunities. 

iSportsman’s Impact on Recreation Management and Looking Forward 

Despite some initial growing pains, Dr. Dankert says she would choose iSportsman again. The platform has proven adaptable and useful, especially for an installation as large as Fort Cavazos, with its unique needs that separate it from many smaller installations. The iSportsman staff continues to provide support, and Dr. Dankert is optimistic about the future, noting that “we see big things ahead!” in the future with iSportsman. 

Tips for Other iSportsman Admins 

When it comes to offering advice for iSportsman administrators at other locations, Dr. Dankert said, “talk with other installations about their program before completely setting yours up.” Understanding the unique needs of each installation is crucial for tailoring iSportsman to best serve the community; learning from others’ experiences can prevent early missteps and stumbles. 

For any installation adopting iSportsman, take the time to research, consult, and plan in advance — this will make all the difference in creating a seamless experience for both administrators and users. 

Wrapping Up: How iSportsman Improved Recreation Management at Fort Cavazos 

Fort Cavazos’ journey with iSportsman highlights the platform’s strengths, from simplifying administrative tasks to providing an entirely digital solution for permit sales. While the road to full implementation at Fort Cavazos had its bumps, the long-term benefits of iSportsman are clear: greater efficiency, better management, and the promise of continued growth for recreational programs across military installations. 

Read more about Fort Cavazos on iSportsmanUSA. 

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