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Elk Foundation Funding Tops $190K for Michigan Initiative

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont.—-(AmmoLand.com)- New grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will fund conservation and education projects in eight Michigan counties, and swell total RMEF support for the state’s Pigeon River Habitat Initiative to more than $190,000.

The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Cheboygan, Delta, Montmorency, Muskegon, Oakland, Otsego, Ottawa and Presque Isle counties.

“Our volunteers in Michigan devoted themselves to the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible. This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation work, and it’s part of the payday for all of our supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

RMEF has been a major supporter of the Pigeon River Habitat Initiative in each of the past four years and in 2003. Contributions have helped secure conservation easements, develop forest stewardship management plans, provide technical assistance for landowners, offer cost-share programs to help with wildlife plantings, and more.

Collectively, these efforts have impacted hundreds of acres for elk and other wildlife.

“RMEF has been a great partner and supporter for this project. There is no way we could accomplish the goals of this project without partners such as RMEF. Funding from RMEF also helps us leverage additional funding for conservation efforts in Pigeon River country,” said Eric Nelson, habitat specialist for Huron Pines, which manages the Pigeon River Habitat Initiative.

Elk Foundation 2009 grants for Michigan, totaling $19,544, will help fund the following projects, listed by county:

• Delta County—Sponsor the Delta Youth Archery Initiative to introduce young people to archery instruction, equipment, competition, safety, sportsmanship, ethics and leadership.
• Montmorency County—Renovate an elk display with a new life-sized mount of a bull elk to be used for educational purposes by the City of Atlanta, “Elk Capital of Michigan.”
• Oakland County—Sponsor the Sherman Middle School National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce youth to archery in a school environment.
• Otsego County—Promote long-term land protection, improve habitat for wildlife, discourage invasive species and develop sustainable forestry management as part of the Pigeon River Habitat Initiative (also affects Cheboygan, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties).
• Ottawa County—Sponsor the Ottawa County 2009 Youth Hunter Safety program (also affects Muskegon County).

Partners for 2009 projects in Michigan include Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Huron Pines, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, other agencies, schools and organizations.

Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 80 conservation projects in Michigan with a value of more than $4.6 million.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.6 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

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Outdoors Magazine Adds Cutting-Edge Content

Outdoors Magazine Adds Cutting-Edge Content

Outdoors Magazine

Colchester, VT --(AmmoLand.com)- Outdoors Magazine, the East’s premiere hunting and fishing publication, is proud to be announcing the addition of several fresh, new columns to its already packed line-up.

“The key to any good publication is keeping it fresh, especially in the outdoors industry. In the past few months we have had the chance to add a couple of outstanding columns and we would be remiss not to take advantage of that,” said Kyle Scanlon, editor of Outdoors Magazine.

Included among the new columns are:

Beyond The Field by Jeff W. Zimba: “Beyond The Field” will focus on small arms, tactical strategies, and the world of highly specialized firearms. “Anybody who follows the world of small arms and cutting edge weapons technology knows who Jeff Zimba is,” said Scanlon. “His column will be an outstanding addition to Outdoors and will blend the world of tactical weaponry and the shooting sportsmen. Actually, to illustrate how highly regarded he is, when one of our sales guys mentioned to a representative from Smith and Wesson that Zimba joined our team, they couldn’t wait to advertise with us. That says a lot when you consider how tight ad budgets are these days.”

Answering The Call by Dylan Ainsworth: The world of calling extends far beyond turkey hunting and there isn’t a better person out there to examine it than Dylan Ainsworth.

“Dylan has a very friendly writing style that speaks to the reader,” said Scanlon. “His advice is no nonsense and covers areas others haven’t dared go. Whether it is calling black bears, deer, predators or turkeys ‘Answering The Call’ will jump into it.”

Radical Bowhunter by Dick Scorzafava: For years, Dick Scorzafava has made a name for himself in pursuit of big game with his bow. The Radical Bowhunter will chronicle his adventures in pursuit of deer, bear, and other big game.

“I have read Scorzafava for years in other publications,” said Scanlon. “When the opportunity came to add him to the pages of Outdoors as a regular it was a natural fit.”

Guide’s Flies by Tony Lolli: “I have to be honest,” said Scanlon. “The last column I wanted to add to Outdoors was a fly-tying piece. There just aren’t a lot of readers who care about how to tie a Mickey Finn or some other common fly. Then Tony pitched me his idea. Guide’s Flies will be the secret flies guides from around the country have developed for their own use. These are patterns you will not see anywhere else in print. It is the fly-tying column others will aspire to be.”

Scratchings by Dennis Jensen: Dennis Jensen is a highly acclaimed outdoor columnist from Rutland, Vermont, with a passion for turkey and deer hunting. “Scratchings” will delve head-first into his strategies with a special insight into the ways of the gobbler.

“Dennis is really the consummate professional,” said Scanlon. “He is not afraid to tackle a topic and doesn’t hold anything back. I almost feel guilty because I know how many more turkeys will be killed as the result of his columns in the magazine.”

For more information, and to find out how to win a free Suzuki ATV, visit www.outdoorsmagazine.net

About:
Each month Outdoors Magazine shines its spotlight on different areas of the outdoors world. Features and sub-features are multiple page spreads written by select experts in their fields. In addition to features and sub-features, each month Outdoors Magazine has over 40 columns written by real guides, industry experts, and the best in their fields. Our staff are die-hards who take the time out of their lives hunting and fishing to write.

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