GoHuntGeorgia.com

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga --(AmmoLand.com)- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division recently selected George “Rip” Masters as the 2009 Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.

This award is presented annually in recognition of an instructor who displays outstanding volunteer efforts in educating sportsmen and women on wildlife conservation and the importance of safety while hunting.

“Rip Masters is always ready to help spread the word about hunter education,” says Col. Homer Bryson, Chief of Law Enforcement. “He is involved with every aspect of the planning process for classes and goes out of his way to give his attendees a personal experience.”

Georgia “Rip” Masters has been a volunteer hunter education instructor since 1986, and has twice previously been nominated for this same honor. He is keenly active on holding the interest level of his students – taking it so far to build, at his own expense, various bullet and shotshell displays to help illustrate topics.

He personally reviews the test with any student that may not have passed in order to ensure that the student leaves feeling more confident to come back and take the test again. He also likes to provide new hunters with maps of local places to hunt. Masters wants students to have an enjoyable experience, not that the course and the test is just a requirement.

The selection of the Hunter Education Instructor of the Year begins at the region level. Each of the seven WRD Law Enforcement Regions picks the outstanding instructor in their area and sends them to the DNR Law Enforcement/Hunter Education office. The applications are then submitted to the Hunter Safety Committee. This committee is made up of WRD personnel from Game Management, Fisheries Management and Law Enforcement who are knowledgeable in working with volunteers and about hunter safety education. The committee then makes the final selection.

For more information on the Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor of the Year or hunter education classes, call the WRD Conservation Education Office at (770) 918-6414. For more information on GHEA, visit their website at http://gheanet.homestead.com/AboutGHEA.html .

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WRD Names Cherokee County Resident As Top Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Of The Year

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Stevensville, MT --(AmmoLand.com)- A bowhunter education class is planned for Stevensville in May, and students can register online now.

The class schedule is set for Wednesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 20 from 6-9:30 p.m. each evening. A field course and final test will be Saturday, May 22 from 9am-4:30 p.m.

To register, go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web site at fwp.mt.gov and follow links to Education and Hunter Education.

Montana also offers online bowhunter education classes for anyone 18 years and older. Although a lot of the coursework is completed online, students must complete a field day to receive their certification card. Missoula field days for online students are scheduled for Saturday, March 13, 12:30-4 p.m., Thursday, March 25, 6-9 p.m., Saturday, May 22, 8:30-12pm and Thursday, June 17, 6-9 p.m. Students can find out more information about the online class and register for a field day at nbef.org. There is a $20 fee for the online course.

By state law, all first time bowhunters must complete a bowhunter education course in order to purchase a bow and arrow license in Montana. Bowhunters born after January 1, 1985 must also show proof of completing a hunter education program.

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Bowhunter Education Class Planned For Stevensville, MT

Orion - The Hunters Institute

Kansas --(AmmoLand.com)- Hunting is one of the safest ways to enjoy the outdoors, and making it ever safer will be a primary topic at the 2010 Kansas Hunter Education Instructor Academy, held March 26-28. Volunteer instructors from Kansas and neighboring states also will delve into the topic of hunting ethics with invited guest speaker Dr. James Tantillo.

Tantillo, who teaches ethics and environmental philosophy at Cornell University and sits on the board of directors for Orion – The Hunters’ Institute, will deliver a keynote address titled The Morality of Hunting: “A Damnable Pleasure.”

Plus, participants will get the chance to examine the differences between hunter ethics and hunter preferences during breakout sessions hosted by Tantillo.

“Most people today who think about hunting tend to lump all value questions together under the heading “ethics” without regard for whether that classification is accurate,” Tantillo said. “In reality, hunting ethics usually involve more aesthetic than ethical issues.”

Tantillo went on to say the tendency for sportsmen and women to impose their personal hunting values or behaviors on others to improve the image of hunting may be well intended but can cause infighting and ultimately erode efforts to uphold our hunting traditions.

Orion – The Hunters’ Institute has long supported the work of hunter education programs across North America starting with Jim Posewitz, the organization’s founder. The partnership between Orion and hunter education programs has been responsible for shaping millions of new hunters.

During the weekend hunter education academy, a variety of other breakout sessions on safety, hunter ethics and responsibility will be conducted by representatives from the Treestand Manufacturer’s Association and Kansas and North Dakota volunteer hunter education instructors. Awards presentations and program updates will round out the weekend.

For more information about the academy, contact Wayne Doyle at wayne.doyle@ksoutdoors.com.

About Orion – The Hunters’ Institute
Orion is a 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to ethical hunting and the wild resources essential to that purpose. Founded by Jim Posewitz in 1993, the organization is dedicated to preserving hunting as an important part of our North American conservation heritage through teaching hunter ethics and expanding society’s knowledge of the conservation legacy that was born in the embers of the hunter’s fire.

Orion is best known for its strong stance on ethical hunting and promoting the value of North American’s hunting heritage. “Beyond Fair Chase,” which was written by Posewitz, is a standard for hunter education classes in North America with 500,000 copies in circulation. For more information, please contact us at 802-730-8111 or visit www.huntright.org

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Kansas Hunter Education Instructors Welcome Dr. James Tantillo

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Miles City, MT --(AmmoLand.com)- A bowhunter education class has been scheduled in Miles City, MT. Registration is April 1 through April 16th at the MTFWP regional headquarters in Miles City.

The office is open 8 am – 5 pm and the class will be limited to 30 students on a first come-first serve basis.

The class will be held in the FWP regional office conference room, 6 pm – 9 pm on April 21 – 23.

The field day will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area, beginning at 8 am and ending by Noon.

On-line students are welcome to attend the field day, but should call ahead to Kirk Anderson- Lead Instructor at 233-3140. On-line students must bring their certificate of completion of the on-line course with them to the field day.

Visit: www.fwp.mt.gov/r7 for more info.

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Bowhunter Education Class Scheduled Miles City, MT

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, VA –-(AmmoLand.com)- The NRA is pleased to announce a recent donation to the Youth Hunter Education Challenge by Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA.

The $500,000 donation will strengthen a family-oriented event which builds character and reinforces life-lessons as much as it does safety and accuracy.

“The NRA’s Youth Hunter Education Challenge has an impact on thousands of young people each year thanks to generous people like the Potterfields,” Kayne Robinson, Executive Director of NRA’s General Operations, said.

“We at the NRA are committed to preserving hunting for generations to come, and YHEC is a tried and true, hands-on approach to doing just that.”

Established in 1985, the Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is NRA’s “graduate studies” program in outdoor skills and safety training for young hunters. Though YHEC is a competitive program, the real “challenge” for participants lies with skill development and the advancement of hunter safety and responsibility.

Since its inception the YHEC program has reached more than one million young sportsmen and women. YHEC has grown from ten participating states/provinces to over forty.

The immediate benefits of YHEC on the participants are important as well as the long range impact of the program: the positive outreach and education the participants and volunteers bring to their families, neighbors and communities; the importance of promoting hunting as a viable and most efficient method of controlling wildlife; fostering propagation, growth, conservation and wise use of our renewable wildlife resources; developing environmentally aware leaders and encouraging our youth to be active citizens with an interest in preserving the hunting heritage.

Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA, is a longtime friend of the programs of the NRA. He is a sponsor of the Friends of NRA banquet program and many NRA-sanctioned competitions, including the NRA Bianchi Cup, held in Columbia, Missouri each year.

“Brenda and I are excited to be able to assist the NRA Foundation in supporting this type of initiative to focus on developing tomorrow’s leaders today,” Potterfield said. “Changing the future requires us to make the commitment in time or money to support these efforts.”

For more information about the Potterfields or MidwayUSA, visit www.midwayusa.com or call 1-800-243-3220.

For more information about the NRA Foundation and the Youth Hunter Education Challenge, visit www.nrafoundation.org.

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Potterfields Announce $500,000 Donation To NRA’s Youth Hunter Education Challenge

ROTHSCHILD, Wi – -(AmmoLand.com)- Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank congratulated and thanked the participants of the first Hunting Heritage Conference who met over the weekend to share ideas about broadening participation in the state’s hunting heritage.

The conference was funded by a grant from the National Shooting Sports Foundation and The Hunting Heritage Partnership. The grant provided funding to cover the complete cost of those attending the two-day conference.

The Department of Natural Resources invited representatives of local and statewide hunting and conservation organizations to the first ever event. About 115 hunting enthusiasts from mentors to safety instructors gathered at the Stoney Creek Inn for the two-day conference devoted to exploring ideas about building the state’s hunting future for generations to come.

“Wisconsin is a great hunting state with a wide range of hunting opportunities for both novice and experienced hunters,” Frank said. “But we cannot take our hunting tradition for granted. We are looking to build on our past efforts to work with young people as well as adults who have never had an opportunity to hunt. If we want our next generation not only to enjoy our natural resources but to become future conservationists, we need to think creatively and build upon our past efforts.”

The Feb. 19-20 conference focused on educating and training experienced mentors in passing on their knowledge to the next generation of Wisconsin hunters through the DNR’s popular Learn to Hunt program. DNR records show that in 2009, the Learn to Hunt Program had more than 1,500 participants in the turkey, pheasant, deer and waterfowl programs.

“We are very proud of our Learn to Hunt program, which has had the strong support of local conservation groups and volunteer instructors who work with our staff,” Frank said. “We are looking for ways to build mentor participation in this program – and expand it to more youth – boys and girls – from all ethnic backgrounds.”

The conference also featured researchers from the University of Wisconsin-System who shared their research designs on recruiting hunters and testing the effects of social networking and new media technologies to promote hunting.

“The main goals of the conference were to build community around the issue of hunter recruitment and retention; to facilitate networking between organizations; and, to share best practices for hosting successful Learn to Hunt Programs,” DNR Deputy Conservation Warden Benjamin Mott said of the event he helped coordinate. “And another main goal was to make sure clubs understand how they can receive reimbursement for conducting Learn to Hunt Programs.”

The Learn to Hunt Program is designed to help inexperienced hunters, both youth and adults, have a high quality, safe, and rewarding first-time hunt under the guidance of qualified Hunter Education instructors and hunting mentors. Participants receive both classroom and field instruction prior to an actual hunt.

Frank said the DNR hopes to make the conference an annual event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Benjamin Mott, Deputy Conservation Warden, Madison: (608) 444-1244; Todd Schaller, Conservation Warden, Madison: (608) 267-2774

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DNR Secretary Matt Frank Announces Successful Inaugural Hunting Heritage Conference

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont.- -(AmmoLand.com)- ESPN Outdoors has confirmed upcoming daily online coverage, features, photo galleries and live streaming video from “Elk Camp,” the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s annual convention and expo, March 4-7, in Reno, Nev.

Coverage will be featured at www.espnoutdoors.com.

Links to the coverage will be provided at the Elk Foundation’s site, www.rmef.org.

ESPN Outdoors will present live streaming video of the RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships. Preliminary rounds of competition begin at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on March 5; championship rounds at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on March 6.

Elk Camp also includes Cabela’s-sponsored seminars led by authorities on bowhunting and other hunting skills, horse packing, marksmanship, wild game cooking, game calling strategies and more. Also included are displays of record elk, attractions and activities for the whole family, plus a 400-booth expo hall filled with outfitted hunting and fishing opportunities, art, gear, firearms and everything elk.

Daily admission to the event, held at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center, is $12 per person or $25 per family, and free for kids 5 and under.

Show hours: Thurs., March 4, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fri., March 5, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat., March 6, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sun., March 7, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Registered attendees can also enjoy banquets, auctions, entertainment, awards and more.

For more information, visit www.rmef.org.

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 5.7 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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ESPN: Daily Coverage of Elk Camp, March 4-7

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(AmmoLand.com)- Adults may be trained to become volunteer apprentice hunter education instructors, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Firearm instructor training will take place Feb. 23 in Chadron. The class begins at 6 p.m. at Chadron State College in Burkhiser Technology Complex Room 321.

Training for bow hunter instructors will be March 5 in Kearney beginning at 2 p.m. in the Camelia Room of the Ramada Inn.

Contact Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter at (402) 471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov by Feb. 23 to register for firearms training and by March 4 to sign up for bow hunter training.

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Hunter Education Apprentice Instructor Training Scheduled

Thompson Center Arms

ROCHESTER, N.H. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a Smith & Wesson company, is pleased to announce their support of a soon to be released educational DVD produced by the National Rifle Association (NRA) entitled “Taking the Mystery Out of Muzzleloading.”

The new instructional video is a valuable tool designed to introduce and further educate consumers and instructors on the fundamentals of muzzleloading and its allure.

“Throughout the development of the DVD, we had two distinct goals in mind,” said Bill Poole, Director, NRA Education and Training Division. “First, we wanted to provide retailers and dealers with a recruitment tool designed to expose both hunters and shooters to the sport of muzzleloading. Our second goal was to supply instructors with an enriched tool to use in training courses across the nation. With the availability of this DVD, we now have another opportunity to inform people who otherwise might not be aware of the many activities that can be accomplished with a muzzleloader.”

Featuring segments on both the traditional and modern in-line muzzleloaders, the new DVD helps to answer questions frequently asked by new shooters entering the sport while also providing black powder enthusiasts with helpful tips once they are in the field.

The DVD covers such topics as the history of black powder, identifying the different types of muzzleloaders, shooting fundamentals, loading options, safety and more. The end result is an informative piece for use in the home or in the classroom.

“Thompson/Center is committed to supporting the NRA and those initiatives which benefit youth and beginners alike,” said Tom Kelly, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson and Thompson/Center Arms. “With the ever changing technologies and features in muzzleloading, we agree that this DVD is a perfect way to help new hunters and shooters get more involved. Our commitment to the NRA and their youth and education projects remains steadfast and we’re proud to support this new release.”

The NRA plans to distribute the DVD to all sponsors and will also make it available to NRA/NMLRA instructors. For more information regarding availability and pricing on the new DVD, please contact Andy Lander with NRA Instructor Programs at alander@nrahq.org or 703-267-1428.

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com; www.usrgrab.com; or www.tcarms.com.

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Thompson/Center Arms Supports New Educational DVD On Muzzleloading

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wi – -(AmmoLand.com)- Free Turkey Hunter Education Clinics will be offered again this year around the state. These free clinics are presented by volunteer instructors and are sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Clinics typically last 2 to 3 hours and are designed to cover wild turkey biology and behavior, hunting methods, regulations, safety precautions, and landowner/hunter ethics, as well as tips for scoring trophy birds and a few ideas on preparing turkeys at home.

Turkey Hunting

The Turkey Hunter Education Clinics are intended to address and inform all ages and experience levels from a beginning turkey hunter interested in learning wild turkey hunting techniques to experienced wild turkey hunters looking to brush-up on skills and learn new techniques.

These clinics will be held February through late March. Information and a listing on where and when clinics are being held is available on the DNR Web site or may call the DNR Customer Call Center from 7 a.m. through 10 p.m. seven days a week at 1-888-WDNRINFo (1-888-936-7463). For the latest additions or changes in the schedule please refer to the DNR Web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull (608) 267-7861 or Sharon Fandel (608) 261-8458

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Free Turkey Hunter Education Clinics Offered Statewide

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

OLYMPIA, WA --(AmmoLand.com)- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will be accepting enrollment applications for its Master Hunter program Jan. 1 through Feb.15.

Two orientation meetings on the application and certification process have been scheduled.

Those meetings are scheduled for:

• Jan. 9 – From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Valley Fire Department, 10000 Zier Road, Yakima.
• Jan. 16 – From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia.

Details on the program, application forms and enrollment procedures are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/ .

Master hunters participate in controlled hunts to remove problem animals that damage property or threaten public safety.

“To qualify for the program, applicants must demonstrate a high level of skill and be committed to lawful and ethical hunting practices, said Bruce Bjork, chief of the WDFW Enforcement Program that manages the Master Hunter program. Those who have been convicted of violating a state fish and wildlife regulation in the last 10 years are not eligible.”

“This is a great opportunity for conscientious, committed hunters to assume a leadership role among their peers,” Bjork said. “Their knowledge and conduct in the field can help build positive relationships with landowners and assure public hunting opportunity in the future.”

Hunters enrolling in the program are required to pass a written exam, undergo a criminal background check, sign a Master Hunter Code of Ethics form and provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service on WDFW projects that benefit the state’s wildlife resources.

Hunters who successfully complete the certification process will receive a certificate; a patch and a master hunter identification card; and will be eligible to participate in depredation hunts.

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Master Hunter Program Accepting Applications Beginning Jan. 1 2010

Silver Stag knife, laser-engraved with the ADWA logo

American Deer & Wildlife Alliance

AUSTIN, Texas —-(AmmoLand.com)- Serving to promote the deer and wildlife industry, the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance™ (ADWA) and Silver Stag™ Knives, specialists in hand-crafted field gear, are pleased to announce a new cooperative program to raise funds for youth education.

With the new Silver Stag program, any individual making a donation to ADWA in the amount of $250 or more will receive an exclusive Silver Stag knife, laser-engraved with the ADWA logo. One hundred percent of the donations will be directed to ADWA’s youth initiatives, such as the educational youth clinics, school seminars, New Hunterz program and Spikes Magazine.

“Silver Stag is well-known in the industry for its high-quality, custom-made hunting knives and other gear and they are strongly dedicated to helping us provide outdoor and wildlife education for our youth,” says Alicia Clements, operators manager for ADWA. “We are pleased to welcome Silver Stag as a new member in the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance, and we are extremely grateful for their generous participation to drive more donations and membership.”

Silver Stag Knives™ has captured the essence of a bygone era by combining skilled American labor with natural raw materials to produce unique, functional and attractive one-of-a-kind field tools. Their knives are made from shed North American deer, elk, or moose antler handles, and the company features 50 different designs. For more information on Silver Stag products, visit www.silverstag.com

ADWA partners with companies and organizations within the deer and wildlife industry to promote products, services, membership benefits and overall growth of the industry through youth and public education. Serving as a ‘PR engine’ for its members, ADWA combines the benefits of marketing and education to inspire credibility among consumers and unity within the industry, and ADWA now broadcasts public policy messages to millions of households via the Outdoor Channel network. ADWA is also the title sponsor of Keith Warren’s Deer & Wildlife Stories program, currently airing on the Outdoor Channel.

To make a donation and receive your exclusive ADWA Silver Stag antler-handled knife, go to http://deerwildlifealliance.org/join-adwa.htm

To learn more about the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance or for membership information, visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org or call 877.331.8607.

About:
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth of the deer and wildlife industry, and to help educate consumers and the youth on the conservation issues which effect deer and wildlife as well as the industry. For more information on the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance, call 877.331.8607 or visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org.

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ADWA and Silver Stag Knives Partner for Youth Education

Whitetails Unlimited

Wisconsin - -(AmmoLand.com)- The white-tailed deer is the most popular big-game animal in North America, and is an amazing example of an animal that adapts and perseveres.

As hunters go into the woods in pursuit of this graceful animal, here is a quiz from Whitetails Unlimited to see how much you really know about the whitetail’s biology, behavior and history.

True / False
1) Deer are strong swimmers, in part because they have a layer of hair that is hollow, providing buoyancy in the water.
2) Deer have existed for 20 million years, and have had the same basic form for the last one million years.
3) Deer can run in excess of 35 miles per hour.
4) Deer can leap over fences eight feet tall.
5) Deer can cover 30 feet in a horizontal leap.
6) Just like humans, deer have a set of “baby teeth” that fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth.
7) You can tell how old a male deer is by how many points there are on his antlers.
Deer use their antlers during the winter to dig for food under the snow.
9) When antlers grow, they are covered with “velvet,” a soft, fuzzy tissue. This velvet is the only regenerating skin found in mammals.
10) Like cows, deer have four stomachs.
11) Deer can eat poison ivy without ill effect.
12) Deer are native to every state in the U.S.
13) The reason fawns are born with a pattern of white spots is so the mother can recognize her offspring.
14) Deer have extraordinary senses, including sight, hearing and smell.
15) Newborn deer have no scent, and the mother will place the fawn by itself in a secluded spot for protection against predators.

True / False Answers
1) True. The hollow hair is more important in providing insulation during the winter, but also helps when deer swim.
2) True.
3) True.
4) True.
5) True.
6) True. The permanent teeth are in place by the time the deer is 2-1/2 years old.
7) False. Rack size depends on many factors, including age, nutrition and genetics. Racks are typically largest on deer in middle age (4-6 years old) and get smaller as deer get into old age, but there are many variables.
False. Deer shed their antlers starting in January, and they are used in dueling with other males during the mating season.
9) True. Velvet is also the fastest growing tissue in mammals; some antler growth has been measured at one inch during a 24-hour period.
10) True. Deer are ruminants, swallowing food that they later bring up to chew, releasing more nutrients for further digestion.
11) True.
12) False. There are no deer native to Hawaii, but deer are native to the other 49 states, Canada and Mexico. (Introduced deer are now in Hawaii.)
13) False. The dots are a form of camouflage.
14) True.
15) True.

Multiple Choice

1) Deer are a member of the Cervidae family. What other animal is not included in this family.
a) Moose
b) Elk
c) Sheep
d) Caribou

2) The scientific name of the white-tailed deer is “Odocoileus Virginianus,” and was named in 1832. What does “Odocoileus Virginianus” mean?
a) “Ocean Virgin”
b) “Odious Vinegar”
c) “Hollow-tooth Virginia”
d) “Outdoor Vigorous”

3) Modern deer have two toes. How many toes did the deer’s ancient ancestors have?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

4) In the wild, deer can live as long as:
a) 7 years
b) 11 years
c) 18 years
d) 24 years

5) When deer run from danger, they flip their tail up and expose the white underside. What evolutionary purpose does this serve?
a) The white color confuses the predator, since deer are usually brown to grey in color.
b) The tail alerts other deer and provides an object for fawns to follow their mother.
c) The white looks like an eye, making the predator think the deer is running the other direction.
d) When deer run, blood pressure rises causing blood vessels in the tail to inflate.

6) Under good conditions, how much food would an average adult deer eat per day?
a) 1-3 pounds
b) 5-9 pounds
c) 11-15 pounds
d) 17-21 pounds

7) Does will normally have one fawn the first year they breed. After this, how many fawns will they normally have?
a) One
b) Twins
c) Triplets
d) Quadruplets

Newborn fawns weigh about 4-6 pounds. How long does it take for them to double their weight?
a) One week
b) Two weeks
c) One month
d) Two months

9) Deer are very adaptable, and have evolved into a number of subspecies. How many subspecies are there in North America?
a) 12
b) 19
c) 24
d) 30

10) In 1900 the total population of white-tailed deer in North America was estimated to be 500,000 animals. What is the estimated population of white-tailed deer today?
a) 500,000
b) 5-10 million
c) 20-30 million
d) 75 million

Multiple Choice Answers
1) c, Sheep.
2) c, “Hollow-tooth Virginia.” Odocoileus is the Greek word for “hollow tooth,” and the scientist who named the species was working in Virginia.
3) d, 5. One toe has been completely lost through evolution, and two toes have moved into unusable dewclaws several inches above the main toes.
4) b, 11 years. In captivity deer have been known to live up to 20 years, but very few deer live longer than 10 years in the wild.
5) b, The tail flash alerts other deer to danger.
6) b, 5-9 pounds.
7) b, Twins.
b, Two weeks.
9) d, 30. There are an additional 10 subspecies living in South America.
10) c, 20-30 million.

About:
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization. Our mission is to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. When it comes to the whitetail and its environment, WTU’s degree of professionalism and dedication has earned us the reputation of being the nation’s premier whitetail organization.

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Whitetails Unlimited’s Deer Quiz – Test Your knowledge About Whitetail Deer

Whitetails Unlimited’s Deer Hunters Guidelines

Whitetails Unlimited

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin --(AmmoLand.com)- One of the most popular educational publications produced by Whitetails Unlimited is the Deer Hunters Guidelines booklet, which has just been updated and reprinted in time for the 2009 deer season.

This 8-page booklet includes basic information about the white-tailed deer, hunting tips and techniques, and firearms safety.

“It is a great resource for beginning hunters,” said Jeff Davis, Whitetails Unlimited’s manager of communications, “but it is also useful for refreshing the memories of experienced hunters.” Davis points out that just because you are an experienced hunter, does not mean you should quit learning, or paying attention to the basics of hunting and firearms safety.

The booklet was printed in a recent edition of Whitetails Unlimited Magazine, which is delivered to every member of Whitetails Unlimited. Individual copies of the booklet are available at no charge by contacting WTU national headquarters at (920) 743-6777. Larger quantities are available at a very reasonable cost.

The booklet is also available on the Whitetails Unlimited website www.whitetailsunlimited.com as a PDF file that can be downloaded.

“This is one of our most popular publications, and in the past has been distributed in all 50 states,” said WTU Executive Director Pete Gerl. “Nahan Printing in St. Cloud, Minnesota, was very generous in sponsoring this publication, which includes updated text and new photos.”

About:
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization. Our mission is to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. When it comes to the whitetail and its environment, WTU’s degree of professionalism and dedication has earned us the reputation of being the nation’s premier whitetail organization.

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Whitetails Unlimited’s Deer Hunters Guidelines Booklet Released

Wisconsin DNR

EAU CLAIRE, WI --(AmmoLand.com)- With Wisconsin’s new mentored hunting law, youngsters 10 and 11 years old will be joining the upcoming gun deer hunt, carrying firearms under the close supervision of their mentors.

Each of these mentors has a big responsibility, and in a critical way so does every other gun hunter in the field this year, said warden supervisor Steve Dewald with the state Department of Natural Resources.

“We obviously want these youth to have a positive experience in their meetings with other hunters,” Dewald said. “These kids are at an impressionable age and what they see this year they will long remember. Our fondest hope is that these young people will be made to feel welcome in the community of hunters.”

And so everyone who hunts becomes a mentor. It has always been this way. And while a few violators will attract attention, thousands of hunter conservationists will quietly pursue their passion for wildlife this fall, following not only the rules but strict, personal codes of safety and responsibility.

To celebrate and honor these hunter conservationists, the state Department of Natural Resources and the La Crosse Tribune proudly announce the opening of nominations for the 13th annual Ethical Hunter Award.

“We are asking hunters to acknowledge ethical behavior in other hunters when they see it,” Dewald said.

Dewald, outdoor writer Jerry Davis and La Crosse Tribune outdoor editor Bob Lamb created the award in 1997 in an effort to bring attention to the positive contributions made by Wisconsin’s safe and ethical hunters.

“This is a statewide award, and every year we get nominations from all across Wisconsin,” Dewald said. “That’s a good sign.”

The award signifies the qualities of “hunters helping others rather than pursuing personal gain” and “hunters engaged in behavior that positively reflects on the tradition of hunting.”

Dewald encourages people who have nominated hunters in the past to consider whether the person they nominated would still qualify and to consider nominating that person again. There have been persons nominated in the past who would have won the award if nominated in a different year.

These stories that come in the mail illustrate what wildlife and law enforcement professionals already know – that positive and often admirable behavior is common among the majority of hunters, Dewald said.

The following are requirements to be eligible to receive the Ethical Hunter Award:

• The nominee must be a licensed Wisconsin hunter.
• The ethical hunting act must have taken place in Wisconsin during the 2009 calendar year.
• Written nominations should contain the name, address and telephone number of the witness or witnesses to the behavior that led to the nomination.

Written nominations should be sent to Warden Supervisor Steve Dewald at the Department of Natural Resources, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601 by Jan. 15, 2010.

An 18-year-old Rhinelander hunter received the award last year for helping a young woman hunter whom he met out in the field to trail, field dress and retrieve a 17-point buck that she had shot but was unable to find.

Other award recipients in previous years have been recognized for:

• assisting a conservation warden who was dealing with a dangerous subject
• restoring wildlife habitat
• making private lands available to new hunters
• providing opportunities for disabled hunters
• rendering aid to a citizen at a serious car accident

Special youth awards are also given to youngsters who hunt ethically.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Dewald, warden supervisor – (608) 785-9970 or Ed Culhane, a DNR communications specialist, at (715) 839-3715

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Nominees Sought for 13th Annual Ethical Hunter Award

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn.—-(AmmoLand.com)- Fall is a time of year parents and their children enjoy doing things together—attending soccer matches, carving scary jack-o’-lanterns, raking leaves (OK, maybe that one’s not so much fun) and gathering around the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

It’s also a great time of year to introduce a young person to hunting.

Hunting seasons are open across the country. From deer to upland birds, waterfowl, wild turkey, squirrel and rabbits, hunters have their choice of game to pursue. When the time is right for an adult mentor to introduce a youth to hunting, the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s STEP OUTSIDE program helps make that introduction fun.

You can start by sending your son or daughter an electronic postcard with a colorful photo of the game animal or hunting scene of your choice. This helps youth visualize the experience, and it’s a nice surprise when the e-postcard pops up in their inbox.

Enjoy the hunt:
Remember the sights, sounds and smells. Then when you’re back home, take a moment and together enter the STEP OUTSIDE Sweepstakes and earn a chance to win one of five $1,000 gift certificates at Bass Pro Shops. It’s easy. Tell NSSF about your experience by taking a short survey. Maybe you were successful in harvesting your game, or maybe not. It doesn’t really matter because, as all hunters know, it’s the experience afield with family and friends that counts.

Not a hunter? That’s OK. Introduce a youngster to target shooting and you can still enter. Just take the survey by the deadline of Jan. 1, 2010. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on Jan. 19.

The valuable survey information helps NSSF design programs like STEP OUTSIDE and other initiatives that encourage youth to enjoy the outdoors.

As a hunter and a target shooter, you’re in a unique position to share your knowledge of the outdoors and pass on a great tradition. Many states are making it easier to do this by offering apprentice hunting licenses that allow youth to join a licensed adult mentor on hunt.

Keep in mind that autumn is a time of year when we harvest many things that began as a seed in the spring. Yet it’s also a time of year when we can plant a seed that just may turn a youngster into a lifelong hunter, target shooter and conservationist.

Learn more at www.stepoutside.org today.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

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Hunting Season Is the Perfect Time to Mentor a New Hunter

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

STERLING, KS —-(AmmoLand.com)- On Nov. 7, the Heartland Pioneer Chapter of Quail Forever will sponsor a youth hunt at Dr. Jack Mull’s wildlife preserve, approximately 12 miles east of Sterling.

Experienced instructors and bird dogs will safely guide young hunters on a pheasant and quail hunt.

The event will reinforce hunter education concepts, and participants will learn how to hunt in a line and behind trained bird dogs.

This mentor/youth hunt will include a morning session and an afternoon session.

Each session will be limited to 10 students. Participation is limited to youngsters in grades 6 through 12.

Students must possess a hunter education certificate and a hunting license if they are 16 or older. (Because the hunt will be conducted on a controlled shooting area, youth older than 16 may participate.)

Food and fellowship at Dr. Mull’s cabin will cap off the day.

The registration deadline is Oct. 31. Contact Nolan Fisher at 620-242-3700 for more information.

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Quail Forever Chapter To Conduct Youth Pheasant And Quail Hunt

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

GLEN ELDER, KS —-(AmmoLand.com)- On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will conduct an event designed to lure more youth and novice hunters into the field.

The Glen Elder Youth Shooting Challenge will begin at 1 p.m. and run through 4:30 p.m. at the Glen Elder Wildlife Area Office, just south of the US. Highway 24 and Kansas Highway 128 junction, approximately 1 mile west of Glen Elder.

Although designed for youth and beginners, everyone is welcome to participate regardless of age or experience.

Shotshells and targets will be provided. Shooters may use their own shotguns but youth model shotguns will be available for those who don’t have a shotgun.

Young hunters and their mentors participating in the youth pheasant and quail hunting season, Nov. 7-8, are encouraged to participate, and adults who bring youth may shoot, too.

Young hunters lucky enough to bag a rooster that morning before the trap shoot may enter the long tail feather contest to win prizes.

Prizes will also be awarded for the biggest quail by weight. Bring the birds (pheasant tail and spur or entire quail) any time from 1 p.m. to 4 pm. Prizes will be awarded at 4:10 pm.

For more information, phone 785-545-3345

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Free Trap Shooting At Glen Elder, KS

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. –-(AmmoLand.com)-Across the country, bird hunting seasons are getting under way.

NSSF reminds all sportsmen and women that a great way to kick off the new season is at a wingshooting preserve near you.

NSSF’s WingshootingUSA.org provides links to more than 1,000 preserves across the country.

You’ll also find bird hunting resources, including a safety video for new hunters or those that need a quick refresher before heading afield. A

lso, be sure to tune in to the Wingshooting USA television show each week on DISH Network and the Sportsman Channel.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

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Bird Hunting Seasons Take Flight Remember Wingshooting Safety

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Cache River, Arkansas --(AmmoLand.com)- Click here to go to the Cache River NWR web site. AUGUSTA – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge will be holding a special youth only waterfowl hunt and program. The refuge recently acquired 1,180 acres along Bayou DeView in Woodruff County and will designate this area as a Special Youth Only Waterfowl Hunt Area.

Arkansas Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts

Youth (ages 15 and younger) can apply for permits to occupy one of five designated blinds. The will be allowed to hunt waterfowl on drawn weekend dates during the regular duck season. A successfully drawn hunter will also be allowed to invite one youth (age 15 or younger) as a guest to participate in the hunt. At least one adult, not less than 21 years old, must supervise the youth hunters, but will not be allowed to hunt.

Volunteer mentors will be available (with advanced notice) to supervise any youths that may need assistance to participate in the hunt.

Cache River NWR to hold special youth waterfowl hunt Permits will be selected by random drawing. To apply, submit an index card or postcard with the full name (first, middle, last), mailing address and telephone number of the youth hunter. The drawing will take place on Monday, Nov. 2. The entry must be mailed early enough so that it is received before Nov. 2. Duplicate, unclear or incomplete entries will not be accepted. Send the cards to:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Central Arkansas Refuges
26320 Hwy 33 South
Augusta, AR 72006

Drawn hunters will be placed in the first available weekend dates as drawn.

Persons selected will be notified by mail and provided a blind permit (no fee) with a full list of refuge regulations and a map identifying the blind/hunt area.

Blind permits are non-transferable and valid only for the youth whose name appears on the permit and their guest. For more information, go to: http://www.fws.gov/cacheriver/youthwaterfowl.html or call Karen Graves at (870) 347-2614 or email at: karen_graves@fws.gov.

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Cache River NWR To Hold Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt

West Virginia DNR

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – -(AmmoLand.com)-The Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will sponsor a Beyond BOW (Becoming an Outdoors-Woman) Women’s Squirrel and Archery Deer Hunt, Oct. 15-17, for women interested in squirrel hunting and/or archery deer hunting.

There is no structured instruction, but a number of women will be available for assistance. All participants will need a valid hunting license. Early registration is recommended as space is limited.

Participants will stay the nights of October 15, 16, and 17 at the Lantz House, a farmhouse owned and operated by Wheeling Jesuit University, which adjoins Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area near Jacksonburg in Wetzel County.

• · Archery Hunt: If you choose to take part in this hunt you must be an experienced archer with your own equipment and be able to show proficiency.
• · Squirrel Hunt: You must bring your own .22 caliber rifle or shotgun with appropriate ammunition. Blaze orange is not required, but recommended.

“We are also planning a Beyond BOW Women’s Deer Hunt December 5-7,” said event organizer Billie Shearer. “This antlerless deer hunt will be in Lewis County. Participants will receive instruction on basic firearms safety, deer hunting techniques and field dressing. There will be a trip to the rifle range to sight in your firearm and for target practice.”

To participate in this antlerless deer hunt, you must be at least 18 years old and preference will be given to those who have attended a BOW workshop, a BOW hunter safety class, and those who have not attended a previous BOW hunt. Participants will need a valid hunting license and a Class N stamp. All participants will need to bring their own firearm and ammunition. All licenses may be purchased at any license agent or online at www.wvhunt.com.

Applications are now available, but space is very limited. For more information, please contact Billie Shearer at 304-558-2771 or billieshearer@wvdnr.gov.

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Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Hunts Oct. 15-17 and Dec. 5-7

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, AZ —-(AmmoLand.com)- Young and first-time hunters preparing for deer season this fall are encouraged to attend or go online to enjoy a free deer-hunting clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.

Hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the clinic will inform and educate young and first-time hunters about the characteristics of deer, their habits and behaviors. The clinic will also offer tips and techniques for hunting these incredible animals in different habitats and weather conditions. Audience participation is encouraged, and questions from both the attending audience and those submitted by e-mail (webcast@azgfd.gov) from online viewers will be addressed.

The event will be held at the department’s Phoenix office at 5000 W. Carefree Highway. To accommodate all interested hunters and constituents, the event will be webcast live on the Internet by visiting www.azgfd.gov/webcast.

“It’s important to us to provide young and first-time hunters with the basic knowledge and skills to make their pursuit for deer a positive and rewarding experience,” said Brian Wakeling, chief of game management. “For many new hunters that ‘positive experience’ doesn’t always equate to harvesting an animal. It’s the pursuit that is exciting, and this clinic will provide them with the knowledge to help avoid some of the pitfalls that could distract from the hunt itself – like planning for weather, knowing one’s physical capabilities, not getting lost, and others.”

To learn more about hunting in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

About:
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

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Youth Deer Hunters: Increase Your Odds For Success

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Blossom Point, Md. –-(AmmoLand.com)- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites women to participate in its Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) deer hunting workshop on November 6-7, 2009. The workshop is designed for women 18 years of age or older who are new to hunting or have limited deer hunting experience. Men are also welcome.

“This is a great opportunity to work with experienced staff from DNR and Blossom Point for two unforgettable days,” said Patricia Allen, Maryland’s BOW State Coordinator. “This workshop is designed for new to beginner hunters. If you have ever wanted to experience white-tailed deer hunting but were not sure how to get started, then this is the program for you.”

Classroom instruction will focus on the basics of deer hunting – safety, regulations, hunting skills, white-tailed deer biology and population management. Participants will have time on the shooting range Friday afternoon to sight-in their firearms.

On Saturday, November 7, the day begins before sun-up as participants are stationed in their tree stands for a day of hunting. Staff will be on hand to assist throughout the day. This workshop is for antlerless deer only.

“By the end of the day participants will hopefully have a deer, or at least some great stories to tell,” said Allen.

The fee for the workshop is $45, which includes registration, instruction, lunch on Friday, breakfast, lunch and snacks on Saturday. All participants must posses a valid Maryland Hunting License.

Download the registration form online at
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/beyondbowevents.asp
or contact Patty Allen at 410-260-8537. There are only 30 slots available.

About:
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland’s forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state’s number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov

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Womans Deer Hunting Workshop To Be Held in November

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arizona --(AmmoLand.com)- Students, are you looking for fun, competition, and the chance to meet new friends and be part of a team?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2009-10 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) season is ready to get underway, and students interested in learning about and competing in skeet, trap and sporting clays shotgun shooting are encouraged to find a club in their community.

The program is open to boys and girls from age 9 through 12th grades.

“Our SCTP is one of the best in the nation and we continue to see students become great athletes of clay target shooting through this team-based youth development program,” said Statewide Shooting Sports Coordinator, Ashley Lynch. “The mentoring, instruction, safety, and teamwork instilled by our certified coaches are second to none.”

The program is run similar to other youth-based athletics. The season runs from Oct 1, 2009 – May 1, 2010. Athletes can join at anytime depending on club availability. All of the SCTP clubs in Arizona are run 100 percent by volunteers. These dedicated volunteers are committed to teaching today’s youth to carry on the American tradition of shooting sports recreation.

“Shooting sports are an activity that any person with the desire can participate in. The structure of this program allows kids to have fun, compete, and learn safety and discipline skills,” said Lynch.

Currently, there were 20 active clubs across the state; below is a list by region with contact information to get you started.

Central region:
• Chandler area – Arizona Dust Devils (480) 628-9977
• North Phoenix – Ben Avery Clay Crushers (602) 920-5465
• Buckeye – Buckeye Buckshots (623) 869-9050
• Phantom / West Valley – Phantom Sure Shots (623) 925-9549
• East Valley – Rio Salado Target Terminators (480) 510-5604

Northern region:
• Cottonwood / Verde Valley – American Heritage Academy (enrollment to AHA students only)
• Prescott – Prescott (928) 636-4709
• Williams/Flagstaff – Williams Bird Busters (928) 635-4330
• Wickenburg – Wickenburg (928) 231-7644

Northeastern region:
• St. Johns – Leading Edge Shooters (928) 337-4955
• Springerville / Round Valley – White Mountain Rod & Gun Club (928) 333-5692
• Show Low – White Mountain Clay Busters (928) 369-1155

Northwestern region:
• Kingman – Mohave Top Guns (928) 753-5274
• Lake Havasu – Havasu SCTP (928) 486-8607

Southern region:
• Casa Grande – Central Arizona Target Shooters (CATS) (520) 251-2024
• Tucson – Tucson Shooting Stars (520) 780-0715
• Globe – Globe SCTP (602) 542-2785

Southeastern region:
• Double Adobe / McNeal – Double Adobe Young Guns (520) 364-4000
• Sierra Vista – Huachuca Hot Shots (520) 266-1078

Southwestern region:
• Yuma – Yuma Young Guns (928) 246-7157

To learn more about the department’s SCTP program, maps of participating teams, or how to get involved, visit www.azgfd.gov/sctp.

SCTP is a youth development program that teaches trap, skeet and sporting clays to students in grades 12 and under. The program uses a competitive, team-based format and has been called the “Little League” of shooting sports. More than 600 kids compete in Arizona’s SCTP. Nationally, about 10,000 youngsters compete in 40 states.

To learn more about the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation national SCTP program, visit www.sssfonline.org.

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Join A Youth Shotgun Shooting Team This Fall

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Pheonix, Az --(AmmoLand.com)-Parents, do you want to see your kids take a break from playing video games all day and get outdoors for some healthy activity?

Then check out the Arizona Game and Fish Department, your outdoor recreation resource. The department has partnered with dedicated sportsmen groups to offer first-time hunters dozens of mentored, hands-on, how-to hunting and shooting opportunities this fall.

For the majority of these events, all the participant has to do is show up and the mentors take care of the rest, including food and equipment. For others, participants must bring basic outdoor camping gear, and some hunts may require a hunting license and appropriate tags or stamps.

“Hunting in Arizona is very safe and it provides a healthy experience for the body, the mind and the soul,” said Arizona Game and Fish Director Larry Voyles. “Not only is it fun and challenging, but hunters play a critical role in modern wildlife conservation through harvest, funding, habitat restoration, advocacy and more.

A national survey in 2008 reports there is overwhelming public support for hunting. One method identified by the study to increase hunting participation is to provide new hunters with a mentored experience to teach them the skills needed to foster their self-interest.

Therefore, in teaching this valuable tradition in the 21st century, the department is taking on an approach like that of organized sports. The department’s Mentored Hunting Camp Project connects experienced sportsmen organizations with interested new hunters into a setting that teaches them the basic skills, ethics, and how-to’s in a safe and positive environment to foster those who have an interest in hunting but have no means with which to get started.

“Hunting is an American tradition that historically has been passed down from generation to generation, much like a skilled trade. However, as Arizona continues to transform from a rural- to an urban-based society, these traditions are not fostered like in years past, resulting in hunter participation rates not keeping pace in comparison to rising population levels,” added Voyles

Funded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) Hunter Heritage Grant Program, the Arizona Game and Fish Department created a pass-through grant program to local nonprofit organizations for the Mentored Hunting Camp Project.

“Arizona Game and Fish’s mentor program is an excellent example of thinking outside the box to put new hunters in the field,” said Melissa Schilling, National Shooting Sports Foundation, recruitment and retention manager. “This proposal is a ‘model’ program for other agencies to roll into their hunter recruitment and retention efforts.”

Voyles noted, “The NSSF Hunter Heritage Grant Program provided our agency an invaluable opportunity to develop a new program with our sportsmen’s groups for recruiting the hunter-conservationists of the future.”

Hunters are the original wildlife conservationists. Dating back more than 100 years ago, forward thinkers like President Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, Aldo Leopold, and others began to establish laws and management practices that would assure the sustainability of wildlife and their habitats for future generations. These mentored hunting camps are a way for today’s youth to become a part of this ongoing tradition and play a role in wildlife conservation.

The types of hunts, time of year and location can accommodate nearly any schedule, and include:

• Sept. 26, 5-Stand and Sporting Clays Camp – Hosted by Mohave SCTP at Seven Mile Hill Shooting Range in Kingman. To register, call (928) 758-2355.
• Fall 2009 (date pending), Small Game Hunting Camp – Hosted by Northeastern Arizona Sportsman’s Association, at Vernon. To register, contact (928) 337-3768.
• Oct. 3-4, Trophy Squirrel Camp – Hosted by Chandler Rod and Gun Club at Forest Lakes east of Payson on the Mogollon Rim. To register, e-mail info@chandlerrodandgunclub.com.
• Oct. 8-11, Antlerless Elk Camp – Hosted by Outdoor Experience 4 All at Mormon Lake, south of Flagstaff, in unit 6A. Special hunt for children with a life-threatening illness (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, contact (480) 529-8340.
• Oct. 8-12, Junior Deer Hunting Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association at the Colcord Ridge Campground for units 3A, 3C, 22, and 23 (Open to those already issued a deer tag). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Oct. 15-18, Juniors Elk Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Elk Society at Bear Springs, near Overgaard, for units 3C and 4A (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, call (480) 720-2393.
• Oct. 15-18, Junior Elk Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Elk Society at Happy Jack Lodge for unit 6A (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, call (623) 594-7074.
• Oct. 15-19, Junior Elk Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association, location to be determined, for unit 3A and 3C (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Nov. 19-22, Junior Deer & Javelina Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona chapter of the Safari Club International at Marley Ranch south of Tucson for units 36A and 36B (Limited javelina tags still available, deer tags already issued). For information, call (520) 490-8367.
• Nov. 19-22, Junior Deer Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association, location to be determined, for unit 20C (Open to those already issued a deer tag). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Nov. 26-29, Bull Elk Hunt Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association at Bar D Ranch for unit 6A (Open to those already issued an elk tag). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Dec. 5-6, Predator Hunting Seminar and Camp – Hosted by Huachuca Gould’s chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, at Rose Tree Museum in Sierra Vista. To register, contact (520) 508-4272.
• Dec. 5-6, Small Game Hunting Camp – Hosted by Chandler Rod and Gun Club, at Gold Canyon. To register, e-mail info@chandlerrodandgunclub.com.
• Dec. 11-13, Junior Waterfowl Hunting Camp – Hosted by Southwest Habitat Partnership, at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. To register, e-mail getoutsideaz@gmail.com.
• Dec. 18-21, Junior Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Camp – Hosted by Mohave Sportsman Club, at Cain Springs in unit 16A (Open to those already issued a deer tag). For information, call (928) 758-2355.
• December (date pending), Shotgun Shooting Camp – Hosted by Northeastern Arizona Sportsman’s Association in St. Johns. To register, call (928) 337-3768.
• Jan. 16-17, Quail Hunting Camp – Hosted by Cochise Bird Dog Club at Empire Ranch near Sonoita. To register, call (520) 458-1584.
• Jan. 21-24, Juniors Javelina Hunting Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association, location to be determined, in unit 20C (Apply for javelina tag before Oct. 13, Hunt No. 5039). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Jan. 21-24, Javelina Hunting Camp – Hosted by Arizona Deer Association, location to be determined, in unit 23 (Apply for javelina tag before Oct. 13, Hunt No. 5040). For information, call (623) 866-8919 or azace@cox.net.
• Jan. 22-24, Junior Jack Rabbit Hunting Camp – Host by Arizona chapter of the Safari Club International, at Altar Valley. To register, contact (520) 490-8367.
• April 15-18, Youth Turkey Hunting Camp – Hosted by National Wild Turkey Federation, location to be determined, in Unit 6A near Flagstaff (Turkey tag required, available at any license dealer). For information, call (928) 848-4549.
• April 15-18, Youth Turkey Hunting Camp – Hosted by National Wild Turkey Federation at Colcord Ridge Campground for units 3, 4, and 23 (Turkey tag required, available at any license dealer). For information, call (928) 848-4549.
• April 15-18, Youth Turkey Hunting Camp – Hosted by National Wild Turkey Federation at Alpine for units 1 and 27 (Turkey tag required, available at any license dealer). For information, call (928) 848-4549.

Several other events made available by the grant program have already occurred (see list below). However, many of these are annual events and are worth noting in your calendar:

• August, Christian Hunting and Shooting Camp – Hosted by Grace Community Church Group at Nowell Tree Farm.
• September, Junior Dove Hunt – Hosted by Chandler Rod and Gun Club and Arizona Game and Fish Department at department’s Robbins Butte Wildlife Area.
• September, Junior’s Fall Turkey Hunting Seminar – Hosted by Huachuca Gould’s chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation in Sierra Vista.
• September, Beginner’s Dove Hunt – Hosted by Chandler Rod and Gun Club and Arizona Game and Fish Department in the East Valley.
• September, Trap Shooting Camp – Hosted by Mohave SCTP at Seven Mile Hill Shooting Range in Kingman. To register, call (928) 758-2355.

To learn more about hunting, how to get a big game tag and other programs, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/hunting under “Mentored Hunting.”

About:
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

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Learn How To Hunt In A Safe Mentored Environment

Ohio Division of Wildlife

COLUMBUS, OH --(AmmoLand.com)- Ohio’s youth hunters will again have several added opportunities to learn and practice their hunting skills this fall. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife offers several ways for families to hunt together and create lasting traditions in the state’s outdoors.

WATERFOWL: Youngsters age 15 and younger wanting to pursue waterfowl may do so, statewide, on Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4.

SMALL GAME: Hunters age 17 and younger may hunt statewide for rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two designated weekends, October 24-25 and October 31 and November 1. Quail also may be taken in 16 designated open counties.

Pheasant releases for young hunters will occur prior to these dates on the following state wildlife areas: Resthaven, Oxbow, Berlin, Killdeer Plains, Camp Belden, Grand River, Spencer, Wellington, Delaware, Dillon, Caesar Creek, Rush Run, Fallsville and Darke, as well as Charlemont Metropark in Lorain County.

WHITE-TAILED DEER: A youth deer-gun season will be open statewide, November 21- 22. Young hunters age 17 and younger who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult may take one deer of either sex during this season, in accordance with existing bag and deer zone limits.

WILD TURKEY: It is not too early to be planning to participate in the spring youth wild turkey hunting for 2010. A statewide spring youth wild turkey season will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18. This hunt is open to youths age 17 and younger.

CONTROLLED HUNTS: The Division of Wildlife also offers several controlled hunts for young hunters throughout the hunting season. Applications to participate in these hunts are accepted June 1 through July 31. Applications are available at the division’s five district offices and on wildohio.com, and may be completed by mail or online. There are controlled youth hunts for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and waterfowl.

To participate in the upcoming youth hunts, all young hunters must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, and must abide by all regular hunting hours and bag limits. A valid 2009-2010 youth hunting license, along with the appropriate permits, are required. For complete details on all of Ohio’s youth hunting seasons, refer to 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet, call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) or go online to wildohio.com.

The 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

About:
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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ODNR Division of Wildlife Youth Hunting Opportunities

Whitetails Unlimited

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin --(AmmoLand.com)-A hunter’s first white-tailed deer is an important part of their personal hunting heritage, and Whitetails Unlimited’s My First Deer program is ready to celebrate that rite of passage with them.

As this year’s deer seasons approach, when you (or someone you know) take that first deer, remember to go to the Whitetails Unlimited web site and join a special group of hunters.

The My First Deer program celebrates a life-long memory – a hunter’s first deer. While oriented strongly toward youth, the program acknowledges a hunter of any age entering into a very special hunting fraternity of sportsmen and women. This special group of hunters can trace its roots all the way back to the Native Americans and early European settlers in North America.

To participate, a hunter need only submit a photo of their first deer, along with a short narrative (250 word maximum) about the hunt that resulted in their first deer.

To mark the occasion, Whitetails Unlimited will provide the successful deer hunter with a personalized color certificate, suitable for framing, and a custom WTU shooter’s cap to wear with pride. In addition, everyone who participates will be entered into a drawing for one of three gift cards, generously donated by Cabela’s. First prize is a $300 Cabela’s gift card, second prize is a $200 Cabela’s gift card, and third prize is a $100 Cabela’s gift card. The drawing will be held January 5, 2010, with winners posted on the WTU web site.

“This is a great way to mark this special deer hunting experience, and provide the successful hunter with a permanent reminder of that memorable day,” said Kevin Devault, WTU’s manager of conservation funding. “It’s a day and a moment in a hunter’s life that I promise they will never forget.”

Whitetails Unlimited introduced My First Deer as a pilot program in the last part of 2008, and it was an immediate success. As a result, WTU is running the program for the entire year in 2009.

“Just ask any deer hunter, young or old, about their first deer and they will relive the entire experience as if it just happened yesterday,” said Devault. “Responsible hunters today, as in the past, continue to play a vital role in determining the fate of our nation’s deer population and the sport of regulated hunting. Honest, ethical hunters are the true conservationists in today’s society.”

For complete details on the My First Deer program, visit the WTU website at www.whitetailsunlimited.com.

About:
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization. Our mission is to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. When it comes to the whitetail and its environment, WTU’s degree of professionalism and dedication has earned us the reputation of being the nation’s premier whitetail organization.

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Whitetails Unlimited’s My First Deer Program Looking For Successful Hunters in 2009

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. –-(AmmoLand.com)- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division selected Colonel Jack Bradford, ret. U.S. Army – Fort Gordon, as the 2008 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.

“The State of Georgia is fortunate to have such a education instructor as Col. Bradford who is a proven asset to the department through his commendable efforts,” says Lt. Judd Smith, Wildlife Resources Division conservation ranger.

For more than 16 years, Bradford has served in this important educational capacity, teaching hundreds of youth and adults the importance of safe hunting. He regularly trains volunteers, schedules courses and assigns instruction blocks, ensuring that proper class preparation is followed. He primarily serves the Augusta-Richmond County area, but is well-known throughout the Thomson region.

Dedicated to youth and adult hunters, Bradford also volunteers as a range instructor at the Fort Gordon Sportsmen’s Complex. In addition, he also supports and assists the Medical College of Georgia, Children’s Medical Center, the Boy and Cub Scouts of America in the Augusta area and the WEE CAN SKI program, which allows children with special needs to experience water skiing on Clarks Hill Lake.

For more information on the 2008 State Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, call the Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Headquarters office at (770) 918-6408.

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Dedicated DNR Hunter Ed Instructor Recognized in Georgia

Delta Waterfowl Mentored Hunting Program Takes Off

Deltawaterfowl.org

Bismarck, N.D.—-(AmmoLand.com)- The seeds of John Denker’s love of waterfowling were sown when he was a young boy working as his father’s field apprentice in and around his hometown of Quincy, Illinois.

“I was affectionately called the bag boy, the kid who picked up the birds, typically a mixed bag of ducks and geese, and hauled them back to the vehicles after the hunt,” said Denker, 28. “I loved to be outside and wouldn’t sleep the night before just knowing we were going. With my Dad, I got to be one of the guys, and those early days spurred my love of waterfowling that has only grown as I’ve gotten older.”

Denker, vice chairman of the Illinois Prairie Chapter of Delta Waterfowl, is following his father’s example by passing on his love of waterfowling and its many traditions. On October 23 and 24, the Illinois Prairie Chapter, in partnership with the Clinton Lake Waterfowl Association, is putting on its first mentored youth waterfowl hunt. The weekend event will have plenty of hands-on education (hunting tactics, conservation, safety, ethics and more) and a morning hunt, after which there will be bird-cleaning demonstrations and a cookout.

“I’m worried about the trend away from waterfowling and the outdoors in general with our kids,” said Denker. “As waterfowlers and conservationists, we have to give back—in fact, it’s our obligation—and that starts with the next generation. With our youth event, we’re trying to get kids off the couch and away from their video games and into the outdoors.”

The Illinois youth hunt is one of roughly 70 mentored hunts that Delta Waterfowl chapters and volunteers are putting on across the U.S. this hunting season. The goal is to use mentors to connect kids and adults to waterfowl hunting’s rich culture and heritage—a heritage that’s loosing more and more of its constituency every year. According to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, waterfowl hunter numbers from 2001 to 2006 dropped 27 percent.

“That big of drop in hunter numbers is a conservation crisis in the making,” says Delta Senior Vice President John Devney. “The goal of our mentored hunt program is to build a bigger constituency around the issues of affecting waterfowl and waterfowl hunting. If we don’t, our heritage will suffer, plain and simple. We have to have a voice to address the critical issues facing ducks.”

Some Delta youth events have already gotten underway across the U.S. Devney said he recently attended the Third Annual Utah Delta Waterfowl youth fair at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, organized by the Great Basin Waterfowlers Chapter. He said 263 children 15 and younger participated in the educational and skills-training event, in preparation for the state’s youth waterfowl hunting day.

“It was one amazing experience to see that many kids in one place learning about waterfowl and waterfowl hunting,” he said, noting that more than 425 people, kids and adults, attended. “It was a tremendous, tremendous event.”

While youths are the long-term solution to hunter recruitment and retention, Delta Waterfowl is also reaching out to adults and families. Last year, for example, Delta’s West Dakota Waterfowlers Chapter (Minot, N.D.) and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman program sponsored the state’s first women’s mentored waterfowl hunt and workshop. Fifteen women attended. This year’s women’s-only workshop is slated for September 26 and 27 in Minot.

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a waterfowl hunter and I didn’t even pull the trigger,” said Delta Regional Director Scott Terning of Bismarck, who served as a mentor for the hunt.

Terning said the two-day workshop included instruction on waterfowl identification, firearms safety and shooting, hunting tactics and ethics, and waterfowl conservation, among other topics. The morning hunt was followed by instruction on bird cleaning and preparation.

“We even went out scouting and explained where they can and cannot hunt,” Terning said, whose group of four women killed 13 drake mallards and three blue-winged teal. “A big part of waterfowl hunting is developing hunter-landowner relationships, and that’s something we believe was important to teach.”

Brook Johnson, a Minot State University student, attended last year’s women’s workshop and said it was a transformative experience. “It was an awesome, awesome time, and I recommend it to all women,” said Johnson, a Delta member. “You hear all this talk about preserving wetlands and grasslands and you really don’t understand why until you get out in the field and experience hunting firsthand. The women’s mentored hunt really put that into focus for me.”

Johnson said the workshop hooked her on waterfowl hunting.

“I’ve already been out for the early goose season and can’t wait until the duck opener,” she said. “I’m probably going to hunt more than my guy friends.”

To learn more about hunting participation and the issues affecting it, read Delta Waterfowl’s five-part magazine series called the Vanishing Hunter at www.deltawaterfowl.org/media/magazine/archive/vanishinghunter/part1.php

About:
Delta Waterfowl provides knowledge, leaders and science-based solutions that efficiently conserve waterfowl and secure the future for waterfowl hunting.

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Delta Waterfowl Mentored Hunting Program Takes Off

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, Az —-(AmmoLand.com)- The Arizona Game and Fish Department invites the public to a free educational presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 23 to learn about the natural history, management efforts, and biological and social issues related to mountain lions and bighorn sheep in Arizona.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the department’s Phoenix office at 5000 W. Carefree Highway. To accommodate interested constituents who are unable to attend in person, the seminar will be webcast simultaneously on the Internet by visiting www.azgfd.gov/webcast. For those watching online, questions may be submitted electronically for consideration during the interactive question-and-answer period.

A panel of three of the department’s expert wildlife biologists will each provide a 15-minute informative presentation with pictures, natural history and management objectives. Ron Thompson will speak on mountain lions; John Hervert will cover bighorn sheep; Pat Barber will provide an overall summary of the department’s role for managing both species in southwestern Arizona, including the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.

The speakers have more than 70 years of collective experience in wildlife management:

Pat Barber, a second-generation Yuma native, is the department’s Yuma regional supervisor. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with an emphasis in fish and wildlife management from Northern Arizona University. In his 14 years with the department, Barber spent eight years in the field as a wildlife manager, was the predator and furbearer biologist, and was the department’s chief of law enforcement before assuming his current position. He is very knowledgeable about bighorn sheep and mountain lion management. Barber played a lead role in the change to the three-month closure for the mountain lion hunting season, regulatory protection for female lions with spotted kittens, and establishing the mechanisms requiring physical check-in for hunter-harvested mountain lions to improve data collection.

John Hervert is the department’s wildlife program manager in the Yuma regional office. He has a Master of Science degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Arizona. Hervert is a veteran biologist of 25 years with the department. His knowledge and experience is extensive, with 30 years working with desert ungulates (desert bighorn sheep and mule deer) and 20 years working with mountains lions in the Sonoran Desert. Hervert’s areas of special interest include water physiology, development of aerial survey techniques, and re-establishment of bighorn sheep and two endangered species, the Sonoran pronghorn and Mexican Wolf.

Ron Thompson is the department’s large carnivore biologist. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology from the University of Arizona. Before rejoining the department in his current position, Thompson had a long career as a wildlife manager. After retirement, he was a contract wildlife biologist involved in adaptive management strategies for bighorn sheep and mountain lions for projects in New Mexico as part of the Turner Endangered Species Fund and in Arizona and the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. He is highly interested in using leading-edge DNA science for the future management of carnivores. Thompson is responsible for the development of a statewide conservation plan for mountain lions and bears.

After the presentations, the public is encouraged to engage in a question-and-answer session to address questions, concerns and issues about these dynamic species. Web viewers will have access to a link at www.azgfd.gov/webcast for submitting questions to the panel electronically for consideration.

The mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is to conserve, enhance, and restore Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and habitats through aggressive protection and management programs, and to provide wildlife resources and safe watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation for the enjoyment, appreciation, and use by present and future generations.

To learn more about the desert bighorn sheep and mountain lions in Kofa Mountains Complex and the department’s management objectives, visit www.azgfd.gov/kofa.

About:
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

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Learn About Mountain Lions And Bighorn Sheep At Free Presentation

Whitetails Unlimited

Ohio --(AmmoLand.com)- Whitetails Unlimited’s 2009-2010 Deer Camp Tour, a series of regional or statewide fundraising events, got a rousing start with an event in Ohio last Saturday.

“This is going to be our best series of Deer Camps yet,” said WTU Executive Director Pete Gerl.

This year the Deer Camp Tour is being expanded to 16 events in eight states, with the next event being held on the Iowa/Nebraska border in late October, followed by the New York State Deer Camp in early November. The Deer Camp concept started more than a decade ago with a single event in northern Wisconsin.

“The money we raised last year was essential in expanding many of our nationwide programs,” said WTU Executive Director Pete Gerl, “and we’re very excited about this year’s events. The response from our members and our industry sponsors, both regional and national, has been outstanding.”

Proceeds from WTU Deer Camps help fund some of Whitetails Unlimited’s programs that have national scope, such as Project POLITE, My First Deer, Whitetail Watch, Comprehensive Deer Management, and WTU’s Kids on Target.

Even during this time of national economic trouble, advance ticket sales for these events have been strong. In addition, support from the outdoor industry for sponsoring Deer Camps is ahead of last year, according to Dave Hawkey, WTU’s vice president of field operations.

“Having quality sponsors makes for a quality event, and sponsors are very important to the success of our Deer Camps. Keep in mind that the people who attend WTU Deer Camps are passionate deer hunters, and therefore our sponsors are able to get their message and products in front of a very targeted and motivated audience. In the end, everyone has a great time at the Deer Camp event, the sponsors get exposure to their exact target consumers, and WTU’s conservation programs ultimately benefit after the Deer Camp is over. These events are a winner for everyone,” said Hawkey.

Last year eight Deer Camps were held in four states: one each in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan; and five in Wisconsin. Due to the successful history of WTU Deer Camp events, the schedule has been expanded to 16 Deer Camps for 2009-10, with single events in New York, Illinois, Missouri, and Texas; a pair of events in Iowa and Michigan; three events in Ohio; and five events in Wisconsin.

“Throughout the history of the Deer Camps, WTU has built a reputation based on quality events that support high quality conservation programs,” said Hawkey.

Gerl added that, “The hunters and conservationists who attend our Deer Camps, and the businesses that partner with us to be sponsors at these events, combine to allow us to accomplish our mission of education, conservation, and preservation of an American tradition. It may be a cliché to say that we’re nothing without our members and sponsors, but it’s true. Working together we can accomplish amazing things, and our thanks go out to everyone involved.”

Gerl said that the entire Whitetails Unlimited organization has worked hard to get everything in order to put on twice as many Deer Camps as last year, but everything is going smoothly.

“Our field directors bear the biggest load, but the national headquarters team is doing everything they can to support the efforts of the field staff. Deer Camps are a distinctive event, featuring additional merchandise and sponsored items, and even different dinner items, events and locations from our normal events. Deer Camps normally sell out, and we get great people attending. Everyone is excited about these events.”

About:
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization. Our mission is to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. When it comes to the whitetail and its environment, WTU’s degree of professionalism and dedication has earned us the reputation of being the nation’s premier whitetail organization.

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Whitetails Unlimited Deer Camp Tour Kicks Off

New Mexico Game and Fish

New Mexico --(AmmoLand.com)- Visitors to the 2009 New Mexico State Fair can see a live fox, wild turkeys, trout and more at the Department of Game and Fish exhibit Sept. 11-27 in the Natural Resources Building of Expo New Mexico.

Live game fish, snakes and owls also are on the visual menu at this year’s exhibit. Visitors to the audio-visual room will have a chance to hear presentations by Wildlife Rescue, Wildlife West Nature Park, Valles Caldera, Bosque Del Apache, JTD Knives, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department’s Aquatic Education Program.

New this year: The New Mexico Duck Calling Contest will be at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 20 on the front lawn of the Natural Resources Building. The winners will qualify for the World Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Ark. Sponsors include Buck Gardner Calls, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Duke City Duck Club and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

The “Poach Coach,” a trailer designed by the Department to display animals unlawfully killed, will make a special appearance Sept. 17 for Law Enforcement Day.

Fair admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages 5 and younger. This year, the Fair is offering a package deal of five people for $20. The tickets can be used at any time. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

For more information, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us and click on the State Fair logo.

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Department Of Game And Fish At The NM State Fair

Trijicon Scopes

Raton, NM --(AmmoLand.com)- Trijicon®, world leader in Brilliant Aiming Solutions™, has introduced the new ‘Trijicon Aiming For Excellence’ Hunt Skills Award and increased its annual support to become a new Silver Sponsor of the NRA Whittington Center’s Adventure Camp.

At this unique camp set on more than 33,000 acres in the rugged New Mexico wilderness, top volunteer industry instructors share their expertise on the fundamentals of pistol, rifle, muzzleloading, and shotgun skills with teenagers from all over the U.S. It includes courses on everything from wilderness map reading, preparing a hunting camp, and animal tracking to game calls, care of downed game and wildlife management techniques. The non-profit camp features two 13-day summer sessions of approximately 40 campers each, for kids ages 13 to 17.

Trijicon personnel held an instructional seminar at the camp this summer, introducing the new annual award — ‘Trijicon’s Aiming for Excellence.’ The winner from each session was the camper with the highest score in the comprehensive Hunt Skills testing segment of the camp, and each won a specially engraved Trijicon AccuPoint® riflescope. The challenging course includes hunter safety instruction, tracking, and completing a back country walk-though “hunt,” where the participants were faced with shooting targets of a wide range of animals, making sure that they were in season and were the ones for which they were given a faux license.

Darren Curry, of Los Cruces New Mexico, won the ‘Trijicon Aiming for Excellence’ award during the second session of the camp.

“The Hunt Skills class was my favorite part of the camp — it was so cool to learn all about hunting and safety and then go on the hunt itself and apply everything we’d learned,” says the 14-year-old, who had never been hunting before. “I can’t wait to use the Trijicon AccuPoint I won on an elk hunt my dad is going to take me on. I’ve been practicing at the range with it and love the illuminated reticle!”

The winner from the first session was Jacob Sanchez from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, (see photo.)

Trijicon has been donating both funds and a wide range of its industry-leading products, including Trijicon AccuPoint® riflescopes, ACOGs® and Bright & Tough™ night sights for pistols, to this exceptional program for the past three years. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to engaging with young shooting sports enthusiasts, and ensuring the future legacy of the industry, Trijicon has increased its donations for 2009, which resulted in joining the ranks of other leading manufacturers in the Silver Sponsor sector.

“The sponsors that contribute to the NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camp program are not only developing the next generation of shooters and outdoor enthusiasts, but are actively engaged in a character-building experience that will stay with these participants for the rest of their lives,” says Bill Perkins, Camp Director. “Family members frequently comment about the maturity and personal growth that they see after only 13 days. By the end of camp, the campers have learned valuable firearm safety skills but they have also developed self-confidence that occurs from successfully meeting a challenge.”

Trijicon values the opportunity to engage with youth to ensure the viability and future of the industry.

“Teaching these amazing young people the proper use and care of firearms and fundamentals of hunting and shooting sports only makes our future stronger. We hope that the campers will be able to take what they learn here and pass it on to friends, family and eventually their own children,” says Trijicon’s Senior Marketing Coordinator Susan Belanger. “We’re very proud to introduce the Trijicon Aiming for Excellence Award to the NRA Whittington Center’s Adventure Camp this year. We wanted to reward the camper at each session that best exemplifies the essence of Trijicon’s beliefs — aiming for excellence in all we do is a standard for Trijicon — we take pride in our products and how they help military, law enforcement officers and hunters all across the world. The winners of this award have shown that they also take pride in themselves and are willing to help others.”

About:
To learn more about Trijicon’s partnership with the NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camp, or any of Trijicon’s other charitable events, contributions or products, contact: Trijicon, Inc. 49385 Shafer Ave., Wixom, MI 48393 • (800) 338-0563 • Or visit www.trijicon.com.

For more information, including a free DVD, about the Whittington Center’s Adventure Camp, please contact the NRA Whittington Center at P.O. Box 700, Raton, NM 87740 • (800) 494-4853 • Or visit www.nrawc.org.

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Trijicon, Inc. Launches First Annual Trijicon Aiming For Excellence Hunt Skills Award

National Archery in the Schools Program

Orlando, Florida --(AmmoLand.com)- The Magic Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, and Typhoon Lagoon are mainstays of the family vacation destination at Disney’s Wide World of Sports®. Millions of families and individuals come to Orlando, Florida for the dream vacation of a lifetime. On October 8-11, 2009 the first National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®)” 1st World Tournament” will be conducted at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Jostens® Center. NASP® expects up to 2,000 participants from the program’s elementary, middle, and high schools.

The National Archery in the Schools Program is inviting teams from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa to compete in the first world NASP archery tournament. Teams and individuals who qualified for the 2009 NASP® national tournament held in May 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky are eligible to participate at the World Tournament.

Those teams that qualified for the 2009 NASP® National Tournament or placed first in their state can send from 12-24 participants four of whom must be the opposite gender. Elementary school teams with a score of 2500, Middle school teams with a score of 2600, and High school teams with a score of 2700 and any individuals who were on a team that qualified in their state or provincial tournament are eligible.

There will only be two archers in each lane per flight, one each from different schools. If archers share bows they must be registered in different flights. Flight times will begin at 1:00pm EST on October 8 and the tournament will conclude with the World Awards Ceremony at noon on October 11, 2009. Each archer will be provided five practice shots before shooting at the 10 and 15 meter distances. Archers may practice in vacant lanes during competitive flights as space is available.

World Tournament registration is available on-line. Selection of flight times and dates will occur immediately to facilitate travel plans for teams and individuals. Pre-registration will begin on August 26 at 8am EST and close on September 23rd 5pm EST. To register on-line visit www.archeryintheschools.org Registration fee is twenty five ($25) per archer payable on-line at the time of registration. Fees are not refundable. Shooting times and dates will be available on a first come first serve basis and until they are labeled “FULL.” The team coach will receive immediate confirmation of the date and requested shooting time. Each registrant will receive a “1st World NASP® Tournament” souvenir t-shirt.

Disney World has provided a special “NASP® World Tournament Package” for participants, families and fans. This package can include lodging and tickets to Disney theme parks. NASP® attendees are encouraged to book flights, travel, and accommodations as early as possible. We are expecting up to 2,000 archers and at least that many coaches, fans, families and officials.

NASP® began in March 2002 in 21 pilot schools and has grown to more than 5000 schools in the elementary, middle, and high school levels. This school year more than a million students will learn this lifetime skill from their physical education teachers in schools across the U.S., Canada, and beyond.

For more information email: jgauthier@nasparchery.com
Visit: www.archeryintheschools.org

About:
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is a joint venture between state departments of Education and Wildlife. Several archery equipment manufacturers and organizations are also partners (listed below). The program promotes student education, physical education and participation in the life long sport of Archery. The program’s focus is to provide International Style Target Archery training in physical education classes grades 4 – 12

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Disney’s Wide World of Sports to Host 1st World NASP Tournament October 8th – 11th, 2009

South Dakota Fish, Game & Parks

MILBANK, S.D –-(AmmoLand.com)- Grab your bow and head to Hartford Beach State Park to show off your skills. The annual 3-D Archery shoot sponsored by the Milbank Valley Archers is Sept. 12-13. Contestants can register between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sat, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Participants can shoot in competition or just for fun. Competition categories are based on equipment used, age and gender. Youngsters are welcome and will shoot the same targets as adults, but from closer locations.

A “Tough Man” option is also available, in which shooters must shoot from difficult locations. Families can shoot a round together, even if competing in different categories.

“The steep wooded landscape of Hartford Beach lends itself to some interesting shooting opportunities,” said Jeff Nodsle, park manager. “The course consists of 30 three-dimensional, life-size animal targets. The first 20 targets are along the Prehistoric Village Trail, and the second set of targets is along the Beach Trail.”

This tournament is sanctioned by the National Field Archery Association. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for non-competitive shooters, $5 for cubs (ages 8-11), peewees (ages 7 and under) are free, and family admission is $25. In addition, a park entrance license is required. Concessions will be available.

This event is held each year the second weekend in September. For more information call (605) 432-6374. Hartford Beach State Park is located 15 miles north of Milbank off SD 15.

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SD’s Hartford Beach State Park Hosts Annual Archery Shoot

GoHuntGeorgia.com

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. --(AmmoLand.com)-Are you ready for an advanced education in outdoor skills? Then take the challenge – the Hunter Education Skills Challenge to be specific. This program, open to any youth age 18 or younger that has completed their hunter education course, will be available at several upcoming events.

“Consider the Challenge program as a ‘graduate studies’ course for hunter education students,” says Jennifer Pittman, Shooting Sports Coordinator. “This program will include events that simulate realistic conditions in order to reinforce and test a young hunter’s skills.”

The Challenge has up to six components: archery, air rifle, safety trail challenge, orienteering, wildlife identification and responsibility. Participants receive scores for each component with a maximum total high score of 500. Competitions include two divisions – Junior (age 14 and younger) and Senior (age 15-18). The top 10 scoring participants at each local competition (in each Division) are eligible for the state Challenge (scheduled for Sat., Jan. 16, 2010).

All youth hunters are welcome to participate in a local Challenge if they wish – no pre-registration is required. Following is information on upcoming events (all events are on Saturdays):

• Aug. 29, Chickasawhatchee WMA, Albany, GA
• Sept. 5, Wildlife Resources Division Headquarters, Social Circle, GA
• Sept. 26, Sloppy Floyd State Park, Summerville, GA
• Oct. 3, Coopers Creek WMA Check Station, Blairsville, GA
• Oct. 10, Clybel WMA Shooting Range (Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center), Mansfield, GA
• Oct. 10, Lake Russell WMA C heck Station, Gainesville, GA
• Oct. 24, River Bend WMA Check Station, Dublin, GA
• Oct. 31, Griffin Ridge WMA Check Station, Ludowici, GA

For more information on any of these Challenge events, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com (select “Get Involved” and then “Programs”) or call 770-918-6416.

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Hunter Education Skills Challenge Program Targets Youth

Whitetails Unlimited

Wisconsin – -(AmmoLand.com)- Inspired by the overwhelming success of Whitetails Unlimited’s Kids on Target firearm marksmanship program, WTU is now implementing the “3 For Three” archery component for young archers.

“This is a great way to get young people involved with archery in a positive, safe and supervised manner,” said Whitetails Unlimited Executive Director Pete Gerl. “The firearm component of Kids on Target, which is sponsored in part by Rossi USA, has been an overwhelming success, and now we are able to provide encouragement for youngsters to get involved outdoors in a terrific life-long activity – archery.”

Designed for archers 18 and under, participants receive a free kit with official targets, program guidelines, and the 10 Commandments of Archery Safety. They are encouraged to practice as much as necessary, under adult supervision, at a public shooting range. When they are confident in their shooting abilities and ready to qualify, they then use an official target and must place three arrows within the 6-inch colored portion, from a minimum distance of 12 yards. Upon qualification the young successful archer will return the target with the completed witness verification form and receive a WTU Kids on Target gold medal and a personalized color certificate, suitable for framing. These awards will serve as a reminder of their accomplishment of hitting “3 For Three.”

There is no charge to individual participants for any part of the program. For clubs or organizations interested in group participation there will be a nominal fee to help offset a portion of the expense.

“We really want to get young people out of the house and involved in the shooting sports,” said Gerl, “and since the firearm branch of Kids on Target was so successful, expanding into archery was a natural second step. We’d like to get kids away from all the electronics in their lives, and get them outdoors involved in the shooting sports. Obviously, we hope some of them take up archery hunting, but even if they don’t, they will learn a fun sport and some life lessons about success and accomplishment through practice and perseverance. Receiving the medal and certificate is just the kind of outside motivation that most kids respond to in a very positive way.”

Gerl noted that WTU has a long history of recruiting and developing new hunters and participants in the shooting sports, and the Kids on Target program is a continuation of Whitetails Unlimited’s mission of preserving an American tradition.

Participating in the program requires everyone follow the 10 Commandments of Archery Safety, and young archers must be supervised by an adult. In many situations, kids that don’t have success with other sports are excited about the shooting sports.
For more details about Kids on Target, visit the WTU website at www.whitetailsunlimited.com.

About:
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization. Our mission is to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. When it comes to the whitetail and its environment, WTU’s degree of professionalism and dedication has earned us the reputation of being the nation’s premier whitetail organization.

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Whitetails Unlimited Unveils 3 For Three Archery Program

Video Game Takes Kids Outside

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is launching a new online video game aimed to encourage kids to go outside and learn about the environment. Designed for children ages 8 to 11 years old, Neighborhood Explorers is accessed through the Service’s Let’s Go Outside! website at http://www.fws.gov/letsgooutside/.

The journey through the game begins when you meet three children – Mia, Lucy and Steve – who gather in a tree house as the school year begins and talk about all the fun outdoor environmental activities they did over the summer. They form a Neighborhood Explorers Club, called the NX Club, and share information about planting gardens with native plants, backyard bird watching and urban wildlife. By exploring the tree house with your cursor, you can learn about endangered species, conservation heroes and threats to our natural world. Then you can play a fun jeopardy-style trivia game that tests your newly acquired environmental information in an entertaining and interactive venue.

Other activities include recording nature sightings in your own back yard, a race against time to find a missing praying mantis in the midst of an urban neighborhood, and identifying birds in a variety of habitats. When you finish a game, you can receive a gold, silver, or bronze patch, depending on how many points you score. Every game is a fun challenge as well as a valuable educational experience. You can also receive patches for documenting environmental projects and local wildlife, thus reinforcing the connection between the virtual and natural worlds.

When you’ve earned all five patches, you can receive a free tree from the Arbor Day Foundation! (A free membership to the NX Club is required so a record of your earned patches can be saved). After earning all five patches, you will be directed to the Arbor Day Foundation web site, where you can provide your name and address to get a free tree with directions for planting. There are only 450 trees available, so you should get started winning your patches right away!

Neighborhood Explorers provides an excellent educational opportunity for children and parents. By participating in this game, kids learn about nature and are encouraged to spend more time outside. Steve’s summer activity, for example, is simply exploring and observing nature. Children can also learn about problems that the environment is facing, such as pollution and invasive species, and discover ways to help solve these problems.

Unstructured play and discovery outside is an important part of childhood, and Neighborhood Explorers reinforces this through a medium that kids are familiar with: a video game. This is a great opportunity to show kids how caring about conservation and the environment can make a real-life difference in the world.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

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Video Game Takes Kids Outside

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Nebraskans are reminded to think safety first when hunting doves this fall.

Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has suggestions for a safe and successful hunt:

– Wear hunter orange to and from your favorite stand and hang some hunter orange around the site to let others know your location.

– Each year someone is injured when a hunter fires at a low-flying dove and strikes another hunter hiding on the other side of the field. Know your target and what is beyond it.

– Watch the muzzle and never point it at anyone.

– Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

– Stay calm and take your time to set up shots. You never will hit a dove if you rush the shot. Use an open choke and let the doves get as close as possible to make good, planned shots. The best shot size for this is 7½ or smaller.

– Bring water to drink and avoid dehydration.

– Use a folding stool to sit on to reduce exposure to insects, such as spiders, chiggers and ticks. Use an insect repellent with DEET. This will make you more comfortable and increase your ability to sit still for long periods of time. Doves key off movement, so keep movement, such as fending off insects, to a minimum.

Dove season opens Sept. 1. Hunting permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Dove hunters, except Nebraska residents under age 16, require a free Harvest Information Program number. Visit nehip.com or call toll-free (877) 634-8687 to obtain one. A Nebraska waterfowl stamp is not required. Shotguns must be restricted to hold no more than three shells.

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Tips for Safe Dove Hunting

American Deer & Wildlife Alliance

AUSTIN, Texas —-(AmmoLand.com)- The American Deer & Wildlife Alliance (ADWA) proudly announces it will host its Second Annual ADWA Bow Hunting & Archery Clinic on September 26, 2009 at Archery Country, the oldest archery store in Austin, Texas.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and will provide introductory archery instruction to kids, ages six to 15. All equipment will be provided.

“The ADWA Youth Bow Hunting Clinic was a huge success last year, and we’re very excited to return to Archery Country,” say Alicia Clements, operations manager for ADWA. “ADWA’s primary mission is to promote and introduce outdoor activities and wildlife-related issues to our children. At no time in our history have our youth been so disconnected from nature and we feel it’s critically important to preserve an outdoor heritage which is so uniquely American.”

The ADWA Bow Hunting & Archery Clinic includes two hours of personal archery instruction led by senior instructor Eric Pack and generous raffle items. Attendees will also receive goody bags containing the highly acclaimed youth publication, SPIKES Magazine, and various other goodies donated by corporate members of ADWA.

Price for attending the event is $10 per participant. Space is limited, so please call ADWA to reserve space today at 877.331.8600.

The American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a national non-profit organization comprised of companies, associations and individual sportsmen dedicated to promoting wildlife, land stewardship and America’s outdoor traditions.

To learn more about the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance or for membership information, visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org or call 877.528.7100.

ABout:
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth of the deer and wildlife industry, and to help educate consumers and the youth on the conservation issues that affect deer and wildlife as well as the industry. For more information on the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance, call 877.528.7100 or visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org.

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American Deer & Wildlife Alliance Announces 2nd Annual Youth Bow Clinic