New Jersey Apprentice Hunting Bills Reintroducedon

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Senate Bill 1083, sponsored by Senator Bob Smith (D- Piscataway), and Assembly Bill 1544, sponsored by Assemblyman John J Burzichelli (D- Paulsboro), would allow youth ages 10 and older and adults to hunt under an apprentice hunting license.

The license would allow new hunters to try hunting under the mentorship of an experienced adult before completing a hunter education course.

“Apprentice hunting licenses have been a cornerstone of the Families Afield program and our efforts to boost hunter recruitment across the country,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance in-house counsel and associate director of state services. “The try-before-you-buy concept has a proven track record of safely recruiting new hunters. New Jersey sportsmen are encouraged to contact their state assembly person and their state senator and ask them to support the future of hunting by passing these bills.”

Research has shown that not only is apprentice hunting successful at safely recruiting new hunters but that apprentice hunters are some of the safest in the woods.

The Families Afield initiative was established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Along with the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the coalition has worked to pass measures in 32 states with more than 600,000 apprentice or mentored hunting licenses sold since the program’s inception.

Take Action! New Jersey sportsmen should contact their state assembly person and senator and ask them to support Senate Bill 1083 and House Bill 1544. Tell them apprentice hunting licenses have been shown across the country to be a safe and successful way to recruit new hunters.

To find your state senator’s contact information, use the USSA Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/lac.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- A workgroup comprised of conservation groups and youth hunters presented recommendations for regulations for mentored youth hunting in Michigan to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission at a recent meeting.

Earlier this year, Governor Rick Snyder signed two bills into law that eliminated the minimum hunting age in Michigan and directed the NRC to create a new program for mentored youth hunting for children under the age of 10.

Under the statute, the Department of Natural Resources will offer a Mentored Youth Hunting license starting on March 1, 2012. The $7.50 license will be a “package” license that includes small game, spring and fall turkey, two deer tags, a furbearer trapping permit and an all-species fishing license. An adult mentor must be at least 21 years old, have previous hunting experience and possess a valid Michigan hunting license. Another provision of the law allows 10 year-olds to hunt big game on private land with a firearm, which was implemented starting with the 2011 deer season.

The workgroup recommendations for the Mentored Youth Hunting program include:

• No limit on the number of youth a mentor can have with him or her in the field, leaving it at the discretion of the mentor.
• A limit of two hunting devices – bow, crossbow or firearm – per mentor.
• The youth in possession of a hunting device and engaged in the act of hunting must be within arm’s length of the mentor.
• The mentor shall ensure that the hunting device is sized appropriately to fit the physical abilities of the youth to ensure safe and responsible handling.
• The mentor will be held responsible for the youth’s actions.
• The issued deer tags under the Mentored Youth Hunting license can be used for either sex (antlered or antlerless), are not subject to antler point restriction regulations in certain parts of the state and can only be used on private land, consistent with current state law.
• A voluntary Mentor Guide program will be developed by the DNR to educate and inform mentors of their responsibilities.

The NRC has directed the DNR to come forward with a Wildlife Conservation Order to create the regulations for Mentored Youth Hunting at the Jan. 12 meeting in Lansing. The order would be eligible for an NRC vote at the Feb. 9 meeting in Dearborn. Public comment on the proposed regulations can be made at the January or February meeting. Written comments can be sent to the NRC’s executive assistant Deb Whipple at whippled1@michigan.gov or via US Mail to Natural Resources Commission, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909.

For more information on the NRC, including agendas and past meeting minutes, go to www.michigan.gov/nrc.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

California Department Of Fish And Game

California --(Ammoland.com)- Permits will be issued for two California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) special apprentice waterfowl hunts at Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in Solano County.

On Saturday, Dec. 10 and Wednesday, Dec. 28, spaced blinds on Pond 11 and the Crescent Unit of the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area will be available only for apprentice hunt participants. The area will be closed to the general public on those days.

An adult chaperone (18 years or older) must accompany and supervise each apprentice hunter.

The adult may hunt with the apprentice and must possess the required 2011-2012 California hunting license and state and federal waterfowl stamps and the free Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation.

Junior hunting license holders must have a federal waterfowl stamp and the free HIP validation to hunt waterfowl.

All available blinds can accommodate two persons: the apprentice hunter and the adult chaperone. Nontoxic ammunition approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required for waterfowl hunting. A minimum of one dozen duck decoys are required at all blind sites and chest waders are recommended.

Sunrise at Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. DFG photo

To apply, please mail a standard-sized post card to Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, 2548 Grizzly Island Road, Suisun, CA 94585.

On the back of the card, please include the following information:

• Apprentice hunter’s name
• Junior hunting license number
• Mailing address and phone number
• Name of chaperone
• Hunt date desired

Each hunter may apply only once and for one date. Application cards must be received by close of business on Nov. 23. Apprentice hunt reservations will be filled by a random drawing conducted on Nov. 28. There will be 24 reservations issued for each date, and all successful applicants will be notified by mail.

The Grizzly Island Wildlife Area will also accept apprentice hunters on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the hunt to use the free roam areas and to fill any no-shows from the reservations. As a reminder, all chaperones who wish to hunt must have either a Type A One Day, Two Day or Season Pass, which must be purchased prior to arriving at the check station. These can be obtained through either a License Agent or online at www.dfg.ca.gov (allow two weeks mailing time if ordering online).

DFG would also like to encourage use of the West Family Unit, which is available only to apprentice hunters. Hunt days are Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the open season. Gates will be opened approximately two hours before shoot time. An adult chaperone is required and five double blinds, including one mobility-impaired blind and one three-person blind are available.

The unit is north of Benicia on Goodyear Road; from Highway 680 take the Marshview Road exit and turn right onto Goodyear Road from the off-ramp and the hunt area will be on the left.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, AZ – -(Ammoland.com)- Eddy Corona, one of Arizona’s leading hunter conservationists, is in the running for the “Mentor of the Year” award from the North American Hunting Club for his dedication to introducing youngsters to the great outdoors.

Eddy of Ahwatukee, is an Arizona native, longtime sportsman, and co-founder of Outdoor Experience 4 All (OE4A), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an enjoyable outdoor adventure to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Corona and OE4A are key players in the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Hunting and Angling Heritage Workgroup (HAHWG), a consortium of sportsmen’s organizations, community leaders, and outdoor industry representatives that works to pass down the skills and traditions of hunting and fishing to the next generation.

Through the coordination of the HAHWG and the dedicated efforts of groups like OE4A, mentored hands-on outdoor skills events have grown from only a handful a year to more than 40 events for the 2011-12 season.

Arizona Hunter Eddy Corona

Events hosted by experienced mentors, like Corona and OE4A, introduce first-timers, youngsters and their families to an array of outdoor experiences, including firearm safety, hunting, fishing, cooking wild game, wildlife conservation, wildlife biology/ecology, and camping skills. Not only does OE4A conduct its own events for kids, Eddy and his crew participate in other organizations’ events by providing equipment, camp help and mentors to give the participants that one-on-one support that is so important at mentored events.

Surveys have shown that mentoring is critical for continuing the hunting and angling heritage to those that may not have a family member or connection to these American pastimes.

“The efforts of the Hunting and Angling Heritage Workgroup are carried out in partnership with dozens of dedicated individuals and organizations, and we are certainly proud of the men and women of these outdoor organizations who work to pass on the outdoor heritage. The HAHWG is proud to see Eddy representing Arizona at the national level for recognition of the hard work every mentor does for the next generation,” said Chief of Wildlife Recreation, Craig McMullen.

The North American Hunting Club Mentor of the Year will be determined by online voting. Voting is open to the public at www.nahcmentor.com from Oct. 24 – Nov. 27. Other nominations from across the U.S. for the annual mentoring award are Phil McAmis, Mark Charbonneau, John E. Clites and Harry Fox, Sr.

To learn more about the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Hunting and Angling Heritage Workgroup mentoring program and upcoming events, visit www.azgfd.gov/outdoorskills.

Note: The recruitment and retention of hunters, anglers, trappers, and shooters is important to continue the successful management of Arizona’s wildlife. Funding for the management and conservation of game animals is funded by dollars generated by the sale of licenses, hunt tags, and matching funds from federal excise taxes hunters pay on guns, ammunition, and related equipment – not through the state’s general fund. However, driving on a country road and enjoying roaming elk herds, antelope on the range or ducks in flight are enjoyed by all citizens of Arizona and beyond.

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.

Top Ten Tips for Introducing Kids to Waterfowl Hunting

Delta Waterfowl

WINNIPEG, Manitoba --(Ammoland.com)- Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson has a message for adults thinking about introducing kids to waterfowl hunting: Just do it.

“I really believe you can’t start’em too early,” said Olson, who hunted ducks and geese with his father well before he was old enough to pull the trigger.

“One important thing we’ve learned with our First Hunt program is that hunting participation soars in families where parents hunt. The more you can nurture the culture when they’re young, the more likely you’ll have a kid who hunts over their lifetime.”

Olson recently took his son Benjamin, 4, and nephews Petey, 8, and Joey, 6, to Delta Marsh in Manitoba to hunt ducks. “They had an absolute blast, and we didn’t even shoot at a single bird,” said Olson. “In many jurisdictions across North America, there are age restrictions on when kids can start hunting waterfowl. Restrictions or not, there is nothing stopping you from bringing the little ones along for a hunt. My advice is to just do it. You can’t imagine how rewarding the experience will be—for you and the kids.”

Here are ten tips Olson recommends considering when you bring youngsters into the field:

1. Keep it short. “It’s like training a young Lab—short is always best,” said Olson.
2. Pick the right day—this isn’t the time for a tough, cold day in the marsh.
3. Make it fun. “Keep the focus on the kids and make sure the experience is fun and upbeat,” said Olson. “Bring a football in case the birds don’t cooperate.”
4. Start teaching some basic skills, but concentrate on safety.
5. Bring lots of calls, and let the kids blow them as much as they want. The outing isn’t about bagging birds. “Bring some ear plugs too, because it’s probably going to get loud,” Olson said.
6. Bring lots of snacks. “Kids always want something to eat,” said Olson.
7. Bring a dip net. Yes, a dip net. “If the birds aren’t flying, switch it up to a frog or water bug hunt. It doesn’t matter to them.”
8. Take a lot of photos. They are certain to become family heirlooms.
9. Bring a change of clothes because your kids are likely to get wet.
10. Get your kids to help clean the birds, and eat them that same day. “If you do, they’ll get hooked on eating game,” said Olson.

Editor’s note: Click here for more information about Delta Waterfowl’s First Hunt Program

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

Families Afield

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- At this time of year, millions of Americans feel the tug to participate in what they consider the ultimate interaction with the natural world–hunting.

For many hunters, it’s a time for sharing long-established traditions with family members and friends.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and target shooting industry, notes that hunting seasons will be open for small game, big game and bird hunting across the nation over the next several months. Those who are successful in their hunts will stock their freezers with nutritious, locally obtained meat. Many also will share their bounty with food pantries to provide meals to the less fortunate.

With the list below, NSSF offers a reminder of how to maintain your hunting traditions and, for newcomers and inactive hunters, how to establish or re-establish them this hunting season.

• Go hunting! It’s sounds simple, but the activity itself, whether you successfully take game or not, is a senses-heightening, fulfilling experience.
• Share your hunting experience with friends and family members–whether afield, in hunting camp or by introducing a newcomer to hunting at, for example, a gamebird preserve, or by being a mentored for an apprentice hunter. (Find a gamebird preserve at www.wingshootingusa.org and learn about Families Afield/mentored hunting at www.familiesafield.org.)
• Share a game meal at your table. This is one of hunters’ oldest and most favorite traditions, made sumptuous because the harvest and hunt coincide at this time of year. Today many people are making an effort to use sustainable, locally acquired foods–something hunters have practiced for a long, long time.
• Tell your hunting stories. Write them down. Take photographs and videos. Share your stories on social media or with an online photo album. Such records help keep your traditions alive.
• Continue to use the ammunition of your choice–traditional (containing lead components) or alternatives that use steel, copper or other metals. Understand that some extreme groups want to ban traditional ammunition but that science does not support such a drastic measure. Also, remind fellow hunters that eating game taken with traditional ammunition does not pose a health risk, as confirmed by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. (Learn more here.)
• Remind others that wildlife conservation is funded through the sale of hunting licenses and excise taxes paid on firearms and ammunition, a tax that hunters supported and Congress approved in 1937. Through the Federal Aid in Wildlife
• Restoration Act (also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act), $6.8 billion has been collected for conservation. Another good post-hunt conversation can be about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, one tenant of which is that wildlife is held in public trust for the citizenry. (Learn more here.)
• Use the firearm of your choice as long as it meets your state’s hunting regulations. These days more hunters, particularly younger hunters, are using modern sporting rifles–rifles based on the AR platform. If you prefer a wood-stocked, bolt-action rifle, that’s understandable, but NSSF encourages you to support the choice of firearm made by others. Modern sporting rifles may not look like “Old Betsy,” but after many hunting seasons, such firearms will carry the same meaning for someone as the “Old Betsy” that was passed on to you.
• Set an example for ethical behavior. Before hunting, review your state’s hunting regulations; during your hunt, practice good sportsmanship. The public overwhelmingly supports hunting, but unsportsmanlike behavior by even a few hunters can tarnish the reputation of hunting in general.
• Practice safety in the field, when traveling with firearms and when storing them at home. Practice the four firearm safety rules: Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to take your shot. Know your target and what lies beyond it.

You may have other traditions to honor. We hope so.

NSSF offers a number of resources for hunters, including the websites www.huntandshoot.org and www.wingshootingusa.org and video and literature titles covering firearm safety, hunter ethics and the hunter’s role in conservation that can be viewed at www.nssf.org/hunting and www.nssf.org/safety.

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 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

NSSF is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011. Learn about the Foundation’s history at www.nssf.org/50.

Winchester Ammunition

East Alton, IL – -(Ammoland.com)- Each year, all over North America, millions of fond memories are shared between families and friends in the great outdoors.

Perhaps no memories are more special than those shared between a new hunter and his or her hunting mentor.

Whether it’s a father teaching a son, a mother teaching a daughter or a friend teaching a friend, the bond formed between a new hunter and his or her first teacher is extraordinary.

Because mentoring new hunters is vital to preserving North America’s hunting heritage, the North American Hunting Club (NAHC) created its Mentor of the Year Award in 2010 to honor North America’s most selfless and dedicated hunting mentors.

Winchester Announces Sponsorship Of Hunting Mentor Award

After a successful first year, the Mentor of the Year Award is back in 2011, and this year, Winchester Ammunition is pleased to be the official ammunition sponsor of the award.

“As hunters, it’s our duty to mentor others in the outdoor lifestyle and pass on our hunting traditions,” said Brett Flaugher, Winchester Ammunition vice president of marketing and sales. “At Winchester, we want to be first in line to support the preservation of North America’s hunting heritage and we’re proud to sponsor the NAHC’s Mentor of the Year Award.”

As the official ammunition of the Mentor of the Year Award, Winchester Ammunition will contribute prize packages of Winchester gear to the five Mentor of the Year Award finalists and the person who nominates the overall winner.

The nomination period for the award is open until September 30. To nominate someone for the 2011 NAHC Mentor of the Year Award, visit www.nahcmentor.com.

Winchester Ammunition, known for years as The American Legend, prides itself on being a leader in support of conservation work and the preservation of hunting traditions around the world.

For decades, Winchester Ammunition has supported youth programs and non-profit organizations that are dedicated to growing participation in hunting and shooting sports. These groups include the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, The Kids and Clays Foundation, the International Hunter Education Association and many more. To learn more about Winchester Ammunition, visit www.winchester.com.

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Wichita, KS --(Ammoland.com)- The Mule Deer Foundation hunting and conservation membership organization today unveiled another element in its new education initiative by teaming up with Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, a leading national mentoring organization.

Together, they intend to greatly increase the number of youngsters pulling triggers safely at the range and on mentored hunts, according to MDF CEO Miles Moretti.

He said, “This will help our chapters and volunteers reach more of the right kids and channel them into proven programs of our partners, including Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Scouts, 4-H, Salvation Army Outdoors, FFA and others. And it fits with our other partners, like the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance.”

The Mule Deer Foundation’s relationship with Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors compliments its new M.U.L.E.Y. program (Mindful, Understanding, Legal and Ethical Youth), funded in part by MidwayUSA, and designed to introduce youth to the shooting sports.

MDF COO Eric Tycksen, who oversees the initiative, said it is one more way Mule Deer Foundation is promoting safe hunting, shooting and conservation. He said the initiative focuses on reaching youth who probably would not otherwise be introduced to the shooting sports or contribute to wildlife restoration.

“Our goal is to build an Outdoor Mentoring Alliance, consisting of youth organizations, conservation organizations and state fish and wildlife agencies,” said Michael Christensen, President and CEO of Pass It On-Outdoor Mentors. “We are proud to have the Mule Deer Foundation join us in our efforts to focus on giving children who would be the least likely to have the opportunity to go hunting and fishing the chance to do that with a caring mentor who will share their passion for the outdoors with that child.”

About the Mule Deer Foundation
With members in about 100 chapters nationwide, Mule Deer Foundation’s mission is to enhance conservation of mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat. For more information about the Mule Deer Foundation, please visit www.muledeer.org.

About Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors
Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors is a Wichita, Kansas-based national organization dedicated to providing children with mentors who will share with them the experiences of traditional outdoor activities. The heart of the group’s mission is to give children opportunities to connect with nature that they more than likely won’t have without a mentor showing them the way. Partnering with organizations with like-minded conservation and youth participation efforts like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pheasants Forever, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, among others, volunteers with a passion for the outdoors can give a child the chance to go fish, hunt, or simply spend time in the fields with a caring adult. For more information about Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, please visit www.outdoormentors.org.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds young hunters that the popular Take a Kid Hunting programs are in full swing for the fall 2010 season, and more excitement is on the way with Youth Pheasant and Upland Bird hunt day scheduled for Saturday October 30.

The Take a Kid Hunting Program offers youth hunters the opportunity for quality hunting experiences that are valuable in shaping their appreciation and enjoyment of hunting. The youth hunting programs provide special days when families, friends and more experienced hunters have the opportunity to share their hunting skills and outdoor knowledge with a new generation of hunters.

The shared knowledge and memorable Youth Day hunting experiences increase the likelihood of young hunters choosing to continue to hunt as they grow older.

Pheasant Hunt
The Take a Kid Hunting Pheasant Hunt allows properly licensed youth hunters to hunt on one of ten stocked Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) on Saturday October 30. The Division Fish and Wildlife will stock approximately 2,000 pheasants on the designated WMAs for both guided and non-guided pheasant hunts.

The popular guided pheasant hunts offered through a cooperative arrangement between the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs are all filled and registration is closed. These hunts are offered on the Whittingham, Black River, Clinton, Assunpink, Colliers Mills, Millville, Peaslee and Winslow Wildlife Management Areas only. All pre-registered guided hunt participants must be accompanied to the check-in by a parent or guardian. Parents or guardians are welcomed and encouraged to follow the hunters through the fields.

The Flatbrook and Glassboro Wildlife Management Areas will be stocked with pheasants for youth hunters who are not signed up for a guided hunt on the other WMAs. Flatbrook and Glassboro will be open all day for youth to hunt pheasant under the direct supervision of a properly licensed, non-shooting adult 21 years of age or older. Additionally, the eight WMAs where the guided hunts are scheduled are open after 1:00 p.m. for all youth hunters. Plenty of stocked pheasants remain after the guided hunts on these WMAs and afternoon hunts can be productive and enjoyable for youth hunters.

Upland Bird Hunting Day
The Youth Upland Bird Hunting Day provides a great opportunity for hunters belonging to semi-wild preserves to introduce youth hunters to upland bird hunting without competition from adult hunters.

Youth hunters with a valid youth license, under the direct supervision of a New Jersey licensed, non-hunting adult 21 years or older, will be permitted to hunt on licensed semi-wild hunting preserves on this day. Youths may hunt for pheasant, quail and/or chukar from 8 a.m. to sunset on October 30.

Information on all of the Take a Kid Hunting programs is provided in the August 2010 Hunting and Trapping Issue of the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest, which is available at license agent locations or online at www.njfishandwildlife.com/dighnt.htm.

Take Me Hunting, Take Me Shooting Campaign Launched

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- Task Force 20-20, the committee formed at the NSSF Shooting Sports Summit to evaluate opportunities to grow hunting and the shooting sports, will begin testing its first initiative—a coordinated marketing effort in selected states designed to reactivate lapsed hunters and shooters.

The Task Force 20-20 steering committee has approved piloting the “Take Me Hunting/Take Me Shooting” campaign this fall. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, will fund the effort out of a $500,000 overall commitment to support several Task Force 20-20 plans to aggressively promote hunting and shooting.

The Take Me Hunting/Take Me Shooting campaign will prompt inactive hunters and shooters to rediscover the fun and excitement of these great pastimes and to answer a higher calling—to mentor a new generation of sportsmen and women. In this way, veteran sportsmen and women can mold their legacy by developing new ambassadors for the shooting sports, new conservationists and new supporters of the Second Amendment.

The pilot states are South Carolina, Alabama and New Jersey.

“Together NSSF and state agencies will make a strong appeal to formerly active hunters and shooters and remind them how important it is to share their passion for the outdoors with a newcomer or a novice,” said Chris Dolnack, senior vice president of NSSF.

“The choices in recreational activities today are abundant. A personal invitation from someone well qualified to be a mentor is one sure way to provide a safe and fun introduction to what could become a lifetime activity.”

Through the use of print ads, direct mail and a hub website, www.takemehuntingandshooting.com, the Take Me Hunting/Take Me Shooting campaign will promote the winning message that mentors are sorely needed, that mentors’ hunting and shooting skills makes them well suited to provide an introduction to these activities, and that hunting and shooting can be enjoyed with families and friends.

This strategy to build participation in hunting and shooting relies on the powerful ability of state agencies to communicate with sportsmen and women who once purchased hunting licenses but have not done so in the last several years. The approach was one of the priority actions recommended in the “Future of Hunting and the Shooting Sports—Research-based Retention and Recruitment Strategies,” a report presented at the Shooting Sports Summit in 2008. It’s also an approach that has been used by the fishing community with success.

“I want to commend the National Shooting Sports Foundation for taking the lead in bringing together the states, industry and NGOs to address recruitment and retention of hunters and recreational shooters,” said John Frampton, director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

“The funding provided through the excise taxes on hunting and shooting firearms and ammunition is the lifeblood of state fish and wildlife agencies. The future of hunting and shooting may well rest on our ability to work together to ensure that hunters and shooters remain engaged in our sports.”

The campaign will be evaluated during the winter months to determine how effective its messages were in motivating shooters and hunters to go afield or to the range again.

The steering committee of Task Force 20-20 also plans to launch a Models of Success program focusing on states that have programs proven to deliver an increase in participation. Such programs can be enhanced, expanded and promoted through a marketing campaign funded by NSSF.

The results of these and other Task Force 20-20 initiatives will be discussed at the next NSSF Shooting Sports Summit, which is scheduled for June 2011.

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 5,500 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Pennsylvania is again reaping the rewards of their expanded efforts at recruiting new sportsmen into the fold through their Mentored Youth Hunting Program.

According to the state Game Commission, Pennsylvania sold nearly 30,000 mentored youth hunting permits during the 2009-2010 hunting season alone. This brings the state’s total to over 100,000 Mentored Youth Licenses sold since passing a Families Afield measure in 2005.

This success illustrates the effectiveness of the Families Afield Program, developed by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), at reducing barriers and encouraging the participation of newcomers. As a direct result of the program, Pennsylvania has seen an increase in the number of hunting licenses it has sold.

Pennsylvania’s Mentored Youth Hunting Program was authorized when Gov. Ed Rendell signed HB 1690 on Dec. 22, 2005. The bill was part of the Families Afield campaign which continues as a nationwide joint effort between the founding organizations. Since its beginning in 2004, 30 states, most recently Vermont earlier this year, have enacted measures resulting in over 418,000 new hunters.

“The Families Afield initiative has always been about getting reducing barriers for new hunters entering the field,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “Pennsylvania is the hallmark of how successful the Families Afield program can become for the many states that have embraced it over the last six years.”

In addition to more youth licenses sold, the Commission has also recently hired a recruitment and retention coordinator to keep the new hunters engaged in the outdoors. This includes the publication of a “Youth Hunting Guide” and connecting Pennsylvania students to the National Archery in the Schools Program which teaches archery in physical education classes for fourth through 12th graders.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Vermont --(Ammoland.com)- The Vermont legislature has passed Apprentice Hunting legislation aimed at reducing barriers to new hunters entering the field. House Bill 243 cleared its final legislative hurdle on April 30 and as of press time is waiting the signature of Governor Jim Douglas.

The measure, sponsored by Representative Steve Adams (R- Hartland), will allow newcomers to try hunting under the close supervision of an experienced mentor prior to the completion of hunter education.

It is also part of the national Families Afield effort by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).

“We are pleased that legislators from both sides of the aisle came together to support this important piece of legislation that will help ensure the future of Vermont’s hunting heritage,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) director of state services.

The Families Afield initiative was established in 2004 in order to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Since the program’s inception, Families Afield legislation has been passed in 29 states with 418,000 apprentice licenses sold to date. Other groups giving key support to the Vermont effort include the National Rifle Association, Vermont Traditions Coalition and Ducks Unlimited.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

Vermont Families Afield Bill Sent to Governor Pic:Keith Sutton

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Vermont --(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) previously reported on a Families Afield bill in Vermont that will allow newcomers to try hunting under the close supervision of an experienced mentor prior to the completion of hunter education.

House Bill 243, sponsored by Rep. Steve Adams (R- Hartland), cleared the Vermont Senate this week with near unanimous support and will now head to the desk of Governor Jim Douglas.

The Families Afield initiative was started in 2004 by the USSA, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation in an effort to reduce barriers to new hunters entering the field. Also supporting the effort in Vermont are the National Rifle Association, Vermont Traditions Coalition, and Ducks Unlimited.

“Securing the future of Vermont’s rich hunting heritage is extremely important and we are encouraged by the overwhelming support the House and Senate have shown for this measure,” said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA director of state services. “Sportsmen across the state should ask Governor Douglas to sign this bill into law.”

To date, 29 states have enacted measures resulting in over 418,000 new hunters.

Louisiana Families Afield Bill
Meanwhile, a similar bill in Louisiana is also moving forward as Senate Bill 384, introduced by Senator Dan Claitor (R- Baton Rouge), unanimously passed the Senate. It now moves to the House. The bill allows a new hunter to take the field before completing a firearm or hunter safety course if that hunter is under the direct supervision of a parent, step parent, grandparent, or step grandparent who has completed a firearm or hunter education course.

“This bill will allow parents and grandparents to pass along their hunting heritage to the next generation of Louisiana sportsmen and women,” said Heusinkveld. “Louisiana sportsmen should reach out to their State Representatives and urge them to support for this key measure.”

Take Action – Vermont! Vermont sportsmen should contact Governor Douglas and let him know that HB 243 is an important step to protect and promote conservation by reducing barriers for the next generation of Vermont hunters to take to the field.

He can be reached by phone at (802) 828-3333 or click here to email him or send a letter to:

Take Action – Louisiana! Louisiana sportsmen should contact their State Representatives and urge them to support SB 384. Tell them that this bill will protect conservation in the future by getting new sportsmen into the field today.

To find your legislators, please visit www.ussportsmen.org/LAC.

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.

Camp Compass Academy

Allentown, PA --(AmmoLand.com)- On Saturday February 13th students from the award winning program Camp Compass will be receiving a unique reward.

The students will be honored with mounted game heads from hunting trips from this past year. The mounts are a donated service by the Pennsylvania Taxidermy Association.

“This is an annual event and it will be neat to have the sponsors get to see the kids receive their mounts since usually the students receive them at the P.T.A. Convention each year.” stated John Annoni, Founder of the program. “Each student receiving a mount has been involved with Camp Compass for at least 2 1/2 years and this event will be a culmination of lots of classroom and field time.”

The event will be held prior to the show doors opening on Saturday, February 13th in the Northwest hall (booth 3445) adjacent to the Pennsylvania Taxidermy Association’s booth. It will start promptly at 9 a.m. and the event will end around 9:45 a.m. This will give participants in the show time to return to their booths for the start of the show. The event is only open to exhibitors and media involved with the show.

Camp Compass Academy is an award winning program that rewards inner-city children with hunting and fishing trips based on academic and social performance. It was recently featured on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. It is nationally known as a program that has been able to implement a college style learning with an outdoor focus in places where traditional outdoor outlets have not been able to reach youth.

Contact:

Website: www.campcompass.org
Email: info@campcompass.org

HunterSurvey.com

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. —-(AmmoLand.com)- Adult sportsmen and women reported an impressive level of mentoring to young hunters on a recent HunterSurvey.com study commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

More than 77 percent of active hunters and target shooters indicated they had taken their sons and daughters hunting. Even adults without a child or stepchild got into the act, with 56 percent of them reporting they also took a young person hunting.

“The information collected from this and other research projects will prove valuable in determining how hunters first entered the sport and what youth projects can be initiated to help increase participation in hunting and shooting sports in the future,” said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF’s director of research and analysis. “The National Shooting Sports Foundation is proud to partner with Southwick Associates on research projects such as this.”

The poll also shows 83.4 percent of young people were introduced to hunting, even if they didn’t carry a firearm or bow, before they turned 13 years old, which is a critical factor in ensuring the next generation will be avid, lifelong hunters.

The average age of the mentor was 38, according to a concurrent study conducted by the NSSF. A majority of adult hunters, 61.7 percent, first introduce a young person to hunting when they are between the ages of 30 and 45. Mentoring is an important component not only for recruiting new hunters but for ensuring experienced sportsmen and women continue spending time afield.

The majority of adult hunters, 55.3 percent, reported they took young men hunting while 10.1 percent said they mentored young females, according to HunterSurvey.com. More than 34 percent of hunters reported they mentored both sexes, though, which increases the percentage of adult hunters mentoring males into hunting to 72.6 percent while adults mentoring young women rises to 27.4 percent.

With 10.3 million big game hunters in the United States according to the 2006 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Associated Recreation, it’s no surprise HunterSurvey.com showed deer were the most popular game species pursued during a young person’s first hunt. Nearly 56 percent of youth deer hunted with an adult mentor on their first hunt, though the second most popular hunt was for small game with 40.7 percent participation. Upland hunting ranked third at 16.7 percent and wild turkey a distant fourth at 12.8 percent.

Those who hunt, fish and target shoot are invited to participate in www.huntersurvey.com and www.anglersurvey.com. By completing the survey, you will be entered in a monthly drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of your choice.

About the National Shooting Sports Foundation
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is the trade association for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry. Formed in 1961, NSSF is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 5,000 manufacturers, distributors, retailers, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. The NSSF’s mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. To become a member of NSSF, please contact BettyJane Swann in member services at (203) 426-1320 or bswann@nssf.org

About AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com
Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials, and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The information above represents only a small sample of the vast amount of data that is available from the complete survey results. The results are scientifically analyzed to reflect all U.S. anglers.

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wi – -(AmmoLand.com)- Thanks to the new Mentored Hunting Program that took effect last fall, youth hunters aged 10 and 11, as well as youth ages 12 through 15 may now participate in the 2010 youth turkey hunt.

Under the Mentored Hunting Program, youth ages 10 through 15 may hunt without first having completed hunter education so long as they do so with a qualified adult mentor and follow the rules laid out under the Mentored Hunting Program.

Youth ages 12-15 who have already completed hunter education may hunt during the Youth Hunt while accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. Each youth must have a valid spring 2010 turkey harvest permit, license and stamp.

Youth ages 10 through 15 are allowed to hunt on April 10 and 11 in the Turkey Management Zone their permit is valid for, regardless of the time period their permit is issued for, and may harvest only one male or bearded turkey during the two-day hunt. A youth who does not successfully harvest a turkey during the two day Youth Hunt may use their unfilled permit during the time period and in the zone for which the permit was issued. All other spring turkey hunting regulations apply. More information on the Spring Turkey Youth Hunt and the hunting mentorship program is available on the DNR Web site.

The youth hunt was created in 2007 to provide youth with an opportunity to hunt turkeys and gain valuable hunting experience by working closely with an experienced mentor before the regular season opens.

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK, AR –-(AmmoLand.com)- Arkansas’s special youth waterfowl season will take place Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6, and weather conditions are forecast to be much more like typical duck hunting weather than they were during the first segment of the regular season.

The special youth waterfowl season is open to youths 15 and younger. They may hunt ducks, in-season geese, coots and mergansers. Youths who have completed a hunter education course must be accompanied by a mentor who is 18 or older. Youths who haven’t completed hunter education must be accompanied by a mentor who is 21 or older. Mentors may not hunt ducks, coots or mergansers, but they may call waterfowl and hunt other in-season game. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same as regular duck season, except all-day youth hunting is allowed on AGFC wildlife management areas and shotshell restrictions on certain WMAs are not in force for the special youth season.

Youth hunters likely will find frigid conditions on opening morning of the special season. Temperatures are predicted to be in the mid- to upper-20s Saturday morning, with high temperatures climbing to around 50 degrees in most parts of the state.

The second segment of Arkansas’s regular duck season opens Dec. 10 and closes Dec. 23.

Recent rainfall has likely flooded some fields that had been drained by farmers in recent weeks. Because of record rainfall in October, many farmers allowed most water to run off in an attempt to salvage late crops. Many of the state’s river bottoms, as well as AGFC wildlife management areas, still are holding abundant water.

In the two weeks since AGFC biologists conducted the season’s first aerial waterfowl surveys, two strong cold fronts have pushed through the state, and several new concentrations of ducks have been reported.

To assist hunters in tracking ducks, AGFC has created several Web links with maps and information about recent waterfowl movements and aerial survey reports.

For a list of links, visit http://www.agfc.com/hunting/huntingseasons/waterfowl-migratory-birds/waterfowl-locations.aspx.

Information on river levels can be found at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/ or http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html. Sunrise/sunset tables are available at: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

ARKANSAS CITY, AR --(AmmoLand.com)-
Beginning Dec. 19, the Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area West Unit will be open for permit youth waterfowl hunts each Saturday for the remainder of waterfowl season. There will be five online permits drawn for each Saturday the area is open to waterfowl hunting.

Only youths 15 and under may apply and a valid hunter education certificate is required. Each successful applicant may bring up to three additional youth hunters and must be accompanied by at least one supervising adult.

The deadline to apply for the December hunts has passed, but the application period for the Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 hunts is underway with a Dec. 26 deadline. The successful hunter will receive email notification and that email will serve as the successful applicant’s entry permit. A printed copy is required to enter any flooded or inundated area during the waterfowl season.

To apply for a youth permit, go to https://www.ark.org/agfc/waterfowl/index.php. Computer drawn permit holders should pick up an area map at the WMA headquarters that will denote duck hole locations along with directions to the individual duck holes. Signs will be in place to direct hunting parties to the appropriate duck hole. ATVs may be used for travel to duck holes and back from parking lot access only.

Waterfowl hunters may not enter inundated areas before 4 a.m. and must stop hunting by 12 noon and off the WMA by 1 p.m. No boat motors allowed. Airboats may not be operated on waters within the Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area (both units, excluding the Mississippi River) during duck season.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- Special memories will be made across the state as young hunters take to fields and forests with parents and mentors on New Jersey’s youth firearm deer hunt day on November 21.

The youth firearm deer hunt is the most popular of New Jersey’s eight special youth hunt days provided each year through the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Take a Kid Hunting Program. Youth hunt days are designated for upland game, waterfowl and turkey in addition to a youth archery deer hunt day and the youth firearm deer hunt day on November 21.

Youth hunt days are meant to provide high quality hunting experiences and fond memories for both the youth hunter and the adult hunter who must accompany and supervise them. Although valid hunting licenses are required for both the youth hunter and the supervising adult, only the youth hunter is allowed to hunt on the youth hunt day. This allows adult hunters to focus solely on the safety, learning and hunting experience of their young hunting partner. Another contribution to the quality of youth deer hunts is holding the youth hunt prior to the regular firearm deer season when there are more deer for youth hunters to pursue and less hunters to compete with for prime hunting locations.

The youth firearm hunt is an extension of the Six-day Firearm Season so no special season deer permit is required. The hunter must have a valid youth hunting license and be under the direct supervision of a person who is at least 21 years old and who has a valid firearm license. Direct supervision is defined as the youth hunter and parent / guardian set up together at the same location and hunting as a unit – not hunting independently.

Youth hunters may use a shotgun or muzzleloader on this day, but if a muzzleloader is used, both the youth hunter and adult mentor must possess a valid rifle permit. The adult cannot hunt or possess a firearm, but may grunt, call or rattle for the youth hunter.

One deer of either sex may be taken by youth hunters on November 21. Antler point restrictions do not apply on this day for the youth hunter. Successful hunters must tag their deer with a homemade transportation tag or cut out the deer transportation tag provided in the August 2009 Issue of the NJ Fish and Wildlife Digest (page 33.) No supplemental tags are issued when youth hunt deer are checked.

For more information on the Take a Kid Hunting program visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/takekidhunting.htm .

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

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.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

PRATT, KA —-(AmmoLand.com)- On Nov. 7-8, Kansas hunters have the opportunity to add to their ranks by taking a youngster hunting. These two days are reserved for hunters 16 and younger to hunt pheasants and quail under the supervision of an adult 18 or older. (The adult may not hunt.) The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) began the season to hopefully turn the tide of declining hunter numbers and introduce youth to hunting opportunities in uncrowded and noncompetitive situations.

Studies show that the most effective hunter recruitment tool is experienced hunters mentoring new hunters. But as Gregg Patterson of Ducks Unlimited says, “When you have boys and girls without a hunter in the household, it’s tough to give them the experience. Many young people are interested in hunting, but they don’t have anyone to take them. Hunters willing to mentor need to look outside their immediate families and groups of friends and reach out to any youngster who shows interest.”

“The Kansas Hunter Education program graduates 7,000-9,000 people each year, the vast majority younger than 16 years,” adds hunter education instructor Mike Nyhoff. “Classes are filled with interested young people, many of whom have friends who encouraged them to attend. But many graduates never have the opportunity to hunt because they have no one to take them. This is where young hunters with mentors — and mentors who have young family members or friends they mentor — need to reach out. Kids need to ask their mentors if they will add a friend to their group, and mentors need to ask their kids if they have a friend who would like to join them. And adults who have never taken a kid hunting need to get involved, as well.”

The commitment to mentoring can be as simple as asking the kid down the block to hunt. To help make the trip more comfortable, invite a non-hunting parent or guardian, and perhaps recruit another hunter, or gain a friend, in the process. Some parents have never been hunting and don’t know how to teach their children. When they see the excitement on their youngsters’ faces and experience the outdoors themselves, they might catch the fever and become lifelong hunters.

There are organizations that will help match interested mentors with interested youth. Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. (www.outdoormentors.org) has teamed up with Big Brothers/Big Sisters to make a difference in the lives of many young people. But they need more mentors.

KDWP and private conservation organizations such as Pheasants/Quail Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Ducks Unlimited (DU), and many local groups set up youth hunts. Find a local PF/QF group online at pheasantsforever.org, a local NWTF group at ntwf.org, or a local DU group at ducks.org. Local sportsmen’s organizations may be found in the phone book.

“The youth pheasant and quail season was established for kids, not the skilled hunter,” says Nyhoff. “In the past, hunters have always accepted their responsibility to ensure the future of hunting, and it is imperative that adult hunters accept the challenge today. If you can’t make the Nov. 7-8 youth season, it’s not too late; the regular season begins Nov. 14 and runs through Jan. 31.”

This Nov. 7-8, take KDWP’s 2009 Pheasant and Quail Youth Season Challenge. For information on this challenge, go online to www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Then click “Hunting/Hunting Programs/2009 Pheasant and Quail Season Challenge.”

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.

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.

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.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, AZ —-(AmmoLand.com)- If you have ever had an interest in shooting a shotgun at a fast-tracking target, then your wish has come true.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting a seminar for new hunters on Friday, Sept. 11, followed by a traditional Arizona dove hunt on Saturday.

“This is basically an all-inclusive opportunity to learn how to hunt,” said Wildlife Manager Dave Carson. “All we require from participants 14 and older is to have a general hunting license, and those 16 and older will need a state migratory bird stamp. The department will provide mentored instruction, shotguns (20 available), the first box of shotgun shells and a great hunting opportunity.”

Space is limited and preregistration is required; for details contact David Carson at (480) 987-4825 or Randy Babb at (480) 324-3546. All participants must attend the safety seminar on Friday at the department’s Mesa regional office to be able to hunt on Saturday.

Families and friends hunting can reduce their cost and “try before you buy” by taking advantage of the new free two-day apprentice license. The licensed is issued to a licensed resident hunter over 18, and allows the mentor to take two new hunters afield at no cost. However, the migratory bird stamp is required if the apprentice hunting is 16 or older. To learn more about the new apprentice license, visit www.azgfd.gov and select the license icon.

Carson added, “This is a great way to get introduced to hunting in a very organized, safe and supportive environment. Everyone that participated last year had a great time.”

To learn more about upcoming mentored hunting opportunities offered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting and check out the “Mentored Hunting & Juniors-only Events 2009-10 Season” feature on the right side of the page.

Did you know, mourning doves are the most numerous, widespread game bird in North America? They are prolific breeders with an average life span of 1-2 years and controlled seasons maintain them as a sustainable wildlife resource. Dove hunters are a valuable conservation tool. There is a federal excise tax on ammunition that is contributed to the Pitman-Robertson Fund, which in turn is apportioned to state wildlife agencies for the management of wildlife, which is a benefits to all citizens. Additionally, hunters provide hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy, by purchasing ammunition, gas, food and lodging while engaging in this American tradition.

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.

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.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today offered his praise to the 23 sportsmen’s clubs throughout Pennsylvania who signed up to host junior pheasant hunts. The clubs will share in about 1,800 pheasants the agency is providing for junior pheasant hunts.

“While the agency’s financial situation remains a concern, providing pheasants to clubs sponsoring junior pheasant hunts is a wise investment,” Roe said. “The only two stipulations for clubs to be eligible to receive Game Commission birds are that these hunts must have registration open to the public and must be held on public lands or private lands enrolled in one of the Game Commission’s Cooperative Public Access Programs.

“The state’s long-standing two-pheasant daily bag limit will apply to junior hunters participating in the season. In addition, depending on the area they are hunting, juniors will be required to comply with restrictions on hunting male or female pheasants.”

Eligible juniors must be between 12 and 16 years of age, and have successfully completed a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course. There is no requirement that participating juniors purchase a license, but they must wear the necessary orange and be accompanied as required by law.

Roe noted that the junior pheasant hunt is not part of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program for those hunters under the age of 12, and includes groundhog, squirrel, coyotes, spring gobbler and antlered deer. (For more information on the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, please see page 13 of the 2009-10 Digest or News Release #084-09.)

Following is a county-by-county listing of the clubs hosting junior pheasant hunts, as well as contact information to enroll junior hunters:

Allegheny County:

• Bull Creek Rod & Gun Club will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at the club in Tarentum for 30 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 9. Contact Ray Zbikowski at 724-224-4523 or iko96@yahoo.com.

Armstrong County:

• The Apollo-Spring Church Sportsman’s Club will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at the club near Apollo for 30 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Daniel Shaffer at 724-681-2834 or Kurt George at 724-478-1237.
• Pine Creek Sportsmen’s Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at Bassinger Farm near Templeton, for 20 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact William Bassinger, Jr. at 724-548-7746 or billphyl176@windstream.net.

Bedford County:

• Bedford County Sportsman Club will host a junior pheasant hunt for 40 juniors in Centerville. The registration deadline is Sept. 8. To register contact Chad Kendall at 814-847-2558, or at ckkendall@EmbarqMail.com.
• Bedford-Fulton Pheasants Forever will host its junior pheasant hunt on SGL 97 near Everett for 40 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Jeff Green at 814-977-5458 or jeff@green-ranch.com, or Wanda Greet at 814-652-6796 or wanda@green-ranch.com.

Centre County:

• The Three-Point Sportsmen Club will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at the club in Clarence for 50 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Steven Demyan at 814-387-6779 or smdguide@yahoo.com or Richard Biggans 814-387-4248.

Clearfield County:

• Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Unlimited will host a junior pheasant hunt at the All-Season Trap & Skeet Club near Luthersburg for 25 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Laura Johnson at 814-371-4856 or lauraj@zitomedia.net

Columbia County:

• Central Susquehanna Pheasants Forever will host its annual junior pheasant hunt on SGL 226 in Madison Township for 50 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Jack Kile at 570-443-7618 or jgkile@pa.metrocast.net.

Elk County:

• Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 Elk County will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at SGL 44, Brandy Camp Tract, for 40 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Leon Blashock to register at 814-885-8950 or tobrits@windstream.net.

Greene County:

• Roscoe Sportsman’s Association, Tri-County Quality Deer Management Association, Covered Bridge Chapter Ruffed Grouse Society, 5 Town Chapter Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Stringtown Sportsman’s Club will host a junior pheasant hunt for 50 juniors at the McCann Farm in Carmichaels. There is a $5 fee. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Kathy Davis at 724-263-9719 or KDavis4537@aol.com or Denny McCann at 724-998-2809.

Lancaster County:

• Lititz Sportsman’s Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at Speedwell Forge Lake near Lititz for up to 26 juniors. The registration deadline Sept. 15. Contact Phil McCloud at 717-626-5884.

Luzerne County:

• Northeast PA Pheasants Forever will host its annual junior pheasant hunt on SGL 119 near Bear Creek Township for 40 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 8. Contact Game Commissioner Jay Delaney at 570-825-4424.

Schuylkill County:

• The Valley View Gun Club will host its junior pheasant hunt in Sacramento for 50 juniors. There is a $5 fee. The registration deadline is Sept. 13. Contact Kenneth Wetzel at 570-682-3971 or Rick Herring at 570-682-9541.
• Gordon Game & Fish Protective Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at “The Barn”, two miles east of Gordon for 25 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact John Towey at 570-205-2682 or at nucleartechjpt@yahoo.com.

Warren County:

• Kalbfus Rod & Gun Club will host its annual junior pheasant hunt in Lander for 20 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 12. Contact Chuck Travis at 814-726-1913 or travis39@atlanticbb.net, or Mark Zaffino at 814-757-5010 or 814-723-1150.

Washington County:

• McDonald Sportsmen’s Association will hold their junior pheasant hunt in McDonald for up to 40 juniors. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. Contact Bernard Dhans at 724-288-5092.

Westmoreland:

• Kingston Veterans & Sportsmen’s Club and the Laurel Highlands Chapter of Pheasants Forever will host their annual junior pheasant hunt for 50 juniors on their grounds near Latrobe. The registration deadline is Sept. 10. Contact Kevin Adams at 724-423-8445 or adamsk@wpa.net.
• The Little Sewickley Sportsman Association will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at the Old Hunt Farm, Lycipus, for 50 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 12. Contact Jay Bossart at 724-423-6714.
• Law Enforcement Officers of Westmoreland County will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at Mammoth Park, Mt. Pleasant, for 50 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 5. Contact Jerry Trainer at 724-493-9686 or toms@outdrs.net.
• The National Wild Turkey Federation will host a junior pheasant hunt at the Boytin property, Bush Creek Road, Mt. Pleasant, for 20 juniors. There is a $5 fee. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Rod Ansell at 724-244-1120 or ransell@state.pa.us or Sam Troxel at 724-244-7905.
• Rostraver Sportsmen & Conservation Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at the club for 30 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 14. Contact Gary Osilka at 724-872-5783 or RSCA1973@yahoo.com.
• Youngwood Sportsman’s will host its junior pheasant hunt at the Youngwood Sportsmen Club and Young World for 25 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Carl Rossman at 724-309-3275 or rossman48@verizon.net.

York County:

• Starview Sportsman’s Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at SGL 243, Bentzel tract in Franklintown, for 10 juniors. The registration deadline is Aug. 31. Contact Michael Heindel at 717-266-0783.

Weatherby SA-08 Shotgun Models: Youth Synthetic and Waterfowler

Weatherby.com

Paso Robles, CA - -(AmmoLand.com)- Weatherby® has expanded its line of SA-08 semi-automatic shotguns with new Youth Synthetic and Waterfowler models for hunters and shooters.

The Youth Synthetic has a short 12 1/2-inch length of pull, 24-inch barrel and only 5 3/4 pounds of weight. The Waterfowler sports Mothwing Marsh Mimicry™ camo on the stock and metalwork, with the exception of the matte black bolt. Utilizing the moth’s biological patterns, Mothwing camo is designed to mimic and disappear into the surrounding environment.

“Like all SA-08 semi-auto shotguns, the Youth Synthetic and Waterfowler are precisely balanced, and feel trim and lightweight,” said Brad Ruddell, Weatherby’s vice president of sales and marketing. “They offer the utmost in load versatility, as well as performance-tested reliability and very affordable prices. The Youth Synthetic is easy for young hunters and shooters to handle, while the Waterfowler helps marshland hunters stay well concealed in their environment.”

Both models feature the proven dual valve system, which allows shooters to quickly adapt the shotguns to accommodate the widest load ranges, from ¾ ounce to heavy 3-inch magnum. Another benefit of the dual valve system is reduced recoil as compared to traditional single valve shotguns.

Other key features of the Youth Synthetic and Waterfowler:

• • injection-molded synthetic stock is durable yet lightweight
• • alloy receiver further reduces weight and improves overall balance
• • unique drop-out trigger system can be removed and reassembled quickly for easy cleaning
• • chrome-lined barrels can withstand years of high-volume shooting and reduce the effort necessary to keep the barrel clean

New Weatherby® SA-08 Shotgun Models: Youth Synthetic and Waterfowler

• barrels have lengthened forcing cones for improved patterns and less shooter fatigue
• ented top rib for smooth follow-through after the shot, also dissipates heat
• Weatherby’s screw-in Integral Multi-Choke System is compatible with the Briley® thread pattern; each shotgun comes with Improved Cylinder, Modified and Full choke tubes that allow shooters to tailor their shot patterns for specific hunting applications

The Youth Synthetic is available in 20 gauge, has a black stock and matte black metalwork to reduce glare, and a brass bead front sight. Retail prices start as low as $449.

Available in 12 gauge, the Waterfowler offers a choice of 26-inch or 28-inch barrel length. The gun weighs a light 6 1/2 pounds. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $649.

For more information, contact a local Weatherby dealer, call the company at (805) 227-2600 or visit www.weatherby.com.

About:
Founded in 1945, Weatherby, Inc.’s line features the popular Vanguard® and legendary Mark V® rifles, over/under and side-by-side shotguns in the classic Athena® and Orion® lines, semi-auto and pump shotguns, premium ammunition and security/shooting accessories. The company is based in Paso Robles, Calif., and invites all hunters and shooters to visit and join its free online community at www.weatherbynation.com.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA – -(AmmoLand.com)- As part of its popular patch collection offerings, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has commissioned a new patch to promote the Mentored Youth Hunting Program.

The 4.5- by 3.5-inch patch is accompanied by a Saf-T Plug that acts as a visual cue that the action of any pump-action or semi-automatic shotgun is open and safe. The two items sell for $7, including sales tax, and can be obtained at any Game Commission office or through “The Outdoor Shop” on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

“The Mentored Youth Hunting Program has been a well-received approach for helping youth under the age of 12 to gain hunting experience and learn about the state’s rich hunting and trapping heritage,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “This new patch and Saf-T Plug are a great way for an adult mentor to commemorate a youth’s participation in this program. So, take a youth hunting and present him or her with these items as souvenirs of your day afield together.”

To order online, go to the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “The Outdoor Shop” icon in the right-hand column of the homepage, then choose “Pennsylvania Game Commission Outdoor Shop” in the lower left-hand corner of the page, select “Merchandise” in the banner, select “Patches” in the left-hand column and scroll down to “2009 Mentored Youth Patch & PGC Saf-T Plug.” Orders also can be made by calling 1-888-888-3459

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today encouraged experienced hunters, who have historically helped pass along the state’s rich hunting heritage, to consider introducing youths to hunting through the Mentored Youth Hunting Program (MYHP).

“Since 2006, Pennsylvania’s hunters have been taking advantage of a remarkable opportunity to introduce those under the age of 12 to hunting through the Mentored Youth Hunting Program,” Roe said. “Hunting is deeply woven into the cultural fabric that is Pennsylvania, and it is important that we recruit new hunters to carry on this tradition.”

Roe noted that the logic behind the Mentored Youth Hunting Program is simple and clear: create expanded youth hunting opportunities without compromising safety afield.

“This program paves the way for youngsters to nurture their interest in hunting early and allows them to take a more active role in actual hunting while afield with mentoring adults,” Roe said. “The program accommodates hands-on use of sporting arms and can promote a better understanding and interest in hunting and wildlife conservation that will help to assure hunting’s future, as well as reinforce the principles of hunting safely through the close supervision provided by dedicated mentors.”

Under the program, a mentor is defined as a properly licensed individual at least 21 years of age, who will serve as a guide to a youth while engaged in hunting or related activities, such as scouting, learning firearms or hunter safety and wildlife identification. A mentored youth is identified as an unlicensed individual less than 12 years of age who is accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or related activities.

The regulations require that the mentor-to-mentored youth ratio be one-to-one, and that the pair possesses only one sporting arm when hunting. While moving, the sporting arm must be carried by the mentor. When the pair reaches a stationary hunting location, the mentor may turn over possession of the sporting arm to the youth and must keep the youth within arm’s length at all times.

New this year is the requirement that all mentored youth obtain a permit through the Game Commission’s new Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS), which costs $2.70. Of that fee, one dollar goes to the Game Commission, one dollar goes to the issuing agent who processes the permit application, and 70 cents goes to the company managing PALS.

“When we first started the MYHP, we didn’t require a permit because there was no method available to issue a permit without creating an enormous obstacle for participants,” Roe said. “With the full roll-out of our electronic license sale system this year, we can provide a method for adult mentors to enable youth to obtain a permit without too many difficulties.

“By implementing the permit for the MYHP, we will be able to start gathering data about the level of participation in this program, which can be used to assist in better planning and scheduling our basic Hunter-Trapper Education courses. This database of MYHP participants will let us know how many young hunters are approaching 11 years of age, and where they live, so that we can make sure the number of courses we are offering will meet the expected demand.”

Currently, the agency has used its annual Game-Take Survey to estimate the level of participation in the MYHP. According to the agency’s annual Game-Take Surveys, participation in the MYHP has increased in terms of adult mentors and youths. In 2006, the first year of the program, 43,780 youths were mentored by 32,913 adults. That year, the mentored youths harvested 52,788 squirrels and 36,351 woodchucks. In 2007, the number of mentored youth grew to 58,883, and there were 51,141 adult mentors. That year, mentored youths harvested 61,160 squirrels, 52,114 groundhogs, 5,199 antlered deer and 3,496 spring gobblers.

The species identified as legal game for the upcoming license year are woodchucks (groundhogs), squirrels, spring gobbler, coyotes and antlered deer. Those youths participating in the MYHP are required to follow the same antler restrictions as a junior license holder, which is one antler of three or more inches in length or one antler with at least two points. Antlerless deer are not legal game for participating MYHP youth.

The program also requires that both the mentor and the youth must abide by any fluorescent orange regulations, and that the mentored youth must tag and report any antlered deer or spring gobbler taken. As part of the MYHP permit, youth will be provided the necessary harvest tags for antlered deer and spring gobbler.

The youth must submit a harvest report card, which is available as inserts in the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, within five days for any antlered deer or spring gobbler he or she takes. Harvest report cards also are available in the “Forms & Programs” section of the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

For more information on the program, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on “Mentored Youth FAQs” in “Quick Clicks” box in the upper right corner of the homepage. Information also is included on page 13 of the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations.

To continue hunting once a youth reaches the age of 12, they will need to and pass a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course and purchase either a junior hunting license or a junior combination license. For a listing of HTE courses, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on the “Hunter Education Classes” link in the center of the homepage.

National Hunting and Fishing Day

Deltawaterfowl.org

Bismarck, N.D.- -(AmmoLand.com)- Delta Waterfowl is proud to announce it is a new partner of National Hunting and Fishing Day, slated for September 26.

National Hunting and Fishing DayThe annual commemoration will hold several events across the country to promote awareness about hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation, as well as celebrate America’s rich, time-honored outdoors heritage. Delta Waterfowl’s regional directors are busy spreading the word to chapters and volunteers at the grassroots level about the day’s many events.

“Hunters and anglers have always been on the front lines of conservation-with their pocketbooks or by getting their hands dirty-and this day commemorates their achievements and generosity and raises awareness for what we need to do now and in the future to keep our traditions alive and well,” said Senior Vice President John Devney. “Delta Waterfowl is very pleased to be partner of this celebration of our outdoors heritage.”

On May 2, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day, saying he urged “all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations.”

By late summer, all 50 governors and more than 600 mayors had proclaimed their versions of National Hunting and Fishing Day. In the end, more than 3000 hunting- and fishing-related events were held, providing an estimated 4 million people with an opportunity to experience or learn about America’s outdoors traditions.

“It’s very important that the general public understand the critical role sportsmen and women played-and play-as stewards and guardians of our natural resources so that generations to come can hunt and fish and enjoy the outdoors,” said Devney. “For decades, hunters and anglers have worked countless hours to preserve and improve countless acres of vital habitat-land and waters that, of course, have benefitted everyone. That’s why a special day like this devoted to raising awareness is so important.”

Still, Devney is worried. He says conservation’s primary funding sources-hunters and anglers-are, for a variety reasons, leaving the heritage. Devney said waterfowl hunters in particular are an ominous case in point: According to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, waterfowl hunter numbers from 2001 to 2006 plunged 27 percent.

“As a research organization, we looked at those disturbing losses and decided to investigate, and what we came up with was a five-part series in our magazine called the Vanishing Hunter that documented the demographic and social issues contributing to the loss of hunters nationwide,” said Devney. “What we learned, in part, is that the first step to securing the future of hunting is reconnecting with the culture-those ancient roots that keep our traditions alive.

Devney says the research has helped improve Delta’s comprehensive mentored hunt program. “We’ve always targeted youths to address the long-term issues of hunter recruitment, but now we’re reaching out to university students, women and families, and the reception has been tremendous,” said Devney, noting that Delta’s mentored hunts are unique because they incorporate hunter education, conservation education, skills training, game preparation and eating. “By immersing youths and adults, men and women into all aspects of our waterfowling culture, we believe they will become lifelong hunters and conservationists.”

Indeed, reversing hunter and angler loses is critical to the long-term future of conservation, notes Denise Wagner, program coordinator for National Hunting and Fishing Day. Through licenses, permits, and special taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, hunters and anglers generate $100,000 every 30 minutes-totaling more than $1.75 billion per year-for fish, wildlife and habitat, she said.

Said Wagner: “We’re pleased to partner with Delta Waterfowl this year. With their help we’re reaching out even further with a message that healthy fish, wildlife, and habitat depend on leadership and stewardship of hunters and anglers.”

For more information about National Hunting and Fishing Day and its events: www.nhfday.org. For more information about Delta Waterfowl: www.deltawaterfowl.org.

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

Deltawaterfowl.org

Bismarck, ND - -(AmmoLand.com)- Several anti-hunting groups were quick to take credit when news of declining hunter numbers broke, but a closer look at the data suggests the numbers are more reflective of changing demographics than changing attitudes.

It’s true hunting participation has dropped precipitously from its 1975 peak and hunting has been losing market share, but concerns about the future based strictly on the license sales ignore two undeniable forces that have dramatically skewed the numbers—the baby boom generation and urbanization.

This index shows hunting has not kept pace with the overall population growth, but that’s only part of the story. According to the national survey, 49 percent of all hunters are rural males, 91 percent of all hunters are males, and rural residents are four times more likely to hunt than urbanites. These statistics, which have changed only slightly since the 1991 survey, clearly define the prototypical hunter as a rural male.

While the total population has increased steadily since 1955, the pool of likely participants—rural males—has increased only fractionally.

In 2006 rural males (13 percent of the 16 and older population) comprised a disproportionate 49 percent of hunters over 16. Twenty-three percent of rural males hunt as opposed to just 6 percent of urban males.

Hunting grew twice as fast as the rural population through the mid-1970s and early ‘80s, but that growth was fueled by 80 million baby boomers who by 1980 comprised nearly 60 percent of the hunting population.

Hunter numbers tapered off in the last two surveys as baby boomers began dropping out, and future decreases are inevitable as boomers age and the urban population continues to expand. Given these demographic realities, it is unlikely hunter numbers will ever return to the glorious levels they once enjoyed.

The prototypical hunter of the 1970s and ‘80s is slowly fading from view, and the pool of candidates to replace him is shrinking. If hunter numbers are to remain stable in the post-boom era, outdoor interests must create a new mold from which to cast the next generation of hunters.

Meanwhile, we can take comfort in the knowledge that the numbers aren’t as bad as our critics would have us believe.

Tori J. McCormick is associate editor of Delta Waterfowl magazine.

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

New Jersey Fish and Game

Cape May, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- The registration deadline of Friday, August 14 is quickly approaching for the NJDEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” (BOW) Coastal workshop.

Slated for September 11 – 13, 2009, the workshop is a fabulous opportunity to spend three value-packed days and two nights in beautiful Cape May when the crowds are gone and the weather and water are usually superb.

The incredibly low fee of $370 includes lodging at the oceanfront Grand Hotel ( http://www.grandhotelcapemay.com/ ), seven meals and free instruction and use of equipment needed for the various wildlife and outdoor skill classes.

Although oriented towards women, this workshop is open to anyone who is at least 18 years of age who would like to learn about wildlife and outdoor skills on the Jersey coast. Snorkeling, fishing, geocaching, shooting, kayaking, archery, falconry, boating, crabbing and bird watching are just a few of the 24 hands-on learning sessions being offered. No prior knowledge or skills are required – just a willingness to learn from experienced and talented instructors.

This workshop has been a life changing experience for many women who discovered the joy of the outdoors and enriched their lives with the skills and confidence they acquired. It can do the same for you or someone you care about.

Sending someone to the workshop is a super gift idea and a great way to say, “Thanks, you deserve some time for yourself”.

Don’t miss out on this unique value and wonderful opportunity and experience. Visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2009/bow_coastal09.pdf today to view and print the workshop brochure and registration form.

Pheasants Forever

Saint Paul, Minn. - -(AmmoLand.com)- Pizza Ranch is stepping up its support of Pheasants Forever’s (PF) youth programs. In addition to sponsoring PF’s successful “First Bird” program for the 2009-2010 hunting season, Pizza Ranch will assist local Pheasants Forever chapters across the Midwest in promoting chapter youth events, including youth mentor hunts.

PF’s “First Bird” program sponsored by Pizza Ranch was developed in 2008 to recognize the accomplishments of youth hunters who successfully bagged their first upland bird. Pizza Ranch is looking to add to the initial success of the “First Bird” program by stepping forward to support youth mentor hunts in local communities.

PF chapters based in the same town or area as a Pizza Ranch have the opportunity to partner with their neighboring franchise to create a local youth mentor hunt. All participating chapters will receive 24 blaze orange hunting caps and a banner to publicize the event. Chapters can become involved by simply contacting their nearby Pizza Ranch.

“We are excited to partner with Pheasants Forever on another great project for our area youth. Pheasants Forever youth mentor hunts are a great way to get local youth involved in our communities and the outdoors,” stated Gwen Lahrs, Senior Advertising and Marketing Manager for Pizza Ranch.

“The first year of the First Bird program generated phenomenal response, and with the help of Pizza Ranch, we’re excited to publish even more youngster photos on the pages of our magazines and at www.PheasantsForever.org ,” said Greg Emerick, PF Director of Corporate Sales, “Pizza Ranch also prides itself on being active in local communities, and boosting Pheasants Forever chapter youth events this fall will definitely help strengthen our youth outreach efforts.”

TO ENTER the Pheasants Forever “First Bird” program sponsored by Pizza Ranch

The Pheasants Forever “First Bird” program sponsored by Pizza Ranch is aimed at getting todayâ?Ts youth actively involved in outdoor activities such as hunting.

Young hunters who send in a photo of their first bird will receive:

• A “First Bird” Commemorative Pin
• Coupon for a free pizza at a Pizza Ranch restaurant
• A chance to get their photo published in the Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland
• Conservation and Upland Tales youth magazine.

Please send your photo (prints will not be returned) along with your first and last name, birth date, mailing address, phone number, and any other information you would like to share to: Pizza Ranch Inc., Attn: First Bird, PO Box 465, Orange City, IA 51041-0465.

About Pizza Ranch
Pizza Ranch has 144 franchises in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan and Illinois. The chain was founded in 1981 in Hull, Iowa and since has grown to its current size while focusing its brand around “providing a business ministry opportunity where guests receive a legendary experience through quality food and service.” More information about Pizza Ranch can be found at www.pizzaranch.com .

About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arizona – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Arizona Game and Fish Department is now offering $25,000 in grant funding to qualifying non-profit hunting organizations, sportsmen’s groups, wildlife conservation groups, and rod and gun clubs to host mentored hunting camps for first-time hunters.

The grant program is a pass-through grant program funded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) Hunting Heritage Partnership, which supports state agencies to expand hunter recruitment and retention.

The goal of the program is to multiply the department’s efforts by partnering with the many organizations in the state to recruit new hunters and help perpetuate Arizona’s hunting heritage.

“Our Hunting Heritage Workgroup unveiled the critical need to preserve our hunting heritage to more than 20 concerned organizations, in a scenic meadow on the Mogollon Rim, over Father’s Day weekend,” said Director Larry Voyles for Game and Fish. “The support and collaboration expressed is not like this state has seen in many years – it’s very exciting.”

Each successful applicant can qualify for up to $1,000 to host a mentored hunting camp. The funds may be used to cover a number of expenses related to running the event. To be eligible the proposal must include, but is not limited to, the following requirements:

• Promote or facilitate hunter recruitment and retention (examples include small game hunting camps for rabbit, dove, quail, squirrel, predator/furbearing, etc.);
• Hunt using a firearm;
• Available to the public;
• Family activities at camp;
• Complete best practices training;
• Complete project by Jan. 31, 2010;
• Submit a survey / evaluation of the event.

Applications must be in the department’s possession by Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 at 5 p.m. MST — postmarks don’t count. Submit applications by mail only, in triplicate, to Arizona Game and Fish Department IEED, Attn: Hunter Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.

Application packets can be downloaded from the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/hhwg, under “Hunting Heritage Partnership: Mentored Hunting Camp Grant Program,” or by contacting Hunter Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Denise Raum at draum@azgfd.gov or (623) 236-7567.

“By offering these funds to supporting organizations with experienced hunters, we can expand the department’s efforts to recruit new hunters, get our youth outdoors to reconnect with nature, and assure Arizona’s historic hunting heritage for future generations,” said Voyles.

Successful applicants will be notified shortly after the application period closes.

Voyles, an Arizona native, added, “Research shows a strong majority of the public supports ethical, regulated hunting. However, with urbanization, single-parent families, and busy lifestyles, many do not participate because they don’t know how to get started. This mentor program will remove some of those barriers and facilitate those interests.”

To learn more about the department’s efforts to preserve the hunting heritage, visit www.azgfd.gov/hhwg.

About:
The recruitment and retention of hunters, anglers, trappers, and shooters is important to continue the successful management of Arizona’s wildlife – game and nongame. The management and conservation of game animals is funded by dollars generated by the sale of licenses, hunt tags and funds appropriated from federal excise taxes hunters pay on firearms and ammunition – not through the state’s general fund. However, all citizens of Arizona benefit by this management allowing them to enjoy roaming elk herds in a meadow, antelope on the range or a gobbling wild turkey when driving on a country back road.