Outdoor Life has named the four winners of their annual Open Country Awards
United States -(AmmoLand.com)- Outdoor Life’s Open Country Awards recognize champions of public lands, celebrating visionaries who have demonstrated long-term commitment to advocating for public access.
This year’s awards, going to a non-profit, a corporation, a state agency, and an individual, will be presented at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas this month.
“The loss of access – a place to hunt and fish and recreate – is routinely cited as the leading reason that people stop hunting and fishing,” said Andrew McKean, Editor-in-Chief, Outdoor Life. “Our ability to access our abundant public lands isn’t just good for sportsmen, it’s a uniquely American right, and we want to recognize and celebrate the people who are creating, retaining, and defending public access.”
Sponsors of Outdoor Life’s Open Country Program include Yamaha Motor Company and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Public Land/Water Access Association:
PLWA got its start more than thirty years ago, litigating to defend angler access to Montana’s blue-ribbon trout streams. In July, the group won a 10-year battle to open a gated road blocking access to the West Deer Creek area of the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, restoring the public’s access to 16,000 acres.
First Lite:
This outdoor clothing company based in Ketchum, Idaho has become one of the loudest corporate voices against efforts to sell or transfer public lands. Company founders Kenton Carruth and Scott Robinson, and marketing manager Ryan Callahan know that keeping public lands accessible is essential for quality hunting—and for business.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission:
The PGC’s Hunter Access Program was started in 1936, and is the oldest in the country. The 2.6 million acres enrolled in the habitat-focused program make up more than a third of the accessible land open to hunting in Pennsylvania.
Susan Recce, National Rifle Association:
After beginning her career with the NRA 40 years ago, Recce now leads the their efforts on hunting, conservation, and wildlife resource issues, including affirming hunting access to national wildlife refuges. She works to ensure access, and is an advocate for sportsmen.
For more information, visit outdoorlife.com/opencountry.