The Latest Hunting & Shooting News:

A Different Idea for Mother's Day

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Before dinner at the fancy restaurant on Mother's Day, why not treat her to something she may never have tried before -- target shooting?  Ever-growing numbers of women have been taking their first shots at the range. In fact, a program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation known as "First Shots" is helping ranges introduce the shooting sports to beginners, a large percentage of whom are women.

Framework for Conservation Title agreed upon, details expected early next week

– May 2, 2008 – Late last night, congressional leaders reached a framework agreement on the 2008 Farm Bill's Conservation Title. Lawmakers are still ironing out other titles to complete the new Farm Bill. Full conservation program specifics will not be publicly released until early next week, but the new Farm Bill appears to be moving forward with the possibility of floor votes in both the Senate and House next week.

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota’s hunting heritage has traditionally been passed from one generation to the next. Recognizing that linage, and wanting to help it along, the S.D. Legislature approved a bill this year that allows children as young as 10 years of age to take part in mentored hunting opportunities.

“Having youngsters in the field is nothing new in South Dakota,” said Tony Leif, director of the Wildlife Division of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Many South Dakotans learned about hunting and the outdoors well before they were old enough to hunt.”

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Thanks to partnerships between the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), thousands of acres of wildlife habitat have been conserved and improved throughout the nation.

To continue improving wildlife habitat and helping landowners, the NWTF and NRCS recently renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU, which was first signed by the two groups in 2003, will continue their partnership until 2013.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Each year, conservation-minded Americans celebrate National Arbor Day by joining forces on the last Friday in April to plant an estimated 18 million tree seedlings.

However, to improve wildlife habitat and the environment, tree-planting efforts must span much further than Arbor Day celebrations. Through the National Wild Turkey Federation's initiatives, private landowners and volunteers work year-round to rejuvenate forests by managing habitat and planting trees.

PIERRE, S.D.—Mountain lions will be a recurring agenda item when the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission conducts its May meeting at Custer State Park. The meeting will be held Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2 at the State Game Lodge.

HURON, S.D.—With the arrival of spring, people are anxious to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather. The S.D. Outdoor Expo to be held on the S.D. State Fairgrounds on May 17-18 will be a great opportunity for the whole family to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and learn a few new activities that they can enjoy all summer long. There are nearly 100 activities and booths for people to visit. There is sure to be something for everyone.

PIERRE, S.D.—In 2007 the South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger organization chose “Feed the Need” as its new slogan. And the state’s hunters did just that, making record contributions of venison to the program that helps feed the less fortunate.

“The hunters of South Dakota really outdid themselves this year,” said Jeff Olson, president of Sportsmen Against Hunger. “They donated 75,000 pounds of venison, up from 45,000 pounds the year before.”

For many years, some hunters have wrongfully blamed wild turkeys for devastating quail populations by eating quail eggs and chicks. This idea may sound ridiculous, but, once again, the accusations against turkeys are flying.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Congressionally appointed celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation set for Sept. 27, welcomes Outdoor Channel as an official sponsor for 2008.

The National Wild Turkey Federation and its project partners have united to complete projects that will potentially improve more than 550,000 acres in Texas National Forests and Grasslands and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) through the Master Challenge Cost Share Agreement.

Project partners are the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the U.S. Forest Service, the NWTF’s Texas State Chapter and NWTF national headquarters. Throughout the five-year agreement, each partner committed $125,000 to create a shared biologist position and oversee the completion of projects that will improve habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife.

The application deadline for the 2008 bull-only moose hunt is Friday, May 2, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A total of 247 bull permits are available in 30 zones in northeastern Minnesota for this year’s hunt, which runs Oct. 4-19, and winners are selected by drawing.

Because the moose hunt became a once-in-a-lifetime hunt in 1991, hunters who received permits for moose hunts for the 1991 hunt and later are not eligible to apply for the 2008 drawing.

MAN to Leverage SEG’s Relationships with Hunting and Fishing TV Producers, Country Music Stars

Denver and Elba, ALABAMA., (April 23, 2008) – The Maximum Adventure Network (MAN), a 24-hour outdoors adventure-focused television channel, announced today a strategic alliance with Southern Entertainment Group (SEG) LLC, a video and online content distribution company that owns and operates the Artists and Fans Network and Country Lifestyles Network. The alliance will provide additional outdoors adventure TV programs for MAN, give MAN access to marketing opportunities with a variety of country music stars, and provide SEG TV producers with a national platform for airing hunting and fishing shows.

DOUBLE SPRINGS, Ala. — Ask any wildlife biologist what it takes to keep wildlife healthy, happy and close to home, and they'll tell you it's all about having good habitat.

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Tennessee state chapter and its partners recently purchased an 874-acre tract of land in southern middle Tennessee. The purchase represents another success for the NWTF’s More Places to Hunt initiative.