| Breaking The Color Barrier |
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With enough noise and grunting to wake a deaf man (which pretty much describes me), two bears came crashing out of the dense Canadian bush on a dead run and stopped suddenly, smack dab in the middle of the clearing my stand overlooked. I had spent the last five hours napping and reading the better portions of a Reader’s Digest magazine, while consuming too much hard candy. |
| The Old Christmas Tree- The Importance of being an Outdoor Mentor |
The idea of being an Outdoor Mentor is not something we study for. It is the natural gift that goes along with being a good father and a good steward to the “Spirit of the Wild.” ….Uncle John
There is a wild Christmas Tree I know about way out in the woods that never an ornament will grace, but it reflects the spirit of the season never the less. It doesn’t grow as straight as the rest of the trees in the forest, because this big buck visits it periodically rubbing his antlers on the course bark. This would seem to be decoration enough, however. When I visit the tree, and point it out to a new young hunter, there is an inner excitement in knowing that such a great and powerful animal has displayed his strength telling all the brief visitors here that he is the king of the forest. |
| A Right of Passage -A Profile Of Several Handicap Accessible Hunts By John Simeone |
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They were chosen because life had not been fair to them, but the urge was still strong for the thrill of the chase. It was a long wait for the hunt of a lifetime, but 13 year old Kelton Smith was patient, you get that way if you’re confined to a wheel chair with muscular dystrophy. But you know, I don’t think I ever heard him complain about it. |
| HUNTERS AND ANGLERS RAISE MILLIONS FOR CONSERVATION |
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U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced the distribution of more than $740 million to 56 state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund fish and wildlife conservation efforts, boat access, shooting ranges, and hunter education. |
| The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Receives Land Stewardship Award |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) presented the 2009 Land Stewardship Award to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) at the NWTF's 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show held Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 in Nashville, Tenn.
The NWTF has presented the Land Stewardship Award each year since 1994 to forestry and utility companies and organizations for excellence in land management, partnerships and NWTF project support. The award recognizes those that have done an outstanding job to benefit natural resources through land stewardship and |
| National Wild Turkey Federation and Tread Lightly! Form Strategic Alliance |
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| NWTF Helps Veterans with Disabilities Enjoy Special Deer Hunt |
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EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Thirty hunters with disabilities from across the Southeast enjoyed two days of sharing stories, lots of laughs and some white-tailed deer hunting during the eighth annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF Ultimate Team-Up, held Nov. 12 to Nov. 13, 2008, at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s headquarters in Edgefield. |
| CDC Study Shows No Health Risk Associated with Traditional Ammunition |
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A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study on human lead levels of hunters in North Dakota has confirmed what hunters throughout the world have known for hundreds of years, that consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition poses absolutely no health risk to people, including children, and that the call to ban lead ammunition was and remains a scare tactic being pushed by anti-hunting groups to forward their political agenda. |
| SUMMIT UNVEILS RESEARCH ON HUNTING AND SHOOTING PARTICIPATION |
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Last June, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) hosted the 2008 Shooting Sports Summit in Colorado Springs. The summit gathered leaders from throughout the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry, as well as key leaders from fish and wildlife agencies and conservation organizations (including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks), to address key challenges that face the future of the shooting sports. |
| DNR reminds hunters of tree stand safety following five recent accidents |
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urges hunters to follow safety rules when using tree stands, following five accidents this fall during the early antlerless deer season. |
| DNR bullet study arms hunters with information |
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With the “early antlerless” deer season opening Saturday, results of a preliminary study about how certain bullets break up and disperse on impact provide more information for hunters heading out to the field. The results add emphasis to previous venison safety messages from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommending pregnant women and children under six do not eat any venison harvested using ammunition that results in deposition of lead particles in meat. |
| Elk hunting returns to Minnesota’s northwestern most corner |
For the first time in more than 100 years, elk were legally hunted in Kittson County Minnesota in mid-September. The hunt opened the first of three nine-day elk seasons, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Three lucky winners of the once-in-a-lifetime Minnesota elk hunting permits filled their tags in three days of the first elk season. The holder of the single either-sex tag harvested an impressive 5×5 bull within minutes of the season opening. |
| TaxidermyTube.com Offers Online Taxidermy Instructions |
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A whole new way for sportsmen to learn about taxidermy is now available on the internet. www.TaxidermyTube.com, a joint venture between the television show Taxidermy For The Sportsman and Foremost Media, Inc. officially launched September 15th, 2008. The website offers aspiring taxidermists and curious hunters the opportunity to learn taxidermy by watching professionally produced instructional videos online and to corresponding with a panel of professional taxidermist via a private message board. |
| U.S. Soldiers to Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day |
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Sometimes the best way to appreciate a special privilege is to imagine life without it. In recognition of American soldiers serving far from home this autumn, the U.S. Army is hosting a National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration at its Heidelberg Rod and Gun Club near the U.S. military base in Heidelberg, Germany. This lone overseas commemoration of National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 27 to coincide with hundreds of events across the U.S. Visit www.nhfday.org for listings. |
| Gas Prices Have Hunters Exploring Local Opportunities |
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NEWTOWN, Conn. -- For many hunters, that 300-mile drive to deer camp may be put on hold this year. Unwilling -- or unable -- to spend more on gasoline than licenses and lodging, many hunters are checking out their options closer to home. |
| National Hunting and Fishing Day |
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A variety of resources are available at www.nhfday.org for media members covering National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Congressionally appointed annual commemoration of hunters, anglers and conservation. This year's celebration is set for Sept. 27. |
| WISCONSIN SPORTS FEST SLATED FOR AUG. 15-16 |
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The Wisconsin Sports Fest attracts more than 30,000 attendees each year, and the sixth edition, at the Sunnyview Exposition Center in Oshkosh, should be another crowd-pleasing festival. In addition to live musical entertainment, outdoor personalities will be on hand to speak and sign autographs. |
| NWTF Founder Honored with Special Award |
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As the National Wild Turkey Federation celebrates its 35th year of promoting wildlife conservation and the preservation of North America's hunting heritage, the organization is reflecting on its rich history and honoring the man who started it all. Tom Rodgers, of Edgefield, S.C., founder of the NWTF, received a one-of-a-kind Founder's Award during a ceremony at NWTF headquarters, Saturday, Aug. 9. |
| Michael Waddell Named NWTF Spokesman |
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Michael Waddell, the outdoor industry's charismatic television show host, has agreed to become the official spokesman for the National Wild Turkey Federation. In this new role, Waddell will represent the NWTF as host of its television series, "Turkey Call," which airs on Outdoor Channel. In addition, Waddell will assume emcee duties at the organization's national convention, which will be held Feb. 19 to 22, 2009, in Nashville, Tenn. Members also will be treated to personal appearances by Waddell at many other NWTF events. |
| The Minnesota Grand Slam this Week on Pheasants Forever Television |
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Grand slams are usually reserved for the baseball diamond, but this week on Pheasants Forever Television, you'll see how wildlife artist John House stroked one out of the park. The episode airs on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, Aug. 7th at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT. The episode will also air on Friday, Aug. 8th at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturday, Aug. 9th at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT. |
| AD CAMPAIGN POSITIONS NSSF AS RESOURCE FOR SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE FIREARMS OWNERSHIP |
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The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has launched a public awareness campaign to inform Washington, D.C., residents—particularly those now considering purchasing a handgun—about the many educational resources it makes available to firearms owners. The campaign follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision (Washington, D.C., et. al. vs. Heller) reaffirming the Second Amendment as an individual right and ruling the district’s ban on handguns unconstitutional. |
| GFP Commission to Meet at Fort Sisseton |
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In addition to their regular business, Game, Fish and Parks Commissioners will get a history lesson when they conduct their August meeting at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park. The commission's agenda for the one-day meeting on Aug. 7 includes a tour of the park, located 10 miles southwest of Lake City. |
| Shooting Industry Masters Raises |
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Shooters from throughout the industry stepped to the firing line at the 6th Annual Shooting Industry Masters July 26 to blast clays and ring steel, all in support of NSSF’s Step Outside program. More than 150 shooters, including company CEOs, sales reps and factory craftsman, competed in the three-gun competition at the Hartford Gun Club in East Granby, Conn. Produced by FMG Publications, the event’s raffle raised $16,500 for the Step Outside program, which introduces newcomers to shooting. |
| Renewed Partnership to Help NWTF Conservation, Outreach Efforts |
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The National Wild Turkey Federation's recently renewed agreement with Bank of America will help more than 500,000 NWTF volunteers and staff to continue to improve wildlife habitat and preserve our nation's hunting traditions. |
| World Speedshooting Championships to Feature Free Classes for Newcomers |
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On Aug. 15 and 16, the Steel Challenge World Speedshooting Championships will be offering first-time shooters a free introduction to shooting and firearm safety. Several First Shots® seminars will be held each day starting at 9 a.m. Visitors to the range in Piru will have an opportunity to learn from professional instructors firearm safety and the basics of how to get started in handgun shooting. Afterward, seminar participants will be able to walk the competition course and see some of the world's fastest shooters as they compete for the world speed shooting title. |
| National 4-H Headquarters Recognizes Bill Stevens for Outstanding Service to National 4-H Shooting Sports Program |
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National 4-H Headquarters recognized Bill Stevens, retired Conservation Manager, Federal Cartridge Corporation, for his lifelong dedication to the 4-H Shooting Sports Program during the 2008 National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in June. |
| Gun sales strong in Austin area this summer |
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Austin-area firearms dealers may have the Democrats to thank for brisk sales this summer. The prospect that the next presidential administration might favor new gun-control laws has gun enthusiasts bringing dollars and concerns to local firearms stores ahead of the November election. |
| Records of Alabama’s White-tailed Deer |
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The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (ADWFF) has a new records and recognition program for white-tailed deer killed in Alabama, the Records of Alabama's White-tailed Deer (RAWD). This new program allows Alabama's deer hunters to compare deer taken in their region to other areas of Alabama, as well as other states in the Southeast. It also showcases the quality animals produced by management efforts and strategies within Alabama. |
| DNR seeks comments on motor vehicle use plan forforest lands in East Central Minnesota |
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its forest classification and motor vehicle route designation proposal for six state forests in an eight-county planning area in east-central Minnesota. The east-central forests include Land O' Lakes in Cass/Crow Wing counties; Hill River, Savanna, and Waukenabo in Aitkin County, Snake River in Kanabec County, and DAR in Pine County. The proposal also designates roads and trails on scattered DNR lands in Anoka, Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, southern Cass, and Washington counties. |
| New York becomes 27th state to reduce barriers for new hunters |
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With Governor Paterson signing New York's Junior Hunting bill July 23, the total number of states adopting legislation to reduce barriers to new hunters has climbed to 27 since the Families Afield program began in 2004. New data shows that across the United States, this program has opened doors to more than 131,000 youth and adults new to hunting. New York state's Assembly Bill 11033 is expected to do the same as it lowers the age for mentored big game hunting to 14. Before this legislation was passed, New Yorkers had to be 16 years old, which was the oldest minimum age for big game hunting in the nation. |