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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever(QF) are proud to announce that Outdoor Channel is the organization's newest national corporate sponsor. The partnership teams the organization's conservation mission with Outdoor Channel's goal of delivering a conservation message to sportsmen and women across the country.  The fourth season of Pheasants Forever Television (produced by Ron Schara Enterprises) recently debuted on Outdoor Channel and is currently airing on Thursdays at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT, Fridays at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturdays at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT. Outdoor Channel will also sponsor Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's popular monthly eNewsletter, "On The Wing," beginning with the July edition.

As the Olympics prepare to showcase shooters among the world's athletic elite, America's "Little League of Shooting Sports" is celebrating record participation as well as its influence on the Games in Beijing.  The U.S. Shooting Team has just eight spots for shotgun shooters. In trial competitions, 25 percent of those spots were won by alumni of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), a national youth shooting league that's become a phenomenon across the country.

Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) have launched a new membership package to engage the whole family in wildlife habitat conservation. The new Family Membership will increase the awareness and participation in conservation efforts of people representing a wide range of ages.

"Families and conservation have always gone hand-in-hand," explains Cheryl Riley, PF/QF's Vice President of Education & Outreach. "We believe it is essential to the success of our conservation mission to involve even the youngest members of our society in the outdoors.
Enjoying the outdoors as a family builds bonds, memories, and a passion for nature that will last a lifetime."

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reports that there were 19 hunting accidents in 2007, with one fatality. This is an increase of two accidents over the previous year but still a very small number considering that approximately 271,000 hunters spent more than 3 million days afield in 2006 (the latest year for which figures are available), agency staff report.

Controlled pheasant hunting opportunities will be available at 18 Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) sites this fall, and the 2008-09 season dates and permit reservation information are now available online.

Jon Gafner would be more than happy to give away the $25,000 worth of merchandise his store sign promises if Brett Favre came back to the Packers.  The marquee sign on Gafner's Jackson Street business, Jon's Sport Shop, says, "Hey Brett, $25,000 shopping spree if you come back!"

Eleven years ago, Christopher Kurilla lost his battle with leukemia.  Now, a 220-acre paradise suited for all the outdoor activities he loved doing bears his name in Stearns County, Minnesota. The story of the Christopher Kurilla Wildlife Management Area is one that will truly touch your heart.

Pheasant hunter Kim Stephens may be a better shot with one arm than you are with two. See for yourself this week on Pheasants Forever Television, airing on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, July 10th at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT. The episode will also air on Friday, July 11th at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturday, July 12th at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT.

The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department is gearing up for its 14th Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. The workshop will be held Sept. 19-21 at Outlaw Ranch, near Custer.

Ron, Raven, and Pheasants ForeverTelevision are back for the fourth season of the popular outdoor variety show. The show is slotted to air on Outdoor Channel on Thursdays at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT, Fridays at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturdays at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT. Season four of Pheasants Forever Television will debut on Thursday, July 3rd at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT.

During a contract signing ceremony today at brothers Jeff, Steve, Mike, and Brad Hemmer's farm, Pheasants Forever (PF), USDA, South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Department and elected officials celebrated the immediate success of a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practice; State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE). As part of the event, PF requested an additional 500,000 acres nationwide for the program based on strong interest and demand for SAFE in multiple states.

HURON, S.D.—With the prairie winds waving around waist-high grass that has benefited from above-normal precipitation this spring, many nesting birds including pheasant, grouse and waterfowl are at the peak of their critical nesting and brood rearing time.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Legendary handgun maker and rising star in hunting rifles and shotguns, Smith & Wesson has become the newest sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The annual celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation is set for Sept. 27, 2008.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation recently signed an agreement with Daisy Outdoor Products that will help commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors outreach program.