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.

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.

Watch Pheasants Forever Television on Outdoor Channel, American's Leader in Outdoor TV -- By the time December rolls around in South Dakota, roosters are hard to come by, as you'll see on this week's episode of Pheasants Forever Television, airing on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, Aug. 14th at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT. The episode will also air on Friday, Aug. 15th at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturday, Aug. 16th at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Last week, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever biologists met with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and political leaders in Washington, DC. The meetings focused on conservation opportunities in the new Farm Bill. For PF/QF, the meetings marked an important transition from the Farm Bill legislative process to implementation.

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.