Memphis, Tennessee - Ducks Unlimited hatched from the minds of waterfowl hunters 72 years ago today and continues to conserve habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. The organization's goals have remained the same over the years and the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever echoes across the continent from the bottomland hardwoods of the Mississippi River to California's Central Valley.

"Ducks Unlimited is very proud of our history as the leader in wetland conservation and our waterfowl hunting heritage," said Don Young, DU executive vice-president. "The on-the-ground effort from volunteers and staff during the last 72 years has greatly influenced the way the entire continent views conservation. That is one of our greatest accomplishments and we aim to continue to put all our efforts into conservation, including how conservation decisions are made in the state and federal legislative arena."

DU began during the "Dust Bowl" era when habitat conditions seemed bleak to those who were beginning to take notice. Before the Federal Duck Stamps and hunting licenses, DU members used the "Duk-a-nickel" program, among many others, to give back to waterfowl habitat and conserve a resource they understood needed protection. The organization has blossomed into the model of hunter-based conservation organizations hosting more than 4,500 fundraising events annually with 3,500 chapters nationwide.

PHOENIX - Hunters applying for a hunt permit-tag for elk or pronghorn antelope this year need to have their applications submitted to the Arizona Game and Fish Department no later than Tuesday, February 10 by 7 p.m. (MST); postmarks do not count. Hunters are reminded there is no online application process.

The 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information regulations booklet and hunt permit-tag application forms are all available at all license dealers, department offices, or can be downloaded from www.azgfd.gov/draw.

To assist customers and reduce errors, a PDF application form can be filled out using a computer and keyboard, but must be printed, signed and submitted (along with the correct fees by check or money order) by mail, or by delivery to any department office. The form can also be printed and filled out using an ink pen.

A 2009 hunting license is required to apply. Department officials encourage hunters to get their license before applying for an elk or antelope hunt permit-tag if they wish to do any other hunting in early 2009. Licenses purchased through the draw process will not be mailed out until April 24, 2009, regardless of application success. 

(Washington, DC) - Hunters, anglers, and conservationists across the country will have strong bi-partisan legislative support in the United States Senate on issues important to America's outdoor and sporting heritage during the 111th Congress. Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) have been chosen to serve as co-chairs and lead the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus in the United States Senate.

"I grew up hunting and fishing and as an elected official, I have a tremendous opportunity to advocate these traditions in the halls of Congress. As co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I look forward to working with my fellow sportsmen on Capitol Hill to advance the interests of hunters, anglers and conservationists who continue to enjoy the time honored American tradition of enjoying the outdoors," said Senator Nelson.

"It's a wonderful honor to serve as Co-Chair of the Sportsmen's Caucus. We have always stood firm for hunters and anglers, and I'm confident we will continue the successful track record," said Senator Crapo.

FAIRFAX, Va.- The Friends of NRA held it's 4th Annual National Survey during 2008.  The prize of a Ruger Signature Series Mark I .22 went to Mr. Jamie O. Reece from Aberdeen, North Carolina.  Mr. Reece's name was chosen from over 500 hundred submitted surveys.

Friends of NRA is an exciting grassroots fund-raising program that fosters community involvement, raises money and gives 100% of the net proceeds to qualified local, state, and national programs. For the fourth year in a row, community members have been eligible to fill out surveys by attending a Friends of NRA Banquet. The Friends of NRA banquet is a grassroots event that supports thousands of community services related, but not limited to, firearm education, hunter safety, wildlife conservation, range improvements, youth marksmanship, and law enforcement, among others. 

The Friends of NRA National Survey asks questions regarding attendees' recent experiences at their local Friends of NRA Banquet or Event.  The Survey provides the NRA with feedback on Friends of NRA events to better cater to your community in the future.  To participate in this year's contest, attend a Friends of NRA Banquet in your area, fill out the Survey, and become eligible to win a Ruger Signature Series Mark I 22. The contest deadline for this year is November 30, 2009.

For additional information on the 2009 Friends of NRA Survey please call 1-800-672-3888, ext. 1354.  You may also visit www.friendsofnra.org/national/survey to locate an event or banquet in your area.

SIDNEY, NEBRASKA - As presenting sponsor of the 2009 National Pheasant Fest, Cabela's will help Pheasants Forever make this year's event the best yet. The nation's largest show for upland hunters, farmers and sporting dog enthusiasts, Pheasant Fest will be held February 6-8 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

"Cabela's is proud to partner with our friends at Pheasants Forever and again serve as presenting sponsor of the National Pheasant Fest," said Dennis Highby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cabela's. "Conserving wildlife and wild lands is an important part of Cabela's mission as evidenced by our long-standing relationship with Pheasants Forever and ongoing support of Pheasant Fest."

WASHINGTON - Spurred by concerns over the effects of energy development on valuable fish and wildlife habitat, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership yesterday filed an official protest of an upcoming Bureau of Land Management lease sale in Colorado. The sportsmen's group objected to approximately 83,000 of the nearly 100,000 acres being offered in the Feb. 12 sale, which includes vital sage grouse habitat, big-game winter range and migration routes, and Colorado River cutthroat trout waters.

The TRCP protest of the Colorado leases follows the group's objection, filed on Jan. 20, to Wyoming leases offered by the BLM in areas of wildlife habitat important to hunters and anglers. Protests like these are the only means for the public to participate in the leasing process. The TRCP has urged the incoming administration to prioritize review and revision of federal mineral leasing practices and management of the nation's public lands.

Close to 60,000 of the protested acres are located within Colorado River cutthroat trout habitat, where energy development could degrade key waterways and result in this native fish's further decline. Initially petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1999, the Colorado River cutthroat twice received a "not warranted" decision regarding its threatened or endangered status, yet it was designated a "sensitive species" by the U.S. Forest Service and is subject to special state-level management guidelines. By leasing areas of designated habitat for the species, the BLM would violate a multi-agency conservation agreement pledging to "expedite implementation of conservation measures for Colorado River cutthroat trout."

WASHINGTON - Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development, a coalition of more than 350 businesses, groups and individuals working to balance energy development and conservation in the West, today sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar thanking him for his recent comments before the U.S. Senate in support of responsible energy development. The coalition also urged the secretary to undertake review and revision of federal laws, regulations and policies governing public-lands oil and gas development and offered its support in resolving conflicts between these policies and fish and wildlife habitat and sporting traditions.

In its letter, the SFRED coalition cited two upcoming energy lease sales that exemplify problems in the current federal approach. On Feb. 3, the Wyoming Bureau of Land Management intends to sell development rights to 173,000 acres of federal lands, and on Feb. 12, the Colorado BLM could offer rights to 99,000 acres. Close to 150,000 acres of the Wyoming and Colorado leases contain critical habitat for fish and wildlife, including sage grouse habitat, Colorado River cutthroat trout waters, big-game migration corridors and crucial big-game winter range. The areas also provide opportunities for American sportsmen, whose presence helps strengthen rural economies and supplies stable jobs associated with hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation.

"These two lease sales present an opportunity for the Department of the Interior to take a hard look at its current mineral leasing policies and implement changes," said Kate Zimmerman, senior land stewardship policy specialist for the National Wildlife Federation. "Sportsmen encourage Secretary Salazar and his staff to evaluate both the sales themselves and the department's overall leasing process before the sales are allowed to proceed."

MISSOULA, Mont.—For four days, March 5-8, Fort Worth, Texas, will be the elk hunting and conservation capital of the world.

Approximately 25,000 elk enthusiasts from around the globe are expected to attend the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 25th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

The annual event, being held for the first time in Texas, features the RMEF/Leupold 2009 World Elk Calling Championships, hundreds of exhibits, seminars, displays, activities, auctions, raffles and more. It’s all a public-welcome showcase and fundraiser for one of the nation’s premier conservation organizations. Since launching in 1984, the Elk Foundation has enhanced or protected habitat on over 5.5 million acres.

Daily admission is $12 per person or $25 per family, and free for kids 5 and under.

Show hours: Thurs., March 5, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fri., March 6, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat., March 7, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sun., March 8, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more details, visit www.rmef.org.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:

Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.5 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Reno, Nevada – Safari Club International (SCI) is pleased to announce that Jim Shockey is the 2009 winner of the prestigious C.J. McElroy Award, sponsored by Nikon Sport Optics.  
 
Named for the late founder and chairman emeritus of SCI, the C.J. McElroy Award honors a member of SCI who has, achieved excellence in worldwide hunting, displayed a dedication to the conservation of wildlife, and has a history of service to the global hunting community and to SCI’s goals. Award winners display exemplary ethics in the business of hunting and be committed to SCI’s programs and mission statement. “All of us in SCI leadership offer our congratulations to Jim on this prestigious accomplishment,” said SCI President Merle Shepard.
 
Jim Shockey hails from British Columbia and is a native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Shockey learned the love of hunting from his father at an early, and when the outdoor business beckoned, he entered the arena as an outdoor writer. Later, Shockey became an outfitter when he bought guide territory on Vancouver Island.

Ephraim, Utah – Pheasant hunters and conservationists within Sanpete County have formed Utah's newest Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter. Known as the Central Utah Runnin' Ring-Necks Chapter of PF, the group plans to have an impact on youth involvement in hunting and wildlife habitat conservation practices. "We need to give kids a chance to really experience the outdoors," explained Scott Evans, Runnin' Ring-Necks president and avid pheasant hunter, "If we can get youth involved in activities such as hunting, then they'll come to appreciate the importance of conserving wildlife habitat.