The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) received a “jump start” to its new “Donated Firearms Program” from the Savage Sports Corporation with a generous donation of 72 rifles and pistols. 

Ron Coburn, Chairman/CEO of Savage Sports Corporation , and a passionate supporter of youth shooting sports programs, saw an opportunity to kick off this novel means of generating funds to purchase equipment and supplies needed by priority youth shooting sports programs nationwide.

Ron stated “I dug out a list of salesmen samples and writer’s guns that we have quarantined for future need.  In reality, they will just sit around a long time.  There are over 70 such items in all calibers- so there is something for everyone.  The cumulative fair market value of these firearms is substantial, but again, they are just collecting dust and could use a good home.”

The Donated Firearms program, featured on YSSA’s website www.youthshootingsa.com , encourages the donation of firearms which, in turn, will be sold on GunBroker.com – the web’s largest hunting and sport shooting auction.  Firearms will be listed without a reserve bid and will be awarded to the highest bidder.  The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance, a 501(c)(3) private foundation, will provide donors with a tax deductible receipt upon the sale of each firearm. 

Frankfort, Kentucky- Kentucky's 2009 elk hunt is drawing international interest as the April 30 deadline to apply approaches.

Seven Canadian residents are among the record 35,390 applicants registered so far for the 1,007 quota elk hunt tags being issued this year by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Hunters from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, Maine and Puerto Rico have paid the $10 fee to register for the elk hunt drawing.

"Although this season will be only the ninth hunt conducted since our elk restoration project started in 1997, Kentucky already has the reputation as the premier place to hunt elk in the eastern United States," said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett. "We're proud that Kentucky is home to one of the most successful wildlife restoration efforts in the country over the past decade."

Kentucky's elk herd numbers approximately 10,000 free-roaming animals in the southeastern region of the state - more than all the states east of the Mississippi River combined. Kentucky also offers more elk hunting permits than anywhere else in the eastern United States.

Hunters hoping to draw out for a bull elk, whitetail deer, antelope or other controlled hunt through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Controlled Hunts Program can now submit applications over the Internet by logging on to www.wildlifedepartment.com.

Administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Controlled Hunts Program offers a wide variety of highly desirable hunts through a random drawing. Controlled hunting opportunities offered through the program include hunts on Department or other government-owned or managed lands where unrestricted hunting would pose safety concerns or where over harvest might occur.

"Sportsmen have over 140 different quality hunts to choose from including elk, antelope, deer, turkey, and quail hunts," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of administration for the Wildlife Department. "Thirty-two of these hunts are designed specifically for youth ages 14-16. You don't want to miss out on these hunting opportunities, so mark your calendars to apply before the deadline of May 15."

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF), a non-profit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to ensuring the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitats, recently announced the appointment of Kenn Loch and Jim Steadman to its Board of Directors.

"Jim Steadman and Kenn Loch will be valuable additions to the MDF Board of Directors. Both these gentlemen bring experience in working with non-profit organizations and a dedication to mule deer. They have also been very successful in their respective careers," said Miles Moretti, MDF President and CEO.

Kenn Loch was born and raised in northern California where he learned to appreciate the abundant natural resources of the West. At an early age he was introduced to archery, which later developed into a passion for hunting and wildlife conservation. Loch holds a Master's degree in engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He has spent his professional career in the energy industry where he currently works for Shell Exploration and Production Company as a manager focused on capital prioritization and business performance of onshore and offshore developments. Mr. Loch now resides in Katy, Tex., with his wife Peggy, and their two children.

MISSOULA, Montana -Over 10,000 volunteers for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation contributed $16.2 million in donated labor last year, and are on pace to exceed that amount in 2009.

The figures were released April 20 to coincide with National Volunteer Appreciation Week, which was created by President Nixon in 1974. Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation celebrating America's spirit of volunteerism for good causes.

"Sixteen-million dollars worth of donated labor would elevate some companies into the Fortune 500, but Elk Foundation volunteers aren't motivated by corporate interests. They're driven to help pass on a legacy of wildlife and wild places. It's about keeping alive a great outdoor heritage. It's about a quality of life that can't be measured on Wall Street," said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO.

New York, New York-The search for the country's best all-around sportsman is officially on as FIELD & STREAM, the world's leading outdoor magazine and Bass Pro Shops, America's favorite outdoors store, today unveiled the dates for the 2009 FIELD & STREAM TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN CHALLENGE, PRESENTED BY MOBIL 1. Now in its sixth year, the annual coast-to-coast competition offers sportsmen and -women more chances to qualify than ever before with a beefed-up roster of local qualifiers taking place April 25-26 at Bass Pro Shops. The Total Outdoorsman Challenge will culminate in an intensive, three-day, final championship event in Springfield, Mo., September 10-13, 2009, pitting 16 of the nation's top outdoorsmen in head-to-head competition in seven outdoor skill challenges: fly-fishing, bass fishing, rifle, shotgun, endurance, archery and ATV handling.

Widely celebrated as the country's premier competition for outdoorsmen, the 2009 Total Outdoorsman Challenge kicks off with free local qualifiers taking place April 25 and 26 at 48 Bass Pro Shops nationwide - twice as many locations as last year - allowing thousands of hopefuls across the country more opportunities than ever before to showcase their skills in baitcasting, air rifle and archery (participants must bring their own bows).

MISSOULA, Mont.—A 120-acre private in-holding in Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has been purchased by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and conveyed to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Snipe Lake property—valuable habitat for the region’s growing elk herd and other wildlife—is now permanently protected from development and opened for public access.

A public celebration is being planned for May 2 at the new public lands approximately 7 miles southeast of the intersection at State Road 77 and County Road A near Hayward, Wis. The agenda includes remarks by a representative of Congressman Dave Obey, who led efforts to acquire federal funding for this project.

“Forest in-holdings are desirable real estate for cabins and homes. In 2006, RMEF was approached about buying the Snipe Lake property and protecting its wildlife and natural resource values. We purchased the land and held it until the Forest Service received funding to complete the transaction,” explained Lou George, RMEF regional director in Wisconsin.

Dallas, Texas - Upland game enthusiasts from the Dallas-Forth Worth area have formed the region's newest Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter, the DFW Chapter of PF. The new chapter will work with local natural resource agencies and landowners within the 37-county panhandle portion of Texas to improve land management practices for pheasants and other upland birds.

Although the chapter will be based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the bulk of the state's pheasant population is found a few hours away in the panhandle region. The new chapter will utilize PF's grassroots model to raise funds in the population center that go toward habitat projects in the panhandle. Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever (QF), are the only national conservation organizations that empower chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to decide where their locally-raised funds are best put to use, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.

Washington, DC – Next week the Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) will represent hunters at the 24th meeting of the Animals Committee for the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) to ensure that decisions on trade for species of interest to traveling hunters, notably the African Lion, Elephant and Leopard, are based on science and the principles of sustainable use and not on the agenda of anti-hunting organizations.

“It is critical that the SCIF’s conservation efforts are represented before the greater international community participating in these meetings,” said Conservation Committee Chair Joseph Hosmer. “Efforts by SCIF to underwrite programs, such as with the African Lion in Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and others, ensure that hunting and trade of lions continues as long as this trade is responsible and non-detrimental to the species.”

At the five-day meeting, participants will discuss the overall trends in trade of wildlife. From these discussions, participants will make recommendations to reevaluate trade quotas and trade regulations which may affect international hunters. “Certain species are constantly at the center of international trade discussion, and there are groups with protectionist agendas who will attempt to maximize trade restrictions. SCIF provides reason and scientific perspective to refute these protectionist arguments,” said Hosmer.

MISSOULA, Mont.—Twelve counties in Montana are slated for wildlife and habitat conservation projects using $149,665 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Carbon, Deer Lodge, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Petroleum, Powell, Stillwater and Sweetgrass counties.

Additionally, a biological research project has statewide interest.

“Our volunteers across Montana helped drive the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible. This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation work, and it’s part of the payday for our supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO.