Weatherby’s new online sweepstakes offers the chance to win an African safari and three other hunts, home defense training at the world-renowned Gunsite Academy, and an assortment of rifles and shotguns.

Launched June 1, the sweepstakes promotes “as low as” prices on Weatherby firearms including the $299
PA-08 Synthetic pump shotgun, $389 PA-459 home defense pump shotgun, $469 SA-08 Synthetic semi-auto shotgun, $439 Vanguard® Synthetic rifle and $1,699 Mark V® Accumark® rifle.

Sweepstakes entries must be submitted at www.news.299weatherby.com.  A random drawing will determine one winner for each of the following prizes:

•    Guided spring turkey hunt near Paso Robles, Calif., and a PA-08 Synthetic pump shotgun.  Includes a tour of Weatherby headquarters and showroom/museum.
•    Upland bird hunt at Flying B Ranch near Kamiah, Idaho, and a SA-08 Synthetic semi-auto shotgun
•    Guided trophy antelope hunt in Glenrock, Wyo., and a Vanguard Synthetic rifle
•    Plains game safari to South Africa, and a Mark V Accumark rifle.  Includes five species: gemsbok, blue wildebeest, common springbok, blesbok and warthog.
•    Home defense training at Gunsite Academy, Paulden, Ariz., and a PA-459 pump shotgun.

Five shotguns or rifles will also be awarded as runner-up prizes.

“Our new sweepstakes showcases our breadth of line, as well as the outstanding performance and value of our firearms,” said company President Ed Weatherby.  “Whether it’s one of our legendary Mark V’s or affordable Vanguard rifles, a workhorse pump or versatile semi-auto shotgun, Weatherby has a gun for most any hunt—and budget.”
The sweepstakes ends December 31, 2010.  Entrants must be a member of Weatherby Nation (no cost to join), a legal resident of the U.S., 21 years of age or older on date of entry, and legally qualified to possess a firearm.  Internet access is also a requirement.  More sweepstakes details are available at www.news.299weatherby.com.

Founded in 1945, Weatherby, Inc.’s line features the popular Vanguard® and legendary Mark V® rifles, over/under and side-by-side shotguns in the classic Athena® and Orion® lines, semi-auto and pump shotguns, premium ammunition and security/shooting accessories.  For more information, go to www.weatherby.com.  The company is based in Paso Robles, and invites all hunters and shooters to visit and join its free online community at www.weatherbynation.com.

BISMARCK, N.D.  — June 17, 2010 — A large majority of North Dakotans support conserving  the state’s best water, natural areas and wildlife habitat through dedicated state funding and by providing landowners the tools they need to conserve their property, according to a poll released today by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Dakota and the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust.

Conducted by a bipartisan research team, the survey results clearly demonstrate that by a wide margin North Dakota voters support conservation and approve of expanding upon current efforts to better protect the state’s natural areas, water, and wildlife habitat. Specifically, voters favor dedicating state funding for conservation, allowing landowners to sell their property to non-profit conservation organizations, and permanent conservation easements.

Temecula, Calif. - June 23, 2010 - Outdoor Channel, America's leader in Outdoor TV, has partnered with Comcast Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) to bring the community its second annual "Sportsmen Against Hunger" event.

Nearly 250 million meals are served annually through the "Sportsmen Against Hunger" program, which is active in all 50 states of the U.S., in parts of Canada and in several other countries around the world. Local Chattanooga outdoor enthusiasts will gather in support of this program on Wednesday, June 23rd at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide meals for the hungry. The group is prepared to host a generous venison luncheon of more than 300 meals furnished by the Chattanooga Area SCI Chapter, complete with dessert provided by McKee Baking.

"Outdoor Channel is proud to participate in such this remarkable initiative. We continually provide community support and services for countless local advocacy groups, charities and volunteer organizations. The generous people at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen are inspiring and we look forward to extending our time and resources to the area," said Tom Hornish, COO for Outdoor Channel.

Gear from Sitka

NAPA, CA. Sitka Gear Inc., has introduced the Downpour Jacket and Pant to offer hardcore whitetail hunters an opportunity to utilize the highest-quality raingear on the market. The Downpour Series is designed with GORE-TEX® PACLITE® fabric, which is extremely lightweight, waterproof and breathable. To keep game-spooking noise to an absolute minimum and to further differentiate the Downpour Series from the rest of the pack both the Jacket and Pant feature a lightly brushed face.

Sitka Gear’s top-quality products feature the most scientifically advanced visual concealment pattern ever to hit the market – GORE® OPTIFADETM Concealment, the first-ever concealment based on the science of animal vision.  The new Big Game/Forest pattern takes into account the distance and extreme angles found while treestand hunting and works to obscure elevated hunters. GORE® OPTIFADETM Concealment Big Game/Forest incorporates a micro and a macro pattern.  The unique micro-pattern considers the way a deer or other ungulate perceives color, the ratio of positive to negative space and other visual elements to create an effect that allows the hunter to blend with the animal’s perception of the environment.  The macro-pattern breaks up the symmetry of the human body so that if a hunter is detected, the animal will not be able to identify the hunter as a predator.

Downpour Jacket
● Fully Taped and Laser Cut Seams
● Built-in hood    
● GORE-TEX® PACLITE® fabric
● GORE® OPTIFADE™ Concealment Big Game/Forest pattern
● Available in sizes ranging from S – 3XL
● Retail Price $249

Downpour Pants
● Built-in belt, rear wallet pocket
● Full side zips
● GORE-TEX® PACLITE® fabric
● GORE® OPTIFADE™ Concealment Big Game/Forrest pattern
● Available in sizes ranging from S – 3XL
● Retail Price $199

Pleasant Valley, MO – Dead Down Wind, the maker of the industry’s most complete scent elimination system and D2W guide gear announces another Dream Hunt giveaway. An exciting archery only hunt with Tom Nelson, the host of Dead Down Wind American Archer. All hunters are eligible to win simply by logging onto www.deaddownwind.com  and clicking “register to win.”.  This is also an opportunity for the winner to appear on national TV with Tom Nelson.  Contestants are entering to win a deer hunt of a lifetime with the prestigious Addycon Outfitters.

Addycon Outfitters is a family owned operation that hunts exclusively on 15,000 plus acres of Nebraska’s diversified prime whitetail and mule deer habitat. Addycon Outfitters is sure to fulfill any hunter’s dream with high quality animals that can be hunted by spot and stalk, tree stand or ground blinds. The winner can expect an excellent semi guided hunt from either of the AddyCon co-owners, along with great accommodations, fully cooked meals and no trophy fees. Dead Down Wind continues to help dreams come true by teaming top celebrities and top outfitters along with their loyal supporters on these free Dream Hunt opportunities. Be sure to register online at www.deaddownwind.com  for your chance at this great opportunity. The tags will be good for whitetail or mule deer on the trip. You may also see more information on Addycon Outfitters at www.addycon.com or www.facebook.com/AddyConOutfitters.
 
Visit www.deaddownwind.com <http://www.deaddownwind.com> for additional dates and details.

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has received a special Prairie Partner Award in honor of its exceptional habitat work for elk and other wildlife on the Cimarron National Grassland in Kansas.

The award was presented by the National Grassland Council, a joint committee of the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Since 1989, thanks to RMEF volunteers raising funds across Kansas, the organization has helped complete 21 conservation projects on the Cimarron, an effort valued at more than $700,000. Projects have included relocating elk, enhancing more than 38,000 acres of habitat, improving water sources, restoring riparian areas and researching elk behavior.

New Berlin, Wis. (June 21, 2010) - Sportsman Channel's hosts and experts spend their lives hunting, fishing and shooting in many of North America's most beautiful outdoor destinations. So, with summer officially here, Sportsman Channel surveyed its talent, as well as its newly appointed CEO, an avid outdoorsman, to create the Top "Sportsman" Summer Destinations list.

Additionally, Sportsman's Facebook fans can win money towards their summer destinations through the "Dollars for Destinations" giveaway on Facebook. Starting today and through the week, Sportsman will post five "Dollars for Destinations" messages for fans to comment about their own experiences. Five comments will be randomly chosen to win $100 Visa gift cards; but you have to be a Sportsman Channel Facebook "fan" to win! Check us out at http://www.facebook.com/sportsmanchannel.

We couldn't do a summer destinations list without mentioning the Gulf Coast, especially in light of the current situation. The beautiful Gulf Coast provides ample activities for sportsmen and vacationers alike. Many local sportsmen make their living fishing the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico and now their livelihoods are in jeopardy. We want to support the region and our fellow sportsmen by encouraging people to not forget the Gulf Coast this summer season.

WSF WORLD HEADQUARTERS-Cody, Wyoming USA – June 21, 2010. Despite the economic slowdown, and the challenging fundraising environment resulting from an anemic global economy, the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) funded $2,844,286 in conservation, education, research and advocacy programs during the 2009-2010 fiscal year which ends June 30, 2010.

“This is an incredible mission focus accomplishment during the most challenging times I’ve experienced in 20+ years professionally in this industry” Gray N. Thornton, the Foundation’s President and CEO stated. “Through the exceptional generosity and support of our members, supporters, convention exhibitors, donors and sponsors, the Foundation raised and gave away an incredible sum this past year towards our purpose of “Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountain.” In addition to this funding milestone, we also grew membership 100% to more than 10,100 members worldwide during these trying times.” Thornton added.

Of the $2.84+ million donated to mission programs during the year, contributions to state, provincial and tribal agencies through the sale of special permits and tags totaled $2,402,940. Proceeds from these funds support wildlife conservation and habitat improvement initiatives primarily benefiting wild sheep and other mountain ungulates and their habitat but also supports all wildlife. Funded industry support and advocacy programs totaled $191,250, and habitat restoration, improvement, acquisition and disease research funding totaled $174,333. The Foundation funded international wild sheep projects primarily in mid Asia totaling $68,273, and youth education programs totaling $7,490 to round out the $2,844,286 of on-the-ground projects, programs and initiatives funded during the year.

DALLAS-Renowned wildlife artist John Banovich and his Banovich Wildscapes Foundation have launched a partnership with Dallas Safari Club (DSC) to help generate funding for and awareness of conservation needs in wild places of the world.

Proceeds from select Banovich artworks are supporting small-but-vital organizations dedicated to scientific research, habitat conservation and public education projects to benefit both wildlife and people. Current efforts are focused in Africa and Siberia. Three different organizations are working on conservation initiatives crucial for mountain nyalas, lions and Amur tigers.

"I started the Banovich Wildscapes Foundation as a way to give something back to the world that has given so much to me," said Banovich.

Perry Peterson, Mossy Oak Regional Pro Staff Manager, took the second largest eastern subspecies of turkey on the last day of the Iowa spring season. The huge gobbler scored an impressive 94.406 and is the #1 bird ever taken in Iowa and #2 overall. The bird weighed 26 pounds and 2.5 oz. It had an unbelievable 13.5 inch beard and 2.0625 spurs. Peterson took the bird near his home in Manchester, Iowa.