National Hunting and Fishing Day
Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day
PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HUNTING ON THE RISE . . . The 35th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 23, amid growing -- yes, growing -- public support for hunting. A new study shows that 78 percent of Americans now support legal hunting, up 5 percent from a decade ago. Researchers credit the increase to greater public understanding of hunting and wildlife management, along with visible increases of deer in urban areas. More than nine out of 10 Americans approve of recreational fishing. A combined 38 million Americans hunt and fish, and their conservation and economic importance will be celebrated this weekend at nearly 100 National Hunting and Fishing Day events nationwide. NSSF founded the annual commemoration, which now has an official home at Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo.
HOUSE TO VOTE ON PRO-GUN BILLS . . . Two federal pro-gun bills will be voted on soon by the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 5092, the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006," and HR 5005, the "Firearms Correction and Improvement Act," both were passed out of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. The full House is expected to vote on these bills shortly. HR 5092 represents a major advance in protecting the rights of firearms dealers, bringing consistency to ATF enforcement actions and providing ATF with additional compliance tools long sought by ATF. HR 5005 will serve to protect the integrity of law enforcement investigations and the lives of undercover agents and witnesses from misuse of ATF's trace data, such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's so-called "sting" operations that interfered with numerous ongoing criminal investigations. Contact your congressmen immediately, urging them to vote for HR 5092 and HR 5005.
STURM, RUGER NAMES NEW CEO . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. announced Wednesday the appointment of Michael O. Fifer to serve as its chief executive officer, effective Sept. 25. Most recently, Fifer was president of the Engineered Products Division of Mueller Industries Inc. He has held a number of general management positions in companies serving consumer, technology and industrial markets. Fifer is only the third CEO in the company's 57-year history, succeeding William B. Ruger (1949-2000), and William B. Ruger Jr. (2000-2006). Sturm, Ruger president Stephen L. Sanetti served as interim CEO in 2006 while the board conducted its search. Sanetti will continue to serve as the company's president and general counsel.
LARSON NAMED NSSF DIRECTOR OF RETAIL PARTNERSHIPS . . . NSSF has named Tom Larson as its new director of retail partnerships. Larson brings to NSSF more than 30 years experience in the firearms industry, having held sales and management positions in the firearms manufacturing sector and serving several years as a rep group principal. In his new position, Larson will oversee NSSF's retail division, the National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR), and work with NAFR- and NSSF-member firearms retailers nationwide. He will also work closely with a growing list of NAFR-affiliated state organizations, which provide retailers with leadership and guidance at state levels.
RESEARCHING THE HUNT . . . What more can be learned about hunting? After all, humans have been students of their most primal instinct for thousands of years, so what possibly could be left to discover? Plenty, as it turns out. NSSF conducts and compiles research on new trends in hunting and shooting sports participation, sales, demographics, business environments and more. View a roundup of some 2006 findings.
J. Paul Jackson, Steve Christian and Chris Nischan (left to right) were the winners of a new shotgun competition sponsored by NSSF at the 2006 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge.
2006 FIELD & STREAM TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN CHALLENGE . . . An exciting new shotgun competition sponsored by NSSF debuted at the 2006 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, adding a new level of competition and action for the competitors. "We were proud to offer our support to ensure that this year's competition would include a test of wingshooting ability," said NSSF's David Miles. "Shooting skills are developed through practice at the range and play an important role in any hunter's success." The competition offered six targets presented to simulate shots that hunters commonly experienced in the field, ranging from the hard crossing shots experienced when dove hunting to decoying ducks and fast-running rabbits. To see the complete results and photos from this year's event, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.fieldandstream.com/totaloutdoorsman.
FFL SEMINARS A SUCCESS . . . A total of 172 federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) attended seminars last week in Spokane, Wash., and Portland, Ore., on how to better prevent the criminal misuse of firearms. "Both sessions were well attended, the subject matter was well received and the attendees had great questions," said Randy Clark, NSSF managing director of program development. The free "Partnership for Progress" seminars are provided by ATF, NSSF and the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The next scheduled event will be in Phoenix on Oct. 12. Retailers in the area are encouraged to attend. Click here for more details.
FIRST SHOTS ON THE MOVE . . . NSSF's First Shots will hold pilot events in Connecticut and Washington state in October, while Sprague's Sports in Yuma, Ariz., will hold another First Shots event due to the success it had with the program in May. Says owner Richard Sprague: "It is without a doubt a win-win program for the industry. I strongly encourage anyone with a range facility to get involved." Ranges that have held First Shots events report they are seeing, on average, a 35 percent increase in range memberships and a 30 percent increase in training class registration that they attribute to First Shots attendees. They also say they see First Shots attendees moving along to other handgun activities such as practical shooting and even cowboy action. NSSF surveyed First Shots attendees. See what they had to say.
COLTSVILLE: NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? . . . A committee of the National Park Service will decide next month whether to recommend that parts of Coltsville -- the area of Hartford, Conn., developed by gun maker Samuel Colt -- be designated a National Historic Landmark, a decision the Hartford Courant calls "a critical moment in state history."
RESEARCHERS FIND NO BIRD FLU . . . More than 13,000 wild migratory birds have been tested since April for avian influenza in Alaska and, according to scientists, no H5N1 virus has been detected. The program’s goal is testing 75,000 to 100,000 migratory birds across the United States this year. Ducks Unlimited maintains a comprehensive online resource for bird flu information, with special info for waterfowl hunters. Visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.ducks.org.
GEORGIA VOTERS CAN ENSURE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH . . . When Peach State residents enter the polling booth on Nov. 7, they can vote to make the right to hunt and fish part of the state's constitution.
SKEET GREAT TO MANAGE CLAY TARGET FACILITY . . . The Arizona Game and Fish Department has hired accomplished skeet shooter John Satterwhite to manage the Ben Avery Clay Target Center, a public shotgun-shooting center located on the grounds of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The game and fish department assumes operational control of the clay target facility today.
RHODE WINS FALL SELECTION MATCH . . . Though the event in which she claimed two Olympic gold medals and a bronze was eliminated by the International Olympic Committee, switching to a new shotgun discipline apparently hasn't hindered Kim Rhode. Rhode won the 2006 Fall Selection Match last week in international skeet. For complete results, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.usashooting.org.
SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS TO BENEFIT STEP OUTSIDE . . . Shooters from throughout the industry, including top company executives, will compete this weekend for the 2006 Shooting Industry Masters. The three-gun competition, which supports NSSF's STEP OUTSIDE mentoring program, will be held Friday and Saturday in St. Cloud, Minn. Stay tuned for results. For information about the event, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.shootingindustry.com.
HUNTER'S HANDBOOK TV TO HIGHLIGHT NSSF PROGRAMS . . . Tune in to Hunter's Handbook TV this week on OLN to learn more about NSSF's programs and services geared toward creating access and opportunity, promoting safety and education and building participation in the shooting sports. Hunter's Handbook TV airs on OLN Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. For more information about Hunter's Handbook TV, visit OLN online.
NSSF's Mission Statement
"Our purpose is to provide trusted leadership in addressing industry challenges and in delivering programs and services to meet the identified needs of our members."
Click here to visit the NSSF Web site and see how we accomplish this mission.
PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HUNTING ON THE RISE . . . The 35th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 23, amid growing -- yes, growing -- public support for hunting. A new study shows that 78 percent of Americans now support legal hunting, up 5 percent from a decade ago. Researchers credit the increase to greater public understanding of hunting and wildlife management, along with visible increases of deer in urban areas. More than nine out of 10 Americans approve of recreational fishing. A combined 38 million Americans hunt and fish, and their conservation and economic importance will be celebrated this weekend at nearly 100 National Hunting and Fishing Day events nationwide. NSSF founded the annual commemoration, which now has an official home at Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo.
HOUSE TO VOTE ON PRO-GUN BILLS . . . Two federal pro-gun bills will be voted on soon by the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 5092, the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006," and HR 5005, the "Firearms Correction and Improvement Act," both were passed out of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. The full House is expected to vote on these bills shortly. HR 5092 represents a major advance in protecting the rights of firearms dealers, bringing consistency to ATF enforcement actions and providing ATF with additional compliance tools long sought by ATF. HR 5005 will serve to protect the integrity of law enforcement investigations and the lives of undercover agents and witnesses from misuse of ATF's trace data, such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's so-called "sting" operations that interfered with numerous ongoing criminal investigations. Contact your congressmen immediately, urging them to vote for HR 5092 and HR 5005.
STURM, RUGER NAMES NEW CEO . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. announced Wednesday the appointment of Michael O. Fifer to serve as its chief executive officer, effective Sept. 25. Most recently, Fifer was president of the Engineered Products Division of Mueller Industries Inc. He has held a number of general management positions in companies serving consumer, technology and industrial markets. Fifer is only the third CEO in the company's 57-year history, succeeding William B. Ruger (1949-2000), and William B. Ruger Jr. (2000-2006). Sturm, Ruger president Stephen L. Sanetti served as interim CEO in 2006 while the board conducted its search. Sanetti will continue to serve as the company's president and general counsel.
LARSON NAMED NSSF DIRECTOR OF RETAIL PARTNERSHIPS . . . NSSF has named Tom Larson as its new director of retail partnerships. Larson brings to NSSF more than 30 years experience in the firearms industry, having held sales and management positions in the firearms manufacturing sector and serving several years as a rep group principal. In his new position, Larson will oversee NSSF's retail division, the National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR), and work with NAFR- and NSSF-member firearms retailers nationwide. He will also work closely with a growing list of NAFR-affiliated state organizations, which provide retailers with leadership and guidance at state levels.
RESEARCHING THE HUNT . . . What more can be learned about hunting? After all, humans have been students of their most primal instinct for thousands of years, so what possibly could be left to discover? Plenty, as it turns out. NSSF conducts and compiles research on new trends in hunting and shooting sports participation, sales, demographics, business environments and more. View a roundup of some 2006 findings.
J. Paul Jackson, Steve Christian and Chris Nischan (left to right) were the winners of a new shotgun competition sponsored by NSSF at the 2006 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge.
2006 FIELD & STREAM TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN CHALLENGE . . . An exciting new shotgun competition sponsored by NSSF debuted at the 2006 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, adding a new level of competition and action for the competitors. "We were proud to offer our support to ensure that this year's competition would include a test of wingshooting ability," said NSSF's David Miles. "Shooting skills are developed through practice at the range and play an important role in any hunter's success." The competition offered six targets presented to simulate shots that hunters commonly experienced in the field, ranging from the hard crossing shots experienced when dove hunting to decoying ducks and fast-running rabbits. To see the complete results and photos from this year's event, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.fieldandstream.com/totaloutdoorsman.
FFL SEMINARS A SUCCESS . . . A total of 172 federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) attended seminars last week in Spokane, Wash., and Portland, Ore., on how to better prevent the criminal misuse of firearms. "Both sessions were well attended, the subject matter was well received and the attendees had great questions," said Randy Clark, NSSF managing director of program development. The free "Partnership for Progress" seminars are provided by ATF, NSSF and the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The next scheduled event will be in Phoenix on Oct. 12. Retailers in the area are encouraged to attend. Click here for more details.
FIRST SHOTS ON THE MOVE . . . NSSF's First Shots will hold pilot events in Connecticut and Washington state in October, while Sprague's Sports in Yuma, Ariz., will hold another First Shots event due to the success it had with the program in May. Says owner Richard Sprague: "It is without a doubt a win-win program for the industry. I strongly encourage anyone with a range facility to get involved." Ranges that have held First Shots events report they are seeing, on average, a 35 percent increase in range memberships and a 30 percent increase in training class registration that they attribute to First Shots attendees. They also say they see First Shots attendees moving along to other handgun activities such as practical shooting and even cowboy action. NSSF surveyed First Shots attendees. See what they had to say.
COLTSVILLE: NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? . . . A committee of the National Park Service will decide next month whether to recommend that parts of Coltsville -- the area of Hartford, Conn., developed by gun maker Samuel Colt -- be designated a National Historic Landmark, a decision the Hartford Courant calls "a critical moment in state history."
RESEARCHERS FIND NO BIRD FLU . . . More than 13,000 wild migratory birds have been tested since April for avian influenza in Alaska and, according to scientists, no H5N1 virus has been detected. The program’s goal is testing 75,000 to 100,000 migratory birds across the United States this year. Ducks Unlimited maintains a comprehensive online resource for bird flu information, with special info for waterfowl hunters. Visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.ducks.org.
GEORGIA VOTERS CAN ENSURE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH . . . When Peach State residents enter the polling booth on Nov. 7, they can vote to make the right to hunt and fish part of the state's constitution.
SKEET GREAT TO MANAGE CLAY TARGET FACILITY . . . The Arizona Game and Fish Department has hired accomplished skeet shooter John Satterwhite to manage the Ben Avery Clay Target Center, a public shotgun-shooting center located on the grounds of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The game and fish department assumes operational control of the clay target facility today.
RHODE WINS FALL SELECTION MATCH . . . Though the event in which she claimed two Olympic gold medals and a bronze was eliminated by the International Olympic Committee, switching to a new shotgun discipline apparently hasn't hindered Kim Rhode. Rhode won the 2006 Fall Selection Match last week in international skeet. For complete results, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.usashooting.org.
SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS TO BENEFIT STEP OUTSIDE . . . Shooters from throughout the industry, including top company executives, will compete this weekend for the 2006 Shooting Industry Masters. The three-gun competition, which supports NSSF's STEP OUTSIDE mentoring program, will be held Friday and Saturday in St. Cloud, Minn. Stay tuned for results. For information about the event, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.shootingindustry.com.
HUNTER'S HANDBOOK TV TO HIGHLIGHT NSSF PROGRAMS . . . Tune in to Hunter's Handbook TV this week on OLN to learn more about NSSF's programs and services geared toward creating access and opportunity, promoting safety and education and building participation in the shooting sports. Hunter's Handbook TV airs on OLN Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. For more information about Hunter's Handbook TV, visit OLN online.
NSSF's Mission Statement
"Our purpose is to provide trusted leadership in addressing industry challenges and in delivering programs and services to meet the identified needs of our members."
Click here to visit the NSSF Web site and see how we accomplish this mission.
posted by SHOOT! MAGAZINE | 4:35 PM
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