NSSF AIDS COLLEGIATE SHOOTING SPORTS PROGRAMS

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Fort Hays State University, Pratt Community College among beneficiaries
NEWTOWN, Conn. — Through its Collegiate Shooting Sports Initiative (CSSI), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) awarded $299,200 in grants to 41 colleges and universities in 2011 to develop and expand shooting sports programs. Of those schools receiving assistance, 11 are in the process of developing new shooting clubs. Now in it’s third year, the CSSI program has provided nearly $600,000 to foster collegiate shooting programs. In that time, CSSI grant-supported programs have helped double participation at the Intercollegiate Clay Target Championships. The 2011 championships featured 439 students representing 50 schools.

Schools of all size received awards, from Harvard to the Sunflower State’s Pratt Community College and Fort Hays State University. Fort Hays State University received $5,000 to develop a shooting club ambassador program that has helped recruit students to the school. Pratt Community College received $7,500 to host a Friends of National Rifle Association Banquet and conduct youth shoots to help educate the community about its program and firearms safety. School plans call for attending more collegiate shooting events.

Well established programs such as those at Fort Hays, and even newer programs such as Pratt Community College’s, now serve as models for others interested in developing shooting clubs and varsity teams.

"Throughout the country, we are seeing a surge in college students interested in the shooting sports," said Zach Snow, NSSF's manager of shooting promotions. "These clubs are filling a need on campus by providing opportunities to target shoot, and their members are building positive reputations for the shooting sports both on campus and in surrounding communities."

Sixty-five colleges submitted proposals for CSSI grants, and approximately two-thirds received awards. Grants ranged from $10,000, an amount given mainly to schools whose programs are in the development stage, to smaller amounts for schools with established programs. Many schools have had success attracting members using introductory seminars such as NSSF's First Shots and social media sites such as Facebook.

Anyone interested in starting or strengthening a college shotgun, rifle, or pistol team or club can find resources and grant opportunities online at www.nssf.org/college.

HUNTERS DONATE 11 MILLION VENISON MEALS

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Dec. 1, 2001
Organizations such as Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry aid nationwide effort
PRATT — In 2010, Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KSHFH) helped collect 1,108 donated deer, plus other meat, providing nearly 225,000 meals to the needy. KSHFH has been doing this for years, but they’re not alone. A new study commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and conducted by Mile Creek Communications reveals that last year, 11 million meals were provided to the less fortunate through donations of venison by hunters throughout the U.S. Nearly 2.8 million pounds of game meat made its way to shelters, food banks, and church kitchens and onto the plates of those in need.

The study revealed that donations were largest in the Midwest and the South. The Midwest provided 1.3 million pounds of game meat, amounting to 46.1 percent of total donations, with the South close behind at 1.25 million pounds and 45.7 percent. The Northeast contributed 7.2 percent of total donations and the West 1 percent. Though lower than other regions, the West's contribution still accounted for 108,520 meals.

Ground venison is a versatile food, with cooks using it in pasta sauces, chili, tacos, meatloaf, burgers, and other dishes. Individual hunters donate game meat and even pay for processing, though many hunters choose to work through organizations such as KSHFH.

The organization invites anyone to donate legally-harvested deer or elk to participating meat processors. There is no cost to donate deer or elk as long as the KSHFH organization has sufficient funding to cover the processing expense. Donated game must be field dressed and legally tagged. Hunters may also donate a portion of the meat they have processed to a participating processor. For more information and to find participating meat lockers, visit the KSHFH website, www.kshfh.org.

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NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY SEPT. 24

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Events celebrate the contributions of hunters and anglers to conservation
PRATT — The 40th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) — designated by Congressional decree and Presidential Proclamation — will be held Sept. 24. The event is a nationwide celebration of hunters and anglers and their contributions to conservation.

This year, T. Boone Pickens is the honorary chair for National Hunting and Fishing Day. Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen. He is president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Operations Office will host a NHFD event at its Pratt Operations Office located at 512 SE 25th Ave. (2 miles east and 1 mile south of Pratt) on Saturday, Sept. 24. The celebration will run from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. The event will include a kids' fishing derby, a casting contest, catch and release fishing, archery, a canoe race, and other outdoor events.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was established in 1972 under President Nixon, when Congress dedicated the fourth Saturday of each September to recognize the efforts of generations of hunters and anglers who support wildlife conservation and habitat improvements with billons of dollars collected through fees on hunting and fishing licenses and permits, excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, as well as donations. Many species such as white-tailed deer, turkey, pronghorn, elk, whooping cranes, and bald eagles were brought back from near extinction through management programs funded by sportsmen.

Celebrities traditionally lend their names to the National Hunting and Fishing Day cause by serving as honorary chairs. Previous honorary chairs include Jeff Foxworthy, Hank Williams Jr., Tom Seaver, Arnold Palmer, Terry Bradshaw, Karl Malone, George Brett, Robert Urich, Ward Burton, Louise Mandrell, Travis Tritt, Wade Boggs, Tracy Byrd, and Luke Bryan.

National Hunting and Fishing Day 2011 sponsors include Wonders of Wildlife, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Sportsman Channel, Realtree, Smith & Wesson, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Cabela's, GunBroker.com, Academy Sports + Outdoors, the Pope and Young Club, Yamaha Motor Corporation, and the Izaak Walton League.

For more information, including a detailed history of National Hunting and Fishing Day, as well as a feature article on Pickens, go online to www.nhfday.org. For events in your area, contact the nearest KDWPT office.

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NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY SEPT. 24

Image via Wikipedia

Events celebrate the contributions of hunters and anglers to conservation
PRATT — The 40th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) — designated by Congressional decree and Presidential Proclamation — will be held Sept. 24. The event is a nationwide celebration of hunters and anglers and their contributions to conservation.

This year, T. Boone Pickens is the honorary chair for National Hunting and Fishing Day. Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen. He is president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Operations Office will host a NHFD event at its Pratt Operations Office located at 512 SE 25th Ave. (2 miles east and 1 mile south of Pratt) on Saturday, Sept. 24. The celebration will run from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. The event will include a kids' fishing derby, a casting contest, catch and release fishing, archery, a canoe race, and other outdoor events.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was established in 1972 under President Nixon, when Congress dedicated the fourth Saturday of each September to recognize the efforts of generations of hunters and anglers who support wildlife conservation and habitat improvements with billons of dollars collected through fees on hunting and fishing licenses and permits, excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, as well as donations. Many species such as white-tailed deer, turkey, pronghorn, elk, whooping cranes, and bald eagles were brought back from near extinction through management programs funded by sportsmen.

Celebrities traditionally lend their names to the National Hunting and Fishing Day cause by serving as honorary chairs. Previous honorary chairs include Jeff Foxworthy, Hank Williams Jr., Tom Seaver, Arnold Palmer, Terry Bradshaw, Karl Malone, George Brett, Robert Urich, Ward Burton, Louise Mandrell, Travis Tritt, Wade Boggs, Tracy Byrd, and Luke Bryan.

National Hunting and Fishing Day 2011 sponsors include Wonders of Wildlife, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Sportsman Channel, Realtree, Smith & Wesson, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Cabela's, GunBroker.com, Academy Sports + Outdoors, the Pope and Young Club, Yamaha Motor Corporation, and the Izaak Walton League.

For more information, including a detailed history of National Hunting and Fishing Day, as well as a feature article on Pickens, go online to www.nhfday.org. For events in your area, contact the nearest KDWPT office.

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• Kansas Deer Hunters: JULY 8 DEADLINE FOR RESIDENT ELK, FIREARM EITHER-SPECIES DEER APPLICATIONS (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Kansas Hunters: FIRST SPECIAL HUNTS APPLICATION DEADLINE NEAR (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
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