801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229

Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326

Website: www.ussportsmen.org • E-mail: info@ussportsmen.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Contact: Greg R. Lawson (614) 888-4868 ext. 214

February 12, 2009                                Sharon Hayden (614) 888-4868 ext. 226

Leading Conservation Groups Respond to Attacks on Alaska Governor

(Columbus) – A consortium of conservation organizations today sent a letter of support of Alaska’s wolf management program to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

The letter, spearheaded by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and signed by 8 other organizations representing nearly 3 million conservationists nationwide, came in  response to unwarranted attacks on the Alaska wolf management program by the animal preservation group Defenders of Wildlife (DoW). 

The attack includes a television ad featuring actress Ashley Judd. The ad is as part of an aggressive media campaign to cast public disfavor on Alaska’s scientifically valid and sound method of predator management.

The conservation groups’ letter clarifies that the Alaska program avoids game population decimation, especially for moose and caribou “through a rigorously controlled, scientifically based system.”

The letter also highlights “the critical importance of science in wildlife management” and states that “the future of effective wildlife management necessitates that emotional pleas not substitute for reasoned analysis.”

According to USSA Senior Vice President Rick Story, “It is imperative that people understand how important science is to maintaining healthy populations of wildlife species. In the absence of this program, not only would wildlife be destroyed, eventually, disease and hunger would kill far more wolves.” 

Story concluded, “It is simply wrong for an environmental group to use Hollywood glitz and glamour to hide science from the public.”

The signers of the letter include:

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
The Archery Trade Association and Bowhunting Preservation Alliance
Boone & Crockett Foundation
Conservation Force
The Dallas Safari Club
The National Shooting Sports Foundation
North American Bear Foundation
Pope & Young Club
The Texas Wildlife Association

To view the letter please visit: http://www.ussportsmen.org/Palin

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs.  For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

For immediate release: Jan. 6, 2009

Brown County Winter Hike, Jan. 17

Brown County State Park is hosting a winter hike to highlight the experience of nature during the quiet month of January.

Hikers may choose between two routes in the park. The Southern Loop begins at the Nature Center and offers a leisurely 3.5-mile hike along a limited access road into Strahl Valley, and around Lake Strahl. The Woodland Hike begins at the park’s recreation building and offers a 2.75- mile hike through Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve, and around Lake Ogle. 

Both hikes begin at 9 a.m. Boy Scouts will be on hand to provide s’mores at Strahl and Lake Ogle shelters during the hikes.

A hiker’s buffet breakfast, featuring naturalists who will discuss what to expect and what to look for along either trail, begins at 7 a.m. in Abe Martin Lodge. The price for the buffet is $8.99.

A Hiker’s Buffet luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The price of the lunch buffet is $9.99.

Winter Hike patches and yearly chevrons will be sold by the Friends of Brown County State Park at the lodge, starting at 11 a.m. 

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Media Contact: Jim Eagleman, interpretive naturalist, (812) 988-5240

Howard Communications Congratulates Toxey Haas
On Being Named To Outdoor Life’s Top 25

Toxey Haas has been named one of Outdoor Life’s top 25 influential conservationists and leaders in the outdoor industry by the editors of the magazine.

“I can’t think of a person more deserving of this honor than Toxey,” says Kevin Howard, President of Howard Communications, Inc. “The goal of every man should be to leave this world a better place than they find it. Toxey Haas, his Father, Fox, and their family are achieving that goal through their work with the Mossy Oak brand of companies they developed.”

When an outdoorsman thinks of Mossy Oak, the first thing that comes to their mind is the line up of Mossy Oak camouflage patterns that have dominated the outdoor clothing and accessory lines for a number of years. The Mossy Oak patterns are available on thousands of products from clothes and other soft goods to hard goods like bows and guns. However, Mossy Oak is much more than camouflage patterns.

Toxey Haas has developed a number of other Mossy Oak Brand divisions that are helping the outdoor enthusiast enjoy their lifestyle even more while protecting and promoting these resources for generations to come.

Mossy Oak BioLogic Wild Game Products have put Haas at the forefront of the game-management movement. A new division called Nativ Nurseries is leading the way in terms of developing superior trees and plants for wildlife. Mossy Oak Properties helps provide an avenue for people looking for land to purchase for outdoor recreation to find those who have land for sale through a network of real estate offices.

“Toxey started Mossy Oak with the intent of finding a way to get closer to wildlife.” Says Howard, “That obsession has led him to develop not only great camouflage patterns, but ways to provide better habitat and wildlife management practices. His work is changing the future of both outdoor people and wildlife.”

To vote for Toxey Haas as Outdoor Life’s Person of the Year go to, Ready to vote? Click here and vote for OL 25’s Person of the Year and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Courtesy of National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)

WHITETAILS UNLIMITED STARTS SHOOTING PROGRAM . . . The sportsmen/conservation organization, Whitetails Unlimited, has begun a program to encourage youths to try their hand at riflery, using either rimfire or centerfire ammunition, while following the 10 commandments of firearm safety. Youth are rewarded for shooting accuracy, in this Kids on Target program, with a “silver medal” and a personalized certificate.

For more information visit the Whitetails Unlimited Web site at www.whitetailsunlimited.com