RMEF to Raffle $23K in Guns, Gear at ISE Consumer Shows

MISSOULA, Mont. ?More than $23,000 in hunting guns, bows and gear will be raffled at five 2010 consumer sports shows in the Ultimate Elk Hunter?s Raffle presented by International Sportsmen?s Expositions (ISE) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Raffle monies will be used for RMEF habitat projects in the respective ISE show states.

In 2009, RMEF passed 5.6 million acres of habitat conserved or enhanced, and over a half-million acres opened or secured for public access.

Five prizes valued at $4,500 total will be raffled at each 2010 ISE show, including:

? Denver, Colo.?Jan. 7-10
? San Mateo, Calif.?Jan. 14-17
? Sacramento, Calif.?Jan. 21-24
? Phoenix, Ariz.?Feb. 26-28
? Salt Lake City, Utah?March 18-21

To enter the raffle, show attendees may purchase tickets at the RMEF booth. Each ticket represents one chance to win a prize in a drawing. Purchasers can place their tickets into different hoppers for a chance at different prizes, or all tickets into one hopper to increase their odds for a special item.

At each ISE show, separate drawings will be held for each of the following items:

? Browning ultimate hunters package including Browning X-Bolt Composite Stalker in .325 WSM, gun case, X-Cellerator sling, Storm Gore-Tex parka and pant, XPO big game gloves and camo Buckmark cap. Value: $1,590.

? Remington XHR 700 in 7mm Rem Mag. Value: $905.

? Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .325 WSM. Value: $859.

? BowTech 2010 flagship bow (not yet released but promises to be another industry changer). Value: $850.

? Sitka Gear ultimate clothing package including Ascent pant, Core top, Jetstream jacket and cap. Value: $540.

See complete rules and drawing schedules at the RMEF booth at each ISE show, or go online Nov. 1 to www.sportsexpos.com for details and photos of prizes.

In addition to the Ultimate Elk Hunter?s Raffle, RMEF and ISE are partnering on several new ventures in 2010. RMEF is adding to ISE show attractions with its popular Great Elk Tour featuring a traveling display of world-class trophies designed to show that ?great elk need great habitat.? RMEF also is sponsoring ISE?s Adventure Theater, and Best of the West Elk Calling Contest hosted by former world champion Chad Schearer.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.6 million acres?a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

About International Sportsmen?s Expositions
For nearly 35 years ISE has produced America?s premier hunting, fishing and travel shows. Featuring as many as 500 exhibiting companies including leading manufacturers and retailers, guides and outfitters, resorts and lodges, and nonprofit outdoor organizations and groups, each ISE also offers hundreds of seminars, contests, hands-on special features, plus a huge Youth Outdoor Sports Fair that?s dedicated to creating the next generation of responsible outdoor enthusiasts.

USSA and United Taxidermist Association Develop Partnership

Will Educate Youth about Outdoor Sports and Art of Taxidermy

(Columbus) – The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and the United Taxidermist Association (UTA) are proud to announce a new partnership designed to help educate everyone from youth to veteran sportsmen about the role conservation plays in protecting our outdoor heritage.

“This partnership is designed to build cooperation among both groups members and clients by enhancing opportunities for people to protect and enhance outdoor sports through education and first hand experience,” said Mike “Mac” McLane, Board member and UTA co-founder. “Working together with the USSA will surely boost both organizations’ public profiles also.”

New sportsmen recruitment is a priority for both the USSA and UTA as issues affecting our outdoor heritage are on the rise while at the same time, sportsmen numbers are declining as a percentage of the population.

“Both the USSA and the UTA share a common interest in strengthening opportunities for people to fish, hunt, trap, and shoot,” said Doug Jeanneret, USSA vice president of marketing. “This partnership represents a strong foundation for both to make that a reality by reaching out to the nation’s youth through programs like Trailblazer Adventure”.

The UTA and some of its members have been involved in the Trailblazer Adventure Program, developed by the USSA to introduce youth and their families to outdoor pursuits.

The UTA was founded in September 2007 by a group of like minded individuals, seeking to promote unity and professionalism within the taxidermy industry. The UTA focuses on advancing the art of taxidermy with special emphasis on education and youth. For more information about the United Taxidermist Association and its work, call (877) 534-4882 or visit its website, www.unitedtaxidermist.com.

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.