Conservation

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation secured 23,000 acres in Nevada's Windermere Hills through a conservation easement with a private landowner, protecting crucial elk habitat and a mule deer migration corridor. The project, supported by an $850,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant through Walmart's Acres for America program, also provides improved hunting access across 47,000 acres managed by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Conservation Visions published a peer-reviewed article in People and Nature through the Wild Harvest Initiative® showing that big game hunting in the United States generates 235.76 kilotonnes of wild meat annually, equivalent to 1.39 billion meals with a $3.21 billion USD replacement value.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has released 12 professionally produced videos to help agencies and conservation partners communicate modern regulated trapping. Developed through a Multistate Conservation Grant in collaboration with the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports, the series emphasizes science-based messaging, animal welfare advancements, and trapping's role in wildlife management.

NWTF Super Fund projects across Iowa are improving wild turkey habitat through forest management at Three Mile Lake, prescribed fire investments at Red Rock Wildlife Unit, prairie restoration at Clanton Creek Natural Resource Area, and equipment purchases in Benton County to enhance public hunting access.

The Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) Executive Director Jim Curcuruto and Board Chair Jenifer Wisniewski will attend the 91st North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Columbus, Ohio, March 29-April 3, 2026. OSCF will highlight recent successes including the "Come With" campaign with Kentucky Dept. Fish and Game, the "Keepers of the Wild" PSA, and new research on traditional ammunition impacts.

Henry Repeating Arms launched a National Forest Foundation Edition Rifle Series with four commemorative rifles to support conservation across nearly 200 million acres of national forests. Proceeds fund reforestation, wildlife habitat restoration, watershed protection, and trail improvement, with founder Anthony Imperato donating $25,000 directly to the National Forest Foundation.

Whitetails Unlimited offers complimentary Deer Management signs and booklets to help landowners manage their properties. The PVC signs measure 11.25 inches and are suitable for use throughout the United States. Interested parties can contact Whitetails Unlimited National Headquarters at 920.743.6777 or nh@whitetailsunlimited.com to order.

NSSF celebrates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's announcement that nearly $1.3 billion is being delivered to state conservation and wildlife programs, with $804.8 million sourced from firearm and ammunition excise taxes paid by manufacturers under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.

Tom Benavides, Assistant Vice President for Dallas Safari Club, testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources on the importance of hunting to sustainable conservation. Benavides advocated for regulated trade of rhino horn to prevent extinction, stating the U.S. must support legalization rather than maintain decades-long de facto support of the black market.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will retire the Sage-Grouse Local Working Groups effective January 31, concluding 21 years of conservation work that began in 2004. The groups funded 377 projects and secured over $11 million in sage-grouse conservation actions and $68 million in matching funds. The department will continue sage-grouse management through the Sage-Grouse Implementation Team and partnerships with state and federal agencies.

Governor Mark Gordon, alongside the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and many of Wyoming's conservation leaders, invite the public to attend the inaugural Wyoming Sportsperson Conservation Forum, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 22 at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois.

NSSF, ASA, SOBA, USFWS and Washington Department of Natural Resources partner to continue providing boating and fishing access.

NSSF, ASA, SOBA, USFWS and Washington Department of Natural Resources partner to continue providing boating and fishing access.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, is initiating a comprehensive Deer Management Initiative aimed at evaluating and responding to present-day deer management challenges. 

Silencer Central announces their collaboration with Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) and South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks to recognize the significant contributions made by hunters and targets shooters, as well as industry manufacturers that support wildlife conservation efforts across the country through the Pittman-Robertson Act.

By Craig Springer, USFWS, Wildlife, and Sport Fish Restoration

The Boone and Crockett Club board of directors passed a new position statement supporting the delisting of recovered wolf and grizzly bear populations and resuming state management and oversight of the two species.

Recently, the California legislature honored the National Wild Turkey Federation for its 50th Anniversary. The acknowledgment applauds the NWTF for its noteworthy efforts in scientific wildlife management, research, habitat conservation and the advocacy and safeguarding of our hunting heritage in both the United States and the state of California.

For the eleventh year, Contender has donated a boat to benefit the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida (CCA Florida). On November 16, one winner will take home a brand new 2024 Contender 28T Center Console. 

Wild turkeys hold significant importance as a game species within the state of Nebraska; however, officials from state agencies, land managers and hunters have documented a decrease in the wild turkey population throughout the state.