Organizations

The Boone and Crockett Club, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, and the UWSP Foundation established the Stephens Family Foundation Boone and Crockett Wildlife Professor position at UWSP with a $1 million endowment. The professorship, led by associate professor Cady Sartini, will expand black bear conservation research and education across Wisconsin through the Searle-Dew-Thomas Boone and Crockett Wisconsin Black Bear Fellowship.

Friends of NRA has reached a historic milestone, welcoming more than 5 million attendees to its volunteer-led fundraising events since 1992. The organization has hosted over 27,000 events across all 50 states, generating more than $1.2 billion in gross revenue and funding over 66,000 state grants supporting firearm safety, education, youth development, and shooting sports programs.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation hosted its inaugural Big Game Days in Missoula, Montana, attracting thousands of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. The four-day event, presented by onX Hunt and Montana Knife Company, featured hunting gear displays, shooting competitions, archery challenges, and the 35th World Elk Calling Championships. RMEF recognized conservation partners including the late Daryle Singletary and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Whitetails Unlimited announces that Executive Director David Hawkey will retire at the end of the month, with Chris Konop, former Vice President of Field Operations, promoted to Executive Director effective August 1, 2026. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised Konop's organizational knowledge and management experience to guide the conservation organization forward.

The Boone and Crockett Club appointed Al Clark as chief development officer. Clark brings over two decades of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience, including previous roles at Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

Canati Tripods has joined Pope and Young Club as a Gold Level Corporate Partner to support bowhunting conservation. Pope and Young Executive Director Justin Spring praised the partnership, noting that corporate support demonstrates commitment to protecting bowhunting's future.

Pope and Young, North America's leading bowhunting conservation organization, opposes Alaska's Proposals 2 and 3, which would legalize electronic scopes and high-tech optics in archery-only hunts. Executive Director Justin Spring warns that introducing technology increases harvest rates and threatens declining hunting opportunities. The organization urges bowhunters to submit comments opposing these proposals.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation strongly supports a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed rule providing greater state flexibility in managing grizzly bears. RMEF, alongside the Boone & Crockett Club, Property and Environment Research Center, and Wyoming Wildlife Federation, submitted public comments that helped shape the proposal, which marks a critical step toward balanced grizzly management.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a new rule for grizzly bear conservation that the Boone and Crockett Club celebrates as an innovative solution. The rule authorizes state and tribal wildlife agencies to manage grizzlies in coordination with FWS, addressing the recovery of bear populations from 136 animals in 1975 to over 1,000 in the Greater Yellowstone area today.

The Wild Sheep Foundation welcomed a new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service draft rule that recognizes grizzly bear recovery and empowers state and tribal wildlife agencies to manage bears in their jurisdictions. The rule addresses modern conservation challenges while building on decades of recovery efforts in areas like Greater Yellowstone, where grizzly populations have increased from approximately 136 bears in 1975 to more than 1,000 today.

Whitetails Unlimited announced its 2026-2027 Program Service Initiatives including the Deer Poster & Target initiative, Clean Optics Hunt Safely initiative, Donate a Deer Initiative, and Kids on Target shooting team program. Members attending WTU events will receive educational materials, lens cleaning cloths, and resources supporting hunting safety, conservation, and youth shooting sports engagement.

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. Contact Whitetails Unlimited at 920.743.6777 or nh@whitetailsunlimited.com to order.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund renewed its Diamond level partnership with the Boone and Crockett Club with a $120,000 grant for 2026. The funding supports conservation policy leadership, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch education programs, and implementation of the Club's landmark Poach and Pay Project research.

The Wild Sheep Foundation announced a partnership with singer-songwriter and outdoor television host Nick Hoffman as its newest ambassador. Hoffman, known for his award-winning Outdoor Channel series Nick's Wild Ride, is a passionate hunter and conservation advocate committed to supporting WSF's mission to put and keep wild sheep on the mountain.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) conducted instructor training and certification in Kansas led by Steve Hall, a retired hunter ed administrator from Texas and NBEF board member. The trainings responded to increased consumer interest in bowhunter education, with attendees including agency staff, R3 department employees, and National Archery in the Schools Program representatives.

The Wild Sheep Foundation and its chapters pledged $213,500 at their summit to combat cheatgrass invasion in Wyoming's Mullen Fire burn scar, protecting the Douglas Creek bighorn sheep herd. The funding supports habitat restoration efforts targeting approximately 12,000 acres through 2028, with support from multiple WSF chapters including Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, Texas Bighorn Society, and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society.

The U.S. Forest Service and Boone and Crockett Club signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands, with 14 partner organizations including Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership collaborating to improve hunting, angling, and wildlife conservation access.

The Boone and Crockett Club announced onX Hunt as a Gold Trailblazer in Conservation partner, expanding their existing licensing agreement with a new advertising partnership. onX will be the first advertiser featured in the Club's "Heritage of the Hunt" podcast, reinforcing both organizations' commitment to wildlife conservation and ethical hunting practices.

Mike Stock, President and CEO of Hodgdon Powder Company, has been appointed to the NSSF Board of Governors. Stock brings over two decades of firearm industry leadership, including previous roles at Winchester Ammunition and service on the SAAMI Board of Directors.

Burris Optics announces continued support of the Rocky Mountain Heroes Foundation, a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) that helps U.S. military veterans and their families reintegrate through hunting and fishing experiences. Founded by Brian L. "Sol" Soliday, the organization equips participants with reliable firearms and optics, with Burris serving as its first strategic partner.