OSCF Releases Latest “Connecting With Conservation” Highlights Episode

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – May 10, 2024 – The Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation has released a new highlights episode of its series “Connecting with Conservation.” This series was developed in order to thank industry manufacturers, state wildlife agencies as well as the 60+ million active hunters, anglers, trappers and shooters (HATS) and to acknowledge the significant contributions they make to support wildlife conservation efforts across the country through the Pittman-Robertson Act and the Dingell-Johnson Act. 

“Connecting with Conservation” was developed in collaboration with leading outdoor brands and manufacturers including: American Sportfishing Association, Bear Archery, Creedmoor Sports, Hardy with Pure Fishing, Mossberg, Rapala, Rather Outdoors, Remington Ammunition, Savage Arms, SEVIIN, Shimano, Silencer Central, St. Croix Rods, YUM with PRADCO Outdoor Brands and Z-MAN.

The series was also created in partnership with state fish and wildlife agencies including: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (Mass Wildlife), Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks.

“We’re proud to highlight this series and show the dedication of industry manufacturers to maintain and protect the outdoors and its wildlife,” said OSCF Executive Director Jim Curcuruto. “Conservation efforts like teaching hunter education, building shooting ranges and managing habitat and wildlife populations are possible because of the $3.6 billion that America’s HATS (hunters, anglers, trappers and shooters) contribute each year through their purchase of excised taxed outdoor products and hunting and fishing licenses. We thank this community for the incredible impact it has on American conservation efforts.”

The 'Connecting with Conservation' video series is produced with the support of The Murray Road Agency. Funding for this project is provided by the Multistate Conservation Grant Program (F23AP003940), a program supported with funds from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and jointly managed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

To view the new video visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUunMbFQxeg&t=28s.

For more information about the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation please visitwww.OutdoorStewards.org.

About OSCF

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of hunting, fishing, trapping and targetshooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers,
Trappers and Shooters) and promote the fact that HATS are primary funders and stewards of conservation in America. To learn more about OSCF programs; “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag”, “Come With!”, “Connecting with Conservation” and the “Outdoor Industry Communication Council,” please visit www.OutdoorStewards.org  or contact Jim Curcuruto
at (203) 450-7202, jim@stewardsofconservation.org.

OSCF Partners with Mossberg® and Georgia Department of Natural Resources to Thank HATS

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – March 26, 2024 – Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) has partnered with Mossberg® and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) for a new episode of Connecting with Conservation. This video series was developed to thank America’s 60+ million active HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and Shooters) for being primary funders of land, fish and wildlife conservation in the United States.

OSCF has developed a series entitled ‘Connecting with Conservation’, where it collaborates with industry manufacturers and state agencies. The latest video showcases a visit to the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center managed by the GADNR and a visit with Mossberg® staff to share how purchasing a hunting license, ammunition or a firearm helps improve both wildlife populations and their habitats.

“The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and O.F. Mossberg & Sons are integral parts of the wildlife conservation cycle, and we thank them for everything they do,” said OSCF’s Executive Director Jim Curcuruto. “Most of all we want to thank our fellow hunters, anglers, trappers and shooters for buying hunting and fishing licenses, as well as outdoor products like firearms, ammunition, bows, arrows, rods, reels and lures that support conservation funding efforts. Without the support of HATS, state fish and wildlife agencies would not be able to do all the great conservation work they do, so thank you for being primary funders of conservation.”

In the early 1900s, as numerous wildlife species faced declinining populations due to loss of habitat and unregulated market hunting, sportsmen and the firearms and ammunition industry pass the Pittman-Robertson (P-R) Act in 1937, now known as Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration. The P-R Act ensures that revenues generated from excise taxes on firearms and ammunition are allocated to state wildlife agencies, enabling them to fund conservation projects, hunter education programs and the operation of archery and shooting ranges.

“If you’re a hunter, a shooter, a trapper or an angler, we thank you,” said Jennifer Davison of the GA DNR Wildlife Resources Division. “Without you and your purchases, we could not accomplish all the work we’ve done through our outreach and conservation that are making our state great.”

For more than 75 years, this partnership between hunters, sport shooters and the firearms and ammunition industry has helped fund wildlife conservation and public access to natural resources in America. To date, more than $7 billion has been collected from manufacturers and made available to states for their conservation efforts.

“I’m proud to be a hunter, and of my role in being a conservationist,” said Linda Powell, director of media relations for Mossberg®. “I want to thank the other hunters out there who also contribute. Remember, your firearms, ammunition and hunting license purchases all help fund wildlife conservation.”

To learn more about the OSCF, GADNR and Mossberg® watch the latest episode of Connecting with Conservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CpL_SnJO5s

This 'Connecting with Conservation' video was produced with the support of The Murray Road Agency. Funding for this project is provided by the Multistate Conservation Grant Program (F23AP003940), a program supported with funds from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and jointly managed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Media Contact

Tim Brandt

The Murray Road Agency

proscf@murrayroadagency.com

About OSCF

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of hunting, fishing, trapping and target shooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and Shooters) and promote the fact that HATS are primary funders and stewards of conservation in America. To learn more about OSCF programs; “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag”, “Come With!”, “Connecting with Conservation” and the “Outdoor Industry Communication Council”, please visit www.OutdoorStewards.org  or contact Jim Curcuruto at (203) 450-7202, jim@stewardsofconservation.org.

About Georgia Department of Natural Resources

From protecting coastal resources to overseeing preservation of historic sites, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources protects, conserves, and enhances the state's natural, historic, and cultural resources for present and future generations. It also recognizes and supports commerce and industry that utilize sound environmental practices. To learn more, visit www.gadnr.org.

About O.F. Mossberg & Sons

Since 1919, Mossberg® has been the leader in introducing important design breakthroughs to the firearm industry. Many product features pioneered by Mossberg® are now the standards by which all modern firearms are judged. Our design and innovative edge is truly changing the way shooters use shotguns and rifles. It is this basis of unquestionable quality that drives Mossberg® to bring reliable, well-built shooting systems to you at an affordable price. To learn more about Mossberg®, visit www.mossberg.com.

OSCF Supports 2024 WMI North American Conference as Bronze Sponsor

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – March 20, 2024 – Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is proud to support the Wildlife Management Institute’s 89th Annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 25-29, 2024.

The WMI North American Conference is one of the largest gatherings of staff from fish and wildlife agencies and conservation groups in the United States. Hundreds of professionals gather under one roof to spend four days exchanging ideas, strategies and best practices to help improve habitat, fish and wildlife management, and have a better understanding of current conservation issues and solutions.

“The WMI North American Conference has been instrumental in helping agencies and organizations share their findings and strategies on conservation efforts across the continent,” said OSCF Executive Director Jim Curcuruto.  “We thank WMI and wildlife agency staff for their dedication to conservation and are proud to sponsor and attend this important conference.”

The conference is organized to allow attendees a better understanding of the origins, complexities and likely solutions to current conservation issues. It also seeks to provide a better sense of the need for and the methods to achieve coordinated, cooperative management of the continent’s wildlife.

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of hunting, fishing, trapping and target shooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and Shooters) and promote the fact that HATS are primary funders and stewards of conservation in America.

To learn more about the Wildlife Management Institute, visit www.wildlifemanagement.institute. To learn more about the 2024 WMI North American Conference, click here.

To learn more about the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation visit  www.outdoorstewards.org,  Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.

About OSCF

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of hunting, fishing, trapping and target shooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and Shooters) and promote the fact that HATS are primary funders and stewards of conservation in America. To learn more about OSCF programs; “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag”, “Come With!”, “Connecting with Conservation” and the “Outdoor Industry Communication Council”, please visit www.OutdoorStewards.org  or contact Jim Curcuruto at (203) 450-7202, jim@stewardsofconservation.org.

About Wildlife Management Institute

WMI is a professional conservation organization that works to improve the professional foundation of wildlife management. The Wildlife Management Institute was established in 1911 by sportsmen/businessmen gravely concerned about the dramatic declines of many wildlife populations. Its founders saw a need for a small, independent and aggressive cadre of people dedicated to restoring and ensuring the well-being of wild populations and their habitats. To learn more, visit https://wildlifemanagement.institute/.