A Sharper Image.

Groups That Go The Extra Mile To Support Hunters Of All Stripes.

Hunters rightfully celebrate their ongoing contributions to conservation and wildlife habitat, but in recent years a number of organizations and initiatives have been formed that are doing even more good things for hunting. There are outreach programs that provide women, kids and the disabled a chance to get outdoors and learn to hunt or shoot, educational efforts that help hunters learn to be safer and more ethical and humanitarian work that gives hunters an opportunity to share their good fortune with others. No matter what their specific goals, these groups are promoting and enriching the image of hunting and hunters.

Here's a guide to national organizations and initiatives that are working hard to improve the image of hunting, recruit new hunters and ensure the future of the sport.

BECOMING AN OUTDOORS-WOMAN

The BOW program, which works with state fish and wildlife agencies to provide weekend workshops that teach outdoor and shooting skills to women of all ages, began in Wisconsin but has expanded to 44 states and seven Canadian provinces. The program also now offers Beyond BOW, a series of opportunities for women who are interested in expanding their outdoor skills beyond the entry level. Information about BOW workshops in various states is available from state wildlife agencies; there is also a listing of workshops on the national BOW website.

GIVE GUNS TO HELP HUNTING

"Give Guns To Help Hunting" is the latest program in the Weatherby Foundation International's ongoing efforts on behalf of hunting. The program encourages supporters to donate guns of any brand to encourage youth shooting sports programs and to provide funds through an annual auction to develop outdoor expositions by state wildlife departments to educate young people about outdoor activities. The program focuses on gun donation but also welcomes gifts of cash, art, jewelry, etc.

"We believe it will provide a win-win situation, particularly for those older hunters who want to help youngsters share their love and respect for the sport," said Foundation Vice President Jim Blankenbaker. "By donating guns to this program they will help generate funds to preserve our hunting heritage and also gain a tax-deductible contribution."

INTERNATIONAL HUNTER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Thousands of hunter education instructors, coordinators and supporters in the U.S., Canada and Mexico make up the IHEA, which strives to continue the heritage of hunting by developing safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters. Nearly every hunter takes a hunter education course at some point, so most are schooled in IHEA's precepts of safety and responsibility.

The organization is constantly researching ways to improve and enhance its educational standards. IHEA seeks to uphold the image of hunting, promote programs to prevent hunting accidents and promote honesty, self-discipline, self-reliance, responsible behavior and good citizenship.

IWLA OUTDOOR ETHICS PROGRAM

The Izaak Walton League of America launched its Outdoor Ethics Program 20 years ago to educate and promote ethical behavior in the field, and the program is just as relevant, if not more so, today. The program has addressed hunter/landowner relations by publishing "Hunter's Pledge" wallet cards that hunters can give to landowners, launching an anti-litter campaign and, last winter, bringing its message into millions of households with a unique short-run series on ESPN 2 addressing and discussing outdoor ethics issues.

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION 

The NRA offers several programs geared to promoting hunting opportunities to youth, women and the disabled. Through the Youth Hunter Education Challenge, young hunters who have completed a state-level hunter safety course can get a graduate-level education in outdoor skills and safety. The program gives hands-on instruction in shooting, wildlife identification, orienteering and more, and top-ranked students go to the annual International YHEC competition. More than 1 million young hunters have benefited from the program since its inception. (NRA Hunter Services; 703/267-1500; www.nra.org.)

NRA's Women On Target program helps women learn shooting and hunting skills in a safe, supportive atmosphere. The program conducts women-only hunts all over the country as well as a series of charity and instructional shoots. The events are excellent opportunities for first-time hunters and shooters, but all levels of experience are welcome. (NRA Women On Target; 800/861-1166; wwwnra.org.)

NRA Disabled Shooting Services is offering a new educational packet for hunters with disabilities. The packet lists items such as powered deer stands, wheelchair-accessible ATVs and wheelchair rifle support mounts. The packet has information about professional outfitters who are equipped to work with disabled sportsmen.

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

An active conservation group, the NWTF is increasing its educational and outreach efforts with youth and women's programs and a recent partnership with a leading advocate for disabled sportsmen.

JAKES Conservation Field Days are organized by local NWTF chapters and provide hands-on learning for kids 17 and under on topics such as camping, fishing, conservation, turkey calling and shooting.

NWTF's Women In The Outdoors Program runs one-day workshops in many states that introduce women to archery, canoeing, hunting, fishing, map and compass reading and the like. The program also trains women as outdoor educators.

NWTF; 800/THE-NWTF; www.nwtf.org.

Wheelin' Sportsmen of the NWTF is the result of the fall 2000 merger between Wheelin' Sportsmen and the NWTF. Wheelin' Sportsmen founder Kirk Thomas started the organization to give people with any disability a chance to try fishing, hunting or any outdoor activity; the merger turns this southeastern U.S. organization into an international group with enormous outreach potential. Events include the Ultimate Team-Up, a four-day deer hunt with shoots and instructional workshops that pairs disabled sportsmen with nondisabled volunteers; Does For Does, a women's-only event; and numerous shooting events and tournaments throughout the year. At most events there is no charge for disabled participants.

ORION: THE HUNTER'S INSTITUTE

In his book, Beyond Fair Chase, Orion Executive Director Jim Posewitz defined a philosophy and an ethic that encouraged hunters to forge a deeper connection to the land, wildlife and hunting experience; his ideas won high praise from hunters nationwide. The organization continues to spread the word through seminars that help hunter education instructors learn to teach ethics, through distribution of the book to hunter education classes and through its unique "Winsor Dinners," which invite hunters and nonhunters to discuss wildlife and conservation over a friendly dinner.

SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL 

Safari Club International's mission is to protect hunter rights and conservation, but the organization's humanitarian efforts provide ways for hunters to help others as well as themselves. Through its Sensory Safari, thousands of visually impaired children and adults have beer afforded the opportunity to "see" wildlife by touching donated animal mounts.

The group's SafariWheels program donates wheelchairs to land mine victims and SafariCare provides health care to needy areas around the world. Closer to home, members donate the bounty of their hunts to Sportsmen Against Hunger, which provides 5 million meals a year to the hungry in the U.S. and abroad.

STEP OUTSIDE

This innovative program, sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, aims to get outdoor folks inviting their co-workers, teachers, relatives or neighbors to join them in the field. Based on the premise that more people would try shooting and hunting if only someone would think to ask them, the Step Outside program offers free information explaining how to organize events for beginning shooters. Further, it provides a "carrot" to encourage people to do so in the form of the chance to win prizes of cash or gift certificates just for participating in the program.

You don't have to convert a large group of people to the shooting sports to win; if you take just one new person target shooting, hunting or fishing with you, you and your friend can be entered in one of several drawings. Participants need only submit a Host Registration Form via mail or e-mail to enter. Step Outside also offers photo and story contests for its participants, with prizes worth up to $1,000.

National Shooting Sports Foundation: 203/426-1320; www.stepoutside.org.

WILDLIFE LEGISLATIVE FUND

The Wildlife Legislative Fund of America (WLFA) was fanned to protect the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the political arena. WLFA provides direct lobbying and grassroots coalition support for the outdoor sports and is involved in ballot issue campaigning and legislative and government relations.

WLFA's companion organization, the Wildlife Conservation Fund of America (WCFA) protects and defends America's wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits--hunting, fishing and that generate the money to pay for them. The WCFA is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. WLFA keeps track of pending legislation that could affect hunters; the organization is currently fighting legislation in Rhode Island and Wisconsin that could ban dove hunting.

WOMEN'S SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION

This rapidly growing organization is dedicated to introducing women and their families to the fun of shooting sports and the outdoors. Through their many successful programs, thousands of women have picked up a gun or bow for the first time and learned to use it safely. The group's A Day At The Range program helps local clubs and ranges host one-day shooting clinics for women; its dealer outreach program works with dealers who wish to bring more women into their retail stores. WSSF also sponsors a series of recreational shoots for women and couples around the country. The events feature free instruction and loaner guns or bows, and proceeds go toward worthwhile charities.