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IHEA Responds to NC School Clash Over Shooting Competition

Mon, 12 May 2008 16:45:03 GMT

Click Here to read the news story about North Carolina's Wake County School District and their decision to prevent their Future Farmers of America marksmanship team from competing in a state sponsored tournament that has operated successfully for 30 years.

April 23, 2008

Superintendent Daniel Barnes
Wake County School District
3600 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609

Dear Superintendent Barnes,

We’ve learned that representatives of the Wake County School District recently took administrative action to prevent a high school affiliated Future Farmers of America marksmanship team from participating in a government sponsored shooting competition organized by the State of North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The reasoning, as characterized by school officials, was that “ammo and students don’t mix”.

As sportsmen based conservation groups and active advocates of passing along the rich heritage of hunting and shooting sports to our country’s youth, the undersigned organizations are deeply concerned about this decision and in fact, regard it as a counterproductive measure in preventing gun violence.

Each year, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission organizes this event, which is comprised of skeet shooting, rifle marksmanship, archery, and navigation competitions, to promote firearm safety and teach young people interested in shooting sports about the consequences of unsafe gun handling. We view this as valuable experience that instills guidelines for responsible behavior in team members that they will carry into adulthood. Without officially sanctioned events such as this, many young people would not have the opportunity to learn how to safely pursue their interest in hunting and shooting thus possibly causing unsafe conditions in the field for themselves and fellow sportsman. Lessons in personal responsibility, patience, care for equipment owned by others and many other benefits of participating in these types of activities extend beyond the practice range. We also believe that the actual risk of bodily harm posed by participation in a state-endorsed, fully adult supervised event such as this is extremely remote and should not have influenced the school district’s decision. According to a study released by the National Safety Council, accidental deaths involving firearms are at an all time low with the fastest rate of decline taking place over the last decade. This was largely attributed to education programs sponsored by state wildlife agencies (such as the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission), the firearms industry, and organizations like the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Rifle Association.

We are extremely disappointed in the decision of the Wake County School District and hope that this inappropriate action will serve as an example of the type of policy that will be avoided in the future.

Sincerely,

Archery Trade Association

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Boone and Crockett Club

Bowhunting Preservation Alliance

Catch-A-Dream Foundation

Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

Dallas Safari Club

Delta Waterfowl

Ducks Unlimited

International Hunter Education Association

Mule Deer Foundation

National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses

National Rifle Association

National Wild Turkey Federation

National Wild Turkey Federation, North Carolina

National Shooting Sports Foundation

National Trappers Association

North American Bear Foundation

North American Grouse Partnership

Orion the Hunters’ Institute

Pheasants Forever

Pope and Young Club

Quail Unlimited

Quail Forever

Quality Deer Management Association

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Ruffed Grouse Society

Safari Club International

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

Texas Wildlife Association

U.S. Sportsman's Alliance

Whitetails Unlimited

Wildlife Forever

Wildlife Management Institute

CC:

NC State School Board Chairman Howard N. Lee

NC State School Superintendent June St. Clair Atkinson

The Honorable Beverly Eaves Perdue

Wake County School Board

Fred Harris, Executive Director North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

IHEA Benefit Shoot 2008

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:05:03 GMT

The 9th Annual IHEA Benefit Shoot will be held June 9 – 10th, 2008 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas. The IHEA Foundation Board invites all companies and organizations interested in the hunting and shooting sports to sponsor a team, or to sponsor a local youth team.

Companies can enter a three-person team for a fee of $2500. The fee includes Cowboy Games, IHEA Team Tournament, ammunition (12 and 20 gauge), targets, and dinner on June 9th. Each participant will receive a goodie bag.

For additional information and a registration form Click Here, or contact Jeff Vinson at Realtree Outdoors. Phone 706-562-7209 or email him at jvinson@realtree.com.

Winchester Hunter Education Instructor of the Year Award

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:40:03 GMT

Nominees for the 2007 Winchester Hunter Education
Volunteer Instructor of the Year Award

Winchester Ammunition is proud of all the hunter education volunteers and is happy to announce that the following individuals have been nominated for the 21^st Annual “Winchester Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor of the Year Award.”

According to Mary Ann Ventress, Event Marketing Administrator with Winchester Ammunition, volunteers are the most valuable assets of most all hunter education programs across North America. This award provides a great opportunity to recognize the efforts of individuals who have made significant program contributions in their respective state or province.

Winchester will recognize three finalist nominees as selected by a panel of knowledgeable, impartial judges, and will provide appropriate plaques for presentation during the Winchester/IHEA Awards luncheon at the IHEA Annual Conference. In addition, Winchester will provide transportation, lodging, and registration for the single top winner to enable the recipient to attend the IHEA Annual Conference. Listed below are the 2007 Winchester Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor of the Year Nominees.

Trenton Wilson
1362 W.E. King Rd.
Commerce, GA 30530
Nominated by: Captain James Bell, Social Circle, GA

Rodney Johnson
705 Hickman/PO Box 465
Eads, CO 81036
Nominated by: Bryant Will, DWM, Lamar, CO

Edward Harrigan
615 N. Nicholson
Joliet, IL 60435
Nominated by: Jeff Hopkins, Springfield, IL

Terry Boyce
809 Westwood Dr.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Nominated by: David Denton, Edenton, NC

Walter “Gene” Norton
2943 Forest Gate
Baytown, TX 77520
Nominated by: Terry Erwin, Austin, TX

Richard “Dick” Hadlock
PO Box 2313
Salmon, ID 83467
Nominated by: Ron Fritz, Boise, ID

Ricky Gene Moss
20621 Edgewood Rd.
Athens, AL 35614
Nominated by: Ray Metzler, Montgomery Al & Randy Huskey, Nashville, TN

Jim Low
142 Frog Pond Circle
Fairbanks, AK 99712
Nominated by: Ray and Judy Johnson, North Pole, AK

Richard Kiessel
10674 Eldorado Ln.
Roscommon, MI 48653
Nominated by: Rodney Stokes & Sherry Chandler, Lansing, MI

Vernie Kennedy
1272 Kennedy Ridge Rd.
Bedford, VA 24523
Nominated by: Crystal Weidman, Forest, VA

IHEA Welcomes Wayne East - New Executive Director

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:50:03 GMT

As President of the International Hunter Education Association, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the IHEA has hired a new Executive Director. Wayne East will be stepping into that position beginning March 17. Wayne is a native of Colorado with a Bachelors degree in Wildlife Management and a Masters in Public Administration. He has worked for the Colorado Wildlife Federation as their Executive Director and was a strong candidate for the IHEA Executive Director position in 2006 when Gary Berlin was hired. Wayne brings his knowledge of non-profit operations and an exuberance that will lead the IHEA forward for many years.

Twenty-two highly qualified individuals submitted applications for the Executive Director position. The Interview Committee worked hard to narrow the field to the top five candidates. The IHEA was fortunate to have such a high caliber of applicants to choose from.

Gary has agreed to a contract extension to make the transition for Wayne as smooth as possible. He will continue in an advisory role for over a month and then be available until it is determined that his services are no longer needed.

Please join me and the IHEA Board in welcoming Wayne East as our new Executive Director.

Mark Birkhauser
President
International Hunter Education Association

IHEA Supports Climate Change Legislation

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:15:16 GMT

American Fisheries Society * American Sportfishing Association * Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies * BASS/ESPN * Bear Trust International * Boone & Crocket Club * Catch-A-Dream Foundation * The Campfire Club of America * Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation * Conservation Force * Dallas Safari Club * Federation of Fly Fishers * International Hunter Education Association * The Mule Deer Foundation * National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses * National Trappers Association * National Wildlife Federation * Pheasants Forever * Pope & Young Club * Quail Forever * Quality Deer Management Association * Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation * Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership * Trout Unlimited * Wildlife Forever * Wildlife Management Institute * The Wildlife Society

The International Hunter Education Association has signed on to the following letter, along with the organizations listed above. Fish and wildlife agencies are facing critical new problems related to climate change. This legislation will provide $125 billion for state and federal fish and wildlife agencies during the first 19 years it is in effect. Forty percent of this money would go to state fish and wildlife agencies to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

October 18, 2007

Honorable John Warner Honorable Joe Lieberman

United States Senate United States Senate

Senate Russell Office Building Senate Hart Office Building

Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senators Warner and Lieberman:

The organizations on the letterhead, representing millions of hunters, anglers and other conservationists, very sincerely appreciate your willingness to add a balanced and thoughtful fish and wildlife conservation funding proposal to your climate change legislation. Your carefully-crafted proposal will help ensure the long-term survival of fish and wildlife by providing important new resources through direct spending to address the impacts of climate change.

State fish and wildlife agencies and the federal natural resources agencies will be instrumental in implementing conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. Funding for these efforts should be delivered through existing programs with track records of success in on the ground conservation, as called for under your proposal. At the state level, the long-standing and successful fish and wildlife restoration programs provide the most appropriate means of delivering many of the needed conservation benefits.

We particularly appreciate the fact that you intend to provide forty percent under direct spending of the natural resource conservation funding available under your legislation to be spent through the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account established under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act for comprehensive programs to remediate impacts from climate change to all fish and wildlife species. The state cost share requirement of ten percent will help ensure that states can utilize these funds immediately to implement conservation actions and put needed habitat on the ground. By funding state fish and wildlife agencies in this manner, your legislation will effectively and efficiently support critical activities that enhance the resiliency and sustainability of fish and wildlife and their habitats to climate change.

Federal agencies also will play an important role in assisting fish and wildlife to adapt to the impacts of climate change and we applaud your efforts to provide direct spending resources for a wide range of important federal programs, including implementing cooperative grant programs that benefit fish and wildlife.

In conclusion, our organizations, representing millions of American sportsmen and sportswomen, thank you again for working with us to help address the challenge of climate change by both reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and providing important new resources to assist fish and wildlife survive in the face of this unprecedented challenge. We look forward to working with you and your staff on this very crucial and complex issue as your legislation moves forward.

Hunting and fishing clubs, or individuals, can visit this page to learn more about the ways climate change is affecting hunters and anglers.

How Hunters and Anglers are Confronting Climate Change

http://targetglobalwarming.org/

Gary Berlin AWCP Steering Committee

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:15:17 GMT

IHEA Members:

While attending the August American Wildlife Conservation Partner's (AWCP) Meeting at the King Ranch in Texas, I was surprised and honored to have been nominated (and later elected to serve) on the AWCP steering committee. See the AWCP website at http://www.conservationforum.org/nwcp/index.htm for information on the partners and the mission of the group.

This well respected and politically influential partnership is comprised of senior level individuals who represent natural resource/conservation organizations across the nation. AWCP members meet once a year, but we communicate regularly via e-mail and conference call regarding issues that may impact the public's right to use and enjoy public lands and wildlife.

As an example of this group's activities, we recently sent letters to members of Congress, Cabinet Members and Secretaries of Natural Resource Management agencies regarding closure of public lands to hunting, mineral extraction, OSHA's preliminary draft of ammunition storage, the farm bill, etc. In addition, when necessary, AWCP members meet personally with the Bush Administration's most senior advisors. On more than one occasion, AWCP members have had an audience with the President to discuss natural resource and hunting issues.

In preparation for the presidential election, the AWCP is preparing informational packets to send to all presidential candidates to bring them up-to-speed on issues of concern to the conservation community. In addition, as soon as the new president is elected, the AWCP will schedule a meeting with the new president to inform him/her of the importance of wildlife and natural resources.

As a direct result of the AWCP's influence, President Bush issued the Executive Order on Hunting. For your information, I have also attached the Hunting Heritage Action Plan concept paper that I, and your state agency directors will have an opportunity to review and assist develop.

2007 IHEA Award Winners

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:15:40 GMT

Award Recipients: Provided by: Bushnell Outdoor Products

Outgoing Board Member Recognition: John Panio - Instructor Rep. Zone 1, James Bell - Secretary/Treasurer, Chris Baldwin - VP Zone 1

Tim Lawhern, Wisconsin (left) receiving the Executive Director's Award from Gary Berlin, Executive Director of IHEA.

Dr. Edward Kozicky Award - Tim Lawhern, Wisconsin (right) receives award from outgoing IHEA President Terry Irwin of Texas.

Dr. Edward Kozicky Award - Lenny Rees from Utah (right) received his award from outgoing President Terry Irwin.

Hall of Fame Award - Received by Wendell Kam from Hawaii (left) and being congratulated by Tim Lawhern.

Not Pictured:
Industry Award - Mountaintop Marketing, Inc., The Outdoor Connection, Inc., Ottie M. Snyder

Innovation and Technology Award - Andre Van Dyke

Awards Presented by Henry Repeating Arms, Co.
Terry Erwin, President
Albert Ross, Attorney

Houston's Heidi Rao Wins National Award From International Hunter Education Association

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:15:39 GMT

(Houston, TX, June 2007) � During the annual meeting of the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA), Heidi Rao of Houston was named �Professional of the Year� for providing outstanding service to IHEA and its mission. The award was underwritten by Child Guard, LLC.

A Hunter Education Training Specialist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 1998, Rao trains the general public to comply with the mandatory hunter education program in Southeast Texas (Houston based). She also trains adults in hunter education program, policies, and procedures and the general public in hunting safety and legal practices.

�With over 70,000 hunter education instructors supporting IHEA�s programs, it�s agency professionals like Heidi Rao that have helped us maintain the highest standards in safety and responsible hunting practices,� said Gary Berlin, Executive Director of IHEA. �Heidi is a national role model for our instructors,� added Berlin.

Berlin credits her with helping to upgrade the skills of other training instructors in learning/teaching principles and practices, recruitment and marketing techniques, and general communications. She plays an active role in conducting hunter education training workshops and courses in her area, as well as coordinating local activities (meetings, events, exhibits, promotions, media events, active shooting range projects).

Rao holds an M.S. Degree in the Department of Forestry from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a B.S. Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale�s Department of Zoology, with a major in Wildlife Management.

She also served as a Natural Resource Park Ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Heidi and her husband John live in Houston, Texas with their three boys, Dominic (5 years), Matthew (3 years), and John (10 months). The entire family enjoys wildlife, fishing and the exploring the great outdoors.

Winchester® Honors Klein as Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor of the Year

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:15:37 GMT

Dave Klein is a popular name when it comes to hunter education.

Klein, a resident of Bradenton, Fla., is the 2007 Winchester Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor of the Year, an honor that recognizes an instructor who, on a voluntary basis, significantly advances the cause of safe hunting through extraordinary service in training or education.

“There is nothing more gratifying than watching a youngster fire a shotgun or head to the field for the first time,” said Klein.

Klein goes beyond simply giving back.

Beyond his home turf, Klein also helped reschedule and instruct in two neighboring Florida counties that were devastated by hurricanes in 2006 and assisted many volunteer instructor in these counties to ensure the students were certified before the hunting season.

Klein also promotes hunter education by speaking to local Boy Scout Troops, working at events like the Fish and Wildlife Conservation’s Hunter Safety exhibit booth and the International Hunter Education booth.

“Volunteer Hunter Education instructors like Dave Klein and the many others not only promote the hunting and shooting sports, they serve as leaders in our industry,” said Dick Hammett, president of Winchester Ammunition.Winchester is very proud of Dave Klein along with the other finalists for this award.”

Winchester continues to recognize their efforts.

www.granitesafe.com) for donating three Winchester® Personal Electronic safes to the finalists for this award.

For more information on Winchester® products, visit www.winchester.com.