Bullet Points

[NSSF]

Vol. 5 No. 51 December 27 2004

You'll find Bullet Points on the NSSF Web site each week at http://www.nssf.org



Sponsors of the State of the Industry cocktail hour, dinner and concert on opening night of the SHOT Show, January 28, 2005.

A SOLD-OUT SHOT SHOW

State of the Industry Has Key Sponsors . . . Five weeks before the 2005 SHOT Show opens, NSSF reports that the show is a sell-out, with sold exhibitor space increasing by 40,000 square feet over last year for a record total of 569,000 net square feet. "We are thrilled with those numbers, said Doug Painter, NSSF president. "It's not hype when we say that industry professionals can't afford to miss this show whether they are buying or selling hunting- and shooting-related products." Also, don't miss the opening-night State of the Industry dinner and concert, which is being sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, Time 4 Media's Field & Stream and Outdoor Life magazines, and Reed Exhibitions, in addition to NSSF. The gala features the annual State of the Industry video report, SHOT Business Awards and a concert by Grammy Award-winner LeAnn Rimes. You can still register for the SHOT Show or purchase tickets to the State of the Industry event at www.shotshow.org.

SHOT SHOW SAVES BEST FOR LAST . . . With the SHOT Show concluding on a Monday, show management has arranged some incentives to keep the aisles full of attendees on that final day. Among them is a Shopping Spree open to retailers who register between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. that day in the Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Names randomly drawn may win cash credits up to $10,000, sponsored by NSSF, to be used at any booth at the SHOT Show. Other prizes include a similar $5,000 cash credit, $5,000 credit toward advertising in the Original Outdoor Challenge campaign, two 2006 SHOT Show registration and lodging packages, $100 gift certificates for fine dining in Las Vegas and 20 shopping sprees worth $1,000 each to be used at the prize co-sponsor's booth. Co-sponsors include Hi-Point Firearms, U.S. Fire Arms, Smith & Wesson, Columbia River Knife, IST, Western Powder, Inc., Sentry Solutions, Elite Survival Systems, Stag Arms, Versatile Gun Rack Co., Atsko/Sn-Seal, Inc., Cutt Down Game Calls, Pentax Imaging, Inc., Python Holsters Col, Burris Company, Inc., Mustang Company, Safari Press, Inc. and Alpen Outdoor Corporation.


FOCUSING ON CONTINENT-WIDE CONSERVATION . . . The first North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, prompted by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1936, gave rise to an annual gathering. But how well have Canada, Mexico and the United States promoted conservation across North America since that first conference? The 70th edition of the "North American," when it convenes in Arlington, Virginia, from March 16-19, will address that issue, not only looking back, but also looking ahead at ways to renew and strengthen shared conservation goals. For more information on the conference, visit http://wildlifemanagementinstitute.org/.


GOOD GUN INITIATIVE . . . Firearms dealers in Arizona are receiving a nicely thought-out package from the Good Gun Foundation, the group organized by Bryan Tucker of Davidson's. The package raises awareness of the foundation's mission of promoting good citizenship, safe communities and high standards of gun ownership and environmental stewardship. Each packet contains a shooter's trash bag, the NSSF booklet "Firearms Responsibility in the Home," and a "Guide to Shooting on Public Lands in Arizona." The foundation has had a very active and successful year, ranging from public lands cleanups to opening new chapters to community efforts such as food drives. To learn more go to www.goodgun.org.


A NEW MAGAZINE . . . The National Wild Turkey Federation has announced the planned launch of a magazine for members of its new Hunting Heritage Program. The magazine's target audience will be people interested in hunting and managing their property for wildlife. The magazine is planned to run 64 pages and come out twice a year. A full-time editor, to be based in NWTF's Edgefield, SC, headquarters, is being sought. Interested applicants and prospective contributors should contact Tammy Sapp, NWTF's vice president of communications, at tsapp@nwtf.net.
QUAIL UNLIMITED WELCOMES AWARD NOMINATIONS...The Wildlife Management Institute reports that Quail Unlimited, in cooperation with the Southeast Quail Study Group, is accepting nominations for its first annual Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative Group Achievement Award. The award, recognizing outstanding action and involvement by an agency, organization or group in implementing and promoting the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative, will be presented at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference on March 18. Details on the nominating process, which must be completed by Jan. 15, are available from (812) 536-2272.


ANTI-HUNTING GROUPS HAVE FAT WALLETS . . . Animal People magazine has published financial information for animal rights organizations, many of which actively oppose hunting. The analysis is based on IRS reports for 2003. The Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals, which will merge in 2005 and place hunting and trapping high on its resulting agenda, will bring more than $95 million to the new "Humane Society of the United States." "They intend to invest their millions to ban hunting and trapping and are refining their organization to get the job done," said Rick Story, senior vice president of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, which last week put out a press release on the subject. To search the financial information of non-profit groups, go to www.guidestar.com.
AROUND THE STATES

PENNSYLVANIA . . . Gary Alt, who made his mark on the national scene, first as a leader in black bear management and more recently as an innovative manager of his state's deer population, is retiring from the Pennsylvania Game Commission on Dec. 31. As leader of his state's Deer Section, Alt introduced minimum antler restrictions and increased antlerless deer permits, not necessarily with the blanket support of his constituency, in a bold effort to bring Pennyslvania's deer herd into balance with its habitat. In a press release from the Quality Deer Management Association, Alt is quoted as saying, "I believe the future of hunting will be tied to our ability to use hunters and hunting to balance deer herds with their habitat and fix those forests for everyone, providing a free environmental and economical service for all of society."
ENFORCING EXISTING LAWS

PROJECT CEASE FIRE LAUDED . . . Kansas City, Missouri, law enforcement announced that since 1999 more than 700 defendants have been charged by municipal law enforcement under Project Cease Fire, a program that penalizes illegal firearm possession. Launched as Project Felon in 1999, Project Cease Fire includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as part of the national Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Primarily aimed at felons who illegally possess firearms, a report in the Kansas City Star (registration required) states that it has also snagged felons who simply possessed ammunition and offenders who had firearms while violating court orders of protection. The program, with its multi-agency network and federal court support, where charges are brought, has shown an impressive conviction record. Furthermore, the report states that in the federal criminal system, defendants must serve at least 85 percent of their sentences.

AROUND THE INTERNET

FIREARMS AND FINE DINING . . . Looking for a luxury resort where you not only can, but are encouraged to, bring your firearm? The new Elk Mountain Resort near Telluride, Colorado, might be just the ticket, though it's a bit pricey. Read the story from the Casper Star-Tribune.


"RED" STATES GROWING FASTEST . . . According to an article in USA Today based on U.S. Census Bureau data, Sun Belt states continue to grow in population, and if the trend continues, the Northeast and Midwest will lose their population dominance by 2010. The fastest growing states happen to be those "red" states that voted for George W. Bush.

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