In an effort to support the protection of our hunting heritage, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has donated $45,000 to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA). The generous donation will aid the USSA’s general mission of protecting hunting, fishing and trapping, but has also been earmarked to help combat the growing harassment of sportsmen from the anti-hunting community.
NWTF, a national non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey, has supported USSA and its nationwide effort to protect hunting, fishing and trapping since 1987. USSA and NWTF have partnered on numerous occasions, most notably on the Families Afield initiative, which has led to 1.5 million apprentice hunting licenses being sold.
“The NWTF is committed to securing the future of hunting and conservation with its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative,” said Doug Saunders, NWTF executive vice president of marketing and development. “We view USSA as a key strategic partner in doing just that.”
The contribution from NWTF will be used in part to advance USSA’s work of protecting sportsmen from various forms of harassment. Hunters and fishermen have recently found themselves the target of extreme cyber bullying, stalking and even death threats, which led USSA to create the Hunter Advancement Task Force.
An NWTF representative serves on the task force, as do individuals who have found themselves the target of harassment from animal rights activists, including well-known television personalities Melissa Bachman and Jana Waller.
“We feel that it is important to support USSA and sit on the Hunter Advancement Task Force to find a resolution to this growing problem,” said Saunders. “Together we can see to it that hunters have a voice to look out for their interests.”
All states in the U.S. have hunter harassment laws in place, with the majority using language developed by USSA. However, as threats to sportsmen continue to increase and evolve, the USSA will continue to fight anti-hunting initiatives from the ballot box to the field. The defense of sportsmen’s rights, privileges and heritage is made possible by donations and strategic partnerships with important organizations such as NWTF.
“The National Wild Turkey Federation has been a long-time supporter of USSA and we could not be more appreciative of their contribution,” said Nick Pinizzotto, USSA president and CEO. “With the growing rate of hunter harassment, it is vital that organizations in our industry join forces to stop this growing problem in its tracks.”
