The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance has signed on as a sponsor of Jason Matzinger’s #ProjectElk, a one-hour film scheduled to air on Sportsman Channel Aug. 15 and Oct. 31, 2015 at 7 p.m. EST.
#ProjectElk is more than a film about a man filling an elk tag. With six years’ worth of intimate elk footage, Matzinger highlights the challenges the animals face during each of the four seasons, the intimate connection of a hunter to his prey and the role of sportsmen in wildlife management and conservation.
“Jason’s vision, storytelling ability and messaging elevates the genre of outdoors television to a new level. One that goes beyond the point of what it takes to kill an animal, and to a place where non-hunters can begin to understand why hunters do what they do,” said Brian Lynn, vice president of marketing and communications for USSA. “That place and those messages, especially the role of sportsmen in conservation, are where the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance wants to be holding discussions.”
A Montana native, Matzinger is an award-winning cinematographer, lifelong hunter and former guide who hosts and produces Into High Country on Sportsman Channel. As his reputation has grown, Matzinger has become passionate about using the exposure to enhance and improve the perception of hunters by educating non-hunters as to their role as stewards of the land.
“It is critical not only for the future of hunting, but for the future of wilderness access that we broaden our audience and inform them how hunting is critical to conservation. Many do not understand the complex domino effect that transpires, taking its toll on the land when wildlife numbers are not managed properly,” said Matzinger. “In addition we must further educate current hunters about their responsibility as pinnacle stewards of the land and the respect they must maintain for the wildlife that we revere.”
Those messages and Matzinger’s talent for capturing the essence of a hunt on film are what attracted USSA to the project.
“Project Elk is not just a film for hunters, it’s a film for everyone. It is imperative that hunters and the hunting industry work hard to frame the discussion about who we are and the incredible service we provide to habitat and wildlife conservation,” said USSA President and CEO, Nick Pinizzotto. “Jason’s outstanding work on this project is a giant step in the right direction.”
“Having the USSA’s support on this project is humbling to say the least. It takes a certain vision to help see this goal through, and the Sportsmen’s Alliance definitely understands the importance behind this piece,” said Matzinger. “We are losing ground every day as sportsmen, and it’s time we make a change in the right direction. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner on this film.”
About the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) is a 501(c)4 organization and provides direct lobbying and grassroots coalition support to protect and advance the rights of hunters, trappers, anglers and scientific wildlife management professionals. The USSA is the only organization exclusively devoted to combating the attacks made on America’s sportsman traditions by anti-hunting and animal rights extremists. This is accomplished through coalition building, ballot issue campaigning and legislative and government relations. Stay connected to USSA: Online, Facebook and Twitter.
