Online boating safety course now available on any device at boat-ed.com

Those seeking a boating license can get certified by taking an online boater safety course on any device at the newly revamped www.boat-ed.com.

“With half of all adults in the U.S. now owning a smartphone, and tablets and e-readers gaining in popularity, it makes sense for boat-ed.com to be mobile ready,” said Edward Cossette, user experience manager for Kalkomey, parent company of boat-ed.com. “The pages at boat-ed.com are automatically resized according to the device used, from a smartphone to Internet TV and everything in between, no app required.”

The training at boat-ed.com is state-approved and covers the same material that’s taught in the classroom. The new mobile-ready site features detailed illustrations, interactive animations and videos.

Another benefit of boat-ed.com being available on any device is students can access the course on the Web even if the only way they have to connect to the Internet is via their smartphone.

“We know people appreciate the convenience of being able to use their down time to take our course as well as benefit from the fast connect we’ve come to expect from our mobile devices,” Cossette said. “In fact, from 2010 to 2011, we saw a 500 percent increase in the number of people visiting boat-ed.com using a mobile device.”
Regardless of what device students use to take the boater safety course, they’ll learn safe boating skills such as casting off and docking, understanding traffic laws on the water, dealing with emergencies and more.

Students who must receive their boater education certificate or boating license pay a one-time fee, which is due only if they pass the course. After passing the course at boat-ed.com, students in most states can print out the temporary certificate and immediately begin enjoying safe boating.

The recognized leader in boating safety, Boat Ed® is an official provider of print and Internet boating safety courses for 49 states, plus the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. For more information, visit www.boat-ed.com.

About Kalkomey
Kalkomey, parent company of Boat Ed® and boat-ed.com, is the official provider of recreational safety education materials for all 50 states. Our print and Internet courses have been providing official safety certification since 1995. We provide safety courses in boating, hunting, bowhunting, and off-road vehicle (ORV) and snowmobile operation. For more information, visit http://www.kalkomey.com/.

Top Air: Sarah Scherer Earns Finals Bid In Milan

Scherer, a Texas Christian University (TCU) junior, earned her way onto the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team after winning the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Airgun in February.  The 22-year-old Massachusetts native has had a triumphant couple of months in the sport stringing together an Olympic berth, NCAA individual and team titles, and now a finals spot against elite-level competition.  She’s the feature athlete in the newest issue of USA Shooting News, and you can read her tragedy to triumph evolution here: http://mag.spectrumprinting.biz/publication/?i=110950

Scherer earned her way into the final of eight shooters after a qualification shoot-off, and then came out and shot the second-best finals score of 104.5 to climb two spots into sixth position and a final score of 501.5 (397+104.5).  Gray, like Scherer, also shot 397 points in qualifying but would be eliminated during the eight-person qualification shoot-off.

The reigning Olympic champion Katerina Emmons (CZE),the wife of USA Shooting Team member Matt Emmons (Colorado Springs, Colo.), won the event.  Emmons made it to the final with an equaled world record of 400 points, tying the mark also shot by Germany’s Sonja Pfeilschifter. Then, shooting consistently from the first to the last shot, she finished with a total score of 505.5 points to out-distance Pfeilschifter, and leave her just one tenth of a point from the current Final World Record of 505.6 points.

“I have been away from the top for so long, that I did not even have a clue of what the Final World Record was!” Emmons said, smiling right after the match.  “I have been doing a lot of work, training hard, and it paid-off. It has been a great match, and the good news is that I feel good and everything worked as it should.”

Twenty-one USA Shooting athletes, including 10 Olympians, are in Italy for their final International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup event before the London 2012 Olympic Games.  For a roster of athletes participating, including the 21-person squad for USA Shooting, click here:http://bit.ly/JPwMcO

3rd Annual Ducks Unlimited Women’s Media Camp

For every hunter out there, nothing can relate to the excitement and the memories made during that first hunt. For Kristen Monroe, her first duck hunt was certainly no exception to this well known fact. Plus to make this hunt even more unforgettable, she got to share it with some of the guys from Ducks Unlimited.

For us hunters, every hunting experience is special for different reasons. There is one particular hunt that comes to mind that I am especially thankful for; my first duck hunt. Not just because of the beautiful pintail drake I took home, but for the new friends and knowledge that was gained. Mike Checkett and Chris Jennings of Ducks Unlimited hosted the 3^rd annual Women’s Media Camp at Bay Flats Lodge in Seadrift, Texas. Understanding the relationship between conservation and hunting has always been important to me. Checkett and Jennings were the perfect teachers. 12 women including myself, walked away from this camp with a better understanding of duck hunting, an appreciation for the value of wetlands, and how Ducks Unlimited works to preserve and restore them.

 

Jennings explained the importance of the healthy wetlands, Ducks Unlimited works year round to protect. Wetlands are the key to keeping the wildlife abundant and crucial for a healthy living environment for people. They help purify the water by removing nitrogen and phosphorus along with any toxic chemicals that may exist. Marshlands are home to more than 900 wildlife species and they also help control soil erosion and subduing floods.

There is nothing comparable to hunting with like-minded individuals and swapping stories for a few days. Ducks Unlimited managed to evoke the love for waterfowl and wetlands in many women media members that didn’t already have it. In 1937, a small group of sportsman started a group with a single mission, habitat conservation. To this day 12 million acres of the most critical habitat for waterfowl has been conserved and restored. Congratulations for becoming one of the most effective conservation groups in the world Ducks Unlimited and Happy 75^th anniversary!

Phoenix Publisher Announces April Release of Second Book by Steamboat Springs Physician – DocDawn

PHOENIX, Arizona. – March 21, 2012 – Phoenix-based publisher, RICHER Press announced today the April 17th release of “From the Edge of the Cliff: Understanding the Two Phases of Recovery and Becoming the Person You’re Meant to Be” by Dawn Obrecht, M.D.

 In 2009, DocDawn, as she is affectionately called by friends, published her first book, “Mission Possible: A Missionary Doctor’s Journey of Healing”. “Mission Possible” is an enchanting story of her global medical missions to help others. The book was recently nominated for the prestigious Montaigne Medal. Each year, the Eric Hoffer Award for books presents Montaigne Medals to the most thought-provoking books that either illuminate progress or redirect thought.

Dr. Obrecht’s new book is a 262 page paperback which creatively provides those recovering from drug and/or alcohol abuse with practical lessons on how to understand and successfully navigate the two-phases of recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction.  However, it has also been widely described by critics as a remarkably touching, real-life story which recaps many of the lessons learned by DocDawn herself as she transitioned into her own successful recovery, more than 28 years ago. According to RICHER Press co-publisher, Earl Cobb,  “It is rare to find in one book the combination of a well-written, instructive, addiction-recovery resource and an unfettered look into the world of the “addict next door.”

In “From the Edge of the Cliff”, Dr. Obrecht  candidly, yet caringly, shares how she was able to escape decades of the destructive and hurtful world of drug and alcohol addiction by facing the reality of the disease, understanding the recovery process and finding a deep, personal relationship with God.

“From the Edge of the Cliff” is scheduled to be released simultaneously in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia on April 17, 2012. You can preview DocDawn’s new book and purchase a limited quantity of exclusively signed “pre-release” copies of “From the Edge of the Cliff” by visiting the RICHER Press online bookstore at www.richerlifeassociates.com prior to April 15^th.

RICHER Press is the leading imprint of the Media and Peak Performance Management firm, Richer Life, LLC and is an affiliate of the Ingram Book Company.

—————————————————–

ABOUT RICHER LIFE, LLC

Richer Life, LLC is a Phoenix-based media and peak performance management firm. Its RICHER Press division specializes in the development, collaboration and distribution of contemporary trade books as well as other print, digital and broadcast media.

 ABOUT INGRAM

The Ingram Book Company (IBC) is the largest book wholesale distributor in the world, offering immediate access to more than two million titles. Through IBC’s speed, breadth of titles, and operational excellence, the company is the preferred wholesale provider for more than 71,000 retail and library customers globally.

 For more Information Contact Connie@richerlifeassociates.com or Phone: (602)772.4988

Make Plans to Take a Boater Safety Course for National Safe Boating Week

National Safe Boating Week, held May 19-25, 2012, is a great time to reflect on the fact that the United States has seen a steady decline in boating fatalities since President Eisenhower proclaimed the week in 1958. It’s also an opportunity to help boaters learn how to stay safe on the water, including those who hope to receive their boating license.

 

 

Tammy Sapp

Kalkomey Enterprises

803-522-2138

tsapp@kalkomey.com

www.kalkomey.com

www.facebook.com/Kalkomey

Blog: http://www.outdoorhub.com/author/tammysapp

Heartbeat of the WOMA for April 2012: Are You Running Your Life?

My answer to that is a resounding “NO” as I think through the month of April life ran me! At least it sure has felt like that since I’ve been gone from home over 20 days this month. There’s been some highs and lows this month so I’ll give them to you in bullet point format:

· The annual NRA convention in St. Louis was a huge success! A record breaking crowds in spite of bad weather and a huge THANK YOU to Hi Viz Shooting Systems for allowing the WOMA to share booth space with them at this packed event!

· Another big THANK YOU to Vice President of the WOMA, Melita Ellington, for designing the WOMA vertical banner that looked great in the booth. If you are a WOMA member going to a tradeshow and would like to borrow the WOMA banner, I can ship that to you along with brochures.

· While at the NRA event WOMA President, Marsha Petrie Sue, was a busy gal between recruiting new WOMA sponsors and assisting with the NRA Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) Luncheon.

· The NRA WLF Luncheon was a huge hit with over 350 women in attendance; at least six WOMA members were also present and it was a wonderful “pro woman” atmosphere for the special event held at the Four Seasons in St. Louis. One of the highlights of the luncheon (besides Callie Gingrich and Anne Romney as speakers along with Wayne LaPierre) was the announcement of the emerging NRAWomen.tv digital channel. Stay tuned for more information on this new arm of the NRA that is going to be all about women!

· While at the NRA event I worked with my Outdoor Channel producer, Jared Gustafson, on a variety of webisodes live from the NRA floor. One of the pieces I enjoyed the most was done with WOMA member Lenee Landis, editor of Hot Brass magazine. Here is a link to the Outdoor Channel interview we did (and we had fun too!) Gunsmithing made easy…for Women (and Men) http://outdoorchannel.com/Events/NRA2012.aspx?refID=BabesWithBullets&pid=6MVlXd93VdGVhDmfj6RfRn4TG4U1S9Mt

· There are several other NRA webisodes that we did with Outdoor Channel that are also available at that same area so please take a moment to enjoy these short pieces, which also co-star our WOMA Olympic Biathlon twin sisters, Tracy & Lanny Barnes.

· Moving on from the NRA there were a few short days spent at home and then I headed to the home range outside of Shreveport of Kay Miculek, head instructor of the Babes with Bullets camp, to held host the 8th annual Babes event (has it been 8 years already?) What can I say besides it was AWESOME! Almost three dozen women came from across the country (from Canada as well) to enjoy the three day camp which was a combo event of handgun and rifle. Our Melita Ellington helped us with this large camp and it just wouldn’t be the same without her!

I close my April “moments” sharing with the WOMA membership that while we were at camp together Melita approached me about submitting her resignation as Vice President of the WOMA. Between her work load at the law office, her commitment to assist with the Babes with Bullets camps, along with her involvement in her Christian Sportsman’s Ministry, there just isn’t enough hours to go around. Melita intends to stay an active member of the WOMA and requested that the board consider Lenee Landis to fulfill the remainder of her 2012 term. The board approached Lenee on this idea and we are excited to welcome her aboard! Melita’s resignation letter will be posted on the WOMA website with the April meeting minutes. If you’ve ever wondered what a “class act” reads like then please take a moment to read Melita’s resignation letter which includes her prayers for the well-being of the WOMA. She will continue to assist Lenee in the transition of duties and on the membership team as well.

For those of you who know Melita please send her a note of appreciation for a job well done (Melita@theWOMA.com). The work load at the WOMA for all volunteer board members is not a light one and no one knows that better than Melita. My hat is off to this classy lady that I count as a blessing from God on so many levels. See you at the range! Deb

SHOT Show 2012 with our WOMA Board: Bottom Row L to R – President Marsha Petrie Sue, Board Member Larry Weeks, Chair Deb Ferns

Top Row L to R – Board Member Jaci Janes, Vice President Melita Ellington, Secretary Chris Quam and Treasurer Cindy Noyes…

A Bird, A Bike, A Gun, and A Challenge!

What a fun story written by Lanny Barnes – Olympic Biathletes and WOMA members (Tracy included!)

“There is nothing normal about the way my twin sister and I do things.  When it comes to hunting, there is no exception. We hunt in most places a normal person wouldn’t even dare. If its far enough, steep enough, rough enough, and challenging enough, we are going to hunt it. Amazing physical shape is our blessing and our curse that biathlon has given us. With the amount of physical training we do during a year, we found most easily accessible hunting area’s just weren’t challenging enough for us. Plus we didn’t like the idea of being elbow to elbow with other hunters that wanted the easy hunt. You see, when we hunt in an area we like a small list of things to be checked off before we consider it.

Here is the list.
-Is it remote … the further away from civilization the better.
-Are there abundant game animals, preferably the one’s who haven’t had much contact with Homo Sapiens
-Would we see another hunter? If we see another hunter, we obliviously haven’t gone back into the woods or mountains far enough. If an area doesn’t have all three on the list, than we usually won’t hunt there.

Our blessing of great physical shape has allowed us to access area’s that most people physically can’t. We can bike, run, hike, climb our way to some of the most pristine hunting wilderness and have access to game that usually haven’t had much contact with humans. Our curse is one of two things: 1.) We can get so far back into the woods or mountains that it could provide added dangers if something were to go wrong, an accident were to happen, or a unexpected storm were to roll in. Because of this, we always bring extra provisions to be prepared for the unexpected. 2.) Not many people volunteer to hunt with us, or the one’s that have usually don’t come back after the first attempt. We hunt long and hard days and are never back to the car by lunch. We usually are running out in the dark or if successful, we are rewarded with heading out (usually at a run) early.

Our latest expedition was last weekend turkey hunting. Because all of the forest service roads in Colorado are closed in the spring to allow for snow melt, most people can’t access the millions of acres that lie behind the locked gates. Now biking, hiking, running, on these roads is legal and a great way to get back into country that hasn’t seen a human since the snow started to fall back in October. Every spring, Tracy and I have expended large amounts of energy to get back to area’s where the turkey’s are. Usually this requires a two-plus hour run or bike, just to get back to where we start our hunt.

In Southwest Colorado, the turkeys are hunted hard and usually get really call shy by the end of the first weekend. With call-happy hunters squawking on their calls non-stop for two days, the birds usually wise up and don’t come into the calls. So, if you want to shoot a turkey, you have to go where the birds haven’t been harassed by tons of eager hunters.

Last weekend we biked uphill for two hours in the dark to get to one of our secret turkey hunting spots. Once there, we stashed the bikes and climbed a steep hill to a meadow that overlooked one of the most gorgeous views in southwest Colorado. By then it had started to get light. We made two or three calls and waited. No more than five minutes later, we heard a tom gobble and it sounded like he was coming in fast. I ran up 50 yards into the trees and waited, while Tracy called behind me to try and draw him right past me.  Her sweet talk was just what he wanted to hear and he was heading right for us.  In his love-struck state in hearing Tracy’s calls, he puffed up and danced his way too far to my right and went directly into the field between Tracy and me.

It was beautiful! Because of his coming in to far on my right flank, it awarded us some extra time to observe this beautiful Tom in action. I made a few calls with my mouth call and he reversed his direction towards Tracy and again came in on my right allowing me a perfect shot and a turkey dinner.

Had we hunted closer to town or civilization, this bird would have never come in the way he did. If you want to be successful in turkey hunting or hunting in general in an area that gets a lot of hunting pressure, then you have to be creative in the way you hunt. The advantage for us having biked the two hours uphill in the morning was that we tied the turkey to the bike and it was all downhill to the car!!

 

WOMA Members Lanny and Tracy Barnes to be featured at OTIS Booth!

 

USA Shooting Viewpoint: Men vs. Women in Competitive Shooting

As the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of Olympic-style shooting in the United States, USA Shooting (USAS) welcomes the dialogue created by the recent article in the Wall Street Journal by Mark Yost titled: Taking Aim at an Old Debate: Can female athletes compete against men? In shooting, yes – but not in the Olympics. In this article, Yost points out several interesting facts and observations about our sport. This dialogue allows us to engage the shooting community, expand our thinking and establish pathways for bettering our sport for the future.

You will get little argument from many of today’s top shooters, both male and female, as to the shooting abilities of women throughout USA Shooting’s ranks. The success of the collegiate programs like TCU and many intercollegiate programs in the U.S. only echo these beliefs as do some of the sport’s elite shooters like Kim Rhode, a four-time Olympic medalist in trap and skeet shooting, or Katy Emmons, a three-time Olympic medalist from the Czech Republic who is married to the USA’s most successful rifle shooter, Matt Emmons.

“I am a born competitor and whether it is men or women I want to win,” said Jamie Gray, a 2008 Olympian in Rifle. “In a sport that is equal between men and women I would most definitely enjoy the competition. I started out only knowing that men and women compete against each other. It wasn’t until I learned shooting was an Olympic sport that I realized men and women didn’t compete against each other. It is exciting to me that there are still sports out there that men and women can be equal, however for other reasons it may be better that there are different categories for each.”

From 1968 through the 1980 Olympic Games, Olympic shooting events were mixed, with opportunities for women and men to participate regardless of gender. At the 1980 Games in Moscow, there were six shooting events contested. At the upcoming Games in London, there will be 15 events contested. Opportunities for women to compete in Olympic shooting have not shrunk with the dissolution of “mixed” events, but rather have grown as a result not only in our brand of shooting but across all platforms of the shooting sports.

Research by the National Sporting Goods Association shows female participation in target shooting grew by 46.5% between 2001 and 2010. And an October 2011 Gallup Poll found 23 percent of women own a gun. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, from 2001 to 2010, female participation in hunting grew by almost 37 percent.

In Olympic competition, 14 women got the opportunity to compete in shooting at the 1980 and 1976 Olympic Games combined. Since that time, the numbers have risen from 77 in 1984 to 145 female competitors at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Recent history also suggests that woman can perform alongside men in shooting competitions. At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, female competitor Shan Zhang of China became the Olympic gold medalist that year in mixed-event skeet competition. Over two days of competition she produced a score of 373 out of 375, a new Olympic and world record. She also became the first woman to topple the men in the history of the Olympic Games’ shooting competition. Since that time, no mixed events have been held in an Olympic shooting competition.

“As a proud American female citizen, participating in a sport where gender-specific characteristics are not advantageous, I would overwhelmingly favor a chance to compete in a mixed event – or at least a women’s event with an equal number of targets as the men,” said Kelsey Zauhar, a USA Shooting National Team member in Shotgun. “But my personal opinion is in a sea of thousands of competitors, and I am not going to be seen as more right or more correct than anyone else just because I speak louder with words. I will let my performance speak volumes and hopefully it will inspire some little girl sitting in her living room, three feet from the television with visions of Olympic glory flashing through her eyes. And hopefully she’ll pull at her father’s shirt tail asking him to take her to the shooting range where she can join the other females already participating.”

In large part, equality for woman at the elite level often comes down to participation numbers where men still far exceed women in the sport. Effort to get more women shooting is a collaborative effort for all within the firearms industry. This June, all over the country, young girls will head out to go shoot something. They will be attending the inaugural National Take Your Daughters To The Range Day on June 9. This event will be an opportunity for gun ranges throughout the nation to introduce many young women to a sport that may just become a life-long hobby, or even a profession.

“Boys learn to shoot in Scouts or with their Dads,” National Take Your Daughters to The Range Day co-founder and firearms instructor, Lynne Finch, said. “Often, the girls are left behind because shooting isn’t ‘girly.’ Well, we can, and do shoot, and well. Learning to shoot gives young women confidence, helps to build self-esteem, and introduces them to a sport they can participate in their whole lives.”

“I think that anytime you have competition where size or strength is not a factor, females can absolutely compete with the males,” said USA Shooting National Team Pistol shooter and USAS Board member Sandra Uptagrafft. “The fundamentals of executing a good shot work the same regardless of gender, size or age. The question of why females no longer compete with males or why we have differing number of shots in the same events comes up often when I explain our sport to new people. It does seem sexist, but the fact that we have separate events from males in the Olympics actually is a good thing since more females can compete this way. There can only be so many people on the shooting line at one time. Since I am not tall enough, fast enough or strong enough to compete in most other Olympic sports, I personally am just happy to have a sport like shooting in which I can excel.”

“We now have marketing specifically to attract our demographic and manufacturers are more sensitive to our needs,” Uptagrafft added. “I am particularly happy about this since I can now find weapons, clothing, gear and other accessories made for someone my size.”

A young female competitor competes in USA Shooting’s Progressive Position Pistol event geared toward getting more youth involved in the sport of shooting. For competitive shooters, the debate isn’t centered on whether men and women should be competing on a level playing field however. The changes made to the Olympic program allow more women to compete internationally and likely encourage greater participation among all females at the elite levels of competitive shooting. Getting even more women involved both competitively and within the leadership ranks of the major shooting sports organizations domestically and internationally is the next step. In addition, so to is looking at the match disparities between the two and trying to move toward greater equality in that sense.

“I would love to shoot against the men for all of these reasons,” said Amy Sowash, a USA Shooting National Team member in Rifle. “I think it’s a chance for women to shine in a world often dominated by men. Not only are there sport stereotypes to overcome, but also gun stereotypes. Many people think men are better at shooting just because hunting and military careers are dominated by them. In building role models for young women, I think it’s important to highlight skill sets that are not only good, but world-class. This is a chance for women to be seen in a completely different light where they are not valued based on appearance. In other women’s Olympic sports the focus often drifts to the most attractive players and teams. Men are praised for their skills, women for their looks. Any opportunity for a woman to be judged based on her abilities is positive.”

Mothers, daughters and sisters have more opportunity to experience the shooting sports than ever before given the growth and interest of firearm ownership worldwide. With growth comes greater debate and awareness along with intensifying advocacy. Those ingredients have always provided the foundation for the enhancement of our sport.

To learn more about USA Shooting, click here. To learn more about National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day, click here. The National Rifle Association (NRA) sponsors a variety of programs to get women actively involved in shooting.

A Tribute to Women in Hunting, Conservation

March is officially Women’s History Month. Congress designated the tribute to generations of women whose contributions proved invaluable to American society. Education. Arts. Business. Technology. Medicine. Alongside these areas, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation also is commemorating women’s role in conservation.

“Most Americans appreciate wildlife and wild places, but most also are unaware that these public resources thrive because of hunters—and, more than ever, because of hunters who happen to be women,” said RMEF President and CEO David Allen.

Today, conservation funding from women collectively, and conservation leadership from women individually, are undervalued but extremely significant.

Allen explained, “The number of women in hunting, sport shooting and gun ownership is up; therefore, the number of women who are contributing to conservation also is up.”

Statistics suggest that women now contribute up to $117 million per year to wildlife and habitat programs by way of their hunting license fees, special taxes on new firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows, and voluntary donations to organizations like RMEF.

Women hunters also are responsible for up to $5.9 billion per year in economic output.

Those figures are calculated as 9 percent of the respective totals generated by all hunters combined, since females make up about 9 percent of all hunters.

Females also compose roughly 9 percent of elk hunters specifically—as well as about 9 percent of all RMEF members. That percentage jumps a couple points in demographic studies of the most avid attendees at RMEF fundraising events. It jumps again at the volunteer ranks. An estimated 33 percent of RMEF volunteers are women.

Aside from their contributions as hunters, sport shooters, gun owners, consumers, donors and volunteers, women are vital to conservation today as professionals working in the field. About 40 percent of the RMEF staff is women. RMEF’s largest conservation partner, the U.S. Forest Service, has a workforce of wildlife biologists that is that 43 percent female. Women work as game wardens, researchers, land managers, agency directors and every other role that helps make conservation go.

Allen said, “If conservation had a number to represent its ‘Gross Domestic Product,’ meaning the total of all goods and services associated with conservation in 2012, I think we’d all be surprised at how much of that total is influenced by women.”

Examples of women whose influence has reached deep into elk country:

· Gail Kimbell, chief of the U.S. Forest Service, 2007-2009. Kimbell presided over conservation work on 193 million acres of public lands. Most elk and elk hunting in the U.S. occur on these lands.

· Dr. Christine Thomas, RMEF past-director and founder of Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, the nation’s premier program to introduce women to sporting lifestyles.

· Cheryl Haralson, RMEF past-director. Known as the “Arkansas Elk Lady,” she hunted and bagged Arkansas’ state-record bull and continues to champion elk and elk habitat in her home state and across the country.

· Haralson, Kay Clark, Debbie Lewis, Annie Lewis, Penney Oncken and Tammie Lynne Smith are among the recipients of RMEF’s highest honor, the Wallace Fennell Pate Wildlife Conservation Award. Alongside their husbands and families, each has given special gifts of money, time and talent to benefit elk and other wildlife.

· Four of the ten Elk Country Awards presented by RMEF and the U.S. Forest Service for exemplary habitat stewardship have honored women: Jodie Canfield of the Helena National Forest, Jane Ingebretson of the Flathead National Forest, Kathleen Johnson of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and Melanie Woolever of the agency’s regional office in Denver.

· RMEF Team Elk members Tiffany Lakosky and Kristy Titus, TV personalities who inspire countless girls and women to get involved with hunting and conservation.

Allen said, “Women are contributing in various ways to the RMEF mission. They’re a major part of why hunting is conservation today—and their growing involvement positions our entire community to better meet our challenges in the future.”
Tidbits:

· RMEF now exceeds $500,000 in sponsorships of Becoming an Outdoors-Woman and other programs to introduce women to hunting, sport shooting and conservation.

· According to CBS News, the national total for female gun owners has doubled over the last decade, increasing to nearly 5 million women since 2001.

· The most authoritative source of hunter data, the National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, shows flat recent trends in numbers of women hunters. But the survey did track a remarkable spike—in fact, a doubling—of females afield between 1985 and 1990.

· Data from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), an organization for retailers, shows that female participation in hunting rose 36 percent between 2001 and 2010, to a total of 2.4 million women hunters.

· NSGA data also shows that female participation in sport shooting rose 46 percent during 2001-2010, to a total of 4.8 million.

· The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry, reports that 61 percent of its member companies noted an increase in female customers between 2009 and 2010.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that has protected or enhanced habitat on over 6 million acres—an area larger than Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Great Smoky Mountains national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

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