Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

This first-of-its-kind campaign’s mission is to help keep new anglers on the water

The Fishing… Share the Fun angler engagement campaign, launching this week, is a first-of-its-kind industry-wide collaboration between the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF). The campaign’s mission is to galvanize sportfishing industry leaders and the broader recreational fishing community to share their love of fishing and engage in customer retention activities to keep new anglers on the water this spring and summer. It is supported by an integrated mix of easy-to-use educational tools and tips designed to help increase the enjoyment of fishing.

“Fishing is a healthy, fun, family-friendly activity that saw tremendous growth over the past few years. Let’s not lose this momentum,” said Mary Beth Long, ASA’s vice president of Communications. “This campaign offers a great opportunity to grow the sportfishing community and promote how much fun a day on the water can be.”

Over the past two years, millions of Americans took to recreational fishing for the first time as a way to cope with the pandemic’s challenges. As life begins to return to normal, the fishing community must ensure those first-time anglers continue to feel welcome on the water. The Fishing… Share the Fun campaign is asking experienced anglers to team up with these newer anglers to help get them back on the water and rediscover their love of fishing. It’s also equipping the fishing industry with customer retention strategies and tools to engage newcomers and keep them fishing.

“In 2020 we saw a new wave of fishing participants who were driven to fish primarily because someone invited them,” said RBFF SVP of Marketing & Communications Stephanie Vatalaro. “When you take a friend fishing and ask your customers to do the same, you’re supporting the development of future lifetime anglers, which is good for the entire industry and the conservation programs it supports.”

Weaver®, an industry leader in high-performance optics and mounting systems for more than 80 years, announces the addition of new multi-slot bases for the Savage Axis rifle.

New models for the Savage Axis include a standard 0 MOA multi-slot base with 8-40 screws, a 0 MOA extended multi-slot base with 8-40 screws and a 20 MOA extended multi-slot base with 8-40 screws.

“The latest offerings from Weaver were specifically developed to be compatible with the Savage Axis rifles that feature the new receiver which requires a larger 8-40 screw,” said Monte Koenigs, product manager for Weaver. “These rifles are quite popular and now consumers have even more mounting options including a 20 MOA base that is canted down to allow for more elevation adjustments at extended ranges. Each scope base is made in the USA and makes for a great match for any Savage Axis rifle.”

Weaver Multi-Slot Bases are constructed with tough, lightweight aluminum to withstand the most powerful recoil. They accept all Weaver Top Mount Rings and Picatinny style rings, and accommodate mounting scopes, red dots, laser optics and more. Because of their one-piece, multi-slot design, rings can be moved forward or back for optimal eye relief.

Weaver Multi-Slot Bases are made in the U.S. and have an MSRP of $16.95. To learn more about Multi-Slot Bases or other Weaver mounting solutions, check out WeaverOptics.com.

STEELPORT Knife Co. Is Now The Only American-Made Kitchen Cutlery Brand Sold By A National Brick-And-Mortar Kitchenware Retailer

Sur La Table makes history by being the only national premium retailer to carry an American cutlery brand, STEELPORT Knife Co.. STEELPORT, a small team handcrafting American-forged Carbon Steel cutlery in Portland, Oregon, will have their full line of five essential kitchen knives and select accessories available for purchase at 21 Sur La Table retail locations nationwide and online as of May 3, 2022.

“American-made cutlery will now have more visibility than ever before, finally able to broadly present American premium craftsmanship to those customers who value a modern heirloom,” says STEELPORT Founder and CEO Ron Khormaei. “We created STEELPORT with the mission of reintroducing American-forged cutlery on a national, accessible scale, and our partnership with the well-respected Sur La Table is a monumental step towards accomplishing that goal.”

“We are thrilled to be the first national retailer to bring STEELPORT to market. As two Pacific NW companies, dedicated to best-in-class products, SLT and STEELPORT couldn’t be a better partnership,” says Kelly Smith, Senior Cutlery Buyer. “We love the STEELPORT teams’ dedication to a 100% made in America knife, a rare find indeed! This heirloom quality cutlery is sure to delight our customers with its beauty and performance. Each knife will be as unique as the burlwood used for the handles and the hand forged blades.” 

“Everything from our choice of steel, Oregon Big Leaf Maple handles, proprietary heat treatment, and use of coffee for the patina all comes back to our ‘craftsmanship without compromise’ drive,” says STEELPORT Co-founder and Bladesmith Eytan Zias. “This is the knife we’ve always wanted for ourselves but was not available in the market.”

Team Federal’s Travis Tomasie won the Limited Division and finished 7th overall at the Double Tap Championship held at the Double Tap Ranch in Wichita Falls, TX.  In total, there were 158 shooters competing and the event was administered under the USPSA rule book.

“Travis Tomasie is one of the most respected shooters in the game and is a serious contender to win any match he enters,” said Jason Spradling, Federal’s Shooting Sports Promotions Manager.  “Federal is honored to have him on the team and proud that Syntech Action Pistol could be part of his winning performance.”

“The Double Tap is always a great match with terrific staff and both fun and challenging courses of fire,” said Team Federal’s Travis Tomasie. “My Federal Syntech Action Pistol performed flawlessly and provided the accuracy, low felt recoil, and reliability that I demand,” said the High-overall Limited Champion.

Syntech Action Pistol is specifically designed for the action shooting sports and loaded to power factor requirements with heavy, flatter-nosed bullets for more reliable knock-downs on steel targets in competition. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit  www.federalpremium.com.

Team Federal continued its astonishing performance on the world stage by capturing three gold medals and a silver at the Lonato World Cup in Lonato, Italy.  The competition, considered the deepest and toughest from a talent perspective of the World Cup events, was held April 19-30, 2022.  USA led the gold medal count and Team Federal’s Caitlin Connor had a part in all three of the gold medal performances.

Caitlin Connor, who started shooting at the age of 15 in the 4-H program, claimed gold in Women’s Skeet, Women’s Team Skeet, and paired with Team Federal’s Vincent Hancock to win the Mixed Team Skeet.  Connor defeated a competitor from Great Britain in the Women’s Skeet finals, marking her first ever individual title at a World Cup event.  Connor than teamed up with Team Federal’s and Olympic Gold Medalist Amber English and Dania Vizzi to win the Women’s Skeet Team gold medal.  

Interviewed by USA Shooting, Connor credited her team members with the success. “I would not have been able to get those golds if it weren’t for my teammates,” said Connor.  “We have a really strong team, and it was awesome to be part of it,” said the Winnfield, Louisiana native. 

Three-time Olympic Champion Vincent Hancock captured a silver medal in the Men’s Skeet competition and paired with Caitlin Connor to win the Mixed Team Skeet.  It was the first time the two had teamed together to compete in a World Cup event.

Federal Ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct from Federal. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

The results are in for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) April Monthly Air Gun Matches. The event was held April 23 at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry, Ohio, and the South CMP Competition Center in Anniston, Alabama. The Ohio location saw over 140 entries, while the Alabama location saw over 50.

The CMP Monthly Matches are open to both adults and juniors and feature air gun events such as the junior 3×20 (three position) air rifle, 60 shot air rifle and air pistol matches as well as a beginner 3×10 competition for those just starting out in the sport. Those competing in multiple Monthly Matches will also be automatically entered into the Monthly Match League and become eligible for cash prizes.

The next Monthly Match is set for May 7 in Alabama and Ohio before taking a short break and returning in September 2022. Don’t forget, the annual National Matches at Camp Perry is fast approaching. Along with numerous outdoor rifle and pistol opportunities, the schedule also features an array of National Match Air Gun events from July 10 to August 13. Competitors of all ages and experience levels are welcome to compete, so be sure to stop by! Find registration info for the Monthly Matches and the National Air Gun Events at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/monthly-air-rifle-and-air-pistol-matches/.

April 2022 Monthly Match Results – Anniston:

3×20 Rifle:

The Boone and Crockett Club thanks Senators Martin Heinrich and John Hoeven for introducing legislation to authorize federal funding to address chronic wasting disease (CWD) more holistically. The CWD Research and Management Act introduced today is a companion bill to H.R. 5608 that passed the U.S. House of Representatives with an overwhelming vote of 393-33 in early December last year. The bill authorizes $35 million each to research and management efforts and requires 75% of the management funding be directed to state and tribal wildlife agencies. If enacted, the bill will lay the groundwork to provide additional resources to states and tribes to proactively address CWD outbreaks and to manage this always-fatal disease of deer, elk, and moose.

“Chronic wasting disease is a major and growing threat to many of our country’s native big game species, already presenting significant challenges to maintaining the health of these ecologically important wildlife species,” said James F. Arnold, president of the Boone and Crockett Club. “We appreciate the continued leadership of Senators Heinrich and Hoeven for their efforts to find solutions to this growing issue. The legislation that they introduced today will provide critical new funding to state wildlife agencies that are on the front lines battling CWD.”  

Chronic wasting disease is a highly contagious neurological disease affecting cervids (members of the deer family) that has been found in wild or captive herds in 30 states and four Canadian provinces to date. The disease is known as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and is caused by a naturally occurring protein, called a prion, that is misfolded. When prions are introduced into a healthy cervid, they multiply through existing, natural processes of protein replication and begin damaging the animal’s nervous system. It may take as long as two years before the animal begins to show outward signs of the disease. CWD can be transmitted through direct physical contact, contact with saliva, feces, or carcass parts of an infected animal, and can even spread through soil that has been contaminated with infected tissues or fluids. There is no known cure for CWD, it is not treatable, and it is ultimately always fatal. 

The CWD Research and Management Act will authorize funds to states to help manage existing CWD outbreaks and to provide rapid response funding for detections in new populations. In addition, the bill would provide increased funding for research to improve testing and disease containment mechanisms, including the development of live animal or environmental testing and ways to decontaminate infectious prions. Another important provision directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the Herd Certification Program standards including those that help minimize or eliminate the interaction between wild and captive deer.

“State fish and wildlife agencies have been working hard to prevent the introduction of CWD into new areas and to limit its spread, however CWD management is expensive—the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act will help states manage and mitigate outbreaks of the disease,” Arnold concluded.

The National Rifle Association Announces the Use of Silver Mountain Targets’ Electronic Target System for the 2022 High Power Rifle National Matches at Camp Atterbury, Indiana

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association of America is excited to announce that the Silver Mountain Targets electronic target system will be deployed for the High Power Rifle phases of the 2022 National Matches at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.  

“Over the past year, the NRA has been working with the Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association (ISRPA), as well as the Central Indiana High Power Rifle Shooters (CIHPRS) in order to bring electronic targets to the NRA National Matches,” said Joseph P. De Bergalis, Jr., Executive Director of NRA General Operations. “The NRA is thrilled to be working closely with the Indiana National Guard, ISRPA, CIHPRS, and Silver Mountain Targets in order to provide a great future for the competitive shooting sports in Indiana.”

The NRA determined that Silver Mountain Targets were proven effective across the world and at Camp Atterbury for NRA competition.

“In 2019, the ISRPA chose Silver Mountain Targets for our High Power matches including the ISRPA Across the Course State Championships and the Governor’s Cup match in 2019,” said ISRPA President Charles Hiltunen. “We did an extensive comparison of alternatives and Silver Mountain Targets best fit our needs. Since then we have been very happy with the targets and support we receive. ISRPA is very excited to support the NRA in extending this valuable technology to the National Matches.” 

The Irvine Company’s Alton Marketplace, one of America’s premier retail destinations, will become home to one of America’s Greatest Outdoor Stores!

Bass Pro Shops, America’s most popular outdoor retailer, today announced plans for a new destination retail superstore in Irvine, California.

The new 140,000-square-foot store joins the Bass Pro Shops location in Rancho Cucamonga in serving Southern California’s sportsmen and women, who enjoy the world-class outdoor opportunities that have been attracting people to the area for generations.

One of the Premier Retail Sites in the World!

“We are tremendously excited to have the opportunity to partner with the Irvine Company to bring our next generation Outdoor World store to Irvine.  There is no stronger company to work with in the region focused on the outdoor, coastal lifestyle and conservation,” said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and noted conservationist.

Ergodyne launched the next generation of Arsenal® Water-Resistant Duffel Bags, with two new models that provide workers with high quality, high convenience and heavy-duty protection for expensive gear.

The new water-resistant duffel bags are the latest in Arsenal’s bolstered collection of PPE and gear storage solutions. Available in three sizes, including a wheeled travel duffel, these heavy-duty bags make sure expensive gear holds up to truck beds and torrential downpours.

“All too often, workers overlook the importance of having a quality bag to protect expensive everyday PPE—especially through the wear and tear of harsh worksites,” said Matt Hahn, Ergodyne Product Manager. “With this launch, we took our already tough 5030 bags and made them even better. Heavy-duty weather-resistant tarpaulin, reinforced base, extra wide compartment with a variety of accessory pockets. Plus, they’re just plain cool. A perfect bag to take from workday to weekend.”

The new Arsenal Water-Resistant Duffel Bags are available now on www.ergodyne.com.

ABOUT ERGODYNE

Since 1983, Tenacious Holdings, Inc. (dba Ergodyne, a Klein Tools Company) has pioneered the development of products that Make The Workplace A Betterplace™. What started with just one product has grown into a line of top flight, battle-tested, Tenacious Work Gear®; all precision crafted to provide protection, promote prevention and manage the elements for workers on jobsites the world over. The current lineup is extensive and constantly growing: ProFlex® Hand Protection, ProFlex® Knee Pads, ProFlex® Supports, Skullerz® Head & Face Protection, Skullerz® Eye Protection, Trex® Footwear Accessories, KREW’D® Skin Protection, Chill-Its® Cooling Products, N-Ferno® Warming Products, GloWear® Hi-Vis Apparel, Squids® Lanyards, Arsenal® Gear and Tool Storage, and SHAX® Portable Work Shelters.

Spring Hill, Tenn.—More than 40 youth experienced the excitement of the shooting sports firsthand on Sunday, April 24 during the 2nd Annual Provost Umphrey Get Youth Outdoors Day to benefit the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA).

A cooperative effort between the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) and national partner Provost Umphrey Law Firm, the free community event followed on the heels of the USA’s 2nd Annual Provost Umphrey Texas State Sporting Clays Shoot the day prior.

The purpose of the event is “to teach youth gun safety and responsibility as well as to teach our youth to enjoy the outdoors and all that it offers,” said Joe Fisher, managing partner of Provost Umphrey Law Firm, who describes the event as his favorite day of the year.

Officers from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office provided youth with firearms safety instruction and reminded all participants that it is everyone’s responsibility to be safe when it comes to guns and to speak up if they notice unsafe practices.

Following the safety presentation, volunteers from Provost Umphrey Law Firm, the Roofers International, and the Jefferson County 4H along with USA staff assisted youth on a 5-station sporting clays course, an archery station and a casting station.

Team Federal finished strong at the recent Magpul Texas 3-Gun Championship held at the Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas, where Federal was a Platinum level sponsor. Of the 256 competitors, Team Federal shooters Josh Froelich and Konnor Fryburger were standouts in the competition. Froelich finished second overall, and first in the 2×4 Open Division. Fryburger received Top Junior honors, first in the Limited Division, plus he was named Top Texan in the Limited Division.

“The Magpul Texas 3-Gun Championship is one of the most respected multigun matches in the country. Match Directors Aaron Hayes and Garrison English once again proved that reputation to be well-deserved, and the hospitality at the event was top-notch,” said Jason Spradling, Federal’s Shooting Sports Promotions Manager. “A great multigun match requires competitors to strike a balance between judicious application of fundamentals and aggressive stage execution to score well. The team at the Texas 3-Gun Championship provided just such an experience.”

“The Texas 3-Gun championship is one of the most well attended, competitive, high-round count multigun shooting championships in the country. Texas has big stages with difficult shooting challenges and some of the most unforgiving wind. This place will challenge any shooter and any gear you bring to run at the event,” said Josh Froelich. “This was my 4th Texas 3-gun championship and my 4th win in 2×4 division. I’m looking forward to coming back again to defend the title next year.”

“I’m really happy to come away from this match with three trophies and to have performed so well in my home state. My Federal ammo performed flawlessly and gave me the confidence to push really hard despite some challenging conditions,” said Konnor Fryburger. “I’ve shot a lot of pistol ammo in the past few years and this Federal Syntech Action Pistol load is no joke. I love this stuff.”

Federal Ammunition products in use by Team Federal were American Eagle and Premium Gold Medal rifle ammo, Syntech Action Pistol handgun loads TruBall shotgun slugs, and more. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

Lena Miculek Takes Top Lady, Jerry Miculek Wins Super Senior Pro

Hoppe’s, the No. 1 name in gun care products, congratulates daughter-father duo and Hoppe’s pros Lena and Jerry Miculek on their impressive finishes at the USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals, which were held in Clinton, South Carolina.

Lena Miculek made her notable return to Multi-Gun after three years of focusing on USPSA PCC (pistol caliber carbine) competition. She claimed the highest overall finish of any woman in Multi-Gun Nationals history, placing seventh overall in the Tac-Optics Division as well as taking the High Lady title.

“I decided it was time to make my comeback to Multi-Gun, the sport that made me fall in love with competitive shooting in the first place,” Lena said. “I had 30 days to return a champion. Training was intense as I picked up my shotgun, rifle and pistol for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. With so many skills to worry about and train, I’m thankful my firearms’ reliability was never a concern. Hoppe’s Elite Gun Oil kept everything running smooth, Gun Medic kept me on the range and Lead-B-Gone wipes helped keep my hands clean for those lunches and dinners I spent training.”

Meanwhile, Lena’s father Jerry also had a strong finish at the event, taking the Top Super Senior Pro title.

Silencer Central, America’s largest silencer dealer, is excited to announce the addition of Hannah Barron as a part of their new ambassador partnership program. A lifelong outdoorswoman, Barron has grown up hunting squirrels, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and noodling for catfish…with her bare hands.

In 2016, Barron had a video go viral on social media showcasing her passion for noodling, and since then has reached millions of people through her media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok sharing many of her outdoor adventures. She uses her social presence to promote the Second Amendment and share her love of the outdoors with others. Barron is also an advocate for women in the outdoors.

“Hannah is an exceptional voice for women in the outdoors,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “Not only that, but she is a strong Second Amendment advocate and embodies the mentality needed when embracing challenges of being a woman in the outdoor industry. Her successful social media platforms are exciting, and her voice will reach many as a Silencer Central ambassador.”

Through the ambassador program, Silencer Central strives to break the stigma surrounding silencers. An exceptional tool for sound elimination and recoil reduction, suppressors are multi-functional and great when used properly by hunters. Silencer Central delivers directly to customers in 42 states where silencers are legal. The shipping process has revolutionized the way suppressors are sold and allows for customers to streamline their purchasing experience by cutting out unnecessary hurdles to silencer ownership.

Customers can buy direct from Silencer Central. For more information, call 888-781-8778 or visit their  website.

TrueTimber has announced a sponsorship of the 2022 Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship at the Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy in Ridgedale, Missouri. The event will take place April 30 through May 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and will follow a Big 20 Format. Attendees will see TrueTimber logos, signage and camouflage throughout the event.  

“We are really excited to be a part of this event and see all the contestants give it their all for a shot at the money,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “We have friends and fans across the outdoor industry whether it’s hunting, fishing or both, so we love having the opportunity to participate in something like this with our partners at Bass Pro Shops and everyone else involved. We are looking forward to another great event for the fans and participants.”

The event will host a variety of attractions including vendor booths, seminars, live music, events for the whole family, food, shooting lanes, great prizes and much more. The 150-boat field will be competing in two to four person teams for cash prizes totaling up to $50,000 and the chance to win a brand new bowfishing boat.

To learn more about the entire TrueTimber product line and see all available patterns, visit TrueTimber.com. Details about future product launches can be found on TrueTimber’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

About TrueTimber

Just in time to find the best gift for Mom, Gatorz Eyewear releases its Mother’s Day Collection. Equipped with limited-edition releases, perfect for Mom, the Collection consists of different combinations of frames and lenses as well as frame Cerakote options. 

The frames include the popular Skyhook, Delta and Stark, and are paired with the option of pink polarized mirrors, champagne polarized mirrors, silver polarized mirrors or smoke polarized lenses. Rose Gold Cerakote and Pink Champagne Cerakote options are also avaliable. 

The Mother’s Day Collection is here for a limited time, learn more about all it has to offer and find the right eyewear with our Lens Guide below. 

Lens Color Guide

Pink Polarized Mirrors – Include a rose base that increases visual depth of field and highlights contrast, enhancing detail. These are great options for driving and/or action activities.

Outguided, an online platform that makes booking outdoor adventures easier than ever, connects people seeking great experiences with expert guides to create memories that last a lifetime. The company’s founders launched Outguided after experiencing the frustration of booking adventures the old-fashioned way. They knew that something was missing – a modern way to find, plan and book a trip without endless emails and phone calls so that both clients and guides can concentrate on the things that matter most.

Outguided was launched in late 2019 by Brooks Pennington, an avid hunter and fisherman, and Tim Rood, a skier, diver and surfer. While trying to book an elk-hunting trip in New Mexico, Pennington ran into the same issues he had encountered while seeking to book inshore fly-fishing trips along the Gulf Coast: spending hours researching and vetting guides, only to have trouble contacting them – because the guides were out guiding, often in remote locations, rather than sitting by the phone.

“Every time I called, the guides were out fishing, and their voicemail was full,” Pennington said. “I realized there had to be a better way.”

Pennington, who was working in the energy and real estate sectors in Georgia, reached out to Rood, a friend from The University of Georgia, who had spent his career working in technology in Los Angeles and San Francisco. They agreed the time was right to build the modern platform for outdoor adventure, and Outguided was born. 

Designed in consultation with hundreds of guides and outfitters, Outguided provides ultimate convenience. The service allows outdoor lovers to browse activities and locations from one simple portal, setting up their dream trips or discovering exciting new activities. Activities include: skiing, winter sports, fishing, hunting, rafting, scuba diving and more, led by professional guides and outfitters who share their clients’ passion for the outdoors. 

Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day 2022 occurs on Sunday, May 8th. Take this day and really celebrate your mom, take her outside, go for a walk and honor her and tell her how very much she means to you.

Here are a few ideas from some outdoor brands we think are great fits for outdoor moms and moms that hunt.

Royal Robbins Adventure Dress

What will your mom be wearing on Mother’s Day? She might be wearing some beautiful apparel from Royal Robbins if you get to shopping for her. The Women’s Vacationer dress is the perfect dress for mom especially with summer travel coming up. This dress is perfect around the campsite and perfect for the beach, the pool and even a night out on the town. We bought this dress for our resident mom and it has already been on a few adventures and has quickly become a favorite. Royal Robbins has continued to impress us with great styles and a high level of quality for men and women.

KickerBall by Swerve Ball

Moms love to play with their kids and we know the KickerBall is a hit with moms and dads and especially with the kids. This ball swerves, dives and curves for crazy kicking action and its soft so all ages like kicking it. It doesn’t take a ton of effort to make it curve and it doesn’t go all that far so moms not going to get tired out chasing after it. We got this on a whim and love it.

High Camp Flasks Torch Tumbler 2-Pack

Running around chasing a ball can get tiresome and some moms like a nice relaxing sip of whiskey after a long day of taking care of the kiddos. It is nice to have a dedicated cup for a little sip in the outdoors and these stainless steel shot glasses are just the ticket to have along on any adventurous camping trip. Check these out and all of the great gear at High Camp Flasks.

Bipartisan event shines spotlight on conservation in Congress

Following a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ducks Unlimited (DU) hosted the annual Capitol Hill Dinner and Auction for the first time since 2019. With more than 500 total guests in attendance, including Biden Administration officials, congressional staff, DU leadership and more than 40 bipartisan Members of Congress, wetlands conservation was once again the focus of government leaders from across the United States.

“After a few years off, it was wonderful to gather again in the nation’s capital to celebrate wetlands conservation,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “DU is incredibly fortunate to have such great friends in Congress on both sides of the aisle who prioritize the conservation of waterfowl habitat and the preservation of America’s cherished outdoor spaces. This event is testament to the hard work of our volunteers and emblematic of our continued success working with Congress to support critical programs, like NAWCA, that will ensure our grandchildren have the same opportunities to experience the outdoors that we enjoy today.”

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) is a voluntary matching grant program that leverages non-federal and federal funds for wetland restoration. Since enactment in 1989, NAWCA has conserved more than 30 million acres and created an average of 7,500 new jobs annually. Every dollar spent by the federal government, on average, receives a $3 match from program partners like Ducks Unlimited. NAWCA is the nation’s most successful wetlands conservation program.

DU hosts the annual Capitol Hill Dinner and Auction every spring in our nation’s capital, welcoming Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and leaders of the current presidential administration, including from the White House, U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of the Interior.

Funding will help conserve or restore more than 300,000 acres of wetland

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today announced that $95 million in funding has been approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, which will provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners the ability to help conserve or restore more than 300,000 acres of wetland and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, songbirds and other birds across North America – including Canada and Mexico.

$78 million in grants, made through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), will be matched by more than $116 million in partner funds. In addition, the Commission approved $17 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to conserve land in San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge in Texas for public use and hunt programs.

“The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is one of the most effective tools we have for migratory bird conservation around the country and across our northern and southern borders,” said Secretary Haaland. “The investments the Commission made today for these locally led wetlands and conservation projects will help ensure that birds continue to flourish for the next hundred years and beyond.”

Since 1991, $2 billion in funds, matched by $4 billion in partner funds, have been approved by the Commission, totaling $6 billion for wetland conservation.