As HSUS states on its website:

“… the HSUS has paired with [yellow tail] for the “tails for tails” program. Through the end of March, you’ll see special [yellow tail] displays bearing The HSUS name and logo in stores across the country.

Through “tails for tails,” [yellow tail] is donating $100,000 to support us and our programs to help animals, including our Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest.”

Alerted to this relationship, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) immediately contacted the American distributor of the wine, W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd., and urged them to ask Yellow Tail to sever its relationship with HSUS.

A copy of the letter the USSA sent to management can be found by clicking here.  Thus far, the USSA has not heard from W.J. Deutsch regarding our request.

“This wine maker has fallen into the same trap as other companies who donate money to HSUS,” said Bud Pidgeon, president of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.  “They believe they are helping animals in shelters when in fact they are funding an agenda from an animal rights group that is largely divergent from the vast majority of Americans.”

Take Action!  Sportsmen should contact W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd. and inform them that they disapprove of Yellow Tail Wine’s relationship with the HSUS.  It is important that W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd understand that each dollar given to HSUS is another dollar that can be used to attack hunting, fishing and trapping rights.  Further, tell them that sportsmen will be forced to select alternative brands if the relationship with HSUS is not severed.

W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd. can be contacted at:

108 Corporate Park Drive
White Plains, NY 10604
Tel: 914-251-9463
Email: info@wjdeutsch.com

Ask to speak to Bill Deutsch, W.J. Deutsch’s chairman or Peter Deutsch, the company’s chief executive officer.

For more information regarding the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alert Network, call 614-888-4868, or email Greg R. Lawson, director of communications at glawson@ussportsmen.org or Sharon Hayden, assistant director of communications at shayden@ussportsmen.org.

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
801 Kingsmill Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 4322929
614-888-4868
www.ussportsmen.org
info@ussportsmen.org

Learn more about the program at http://clft.org/

Information about the mini-grants at OutdoorNEWSDaily.com:

Grants may not exceed $2,500

Only available for nonprofit organizations

Organizations eligible every two years

Funds available for shooting sports related programs only

Grants cannot be used to purchase firearms

Total funds are limited to $40,000 in the first year of the program

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to be approved

Interested applicants can get more information or request applications by e-mailing curt.robertson at state.sd.us or calling 605-773-4506.

“The NRA’s Law Enforcement Division has been proudly serving the law enforcement officers of America for 50 years,” said Glen Hoyer, Director of the Law Enforcement Division. “The Smith & Wesson revolver was the choice of law enforcement officers in 1960, whether it was for self-defense or competition, and is still serving today. It was the obvious choice as a commemorative firearm to showcase NRA Law Enforcement Division birth in 1960 and our 50 years of service.”

Read the complete story at http://www.friendsofnra.org/National.aspx?sid=0&cid=587

“I’m at a point where I want to take a break and focus more on the important things in life,” said Brophy. “I look forward to spending more time relaxing at our cabin with family and friends.”

Brophy also confessed she was excited to dive into the Christmas season again. “Honestly, it’s one of my favorite holidays and, given the demands and timing of the Trade Show, it was difficult to find time to travel and celebrate the season with my family in Washington state. I look forward to doing that again.”

For ATA members and all those who exhibited at the ATA Trade Show, it’s likely most have worked with Brophy and, in many cases, have grown to know her. Brophy managed the Show in a period when the ATA and its Trade Show enjoyed significant growth and recognition. The recent 2010 Show, Jan. 13-15, was one of the trade association’s finest, drawing nearly 12 percent more attendees than a year ago, 90 first-time exhibitors and 24 start-up companies in the Show’s new Innovation Zone.

“The personal attachment to the Show — after all these years of effort and then to watch it come to life each year — it just drives you. It has evolved into such a big part of my life,” said Brophy. “I really care about it and the ATA. It will be hard for me to let go.”

The ATA has already begun working out a transition plan and schedule for the 2011 Trade Show, while Brophy has committed to helping. She’ll meet with staff at the ATA’s offices in New Ulm, Minn. in February to fine-tune next steps.

“It’s my hope that all of our members and everyone who exhibits, attends or works with the ATA to make the Trade Show a success each year will join me in thanking Cindy for her work and commitment to our trade association and Show,” said Jay McAninch, ATA CEO/president. “She has been great fun and a hard worker over the years and someone we have all come to love and respect.”

Already, the ATA has identified Maria Lewis, the group’s member services manager, to coordinate booth selection for the 2011 Show and serve as the main contact for Trade Show exhibitors.

“I have made so many friends in the archery industry,” Brophy said. “The exhibitors I’ve worked with are the most wonderful people you will ever meet.   I’ve watched many of them grow through the years from small start-ups to very successful companies and it’s truly been rewarding. I’m confident that Maria will take good care of them in the years to come.”

The 2011 Trade Show will return to Indianapolis and booth selection will begin this spring. As in past years, the ATA will provide information and contact each exhibitor with a scheduled time to select your booth space.

“Cindy has left us with great momentum going into this next Show,” said McAninch. “We’ve got a strong team in place for the 2011 Show; I like where we’re heading and the personnel in place to take us there.”

About the ATA Trade Show: The ATA Trade Show is the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and most inclusive show. The member-driven event promotes commerce within the industry, and is owned and operated by the ATA. As the only industry show that funds archery and bowhunting growth, the ATA invests in state agencies to coordinate introductory archery initiatives such as National Archery in the Schools Program and the After School Archery Program. Over the past five years, the ATA has invested and pledged nearly $2 million to bring archery shooting facilities and introductory programs to U.S. cities. Meanwhile, the ATA also fights for bowhunting rights in courtrooms across the country. The show is closed to the public and is an order-writing event.

About the ATA: Since 1953 ATA has been the trade association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. ATA is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, and reducing taxes and government regulation while increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. ATA owns and manages the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest running trade show worldwide.

Photo on front page of Pam Martin-Wells, courtesy of ESPN.

"Rudy" at Pheasant Fest. We here at The WON especially like to see photos like this one -- featuring two future huntresses! Photo courtesy of Pheasants Forever.

Pheasants Forever is also making it easy for members of youth organizations to see the show. Scouts (boy, cub, girl, brownies, etc.), 4-H and FFA members all earn free admission to the show on Sunday, February 28th simply by wearing their uniform or providing proof of membership.

Rudy’s Youth Village, named after Pheasants Forever’s youth mascot, is one of the many great reasons for families to attend National Pheasant Fest 2010 and will feature an exciting mix of new activities and some familiar favorites, including: •    Live Animals – Wolf Pups, Coyote Pups and Fox Kits •    Mock Pheasant Hunts • Laser Shot •    Archery and Air Rifle Ranges •    Fly Tying Seminars • Casting Booth •    Fantastic River Run Interactive Game

At Rudy’s Youth Village, families will also have the chance to explore the Ringneck Activity Center. To make sure there is something for every age group, the Ringneck Activity Center offers: o    Nature Crafts – Complete an outdoor craft made from natural materials. o    Wildlife Tracks – Make a plaster cast of your favorite animal track- a pheasant of course! o    Button Making- Create your own “Rudy the Rooster” Button and wear it proudly! o    Rollin’ with Rudy – Meet the mascot behind the Village, Rudy the Rooster!

“The Youth Village is what makes Pheasant Fest a great family event,” said Rich Wissink, Pheasants Forever’s Youth Program Specialist, “This is a great place for families, youth, and all age groups to explore the outdoors through the numerous activities that we have to offer. I hope everyone has a chance to engage with the Youth Village and help to leave a lasting impression of conservation with the youth of today.”

Attend National Pheasant Fest 2010 Adults – $10 Daily * Ages 6-16 – $5 Daily * Ages 5 and Under – FREE Weekend Special – $30 (Includes Pheasants Forever membership & hat, over $80 value) Find out more at www.PheasantFest.org

Anthony Hauck (651) 209-4972 AHauck at pheasantsforever.org