MISSOULA, Mont.—A new initiative to introduce youths and other newcomers to shooting sports, hunting and conservation is set to launch in 2011 powered by a generous donation to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation by Larry and Brenda Potterfield.
The Potterfields, owners of MidwayUSA, the catalog and Internet retailer offering “Just About Everything for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting,” contributed $400,000 to RMEF to help launch the new SAFE Challenge. SAFE is an acronym for Shooting Access For Everyone.
SAFE will introduce young and novice shooters to safe, responsible, enjoyable firearm use, as well as educate newcomers about the hunter’s role in conservation.
“Our goal is to build public understanding and appreciation of guns, shooting and hunting, and ultimately to recruit and welcome 50,000 newcomers into the sporting community,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “With leaders like the Potterfields and MidwayUSA, and their partnership with many dedicated volunteer organizations like ours, I see a bright future for conservation and our hunting heritage.”
Along with the Potterfield’s personal donation, Midway USA has renewed its presenting sponsorship of the RMEF television program on Outdoor Channel; will be the presenting sponsor of the final-night grand banquet with country music artist Clay Walker at the RMEF Convention and Hunting and Fishing Expo in Reno, Nev., March 3-6, 2011; and is underwriting a firearm for the 2011 RMEF banquet fundraiser program.
Combined support from the Potterfields and MidwayUSA exceeds $625,000 for 2011—amazing generosity that will help RMEF net more dollars for conservation in elk country, said Allen.
“Dad taught me to hunt and fish and I’ve had a lifelong passion for the outdoors since,” said Larry Potterfield, founder and CEO of MidwayUSA. “Brenda and I are excited to partner with RMEF to help train our next generation of hunters and shooters on safe shooting.”
For more info about MidwayUSA, visit www.midwayusa.com or call 1-800-243-3220.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.8 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
About the Potterfields and MidwayUSA
Larry and Brenda Potterfiled opened the catalog and Internet retailer MidwayUSA in 1977 and now serve thousands of customers, offering “Just About Everything for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting.” You can find more at www.midwayusa.com or 800-243-3220.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
