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What’s SFW been up to lately? Watch, and see.
SFW has spent the last 12 months raising money for wildlife and putting it to use in partnership with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources on the ground, across the state, and for multiple species in Utah. All sportsmen and all wildlife benefit.
SFW Brings More Pheasants to Utah
Using money raised through the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo $5 application fees, SFW recently purchased thousands of adult pheasants and pheasants chicks. Some adult birds have already been released, and thousands of chicks have made their way to SFW brooding facilities in Central and Northern Utah where they will grow until being released into WMAs across the state to provide opportunity for young hunters and to help bolster state pheasant populations.
Podcast with Bair
SFW Vice President John Bair sat down with Austin Atkinson of Huntin’ Fool and talks Hunting Expo and Utah’s unmatched wildlife conservation model.
2019 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo – Saturday Night Auction and Dinner
2019 Hunting Expo Attracts 54,000 Hunters and Raises $8.1 Million for Wildlife Conservation
Salt Lake City, Utah: After four busy days, the 2019 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (Hunt Expo) closed on Sunday February 17 after over 54,000 people passed through the Salt Palace Convention Center to enjoy the show, a nearly 9 percent increase in attendance. Hunt Expo, hosted by the Mule Deer Foundation and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, is in its thirteenth year and all who attend agree that it is the premier show for the western hunter. The show boasts over 500 exhibiting companies on the expanded 530,000 square feet of exhibit space, as well as evening events that featured keynote speakers Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill and former Congressman Jason Chaffetz. The Western Hunting & Conservation Expo also is a critical fundraiser for conservation efforts around the West and more than $8 million was raised at Hunt Expo through show passes, auctions, tag sales, and other fundraisers.
2019 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo – Friday Night Auction and Dinner
“The Western Hunting & Conservation Expo keeps getting better every year, and this year was no exception. Even with bad weather around the West, we had incredible turnout and Saturday February 16 was the biggest day in the show’s history with more than 30,000 people on the expo hall floor during the day,” said Mule Deer Foundation president/CEO, Miles Moretti. “The show gives our organization a chance to showcase the good conservation work that we are doing for mule deer and black-tailed deer and for western hunters. We’re proud of how Hunt Expo has grown, and we’ve already started work to make sure that the 2020 show is even better! With the strong attendance, manufacturers and vendors at the event had brisk sales and most have already reserved their booth space for next year’s show.”
This year the show also hosted the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo Elk Calling Contest and the Great Salt Lake Waterfowl Calling Contest on Saturday February 16. In addition, the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience kept the kids busy at the indoor pellet gun range and the Roaring 20’s themed Ladies Luncheon also raised important funds for conservation efforts. To top it all off, the evening dinner auctions were all sold out with more than 1700 in attendance and famed tags including the Antelope Island mule deer tag selling for $305,000 and the Arizona Governor’s mule deer tag selling for $330,000, 100 percent of which goes back to Arizona’s mule deer conservation efforts. After the evening events, the crowd was entertained by country music stars David Lee Murphy, the Eli Young Band, and LOCASH.
“Hunt Expo is the greatest four days for western hunting – except of course when you’re actually in the field. This is the show to attend to see the latest gear and get ready for next year’s season,” commented Troy Justensen, president of Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife. “We are excited to celebrate with everyone who comes to the show and loves hunting and conservation and you can bet that next year’s show will be just as much fun!”
The 2020 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo will be held February 13-16 in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Information about this year’s Hunt Expo and details about next year’s show will be posted on the WHCE website at www.huntexpo.com.
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2019 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo – Friday Night Auction and Dinner
2019 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo – Full Curl Society Auction and Raffle
2019 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
Yates Prevedel’s $5 Expo Desert Bighorn Sheep
Yates Prevedel was the “lucky dog” who drew a Utah Desert Bighorn Sheep tag in the 2018 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo’s $5 drawing. Read Yate’s story.
U.S Secretary Zinke Reaffirms States Wildlife Management Authority on Public Lands and Waters
A letter from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke.
State Fish and Wildlife Management Authority on Department of the Interior Lands and Waters
In 1983, the Department codified in the United States Code of Federal Regulations, 43 C.F.R. Part 24, establishing a policy that Federal authority exists for specified purposes while State authority regarding fish and resident wildlife remains the comprehensive backdrop applicable in the absence of specific, overriding Federal law. This 35-year-old rule is more relevant today than ever.
Therefore, I reaffirm the authority of the States to exercise their broad trustee and police powers as stewards of the Nation’s fish and wildlife species on public lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Department. Each of us must recognize the fundamental role of the States in fish and wildlife management, especially where States have primary authority and responsibility, foster improved conservation of fish and wildlife, and encourage a good neighbor policy with the States.
Because fish and wildlife are fundamentally dependent upon habitats on private and public lands managed or subject to administration by many Federal and State agencies, and because provisions for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of fish and wildlife and the regulation for their use are established in many laws and regulations involving a multitude of Federal and State administrative structures, the effective stewardship of fish and wildlife requires the cooperation of the various States and the Federal Government.
The 50 State governments have extensive capacities and competencies to exercise their responsibilities to serve as trustees for fish and wildlife species resident in the respective States. These capacities and competencies are grounded in State constitutional and statutory laws, as well as an extensive body of administrative rules that collectively form a comprehensive legal underpinning to ensure that State governments effectively function as trustees of fish and wildlife resources with broad police powers to enforce those laws and regulations.
State governments have established fish and wildlife agencies that are charged with the responsibility and mandate to implement those statutes ensuring effective, appropriate, and efficient conservation and management of fish and resident wildlife species, including providing citizens with the opportunity to enjoy those fish and wildlife species through regulated hunting, fishing, and trapping. Moreover, State governments have consistently demonstrated their commitment to sustaining fish and wildlife resources in perpetuity for the benefit of both current and future citizens. To that end, State governments have taken extensive measures to protect and conserve rare fish and wildlife species, including invertebrate species, and through the actions of State governments, they have sought additional funding to strengthen their capacity to implement management strategies at a landscape level. State governments practice sound fish and wildlife conservation and management focused on sustainable practices that protect the Nation’s natural heritage, while providing for appropriate and highly regulated opportunities for citizens to enjoy fish and wildlife resources.
The States’ fundamental responsibility for fish and wildlife management includes responsibility for appropriate regulation of public use and enjoyment of fish and wildlife species. The Department recognizes States as the first-line authorities for fish and wildlife management and hereby expresses its commitment to defer to the States in this regard except as otherwise required by Federal law.
In full recognition of the authority of the State fish and wildlife agencies to regulate fish and resident wildlife within their respective boundaries and jurisdiction, I request the following:
➢ Within 45 days of this Memorandum, all Bureaus and Offices complete a review of all regulations, policies, and guidance that pertains to the conservation and management of fish and wildlife species on lands and waters under their jurisdiction that are more restrictive than otherwise applicable State provisions for the management of fish and wildlife, including all such regulations, policies, and guidance that pertain to public recreational use and enjoyment of fish and wildlife species;
➢ Within 90 days, each Bureau and Office referenced provide the Deputy Secretary a report containing detailed recommendations for the respective Bureau or Office to better align its regulations, policies, and guidance with State provisions.
➢ After receiving the reports containing detailed recommendations, the Deputy Secretary shall appropriately consult with the State fish and wildlife agencies regarding the recommendations and deliver an implementation plan to me within 120 days of this Memorandum.
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“This is a game changer for hunting and conservation nationwide – restoring power back to the states and state game agencies, taking it away from Washington elitists and the federal government,” said Don Peay, SFW Founder and sportsmen’s advocate.
“This is one of Greg Sheehan’s last major initiatives before leaving Washington DC. He knows who can best manage our herds, flocks and fisheries. This is just one of many of the huge changes President Trump, Sec. Zinke and their team are doing for hunters.
“In Greg’s (Sheehan) closing meeting, Sec. Zinke credited Greg and his team with opening access to nearly five million acres of land that had been previously closed to hunting, and with reducing more than 2,000 regulations that hamstring hunters.”
SFW expresses great thanks to Greg and Charlie Sheehan for serving our country, and our hunting heritage.
KUIU Founder Jason Hairston Has Died
Former NFL player and founder of KUIU Jason Hairston has died tragically at the young age of 47. KUIU, the innovative hunting gear company that Hairston founded, announced Wednesday: “We are shocked and saddened to announce the tragic passing of KUIU founder Jason Hairston. His legacy lives on in KUIU’s spirit of relentless innovation.”
Jason and KUIU were strong supports of both the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo and the Full Curl Society. “The passion and innovation that Jason and KUIU brought to the North American hunting industry has been nothing less than inspirational,” said SFW Founder Don Peay. “His passing is more than a tragedy, but his influence among sportsmen will last for decades.”
Kelly Kreis Joins SFW as Office Administrator and Accountant
SFW has brought Kelly Kreis on board as Office Manager and Accountant. She will oversee all office administration and accounting functions in SFW’s headquarters at 215 North Redwood Road in North Salt Lake, Utah.
Kelly will manage office operations and procedures, coordinate correspondence among SFW chapters, monitor warehouse orders and other functions. She will also manage AR/AP and payroll functions and assist with tax preparation.
Most recently credit manager with Buehner Block in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kelly brings 25 years’ of experience to SFW. She has worked as an office manager, recruiter, investment portfolio assistant with Fidelity Investments and a trade banking coordinator with E-Trade. She is an experienced bookkeeper and skilled project manager with several years’ experience in construction accounting. Kelly attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and studied Interior Design and Drafting.
“Kelly is going to be a great fit with SFW,” said Troy Justensen, SFW President. “Our members, sponsors and chapter heads are already benefiting from her expertise.”
Non-profit fundraising is not new to Kelly. She has also been a volunteer for eight years with the annual SFW Salt lake Chapter Banquet and with Hunts for the Brave for several years helping the group identify veterans in need and assisting with fundraising events and activities.
“I’ve learned a lot about wildlife conservation from my years of volunteering with SFW and Hunts for the Brave,” Kelly said. “It takes a lot of dedication to achieve what SFW has, and I’m very proud to be a part of the work we do here. I couldn’t ask for a better team of people to work with. This is so much more than a job; it’s a passion for all of us.”
When she’s not in the office, Kelly enjoys camping, riding motorcycles, shooting and traveling with her four sons and six grandchildren.
John Bair Named SFW Vice President and Appointed to SFW Board of Directors
John Bair has been named Vice President of Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) and has been appointed a member of SFW’s Board of Directors. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his positions at SFW.
Most recently Chairman of the Governor-appointed Utah Wildlife Board of Directors, Bair has served the needs of Utah wildlife and hunters in multiple ways throughout his career. He served on the Utah Central Region Advisory Council for eight years, on the Utah Elk Management Committee, on the Utah Black Bear Management Committee and on the Utah CWMU committee. He is a Life Member of the Utah-based wildlife conservation organization.
As an auctioneer, John has helped SFW raise over $100 million for wildlife conservation and hunter advocacy issues. His skills as an auctioneer have been particularly beneficial in helping build SFW’s annual Western Hunting and Conservation Expo.
Through his involvement with SFW and wildlife conservation issues, Bair has played a critical role in improving and reclaiming more than 1.5 million acres of critical big game habitat in Utah. He is frequently heard proudly touting the fact that, “Utah does more habitat work than all other 49 states combined!”
SFW Board Chairman Dave Woodhouse said, “John Bair has been an important part of SFW’s make-up from its beginning. He has always played a major role in the successes of our organization. As vice president and our newest board member, we all look forward to an even greater amount of his effective influence that will certainly lead to SFW continuing its leading position in wildlife conservation.”
SFW President Troy Justensen commented, “SFW has built North America’s premier wildlife conservation fundraising model, and no small amount of credit goes directly to Mr. Bair. I’ve known John, worked with him and hunted with him for two decades. He’s a true friend to all hunters and all wildlife, but most especially to Utah’s big game. We’re so happy to have him on board in an official and even more involved capacity.”
Bair has been closely affiliated with SFW for more than 20 years. He currently serves as SFW Auctioneer hosting and emceeing 17 chapter fundraising banquets held each year.
As an SFW board member, Bair joins a team of Utah businessmen, entrepreneurs, sportsmen and wildlife conservationists who share the responsibility of steering the organization in paths that will enable SFW to continue fulfilling its mission: promoting the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat and assist in providing quality wildlife management programs.
Mr. Bair will also work to ensure the success and growth of SFW and it’s various programs, subsidiaries and conservation ventures, including 17 Utah chapters, the annual Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, Arctic Red River Outfitters in the Northwest Territories of British Columbia and the Full Curl Society.
John is an electrician by trade and a custom knife maker. But his passion has always been hunting. He is a FoxPro Game Calls Field Staff member and enjoys hunting coyotes year round with the hunting dogs he trains personally.
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U.S. Secretary Zinke Appoints SFW Founder Don Peay to the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the appointment of Don Peay to the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council. The Council was established on January 9, 2018, and is intended to provide the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture with advice regarding the establishment and implementation of existing and proposed policies and authorities with regard to wildlife and habitat conservation.
The Council will begin examining ways to benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation organizations, state, tribal, territorial, and federal government; and benefit recreational hunting and recreational shooting sports.
“We have assembled here some of the best conservationists in America,” Secretary Zinke said. “Over a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt established the American conservation ethic — best science, best practices, greatest good, longest term. These sportsmen carry on the American conservation ethic in the modern day. Bringing these experts together will be key to ensuring the American tradition of hunting and shooting, as well as the conservation benefits of these practices, carries on.”
Don Peay commented, “President Trump and Sec Zinke continue to make major positive structural changes to America’s land and wildlife conservation systems. This new Council made up of the most accomplished hunter/conservationists in North America will assist in revitalizing conservation of our nation’s natural treasures for generations!”
Mr. Peay joins a noteworthy list of national leaders newly appointed to the Council, including:
– Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action
– Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
– Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation
– Dan Forster, Vice President & Chief Conservation Officer, Archery Trade Associations
– Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited
– And others
The Council is strictly advisory and the duties will consist of providing recommendations for implementation of Executive Order No. 13443 (E.O.): Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation, Secretarial Order No. 3347: Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation, and Secretarial Order No. 3356 (S.O.): Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States, Tribes, and Territories.
Recommendations from the Council to the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture shall include, but not be limited to policies and programs that: conserve and restore wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, forests and rangeland habitats; promote opportunities and expand access to hunting and shooting sports on public and private lands; encourages hunting and shooting safety by developing ranges on public lands; recruit and retain new shooters and hunters; increase public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and the social and economic benefits of hunting and shooting; encourage coordination among the public, hunting and shooting sports community, wildlife conservation groups, state, tribal, territorial, and federal government.
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