Monday, June 30, 2014

NSSF Program Hunting Works for America Expands Again

NEWTOWN, CT-The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, is proud to announce that the Hunting Works For America footprint has grown and now includes a state chapter in Wisconsin. Hunting Works For Wisconsin joins Arizona, Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Utah as the eighth state to be included in the award-winning Hunting Works For America program.

The newly formed Hunting Works For Wisconsin partnership has more than 70 partner organizations and will be adding dozens more in the weeks and months to come.

Hunting Works For America, through its state organizations, is an initiative that seeks to bring a broad range of stakeholders together in order to educate the public and elected officials about the importance of hunting. Shooting sports organizations, conservation groups, businesses and other non-traditional hunting entities such as chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus and other trade associations have come together to form Hunting Works For Wisconsin and share their interest in the economic impact of hunting.

"Thousands of people hunt in Wisconsin every year, and thousands more come from out of state to hunt here, hunting is part of this state's heritage. A strong appreciation for the outdoors and outdoor sports is evident in the money people spend on hunting," said Chris Dolnack, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for NSSF. "Hunters spend $2.6 billion a year in Wisconsin and contribute $228 million in state and local taxes. This spending translates into 34,000 Wisconsin jobs, $1 billion in salaries and wages and an economic ripple effect of $4 billion."

Taxes, fees and surcharges that hunters pay when they purchase licenses, tags and equipment fund Wisconsin's conservation efforts which benefit game and non-game species as well as anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

Hunting Works For Wisconsin launched today with a press conference at the Mills Fleet Farm on Main Street in Green Bay. Hunting Works For Wisconsin is co-chaired by Mark LaBarbera, founder of Outdoor Heritage Education Center; Tina Brunell, executive director of the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce; Matthew Hauser, president of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association; Brand Scholz, president & CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association; and Bill Moe, fourth generation owner of Moe Hardware Hank and Sporting Goods in Black River Falls.

Initially Hunting Works For America launched in 2010 with just three states, Hunting Works For Arizona, Hunting Works For Minnesota and Hunting Works For North Dakota. Since then the program has grown, adding chapters in Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Utah. All totaled, the Hunting Works For America program now represents more than one thousand businesses, organizations and associations representing tens of thousands of stakeholders.

Becoming a member of HWFWI is absolutely free of charge so please visitwww.HuntingWorksforWI.com to learn more about how to become a partner and the program including leadership, members, social media opportunities and local hunting seasons.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 10,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Bill Brassard, Jr.
203-426-1320