NSSF Expands West with Hunting Works for America
Hunting Works For Utah is newest state chapter added to award-winning program
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms industry, is excited to announce that the Hunting Works For America program has grown yet again and now includes a state chapter in Utah. Hunting Works For Utah joins Arizona, Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and Pennsylvania, which launched just last month, as the seventh state to be included in the award-winning Hunting Works For America program.
"These seven states represent an extremely important cross-section of our nation's hunting heritage, and I couldn't be more pleased to see the grassroots enthusiasm we've experienced thus far for the program," said Steve Sanetti, NSSF President and CEO.
The newly formed Hunting Works For Utah partnership has more than 30 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 into an alliance shooting sports organizations with businesses, workers and other non-traditional hunting entities such as chambers of commerce, convention and visitors' bureaus and other trade associations through a shared interest in the economic impact of hunting.
"With over 192,000 hunters spending about $500 million a year, hunting is a big deal in Utah," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF's senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "Nearly 13,000 jobs, $310 million in salaries and wages and $62 million in state and local taxes exist because of hunting. With an economic impact of nearly $925 million, hunting is an important part of Utah's economy."
Taxes, fees and surcharges that hunters pay when they purchase licenses, tags and equipment fund Utah's conservation efforts, which benefit game and non-game species as well as anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
Hunting Works For Utah launched today with a press conference held at the State Capitol. Hunting Works For Utah is co-chaired by State Representative Curtis Oda; Adam Massey, executive director of the Vernal Chamber of Commerce; David Worwood, Utah State Chapter president of the National Wild Turkey Federation; Clay Perschon, retired wildlife biologist with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; and Roger Schneidervin, a retired wildlife biologist formerly with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Hunting Works For America initially launched in 2010 with Hunting Works For Arizona, Hunting Works For Minnesota and Hunting Works For North Dakota. These states were joined by Hunting Works For Iowa and Hunting Works For Missouri in 2012 and Hunting Works For Pennsylvania in 2013. All totaled, the Hunting Works For America program now represents more than 700 businesses, organizations and associations representing tens of thousands of stakeholders.
Becoming a member of HWFUT is absolutely free of charge so please visit www.HuntingWorksforUT.com to learn more about how to become a partner and the program, including leadership, members, social media opportunities and local hunting seasons.