Outdoor Stewards “Keepers of the Wild” PSA Surpasses $1.5 Million in Earned Media

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – December 4, 2024 – The Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is celebrating a major milestone with its “Keepers of the Wild” Public Service Announcement (PSA). Since it’s September 2024 launch, the PSA has generated over $1.5 million in donated media value.

As the largest media campaign to improve cultural acceptance of gun ownership, hunting and target shooting among the general population, the 60-second PSA features double exposure visuals showing landscapes across the country and narration that educates viewers on how hunters and target shooters have been primary funders of wildlife conservation for over 80 years.

“With research showing that the activities of hunting and target shooting have lost the support of more than ten million voting-age Americans in recent years, this messaging is more important than ever,” said Jim Curcuruto, OSCF executive director. “It’s time for the outdoor industry to wake up to the fact that we are losing cultural acceptance at an alarming rate. We need to reach beyond the choir with messages that highlight the vital contributions that gun owners, hunters and target shooters make to conservation.”

OSCF is working with project partners to distribute the “Keepers of the Wild” PSA to a network of 11,000 radio and television stations nationwide. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the PSA being picked up by stations nationwide. The campaign is projected to generate over $5 million in donated value and exceed 300 million impressions.

OSCF encourages organizations connected to hunting or target shooting to promote the PSA through newsletters, social media and website postings.

For more information about OSCF and its programs, visit www.OutdoorStewards.org or follow OSCF on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About OSCF

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of gun ownership, hunting, fishing, trapping, and target shooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers, and Shooters) and promote the positive contributions HATS make to society. To learn more about OSCF programs; “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag,” “Come With!”, “Connecting with Conservation”, “Donate A Deer”, and the “Outdoor Industry Communication Council,” please visit www.OutdoorStewards.org, follow @OutdoorStewards on Instagram or contact Jim Curcuruto at (203) 450-7202, jim@stewardsofconservation.org. The PSA is part of a grant project funded by a multi-state Conservation Grant (F24AP00307), which is jointly administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Five Reasons to Support Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation with Giving Tuesday and Year-End Donations

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – December 3, 2024 – Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF), a 501c3 nonprofit registered with the IRS, is inviting individuals and organizations to support its mission with tax-deductible donations this Giving Tuesday and during the year-end giving season. Here are five reasons to support OSCF: 

1. Improving Cultural Acceptance:

Outdoor Stewards’ “Keepers of the Wild” media campaign, currently running on radio and television stations across America, has received more than $1.5 million in donated media value. With over 70 million impressions, it is the largest public service announcement campaign to inform the general public about how the firearms industry, hunters and target shooters are the primary funders of conservation. The campaign works to improve public perceptions and cultural acceptance of gun ownership, hunters, and target shooters.

2. $500,000 in Free Research:

OSCF conducts and provides research free of charge that aligns with the needs of the outdoor industry, covering topics including:

• Hunting with AR Platform / Modern Sporting Rifles

• American Attitudes Towards Fishing, Hunting, Trapping and Target Shooting

Upcoming reports:

• Welcome New Shooters

• Impact of Youth Fishing Programs

• Determining Why We Are Losing Cultural Acceptance

3. Promoting the Positive Contributions of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers, Shooters):

OSCF manages several programs that highlight the positive contributions of the outdoor industry and HATS, including:

• Feeding the hungry - Donate a Deer

• Cleaning up nature - Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag

• Funding fish and wildlife conservation - Connecting with Conservation

4. Expanding Participation in Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Target Shooting:

Research shows that the best way to increase participation in outdoor activities is through personal invitations. OSCF’s ComeWith! program, which works with all aspects of the outdoor industry, encourages America’s 60+ million HATS to invite newcomers to join them in the woods, waters, range or field. Through this approach, OSCF is helping to expand the ranks of outdoor enthusiasts and ensure the future of conservation and outdoor recreation.

5. Communications:

• The Outdoor Industry Communication Council (OICC), managed by OSCF, consists of more than 100 organizations that use OICC materials to communicate positive stories about the outdoor industry and HATS.

• The Connecting with Conservation Podcast, a new podcast by Wildlife Management Institute and OSCF, was created to allow guests from manufacturers, wildlife agencies, and NGOs to share stories about how they and their organizations support outdoor recreation and conservation.

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation appreciates any support from individuals or organizations.

Tax-deductible donations are accepted via credit card, PayPal, Venmo, checks and product donations.

About OSCF

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of gun ownership, hunting, fishing, trapping, and target shooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers, and Shooters) and promote the positive contributions HATS make to society. To learn more about OSCF programs; “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag,” “Come With!,” “Connecting with Conservation,” “Donate A Deer,” and the “Outdoor Industry Communication Council,” please visit www.OutdoorStewards.org, follow @OutdoorStewards on Instagram or contact Jim Curcuruto at (203) 450-7202, jim@stewardsofconservation.org.

Outdoor Stewards Introduces Donate A DeerTM Program During National Wild Game Meat Donation Month

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – November 25, 2024 – Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation is reaching out to hunters across the country with information about donating an extra harvest to help solve the hunger crisis in America with their new Donate A Deer program.

OSCF’s “Donate A Deer” program is in alignment with National Wild Game Meat Donation Month that was introduced by the NRA’s Hunters’ Leadership Forum in 2023.

Research from the Hunters’ Leadership Forum identified that American hunters currently donate more than 64 million meals worth of wild game meat each year. Unfortunately, with 34 million Americans facing food insecurity daily, more donations are needed. The Donate a Deer program serves as a reminder that every contribution will make a difference.

The National Wild Game Meat Donation Month initiative also emphasizes the value of connecting hunters with non-hunters. Research indicates that sharing wild game with non-hunters can enhance cultural acceptance of hunting and increase support for conservation efforts. By inviting friends and family who do not hunt to share a wild game meal, hunters can raise awareness of the environmental and community benefits of their practices.

This season, OSCF asks hunters that, should the opportunity arise to take an extra harvest, they consider donating it. There are many butchers and organizations across the country that accept game meat donations. Hunters can access the Hunters for the Hungry website to find additional information on how to donate extra game meat. 

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation thanks you for being stewards of conservation and for helping solve the hunger crisis in America by donating a deer.

For more information about OSCF and all programs, visit www.OutdoorStewards.org. Keep up with the latest from OSCF on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About OSCF

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with all facets of the outdoor industry to improve cultural acceptance of gun ownership, hunting, fishing, trapping, and target shooting. We use research-based communications and engagement programs that help recruit the next generation of HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers, and Shooters) and promote the positive contributions HATS make to society. To learn more about OSCF programs; “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag,” “Come With!”, “Connecting with Conservation”, “Donate A Deer”, and the “Outdoor Industry Communication Council,” please visit www.OutdoorStewards.org, follow @OutdoorStewards on Instagram or contact Jim Curcuruto at (203) 450-7202, jim@stewardsofconservation.org.