Where to go from here

Once you have finished your hunter education class, we hope that you will begin to develop a lifetime interest in shooting and hunting. This section will give you a listing of organizations you can contact to learn more about your particular area of interest. Shooting and hunting are truly activities of a lifetime and we hope that you will enjoy them for many years.

Shooting Sports Program

Contact: Your county extension 4-H agent or the 4-H office at your state agriculture university. The 4-H shooting sports program offers local shooting activities to members. Programs include rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader and archery.

Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) 601 W. National Road Vandalia, OH 45377 (937)898-4638 Trapshooting is a way to learn the basics of shotgun shooting and is also a challenging sport that will help you develop your wingshooting skills.

National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) P.O. Box 67 State Rte. 62 Friendship, IN 47021 Governs muzzleloading competition in the U.S. There are opportunities to participate in rifle, pistol and shotgun events at locations across the country.

National Reloading Manufacturers Association Suite 300, 1 Centerpointe Drive Lake Oswego, OR 97035 (503)639-9190 Information about reloading and a free booklet with basics to begin reloading.

National Rifle Association (NRA) Competition & Training Division 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, VA 22030 (703)267-1500 A variety of shooting programs and competitive events for shooters of all ages and experience, including the popular Youth Hunter Education Challenge, at the local, state and national level.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation Flintlock Ridge Office Center 11 Mile High Road Newton, CT 06370-2395 (203)426-1320 Information on sport shooting, game hunting preserves and ranges. Also, "An Introduction to the Shooting Sports: a one-stop guide to getting started in recreational shooting.

National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) 5931 Roft Road San Antonio, TX 78253 (800)877-6338 Skeet shooting is fast-moving and exciting shotgun sport that is ideal for sharpening your skills for bird hunting. Programs range from beginning shooters to national and inter-national events for competitors.

USA Shooting (USAS) 1 Olympic Plaza Colorado, CO 80909 (719)578-4890 The national governing body for the sport of Olympic Shooting. Responsible for selecting and training shooting sports teams to represent the United States.

American Red Cross Homepage: http://www.redcross.org/

Hunting and Conservation

Ducks Unlimited One Waterfowl Way Memphis, TN 83120 (901)758-3825 Dedicated to protect, enhance, restore and manage North America's wetland and upland habitats.

Foundation for North American Wild Sheep 720 Allen Avenue Cody, WY 82414 (307)527-6261 Seeks to improve habitat and populations of wild sheep in Canada, USA and Mexico.

International Hunter Education Association P.O. Box 490 Wellington, CO 80549 (970)568-7954 Provides information about hunting safety and services for hunter education instructors.

National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) P.O. Box 530 Edgefield, SC 29824 (803)637-3106 For turkey hunting and conservation information, contact the NWTF for materials covering all species of turkeys, Junior JAKES and membership available.

Pheasants Forever 1783 Buerkle Circle St. Paul, MN 55110 (612)773-2000 Involved in habitat improvement projects and acquisitions.

Quail Unlimited P.O. Box 610 Edgefield, SC 29824 (803)637-5731 Works for quail and upland bird habitat improvement. Has chapters throughout the country.

Quality Deer Management Association P.O. Box 227 Watkinsville, GA 30677 (800)209-3337

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation P.O. Box 8249 Missoula, MT 59807 (800)Call ELK The elk is one of our most majestic game animals. The mission of the RMEF is to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife by conserving, restoring and enhancing natural habitat.

The Ruffed Grouse Society 451 McCormick Road Coroapolis, PA 15108 (412)262-4044 This organization uses education and leadership to enhance ruffed grouse and woodcock habitat.

Waterfowl USA P.O. BOX 50 Edgefield, SC 29824 (803)637-5767 Uses locally raised funds for conservation and waterfowl habitat projects.

Wildlife Forever P.O. Box 3404 Minnetonka, MN 55343 (612)936-0605 Wildlife Forever is a non-profit multi-species conservation organization. For more details, visit http://www.wildlifeforever.org