The Who’s Who of Conservation Organizations by R. Michael DiLullo R. Michael DiLullo Wildlife Conservation groups are looking for your contributions, but are their policies concerning hunting the same as yours? Every week I receive several solicitations in the mail and via email to join or contribute to a conservation group. And I am not alone, I am sure many of you are on some of the same mailing list as I am. Wildlife and conservation has become a business and raising funds, be it through contributions or memberships, has become very competitive among the countless number of groups out there. However, many of these groups are not clear on their agendas or stances concerning hunting. Also, local affiliates sometimes differ drastically from their national’s policies concerning hunting, firearm ownership and the shooting sports. So, who do you support and whom do you send your hard-earned money to with confidence that the funds will be used appropriately? Supporting a group or groups whose views and opinions closely match your own is a responsible and noble thing to do. As hunters/conservationists, it is our duty to support the organizations that support our rights and our sport. But, do your homework and find out whose goals you are really going to be supporting! Below is a partial listing of some of the more well-known conservation organization, this is by no means a complete listing! Remember to always check for policy differences between your local chapter and the organization’s national (official) positions before making a contribution or becoming a member. Pro Hunting American Forests Delta Waterfowl Foundation Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies The Izaac Walton League of America The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) The National Shooting Sports Foundation The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) Pheasants Forever Quail Unlimited/The Dove Sportsman’s Society (QU) Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance (TRCA) The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) The Wilderness Society The Wildlife Legislative Fund of America The Wildlife Management Institute The Wildlife Society Waterfowl USA Wildlife Forever Selectively Pro-hunting Defenders of Wildlife National Audubon Society The National Wildlife Federation The Sierra Club World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Anti-Hunting American Humane Association Friends of Animals, Inc. The Fund for Animals The Human Society of the United States (HSUS) People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)