By on in Texas Hunting
Going from strength to strength, the world’s largest and premier advocate for wild sheep broke more conservation fundraising records for the benefit of wild sheep worldwide during the 2014 Wild Sheep Foundation Convention & Sporting Expo “The Sheep Show” during “Sheep Week” January 22-25, 2014 in Reno, Nevada.
More than $3.5 million was raised for state, provincial and tribal agencies and their wildlife conservation initiatives alone through the sale of special permits and tags — a 15.5 percent increase over the prior record-breaking 2013 event.
“During our 2013 event, WSF raised the bar for wild sheep conservation setting six new permit sales records and one new world record for permit and tag sales. We raised the bar even higher in 2014 with ten new permit bid price records generating more critical funding for budget strapped state, provincial and tribal wildlife agencies” WSF President & CEO, Gray N. Thornton noted. “WSF put more than $3.925 million on the ground towards mission programs during 2013 — more than $750 for every WSF member. Our record breaking 2014 convention success with $3.5 million in permit sales and more than $2.5 million in additional event fundraising, will allow WSF to do even more in 2014 benefitting not only wild sheep but all wildlife” added Thornton.
Wild sheep and other wildlife depend on hunter/conservationists for funding of programs that improve and protect their crucial habitat and that enhance their conservation. To ensure adequate funding for these programs and the Wild Sheep Foundation in perpetuity, the Wild Sheep Foundation launched in January of 2013 the Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep capital campaign, which includes estate planning, testamentary bequests, major and other gifts, specific program appeals and giving societies including WSF’s Marco Polo Society and the Chadwick Ram Society.