Whitetails Unlimited awarded a $2,500 grant to the Student Air Rifle Program which was developed by the Missouri Youth Sport Shooting Alliance. This brings the total WTU has contributed to SAR to $10,000. The SAR is a national school-based air rifle program that promotes safety, teamwork, focus, self-esteem, and marksmanship.
Since its inception 5 years ago, the program has trained instructors in more than 75 schools reaching more than 11,000 students. It uses school aligned units of study, teacher training, universal whistle commands, positive language, and standardized equipment. Students use .177-claiber pellet rifles, shooting at reactive and paper targets at 10 meters, in front of a safety backstop.
“WTU has been a partner of the SAR program since the start,” said Whitetails Unlimited Program Services Director Russ Austad. “It has been very exciting to see how far the program has come in the past 5 years.”
About Whitetails Unlimited:
Since our beginning in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited has remained true to its mission and has made great strides in the field of conservation. Thanks to more than 475 chapters, 114,000-plus members, chapter volunteers, and corporate sponsors, Whitetails Unlimited has earned the reputation of being the nation’s premier organization dedicating its resources to the betterment of the white-tailed deer and its environment. Our mission is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the shooting sports and hunting tradition for future generations. To date, Whitetails Unlimited has expended more than $109.9 million on program services and activities that continue to enhance, and ultimately foster, our mission.
