Pure Fishing, Shimano and Winchester honored as O.F.A.H. conservation partners

OFAH FILE: 842/800
March 8, 2005

Pure Fishing, Shimano and Winchester honored as O.F.A.H. conservation partners

Behind every great organization, there are great members and great sponsors. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is proud to be supported by both.

“The O.F.A.H. depends very heavily on the support of the fishing and hunting industry. That’s why the O.F.A.H. Board of Directors decided that it was time to recognize some of our corporate partners who make it possible to deliver programs such as O.F.A.H. Tackle Share, O.F.A.H. Ontario Angler Awards, The Angler and Hunter Television, and the new O.F.A.H. Fisheries Research Unit,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director.

At last month’s O.F.A.H. 77th Annual Wildlife Conference in Toronto, the Federation presented its inaugural industry awards to three recipients: Pure Fishing Canada, Shimano Canada and Winchester Ammunition.

Shimano Canada’s C.E.O., Tom Brooke, proudly accepted the O.F.A.H. Conservation Partner Award but returned praise to the organization that presented it. “As a company in the sport fishing industry, we’ve always tried to ensure a good balance between business and our share to invest in conservation. At Shimano Canada, we’re very fortunate to work in a corporate environment that encourages social-corporate responsibility. The where’s and how’s are easy to determine when we have the opportunity to work with the dedicated professionals and volunteers of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.”

Pure Fishing’s National Sales Manager, Cam Thomson also accepted his company’s award with encouraging words for O.F.A.H. members. “I’m very proud of this organization. Just keep up the good work, and you can count on our support into the future,” he said. Pure Fishing is famous for its family of fishing brands such as Berkley, but anglers also know them as a leading sponsor of O.F.A.H. Tackle Share, the popular fishing equipment lending program. Last year, Berkley became a proud sponsor of the new O.F.A.H. Ontario Angler Awards.

In the category of hunting, Winchester Ammunition (the official ammo of The Angler and Hunter Television) received its O.F.A.H. Conservation Partner Award for being at the forefront of conservation education and fish and wildlife programs, including the O.F.A.H. Women’s Outdoors Weekend and wild turkey hunting seminars.

“To the staff of the Federation, to the executive, and more importantly to you, the members and member clubs, you’re the ones who make it happen to preserve hunting traditions in Canada,” said Steve Cuppy, President of Graywood Sporting Group and representative of Winchester Ammunition in Canada.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the largest, nonprofit fishing, hunting and conservation organization in Ontario, representing 78,000 members and 650 member clubs.

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