10 great hunting and conservation organizations for this season’s charitable giving

With the holidays and the end of the calendar year rapidly approaching, many of us seek charities to which to donate, either for altruistic reasons or for the sake of lowering our tax burden. Regardless of your motivation, if you’re an outdoorsman, no doubt you want your charitable contribution to go to a cause dear to your heart: the preservation of our hunting pastime, the education of non-hunters about our way of life, and the conservation of species we pursue and their habitats.

Here are 10 excellent not-for-profit outdoor organizations that would welcome your charitable contribution and put it to good use.

1. Blood Origins – Our friend Robbie Kroger has created a unique initiative with Blood Origins: They deliver persuasive, authentic stories of hunting and conservation in an eye-catching format to powerfully convey the importance of hunting to the uninformed or those who are against it altogether.
2. National Deer Association – The recent result of the Quality Deer Management Association and the National Deer Alliance combining forces, the NDA is one of the foremost deer conservation organizations. They’re committed to improving the way deer are managed throughout the U.S.
3. Pheasants Forever – Since forming in 1982, Pheasants Forever has created or enhanced wildlife habitat on more than 15.8 million acres across the United States and parts of Canada. With a network of more than 700 chapters and 149,000 members throughout the United States and Canada, Pheasants Forever is able to accomplish thousands of wildlife habitat projects annually.
4. Ducks Unlimited – Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. DU has conserved more than 14 million acres since 1937.
5. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – Founded more than 36 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership nearly 235,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.9 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. 
6. Boone and Crockett Club – Since 1887, it has been the mission of the Boone and Crockett Club to promote the conservation and management of wildlife, especially big game, and its habitat, to preserve and encourage hunting, and to maintain the highest ethical standards of fair chase and sportsmanship in North America.
7. Wild Sheep Foundation – Founded in 1977, the Wild Sheep Foundation is the conservation organization dedicated to restoring wild sheep populations that dwindled to historical lows in North America in the 1950s and ‘60s. The Wild Sheep Foundation, its chapters, and its affiliates actively fund initiatives throughout North America and beyond to accomplish its purpose and mission: ensuring wild sheep populations and their habitats worldwide are effectively managed, accessible, utilized, and supported by interested stakeholders.
8. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters.
9. National Wild Turkey Federation – When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of dedicated work, that number hit a historic high of almost seven million turkeys thanks to the tremendous efforts of NWTF’s dedicated volunteers, professional staff, and committed partners.
10. Ruffed Grouse Society – Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and other wildlife.