Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/68594
manage their land for wildlife. The nonprofit organization offers free hunts to disadvantaged youths, teaches hunter safety courses and promotes wildlife conservation. It was while conducting a youth hunt that Dittmar thought of asking Troop 137 to perform the census. He even offered to let them camp on his ranch. Ten Scouts ranging in age from 12 to 16 participated in the census. The first morning they were divided into teams of two and sent to pre-assigned blinds before sunrise. Outfitted with binoculars, pencils and a checklist, they were instructed to keep alert and document anything they saw during the next three hours. This action was repeated during the last three hours before nightfall. Despite intermittent showers, all the boys reported seeing plenty of wild animals. "That was the best service project I've ever done," proclaimed 14-year-old Tanner Guthrie. "It was a lot of fun, sitting there and watching all those animals. I'd do it again for sure." Part of what made Tanner's time so fun was that he and census partner Jack Penton discovered a bat in their blind. Official Sweepstakes Rules –No Purchase Necessary. Void Where Prohibited. Here's how to enter: Beginning April 16, 2012 through August 15, 2012, when you complete the official Fun 'N Gun Reader Sweepstakes subscription order form for any of the following with Sporting Classics magazine, you will earn an entry in the sweepstakes: a) order a one year subscription (six issues); b) give a one year subscription as a gift; or c) renew an existing one year subscription. To earn an entry, mail or deliver the official subscription order form to the address indicated on the mailing card found in the magazine. Subscription order form must be postmarked by August 1, 2012, and received by August 6, 2012. To participate in the sweepstakes without making a purchase, hand print your name, complete address, zip code, telephone number and date of birth on a plain 3" X 5" piece of paper and mail it in a hand-addressed, stamped envelope to: Sporting Classics Fun 'N Gun Reader Sweepstakes, c/o of Sporting Classics Magazine, P.O. Box 23707, Columbia SC 29224. All entries must be postmarked by August 1, 2012, and received by August 6, 2012, to be eligible for the sweepstakes. Entries must be complete to be eligible. Limit one entry per person, regardless of method of entry. Eligibility: Sweepstakes are open only to residents of the U.S., who are 21 years of age or older as of date of entry, except employees and their families of Sporting Classics Magazine, their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies. This offer is void wherever prohibited or restricted by national, state, or any other government laws. Subject to all federal, state and local laws. bat," Tanner insisted. Jack wasn't sure what species it was and didn't really care because bats weren't on his checklist. "I'm pretty sure it was a vampire Grand Prize: Franchi Instinct L shotgun and hunt at Joshua Creek Ranch in Texas! The winner will use the Franchi over-and-under while hunting at Joshua Creek Ranch. The 3-day, 2-night hunt will include meals, lodging and flight to San Antonio, Texas, from anywhere in the U.S. (Winner must provide a Federal Firearms License and any applicable state licenses in order to accept this prize). The whitetails and other animals that were on the scouts' checklist were compiled and presented to Dittmar after the evening census. The scouts counted 27 bucks, 53 does, 11 fawns, 3 axis deer and 47 turkeys in a 350-acre area. Their data was then used by Dittmar and his neighbors to determine the numbers and sex of the deer to be taken by hunting that fall. A few of the scouts volunteered to help with that activity as well. Unfortunately, the boys who did return to hunt weren't doing it as an official Boy Scout activity. First Prize: Sako 85 Finnlight rifle. (Winner must provide a Federal Firearms License and any applicable state licenses in order to accept this prize). Second Prize: (Two Winners) Zeiss Victory HT 10 x 42 Binoculars. Third Prize: Holland and Holland Bolster Bag. Random drawing: Winners will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. Drawing will be conducted on or about August 15, 2012, by the sponsor, whose decisions are final on all matters relating to this sweepstakes. Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of eligible entries received. Prizes will be awarded and winners will be notified by mail. All prizes are Winners: For a list of winners, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope, by August 31, 2012, to Sporting Classics Fun 'N Gun Reader Sweepstakes Winners, c/o of Sporting Classics Magazine, P.O. Box 23707, Columbia SC 29224. Sponsor: The sponsor of this promotion is Sporting Classics Magazine, P.O. Box 23707, Columbia SC 29224. SPOR TIN G CL ASSICS 206 non-transferable and no substitutions are allowed, except by the sponsor who reserves the right to award prize (or portion of prize) of equal or greater value. No cash alternative will be provided in lieu of prize. General rules: All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of winners. Winners will be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/ publicity release (where legal) within ten days of notification attempt or the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected. The Grand Prize and First Prize winners will be required to pass the (NICS) national background check in order to qualify for the firearms prizes. If the winners do not pass the background check, he/she forfeits the prize and an alternate winner will be selected. The Grand Prize and First Prize will be shipped to a licensed firearms dealer of the winner's choice. If any prize notification is returned as non-deliverable, the potential winner will be disqualified and an alternate winner will be selected. Trip may not be combined with any other offer and travel may not qualify for frequent flyer miles. Grand Prize hunt must be taken no later than December 31, 2012, unless the publisher agrees in writing to changing the hunt to a future date. Certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Seat selection and timing of trip subject to availability and confirmation of reservations. No refunds or credit for changes are allowed. All other expenses and costs, not expressly listed above, including, but not limited to, taxes, tips, entertainment, transfers, transportation to airport to and from home residence are the winner's sole responsibility. By participating in this sweepstakes, entrants agree to be bound by these official rules and the decisions of the judges. By accepting a prize, winners agree that the sponsor, its employees, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, will have no liability for any injury, loss or damages (including death) of any kind to persons, from the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of a prize or participation in this sweepstakes or any sweepstakes- or prize-related activity. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission to the sponsor and its agencies to use the winners' names and/ or likenesses for promotional purposes without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. The sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, mutilated, misdirected or postage-due mailed entries.