Maryland DNR buys 110 IHEA/Remington Outdoor Foundation firearm training sets

The Maryland Natural Resources Police, an arm of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is providing new safety training resources to its hunter education instructors with a recent purchase of 110 firearm training sets from the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Remington Outdoor Foundation.

The new firearm training set features five firearms that include every action covered in Firearm Training SetIHEA's curriculum. Each firearm is completely disabled so it cannot discharge, which allows students to learn by doing with a tool that simulates an actual firearm in every way except for live fire.

According to Sgt. Linda Gaulden, supervisor of the Safety Education Division, the Maryland Hunter Education Program graduated more than 7,000 students last year and expects to reach that many again in 2010 with this innovative training tool.

"The Maryland Natural Resources Police is very excited about the IHEA/Remington Outdoor Foundation Training Gun Sets," said Sgt. Gaulden. "We feel the gun sets will greatly enhance our program, adding a whole new level of safety in our classrooms by removing live firing breech loading guns. The students will be able to handle five actions of firearms; we can use these to demonstrate shooting positions, crossing obstacles and fences, and tree stand and blind demonstrations. The list is endless as to how we will use these training guns in our teaching scenarios. They will certainly create a safer classroom environment while teaching the students proper handling of firearms."

Every firearm in the set - the Remington 870 pump action shotgun, Remington 11-87 semi-auto shotgun, Marlin bolt action .22, Marlin lever action centerfire 30/30, and H&R single barrel break action - features a blaze orange stock that is laser engraved with the IHEA and Remington Outdoor Foundation logos. These durable, high quality firearms are powder coated to make the metal parts resistant to rust and other elements.

"I personally was able to handle the training set firearms at the IHEA Conference in Colorado," said Sgt. Gaulden. "I was very impressed with the quality. The fluorescent orange stocks and forends will not allow these guns to get mixed up with your live fire inventory. The engraving on each gun that states they are a 'non-functioning firearm' is very clear. And the weight and balance of the training guns is exactly that of a normal functioning firearm."

A wheeled gun case is also available, allowing instructors to easily transport the firearms training set.

The firearm training set is ideal for IHEA as well as for law enforcement instructors and those who offer safety training at events introducing youth, women and others to hunting and target shooting.

"I think these IHEA training gun sets are a good investment now, due to the price reduction offered by Remington Outdoor Foundation, but the real investment will be the years of use we will get out of these sets and the thousands of Maryland Hunter Education students who will benefit from this wonderful training tool," said Sgt. Gaulden.

While the first order of 600 firearm training sets already has been placed, a second order will be made as soon as the minimum of 500 sets is met.

The 5-Firearm Training Set retails for $2,100 or $2,500 with the wheeled gun case. Nonprofit organizations can receive the special discounted price of $1,500 or $1,750 with the wheeled gun case.

Those living within the U.S. can place their order by contacting Tina West at Leorders@remington.com  or 1-800-852-7634.

Canadians can contact Adriana Maciocia at Adriana.maciocia@gravelagency.com  or 418-682-3000.

About the Maryland Natural Resources Police
Maryland Natural Resources PoliceThe Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction. For more information, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp/ .

About the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/ .

About International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)International Hunter Education Association
The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) is the professional association for the 69 member agencies and the 70,000 volunteer instructors who teach hunter education in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, South Africa and New Zealand. For more information, visit IHEA at http://www.ihea.com/ .

About Remington Outdoor Foundation
Remington Outdoor FoundationRemington Outdoor Foundation, which was founded in January 2009 as a nonprofit 501 (C) 3, supports the efforts of its partners to share hunting, target shooting and other outdoor traditions with youth, women and other participants while emphasizing safety, training and ethics. Remington Outdoor Foundation also upholds conservation principles through assisting partnership work on habitat enhancement, wildlife research and management projects. For more information, visit http://www.outdoorroadmap.com/ .

About OutdoorRoadmap.com
Remington Outdoor Foundation's website, OutdoorRoadmap.com, is expected to become the single online source of information and services related to hunting, target shooting and conservation. Outdoor Roadmap will host a vibrant community where visitors can trade tips, stories, photos and videos. By teaming with partners and a growing community of outdoor enthusiasts, OutdoorRoadmap.com will offer interactive maps and tools, product reviews, discounts on gear, event listings, training and licensing resources, and a wealth of outdoor information. OutdoorRoadmap.com will launch in September 2010. For more information about this state-of-the-art platform, visit http://www.outdoorroadmap.com/ .