PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department has awarded nearly $75,000 in grant funding for local sportsmen's organizations to provide public, hands-on, mentored projects focused on the retention of new hunters and anglers.

Of the 17 proposals received for the latest grant cycle, 16 were approved and will be given $74,503 of the available funds. A five-member panel rated and scored the proposals. Grants were awarded through a competitive application process that closed June 22.

Doug Burt, hunting and shooting sports program manager, said the Local Sportsmen's Group grant program is one way that Game and Fish supports these organizations, which are the backbone of wildlife conservation in Arizona.

"The Local Sportsmen's Group grant program is an investment in local organizations that, day in and day out, are teaching people how to be safe, ethical and responsible hunter-angler conservationists," Burt said. "Additionally, our focus is on 'retaining' participants, not just developing awareness and one-time experiences by applying the Adoption Sequence to this grant program and our existing Outdoors Skills Network."

The following projects have been awarded:

CouesWhitetail.com for the project "2016 Women's Javelina Hunting Camp," in the amount of $3,800.

National Wild Turkey Federation, Huachuca Gould's Chapter, for the project "Family Get Outdoors Camp and Predator Hunt," in the amount of $1,875.

Youth Outdoors Unlimited for the project "2016 Wallow Fire Turkey Science and Hunting Camp Units 1 and 27," in the amount of $5,900.

Youth Outdoors Unlimited for the project "Junior Elk & Squirrel Camp in Units 1 and 2C," in the amount of $2,500.

Youth Outdoors Unlimited for the project "Junior Javelina Camp in Units 20C, 18B and 16A," in the amount of $3,500.

Youth Outdoors Unlimited for the project "Junior Deer & Javelina Camp in Units 18B and 20C," in the amount of $2,000.

Phoenix Varmint Callers for the project "2015 George Knox Memorial Boot Camp," in the amount of $3,899.

Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club for the project "Youth Small Game Camp," in the amount of $4,500.

Ben Avery Clay Busters for the project of "Upland Bird Hunting for Women and Youth," in the amount of $2,717.

Arizona Elk Society for the projects "AES Youth Hunting Camps and Partnered Youth Hunting Camps," in the amount of $9,000.

Arizona Deer Association for the project "Arizona Deer Association Junior/Youth Deer & Elk Hunters Camp," in the amount of $5,500.

Quail Forever, Southern Arizona Chapter, for the project "Southern Arizona Quail Forever Youth Quail Camp," in the amount of $3,280.

Southwest Fur Harvesters Association for the project "Youth Trappers Camp," in the amount of $3,535.

Mule Deer Foundation for the projects "2015/2016 Youth Hunting Camps (6)," in the amount of $16,500.

Anglers United for the project "Anglers United Just for Kids Fishing Festival," in the amount of $3,000.

Desert Christian Archers for the project "Desert Christian Archers 2016 Javelina Camp," in the amount of $2,997.

To learn more about the annual Local Sportsmen's Group grant program, as well as a listing of Outdoor Skills Network recruitment and retention events, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/LSG.

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for the Local Sportsmen's Group grant program. The Local Sportsmen's Group grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona and funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, permit-tags and stamps. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state's general funds and operates on a user-pay, public-benefit model.