Palin touts outdoors, conservation to Reno crowd

RENO (AP) - Sarah Palin touted gun rights to an audience of thousands at a fundraising dinner for an international big game hunting organization and called on Americans to "keep tabs on what the White House is telling us."

Emphasizing her belief that local governments should set policy, not "bureaucrats thousand of miles away" in Washington, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate drew on her experience as mayor of the Alaska city of Wasilla before she was elected that state's governor.

Palin also talked about her family and her love of the outdoors to more than 2,000 people, who paid $100 each for the Safari Club International event Saturday where she was the keynote speaker.

Hunting and fishing, Palin said, are part of America's "heritage," and she called for "responsible conservation" to protect the environment.

"Don't retreat, stand tall," Palin told the crowd.

The event was closed to reporters, but parts of Palin's speech could be heard outside the Peppermill's Tuscany Ballroom, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Woven through the Palin's speech were family stories, including her daughter Bristol Palin's role on the TV competition, "Dancing with the Stars."

Carol Kjorstad, of Pinedale, Wyo., said she was impressed with Palin's focus on conservation.

"Everyone knows that hunting won't survive without animals being protected," Kjorstad said. "I wasn't pro-Sarah Palin, but I really enjoyed what she had to say. There was so much common sense to it."

Dave Tofte, of Williston, N.D., said Palin stands for ideas he likes. "She's very pro-American," he said.

Heidi Smith, who is a member of the GOP's national committee for the state, said many in northern Nevada were anxious to see Palin and wanted her to do something for the party.

"... But right now, she is a hunter and a shooter, and that is what Safari got her for," Smith said. "They're paying the big bucks for her."