RENO, Nev. (AP) - Vice President Dick Cheney praised several of the nation's largest hunting groups at a conference in Reno today for being the true champions of wildlife conservation, not elitists in Washington D.C.

Cheney spoke to about 500 people at the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy. He said they are the ones who understand what conservation is all about. He says they have proven
that the people who are closest to the land are usually the ones
who do most for the land.

The two-day conference was sponsored by American Wildlife Conservation Partners, a coalition of about 50 organizations that includes the National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton League of America and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

It was called to enhance hunting opportunities and wildlife habitat for game species, although some critics said it was more about politics.

Cheney said in his speech, quoting now, "We must never lose sight of the basic truth: when it comes to wildlife and natural resources, the sum total of wisdom and concern is not contained in the office buildings of Washington D.C."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)