RMEF to Raffle $23K in Guns, Gear at ISE Consumer Shows

MISSOULA, Mont. ?More than $23,000 in hunting guns, bows and gear will be raffled at five 2010 consumer sports shows in the Ultimate Elk Hunter?s Raffle presented by International Sportsmen?s Expositions (ISE) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Raffle monies will be used for RMEF habitat projects in the respective ISE show states.

In 2009, RMEF passed 5.6 million acres of habitat conserved or enhanced, and over a half-million acres opened or secured for public access.

Five prizes valued at $4,500 total will be raffled at each 2010 ISE show, including:

? Denver, Colo.?Jan. 7-10
? San Mateo, Calif.?Jan. 14-17
? Sacramento, Calif.?Jan. 21-24
? Phoenix, Ariz.?Feb. 26-28
? Salt Lake City, Utah?March 18-21

To enter the raffle, show attendees may purchase tickets at the RMEF booth. Each ticket represents one chance to win a prize in a drawing. Purchasers can place their tickets into different hoppers for a chance at different prizes, or all tickets into one hopper to increase their odds for a special item.

At each ISE show, separate drawings will be held for each of the following items:

? Browning ultimate hunters package including Browning X-Bolt Composite Stalker in .325 WSM, gun case, X-Cellerator sling, Storm Gore-Tex parka and pant, XPO big game gloves and camo Buckmark cap. Value: $1,590.

? Remington XHR 700 in 7mm Rem Mag. Value: $905.

? Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .325 WSM. Value: $859.

? BowTech 2010 flagship bow (not yet released but promises to be another industry changer). Value: $850.

? Sitka Gear ultimate clothing package including Ascent pant, Core top, Jetstream jacket and cap. Value: $540.

See complete rules and drawing schedules at the RMEF booth at each ISE show, or go online Nov. 1 to www.sportsexpos.com for details and photos of prizes.

In addition to the Ultimate Elk Hunter?s Raffle, RMEF and ISE are partnering on several new ventures in 2010. RMEF is adding to ISE show attractions with its popular Great Elk Tour featuring a traveling display of world-class trophies designed to show that ?great elk need great habitat.? RMEF also is sponsoring ISE?s Adventure Theater, and Best of the West Elk Calling Contest hosted by former world champion Chad Schearer.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.6 million acres?a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

About International Sportsmen?s Expositions
For nearly 35 years ISE has produced America?s premier hunting, fishing and travel shows. Featuring as many as 500 exhibiting companies including leading manufacturers and retailers, guides and outfitters, resorts and lodges, and nonprofit outdoor organizations and groups, each ISE also offers hundreds of seminars, contests, hands-on special features, plus a huge Youth Outdoor Sports Fair that?s dedicated to creating the next generation of responsible outdoor enthusiasts.

New Pipeline Delivers Water to Arizona Elk Country

MISSOULA, Mont.? Elk and other wildlife on the parched Arizona landscape now have six new, reliable watering sources thanks to a landmark pipeline project spearheaded by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The partly buried 1½-inch pipe, 12 miles long, delivers useable wastewater from the City of Tusayan to areas south of the Grand Canyon?Arizona?s famous Unit 9 hunting area.

As part of this project, seven stand-alone water catchments also were built in the area.

The Elk Foundation expended $348,000 on this project using contributions from donors, proceeds from Arizona hunting permit raffles and grants from RMEF banquets and other fundraisers across the state. The Arizona Game and Fish Department provided $520,000. Other groups supported the project with volunteer labor and in-kind services.

Across the Southwest, water often is the missing ingredient for healthy habitat. In an average year, conservation agencies and organizations in Arizona annually spend over $100,000 hauling water into elk country. Severe drought can drive expenses way up.

?It took six years to design, facilitate and build this pipeline system but the valves are now open and water is flowing. From now on, in all but the most extreme drought years, we shouldn?t have to haul water into this region,? said Clair Harris, an RMEF member from Flagstaff, Ariz., who helped organize volunteer labor for the project.

Harris said more than 100 volunteers from every RMEF chapter in Arizona helped build the pipeline and catchments.

Over the years, RMEF funds and volunteers have been involved in the construction or renovation of over 30 watering sources across Unit 9. With the new additions, biologists agree the area now has a good minimum supply of water.

?Wildlife in this area is absolutely tied to these water developments and the new pipeline provides an efficient, reliable distribution system that will be beneficial for many species including elk, deer and other big game,? said John Goodwin, habitat specialist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Goodwin said the pipeline is supplied from a runoff pond at the Tusayan water treatment plant, supplemented with reclaimed effluent, snowmelt and rain. The pond is heavily used by local wildlife. A pump moves surplus water through high-density plastic pipe that won?t crush beneath vehicles, break from freezing or degrade in sunlight. The line is buried where soils are deep and runs along the surface where the ground is rocky. Water flows into six strategically located, fiberglass storage tanks averaging about 7,000 gallons each. Each tank is then connected to an auto-fill drinking device accessible to wildlife.

Stand-alone catchments are designed to collect rain and snowmelt on site, store water in 20,000-gallon holding tanks, and dispense water into drinkers.

The Kaibab National Forest approved the project after lengthy environmental analyses.

Goodwin credited the Elk Foundation and especially Harris as ?a tremendous asset for coordinating progress on the ground and rallying volunteer labor so the project didn?t have to rely on contractors or paid employees.?

Mossy Oak Treestand On TenPoint’s GT MAG Recurve Bow

SUFFIELD, OH – TenPoint Crossbow Technologies, a leader in the production of technologically advanced, high-performance crossbows known for balance and precision shooting, introduces the NEW 6 Point Series GT Mag, TenPoint’s newest generation in recurve crossbow power and performance.

Unlike the 2008 6 Point variable-position GT Flex recurve, which could be mounted in 180, 125, or 90-pound shooting positions, the GT Mag is a single-position 200-pound draw weight recurve that will launch a 420, 400, or 350 grain, 20-inch arrow at 307, 320, or 335+ fps respectively.

The GT Mag’s two-piece stock assembly features a one-inch longer UL TriLoc CNC aircraft aluminum extruded barrel equipped with TenPoint’s patented PowerTouch 3½ pound trigger. This modified 6 Point bow assembly will also accept the NEW 6 Point Series Defender CLS bow assembly, which can be purchased separately or in a unique combination package along with the GT Mag.

The GT Mag bow assembly features Gordon Composite laminated recurve limbs, which pound-for-pound produce the highest energy transfer rating of any crossbow recurve limb available today. At the heart of the limb design is a ground and tapered power-generating glass core supported by a uni-directional glass filler that establishes the required limb thickness and adds unparalleled stability and durability to the overall construction. This design package is then captured on both sides by premium S-Glass outer skins to complete a classic design, which now sets the standard for crossbow recurve limb performance.

All GT Mag’s come packaged with a 3x ProView Scope, 4-Arrow Quiver, and three Easton aluminum arrows with practice points. TenPoint’s patented ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50 cocking mechanism may be added as an option. The GT Mag is also available as a crossbow only with a peep and pin sight system.

Double-dip fluid imaged in Mossy Oak Treestand, the GT Mag is quieter and more compact and maneuverable than its recurve competitors.

Visit www.tenpointcrossbows.com for more information.

TenPoint Crossbow Technologies produces official licensed products of Mossy Oak/ Haas Outdoors Inc. Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, Mossy Oak Interactive, LLC, Nativ Nurseries and Mossy Oak Properties.

USSA and United Taxidermist Association Develop Partnership

Will Educate Youth about Outdoor Sports and Art of Taxidermy

(Columbus) – The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and the United Taxidermist Association (UTA) are proud to announce a new partnership designed to help educate everyone from youth to veteran sportsmen about the role conservation plays in protecting our outdoor heritage.

“This partnership is designed to build cooperation among both groups members and clients by enhancing opportunities for people to protect and enhance outdoor sports through education and first hand experience,” said Mike “Mac” McLane, Board member and UTA co-founder. “Working together with the USSA will surely boost both organizations’ public profiles also.”

New sportsmen recruitment is a priority for both the USSA and UTA as issues affecting our outdoor heritage are on the rise while at the same time, sportsmen numbers are declining as a percentage of the population.

“Both the USSA and the UTA share a common interest in strengthening opportunities for people to fish, hunt, trap, and shoot,” said Doug Jeanneret, USSA vice president of marketing. “This partnership represents a strong foundation for both to make that a reality by reaching out to the nation’s youth through programs like Trailblazer Adventure”.

The UTA and some of its members have been involved in the Trailblazer Adventure Program, developed by the USSA to introduce youth and their families to outdoor pursuits.

The UTA was founded in September 2007 by a group of like minded individuals, seeking to promote unity and professionalism within the taxidermy industry. The UTA focuses on advancing the art of taxidermy with special emphasis on education and youth. For more information about the United Taxidermist Association and its work, call (877) 534-4882 or visit its website, www.unitedtaxidermist.com.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

ADWA and Blackpowder Products Target Hunters and Marksmen

AUSTIN, Texas – Innovation and affordability are two buzzwords that in reality rarely coincide. The American Deer & Wildlife Alliance (ADWA) announces Blackpowder Products (BPI), a provider of innovative and affordable products, as their latest sponsor. Founded in 1999 and through brand expansion, BPI is known today as a parent company to many highly successful brands in the hunting and shooting industry.

ADWA director of operations Annie Jones says: “One of our main objectives at ADWA is to increase participation in hunting, and we realize that a big roadblock can be simple economics. We support businesses, like Blackpowder Products, who provide quality products that are affordable enough for the average hunter.”

“BPI is excited to work with ADWA in increasing our exposure to their member organizations and individual members, but mainly we want to support their efforts in promoting our industry through education,” says David Meredith, Customer Service Manager and Public Relations for BPI Inc. “They are making tremendous strides in promoting everything we love about hunting and shooting in a positive light.”

Located in Norcross, Georgia, BPI Incorporated is the parent company to brands including CVA, PowerBelt Bullets, Quake Industries, DuraSight Scope Mounts and Bergara Barrels. By utilizing channel and direct sales relationships with sporting goods wholesalers, buying groups, specialty retail chains and mass merchants, BPI ensures that consumers can easily find their products nation-wide.

BPI’s staff of industry professionals use their knowledge and experience to take a product or a brand from conception, to manufacturing and finally to the marketplace. For more information on all BPI brands, please visit www.bpiguns.com.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth of the deer and wildlife industry, and to help educate consumers and the youth on the conservation issues which affect deer and wildlife as well as the industry. For more information on the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance, call 877.331.8607 or visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org.

On Deer & Wildlife Stories: Land Owners Stop Further Urbanization

AUSTIN, Texas – This week Keith Warren and crew of Deer & Wildlife Stories visit Griffith Brothers Whitetail Ridge in the Hershey state of Pennsylvania. There, they examine the sacrifices deer breeders make, and the conservational benefits they provide by raising whitetail deer on their land instead of developing the land for residences.

“As the title sponsor for Deer & Wildlife Stories, the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance (ADWA) appreciates Keith Warren’s efforts in showing the public how hard work and determination can pay off for landowners, and also provides viewers with an alternative to further urbanization in this nation,” says ADWA director of operations Annie Jones.

Brothers Rick and Dave Griffith of Griffith Brothers Whitetail Ridge were planning on having their family land developed into residential homes, but decided to raise whitetail deer instead. The family farm has become one of the nation’s premier breeding operations, famous for their deer herd composed of several breeder bucks that score in excess of 250”. For more information on this special family farm, please visit www.trophyclassdeer.com.

Going across the country, Deer & Wildlife Stories takes viewers to visit the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum in downtown San Antonio, Texas. The longest running business in the state, the landmark houses over 10,000 mounts from around the world today. A great way for both the young and old to see the world as it was a hundred years ago, the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum boasts a monument to the famous ‘trick’ shooters the Toepperwein, a couple that traveled the country and amazed fans with their trick shots and bullet art. To discover a whole new Wild West experience, please visit www.buckhornmuseum.com for more details.

“Since the beginning of Deer & Wildlife Stories, our team and ADWA have been receiving positive emails coming after every show – we’re so proud that it’s been a viewer hit,” says Keith Warren, host of Deer & Wildlife Stories.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth of the deer and wildlife industry, and to help educate consumers and the youth on the conservation issues which affect deer and wildlife as well as the industry. For more information on the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance, call 877.331.8607 or visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org.

Mossy Oak Wins Golden Moose Award For Best Commercial

WEST POINT, MS – Mossy Oak, an industry leader in camouflage design and outdoor lifestyle brand, was recently awarded a 2008 Golden Moose Award from the Outdoor Channel for best commercial.

Mossy Oak’s winning commercial titled “Conservation” features Fox Haas, the father of Mossy Oak founder and CEO Toxey Haas, planting and growing oak trees. The message of the commercial is to take care of what we love, and the good that we do will live on long after we’re gone.

“Conservation is important to Mossy Oak and the future of hunting,” said Ben Maki, Vice President of Marketing for Mossy Oak. “And it’s not just about planting trees and managing game populations, it’s also about passing on the love and respect of the outdoors to those that come behind us. That’s what the Mossy Oak brand lifestyle is about and that’s the exact message we wanted to communicate with this commercial.”

Ronnie “Cuz” Strickland, Senior Vice President for Media Services said, “From concept to delivery, building this spot was a great team effort and all the more special because the concept, the talent and the delivery were all done in house.”

“It was an honor to work on a spot that so captured what we as a company are all about, and it’s an even greater honor to have that validated by our peers,” said Kevin Tate, Creative Director for Mossy Oak Productions.

The Golden Moose Awards honor the production teams and hosts of Outdoor Channel’s best and most popular programming of 2008. The annual Moose Awards banquet takes place during the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show each year. This year’s event was in Orlando, Fl., on January 17, 2009 and was attended by an estimated 2,500 industry leaders, TV personalities and lucky fans.

For more information on the Golden Moose Awards, visit www.outdoorchannel.com. For more information on Mossy Oak, log on to www.mossyoak.com.

Deer & Wildlife Stories Addresses a Growing Deer Herd

AUSTIN, Texas — Addressing a problem already persistent nationwide, this week’s Keith Warren’s Deer & Wildlife Stories takes a closer look at how a small community is dealing with deer overpopulation in its own backyard.

Sponsored by the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance (ADWA), Deer & Wildlife Stories talks to members of a small, close-knit Texas community, who appreciate nature and love deer but who understand too that overpopulation brings many problems for themselves and the animals they love.

Also on this week’s episode, Deer & Wildlife Stories visits with Len Jubinville of Deerstore.com. With many years of farming experience, including assisting in extracting whitetail deer from the wild to serve as seed stock for domestic herds, Jubinville concentrated his efforts on creating his now highly-respected deer handling equipment and facilities. Moreover, he created these within well-planned farms, today known as ‘Nature Agri Parks’ due to their environmental benefits.

“Len is a passionate individual, and he goes into detail as to what defines a ‘Nature Agri-Park,’ what it does for the community and for the people that enjoy the pleasures of modern day nature at these parks,” says Keith Warren, executive producer of Deer & Wildlife Stories.

Deer & Wildlife Stories airs on the Outdoor Channel three times every week — Tuesdays at 9am EST, Fridays at 2am EST and Saturdays at 5:30pm EST.

The American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a national non-profit trade organization representing deer and wildlife associations, industry professionals and equipment manufacturers. ADWA serves as the ‘national voice’ for regional associations and companies within the deer and wildlife industries and its sole purpose is to promote wildlife, habitat and land stewardship, and to grow the wildlife industry through education and aggressive public relations for its members.

For more information on the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance and/or to become a member, please call 877.331.8607 or visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth of the deer and wildlife industry, and to help educate consumers and the youth on the conservation issues which effect deer and wildlife as well as the industry. For more information on the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance, call 877.331.8607 or visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org.

QDMA’s 2009 Whitetail Report Now Available

On January 15 at the SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida, the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) unveiled the Whitetail Report, a detailed look at the status of whitetail populations and deer hunting in North America. Intended as a reference for the outdoor media, the Whitetail Report focuses on emerging issues and current challenges facing the whitetail. The document includes useful facts, statistics and science compiled by QDMA that will provide outdoor communicators with article ideas, valuable reference material, and quotes to use throughout the coming year.

To download the Whitetail Report, visit http://www.qdma.com/media/

Among many topics in the 68-page report, you will find:

• Trends in yearling-buck harvest rates and antlerless harvest, including state-by-state statistics.

• A look at the top states in harvest of mature bucks (3 1/2 years old or older).

• Trends in youth hunter recruitment and other deer-hunter demographics.

• The economic impact of deer hunting compared to other forms of hunting.

• The latest on the impacts of hemorrhagic disease (HD) and chronic wasting disease (CWD).

• Deer-vehicle collision data, and other suburban deer management issues.

Plus, many other current issues, as well as supplemental information on Quality Deer Management techniques, whitetail biology and the latest in deer research.

The white-tailed deer is the foundation of the entire hunting industry. Of active North American hunters, 78 percent hunt whitetails, more than the combined percentages for wild turkey, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, grouse, elk, mule deer and coyotes (survey by Responsive Management and the NSSF, 2008). QDMA created the Whitetail Report to provide outdoor writers, editors and communicators with a yearly health report for whitetails and – by extension – the hunting industry.

About QDMA
The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is a nonprofit conservation organization that works to educate and encourage hunters and landowners to practice biologically sound deer and habitat management techniques. Founded in 1988, QDMA has more than 53,000 members in 50 states, Canada and abroad. For more information, visit www.QDMA.com or call (800) 209-3337.

Haas Outdoors, INC. Announces the Establishment of Hatch Entertainment

AUSTIN (January 12, 2009) – Haas Outdoors, Inc., dba Mossy Oak, has established an integrated media and technology company — Hatch Entertainment (”HE”) — focused on generating and distributing original outdoor-related content across multiple media platforms. Based on current market dynamics, Mossy Oak believes there is a tremendous opportunity for a cross-platform media and technology company, such as HE, within the outdoor lifestyle industry.

HE was established through the merger of three assets of Haas Outdoors: Hatch, a production group located in Denver with such credits as the NHL, and Tour de France, and well known for delivering highly regarded content to such networks as ABC, CBS, ESPN, Versus, Spike and the Outdoor Channel; Mossy Oak Interactive, located in Austin and a leader in terms of features and functionality within outdoor-focused media delivery; and Mossy Oak Classics, a content library with over 700 finished shows and over 4,000 hours of unedited footage.

HE’s management team brings a strong collective knowledge base and 50-plus years of experience in the fields of media production, Internet technology and development, and sales and marketing. HE’s management team helped grow OLN (now Versus) to 65 million households through content production, advertising sales and sponsorship marketing. Additionally, HE’s team also brings experience in design, development and delivery of Internet technology as well as experience building outdoor-focused print, video and online businesses.

“We’re excited about the market opportunity facing Hatch Entertainment and look forward to growing HE to its true potential,” said Randy Russell, CFO/COO Haas Outdoors and CEO of HE. “As technology advances, media continues to blur the lines of traditional distribution…which offers consumers numerous opportunities to interact with their niche. As we work to expand HE, it’s our intent to create an integrated point of interaction, taking full advantage of multiple mediums for our consumers to experience…making our product not only sticky, but spreadable as well.”

HE has developed a true multi-platform network for the outdoor lifestyle. Content delivery utilizes broadcast and cable television, broadband video, Internet, video on demand, Internet Protocol Television (”IPTV”), print, and radio. Due to HE’s coding technology, its content easily can be distributed across any of these platforms. Currently, HE focuses on three specific outdoor verticals – Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Sports – and their communities of 88 million passionate participants in the US.

ABOUT HATCH ENTERTAINMENT
Established in January of 2008, Hatch Entertainment (www.hatchent.com) is a media and technology technology-based entertainment group focusing on delivering content through various technology platforms to the ever-expanding and highly engaged lifestyle sports communities. With offices in Austin, Texas and Denver, Colorado, HE currently works with a number of brands and distribution partners to bring award-winning content to the media marketplace.

ABOUT HAAS OUTDOORS
Haas Outdoors Inc., headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is the home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, Mossy Oak Interactive LLC, Nativ Nurseries and Mossy Oak Properties.

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