Author: Adam Back

Quail Forever is proud to announce the hiring of Ayden Carey to serve as a regional field representative in southern Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In her new role, she will support volunteers in all three states, with 35 local chapters and more than 4,600 members. Carey will collaborate with volunteer chapters to enhance conservation efforts on public and private lands for quail and other wildlife.

“Ayden brings five years of dependable customer service and support to The Habitat Organization, and he is eager to begin helping chapters fulfill the mission in his region,” said Jerry McDonald, field services manager for Quail Forever. “As an avid athlete, hunter and fisherman, he is eager to start connecting with chapter leaders who share similar passions.”

Quail Forever empowers county and local chapters with the responsibility of determining how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent – ​​the only national conservation organization to operate through this grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers can see the fruits of their efforts at the local level, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice in federal and state conservation policy. Carey will be responsible for helping chapters achieve these local conservation outcomes, while also connecting them to Quail Forever on a national scale. Additionally, she will be tasked with helping to bring about Quail Forever’s Call of the Highlands national campaign, which will close its final chapter at the National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in February 2023.

Carey grew up in St. Clair, Mo., and graduated from Southeastern Missouri State University with a degree in scientific economics in 2017. Before assuming her new position, Carey was a sales operations leader at American Metals Supply. He is an avid waterfowl and turkey hunter, as well as a crappie fisherman, and spends the fall months chasing birds with his black Lab, Blue.

“For starters, the thing I look forward to the most is meeting all the great chapter volunteers in my region,” said Carey. “I want them to know that I am available and ready to help them when they need it, and that our conservation successes will be built together.”

For more information about Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana, contact Ayden Carey at 314-288-5646 or [email protected].

About Quail Forever

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 400,000 members, supporters, and partners is dedicated to protecting our highlands through habitat improvement, public access, education, and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determines how 100 percent of its locally raised funds are spent – ​​the only national conservation organization to operate through this grassroots structure. Since its inception in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 567,500 habitat projects benefiting 22 million acres.

Complete goggle protection kit with four interchangeable lenses
Glasses meet ANSI specifications and ballistic glasses

Whether you’re a shooter, hunter or outdoor enthusiast, you’ll need to be prepared to adapt to a wide range of changing environments. That’s why Pyramex® has developed Venture Gear® Drop Zone® Goggles, a complete eye protection kit with multiple interchangeable lenses, providing unparalleled protection and visual acuity, designed specifically for sport hunting and shooting applications.

Venture Gear Drop Zone meets strict ANSI Z87 safety standards (as well as CE EN166) for high impact protection. Plus, Drop Zone’s level of protection goes a step further and meets MIL-PRF-32432 high-velocity impact ballistic standards, providing the highest protection available for eyewear. This level of protection is vital when facing potential hazards during shooting sports or hunting activities. Drop Zone comes with four interchangeable lenses including: Clear, Forest Grey, Orange, and Vermilion. Lenses are easily changed, allowing wearers to adapt their vision to changing light conditions. The four 7-base wraparound lenses incorporate Pyramex’s exclusive H2X anti-fog technology, which means that if the shooting action heats up, the wearer’s field of vision will remain sharp. Extremely lightweight Drop Zone eyewear features stylish contoured temples and a soft rubber nose piece for all day comfort. The sunglasses’ unique design provides wrap-around protection that not only provides ballistic impact resistance, but the lenses are also UV rated and visible light filters to prevent harmful rays from affecting your vision.

Pyramex Safety offers high quality safety products through its innovative and stylish product lines. The company designs and manufactures a variety of personal protective equipment, from eye, head, hand, welding, cooling, and hearing protection to high-visibility workwear, respirators, and ergonomic equipment. Founded in 1991, the company has more than 3,000 distributors in more than 65 countries and is committed to investing countless hours in research, design and testing to ensure that Pyramex products meet the highest industry safety standards. For more information on Pyramex Safety, visit www.pyramexsafety.com.

Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument preserves valuable fish and wildlife habitat, historic military site

EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. – Valuable wildlife habitat in central Colorado will be permanently preserved following today’s designation as Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument by President Joe Biden. Encompassing more than 10,000 acres of critical winter range for elk and mule deer habitat, migration corridors and headwater fisheries, the area is also home to a historic military site, Camp Hale, a the Second World War.

A broad coalition of hunting and fishing groups, including the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, have long advocated for the area’s long-term conservation. BHA staff were present in Colorado today, where the president announced his decision and praised the administration’s decision.

“Hunters and fishermen in Colorado have been working with local communities for more than a decade to permanently conserve these public lands and waters and important fish and wildlife habitat,” said BHA Conservation Director John Gale, who was present for the president’s announcement. “We are pleased with the administration’s decision to heed the call of millions of citizens and take far-sighted action in support of these irreplaceable landscapes.

“The Antiquities Act is a crucial tool for conserving great landscapes, ensuring important habitat for fish and wildlife, and maintaining hunting and angling opportunities,” Gale continued. “Since President Theodore Roosevelt signed it into law in 1906, it has been used by 17 presidents, both Republicans and Democrats, to ensure the long-term conservation of places important to hunters and fishermen.”

Today marks the first time that President Biden has exercised his executive authority to create a national monument under the Antiquities Act. It also culminates a years-long community-driven effort by a variety of diverse interests, including hunters and fishermen, to conserve specific lands and waters in Colorado. Legislation known as the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, or CORE Act, that would accomplish this has passed the House five times, but has so far failed to advance in the Senate. Today’s administration announcement takes a step toward fulfilling the promise of the CORE Act.

“Camp Hale is an essential piece of US military history, but it is often forgotten outside of Colorado,” said Trevor Hubbs, BHA Armed Services Initiative coordinator. “Camp Hale is where the Army’s first Mountain Unit was born and where it would be called the 10th Mountain Division, a light infantry division, trained to insert itself into the European theater of World War II.

“The creation of the Tenth Mountain depended on the volunteerism of American outdoor men and women who could thrive in the high alpine conditions in which they were asked to fight,” Hubbs continued. “Hunters, trappers, skiers and climbers were assembled, after the presentation of no less than three letters of recommendation each, to be invited to train with the 10th.

“Camp Hale was built specifically to train these volunteers for an alpine mission in northwestern Europe,” said Hubbs. “That mission reached the mountains of northern Italy, where the 10th was sent to clear Nazi outposts that had hampered America’s advance for months. The reputation of the Camp Hale training and the 10th Mountain’s prowess in alpine space is so well known that the 10th was the first and last combat division asked to take over the mountains of Afghanistan”.

Also today, the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior announced the start of a 20-year mineral extraction for more than 200,000 acres of the Thompson Divide region of western Colorado, which includes important fish and wildlife habitat. Existing rights will be respected under the proposal. This action was also included in the text of the CORE Act and has received strong support and commitment from local stakeholders, including BHA members in Colorado.

The BHA has always championed the United States’ system of national monuments and the judicious use of the Antiquities Act as a means of permanently conserving important great landscapes. Key to achieving this outcome is a process that adheres to specific principles and is locally driven, transparent, incorporates science-based habitat management, and upholds existing hunting and fishing opportunities.

In 2016, the BHA and a consortium of outdoor groups and businesses released a report on how national monument designations can support important fish and wildlife habitat while maintaining access to traditional hunting and fishing.

Read National Monuments: An Athlete’s Perspective.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the voice
for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.

Learn more about BHA:
Visit our website.
Connect with us on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter.
Find us on Instagram.
Watch us on YouTube.

http://www.backcountryhunters.org/

Howa, Legacy Sports International and Turner’s Outdoorsman, in cooperation with Tejon Ranch, are pleased to once again announce their sponsorship of the 2022 “Sharing the Tradition” Junior Deer Hunts. Junior hunters (ages 12-17) have the chance to win one of five fully guided antlerless deer hunts on the famous 270,000-acre Tejon Ranch. Additional sponsors for this event are Bushnell, Hornady and Girls with Guns.

This is the 19th annual Sharing the Tradition hunt at Tejon Ranch, which is the largest private ranch in California. To date, 252 juvenile hunters have participated in these hunts over the past 18 years on the ranch. The success rate for youth hunting deer has been 99%.

This is a free giveaway that is open to all young hunters with a valid 2022/2023 California hunting license and unfilled deer tag.

The winning junior hunters, along with a parent or mentor, will spend the night in secluded lodging on the ranch. The lodge has an amazing view of the mountains and a view all the way to the San Joaquin Valley.

All five junior deer hunters will hunt at the same time the weekend of December 10-11, 2022. Each youth and their parent/mentor will be assigned a guide and will use the guide’s vehicle for the hunt. With 270,000 acres, they may not even see another young hunter while out in the field.

A shooting range is located next to the lodge so that all the youngsters can demonstrate to their guides their precision with the rifle they will use on the hunt. There is also a first-class skinning rack that can hang up to six animals at a time.

After the first hunt of the afternoon/evening, all participants return to the lodge for dinner provided and prepared by the ranch staff. Tejon Ranch will also provide a continental breakfast and snacks during your stay.

The deadline to apply for this year’s hunt is November 12, 2022. All applications for this year’s hunt must be submitted online at bit.ly/2022juniorhunt. All information requested on the application must be completed to be included on the drawing. Please read the Application Rules and Requirements section carefully before applying. Winners will be notified by phone within one week after the drawing. Only winners will be notified.

All hunts will begin on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10:00 am and will conclude on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 10:00 am

All of these Sharing the Tradition youth hunts for the last 18 years have been organized and promoted by Jerry Springer. For more information or questions, email Jerry Springer at [email protected].

This is more than just a hunt for the youth and their accompanying adult. They will also see the wide variety of wildlife and the varied habitats of the ranch. Some of the animals youth have seen on previous hunts at Tejon Ranch include Rocky Mountain elk, deer, wild pigs, pronghorn antelope, bears, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, turkeys, squirrels, golden eagles, bald eagles, condors, quail, and more.

Good luck to all the youth (ages 12-17) applying this year.

Viridian Weapon Technologies is scheduled to attend the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Exposition in Dallas, Texas from October 15-18, 2022. As the most impactful policing event of the year, the IACP allows Viridian to exhibit its FACT Duty+ Gun Camera, the most advanced Gun Camera available to law enforcement and the ultimate police transparency tool. Viridian will be at booth #6424.

Since 1893, the IACP has served as the world’s largest association of professional police leaders and is dedicated to shaping the future of law enforcement through cutting-edge technology, education and research. The nonprofit organization hosts the Annual Conference & Expo in hopes of furthering its commitment to improving community safety through product showcases, training opportunities and networking. Viridian is honored to showcase FACT Duty+, the only product designed to show what really happened in an officer-involved shooting, alongside hundreds of vendors.

“FACT Duty+ is the culmination of our work with so many police departments, both large and small,” said Viridian President and CEO Brian Hedeen. “We are delighted to present the new product and its features at IACP. FACT Duty+ is essential for all officers who carry weapons, providing what really happened without the need for additional training or changes in tactics.”

The highly advanced FACT Duty+ weapon-mounted camera employs a 1080p Full-HD digital camera with a microphone and 500-lumen tactical light. The new FACT Duty+ also has the option of Viridian’s famous Green Laser technology to improve visibility and accuracy. Viridian’s patented INSTANT-ON® technology automatically activates the camera and microphone every time the officer removes the gun from its holster.

This not only eliminates the risk of not manually turning on the camera during a critical event, but also prevents the officer from handling cumbersome equipment. The biggest enhancement to the new model is the new Dattery™ data storage system that detaches from the firearm’s recording device for immediate loading and completely secure data transfer to multiple third-party data management platforms. This has been created especially for larger departments that have expressed a need for more robust storage capabilities. The Dattery can also be automatically loaded during download.

For more information on FACT Duty+ and how law enforcement is changing, stop by booth #6424 or contact [email protected].

About Viridian Weapon Technologies

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Viridian Weapon Technologies is dedicated to applying cutting-edge technology to design compact and powerful self-defense products for the civilian, military, and law enforcement markets. Viridian is the leader in weapon-mounted technology and responsible for a number of firearms accuracy, transparency, and ease-of-use innovations, including green and red laser sights, weapon-mounted LED illuminators, weapon cameras, and various firearm accessories. threw. Viridian products are designed and manufactured in the USA. More information is available at ViridianWeaponTech.com.

SPRO® Teaser Series Ponytail Stencils use the most trusted and proven solid colors in the game. Stripers and fluke can’t resist a Bucktail Teaser that enters the strike zone. Any serious angler targeting these species should have at least a few bucktails on hand.

While stripers and flukes are dumb for a bucktail teaser, these versatile lures will catch just about anything. Pike, musk, bass, and any predatory species with a mouth big enough to wrap around the hook is a good candidate.

Available in 2/0 and 3/0 hook sizes, Teasers are robust and designed to hook and hold the toughest fighting fish. Sharp points easily penetrate rock-hard mouths, and the rugged curve design holds its own against scorching currents in big water.

Teaser bucktails are designed to fish vertically in the strike zone or horizontally on a retrieve. They are versatile and designed for hobby and professional anglers who fish hard and require a durable lure that will catch the big ones.

Available in six different color options, the Teasers come in packs of 3 at a working class price. White, chartreuse/white and pink make up the classic colors loved by anglers around the world. Crazy Chartreuse, Glow and Zucchini round out the series with that extra bit of flair that can set the Teaser apart from other baits and lures on rough days.

Teaser Features:

• Sizes – 2/0 and 3/0
• Quantity: 3 per pack
• Colors: White, Chartreuse/White, Crazy Chartreuse, Glow, Zucchini, Pink
• MSRP: $6.99

We are Sports Professionals. SPRO works with the best anglers in America to design the best fishing tackle in the world. Using cutting edge technology and innovation, SPRO leads the way in developing the highest quality premium fishing gear available.

For more information please visit
WWW.SPRO.COM

Archery hunting success begins with a foundation of good shooting, and for young hunters, that means a bow suited to their size and strength. Barnett® understands the needs of aspiring archers and creates recurve and compound bow models for kids, big and small.

With Christmas just around the corner, parents looking for the perfect gift for their young hunter should consider a compound or recurve bow. Barnett builds the gift kids will never forget; the first arc of him!

Vortex™ Compound Bow

With a customizable draw weight from 19 to 45 pounds (at 60 to 70% unloaded) and a draw length of 22 to 27 inches, the Vortex Compound bow grows with the needs of the teen hunter. The bow on the right features a three-pin fiber optic sight, a catch arrow rest, and a three-arrow quiver. The compound bow is coated in Mossy Oak® Break-Up Country camo to hide from cautious play.

• Draw weight: 19 to 45 pounds
• Draw Length: 22 to 27 inches
• Pattern – Mossy Oak Break Country
• Age – Teenager+

Vortex™ Lite Compound Bow

This ‘lite’ version of the Vortex includes many of the same features, including a three-pin fiber optic sight, a catch arrow rest, and a three-arrow quiver. It is well suited for young shooters just starting out in archery with a customizable draw weight of 18 to 29 pounds (with 60 to 70% reduction) and draw length of 22 to 25 inches. The black finish on this right-hand model blends into the shadows, perfect for hunting.

• Draw Weight: 18 to 29 pounds
• Draw Length: 22 to 25 inches
• Pattern – Black
• Age – Teenager+

Mossy Oak® Tomcat™ 2 Compound

The Mossy Oak Tomcat 2’s parallel limb design reduces hand shock for an enjoyable introduction to archery. This bow is suitable for ages 8-12 and features a customizable draw weight of 17-22 pounds (at 60-70% unloaded) and a draw length of 20-22 inches. The bow includes soft touch finger rollers, two arrows and a quiver. Adding a three-pin “Brightglo” fiber optic sight allows precise aiming in all lighting conditions and at various distances. This perfect starter bow features Mossy Oak Bottomland Camo.

• Draw weight: 17 to 22 pounds
• Draw Length: 20 to 22 inches
• Pattern – Mossy Oak Bottomland
• Age – 8–12

Mossy Oak® Wildhawk™ Composite

Right and left handed shooters will love the Mossy Oak Wildhawk Compound. Its ambidextrous body with soft-touch grip suits all archers, making it a great beginner bow for younger shooters. Barnett designed this bow with kids ages 5-8 in mind. It has a draw weight of 18 pounds and an adjustable draw length from 20 to 22 inches. It features soft-touch finger rollers, two arrows and a quiver, plus an adjustable sight. The Wildhawk sports Mossy Oak Bottomland Camo, matching other bows in Barnett’s youth line.

• Draw Weight: 18lbs
• Draw Length: 20 to 22 inches
• Pattern – Mossy Oak Bottomland
• Age – 5–8

Mossy Oak® Centershot™ Compound

From its customizable 18- to 23-inch draw length to its light 17-pound draw weight, the ambidextrous Centershot is a starter bow that grows with the budding 5- to 8-year-old archer. Finished in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo, the bow features soft-touch finger rollers, two arrows, a quiver and an adjustable sight—everything a young shooter needs to get started.

• Draw Weight: 17 lbs.
• Draw Length: 18 to 23 inches
• Pattern – Mossy Oak Bottomland
• Age – 5–8

Mossy Oak® Vertigo™ Compound

The 25-pound Vertigo compound (traction weight) adds more power than other introductory models and is suitable for shooters ages 7-10. The Mossy Oak Bottomland Camo Bow includes a scope, arrow rest, two arrows and a quiver. Its draw length adjusts from 18 to 22 inches, increasing as the shooter grows. The Vertigo is an excellent first bow that will help hone a young shooter’s archery skills.

• Draw Weight: 25lbs
• Draw Length: 18 to 22 inches
• Pattern – Mossy Oak Bottomland
• Age – 7–10

Quicksilver® Recurve Bow

This recurve bow is a great choice for a future outdoorsman as it is easier for them to back up and shoot compared to compound bow models. For slightly younger hunters in the five- to eight-year-old age range, the Quicksilvers’ 15-pound weight and ambidextrous grip make it the perfect bow for beginning archers. They can learn to shoot instinctively. The finger roller, adjustable sight, and reinforced soft-touch grip make it a safe choice for kids to start archery with.

• Draw Weight: 15lbs
• Draw Length: 18 to 22 inches
• Pattern – Mossy Oak Bottomland
• Includes two 28-inch fiberglass arrows.
• Age – 5-8

About Barnett Crossbows

Barnett is the first and oldest crossbow company with a storied heritage. Founded in 1962, we are the pioneers of the modern crossbow. Barnett’s tradition of innovation has spawned numerous “firsts” in the archery and crossbow industry over the past 60 years. Barnett innovates and supplies a wide range of crossbows, upright and youth bows and archery accessories popular with both hunting and recreational shooters. Barnett is also the leading supplier of slingshots and accessories.

For more information please visit
WWW.BARNETTCROSSBOWS.COM

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcome Land Tawney, President/CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

Land Tawney is president and CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, a North American membership conservation organization based in Missoula, Montana. BHA is dedicated to serving as the voice of our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife.

As president/CEO of the BHA since 2013, Tawney has overseen the organization’s expansion from 1,000 members and a handful of chapters to nearly 30,000 members and chapters covering 48 states and Washington, DC, two Canadian provinces and one territory. Tawney works every day with a talented staff and more than 700 volunteer leaders to make sure that all Americans have access to public lands and products and to fish and wildlife habitat when they get there.

Tawney grew up in Montana, where he hunted and fished from an early age. He earned a Ph.D. in “Posthole Digging” at Family Extension and a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana in 2000. His conservation career now spans two decades. Before working at Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Tawney worked for other conservation organizations, including the National Wildlife Federation and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. He lives in Montana with his wife Glenna, two sons (Cidney-14) and (Colin-11) and Tule, a five-year-old black lab.

About Hunting Matters
Tune in to “Hunting Matters” with Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director Joe Betar as he engages in conversations with guests, from diverse backgrounds, who are passionate about hunting and conservation. Great discussions, news, hunting law updates and more! “Hunting Matters” airs every Saturday, 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. CDT on KPRC AM 950: Real Texas, Real Talk, a Houston iHeartMedia station, and Houston’s oldest radio station. “Hunting Matters” is also available via podcast on Apple/iTunes, iHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, PodBean, and Spreaker. Subscribe, listen and provide a review and rating. Hunting Matters is a 2022 Digital Gold AVA Award Winner and 2022 NYX/Marcom Silver Award Winner.

About the Houston Safari Club Foundation
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation and promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 646 scholarships totaling $2.92 million. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education, career training, hunter education, and field experiences programs throughout the year. HSCF has provided more than $4 million in grants for wildlife, habitat, and various hunter-funded conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We hunt. We give.

EDGEFIELD, SC — As the National Wild Turkey Federation prepares to celebrate 50 years of conservation work and the wild turkey’s incredible restoration story in 2023, it will also pay tribute to the elite competitive callers who made the Grand National Wild Turkey Championship Called the NWTF what it is. has become.

From 1977 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, site of the first GNCC, to today’s big contest in Nashville at the annual NWTF Sports Convention & Expo, many great callers have played a critical role in promoting the sport of turkey calling. competitive and paved the way for the future. men and women outdoors. Without his efforts to champion wild turkey hunting and song in the early days, millions of hunters who pursue America’s largest game bird each spring would not have the opportunities available today.

Voted on by former GNCC champions and their peers, five individuals have been selected for induction into the fourth class of the NWTF Grand National Call Championship Hall of Fame ceremony, to be held on Saturday, February 18. 2023 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention in Nashville. Center. This free event in the Governor’s Ballroom is open to the public to honor and celebrate five extraordinary guests.

“The NWTF Grand National Singing Championship has deep roots in the history of turkey hunting, which has benefited wild turkey conservation for decades,” said NWTF Co-Executive Director Jason Burckhalter. “These five calls were integral to the growth of competitive calls and the explosion of interest in turkey hunting over the years. We are grateful for their dedication to the NWTF and the Grand National Calling Championships, and we believe the example they set will encourage future outdoor men and women to join the NWTF and make their mark in turkey hunting, conservation of wildlife and competitive calls.”

The 2023 NWTF Grand National Call Championship Hall of Fame class includes:

Ricky Joe Bishop — Bishop has hunted turkeys for more than 40 years and began calling competitively in the late 1980s. His victories include the 1994 and 1995 NWTF Grand National Senior Championships, the 1997 NWTF GNCC Two-Man Titles and 2001, the 2002 Two-Man Team world championship, the 2002 US Open title, and the 1999 and 2002 Grand American championships. He also won the Mid-America championship and has many more wins and top-three positions in more of 100 contests throughout the country. Bishop has served on the professional staff of many major outdoor companies including Realtree, Lohman and Flambeau. He has been designing outdoor products for over 27 years, has patented over 12 products and has brought many others to market. He owns a company that has manufactured diaphragm calls for most major manufacturers for the last 25 years, with over 1 million calls produced.

crispy tucker — Crisp has 11 GNCC titles, including the first Champion of Champions (1997), three Gobbling championships and seven Owl wins. His other titles include: World Natural Voice, two World Gobbling wins, four World Owl Championships, two Mississippi State Turkey Song titles, five Mississippi Owl wins, the Louisiana State Open, the Louisiana State Open Friction, the Gulf States Classic, four Gulf States Classic Owl wins, Levi Garrett Turkey Calling title and Levi Garrett Gobbling contest.

matt morrett ? Morrett began her career calling turkeys at age 6. Inspired by his father, Tom, Morrett competed in his first called contest in 1976. In 1987, after competing for 10 years anywhere close, Morrett won the NWTF Junior Grand Nationals title. That year, he also won his first world friction championship and the US Open Friction title. Also that year, he began working with Hunters Specialties (HS Strut) and stayed with the company touring the country and developing products until 2012. In 1990, Morrett won the Senior Grand Nationals title. He went on to win four more world drag titles and two US Open championships, then ended his professional career by winning the 2006 Master’s Invitational title in Pennsylvania. In 2012, he joined Zink Calls / Avian-X Decoys as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He leveraged his 30 years of experience in the hunting industry to work for the Pennsylvania Game Commission as director of the Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications, giving back the resources that have given so much to his career and his life.

brand prudhomme ? Prudhomme has a record 17 overall GNCC titles (one Gobbling, five Owl, five Champion of Champions, six Team Challenges). He also won eight world championships, including four world owl hooting champions and two world gobbler titles. He is a two-time NRA World Game Calling Champion, a two-time US Open Owl Hooting Champion, and a two-time Grand American Turkey Calling Champion. He is a seven-time South Carolina State and Open Turkey Calling Champion, and holds multiple North Carolina titles (two NC Owl Hooting titles, four NC State Open Turkey Calling titles, one NC State Natural Voice Turkey Calling Championship and three NC State Open Gobbling titles). Prudhomme is the only caller to win SC State in all game calling categories (turkey, owl, duck, and goose). He was the first runner-up in the world turkey competition, twice the first runner-up in the US Open turkey competition and made the cut for the GNCC senior finals 10 times. Prudhomme, a 40-year turkey hunting veteran, is also a renowned custom call maker and winner of the 2021 Tom Turpin Award. He has co-chaired the NWTF GNCC Committee since 2018 and has judged many world and national competitions. .

lewis-stowe (after death) ? Stowe was a renowned call maker and won several turkey call titles, as well as two runner-up finishes in the NWTF Grand National Call Championship, in 1978 and ’79. Stowe’s accomplishments include wins at the World Championship (1981, ’82), the North Carolina State Championship (1977, ’78, ’81, ’82), the Georgia Drag and Open Championship (1980), and the South Carolina Open Championship (1976, ’77). , ’79, ’80). He also won the title of Amateur National Champion in 1976. Stowe placed 2nd at the National Championships (1977 and ’78), 2nd at the Mid-Atlantic Championships (1979), 2nd at the US Open (1977), 3rd at the World Championships (1978) and was a Southern Open champion and winner of the Southern Appalachian Open. Stowe, who passed away in May 2022, created the acclaimed Stowe-Away All-Weather Slate and Cob Turkey Caller.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working across borders at the landscape scale. Today, the NWTF is investing heavily in wild turkey research to ensure the future of wild turkey populations and is working to ensure Healthy Habitats and Healthy Crops.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) in association with the Outdoor Media Professional Association (POMA), has chosen the top three products in six categories, including Best New Rifle, Best New Gun, Best Shotgun New, Best New Ammo, Best New Optics and Best New Accessory. An independent panel of 18 industry judges, made up of NASGW members and POMA members, selected the finalists in each category. To qualify, manufacturers had to be NASGW members in good standing and the product had to have been released to the public after November 1, 2021.

“Every year I am excited to see all the new products submitted for the Caliber Awards,” said Kenyon Gleason, president of NASGW. “There were so many innovative products to choose from and we have another lineup of top finishers. It truly is an honor to be a finalist for the Caliber Awards.”

The Caliber Awards offer a unique and unbiased approach to recognizing and honoring innovative new products. The voting panel is made up of the people who buy and sell these products on a daily basis, as well as members of the media who review and report on these products in the field.

“The process for choosing the Caliber Award finalists and winners is truly unique,” ​​said POMA Executive Director Thomas MacAulay. “The finalists have been selected by professionals who are very familiar with the latest and greatest in this industry. So it really is the best of the best.”

This year’s submissions were the most recorded with over 160 submissions, narrowed down by the panel to three finalists in each category. Judges were asked to consider uniqueness, market need, product value, ingenuity, and presentation. This year’s Caliber Awards finalists are:

best new accessory

• American Outdoor Brands – Caldwell Claymore Target Launcher
• Coat of Arms – Z9 Magazine
• ZeroBlindSpot – 0BS-1

best new optics

• Holosun Technologies – EPS Transportation
• Leupold & Stevens – Patrol 6HD Riflescope
• SIG SAUER – ROMEO Zero Elite

best new ammo

• Hornady-Outfitter®
• Weatherby – 338 WBY RPM
• Winchester – 6.8 Western Copper Impact

best new pistol

• Colt – Colt 3″ Python
• SIG SAUER – P365-XMACRO
• Walther–Walther WMP

best new rifle

• Christensen Arms–Ridgeline FFT
• Trailblazer Firearms: Pivot™ Ultra-Compact Folding Rifle
• SIG SAUER – MCX-SPEAR LT

best new shotgun

• Beretta – A400 Xcel Sporting Semi-Automatic Shotgun
• Mossberg – 940 Pro Turkey Optics Ready Autoloading Shotguns
• TriStar Arms – LR 94

Winners of the NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards will be announced on October 25 at the NASGW Annual Appreciation Dinner to kick off the NASGW Expo in Kansas City, MO.

About NASGW
The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers is comprised of domestic and international wholesalers, manufacturers, independent sales representatives, media outlets and service providers, all of whom are primarily focused on shooting sports equipment and accessories. As a trade association representing the business interests of its members, NASGW’s mission is to bring together buyers and sellers of shooting sports. For more information about NASGW, visit the association’s website at www.nasgw.org.

About POMA
POMA continues to uphold its tradition of promoting excellence in communication at all levels. This includes connecting businesses and organizations focused on the outdoors industry with content creators who can help tell their stories and promote their products.