Washington, D.C. (July 19, 2017) – Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and other senior federal officials met with representatives of the outdoor recreation industry, including Archery Trade Association President and CEO Jay McAninch, at the U.S. Department of the Interior today to discuss how the use of public-private partnerships can help improve visitor experiences on America’s public lands and waters.

“One of my top priorities is to expand recreational access to public lands and waters. Today I’m excited to announce that, for the first time, the Department of the Interior will host a recreation advisory committee dedicated to looking at public-private partnerships across all public lands, with the goal of expanding access to and improving the infrastructure on public lands,” said Secretary Zinke.  “We already have thousands of private partners who operate on federal lands. Whether it’s the iconic Jammers in Glacier National Park, the historic El Tovar lodge at the Grand Canyon, or the kayaks that you can rent on the Potomac River, American workers are at the heart of helping American families experience our great outdoors.”

“The ATA is pleased that Secretary Zinke is moving quickly to implement public-private partnerships as a mechanism to maximize outdoor recreation on public lands,” McAninch said. “The public-private formula will ensure the public’s right to access to enjoy the great outdoors while providing the funding that will not only provide excellent recreational opportunities but also cover the critical infrastructure needs that have so often been ignored when support comes only from Federal budgets.”

Thom Dammrich, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association and a leader of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) began the meeting by introducing almost 30 offers of private investment on public lands totaling more than $80 million, calling them “just the first wave of thousands more opportunities that will emerge over the next few months.”  National Park Hospitality Association (NPHA) President Terry MacRae outlined 19 proposed projects in national parks alone.  These projects will help improve visitor experiences by modernizing accommodations, expanding connectivity, improving campgrounds, adding new services and more.

“The ATA is excited to work with staff of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management to use public-private partnerships to implement Secretary Zinke’s Order No. 3347,” McAninch said. “The order seeks to expand access for recreational hunting and fishing on public lands, and members of our industry are poised and ready to invest in making sure that happens. We are also pleased to hear that Secretary Zinke is directing Interior staff to coordinate closely with the state fish and wildlife agencies in prioritizing access for hunters and anglers. Bowhunters count on the states for scientific management of all wildlife, and having the states play a prominent role on Federal lands is long overdue.”

Outdoor recreation is vital to the economic and healthful well-being of America. The industry generates $887 billion in direct spending and supports 7.6 million jobs across all 50 states. Secretary Zinke, representatives of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR), key national park concessioners and Members of Congress discussed how improving infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and developing new and enhanced public-private partnerships will give the American people more opportunities to enjoy healthy, active fun on their public lands and waters, while helping outdoor recreation continue to grow as a powerful and positive economic force in America.

Public-private partnerships have existed on public lands and waters for more than a century and currently provide a vast array of services across the country.  From the iconic lodges of our national parks to world-class ski resorts on national forests, federal agencies and private industry have a proven history of working together to provide great activities on public lands.  Expanding partnerships – especially at campgrounds – would allow park rangers to focus on welcoming visitors with a great experience, rather than on less mission-focused activities like fee collection and trash collection.

Following the meeting, Secretary Zinke led the group to Simón Bolivar Park and a showcase of American-made outdoor recreation products as part of “Made in America Week.”  There are more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs provided by the recreation industry – producing boats, RVs, off-road vehicles, outdoor equipment and more.

ORIR, NPHA and experienced partners across the country pledged to collaborate with the Department of the Interior and other federal land management agencies. They offered innovative solutions and expanded partnerships to advance a shared vision of increasing access to modern recreational opportunities and enjoyable experiences for all visitors to federal lands.

For more information, contact Teresa Johnson, ATA’s senior director of communications and administration, at (860) 315-5231 or teresajohnson@archerytrade.org.

The post ATA Video: Secretary Zinke forms Recreation Advisory Committee appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

ATHENS, GA (May 5, 2017) – The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is pleased to announce that Josh Hillyard has joined the organization as a Regional Director for Region 3. Hillyard will support QDMA Branches and volunteers in Michigan, Indiana and northwest Ohio.

“I’m excited to combine my passion for hunting and white-tailed deer with my career,” said Josh. “I look forward to helping QDMA continue to spread their message to current members as well as engaging with other men, women, and children to let them know why they belong with the QDMA. I feel very fortunate to become a part of such a well-respected organization, and I am incredibly grateful this opportunity.”

A native of Michigan, Josh is a 2010 graduate of Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance, and he was previously the mortgage operations supervisor for Lake Michigan Credit Union. Josh had been a lifelong outdoors enthusiast, growing up fishing, camping and hiking. He was introduced to deer hunting in 2009 by his high school friend Mark Kenyon, who later founded Wired To Hunt. Josh’s passion for deer hunting and the outdoors had him yearning for a career in the outdoors, so for the past year in his free time, Josh worked as an intern for Wired to Hunt, assisting with video, social media, writing and editing for WiredToHunt.com.

“We’re excited to have Josh join our team at QDMA,” said Ryan Furrer, QDMA Senior Regional Director and Field Supervisor. “His experience and background are just what we need to achieve new levels of membership growth and action for whitetails.”

Josh will be replacing Regional Director Bob DuCharme, who is retiring on May 31 after 11 years with QDMA. Josh and his wife Kelly live in Brighton, Michigan.

Contact Josh to get involved with a QDMA Branch, or start a new one in your area, at 810-287-2281.

About QDMA

QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with more than 60,000 members in all 50 states and Canada. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com. QDMA can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheQDMA, Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheQDMA, and Instagram at www.instagram.com/theqdma.

The post QDMA Welcomes Josh Hillyard as a Regional Director appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

ATLANTA — President Trump received a thunderous welcome from thousands of gun lovers as he appeared here on Friday at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention to thank the group for its unwavering support of his presidential campaign.

A supporter of restrictions on guns before he entered politics, Mr. Trump became a fierce champion of gun rights during his bid for the White House, earning early backing — and $30 million in campaign support — from the powerful lobbying group.

“Only one candidate in the general election came to speak to you, and that candidate is now the president of the United States, standing before you,” Mr. Trump said. “You came through for me, and I am going to come through for you.”

The president was received as a hero, in part for successfully installing a conservative Supreme Court justice, Neil M. Gorsuch, who is seen as a likely protector of the Second Amendment. Mr. Trump in turn treated the gun convention like a political rally, joyfully recalling his election victory and mocking the journalists and Democrats who were confident that he would lose.

“Remember, they said there is no path to 270,” he said, referring to the number of electoral votes a candidate needs to win the presidency. “There is no route — there is no route to 270. We ended up with 306, so they were right.”

He predicted that he would have no problem dispatching any rival during a 2020 re-election campaign, suggesting at one point that Democrats might nominate Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. He referred to her as he did during the campaign, derisively calling her Pocahontas, a reference to claims she once made about being part Native American.

“It may be Pocahontas, remember that,” he said, prompting laughter in the cavernous room. “She is not big for the N.R.A., that I can tell you.”

Before the president’s arrival, attendees watched hours of videos assailing former President Barack Obama, Democrats and anyone who has advocated gun control measures. The crowd erupted in boos when the large screens showed campaign commercials from last year attacking Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee.

They also laughed as television clips showed members of the news media, Hollywood stars and even Mr. Obama predicting confidently that Mr. Trump would never be elected president.

“The eight-year assault on your Second Amendment freedoms has come to a crashing end,” Mr. Trump told the crowd after assailing Mr. Obama’s record on guns. Now, he said, “You have a true friend and champion in the White House.”

Mr. Trump, just shy of Saturday’s 100-day milestone in his presidency, stepped in front of the friendly audience amid a flurry of activity back in Washington. In just the past few days, his administration has released a tax plan and made and then rescinded a threat to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement, while Republican lawmakers reignited their effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act and Congress passed a short-term spending bill needed to keep the government running.

In addition to his Supreme Court pick, Mr. Trump has made some modest moves in support of gun rights. He signed legislation that reversed an Obama-era rule that would have required the Social Security Administration to provide information about mentally ill people for background checks on gun purchases.

Leaders of the N.R.A. heaped praise on Mr. Trump. Chris Cox, the executive director of the group’s political and lobbying arm, called Mr. Trump the “most proudly pro-gun presidential candidate” in history and accused the news media of lying about the number of people who watched Mr. Trump’s inauguration.

“The only number that mattered was the number who watched Hillary Clinton’s inauguration — zero!” Mr. Cox said.

Wayne LaPierre, the chief executive of the N.R.A., predicted that Mr. Trump would help wage war against elites in academics, politics and the news media. He called members of the news media “public relations flacks for the destruction of our country.”

Gun control organizations accused Mr. Trump of supporting what they call the “extremist” agenda of the N.R.A. In a statement on Thursday, two of those groups — Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action — vowed to oppose efforts by the gun group to “allow more guns for anyone, anywhere, no questions asked.”

Those gun control groups are planning a rally for Saturday in Atlanta to demonstrate their willingness to “stand and fight back against the N.R.A. leadership’s dangerous ‘guns everywhere’ agenda that contributes to the more than 90 Americans shot and killed and the hundreds more injured every day.”

In a statement after Mr. Trump’s speech, Gabrielle Giffords, a former Democratic congresswoman from Arizona who was shot in the head in 2011, criticized Mr. Trump for not confronting the problem of gun violence in America.

“It’s time for our elected officials to listen to the American people, protect our communities and reject the gun lobby’s extreme agenda,” Ms. Giffords said.

After the event, Mr. Trump attended a fund-raiser for Karen Handel, the Republican House candidate in Georgia who will compete in a runoff in June to replace Tom Price, who left his seat to become health and human services secretary in Mr. Trump’s administration.

For Ms. Handel, who has been a poor fund-raiser, Mr. Trump’s help is a boon as she competes against Jon Ossoff, a Democrat who is receiving enormous financial support from around the country.

Ms. Handel also needs to energize Republicans to support her in a primary that is likely to have low turnout. Her willingness to be part of a high-profile fund-raiser involving Mr. Trump suggests that she believes rallying his supporters is her best bet to defeat Mr. Ossoff.

The post Trump Tells N.R.A. Convention, ‘I Am Going to Come Through for You’ appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the Mule Deer Foundation to work collaboratively with the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to make significant improvements to as much as 10,000 acres of mule deer habitat on public lands,” said Miles Moretti, MDF President and CEO. “By focusing on rangeland and forest restoration, we can provide better winter range and fawning habitat for mule deer while also reducing wildfire hazard conditions.”

The Statewide Stewardship Agreement officially took effect in August 2016 and two projects were completed in the first months of the agreement. The first project, known as the Dry Ryan Project, removed pinyon pines and juniper that were encroaching into sagebrush habitat near Meeker in northwest Colorado. Hand-crews used chainsaws to thin more than 450 acres in a landscape that is identified as a priority focus area under CPW’s Mule Deer Strategy. MDF’s Northwest Chapter dedicated $2,500 funds to the project which helped clear 25 acres. The second project last year was the second phase of using a hydro-axe to “masticate” (mow and mulch) pinyon pine and juniper as well as larger shrubs within sagebrush flats in the Piceance basin. The treatment creates new or larger openings within dense vegetation which improves foraging opportunities for deer. MDF provided $16,500 to treat 60 acres through the stewardship agreement and CPW provided $29,400 to treat an additional 131 acres.

“Through the projects that we’ve already completed in 2016 and the ones that we are planning for 2017, we are targeting areas specifically prioritized in CPW’s Mule Deer Strategy,” said MDF Habitat Stewardship Coordinator, Stan Baker. “CPW documented a drop in mule deer populations on the western slope of Colorado and recognized that habitat loss as well as the decline in quality of remaining habitat are key factors in this decline. Our projects focus on the removal of encroaching conifers, improving existing sagebrush and grasslands, and increasing health and function of aspen stands in summer range – all of which will help our mule deer population, and many other species including sage grouse.”

Several projects are planned or underway for 2017. In southwest Colorado, the Dry Mesa project on the Uncompahgre Plateau will target conifer removal on 167 acres of BLM land which will complement an additional 566 acres of Forest Service land. In northwest Colorado, an additional 300 acres are planned for continued hand thinning of vegetation on the Dry Ryan project. In addition, 400 acres near Cathedral Rim are identified for shrub and conifer mastication. Near Burns, 487 acres of treatment will have both hand thinning and mastication in the Pump Gulch area. Just north of Rifle, 141 acres of encroaching pinyons and junipers will be removed using hand thinning on the Cedar Mountain project. Finally, more than 830 acres at the Hartman Divide south of Kremmling are slated to be masticated. While some of these projects are still awaiting funding, if all are completed more than $480,000 will be committed to restore over 2,300 acres this year.

The Colorado Statewide Stewardship Agreement between MDF and BLM will have significant impacts for mule deer habitat identified in CPW’s Mule Deer Strategy. These habitat restoration projects are indicative of how collaborative conservation can make a difference on the ground.

About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat, with a focus on science and program efficiency. MDF is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-3337.

Contact: Stan Baker, (435) 260-2360, stan@muledeer.org
Miles Moretti, (801) 230-2207, miles@muledeer.org

The post MDF Working to Improve Colorado Habitat appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

According to publically available documents on inforuptcy.com, Robinson Outdoor Products filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the District of Minnesota US Bankruptcy Court. Chapter 11 will allow the company to reorganize under the bankruptcy laws of the United States.

 We will be following this story closely as it develops. Check back for updates.

The post Robinson Outdoors, Parent Company of Scent Blocker, Files Bankruptcy appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages deer hunters around the state to share their harvest through the state’s Share the Harvest program. Administered by MDC and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), Share the Harvest coordinates the efforts of thousands of deer hunters, about 100 participating meat processors, numerous local supporting organizations, and a handful of statewide sponsors.

The program works by deer hunters donating their extra venison — from several pounds to whole deer — to participating meat processors throughout the state who grind and package the deer meat. The packaged venison is then given to food banks and food pantries for distribution to Missourians in need of food assistance.

Processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include: MDC, CFM, Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Gateway Area Chapter of Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Midway USA Inc., and the Missouri Food Banks Association.

Funds are available to help with processing costs when a whole deer is donated during all portions of the archery and firearms deer seasons. The Conservation Federation of Missouri reimburses processors a pre-determined amount for each whole deer donated. This allows processors to reduce processing fees to hunters. In addition, many processors have local funds available that allow deer to be processed for free or at a reduced cost. Hunters should contact individual processors to determine what funds are available. The cost of processing is the hunter’s responsibility when funds to help cover the full cost are not available.

More than 4,500 deer hunters donated more than a quarter-million pounds of venison from last season’s deer harvest. Since the program was started in 1992, Share the Harvest has provided more than 3.5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians.

Find participating processors in the MDC “2016 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet available where permits are sold, online, or by calling MDC at 573-751-4115 or the Conservation Federation of Missouri at 573-634-2322.

The post Missouri Deer Hunters Encouraged to Share the Harvest appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

Contestants can enter to win by posting photos of them kissing a fish on Fin-Finder’s Facebook or Instagram page, hashtagged #KissYerFish16. Contestants may enter as many photos as they want. The winning photo will be selected by Team Fin-Finder and points will be awarded for creativity.

Get out there and start shootin’!

Full Rules can be found on Fin-Finder’s website.

Enter online on Facebook or Instagram.

About Fin-Finder

Fin-Finder designs and manufactures products that make bowfishing easier, more fun and more accessible. Pushing the limits of technology, manufacturing and materials to develop tools that increase accuracy and endurance from the bank to the boat. Fin-Finder products are sold in 47 states and five continents.

The post Fin-Finder Announces Kiss Yer Fish Photo Contest appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

The post Plano Synergy Partners With Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

A recent press release posted in The Outdoor Wire newsletter on September 3 confirms that the second leg of the Triple Crown of Bowhunting, a national championship put on by the International Bowhunting Organization, will be held at the Fairfax Recreation Area at Monroe Lake in Bloomington, Indiana.

The release reads as follows:

Monroe Lake will host an estimated 1,200 bowhunters in a national archery competition next summer.

The “second leg” of the International Bowhunting Organization’s (IBO) National Championship Triple Crown tournament will run from June 10-12 at Fairfax State Recreation Area.

The Triple Crown of Bowhunting consists of three tournaments hosted in separate states. National championships are awarded for various age, sex and equipment classes.

Initial planning and prep work for the tournament site at Monroe Lakes Fairfax State Recreation Area has already begun.

“There will be 10 to 15 courses, with around 200 total targets,” said Corey Rieman, Monroe Lake assistant property manager. “We will be using most of the fields and woods on the western side of the recreation area.”

New shooters are welcome. Those who aren’t IBO members are allowed to participate in one IBO tournament as a guest.

“We hope that local bowhunters take advantage of this opportunity,” Monroe Lake property manager James Roach said.

There also will be a large vendor area open to tournament participants and the general public.

Local vendors interested in participating should call (812) 837-9546.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

-30-

The IBO is an organization aiming to “promote, encourage, and foster the sport of bowhunting” by unifying bowhunters around the globe.

During the Triple Crown championship, a national level competition with three legs around the United States, those competing can participate in shooting the IBO Bowhunter Defense Fund Range. All fees from this range are dedicated to the defense and preservation of bowhunting, which has, in the wake of increased hostility towards hunting, seen its fair share of opposition.

Those more interested in the mission of the IBO should visit their website for more information about the organization, as well as news on the 2016 Triple Crown of Bowhunting.

The post Monroe Lake Hosting Triple Crown of Bowhunting appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.

The Chula Vista resort is ideal for a family getaway or a wonderful shooting experience. Further, some of the top equipment manufacturers will have hands-on demonstrations of their latest gear, as well as hourly drawings for amazing prizes.

The P&Y Bowhunters Rendezvous will feature:

• Six (6) themed 3D diorama shooting courses including Predator, African, Sheep Country, Western Plains, North American Big Game and Deer/Hog Country featuring McKenzie & Rinehart targets

• Long-distance shooting course and tournament

• Judo (stump shooting) course

• Broadhead shooting course

• 3D Pop-up range (open shooting and tournament)

• Arial Archery Flying disk range

• 18-hole Archery Golf (Mt. Morris, WI – 45 minutes from venue)

• The Iron Bear Shooting Challenge

• The Genesis Bow Challenge (Adults/Youth)

• Bowfishing shoot venue (sponsored by Muzzy)

• Kids’ shooting area (S3DA and NASP sponsored)

• Friday and Saturday family oriented nightly dinners

• Big Game Hunt auction – 10-12 big game hunts

• Bowhunting seminars

Manufacturers who wish to have a booth or are interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Rick Mowery at: rick@pope-young.org or by phone at: 989.884.3800

For additional information visit: pope-young.org

The post Pope & Young Announce Bowhunters Rendezvous appeared first on Inside Archery Archery Newsfeed.