Senior officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Forest Service met with more than 30 representatives of the outdoor recreation industry, including ATA President/CEO Jay McAninch and Jas. D. Easton, Inc. CFO and Vice President, Daren Cottle, at Shenandoah National Park April 24 to discuss improving visitor experiences on America’s public lands and waters. The meeting was hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) at Skyland Resort – operated by National Park concessioner Delaware North.

McAninch also represented the ATA’s members in a meeting with Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke on Monday evening, discussing the impact of the recreation industry as it relates to creating sustainable opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors, including activities like bowhunting and archery.

According to the American Sportfishing Association’s press release, Secretary Zinke provided an overview of his design for a major departmental reorganization, which he described as the “biggest in 100 years,” which reflects the visions of legendary outdoorsmen John Muir and Gifford Pinchot. The reorganization will unite all federal lands around key ecosystems. He told the group that the reorganization will reflect recreation’s large and growing role in public land and water management and substantially boost on-the-ground manpower.

The wide-ranging discussion included plans for ongoing cooperation and collaboration, including the development of sites for innovative, partner-based recreation expansion on federal lands. The Secretary invited the ORIR to return with a list of at least ten sites within 60 days.

The meeting concluded with conversations about how ORIR and the recreation community could support the Secretary’s efforts, including the reorganization. The Secretary is eager to enlist the recreation community and recognizes the opportunities for use of channels ranging from trade and consumer shows to retail locations to social media sites and recreation print and electronic publications, according to the ASA.

Outdoor recreation is big business, generating $887 billion in direct spending and supporting 7.6+ million jobs across all 50 states. At Skyland Resort, ORIR members, key recreation company CEOs and senior administration officials discussed how improved infrastructure and increased opportunities for innovation and public-private partnerships will give more people the chance to enjoy healthy, active fun on their public lands and waters, while helping outdoor recreation continue to grow as a powerful and positive force in America.

“Access to recreation opportunities on Federal lands is critical for the long-term sustainability of our industry,” McAninch commented. “By teaming up with the ORIR and other outdoor trade organizations, the ATA strengthens its ability to advocate for our industry and the access needed to keep people using bows and arrows for many years to come.”

DOI Senior White House Advisor Doug Domenech outlined key goals and challenges, and emphasized the need to expand access on public lands and waters, saying, “the Roosevelt Arch says, ‘For the benefit and enjoyment of the people,’ and bringing people back to the equation is clearly an important issue.”

Meeting participants identified access as a crucial area where the private sector can help federal partners improve visitor experiences in the great outdoors. They discussed the negative impact of access restrictions and the value of adopting practices to help enhance access to public lands and waters, including a “yes first” mentality, the streamlining of permitting processes, and closer management partnerships with state fish and wildlife agencies and the recreation industry.

Participants also discussed the importance of providing visitors with world-class experiences in these world-class places, and the role private industry can play in upgrading facilities, increasing connectivity, implementing electronic passes, modernizing campsites, developing access for hunting and fishing, creating new recreation opportunities such as shooting, and more.

“It was a privilege to be included in the ORIR’s discussions with DOI and Forest Service officials,” Cottle said. “We at Easton, Hoyt and the Easton Foundations feel a responsibility to join the ATA and the broader outdoor recreation industry to engage with government agencies to help improve and expand outdoor recreation. With the ORIR now in place, we can be a unified force to help move the outdoor recreation needle in a more positive direction. It is also encouraging that the archery industry has a seat at the table.”

Industry members offered their ideas on reducing the multi-billion-dollar maintenance backlog plaguing the public lands. Suggestions included longer concessions contracts, extended service hours and seasons, restructured fee retention, reduced barriers to private investment, more efficient fee collection and a reassessment of backlog needs.

“Our ORIR team agreed to create project proposals for 10 sites within the next 60 days, which means we have to walk the talk, just like Secretary Zinke has done,” McAninch explained. “Public-private partnerships are key to making those experiences positive, shareable ones that will keep people excited about visiting the great outdoors, and enjoying activities like archery and bowhunting.”

The recreation industry representatives emphasized their commitment to helping DOI overcome its current challenges. Providing support for DOI funding in the FY2018 budget, encouraging a Recreation Title in upcoming infrastructure legislation and prioritizing the REC Act were just some of the ideas offered during the discussion. They also discussed how public-private partnerships can help promote awareness and support for America’s outdoors by capitalizing on industry efforts like Explore Bowhunting, Go RVing, Discover Boating and TakeMeFishing to spread the word about great opportunities on public lands and waters. ORIR members noted that their trade shows – the eight largest recreation trade shows in the country, including the ATA Trade Show – would provide a perfect opportunity to enhance communications between DOI and the nation’s recreation community.

“There is extraordinary opportunity,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association President and an ORIR member. “Never before has an industry coalition with all outdoor recreation sectors come together with a unified voice to offer its assistance in improving visitor experiences on America’s public land and waters. Our great outdoors are a unifying force in an era of political divisions, and the outdoor recreation industry stands ready to join forces with Secretary Zinke and the Department of the Interior in providing healthy, active outdoor fun in America’s great outdoors.”

About the ATA
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA has served its members since 1953. It is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, reducing taxes and government regulation, and increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. The organization also owns and operates the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest-running trade show worldwide.

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Sparta, Wisconsin – For over two decades, Mathews target bows have been a fixture at the podium of archery competitions. For 2017, we are excited to introduce two of the most accurate target platforms we’ve ever created – The Halonâ X Comp and TRX. “Whether you’re pounding X’s on a Vegas face, or competing on the 3D course, this target lineup provides the perfect option for any archer,”stated Mathews Pro Staff Manager, Derek Phillips. “This is hands down the most complete line of target bows we’ve ever offered and I fully expect to see Team Mathews topping podiums this year.” The 2017 HALON X Comp is our most versatile target bow to date with a 37-inch axle to axle design and draw lengths ranging 26 inches to 32 inches. It features a new generation of the perimeter-weighted Mini-Crosscentric Cam and our highly efficient AVS® technology to produce speeds up to 330 feet per second. A true-center nocking point ensures straight and level nock travel, further enhancing shot-to-shot consistency and a 7-inch brace height provides unmatched forgiveness.

“Mathews listened to their target shooters. We wanted a longer HALON X, and they delivered,” says IBO National Champion, Chris Hacker. “The HALON X Comp is the toughest, most accurate and most forgiving bow yet.” The all new TRX is built with the indoor shooters in mind. At 40 inches axle to axle and brace height variations of 7 and 8 inches, it offers superior stability and forgiveness on the line. The newly designed Mini-Crosscentric Cam, paired with our highly efficient AVS technology, yields speeds up to 332 feet per second. Featuring a true center nocking point to ensure straight and level nock travel, the TRX provides consistent accuracy shot after shot, while our industry leading damping technology reduces post-shot vibration. Go to Mathewsinc.com for full specifications, finish options, and more information on the 2017 target bows, and experience them at your local Mathews Retailer.

HALON X® COMP

The 2017 HALON® X Comp is our most versatile target bow to date. Featuring a new generation of the perimeter-weighted Mini-Crosscentric Cam and our highly efficient AVS technology, the HALON® X Comp produces speeds up to 330 feet per second. A true-center nocking point ensures straight and level nock travel, further enhancing shot-to-shot consistency. At 37 inches axel-to-axel, a 7 inch brace height and a peak draw length of 32 inches the HALON® X Comp is designed to accommodate long draw archers and provide optimal stability. It also comes standard with our industry-leading Harmonic Damping to reduce post-shot vibration. Experience the 2017 HALON® X Comp at your local retailer.

SPECIFICATIONS

All specs approximate. Weight shown without accessories.

$1,399 MSRP

FIND NEAR YOU

TRX 7

At 40 inches axle-to-axle, the TRX 7 offers superior stability and forgiveness on the range. The TRX features a newly designed Mini-crosscentric cam and our highly efficient AVS® technology to produce speeds up to 332 feet per second. A true center nocking point ensures straight and level nock travel, further enhancing shot-to-shot consistency, while our industry-leading damping technology reduces post-shot vibration. The TRX is offered in four custom color options. Experience the 2017 TRX at your local Mathews retailer.

SPECIFICATIONS

All specs approximate. Weight shown without accessories.

FIND NEAR YOU

SPECIFICATIONS

All specs approximate. Weight shown without accessories.

FIND NEAR YOU

Visit mathewsinc.com to find out more!

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The long-anticipated conclusion of The Hunger Games movie saga, Mockingjay Part 2, comes out on November 20.

The bow-wielding heroine Katniss Everdeen is certainly responsible for a large part of the recent spike in popularity of archery, especially among the youth. Whether they shoot one of the specially designed youth or small-frame bows from popular manufacturers such as Mathews and Bear, or one of the popular toy bows like the NERF Rebelle “Heartbreaker”, Everdeen has inspired kids everywhere to take up the sport of archery.

In the final movie, the rebellion against the Capitol will come to a head, and the fate of Panem will be decided. Fans will remember that the start of this war comes down to Katniss’s voluntary entrance into the Hunger Games in order to protect her younger sister Prim, and in the official Mockingjay Part 2 trailer that was published on September 16, the bond between the sisters is the primary focus:

A silhouette of Katniss as the icon “The Mockingjay” appears in various places of the trailer, the outline of a quiver behind her head and a bow in her hand. There are few images so powerful as this in the movies, and it is sure to inspire yet another wave of youth archers.

We are also excited to see which bow Katniss will wield in the final installment; in Catching Fire, she uses a custom-made Hoyt Buffalo, while in Mockingjay Part 1, she switches to a Savannah bow from Martin Archery. Both were chosen for their traditional look, as well as their light draw weight, since actress Jennifer Lawrence is one of the few pop culture archers who does not shoot computer-generated arrows. Her coach for the movies was archer Khatuna Lorig, competitor in five Olympic games and winner of six medals in various tournaments (including a bronze Olympic medal).

However The Hunger Games series ends, Katniss Everdeen will remain one of the most well-known archers in pop culture, alongside characters such as Hawkeye from Marvel and Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead.

We hope that even after the conclusion of The Hunger Games, archery will continue to rise in popularity, as it is both rewarding and challenging for athletes of all ages and skill levels.

The post Mockingjay Part 2: In Theaters November 20 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

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