ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
Iowa Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have launched an ambitious campaign to restore the state’s pheasant and quail populations, and increase the number of upland bird hunters. The goal of “Reload Iowa” is to raise $11.5 million to establish and improve 1 million acres of wildlife habitat on private and public land in the state. Approximately $8.5 million will be used to establish 50 wildlife habitat specialist positions, and a $3 million landowner stewardship fund will provide incentives for landowners to establish nesting and brood-rearing habitat. Learn more at www.IowaPF.org.
National Shooting Sports Foundation
Nearly 50,000 members of the shooting industry converged on the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 15-18 to launch the business year at the 31st edition of the SHOT Show. Of the 48,907 who participated in the show, 25,384 were retailers and other members of the professional community. Exhibiting personnel totaled 22,098, and a record 1,425 members of the media – the largest single gathering of outdoor communicators ever – covered the show. The SHOT Show returns to Las Vegas in 2010. Visit www.nssf.org.
FISHING PRODUCTS & ACCESSORIES
Northland Fishing Tackle
Northland’s new live-bait spinner rig, Mr. Walleye Crawler Hauler was tournament tested on the Professional Walleye Trail by legendary walleye angler Gary Roach and Northland’s pro staff, and is available in 16 proven color patterns. For more information and a 2009 catalog, contact: Northland Fishing Tackle Inc., 1001 Naylor Drive S.E., Bemidji, MN 56601; 218-751-6723; norfish@northlandtackle.com; www.northlandtackle.com.
FIREARMS & AMMUNITION
Browning
Browning’s X-Bolt bolt-action rifle has been selected as the 2009 NRA Publications Golden Bullseye Award winner from American Rifleman for Rifle of the Year. The award honors winners for bringing to market products remarkable in their utility to shooters and hunters. Introduced last year, the X-Bolt’s most notable features include the Feather Trigger, which is fully adjustable, provides a clean, crisp pull with no take-up or creep and minimal overtravel. For more, visit www.browning.com.
BOATING PRODUCTS & ACCESSORIES
Hobie Cat Co.
Hobie Cat introduces the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler fishing boat. Hobie has taken the defining feature used in its kayak line, the patented MirageDrive pedal system, to build a first-in-class, no-gas required, 100-percent fishing machine. The 13-foot, 8-inch Pro Angler offers the amenities of a large boat (stability and spacious storage) combined with the benefits of a smaller fishing boat such as light weight, maneuverability and economy. The boat retails for $2,199. See video highlights of the Pro Angler at www.hobiecat.com/fishing.
Mercury Marine
Mercury Marine is offering rebates through March 31, 2009, with the purchase of qualifying inflatable boats purchased from any U.S. Mercury dealer. Boats and their affiliated rebates are: Roll-Up, Sport and Air Deck models ($100), Ocean Runner, Heavy Duty and Dynamic models ($125), and 350 Amanzi (free stainless steel bow rail plus $150). Boats purchased for commercial use do not qualify. Boats must be purchased and registered between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2009. Rebate forms are available at Mercury dealerships. Visit www.mercurymarine.com.
OUTDOOR GEAR, CLOTHING & PRODUCTS
Streamlight Inc.
Streamlight Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting tools for the outdoors market, unveiled its largest line ever of new Buckmasters-branded Realtree Hardwoods camouflage flashlights and headlamps at the 2009 SHOT Show in Orlando. The new line consists of three lights; each is available in both a Realtree Hardwoods Green High Definition and Realtree Hardwoods Blaze finish. The new products include the Buckmasters PackMate, the Buckmasters Trident HP LED Headlamp and the Buckmasters Stylus Pro LED penlight. For information: call 800-523-7488 or visit www.streamlight.com.
GENERAL
Blue Heron Communications
Blue Heron has become the agency of record for the Inshore Fishing Association Redfish Tour. The Oklahoma agency will serve as a point of contact for media inquiries regarding IFA Redfish Tour events while working to boost overall awareness of the organization’s events and conservation message. In 2009, the IFA Redfish Tour will consist of 18 events across six divisions plus a season-ending championship event. Contact: www.redfishtour.com or www.blueheroncomm.com.
Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops has renewed its longstanding support for National Hunting and Fishing Day, set this year for Sept. 26. Congress formalized National Hunting and Fishing Day in 1972 to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in conservation. Bass Pro Shops’ sponsorship supports the Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo., the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. For more information, visit www.nhfday.org and www.basspro.com.
FLW Outdoors
On Feb. 11, with less than four hours until the closing bell on FLW Fantasy Fishing picks for the first tournament, Terry Moberly of Berea, Ky., registered at fantasyfishing.com. Using Player’s Advantage, an online tool that provides “inside” information about FLW Tour bass pros, Moberly picked 10 anglers from among a field of 157 who’d be competing the next morning in the first of six tournaments that make up the Walmart FLW Tour. Today, Moberly is $100,000 richer, proving that “You can’t win if you don’t enter.” For more on FLW Fantasy Fishing and its $1 million grand prize, visit www.fantasyfishing.com.
XS Sight Systems Inc.
XS Sight Systems Inc. has chosen Ellis Communications, a public relations agency that specializes in the outdoor industry, to be its agency of record. XS Sight Systems has been the leader in aftermarket sights for more than a decade. It offers replacement sights for handguns, rifles and shotguns to be used in self-defense, hunting, and tactical applications. Contact: Visit www.xssights.com or call 1-888-744-4880.
World Fishing Network
World Fishing Network HD, North America’s only 24-hour high-definition fishing lifestyle network, takes viewers around the world in search of the coolest people and hottest places each week on its newest show, “Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi.” The WFN original production airs Monday nights on WFN and WFN HD at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. For a complete schedule, visit www.wfn.tv/wfntv/schedule/. In each episode, Izumi takes viewers to a popular or off-beat fishing destination to showcase the unique people, events and fishing destinations. ◊
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