OWAA members invited to international archery tournament
Five thousand elementary-, middle- and high-school boys and girls will compete in the largest archery tournament in the world at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9. See the fastest-growing sport in America – youths compete together. National champions will be crowned. Thirty-five states and Saskatchewan, Canada, will compete for honors and college scholarships. The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) started in Kentucky in 2002 and has grown to 5,000 schools in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. OWAAers will receive VIP treatment and comped passes. For more information, contact Tom Bennett, tbennett@nasparchery.com or 502-594-9575. ◊
Learn primitive skills at conference demonstration
Primitive-skills expert Jim Miller will be available in the lobby of the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Public Museum from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 14, during OWAA’s conference to meet with writers, demonstrate his unusual skills and answer questions. He will also be available for demonstrations and interviews after the sit-down dinner. Miller, who lives in northern Michigan, will demonstrate how to build a fire with a bowstring, make a birch-bark canoe and weave a waterproof basket from slivers of ash. His tanned deer skins appeared in the movies “Thunderheart” and “The Indian in the Cupboard.” Everything Miller makes is the Native American way. For example, he mixes bear fat with pine pitch to make glue, and he tans animal hides by using the animals’ brains instead of chemicals. He has traveled to Oklahoma and Alaska to reconnect Native American tribes to their lost cultures and camp-craft methods – such as how to build a wigwam or a birch-bark canoe. Bring your notepads, videocams and cameras for this unique opportunity. Check the OWAA Web site for a complete list of activities, lodging, workshops and more at the 82nd Annual Conference, June 13-16. ◊
Scribes, photogs needed for conference assignments
Volunteer reporters and photographers are still needed to cover sessions, workshops and events at OWAA’s 82nd annual conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., June 13-16, 2009. Articles and photographs will appear in subsequent issues of Outdoors Unlimited so that members who were unable to attend the conference or certain events may also benefit from the presentations. Anyone who’s available to report on, photograph or videotape portions of the conference should contact OU Editor Sarah Prodell at sprodell@owaa.org ASAP. Early birds get the plum assignments! ◊
Rev. Frank L. Snare dies at 88
Longtime OWAA member, outdoor columnist and Baptist minister Frank L. Snare, 88, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at the Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton, Ohio. “Frank loved the Lord, fishing and writing,” according to his family. A native of Ohio, Snare graduated from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in divinity and later retired from Trinity Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio, after many years ministering throughout Ohio. He wrote the column “Frankly Outdoors” for The Register-Herald in Eaton, Ohio, for many years and sponsored a fishing contest for children for 50-odd years. Snare told The Register-Herald in an interview: “The outdoors are so real. The opportunity for learning, appreciating and enjoying them have taken over my life. I’ve probably never preached a sermon without a reference to the outdoors or a story about the outdoors. I’ve tried my best to help people understand and appreciate this gift that we’ve been given.” He was a member of the Ohio Outdoor Writers Association and joined OWAA in 1984. His wife of 62 years, Arlene M. Snare, preceded him in death in 2005. Survivors include a daughter Kay A. Tarbutton of Gahanna, Ohio; sons David L. Snare of Jacksonville, Fla., and Charles E. Snare of Chadron, Neb.; five grandchildren, a great-grandson, a brother and two sisters. Funeral services were held March 16 in Eaton. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Ohio Parkinson Foundation, Southwest Ohio Regional Office, 325 N. Third St., Fairborn, Ohio 45324-4959. ◊
TRCP raffling off Wyoming Super Tag
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has secured a Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner’s Tag, thanks to the generosity of the commission, and TRCP wants its partners to be the first people to get a shot at a dream hunt. For $100, you can purchase a chance to win this Super Tag, which will allow you to hunt elk, mule deer or antelope anywhere in Wyoming this fall. The TRCP is selling 300 chances to win the Super Tag; the winner’s name will be drawn June 15. In honor of TRCP’s namesake, the 26th president, every 26th person who purchases a chance will receive a bonus gift from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. TRCP will use the proceeds from the raffle to help ensure Wyoming will always be a dream destination for hunters and anglers. Click here to purchase your chance at the TRCP Wyoming Super Tag. Click here to read the rules. ◊
Rick Hacker first gun writer to test ray gun
Recently the New York Times carried an article about the Army’s use of laser weaponry in the next decade, but that pales by comparison with Rick Hacker’s Gun Locker test of the F.M.O.M. Wave Disrupter in the April issue of the NRA’s Shooting Illustrated magazine. Hacker is the first gun writer to field test this Aether Oscillator, which looks like a 1930s Flash Gordon ray gun and functions on gaseous energy rather than powder and lead. The Wave Disrupter is the product of New Zealand’s Weta Workshop, and according to Hacker’s exclusive interview with senior conceptual designer Greg Broadmore, “The conical rays of the cones expand outward from the gun, so the further away something is, the more likely it’s going to get hit. Conversely, the energy reduces with distance … the most extensive disruption would be within 50 meters.” As Hacker states in his Shooting Illustrated test, the Wave Disrupter can’t be recommended for home defense, because not only would it take out the “bad guy,” but everything around him, including, given enough distance, the entire neighborhood. For this same reason, it would also be impractical for plinking or hunting, as you couldn’t find anything you had hit. Of course, the fact that this test appeared in an April (as in “April Fool”) issue of the newsstand magazine should be an indication of the nature of this item, even though non-operating models of the Wave Disrupter are available from Weta at $660 each in a limited edition of 500. The accompanying illustration for this article was created by the special effects wizardry of Academy Award winners Richard Edlund of Richard Edlund Studios in California and Peter Jackson’s WETA Workshop in New Zealand. ◊
‘Legends of Rod & Reel’ headed to Outdoor Channel
“Legends of Rod & Reel,” the award-winning program produced by Ron Schara Productions is returning for a third season on The Outdoor Channel. The television series debuted in January 2008 and has enjoyed success both seasons, including being rated the No. 4 most-popular fishing show on TV by bestoutdoorshow.com, and being nominated for a Fan Favorite Golden Moose Award. Past shows featured such legends as Trapper Rudd plying the streams of Silverthorne, “The Crappie King” in the bogs of the Mississippi and Frank Moore, an 80-something-year-old guide on the Umpqua River in Oregon. Other episodes included such recognizable fishermen as Larry Dahlberg, Trevor Gowdy and Al Lindner. For Season 3, Schara’s production team again has tracked down some of the best anglers in the country. Highlights include professional guide R.R. “Cat Daddy” Shumway, who learned his craft from savvy “old-style” fishermen who frequented his father’s bait and tackle store; Pat Dorsey, a fly-fisherman extraordinaire in the mountains of Colorado; saltwater angler and TV host Jose Wejebe; bass fishing legend Roland Martin; bass fishing expert Mark Fisher; and muskie hunter Brad Hoppe. “They really are the ‘Legends of Rod & Reel,’ ” says Schara, executive producer, “Some are famous, some are not. Some catch crappies, some chase bass. No matter, they all share one thing in common: Every Legend is exceptional with a hook and line. They have a thirst to catch. They fish with passion.” For more information on “Legends of Rod & Reel,” go to www.ronscharaproductions.com or www.theoutdoorchannel.com or contact Kelly Jo McDonnell at 952-545-9741 ext. 200 or Kelly@mnbound.com. ◊
Georgia tagging study offers chance for lifetime free license
Anglers looking to land trophy trout in the 15-mile stretch of the Toccoa River in Georgia between Blue Ridge Dam and the Tennessee state line now also have a chance to hunt and fish in Georgia for life for free. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division is asking anglers who catch a tagged trout from the Toccoa River to report the catch to the Calhoun Fisheries office by calling 706-624-1161. Each tag reported and returned will be eligible for a drawing to win a lifetime sportsman’s license, sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited. One angler will be chosen at random in spring 2010. Anglers may report and return multiple tags, increasing their odds of winning. The Fisheries Section of the Wildlife Resources Division stocked roughly 600 tagged rainbow trout from the division’s Summerville Hatchery into the Toccoa River in March as part of a study of trout population dynamics. By reporting these tags, anglers will help biologists learn more about survival, growth and movement of stocked trout in the Toccoa River. The small, green tags, each with a unique number, were attached to the fish just below the dorsal fin. Division Fisheries biologists will continue stocking roughly the same number of tagged trout each month now through late summer 2009. For additional information on the Toccoa River trout study, contact fisheries biologist John Damer at john.damer@dnr.state.ga.us or 706-624-1161. ◊
Marchel image wins Nikon prize
Wildlife photographer and writer Bill Marchel of Fort Ripley, Minn., has won a monthly worldwide online photo contest at Nikonians.org. Marchel was the winner of the Nikonians 2009 Wildlife Forum February Challenge “Balancing Act. He won with his comical image of a marsh wren balancing on two cattail stems. Nikonians has more than 100,000 members worldwide. With over 10 million page views per month, Nikonians is the largest site for Nikon camera users in the world. More than 40,000 photographers visit the site daily, to share, learn and be inspired.
Nolan joins Orion Multimedia
DENVER – Chris Dorsey, president and CEO of Orion Multimedia, has announced the appointment of Russ Nolan as vice president of sales. Nolan is a 27-year veteran of the outdoor marketing and sales world whose vision and expertise has helped grow some of the largest outdoor media brands in America. “We’re delighted to add Russ to our team,” says Dorsey. “Russ brings a wealth of sales leadership and integrated strategic development experience to our industry best branded entertainment and original programming divisions.” Before joining Orion, Nolan was founder and principal of Nolan Media Consulting, a Twin Cities media business consulting firm. Prior to that he spent 27 years in the media sales and sales and management business where he was vice president, group publisher of North American Media Group, Inc., the largest affinity marketer in the world. He is a former member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Marketing Council and a former board member of the national conservation and educational nonprofit foundation Tread Lightly! Orion Multimedia is America’s largest independent outdoor television producer with 23 series in production on four networks.
Refurbished VW campers available for adventure travel
A new business based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is renting out newly refurbished, classic Volkswagen Vanagon campers to fly-fishers, kayakers, birders, mountain bikers and hikers who want to test recreational opportunities in the Northern Rockies. Potential destinations include Glacier National Park, the Clearwater River, St. Joe River, the international Selkirk Loop into British Columbia, the wine country of eastern Washington and points east as far as Missoula, Mont., and as far south as the famous Grande Ronde River. Dragonflyvans’ fleet of 10 vehicles comes fully equipped with everything from kitchen and cooking gear to Polar fleece sleeping bags to camp table, folding chairs and leveling ramps. Dragonflyvans is the brainchild of Scott Quinnett, son of longtime OWAA member Paul Quinnett. Scott retired from seven years of professional automotive work with Audi and spent several years in California surfing and studying the classic Volkswagen van business. Quinnett has been driving Volkswagen vans for more than 20 years. “They are the ultimate rig for anybody who likes living in the outdoors,” he said. Quinnett selected Coeur d’Alene as his base of operations because of its proximity to outstanding fly-fishing, kayaking and climbing country, and the Northern Rockies’ reputation as a world-class vacation destination. The VW campers are available for rental midweek, weekends, full weeks and any combination up to 10 days. Rental prices range from $225 per weekday to $2,000 for 10 days. Yakima brand canoe or kayak racks, trailer hitches, bicycle racks, fly rod and float tube carriers are $20 extra per trip. To access Dragonflyvans’ Web site, visit www.dragonflyvans.com.
Nominate an environmental leader for recreational boating
Is there someone in your town who has helped boaters be more environmentally responsible and made their local waterways cleaner? The BoatU.S. Foundation plans to honor those who have made a significant contribution toward improving waterway health and educating boaters on how to minimize their environmental impact. Any group, organization, company, marina or individual who has worked to make a difference is eligible for the 2009 BoatU.S. Foundation Environmental Leadership Award. The recipient receives $1,000 to help continue their environmental efforts. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2009. The award was created to complement the efforts of the BoatU.S. Foundation, which has a long history of working with waterway users, marinas and local organizations throughout the country to help bring environmental messages directly to boaters. Applications and more information about the award are available at www.BoatUS.com/Foundation. Questions may be directed to Susan Shingledecker at SShingledecker@BoatUS.com.
Ohio youth wins Federal Junior Duck Stamp competition
A single wood duck will appear on the 2009-2010 Federal Junior Duck Stamp in a design painted by 16-year-old Lily Spang of Toledo, Ohio, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced. Spang’s entry was chosen April 22 by a panel of judges at the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest held at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. The acrylic painting was judged the winner among the Best-of-Show entries from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The 2009-2010 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, which FWS sells for $5 to stamp collectors, conservationists and the general public, will be released June 26. Proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales are used to support environmental education efforts and awards for contest winners. The National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is the culmination of a year-long conservation curriculum used by educators across the nation. Young artists submitted more than 28,000 Junior Duck Stamp design entries for state contests leading up to the 2009-2010 national selection. For a complete list of images and contest results visit the Junior Duck Stamp Program’s home page at www.fws.gov/juniorduck.
New editor in chief hired for Shooting Times magazine
Joseph von Benedikt has been named editor in chief of Intermedia Outdoors’ Shooting Times magazine. For the last two years, von Benedikt has served as associate editor for Handguns and Rifleshooter magazines and Intermedia Outdoors’ special interest publications group. Von Benedikt, who hails from Utah, has been involved in hunting and shooting competitively for 20 years, is an avid handloader, enjoys gunsmithing as a hobby and has worked as a big-game guide. Joel Hutchroft remains as editor of Shooting Times. Shooting Times, based in Peoria, Ill., will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.
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