Archery Trade Association

Indianapolis, IN --(Ammoland.com)- The connection between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s national refuges and the ATA is growing stronger by the day.

To further enhance this 7-year-old partnership, the two organizations partnered with the Easton Sports Development Foundation and USA Archery (governing body of the Olympic Archery Committee) to hold an Archery Academy, Aug. 9-11,at the Service’s National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

“The ATA recognized years ago that the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is uniquely positioned to get kids off the couch and outside shooting arrows,” Mitch King, ATA government relations director said.

“Because it’s a federal agency, the Service reaches youths and families nationwide. No other agency or organization has such a well-established network of land, staff and programs to reach our nation’s young people and teach them skills for appreciating wildlife and natural resources.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees from Wisconsin, Oregon, Arizona and Oklahoma attended the Archery Academy hosted for the Service’s staff and they’re already seeing benefits on refuges and hatcheries in their states.

To get a complete rundown of how this Academy has boosted archery in the Service’s public-outreach programs , check out this month’s ArrowTrade magazine where Pat Durkin delves into the issue and talks to people nationwide about the program and its benefits.

Archery Academy is made possible through an Easton Foundations grant to the ATA. The ATA regularly partners with agencies, schools, retailers, park-and-rec departments, and state and local organizations to expand archery opportunities for people of all ages and ability.

Wolf Facts and What It Means To You

Archery Trade Association

New Ulm, Minn. --(Ammoland.com)- It has been almost four months since my last “Wolf Facts”, so I think it is a time for an update.

As it stands today, gray wolves are no longer listed under the Endangered Species Act in MT, ID and small portions of WA, OR and UT. In Wyoming, there have been considerable negotiations and progress made between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and Wyoming officials towards a proposal to delist.

In the Great Lakes states (MI, MN and WI), the Service is still working through a standard delisting process.

While all of this sounds pretty good, there are considerable challenges ahead that could derail any and all of these actions. In the following paragraphs, I’ll try to summarize the facts as best I can.

If you need background to any of what you read here, I urge you to visit the Archery Trade Association’s Web site by clicking here.

NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOLVES

MONTANA & IDAHO
Let me start by saying emphatically that gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains are “recovered”.

The science is absolutely clear on this point. I base my position on discussions with wolf specialists who work for the three principle states (MT, ID and WY) and with the Service’s wolf specialist that has overseen the wolf reintroduction in the Northern Rockies since it began. These scientists all agree that wolves are recovered. I emphasize this point because you will hear from a lot of fronts that Congress in some way substituted their political motivations for “science” and that wolves and the Endangered Species Act would suffer as a result of this “political intervention.”

This is simply not true. In fact, when it relates to wolves, the science behind their management has been severely compromised for over a decade by overzealous wolf advocates and judges who felt the need to “advocate” from the bench. Congress simply eliminated the avenues of misuse of the Endangered Species Act and allowed wolf decisions to follow the science – as it should be.

As you can read in my earlier “Wolf Facts” updates, Representative Simpson (R-ID) and Senator Tester (D-MT) introduced legislation that was attached to Federal Budget legislation and signed by the President on April 15. Consequently, the previously approved Wolf Management Plans for MT and ID were deemed acceptable, wolves were rightfully determined to be “recovered” in those states, the protections of the Endangered Species Act were removed and wolf management was turned over to the state wildlife agency. The legislation also precluded any further judicial review of the decision.

This action took place in June and the two states have moved ahead with the task of wolf management. Both of these states have taken a scientifically based approach to managing their wolf populations. Like with their other wildlife species, management included setting sustainable population goals, scientifically based population monitoring and appropriate population controls that may include hunting as well as other population reduction actions where needed. Based on what I have seen to date, their actions substantiate what we have all known for years – the state wildlife agencies will approach wolf management in the same professional manner that they manage all other state managed wildlife species.

While all of these latest occurrences leave the impression that we are over the hump in MT and ID, there remains some gamesmanship going on within the legal arena. Wolf advocate groups immediately filed a legal challenge to the Congressional action. They argued that Congress interfered with the Constitutionally protected “separation of powers” when they legislatively precluded legal challenges to their action. They filed their challenge in Judge Malloy’s court – where they were sure to get a “friendly” reception. In July, Judge Malloy ruled against their challenge but he included language in his ruling that removed all doubt as to his biases on this issue. It was obvious that he wanted to uphold their challenge but simply could not find a legal loophole in the Congressional language where he could “cloak” his biases.

Kudos to the Congressional staff who wrote the language!

The wolf advocate groups have filed an appeal and vow to continue this challenge to the Supreme Court if necessary. I hope that we will hear from the Appeals Court still this year. I’ll keep you posted.

WYOMING
Things are progressing slower in WY than in MT and ID, primarily because WY lacked a “Fish and Wildlife Service Approved Wolf Management Plan” that was already in place in MT and ID. You can read my thoughts on this issue in my previous “Wolf Facts”.

Since my last “Wolf Facts”, there has been a lot of progress towards the development of an acceptable wolf management plan and earlier this month (August 4), Wyoming released a revised wolf management plan that has the tentative approval of the Governor of Wyoming, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior. You can view this plan at the Wyoming Game and Fish Web site by clicking here.

I believe that this revised wolf management plan is a reasonable compromise. As you have read previously, I felt the original WY plan was scientifically sound and should have been approved by the Service. In fact, the Service initially approved the plan and then retracted their approval simply to appease an earlier ruling by Judge Malloy and with no scientific basis. That said, this new plan adds a small “seasonal expansion” of the WY “Trophy Game” area that will make it easier for wolves to migrate from ID to WY during winter months (when livestock depredation is not an issue). It also requires WY to maintain at least 10 breeding pairs of wolves outside of Yellowstone National Park – where the previous plan required 7 or 8 breeding pairs outside of the park. In my opinion, these are minor concessions for WY to make to win the approval of their plan and gain control of wolf management in their state.

All of this said, we all know that the next chapter in this wolf saga will be a final decision by the Service that will be immediately challenged by the wolf advocates. We also know where that will lead us.

The solution for WY is to mimic what was successful in MT and ID. Once an acceptable WY Wolf Management Plan is approved, the WY Congressional Delegation needs to step in with legislation that memorializes that plan in law and eliminates judicial interference.

WESTERN GREAT LAKES WOLVES
Things continue to be very unsettled in the western Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. The Service and the state wildlife agencies have agreed on and approved wolf management plans for each of the states and the Service has moved ahead with a delisting proposal that appears to be headed for final approval. However, the legal posturing is already in the works and I suspect any final decision to delist in this region will be promptly met with a legal challenge.

Unfortunately I can’t be too optimistic here. There are two reasons for my lack of optimism. First is simply the track record of the Service being able to withstand legal challenges when it comes to the Endangered Species Act. The way the Act is written the “judge shopping” that goes on makes it virtually impossible to sustain a favorable ruling for a species as visible as wolves – regardless of the science.

My second reason for a lack of optimism is a little more concerning. At the time the Service announced their proposal to delist, they also announced the initiation of a comprehensive review of the genetics of gray wolves. Specifically, they are now suggesting the presence of another subspecies of gray wolf – the eastern gray wolf. (Read Doubling Up on Wolf Headaches )

If the Service decides that there is a significant difference between the gray wolf and the eastern gray wolf, then this new subspecies will likely qualify for a listing action. The problem is that in Wisconsin, the ranges of these two supposedly independent species overlap and it is impossible outside of a genetics lab to tell them apart which then makes management very impractical if the species are to be treated differently. Therefore, the delisting of the Western Great Lakes Population of the gray wolf will be in jeopardy in these overlap areas because of their similarity of appearance.

I’m somewhat suspicious of this new effort and am looking forward to seeing more of the science behind the decision. When I studied statistics in college, I found that you could use statistics to justify virtually any decision. What I found during my career with the Service and working on endangered species was that the science of genetics was just as “squirrely”. While the science can be so precise that you can distinguish between individual animals, the assumptions made to decide whether there is enough genetic difference between two groups of individuals to allow them to be treated as separate species or subspecies is nothing more than a collection of opinions.

My suspicious mind tells me that wolf advocates - maybe with the help of individuals within the Service - are setting the stage for a successful legal challenge for the delisting of the Western Great Lakes gray wolf population. Perhaps the practical reality of how to manage wolves in the field will prevail and we’ll be dealing with one combination of gray wolves in the Great Lakes which would be a relief to Minnesota where wolves have been recovered for two decades.

Once again, my solution is to follow the lead provided by MT and ID. Now that the Service and the state wildlife agencies are in agreement on the science, it is time for the Congressional delegations to step in and eliminate the potential for wolf advocates and judges who advocate from the bench to mess with the science.

THE ATA POSITION
The position of the ATA remains unchanged. We continue to recognize that there is a strong scientific basis for delisting the wolf in all six states (MT, ID, WY, MI, MN and WI). All six of these states have fully recovered gray wolf populations. They also have wolf management plans that satisfy the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and each state’s management plan has been approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

The ATA will continue to stay engaged in this process and look for solutions to bring full delisting to all six states where sound science has found that the gray wolf has been effectively recovered.

As always, I look forward to a continued dialog and comments from readers on this topic.

Archery Trade Association

New Ulm, Minn. --(Ammoland.com)- As Explore Bowhunting wraps up its two-year pilot phase, its coordinators are preparing to offer this innovative program to beginner bowhunters around the country.

During the past two years, Explore Bowhunting worked with a $266,000 Multistate Conservation Grant from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) to collaborate with states on testing, modifying and implementing the program.

“The goal of the grant was to test the Explore Bowhunting curriculum, get feedback from students and teachers, and see how states implemented it in urban and suburban settings,” said Emily Beach, ATA education and research manager. “They helped us fine-tune the program and learn the best ways to implement it in other states. It’s been a great success, and now the ATA is ready to launch it on a national scale in 2012.”

Explore Bowhunting Prepares for Nationwide Campaign

The AFWA grant was conceived to implement Explore Bowhunting in six states, but eight states will already be operating the program by the end of this year. The states with Explore Bowhunting now in place are Arizona, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Virginia and Kentucky. Alabama and Missouri will launch the program this fall.

In addition to the AFWA grant, Explore Bowhunting received extensive support from 37 archery manufacturers that signed on as sponsors. This included Pape’s Archery Inc., which served as the warehouse and distributor for equipment donated by manufacturers for Explore Bowhunting.

“The sponsors and Pape’s were extremely generous in helping ATA launch the pilot programs,” Beach said. “The equipment donations of bows, arrows, calls, clothing and other gear exceeded $50,000, so this was a great example of industry teamwork. We let the sponsors know what equipment we needed for the program, and Pape’s shipped everything at no charge.”

Beach said the 74 Explore Bowhunting pilot sessions will have trained 245 instructors and sent about 2,500 students through the program by the end of 2011. About 120 instructors were trained this summer alone. The programs were held in middle schools and high schools through in-school and after-school programs, as well as park-and-recreation departments, church groups, scouts, summer camps, state programs, archery retailers and home-schools.

Beach said the ATA looks forward to launching Explore Bowhunting nationally in the months ahead. “The pilot program served its purpose because, as expected, implementing a program is more difficult than writing it,” she said. “We learned a lot of important lessons the past couple of years, which should make us very efficient as we work with more states implementing the program.”

The Archery Trade Association created Explore Bowhunting – a comprehensive outdoor educational program – in response to the decline in hunting and fishing licenses sold nationwide. Explore Bowhunting is designed to recruit youngsters ages 11 to 17 into hunting by teaching basic skills needed for bowhunting, photography, and watching and enjoying wildlife and the outdoors.

Archery Trade Association

New Ulm, Minn. --(Ammoland.com)- ATA retail members can renew their membership now to beat the rush that begins when current 2010-2011 memberships expire June 30.

As with the 2011 Trade Show in Indianapolis, retailers wishing to attend the 2012 ATA Trade Show in Columbus, Ohio, must be ATA members.

ATA membership-services staff recently completed their annual review of memberships, and are mailing out renewal orders for 2011-2012 to 700 “pre-verified” retail members. Members are encouraged to save time by paying their dues and renewing their memberships online.

They can also pay by mailing back the paperwork with a check, or faxing it in after completing the “cc” info on the order.

An additional 300 retail members whose commitment ends June 30 will receive a request for information to become verified and eligible to renew. These members will not receive a dues order, so they will not be able to renew online. They must mail or fax the required information for ATA verification.

Starting this year, all retailers will be part of the “Archery Pro Shop Retailer” membership category. The ATA Dealers Council decided to create this one uniform category, and eliminate the former categories: “Retailer” and “ProShop Retailer.”

For questions about your status or membership, contact Maria Lewis at (866) 266-2776, ext. 2, or marialewis@archerytrade.org .

About
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. Visit: www.archerytrade.org

Wolf Facts and What It Means To You

Archery Trade Organization

New Ulm, Minn. --(Ammoland.com)- After some very interesting activities over the last few weeks, we have finally crossed a significant milestone in dealing with wolf issues and the impacts they are having on those wildlife populations for which we are so protective.

After the failure of some last minute legal negotiations, Congress finally intervened and legislatively delisted the gray wolf in almost all of the Northern Rocky Mountains.

I’ll try to summarize some of the happenings of the last few weeks and talk about what the next most important actions may be.

If you need background to any of what you read here, I urge you to visit the Archery Trade Association’s Web site by clicking here.

THE LEGAL FRONT
You may recall in my last “Wolf Facts” (#4), I mentioned an “agreement” between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and most of the plaintiffs regarding the lawsuit that was decided by Judge Malloy last August (2010) which returned the wolf to the Endangered Species Act list in Montana and Idaho. The proposed “agreement” would have allowed the wolf to be delisted in Montana and Idaho until an acceptable wolf management plan for Wyoming could be developed. At that time, delisting of the entire three-state area would then take place. In early April, Judge Malloy rejected this agreement.

THE LEGISLATIVE FRONT
On the legislative front, the response to Judge Malloy’s rejection of the proposed agreement was quick and effective. Representative Simpson (R-ID) and Senator Tester (D-MT) moved quickly to revive their proposed legislation that would effectively reinstate the Service’s last decision to delist the gray wolf in the Northern Rockies, except for Wyoming. This would include delisting in all of Idaho and Montana and in small portions of eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and northeastern Utah. The legislation also has language that supports the Judge Johnson decision for Wyoming which found that the Service had erred in their decision when they rejected Wyoming’s wolf management plan.

The timing of the decision by Judge Malloy and the quick response by Representative Simpson and Senator Tester allowed this language to be incorporated into the Federal Budget legislation that moved through both the House and Senate and was signed by the President on Friday (April 15).

THE RESULT
Within 60 days (on or about June 15) the Service must reissue their February, 2009 ruling that delisted the wolf in the Northern Rockies (except for Wyoming). Most important, this action by the Service will not be subject to further judicial review. Further, the law states that Judge Johnson’s ruling against the Service on the Wyoming rule stands. So the Service is under considerable pressure to resolve issues with Wyoming’s wolf management plan.

THE ATA & OTHER FRONTS
I’m hearing some promising news regarding talks between the Service and the Wyoming Governor’s Office. It appears that both sides are close to agreeing on a plan that will slightly expand the area of wolf protection south of Jackson to allow for winter wolf movement, while allowing Wyoming wildlife officials to manage wolf populations much like the state has successfully managed all other wildlife species since statehood.

Unfortunately, the Great Lakes States have a tough road ahead. While the Service and those states (Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin) feel reasonably comfortable that the standard process for delisting is underway and will be successful, we have heard this before and we all know how easy it is for environmental advocates to ignore sound science and find a flaw in the process and then run to the courts and find an agreeable judge.

THE ATA POSITION
The position of the ATA remains unchanged. We continue to recognize that there is a strong scientific basis for delisting the wolf in all six states (MT, ID, WY, MI, MN and WI). All six of these states have fully recovered gray wolf populations. They also have wolf management plans that satisfy the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and each state’s management plan has been approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

While the recently passed legislation is a step in the right direction and it certainly provides some relief for the Northern Rockies sportsmen, it is a disappointment on two fronts. First, Wyoming has a wolf management plan that was originally approved by the Service; and, Judge Johnson found that the Service’s decision to withdraw their approval was a departure from sound science. The bottom line in my opinion is that Wyoming should have been included in the legislation.

Second, the three Great Lakes states (Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin) all have wolf management plans that have been accepted by the Service and are facing the same wolf related issues as the Northern Rocky Mountain states. In fact Minnesota has had recovered wolf populations longer than any state, by far. These Great Lakes states should have been included in the legislation as well.

At this stage, given all the starts and stops and legal road blocks, any movement forward on this issue is better than where we have been. Representative Simpson and Senator Tester should be commended for moving this legislation forward in an expedient and effective manner and for forcing this issue which should bring action on more fronts.

Further, based on all we are hearing, the modifications to Wyoming’s Wolf Management Plan seem to represent a reasonable middle-ground for all parties involved. If nothing else, the flurry of recent activity may get Wyoming’s plan approved which will move management forward in the Northern Rockies.

Long term, those of us who have been around since the Endangered Species Act was enacted continue to have concerns about the true success of this program. When this law was passed in 1973, the motivation of the conservation community was to identify species that were endangered to protect them but, more important, recover populations to levels that would be sustained long term. The accepted successful outcome of this act was when species would be returned to the states for management.

If you consider the past actions of environmental advocates like the Defenders of Wildlife and especially animal rights organizations like the Humane Society of the United States, these groups would appear to never be willing to allow state wildlife agencies to manage a species that has been fully recovered. Yet the track record of the states is exemplary when it comes to countless species such as the bald eagle and many raptors, whooping cranes and many shore birds and waterfowl, and, of course, the species we take for granted today such as deer, elk, turkey’s and many more.

The ATA will continue to stay engaged in this process and look for solutions to bring full delisting to all six states where sound science has found that the gray wolf has been effectively recovered.

Archery Trade Organization

New Ulm, Minn. --(Ammoland.com)- Earlier this year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (F&WS) officially connected Explore Bowhunting to the nation’s most reliable source for conservation education: The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.

This program, which is funded by federal excise taxes (FET), is a longstanding source of revenue will now have a pipeline straight from the pockets of ATA manufacturers to an educational program with the potential to recruit bowhunters and archers.

Jay McAninch, CEO/president of the Archery Trade Association, considers the F&WS decision one of the two most important FET developments during his 10-plus years with ATA. The other important development in the last decade? The decision to allow Pittman-Robertson funds for the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). That decision was made by the F&WS about eight years ago.

“This funding is a big shot in the arm for Explore Bowhunting and the industry’s efforts to promote outdoor education and recruit more bowhunters,” McAninch said.

“State agencies are strapped for money right now, but they can pursue Pittman-Robertson funding for approved education programs like NASP and Explore Bowhunting. That’s a tremendous resource for wildlife agencies trying to ensure the future of archery and bowhunting in their states.”

About
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. Visit: www.archerytrade.org

North American Safari TV

Benton, ME --(Ammoland.com)- Blaine Anthony and the staff of the popular TV Show North American Safari on The Sportsman Channel will be present for all 3 days at the ATA Show in booth 2411 representing Quality Archery Design and the rest of their sponsors.

The NAS staff will be giving out free shirts and beanies to all that stop by while supplies last.

They will also be showing off the new North American Safari target, that is the only target with a lifetime warranty.

“We wear archery targets out, going through many ever year. Seth from Bull Dog Targets called and asked if he could produce a box target with what we felt is important and would set the target apart. Seth is so confident in the target, he offers a lifetime warranty on our target so it will be the last target you ever have to buy add that with the easy arrow removal, it is a perfect target” says Blaine Anthony of North American Safari.

Posters will be on hand for any of the staff to sign and hand out. The entire pro-staff plans to be there during the show at sometime with Blaine Anthony and Kevin Pruitt being there most of the time.

Also, the new “Safari Girls” being introduced in 2011, will be on hand to introduce themselves to the public and answer any questions.

So please come and meet the staff of the multi-award winning TV Show North American Safari at the ATA Show in Indianapolis in booth 2411 between January 6th to January 8th.

About North American Safari:
North American Safari airs on The Sportsman Channel, Wild TV and Fox’s SportsSouth. Founded in 2004 by Blaine Anthony, North American Safari has been entertaining outdoorsman for 6 years. They air year round on The Sportsman Channel and in the 3rd and 4th quarters on SportSouth and Wild TV.

Archery Trade Organization

New Ulm, Minn. --(Ammoland.com)- At a recent Board meeting in Washington, DC, ATA Board members reviewed their decision to make the 2011 Trade Show a members-only event and chose to stay the course.

The 2011 Trade Show will be a members-only Show, but with provisions.

“The provisions made are rooted in the recognition that there are different degrees of value to each of the ATA member categories,” said Jay McAninch, ATA CEO/president. “That was central to the Board’s discussions and the outcome are varying dues created to acknowledge those ranging values.”

Examples of varying values include Show attendee groups such as the international members, who do not enjoy the same benefits as American attendees. The list of benefits provided by ATA to members residing in the United States includes over $1million per year of total grant and contract support provided to state and federal agencies to grow archery and bowhunting, input into shooting and hunting regulations, policies and actions for local, state and federal agencies, access to political and legislative leaders and a suite of business and professional services all in addition to the annual ATA Trade Show, the world’s largest archery and bowhunting business and networking event.

Another group, multi-channel -retailers also known as “box stores,” represent a significant group of buyers at the ATA Trade Show. Their dues are tied directly to badges and place a minimum benefit of $200 to gain entry to the Show. Exhibitors have emphasized the importance of this group’s attendance and buying value.

For the independent retailers or dealers who are not currently members, once they join the ATA, they will have the same access — just as long-time ATA members do —to deeply discounted hotel packages, restaurant discounts and eligibility in valuable programs such as the Big Buck Tags. Membership dues for this group are $120 annually and dues include four free badges to the Show. Independent retailers or dealers also receives an access code to book rooms at Retailer Headquarters where rooms range from $99 to $109 per night, are located one block from the convention center and include free parking and internet. A free or discounted breakfast will also be available.

“Our intent is to make sure the Trade Show values are obvious and available to every dealer who has been coming or who wants to attend the Show,” said McAninch. “ The dilemma we face is how to get the most pro shop dealers on the show floor who are solid archery and bowhunting retailers, while preventing the attendance of those who undercut the ATA’s pro shop dealers by operating as “basement bandits” and sell mostly to their friends. There is a dilemma with exhibitors as well, who want as many buyers on the show floor as possible, yet can’t afford to take orders from businesses that aren’t stable enough to make good on an order.”

Response to the announcement of a members-only Trade Show for 2011 was strong among member dealers and most felt the requirement was long overdue. Beginning with the 2011 ATA Trade Show, all exhibitors, retailers, dealers and attendees will be members and thus have a stake in the largest, most diverse archery and bowhunting show in the world. In addition, these same groups will work together to grow archery and bowhunting through the net proceeds of the Show.

For membership dues and Show details, click here. To join the ATA today, you can download membership applications here or call the ATA office toll free at (866) 266-2776, ext. 2.

If you have questions or concerns, please call Maria Lewis toll free at (866) 266-2776, extension 2 or she can be reached by e-mail at marialewis@archerytrade.org.

Janet McAninch, Muzzy Owner Barbara Musacchia, Muzzy CEO Michele Musacchia-Eichler and Tall Man Recipient Jay McAninch.

Muzzy Archery

Cartersville, GA - -(AmmoLand.com)- Each year Muzzy Products Corporation bestows its prestigious Tall Man Award to someone who “stands tall” among his or her peers by contributing to the community and going above and beyond to promote and protect the future of archery and bowhunting.

This year Muzzy proudly presented the award to Jay McAninch, chief executive officer/president of the Archery Trade Association (ATA), at the 2010 ATA Trade Show in Columbus, Ohio.

The ATA has served its members since 1953, and McAninch has held his position with the organization since 2000. The association is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, reducing taxes and government regulation and increasing participation in archery and bowhunting.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” McAninch says. “The list of previous Tall Man recipients includes people that I admire. I’m especially humbled that the award is presented by Michele and her family who have worked so hard to make Muzzy a highly respected company and a longstanding influence on archery and the industry.”

Since becoming president of the ATA, McAninch has steered the ATA toward establishing a solid foundation and process for growing the sports of archery and bowhunting.

“We decided to focus all dollars on state wildlife agencies to put staff in place and to help build programs and facilities for promoting archery and bowhunting throughout the country.”

With McAninch’s guidance, the ATA’s efforts have produced a superb outcome. State agencies are now supporting organizations such as the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and the Explore Bowhunting Program, which work to bring archery into the communities.

“We are working toward a future where kids in urban communities will have the same opportunity to participate in archery as they do to play football, baseball, basketball, gymnastics and other sports.”

In appreciation for all of McAninch’s contributions to the world of archery, Muzzy congratulates him on being selected as the 2009 Tall Man Award recipient.

For more information on Muzzy Products, call 1-866-387-9307, or check out www.muzzy.com.

Professional Outdoor Media Association

Indianapolis, IN --(AmmoLand.com)- Archery, bowhunting and communications legend Jim Dougherty was the inaugural recipient of the POMA/ATA Archery & Bowhunting Communicator Award in 2008.

The second recipient of this prestigious award will be honored at the ATA Show next week.

Who will it be? Join POMA and ATA to find out.

ATA BOOTH : JAN. 15, 2010 – 11 A.M.

The award pays tribute to communicators who embody everything that made Fred Bear so special.

Bowhunting Legend Fred Bear

Award honorees are journalists who, like Fred:

• defend the heritage and future of archery and bowhunting at work, at home and through his/her lifestyle,
• have the words “archery” and “bowhunting” tattooed across his/her heart,
• bring honesty and integrity to the editorial game,
• possess communications skills other journalists envy,
• are teachers – people who foster the next generation of communicators and
• are professionals in every way.

Honorees are presented with the signature Fred Bear Borsalino hat, bronzed complete with turkey feather and Pearly Everlasting wildflower adorning the hatband.

POMA Mission
The Professional Outdoor Media Association is a group of individual communicators and Corporate Partners who believe in, defend, support and promote the heritage of hunting, fishing, shooting and traditional outdoor sports through writing, photography and other means. By doing so, members hope to educate the general public about these sports and encourage more participation in them. The organization serves the membership by helping members grow professionally, improve their skills, better their working environments and enhance their businesses. Visit: www.professionaloutdoormedia.org

Alabama Community Archery Park Now Open

Outdoor Alabama

Dothan, Ala - -(AmmoLand.com)- Alabama’s third community archery park officially opened on Friday, December 4 in Dothan, Ala.

The Dothan facility joins archery parks in Athens, and Cullman, Ala., that opened in February 2008 and April 2009, respectively. A fourth park will open in Demopolis in 2010.

The range was developed through a partnership between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF), the City of Dothan, the Archery Trade Association (ATA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Students from Rehobeth High School’s agriscience program contributed to the project by building the target frames and were present for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

WFF Director Corky Pugh said the opening of the range is a monumental occasion for both the State of Alabama and the City of Dothan. “What we are creating is an opportunity for young people to learn life skills that will stay with them throughout their life,” Pugh said. “Archery is one of those great sports that you don’t have to be an athlete to excel in.”

Mike Piccirilli, Division of Federal Assistance Chief for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the Southeast, praised the progress Alabama has made with the opening of its third archery range. “Alabama is a special place because it is so dedicated to archery,” Piccirilli said. “We hope this park will stimulate interest and participation in archery for years to come.”

In a continued partnership with Dothan Leisure Services, WFF will assist in the creation of school and recreational archery programs for Dothan and surrounding communities in Houston County. “We are looking forward to enhancing our programming by providing archery related activities for students and citizens of Dothan and Houston County,” said Elston Jones, Dothan Leisure Services Director.

Alabama’s archery parks are user funded at no cost to taxpayers. The parks are also made possible through the Community Archery Program (CAP), which was developed in 2005 by the ATA to grow archery and bowhunting participation nationwide.

The Dothan archery park features: eight youth targets from 5-20 yards; 11 adult range targets from 15-80 yards; and an elevated platform that simulates bowhunting situations with targets from 10-40 yards.

The Dothan archery range is open to the public during daylight hours except for Wednesday, when it is closed to the public. All participants, ages 16 to 64 must have a Hunting or Wildlife Heritage license in order to shoot. All shooters must sign in and out at the Eastgate Lodge. No broadhead points are allowed and users of the elevated platform must wear a full body harness. The park is located in Eastgate Park, 2049 Sanitary Dairy Road, Dothan, Ala., 36305.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com .

Archery Trade Organization

Indianapolis, IN --(AmmoLand.com)- Register for the 2010 ATA Trade Show, Jan. 13-15, and take advantage of more than $5,000 in savings provided by Trade Show exhibitors.

Plus, there is also a chance to win free lodging at the 2011 show in Indianapolis!

How to Save
Every retail shop attending the 2010 ATA Trade Show stands to benefit in a big way. A real BIG way. What was initially billed as a coupon book worth thousands has become a sizable discount valued at over $5,000.

Unlike past Trade Show discount programs, the Big Buck Tags coupon books will not be limited to those who win. Instead, each retail shop attending the show will receive one coupon book. Big Buck Tags will be provided at Trade Show registration.

How To Win
Register for the Trade Show by December 23 and your name will be entered in a drawing to win big savings at the 2011 ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis. Three winners will receive three nights in an Archery Trade Association (ATA) hotel, while seven additional winners will receive a free dinner for two in Indianapolis.

How to Register
Register to attend the 2010 ATA Trade Show by downloading a registration form here or go to archerytrade.org and register online by clicking here. If you would like help registering for the show, call the ATA toll free at (866) 266-2776.

About the LARGEST Archery and Bowhunting Show
The Trade Show is returning to Columbus, Ohio after a hiatus of 10 years, thanks to an improved venue, revitalized downtown and city efforts to cut costs. Discounts include several hotels offered in the ATA block with rates under $100 along with recently discounted room rates at the Hyatt on Capitol Square, now only $139 per room! The Hyatt on Capitol Square is located just six blocks from the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Countrymen Innovations

Red Hook, NY – -(AmmoLand.com)- Countrymen Innovations, the manufacturer of the popular Jake Intimidator turkey hunting decoy, announced today it will launch several new and innovative hunting and fishing products during the 2010 ATA Show on January 13 – 15 in Columbus, OH.

Countrymen Innovations, based in Red Hook, NY, has a long history of designing and developing innovative hunting and fishing products. The new products unveiled at the 2010 ATA Show will provide solutions to issues hunters and fishermen encounter and are unlike any products available on the market.

Countrymen Innovations previously launched their Jake Intimidator turkey hunting decoy earlier this year and it is available through an ever-expanding network of dealers across the United States. The Jake Intimidator is like no other decoy on the market. So innovative, so easy to set up, and so easy to use, the effectiveness of the Jake Intimidator has created the GotMotion Revolution with turkey hunters.

“We’re really looking forward to introducing our new products at the 2010 ATA Show in Columbus. We feel these products will be a great benefit to hunters and fishermen.” said Rich Wyant, president of Countrymen Innovations, “The ATA Show will also be a good opportunity to introduce our Jake Intimidator turkey hunting decoy directly to the large amount of buyers attending the show.”

Countrymen Innovations continues its search for high-quality sales representation for their Jake Intimidator turkey hunting decoy and other products in the Southern, Great Lakes, and Northeast regions. Interested sales agencies can contact Mark Murphy at mark@wildsportsmarketing.com for more information. Murphy will also attend the ATA Show with Countrymen Innovations.

About Countrymen Innovations in Red Hook, NY
Countrymen Innovations, owned and managed by Rich Wyant and Guy Magarelli, is the manufacturer of the innovative Jake Intimidator turkey hunting decoy and the GotMotion Revolution. Wyant and Magarelli are life-long outdoorsmen with a 25 year history of designing and developing hunting and fishing products. For more info, visit Countrymen Innovations on the web at: http://www.CountrymenInnovations.com.

Archery Trade Organization

Salt Lake City, UT - -(OutDoorWire.com)- As part of an ongoing initiative to revitalize the Archery Trade Association brand, ATA unveiled a new logo which embraces the overarching mission of the organization.

The new logo, which generates a shape with bow-like curvature, also takes on the appearance of a bridge structure or umbrella. This allows the ATA to emphasize key messaging through writing and design to capitalize on each theme.

“ATA’s role as the umbrella organization, uniting the industry and building bridges is more important today than it has ever been,” said Jay McAninch, ATA President/CEO. “The ATA’s new brand, messaging and programs reflect our focus in this area.”

The ATA works to serve as a vital link among diverse businesses of the archery and bowhunting trade, while also acting as a bridge between the industry and other conservation, shooting and hunting entities such as state and federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations. The ATA’s work with these agencies and organizations builds participation in archery and bowhunting, while creating and protecting opportunities for shooting and hunting. The logo’s umbrella theme is equally important to the association’s purpose, as it underlines the ATA’s efforts to represent the interests of all its members.

The logo type treatment is clean and contemporary, which will not date. The primary color scheme uses a strong blue for the acronym symbol and a warm gray for the full name beneath, which will work appropriately in government, corporate and outdoor industry-related applications without conflict. Further developments in usage of the logo and a new brand identity will provide broad flexibility and integration of the ATA’s primary logo to carry wide-ranging messages from the ATA Trade Show to its Community Archery Programs and government affairs. Look for another significant rollout of the new ATA brand at the ATA Trade Show in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 13-15, 2010.

This summer, ATA members will see additional evidence of the trade organization’s initiatives to evolve its marketing strategies and brand recognition. Later this month, the ATA will launch its newly designed Web site. The new archerytrade.org will offer a more robust menu of information, a professional and credible design and stronger, user-friendly navigation.

For more information about the ATA’s new logo, please contact Amy Hatfield at (803) 685-3717.

About the ATA:
Since 1953, ATA has been the trade association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. ATA is dedicated to making the archery and bowhunting industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, reducing taxes and government regulation and by increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. ATA owns and manages the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s longest running and largest trade show worldwide

Archery Trade Association

Salt Lake City – -(ShootingWire.com)- The Archery Trade Association’s board of directors has changed the 2010 Trade Show dates to January 13-15 to accommodate a scheduling conflict.

By approving the change, the ATA Board shifted the Trade Show to a Wednesday-Friday schedule. The Trade Show had been scheduled for Jan. 14-16, 2010, its usual Thursday-Saturday timetable.

The Board made the change so exhibitors attending both the ATA and SHOT shows had enough time to make the transition between events. Before adjusting the ATA Show dates, these exhibitors had only two days to pack up in Columbus, and travel and set up in Las Vegas.

“Before proposing we shift our dates, we talked to many exhibitors who planned to attend both shows so we fully understood their situations,” said Jay McAninch, ATA CEO/President. “Moving the show ahead one day was the best solution. Otherwise, we could expect some exhibitors to downsize their presence at the ATA Trade Show or forgo the SHOT Show to account for the tight turnaround time. We don’t want to put companies in a position of possibly jeopardizing their show schedules, so we adjusted our dates.”

In 2009, 95 exhibitors set up at both trade shows. Of that group, 24 had ATA booths that occupied at least 500 square feet, and they combined for 24,600 square feet. After calling these 24 exhibitors, ATA staff learned nearly 30 percent would downsize their exhibit space at the ATA Show to make both shows. Meanwhile, over 50 percent vowed to maintain the size of their booth space, regardless of the two-day turnaround. The other 20 percent said they would not attend the SHOT Show.

Another important consideration was Saturday attendance by dealers. The new dates of Jan. 13-15 kick off the ATA Show on a Wednesday rather than its usual Thursday, and end on Friday rather than the usual Saturday. ATA staff studied how many retail shops had staff drive to the show and attend Saturday only. In the past two shows at Indianapolis, Saturday-only shop attendance was 2.7 percent of 2008′s overall attendance and 3.3 percent of 2009′s overall attendance.

Given exhibitor feedback, the ATA believes this decision to adjust show dates will benefit participation and the show’s financial success. Those advantages should also offset additional expenses incurred to pay laborers to prepare the show floor for a Wednesday morning opening.

Important 2010 Trade Show Dates

New Event Dates:
Wed., Jan. 13, to Friday, Jan. 15, 2010

Trade Show Exhibitor Setup:
Monday, Jan. 11, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 12, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 13, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Trade Show Exhibitor Move-Out:
Fri., Jan. 15, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Priority to SHOT exhibitors)
Sat., Jan. 16, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Cindy Brophy at (866) 266-2776, ext. 205, or e-mail, cindybrophy@archerytrade.org.

The Sportsman Channel

New Berlin, WISCONSIN - -(OutdoorWire.com)- The Sportsman Channel is pleased to sponsor the Archery Trade Association (ATA) Great Giveaway night on Friday, January 9th during the ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana for the second year. In addition to sponsoring the Great Giveaway, TSC is also on-site starting today filming promotional messages for exhibitors. The messages will be shown on all convention center monitors as an additional way for exhibitors to reach attendees.

“We see tremendous value in being a bigger partner of the ATA show,” said Director of Business Development, Graig Hale. “Last year we were on the floor filming exhibitors for promotional pieces for the association and everyone really saw the significance in adding the media component. When ATA approached us for 2009, we knew we wanted to take our partnership to the next level.”

The Sportsman Channel is also on the exhibitor floor with its parent company, InterMedia Outdoors in booth 2029. Stop by to pick up the latest copy of your favorite magazine and learn the latest news.

The ATA Great Giveaway starts Friday night, the 9th, at the Sagamore Ballroom in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Besides the ability to win thousands of dollars in prizes, attendees will also be entertained by country music star, Blake Shelton. For more information on the Great Giveaway and to buy your tickets, visit www.archerytrade.org

About the Sportsman Channel
Launched in 2003, The Sportsman Channel is the only network fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen participants in the United States, delivering 100 percent hunting, fishing and shooting programming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2007, TSC is now a part of the nation’s largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts. Check out TSC’s new, interactive website and sign up for a free program guide/magazine at www.thesportsmanchannel.com.