Bob Fromme, world class bowhunter and successful business owner has recently joined Victory Archery as a member of its Elite ProStaff and as Product Development Consultant.
 
Marty Connolly, CEO Victory Archery announced the signing at that company’s corporate office.
 
“Bob Fromme comes to us with an impressive resume. Not only does he possess successful, real world experience in the field of hunting, business and the archery industry but also has proven knowledge in product design, development and marketing. We are looking forward to having Bob on our Victory Team and are confident he will be one of our greatest assets as we continue to develop and innovate within our current and future product lines.”
 
Bob Fromme has been in the archery industry since 1981 and the owner of Performance Archery, San Diego, CA since 1983. Bob has assisted numerous companies in product design and as a life long bowhunter, taken numerous record book animals. In addition to being one of a very few bowhunters to have taken all 28 North America animal species Bob has also won 4 California State Broadhead Championships.
 
Victory Archery is a leader in design and manufacturing of high-tech carbon arrows.

East Lansing, Mich. -The 2010 Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever Focus on Forever Conference is scheduled for July 23rd through 25th at the Demmer Shooting Sports Education and Training Center on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing. A "train the trainer" conference, Focus on Forever is designed for the organization's chapter members, natural resources agency staff, and members of the public passionate about introducing youth and their families to America's outdoor traditions and wildlife conservation ethics.
 
"We are keenly aware of the downward trend in the amount of time kids spend outside. Add the declining number of new hunters being recruited and retained, and we are all left to question the future of our outdoor traditions and land stewardship ethics," explained Rich Wissink, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Youth Programs Specialist.  "Focus on Forever allows us to engage the people who are directly linked to a larger number of kids. The attendees to this year's event may represent 10,000 youngsters. That's a lot of kids we hope to get outside through one event."
 
This year's Focus on Forever event in East Lansing represents the third such event. Iowa was home to the 2008 conference, while Nebraska hosted last year's event. This year's conference includes sessions covering a wide range of topics; including, best practices for hosting youth mentor hunts, introducing shooting sports to novice shooters, canoeing and angling basics, habitat projects for kids, basic teaching skills and activities from the Leopold Education Project.

Washington, D.C. – Safari Club International (SCI) has successfully defended the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) efforts to manage destructive wild horses in northwest Nevada.  Plaintiffs, including an animal rights group, had launched baseless attacks on BLM’s management practices in a federal lawsuit.  On May 24, 2010 the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, based on arguments provided by SCI, dismissed the lawsuit, finding that none of the plaintiffs had “standing” to sue.
 
The horse numbers on the Calico Mountain Complex were three to four times higher than established management levels and the excess horses are causing damage to the ecosystem and harming resident wildlife, including game mammals and birds.  The animal rights group “In Defense of Animals,” and two individuals sued the BLM to stop the planned gathering of the excess horses at the Calico Complex, and the subsequent transfer of the horses to long-term holding facilities. 
 
SCI President Larry Rudolph said “Once again, SCI has successfully stepped in to advance the interests of hunters advocating for sustainable management of all species.  When herds reach population levels at which they seriously degrade the habitat and harm not only game species, but all kinds of wildlife, it is time for the BLM to take action.  Unfortunately, single-minded zealots try to stop these management efforts.  When the hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of Nevada called, SCI helped make a real difference.  This case is more proof that SCI truly is First for Hunters.”

Nashville, Tenn. – Volunteer quail conservationists are alive and well in Tennessee, as evidenced by the formation of two new Quail Forever chapters. The Nashville area is home to the Music City Quail Forever Chapter, while Shelby County calls the Mid-South Quail Forever Chapter its own.
 
A nationally recognized name in wildlife habitat conservation, Quail Forever builds a connection in local areas because of its grassroots approach. Like only its Pheasants Forever counterpart, Quail Forever provides local Quail Forever chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters, including the new Tennessee chapters, the ability to make things happen for wildlife in their communities, while belonging to a national organization advocating for wildlife and conservation in policy discussions in Washington, D.C.

New York, – Whether it's William Tell using a crossbow to shoot an apple off his son’s head, or Annie Oakley using a hand mirror to make a shot with a rifle slung over her shoulder, history is filled with legendary tales of amazing marksmanship. Now, HISTORY is tapping into these inspiring feats of sharp-shooting for its first-ever competition series, TOP SHOT, premiering Sunday, June 6 at 10pm ET.

Sixteen of the nation’s most skilled marksmen have been carefully selected to compete in the new 10-episode series. Some have professional shooting experience, some are amateurs –all will showcase breathtaking timing, speed and accuracy in their quest to win the $100,000 prize package and title of “Top Shot.” The winner will ultimately have to be skilled in everything from muzzle-loading muskets and modern pistols to slingshots and throwing knives.
 
The series is hosted by actor, adventurer and athlete Colby Donaldson, a born competitor whose experience as a contestant on Survivor brings a unique perspective to HISTORY’s first elimination series.

DeForest, WI – Hunter 2 Hunter Equipment, makers of the “Gutwrench” series of bird gutting tools, has announced a licensing agreement with the Duck Commanders!

After field testing the Gutwrench, the Duck Commanders vigorously pursued a licensing agreement, reaching terms with H2H this morning on an agreement which allows H2H to feature the distinctive Duck Commander logo on the packaging for all of its duck and goose gutting tools.

Speaking on behalf of Duck Commander Inc, Willie Robertson stated: "There has always been more than one way to skin a cat.  Now there is more than one way to gut a duck.  The Gutwrench is the fastest and easiest way to gut a duck that I have seen.”

Mike Kennedy, H2H’s VP of Operations, added: “We first approached the Duck Commanders at the SHOT show in Las Vegas, that night, they dominated the Outdoor Channel Golden Moose Awards – I think they won six!  We left there with a great impression, they’ve got a great show, and they all treated us like old friends – right from the first conversation.  Duck Commander is a great show, a great brand, and a great group of people.  When they field tested the Gutwrench, they loved it, so we all got to work and hammered out this agreement.  This is an exciting time for all of us at Hunter 2 Hunter, and a moment of triumph for the Gutwrench.”
 
Gutwrench duck gutting tools featuring the Duck Commander trademark will be available for purchase beginning July, 2010.

To see the Gutwrench in action, please visit, www.gutwrenchhunting.com.

MCCLUSKY, N.D.,  - The hills are alive with breeding ducks. Conditions in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) are excellent for waterfowl production. And birds are taking full advantage of the food and nesting cover available to them.

“When I’ve been out in the field, there were ducks everywhere.  We’re seeing lots of breeding ducks, and all indications are we’ll have lots of hens nesting this year,” said Scott Stephens, director of conservation planning for Ducks Unlimited’s (DU) Great Plains Regional Office (GPRO). “We have had very wet conditions on the prairies, and that has caused many of the seasonal wetlands to be full of water and exploding with duck food.”

This spring DU research crews are searching winter wheat fields looking for duck nests to see how nests fare in fall-planted cereal crops compared to other nesting habitats.

POTTSTOWN, PA – The planting of food plots has become a big part of deer habitat management. Each year millions of dollars are spent on the planting of food plots. However, many hunters and landowners overlook the naturally occurring deer food plants already on their property that with a little care will produce an abundance of food for deer at little cost. The guidebook How to Manage Native Plants for Deer gives the reader the information he needs to locate and manage a wide range of native and naturally occurring plants that deer love.

Deer hunting is always better, and attracts deer from greater distances, when the total habitat is managed. Selecting and fertilizing native and naturally occurring plants is an easy way to improve land for deer, and compliments the planting of food plots.

Designed to be pocket sized and easy to read, this little guidebook makes an ideal gift for the beginning hunter or master of the woods. It’s everything needed to know about managing the food sources you already have on your property and in a 101-page guidebook that will fit in your hunting pack or in the glove box of your truck.

For more information about the J. Wayne Fears series of guidebooks, or to place an order, visit the Pro Tool Industries web site at www.protoolindustries.net or call 800-708-5191 where you can also request a free catalog. Pro Tool Industries’ web site now offers a new retail store locator where visitors can find a nearby retail location carrying the company’s brands including the J. Wayne Fears guidebooks, Pro Tool Utility Knife Collection and the Woodman’s Pal.

SCI Taking Hunters’ Message To Capitol Hill

Washington, D.C. – Safari Club International (SCI) board members participated in more than 170 meetings last week with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on behalf of hunters everywhere. Safari Club International’s annual “Lobby Day” on Capitol Hill represented the largest gathering of U.S. hunters in Washington, D.C. This year, hunters sought legislative progress on key legislation to help ensure sportsmen and women can continue to hunt on the nation’s public lands. (SCI Press Release) bit.ly/cSHQG2
 

 A Win For International Conservation

Safari Club International (SCI) sent representatives to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) last March prepared for a debate on the definition of what constitutes a hunting trophy. SCI knew getting this regulation right was critical because it will have a big effect on traveling hunters and international wildlife conservation.  John Monson, SCI’s lead delegate at CITES, said, “For the past 35 years, CITES has not defined the term ‘hunting trophy’ because regionally there are various interpretations of what a trophy actually is. But these differences have resulted in confusion that has led to the seizure and the destruction of trophies. So we needed to get this thing done right.” (NRA American Hunter Online) http://bit.ly/avFchc

Representative Marc Gergely Honored as SCI’s 2010 State Legislator of the Year

Washington, D.C. – Safari Club International is pleased to announce Pennsylvania State Representative Marc Gergely as the 2010 State Legislator of the Year.  An avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and bow hunting, Representative Gergely is the current Democratic Chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (PALSC) and serves on the House Game and Fish Committee where he has made hunting, angling and conservation issues a top priority in the Commonwealth’s political arena. (SCI Press Release) http://bit.ly/97XtUe
 

Hunting Is Saving Africa’s Wildlife

Even the most ardent bunny-huggers can’t deny what hunting does for wildlife. In a headline about the current state of wildlife in Africa, Conde Nast Traveler begrudgingly and sarcastically proclaimed, “Perhaps the best way to save wildlife in Africa is to kill it.” It’s true, undeniably so. You could almost hear the Conde Nast editor’s fingernails screech across her keyboard as she was forced to acknowledge that, yes, African wildlife is thriving because of hunting.  (NRA’s American Hunter Online) http://bit.ly/avFchc

SCI Continues To Support Bear Hunting In New Jersey

SCI, our ally the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, and individual hunters testified in support of  draft black bear management policies that would authorize a black bear hunt in New Jersey for the first time in five years.  Governor Christie's administration has vowed to adopt policies based on science and sound wildlife management principles.  In contrast, the prior administration bowed to political pressure to flatly reject a bear hunt, although a hunt is the only scientifically proven means to control the burgeoning population.  Testifying against the policies were the BEAR group, a local anti-hunting organization, and national organizations like the Humane Society of the United States.   The highly emotional hearing was well attended by parties in favor of a hunt and those opposed.  SCI will be submitting written comments on the draft policies by June 18, 2010.  SCI members are encouraged to submit comments in support of the draft policies.  For more information, go to http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearpolicy10.htm.
 
 

Montana To At Least Double 2009 Wolf Hunt Quota

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission plans to at least double the number of gray wolves that hunters can kill this year.  Commissioners voted Thursday to accept a staff recommendation to increase the quota of wolves in this year's hunting season. After a public comment period, they will vote in July whether that final number will be 150, 186 or 216 animals. (AP Online) http://bit.ly/avFchc
 

Safari Club Weighs In On Elk Herd Thinning

A hunting group now has the chance to make its case for using sharpshooters to thin the elk herds in Rocky Mountain National Park. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that a lower court erred in not allowing the Safari Club to become a party in a lawsuit filed by an environmental group. WildEarth Guardians filed its lawsuit in 2008 after park officials approved a plan to use federal and state employees as well as volunteers to kill elk in the park. WildEarth Guardians said park officials didn't fully consider the release of wolves to reduce the herds before it decided on sharpshooters. Park officials say overgrazing by the elk herd in and around the park has damaged habitat and threatened other species. http://bit.ly/bAiuDw

(Morrisville, N.C.) Collaborative product design and development firm Montie Design has released the Tree Rest, another product in its innovative line of portable hunting and recreational shooting equipment.

Following in the footsteps of the popular X-Rest and AR-Rest portable shooting rests, the Tree Rest is lightweight and easy to pack, assemble, and set up. Designed to aid hunters by stabilizing their shot, the Tree Rest allows hunters to prop their guns on a stable shooting rest instead of a knee or just holding it in their hands.

"Even though the two-piece design weighs just 8.5 ounces, it's sturdy enough to hold up in any conditions," Montie Roland, president of Montie Design and shooting enthusiast, said. According to Roland, initial field testing revealed easy setup and breakdown in less than a minute.

The aluminum Tree Rest attaches quietly to trees up to 17 inches in diameter via a lightweight fabric strap. Rubber strips on the Tree Rest protect rifle stocks from damage while providing sturdy support.