This issue marks the beginning of my second year as the editor of The Hunting Wire. First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has helped support us in 2020. It’s been an amazing experience which has enabled me to meet and work with some of the outdoor industry’s finest people all over the world. We have exciting content slated for you in 2021 including a new dedicated R3 series by series by Jenifer Wisniewski, Chief of Outreach and Communication for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, a four-part series on how to hunt with your spouse by Adam and Brenda Weatherby, Hunting with the Westervelts, a series based on the story of a Montana father who teaches his three teenaged daughters how to hunt, plus a whole lot more. As always, thank you for your support and feedback about The Hunting Wire, Jay Pinsky jay@theoutdoorwire.com

By Jenifer Wisniewski - Chief, Outreach and Communication
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

We appreciate the gift of hunting year-round from ducks to turkeys and small game to deer, elk, and everything in between. This year, a year where we have seen a surge of interest in hunting, why not give back to the sport that gives you (and your freezer) such fulfillment! Here are some ways that you can give the gift of hunting by being a true wildlife conservationist. After all, it is great that we all buy our license to go hunting and contribute to the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Fund, but that is the bare minimum.

1. Buy someone a license – You may have to jump through a couple of hoops since you need their personal information, but you can always give them a homemade coupon good for one license and a lesson!
2. Give someone a hunting trip. You don’t have to take them to your top-secret honey hole, but you can show someone who is curious what it is all about. All you need to do is offer. Especially after this year, people want to learn how to be more self-sufficient.
3. Gift some meat. This one might be a little painful, but the best gifts should hurt a little. Invite someone over for a wild game dinner or offer someone some meat along with your favorite recipe. Tell them where the meat came from, that it is free range, grass fed, organic, and as healthy as it gets. See if a taste of the outdoors sparks an interest.
4. Gift someone a shooting lesson! It might be a little hard to find ammo these days, but one thing I have seen on the shelf is shotgun ammo. Hunters have shotguns and friends to teach the love of recreational shooting. Once you hit one of those clay pigeons, you’re going to want to do it again. Guaranteed.
5. Archery shooting is a great gateway gift! Got a person that is not so comfortable with firearms in your life? A good beginner step is archery shooting. Bows and crossbows are really fun to shoot and also give back to wildlife conservation.
6. Give someone a membership to the outdoors! Lots of organizations out there for any passion someone might have with many offering discounted youth memberships and holiday discounts or other benefits. A few to think about National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Delta Waterfowl, Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, National Deer Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Back Country Hunters and Anglers, or you state chapter of the National Wildlife Federation.
7. Shop at stores that give back! A group called 2% for Conservation has a Christmas Guide Shopping List featuring products from retailers that give back at least 2% of profits to wildlife conservation. (2% website https://www.fishandwildlife.org). Beyond brands, there are tons of retailers that give back like Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.
8. Shop online for unique state gifts like these from Tennessee where all funds go toward wildlife conservation. Many state fish and wildlife agencies have these donation programs.

State of the Hunting:

In 1989, there were roughly 16 million licensed hunters. In 2010, there were 14.4 million hunters and wildlife agencies started to see their funding decrease with fewer hunters and anglers buying licenses. Keep in mind that over this same period the population of people in the United States has grown by leaps and bounds. Up until 2019, this picture just gets worse.

Now we’re back in an upswing since the beginning of 2020. It is a small bright spot in all the bad that has come with this pandemic. We have had a rush of people to the outdoors and either return to hunting or begin hunting. License data from states puts the number of hunters for 2020 a little over 10% increase since 2019 which is really great news! For wildlife conservation to continue and improve, we need to retain these hunters. You can help. When you show someone how to hunt, you are doing your part in keeping this tradition alive.

It's been a different kind of year. Why not give a different kind of gift?

2020-2021 The Hunting Wire Voice of Leadership Panel 

The Voice of Leadership Panel is an appointed six-person group of outdoor industry leaders who have volunteered to contribute their voices on key hunting and outdoor recreation issues to inform, inspire, and educate participants within our community.

• Jim Curcuruto, Director, Research & Market Development, National Shooting Sports Foundation
• Mandy Harling, National Director of Hunting Heritage Programs, National Wild Turkey Federation
• Jenifer Wisniewski, Chief, Outreach and Communication, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
• Jess Johnson, Legislative and Advocacy, Wyoming Wildlife Federation
• Joel Brice, Vice President, Waterfowl & Hunter Recruitment Programs, Delta Waterfowl
• Makayla Scott, Montreat College Shotgun Team

Facilitators:

• James “Jay” Pinsky, Editor, The Hunting Wire
• Peter Churchbourne, Director, NRA Hunter Leadership Forum

Each month The Hunting Wire highlights one of America’s state-run wildlife management agencies to enhance the ongoing education and awareness campaigns of each state. The United States bases its hunting and conservation programs on what is known as the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. While often geographically unique, all state programs align with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and offer news, information, and resources which can benefit American hunters.

The Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.

RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND REACTIVATION (R3): Ohio’s hunter education opportunities abound from the basics to how to become an instructor. Learn about all of Ohio’s opportunities here.

CONSERVATION & EDUCATION: Ohio’s online wildlife education resources enable hunters of all experience levels the opportunity to learn about the state’s animals and habitats. To learn more, click here.

COVID-19 SPECIAL:

Link: Ohio COVID-19 Information for Hunters

Part I – How We Got Started

By Adam and Brenda Weatherby

Even though most would think we, as a Weatherby couple, have hunted together for many years, the truth is it is something we have grown into. And over the almost past decade, others have observed and asked how we do that. This 4-part article series is a chance to describe that journey and celebrate it and give some insight into how readers might apply some of the things we have learned. Although this is in the context of hunting together as a couple, we must make one thing clear: this isn’t about hunting. Deep down, it is about enjoying your relationship with your spouse through the enjoyment of life experiences, amazing places, and loved hobbies. It’s about freeing each other to live life to the fullest together. If your goal is to hunt with your wife or husband, you might be missing the real message of what we are about, but we will talk hunting, we promise.

Before we started hunting together, we still adventured together. It was always about being together, not about the hobby itself. When we first met, it was waterskiing and volleyball. These were two sports Brenda just loved. Adam became a lover of both, and we played and played, fully immersed in the experience. We were always each other’s favorite partner, no matter if either of us could have found a more skilled teammate. After we got married, Adam became an excellent wakeboarder, and Brenda was his boat driver. She wakeboarded too, but together was the focus and helping Adam land that next flip. These hobbies transitioned as we had a family. We’ve been avid triathlon racers, backpackers, and cyclists. Adam started cycling because Brenda loved it, not because he especially did. And that experience made him begin to love yet another hobby to enjoy together. Cycling took us to unique places to see, cultures to experience, and training plans to conquer so we could enjoy all that the hobby had to offer.

We have always chosen together over the hobby itself. Just as Adam started cycling because Brenda loved it, so Brenda started hunting because Adam loved it. She wasn’t confident in this outdoor activity, and yet, Brenda realized that to dislike something that her husband loved was to steal some of his joy in the activity. Being at least partly interested in Adam’s love for hunting and open to trying it was a blessing worth any sacrifice on Brenda’s part. Our relationship history has always done this for each other, giving and taking on each of our parts. Is it always 50-50? No. One time, Adam bought Brenda a longboard and a wetsuit hoping Brenda would love surfing. She tried and tried and just really never took to it. It was a hobby that didn’t work for us, and more pressure would have only made this worse. The good part was that Adam ended up with another surfboard in his quiver!

There is a possibility that hunting as a couple isn’t going to work for you. However, we are confident that there are at least a few hobbies that you can thoroughly enjoy together. With time, Brenda’s firearm confidence grew, and hunting became a passion of hers and not just to honor Adam’s love for the sport itself. She loved the food aspect; processing and cooking the meat is her highlight. Don’t rush that part; let it evolve as it evolves and keep experiencing the wonders together. This solidifies your joint hobby.

If you have your sights set on hunting together, we have some tips: (This is with the assumption that the husband is introducing the wife to hunting. However, we do recognize that the opposite could be true as well)

Guys: be open to the reality that you might have to go a little less crazy than if you were with your buddies. You might have to hike fewer miles, bring more stuff, and not get up as early as you might if you were on your own. Are these things a sacrifice in a way? Yes, maybe. If you expect to hunt the same way you do yourself, then you might sabotage this opportunity. You will also need to understand her fears, plan, and reassure her that the most important thing is being together, experiencing it with her. If your wife isn’t confident in the shooting aspect, practice with her, and encourage her as she improves.

Always make sure she knows that her best is good enough. She will not become an expert hunter overnight but with each experience grow in her skills and confidence. Too much pressure is bound to turn her off to the hunting experience altogether. Your sensitivity to what’s going on inside of her is the key. Build her confidence, and she will be more likely to thrive in it.

Gals: You will be stretched to go beyond what you think is comfortable or maybe even possible at times. Know in your mind that everything cannot be entirely safe or predictable. Hunting brings out the wild side of nature, and believe it or not, that’s the most fun part of it. It is what your husband thrives on and what you will learn to love as well. Trust your husband to take care of you, and don’t panic; just put one foot in front of the other.

You are tougher than you think, and once you’ve been through a challenging hunt, you will have more confidence and love the feeling it has given you. Make the most challenging parts of the adventure the best parts of the trip. Most of all, take in the rarity of the moment: the rawness of sitting in the dirt, watching the snowfall around you, and the cyclical rhythm of waiting versus the intensity of action that only a hunt provides. Live in the moment for once, worry about the dark when darkness comes and not before.

Be in awe of being truly in the moment, which is so rare in our modern lives. Enjoy the challenge of pushing your limits physically and keep your mind tough, knowing you can do almost anything for 5 hours or even five days.

Fiocchi Ammunition teaches shooters about the basics of shotgun ammunition and how to use it.

By Fiocchi Ammunition

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Episode 5 – Venison Wellington

By Ken Perrotte

Video: Colton and Outdoors Rambler Ken Perrotte Cook Delicious Venison Wellington with a Cream Brandy Sauce

Here’s a "how-to" classic recipe in a new "Cooking with Colton" video by Ken Perrotte (www.outdoorsrambler.com) and his teen hunting pal Colton Josselyn. They demonstrate how to make a delicious Venison Wellington with a Cream Brandy Sauce. using a beautifully trimmed bottom round of venison. Their version of this "meat and pastry" dish features a "duxelles" of mushrooms instead of the more traditional (and expensive) goose liver "foie gras." Oven-roasted winter vegetables accent the plate. Venison Wellington can be challenging, but it is worth the effort when friends or family visit for special occasions. Check it out and share it with your friends. They'll thank you. Make a commitment to hunt with a youngster in 2021 and help them learn not only how to harvest the bounty but to also transform it into trophy quality on the plate.

The Hunting Wire has partnered with Vortex Optics to help educate and equip hunters of all experience levels with optics knowledge and proven techniques to make us all more success.

Link: Early Morning Glassing Tips

By Larry Weishuhn and Luke Clayton

Luke Clayton and Larry Weishuhn

Radio File: HUNTING WIRE RADIO FIRST EPISODE JAN 2021

Link: Hunting Apprenticeship Programs

Interested in hunting but not sure it’s something you’re ready to invest in yet? Then check to see if your state offers an apprentice hunting program. Intended mainly for youth hunters, in these programs, a licensed hunter can take someone afield without that person needing to take and pass a hunter safety class. The apprentice hunter will stay with their mentor while afield, learning about game movement, glassing techniques, shot placement, hunter ethics and much, much more. It’s real-world, real-time experience—one licensed hunters are happy to give for the asking.

The Hunting Wire has partnered with Kimber, GPO Optics, and HSM Ammunition to embark upon a new series dedicated to telling the story of new hunters all across the United States. Paired with seasoned hunting mentors, novice hunters will go afield with “Bob”, an old-school .257 Roberts, chambered in an ultra-modern Kimber 84M Hunter bolt-action rifle in hopes of hunting success.

By Jay Pinsky, Editor, The Hunting Wire

Jesse Scott, age 10, took his first deer ever with Kimber’s Model 84 Hunter chambered in .257 Roberts to kick off The Hunting Wire’s new series, “Hunting with Bob.”

Editor’s Note - Like real hunting, the “Hunting with Bob” series takes time and effort. “Bob” is currently with Red Cell Media owner, Eric Suarez, who is hunting with his son for his first deer in Tennessee. In the meantime, we thought we’d share the behind the scenes story of how this series came to be.

The "Hunting with Bob" series is a The Hunting Wire campaign that addresses a concern from a Voice of Leadership Panel discussion with senior panelist, Jim Curcuruto, NSSF, who identified a need and an opportunity for manufacturers to get involve with hunter recruitment in the spirit of NSSF's larger +ONESM Movement which was created in response to studies showing millions of people want to know more about hunting and target shooting but need some support to get started.

I felt Jim was right, so I wanted to create an editorial opportunity for manufacturers to participate in a hunter recruitment program here at The Hunting Wire. We're excited to support NSSF's +ONE Movement.

One of the first industry partners we reached out to was Kimber, which just relocated to Alabama. There I spoke with Kimber’s assistant public relations manager, Connor McKibbin, who is a lifetime hunter himself and immediately saw the value of this kind of campaign.

“Kimber is proud to participate in new-hunter programs, as recruiting new hunters is not only crucial for hunting, but it’s crucial for conservation efforts as a whole,” said Connor McKibbin, assistant public relations manager, Kimber. “What’s more, Kimber’s rifles are exclusively crafted from the ground up to meet the demands of hunters from all walks of life, regardless of experience level.”

Why did I choose the proven but nearly forgotten 257 Roberts? Well, it has a lot to do with the philosophy behind the R3 campaign as a whole. I wanted experienced hunters to be retained and reenergized, right? What better way to demonstrate that than by retaining an experienced cartridge like the 257 Roberts which has more than proven itself all over the United States, and reenergizing it by pairing it with brand-new hunters?

“The .257 Roberts is in many ways the 6.5 Creedmoor of yesteryear,” said Kimber’s own Chris Faust, Product Manager, Rifles. “Unfortunately, it suffered from limited ammunition offerings and was considered by many hunters to be underpowered. Today, with modern bullet designs and better propellants, the cartridge has made a comeback because of its light recoil and more-than-adequate terminal performance on medium-sized game. Still, the market for .257 Roberts is small; with no other major manufacturers offering it, we are more than happy to oblige.”

German Precision Optics was onboard just as quickly. “As a young boy I was fortunate to have a brother get me into hunting, but many kids aren’t so lucky,” said Mike Jensen GPO, USA’s owner and CEO. “Every company in our industry needs to step it up to protect our way of life.”

Stay tuned to The Hunting Wire for updates about “Bob” as it travels across the United States recruiting, retaining, and reenergizing hunters.

An Eastern Shore long-term field test of GPO Optics and Wildlife Research’s scent control products on Maryland Whitetails

By Bob Houlihan

With record rainfall on Maryland's Eastern Shore, getting in and out of the woods has been interesting this year.

Photo by Connor Houlihan

Stink

I live on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland and have the privilege of hunting a gorgeous waterfront 500-acre farm in Talbot county. We’ve got world-class Whitetail, turkey, and waterfowl. Thankfully the guys on my lease and other surrounding landowners are invested in managing a healthy deer population. Most bucks taken are in the 140-class or higher, and we shoot a lot of does to manage the population and help limit crop damage.

Deer processing has become a severe challenge. I’ve had to change the way that I approach it entirely. Rubberized shoulder gloves and a mask, and a face shield are a must while field dressing. I love deer hunting, but I’d prefer it didn’t kill me.

Kill me? Why?

Like everything else in 2020, this hunting season started weird. In June, I worked in my backyard and got bit by a small tick with a white dot on its back. I didn’t think much of it, as I live in the country, and ticks are a part of life—Fast-forward two weeks when my wife and I sat down to a nice steak dinner at home. About four hours later, the hives started. Another hour later, I went into anaphylaxis. The tick bite had given me a relatively unknown condition called Alpha-Gal Syndrome, a severe red meat allergy. After seeing an allergist and getting tested, my numbers were through the roof. Anything food-wise that comes from a mammal, such as beef, pork, veal, and venison, is out for me, possibly for life. Even dairy and I love me some cheese. My wife and I discussed what I was going to do about hunting. There was no way I was giving up deer hunting because it’s too much a part of my life. My son, friends, and coworkers are the big winners in this situation. They get full freezers and even get the tenderloins now. If I have more than I can give to a family this year, I’ll donate to Farmers & Hunters Feed the Hungry.

My 9-point a few weeks before I was able to seal the deal.

Like I said, I’m not going to stop hunting, and hunting mature, educated Whitetails is hard. We have a ton of mature deer on our property, and mature deer are smart deer with really powerful noses. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve watched a big nanny doe stand just out of range eyeballing me, stomping and blowing. Perfect wind, good scent control, but somehow those big girls know.

I hunt hard throughout the season, and I’ve learned over the years that one of the most important aspects of getting a chance to harvest a deer is scent control. You can have the best crossbow or gun, but if the deer can smell you, you’ll never get a chance to pull the trigger.

I’ve tried hundreds of different products over the years for scent control but have always ended up coming back to Wildlife Research Center’s line of products. They’ve got it all.

Before heading into the woods, I spray a final application of scent killer on my outer clothes.

Scent control starts at home, not just in the woods. I begin with scent-free laundry detergent and dryer sheets. It’s not just your hunting clothes, but everything. Socks, undies, hats, gloves, even the backpack you carry into the woods. And don’t forget bath towels. You don’t want to re-stink yourself with spring fresh fabric softener after using scent-free shampoo and soap in the shower. After the shower, I use scent-free deodorant and always make sure to brush my teeth. Human mouths stink!

I store my hunting gear in airtight containers with Scent Killer No Zone Tote Tamers that absorb moisture and odor and wait to get dressed at my hunting spot so I don’t pick up stray odors from my truck. Before I head into the woods, I spray a final application of scent killer on my boots and outer clothes and give the bottom of my boots a squirt of earth smell masking scent to help cover anything I pick up on the walk-in.

Before heading into the woods, I spray a final application of scent killer on my boots.

Am I a little obsessive? Yup. But I want to make sure that I take advantage of every possible tool and trick I’ve got available to help me connect with a deer.

I was able to harvest a beautiful 9-point buck that came in directly downwind of me because I put in a little extra time and effort with my scent control. It’s worth it.

Glass

I have a confession to make. I’m cheap. There, I said it. If I can buy something used or get a hand me down, I’m all in. So, for years, I’ve been using a 20-year-old pair of cheap binoculars while I hunt and scout. They’ve got the job done, but I never realized what I was missing until I had the opportunity to test out a pair of GPO Passion HD 8x42 binoculars.

GPO's Passion HD binoculars were a game changer for me this year. Photo by Connor Houlihan

Right out of the box, these binocs impressed me. Solidly built, but not heavy. Well-armored, but not bulky. GPO paid a lot of attention to the fit and finish. They come with a hard clamshell zipper case, straps for both the binoculars and case, and front and rear covers.

The eye-cups are comfortable and have three different settings for eye relief. The focus is smooth as silk.

I never really understood what I was missing until I sat down in my blind and put these things to the test. It was like seeing a whole different set of woods. The first thing that struck me was their light gathering ability. I rarely bothered even to pull up my cheapos before the sun was fully up because they didn’t work. These damn things almost see in the dark! I was able to see deer moving a full 20-30 minutes earlier than I had been. The image clarity and sharpness are impressive thanks to GPO’s Double HD Glass and GPObright lens coating technology.

GPO Passion HD 8x42 binoculars. Photo by Connor Houlihan

Over the last two months, I have been amazed at the level of detail I was able to see on deer moving significantly further than before. Pretty cool to be able to see stickers and kickers from far away! Being able to identify shooter bucks better sooner has made an enormous difference in my hunts.

During the rut, I was sometimes hunting dark to dark, glassing my woods the entire time, but experienced no eye strain or fatigue. These things are comfortable and in a year that has been non-stop raining, waterproof and fog-proof.

Good glass makes a difference now if I can get my lovely wife to buy me these for Christmas.

A lot of hard work and a little OCD paid off with a nice 9-point buck.

A collection of bowhunting training videos and written content on how to help you become a better bowhunter.

By Easton Bowhunting

Video: How Long Should I Sit In My Treestand? - Bowhunter Basecamp

Mark Oliver with Buckmasters gives his professional advice along with some tips and tricks about bowhunting in a treestand.

ZEISS unveils thermal imaging camera developed specifically for hunting

ZEISS is proud to announce the release of the ZEISS DTI 3/35, its first thermal imaging camera specifically developed for hunting. The thermal imaging camera combines a high-resolution display that delivers detailed images with a well-balanced, ergonomic design. "The combination of high-contrast images in the dark with intuitive and ergonomic operation makes ZEISS thermal imaging technology the perfect choice for predator and feral hog hunting," said Kyle Brown, Director of Marketing/Product at ZEISS Consumer Products for Carl Zeiss SBE, LLC. "As a result, we make it possible for hunters to accurately identify their target, even in poor lighting conditions, turning night into day."

Thanks to the arrangement of the control buttons optimized as part of the ErgoControl concept and the device's specially shaped design, the ZEISS DTI 3/35 is extremely intuitive to use. The buttons are arranged so that they can be identified quickly and accurately when it is dark, cold and with gloves on.

Even the high-precision manual zoom has been designed to accommodate difficult conditions in the dark. With its precise adjustment in 0.5x increments, the digital 1.0-4.0x zoom offers the perfect combination and balance of magnification and detail recognition. This feature allows the user to quickly switch between zoom levels. Whether it is for game observation and detection or accurate identification, selecting the necessary zoom level is easy and reliable.

Seeing Beyond – Life like detail, even in the dark

ZEISS has always been a specialist in creating optical solutions for difficult lighting conditions, but the ZEISS DTI 3/35 changes the way you can see the world. Starting with its ultra-precise manual focus F1.0 lens, leading to the incredible resolution detail of its 384X288 sensor, the image results on its LCOS HD display are unlike anything ZEISS has ever produced for the night hunter.

Live Streaming via the ZEISS Hunting App

Using the ZEISS Hunting app, hunters can transfer and share data, photos, and videos from the thermal imaging camera to a smartphone via cable or WLAN and even live-stream their hunting adventures.

The Specialist for Difficult Lighting Conditions

"We know that some of the most thrilling hunting moments can occur after sunset and you can experience memorable encounters with nature when hunting at night," explained Brown. The newly developed DTI 3/35 thermal imaging camera from ZEISS achieves the seemingly impossible: it sees details that remain hidden from the human eye. This not only makes hunting at night more fascinating, but also more successful.

Availability

The ZEISS DTI 3/35 will be available from select ZEISS authorized dealers beginning in December 2020.

For more information please visit https://www.zeiss.com/consumer-products/us/hunting.html.

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling more than 6.4 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2019).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership.

With over 31,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 60 sales and service companies, 30 production sites and 25 development sites. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

ZEISS Consumer Products

ZEISS Consumer Products combines the company's business with camera and cine lenses, binoculars, spotting scopes and hunting optics. The unit is allocated to the Consumer Markets segment and is represented at sites in Oberkochen and Wetzlar.

MISSOULA, Mont. (December 17, 2020) - At the Boone and Crockett Club's recent annual meeting, James F. (Jim) Arnold was elected as president and began a two-year term that will end in December 2022. Arnold is the president and chief executive officer for Arnold Oil Company of Austin. He has been a regular member of the Club since 2004 serving on six committees.

"I am honored to have been chosen by my peers as the incoming president of the Boone and Crockett Club. I have been actively engaged in the conservation community for many years but serving as the Club's president is my most meaningful and cherished achievement," said Arnold. "I look forward to working closely with the Club's outstanding staff and members to lead this venerable organization as it continues to play a critical role in the country's most pressing conservation challenges."

Arnold grew up in New Braunfels, Texas and attended Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business on an athletic scholarship playing on the football team that won the 1974 Southwest Conference Championship title. He founded Arnold Oil Company of Austin in March of 1977 at age 24, and after almost 44 years the company has diversified into many divisions with locations that cover most of Texas. He has served on numerous national industry related councils over the past 35 years in the capacity of Council chairman, Executive committee chairman, Board of Directors, and has received many national top industry achievement awards.

Arnold and his wife, Rhonda, live in Austin but have a ranch in south Texas, where they have hosted many Wounded Warrior and youth hunts over the years. Arnold is also actively involved in the conservation community. He is a Boone and Crockett WildernessWarrior as well as a Safari Club Life Member and an SCI Hunter Legacy Member. In addition, he participates with the Caesar Kleberg Research Association as well as the Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Wild Sheep Foundation. As a regular member of the Boone and Crockett Club, Arnold serves on the Records, Ranch, Strategic Planning, Associates, and Membership Committees. He was the Club's Vice President of Administration from 2011 to 2016 and the Executive Vice President of Administration from 2016 to 2020.

"Jim Arnold has been a strong leader for the Boone and Crockett Club ever since he became a regular member 16 years ago. We look forward to his leadership as the Club moves forward with our top priorities including our new Poach & Pay program, improved policies for forest management and habitat health, Chronic Wasting Disease and much more," noted chief executive officer, Tony A. Schoonen.

About the Boone and Crockett Club

Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Montana. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

For more info, contact Greg Duncan, Blue Heron Communications, 405-364-3433 or greg@blueheroncomm.com.

Veteran-owned small business aims to provide marketing support for the outdoor industry.

Huntsville, Ala. – Eric Suarez, a former public relations manager for Remington Arms, announced the creation of Red Cell Media, a public relations and marketing consulting company headquartered in Huntsville, Ala.

“At Red Cell Media (RCM) our core business philosophy is that people matter over objects and individual relationships based on mutual respect will win the day’” said Suarez. “Your success is our primary focus!”

RCM services include:

Team Support: RCM will partner with your internal departments and product support teams to develop and execute a strategic multi-platform media plan that incorporates your products and offerings.

Strategic Counsel: RCM will proactively advise on the development of product and/or service offerings and make recommendations to the client’s short- and long-term marketing decision process for best practices and execution strategies.

Industry Consulting: RCM will elevate your brand by working with both digital and traditional editorial writers, editors and publishers to increase brand and product awareness. We can create storylines to pitch to writers, build this into the media and hunting, shooting, and event schedules, and maximize your advertising budget to gain feature stories and cover positions.

Front-line Support: RCM will provide a liaison between your brand and outdoor media professionals. Be on call for product questions, field media requests, develop story lines for future product launches or for existing products that need more sales support. We have successfully placed and demonstrated products in actual hunts with writers and editors and bring the benefit of this experience to assist you in planning and providing product samples to maximize the return on your investment

Field Support: RCM will provide media kits for distribution at trade shows and new product launches. Although RCM does not schedule or manage trade shows, our extensive experience at these events makes us perfect to represent your company and your product.

Visit Red Cell Media to learn more.

Email: Info@redcell.media - Phone: 808.783.1967 - Website: https://redcell.media