Archery Industry Shows Strong Support for First OPA Summit Invitational

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Uniontown, PA – Helping tournament archery reach a nationally recognize

"We've always felt that the industry's manufacturers and shooters all agree that competitive archery plays an important role in the the growth of our industry and sport of archery, itself," said Levi Morgan, 9x ASA Shooter of the Year and Founder of the Organization of Professional Archery (OPA). "We knew it would take support from the industry and we're grateful to have 18 key brands stand behind this new tournament concept. It shows how much these manufacturers believe in the sport of archery and are willing to support it's future by helping the OPA reach a national platform."

Quick to act, Mossy Oak was the first to offer its generous support of Levi and Samantha Morgan's groundbreaking tournament concept and cause, taking on the important role of Presenting Sponsor. Industry powerhouses Elite, Mathews, Bowtech, Rinehart and Swhacker also stepped in to show their support as major sponsors of the Summit Invitational. Additional sponsors of the event include: Gold Tip, Lancaster Archery Supply, Hoyt Archery, QAD, Prime Archery, New Breed Archery, Shrewd, PSE Archery, Custom Bow Equipment, Excalibur, Scott Releases and BCY Bowstrings.

The 2016 Summit Invitational Presented by Mossy Oak is a product of the newly founded Organization of Professional Archery, established by Levi and Samantha Morgan, as an effort to give back to the sport which has provided so many opportunities for them, personally. The organization's key purpose is to bring elevated focus to professionals within the archery community and in doing so, grow interest in the sport, demand for archery-related products and services, and greater participation at all levels.

"Our goal was to create the first tournament format where the world's best competitors from every style of archery, whether 3D, NFAA, or others, can compete on an even playing field and shoot to win," said Morgan. "We worked hard to develop a platform for competitive archery, at its highest level, which youth and adults, can aspire to reach. Our purpose is to elevate the sport of archery to a new level. Without the support of our sponsors, we couldn't have made this happen."

For more information on the 2016 OPA Summit Invitational, please visit http://oproarchery.com .
d level has long been a common theme across the archery industry. The much-anticipated OPA Summit Invitational Presented by Mossy Oak, the Super Bowl of professional archery, is the perfect stage for those willing to act on the goal of growing the sport. The first annual archery event, set to showcase the greatest professional archers from around the world, will take place May 20-21 at the Summit Inn, in Farmington, PA.

Dave Jaskiewicz Wins IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Event

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Kayak angler racks up fifth IFA Kayak Tour win

First-place finisher Dave Jaskiewicz poses with his first-place plaque and Hobie kayak at the IFA Kayak Tour event at Georgetown, S.C., on May 1

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (May 3, 2016) – Dave Jaskiewicz, of Wando, South Carolina, measured a combined limit of 50.38 inches to win the first 2016 regular-season event for the Atlantic Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing on May 1 at Georgetown, South Carolina. The angler won at total of $2,450, including a $250 Power-Pole gift certificate, and other contingencies for his first-place finish.

Jaskiewicz has recently dominated the Atlantic Division by winning the last three divisional events. The seasoned angler won this event by fighting the unexpected weather, reading the tide and pre-fishing one month in advance to coincide with the correct tides.

"The morning was great with overcast skies and I headed up river against a fast current to where I pre-fished," said Jaskiewicz. "I knew if I fished the same tide and the same spot I pre-fished a month before, I would catch them."

It didn't take long for Jaskiewicz to locate and catch a sizable redfish measuring over 28 inches.

"I caught a few on top-water before reaching my spot. When I got there I worked the area for 15 minutes before catching a fish," said Jaskiewicz. "I threw a paddle tail and bounced it along the bottom and finally hooked into a red. I knew he was a good one and I worked him hard."

With a sizable redfish successfully caught and measured, the angler switched his attention to trout. By 8:00 a.m., he had managed to boat a 20-inch trout, securing his place somewhere at the top of the leaderboard.

"I turned my attention to trout and I knew if I hooked a 20 I could be in this thing," said Jaskiewicz. "I caught a half dozen fish ranging from 14 to 16 inches and finally hooked into a 20 on a top-water. This put my total length around 49.50 by 8:00 a.m."

Jaskiewicz decided to fight high winds and attempt to upgrade his redfish. Surprisingly he did not upgrade his redfish but instead caught three trout measuring 20-plus inches, eventually landing a 21.50-inch giant.

"I absolutely love the IFA. I believe it is the best tournament trail for kayakers," said Jaskiewicz. "I have been fishing it since 2010 and I still cant sleep the night before an event. I have met a lot of guys who have become my fishing buddies."

Along with the first-place prizes, the angler won an additional $480 in Anglers Advantage cash along with the $100 Lucas Oil contingency program.

Joe Komyati, of Raleigh, North Carolina, won second place with a 14-inch trout and a 32.25-inch redfish, which was the largest of the tournament and won the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Redfish award.

The angler fought winds and fished tidal pools in the Copahee area.

"It was windy, very windy," said Komyati. "Overall I am happy with my performance."

Third-place finisher Nathan Raycroft, of Townville, South Carolina, measured a combined total of 44.75 inches to take home $370 in cash.
Despite finishing in 15th place, Derek Engle took home the $100 Berkley Gulp! Big Trout Award for his monster 23.50-inch trout. The angler also won $300 for catching his kicker fish on a PENN Reel.

Noah Lowenbach bested the other junior anglers to take home the $100 Jr. Angler award.

The next stop for the IFA Kayak Tour is May 15 at Lafitte, Louisiana. Anglers who enter at least a minimum of two events and compete in at least one event will be qualified for the 2016 IFA Kayak Tour championship.

The fastest-growing kayak fishing tournament trail in the country, the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing events are catch-photograph-release tournaments, offering inshore kayak anglers from a multitude of states the opportunity to participate in competitive fishing tournaments with low entry fees and minimal travel requirements.

For more information or to become a member of the IFA, visit www.ifatours.com. To discover more about kayaking and Hobie Fishing go to www.hobiefishing.com.

IFA events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Hobie Fishing, Ranger Boats, Cabela's, Lucas Oil, Yamaha Outboards, RAM, Berkley Gulp!, Berkley Gulp! Alive!, PENN Reels, Spiderwire, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Power-Pole, BoatU.S., Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Protect the Harvest, General Tire, SuperClean, Valley Fashions, ENGEL Coolers, T-H Marine, ATLAS, G-Juice Powertex Group, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Campbell Marine Complex and Surf The Earth.

IFA Kayak Tour – Atlantic Division
Georgetown, S.C. (Top 10)

1. Dave Jaskiewicz – 50.38 inches
   
2. Joe Komyati – 46.25 inches
   
3. Nathan Raycroft – 44.75 inches
   
4. Justin Carter – 43.50 inches
   
5. Stephen Yurkevicius – 42.50 inches
   
6. Aaron Baldwin – 42.38 inches
   
7. Dolphin Hamilton – 41.13 inches
   
8. Andrew Imes – 32.13 inches
   
9. Scot Townsend – 31.88 inches
   
10. Larry Hancock – 31.25 inches

Why Not in New England States ? Explore Archery at a PA State Park near you !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

All New England DEM'S please take a look at this program.

Those seeking an introduction to archery likely can find it at a nearby state park in PA.

Ten state parks throughout the Commonwealth have scheduled a number of Explore Archery programs, and those looking to participate can register at the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources event calendar at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov.

The programs are made possible through a $50,000 grant the Pennsylvania Game Commission received from the Easton Foundation. Through the grant, the Game Commission was able to place Explore Archery equipment kits – consisting of bows, arrows, targets, arm guards, finger tabs and more – at 10 Pennsylvania state parks with certified USA Archery instructors.

With the kits, Explore Archery programs are planned to be held at Bald Eagle State Park, Cowans Gap State Park, Frances Slocum State Park, Jacobsburg State Park, Kings Gap State Park, Nolde Forest State Park, Ohiopyle State Park, Parker Dam State Park, Sinnemahoning State Park and Pymatuning State Park.

Game Commission shooting sports coordinator Todd Holmes said Explore Archery programs provide an introduction to archery for novice shooters of all ages. Programs teach participants how to shoot a bow, and encourage the enjoyment of the outdoors throughout the year.

Ruger's Q1 2016 Sales, Earnings, Top 2015

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) announced today that for the first quarter of 2016 the Company reported net sales of $173.1 million and diluted earnings of $1.21 per share, compared with net sales of $137.0 million and diluted earnings of 81¢ per share in the first quarter of 2015.

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of 48¢ per share for the first quarter for stockholders of record as of May 13, 2016, payable on May 27, 2016. This dividend varies every quarter because the Company pays a percentage of earnings rather than a fixed amount per share. This dividend is approximately 40% of net income.

Chief Executive Officer Michael O. Fifer made the following observations related to the Company's 2016 first quarter performance:

• In the first quarter of 2016, net sales increased 26% and earnings per share increased 49% from the first quarter of 2015.
  
• EBITDA was $44.8 million, or 25.9% of sales, in the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 34.7% from $33.2 million, or 24.3% of sales, in the comparable prior year period.
  
• The increase in estimated sell-through of the Company's products from the independent distributors to retailers is attributable to:
  
• the increase in overall industry demand,
  
• new product introductions, and
  
• increased production capacity and availability of products in demand.
  
• New products, including the American Pistol, the Precision Rifle, the AR-556 modern sporting rifle, and the LC9s pistol, represented $50.3 million or 29% of firearm sales in the first quarter of 2016. New product sales include only major new products that were introduced in the past two years.
  
• The estimated unit sell-through of the Company's products from the independent distributors to retailers increased 17% in the first quarter of 2016 from the comparable prior year period. For the same period, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation) increased 18%.
  
• During the first quarter of 2016, the Company's finished goods inventory decreased by 14,600 units and distributor inventories of the Company's products decreased by 54,300 units.
  
• Cash generated from operations during the first quarter of 2016 was $29.4 million. At April 2, 2016, our cash totaled $80.5 million. Our current ratio is 2.6 to 1 and we have no debt.
  
• In the first quarter of 2016, capital expenditures totaled $6.3 million, much of it related to tooling and equipment for new products. We expect our 2016 capital expenditures to total approximately $25 million.
  
• In the first quarter of 2016, the Company returned $6.6 million to its shareholders through the payment of dividends.
  
• At April 2, 2016, stockholders' equity was $239.7 million, which equates to a book value of $12.64 per share, of which $4.24 per share is cash.
  
• The Company filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are attached to this press release.

Today (May 3, 2016) , Sturm, Ruger will host a webcast of its Annual Meeting of Stockholders at 9:00 a.m. ET. Interested parties can access the webcast at www.ruger.com/corporate or by dialing 855-871-7398, participant code 94955658.

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov and the Ruger website at www.ruger.com/corporate. Investors are urged to read the complete Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to ensure that they have adequate information to make informed investment judgments.

Vermont Trail Projects Receive Over $500,000 in Grants

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Montpelier, VT
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (VTFPR) has awarded $586,764 to fifteen significant trail projects. This funding, available through state and federal funds in the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), will go towards maintaining and building public trails all over Vermont.

"This is truly a banner year for this program," said VTFPR Commissioner Mike Snyder. "We were able to fund some excellent and diverse projects all over the state. The health, economic and social benefits of trails are well-documented and our department is proud to support these community-based efforts."
The goal of the Recreational Trails Program is to provide grants to develop and maintain a wide variety of recreational trails for public use throughout Vermont. This year's round of grants will go toward:
· Waterbury Area Trails Alliance (WATA): Perry Hill Campfire mountain bike/pedestrian trail improvement project (Waterbury, VT)

· Northwoods Stewardship Center: Wheeler Mountain pedestrian trail relocation project (Sutton, VT)

· Friends of Haystack: Haystack Mountain pedestrian trail improvements (Pawlet, VT)

· Green Mountain Club: Taft Lodge, Butler Lodge and Twin Brooks Tenting Area Repairs and Improvements (Underhill/Stowe, VT)

· Vermont Association of Snow Travelers: Statewide Snowmobile Trail System Grooming

· Town of Dorset: New pedestrian trail construction to the Gilbert Lookout at Owls Head Peak

· Sports Trails of the Ascutney Basin: Ascutney mountain bike/pedestrian Trails System Maintenance (West Windsor Town Forest)

· Rochester Area Sports Trails Alliance: Construction of a 3-mile pedestrian/mountain biking Wellness Trail Network (Rochester Ranger Station, USFS)

· Town of Plainfield: Development of two pedestrian trailhead parking areas & two new trailhead kiosks

· Town of Northfield: Trail restoration work to the lower section of Paine Mountain pedestrian trail

· White River Partnership: White River Trails Map & Guide to Hiking, Paddling, and Canoeing trails in the White River Watershed area

· Town of Killington and USFS: 2 miles of new beginner & intermediate pedestrian/mountain bike trails of a 15-mile multi-level mountain bike trail system planned in Killington on Green Mountain National Forest

· Green Mountain Audubon Center: Trail restoration, new kiosks & signs for the Audubon's pedestrian trail network

· Town of Bennington: New universally accessible/pedestrian 700-foot boardwalk

· Mad River Riders: Construction of two new pedestrian/mountain bike trails in Howe Block of Camel's Hump SF (Evolution and Clinic Connector Trails)

Next year's grant round will begin with pre-applications due in Fall of 2016. Full applications are due in February 2017. For more information on the Recreational Trails Program, please contact Sherry Winnie, RTP Administrator at sherry.winnie@vermont.gov or 802-760-8450.

Turkey Season Starts Monday Throughout The State Of Maine

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Turkey Season Starts Monday Throughout The State

AUGUSTA, Maine – Spring turkey season starts on Monday, May 2 throughout the state, and youth hunters have their own day on this past Saturday, April 30. With this year’s milder than usual winter, hunters should be seeing a lot of birds.

“This was an easy winter on turkeys, even up in northern Maine,” said IFW game bird biologist Kelsey Sullivan. “We had good survival rates through the winter, and this was on top of a good production year for turkeys last spring.”

The light snow meant a lot of open ground where turkeys could feed through the winter resulting in higher survival rates and healthy birds.

“There are a lot of younger birds around, and the weights on some of them are impressive,” said Sullivan who had captured and weighed some year-old jakes earlier this spring. “We had some healthy 14-15 pound jakes and even measured one that was 19 pounds.”

Wild turkeys are a wildlife success story in Maine. Once gone completely from Maine landscapes, they are now a familiar sight in all Maine’s 16 counties, thanks to a reintroduction and management plan started in the 1970s by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

“Maine has some excellent turkey hunting,” said Sullivan. “Success rates are very good, the birds are lightly hunted compared to other states, and you can hunt turkeys throughout the state.”

  The estimated turkey population in Maine is 62,000 and the harvest in 2016 should be about 13,000 birds. I rate Maine as a B+ in the Country for Wild Turkey hunting and a reminder that there is NO Sunday wild turkey hunting in Maine, according to Wayne G. Barber, host of the OUTDOOR SCENE.

Maine Guide Lorenda DayCoombs

With a valid Maine big game or small game hunting license, turkey hunters can purchase a wild turkey permit for just $20 for both residents and nonresidents. This permit allows turkey hunters to take up to two wild turkeys in the spring, and an additional two turkeys in the fall. Legal hunting hours for turkey hunting stretch from ½ hour before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset. The spring season runs from May 2 until June 4.

While the turkey season is open throughout the state in all wildlife management districts, hunters should note that that there is a split season in northern Maine in WMDs 1-6, as well as one turkey bag limit in WMDs 1-6 and 8. Hunters may take two bearded turkeys, but no more than one of these bearded turkeys can come from WMDs 1-6 or 8.

If you are turkey hunting in northern Maine, in WMDs 1-6, turkey hunters in are assigned to either Season A or Season B based on their year of birth.  During “even” numbered calendar years such as this (2016), hunters with “even” birth years will be authorized to hunt during Season A (May 2-7, 2016 and May 16-21, 2016 this year); hunters with “odd” birth years will be authorized to hunt during Season B (May 9-14, 2016 and May 23-28, 2016). All turkey hunters can hunt the last week (May 30- June 4, 2016).

During “odd” numbered calendar years (2017, 2019, etc.), hunters with “odd” birth years will be authorized to hunt during Season A; hunters with “even” birth years will be authorized to hunt during Season B. Many turkey hunters are familiar with this split season as it was in place statewide prior to 2007. More information and WMD maps are available at www.mefishwildlife.com.

The Department strongly encourages all turkey hunters to reach out to landowners before hunting. Please remember to ask first before accessing private land, and respect any and all requests of the landowners.

New Hampshire Announces New Haddock Regs

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

  Marine rule changes increasing the bag limit and season for haddock are now in effect, expanding opportunities for New Hampshire's recreational saltwater anglers.

The eased restrictions were possible because "Last year's stock assessment for haddock showed a substantial increase in the population, sohaddock that they are no longer overfished," explained NH Fish and Game Marine Fisheries Division Chief Doug Grout.

NH Fish and Game adjusted the requirements on fishing for haddock, as follows:

• The recreational limit for haddock has increased from 3 to 15 per day.

• The seasonal closure period for recreationally caught haddock has been shortened to March 1 to April 14 annually.

The recreational fishery for cod continues to be closed at this time.

The new rules apply in both state and federal waters. However, the federal rules will not be effective until May 1.