Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

“Hunting Matters” welcomes Dr. James Derr to the program to discuss the Africa Wildlife Medicine Courses being offered at Texas A&M University. 

Dr. Derr is a Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology and Genetics at Texas A&M University. He is the Director of the DNA Technologies Core Laboratory and served as the Chair of the Faculty of Genetics at Texas A&M University and the President of the Texas Genetics Society. For over 25 years, he has directed worldwide research projects in wildlife and livestock conservation genetics. This body of work has produced more than 75 scientific publications reporting original research on many different species. For example, his research program has produced articles on North American bison, bottlenose dolphins, domestic and wild cats, elk, pronghorn antelope, sheep, quail, white-tailed and mule deer, bowhead whales, domestic livestock and multiple fish species. 

In addition, Dr. Derr is an impactful educator through his teaching efforts in undergraduate genetics courses to students interested in medicine (human and veterinary) and he has mentored over 100 graduate students in the fields of conservation/population genetics and animal health. One of Dr. Derr’s most popular courses is “Wildlife Conservation Medicine”. This course is designed for first- and second-year veterinary students to travel to South Africa and Botswana to learn how to chemically immobilize, treat and transport everything from African plains game to dangerous game. His efforts with these young veterinarians ensure they graduate with specialized knowledge and skills to handle health care and conservation issues with the tremendous number of exotic wildlife species here in the State of Texas on private ranches and preserves.

About Hunting Matters
Tune in to “Hunting Matters” with Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director Joe Betar as he engages in conversations with guests, from various backgrounds, who have a passion for hunting and conservation. Great discussions, news, hunting legislation updates and more! “Hunting Matters” airs each Saturday, 6am-7am CDT on KPRC AM 950 – Real Texas, Real Talk, a Houston iHeartMedia station, and Houston’s longest running radio station. “Hunting Matters” is also available via podcast on Apple/iTunes, iHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, PodBean and Spreaker. Subscribe, listen, rate and review. Hunting Matters is the recipient of a 2022 Gold AVA Digital award, a 2022 NYX/Marcom Silver award, a 2022 MARCOM Gold award, a 2022 Gold Davey Award, and a 2023 NYX/Marcom Silver award. About Houston Safari Club Foundation
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 646 scholarships totaling $2.92 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants for hunter-funded wildlife, habitat, and various conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.

Silencer Central, America’s largest silencer dealer, has officially announced its continued partnership with Pheasants Forever. The mission of Pheasants Forever is to conserve pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education and conservation advocacy.

Pheasants Forever was established in 1982 by a group of passionate hunters who recognized the alarming decline in pheasant populations due to habitat loss. Since its inception, the organization has been at the forefront of wildlife habitat conservation.

“The ongoing partnership between Pheasants Forever and Silencer Central remains crucial in driving forward upland conservation efforts,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “We take pride in our continued dedication to promoting habitat conservation and wildlife advocacy, united by our common mission.”

Silencer Central donates suppressors to conservation organizations to utilize at fundraising events. The suppressors serve as auction, raffle or door prize items. 100% of funds generated go directly to the organizations, with event hosts helping educate their members about the benefits of suppressors, including noise and recoil reduction.

“Our partnership with Silencer Central has helped raise critical funds for volunteer chapters to improve wildlife habitat in their local communities,” said Luc Ramthun, senior corporate partnerships account executive for Pheasants Forever. “We’re grateful for the company’s focus on sustaining quality habitat for the future of upland traditions.”

Kansas City, Mo. — More than 30 Kansas City area youth experienced the excitement of busting clays, arrowing targets and hooking fish on Sunday, Sept. 17, during the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) 2nd Annual Boilermakers Get Youths Outdoors Day at Powder Creek Shooting Park in Lenexa, Kansas.

A cooperative effort between the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC), the free community event followed on the heels of the USA’s 14th Annual Boilermakers Kansas City Sporting Clays Shoot the day prior.

While last year’s event focused solely on the shooting sports, fishing was added to the menu this year. According to USA Events Manager Chris Piltz, the kids “crushed it fishing” for catfish, bluegill and bass. Most of the kids caught multiple fish, and one young boy caught nearly 20.

“I had three or four kids come up to me and say, ‘This is the greatest day of my life,’” Piltz said.

Eleven volunteers from Roofers Local 20, Painters District Council 3, UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 and Gateway Clay Busters provided participants with firearms safety instruction and assistance shooting bows and shotguns as well as fishing.

Salt Lake City, Utah – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) today expressed its deepest sympathies to the family of former President/CEO Miles Moretti who passed away on September 17 after a short battle with cancer. Moretti retired from MDF on March 31, 2021, after nearly 15 years at the helm and leading the organization through significant growth.

Chad Schearer the Mule Deer Foundation’s chairman of the board states, “Miles Moretti will be missed greatly. Not only was he a hero in conservation, but he was a friend and mentor to so many. Miles was always willing to lend a hand and would do anything for anyone. If he was your friend, you could always count on him, faithful to you no matter what. The impact Miles Moretti had on mule deer and other wildlife will benefit generations to come.”

Moretti joined MDF in October of 2006 after 30 years with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources where he retired as Deputy Director. He was a Life Member of MDF, a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club, and a board member of the National Deer Alliance and the CWD Alliance. Miles was selected to serve on the Wildlife Hunting Heritage Council and the Hunting & Shooting Sports Conservation Council, federal advisory councils appointed by the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture. He was a longtime board member of the Intermountain West Joint Venture, serving a term as their Chairman of the Board.

“Miles was a true icon of western conservation, both prior to his tenure at MDF, and during his time leading this great organization,” said Joel Pedersen, Miles’ successor as MDF President and CEO. “I am grateful for his countless contributions to MDF that set us up for continued success. His impact on the conservation of mule deer and western landscapes will be felt long into the future.”

Donations can be sent to the Miles Moretti Memorial Fund at the Mule Deer Foundation—1785 East 1450 South, Suite 210, Clearfield, UT 84015 or through the MDF website at Muledeer.org/miles-moretti-memorial-fund/ to support mule deer conservation and research projects.

Season two of Winchester Life®, the premier shooting sports and hunting lifestyle TV series debuts Monday, September 25, 2023, at 11 a.m. EST on the Outdoor Channel. 

Winchester Life episodes feature dynamic hunting adventures, shooting sports competitions, conservation efforts, new ammunition products, as well as members of Team Winchester and industry organizations.

“For sport shooters and hunters around the world, Winchester is a way of life,” said Jason Gilbertson, director of marketing. “By exploring captivating stories, rich traditions, innovative products and a legacy of more than 150 years, Winchester Life allows our consumers worldwide to share in the iconic history and future of our brand.” 

Winchester Life Season Two Airtimes (EST):

Season 1 episodes can be viewed on the Winchester YouTube Channel.

Meopta Sport Optics is excited to announce its Optika5 2-10×42 riflescope has been named “Best Overall Riflescope Under $500” by Outdoor Life.

The Outdoor Life optics test team spends countless hours each year rigorously testing riflescopes for tracking, optical quality, and precision. Their results are closely followed by dealers and consumers alike.

In describing the Optika5 2-10×42, Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life Hunting, Conservation, and Optics Editor said, “…what you get in the Meopta is a better class of glass than most of the other scopes in this budget category, very responsive controls and both durability and versatility. This scope can transition from your mid-range deer rifle to a rimfire plinker and could even serve on a turkey shotgun in a pinch.”

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award for our Optika5 2-10×42 which is a great all-around riflescope that performs well above its price point,” said Erik Muller, Meopta Sport Optics Product Specialist. “Customers appreciate the excellent low-light performance, European-quality optics, ruggedness, and precision this scope delivers.”

Available in 2-10×42 PA (parallax adjustment), 2-10×42, 3-15×44, 4-20×44, 4-20×50, and 4-20×50 RD models, Optika5 riflescopes feature a 1-inch main tube, 5x zoom, zero-reset turrets, and advanced MeoBright lens coatings that deliver edge-to-edge clarity and bright, sharp images.

ASA priority legislation is one step closer to becoming law.

Today, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources held a markup hearing of six bills, including the Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research, Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue (SHARKED) Act (H.R. 4051). The committee approved the SHARKED Act by unanimous consent, putting the bill one step closer to becoming law. 

The SHARKED Act brings attention to the growing problem of shark depredation, which is the act of a shark eating or damaging a hooked fish before it can be reeled in. The bill establishes a task force comprised of fisheries managers and shark experts responsible for improving coordination and communication on shark depredation across the fisheries management community. The task force will identify research priorities and funding opportunities to limit depredation throughout the country.

“Our thanks to House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Ranking Member Raul Grijalva (D-Ari.) and other members of the committee for their approval of the SHARKED Act,” said ASA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Leonard. “As anglers throughout much of the United States are increasingly encountering sharks and losing fish in the process, the SHARKED Act is a critical step toward identifying meaningful and responsible steps to mitigate this complex challenge.”

Leonard also thanked the bill’s original cosponsors, U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Garret Graves (R-La.) and Marc Veasey (D-Tex.).

 KOR Technik, known for inventing and patenting the revolutionary protection solution Vacuum Rigidizing Structure (VRS®), today announced a technology partnership with Zarges USA. Zarges’ aluminum cases, renowned for offering superior performance features in aluminum transit cases, integrated with KOR Technik VRS protection panels, represent the latest evolution in reusable packaging for transporting objects.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the iconic Zarges brand and develop a system that is infinitely customizable,” stated G.P. Searle, founder of KOR Technik and inventor of VRS technology. “Zarges USA represents the epitome of shipping and storage perfection, and knowing our partnership will deliver even more benefits to end-users is truly rewarding.”

According to Vice President and General Manager of Zarges USA, Olaf Klutke, “One case for countless missions is a reality with the KOR VRS system. Thanks to this innovative technology, we immediately recognized our customers would benefit from the ability to reconfigure their Zarges case for virtually anything they need to transport. Plus, VRS safeguards cargo better than foam by keeping your contents secure from turbulence during transportation,” he said.

“Collaborating with Zarges USA is a win-win for those who already understand the advantages of shipping valuable objects in the robust aluminum Zarges cases,” said Searle. “Combining our KOR VRS interior with the outer protection of Zarges aluminum cases delivers a reliable and repeatable protection solution that lasts a lifetime and is significantly more environmentally sustainable than traditional synthetic cases with foam inserts. Ready for new cargo in mere minutes, our VRS panels replace traditional foam, making Zarges cases universally reusable, lighter-weight, and more cost-effective for end-users,” he added.

The strategic collaboration between KOR Technik and Zarges USA launches with three Zarges K470 flagship cases equipped with KOR VRS panels.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation proudly sponsors National Hunting and Fishing Day, hosted by Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, for the 16th consecutive year.

This annual event falls on Sept. 23, serving as a powerful platform to highlight the crucial role hunters and anglers play in conserving our nation’s natural resources, wildlife populations and habitats.

NHFD is not just a day of celebration, it’s a call to action. One of its main goals aims to recruit new hunters and anglers by encouraging participation in hunting, fishing and various other outdoor activities. These activities are designed to promote conservation efforts and instill a deep appreciation for the great outdoors. It’s about sharing the love for nature and passing on valuable traditions to the next generation.

Hunters and anglers have historically spearheaded conservation initiatives. Their invaluable contributions span wildlife management, habitat restoration and scientific research. As more people engage in these activities, it results in increased funding for conservation programs, ultimately ensuring healthier ecosystems for all.

By taking someone new outdoors, you have the chance to pass on traditions, stories and skills that have been cherished for generations.

Reputations are not easily granted; they must be earned. This is precisely why Benelli’s Super Black Eagle 3 (SBE) line of semi-automatic shotguns remains at the forefront of the industry.

Regardless of challenging weather conditions or the type of ammunition used, the SBE 3 rises to the occasion with its exceptional ergonomics, flawless performance, and unwavering shot-to-shot reliability. In 2023, the SBE 3 series further enhances its field performance by introducing a new camouflage option.

This season, various models of the Benelli SBE 3 are now available in Realtree’s cutting-edge Max-7 camouflage pattern, allowing the shotgun to seamlessly blend into any waterfowl environment. These models are offered in 12-, 20-, and 28-gage chambering options.

The SBE 3 boasts an array of impressive features, including Benelli’s renowned ComfortTech® 3 System and Crio®-treated barrels and choke tubes. The enlarged bolt release and handle, combined with improved grip-to-trigger geometry, enhance both ergonomics and functionality. Benelli’s Inertia Driven System ensures consistent cycling regardless of the load, making it the cleanest semi-automatic system in the industry.

Benelli’s new-for-2023 SBE 3 shotguns in Max-7 are available in the following models in barrel lengths of 26 and 28 inches:

BELLEVUE, WA — Attorneys representing the Second Amendment Foundation and its partners in a challenge of Delaware’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “large capacity magazines” have filed a reply brief with the U.S. Third District Court of Appeals in a consolidation of cases.

SAF is involved in two of the three cases, known as Graham v. Jennings and Gray v. Jennings. SAF is joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition, DJJAMS LLC and individual citizens Owen Stevens and Christopher Graham, William Taylor, and Gabriel Gray. They are represented by attorneys Bradley P. Lehman at Gellert Scali Busenkell & Brown in Wilmington, Del., and David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson and William Bergstrom at Cooper & Kirk in Washington, D.C.

In their brief, SAF and its fellow plaintiffs tell the court that Delaware’s law banning firearms and ammunition magazines, which are possessed by millions of Americans, is “flagrantly unconstitutional.”

“Under binding Supreme Court precedent, the law-abiding citizens of this country have an absolute right to possess arms that are in common use,” stated SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “Arms possessed by millions of citizens easily meet that description.”

“So long as the Delaware ban remains in effect,” noted SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, “people in that state are unable to fully exercise their Second Amendment rights. Delaware’s ban on magazines that can hold more than 17 rounds arbitrarily sets a limit to what the Legislature believes is ‘enough’ for self-defense. Unfortunately for the Legislature, the Second Amendment protects ‘all instruments that constitute bearable arms,’ and that not only applies to the magazines at issue, but the so-called ‘assault weapons’ as well. We look forward to vindicating the rights of Delawareans through our legal action.”

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Duck Stamp Modernization Act (H.R. 2872) on a voice vote, a sign of the unanimous support for the bill thanks to Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) leadership Vice-Chair Rep. Garret Graves (LA) and CSC Member Rep. Mike Thompson (CA). Prior to the House floor vote, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) worked with the bill sponsors and key offices in the House to see that this bill was added to the House floor calendar.

The Duck Stamp Modernization Act will bring the Federal Duck Stamp process into the 21st century by providing that the electronic Federal Duck Stamp is valid for the entirety of the hunting season. Under current law, when a hunter purchases an electronic Federal Duck Stamp (e-stamp), the e-stamp is only valid for a period of 45 days to allow for the actual stamp to be mailed to the purchaser. Once the actual stamp is received by the e-stamp purchaser, the actual stamp must be signed by the respective hunter across the face of the stamp and be in the hunter’s possession while afield.

Specifically, this legislation will allow hunters who purchase a Federal Duck Stamp electronically to have the duck stamp on their smartphone while hunting without requiring the signed physical stamp to be on their person. To maintain the integrity of the Federal Duck Stamp, the bill requires that physical stamps will be mailed to those who purchased the e-stamp after the latest waterfowl season in the country has closed. Hunters will still be able to purchase the physical stamp from the U.S. Postal Service or from other locations that sell the physical stamp.

“A priority for CSF, we would like to extend our appreciation to Representative Graves and Representative Thompson for getting this important legislation passed in the House,” said Jeff Crane, President & CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.  “As technology continues to evolve, we must find ways to improve easier accessibility and opportunity for our sportsmen’s community as a whole and this legislation is a step in that direction.”

Signed into law in 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp has generated over $1.1 billion for wetlands conservation and helped conserve over 6 million acres of wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge System. In 1934, there were roughly 635,000 stamps sold. Today, that number has grown to over 1.5 million stamp purchases, which generates more than $37.5 million for wetlands conservation. Importantly, approximately 98% of the Federal Duck Stamp purchase price is spent directly on the management and acquisition of wetlands to bolster habitat for wetland dependent species such as ducks, geese, shorebirds, fish, turtles, and countless others.

Nebraska Game and Parks’ all-terrain wheelchair fleet just got a little bit larger.

The Heartland Chapter of the Dallas Safari Club, a nonprofit dedicated to getting youth outdoors, donated a track chair to the agency’s On Track Program during the recent Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park.

Track chairs, with their ability to navigate terrain that traditional wheelchairs cannot, provide people with limited mobility more ways to hike, hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors. With this donation, Game and Parks now has four track chairs available for public use at events, for mentored hunts, at shooting ranges and other activities and locations across Nebraska.

While Heartland DSC has their own mobility chair program, in learning about Game and Parks’, the organization saw an opportunity to expand the reach of their mission and increase the number of people who benefit from the two programs.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide the On Track Program with a mobility chair and look forward to seeing it get more people exposed to the outdoors,” said Chuck Kopocis, Heartland DSC secretary. “Heartland DSC does not want an individual’s physical abilities to be a barrier to experiencing the outdoors.”

Join Nebraska Game and Parks and partners for the Deer and Turkey Woodland Habitat Convention from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Ohiya Casino and Resort, 53142 Highway 12, Niobrara.

The convention will focus on speakers and field trips highlighting deer and wild turkey habitat needs, as well as management advice for healthy woodlands and productive hunting properties.

Registration is $25 and includes meals. Participants may come for all or part of the event. Register online at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search “woodland convention.”

Session topics include:

Those interested can find the full agenda online.

CAMP PERRY, Ohio; ANNISTON, Ala. – Registration is now open for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) junior air rifle event, the Gary Anderson Invitational. The annual match is set for Dec. 1-2, 2023, at the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Alabama, and Dec. 2 only at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Ohio.

The Gary Anderson Invitational is a sporter and precision air rifle competition, designed for junior schools, clubs and individuals of all experience levels in a 3×20 course of fire – 20 shots at kneeling, prone and standing positions. Along with sporter and precision athletes, adaptive junior competitors are welcome to compete in this event. Additionally, a four-member team event will be held concurrently with the individual match.

The top three competitors in sporter and precision, determined from 3×20 qualifying scores plus a 10-shot final fired by all participating athletes, will receive medallions and plaques. Gold, silver and bronze medals will also be awarded to those earning achievement cut-scores during the event. Top teams will earn prize money and engraved awards.

For more information about the Gary Anderson Invitational, including a link to registration, visit https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/gary-anderson-invitational-air-rifle-championship/.

About Gary Anderson:

Any amount of time in the woods is hard on gear. With modern fabrics leading to hefty price tags, it’s important to protect for seasons to come. To elevate the entire scent control system, Scent Thief® developed a laundry detergent to clean hunting apparel while maximizing its performance. 

Many technical hunting fabrics start to sacrifice performance after heavy use. To solve this, a product was needed that cleaned fabrics without leaving behind a scent deer could detect. The answer was Scent Thief’s patented “No Smell” technology. Unlike traditional scentless laundry detergents, Scent Thief’s detergent is designed to be smelled by deer. The unique formula temporarily disables a deer’s sense of smell rather than using chemicals to mask human odor. Washing your clothes in this detergent before a hunt is no mistake!

The result is a product that gives hunters the edge in all conditions, including high and swirling winds. The Scent Thief Laundry Detergent is phosphate-free and safe for technical fibers, carbon apparel, and wool. The detergent is safe for the skin as well as the environment. Clothing will last for its intended use, as Scent Thief’s Laundry Detergent won’t compromise the lifespan of your hunting clothing.

Scent Thief’s laundry detergent is available in a 32 oz container and is recommended to be used with the rest of the Scent Thief line of products. Go undetected in the woods while keeping base layers and camouflage clean as can be!

Scent Thief Laundry Detergent Features:

For 2023, Barnett Outdoors® is introducing many new items ranging from crossbows to lighted nocks and slingshots. All these items will benefit hunters of age to take on the great outdoors. However, adults aren’t the only ones getting cool toys to play with this year. Barnett is excited to introduce the Phantum toy crossbow line.

Children who aspire to one day take on the likes of a giant buck can begin imagining that journey at an early age from the comfort of their own home with toys in the form of a classic crossbow and a pistol crossbow. With both items in the Phantum series available in OD green and black, children eight and up can enjoy the 3 + 1 shot capacity and pump-action loading that fires six included suction cup safety darts over 30 ft. A fiber optic sight will aid the young aspiring outdoorsman to fire accurate shots at a free practice target included with every purchase. The Phantum series is safe for fun target practice both indoors and out.

Don’t forget about the young when selecting hunting gear for next season. With Barnett’s new Phatnum toy crossbow series, kids can now envision hunting experiences in a fun and safe way.

Phantum Series Features:

About Barnett Crossbows

Marietta, Ohio—For roughly 100 young anglers, Saturday, September 16 was a day filled with wiggly nightcrawlers, bass and bluegill thanks to a free Take Kids Fishing Day event at Buckeye Park in Marietta, Ohio. Hosted by the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) and IBEW Local 972, the community event was sponsored by the Ohio AFL-CIO.

The goal of the event was to introduce local youth aged two to 15 to fishing and the great outdoors. On hand were volunteers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 972, who helped put together poles, cook hot dogs and hand out goodie bags.

Nicole Webster, an officer with Local 972 and volunteer, says the event helps put a face to the union. “But it’s also a way for us to give back to the community and let them know that we’re not just here for business. It’s a way for us to bring our community together,” Webster says. 

The family-friendly event was part of a series of free, community-based Take Kids Fishing Day events, organized through the USA’s Work Boots on the Ground (WBG) program with support from USA national partners Provost Umphrey Law Firm, Union Plus and Humana as well as founding partners UIG, ULLICO, Bank of Labor, AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation and Buck Knives. WBG brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise to complete conservation infrastructure projects and mentor youth in the outdoors.

Each youth participant received a rod and reel combo as well as a deer call to take home. For volunteer and fellow organizer Kyle Blinn, an officer with IBEW Local 972, that was a definite highlight for the kids—and for him.

Seventeen years ago in Aurora, Colorado, three patient coaches at Cherry Creek Gun Club spent time with a 12-year-old boy who had just started shooting. Like most boys his age, young Tim Sherry had a mind of his own. “I was definitely stubborn and wanted to try things my way first,” he recalls. “My junior coaches, Doug Hamilton, Gary Trisdale, and Dennis Fluman, had the patience to teach me the basics…over and over again.”  

Sherry’s Path to Paris had started with a visit to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the headquarters of USA Shooting and home to the largest indoor shooting facility in the Western Hemisphere. Like many wide-eyed juniors who visit this impressive place for the first time, young Sherry was inspired to dream big: “I was pretty excited about the sport from the moment I learned I could go to college and compete in the Olympics in rifle shooting. The idea of making a career out of this sport is the first thing that really got me hooked.”  

It wasn’t long before Sherry realized he had the potential to pursue his Olympic dreams. “When I set the J3 (the youngest junior category) national record…I realized I might actually be good enough to accomplish some of my lofty dreams,” he says. In 2012 he chose to shoot for the University of Alaska Fairbanks NCAA Rifle team. Two years of training and competing in the team environment led Sherry to a triumphant year, as he won the Junior Olympic National Championships, earned a place on the Junior World Championships Team, and was the NCAA individual smallbore champion in 2014.  

At the conclusion of his collegiate rifle career with a mechanical engineering degree in hand, Sherry faced the same choice all collegiate shooting athletes do: join the workforce or continue to pursue shooting in some capacity. With Olympic dreams, Sherry was not ready to put his rifles in the closet. “I decided to join the Army as I was finishing up with college because it gave me the best chance of accomplishing my goals,” Sherry says. “After competing in NCAA for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, I knew how important a team was to [help] me improve.”  

The Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) based at Fort Moore, Georgia, welcomed Sherry in 2017 as one of the country’s top rifle athletes, offering him a unique opportunity that shooters can’t find anywhere else in the United States. “I can honestly say that my shooting has developed so much more than I ever could have expected, thanks to the team we have here! Along with the team, we also have some of the best gunsmiths in the world with our Custom Firearms Shop. They’ve been an invaluable resource since I’ve joined the Army,” says Sherry. “Lastly, the Army provided me [with] a way to earn a salary while doing the sport I love. The Army provides one of the only routes to truly be a professional shooter. It’s been a huge help to be able to make a living while focusing completely on my sport.”  

New Series Debuts Friday, September 29 at 8 p.m. ET

Rekindling the “American Dream” is the focus of a new series on Outdoor Channel, American Made, premiering on Friday, September 29 at 8 p.m. ET. American Made provides an intimate look into the lives and businesses of visionary Americans, one quality American Made product at a time. The series showcases those philosophies that embody the spirit of the American entrepreneur – and the decisions they must make daily.  

The series is produced and created by Branlin Shockey/Rogue Media, who saw a resurgence in pride for the words “American Made” and wanted to tell that story. “People in the outdoor industry want to know where the products they spend their money on originate. However, the series isn’t about the products – or even the companies – it is about the people behind those material things. I tried my best to feature companies who have histories and philosophies that embody the American Dream – that with hard work and ingenuity, anyone can overcome the greatest of obstacles,” shared Branlin Shockey.

“We are incredibly proud of the ‘American Made’ series. Transparency and authenticity are very important to our audience, which is why showcasing brands who are true to themselves and their customers makes this series so unique. The icing on the cake is that these stories give viewers more reasons support these entrepreneurs,” said Tim Cremin, Head of Programming for Outdoor Sportsman Group. 

From featuring firearm manufacturer, Ruger, to an optics brand, Leupold, a lifestyle manufacture, OriginUSA, and mixing in beer (Big Tent) and bourbon (Yellowstone Bourbon), American Made shows how each owner and business leader never compromised on their vision.