Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

To continue its efforts in supporting young marksmen and women across the nation in their future endeavors, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is happy to announce it will award up to $335,000 for the 2024-2025 school year.

Through this year’s Scholarship Program, the CMP will be providing $300,000 toward graduating senior athletes, with the Garand Collectors Association providing a $30,000 donation and the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama contributing an additional $5,000 to be distributed amongst recipients.

Each year, high school student-athletes involved in marksmanship programs are encouraged to apply for CMP Scholarships – a program that lends economic support to young marksmen and women who have shown dedication on and off the firing line. These scholarships may be used to pursue post-secondary or vocational programs, community colleges or university educations as well as trade schools to cover a variety of interests.

Since 2005, the CMP Scholarship Program has presented $1,000 one-year scholarships to high school seniors based on merit, humanitarian efforts, extracurricular activities and marksmanship participation. In 2020, the CMP added one $5,000 scholarship, the Carolyn Hines Memorial Scholarship – awarded to the top applicant who best embodied the values of Dr. Hines, who was instrumental in shaping the program.

Last year, the CMP added four $20,000 scholarships awarded to the top applicants ($5,000 over four years to each recipient). These scholarships honor past notable CMP Board members Judith Legerski, Jon Bengston, Harry Sieben and the late Dr. Carolyn Hines, who were all devoted to sustaining youth activities. Winners will be decided by the Scholarship Committee after carefully reviewing each application.

EDGEFIELD, S.C.—Thanks to the cooperative National Master Stewardship Agreement, the NWTF and the USDA Forest Service have expanded their efforts in the Rocky Mountain Region, which encompasses Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. These efforts will reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and improve wildlife habitat on targeted, high-priority landscapes within the agency’s Region Two.

“Given the forest health crisis in Wyoming and Colorado, I am excited for the National Wild Turkey Federation to take on this important work as a Keystone Partner under the Wildfire Crisis Strategy,” said Molly Pitts, NWTF Wildfire Crisis Strategy manager.

On September 22, the Region Two Supplemental Project Agreement was officially signed, and includes four projects:

Big Horn National Forest

The entirety of Sheridan’s municipal water supply relies exclusively on the Big Goose watershed within the Bighorn National Forest. One of the primary challenges facing this watershed is the threat of sedimentation and debris, as large fires pose a significant risk to the overall quality of the water.

BELLEVUE, WA – Dan Mitchell, a firearms retailer and veteran gun rights activist and founder of the Washington Civil Rights Association, has been elected to a position on the Second Amendment Foundation’s Board of Directors. His company, Sporting Systems, is located in Vancouver, Washington.

Mitchell comes to the SAF board after having been a plaintiff in the foundation’s ongoing federal court challenge of Washington State’s gun control Initiative 1639, and in other cases.

“Dan Mitchell comes to the SAF Board of Directors with the kind of credentials one only gets by being on the inside as a businessman, and as a litigant,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “He has been a volunteer fund raiser, a fountain of knowledge when it comes to the firearms retail arena, and a willing—if not downright eager—participant in legal challenges to oppressive gun control laws. I’ve known Dan for several years, and I am delighted to welcome him to the SAF Board.”

“This position will allow me to share my regional experiences with the Second Amendment Foundation and thus, a nationwide audience,” Mitchell said. “It is my hope that the trust they have placed in me will result in bigger legal victories, a better coordinated fight in the state legislatures and the restoration of your Second Amendment rights nationwide. I’m honored to serve in this position and humbled by the support of the board. Quite simply, SAF is the most respected 2A organization in the country, and I am sincerely honored to join their board of trustees and support their mission to the best of my ability.”

“Dan’s unique perspective and retail background will be extremely important as SAF moves ahead in its effort to defend and expand Second Amendment rights,” noted SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “As a firearms dealer in Washington State, he has literally been at Ground Zero in the fight against gun control demagoguery, and he brings that experience to the board at a time when we expect a great deal of activity. We’re fortunate to have him come aboard.”

Today Weatherby and MeatEater announce a new MeatEater Rifle built on Weatherby’s newest action, the Model 307. The Model 307 action is a 2-Lug, fully cylindrical action compatible with many aftermarket accessories. It features a fluted bolt with a tool-less disassembly, TriggerTech trigger, Magpul® bottom metal with detachable magazine, and optics ready Peak 44 pic rail. Like the previous MeatEater Rifle, this new version has a custom hand painted sponge pattern inspired and chosen by the MeatEater team. The vertical grip stock has an adjustable cheekpiece and adjustable length of pull providing a custom fit for the shooter. Touch points are textured for a non-slip grip and dual front swivel studs allow for multiple accessories to be attached.  All metal work is finished with a durable Cerakote® and is made to endure the toughest conditions hunters face year after year.  The spiral fluted barrel is threaded and comes with a recoil reducing Accubrake. This new rifle is backed by Weatherby’s Sub-MOA guarantee. Consumers can find the new rifle exclusively at Scheels, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and Weatherby.com 

“Our relationship with the MeatEater team has continued to grow over the last several years resulting in our newest collaboration: The Weatherby Model 307 MeatEater Rifle.  Built on our newest action, we believe this project combines Weatherby’s longstanding commitment towed building quality firearms with features and design elements coming from the incredibly creative MeatEater team in Bozeman, Montana. From the cartridge offerings down to the color of the bolt knob, every detail has been rigorously selected to offer our customers a feature rich firearm with aesthetics that rival many custom rifles found today.  Proudly built in Sheridan, Wyoming, the Model 307 MeatEater rifle is a product that I am proud to say bears the Weatherby name.” -Adam Weatherby

Model 307 MeatEater Rifle Starting at $1,299 

-TriggerTech Adjustable Trigger 
-Fluted Bolt with Tool-Less Bolt Disassembly                                                                           
-Magpul Detachable Magazine 
-Shooter Friendly Vertical Grip 
-Adjustable Comb and Length of Pull 
-Dual Front Swivel Studs
-Textured Touch Points for Non-Slip Grip  
-Custom Hand Painted Sponge Pattern
-Durable Cerakote Finish 
-Threaded Bolt Knob
-Spiral Fluted Barrel with Accubrake 
-Rem 700® Footprint for Aftermarket Accessories 

Available in 243 WIN, 6.5 CMR, 308 WIN, 240 WBY, 257 WBY, 6.5 WBY RPM, 6.5-300 WBY, 270 WBY, 7MM REM, 7MM PRC, 280 ACKLEY, 28 NOSLER, and 300 WIN. Learn more at https://weatherby.com/store/model-307-rmeateater-edition/

I just spent an hour on the phone with Armasight‘s Steve Lemenov this week and honestly felt like we could have talked for hours more. One of the things I love about our industry is getting to spend time learning about your peers. Learning where they came from, talking family, pets, hunting and shooting. I would break bread with Steve anywhere and happily share time with him in the field. On to the interview…

How did you get into the shooting and optics Industry and what did you do before getting into this industry?

My fascination with shooting sports dates back to my childhood, instilling a lasting passion for the industry. Despite my initial career path in Finance and Real Estate after completing university, my desire to immerse myself in this field remained strong. An opportune connection came through my brother-in-law, a Customer Service manager at a prominent night vision company based in the Bay Area. Recognizing the chance for a fulfilling change, I embraced the opportunity even at the cost of a significant pay adjustment.

Embarking on this new journey in 2006 within customer service, my hunger for knowledge drove me to delve deep into optics, platforms, and various accessories relevant to shooting sports. Transitioning into sales, I thrived within the company, continually expanding my expertise. This growth led me to a new role leading the Marketing team for a rewarding six-years.

Now, as a part of Armasight, I am deeply honored to leverage my experience and passion in my current capacity, aligning with our brand’s ethos of professionalism, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to prioritizing our customers’ unparalleled experiences.

What is the best part of your job?

The most rewarding aspect of my role is tackling challenges alongside like-minded individuals who share the same passion for the shooting sports. Operating within a demanding industry presents a multitude of hurdles that we must navigate daily to maintain our effectiveness. This encompasses not only our dedicated colleagues but also extends to our industry partners and relevant entities. Collaboratively, we strive to propel our industry forward.

The Anytime Big Fish Technique

Whether competing in a bass tournament or simply fishing a weekend afternoon, all anglers are constrained by one element: time. This time constraint has led to the strategy known as “power fishing,” epitomized by the run-and-gun approach introduced by Kevin Van Dam, who recently retired with the best track record in competitive bass fishing history.

Power fishing is not just fishing fast; rather, it’s about covering water with improved time management and efficiency in order to get a sense of how the most active bass are behaving on a given day. Once located, an angler can slow to a more methodical means to catch more bass located in an area.

What if you could utilize a technique that offered the best of both worlds: long casts to cover water relatively quickly but also a means to efficiently probe the lake bottom and surrounding cover for bass? Such is the appeal of the Carolina rig, aka the “ball and chain.”

The Carolina rig shot to the national spotlight in the 1985 Bassmaster’s Classic when Jack Chancellor dragged it across river sand bars for the winning catch. He called it the “Do-Nothing Rig,” which is appropriate given the simplicity of the technique.

The Professional Outdoor Media Association is thrilled to announce its new Executive Director, Robert Sexton! He began October 1, 2023.

“Members of the Outdoor Media are the essential ambassadors of our great outdoor heritage, fostering interest in hunting, fishing and the shooting sports, while providing a window to our way of life to the general public. I’m proud to serve them in building a strong POMA to support their important work,” said Rob Sexton. 

Rob is one of the most seasoned non-profit consultants and issues management professionals in the country. Following early training working for the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and a key committee chairman, Rob joined the staff of the Sportsmen’s Alliance in 1995. Over the next 17 years he rose through the ranks to Senior Vice President, responsible for federal and state legislation, litigation and ballot issues as well as forging strategic partnerships for the organization.

In 2012 Rob launched RTS Strategies, and works as a consultant for non-profit

organizations, with a specific focus on executive management and public policy on behalf of organizations related to hunting, fishing, firearms, and the shooting sports. Clients of RTS Strategies have included the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Sportsmen’s Alliance, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, American Kennel Club, and more.

The membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) elected Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries, as its new president during its 113th Annual Meeting in Calgary, Canada. 

In accepting the Association’s Presidency, Sykes reflected on his passion for the outdoors and commitment to fish and wildlife conservation, and expressed gratitude for the leadership and accomplishments made by AFWA under Past-President Curt Melcher. 

“My life has always been about conservation,” said Sykes.  “This job is often not glamorous and not thanked. But the work our state agencies do is extremely important, and I am honored to be selected to serve as President of AFWA.”

Sykes will serve as the Association President through September 2024. 

“Chuck Sykes will be a great asset to AFWA as President, bringing a great wealth of knowledge and experience,” stated Curt Melcher, 2022-2023 AFWA President. “His insight through his years of service in conservation, his common sense and desire for open dialog will bring leadership that will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges of today.”

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation has submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in a complicated case known as United States v. Rahimi challenging a civil restraining order disarmament provision. The brief relies on last year’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen to argue that the total disarmament is not analogous to the Founding era regulations, calling into question the constitutionality of such provisions.

SAF’s interest in this case is based on the fact that many firearms owners in this country suddenly find themselves subject to civil restraining orders, which deny them their fundamental constitutional right to keep and bear arms in a manner that does not comport with the Second Amendment’s text, as informed by history.

“As our brief explains,” noted SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, “laws mandating total disarmament, in the relevant historical period, were related to disarming loyalists to preserve the integrity of our newly-formed government. The current federal law governing how gun owners’ rights are treated in relation to civil restraining orders lacks any well-established historical analogue.”

Historically, at the time of the Founding, any laws that disarmed an entire category of people were limited to those individuals who remained loyal to the crown because they posed a threat to the success of the patriot cause in the Revolutionary War. Many of these people were literally considered to be enemy combatants and the total disarmament was viewed in the context of a war and the survival of a fledgling nation. Today’s laws that disarm private citizens subject to civil restraining orders must be considered in a peacetime context, where national security is not an issue.

“Our specific interest in this case focuses solely on current laws and how they may, or may not, comport with historic precedent from the Founding era,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “Under Bruen, the government must affirmatively prove that its firearm regulation is part of the historical tradition that delimits the outer bounds of the right to keep and bear arms.”

Speer was recently awarded Law Enforcement ammunition contracts from the Miami-Dade Police Department in Florida. The 9mm duty handgun ammunition contract is for Speer Law Enforcement 124-grain +P Gold Dot, and the 223 Rem. duty rifle ammunition contract is for 75-grain Speer Gold Dot.

“Miami-Dade is the eighth largest police department in the United States with approximately 3,500 officers. We are extremely proud of this important contract award,” said Steven Jenkins, Senior Law Enforcement Sales Specialist for Speer. “It validates the high level of trust that our nation’s law enforcement agencies have with our extremely reliable and innovative products.”

Designed to deliver the high performance today’s law enforcement officers demand. Each Speer LE Gold Dot bullet is individually engineered to provide shot-to-shot uniformity and ensure optimum performance when fired through a variety of barriers. The result is a cartridge that provides officers the ultimate defense in lethal force confrontations.

For more information on all products from Speer or to shop online, visit www.speer.com.  

Thanks to the cooperative National Master Stewardship Agreement, the NWTF and the USDA Forest Service have expanded their efforts in the Rocky Mountain Region, which encompasses Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. These efforts will reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and improve wildlife habitat on targeted, high-priority landscapes within the agency’s Region Two.

“Given the forest health crisis in Wyoming and Colorado, I am excited for the National Wild Turkey Federation to take on this important work as a Keystone Partner under the Wildfire Crisis Strategy,” said Molly Pitts, NWTF Wildfire Crisis Strategy manager.

On September 22, the Region Two Supplemental Project Agreement was officially signed, and includes four projects:

Big Horn National Forest

The entirety of Sheridan’s municipal water supply relies exclusively on the Big Goose watershed within the Bighorn National Forest. One of the primary challenges facing this watershed is the threat of sedimentation and debris, as large fires pose a significant risk to the overall quality of the water.

The Oct. 21-22 statewide youth pheasant, quail and partridge season for hunters ages 15 and younger provides an excellent opportunity to mentor new hunters.

“The youth season provides a great opportunity to get young hunters out hunting in a more controlled environment,” said Bryan O’Connor, upland game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Resident youth (age 15 or younger) do not need a permit to hunt small game, but nonresident youth must have a small game hunting permit and habitat stamp. Only youth are allowed to hunt during the youth season, except at designated Special Youth Hunt locations, where accompanying adults also are allowed to hunt.

Game and Parks will release rooster pheasants at the following Special Youth Hunt locations/wildlife management areas (with county):

Arrowhead (Gage), Kirkpatrick Basin North (York), Cornhusker (Hall), George Syas (Nance), Wilkinson (Platte), Oak Valley (Madison), Powder Creek (Dixon), Randall W. Schilling (Cass), Rakes Creek (Cass), Peru Bottoms (Nemaha), James N. Douglas (Johnson), Hickory Ridge (Johnson), Yankee Hill (Lancaster), Branched Oak (Lancaster), Sherman Reservoir (Sherman), Pressey (Custer), Arnold Trupp (Morrill), Bordeaux (Dawes), and N-CORPE east tract (Lincoln).

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Minnesota NWTF State Chapter recently met to review Hunting Heritage Super Fund project proposals for 2024 funding awards. After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were presented to and approved by the Minnesota Board of Directors. The state board budgeted $102,000 for conservation projects and $48,000 for hunting heritage-related projects, including outreach-education events, chapter scholarships and 4H Shooting Sports support.

“I am thankful our volunteers have a vested interest in conservation across the state and that the hard work they do has real on-the-ground benefits for turkeys and other wildlife in the North Star State,” said Clayton Lenk, NWTF district biologist for Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota.

NWTF conservation projects listed below will be matched with $738,000 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects.

The Super Fund is a funding model where NWTF volunteers raise money at banquets and other types of fundraisers and then allocate a significant portion of those funds back into meaningful conservation and outreach projects in their respective states (and beyond). For Minnesota’s 2024 Super Fund allocations, projects include:

Conservation:

Ninth-grader Gavin Carrizales of Scottsbluff hit 35 of 40 targets to win the Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational on Sept. 30 at Pressey Wildlife Management Area south of Broken Bow.

The championship is Carrizales’ second. In 2020, in only his second year of eligibility, the then-12-year-old shot the first perfect score in the event’s history.

High Girl Danika Bohl of Mitchell hit 34 targets.

Carrizales; Bohl, the 2021 state champion; younger sister Laney Bohl, the 2022 state champion (29); and Lilian DeWitt of Minatare (24), shot a combined 122 of 160 for Western Nebraska Shooting Sports to win the overall high team score. Western Nebraska Shooting Sports has won five straight overall team titles.

The annual event, which was established in 1977, is open to all Hunter Education graduates who are at least 11 years old and have not graduated high school.

JERICHO, Vt. – CPT Cliffton Allen and CW3 Cara Krauss of the Vermont Army National Guard came to win at the 2023 New England CMP Games and Highpower Matches, held in Vermont in September. The pair led 11 different pistol competitions, collectively, during the event – including a joint victory in the 2-Man Pistol Team match.

Individually, Krauss, 42, of Bristol, VT, set a new match record score in the Military & Police Service Pistol competition that had been in place since 2018, reaching 379-12X overall. Allen, 37, New of Port Center, VT, not only overtook the 40 Shot Pistol Match but went on to find the top spot in each of the Pistol Aggregate Any Sight competitions (.22 Rimfire, Center Fire, .45 Pistol and 2700 Aggregate).

Also giving noteworthy pistol performances was SFC Dwayne Lewis, 57, of Greenville, SC, who set two new records in his Metallic Sight wins in the Aggregate matches, while TSgt Christopher DeForge, 36, of Hampton, VA, dominated the .22 Aggregates.

The annual New England Games features CMP’s own exciting lineup of vintage and modern military rifle and pistol competitions, designed for everyone to enjoy. The events are suitable for those just beginning in the sport of marksmanship while offering fun challenges for more experienced individuals.

This year, for the first time, the New England Games added a Mid-Range 3×600 Rifle Match, featuring Service Rifle, Match Rifle, Palma, F-Class, F T/R and AR Tactical classes.

Steelhead Outdoors added to its pistol box line that keep handguns and pistols secure. All Steelhead pistol boxes are American-made with quality steel and are designed to be drill and pry-resistant. Weighing less than 15 pounds, these lockboxes can easily transport 1-2 handguns or pistols and accommodate handguns with attachments. Each lock box has mounting holes to allow for secure mounting to a wall or floor or use the optional beefy security cable to tether the lock box to a vehicle.

The Fast Access Pistol Box features a push button Genuine Simplex lock for fast access without electronics or batteries or keys. This pistol box was built for travel with easily going from nightstand to vehicle, to the hotel room. Formed and welded entirely from heavy duty 12-gauge steel, it’s engineered for security, usability and portability with the ability to secure the Fast Access Pistol Box with Steelhead’s signature 3’ long, 6,000 lb. rated, ¼” galvanized cable with 5/16” coating. No competitor offers a security cable this strong. The Fast Access Pistol Box measures 8.5” wide x 12.25” long x 3” tall and weighs just under 15 lbs. Suggested retail $300.

The Small HD Pistol Box and Large HD Pistol Box feature a high-end key lock with a unique multi-sidebar arrangement that makes picking with traditional tools all but impossible. The lock has 6 billion key combinations and features a hardened drill-resistant body. This lock style is more secure and pick resistant than tubular and traditional wafer locks that are found on almost all other lockboxes. Steelhead engineers incorporated a double shear lock mechanism to provide increased pry support. Formed and welded entirely from heavy duty 12-gauge steel, Steelhead HD lock boxes are 75-160% thicker than most competitors who manufacture overseas using 16–20-gauge steel.

Two keys are included.

The Small HD Pistol Box is 6.5” wide x 10” long x 3” tall and weighs just under 9 lbs. Suggested retail $170.

The NWTF Pineywoods Chapter in East Texas celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (Sept. 23) by providing 41 local youths with hands-on learning about hunting, fishing and conservation in an engaging, fun-to-learn environment. 

“We had such a fun time getting kids and their families together for a day of engagement and learning,” said Kathy Braden, NWTF Pineywoods Chapter committee member. “Our goal is to empower and educate these kids as they begin their journey in the outdoors. This event did just that.”

Across the country, NWTF JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) Days engage youth in outdoor pursuits and instill lifelong traditions. The Pineywoods JAKES Day was a shining example, providing numerous learning stations where kids spoke with experts and engaged with the activities at each station, including fishing, practicing bow and firearm accuracy and learning valuable conservation and outdoor skills. 

“Whether it was fishing, interacting with K-9 Jaz or learning about plants at the North Boggy Slough, the kids had a blast,” Braden said. “Watching them collect different plant species and coming back and skimming through the books to identify the plants they gathered was so fun.”

The event was held at the North Boggy Slough Conservation Area, an over-19,000-acre parcel of conserved land managed sustainably as a working forest. The North Boggy Slough encompasses many unique wildlife and land features, including an 18-mile frontage on the Neches River.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encourages you to celebrate nature during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8-14, 2023. This special time is a chance to boost your health and enjoy the outdoors while experiencing the nation’s premier wildlife conservation network, the National Wildlife Refuge System. Founded in 1903, the system provides nature nearby to millions of Americans while conserving vital habitat for wildlife.

“National wildlife refuges are places that are so important to community health and the economy because they provide places where both wildlife and people can recharge and find respite. They are American treasures,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “National Wildlife Refuge Week is a great time for Americans to join us in celebrating and protecting the wonders of nature that can be found at a nearby national wildlife refuge.”

Increasing access to public lands and waters is a central component of President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative. National wildlife refuges provide habitat for thousands of species and access recreation, from wildlife watching, photography, fishing, hunting and walking in nature.

National Wildlife Refuge Week occurs yearly during the second full week of October. This year’s celebrations will kick off October 7 with Urban Wildlife Conservation Day. Admission is free October 8 at national wildlife refuges that normally charge an entrance fee. Nearly 500 national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts offer free admission year-round.

For the third year in a row, the Service will partner with the Public Lands Alliance to host over 40 free walking events at wildlife refuges across the country in celebration of Refuge Week. Register for a free event near you or walk virtually for all of America’s Wildlife Refuges.

A key role for any CEO is to communicate with customers – to have an open dialogue, get feedback and continue to foster organizational improvement based on a variety of inputs. I’ve met many of you at our events in AL, OH and around the country and I very much appreciate your support and your passion. As I complete my first year in this role, I thought it would be useful to reach out via this website to the literally hundreds of thousands of CMP customers and competitors to keep you better informed. The narrative that follows includes an update of CMP’s existing operations, planned projects, events and future endeavors. I plan to provide these updates going forward on semi-annual basis. 

The Civilian Marksmanship Program has had a busy and successful FY23 thanks to our hardworking staff members, our many partnerships with prominent organizations in the field, and, of course, our dedicated supporters. Thank you to all of you as you participate and support CMP’s efforts to promote marksmanship and to be the Home of Marksmanship.

Fiscal Year 2023 Summary.  

Sales. Our sales program remained strong. We received approximately 5,000 M1 Garands from the Government of Turkey, 10,000 surplus M1911s from the Army and a significant quantity of surplus ammunition from the Army. These assets on top of our existing inventory allowed for a full year of rifle and pistol sales both online and in our three physical stores. These assets are critical to our mission and business as the proceeds fund our many programs and also the general expenses to run the CMP. 

Programs/Mission. Also, a strong year. Some highlights follow, but my ask here is for those of you who come to our matches to spread the word about the great experience and to get that word out especially to younger and junior competitors. At the CMP, we are working hard to further our mission of “promoting marksmanship” and are diligently working to get more competitors to our events. We appreciate your support – let’s work together to grow and sustain the sport.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) and their wholesale members have selected this year’s Appreciation Award nominees. Each year, NASGW awards the top optics, accessory, ammunition, and firearms manufacturers along with the leading importer and innovator, who best demonstrate a commitment to two-step distribution while providing outstanding service value.

“NASGW’s Appreciation Awards are an opportunity for our wholesale members to recognize the top manufacturers that support two-step distribution,” said Kenyon Gleason, NASGW President. “With great wholesaler voter turnout in 2023, we are looking forward to seeing who will be taking home awards in Columbus.” Wholesaler members evaluate manufacturers’ performance on four key criteria; distribution policy, marketing, sales and promotion; logistics and operations; and NASGW and industry support. This comprehensive assessment of manufacturer performance is designed to provide a more balanced appraisal that truly recognizes the best of the best, according to NASGW distributor members.

This year’s nominees are:

Firearm Manufacturer of the Year

Optics Manufacturer of the Year

Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year

Accessory Manufacturer of the Year 

Importer of the Year

Innovator of the Year

Winners of the NASGW Appreciation Awards will be announced on October 24th at the annual NASGW Appreciation dinner to kick off the 2023 NASGW Expo in Columbus, OH. 

About NASGW
The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers is comprised of wholesalers, manufacturers, independent sales reps, media, and service providers – both national and international – all of whom are primarily focused on shooting sports equipment and accessories. As a trade association representing the business interests of its members, NASGW’s mission is to bring shooting sports buyers and sellers together. For more information about the NASGW, visit the association’s website at www.nasgw.org.