Industry News

Industry News, News, Press Releases

Shimano/B.A.S.S. Nation scholarships: Future of natural resources, fisheries management in good hands

Staff and News Reports

Incoming Virginia Tech senior Cantley Krafft (left) is awarded one of nine $3,000 Shimano/B.A.S.S. Nation scholarships during registration at the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship, held last week on Oklahoma’s Lake Tenkiller. B.A.S.S. Conservation Director Gene Gilliland (right) makes the presentation.LADSON, S.C. — The future within the ranks of natural resources and fisheries management professionals looks bright, at…
Industry News, Press Releases

BRP acquires Alumacraft, creates Marine Group

Staff and News Reports

Valcourt, Quebec – Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec, announced this week the creation of the Marine Group with the acquisition of Alumacraft, a private North American manufacturer of aluminum fishing boats based in St. Peter, Minn., BRP said in a news release. Tracy Crocker, senior vice-president and general manager of Evinrude Outboard Motors since 2017, has been…
Industry News, Press Releases

RV company Winnebago adds boats to the mix with Chris-Craft acquisition

Brian Peterson

And the crossover effort continues. RV maker Winnebago Industries, Inc., announced Monday, June 4 that it has acquired recreational boat builder Chris-Craft from Stellican Ltd., which has owned Chris-Craft since 2001. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Last week, snowmobile and all-terrain-vehicle maker Polaris Industries, Inc., based in Medina, Minn., reportedly acquired Boat Holdings, a pontoon boat company out…
Industry News, News, Press Releases

Time winding down to apply for Shimano scholarship program

Staff and News Reports

LADSON, S.C. — For graduating high school seniors, undergrad and graduate students interested in fisheries, wildlife and natural resource fields of study, the application period for the Shimano Varsity Program Scholarships is winding down. Shimano North American Fishing, Inc., is awarding up to $30,000 in financial assistance to future leaders in conservation, fisheries and wildlife sciences and management, according to…
Industry News, Press Releases

Wisconsin DOJ charges lure-maker with bilking investors

Staff and News Reports

(WBAY.com)Andrew Reynent, 37, of Cecil, Wisc., is accused of bilking investors in his Screamline Lures company for about $350,000 between 2015 and 2017 and spending it on personal expenses and gambling, according to reports. He is charged with seven counts of embezzlement of amounts ranging from $10,700 to $102,588. According to a WBAY.com report, the Wisconsin Department of Justice estimates $141,084 of investor money was spent at…
Hunting News, Industry News, Press Releases

Minnesota hunting industry mourns loss of John Burgeson

Staff and News Reports

Anoka, Minn. — Wildlife Research Center founder John Robert Burgeson, 66, of Andover, passed away May 19. A native of Arden Hills and later Andover, Burgeson graduated from Mounds View High School in 1970 and went on to study business at Anoka Ramsey College and later Augsburg University. Graduating with a degree in business, Burgeson established Wildlife Research Center in…
Industry News, Press Releases

Wild Wings outdoors art company announces new owners

Staff and News Reports

Mark Mickelson, left, owner of Art Brand Studios, and Randy Eggenberger, Wild Wings president.Art Brand Studios, a leading publisher, manufacturer, marketer, wholesaler and branded retailer of fine art reproductions, has announced the acquisition of Wild Wings, a company representing 50 of America’s top wildlife and Americana/nostalgia artists. Wild Wings, out of Lake City, Minn., has a long history of specializing…
Industry News, Press Releases

NSSF report: Firearms industry economic impact rises 169 percent since 2008

Staff and News Reports

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The total economic impact of the firearms and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $51.4 billion in 2017, a 169 percent increase, while the total number of full-time equivalent jobs rose from approximately 166,000 to almost 310,000, an 87 percent increase in that period, according to a report released by…
Industry News, Press Releases

Fishing industry well represented on national outdoor recreation advisory committee

Staff and News Reports

(U.S. Department of the Interior)WASHINGTON, D.C. — A host of well-known outdoor recreation representatives – from the fishing industry in particular – were recently named to the national “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee, announced recently by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. The 15-member committee was established on Nov. 8, 2017, and is intended to serve as an advisory…
Industry News, Press Releases

Gander Outdoors stores open in Forest Lake, Minn., and Chambersburg, Pa.

Staff and News Reports

Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain, has opened locations in Forest Lake, Minn., and Chambersburg, Pa. The 96,000-square-foot store in Forest Lake is located at 14640 West Freeway Drive and will be one of six Gander Outdoor retail locations in Minnesota, operating with more than 65 part-time employees and full-time staff, the company said in a news release. The…
Hunting News, Industry News, Press Releases

2017 Deer and Turkey Classic headliners the Holders move to larger Discovery Channel

Brian Peterson

David Holder of “Raised Hunting” fame talks about what it means for his family to serve as headliners during the 2017 Outdoor News Deer and Turkey Classic. (Brian Peterson photo)The headliners of the 2017 Outdoor News Deer and Turkey Classic are headliners once again on the outdoors television front. Raised Hunting, the show chronicling the lives and adventures of the…
Industry News, News, Press Releases

Wisconsin Fishing Expo continues to grow

Staff Report

After a 13-percent increase in attendance in 2017, an all-time high, the Wisconsin Fishing Expo (WFE) continued its upward attendance swing with another 9-percent increase for the 2018 event, held Feb. 23-25. In addition, the Expo area at Alliant Energy Center Expo Hall in Madison grew by 17 percent, featuring more than 150,000 square feet of space for vendors, manufacturers, retailers, boats,…
Bass, Industry News, News, Press Releases

Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards again to sponsor Classic Bass Champions Tour in 2018

Staff and News Reports

ZIMMERMAN, Minn. — Classic Bass has announced that Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Outboards will again be the presenting sponsor of the Champions Tour in 2018. In 2017, Andy Walls of Grand Rapids, Minn., left the Champions Tour Championship on Lake Pokegama with a new Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Outboard package; the winner of the 2018 championship also will earn a…
Industry News, Press Releases

Mills Fleet Farm names new executive VP/CFO

Staff Report

Mills Fleet Farm has announced that Michael Schwindle has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer. Schwindle was most recently CFO at Payless Shoe Source, and previously held CFO positions at both Harry & David and Musician’s Friend, a subsidiary of Guitar Center. He began his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP with roles in both the auditing…
Industry News

U.S. sales of outdoor equipment slump as consumer habits shift

Associated Press

Snow industry sales, which include skis, snowboards, boots, bindings and other equipment, are faring better than the larger outdoor industry. (Photo by Brian Peterson)DENVER — The outdoor gear industry brought its biggest winter marketplace to Denver last week as it faces slipping sales and shifting U.S. consumer habits. About 1,000 manufacturers showed new products to 11,000 retail buyers at the…
Industry News, Press Releases

Gander Outdoors says it will open 69 stores by May – 39 in Great Lakes region

Brian Peterson

Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain, recently released a list of 69 stores that new parent company Camping World Holdings, Inc., said will reopen by May – with the majority of those stores in the Great Lakes region. The stores, along with a number that won’t reopen, were originally closed because of last year’s foreclosure of Gander Mountain’s parent…
Industry News, Press Releases

St. Croix hires new northeast regional account manager

Staff Report

PARK FALLS, Wis. – Alex Smay has joined St. Croix as the fishing rod company’s northeast regional account manager. Smay brings nearly 10 years of experience in outdoor marketing and sales management in both fishing and hunting. Smay’s territory will cover Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Ohio. Smay holds a degree in marketing management from Grove City (Pa.) College….
Industry News

Pennsylvania sporting goods store, Facebook clash over nixing of ads due to promotion of gun sales

Brian Peterson

The Sportsman’s Shop in East Earl, Pa., says it can no longer advertise products like American flags or outdoor clothing on Facebook because its Facebook page promotes the sales of guns and includes links that lead to the same, according to reports. The Lancaster County store, which has been in operation since 1954, specializes in sport shooting, hunting, archery, fishing…
Ice Fishing, Industry News, Press Releases

Outdoor News kicks off hard-water coverage across Great Lakes region

Staff Report

(Photo by Rob Drieslein)Plymouth, Minn. — With ice creeping in on shorelines across waterways in the Great Lakes states, Outdoor News has kicked off its annual ongoing coverage – tips, gear profiles, advice from the top names in the industry and more – of the hard-water season for anglers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Outdoor…
Bass, Bass Videos, Fishing, Fishing, How To's, Ice Fishing, Ice Fishing Tips, Illinois Videos, Industry News, Michigan Videos, Minnesota Videos, New York Videos, News, Ohio Videos, Pennsylvania Videos, Wisconsin Videos

Icing largemouth with Mike Hehner and Aqua-Vu

Staff Report

Mike Hehner shows how he uses his Aqua-Vu to specifically target largemouth bass during the hard-water season. Categories: Bass, Bass Videos, Fishing, Fishing, How To’s, Ice Fishing, Ice Fishing Tips, Illinois Videos, Industry News, Michigan Videos, Minnesota Videos, New York Videos, News, Ohio Videos, Pennsylvania Videos, Wisconsin Videos Tags: Aqua-Vu, Fishing, Ice fishing, largemouth bass, Mike Hehner
Fishing, Illinois Videos, Industry News, Michigan Videos, Minnesota Videos, New York Videos, News, Ohio Videos, Pennsylvania Videos, Walleye Videos, Wisconsin Videos

Walleyes on the prowl by Aqua-Vu

Staff Report

Aqua-Vu underwater camera systems captures hungry walleyes hunting a minnow slow-trolled along the bottom. Categories: Fishing, Illinois Videos, Industry News, Michigan Videos, Minnesota Videos, New York Videos, News, Ohio Videos, Pennsylvania Videos, Walleye Videos, Wisconsin Videos Tags: Aqua-Vu, Fishing, Walleyes
Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tips, How To's, Ice Fishing, Ice Fishing Tips, Illinois Videos, Industry News, Michigan Videos, Minnesota Videos, New York Videos, News, Ohio Videos, Pennsylvania Videos, Wisconsin Videos

Aqua-Vu HD down-viewing big perch with ‘Bro’

Staff Report

Brian “Bro” Brosdahl demonstrates his technique for down-viewing with his Aqua-Vu HD underwater camera system. “Bro” also shows the features of Aqua-Vu’s HD system. Categories: Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tips, How To’s, Ice Fishing, Ice Fishing Tips, Illinois Videos, Industry News, Michigan Videos, Minnesota Videos, New York Videos, News, Ohio Videos, Pennsylvania Videos, Wisconsin Videos Tags: Aqua-Vu, Aqua-Vu HD, Brian “Bro”…