Industry News Archives - Page 3 of 8

Minnesota hunting industry mourns loss of John Burgeson

May 22, 2018

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…

Wild Wings outdoors art company announces new owners

April 26, 2018

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…

Delta Waterfowl celebrates hunter recruitment [video]

April 12, 2018

Staff and News Reports

In effort to bolster waterfowl hunter numbers, Delta Waterfowl is launching the Mentor Recognition Program.

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

April 11, 2018

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…

Fishing industry well represented on national outdoor recreation advisory committee

April 4, 2018

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…

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

March 23, 2018

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…

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

March 22, 2018

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…

Wisconsin Fishing Expo continues to grow

March 16, 2018

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,…

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

February 14, 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…

Mills Fleet Farm names new executive VP/CFO

February 13, 2018

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…

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

January 29, 2018

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…

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

January 9, 2018

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…

Swanson Russell promotes 3 in Lincoln, Neb., office

December 18, 2017

Staff and News Reports

LINCOLN, Neb. — Swanson Russell recently promoted three people in its Lincoln office – Brittany Lentz, Jeff Salem and Neale Stadler – according to a news release by the company. Lentz was promoted to account manager. Since joining the agency as a project manager in 2015, she has excelled on accounts including Humminbird, Tasty Toppings, Union Bank & Trust and…

St. Croix hires new northeast regional account manager

December 5, 2017

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….

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

December 5, 2017

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…

Shimano updates Sustain spinning reel series

November 28, 2017

Staff and News Reports

LADSON, S.C. – Shimano is offering both freshwater and saltwater spinning reel anglers with the new Sustain series, now with Shimano’s Hagane gear technology and body design, and X-Protect, the company said in a news release. For targeting big bass with finesse baits, to stripers and even small billfish, the new Sustain reels are available in four sizes – the…

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

November 17, 2017

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…

Icing largemouth with Mike Hehner and Aqua-Vu

November 3, 2017

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

Walleyes on the prowl by Aqua-Vu

November 3, 2017

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

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

November 3, 2017

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”…

International Game Fish Association inducts five into hall of fame

November 2, 2017

Staff and News Reports

2017 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Inductees (left to right): Dr. Eric Prince, Peter Fithian, Mike Levitt, Rick Clunn, Larry Dahlberg.Dania Beach, Fla. – The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame class of 2017 was honored on Oct. 28 in a ceremony at the new IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National…

Pradco acquires War Eagle Custom Lures

November 2, 2017

Staff and News Reports

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Pradco Outdoor Brands, manufacturer and marketer of fishing and hunting brands and products, has acquired War Eagle Custom Lures, formerly of Rogers, Ark. War Eagle offers spinnerbaits, jigs, buzz baits, jigging spoons and jig heads. War Eagle Custom Lures has operated in Rogers for the last 21 years. Now, the business will be operated from Pradco’s…

Kids’ State-Fish Art Contest includes aquatic invasive species category

November 2, 2017

Staff and News Reports

In 2014, Colleen Malley from Pennsylvania won with her painting of striped bass and the invasive Northern snakehead.WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. — Win the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, twice in the same year? Now you can – by becoming the “Invader Crusader.” The “Silent Invader” national category was created in 2012 to introduce children…

Garmin acquires Navionics

October 30, 2017

Staff and News Reports

Garmin Ltd. announced that it has acquired Navionics S.p.A., a privately-held worldwide provider of electronic navigational charts and mobile applications for the marine industry. In addition to a popular boating app, Navionics has developed an extensive repository of nautical charts for oceans, rivers, and lakes. Many of these charts have been developed with Navionics’ proprietary surveys, done both in the…

First Gander Outdoors stores reportedly to open in early 2018

October 27, 2017

Staff and News Reports

Re-branded Gander Mountain stores will start opening early in 2018, according to reports. According to a plan released recently by Camping World, which bought out Gander Mountain, 15-20 new Gander Outdoors locations could open by March 31 – the end of the first quarter – with 40-45 more stores possibly opening by the third quarter in September, the reports say….

Cortland names Clay Norris new director of national sales and marketing

October 24, 2017

Staff and News Reports

Clay Norris has joined the Cortland Line Company as director of national sales and marketing, the company announced Tuesday, Oct. 24. Norris has 35 years of marketing, branding, product, and selling experience with a heavy focus on the fishing and outdoor industries. Previously, Norris worked on the agency side for more than 12 years where he went from a media…

Industry News

Minnesota hunting industry mourns loss of John Burgeson

Wild Wings outdoors art company announces new owners

Delta Waterfowl celebrates hunter recruitment [video]

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

Fishing industry well represented on national outdoor recreation advisory committee

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

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

Wisconsin Fishing Expo continues to grow

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

Mills Fleet Farm names new executive VP/CFO

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

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

Swanson Russell promotes 3 in Lincoln, Neb., office

St. Croix hires new northeast regional account manager

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

Shimano updates Sustain spinning reel series

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

Icing largemouth with Mike Hehner and Aqua-Vu

Walleyes on the prowl by Aqua-Vu

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

International Game Fish Association inducts five into hall of fame

Pradco acquires War Eagle Custom Lures

Kids’ State-Fish Art Contest includes aquatic invasive species category

Garmin acquires Navionics

First Gander Outdoors stores reportedly to open in early 2018

Cortland names Clay Norris new director of national sales and marketing

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