Gander Mountain Hosts Ice Expo in Forest Lake, MN

 ST. PAUL, MN --- With another highly-anticipated ice fishing season just around the corner, Gander Mountain will host its third annual First Ice Expo on Saturday, November 17 at their Forest Lake, Minn., store.

"Over the past three years, we have seen incredible growth in the popularity of the First Ice Expo as one of the region's largest pre-season ice fishing events," said Steve Uline, executive vice president of marketing for Gander Mountain, "Once again we're bringing together some of the biggest names in ice fishing and the top brands in the business. This is a free one-day opportunity to get all the gear and advice needed for a fun and successful winter on the ice."

The First Ice Expo will be held Saturday, November 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Gander Mountain store in Forest Lake, Minn., the event is free and open to the public. Chip Leer, host of Midwest Outdoors and the 2011 National Guard FLW Walleye Tour will also emcee at the Gander Mountain First Ice Expo as the 2012 event host. Former Minnesota Vikings tight end and avid outdoorsman Jim Kleinsasser is scheduled to make a special appearance and sign autographs from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

As well as, having representatives from many of the top brand names in ice fishing on hand, the event will also feature special appearances and seminars from today's top pros:

• "Spoon Fed Walleyes" by professional walleye angler Tony Roach

• "Rattlin' Up Walleyes" by professional walleye angler Ted Takasaki

• "Ice Formulas for Crappies" by soon-to-be member of the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Outdoor News contributor "Tackle" Terry Tuma

• "Dave Genz's Winter Fishing System" by Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame member "Mr. Ice Fishing" Dave Genz

• "Advanced Walleye Strategies for Today's Angler" by star of Jason Mitchell Outdoors and professional fishing guide Jason Mitchell

• "Modern Techniques for Finding & Catching Panfish" by multi-species angler and renowned fishing guide Brian "Bro" Brosdahl

Drawings for over $3,500 in enter-to-win prizes will be held throughout the day. Prizes include a Jiffy Ice Drill, Vexilar Fish Locator, Frabill and Clam portable ice houses, and the first 500 customers to make a purchase will receive a free First Ice Expo long-sleeve t-shirt, while supplies last. Customers may also take advantage of many "gift-with-purchase" opportunities from a variety of fishing vendors. This is the third year that Gander Mountain has held the First Ice Expo in Minnesota and is expected to host the event at other locations around the country.

For more information visit the Gander Mountain web site, at www.gandermountain.com/firstice.

About Gander Mountain Company

Gander Mountain Company headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., is the nation's largest retail network of outdoor specialty stores for firearms, hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle products and services. Since 1960, Gander Mountain has offered the best selection of outdoor equipment, technical apparel, active casual wear, and footwear featuring national, regional and specialty brands at competitive prices. Focused on a "We Live Outdoors®" culture, Gander Mountain dedicates itself to creating outdoor memories. There are currently 117 conveniently located Gander Mountain outdoor lifestyle stores in 24 states. For the nearest store location call 800-282-5993 or visit www.GanderMountain.com. Gander Mountain is also the parent company of Overton's (www.Overtons.com), a leading catalog and Internet based retailer of products for boating and other water sports enthusiasts.

Press Release found at the Outdoor Wire

Home is where the heart is...Bowhunting Whitetail in North Dakota!

With hunting season arriving in northwest North Dakota and life getting in the way of a trip home, I had to take a little time to enjoy a few photos from the local shop, Scenic Sports, and think about what I'm missing this year. Take a little time to enjoy some of what North Dakota deer season has to offer.

Photos found at Scenic Sports, Williston, ND

Boone & Crockett Releases Historic List of Top 125 Trophy Counties

MISSOULA, MT-In commemoration of its 125th anniversary, Boone and Crockett Club has released an historic list of the Top 125 trophy counties across the U.S.

The list is based on Boone and Crockett big-game records-trophy data going back to 1830 and long used by conservationists to gauge outstanding habitat, strong recruitment of game animals into older age classes, sustainable harvest objectives and other elements of sound wildlife management and fair-chase hunting.

"Consistent trophy production over time is proof that conservation measures are working exceptionally well, and the 125 counties on this list stand out as historic models of success," said Boone and Crockett Club President Ben Wallace. "But the good news extends well beyond the list. Trophy production appears to be trending upward with many species and across much of North America. In fact, last year our records program had 979 new entries, compared to 372 just 30 years ago."

He added, "That kind of growth is gratification for hunters, whose leadership, funding and hard work have been the driving force behind conservation since Theodore Roosevelt founded Boone and Crockett Club back in 1887."

A few counties are recognized on the list for multiple categories of trophies.

Boone and Crockett Club's Top 125 trophy counties:

1. Wyoming, Carbon County-282 pronghorn in B&C records
2. California, Mendocino County-190 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
3. California, Trinity County-185 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
4. Wyoming, Sweetwater County-183 pronghorn in B&C records
5. Wyoming, Fremont County-153 pronghorn in B&C records
6. Nevada, Clark County-142 desert sheep in B&C records
7. Wyoming, Natrona County-142 pronghorn in B&C records
8. Montana, Granite County-134 bighorn sheep in B&C records
9. South Dakota, Custer County-134 bison in B&C records
10. Montana, Sanders County-132 bighorn sheep in B&C records
11. Arizona, Coconino County-128 pronghorn in B&C records
12. New Mexico, Socorro County-117 pronghorn in B&C records
13. Nevada, Washoe County-114 pronghorn in B&C records
14. New Mexico, Rio Arriba County-113 typical mule deer in B&C records
15. Wyoming, Teton County-108 Shiras' moose in B&C records
16. Texas, Hudspeth County-106 pronghorn in B&C records
17. California, Humboldt County-100 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
18. New Mexico, Mora County-99 pronghorn in B&C records
19. Oregon, Jackson County-93 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
20. Arizona, Pima County-92 typical Coues' whitetail deer in B&C records
21. Arizona, Yavapai County-92 pronghorn in B&C records
22. Nevada, Humboldt County-89 pronghorn in B&C records
23. Wisconsin, Buffalo County-86 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
24. New Mexico, Catron County-79 pronghorn in B&C records
25. New Mexico, Colfax County-79 pronghorn in B&C records
26. Montana, Blaine County-73 bighorn sheep in B&C records
27. Montana, Teton County-70 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
28. Oregon, Clackamas County-70 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
29. Arizona, Yuma County-67 desert sheep in B&C records
30. Colorado, Eagle County-67 typical mule deer in B&C records
31. New Mexico, Lincoln County-67 pronghorn in B&C records
32. Wyoming, Teton County-67 bison in B&C records
33. California, Siskiyou County-66 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
34. Wyoming, Sublette County-61 Shiras' moose in B&C records
35. Montana, Fergus County-54 bighorn sheep in B&C records
36. Idaho, Idaho County-53 cougar in B&C records
37. Minnesota, St. Louis County-53 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
38. Oregon, Harney County-51 pronghorn in B&C records
39. Arizona, Coconino County-50 typical American elk in B&C records
40. Arizona, Mohave County-50 desert sheep in B&C records
41. Texas, Webb County-49 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
42. Washington, Lewis County-48 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
43. Wyoming, Lincoln County-48 typical mule deer in B&C records
44. Arizona, Gila County-47 black bear in B&C records
45. California, Humboldt County-47 Roosevelt's elk in B&C records
46. Colorado, Mesa County-47 typical mule deer in B&C records
47. Oregon, Lake County-47 pronghorn in B&C records
48. Texas, Dimmit County-47 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
49. California, Tehama County-46 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
50. Montana, Deer Lodge County-46 bighorn sheep in B&C records
51. Montana, Missoula County-46 bighorn sheep in B&C records
52. Nevada, Nye County-46 desert sheep in B&C records
53. Texas, Maverick County-46 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
54. Colorado, Moffat County-45 pronghorn in B&C records
55. Colorado, Garfield County-44 typical mule deer in B&C records
56. Oregon, Clatsop County-43 Roosevelt's elk in B&C records
57. Arizona, Coconino County-41 typical mule deer in B&C records
58. Arizona, Pima County-41 desert sheep in B&C records
59. Oregon, Lane County-41 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
60. Oregon, Linn County-41 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
61. Montana, Ravalli County-41 bighorn sheep in B&C records
62. Montana, Lewis & Clark County-40 bighorn sheep in B&C records
63. Texas, La Salle County-40 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
64. Utah, Weber County-40 Shiras' moose in B&C records
65. Wyoming, Lincoln County-40 Shiras' moose in B&C records
66. Arizona, Apache County-39 typical American elk in B&C records
67. Montana, Lincoln County-39 Shiras' moose in B&C records
68. Colorado, Gunnison County-38 typical mule deer in B&C records
69. Montana, Rosebud County-38 pronghorn in B&C records
70. Nevada, Elko County-38 Rocky Mountain goat in B&C records
71. Wisconsin, Price County-38 black bear in B&C records
72. Idaho, Bonneville County-37 Shiras' moose in B&C records
73. Minnesota, St. Louis County-37 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
74. Utah, Garfield County-36 bison in B&C records
75. Wisconsin, Trempealeau County-36 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
76. Colorado, Montrose County-35 typical mule deer in B&C records
77. Arizona, Coconino County-34 non-typical mule deer in B&C records
78. Colorado, Delta County-34 typical mule deer in B&C records
79. Colorado, Jackson County-34 Shiras' moose in B&C records
80. Iowa, Allamakee County-34 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
81. Washington, Pierce County-34 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
82. Wisconsin, Bayfield County-34 black bear in B&C records
83. Wisconsin, Sawyer County-34 black bear in B&C records
84. Wyoming, Campbell County-34 pronghorn in B&C records
85. Colorado, Montezuma County-33 typical mule deer in B&C records
86. Wisconsin, Buffalo County-33 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
87. Washington, Pend Oreille County-32 Shiras' moose in B&C records
88. North Carolina, Hyde County-32 black bear in B&C records
89. Wyoming, Albany County-32 pronghorn in B&C records
90. Arizona, Gila County-31 typical Coues' whitetail deer in B&C records
91. Illinois, Jo Daviess County-31 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
92. Montana, Beaverhead County-31 Shiras' moose in B&C records
93. Montana, Flathead County-31 Shiras' moose in B&C records
94. New Mexico, Rio Arriba County-31 non-typical mule deer in B&C records
95. Oregon, Columbia County-31 Roosevelt's elk in B&C records
96. Oregon, Marion County-31 typical Columbia blacktail deer in B&C records
97. Wyoming, Park County-31 typical American elk in B&C records
98. Iowa, Clayton County-30 typical whitetail deer in B&C records
99. Oregon, Wallowa County-30 bighorn sheep in B&C records
100. Wisconsin, Baron County-30 black bear in B&C records
101. Wyoming, Carbon County-30 typical mule deer in B&C records
102. Arizona, Maricopa County- 29 desert sheep in B&C records
103. Colorado, Rio Blanco County-29 cougar in B&C records
104. New Mexico, Rio Arriba County-29 cougar in B&C records
105. New Mexico, Taos County-29 bighorn sheep B&C records
106. Utah, Kane County-29 typical mule deer in B&C records
107. Washington, Clallam County-29 Roosevelt's elk in B&C records
108. Illinois, Pike County-28 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
109. Nevada, White Pine County-28 typical American elk in B&C records
110. Illinois, Fulton County-26 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
111. New Mexico, Catron County-26 typical American elk in B&C records
112. Minnesota, Itasca County-25 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
113. Arizona, Apache County-24 non-typical American elk in B&C records
114. Arizona, Pima County-24 non-typical Coues' whitetail deer in B&C records
115. Illinois, Adams County-24 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
116. New Mexico, San Juan County-24 typical American elk in B&C records
117. California, San Bernardino County-23 desert sheep in B&C records
118. California, Solano County-23 tule elk in B&C records
119. California, Trinity County-20 bighorn sheep in B&C records
120. Iowa, Van Buren County-19 non-typical whitetail deer in B&C records
121. Montana, Park County-17 bison in B&C records
122. Texas, Culberson County-16 desert sheep in B&C records
123. Washington, Chelan County-15 Rocky Mountain goat in B&C records
124. Washington, Okanogan County-15 Rocky Mountain goat in B&C records
125. Idaho, Caribou County-1 grizzly bear in B&C records (1900)

Native North American big game species tracked by Boone and Crockett Club but not included in the Top 125 counties include Alaska brown and polar bear; barren ground, central Canada barren ground, Quebec-Labrador, mountain and woodland caribou; Dall's and Stone's sheep; Alaska-Yukon and Canada moose; Sitka blacktail deer and muskox. These species are recorded by geographic location rather than by county.

The Top 125 list is based on "Trophy Search," a searchable online database available to subscribers. Users can sort B&C archival data in infinite ways to identify trophy trends and locations. An annual subscription is $50. Boone and Crockett Club Associates can receive a discount. Order online at www.boone-crockett.org or by calling 888-840-4868.


About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

Contact:
Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766, steve@blueheroncomm.com.

Original Post on The Outdoor Wire

Team USA gets number one ranking

Colorado Springs, CO - Less than two weeks away from the World Archery Championships in Torino, Italy, Team USA archers continue their amazing progress, climbing the newly-released World Rankings and achieving several number one placements.

World Cup back-to-back gold medalists Brady Ellison (recurve) and Rodger Willett, Jr. (compound) have each achieved a number one World Ranking this month. They are joined in the number one spot by the Men's Recurve Team, the Men's Compound Team, the Women's Compound Team and the Mixed Compound Team.

Compound archer Erika Anschutz and the Mixed Recurve Team have earned a number two ranking. Other notable placements include compound archers Reo Wilde and Braden Gellenthien, in the third and fourth spots respectively, and the Women's Recurve Team in the ninth position.

"This is a great moment for our archers and teams," commented KiSik Lee, National Head Coach for USA Archery. "We are so proud of our progress right now, and ask for the continued support of our membership during the coming World Archery Championships."

Following the Nor'easter, a USAT Qualifier Series Event this weekend in Massachusetts, team members will travel to Torino, Italy, where they will compete at the World Archery Championships. Though this event occurs every two years, it's unique in 2011: the recurve men's and women's teams will attempt to qualify quota spots for the Olympic Games by achieving a top-eight final finish.
Contact:
Teresa Iaconi for USA Archery
tiaconi@usarchery.org
860.904.0497