Introducing The MonoMASTER

What lasts longer, Empires, buildings or monofilament? Monofilament, probably. It lasts up to six hundred years. So what happens when we have a wind knot or tangle and have to change tippet or a leader? We stuff the discarded line into our vest pocket, and later find it stuck in our zipper or wrapped around our knot tyer or hook sharpener-if we’re lucky. If not? We reach into our pocket and accidentally pull the line out and drop it into the water or onto the bank where it eventually ends up wrapped around a bush, a heron or a trout.

We at Grasshopper Outdoor Products, Ltd are active members of TGF, TU and FFF and as conscientious anglers, we are intimately committed to avoiding any personal contribution to the deterioration of trout habitat, which includes polluting with waste monofilament. To this end we are offering the monoMASTER, which is a small, lightweight new tool that can be attached to a fishing vest or stored in a pocket or tackle box and used to conveniently store all waste mono generated while fishing. “Anything that reduces pollution is essential in our time, but a device that does it with such ease and enjoyment is a downright miracle. MonoMASTER is a ‘must-have” for every serious angler” (Richard Friedenberg - screenwriter, “A River Runs Through It”).

Waste mono dropped onto the bank is routinely picked up by conscientious anglers, but this isn’t always effective. Despite all our efforts we are not able to do much about the tangles of waste line accumulating under the water line to the detriment of wildlife habitat and water management efforts. This mono continues to accumulate over generations and, with over 40 Million anglers on US streams, every inch of waste mono matters. “Those of us in the Federation of Fly Fishers who have had the opportunity to examine the monoMaster agree that it’s a “must” for every fly fisher person’s vest.” (Ron Cordes, PhD, JD - Chairman of the Board of Directors, Federation of Fly Fishers). The monoMASTER is now available in Orvis stores, nationwide.

View more on RealOutdoorsTV.com

http://www.realoutdoorstv.com/view_video.php?viewkey=6fb0a03bb19f2d8d9524

http://www.realoutdoorstv.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9336a670e36d0ed79bc4

Second Amendment Foundation and Smith & Wesson Partner on Commemorative Revolver

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts, July, 21, 2008 - The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Smith & Wesson have partnered to create a commemorative revolver designed to recognize the historical significance of the District of Columbia vs. Heller decision and to acknowledge the six original plaintiffs that united to challenge the gun ban in Washington, D.C.

As part of the project, an engraved Smith & Wesson Model 442 revolver will be presented to each of the six plaintiffs - Shelly Parker, Tom Palmer, Gillian St. Lawrence, Tracey Ambeau, George Lyon and Dick Heller - for their key roles in working to protect the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Smith & Wesson will make the commemorative revolver available for consumer purchase in Fall 2008 and will direct a portion of the proceeds to the Second Amendment Foundation to acknowledge the organization’s pivotal role in the Heller case and its ongoing efforts to preserve the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.

“We are proud to work with Smith & Wesson on this project,” said Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation. “June 26 saw a landmark victory for the Second Amendment, and for all Americans. This is a fitting way to commemorate a significant moment in history, and support future efforts that will continue to strengthen our constitutional rights.”

The Smith & Wesson Model 442 will be laser engraved with an insignia to commemorate the ruling by the Supreme Court. On the right side plate of the revolver, the scale of justice is depicted with the wording “D.C. vs. Heller” across the scale. The balance is in favor of the “Heller” name with the court date of “June 26, 2008″ positioned across the top. Underneath the scale, the side plate reads “Second Amendment” and “The right to keep and bear arms” in white lettering.

“We at Smith & Wesson are pleased to honor the six original plaintiffs in the case while at the same time offer to consumers a firearm that will help in the preservation and protection of the Second Amendment,” said Tom Taylor, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson. “The Second Amendment Foundation has worked diligently on the Heller case along with several other cases in the last two decades by promoting legal scholarship. Their contributions have helped to dramatically change the legal landscape and we are honored to partner with them on this project.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nations oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 600,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of New Orleans, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and New Haven, CT on behalf of American gun owners.

Ruffed Grouse Society to hold Fall Tune-Up Shoot in Grand Blanc

The Keith Davis Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will hold its 4th annual Fall Tune-Up Shoot at the Grand Blanc Huntsman Club, 2046 South Irish Road, Grand Blanc, Michigan on Saturday, August 16, 2008 beginning with registration at 8 a.m. (Shoot starts at 9 a.m.).

According to Scott Grush, rregistration for the 50 target shoot is $30 for adults and $25 for youngster’s age12-16. Registration fee includes lunch and award for Adult High Gun. (Walk-in’s are welcome).

As with all RGS fundraiser’s, proceeds from this event will be used to restore and protect grouse and woodcock habitat.

For more information and/or directions contact Grush at 810-845-9700, or by e-mail at: Scottgrush@msn.com.

Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Information on the RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

Meet Hunting Celebrities and QDM Experts at QDMA’s Whitetail Expo, July 26-27

Bogart, Georgia - Got questions about Quality Deer Management? Get answers straight from the top when you meet and speak with nationally known QDM experts and hunting celebrities at the Quality Deer Management Association’s Whitetail Expo, part of the 2008 QDMA National Convention. The Whitetail Expo is open to the public and takes place July 26-27 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Lee and Tiffany Lakosky of Scent-Lok’s “Gettin’ Close” will kick off the celebrity appearances at the show with a seminar at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26. Nationally known deer researcher Dr. Grant Woods of Missouri takes the stage at 1 p.m. to tell the story of how one hunting property went from “Zero to 150 in Five Years” through Quality Deer Management. At 2 p.m., Realtree founder Bill Jordan will talk about his personal success with QDM on his hunting property and his experiences with QDM success across North America.

The Whitetail Expo seminars continue on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. with wildlife consultant Neil Dougherty of NorthCountry Whitetails. Neil will teach audience members how to select and lay out great hunting properties in a seminar titled “Great Whitetail Properties Don’t Just Happen - They’re ‘Made That Way’.” If you missed seeing the Lakoskys on Saturday, Lee and Tiffany return to the stage Sunday at 1 p.m. They’re followed at 2 p.m. by Hunter’s Specialties Pro Staff members Alex Rutledge and Eddie Salter, who will use highlights from their hunting video footage as they discuss techniques for calling and hunting whitetails.

A “meet-and-greet” opportunity will take place at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday on the Whitetail Expo floor, including celebrity and expert speakers who will be available for photos and autographs. They are joined by dozens of other well-known QDM experts who will be among the crowd throughout the entire QDMA National Convention. Hunters who attended the QDMA National Convention in the past said they were surprised to be able to approach top deer experts for questions and one-on-one conversations outside of the formal educational events. Attending the 2008 National Convention, in addition to the speakers mentioned above, are more than 30 of the top deer researchers, consultants and QDM experts from around the nation, including David Morris of Tecomate Wildlife Systems, Dr. James Kroll of Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas, Dr. Karl Miller of the University of Georgia, and Dr. Mickey Hellickson of the King Ranch.

Even the kids get to rub shoulders with celebrities in the Kid’s Corner, where the guys from Team Primos will be conducting the popular kids’ grunt-call contests and providing all the prizes.

Seminars are only a small part of the Whitetail Expo, which features exhibits by top manufacturers and service providers in food plots, habitat management, trail cameras, deer hunting gear, and more. Admission to QDMA’s Whitetail Expo is $10 for adults, free for hunters age 15 and under, and a coupon for “buy-one-get-one-free” admission is available at www.QDMA.com. Expo hours are Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, July 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The QDMA National Convention will take place at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27. For more information about the many other events and educational opportunities at the Convention, visit www.QDMA.com.

Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with more than 50,000 members in all 50 states and several foreign countries. Membership in QDMA is open to anyone interested in better deer and better deer hunting, and committed to ethical hunting, sound deer management and the preservation of the deer-hunting heritage. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call (800) 209-DEER [(800) 209-3337] or visit www.QDMA.com.

GlobalFix - The Next Generation EPIRB Makes Debut at MAATS with The iPRO

The Science of Survival Reaches a New Technological Breakthrough

LAS VEGAS, Nevada- ACR Electronics introduced the GlobalFix™ iPRO, a patented, next generation 406 MHz EPIRB featuring breakthrough technology that makes it the first EPIRB in the world to offer an exclusive Digital Display Screen and Dual GPS capabilities.

The Digital Display provides the user with a variety of important information both during operation and self-test. ACR integrated the Digital Display because the research and development team listened to customer feedback and understood that beacon users could benefit considerably from a digital read out.

When activated, the GlobalFix™ iPRO displays latitude/longitude coordinates on the screen for the user. If the endangered person has another means of communication, the lat/long data can be provided to rescuing parties. The screen can be very helpful during emergencies such as reminding the user of what to do to assure that the distress signal is sent and continues to be sent.

Even under conditions where it is difficult to get a GPS fix, for instance during a severe storm, the 406 MHz signal is always sent and the rescue satellite system will begin to extrapolate the location. Typically, internal GPS coordinates are acquired within the first 100 seconds of activation.

When activated, the Digital Display provides the user with reassuring tips on optimizing the use of the beacon and provides the following functionality during activation:

• It informs the user that the beacon is working
• It informs the user of his/her GPS coordinates
• It informs the user of remaining battery power
• It reinforces to the user the correct deployment of an activated beacon, such as “Leave beacon on until ResQ” and “Do not hold aerial”.

During a self-test, the Digital Display provides information about a self-test, including results of each test (pass/fail) and the final result of all the tests combined. These tests provide status reports on the 406 MHz signal, GPS acquisition and battery power, to name a few. It also advises on appropriate routine actions, like “Send for service”.

The 406 MHz data is sufficient for the satellite to determine the location of an activated beacon. However, the benefit of having GPS coordinates sent along with a 406 MHz emergency signal is that such data enhances the 406 MHz signal and reduces the notification period, from approximately 1 hour to 15 minutes, and initial search radius, from 2.5nm to 100m, (COSPAS-SARSAT data). Thus, the inclusion of GPS coordinates is of significant benefit to the rescuee, as well as SAR organizations.

The Digital Display is housed inside of the GlobalFix™ iPRO top cap. It cannot be touched, bumped, pierced or otherwise damaged by an external force unless the entire EPIRB is destroyed. ACR Electronics has solved the challenge of liquid crystal displays and cold temperature operation. Even if the display were disabled, the EPIRB will still function normally.

The information on the Digital Display is an enhancement for the user, and does not require the user to interact with the beacon in order for it to perform.

The Digital Display lettering is fairly large, so most anyone can read it even without glasses or contact lenses. But if the user cannot read it, once activated, the GlobalFix™ iPRO will function without any other interaction. So, if the user needs to focus attention elsewhere during an emergency, the iPRO will take care of things on its own.

The iPRO is smaller and lighter, which saves a valuable commodity space - on a ship, boat or in a ditch bag. The iPRO relies on efficient and durable LEDs for the LED strobe. This means longer battery life and the ability to withstand shock and vibration. LEDs use notably less energy than a traditional strobe light, but, to the naked eye, there is no discernable difference in the light characteristics. ACR chose the LED technology to further conserve the battery.

The GlobalFix™ iPRO is loaded with high efficiency electronics that offer reliable performance, responsiveness and accuracy. It carries Class 2 batteries, which will allow the beacon to transmit for a minimum of 48 hours at -20ºC (-4ºF). The iPRO is powered by non-hazardous batteries, which eliminate shipping hassles - a real cost savings.

Its marine-tough compact, ergonomic design employs components that do more with less bulk. This equates into years of useful service. The GlobalFix™ iPRO is intended for worldwide distribution, i.e., for all ships that have carriage requirements for an EPIRB. Additionally, it may be sold to persons/ships that elect to carry an EPIRB.

MSRP is anticipated to be $1540 for a Cat I and $1300 for a Cat II.

An EPIRB is a satellite-signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted and where the situation is deemed to be grave and imminent, and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance. All beacons must be registered online at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov following purchase. There are no monthly service fees for 406 MHz beacons.

ACR Electronics, Inc. (www.acrelectronics.com), a Cobham plc company, designs and manufactures a complete line of safety and survival products including EPIRBs, PLBs, SSAS, AIS, SARTs and safety accessories. The quality systems of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2000 Series Standards. To focus on this innovative technology, ACR has introduced a dynamic, new “The Science of Survival” theme for its line of marine, outdoor, aviation and military products. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR has provided safety equipment to the aviation and marine industries as well as to the military since 1956 and the outdoor industries since 2003.

Cameron Hanes - DIY Backcountry Bowhunting

With a passion for hunting the wild, pure backcountry and a love of the written word, Cameron Hanes is living a lifelong dream. Cameron is the host of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Elk Chronicles and co-host of Eastmans’ Bowhunting Journal TV on the Outdoor Channel.

Devoting himself to learning and honing hunting techniques for his fellow bowhunters has made for an exhilarating career for Cameron. Outdoorsmen have come to respect his knowledge and look forward to his stories. Cameron has based his life and career around the things he loves writing, photography/filming, his family and bowhunting the backcountry.

Under Armour College Bass National Championship Crowns A Winner

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - Jeremy Reese makes a custom lure that he calls, half-jokingly, “the moneymaker.”

Trent Gephardt, Reese’s University of Arkansas-Little Rock fishing club teammate in the Under Armour College Bass National Championship this week, had another description for it, after the pair rode it to a tournament-best 21.07-pound sack to claim the national title.

“He has a magic jig that works on everything around here,” Gephardt said.

On the final day, the Trojans rode it to the title, storming past the 17.40-pound stringer caught by Texas A&M’s Andrew Shafer and Scott Edmonds.

Of the 54 teams who qualified for the championships, only the five with the highest combined weights on two days on the 8,900-acre Lake Maumelle advanced to fish Day Three on what was billed as a “mystery lake.” It turned out to be a couple of stocked ponds east of Little Rock that presented about 15 acres of water and a variety of options: hydrilla, underwater structure, trees.

For all the talk of a hometown advantage in the championship, UALR’s Reese and Gephardt hadn’t seen any more of the fishing there than any of the other competitors. Their natural-colored half-ounce jig - built for the Arkansas River and deployed on several area lakes - might have been the closest they came to local knowledge.

They had finishing fifth after two days, and resolved to simply fish for grins on the final day - especially after being told on stage, erroneously, that a fish-care penalty would prevent them from advancing.

“That was the biggest of highs, followed by the lowest of lows, followed by the biggest of highs again,” Gephardt said.

Even with last pick of holes in a five-hole format, the Trojans managed to whack a 4-pounder and a 5-pounder before 7:30 a.m. They were in great shape. Then the bite dried up, and they didn’t catch another keeper for hours.

After Gephardt missed a couple of fish midday, Reese said, the pair of fisheries biology majors backed off and told themselves, “let’s keep it simple.” By the time the next shotgun blast signaled time to rotate fishing holes, Reese was putting a 3-pounder in the livewell.

He soon caught another keeper after the fish got hung up in some trees. “Nine times out of 10, that goes the other way,” Reese said.

The runner-up Aggies missed a couple of fish that might have put a scare into the Trojans, but they also had to make a major move to finish as well as they did.

By the last hole, they were targeting trees that they realized had been pounded all day long. Instead, they backed off to an underwater “hump” that dropped from about 6 feet deep down to 9 with baitfish suspended around it.

Nearby, Edmonds found a stump that he dragged a jig across until a 5-pounder - the biggest caught on the day - busted on it. Between that and a second fish caught just after, the Aggies upgraded 6 pounds in the final 20 minutes.

Weights were zeroed for Day Three, yet it was curious to note that the five teams who fished the final day finished in the reverse order of where they qualified.

Faulkner State University’s Kyle Tindol and Michael Eubanks held onto third, with 17.22 pounds; the University of Alabama’s Foster Bradley and Jeff Aul managed fourth, with 14.50 pounds; and after dominating on the first two tournament days, Richard Peek and Adam Murphee of Auburn University slid to fifth place with only three fish that weighed 9.33 pounds.

“We never made the adjustments we had to make,” Murphee said from the weigh-in stage. “We were fishing 30-feet deep in 9 feet of water.”

After the weigh-in, Gephardt was beaming at their having beaten a field full of bigger schools for the championship (which - disclosure time - is organized by Career Sports & Entertainment, the same agency that manages this web site).

“It’s amazing to come into (the finals of) an event like this and beat three other major Division I schools,” he said. “And we beat the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. I’ve always been a Hog fan, but I was glad to beat them at this.”

For more information, visit www.CollegeBass.com.

Georgia: Fall Alligator Hunting Season Set

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Georgia - Georgia remains a popular destination for alligator hunters given the available healthy population of more than 200,000 gators. For the past six years, thousands of applicants have competed for a chance to participate in a quota hunt, and the number of applicants continues to grow each year. The deadline for this year’s applications is July 31. For those selected, the season runs September 1 - October 7.

“Georgia’s alligator population is monitored annually. It remains a renewable natural resource that has shown it can sustain a regulated harvest on an annual basis,” says WRD Assistant Chief of Game Management John Bowers. “This is a unique hunting opportunity in Georgia that also allows hunters to provide additional funding for wildlife conservation through the purchase of hunting licenses and associated hunting equipment.”

Interested hunters must complete a quota hunt application online at www.gohuntgeorgia.com before midnight July 31 (the application period opened June 1, 2008). Hunters receive their selection status by e-mail and those selected get a temporary harvest tag and information packet by mail in early August. All hunters may attend a voluntary training session. During these sessions, wildlife experts provide information on safety, capture and handling techniques, processing and more.

Last fall, 553 permitted hunters harvested 140 alligators. Introduced in 2003, alligator hunting continues to gain interest, with nearly 4,400 applications submitted last year, a 42 percent increase from 2006.

WRD Biologists conduct annual surveys enabling the agency to monitor populations and make management decisions. Since the inception of this hunting opportunity (2003), the population has remained stable, suggesting additional flexibility in the areas that can be hunted and the number available for harvest.

In Georgia, alligators typically live south of the fall line (which roughly connects the cities of Columbus, Macon and Augusta), occupying a variety of wetland habitats in the wild including marshes, swamps, rivers, farm ponds and lakes. They also occasionally inhabit ditches, drainage canals, golf course ponds and swimming pools. Male alligators grow up to 16 feet in length, while female alligators rarely surpass 10 feet. Large alligators weigh more than 800 pounds. Opportunistic carnivores, they eat aquatic insects, crayfish, frogs, fish, turtles, water birds and more.

For more information on the 2008 alligator hunting season, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com , contact a WRD Game Management Office or call (229) 426-5267.

MyOutdoorTV.com Joins Bill Dance Outdoors As New Show Sponsor

Las Vegas - ICAST - MyOutdoorTV.com, the world’s largest online video network for outdoor programming, has joined the fishing world’s most popular celebrity, Bill Dance, as the newest sponsor of Bill Dance Outdoors. Chris Moise, CEO of MyOutdoorTV.com, made the announcement on the opening day of the ICAST Show in Las Vegas.

Airing continuously since 1968, Bill Dance Outdoors is legendary among fishing shows and regularly ranks among the most-watched. In addition, much of the show’s video library appears on MyOutdoorTV.com, where it has been the most-watched show for the past three months.

MyOutdoorTV.com’s sponsorship of Bill Dance Outdoors begins in January 2009. The show will air five times per week on the 73-million-household VERSUS cable network.

“We’re proud to become a new sponsor of Bill Dance Outdoors, as it represents the best of a very popular genre,” said Moise. “Our viewers can’t get enough of Bill Dance, and we hope his cable viewers will turn to MyOutdoorTV.com for more of his shows on-demand.”

Use of MyOutdoorTV.com is always FREE to viewers, 24/7, with no registration required. The site streams shows featuring some of the leading names in the outdoors, including Bill Dance, Hank Parker, Todd Jarrett, Roland Martin, Mark Sosin, Larry Csonka, Babe Winkelman, Jimmy Houston, and many others.

MyOutdoorTV.com is the world’s largest internet network for outdoor TV programming, currently streaming over 200 show titles on fishing, boating, the shooting sports, and conservation. In addition, it hosts radio shows, outdoor videos, the Explore the U.S. section, The Showroom product video section, TipMasters section, links to outdoor blogs, and sections for cooking, travel, guides, outdoor news, and much more.

Visit our website at www.myoutdoortv.com.

Aqua-Vu Introduces New Explorer Underwater Cameras

 

Baxter, Minesota - Aqua-Vu, the #1 name in underwater cameras, introduces the new Explorer 7 and Explorer 5. The new Explorer 7 gives you a bigger (7″) screen, revolutionary Explorer lighting, on screen water temp, and 100 feet of camera cable.

The new Explorer 5 has a 5-inch screen, Explorer lighting, on-screen water temp and 50 feet of cable.

Explorer lighting was developed to enhance nighttime viewing. Like deep sea exploration crafts, the light is emitted at an angle dramatically reducing “particle flashback” for a better nighttime viewing experience.

Previously limited to more expensive models, on-screen water temp gives you more fish-finding information.

Both the Explorer 7 and Explorer 5 feature a “bluegill” pattern fish camera that won’t spook fish, a built-in soft case and zip-out sunshield, and a video-out jack for video recording or viewing on another TV.

To see the entire line of Aqua-Vu products, visit www.aquavu.com.

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