The last Archery Wire for 2018 is Tuesday, December 18. The first Archery Wire for 2019 is Tuesday, January 8. That means there will be just ONE Archery Wire ahead of the ATA Show. Please plan accordingly. Thanks to all of our corporate members and advertisers for being a part of the Archery Wire in 2018 – I look forward to continuing to work with each and every one of you in 2019. If you’d like to meet up at the ATA Show, please reach out! – Michelle Scheuermann, editor, Archery Wire.

The Boone and Crockett Club today announced that it has released a new position statement on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The position affirms the best way to prevent CWD introduction and establishment is to prohibit all human-assisted live cervid movements.

Safari Club International, Jamy Traut Hunting Safaris and Craig Boddington have teamed-up to offer an unequaled leopard hunting opportunity. Slated to be sold at the dinner auction on Saturday night at the upcoming Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada, Jan. 9-12, 2019, this spectacular safari is certain to be one of the most competitive auction items at the event.

Media members excited to start the new year right by attending the 2019 DSC Convention, Mogambo: Dagga Boy Danger, January 17-20, can pre-register for credentials now.

In a giant leap forward in binocular design and function Steiner Optics introduces the Predator AF Binocular line featuring autofocus and C.A.T. (Color Adjusted Transmission) lens coating technology. A revolutionary advancement in porro prism design provides the ultimate viewing solution for every hunting scenario from waterfowl to big game.

Field & Stream, a specialty outdoor retailer and product brand owned and operated by DICK'S Sporting Goods, offers a variety of durable, high-quality fire safes designed to protect your valuables and firearms against fire, theft and damage.

Delivering the proven performance of Moultrie’s Signature Series, the Moultrie S-50i Game Camera in Realtree Original camo provides outstanding 20-megapixel images and 1080p HD video with audio captured with a swift trigger speed of 0.3 seconds.

BGO Gear has officially launched its first Sports Collection featuring colors modeled after some of the top sports teams from across the country.

Field & Stream, a specialty outdoor retailer and product brand owned and operated by DICK'S Sporting Goods, offers late-season hunting apparel designed to keep the hunter out there even when temperatures drop.

Whitetails Unlimited made a $2,000 contribution to the Iowa DNR for a video campaign aimed at increasing interest in hunting. There will be two videos produced to air on local Iowa channels starting in August, 2019. The IDNR expects a viewing audience of approximately 10,000.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation awarded $396,140 in grant funding for habitat stewardship work, research and hunting heritage projects in Idaho.

As part of the agreement, Media Lodge will be responsible for all advertising and sponsorship strategy and sales for GATDaily the trusted source for news on Guns, Ammo, Tactical and Survival Gear, including product reviews, tips, entertainment, resources, events and sweepstakes.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), located in Washington, DC is seeking a Development Manager to assist  with all aspects of non-profit fundraising.

Tune in to this week’s Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Radio show as host Rob Keck focuses on improving the image of the hunter, from both behind and in front of the lens.

Whitetail Edge, the web-based hunting show chronicling the hunts of Ben Rising and his team, has officially wrapped up its 3rd season and filming has already begun for season 4.

Lili brings a wealth of experience to the job, making her return to Texas after a few years working in New York City as a photo editor and creative producer for Mashable.

The deer chats everyone has been missing are returning to the small screen in a fresh format with Coffee + Deer by the National Deer Alliance. Each video, now available on NDA’s YouTube channel, features NDA’s president and CEO, Nick Pinizzotto and a guest who chat on every deer topic of the alphabet, from CWD, to the DNR to Washington D.C.

As the official pattern of Ducks Unlimited, Mossy Oak is proud to offer two seasons and a total of 12 episodes of “DU Films” on Mossy Oak GO (MOGO).

MYSTERY RANCH, the industry-leading backpack company built on a heritage of comfortable load carriage, function, and durability for people who have a mission to accomplish, is honored to support American Wildfire Experience with the digital production of Thomas Fire: An Exploration of How We Experience Wildfire Fire — an interactive and multimedia portrayal of this historical fire. Today, December 4th, marks the one-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire, California's largest wildland fire at the time.

Renowned 3D archery target manufacturer Rinehart Targets® is proud to reveal its sales team for 2019 which includes associates from Outtech and MWS Associates (MWS). Both offer seasoned professionals in the archery industry as well as their respective regions as the Company aims to grow.

BIGshot Archery, LLC, creator of the world’s most innovative targets, announces that former Parker Bow Executive Todd Wade has joined the organization as Vice President of Sales.

For some turkey hunters, all that's needed is a comfortable seat and a clear shot. The new Scout folding seat from ALPS OutdoorZ provides the seat plus a little extra for the minimalist turkey hunter.

Mossy Oak and Dakota Solutions Outdoors have collaborated to produce Mossy Oak-patterned Decoy Conditioner. The announcement comes just as waterfowl hunters’ decoys are showing the wear and tear of the cold, wet hunting season; Decoy Conditioner is immediately available.

The Magic Chef 2-Slice Realtree Xtra Camouflage Toaster is a perfect addition to the outdoors-themed home, cabin or hunt camp.

JAGDHUND, the Austrian-headquartered clothing line steeped in tradition, quality and innovation, has introduced new lines of loden jackets and pants for both men and women. The new sportier designs feature the JAGDHUND proprietary Campak Loden material, which combines the finest sheep’s wool and camel hair to create a fabric that is durable, lightweight and weather resistant—making them ideal for more extreme hunting conditions.

The Executive X-1 is the latest innovation in elite security offerings from the team at Zanotti Armor. The X-1 is a safe rich with features that can be custom tailored to suit your specific needs.

On December 7, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) developed letters, signed by 35 wildlife conservation partners, urging House and Senate leadership to propose a package of legislation containing sportsmen’s priorities before the end of the 115th Congress this month.

Beginning December 6, FireDisc® Cookers is giving away one prize per day for 12 days, ending with a Grand Prize giveaway on December 17. This is a daily entry giveaway program, which allows participants to increase their odds by redeeming their free entry each day for a chance to win that day's prize.

TrueTimber has partnered with Winchester and Saddleman to give one lucky fan a Winchester XPR bolt action rifle in TrueTimber Strata and a TrueTimber camo Saddleman custom vehicle seat cover. This sweepstakes ends January 1, 2019 and is live now. Those interested in entering simply need to like the Facebook giveaway post.

Rinehart Targets® has announced the much anticipated dates and locations for its 2019 R100 National Traveling Archery Tournament. This year the schedule will include two new stops in Missouri and Arkansas as part of its 16-city tour across America. Each year thousands of archers – recreational to competitive – participate in the coveted tournament throughout the spring and summer, taking aim at 100 life-sized and uniquely-designed targets.

Nick Pinizzotto, CEO of National Deer Alliance, in treestand

Nick knows deer. And Nick knows conservation. Many of you are familiar with Nick Pinizzotto as the leader of National Deer Alliance, or you might know him from his days as the CEO of U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. Either way, it is high time we chat with him for the next installment of “5 Minutes…”

Q: Nick, you’ve been at the helm of NDA for three years now and I want to look forward to the next few years – as the big visionary I know you are – what are some of your big picture goals for NDA and deer conservation as a whole?

Nick's Kentucky buck, 2015

A: We just prepared our new strategic plan that will take us through 2021, and we put a heavy emphasis on dealing with chronic wasting disease (CWD). As a deer organization that was established for the purpose of working on deer policy, there really is no bigger issue, and the board recognizes that. We’ll continue to work on hunter access and hunting opportunity issues, as well as state and federal land management, which were also focus areas of our first strategic plan. Beyond that, we want to continue to establish NDA as a policy leader for deer issues in D.C., and in the individual states, while also growing our membership.

As far as broader deer conservation, I hope we can help slowly rebuild the deer hunting tradition that I fear we’ve been losing over the last decade. I want to continue to inform hunters about important issues like CWD, while not scaring them away from the sport in the meantime. We’re in a tough spot trying to retain, reactivate, and recruit new hunters, when our most popular game animal is facing a scary and uncertain challenge. I think NDA can play a significant role with preserving our hunting heritage, and a symptom of that will be a strong industry, and more dollars for land and wildlife conservation.

Q: Let’s look backward now…What has surprised you about NDA over the last few years? Could be something you didn’t expect or maybe a pleasant discovery?

A: I think the biggest surprise is how difficult it is go give away a free membership! Well before my time at NDA, there was talk about having a database of a million email addresses of deer hunters. The reality is, we’d be thrilled to have 100,000. Part of the problem is people have grown reluctant to sign up for anything online because they don’t want their in-boxes cluttered. I get it. The other issue is deer hunters remain largely apathetic to issues. If you post stories about what equipment to use, or how to shoot a big deer, you get tons of interest and interaction. If you post a story about a federal policy that impacts deer and hunting, like the Farm Bill for example, it’s just doesn’t move the needle as well. We understand that, so we try to mix up our content, while getting hunters to engage in policy to the greatest extent possible. As resources allow, we plan to implement some creative strategies to grow membership and engagement.

Nick’s 2018 buck

Q: You’ve reincarnated “Coffee + Deer” in a different format – it’s now on YouTube as a pre-recorded show vs Live on Facebook. Could you share with those of us who live and breathe social media metrics, why the move? I know you only have one show on YouTube now, but are you seeing a difference from your Live shows? Where do you see this show going in 2019?

A: Oh, Coffee and Deer. I get such excellent feedback on the show, but when we were producing all of the shows live, it presented some technical and scheduling challenges, as well as alienating a significant audience of people who don’t use Facebook. We also learned pretty quickly that most people watched it after it ran live, so it wasn’t like the live format was drawing eyeballs. Early on viewership looks really good, so I don’t think the format matters much. I think we’ll still do some live shows, but for the most part we’re going to a pre-recorded format that, in all honesty, makes my life a lot easier. I’m the scheduler, host, videographer, editor, and promoter. My family room looks like a television studio, and so far I’ve been able to avoid being thrown out of the house. Ultimately, I have to work it into my schedule, which is mostly focused on policy. While I love doing the show, it’s important to stay focused on the issues first. That said, I’d love to see the show continue to grow and attract more sponsors. It’s one of the few things we do that we can sell to advertisers, which can help support our mission. If it can’t support our mission, we can’t justify doing it.

Q: Ok, how was your deer season? Did I see some action on your Facebook page??

A: Oh yes, deer hunting. It’s nice to do that now and then instead of just dealing with the issues. I’m having a bit of an awkward season so far. We moved back to our home state of Pennsylvania this year from Ohio on the day before archery season opened. I literally left all of my stands and trail cameras behind, and didn’t get back there to hunt until early November. I also hunt in Delaware, and did some hunting there in mid-October and early November, which is probably the latest I’ve ever started my season. I’ve been efficient with my time though filling some antlerless tags, and taking a really good 6 year-old buck in Ohio that I’ve had some history with. I still have my buck tag for Delaware, and I picked up a license in Pennsylvania so I can do some winter archery hunting. No trips out West this year, but I hope to fix that next season.

Appreciate your time Nick – see you at ATA Show. – Michelle Scheuermann, editor, Archery Wire.