winter ou quarterly

Outdoor Writers Association of America

The Voice of the Outdoors Winter 2009

OOUUTTDDOOOORR WWRRIITTEERRSS AASSSSOOCCIIAATT IIOONN OOFF AAMMEERRIICCAAOur mission: improve the professional skills of our members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources and mentor the next generation of professional outdoor communicators.

Copyright Winter 2009 by Outdoor Writers

Association of America Inc. Reproduction in

whole or in part without permission is

prohibited. The contents of Outdoors Unlimited

do not necessarily represent the opinion or

endorsement of OWAA, its staff, officers,

directors or members. Outdoors Unlimited (ISSN

0030-7181) is published quarterly by Outdoor

Writers Association of America Inc., 121 Hickory

St., Suite 1, Missoula, MT 59801. Periodicals

postage paid at Missoula, MT, and additional

mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address

changes to Outdoors Unlimited, Outdoor Writers

Association of America Inc., 121 Hickory St.,

Suite 1, Missoula, MT 59801.

NATIONALHEADQUARTERS121 Hickory St., Ste. 1

Missoula, MT 59801

406-728-7434, Fax: 406-728-7445

[email protected]

www.owaa.org

(password: Unlimited. Note: case sensitive.)

STAFFExecutive Director: Kevin Rhoades

Director of Membership and

Conference Services: Robin Giner

Editor: Ashley Schroeder

Intern: Amanda Eggert

PRESIDENTJohn L. Beath, Washington

OFFICERSVice President: Tony Dolle, Tennessee

Vice President: Mike Walker, Arizona

Vice President: Mark Taylor, Virginia

Secretary: John McCoy, West Virginia

Treasurer: Kris Thoemke, Florida

BOARD OF DIRECTORSLisa Densmore, New Hampshire

Jim Foster, Idaho

Mark Freeman, Oregon

Bill Hilts Jr., New York

Katie McKalip, Montana

Matthew Miller, Idaho

Mary Nickum, Arizona

Jim Smith, Arizona

Patricia G. Stockdill, North Dakota

Ty Stockton, Wyoming

COUNSELSAttorney: William Jay Powell, Missouri

Historian: vacantMedical: William W. Forgey, Indiana

WWiinntteerr 22000099,, VVooll.. 7700,, NNoo.. 44

3 Feedback8 Portfolio

12 Conference 2010 Preview13 Norm Strung Youth Awards

ppgg.. 1100

ppgg.. 88

ppgg.. 1111

44 SSuurrvviivviinngg llaayyooffff – by Bill Graham

55 EElleeccttrroonniicc tteeaarr sshheeeettss mmaaddee eeaassyy – by Jim Foster

66 WWiillll vviiddeeoo kkiillll tthhee ssttiillll--pphhoottoo ssttaarr?? – by Paul Queneau

77 AA ggoooodd ssttoorryy aanndd aa ggrreeaatt lliisstteenneerr – by John Pollman

1100 RReetthhiinnkkiinngg tthhee ‘‘wwhheerree ttoo’’ ssttoorryy – by Matt Miller

1111 CChhaarraacctteerr SSkkeettcchh:: MMiicchhaaeell FFrraanncciiss – by Amanda Eggert

22 OUTDOORS UNLIMITED Winter 2009

OONN TTHHEE CCOOVVEERR“Pounce” by Mark J. Harlow

A photgrapher’s dream image. This prime red fox was capturedperfectly by OWAA member photographer Mark J. Harlow. The foxdid catch the shrew she was chasing. To see more of Mark’s work,please visit his Web site: www.markjharlow.com.Cover Image: © markjharlow.com.

14 News Briefs14 Association News14 Supporting Group News Tips16 Bookshelf

We’re planning an annual conference with a multitude ofoutdoor experiences in 2012.

The last “Far North” OWAA conference was held inWaskesiu, Saskatchewan, and that was in 1967. The furthestsouth the best-known outdoor communicators’ group inAmerica ever held an annual get-together was in Mazatlan,Mexico, and that was fiveyears later.

Many of you attended both. While visiting recently with

longtime member Glenn Titusabout conferences held inextraordinary locations, hesaid both conferences werememorable and outstandingbecause of their venues.

After visiting with at least50 frequent conference-goersincluding the board and offi-cers about an “out of the box”sort of experience in 2012, theconsensus was that it’s timefor this outdoors media groupto experience something extraspecial, a conference withspectacular prospects for out-door adventure beholden witha plethora of story material and photo opportunities, a confer-ence with remarkable possibilities for pre- and post-conferencetrips.

After carefully scrutinizing a short list of four locations,including Bend, Ore.; Fairbanks, Alaska; Fayetteville, N.C.; andLincoln, Neb. – Fairbanks and nearby Chena Hot SpringsResort (http://www.chenahotsprings.com/) emerged as the bestchoice to change the paradigm of the typical OWAA conferenceexperience. Chena is about an hour’s drive northeast ofFairbanks, and a 40-minute Piper flight to the Arctic Circle.

OWAA will hold its 85th conference at Fairbanks/Chena HotSprings, September 4-6, 2012.

Just down the road from Chena, fish for Arctic grayling andrainbow trout on the Chena River. With a “September in Alaskaconference,” there are plenty of photo opportunities for fall col-ors – and moose, which are as plentiful as whitetail deer inIowa. Ever wanted to hunt moose or caribou in Alaska? If youhaven’t, 2012 is your chance – and hunt with other fellow out-

doors communicators you’velong known.

Commencing with the dark-ening skies of earlySeptember, the Fairbanks andChena area also feature thenorthern lights. Resort ownerBernie Karl will transportOWAA members via “auro-ramobile” up the mountainabove the resort, where two30-foot yurts offer a place towarm hands while filling bel-lies with hot drinks.

Most sleeping rooms atChena will be held at $99-$105 with yurts available forless (each yurt sleeps three)for those wanting more of acamping experience, completewith cots and fire pits out

front. “Family rooms” that sleep four to six in a condo-stylewill be $220 per night lowering costs lodging to $55 per nightor less.

For those wanting to caravan to Alaska, an RV park withhookups is across the resort’s bush pilot runway. RVers or ten-ters ($20 per night) can hike to conference sessions, the bar andto the Rock Lake hot pool in just minutes.

OWAA’s three-day conference in 2012 promises to be some-thing special, a get-together I hope you won’t miss.

Start making plans now.

– Kevin Rhoades, Executive Director

Youth thankful for writing awardI was so excited to learn that I won

first place in the Junior Prose division ofthe Norm Strung Youth WritingCompetition. Thank you so much forsponsoring this competition. I appreciatedthe opportunity it gave me to examinehunting, and how the heritage has beenpassed down to me, and how I can pass itdown to my children and grandchildren inthe future. It has also helped me developmy writing skills.

I am very grateful for the $225 dollarcheck you sent me. I am planning on

using it to help pay for a shoulder mountof a ram I was able to shoot in Texas.

Raini StilesCollinsville, Okla.

Editor’s note: Safari Club International and Safari Club

International Foundation sponsored the NSYA contests.

What an opportunityCongrats on landing the 2012 OWAA

annual conference in Alaska…Jan and Iplan to be there! You may take some heatfrom a few OWAA members for havingthe conference in such a remote location,but don’t let that discourage you. This is aonce-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and mem-bers should take advantage of it. Andwith three year’s notice, there is plenty oftime to save your pennies for the trip.

Chip GrossFredericktown, Ohio

FFeeeeddbbaacckk gguuiiddeelliinneessMembers are encouraged to write about issues and topics. The executive director and editor will decide whether opinions are appropriate for debate or if the comments promote a personal

cause; if the “cause” is unrelated to OWAA’s mission and potentially damaging to the membership, the letter might not be printed. Word limit: 400. Longer letters will be returned for revision.

WWhhaatt aarree ootthheerrss tthhiinnkkiinngg??PPoosstt ccoommmmeennttss oonn aarrttiicclleess..

WWrriittee aa lleetttteerr ttoo tthhee eeddiittoorr.. IItt’’ss eeaassyy..

GGoo ttoo wwwwww..oowwaaaa..oorrgg//oouu..

wwwwww..oowwaaaa..oorrgg//oouu OUTDOORS UNLIMITED 33

Feedback

From the executive director’s desk

Chena Hot Springs Resort is world renown for being an excellent place to

see northern lights. PHOTO: CCHHRRIISS BBAATTIINN.

Areassuring feeling came fromopening the office door, sittingdown in the familiar cubicle

and logging onto the computer as a teammember.

After all, I’d worked in the bureau of amajor daily newspaper for 25 years. I’dbecome the veteran who knew the turfand I was the go-to guy when big dailystories broke in our coverage area. Myopinion column graced the weekly neigh-borhood news insert, too. Plus, I carved anatural science beat that let me put out-door stories on the daily’s front page andmetro section.

Life was good. The bi-weekly pay-check arrived in my checking account viaautomatic deposit without fail.

Then the fractured advertising marketand profit taking by corporate honchoswas followed by the rise of free news andclassified advertising on the Internet.Finally, an economic depression crippleddisplay advertising flow.

I survived two voluntary buyouts andthree rounds of forced layoffs. I did notsurvive the fourth round in March, andneither did many colleagues who werealso veterans.

Unfortunately, many of my OWAAnewspaper and magazine brethren are inthe same boat, or they’re still on the shipbut eyeing the lifeboats and wondering ifthere will be room for them.

I offer this report from the layoff battlefront lines in hopes that a tidbit or twowill help someone else get a toehold or bebetter prepared.

Time management is issue number one.In the first days after my two-week

notice, I sat at my desk and imagined thespring and summer ahead. Uncertaintywas frightening. But on the upside, Iimagined myself hunting and fishingalmost daily and having many postponedhome chores done by June.

Wrong.

I did kill a gobbler, catch a few crappieand put in a little better garden.

However, most days I was on the runtying up loose ends from the newspaper,getting Cobra running, dealing with 401Kand pension rollovers, enduring unem-ployment insurance hassles, watching forjob openings and getting started on newfreelance ventures to pay some of thebills. Plus, since my wife has a day job,by default I became the kids’ fulltimechauffer rather than splitting that chore.

You won’t have that much extra timeafter layoff if you’re going about thebusiness of starting over. Use time wisely.

Another issue with time is that you’renow in charge of your own schedule.There’s no editor coming down the aisleto your cubicle to ask when the next day’sstory will be done and how the weekendfeature is progressing. It’s up to you toget started and make stories happen.

This is easy at first. But then the adren-alin wears off, new realities dampen yourspirits and self motivation becomes some-thing you have to reach deeper inside tofind.

Recreating some familiarity helps. Ineed a work station with reference books,notebooks and telephone at hand.Eventually, I’ve recreated my cubicleresources at home for freelance purposes.In retrospect, knowing that layoffs werelikely, I wish I’d had the home work sta-tion already set up and running.

The upside is that good computers,printers and extra hard drives for storageare affordable now. Tools you used at thecompany office can be easily replaced.

Everyone you meet will ask you if youhave a new job yet. Due to various familyfactors I’m rooted to my current resi-dence, and that has limited my search fora new job.

If you can move, there are jobs outthere. If you can’t, it’s going to takelonger. My laid-off colleagues who havefound work have moved into public rela-tions for government agencies, televisionnews production or positions that com-

bine research and technical writing.However, most of my immediate co-

workers, like me, remain unemployed.Freelance writing is a place where you

can find a big morale boost and a little bitof pay. But be warned, even veteran big-time outdoor freelance writers talk abouttough times and diversifying to othermarkets and Internet work to survive.

That means it’s even tougher for newcomers to crack the freelance market.But it can be done. Just don’t blow yourseverance package on a trip to Vegasbecause you figure freelance money isgoing to make the house payment and putshoes on the kids.

Writing a freelance story now and thenin your spare time from the steady job isone thing. Trying to sell a bunch to paybills is another matter.

I started by writing two columns formy suburban town’s local weekly paper.One is a general opinion column and theother is an outdoor column. The secondone is the first fulltime outdoor columnI’ve had and I love it. The pay isn’t great,but the spirit boost is, and at least there’sa base of some steady income to buildupon and a gathering of material that canbe used for stories sold in other markets.

The Internet obviously beckons. Butbeware again, Net publishers are notcommitted to you like your old newspa-per bosses in the newsroom, where toothand nail battles over copy and editing arepart of the lifestyle.

I lost a music column gig because Icomplained about a person who was sud-denly brought in to do some editing forthe Web site. This person, whose identitywas never revealed to me, changed myopinion column lead, added two facterrors in sentences composed with hiswriting style, deleted stuff and madeunneeded word changes – all without myknowledge until it was already posted onthe site. This was my first dispute withthe site publisher. I was easily replacedby links posted to stories printed in other

BY BILL GRAHAM


CCOONNTTIINNUUEEDD OONN NNEEXXTT PPAAGGEE

Surviving

LayoffCraft Improvement - General

publications and posted on the Web.So don’t approach your new freelance

bosses in far-away places like you woulda crusty metro editor, it doesn’t pay.

KEY TIP: I worried about spendingmoney to attend the OWAA conference,but the freelance connections I madethere were well worth it.

My future is still uncertain.But I've found something that keeps

the blues at bay – doing constructivework each day. Sometimes that’s as simple as making sure I bring back some

photographs and notes from a hunting orfishing trip that would have been purerecreation before the layoff.

Today I quail hunted by myself andfound no birds. Near the end, I foundsome standing corn and foxtail besideground where the corn was harvested. Idecided it would make a photo of idealquail habitat for my outdoor column. Ileaned my Browning over-under against acorn stalk, called the dog in and took hisphoto running toward me beside the shot-gun.

I came home with a photo that willwork nicely for my column and be part of

a digital stock collection I’ve now started.I’m not secure because of this

approach, but I’m not whipped yet, either.That’s the most important part of the lay-off battle. �

SURVIVING LAYOFF, CONT.


Bill Graham, of PlatteCity, Mo., recently servedon OWAA’s board of direc-tors. A freelance writerand photographer, he cov-ers natural science issues,fishing, hunting and con-servation. Contact him [email protected].

Craft Improvement - General

Electronic tear sheets made easy

FACT – The folks at the Double RRanch and Outdoor PleasureFarm don’t have the slightest

idea who you are. You made one trip totheir ranch working on a story that waspublished with several photographs, butnow they can’t remember who you are.So what’s the problem?

Did you send them a follow-up “thanksa ton, enjoyed the trip” note or e-mail?And more importantly, did you send thema copy of the published article? I’ll betnot.

In building business relationships, a lit-tle consideration goes a long way. Often,trips we plan are out of our price range,so some form of quid pro quo must beobserved. I know this sends chills up thespines of newspaper people, but it’s true.

I sell articles and photographs to sever-al publications that send me only one tearsheet. I often find myself in a quandarywhen I need to send out several copies tointerested parties. Who will get the onetear sheet I need for my files?

In this electronic era, it is acceptable tosend a “thank you” e-mail with a digitaltear sheet attached.

So, what is an electronic tear sheet?This can be accomplished in several

ways, but for me it’s a small JPEG of themagazine or newspaper article highlight-ing the location or product mentioned inthe article. It’s quick and easy with thebasic working tools necessary for an out-door communicator’s office: flat bedscanner, computer, and photo softwarelike Adobe Photoshop.

Here’s how it’s done:1. Scan your article in color and at

your scanner’s highest resolution. I scanat about 8- by 12-inches at 300 dpi (stan-dard for printing quality). For magazines,I scan each page individually. For largefull-page newspaper articles, I scan themin halves. Make sure the publicationname and date are showing along withyour byline or photo credit. Save theseimages to your desktop as TIFFs.

2. In Photoshop (or your photo editingprogram), open a new file, also at 300 dpiand at least 16- by 24-inches.

3. Now, in your photo editing program,open the first two TIFFs of the scannedfiles and drag then into the new open,blank file, matching them up so they fittogether. Now, using your program’scropping tool, combine the two halves.For newspaper clips, use a vertical file.Save as a new TIFF.

4. Use your photo software tools tomake needed adjustments to the file, suchas color correction, sharpening and sizing.

5. You now have a 300 dpi TIFF ofyour complete article. This file may besometimes 25-45 megabytes – too largefor e-mailing.

6. To reduce file size, open the TIFFyou just created and use the “image size”option to reduce it to about 5- by 7-inchesat 100 dpi, then save as a JPEG, selectingmedium quality. This file will be around90 to 170 kilobytes and will e-mail quick-ly.

7. If you must snail mail a tear sheetyou can now print out all you want fromthe 300 dpi TIFF file you just created.

So there you have it: an easy way tosend tear sheets while keeping an originalfor your files. By keeping track of yourpublished writing and sending tear sheets,you will better your reputation in the out-door writing industry.

It works. �

BY JIM FOSTER

Jim Foster is a full-timewriter, photographer andlecturer specializing inwriting about and photo-graphing nature, the out-doors, travel and adven-ture travel. Foster makeshis home in Salmon,Idaho. Contact him [email protected].


Craft Improvement - TV/VIdeo

New SLR cameras capture jaw-dropping HD video. Outdoorcommunicators will never be

the same. Just give it time.A good writer can paint a picture for

their readers, and a good photographercan capture the essence of a story. Manyoutdoor communicators do both.

Telling a story in professional video,though? It’s an art unto itself, and onethat has always required a mountain ofpricey gear.

Yet in this era of electronic publishing,including video within an online article isas simple as posting a still photo. Yet westill only have two arms and one back totote our mess of gear around, and it’sbeen impractical for one person to do itall, much less do it all well.

Enter 2009, the year digital SLR cam-eras sprouted legs – and immediatelysigned up for the New York Marathon.

Basically every new camera bodyreleased in 2009 can record HD video.But not just high definition – we’re talk-ing gorgeous, shallow depth-of-fieldvideo like you’re used to seeing at themovie theater (think pleasant backgroundblur and selective focus).

New cameras finally have the process-ing power to scale their full-size imagesdown to 1920- by 1080-pixels or 1280-by 720 at either 24, 30 or even 60 timesper second (I can already see the bighornsbutting head in slow motion). These

cameras take full advantage of an imagesensor many times larger than any cam-corder’s, as well as the superiority of allthat glass in front of it.

As far as I’m concerned, it’s a gamechanger. Before all the video folks jumpdown my throat, there are trade-offs:http://tinyurl.com/l4s6cj. The built-inmicrophones are a far cry from that ofanything but the cheapest camcorders (butsome have a jack for an external mic).There is often no swiveling screen forholding the camera at interestingangles…the list goes on.

But look at it from my perspective. I’mconservation editor of Bugle magazine atthe Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; I’mregularly hiring writers to cover issueshaving to do with wildlife and hunting, aswell as the many conservation projectswe complete every year.

When I hire folks like Jack Ballard, Ican rest assured they will also take stellarphotos in addition to writing up a meanstory. But the Elk Foundation needs goodvideo of our conservation projects and the

people that make them possible. For ourtelevision show. For our Web site. ForDVDs. That’s a market for anyone whocan pull off writer/photographer/videogra-pher – the new triple threat.

And for those of you whose bread andbutter is shooting outdoors-people in thefield? Most of the magazines that publishyour work also have a TV show. And aWeb site. And who knows what else. Takea 15-second video clip of your subjecthiking by you or casting that fly-rod. Youmay well be able to sell it as b-roll. Or ifyou’re interviewing someone for a pro-file? How about hooking them up with alapel mic and taking some video of theirresponses.

It’s a brave new world – probably thebiggest seismic shift since the digitalcamera. And it’s a growth market. Thoseof us that can make the leap the fastestwill be ahead of the curve and stand toprofit. In fact, I shouldn’t even be tellingyou this. I should be out shooting video.

Think I’m crazy? Comment atwww.owaa.org/ou/2009/10/hd-still-camera-video. �

BY PAUL QUENEAU

Paul Queneau grew up inColorado hunting, fishingand backpacking. He start-ed with the RockyMountain ElkFoundation’s BugleMagazine as an intern andis currently the conserva-tion editor. Contact him [email protected].

NNeeeedd pprrooooff?? CChheecckk oouutt::� http://tinyurl.com/ygyj8w7� http://tinyurl.com/yjrkdr9� http://tinyurl.com/yzqjyvk� http://vimeo.com/6487566 � If your computer won’t play

these smoothly, that’s because of the heft of the video.

FFiinnaanncciiaall rreeppoorrttss

Accountant’s review of OWAA’s2008 finances available asPDF. Use members-only password (refer to page 2).

www.owaa.org/members/2008-finance-report

CCllaassssssiiffiieedd aaddss

Looking to buy, sell ortrade?Utilize OU Online’s freeclassified ads. Send listings [email protected].

www.owaa.org/ou/category/departments/classifieds

22001100 ccoonnffeerreennccee iinnffoo

OWAA’s new Web site featuresa comprehensive overview ofthe 83rd annual conference inRochester, Minn., June 10-13,2010.

www.owaa.org/2010conference

OOUU OOnnlliinnee TTaabbllee ooff CCoonntteennttss

You won’t miss anything withthis handy page that lists allarticles published each month.

www.owaa.org/ou/category/departments/table-of-contents

It never fails. Just about the timeyou think you have things figuredout, reality steps in to remind you

that you aren’t as smart as you think.I started my radio show this past win-

ter and have loved sharing stories of theSouth Dakota outdoors. My first inter-views were anything but flawless.Fortunately, where I lacked efficient ques-tioning, my guests excelled with qualityinformation. After a few shows, I beganto develop a sense of confidence, startedtaking a few chances and felt I had turneda corner in terms of the quality of theshow.

Unfortunately, this confidence wasaccompanied by the crazy idea that eachguest was on a journey with me, and care-fully developed questions would lead myguests to a destination of my choice. Iwould make great stories.

This silly, egocentric notion was quick-ly unraveled by a magical shot from ahunting rifle.

My guest was a young hunter – DannyWright – who had recently killed a newstate-record mule deer buck in westernSouth Dakota. The numbers of the huntwere quite impressive: a single shot fromWright’s .25-06 rifle dropped the buck at560 yards, and the massive antlers wouldproduce a green-score of over 200 points.What made things even more impressivewas that he made the shot through asteady 15-mph breeze and from an angleof nearly 30-degrees above the animal.

Furthermore – and here is where Ithought I could really make a story – therecord-setter had used the latest in bulletdrop compensating reticle technology,which allowed him to accurately place thebullet at such a tremendous distance.

My quest for journalistic greatnessbegan as planned. Wright shared that he

had hunted mule deer with friends on thesame ranch in western South Dakota foryears, but on this hunt, a snowstorm madereaching their usual spot impossible. So,Wright and a friend opted to hunt a blockof public land in the area; neither hadhunted it before, but it was close-by andaccessible.

The pair split up to cover more ground.Wright chose to follow a ridgeline thatprovided him a clear view of the broadvalley below. Trudging through the deepsnow was difficult, and Wright was aboutready to turn around when he spotted asizable herd of deer. The animals weretoo far away to accurately judge any ofthe bucks, but there was one animal inparticular that Wright knew was consider-ably larger than the others.

The young hunter continued to workhis way through the snow, occasionallycrawling his way to the edge to keep aneye on the large deer, but eventually ranout of ridgeline. From his final vantagepoint, Wright could see the large deer hadmoved away from the herd to bed on thehillside far below him, leaving only theportion of its body from the shoulders upopen for a shot.

At this point in the interview, I had topause for a break in the show. Off the air,Wright and I chatted a little about person-al lives and began to share our back-grounds in the outdoors.

For some strange reason, when weresumed our interview I abandoned thelist of questions that I had planned to useto create a great story about the balancebetween hunting ethics and technology,and instead, we continued our off-air con-versation. The story that was revealed farsurpassed anything that I could havehoped to “create” from my list of ques-tions on a pad of yellow legal paper.

Like many of us, Wright grew up hunt-ing with his father and spent many daysby his side each fall. Under his father’s

watchful eye, Wright developed a uniqueset of skills with a rifle; a proficiency thathe would hone during his training for thearmed service and his time in the IraqWar.

Unfortunately, after leaving the battle-fields of Iraq, Wright returned to theMidwest only to watch his father suc-cumb to a battle with cancer. His record-setting hunt was one of the first withouthis father by his side.

Wright’s story progressed to the ridge-line in western South Dakota. How hepropped himself up on his hunting bag,took the readings from his binoculars andscope, consulted the typed notes on bul-let-drop that he had developed throughhours of practice and kept taped to hisrifle’s stock, made the necessary adjust-ments, and squeezed the trigger. Throughthe wind-blown snow, Wright heard thedelayed “thump” of the bullet striking thedeer and saw the head slump over.

As Wright finished recalling thatsnowy afternoon, it became quite clear tome how close I had been to not hearingthe real story. Bullet drop compensatingreticle and ethics questions be damned –this was a story of a single bullet guidedby knowledge, practice and perhaps bythe helping hand a loving father watchingfrom above.

Wright’s story provided an importantlesson for me, and one that I hope willresonate with the members of the OWAA:a successful show needs a good story anda great listener. �

BY JOHN POLLMAN


John Pollmann is the hostof Dakota Outdoor Radio.John and his wife Amberlive in Dell Rapids, S.D.with their yellowLabrador, Murphy. On theWeb: www.prairieperspec-tive.com. Contact him [email protected].

N

For more craft improvement articles, visit www.owaa.org/ou/category/craft-improvement

and a great listenereeded: a good story

Craft Improvement - Radio


PPHHOOTTOO BBYY BBIILLLL MMUULLLLIINNSS:: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep rams in northwest

Montana. Mullins’ photos were highlighted in the OU Online September Portfolio.

PPHHOOTTOO BBYY JJAACCKK BBAALLLLAARRDD:: This tree hyrax isn't doing its morning stretches.

While nibbling at the greenery its foot became stuck in the small thorns.

PPHHOOTTOO BBYY BBIILLLL LLIINNDDNNEERR:: “Ice Out / Gull Lake” placed third in

the 2009 Excellence in Craft color photo contest, scenic category.

PPHHOOTTOO BBYY AARRTT WWEEBBEERR:: “Coast redwoods” placed second in

the scenic category of the 2009 Excellence in Craft photo contest.

PPHHOOTTOO BBYY BBIILLLL MMAARRCCHHEELL:: The Fort Ripley, Minn. resident photographed this colorful male pine grosbeak as it fed on crab

apples. Marchel planted the tree about a decade ago in an effort to attract more wildlife to his property.


PPHHOOTTOO BBYY RROOMMAANN JJAASSKKLLOOWWSSKKII:: Whitetail deer photographs were featured in

Jasklowski’s submission for the OU Online November Portfolio.PPHHOOTTOO BBYY JJAACCKK BBAALLLLAARRDD:: Everlasting flowers bloom profusely on the flanks of

Mount Kilimanjaro. The OU Online October Portfolio featured Ballard’s work.

PPHHOOTTOO BBYY SSHHAAUUNNAA SSTTEEPPHHEENNSSOONN:: “Western Legend” placed second in the 2009 Excellence in Craft color photo contest, people category.

Portfolio


It’s inevitable: Every time a recordwhitetail is killed in Iowa, some sportingscribe declares a new area “Iowa’s sleepercounty for wallhangers” or the “next bigbuck hotspot.”

This, in turn, has an equally inevitableeffect: Areas where locals once knockedon neighbors’ doors for permission sud-denly require hunting lease fees compara-ble to the cost for new vehicles.

Having hunted in Iowa for the pasttwelve years, I’ve seen this story play outtoo many times.

The “where to” article thus earns anunpleasant reputation. Many believe sucharticles divulge secret spots or price localsportsmen out of fishing and huntingopportunities. If, as outdoor communica-tors, we’re serious about wanting torecruit new hunters and retain existinghunters, these are not laudable results.

However, “where to go” stories areeasy to write and sell. They can be animportant part of your revenue.

Fortunately, it is possible to write“where to” pieces that sell while also ben-efiting our sporting heritage. I enjoy writ-ing these pieces, and I think, instead ofcrowding out local hunters, I can educatethem on new opportunities close to home.

Here are some suggestions for newangles on the old “where to” story.

The National Wildlife Refuge Systempromotes hunting and fishing as integraluses of the refuges. But animal rightsorganizations often focus on refuges –despite being funded by duck stamps – as“logical” places to abolish hunting. Thus,encouraging hunting and fishing is impor-tant in keeping these activities legal onthe refuges.

There are more than 500 refugesaround the country. While some refugehunts are popular, hunting is actually

under-utilized on many refuges. Manyhunters incorrectly believe that refugesare closed to all hunting. Check outwww.refuges.fws.gov and work somerefuge sporting opportunities into yournext outdoor story.

As difficult as it may be to imagine, insome areas there are not enough hunters –particularly when it comes to white-taileddeer management. Most hunters knowthat state wildlife management areas andnational forests are open to hunting. Theyoften don’t realize that other lands maybe open to the public for special deermanagement hunts.

In “where to” deer hunting stories, I’vefocused on opportunities at state parks,university research forests, forest prod-ucts company lands and other placeswhere deer damage is intense but huntingpressure is low. These lands often don’tharbor trophy bucks, but they’re a greatplace to fill the freezer or introduce ayoung hunter to the sport.

Many conservation organizations havea goal of building a constituency forplaces they want to protect. A troutstream with a lot of committed troutanglers is more difficult to despoil thanone with no trout anglers.

Such conservation organizations oftenwelcome stories promoting hunting, fish-ing and other outdoor recreation in theseconservation priority areas. In my job atThe Nature Conservancy, I have takenmany OWAA members fishing, hunting,birding and canoeing at theConservancy’s preserves and projects.

The resulting articles counter the myththat the Conservancy is against huntingand fishing. They also help build a con-servation constituency for our projects.Silver Creek, located in south centralIdaho, is one of the most well-protectedspring creeks in the country. In part, thiscan be attributed to outdoor writers rou-tinely reporting on the excellent trout

fishing found on this creek. Finally, many “where to” stories con-

centrate only on the most popular fish andgame species. The number of people whohunt squirrels, rabbits and other smallgame has declined dramatically. With thestate of the economy, and many sports-men looking for adventures close tohome, I suspect this will change.

As such, there will be an increaseddemand for stories that tell new sports-men where to go to pursue these species.Think creatively. An area crowded fordeer and turkey hunting may receivealmost no pressure for hunting squirrels,raccoons, woodchucks or even grouse.Many specialized magazines buy sucharticles. I’ve sold a story on where to huntkangaroos, a decidedly offbeat pursuit.

“Where to” pieces are the easiestpieces I write. One bird hunting publica-tion even provides a defined formula itasks its contributors to follow. Such mar-kets add to your freelance income withoutadding a lot of extra time.

As you write, think about benefitingthe future of hunting and fishing.

No one enjoys being priced out of theirfavorite hunting ground due to a maga-zine article. But hunters love finding anew place to hunt or an overlooked placeclose to home where they can take thekids out for an enjoyable morning afield.Your articles can help them find thosenew opportunities and often contribute toconservation and wildlife management atthe same time. �

BY MATT MILLER

Matt Miller, of Boise,Idaho, is director of com-munications for TheNature Conservancy inIdaho. His freelance arti-cles have appeared inSports Afield, Game &Fish, The Bird HuntingReport and many othermagazines. Contact him [email protected].

OWAA introduces new Web site with updated look and easier navigation: www.owaa.org

Craft Improvement - Magazine

Rethinkingthe

‘where to’ story

The titles of professional photog-rapher and bear spray testerwouldn't regularly go hand-in-

hand, but if you're Michael Francis, theydo.

Several years ago, Francis was inCanada with another photographer whenthey were charged by a grizzly bear sow.They stopped her from a full charge whenshe was just six feet away – they couldn'tuse the spray any earlier because under-brush interfered with the spray's range.

“That was the first time that CounterAssault had ever been used on a chargingfemale grizzly bear with cubs,” Francissaid. “No one knew whether it wouldreally work or not and obviously both myfriend and I are here, so the spray workedwell.”

While it might be a stretch to say suchsituations are the norm, Francis, 55, hasfound himself in a number of dangeroussituations during his three-decade tenureas a nature photographer.

Yellowstone National Park’s beauty –its unique geothermal features, assortmentof wildlife and stunning landscapes –inspired Francis to pick up a camera morethan three decades ago.

“It pretty much started my first day inYellowstone Park when I said,‘Hmm…This is what I’d like to do,’” hesaid.

After earning a bachelor’s degree inentomology and taking three years ofphotography classes at Montana StateUniversity-Bozeman, Francis spent sever-al years perfecting his craft while manag-ing hotels and lodges in Yellowstone.

He started showing his photos to fel-low employees, then to guests. Beforelong, he was winning photography con-tests.

“Pretty soon I started thinking ‘youknow, I think my stuff is as good as whatI see in magazines.’”

His professional career took off in

1983 when National Parks magazine pub-lished some of his work the same monthhe had the cover of Bowhunter.

Francis estimates he now works regu-larly with 15 to 20 publications from hishome-base in Billings, Mont. where helives with his wife, Victoria, and his 17-year-old daughter, Emily. His 22-year-olddaughter, Liz, is a student at theUniversity of Nebraska.

Francis’ background in biology helpshim recognize subtle cues animals givebefore they’re about to do somethingexciting. “I’m always looking for naturalbehavior and I think a lot of editorsaround the country know me for mybehavior as opposed to my animal por-traits,” he said.

Francis spends about 200 days a yearin the field – photographing everythingfrom orangutans in Borneo and polarbears in Manitoba to lemurs andchameleons in Madagascar – but still triesto make it back to Yellowstone once amonth.“My favorite place, even though Itravel all around the world, is stillYellowstone Park,” Francis said.

Francis is lucky enough to see his for-mer role models become friends.Growing up, Francis admired the work ofLeonard Lee Rue III. Now he counts thelegendary photographer among hisfriends.

In the early 2000s, Francis led JosephVan Os photo tours with Rue III’s son,Len Rue Jr., in Manitoba, Canada. Theyled groups of outdoor photography enthu-siasts on trips to photograph polar bears.

“He was great,” the younger Rue said.“He’s responsible, fun, and gets alonggreat with people. He’s excellent.”

Photo tours are one source of revenuein an increasingly competitive market.

“Selling photography is a lot more dif-ficult today than it was when I started inthe 80s, much more difficult,” Francissaid. “What you're doing now in order tobe successful is finding as many littleniches as you can in order to sell yourexpertise.”

Photo tours are one niche, book proj-ects are another. Francis has 35 singlephotographer books to his name.

“His publishing record is enviable,”said Francis’ colleague Michael Sample.“It’s an amazingly wide body of work.”

Another way Francis supplements hisincome in the midst of falling stock pho-tography prices is by maintaining a state-of-the-art Web site (www.michaelfrancis-photo.com) where approved professionalphotography buyers can purchase photoswithout having to contact him personally,an important consideration for someonewho spends so many days in the field.

Francis joined OWAA in 1989. He alsojoined the North American NaturePhotography Association when it wasfounded more than 15 years ago, servingas its president from 2003 to 2004.

“He's done a lot to promote outdoorphotography,” Sample said. “He's just anall-around upbeat, positive, ethical,friendly photographer who's quite skilledat what he does.”

The hunting season is underway –orange and camouflage-clad hunters areroaming the outdoors with bows andrifles in tow. Francis will be combing thewoods for wildlife, too, but with a camerarather than a gun.

“I used to be quite the avid hunter, butreally, hunting and carrying a cameradon't go very well. You can be good atone but not good at both typically,”Francis said. “I haven't carried a rifle withme for quite some time. Basically, I huntyear-round, but with a camera.” �


BY AMANDA EGGERT

Amanda Eggert is OWAA’sfall 2009 intern. She is fin-ishing a degree in printjournlism at the Universityof Montana. Her internduties include craftingCharacter Sketch articles,compiling SupportingGroup News Tips, NewsBriefs, Bookshelf itemsand Outdoor Market listings.

ith a cameraHunting

Nature photographer Michael Francis

Character Sketch: Michael Francis

W


The Driftless Area? I suggest you attendthe OWAA conference in Rochester,Minn., June 10-13, 2010, and find out.

You and your readers, viewers, and listenerswill be glad you learned that there is a lot moreto Minnesota than all those lakes and forests“up North.”

When I grew up in southern Minnesota, theoutdoor action was found “up North.” Sure, wehad a little pheasant hunting, some put-and-taketrout fishing, some squirrel hunting, and even alittle smallmouth bass fishing in the Root River.Once in awhile, we took a big trip (50 miles) tothe Mississippi River, to see if we could catch afew walleyes.

Northern Minnesota still has a lot to offer tooutdoors enthusiasts. However, southernMinnesota, especially the Driftless Area, is aclassic example of what resource managers cando to restore environments abused and exploit-ed almost to the point of no return. Forests havebeen restored, improved land use practicesimplemented, deer are abundant, turkey popula-tions are increasing, trout populations are self-sustaining, and perhaps most importantly, siltand nutrient-laden runoff has been greatlyreduced. The restoration task is not complete,but today much of the Driftless Area is closerto the conditions that prevailed prior to modernsettlement than it has been in more than 100years.

To understand what has happened, we needlook back 15,000 to 20,000 years to whenmuch of North America was covered with con-tinental ice sheets. These ice sheets flattenedmountains and gouged out deep basins, such asthe basins now filled with the Great Lakes.However, there was one northern area that wasnot touched by the massive ice sheets: theDriftless Area. Although completely surroundedby ice, the area we now call southeastMinnesota, northeast Iowa, and southwestWisconsin was not touched by the Pleistoceneice sheets. No glacial drift of sand and rock wasdeposited, and the area was carved into beauti-ful hills and valleys as runoff from the meltingice sheets eroded the loose soils and underlyinglimestone and sandstone.

When settlers from the eastern United Statesfirst arrived in the Driftless Area they foundrolling hills covered with mixed hardwood

forests and many clear streams filled with largenumbers of native fishes. The forests werecleared to provide building materials and thecleared lands were tilled with the same methodsthe farmers brought with them from the east.Then the land began to erode. But, there wasalways new area to develop and settlementspilled out onto the nearby prairies where wet-lands could be drained and the deep soils of thegrassland could be broken and planted intocrops. Small villages developed in the shelteredvalleys. And the land continued to erode.Spring runoff from melting snow and floodingfollowing heavy rains accelerated the erosion.

Finally, starting in the 1960s, soil conserva-tion practices, such as contour farming, pasturerenovation, and forest restoration became com-mon, and the streams fed by revitalized springsflowed again with clean water. Innovative fishmanagers realized these productive waterscould support self-sustaining trout and small-mouth bass populations. Restoration of thehardwood forests became a state project whenthe Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood StateForest was established. Deer came back,turkeys were introduced and nature flourished.

Come to Rochester, but schedule time tovisit Whitewater State Park, the quaint villageof Lanesboro, and fish Trout Run, the RootRiver and the Zumbro River. Go over to LakeCity and learn about the origins of water skiingand the unique processes that formed LakePepin. Tour the Upper Mississippi RiverWildlife and Fish Refuge. Photograph the beau-tiful bluffs that border the streams and checkout those eagles along the Mississippi. Tour theMayo Clinic and learn about the natural disas-ter that led to the founding of this worldfamous medical institution. I have onlyscratched the surface of potential story lines.Many opportunities and a lot of fun and relax-ation will be yours as you drift/float/hike/bikethrough the Driftless Area. �

Wandering the Driftless Area

John Nickum, of Fountain Hills,Ariz., is writer, editor and educa-tor. Contact him [email protected].

The full version of this article canbe found on OU Online atwww.owaa.org/ou/category/feature/2010conference-rochester-preview

EExxcceelllleennccee iinn CCrraafftt

ccoonntteessttss

It’s time to enter the 2010Excellence in Craft contests.Who can enter? The 2010 con-test is open to Active, Senior-Active and Life members.Read the print-friendly PDF ofthe 2010 contest rules andcategories online:

www.owaa.org/ou/2010-eic-rules

PPrreessiiddeennttss’’ CChhooiiccee AAwwaarrddss

A select group of OWAA PastPresidents judged first-placewinners of each EIC contestcategory. Winners are:� Magazine Category - EEddwwaarrddNNiicckkeennss, “Cry from the North,”Field & Stream magazine.� TV/Video Category - RRoonnSScchhaarraa, “Black Canyon,”Minnesota Bound on KARE-TV.� Newspaper Category - SStteevveePPoolllliicckk, “The flying dragon,”The Blade (Toledo).� Art/Photo Category - TTiimmCChhrriissttiiee, “A cold pack out,”Sightron 2008 catalog.

www.owaa.org/awards

MMaarrkkeett TTrraacckkeerr� DDeessttiinnaattiioonn FFiisshh - A memberhas registered a complaintagainst this publication lastknown to be based inLighthouse Point, Fla., whichceased publication last year.Despite numerous requests,original color transparencieshave not been returned.� BBaaddggeerr SSppoorrttssmmaann - A mem-ber has filed a complaintagainst this Chilton, Wis. mag-azine for not receiving pay-ment for columns written sinceJuly 2008.

www.owaa.org/ou/2009/11/market-tracker

BY JOHN NICKUM

2010 conference preview: Rochester, Minn.


It is a peculiar silence that hangsover the woods as you walk towardyour hiding place. The movement

of a stranger silences all of the creaturesthat were previously in motion, bringingan unearthly stillness to the previouslyactive forest. You are alone with yourfootsteps and your thoughts, surroundedby attentive animals waiting for you topass.

Once you have settled into your standor blind, you become a part of this still-ness, allowing the woods as a whole toforget your presence. Little by little, theforest comes back to life. The first move-ment is always that of a precocious birdor squirrel, sufferers of a kind of naturalattention deficit disorder, unable to main-tain perfect silence any longer. Theychirp, squawk, chatter, or rustle in a waythat, though not very loud, shatters thequiet that enshrouded the woods just amoment before.

With that first disturbance, the woodsburst to life. Turkeys gobble in the dis-tance, deer begin to pick their way deli-cately through the underbrush, and squir-rels begin to chase each other in incessantcircles around the trunks of trees. Thecreatures grow progressively bolder, andwith their boldness come closer to yourhiding spot.

There are a few sensations that can rival

that thrill that overtakes you when you arewithin inches of a wild animal. Even achipmunk or a vole running across yourboot is enough to send chills down yourspine, and reaching that proximity with alarger creature is even more exciting.

These are moments that you rememberfor the rest of your life.

I had one such moment while out hunt-ing with my father when I was veryyoung. He had gone off to pursue a deer,and had left me propped against a tree,perfectly silent so as not to ruin hisattempts. After a breathless few minutesof intensely sharp focus, my preteen lackof attention span got the better of me, andI began to relax. Just as I began to shiftaround on my foam cushion, searchingfor a more comfortable position, the sleekform of a red fox appeared from a patchof dense ferns to my left.

He strutted confidently, fancying him-self master of his domain, so far unawareof my presence. He strode into the clear-ing, walked straight toward the base ofthe tree at which I was sitting, andstopped to enjoy a patch of sunlight thatsurely helped to ward off the fall morningchill.

It was there that I was able to appreci-ate the beauty of the creature. His blacknose gave way to a snow white muzzleand chest, and the red coat that coveredthe rest of his body gleamed brilliantly inthe sun, creating an almost surreal imageof a brightly glowing vulpine figure.

The moment was magical, but fleeting.

A quizzical look crossed his face, and hepaused to sniff the air for a moment,detecting a presence that he could not see.He continued to sniff until he identifiedthe particular scent that concerned him.Placing his muzzle close to the ground,he began to search for the source of theodor, and after what seemed like an eter-nity he stopped at my feet.

All the while I stayed perfectly still,not daring to make the slightest move-ment for fear of startling the animal.Suddenly, I felt a dangerous tickle in mynose, the precursor to a sneeze. I held mybreath, waiting for it to pass, but I had nosuch luck. The thunderous sneeze escapedmy nostrils without warning, contortingmy entire body with the force with whichit left.

The effect was instantaneous and hilar-ious. The poor creature tumbled overitself, executing a maneuver reminiscentto a trick performed by extreme in-lineskaters known as the “flatspin 180” in itshaste to escape whatever threat had justmanifested. It barreled into the woods,and I never saw it again.

When my father returned from hisunsuccessful pursuit, he asked how mywait was. I could only smile.

Moments like this affirm a belief that Ihave held on to for years. Hunting is notabout the chase, and it is not about thekill. Hunting is a chance to get closer tonature than you ever would have imag-ined, and to create memories that you willtreasure for the rest of your life. �

The Unseen IntruderNorm Strung Youth Awards � Senior Prose � First Place

BY MICHAEL J. CAMBARERI JR.Hometown: Lacona, N.Y.

2009 Norm Strung Youth Awards writing contest

JJuunniioorr PPrroossee� First Place: “HuntingSharing the Heritage” by RainiStiles, Collinsville, Okla.� Second Place: “Why I Wantto be a Fly Fisherman” by SamGuida, Nisswa, Minn.� Third Place: “Squirrel orNot, in the Woods with Dad isthe Place to Be” by BradleySprau, Rocky River, Ohio

� Fourth Place: “FishingMemories” by Jessica Gruss,Selkirk, N.Y.

JJuunniioorr PPooeettrryy� First Place: “Hunter’s BigDay” by Shelby Johnson, Pierz,

Minn.� Second Place: “The OneThat Got Away” by JonathanDecker, Akron, N.Y.

SSeenniioorr PPrroossee� First Place: “The UnseenIntruder” by Michael J.Cambareri Jr., Lacona, N.Y.� Second Place:“Transformation in the TreeStand” by Nickole Witzel,Centerville, Minn.� Third Place: “McAlester: ATraditional Hunt” by Steven Maichak, Edmond, Okla.

� Fourth Place: “ShelteredChild” by Tyler Olson, Spokane,Wash.

SSeenniioorr PPooeettrryy� First Place: “AnUnfortunate Hunting Adventure” by Gianna C. Anderson, St.Hilaire, Minn.

2009 Norm Strung Youth Writing Contest WinnersSponsored by Safari Club International and the Safari Club International Foundation

Want to read ALL the winning entries? Print-friendly PDF available! www.owaa.org/oudocs/2009-nsya-winners.pdf


NNeeww mmeemmbbeerrssPatrick BakerRon BennettCurt J. JohnsonElizabeth MathiesonTim McKillopJeffrey S. NedwickMichael PapiezKevin PresnellJohn E. RossJames Workman

RReeiinnssttaatteedd mmeemmbbeerrss Beth Ann AmicoJim BraatenTim DuffyJames (Jake) EisenmanGregg Patterson

DDeecceeaasseedd mmeemmbbeerrEugene Seraphine

NNeeww SSuuppppoorrttiinngg GGrroouuppss,,AAggeenncciieess aanndd BBuussiinneesssseessHunt Fish BuddyPiSAT SolarPro-Ears/Altus Brands LLC

CompanyShowSpan, Inc.

RReeiinnssttaatteedd SSuuppppoorrttiinnggGGrroouuppss,, AAggeenncciieess aannddBBuussiinneesssseessBirchwood LaboratoriesBuck Country ProductsBuck Stop Lure CompanyCongressional Sportsmen’s

FoundationSan Diego Sportfishing

Council

CCoonnttaacctt uuppddaatteessBill Crumrine,

[email protected] Eberl, P.O. Box

680924, Park City, UT 84068,323-336-3775,[email protected].

Sam Hossler, 1161 SWColorado Ave., Port St. Lucie,FL 34953,[email protected].

Mike Roux, 2900 ParkwoodDr., Quincy, IL 62305.

Mike Schoonveld, 299N100E, Morocco, IN 47963. E-mail [email protected],(H) 219-394-2123, (Cell) 219-819-0000.

Joan Wulff, [email protected].

TThhrreeee OOWWAAAA mmeemmbbeerrss nnoommiinnaatteedd ffoorrEEmmmmyy

Judy Nugent, Jack Abrams, Dan

Small and Michael Garvin have beennominated for an Emmy Award by theChicago/Midwest Chapter of the NationalAcademy of Television Arts and Sciencesfor their work on a special episode of“Outdoor Wisconsin.”

PPrreessttiiggoouuss NNYYSSOOWWAA aawwaarrdd bbeessttoowweeddoonn mmeemmbbeerr

William R. Hilts Sr. of Sanborn wasnamed the 2009 recipient of New YorkState Outdoor Writer’s Association presti-gious M. Paul Kessler Outdoor CitizenAward on Oct. 3 at the NYSOWA’s annu-al conference.

22001100 SSHHOOTT SShhoowwRegistration is open for the Shooting,

Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT)Show to be held at the Sands Expo andConvention Center in Las Vegas, N.M.,Jan. 19-22, 2010.

MMeemmbbeerr wwiinnss EEnnooss BBrraaddnneerr AAwwaarrddFormer OWAA president Bill Monroe

is the latest recipient of the NorthwestOutdoor Writer’s Association’s highesthonor, the Enos Bradner Award, named inhonor of one of the NOWA’s foundingfathers.

MMeemmbbeerrss wwiinn SSEEOOPPAA EEIICC aawwaarrddssAlex Zidock Jr., Mike Walker, Jill

Easton, Mike Marsh, Tim Flanigan andJeff Williams won Southeastern OutdoorPress Association (SEOPA) Excellence inCraft awards during the organization’sannual fall conference in Punta Gorda,Fla.

Supporting Group Howard

Communications also received an EICaward in the Industry Public RelationsProgram category.

Association Update

News Briefs

For more details

about these events

and other news:

www.owaa.org/ou/

category/departments/briefs

Submit news for department features

to [email protected].

Safari Club International’s 2010Annual Hunters’ Convention will takeplace January 20-23 in Reno, Nev.Because the dates overlap with the SHOTShow in nearby Las Vegas, SCI encour-ages OWAA members to consider comingto Reno for a day or two. For more info,check out www.showsci.com.

Hi Mountain Seasonings’ 12-pieceGame Processor portable butchering set isavailable for purchase. For more info,visit www.himtnjerky.com.

The Rocky Mountain Elk

Foundation is proud to announce thatwithin the last three years, it has con-tributed more than $25,000 and countlessvolunteer hours to provide veterans, manywhom are disabled, with special huntingexperiences, gear and support.

Pure Fishing is teaming up with DSMDyneema to develop fishing lines thatmeet and exceed the most demanding per-formance expectations in strength andabrasion resistance. For more informa-tion, check out www.purefishing.com.

The Association of Collegiate Anglersannounced that the 2010 collegiate bassfishing tournament season include thefifth annual BoatU.S. Collegiate BassFishing Championship. Check outwww.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.

Supporting Group News Tips

www.owaa.org/ou/

category/departments/

supporter-newstips

WWeellccoommee ttoo OOWWAAAA!!MMeeeett nneeww mmeemmbbeerrss::

www.owaa.org/ou/category/departments/new-members

Full-page ad

for Image Printing

Remote Locations: Inside Outdoor TVBy Chris

Dorsey, OrionMultimedia,10397 WestCentennialRoad, Littleton,CO 80127,www.orionmul-timedia.com, hardcover, 117 pp., $39.

Backyard Deer Hunting: ConvertingDeer to Dinner for Pennies Per Pound

By Wm. Hovey

Smith, AuthorHousePublishing, 1663 LibertyDrive, Bloomington, IN47403, http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=61333, softcover, 265 pp., $19.95.

Turkey Calls and CallingBy Steve Hickoff, Stackpole Books,

5067 Ritter Rd. Mechanicsburg, PA17055, www.stackpolebooks.com, soft-cover,160 pp., $22.95.

A Maine Deer Hunter’s LogbookBy V. Paul Reynolds,

Maine OutdoorPublications, 300 SawyerRd., Hampden, ME04444, softcover, 106 pp., $14.95.

Changing Paths: Travels andMeditations in Alaska’sArctic Wilderness

By Bill Sherwonit,University of AlaskaPress, P.O. Box 756240,Fairbanks, AK 99775,www.uaf.edu/uapress/book, softcover, 212 pp.,$21.95.

More Musky TalesBy Bob Jennings,

Infinity Publishing,1094 New DeHavenStreet,Conshohochen, PA19428-2713,www.infinitypublishing.com, www.buybooksontheweb.com,laminated cover, 161 pp., $15.95.

North of EasieBy Robert J. Romano Jr., Birch

Brook Press, P.O. Box 81, Delhi, NY13753, www.birchbrookpress.info, softcover, 200 pp., $20.00.

The Hunt: Challenge and RewardBy John G. Whinery,

Hawthorne Publishing,Amarillo, Texas, 2009,[email protected], 268 pp.,hardcover.

From Boys to Men of Heart: Hunting asa Rite of Passage

By Randall Eaton,Ph.D., OWLink media,210 SE Cedar Hill Lane,Shelton, WA 98584,www.owlinkmedia.com,softcover, 336 pp.,$24.95.

DVD:

A Walk for SunshineAppalachian Trail Show

By Jeff Alt, DreamsShared PublicationsLLC, P.O. Box 18188,Cincinnati, OH 45218,www.dspublications.com,DVD, 67 minutes,$19.95.

OOuuttddoooorr WWrriitteerrss AAssssoocciiaattiioonnooff AAmmeerriiccaa IInncc..112211 HHiicckkoorryy SStt..,, SSuuiittee 11MMiissssoouullaa,, MMTT 5599880011440066--772288--77443344

CCooppyyrriigghhtt nnoottiiccee:: Contributorsgrant rights for OWAA to publishonce in Outdoors Unlimited, boththe print and online versions,including archives, and on theOWAA Web site.

WWiinntteerr 22000099


Bookshelf

Where’s the rest of the

Bookshelf? It’s online!

www.owaa.org/ou/category/

departments/bookshelf

Submit items for this

department feature to

[email protected].

OUTDOORMARKET

Jobs and editorial-needs lisitings are updated throughout the month!Be sure to use the members-only password (refer to page 2).Check out www.owaa.org/ou/category/market

winter ou quarterly

Documents

outdoors winter

unlimited winter

north owaa conference

annual conference

unlimited issn0030

tennesseevice president

arizonavice president

copyright winter