Meeting the WOMA Members

I have just arrived home from the first annual WOMA retreat in Gunnison, Colorado.  As a group we enjoyed outdoor activities including skeet shooting, watching falconers hunt with their birds, grouse hunting and fly fishing.  I must say all the activities were very exciting and non-stop fun, but the highlight of the retreat was the time shared with the WOMA members and their spouses.  My favorite activity was meeting some of  the wonderful men and women who make the WOMA such a success.   After all, it was this group of fantastic people who influenced me to join the WOMA. Read more

Road to Russia: What was it like?

People often ask me what it’s like to be in the Olympics or what it’s like to compete in them. Lots of things pop into my head when I’m asked this question: lots of words – like excitement, adrenaline, nervousness, joy, pain, honor, country, family, go … Go faster! … “Lanny, GO!”

Suddenly, I’m brought back to a familiar place, a place that has been in my rehearsed thoughts for four years leading up to the Olympics. I look right and see a blur of red, white and blue. Someone is yelling my name. It’s almost inaudible at first, everything sounds fuzzy. The only thing that is clear to me is my breathing, and my lungs are expanding and contracting at a blistering rate. I don’t feel anything, but I’m moving and moving fast.  There’s nothing but silence, almost peaceful in a way. I’m in an empty void. I’m in a place where every athlete’s mind goes on occasion when you are too tired to think and the pain is almost too much to bear. You can see it on an athlete’s face when they go to that empty void, their eyes glass over and that grimace that was spread across their face is now replaced with an emotionless stare. It’s a quiet place, its peaceful, but I don’t want to be here. And with that thought it hits me … bam! Like a wave crashing down and it sets in … reality. Read more

Oklahoma hog hunt for women hosted by WOMA member

An Invitation to all Women Hunters!

Come hunt hogs with the Vice President of Outdoor Connection, Tracey Splechter.  She will be heading to southern Oklahoma Sept 10-12, 2010.  The ranch she will be hunting is located near Mill Creek where she will spend two days sharing the outdoors with a group of lucky ladies.

This hunt includes two days of hunting from blinds in front of baited holes, two nights stay in a newly remodeled, ranch cabin, all meals and allows two hogs to be taken by each hunter.  Also bring your favorite fishing rod and a pair of waders and fish for smallmouth bass on three miles of Pennington Creek at no extra charge.  The price is $600 per person and at this time there are three spots open.

Contact Tracey Splechter for more information on this hunt.

620-364-5500
tracey@outdoor-connection.com
www.outdoor-connection.com

Denise Miller named to SportsOneSource’s ‘SGB 40 Under 40′ list

Denise Miller, Otis Technology vice president of sales and marketing, has been named one of SportsOneSource’s SGB 40 Under 40. The awards honor the work of sporting-goods industry executives under the age of 40. Miller has been with Otis Technology since its inception 25 years ago, building the business from the ground up with her family. Read more

‘Planting the Seeds of Growth’ in Charlotte a resounding success

The Women’s Outdoor Media Association – a new paradigm in outdoor communicators’ organizations that stresses the individual member and what she or he can contribute to focusing on what is being done for and about women in the outdoors – held a reception on Sat., May 15, at the Westin Charlotte Queen’s Lounge.

At last count, 25 new members will soon be approved and on the roll of the membership roster. These members include PR representatives, website communicators, bloggers, traditional journalists, a former president of the NRA and two Olympic biathletes.

Thanks to PR Team member Kim Pezzeminti, of doeville.com, who spearheaded the event and worked with the Westin to host a reception filled with croissants, pastries, brownies, Starbucks coffee and Tazo tea, lemonade, macadamia nut cookies and more. And that was just the food. Sunflowers splashed the room with color, and yes, it looked like an indoor garden party with flower arrangements, white tablecloths and floral organza accents. We celebrated women in the outdoors and what we have achieved, and what we can achieve by working together, networking and continuing to move forward as an entirely volunteer organization.

Thanks, also to our members who displayed lovely flower arrangements in ammo boxes and distributed our invitations – Otis Technology, Brownells and Próis Hunting Apparel. Thanks to LOKI, Inc., Brownells, Magnolia Defense Enterprise, Bullseye Trading Post, Marsha Petrie Sue, Doeville and Women’s Outdoor News, for contributing funding for the event.

And, as always, since a picture tells a thousand words, please click on the slide show below and you’ll get more of an idea of the 2010 NRA Exhibits and Meetings, and some of our members on and off the floor of the show. And, get ready Las Vegas … we’re coming to your town in January at the SHOT Show. Please join us there.

Photos By Jason and Barbara Baird

Register now to attend QDMA convention in Louisville in July

Dear outdoor media members,

QDMA is inviting professional outdoor communicators to attend the QDMA National Convention free of charge. All functions, events and meals associated with the National Convention are on us. Our media guests in years past have left the Convention with interviews and material for numerous articles. You’ll also enjoy networking with the leading experts in deer hunting and management at evening events.

I look forward to seeing you in Louisville!

Lindsay Thomas Jr.
Director of Communications
800-209-3337

Convention Hotel:
Louisville Marriott Downtown (headquarters hotel)
(800) 533-0127
Request the QDMA National Convention group rate

For more hotel options: http://www.gotolouisville.com.
For more details about the Convention: http://www.qdma.com/events/national-convention/

If you’re at the NRA Meetings & Exhibits, take a coffee (or tea) break on us!

The Women’s Outdoor Media Association invites you to stop in, have a cup of Starbucks Coffee or Tazo Tea and learn more about the organization at the upcoming NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Charlotte, N.C., this Saturday, May 15, 2010. The WOMA lounge will be in the Queens Room at the Westin Charlotte, from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Women’s Outdoor Media Association focuses on increasing media coverage of women who are active in traditional outdoor sports, especially shooting, hunting, fishing and archery. For more information, see http://www.thewoma.com.

Apply for media badge to QDMA National Convention in July

Once again, QDMA is inviting professional outdoor communicators to attend the QDMA National Convention free of charge. All functions, events and meals associated with the National Convention are on us. Mark July 9-11 on your calendar and plan to attend.

Making the most of QDMA’s seminar speakers and Whitetail Expo exhibitors, our media guests in years past have left the Convention with interviews and material for numerous articles. You’ll also enjoy networking with the leading experts in deer hunting, biology and management at evening events.

To register for a Media Badge: Look for a future e-mail with a Media registration form attached.

In the meantime, mark your calendar and make your travel plans!

Convention Hotel:
Louisville Marriott Downtown (headquarters hotel)
(800) 533-0127
Request the QDMA National Convention group rate

For more hotel options: http://www.gotolouisville.com.
For more details about the Convention: http://www.qdma.com/events/national-convention/

Don’t hesitate to call or write with questions.
I look forward to seeing you in Louisville!

Lindsay Thomas Jr.
Director of Communications
Quality Deer Management Association
170 Whitetail Way
Bogart, GA 30622
(800) 209-3337
www.QDMA.com

QDMA … Better Deer, Better Deer Hunting

On health, hunting and happiness

It has been an extreme winter here in the Rocky Mountains.  With spring peeking around the corner, I was reflecting back on how wonderful winter has been.  One in particular taught me a lot about life and about hunting.

For Christmas, we took my friend’s 83 year old grandfather hunting for his private land cow elk.  Each year we think that it may be his last hunt because of his age and of course his health.  This year was no different.

Christmas morning the thermometer reads -18 degrees.  We headed out to search of elk for Grandpa.  We saw a spotted a small heard over a ridge.  After a short uphill hike, and a whole lot of huffing and puffing and stops to catch his breath, we him into position to get a shot.

Unfortunately, his shot missed its mark.  The hike was a lot for him.  He just was not able to catch his breath to get steadied enough.  We had worn him out.  He was pretty upset at his miss, and quietly walked back down the hill to the pick-up.  We headed home for Christmas dinner and put him under the electric blanket to rest.

Saturday morning, we were up early and convinced Grandpa to head out again.  That morning we were trying a new location to hunt for that cow elk.  When we arrived it was -23 degrees!  Grandpa was sore from the previous day.  He told us he was worn out and he didn’t think he could do another hike like yesterday.  We told him we would get him to a location that would be a little easier.  We located some cows, but they were on the wrong side of the fence for that private land tag.   Today the girls just were not co-operating.  With the temperature being so cold, we could not set Grandpa out to wait for them to come to the property, so we headed home.  It was another unsuccessful day.

Our third and last day out, Sunday morning, we were up early and took Grandpa for his “last chance” cow elk hunt.  He would be leaving for home the next day so we had to get him on a cow elk for sure.  That morning the temperature warmed up a little to a balmy -12.  We went to the same piece of property we had been hunting the past two days.  The same herd was still near, but of course, they were still on the wrong side of the fence.

Grandpa was getting very discouraged, and he was beating himself up for missing the first morning and for not being able to get around as well as he once could.  We decided to try another piece of land where the owner had told us he had spotted a herd.

So we headed north.  The problem at this property we were heading to would be that we would not be able to just walk Grandpa a short way.  All the meadows were a ways out there with rolling hills in between.  We towed our snowmobiles behind the pick-up and headed to get Grandpa another chance at a cow.  Once we arrived at the property, we loaded him on back of the snowmobile and headed up the deep snow covered valley.  You really can not sneak up on the elk if you are on a snowmobile.

We rode up to the top of a small ridge and peered over.  Sure enough, there was a small heard of cow elk.  The excitement began.

We unloaded Grandpa and he hiked down a little just to get him a straight shot.  He sighted in on a nice cow.  I saw him hesitate.  He was worried about another miss.  Then he took a deep breath.  There was a shot.

It was a hit.

Grandpa stood there, trembling with excitement.  The smile on his face was worth the effort. Many of us take it for granted a lot of the hiking, hunting and climbing we do.  If we want to stalk an animal, we just do it.  What a challenge to get  close enough to that cow elk.  83 years old, successful and happy as can be!  Closing on the first season of the year, always remember to be thankful for everything you have, health, happiness and the ability to hunt!

QDMA announces 10th annual convention news

Louisville, KY – This July, QDMA will host its tenth annual National Convention and Whitetail Expo. The event will return to the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, July 9-11.

The Convention, sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, will kick off Friday with the Whitetail Rambling, a new addition to the festivities that will give early arrivers the chance to engage with industry professionals in an open mic setting. The Whitetail Wisdom Speaker Series will follow and continue throughout the weekend, enabling attendees to take advantage of three days of expert advice that they can implement on their own property. The Series features some of the most renowned whitetail experts, land experts, biologists, and celebrity hunters in the country.

Sponsored by Whitetail Properties, the Whitetail Expo on Saturday and Sunday presents an opportunity for attendees to shop thousands of square feet of merchandise from nationally recognized companies. Among the exhibitors are companies representing every facet of deer management and hunting, including trail cameras, food plot seed, ATVs, hunting apparel, taxidermy, management products, and much more.

Among the celebrities attending the 10th Annual National Convention and Whitetail Expo are Lee and Tiffany Lakosky of The Crush, Pat Reeve and Nicole Jones of Driven TV, Bill Winke of Midwest Whitetail, Dan Perez of Whitetail Properties, Zac Cooper from the Browning Pro Staff, Dr. Grant Woods of Growing Deer TV, and whitetail experts, Craig Harper and Karl Miller.

In addition to its title sponsors-Bass Pro Shops and Whitetail Properties-QDMA would also like to thank its additional supporters for their generous contribution to the event:

Big & J Industries, Inc., Biologic, Buck Lunch, Budweiser, Cabela’s, Cuddeback, DOLMAR, Hunter’s Specialties, Lacrosse, MeadWestvaco, Millliken Forestry Company, Mossy Oak, Outdoor Underwriters, OXTRAC, Parker, PlotSaver, Plum Creek, Predator Control Group, Purina Wildlife Series, Remington, Resource Management Service, Ruff & Tuff, Soterra, St. Joe, Tecomate Seed, The Management Advantage, and Trophy Rock.

Visit www.QDMA.com or call (800) 209-DEER to register. For hotel reservations, call the Marriott Hotel Downtown (800-533-0127) and mention the QDMA National Convention.

Vendors, reserve your spot at the Whitetail Expo today. Contact Brancey Singley at (800) 209-DEER or bsingley@qdma.com for vendor information.

About QDMA

Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with more than 50,000 members in all 50 states and Canada, 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) 209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com
Contact:
Randy Bowden (800) 209-3337 or rbowden@qdma.com

Palmer C. Pope
Quality Deer Management Association
Marketing & Corporate Relations Coordinator
205-908-7657
www.QDMA.com

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