News

Unless you hunt out West, you’re probably not familiar with the corner-crossing debate. But you should be.

Marolina Outdoor, the parent company of Huk Performance Fishing and Nomad Outdoor, recently announced the hiring of Nate Smith as chief executive officer. Smith brings to Marolina 20 years of executive leadership and outstanding performance in consumer-branded omnichannel organizations in apparel, footwear and accessories. He has a proven track record of successfully building and repositioning brands and developing omnichannel retail strategies.Smith has held senior executive roles at brands such as Patagonia and Oakley and, most recently, was president at Boardriders, a holding company consisting of several large global brands, including Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, and Element Brand.Earlier in his career, Smith received a B.S. in political science from the United States Naval Academy, and later went on to serve 10 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL, where he worked in more than 25 countries. Smith also graduated with an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.Edwin Lewis, chairman of Marolina’s board of directors, said, “We are incredibly excited to have Nate join the Marolina team. The leadership skills he developed in service to this country, combined with his extensive experience working with iconic brands, makes Nate uniquely qualified to lead Marolina in the next phase of its growth.”“I am very excited to be joining Marolina Outdoor, a company with an amazingly talented team and a proven formula for success,” Smith said. “As someone who appreciates the passionate communities, cultures and lifestyles the Huk and Nomad brands represent, I am eager to dive in with the team and develop a growth strategy that continues to exceed the performance apparel needs of fishing and hunting enthusiasts.”

P&Y welcomes Delta McKenzie as new Gold Level Partner; QAD announces partnership with Final Draw TV; Hoyt Archery now offers Mossy Oak Bottomland across its entire hunting line; and P&Y heading back to Texas for another Bowhunter Bash.

Winchester announces that for a limited time consumers can earn $5.00 back for each box of Winchester Xpert Waterfowl loads purchased and earn $7.00 back for each box of Winchester Blind Side 2 and Drylok loads purchased. Total maximum rebate amount is $150.00 per household. The offer is valid on qualifying purchases made between October 1, 2024 – November 30, 2024. Eligible brands: Xpert Waterfowl Blind Side 2Drylok Super SteelCustomers can visit Winchester.com to learn how to submit their rebate.

Muddy Outdoors launches apparel line; Pope and Young announces bylaws change to accept lighted sights; USA Archery national head coach search update; Casey Kaufhold breaks 36-year Olympic medal drought for Team USA women; and Vasque boot brand discontinued.

The archery and bowhunting industry’s largest trade show is exclusive to ATA members. It will be held Jan. 8-10, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Easton shooters sweep Olympics; Team USA’s Tabansky and Stutzman become Paralympic champions; STAN announces new addition to leadership team; and Marolina Outdoor hires new CEO.

Competing in his fourth Paralympic Games, Team USA’s Matt Stutzman wins the ultimate prize.

Dan Forster, ATA’s vice president and chief conservation officer, shares ATA’s role and efforts to ensure the FET program is fair and the money is used appropriately.

Sierra, Barnes Appoint New CEO Sierra Bullets and Barnes Bullets announce the appointment of Jim Bruno as CEO, effective July 8, 2024. Jim has been in the outdoor industry for 30 plus years, starting out working at his father’s retail shop in New Jersey. Most recently, Jim has held the position of President at Bushnell (a Vista Outdoor brand segment). Prior to Bushnell, Jim held roles of increasing responsibility throughout his career, culminating with leading and managing Sales, Sales Operations and Customer Service for the Vista Outdoor Hunt/Shoot brands, including Federal, CCI, Speer, Remington and Hevi-Shot.When asked about the opportunity, Jim replied “Both brands, Sierra and Barnes, have an amazing brand recognition in our industry of being the highest quality, premium products that serve the competitive shooting, hunting and defense markets. I’m honored to be chosen to lead these two amazing brands, people and products.”Andrew Sparks, VP of Marketing, praised the hiring, “While Jim brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about the ammunition and component market, we are excited for his strength in leadership and strategy. Jim receives high praise and recommendations by many industry peers and competitors and we look forward to him leading our businesses.”American Outdoor Brands Promotes Kersker to VP of SalesAmerican Outdoor Brands (AOB), an industry leading provider of products and accessories for rugged outdoor enthusiasts, announced that Pete Kersker has been promoted to Vice President of Sales - Outdoor Sports. In this newly created position, Kersker will lead domestic sales of the company’s outdoor sports product categories: personal protection, hunting, shooting, fishing, camping and cutlery products.“Pete joined AOB nearly a decade ago as a sales manager in cutlery, and since that time he has expanded his scope and responsibility in our sales organization.” said Brent Vulgamott, Chief Operating Officer for American Outdoor Brands. “Pete has established strong relationships with our customers and has meaningfully contributed to both the establishment and the execution of our sales strategies. We’re proud to announce this promotion which recognizes his contributions, and which underscores the importance that the outdoor sports product categories play in our long-term growth strategy.”Kersker joined AOB in 2016, as a Sales Manager, and was later promoted to Director of Sales. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Sales, a role in which he oversaw sales for multiple product categories across the company’s portfolio of brands. Kersker earned his BS degree at Keene State College in New Hampshire.AOUT is a provider of outdoor products and accessories, including hunting, fishing, camping, shooting, outdoor cooking, and personal security and defense products, for rugged outdoor enthusiasts. The Company produces products under brands including BOG; BUBBA; Caldwell; Crimson Trace; Frankford Arsenal; Grilla Grills; Hooyman; Imperial; LaserLyte; Lockdown; MEAT!; Old Timer; Schrade; Tipton; Uncle Henry; ust; and Wheeler. For more information about all the brands and products from American Outdoor Brands, Inc., visit www.aob.com. Gridiron Capital Agrees to Sell GSM Outdoors Investment company Gridiron Capital recently signed a definitive agreement to sell its controlling interest in GSM Outdoors — Good Sportsman Marketing Outdoors — to Platinum Equity, a global private equity firm. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, GSM Outdoors is an industry-leading branded outdoor enthusiast company with a diverse and growing portfolio of more than 50 rugged outdoor brands. GSM provides a comprehensive range of consumable accessories, gear, and subscription services, along with an exceptional service model, making it a one-stop-shop for both consumers and retail partners. GSM sells through a diverse mix of channels, including online retailers, sporting goods stores, mass merchants, outdoorsman retailers, farm and fleet stores, and dealers and distributors across the United States and Canada.“In 2020, Gridiron Capital partnered with Eddie Castro and the GSM management team to build an industry-leading outdoor enthusiast platform,” said Gridiron Managing Partner, Kevin Jackson. “Over the course of our partnership, GSM has grown significantly through strategic expansions into fishing and other rugged outdoor categories, while dramatically scaling the cellular and app subscription business, completing 18 acquisitions of iconic brands, and driving consistent organic growth through new product development. The GSM team’s passion for serving their customers and winning in the marketplace is contagious, and we are incredibly proud to have been GSM's partner during this exciting time. We are confident that GSM is positioned for even greater success going forward.”GSM CEO Eddie Castro and the entire management team will continue to lead GSM post-transaction. Castro said, “Since the first day, Gridiron has been a great partner in helping us accelerate our M&A engine and expand GSM into new subscription and outdoor categories. The Gridiron investment team and Centers of Excellence have truly been value-added partners through this exceptional growth phase for GSM.”The acquisition is expected to close in Q3 2024.

American mixed team archers win Olympic bronze; Team USA’s Ellison wins individual archery silver; hunting license sales remain steady in 2022-2023; Team Mathews shooters win four ATA Shooter of the Year titles; and Delta McKenzie increases payouts for women’s pro ASA shooters.

Team USA’s Darrell Pace earned a place on four Olympic teams, four Pan-Am teams, and seven world teams; he’s also the only archer to ever hold all the world records at the same time.

Gridiron Capital agrees to sell GSM Outdoors; Easton highlights USA craftsmanship during “America Month”; Team Mathews crowns three national champions; USA Archery celebrates 18-year tenure of National Head Coach KiSik Lee; and Pope and Young announces two new whitetail velvet world records.

25th Annual Muzzy Classic Bowfishing Tournament final standings; Pope and Young launches Deer Slam Raffle; USA Archery announces 3D equipment grant opportunity for clubs; and S3DA hosts 12th Annual Eastern 3D National Championship.

PRADCO Outdoor Brands Acquires Ani-Logics Outdoors; TenPoint founding member Chuck Jordan named to The Archery Hall of Fame; market size annual report available from Southwick Associates; and Delta McKenzie increases S3DA sponsorship.

Winning 2024 NASP T-shirt designs selected; 2024 Academic Archer Program results; and recognizing the Archery Hall of Fame.

Over the course of several months, people from different political viewpoints came together in an instantaneous show of support for youth shooting sports.