Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - May 2020

SPRING 2020 EDITION

Garmin XERO S1 Trapshooting Trainer

Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 Spinning Rod and Reel

First College Angler Cashes in on Yamaha Power Pay

MAY 2020 - 26TH EDITION I n this issue ... Garmin Anglers Sweep Top Spots at Bassmaster Classic Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Awards Over $400,000 Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 Spinning Rod and Reel Tips for Shed Hunting Ranger Boats Recognized for Excellence Engel Coolers’ New High Viz Safety Dryboxes Team Lauer/Craddock Win IFA Redfish Event in Titusville, FL First College Angler Cashes in on Yamaha Power Pay SPRO BBZ Swimbaits Produce Big Bass Bass Pro Shops’ Johnny Morris Donates One Million Face Masks to Healthcare Workers Ranger Unveils All-New 2660 and 2600 Bay Boats

04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 19 21 22 24 27 33 34 38

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PAGE 13 Quatix ® 6

A BLEND OF STYLE AND FUNCTION FOR YOUR ADVENTURES AT SEA AND

Garmin XERO S1 Trapshooting Trainer 8 Tips for Turkey Crossbow Hunting

Designed with the serious mariner in mind, quatix 6 combines all the best feat fēnix® 6 watch with everything you’ll need on the water.

Sands Takes Title in First-Ever ACA Run Online Tournament The Cabela’s Club Crystal Friction Turkey Call from Woodhaven Yamaha Launches “Deliver Your Ride” Program ATTENTION

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T/C COMPASS® II The reliable performance of the original T/C® COMPASS® rifle – now with Thompson/Center’s Generation II trigger system. T/C® COMPASS® II is a feature-rich rifle that is packed with value. From the range, to the fields to the mountains, any pursuit, at any budget.

This is an interactive E-Magazine. Click on the links and logos through- out, directing you to company web- sites, products, and videos.

STAFF: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Wade Middleton CONTENT LAYOUT: Shelley Giesecke GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Adam Elmhorst

Click the PLAY button to learn more

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

One of the most interesting months of April that many of us have ever experienced already faded away and now we are in May. Hopefully, April 2020 is a time that we will look back on and only recall the good times of spending more time at home with our family and more time enjoying the outdoors. For Careco TV, we have been hard at work as always. The team stepped up and relocated edit suites, books and admin support gear to each of their houses, apartments, and garages while never missing a major deadline and also tackling many new projects and immediate needs for our partners that popped up during this crazy time. Additionally, wemanageda few local shootsaround theSan Antonio area taking a few turkeys, shooting new content for hunting product releases, and of course, wetting a line at area lakes such as Amistad and Choke Canyon. To say the least, we know things won’t be exactly the same for the rest of 2020, but we’ll be there working through it with you and sharing our passion of fishing, hunting and the outdoors like we’ve done for over 25 years. So for now, enjoy the stories, highlights and more in this issue. Finally, know this, I can’t wait to be on the front deck of a boat or in the woods with all of you again really soon.

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Wade Middleton President - CarecoTV

GARMIN ANGLERS SWEEP TOP SPOTS AT BASSMASTER CLASSIC

Garmin , the world’s leading marine electronics manufacturer, demonstrated it’s the electronics choice of champions as Garmin-equipped anglers won all three top spots at the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk at Lake Guntersville, March 6-8, 2020. With awire-to-wire lead, Garmin proHank Cherry Jr. topped the 50th annual Bassmaster Classic with a three-day total of 65 pounds 5 ounces. Runner- up Todd Auten finished with 58-10, followed by Stetson Blaylock with 58-1. All three of the event’s top anglers fished fromboats exclusively equipped with Garmin ECHOMAP™ Ultra chartplotters and Panoptix LiveScope™ live-scanning sonar. In addition, Cherry and Auten were also using the Garmin Force™ trolling motor. Additionally, Lake Guntersville is one of the more than 145 LakeVü g3 Ultra lakes surveyed in the U.S. by Garmin, offering anglers an unprecedented

level of detail with up to one-foot contours, along with high-resolution relief shading for a clearer lake bottom profile. “Thanks to the Garmin ECHOMAP Ultras with the Panoptix up front, I could see really good mapping so it was easy to see the indentations and the out spots on the causeway. With LiveScope, I could actually follow the herds of gizzard shad and I could tell when I would see a fish if it was going to bite or not,” said Cherry. “There were several key fish that I caught that I saw coming to get the bait because it’s happening right there in live action. If you do not have Garmin LiveScope, you are definitely missing out. It was a huge part of my championship run.” For Auten, it was a combination of LiveScope, the Force trolling motor and the new g3 mapping that helped him secure his second place finish. “The Garmin Panoptix LiveScope helped me see

the fish moving around in the grass in real time – it’s wild, like a video game. Once I found them, I relied on the Force trolling motor with its anchor lock feature to help me stay on point to catch more fish,” he said. “And the new LakeVü g3 Ultra mapping card with Navionics® data helped me find some of the detailed key areas that were the key to my success.” On stage at the final weigh-in, Blaylock also commended LiveScope: “One of the keys to my success this week was running the Garmin LiveScope. The cool thing about running LiveScope for me was being able to find those grass edges, and not only that, but to see the bait and actually see the fish hanging out in that grass. I’ll tell you right now, if you don’t have it, you are behind.” “We are incredibly proud of all the Garmin anglers who competed at this year’s Bassmaster Classic and would like to extend a huge congratulations to Hank, Todd and Stetson on their top-three finishes at the biggest event in bass fishing,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales. “It’s an honor to be a part of their success and it’s humbling to see what a difference using Garmin products, particularly LiveScope, is making for our anglers on high-profile stages like the Classic. We’re confident there will be many more top finishes for the Garmin team this season and beyond.”

Hank Cherry with his bass taking home the event winning 1st place at the 2020 Bassmasters Classic

Todd Auten with his bass winning 2rd place at the 2020 Bassmaster Classic

Hank Cherry kisses

the 2020 Bassmasters Classic

Stetson Blaylock with his bass winning 3rd place at the 2020 Bassmaster Classic

Champion Trophy

YAMAHA OUTDOOR ACCESS INITIATIVE AWARDS OVER $400,000 IN 2019

Yamaha announced it awardedmore than $127,000 to eight organizations in the fourth quarter grant cycle of the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) for 2019, bringing the annual grant total to over $400,000. Projects receiving OAI grants often have a strong stewardship component, as well as an inclusive community of users working together to ensure all types of outdoor recreationists can access and enjoy public land sustainably and safely. To date, the Yamaha OAI has contributed over $4 million in aid to more than 360 projects across the nation. Grant recipient projects support diverse communities including motorized recreation, biking, hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor recreationists – all of whom rely on access to public land. Yamaha continues to encourage

outdoor recreation groups and land stewardship associations to get involved in land access projects, knowing support from the Yamaha OAI program is available to nonprofit and tax-exempt groups. “Everyone who enjoys the outdoors can play a role in protecting, improving, and even expanding access to public lands,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports Marketing Manager. “The Outdoor Access Initiative has achieved some milestones around helping key stakeholders – those who actually do the work on the ground – secure the funding they require. It’s those making a difference in the field who we should be celebrating while we encourage all to contribute to the sustainability and responsible use of public spaces. Yamaha is proud and primed to continue to support land

stewardship efforts in 2020 and beyond to benefit outdoors recreation.” Recent recipients received Yamaha OAI grants for trailmaintenance, safetysignage, landstewardship programs, and efforts aiding in protecting access to motorized recreation areas.

MORE ABOUT YAMAHA’S OAI:

THE Q4 2019 BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE:

For more than a decade, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has led the Powersports industry in guaranteeing responsible access to our nation’s land for outdoor enthusiasts. Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of motorized recreation trails, maintained and rehabilitated riding and hunting areas, improved staging areas, supplied agricultural organizations with essential OHV safety education, built bridges over fish- bearing streams and partnered with local outdoor enthusiast communities across the country to improve access to public lands. Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state and local public land use agencies, outdoor enthusiast associations and land conservation groups with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible and sustainable public use. Updated guidelines, application form, information and news about the Outdoor Access Initiative are available at YamahaOAI.com .

• Crested Butte Avalanche Center Crested Butte, Colorado

• Desert Group Search & Rescue Volunteers Boron, California

• Patriots All Terrain Club

Pittsfield, Massachusetts

• Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship Quincy, California

• St. Germain ATV Club St. Germain, Wisconsin

• Tonto Recreation Alliance Tempe, Arizona

• Texas Trails Education and Motorized Management – College Park, Texas

• Western Trails Conservancy Henderson, Nevada

JOHNNY MORRIS CARBONLITE 2.0 SPINNING ROD AND REEL

The Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Spinning Rod and Reel combos come in several sizes so anglers can really match a rod and reel to the exact fishing situation they’ll be using them for. The reels are well balanced for a wide range of line sizes and the rods are offered in a mix of actions and lengths to suit your needs. Personally, I like to spool up whichever size reel I’m using with Sunline SX1 in either 10 or 20 pound test and then I’ll tie a leader from there based on the baits I’m fishing. The 6 foot 9 and 7 foot models in medium and medium heavy are my first two choices for most applications from skipping docks, fishing small swimbaits to shaky heads.

Wade Middleton fishing with the NEW Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 Spinning Rod and Reel.

Developed for the avid tournament angler, the Bass Pro Shops® Johnny Morris® CarbonLite™ 2.0 Spinning Combo offers great balance and precision, plus the strength and speed to handle any presentation. The Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Spinning Reel is light but strong, fun to fish, and extremely durable. It’s built on Bass Pro Shops high-performance carbon composite frame, with a double-anodized aluminum spool; inside, its stainless steel mainshaft complements advancedMicro PitchedGearing (MPG) for smooth, seamless operation. The quality 8-bearing system includes 7 stainless steel ball bearings plus PowerLock™ instant anti-reverse. Tough stainless steel-reinforced drag;machinedaluminumhandle for balanced winding. The Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Spinning Rod ismade with RT4 Graphite using advanced Carbon Coil Technology™. Extremely light and sensitive, it features premium Fuji FaZlite guides, skeletonized air reel seat with maximized blank exposure, and performance

Be sure to check out the different sizes of the Carbonlite 2.0 to see which size best fits you.

Wade Middleton having a successful day of fishing with the Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 Rod and Reel.

Winn® handle grips for ultimate comfort. Built-in Line ID system for quick identification.

Average Customer Ratings on BassPro.com

Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 comes in a variety of sizes to meet your own personal fishing needs.

TIPS FOR SHED HUNTING

During the rut, a buck’s testosterone shoots through the roof as they chase does to continue their genetic line. After the rut is over their testosterone levels drop which activates a cell called osteoclasts . These cells eat away at the pedicle resulting in deer shedding their antlers. Not only does a buck’s testosterone level drop but so does their weight, towards the end of the rut and into the spring is a critical time to ramp up your protein and mineral efforts to replenish the herd and get them back to a healthy weight. WHEN DO DEER SHED THEIR ANTLERS? Deer drop antlers at all different times depending on where they live. Some as late as April in Texas. Some as early as late December in other areas. Extreme cold or even snow can shock your deer’s system to dropping sheds earlier. Your healthier

It’s that sad time of year where you’ve received your last load of venison for the season, or maybe you’re going to bed with dreams and trail camera pictures in your head of the one that got away hoping that you’ll finally cross paths next season. So what is an avid deer hunter to do between now and then? Well, there’s always shed hunting. Shed hunting gives you an inside look into your deer herd. You can cross-reference sheds you’ve found to your trail camera pictures to see if that buck on your list made it through the season, or better yet there’s a new deer in your area! Before we get into some tips and strategy that we use to find sheds, let’s answer the questions of why and when deer drop their antlers. WHY DO DEER SHED THEIR ANTLERS?

bucks will shed their antlers much later than a weaker buck, with an injured deer shedding their antlers the earliest.

boots or jump into your ATV and Side-By-Side and start searching!

I HAVE A PILE OF SHEDS, NOW WHAT? There are plenty of things you can do with your sheds once you’ve got a nice pile going. Some use it to decorate their home by making furniture out of them or just hanging them on the wall with a mount , or coffee table as a talking point for when guests come over. Sheds can also be sold to aforementioned furniture makers but unless you have A LOT or sheds or a massive set you’re probably not to going to make that much. Check out the Antler Price List for 2020 here . We like to find a nice set of medium size antlers and use them for rattling come next season. Sure there are rattle bags and other types of synthetic rattling tools, but nothing beats the sound of a pair authentic antlers attacking each other to get the big boys running . There are individuals who reward their dogs with a recently found shed as a prize to chew on. If you decide to do that we recommend you take the proper steps to make sure your loyal pup enjoys his prize safely.

WHERE CAN I LOOK FOR SHEDS? “My strategy is to find areas where I think deer are jumping fences or in and out of protein feeding stations at that time of the year. When you can find those kinds of places the deer often drop their antlers when they land after the jump.” – Wade Middleton Wade said it best, fences and feeding areas are where you’re going to most likely have the best chances of finding sheds. With antlers being weak, that shock of landing on the ground from jumping may just be enough to jolt that antler loose. Game trails and heavy brush are key places to look after you’ve searched the fence lines and feeding areas. The thick brush can beat on those antlers over time until they fall off as the buck travels from it’s feeding source to their bedding area. Bedding areas are another good place to look for sheds but we recommendnot checking these areas until you know that they are dropping because you may bump those deer into a neighboring property before they are ready to drop. So grab your hiking

Happy Shed Hunting!

RANGER BOATS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Ranger Boats , the world’s premier performance fishing boat brand, has been recognized for excellence in customer satisfaction by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), receiving 2019 Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Awards in the Fiberglass Outboard Boats and the Fiberglass Bass Boats categories. Ranger was recognized thanks to positive feedback provided by its customers. To qualify, Ranger Boats customers gave the brand an independently measured standard-of-excellence rating in customer satisfactionabove90ona 100-point scale, basedoncustomerspurchasinganewboat or enginebetween Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019. Ranger Boats created its legendary brand by delivering unparalleled build quality, innovation and strength for more than 50 years. The superior customer satisfaction delivered by Ranger Boats is validated by these ratings from its passionate group of owners. “The Ranger Boats legacy of quality craftsmanship and cutting-edge features built the most sought-after fishing boat brand in the industry,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, who revolutionized the boating industry in 1978 by introducing the world’s first professionally rigged and nationally marketed boat, motor and trailer packages. “The CSI Awards are a tribute to the craftspeople, associates and dealers who provide quality, value and support to our customers every day.” First created in 2001, the CSI Awards were recently announced at the 2020 Miami International Boat Show and recognize top-rated marine industry brands that actively measure customer satisfaction and pursue continuous improvement to better serve their customers. In addition to Ranger Boats, five other iconic White River Marine Group brands across four categories earned prestigious CSI Awards for 2019, including:

TRACKER: Aluminum Outboard Boats SUN TRACKER: Pontoon Boats NITRO: Fiberglass Outboard Boats and Fiberglass Bass Boats TAHOE: Fiberglass Outboard Boats and Deck Boats TRITON: Fiberglass Outboard Boats

Quatix ® 6

A BLEND OF STYLE AND FUNCTION FOR YOUR ADVENTURES AT SEA AND ON LAND

Designed with the serious mariner in mind, quatix 6 combines all the best features of the fēnix® 6 watch with everything you’ll need on the water.

ENGEL COOLERS’ NEW HIGH VIZ ORANGE VS. YELLOW SAFETY DRYBOXES Each Engel Coolers Drybox Includes:

Introducing Engel Coolers newest Drybox/Coolers ineye-catchingHighVizYellowandHighVizOrange, now in stock and ready to ship. Perfect on any boat or paddle board, their safety yellow color also makes them great for use as a drybox for ammo or as ditch-box for safety gear or electronics. And of course, like all Engel Coolers’ Drybox/Coolers, they also make a really cool looking lunch box. The ultimate leak-proof cooler. Ideal for hunters and kayak fishermen. Load it onto the back of your 4-wheeler or truck and head out for a great adventure outdoors. Keeps food and drinks cold. It doubles as a dry box - keeping out moisture and/ or dust from your valuable electronics, emergency kits, and cameras.

• One hanging accessory tray • Quality Injection Molded (PP Copolymer) • Insulated with High-Grade molded Polystyrene Foam • Airtight EVA Gasket Seal Recessed Ergonomic • Carry Handles (ABS) & Integrated Shoulder Strap (PP) • Self-Stopping Hinge (ABS) • All Fittings Secured with Stainless Steel Screws • Stain and Odor Resistant • Non-Absorbent Surface Easy to Clean • Compact and Lightweight • Five Year Warranty

BoatUS Boating Association Member Services Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s largest recreational boating advocacy, services and safety group, making boating better for America’s recreational boaters since 1966. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. We provide services and benefits, including many savings opportunities to over half- million Members.

BECOME A MEMBER

RENEW MEMBERSHIP

TEAM LAUER/CRADDOCK WIN IFA REDFISH TOUR EVENT AT TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA

Mike Lauer and Jessie Craddock, both of Port Charlotte, Florida, weighed a two-fish limit that totaled 14.73 pounds to win the first regular- season event for the Florida East Division of the IFA Redfish Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s on February 8, at Titusville, Florida. The team won a fully rigged Ranger RB190 boat prize package. A cold front and low water blasted the Titusville area and made a tough day for IFA Redfish Tour anglers. “It was cold and windy, but we prepared for it,” said Lauer. “We had a strong game plan and stuck to it.” The team dead-sticked Berkley Gulp shrimp and crabs off a school of redfish found in the north lagoon. On an otherwise slow day of fishing for

most teams, Lauer and Craddock’s game plan worked with the duo pulling in two of the three 7-plus pound fish weighed during competition. The anglers’ 7.63-pounder was the heaviest of the day, winning the $500 Berkley Big Redfish award, along with $250 in credit to the Berkley website. In total, the team took home $27,750 in winnings. Second-place finishers Jeremy King, of Fleming Island, Florida, and Jimmy Frangos, of Green Cove Springs, weighed a total of 11.95 pounds. The low water also affected the anglers, who made a quick change of plans. “The water was too low to fish where we were going to fish, so we went to our second plan,” King said. Running only two miles south of the takeoff ramp, the team sight-fished culverts and deep

mangrove pockets with soft plastics. Despite being greenhands to the IFA Redfish Tour, the duo felt like they accomplished their goal and took home $3,301 for their efforts. “We are happy with how it turned out,” said King. “We’ve only fished four tournaments so it’s nice to place second.” Patrick Rood, of Osteen, Florida, and Nathaniel Lemmon, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, weighed a total of 11.78 pounds to win the $2,063 third-place prize. The anglers tossed spoons to spooky pods of redfish that had dropped off flats and reported slow fishing in Mosquito Lagoon area due to the low water level. The team took advantage of the Anglers Advantage contingency program and added $2,205 and more than doubled their winnings for a total of $4,268. Michael Lauer/Jessie Craddock – 14.73 lbs Jeremy King/Jimmy Frangos – 11.95 lbs Patrick Rood/Nathaniel Lemmon – 11.78 lbs Gary Bell/Aron Dill – 11.42 lbs Matthew Preston/Patrick Preston – 11.12 lbs Colin Willis/Zachary Young – 10.93 lbs Monty Peters/Lora Peters – 10.66 lbs Copeland More/Graham Taylor – 10.62 lbs Fred Walker/Maureen Walker – 10.29 lbs Stephen Roberts/Leland Roberts – 10.22 lbs IFA Titusville, Fla. (Top 10)

RANGER RB190 LAKE, BAY, AND BACKWATER MASTER.

CL ICK HERE to learn more

For more information or to become a member of the IFA, click here .

experienced anglers away from the water.

“I have an older boat, and when it was time to put a new outboard on it, I asked a lot of the seasoned guys I look up to around Lake Seminole what brand I should buy,” saysMims. “Themajority of them told me a Yamaha V MAX SHO® was the best because of its reliability, fuel economy, and its awesome hole shot – all of which are super important given the sandy, weedy, really shallow waters we fish a lot.” Guided by the input of his dad Roy, a very active member in the Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation®, along with fishing mentor Angelo Koundarakus and others, Mim’s decision to repower with a 225 horsepower Yamaha VMAX SHO® also qualified him for $500 in Yamaha Power Pay cash following his respectable performance pitching a Big Bite Baits Trick Stick to the flooded bushes on Rayburn. “I saw videos Chris Zaldain and Brandon Palaniuk posted about signing up for Yamaha Power Pay on their social media channels, and I’mobviously glad I took their advice and got registered,” says Mims. The great thing about the Yamaha Power Pay program is anglers don’t have to win tournaments to take home Power Pay cash. Anglers simply have to be the highest finishing registered participant in a Power Pay supported tournament. Power Pay is not just for bass anglers, it also includes saltwater, walleye, high school and college anglers through hundreds of events. For more information, complete terms and conditions or to register for Yamaha Power Pay, visit yamahapowerpay.com or email Chip with questions at Chip@DynamicSponsorships.com.

Jake Mims, a student at Brewton Parker College in Central Georgia, recently became the first official competitive college angler to take home Yamaha Power Pay cash. Mims, who admits he hates to fish in a crowd, ran 34 miles away from the official launch on Lake Sam Rayburn to flip the flooded bushes that eventually led to an 18th place finish in the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series event. Impressively, his long run paid off in Power Pay winnings. The 21-year-old sophomore may purposely distance himself from other anglers during competition, but that doesn’t mean he’s opposed to soaking up all the wisdom he can from more FIRST COLLEGE ANGLER CASHES IN ON YAMAHA POWER PAY

SPRO BBZ SWIMBAITS PRODUCE BIG BASS

B.A.S.S. Pro Bill Siemantel teamed up with SPRO and turned the world of swimbait fishing upside down nearly 15 years ago. Together, the team developed a line of cutting-edge swimbaits that produced fish in the toughest conditions-without breaking the bank. The innovative lures feature segmented hard bodies, augmented with soft plastic tails to produce an action no predator can resist. “The beauty of BBZ-1 swimbaits is that they match the hatch no matter where you live, from California to New York,” said BBZ designer and SPRO Pro Bill Siemantel. The BBZ-1 swimbait series runs from the downsized, 2.5-inch SB25 to the extra- large 8-inch, SB80 in 16 color schemes to imitate a variety of baitfish. These baits work from the top down to the bottom of the water column, with floating, slow sink and fast sink varieties. From fresh to salt, SPRO has you covered with a variety of sizes and sink rates.”

The seductive natural swimming action of BBZ-1 swimbaits is enhanced by their ability to turn on a dime, executing 180-degree turns that can fire up any predator. If allowed to sink, they descend through the water column, hooks down and settle on the bottom without rolling over, maintaining a posture that provides solid hooksets all the way down. Gamakatsu’s premium trebles are the finishing touch on a fantastic lure, ensuring every strike results in a hookup. The BBZ line of swimbaits has proved to be so effective over the last decade and a half that they developed an international following. Pick up one and see for yourself . There’s one to match the local forage at an affordable price.

T/C COMPASS® II The reliable performance of the original T/C® COMPASS® rifle – now with Thompson/Center’s Generation II trigger system. T/C® COMPASS® II is a feature-rich rifle that is packed with value. From the range, to the fields to the mountains, any pursuit, at any budget.

Click the PLAY button to learn more

BASS PRO SHOPS JOHNNY MORRIS DONATES ONE MILLION FACE MASKS TO HEALHCARE WORKERS

BassProShops founder JohnnyMorris ispersonally donating one million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis across the United States. The nationwide donation comes as supplies for personal protective equipment are in high demand and short supply in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the influx of patients at U.S. hospitals and medical centers being treated for the virus, critical supplies like face masks have been rapidly depleted, leaving tens of thousands of healthcare workers in a vulnerable state as they race to save lives and protect communities. to our nation’s healthcare workers serving on the frontlines of this unprecedented global health crisis,” said noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “These heroic men and women continue to dedicate their lives to save the loved ones of others, and we are all honored to support them on behalf of everyone at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, and the communities we serve.” “We are extremely grateful

Convoy of Hope is utilizing its national network of partners and volunteers to identify appropriate local hospitals and medical facilities, and help distribute the masks based on area needs and demands. The donation will provide thousands of hard-to-find masks to every local community with a Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s store, boat center, distribution center, and White River Marine Group manufacturing facility – over 200 communities in total. Each community will receive thousands of face masks for area healthcare providers. “The generosity of Johnny Morris will make a significant impact in the battle against coronavirus across North America,” said Jeff Nene, national spokesperson for Convoy of Hope. “At a time when our healthcare workers are being pushed to the limit physically and emotionally, we’re grateful for partners like Johnny and his incredible team of Outfitters who continue to place a priority on giving back and helping our medical professionals safely perform their live-saving duties.”

Read the full article here .

RANGER UNVEILS ALL-NEW 2660 AND 2600 BAY BOATS

Ranger Boats expands its acclaimed lineup of bay boats with the introduction of the all-new 2660 Bay and 2600 Bay boats. Designed for high- performance inshore and near-shore angling, the boats offer a host of features along with new deck and hull designs to create two versatile rigs for both anglers and families alike. innovation heritage thrives on integrating consumer and pro angler feedback into boat designs,” said Larry Jett, Ranger manager of saltwater business. “More and more consumers are looking for versatility in their boats without compromising fishing DNA for the best of both worlds. The 2660 and 2600 offer incredible performance and fishability for any type “Ranger’s rich

of saltwater angler.” Measuring 25 feet, 10 inches with a 102-inch beam, the Ranger 2660 Bay and 2600 Bay boats hold 97 gallons of fuel and are rated up to a 400-horsepower outboard. Integrated trim tabs and a new hull design deliver optimal performance. Inside bothboats, all-newupholstery design complements the overall aesthetic. The bolstered cockpit provides a comfortable ride and rock-steady boat control. Families will enjoy the abundance of storage along with the easy-entry swim platform. The fishing-focused design of the 2660 Bay delivers an angler-centric front deck that is ideal for casting jigs or nets. A massive, 320-quart in-deck fish box and 40-gallon bait tank leaning

post allow for a full day of non-stop fishing. Twin, lockable rod boxes housed under the casting deck keep rods put away while compartments aft and stern offer additional storage. Rear folding seats provide additional seating. The 2660 Bay also comes available with family lounge seating on the front deck for added comfort. Meanwhile, the new Ranger 2600 Bay boat is the first open fisherman design in the Bay Series lineup. The spacious cockpit gives easy, 360-degree movement around the boat and can be tailored to fit virtually any style of fishing. Dual livewells are located at the rear of the boat and at the mezzanine leaning post for quick access to bait. A 60-inch, in-hull fish box lies at the stern and combines with in-gunnel, port and starboard rod storage to keep the deck clear. An optional coffin box lounge seat with a power lift is available for family outings. Both the 2660 Bay and the 2600 Bay are fully foam-injected for buoyancy and insulation from vibration and rigidity. The boats come paired with their own custom-built, tandem-axle Ranger Trail trailer. Equipped with stainless steel fenders and built on-site to ensure the perfect fit, the Ranger Trail trailer includes an aluminum frame, torsion axle suspension, locking, swing-away tongue, LED lights, aluminum wheels, retractable tie downs, a patented center swing jack stand, and Ranger’s COOL Hub lubrication system as standard equipment.

RANGER SALTWATER BOATS A LEGACY IN LEADERSHIP.

CL ICK HERE to learn more

Check out the video walkthrough of the 2600 Bay Ranger and the 2660 Bay Ranger

Watch the video and learn more about the Garmin Xero® S1 Trapshooting Trainer.

GARMIN XERO S1 TRAPSHOOTING TRAINER

Get the Most out of Every Shot Work to improve your accuracy with the rugged Xero S1 trapshooting trainer. Designed for trapshooters and upland hunters alike, it’s the first live-fire trainer that provides instant feedback and keeps score for every shot you take. With Xero S1, you can review detailed information, such as shot position and reaction time, immediately after each shot on its 5” color touchscreen display. Use the Xero S app to review your shooting scores and performance metrics organized by event, location and station.

Rugged Design This is the mobile live-fire trainer that will stand by your side no matter the weather. Xero S1 comes with its own tripod and can also be mounted on any standard tripod. Its water-resistant polycarbonate housing makes it suitable for just about any environment. Color Touchscreen Capture every detail of every shot you take, and receive instant feedback on a sunlight-readable 5”

color touchscreen that is shooting glove-friendly. Capture every detail of every shot you take, and receive instant feedback on a sunlight-readable 5” color touchscreen that is shooting glove-friendly.

learn exactly how to work to improve your wing or trapshooting ability.

Immediate Feedback Regardless of whether you hit or miss the clay, you will know your timing and measured accuracy. Xero S1 provides immediate feedback for every shot, including shot location relative to clay, how far away the clay was at trigger pull, shot velocity and reaction time. If you miss, Xero S1 will indicate where you missed the clay and by how far.

Not Just for Trapshooters Now upland hunters can keep their skills sharp in the off-season. Use the precision of the Xero S1 trapshooting trainer to optimize your shotgun’s performance, help reduce wound loss and improve overall shot placement. Multiple Operation Modes Different device modes enable Xero S1 to be used for silent data collection in sanctioned shooting events and trap league competitions or offer real- time feedback when you want to practice. You can compete against your friends in the clay challenge game or learn how to optimize your shotgun/ choke/shot combination to improve your upland skills.

Keep Score Xero S1 automatically keeps score of every hit and miss. Sync your stats to the Xero S app, and review a detailed history of your hits and misses, performance metrics, scores and shooting tendencies based on date or location. This lets you

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8 TIPS FOR TURKEY CROSSBOW HUNTING BY WADE MIDDLETON A NEW CHALLENGE

So, the purpose of this write up is to provide some lessons learnedwhen it comes to crossbowhunting for Turkeys. Keep in mind I’ve got somewhere around 15 years of experience hunting with a crossbow but I’ve only recently in the past 5 year’s hunted turkeys with a crossbow. I really didn’t think at first it would be that different but like anything there are things you’ll learn sometimes the hard way and sometimes through research that will help you be better prepared. Tip #1: Use a Steady Rest My first attempt at crossbow hunting was on a hunt for Rio’s in Texas and I had about 3 days to dedicate to it. After two solid misses I learned I needed to think more about being steady on the shot. Both were clean misses but both came ever so close to wounding the bird. So, having a SteddyEddy Crossbow Monopod System on your crossbow or

I’ve always enjoyed a new challenge when it comes to hunting. Be it hunting a new location, new species or hunting with something new. When I talk about hunting with something new it could be a new model or a new style to hunt something with and I’ve enjoyed testing many new products long before they hit the market over my time in the outdoors industry ranging from all sorts of rifles, handguns, bows and crossbows.Wade Face Square Crop Over that time I’ve been asked to do and hunt a lot of species and locations to provide feedback and sometimes I’ve found success and sometimes I’ve failed but every time I’ve attempted something new I’ve learned a lot of new things and had quite a few experiences I’d have never had.

shooting it off some sort of shooting sticks for shots is highly advisable if you’re not super steady. Tip #2: Purchase the Best Crossbow You Can Afford Gearing up, there are a lot of great TenPoint hunting crossbowmodels on the market today to hunt with. Choosing one is about personal preference and budget. I’ve hunted with many different models over the past 15 years I’ve shot crossbows and all of them will get the job done. I’ve really taken a liking to the new Vapor RS470 model due to its lightweight size, speed and ability to uncock it and cock it anywhere I’m in the field. This new feature thanks to the ACUslide allows me to move through thick cover with it uncocked like I would with a shotgun but then when I sit down quickly I can load it back up with little to no effort and be ready for a quick shot. Tip #3: Choose the Most Accurate and Lethal Crossbow Broadheads Choosing broadheads is another very important task in hunting with crossbows. We’ve tested several models of broadheads over the past few years and most all of them performed well in the field. I suggest looking at the TenPoint EVO-X Centerpunch Broadhead which is designed for crossbows and flies with field point accuracy. That leads me to my next point about shot placement. Tip #4: Know Where a Turkey’s Vitals Are Located Sighting in and being confident in your crossbow certainly is an easy one to list for any type of hunting but it’s one I can’t understate enough when it comes to turkey hunting due to the small vital areas of a turkey. First off if you’re not familiar with vitals on a turkey or where to aim with a crossbow I also suggest you spend some time doing research on turkey vitals and where to aim. What you’ll quickly learn is it’s not a large area and being able to know precisely where to aim is crucial. I recall a turkey hunt with a crossbow where I thought the

TenPoint’s Vapor RS470 crossbow features the ACUslide - the world’s first silent cocking, safe de-cocking system.

The best mechanical broadhead for crossbows, the 100-grain, rear-deploying EVO-X CenterPunch Crossbow Broadheads are designed for strength and deliver field point accuracy with a devastating 1 7/8″ cut.

shot placement the hunter made was perfect only to watch the bird backflip and run away.

found success many times in areas near watering holes, feeding areas, and so forth with this type of a set up to hide both cameraman and hunter together. While I personally love and enjoy just plopping down by a tree sometimes, that’s hard to do when filming a hunt and the pop-up blind provides cover for everyone. Using decoys in this type of a set up is another bonus as you’re more apt to stay put for some time. Finally, this type of set up allows you to get where you know the turkey will likely show up and helps to camouflage your movement while you are being patient in waiting them out. Soft calls really can seal the deal on locations and set ups like this. Tip #8: Be Prepared to Track Be prepared to track when using a crossbow…yes, I said track a turkey. Amazingly turkeys are tougher than you think, and they also will bleed more than you think. I didn’t really know all this until a few year’s ago when we tracked several turkeys after they were shot with both compound bows and crossbows. One of them led to one of the most unique turkey hunts and recoveries I’ve ever been on. Farewell and Good Luck! I’ve really taken to hunting turkeys now with a crossbow. It’s a new challenge that has allowed me to learn to be more patient in calling in a tom closer than before while also giving me insight that I didn’t have on both turkeys and crossbow accessories . Good luck and I hope to see several great photos of you posing with a tom soon and if not…it’s OK – we don’t get one every time we go hunting either!

Tip #5: Practice, Practice, Practice Practice, practice and practice some more. I mention this all the time nomatter what I’mhunting with, and when I talk about practice I also mean practicing from the positions you may be shooting from, which, in turkey hunting, can be shooting at different angles than just a straight on shot. Tip #6: Scout for Success Spend time understanding where the toms are going to be later in the day and not just coming off the roost. Personally, I’ve always had better luck in calling in a tom mid-morning to mid afternoon hours when the hens have moved on and left him. I’ve had many a great hunt not getting set up on a tom until after 9:00AM. What I always keep in mind is where I’ve heard the tom gobbling on other hunts during mid-day, where I’ve seen them in the off season, and I’m always thinking about where and how I can sneak in, set up, and settle in to call in those areas. This leads into my next tip on waiting out toms in pop up blinds. Tip #7: Use a Portable Blind Use a portable pop up blind. This is a great way to hide yourself and be able to move with your crossbow and to hunt with someone else. We’ve

Click the PLAY button to watch a hunter losing against a turkey!

BULK SPOOLS ARE HERE!

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The Stupid Tube™ by Secret Lures is a custom designed tube and jig head that work together as a system. The Stupid Tube has been the official Secret of big catches and big wins for over a decade!

Watch Cole’s catch go down here!

SANDS TAKES TITLE IN FIRST-EVER ACA RUN ONLINE TOURNAMENT

measured a little over 22 inches, which had him inside the Top 5 after Friday’s update. However, Cole immediately knew that wasn’t going to cut it against the best college anglers in the country. “I knew that wouldn’t hold up against the guys in this competition. So I went out on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday just trying to catch one true giant,” said Sands. Knowing now what he needed to do to claim the lead, Cole armed himself with a large swimbait and went out in search of a bass that would best the 23.5-inch leading mark. So Cole loaded up and made his way to an area on Chickamauga where he knew the big ones lived. “I picked up that big swimbait, and about my tenth cast that one bit and it jumped. I was like, ‘ Oh my gosh, this is the fish to win this tournament.’ I horsed it in. We got it in the boat,” Sands explained.

On the evening of April 8th at 6:00 PM (CST) the Online Tournament put on by the Association of Collegiate Anglers officially ended. Over the span of six days, numerous college anglers fished public lakes, streams, rivers, and private ponds from upstate New York to the delta in California in search of the longest bass they could catch. Approximately 100 fish were submitted in total, with dozens of fish measuring over 20 inches. Cole Sands from Bryan College won the Online Tournament with a largemouth bass measuring 24.6 inches. Last Friday, Cole embarked on a full day of fishing at Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee. He knew that he needed to catch a fish over at least 20 inches to even have a shot of finishing in the Top 5 and earning one of the coveted prizes. By the end of that day, he had managed to sack up 30 pounds of bass for his best five. The longest of those fish

THE CABELA’S ® CLUB CRYSTAL FRICTION TURKEY CALL FROM WOODHAVEN

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A quality crystal pot ‘n’ peg turkey call that looks as beautiful as it sounds, the Cabela’s® CLUB Crystal Friction Turkey Call from Woodhaven lets you talk turkey over great distances. Designed to deliver sharp, high frequency yelps, along with great cutts, cackles, and purrs, the Cabela’s CLUB Crystal helps turkey hunters crank out loud, far reaching calls to far-off gobblers. The call’s yellowheart pot features an inside walnut soundboard underneath a high pitched crystal calling surface. Comes with a hand-matched walnut striker. This special edition call also comes with a Surface Saver™ lid and beautiful walnut display for presentation in the home and is proudly made in the USA!

Acloser lookat thecrystal callingsurfacewiththewalnut soundboard underneath to deliver far reaching calls to those distant gobblers..

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• Far-reaching, high-frequency crystal turkey call from WoodHaven • Exclusive Cabela’s CLUB design • Great sounding call – high pitch and far reaching power • Yellowheart cup, walnut soundboard and crystal calling surface • Includes walnut striker

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Ambassadors Clark Wendlandt (left) andWade Middleton (right) proudly pose with their first turkeys using Cabela’s® CLUB Crystal Friction Turkey Call fromWoodhaven

“SEEING RED” Anglers love red crankbaits in the Spring, from lipless rattling baits to crankbaits, red is a best- selling color each year. Red plastics are often overlooked in this “SpringRedCraze” and represent a good chance to catch more fish for an angler looking for a competitive edge.

Big Bite Baits has a wide variety of red plastics in the most popular Spring shapes to give anglers more red options this spring. The Suicide Shad in Rayburn Red has been a proven performer the past two seasons. Imagine you are on a hot bite with a red Rattle Trap over shallow grass, suddenly the fish stop biting after repeated casts. What better way to show them something different than to follow up with a red Suicide Shad. See all the red soft plastic offerings from Big Bite. Chatterbaits and Jackhammers are also top picks for anglers in the Spring. Red versions of these baits are now gaining in popularity and Big Bite now has red versions to match up with these baits. Flamethrower and GP Flamethrower are now available in our popular Swimon to pair perfectly with any Chatterbait.

An assortment of red plastics from Big Bite.

Fire Craw Jackhammer paired with a Flamethrower Swimon

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Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, launched an all-new “Deliver Your Ride” program supporting Yamaha dealers that are able to complete vehicle purchases remotely and then deliver the product directly to customers. The new program includes ATV, Side-by-Side, motorcycle, and snowmobile products, and is available nationwide wherever dealers can legally and safely participate. “Yamaha is working hard to support our dealer network and their customers during these difficult times,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports group marketing manager. “It’s not business-as-usual for anyone, yet we know people may still want to buy and enjoy new Yamaha products where possible and appropriate based on their local laws and regulations.” The new Deliver Your Ride initiative was announced to Yamaha dealers on April 17, 2020 as a temporary program and Yamaha is working diligently with dealers to assist with the implementation. Interested customers can contact their local Yamaha dealer or visit YamahaMotorsports.com to determine availability in their area. This is a voluntary programandYamaha is encouraging each dealer to determine the feasibility based on their local laws and capabilities.

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COLLEGIATE BASS FISHING SERIES ASSOCIATIONOFCOLLEGIATEANGLERS

TRIVIZ® TURKEY/DEER COMBO SIGHT The HiViz TriViz fully adjustable sight set. The triangular sight picture has a natural sight alignment and allows a full view of the target. Fits most shotguns with ventilated ribs from 1/4” to 3/8” wide with removable front beads. Will it fit your shotgun? Double-check on their Shotgun Application Chart.

HME MINI FOLDING SAW Found only in Hunting Mad Easy’s Hunter’s Combo Pack that includes a pair of heavy-duty bypass shears!

Click on the PLAY button to learn more about HME’s Hunting Combo Pack.

Power-Pole’s furriest ambassador.

MEET FISHER THE CAT, POWER-POLE’S FURRIEST AMBASSADOR

With all apologies to the bearded members of the Power-Pole Pro Staff, Power-Pole’s most popular online ambassador might also be its furriest. Fisher the Maine Coon became a viral sensation after a video of the water-loving cat was posted on the popular animal video website, The Dodo, in October of 2019. Dodo discovered Fisher through an Instagram account that Fisher’s owner, Fin Williams, who has been a sales representative for Power-Pole for seven years, set up to take pictures of his cat having fun on the water while boating, surfing and swimming in Florida. “It was just everyday things,” he said. “It was nothing special. Nothing was staged. It was just whatever we were doing, I’d put on there. He just started getting Likes. Andmore Likes. Then we’d go out to a bar and people would see him and end up following him on Instagram.” Within the first week, the video had over two million views on Facebook

(It has since risen to over four million views).

Because Power-Pole products were featured heavily in the video, Fisher also became an unintentional ambassador of Power-Pole. Williams wasn’t expecting his to become a viral superstar. He just wanted a furry first mate but because of pet restrictions at his waterfront condo community, he couldn’t have a dog. After doing some research on cats, which as a general rule tend to dislike the water, he found that Maine Coon breeds sometimes enjoy being around the water. For his 50th birthday, he adopted Fisher. “I just started taking him out on the boat with me and he was a natural,” Williams said. Follow the adventures of Fisher the Maine Coon on Instagram .