Called the “dynamic duo” by their followers on twitter, siblings Dave Olsen and Jane Keller are all about one thing: fun. Or, to be accurate, Pheasant Phun, a hunting lodge in South Dakota. “We produce fun,” Dave told NRAblog over diet cokes in a corner of the NRA’s booth at the 2010 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.

Dave and Jane grew up learning firearm safety from their dad, now 85, who Jane credits with instilling a love of the outdoors. Jane, a sign language interpreter, balances the everyday challenges of a modern working mother with a deep passion for all things outdoors, including a healthy hunting addiction.

“How many boys can say their mom helped them take their first deer?” Dave asks proudly. A full time hunting and fishing guide, Dave estimates he spends ¾ of every year “outdoors, having fun.” Dave lives on the ranch at Pheasant Phun, which doubles as a backdrop for the pair’s latest invention, girls-only firearms retreats.

“Think of it as an outdoor adventure camp with an emphasis on pampering,” Jane says of Team Huntress. In June of 2009, the first official “Team Huntress” weekend started with a bang. 

The low instructor to participant ratio translates to a high degree of individualized instruction. “People arrive at different levels,” Jane explains. “With fewer participants, our instructors are able to meet them where they are.” Past participants have become lifelong friends, Jane continues. "The girls that come usually say “I usually hang around with the guys,” so they absorb the like minded spirits around them, and soak it all in.” 

In addition to their time on the archery, pistol, rifle, and shotgun ranges, the ladies enjoy homecooked meals in the dining room, pictured at right.

“If it’s not fun, you lose ‘em,” Dave said. (Yes, he gets to help with the female hunt camps. Jane says he's actually quite the cook.) “You can definitely have fun while being safe.”

Are you ready to commit? The Team Huntress Outdoor Adventure Clinic scheduled for June 10-13 has a few openings.

The website says: “The four-day three-night event includes a fire-pit meet and greet, instruction in archery and firearms of many calibers, gourmet meals and spa treatments - the Team Huntress signature touch. Currently women from both coasts and points in between are coming together.”

Would you like to learn more? Contact Jane Keller at 605.266.2848 or by email at jane@teamhuntress.com.

Meet Jim Braaten. Braaten is an Endowment Member of the National Rifle Association. Braaten, a well-known freelance writer and photographer, is also a small business owner.

Braaten's blog, The Sportmans Blog, has been around for more than five years, and we often find his articles over at the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Based out of Nerstrand, MN, Braaten enjoys a variety of outdoor activities: deer and pheasant hunting, and, of course, fishing. "I'm more of a hunter than a fisherman, but with all the lakes in Minnesota, you pretty much have to be a fisherman, too,” he said with a smile.

So what makes Braaten different from any other NRA member, freelance writer, hunter, and gun owner? NRAblog met Braaten at this year's Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas. Braaten was celebrating his 20th show in the past 22 years.

Luckily for us, this SHOT Show veteran sat down to tell us a little about what has changed over the years:

"When I step into the Exhibit Floor, moreso now than 20 years ago, when I was simply in awe of everything that is there, I am more into the people that attend the show," Braaten said. "Talking to them, listening to them, networking with them, the whole deal."

"You stand in line next to someone who could be a perfect stranger but could give you some great tips or advice on the industry."

Freelance writers such as Braaten find themselves in a sea of knowledge at shows such as this one.

More...

Phillip Vanderpool joined Hunter’s Specialties as a full-time field producer and Pro Staff member in January 2005. While most of his time is split between shooting video and hunting, Vanderpool will be working promotions and seminars for Hunter’s Specialties at Bass Pro, Cabela’s, and other sporting goods stores across the country, sharing his knowledge of hunting and the outdoors. Read more about Vanderpool.

Last year was the first year the legendary Phillip Vanderpool assisted with a Women On Target® Hunt. “To redeem ourselves, we wanted to go for Round Two,” he said. He joined outdoor writer and master bowhunter Lisa Metheny and NRA's Deputy Executive Director of General Operations Andrea Cerwinske. Vanderpool calls the three-day excursion a success: "We had the best time."

“As Lisa summed it up, we were going to get Andrea a gobbler and then we were going to chat,” he continued. “That’s pretty much what we did. We combined the turkey hunt with friendship.”

Friendship or not, the hunt ends up somewhat controversial with Vanderpool finishing the business Cerwinske started:

“You’ll see this on the video – Andrea’s turkey gobbles and hangs around and I told Andrea to get it …,” he said, trailing off. “She’ll probably tell you something different, though.”

At right, Cerwinske and Vanderpool pose with the trophy turkey.

NRAblog checked in with Metheny for verification. 

“The thing is, there are actually more than two sides of the story,” Metheny confided to NRAblog. “To protect myself because they’re both good friends – I didn’t see anything.”

“Andrea made a good shot, but this was a big turkey … and it was a long shot.”

Above, check out some of the shots snapped by Brownells/NRA Youth Ambassadors Ben Hayes and Jessy Hagy during their time in Vegas for the 2010 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show.

"The best part about the SHOT Show?" NRA Youth Ambassador Ben Hayes repeats the question. "Having the chance to see the most up to date and new products in the firearm, ammunition, and outdoor gear industry along with opportunity to test a few at Media Day on the range."

"Plus, what 20 year old male would not want to spend a week in Las Vegas having fun with guns?" the Ohio State University student adds.

And stick around -- Claudia Olsen tells us all 7 youth ambassadors will make an appearance at the NRA's Annual Meetings in Charlotte!

NRAblog is still reporting from the Shooting Hunting Outdoor (SHOT) Show. The show took place January 19 through 22, and we're still sifting through some of the photos and interviews we collected from the 700,000-square foot Exhibit Hall.

The logic behind Precision Small Arms is anything but small. With a long-time presence at the SHOT show, these "baby Brownings" make a big impact. Pictured above next to a standard PDA, the .25 ACP features a centerfire cartridge.

The traditional model starts at $525. Its description: "Polished & blued Receiver, Slide, Safety, Transfer Bar, Extractor and Magazine. Project 70 stainless steel Barrel. Checkered nylon impregnated black polymer Grips, Magazine Catch and Trigger. Ships in plastic case with barrel cleaning brush and operating manual."

Because of the overwhelming support that we received in 2009, the Competitive Shooting team was busy at SHOT Show attending over 25 meetings from past sponsors and companies interested in supporting our events in 2010! It was a great show for the NRA Competitive Shooting Division and we were able to secure sponsorship from the following industry companies during the SHOT Show:

• Bushmaster Firearms
• Smith & Wesson
• Larry's Guns
• Caspian Arms
• Montana Silversmiths
• Berger Bullets
• Sinclair International
• Springfield Armory
• Colt Manufacturing Company
• Accuwright Custom Gunsmithing
• Brenzovich Firearms and Training Center
• Remington Arms
• Universal Coin & Bullion
• MidwayUSA
• LAPUA
• KA-BAR Knives
• Safariland

These sponsors have generously provided merchandise and cash to help make the NRA Competitive Shooting events a big success. If you are interested in supporting a Competitive Shooting event, please contact Woody Arenas at warenas@nrahq.org or visit www.nrasportsponsors.com for more information.

NRAblog has been on-site at the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show since it opened on Saturday. Kyle and I joined Kerrin yesterday here in Harrisburg, PA. We'll do our best to share a little of the experience with you until the show ends Sunday.

Just like our other excursions, such as our trip north to the NRA Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show or out west to the SHOT Show, we'll provide you with pictures and updates from the exhibit hall and more. For now, here's a glimpse at what we discovered yesterday. Don't go away, and if there's something in particular you'd like us to seek out, leave a comment.

Considered the oldest gunsmithing school in the nation, Trinidad State Junior College’s two-year gunsmithing school was established in 1947.

According to the school's website, it immediately attracted capacity enrollment, dominated by veterans of World War II. In its 62 years of existence, the school's program has become respected and supported by many in the industry, including longtime NRA supporter Brownells, Inc.

While at the 2010 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show last month, NRAblog sat down with Professor of Gunsmithing Dave Nolan to learn a little more about the future of the program.

"Each student chooses whether to pursue an Associate's degree of Applied Science or a Certificate of Gunsmithing," Nolan said, stating that students typically come from across the U.S. to enroll in the program. Nolan is pictured above with colleague Keith Gipson.

While the courses, ranging from Orientation and Firearms Safety to Custom Pistolsmithing, make up the bulk of the program, they are not the true test of a student's ability. A special hands-on experience called the Gunsmithing Cooperative Program "allows them to apply the skills they learn in a real situation, down to the business and financial planning, and working with distributors," Nolan said. "It's the real deal."

More...

The Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas is considered the largest trade show of its kind. While on the floor of the monstrous 700,000 square foot exhibit hall, NRAblog met a memorable young man.

Ben Goodson has been an Army Ranger -- the elite of the elite -- for 17 years. He is involved with Wounded Warrior Project, and as such, he was at SHOT Show promoting awareness of the group.

Pictured at right, Goodson displays a pair of guns International Supplies raffled to support the Wounded Warrior Project.

NRAblog usually pounces on opportunities to met outdoor writers and television hosts like Oregon's Gary Lewis. But after meeting his YES alumna daughter, we pushed Gary aside and spent a few quality minutes with Jennifer.

Found exiting the Press Room at the Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada was YES alumna Jennifer Lewis. Attending the convention as an assistant, this was her first trip outside of Bend, Oregon since coming to Washington, DC for the Youth Education Summit (YES).

"I wasn't sure what the trip would entail," said Jennifer. "But it more than filled everyone's expectations."

While attending YES, Jennifer and the group of high school students visited museums, congressional buildings, and government officials to learn more about the federal government and the importance of active participation.

"It was my first time to DC so it was a pretty exciting experience," Jennifer recalled. "But it's hard to say what part was my favorite. I really liked the tour through the Pentagon. That was a really cool experience. Our White House tour was interesting - just a little too quick."

YES also introduces students to the people who make the government run. Politics, apparently, struck a note with the young Oregonian. "That's something I'm super excited about. I love politics so I was taking notes furiously through that session." More...

Spikey-Tec is a popular manufacturer of "Israeli Compliance Tools." The company enjoyed success in late January as they promoted their products at the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.

Developed and manufactured by self-defense expert Sapir Tal in Israel, the Spikey™ is designed to disarm an assailant with non-lethal force. According to the company's website:

Spikey™ is a personal security device that can be easily and quickly used by anyone who needs to defend themselves against a personal assault, or in order to gain control over an individual without having to apply excessive force.

Mr. Tal, in the United States specifically for the SHOT Show, is photographed above between two colleagues at the Spikey-Tec booth. Tal told NRAblog the Spikey™ is a popular security device among law enforcement professionals throughout the world. He demonstrated its multi-direction power application, and the difficulty one has in removing it from a user's hand.

Each Spikey™ is made of high impact material and comes with an instructional DVD.

Available in a variety of colors, these products were a hot seller at this year's SHOT Show. Get yours here!

Ever gracious, talented Bruce Piatt of NRA Bianchi Cup fame took a moment to pose for a photo at the Caspian booth during the 2010 SHOT Show in Las Vegas last week. Bruce has been a sponsored shooter for Caspian since 1989.

Piatt said he'd see us on the line at the National Pistol Championships held each summer at Camp Perry, Ohio. We assured him he'd excel, to which he responded, "Oh, we'll see. It's a much different game out there (compared to action pistol)."

Stay connected by visiting Bruce's official website. 

JR Robbins reports:

SHOT Show Report 2010

With firearms and ammunition sales having surged last year in a struggling economy, there were many positive signs this month at the industry’s annual trade show--the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show--that indicated sales will remain robust in 2010.

The SHOT Show filled the Las Vegas Sands Expo & Convention Center for four days, Jan. 19-22, with exhibitors displaying the newest in firearms, ammunition, outdoor apparel, optics, cutlery, and camping equipment. (Many of these new products will be reviewed soon in our “Hunting Gear You Need” section.)

The show is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry’s trade association, and the return to Las Vegas sparked a rise in attendance over the previous year, with buyers packing exhibit booths to review products and place orders.

Staff at the NRA booth were on their feet all day, and constantly busy as visitors stopped by to inquire about Second Amendment issues and shooting and hunting programs, or just to renew their membership. Hunters’ rights issues came up frequently--attempts to ban or restrict lead ammunition, access to public lands, and a recent story we did on suburban deer hunting all generated discussion.

...

Of course, the heartbeat of the SHOT Show is the chance to see new innovations from the firearms industry. Check back to nrahuntersrights.org next week as we start to review the guns, ammunition and gear that will be on the shelves in 2010.

Continue reading here. 

We reported earlier this week on the great state of South Dakota's involvement in the SHOT Show. After Thursday's press conference, NRAblog secured an exclusive interview with Department of Tourism Secretary Richard Benda, pictured at right, who elaborated on why his office had such a presence at the Vegas-based trade show.

"We don't just talk about the outdoor industry," Benda said of his state. "We live it. We get it. South Dakota is absolutely not going to regulate the firearms industry out of business."

Benda, who was born and raised in Kimball, S.D., invited businessman Dick Williamson, pictured at left, to join him at the press conference. Williamson's Lakota Archery recently relocated to the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. (The state is home to nine Native American tribes.) Williamson addressed the audience on Thursday, carefully outlining the incentives South Dakota offers business owners – primarily, no state income tax. We hope you make a profit, and we hope you keep it," Benda told the crowd. Read more about the specific incentives.

"My job is my passion," Williamson said, noting that his grandmother grew up on the very reservation his business is now based. "South Dakota wants to help."

Benda, who grew up hunting pheasants on his walk to his after-school job at a local bowling alley, appreciates his state's devotion to the outdoors. "Our culture is a culture of hunting. We're a natural fit for the firearms industry," he said.

The Mount Rushmore State is home to approximately 800,000 people, Benda said, and the future is bright. "Our citizens are creative and productive. We like to work with our hands." Stay tuned to NRAblog on more from this forward-looking state -- truly a friend to the firearms industry.

More than seventy years ago, Bob Brownell founded a firearms accessories company dedicated to Selection, Service, and Satisfaction. Not long after, his operation also became dedicated to supporting the NRA. Three generations later, the tradition continues as Brownells have generously given to NRA programs such as The NRA Foundation's Law Enforcement Endowment, The Brownell Family Endowment, and the creation of the The Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest at the Whittington Center. One program particularly close to their heart is Brownell’s/NRA National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador project.

Designed to expand young people's knowledge of the shooting world, the Ambassador program has cash awards, provides travel opportunities, and gives them the chance to meet industry celebrities. And, of course, a meeting with the Brownells.

Situated in their 2010 SHOT Show booth, Frank and Pete Brownell gathered the troops for a talk and some pictures.

"They are future of the outdoor and shooting experience as we know it," said CEO Frank Brownell. "They also happen to be a great bunch of kids. I'd be proud if any one one of them were my own."

"The man behind the name," smiled Ambassador Kyle Loyd when asked about the encounter. "You don't get to run into people like the Brownells every day. A family that works together at a big company like that. . . Very cool."

After the photo op, Frank and Pete talked with the group about their organizations, shooting experience, and plans for the future.

"You should do what you can to keep in contact with each other," said Pete. "This is a unique experience that can grow into a lifelong friendship. Don't let it slip away."