Thanks to John Howard, our National Instructor Trainer, for letting us in on a new product available for NRA Certified Instructors:

The NRA Certified Instructor cap is made from 100% cotton with hook and loop adjustment strap. "NRA Instructor" with a shooter silhouette is embroidered on the front, and www.nrainstructors.org is embroidered in a half-moon across the rear of the cap. The hat comes in dark khaki, with NRA Training Motto "Training: Knowledge * Skills * Attitude" on the left side, and in recognition of our troops, we have placed a subdued "charging" US Flag on the right side. A hook and loop patch replaces the button on the top for versatility and comfort while wearing hearing protection.

The hat is available for purchase now from the NRA Program Materials Center and is just $14.95. You can order the hat online or by calling 1-800-336-7402 and asking for item number ES30550. While you're there, be sure to check out other items for NRA Certified Instructors. 

NRA's Hunter Services Department has posted a new recipe of the month from the NRA Members' Wild Game Cookbook.

This month's feature is Game Stroganoff, submitted by Ann Rawlings of Knoxville, Tennessee. With this recipe, the classic dish of Beef Stroganoff is transformed by using the game protein of your choice such as venison, antelope, or elk. Although it calls for the stroganoff to be served over rice, it's easy to substitute the traditional egg noodles or your family's favorite pasta.

To order your copy of the NRA Members' Wild Game Cookbook, visit NRA's Program Materials Center to order online, or call 1-800-366-7402. With over 390 pages of delicious recipes, it makes a great addition to any hunter's kitchen.

Interested in shooting like an Olympian? Then check out the latest version of the NRA International Style Shooting Competition brochure. Thanks to John Parker for filling us in:

International Shooting is the only style of shooting used in the Olympic games, and NRA Competitive Shooting is proud to present the NRA International Style Shooting Competition brochure. In this informative new brochure, general information is provided to assist you with NRA International style competition. Pistol, Rifle, & Shotgun events are covered, as well as the Olympic Finals and the NRA Classification System.

A helpful necessary equipment section is also located in the brochure. The NRA International Style Shooting brochure is only available for purchase from the NRA Program Materials Center. Order your copy from the NRA Program Materials Center online or by calling 1-800-336-7402 and asking for item NR43100CT19690.

Don't forget about ordering your rule books from the Program Materials Center, or checking out other NRA Competitive Shooting publications available for free online at http://issuu.com/compshoot.

The digital world of NRA competitions continues to expand - John Parker just filled us in on the NRA Basic Guide to Competitive Shooting, the newest digital publication available from the NRA Competitive Shooting Division:

Terminology, classification, contact information, and frequently asked questions are covered in this short, concise volume designed to be a primer for prospective competitive shooters. Learning the difference between the different categories, NRA Approved vs. Registered tournaments, and the NRA Classification system are essential in becoming a successful competitor. This guide will help a “tyro” with his or her first step in the shooting sports.

The Basic Guide to Competitive Shooting is filled with direct links to other popular NRA Competitive Shooting Publications such as the Sanctioned League Handbook and the NRA Tournament Operations Guide, as well as links to rule books, downloadable score cards, etc. These publications are all available online and viewable for free. For quick on-the-go access, view them with the Issuu Mobile App.

To get more information about NRA Competitive Shooting materials, visit their website at www.nrahq.org/compete/targetsbooks.asp.

John Parker with our Competitive Shooting Division just shared with us that the new version of the NRA Tournament Operations Guide is now available online. While there are still copies of the previous version available for purchase through the NRA Program Materials Center while supplies last, this newer version will replace it, and is available online for free.

The NRA Tournament Operations Guide includes helpful information regarding tournament planning, range operations, statistics, awards, and much more to help you run an efficient competitive shooting event. The guide covers eight different shooting disciplines and is a wonderful resource for new and seasoned tournament directors.

The NRA Collegiate Shooting Program brochure and the 2011 Bianchi Cup brochure are also available online. More literature from the Competitive Shooting Division will be online soon, so keep checking back with NRAblog for updates. Questions? Send an email to compadmin@nrahq.org.

Here's an important message from our Program Materials Center regarding holiday closures and their year-end inventory closure:

The NRA Program Materials phone center will be closed Friday, December 24 for Christmas but orders can still be placed on-line during this period. Orders placed on Friday will not be processed or shipped until the week of December 27, 2010.

In observance of the New Year, the NRA Program Materials phone center will be closed on Friday, December 31, 2010 and will re-open on Monday, January 3, 2011. On-line orders can still be placed during this period.

To conduct a year-end inventory, no orders placed after midnight on December 31, 2010 will be processed or shipped until Thursday, January 6, 2011.

If you're an NRA Certified Instructor, Coach, or Training Counselor, don't be left out in the cold without course materials - plan ahead for your courses in early 2011 and order now!

NRA's Competitive Shooting Division is proud to present The National Matches: 1903-2003 The First 100 Years… Newly available for Winter 2010, prepare for a literary thrill ride through the history of the National Matches! The volume is a must-have for every competitive shooting enthusiast.

This book is an outstanding example of NRA lore that offers readers a comprehensive history of the first 100 years of the National Matches, from the beginning at New Jersey’s Sea Girt, Creedmoor in New York, to the present day home on the shores of Lake Erie at the Camp Perry, Ohio. Readers will discover vivid descriptions and outstanding photographs throughout the pages of this conveniently organized volume.

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge firearms technology, and, most of all, pure inspiration, The National Matches: 1903-2003 The First 100 Years… is an epic book loaded with National Match facts, notable shooter histories, and more. For any shooter who has competed at the National Matches, or if you just have an interest in another fascinating look at NRA history, this book is an excellent addition to your home library.

Available for just $69.99, this book can be purchased through the NRA Program Materials Center online or by calling 1-800-336-7402 and asking for Item# CC19740. Discover the legacy of the National Matches by ordering your copy today!

NRA's Program Materials Center may be known as the hub of all NRA training manuals, student packets, and other education, training, and safety literature, but did you know that it's also another place to find great gifts? Check out some of our favorites below:

Competitive shooters will enjoy a variety of items, especially the newly released Camp Perry Pistol print from reknowned artist Dick Kramer. Perfect for the home, office, or your local range clubhouse, this piece of art features the landmarks and shooters of the National Pistol Championships at Camp Perry. From ten-time National Champion Brian Zins to the stone guard tower at the entrance to these historic ranges, the detail and craftsmanship of this print will fill your loved one with the competitive spirit of the National Matches.

2010 marked the 50th anniversary of NRA's Law Enforcement Division, and special commemorative items are available for the special officer in your life. The 50th anniversary commemorative badge makes a great gift thanks to the presentation of the accompanying display box. The matching lapel pin, decals, and patch are perfect as stocking stuffers or as gifts for the guys and gals on your squad.

As an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer, my favorite picks are the Under Armour polo shirts available for our trainers. I love the fabric of the shirts that keeps you cool and comfortable on hot days at the range and the modern logos and stylish designs make this the perfect shirt for teaching or business casual environments. If you're a member of a training team or have a group of NRA trainers at your range, consider giving these shirts to other trainers as a thank you for another year of hard work and quality training. Available for NRA Certified Pistol Instructors, Training Counselors, and Range Safety Officers, this is must-have apparel for trainers.

There are hundreds of other items available from the NRA Program Materials Center, so check out all that it has to offer! Orders can be placed online or by calling 1-800-336-7402.

NRA’s Education and Training Division recently set up a new special offer on the NRA Program Materials Center: a “combo pack” of the popular Basics of Personal Protection in the Home and Personal Protection Outside the Home DVDs.

The DVDs are available separately for $19.95 each – but thanks to the combo pack offer, they’re yours for $33.90 – a savings of $6.00.

The combo pack has been very popular since it was introduced last week. “Sales have exceeded our expectations,” said Janet Boyer, manager for NRA General Operations inventory management. “In the first 24 hours, we were selling approximately ten combo packs per hour!”

Topics on the Basics of Personal Protection in the Home DVD include:

• Making you and your home safer
• Awareness levels
• Responding to a possible break-in
• Avoiding a confrontation
• Establishing and equipping a “Safe Room”
• If you must shoot
• The aftermath of a defensive shooting

Topics on the Personal Protection Outside the Home DVD include:

• How to safely use your defensive firearm
• How to conceal your defensive firearm
• How to safely present your defensive firearm from a hip holster or purse
• Tips on how to develop the skills to present your defensive firearm
• Two scenarios that demonstrate how to survive a life-or-death situation

If this deal sounds like something you (or someone you know) needs, order it online at the NRA Program Materials Center or call 800-336-7402 and request item number ES 30018.