Hoyt to Move Launch Date of Its Flagship Bows

Hoyt Archery recently announced it would be moving its annual product launch of premier hunting bows from October to January. This represents a major shift for Hoyt and is expected to benefit its dealers, allowing them to maximize sales opportunities through the hunting season and the holidays.

“We realize the past few months have been a challenge for all of us,” said Hoyt President Randy Walk. “Our evaluation of current market conditions and the need for retailers to maximize sales opportunities during this next hunting season is the key driver behind this change, and we believe this is the best decision in our effort to support retailers and the entire archery industry. Rest assured that we will continue our relentless efforts to design and produce superior archery products, and I am excited to get through the summer and fall selling seasons and finish 2020 as strong as we can. I am also confident we will rally as an industry and be prepared for 2021 as a year of growth and prosperity in archery.”

 

Benchmade Knife Company Adds to Senior Leadership Team

Benchmade Knife Company has solidified a new leadership team. “This is the perfect moment for Benchmade to prioritize our team and culture” said Benchmade President Jon deAsis. “Our commitment to culture and performance drove me to seek out the right people to help support the incredible growth we have been experiencing. Evolving our structure with key talent and vision will energize our brand and improve our ability to satisfy customers worldwide.”

Recently filling the key role of vice president of marketing, Joe Prebich joins the team with a long history of defining and developing strong brand relationships to the consumer. Prebich’s previous experience with leading brands such as Fjallraven, Oakley and Red Bull, bring a level of consumer expertise that is a key element of Benchmade’s commitment to best-in-class customer experiences.

Charles Darby has been promoted to senior director of sales and will elevate new responsibilities for Benchmade’s global sales and retail affairs. Darby has made a career at Benchmade and now ascends into the position with a continued commitment to the brand’s long-time relationships.

Additionally, to emphasize continuity planning, culture and organizational development, Kristine Gittins has been promoted to the role of executive vice president.

 

Pope and Young Club World Record Course

The Pope and Young Club and Mountain Archery Festival’s (MAF) P&Y World Record Course created a buzz at the recent MAF shoot at Lookout Mountain in Idaho and Montana.

“We had a great shoot at Lookout Pass Ski Resort in Idaho/Montana,” said Mountain Archery Fest Owner Brandon Waddell. “The absolute highlight of our event was the Pope and Young North American 29 World Record Course. This is an educational course where shooters attempt to duplicate the angle and distance of the shots taken to harvest each of the 29 Pope and Young North American world records. All antlers and horns were replicated to match actual animals.”

An educational 18x24-inch sign at each station educates shooters about the species, world record holder, and a short story about the hunt. Targets and antlers were created by Kirsch Targets to represent the proportionate world record size of the species.

For information about the P&Y WR Course and MAF events, go to www.mountainarcheryfest.com

 

NSSF and USA Join Forces to Mentor New Hunters and Shooters

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has tapped the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) to spearhead a mentorship campaign aimed at giving Americans of all ages a personal introduction to hunting and the shooting sports.

Through its Hunting Heritage Trust, NSSF awarded the USA a $20,000 grant to implement a recruitment campaign, backed by NSSF’s +ONE Movement messaging, that motivates labor union members to introduce 1,000 youth and adults to hunting and shooting.

The USA will create a mentoring partnership program to encourage union members who hunt or shoot recreationally to share their knowledge and passion for these activities with someone new in 2020.

The agreement builds on the success of past partnerships between the two organizations. The 2020 mentoring program will be modeled after the successful USA-NSSF Mentoring Rewarded Partnership of 2018, which introduced 1,500 youth and adults to the joys of hunting and shooting — while simultaneously promoting NSSF and the shooting sports nationwide via numerous marketing channels. The USA held events in Minnesota, Tennessee and Texas, drawing more than 250 participants. Thanks to the NSSF grant and funds raised at USA shoots, conservation dinners and other events, all supplies including eye and hearing protection, firearms and ammunition were provided at no charge.