Moultrie Launches Inaugural “Field to Fork” Event for Employees

Moultrie recently embarked on a unique employee experience with its first-ever “Field to Fork” event, hosted in partnership with the National Deer Association (NDA), designed to introduce first-time hunters to the art and tradition of deer hunting.

The event featured six first-time hunters from the company’s staff, who were each paired with an experienced hunter serving as a mentor. Mentors consisted of Moultrie and NDA employees, ensuring a supportive introduction to hunting, emphasizing conservation, skill development, and outdoor engagement. The “Field to Fork” event represents Moultrie's commitment to outdoor education and creating meaningful experiences in the field. By offering this opportunity, Moultrie and the NDA hope to foster a deeper understanding of hunting as a conservation tool and a time-honored outdoor tradition.

"This is more than just a hunting trip," said Mark Olis, Senior Brand Communications Manager at Moultrie. "It's an immersive experience where Moultrie employees get to put themselves in the customer’s boots. They get the full experience of hunt planning, marksmanship, scouting, and the adrenaline rush of seeing their first deer while hunting. It’s instrumental for our team to connect their professional work to the hunter who relies on our products in the field.”

“Introducing people to deer hunting through the motivation of sourcing local, organic, and healthy meat is part of our mission at the National Deer Association,” said Jenifer Wisniewski, Chief Marketing Officer at the National Deer Association. “We were so excited to get to take out people that work for hunters and introduce them to the sport that they work to support. Getting to sit in the woods with a software engineer who had never seen the sunrise from the woods is so rewarding. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Moultrie to support hunters.”

The “Field to Fork” program is designed to teach adult non-hunters how to go afield and source their protein while promoting sustainable hunting practices. Through this event, first-time hunters learned essential skills, including hunting techniques, ethical practices, and the importance of conservation, while experiencing the camaraderie and excitement of hunt camp. Moultrie is a proud partner with the NDA and working together on a common goal like this only advances the relationship. There are already plans to team up and make this an annual event.

"The Field to Fork event was an incredible experience,” said Katherine Nance, Product Associate at Moultrie. “From the very start of the weekend hunt, it became clear just how unique and special this opportunity was. I'm so grateful to Jenifer Wisniewski and the National Deer Association for their efforts in facilitating this experience and to the mentors at Moultrie for their patience and dedication. I learned so much about hunting whitetail deer, from the science behind it, the skills needed to be successful, and the strong sense of community that makes it such an incredible tradition."

Moultrie’s dedication to the outdoors extends beyond technology—it’s about fostering a culture of stewardship and respect for nature. This event underscores the company’s mission to inspire more people to engage responsibly with the great outdoors.

Lancaster Archery Foundation Helping Archers Achieve Their Dreams

So much success was enjoyed by Team USA archers on the international stage this year, from the Pan Am and Para Pan Am Championships, to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and with so much more in between.

The end result of hours of tireless commitment can be seen beaming out at the cameras, the smiling faces an indicator of that hard work paying off. What few of us see and even less of us hear about is the incredible support network, beyond coaches, family and friends.

Take, for example, the World Archery Field Championships, which took place in Lac La Biche, Canada, in September, and the World Archery 3D Championships in Mokrice, Slovenia, in early October. Those two world tournaments produced a combined total of 19 medals for the USA, helped in no small way by the Lancaster Archery Foundation.

Each of the 59 archers, 35 of which competed at the World Field Championships and 24 at the World 3D, were supported with $500 to help offset travel costs by the Foundation.

"Attending the World Field Championships was a major goal of mine, and the financial support like that provided by the Lancaster Archery Foundation helped make that trip possible," said Andrew Cousins, who was on the US team for the World Archery Field Championships. "Lancaster's continued support of the discipline has done so much to help grow barebow in the United States."

Those sentiments were echoed by compound archer Heather Gore, who was also in Canada for the World Field Championships, "The support from Lancaster Archery Foundation shows their commitment to the sport and support of all the athletes, as well as their commitment to the growth of the sport we all love so much."

Shiloh Butts brought home silver in the men's team event and bronze in the longbow mixed team from the World Archery 3D Championships. He added, "Receiving funding for the World Archery 3D Championship was not just a generous act, but a powerful statement about the Lancaster Archery Foundation's belief in the pursuit of excellence and the value of supporting others' dreams. Their generosity not only helped to ease part of the financial burden but also helped in motivating me to train harder and give it my all. I'm incredibly thankful for the Foundation's support and what it says about their kindness and faith in archers all over."

American archers repaid the generosity with an impressive haul of five gold, five silver and six bronze medals at the World Field in Lac La Biche, including a third win in a row for Paige Pearce. USA's archers finished fifth in the medals table at the World 3D, returning with one silver and two bronze, equaling the haul from Lac La Biche in 2019.

Asheville Archery Training Center Named USA Archery Club of the Year

Asheville Archery Training Center in North Carolina has been named the 2024 USA Archery Club of the Year, the top award that forms part of the Club Excellence Awards Program.

USA Archery’s Club Excellence Awards are designed to recognize the outstanding work of club programs across the country in the categories of:

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access
• Event Hosting
• Club Excellence
• Member Growth

Clubs were able to submit an application in one, or more of the above categories and clubs that submitted applications in multiple categories were eligible for the Club of the Year Award.

This year’s winners include:

• Excellence in the category of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access: Asheville Archery Training Center (Asheville, NC)
• Excellence in the category of Event Hosting: North Side Archery Club (Chicago, IL)
• Excellence in the category of Club Excellence: Asheville Archery Training Center (Asheville, NC)
• Excellence in the category of Member Growth: Asheville Archery Training Center (Asheville, NC)

The 2024 Club of the Year winner is: Asheville Archery Training Center (Asheville, NC)

Asheville Archery Training Center Board President Laura Lawrence commented, “Our mission is to cultivate high-level archery skills within a supportive and empowering community. Receiving this award from USA Archery is a meaningful affirmation that our club embodies the values and vision we strive to bring into the world.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers who generously share their time and talents, the unwavering commitment of our coaches in fostering an environment where every archer can thrive, and the determination, focus, and perseverance of our archers who show up every day to pursue excellence.

“We are proud of what we are building together, and it is an incredible honor to be acknowledged for our efforts.”

Winners in each category will receive an engraved crystal award, and the Club of the Year winner will receive a banner to be hung with pride at their range. For more information, contact clubs@usarchery.org.

Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports Names New Director of Research and Partnerships

The Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (Council) has named Scott Lavin the new Director of Research and Partnerships.

Lavin brings more than three decades of strategic leadership and program development experience to his new role, including a strong background in the conservation industry. Known for his collaborative approach, Lavin has successfully developed award-winning R3 (Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation) initiatives that combine the resources of state wildlife agencies, NGOs, and industry partners to engage diverse participants in hunting and shooting sports.

In his most recent role as Branch Chief for R3 at the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), Lavin oversaw a suite of programs, including Hunter Education, Scholastic Clay Target Program, and National Archery in the Schools Program, and the Outdoor Skills Network, achieving national recognition for his efforts. His leadership in developing the Outdoor Skills Network grew the collaboration from a dozen partners to over 200, advancing conservation education across Arizona. Lavin’s programs, lauded for their innovation and effectiveness, continue to set national standards in the R3 community.

As Director of Research and Partnerships, Lavin will continue efforts to deepen the Council’s understanding of public engagement in hunting and shooting sports, guiding strategic partnerships, research and data-driven program development.

"I am honored to join the Council in this new capacity," said Lavin. "Throughout my career, I have focused on building partnerships that enhance the public’s connection to the outdoors. I am excited to leverage my experience to help the Council continue advancing conservation and broadening our reach to ensure these opportunities thrive for future generations."

Council Executive Director Dr. Steven Leath expressed his enthusiasm with regard to Lavin’s addition to the team: "Scott’s deep knowledge of both conservation and R3 practices, combined with his proven ability to build impactful programs, makes him an exceptional fit for this role. His leadership will be invaluable as we expand our research and partnerships to strengthen the Council’s mission."

USA Archery Target Nationals and U.S. Open has a new Home

The 141st edition of the USA Archery Target Nationals & U.S. Open has a new home for 2025, with the event heading to Betty & Bobby Allison Sports Town in Springfield, Missouri.

The Allison Sports Town complex spans 82 acres, offering 12 outdoor sports fields, and will host the nation’s best archers next year from August 14-17.

Chris Martin, General Manager of Allison Sports Town (AST), said, “Our facility has a ‘wow’ factor. We’re not just providing fields; we’re creating a full experience with our fan zone, beer garden, and top-tier amenities.

“Athletes and fans can make it a full weekend without leaving the venue. One of the standout features of AST is its proximity to Springfield’s airport, making it easily accessible for archers traveling from across the country. With direct flights from cities like Chicago and Denver, teams can get here easily, and once they arrive, they’ll have everything they need right here at the facility.”

This year’s Target Nationals & U.S. Open sat in between the Olympic and Paralympic Games on the calendar, and featured Olympic medalists Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold, as well as soon-to-be Paralympic champion Jason Tabansky.

The 2025 edition takes place a few days before the World Archery Youth Championship in Winnipeg, Canada and a few weeks prior to the World Archery Championships and the World Archery Para Championships, both of which will be in Korea.

“This is a tremendous honor for the Springfield community to host such a prestigious national event,” explained Stan Adams, the Director of Sports Business Development for the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission. “It means we have an opportunity to share the countless reasons why Springfield, Mo. is the premier sporting city that we already know it to be.”

FYI: Bass Pro Shops began in Springfield; the original store and headquarters are in the city. The Archery Hall of Fame & Museum is located on the upper floor.

“Our city calls to those looking for a chance to experience a truly authentic destination, with no expectations except that you come and discover the Ozarks for yourself,” Adams continued. “Maybe you want to escape into the local city scene and fill your days with local shops, eateries, festivals, or live performances.

“Or perhaps you're looking for time to stand still as you float the James River, hike or bike a lakefront trail, or discover the underground world in one of our many caves. Maybe you're driving through on our Mother Road, Route 66.

“Whatever calls you to Springfield, we're excited to show you our city. Because hidden gems are meant to be found. We cannot wait for competitors to truly discover what makes Springfield naturally original!”

For those seeking accommodation at events, HotelPlanner is the official hotel reservations provider for USA Archery, providing specially negotiated hotel rates.