SOS TV teams up with USA Outback Outdoor Television for 2009-2010

Indianapolis, IN- USA Outback Outdoor Television executive producer Denny Snyder has announced that the award winning popular outdoor television program ‘USA Outback’ has joined forces with Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies TV to promote the SOS Innovative Products line starting this fall in 2009. SOS TV is a 4 time Viewer's Choice award winning TV show and is now entering it's 10th season.

Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies TV features outdoor products innovator Bob Walker of Walker’s Game Ear fame and three-time Grand National turkey calling champion and turkey hunting legend Paul Butski of Butski’s Game calls.

SOS TV currently airs on Versus, the Sportsman Channel and WildTV traveling the globe to bring the viewers some of the best hunting and fishing action world wide. Each week, SOS TV includes outdoor strategies that will help the viewers find success and enhance their time afield.

Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies Television features not only co-hosts Bob Walker and Paul Butski, but also different pro-staff hunt teams that cover hunting whitetails, turkey hunting, waterfowl, small and big game hunting, upland game and also fresh and saltwater fishing. Some of the best guides and outfitters also get their chance to promote their own services and facilities each week on SOS TV with their very own ‘Outfitter’s Spotlight’ to show viewers how to contact them to book their own exciting outdoor adventures.

“We are always looking to find new and innovative products to introduce to our viewers and I am happy to once again join forces with Bob Walker to promote Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies TV and the SOS Innovative Products line to the viewers”- says Snyder. Snyder will be handling public relations and marketing for the SOS Innovative Products line and SOS TV.


“The Rotator is just one of the many SOS Innovative Products line we will be promoting that when you see it and use it, you just say to yourself- what a great idea- why didn’t I think of that.”

Check out Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies TV on the web at www.sostvonline.com.

Check your local listings for days and times.

For more information on USA Outback Outdoor Television or the SOS Innovative Products line, contact Denny Snyder at (317)502-7942 or visit on the web at www.usaoutbacktv.com .

Ban on Hunting- Could it Happen?

A major threat to hunting as we now know it looms close by....do your part and call or write your senator and ask them to vote 'NO' for the nomination of Cass Sunstein to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs(OIRA).
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Leading Conservation Groups Call on U.S. Senate to Block "Regulatory Czar” Nomination

15 Groups Express Concerns over Cass Sunstein
( Columbus ) – Fifteen of the nation’s leading conservation and sportsmen organizations sent a letter today to all U.S. Senators requesting they oppose the nomination of Cass R. Sunstein to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).
In the letter, the organizations express deep reservations about Sunstein’s views on animal rights and hunting. Sunstein has been quoted as saying, “we might ban hunting altogether, at least if it’s sole purpose is human recreation” as well as his discussions about offering animals the rights to sue humans.
The letter makes clear that as the head of the OIRA, a powerful federal agency with extensive authority to block rules, such views, “raise serious concerns about the agenda Mr. Sunstein will carry with him into this position if he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.”
Sunstein’s controversial views on animal rights, hunting, and agriculture caused two Senators, Saxby Chambliss (R- GA) and John Cornyn ( R- TX ) to temporarily place “holds” on his nomination. This prevented the nomination from moving forward prior to the August recess. Though those holds were subsequently removed, there remains much concern throughout the conservation community.
The groups signing the letter include: Conservation Force, Dallas Safari Club, Fur Takers of America, Houston Safari Club, Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America, Mule Deer Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Trappers’ Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pope and Young Club, Shikar Safari Club, Texas Wildlife Association, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Whitetails Unlimited, Inc. and the Wild Sheep Foundation.

For more information on how you can help protect hunter rights, visit the U. S. Sportsmen's Alliance at - http://www.ussportsmen.org/

For a list of all pro-hunting sportsmen organizations, go to www.usaoutbacktv.com.

You can make a difference- protect your rights as a hunter and write your senator today!

Senator Evan Bayh contact info- http://bayh.senate.gov/contact/
Senator Richard Lugar contact info- http://lugar.senate.gov/contact/

Garden of the Gods- and Whitetails

Garden of the Gods- southern Illinois


Garden of Whitetails- Rocky Branch Outfitters



Bachelor group feeding in one of the numerous food plots at Rocky Branch Outfitters- photo courtesy Daryl Hafford

When it comes to whitetails, there's no better place to be than southern Illinois. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with Rocky Branch Outfitters to do a little pre-season scouting for my fall muzzleloader deer hunt. Yeah, it is a bit early- their muzzleloader season isn't until December- but if you want to see big mature whitetails- this is THE place to go.

There are few properties you can go to in the entire country and consistently see 150" class whitetail bucks year after year. Property manager and co-owner Daryl Hafford had a very simple explanation which came as the result of me making the comment-"You harvest corn- you don't harvest deer- you shoot deer"- one of my pet peeves while watching outdoor tv shows. Hafford responded with this analogy-"Deer to us ARE a crop- we harvest deer year after year." One look at the numerous record class bucks adorning the walls of their new lodge is the only confirmation you will need.


Family room at the main lodge at Rocky Branch Outfitters

Pre-season scouting is best done just before dark and either from a ground blind or from a distance using good optics. A good choice of optics are the new Nikon Monarch X Binoculars because of their fantastic low light capabilities. With the new technologies now availble to sportsmen, it's a lot of fun increasing your days afield by hunting with either a still or video camera and also setting up trail cameras prior to opening day. A good whitetail outfitter has the deer patterned long before any clients ever unload their hunting equipment. By doing their homework- preseason scouting- Daryl and Diane Hafford of Rocky Branch Outfitters have repeat clients year after year.

Accommodations at Rocky Branch have left nothing to be desired. The rooms at the lodge have extra long beds for large hunters and there's plenty of head space between the bunks as well as storage for gear. The main hall of the lodge is phenomenol with a comfortable lounging area fitted with a big screen tv, a Wii entertainment system and also a fooseball table to give clients more than enough activites and a place to relax during the non-hunting hours.

When it comes to growing corn- and whitetails- the Mid-west is famous and there is no better place to "harvest" your next big whitetail buck of a lifetime than Rocky Branch Outfitters.


Before you go hunting deer this fall, be sure to watch the hunting tips "Making Sense out of Scents" and "Call of the Week" on the USA Outback web site to increase your chances this coming deer season.

For more information, call Daryl or Diane Hafford at 618-841-9936or visit them on the web at www.rockybranchoutfitters.com.

Ladies Night at Basin Black Bear Outfitters

SOS TV hunt crew member Diane Hafford and Basin Black Bear Outfitters guide Carmen Kelly with Diane's boar shot the last night of the hunt


In my last blog, I wrote the 'Bear Necessities'- a summary of what I consider will make you a successful bear hunter. This week's column is all about the actual bear hunt that I recently filmed for my good friend Bob Walker's outdoor tv show Sportsmen's Outdoor Strategies. This hunt will be one of the upcoming shows on SOS TV airing on Versus and the Sportsman Channel this fall. Check your local listings for days and times.

Since I too am a casualty of the recent wave of unemployment, my schedule was wide open when I received the phone call from Bob asking if I could film SOS TV hunt crew members Diane Hafford and Emmy Stephens on their first ever bear hunt at Basin Black Bear Outfitters- formerly Kelly's Sporting Lodge. Having been to this facility on numerous ocassions, I knew that there were 'Bears O'Plenty' and it would be great to see my good friend Carmen Kelly- who many bear hunters refer to as the 'Bear God'. If you want to know anything and everything about bears, he IS the man and has been guiding bear hunters for close to thirty years.

SOS TV hunt crew members Emmy Stephens, Denny Snyder and Diane Hafford

Since I would be driving in from Indianapolis(twenty-two hours, 1350 miles just in case you're wondering), I decided to split the trip up and stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire just outside the Maine border. I highly recommend the Anchorage Inn & Suites(phone #(800)370-8111) located in the heart of this seacoast region of the northeast. They offer all of the amenities you would expect as well as an indoor pool, a separate whirlpool tub (which is perfect after driving fourteen hours) and a complimentary breakfast for your morning departure- all at a reasonable rate. Conveniently located just off of Rt 1 and I-95, it is the perfect place to spend a night prior to driving the length of Maine into Canada.

Day One and Two

The most common method of bear hunting in Canada is over a source of bait from a tree stand. Basin Black Bear Outfitters is no different and has well established bait sites that have been used for years. The stands are quite roomy(great for filming) and are located well within bow range with clear shooting lanes. Emmy Stephens is an experienced hunter from Alabama and has taken numerous game with a bow and gun but this would be her first bear hunt. I could sense her excitement in anticipation of the evening hunt. Unfortunately the 50/50 chance of weather brought us no bears on our first two nights- only a large cow moose and more rain and wind. Even though we saw no bears, this gave Emmy and I both had the opportunity to get all the 'bugs' worked out as far as filming equipment shots,closeups, and also her thoughts on being included on the bears menu. I guess my comments about 'pack bears' roaming the Canadian woods at nightfall had been taken to heart........

Day Three

Finally, the rain and wind released their grip and the sun had us dripping with sweat as we unloaded our hunting gear from the truck. 'That's a good sign' said Carmen commenting on the change of weather while swatting at the moose flies constantly bombarding our hunting party. After climbing into the stand, Carmen said "Try not to move and you'll see a bear tonight". Easier said than done.*

* I HIGHLY recommend a Thermacell unit if you venture on any spring bear hunt. You'll never fool the nose of a bear and if they see you wretching around because of the constant moose flies, mosquitoes and gnats, chances are that the movement will have any bears in the area waiting long after dark to visit your bait.

Our stand was located next to a babbling brook on the opposite side of our bait barrel. This helped hide any unintentional noise we might make while adjusting in the stand. Unless you are part statue, at some point you will need to 'adjust' after stoically sitting several hours in a stand- no matter how comfortable. Any movement needs to be slow and muffled to avoid alerting any approaching bruins. A raven broke the lull of the running water cawing as he flew over our stand. I told Emmy that was my own good luck sign after seeing dozens of bears within minutes of seeing ravens.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before my hunting partner excitedly whispered "Bear ! ". In the span of maybe two seconds, I swear Emmy managed to rapidly tap my leg thirty-four times pointing in the direction of something approaching that was black- and very big. I have seen many bears while hunting with Carmen over the past ten years and there was no doubt that this one was definitely a shooter. The large boar tried to circle downwind but hunger over-ruled caution and he slowly walked the same exact trail we had taken to the bait. His shoulders stood well above the 35 gallon bait barrel. He definitely owned the place.

Prior to climbing in to the stand, I had told Emmy to not wait for my signal, that the camera would be rolling to capture the events as they unfolded. She was already at full draw when the big boar decided to sit down facing us- at only a mere thirteen yards. I could see that this was going to be a test of wills- who could hold out the longest and the bear decided things didn't look quite right with this particular fast food stop. He stood and started to walk away.

I could remember Carmen saying "The best two shots on a bear are a killing shot or a clean miss" as I watched Emmy's Luminok sail harmlessly over the big bear's shoulder. If you ever think you can outrun a bear, think again. The three hundred pound plus boar covered a hundred yards back into the brush in the blink of an eye. I don't know of ANY hunters that have not missed a shot- myself included. I tried to consol my hunter whose face had the look of a star athlete who had just missed the game winning shot at the buzzer. The shot will be played over and over in both of our heads for quite some time.

The good news is that the big bruin lives to put on another 30% of his body weight for this coming fall's hunts. Now the woods were silent. There are only so many things you can say to your hunting partner after what we both knew was a golden opportunity.


Author Denny Snyder with B3O guide Matt Cheney and his bear

A shot rang out in the distance followed by two more. We both guessed guide Matt Cheney must have also had an opportunity at a bear. With only our two lady hunters in camp, Matt was taking full advantage of hunting this last week of the season. Carmen confirmed Matt's kill when he came in to get us from our own stand.

This break in the weather had all the bears up and moving that evening. We checked in with fellow guide and lodge manager Gary Sabean who was sitting with SOS TV hunt crew member Diane Hafford. They too had seen a large boar from their stand right at dark but it did not offer a shot. I believe Diane's description was "it was as big as a Volkswagon ! ". Changing roles from videographer to buwana, my back felt like we just carried a small German car after finally getting Matt's bear back to the truck.


Day Four and Five

Just knowing that last night was a gift(any time you can capture a monster bear on camera at a stone's throw away, at least I consider it a gift), we all knew that the unpredictable weather this week would make any other opportunities at trophy class bruins come few and far between. I would rather be lucky than good and was hoping that luck would smile on my two lady hunters this week.

Once again, Diane and Gary saw another 'Volkswagon' at dark and the only thing big and black that Emmy and I saw was a large cow moose- also well within bow range. Now that I think about it, there was only one day while in New Brunswick I didn't see a moose while traveling to and from our stands. Emmy did see another bear her last night hunting but as luck would have it, her first bear would not be on this trip. Emmy would be flying home with the classic tale- "you should ave seen the one that got away"........

The Last Day

There has been more than one hunting trip that I have said to myself "just one more day". Diane Hafford is the owner/operator of the trophy whitetail hunting operation Rocky Branch Outfitters in southern Illinois and is too familiar with the term "one more day". We have been friends for many years and at her request, we gave it one more day. This would be my first night to film with Diane and sometimes that is all it takes. Tonight would be no exception to the rule.

A half hour into the drive to our stand I realized I had forgotten a crucial piece of equipment. When bear hunting, I have the habit of traveling in the truck in my house slippers and then pulling on my boots after getting out of the truck. Today, the knot in my stomach said I distinctly remember sitting my boots by the door of my cabin- to not forget them.

"Diane, tonight I GUARANTEE you will get a bear" I said from the back seat. She inquisitively looked at me with her eyes asking how I can make such a prediction. "Gary and Matt are both gone and my boots are back at the lodge- I guarantee I'll be helping carry out your bear with you and Carmen in my slippers tonight." Carmen and I both laughed because we knew of course this is what would happen. No extra help and me in a pair of bedroon slippers........

I absolutely love first time bear hunters. You can not fake that kind of excitement- which will be quite evident when this show airs. Nothing short of Emmy's rapid leg tapping, Diane's reaction to the approaching 'Volkswagon' this last evening had my own heart racing in anticipation of the upcoming shot. "Bear !" she announced as she quickly grabbed "Ol' Nellie"- a Remington 30-06 that has been feeding my own family for many years which I insisted she use for this evening's hunt.. I wanted to put the odds in our favor hoping that a rifle would at the bare minimum(no pun intended)extend her range if necessary.

"If you have a shot, take it" I told her as the camera was rolling. The bear must have sensed eminant danger and never came the entire way to the bait but was doing an about face and exit stage left. The shot rang out and just like an old Star Trek episode, the bear transported itself to another planet.

Her face said it all- she just shot her first bear. Seeing her not knowing whether to laugh or cry, I gave her a big bear hug(yes, I said it) and congratulated her on her first bruin. In the distance, we heard the classic death moan as the large boar expired probably a hundred yards through the thick Canadian brush.

"Is that good or bad?" she said pensively waiting for my response. "That's good AND bad" I responded- looking down at my footwear. "Good- that he is down for the count- Bad for where he is". Just as I predicted, Diane shot a beautiful boar all captured on camera for an upcoming episode of Sportsmen's Outdoor Strategies this fall. Tonight was ladies night and definitely a night to remember.



After the initial cell phone calls, congratulatory back-slapping and laughing in celebration of the hunt, it would be another late night trip back to the lodge. We all sat quietly while riding home thinking about the events - myself remembering old friends from hunts in the past and also the new friends I had made on this adventure with Basin Black Bear Outfitters. Once again, Uncle Carmen was and still is the 'Bear God' of New Brunswick- but most importantly my friend and I was glad to see him once again.

For more information on hunting bear, whitetails and moose, contact Basin Black Bear Outfitters at www.basinblackbearoutfitters.com.

Bear Necessities

Basin Black Bear Outfitters guide Matt Cheney with 2009 spring bear

Here it is Fourth of July weekend and rather than grilling outside, I'm sitting at the computer watching a rainy 4th and trying to put my thoughts together after an exciting spring black bear hunt in New Brunswick at Basin Black Bear Outfitters- formerly Kelly's Sporting Lodge.

Basin Black Bear Outfitters-B3O as I affectionately now call them has an excellent facility and has done major renovations to all of the cabins and main lodge which will make your bear hunt even more enjoyable. All of the modern conveniences are available, excellent food, comfortable tree stands and some of the best bear hunting for large boars in all of Canada.

Just in case regular clientele of Kelly's Sporting Lodge is wondering, the 'Bear God' Uncle Carman Kelly is still guiding. At 76 years young, I wish I had half of his knowledge hunting bears.He might even put you in one of 'Denny's stands'.....something we all get a laugh out of because my buddy Bob Walker mentioned one time- "Which one isn't Denny's stand?"........

Now I am back- away from the solitude of my Canadian tree stand next to a babbling brook to the main-stream media morbidity hysteria over Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, Carl Malden and who can forget late-night infomercial guru Billy Mays. All I know is that I really could have used one of his signature ShamWows to wipe off the camera equipment from the first three days of Water World we experienced during this hunt......

If you want to have an 'enjoyable' spring bear hunt in the wilds of New Brunswick, there are a few necessities that I HIGHLY recommend including in your day pack:

#1- Thermacell. This is essential. There are mosquitoes and biting 'no see-ums'that can carry away small children and have no qualms about taking a piece of you with them. Available at Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops and most sporting goods major retailers.

#2 100% DEET. I recommend REPEL or Deep Woods Off. Don't worry about the odor- you'll never fool the nose of a bear- it is sound and movement that will alert them to your presence and send them running. If you can't sit still because of the flies, you are much more likely to spook a bear by moving swatting at the biting invaders.

#3 Camo/rain gear washed in UV killer. Because the woods are so 'dark', good camo like Mossy Oak tree stand, Cabela's 3D Seclusion, or Realtree HD are top choices as well as a new camo I just discovered- Ultimate Camo which virtually blends you in to the forest canopy. If you ever get the opportunity, look at night vision video of camo not washed in UV killer - it actually has a 'glow' which definitely tips off any game as they can see in mostly light/dark spectrum.

#4 Cushion. Most bear hunts involve long sits waiting for bears to show up at the bait and if you are not comfortable, you will NOT be able to remain motionless which is necessary to stay quiet and undetected.

#5 Patience. The same three rules that apply to turkey hunters applies to bear hunters- Don't move, don't move and don't move. No matter how much gear and equipment you pack in to the woods, if you can't sit still and remain quiet, you'll never see a bear.

#6 Practice. If you want to take a large boar, chances are you WILL get the opportunity at one shot- I repeat - ONE shot. Why spend all that money, time and effort if you can't make the shot. If you will be using a head net when you hunt, by all means practice with it on. Know where the vitals are and envision your arrow or your shot passing through those vitals. Just like throwing a baseball or shooting a basket, follow-through is crucial to a successful hunt. As Uncle Carman puts it, the two best shots are a killing shot or a clean miss.

If you want a fantastic bear hunt, follow the above 'Bear Necessities' and you too will have an outstanding bear hunt. For more information on Basin Black Bear Outfitters, check them out on the web at www.basinblackbearoutfitters.com or give them a call at 506- 654-1860.

Passport to the North

Guide Carman Kelly and USA Outback TV host Denny Snyder

Graduation ceremonies are all but over, caps have been tossed into the air, and high school and college graduates embark on their life journeys to their own paths of success. Along the way, some even partake in the "hunting trip of a lifetime" as their graduation gift of choice. Many travel to the far reaches of Canada in search of monster black bruins. Here it is June already, yet "spring" bear season is alive and well in the far north of New Brunswick, Canada. Up until a month ago, American hunters could cross the Canadian border without a passport but times have drastically changed thanks to unknown terrorist enemies wishing to destroy our way of life.

In less than a week, I will be traveling to Kelly's Sporting Lodge in the heart of New Brunswick, Canada to film a bear hunt with my good freind Bob Walker and his outdoor television show Sportsmen's Outdoor Strategies. Much to my dismay, I realized at the last moment that my own passport had expired- requiring me to scramble for a renewel. In order to prevent any confusion with the process of obtaining a new passport or renewing an old one, I thought I would write this week's blog as a simple guide to help hunters through the entire process of getting a U.S. passport.

The first step is to obtain the necessary paperwork. These forms can be obtained at most local post offices or can be printed out and/or filed online with the Department of State at their web site( http://travel.state.gov/index.html ). If you are filing for a new passport, you will need to use form DS-11. When filing for a renewel, you will need to use form DS-82. It is a fairly simple process of filling in the blanks with the appropriate information and submitting the required documentation- including two passport photos that can be taken at most post offices that carry passport application forms. The toughest part of getting your passport might be locating your own original birth certificate or an acceptable replacement that has an official notary seal to submit as proof of your Amercian citizenship.

Not to long ago, applying for a U.S. passport was a long and tedious process that would sometimes take up to several months before you would see your little blue book as proof of American citizenship. Thanks to modern technology and the ability to file online, these expedited services can help you get your passport in as little time as two weeks- of course for an additional fee. As I write this article, I patiently await the return of my own passport renewel through the services of A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors( http://www.abriggs.com/passports/new_passport.php ).

By following the directions listed with each application form, obtaining your passport will allow you to travel to those far away Canadian provinces, Mexico, or even Africa for that matter - in pursuit of big game or other exotic adventures.

Hopefully, all of my own papers will be in order, my new passport will be received and next week's article will cover what YOU should pack to participate in a Canadian spring bear hunt.

Magnet Gun Caddy teams up with USA Outback Outdoor Television for 2009

Indianapolis, IN- USA Outback Outdoor Television executive producer Denny Snyder has announced that the award winning popular outdoor television program ‘USA Outback’ has joined forces with Magnet Gun Caddy to help hunters protect their most valuable possessions - their guns and their vehicles starting in 2009.

Magnet Gun Caddy is a portable magnetic gun rack that acts like an extra hand- but much smaller than your fist. The Magnet Gun Caddy conveniently holds your gun when you need to temporarily set it down and also holds just about any long barrel gun upright against your car (or your gun-safe when you are opening and closing the door). The patent-pending design makes it possible to secure and remove your gun from the holder with just one hand. Magnet Gun Caddy protects your gun and your car and is small enough to fit in your pocket - making it truly portable and easy to store.

“We are always looking to find new and innovative products to introduce to our viewers and I am happy to be one of the first companies to feature Magnet Gun Caddy on our show USA Outback” says host Denny Snyder. Snyder adds- “The Magnet Gun Caddy is one of those products that when you see it and use it, you just say to yourself what a great idea- why didn’t I think of that.”

Whether you are getting ready to begin your hunt, just taking a break to water your dogs, or returning from a rewarding experience in the field, the Magnet Gun Caddy provides a fast and convenient way to rest your gun. Remember, NEVER use the Magnet Gun Caddy with a loaded gun.

Next to our dogs, our guns and cars are our most important (and expensive) hunting assets. For around $10 you can protect both! The Magnet Gun Caddy is so affordable you may as well purchase a few extra for when your hunting buddies are riding in your car. You'll gain additional peace of mind knowing their guns (and your car) are safely secured. It’s a smart investment. Plus you and your friends will all benefit from the convenience, and maybe even enjoy, a little more, the sport we all love. Look for the Magnet Gun Caddy on new shows of USA Outback coming this fall.

Contact Magnet Gun Caddy by calling toll free at 866-226-9123 or visit them on the web at www.magnetguncaddy.com. the ultimate portable gun rack.

Doctors vs. Guns

Food for Thought

With the NRA convention well underway, guns and gun control will be the major topic of discussion at the convention and for many evening news casts this week. In conjunction with this hot topic, I received this interesting email(below) that I thought might generate some discussion from anyone that reads this blog.

"Doctors:
(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
(C) Accidental deaths per physician are 17.1%.
Statistics courtesy U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services.

Now think about this:
Guns:
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000. (Yes, that's 80 million)
(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
(C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is 0.00188%- as compared to the 17.1% accidental deaths per physician.
Statistics courtesy FBI.

FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR."

Statistically, doctors are not fairing too well. However, if someone decided to start driving over pedestrians with Ford F150 pickup trucks, will the government outlaw ALL pickup trucks? I don't think so. Sort of puts things in to perspective doesn't it?

Regardless of what laws are put in to place, regulations are added, taxes levied on sporting arms and ammunition, schooling requirements and special training added for doctors, etc., etc.- none of these things will eliminate accidental deaths. That's because they are just that- accidents.

The Second amendment was written for a good reason. Take a minute and look up what has happened in countries where the "right to bear arms" was taken away from citizens. Civil liberties were also soon to follow as well as increases in violent crimes and murders. This week in Phoenix, AZ, the NRA convention is the ultimate meeting place for members and gun owners to share their thoughts and hopefully shape a bright future for the protection and continuation of our Second amendment.

Getting back to the title of this blog- are doctors more inclined to cause accidental deaths than guns?

Could the statistics be wrong?

Doctors AND Guns save and protect lives everyday.

Draw your own conclusions.

Denny :)

Genesis Lamp and USA Outback mix Business with Pleasure

Whenever you get the opportunity to mix business with pleasure- it’s a good thing. Genesis Lamp VP of Sales Mark Zukowski recently traveled with USA Outback host Denny Snyder to the turkey hunting heaven of Missouri to investigate the possibilities of expanding the long list of Genesis Lamp corporate customers- and hopefully tag a couple of long beards.

After meeting at Lambert International Airport, the first stop along the way would be the Bass Pro Shops retail store in St. Charles where Mark and I had the opportunity to speak with facilities maintenance manager Darin Johnson. The sheer number of retail lighting and specialty lighting required for a facility of that size is astounding. After you start to add up all of the ceiling fluorescent lights, sodium halides, spot lights and bulbs used for displays and showcases, it really makes you wonder just how many of the lights used are in fact energy efficient lights. The energy savings alone by switching to energy efficient lighting would cover the costs of quite a few turkey hunting trips to Missouri.

A little more than a stone’s throw away from Bass Pro Shops is the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa conveniently situated just off of I-70 along the scenic Missouri river. Re-lamping a retail store would seem like child’s play compared to illuminating the Ameristar casino facilities.

Located in historic St. Charles, Mo., Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles is a short drive from downtown St. Louis. The property features a 400-suite luxury hotel, a full service day spa, an indoor-outdoor pool, 22,000 square feet of state-of-the-art conference and meeting space, seven restaurants, 12 bars, a 130,000-square-foot casino and three entertainment venues. The 130,000-square-foot casino is decorated with ornate architectural details, lighting and stained-glass skylights. With more than 3,000 slot machines, 60 table games and a 19-table live poker room, the Ameristar is a far reach from the turn of the century cabin where we would be turkey hunting.

We arrived at the cabin just before nightfall and proceeded to unload our gear from my 2008 H3 Hummer. The inside of the vehicle looked like either a Bass Pro Shop retail store or a Cabela’s warehouse had exploded and it was all contained inside the Hummer. It is amazing just how much gear you THINK you need to kill a turkey. Between the two of us, we probably had a dozen different slate and box calls, “B” mobile decoys, enough 3D Seclusion camo for ten guys, a couple dozen different Butski mouth calls, guns, and enough Winchester and Federal ammo to wipe out all things gobbling in Missouri. You would think we were going to war- and we were- with the turkeys once again.

Several weeks earlier, Mark and I had come to Missouri to help out with the early youth turkey hunt capturing the opening day festivities for my outdoor television show USA Outback. We had a successful hunt with my shooter 12 year old Rebecca taking a nice long beard at first light. This time it was all about us. Mark has hunted the area for over 14 years and pointed us in the right direction to roost birds- thus ensuring us of a successful first day's hunt.

One of the best tips I can give the beginner turkey hunter is to let nature take its course. Missouri is abundant with coyotes and owls who(get it- who who- LOL)sing in unison enough to inspire any long beard on a limb to gobble and give up his location. After listening to over a dozen birds sound off just behind our camp, we were certain for some early morning turkey hunting action.

You would think that having a good connection with a lighting company that we would have sufficient lights for our stay. NOOOooooo- we get back to the cabin and sure enough the back porch 60 watt incandescent light bulb was burned out. To add insult to injury, we walk in to the kitchen to find a replacement bulb and sure enough- the overhead Circleline fluorescent over the kitchen cabinet was burned out as well. “You have got to be kidding me” I said looking in Mark’s direction. “Do you know where a guy can get a couple of light bulbs?”- knowing full well we were in the backwoods of Missouri and wireless service for the laptop to order lightbulbs at www.genesislamp.com. would be a few days away. Replacement bulbs would have to wait until our next trip because we didn’t want even the delivery guy to know about our turkey hunting hot spot.Long story short- both Mark and I tagged out opening day on a pair of long beards all captured on camera for a future episode of USA Outback. Not only did we tag toms, we also experienced some terrific fishing for crappies on Lake of the Ozarks and spoonbill fishing on the Osage river.

I look forward to returning to Missouri and our little turkey hunting heaven. One of the landowners where we were hunting is even building a new house equipped with Genesis Lamp energy efficient compact fluorescents to light things up for his guests.

What does all of this have to do with Genesis Lamp? It does not matter whether you are gambling at the Ameristar in the city limits of Saint Louis or hunting and fishing in the backwoods of Missouri, Genesis Lamp is there for all of your lighting needs. Contact Genesis Lamp at www.genesislamp.com. or call toll free at 1-800-685-5267.

Turkeys,12 Gauges and 12 year olds

USA Outback host Denny Snyder with 12 year old Rebecca
and 2009 opening day gobbler


Indianapolis, Indiana- To me, there is nothing more exciting than hearing the ol'kettle rattling of a boss tom gobbler at daylight. One of THE best places in the USA to hear just that is the heart of Missouri.

Myself and Genesis Lamp VP of Sales Mark Zukowski recently traveled to the "show me" state of Missouri to share our skills with a sibling pair of girls- only 12 and 14 years old- for the opener of the youth turkey season. If someone had not told me any different, you would swear these two girls were twenty year veterans.

After roosting birds the night before, the stage had been set for what we all hoped would be a successful hunt. One of the hardest things in the entire world to film for an outdoor television show is a turkey hunt. In most cases, there is a shooter, a caller and a cameraman who all must be in synch to avoid detection by the 270 degree turkey radar vision. In this case, my shooter would be 12 year old Rebecca - her sister Victoria would be hunting with my hunting partner Mark Zukowski of Genesis Lamp. Mark had hunted the area for over 14 years and pointed us in the right direction to pin-pointing gobblers at first daylight- thus ensuring us of a successful first day's hunt.

At only 5:35 am, the first long beard started gobbling- and then another - and another until we counted a total of six different birds we could potentially go after. A quick survey of the land had us setting up on the north face of an open field overlooking the valley where we thought the birds would fly down to at first light. A big cedar acted as Rebecca's backstop while I would call and film from just behind her location.

It wasn't long before a lone hen appeared to investigate who the other "hen" was making the commotion in her neck of the woods. The seductive purrs and clucks I made with a Butski diaphragm call in combination with a Knight and Hale slate had every bird in the valley fired up but she was the first to appear. At only a mere 10 feet away, the hen eyed up the strange bush that consisted of Rebecca and myself. Rebecca remained steadfast as the hen tried to catch the slightest movement from this odd conglomeration sitting at a stone's throw away. More than one hunter has joined the alarm putt club by getting busted by an alert hen. The entire sequence is all captured on camera for our new season of USA Outback TV.

It wasn't long before the hen was followed by a pair of jakes- one being quite a bit larger and trying his best to strut which eventually lead to his demise. At less than fifteen yards away, the pair of jakes strolled over to the decoys to make friends only to be introduced to some not so "friendly fire". The Browning 12 gauge roared, the bird was down and another 12 year old had a severe case of "permagrin".

Turkey hunting isn't fishing by any means but I think Rebecca is now "hooked for life" to the wonderful sport of turkey hunting. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Tax Time for Sportsmen- Save your receipts

View from elk camp-Spicer peak, Colorado

Indianapolis, Indiana- Once again it is that time of year when the piles of receipts that have accumulated in the glove box, the shoebox under the desk and also in the bulging grocery bag in the closet are all carefully brought together- to finally justify why they have been saved for the past 12 months. Somewhere in this mass of organized chaos is a receipt that proves to the IRS and your beloved that you did actually have a business dinner meeting last November on the second day of deer season. If only it were that easy to prove where the money has been spent on gun hunting, bow hunting and all other shooting sports- which is my point precisely.

Where has all the money been spent by sportsmen?

Back in 1937, a bill was sponsored by Senator Key Pittman of Nevada and Congressman A. Willis Robertson of Virginia and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Sept. 2, 1937. The Pittman-Robertson Act created a 10% excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. A few years later the tax became 11%.

So where does all this money go?


The tens of millions of dollars generated by Pittman-Robertson each year were mandated to go back into state and local organizations to increase game populations, expand habitat and train hunters. As the money kept piling up, a repeal bill was drawn to relieve sportsmen from the financial burden of the excise tax. However, because dramatic results could be seen nationwide, sportsmen insisted on keeping the tax in place.

The generated revenues from Pittman-Robertson were placed in a special trust under the control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and were to be allotted to state wildlife conservation programs for wildlife restoration and to ensure the future of hunting sports. The trust was to be kept separate from the general fund, meaning the monies were not to be part of the accounted annual budget.

For years the Pittman-Robertson Act functioned soundly--generating $150 million in funds each year--and, more importantly, produced results. Numerous species including migratory birds (ducks and geese), elk, deer, antelope, wild turkey and many other species were rescued from the endangered list and are now not only surviving, but thriving. Pittman-Robertson was a rare legislative model for efficiency and a godsend for hunters and animals alike.


The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 precisely re-defines what USFWS can spend the excise taxes on and in what manner the monies can be spent. The NRA backed bill passed the House 423-2 and became law on Nov. 1, 2000.

Today, Pittman-Robertson is back on track, supplying wildlife with vast amounts of habitat, resources and practical ecological study, while supplying hunters with game to hunt and eat, thus ensuring necessary funds never run dry. America`s sportsmen contribute $3.5 million each day to wildlife conservation.


Now the National Park Service has a goal to eliminate any type of lead ammunition or fishing tackle on ALL national parks by the year 2010. I say TIME OUT- FOUL. Whenever a decision of this magnitude is made, you would think that it is based on scientific research, years of data, economic impact statements, etc., etc.. but NOOOOOoooooooaaa. .......

The restrictions, set to take effect by the end of 2010, were announced without regard to science or soliciting feedback from sportsmen’s groups. The ammo you bought for that elk hunt or even the lead-head jigs for that vacation trip to your local national park- better use them in 2009 because someone thinks that your gut pile will kill a condor- or the jig head you lost in the lake might be ingested by a loon- after 2010.

Do I smell a hidden agenda here?


Whatever it is- once again , sportsmen pay the price- we have the receipt.


Denny :(

www.usaoutbacktv.com

Turkey Hunting- or is it the Boogey Man ?

"The Fab Five"

Rocky Branch Manager Diane Hafford & USA Outback host Denny Snyder

Billy McCoy & Paul Butski

Back- Bob Walker

Indianapolis, Indiana- Today I saw my first robin- certainly a sign of spring and the upcoming turkey season.

The groundhog was wrong- I hope.

It has been quite a few years since I have been spring turkey hunting with my good friend Bob Walker of Walker's Game Ear fame. We have been on many hunts together but there is one particular morning that specifically stands out. While listening for the distant gobble of an ol' long beard, Bob made the following comment. "Turkey hunting is like going after the Boogey Man- you know he's out there - and then he's coming for you."

If you know how to "speak the language"- quoting the tagline from Will Primos.....mimicking those soft clucks and crying purrs made famous by guys like Paul Butski & Billy McCoy, the Rohm brothers, the Kirbys, Knight and Hale, Ray Eye, Donny Shipp and Larry Shockey,Walter Parrott...the list goes on........by learning from these masters of the art of turkey calling- the Boogey Man will certainly come for you to.

This brief lapse in the hunting season is almost over and I get excited thinking about investigating new territory. There is nothing like the Butski/McCoy strategy of run and gun gobbler hunting to get the blood pumping on a cool morning in the Alabama woods or Sullivan county hills of Pennsylvania- or anywhere else for that matter.

Smelling the damp earth beneath your feet as you go stumbling through the dark to reach that highest morning vantage point before day breaks. Hearing the crashing of a whitetail bumped from its bed- listening to the trickling of a spring as it gurgles down the mountain carrying with it sluggish worms to the mouths of hungry trout waiting at the merger of the runoff. Coyotes yip and cry in the distance as they return with their pack to the den.

Adding to this spring sonata are the raspy caw caws of crows chasing an owl who(get it...who..who.....LOL)is returning too late from its nocturnal hunt. It is then that this aerial ruckus is dwarfed in volume with a throaty gobble. A mature tom declares that this portion of the world is his and damn anyone for disturbing his roost. The ol'man gobbler you spooked last spring made it through yet another winter. A group of his bothered ladies join in with their own clucks and tree yelps.

The jakes half-hearted attempts at gobbles are almost comical when the ol' man cuts them off with his bellowing gobble that reverberates the very ground where you stand. The fog starts to lift off the green field at the edge of the woods making way for the rising sun.

This experience happens every spring. My senses are all in over-drive- sensory stimulation in Mother Nature's high definition.

This my friends is the essence of spring turkey hunting. Share this experience with someone close to you so they too can see why we hunters are so passionate about our sport. Trust me on this one- they WILL get it.

Squeezing the trigger is such a small part.

Try to get the Boogey Man and just maybe- he'll come get you.

Denny :)
>>>--------->

USA Outback attends the 2009 NWTF Convention

"The Turkey Shed"

By the looks of the parking lot at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel Convention center, someone forgot to tell the 40,000 plus attendees there was a recession. Other than the S.H.O.T. show, the NWTF convention is the largest gathering of Who's who in the outdoor industry and one of the best places to see new hunting equipment and plan your next deer or turkey hunt.

Among the guides and outfitters was my good friend Manuel Enriquez - owner/operator of El Halcon lodge who I had not seen since 2004. We reflected on our last hunt together back when we shot a world record (spurs)Gould's turkey- all on camera that will be a featured show on USA Outback later this year. El Halcon lodge still maintains the world record for Gould's turkeys and is a fantastic place to add to your list of hunting lodges.

In case you are wondering, here are the 2009 NWTF Calling contest results-

2009 WTB/NWTF Grand National Senior Division Championships
First place- Jim Pollard, Charleston AR 453
Second place- Chris Parrish, Centralia MO 452
Third place- Sadler McGraw, Camden AL 446
Fourth place- Shane Hendershot, Zanesville OH 445

2009 Rare Breed/NWTF Champion of Champions
Mark Prudhomme, Georgetown SC 1141
Sadler McGraw, Camden AL 1109
Kerry Terrell, Brooklet GA 1062

With me on this trip to Nashville was my good friend Mark Zukowski whose company Genesis Lamp is starting to provide energy efficient replacement lamps and light bulbs for the manufacturers of hunting equipment. Part of the proceeds from outdoor industry sales of replacement bulbs benefits the NWTF through donations by Genesis Lamp. Change a light bulb- save a turkey- imagine that.

My main goal at the NWTF convention was to get video snippets from outdoor personalities to promote Safari Club International's Sportsmen Against Hunger program. Talk about Who's who in the outdoor industry- here's a list of who you will see on this feature video mid-March exclusive for XONtv(http://www.xontv.tv/) -
Paul Butski & Bob Walker
David Hale, Harold Knight and Jim Strelec
Will Primos
Cuz Strickland
Toxey Haas

Dick Kirby

Terry Rohm

Jim Crumley

Mark Drury
John Annoni- 1999 SCI Educator of the Year
Mark Nelsen- Cabela's Marketing Manager
Actor Gerald McRaney
Ricky Jo Bishop
Bill Miller from NAHC
John Plowman from Hunters Sharing the Harvest in PA
CJ Winand
Baltimore Oriole pitcher Buddy Groom - and of course- myself.

By assembling the group mentioned above, it shows that the entire outdoor industry is behind this program. It is because of these guys that the sport I love so much is even able to survive in today's hustle and bustle world because of their dedication and contributions to the sport of hunting- and the community.

I am hoping that this video will show not only the sporting community but also the general public how we as hunters are making a difference helping those in need. In some circles of the general public, hunting is frowned upon. This video showing venison donations to the needy is just one of the many ways we can help eliminate these preconceived notions that hunters are 'bad' people. Simply put- How can anyone be against helping feed the needy?

Hunters DO make a difference by not only footing the majority of the bill for conservation(Pittman Robertson Act), but also through many other humanitarian services projects that sportsmen do everyday- NWTF Wheelin' Sportsmen, Safari Wish hunts, Safari Care, the list goes on and on.

This Sportsmen Against Hunger feature video will be airing exclusively on the Internet making it capable of worldwide distribution through XONtv.

So think about donating some of your game this year to the Sportsmen Against Hunger program. We as hunters can make a difference.

Check out USA Outback at http://www.usaoutbacktv.com/.
Best Afield-
Denny :)

USA Outback teams up with Genesis Lamp for 2009

Host Denny Snyder with Genesis VIP Mark Zukowski
and a pair of Florida Osceola turkeys

Press Release

USA Outback Outdoor Television teams up with Genesis Lamp
for 2009

Genesis Lamp supports conservation and markets efforts to sportsmen

Indianapolis, IN- USA Outback Outdoor Television executive producer Denny Snyder has announced that the award winning popular outdoor television program ‘USA Outback’ has joined forces with Genesis Lamp to light up the world of sportsmen in 2009. Genesis Lamp is a family owned and operated business with 25 years experience in the replacement light bulb business. Genesis Lamp is one of the few remaining light bulb manufacturers that makes the majority of it’s products in the US.

“With global warming changing our climate, we all need to take responsibility and helping conservation of our natural resources is as easy as changing a lightbulb.”
Snyder states- “Each one of us can make a difference to help our environment.”

Genesis Lamp provides energy efficient bulbs for all of the lighting needs of USA Outback Outdoor Television. Proper lighting is a requirement for good footage and Genesis Lamp now provides USA Outback TV staff with projector lamps and full spectrum lamps, office fluorescent light bulbs and even flood lights for specialized outdoor shoots.

Whether you need fluorescent lights for the garage or a specialized metal halide or halogen light, buying a replacement light from Genesis Lamp is not only good for your pocketbook, it’s good for the environment. Genesis Lamp supplies energy efficient lighting products to the residential, commercial/industrial and recreational markets, and also replacement automotive bulbs.

Genesis Lamp is the largest North American distributor of airport lighting for Phillips, Osram, and GE lighting. Genesis Lamp is an authorized replacement light bulb distributor for GE,
Ushio, Osram/Sylvania, Philips, and Seimens. Genesis Lamp makes ordering replacement bulbs fast and easy.

Whether you need halogen light bulbs for an airport runway, HID replacement bulbs for a parking lot or just the right incandescent light bulbs for a chandelier, Genesis Lamp offers the best choice for replacement bulbs online.

Contact Genesis Lamp for a free sample replacement light by calling toll free
at 1-800-685-6257 or visit them on the web at http://www.genesislamp.com/ and start saving money- and the environment.

For more information on USA Outback Outdoor Television, contact Denny Snyder at (317)502-7942 or visit on the web at http://www.usaoutbacktv.com/ .

USA OUTBACK TV

Welcome to the USA Outback Outdoor Television blog!

I'm the host and producer of the show, Denny Snyder and thank you for taking the time to see what's new with USA Outback. It has been a "brief" four year hiatus of NOT airing USA Outback nationally on the Outdoor Channel, the Sportsman Channel, the Men's Channel and numerous regional and local tv networks but now USA Outback is back exclusively on the Internet !

Starting in mid-February, if you go to XON tv (http://www.xontv.tv/), you can watch the last entire season of USA Outback that aired in 2004. The entire list of online hunting videos and online fishing videos can be found on our own web site at http://www.usaoutbacktv.com/ as well as information about our services offered to viewers as well as potential sponsors and customers.

Be sure to check us out in the Instructional videos section as well. There you will find the Knight & Hale "Call of the Week" with Harold Knight, David Hale and Jim Strelec giving calling tips for deer hunting , turkey hunting, and hunting products reviews. If you are trophy hunting for whitetail deer- maybe questions about rut hunting- we have Code Blue's "Making Sense out of Scents" with Don Bell and myself teaching you the art of "scentology" showing you how knowing scents can help you deer hunting this coming hunting season.

Eventually, we will once again have a recommended outfitters and guides page and if you see a company's logo on our web site, you can rest assured that they produce quality hunting gear and provide excellent services as well.

If you need help choosing a hunting lodge for black bear hunting in Canada or fishing trips to fantastic salmon fishing in Alaska , feel free to email me and I'll give you a personalized hunting report or fishing report and tell you where I've been and who I'd recommend. If we produced a hunting dvd or fishing dvd on their facility or services, then they were top-notch hunting outfitters and fishing guides and worthy of the USA Outback stamp of approval.

Have you ever been elk hunting or trout fishing and videotaped your own hunting trip or fishing trips? Maybe I can help you put it together into your own collectable of hunting Africa to save for posterity- as one of our video services we offer without breaking the bank.

Send me your thoughts on what online hunting videos and online fishing videos YOU would like to watch and we'll try to make it happen!

Best Afield-

Denny :)