GUILFORD, CT—The experts at Hunting and Shooting Related Consultants, LLC have written a book that brings readers to the scenes of 30 real life hunting accident investigations. Each chapter of Blood on The Leaves: Real Hunting Accident Investigations – And Lessons in Hunter Safety (Lyons Press, 336 pages, $16.95 paperback) ends with safety lessons to be learned from the incident covered. The book also covers a glossary of hunting terms, the history of hunter education and the role of hunting accident investigators.

With hunting season in full swing, the book is timely. Almost 50,000 volunteer instructors will teach hunting safety courses to more than 675,000 new hunters this year. These new hunters are learning the rules that make hunting as safe as it is. Unfortunately, every year a few will forget and someone will be injured or killed in a hunting related shooting incident. Read more

Minneapolis, Minn. —Zumbo, by K.J. Houtman with foreword by Patrick F. McManus, is now available at Amazon and select retailers upon request. In paperback at 416 pages, the adult non-fiction will also be available in e-book prior to Christmas. Other formats are under consideration for 2017, including a collectors’ limited edition.

Published by Fish On Marketing, an independent publishing company, early reviews of the book indicate this collaboration with the living legend hit the mark. Jim Zumbo achieved international media attention in 2007 for a controversial blog he wrote. It cost him his job as hunting editor of Outdoor Life magazine, a post held for decades. “The fallout from the blog doesn’t occur until 300 pages in,” Houtman said. “That’s intentional. The route this New Yorker took to became one of America’s favorite western big game hunters is equally as interesting—if not more—as are his incredible adventures all over the world.”

But the story doesn’t end there, nor is the blog the end of the line.

“Readers get to know the man who wrote that blog, quirks and all, as well as who he is today and what life’s been like these last 10 years,” Houtman continued. “I believe Jim was the first to experience cyber bullying as thousands of divisive comments, including death threats, back lashed after his blog.” Additionally, turmoil followed when he landed front and center in major news headlines. Read more

“We took in more big deer this October than any year I can remember,” says award-winning taxidermist, Todd Smith. That is quite a statement from someone who has had a taxidermy business based out of Pittsfield, Illinois, in the heart of Pike County, for almost 30 years.

“The bucks have been exceptionally heavy this year,” says Smith. “Our average deer has been over 140 inches in the Boone & Crocket scoring method. This is at least 10 inches bigger than most years.”

When asked what he thought had attributed to this increase in size of the bucks, Smith said, “I think it is a combination of things. First we did have a reduction in the number of deer in the area due to several factors a few years ago. I actually think the slightly lower numbers have helped the deer winter better and they are in better shape. Add to that the great summer we had with an almost perfect growing season for most of the area’s agriculture crops. Deer were provided with very nutritious feed all summer so antler growth and length is better.” Read more

A simple but effective telescoping pole and line combined with a clip that attaches to the back of any Montana Turkey Decoy, the Motion Stake can be used throughout the season. Depending on where the clip is attached, hunters can simulate a feeding, walking or looking turkey. Available December 2016, the new Montana Motion Stake has a suggested retail of $29.99. Read more