Press Release

Nikon Joins Thompson/Center’s Outdoor Quest

Nikon Sport Optics has joined the team at Thompson/Center’s Outdoor Quest as the official supplier of optics to the television series. Rich, Sandi and T.J. are especially excited about the new Omega Muzzleloader Scope from Nikon that features their patented BDC-250 Bullet Drop Compensator reticule. This scope is the perfect accompaniment to muzzleloaders like the Omega and Encore that are capable of long-range shots in the 250-300 yard range.

But in addition to the new Omega Muzzleloader Scope, you’ll see the team’s Encores topped off with a variety of Monarch scope and you can bet they’ll be using Nikons binoculars, laser range finders and spotting scopes as well in their search for big game across North America and the world.

Thompson/Center’s Outdoor Quest airs during the first and second quarters, January through June, on The Men's Outdoors & Recreation network and year ‘round on Wild TV in Canada. For more information, visit www.theoutdoorquest.com or contact Rich Mellon, 780-402-6392 or T.J. Schwanky, 403-932-3585.

Variety Abounds at Friday Night Auction

Variety is the theme at the Outdoor Writers of Canada fund raising auction, being held June 9^th, 2006 in conjunction with the organization’s annual conference in Edmonton, Alberta. This is the first year that the auction and Saturday craft improvement day will be open to the public and interest has been keen.

The auction will feature an incredible array of hunting and fishing gear as well as some unique items from Canadian craftsmen and artisans. We have two Gyotaku-inspired fish rubbings from Mya DeRyan of The Framed Fish, a custom-made letter opener by Tony Hnilica of AJH Custom Knives, a hand-crafted longbow by Bert Frelink of Quarter Moon Longbows, a Bob Scriber bronze graciously donated by Rick Taylor, several limited-edition wildlife prints, hand-painted wine goblets, numerous framed photographs, hand-tied flies, a host of autographed books, a ceremonial peace pipe and a tanned wolf hide from local trapper, Gordy Klassen to name but a few the interesting and unique items. A number of guided fishing trips, a whitewater rafting adventure and a stay at a backcountry lodge will also be offered to the highest bidders. Whether you are are a fisherman or hunter, you will be sure to find something of interest from North America's top rod, reel, lure, archery, optic, clothing and knife manufacturers and retailers. We also have a game camera up for auction from Alberta manufacturer, Treebark Cameras and Michael Short of Let's Go Outdoors is offering up a commercial spot on his radio program. The list of quality outdoor gear, art, trips and services has topped 100 items and is growing daily.

Contact information for all of the donors is available and their donations should make for some very interesting story ideas. Bring your wallets to the auction but bring your notebook too as I’m certain there will be a story angle for everyone there.

For a complete list of auction items, contact T.J. Schwanky at sheephunter@shaw.ca.

Tickets for the Friday night fund-raising dinner and auction are available at The Fishin’ Hole in Edmonton or from Don Meredith at donmeredith@yahoo.com.

If you just can’t wait to see what your favorite hosts on Thompson/Center’s Outdoor Quest are up to on the Men’s Channel each week, now you can get your fix on their blog at www.theoutdoorquest.com. Follow the travels of Rich and Sandi Mellon and T.J. Schwanky on the web site as they write about their adventures and misadventures. Included are great photos of their days a field and colorful narratives of each and every hunt. Be the first to know who shot the biggest red stag in New Zealand or what nifty new hunting gadgets and accessories that your favorite hosts are trying out. Also, get a more personal look and these television personalities and gain access to a behind the scenes look at producing a hunting television series.

In response to an overwhelming response from viewers, eager to see more of the high-quality hunts featured in the series, Outdoor Quest Television is changing from a fishing and hunting program to an all hunting format. Outdoor Quest Television has always offered the best in fair chase hunts and the only thing that will change is that there will be more of these hunts on the program. Our viewers wanted more hunting and we are giving it to them.

Outdoor Quest Television airs during first and second quarters on The Men’s Channel and goes into over 26 million homes. These two quarters offer the highest Homes Using Television (HUT) numbers of the year. It can also be seen in Canada on Wild TV. The series is entering its fifth year of broadcast and while the fishing component of the program was extremely popular, the hunts are what our viewers wanted to see more of and we are obliging.

Outdoor Quest Television is hosted by Rich and Sandi Mellon and T.J. Schwanky. All hunts are fair chase and we hunt a wide variety of species from whitetail deer, turkey, waterfowl and elk, to more exotic fare like caribou, moose, sheep, goats and antelope. Some of last year’s highlights included Sandi’s monster Alberta whitetail, Rich’s trophy book black bear, and T.J.’s muzzleloader bighorn sheep. With even more hunts, you can count on this season being even more exciting.

In keeping with our philosophy of promoting responsible involvement and enjoyment of the great heritage of hunting, Outdoor Quest Television will be heading afield with a number of youth and first-time hunters during the 2006 broadcast season. While lip service is often paid to our future hunters, here at Outdoor Quest Television we feel it is critical to share the experiences of these hunters with our viewers. We have received countless letters from viewers offering kudos for the encouragement and confidence they gained from our episodes featuring new hunters and of course our female contingent, Sandi.

You won’t want to miss Jake Mellon’s first muzzleloader black bear hunt. Jake is Richard and Sandi’s youngest son. You might remember him from a moose hunt he took with Richard last season. Well, this year it was still all in the family but this time it was Mom that took Jake afield. You’ll love this episode of Outdoor Quest Television as Mother and Son enjoy a spring black bear hunt in northern Alberta for monster bruins. You won’t believe how many bears the Jake and Sandi encounter on this hunt and you’ll be thrilled to watch as Jakes makes the perfect shot and a big black bear as a proud Mom watches on.

We are also going to follow first-time hunter Vanessa Harrop through all the stages leading up to her first hunt and then of course you’ll get to see her take her first big game animal. Vanessa represents a new group of up and coming hunters that is having a huge influence on our industry…….the first-time mature hunter. As many of the baby boomers find themselves with more and more recreation time and disposable income, they are turning to hunting as a way of truly experiencing the outdoors. In many states getting your first hunting license can be an involved process, even for hunters in their 30s and 40s. On this episode of Outdoor Quest Television join Vanessa as she takes her hunter safety training, spends time at the range, and then of course fulfills her dream of living out her first big game hunt.

The Outdoor Quest is Coming to Canada

After several years of trying to convince Canadian broadcasters that there is a place for hunting on Canadian television, The Outdoor Quest has found a home. Beginning in September 2004, The Outdoor Quest will begin airing on Canada’s newest hunting and fishing channel, Wild TV. According to Ryan Kohler, vice president of marketing for Wild TV, the network will begin broadcasting in July and viewers should check with their local cable companies for availability.

The Outdoor Quest, now in its third year of broadcast on The Outdoor Channel in the U.S.A., has been a real favourite with both hunters and anglers. Each episode features a hunting and fishing segment. The series is hosted by Kim and T.J. Schwanky and Sandi and Richard Mellon. While Rich and T.J. do most of the fishing, it is the ladies that get to show their talents in the hunting arena. The Outdoor Quest prides itself in only doing free-range hunts for truly wild animals. Species range from whitetails, mule deer and black bear, to moose, caribou, sheep and goats. The emphasis is on the adventure of the hunt. Richard and T.J. target a wide variety of fish in their travels but it is walleye that they really key in on. Each fishing segment is packed with how-to information on catching fish in your backyard. The majority of the fishing is at lakes that are easily accessible by automobile and close to major Canadian centres.

The hosts of The Outdoor Quest are well known to Canadian sportsmen through their regular appearances in hunting and fishing magazines across the country. Kim Schwanky says, “We are now very excited to becoming into their homes through the television as well. It’s been a long battle getting a hunting series on in Canada and it a real pleasure to be working with Ryan and the team at Wild TV. They really understand why anglers and hunters are so passionate about what they do”

Wild TV is quickly filling their schedule with a host of top-notch shows from the U.S.A. and Canada. They will offer 24-hours of outdoor programming; something that has been sorely missing in this country. For more information on Wild TV, contact V.P. of marketing, Ryan Kohler.