Learn from the Experts

About Melissa:

Melissa Bachman grew up in a time when outdoor television offered a new career path where none had existed before, and in a place, central Minnesota where outdoor dreams can come true.

She was raised on hunting and fishing surrounded and guided by family and mentors to whom the outdoors wasn’t just something you did, it was a way of life.

Bachman pursued her academic life with the very same tenacity she approached her passion for hunting. After graduating with honors and armed with a degree in television broadcasting, and another in Spanish, from St Cloud State University, Melissa set her sights on a career in outdoor television.

She began as an unpaid TV intern driving 150-miles a day to work for free. Within months Melissa was offered a position as a full time producer where she traveled the country filming, producing and editing shows with a variety of incredible hunters on some fantastic adventures. 

Although close to her dream job, Bachman truly longed to be the one outwitting her prey, and squeezing the trigger. So she spent every spare moment of her free time arduously filming and editing her own hunts. Finally, with time, patience and persistence, Melissa got some solid shows into the right hands and her wish became reality.

Mentors share. It's what they do, and sharing the great outdoors and the adventure is what Melissa wanted to do. Her choice was to do this through television.

Today, Melissa spends over 200 days a year in the field, around the globe filming and producing her series Winchester Deadly Passion in its 14th season. But it hasn’t stopped there.

Her journey and commitment to the outdoors, family, the conservation of nature and sharing have made Melissa an ambassador for the way of life we all cherish.  Melissa now calls South Dakota home with her husband Ben Bearshield and their five children.

Sweet Tea, midday host on the Carolina Country Radio Network (93.9FM in Myrtle Beach, 100.1FM in Fayetteville, 106.3FM in Wilmington), will be at our booth and interviewing other vendors and attendees.

Visit Blue Line Tactical at booth #659

Schedule:

Saturday, February 3: 10:00 AM to 03:00 PM

Sunday, February 4: 10:00 AM to 03:00 PM

Monday, February 5: 10:00 AM to 03:00 PM

About Hannah:

Hannah Barron grew up in a small town in South Alabama. From the time she could watch, she spent most of her time following her father, Jeff Barron, around learning everything she could about hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors. From shooting .22 rifles, running trot lines, cleaning squirrels, and killing her first deer at 8 years old, Hannah has always had a passion for the outdoors. When she was in college, she had her first video go viral of her catching a 30lb catfish with her hands, bringing fame to the sport known as “catfish noodling.” She now uses the platforms she’s grown to promote conservation, individuality, and to inspire others, especially females, to take part in the outdoors.

About Michael:

There is nothing in the world that Mike enjoys more than chasing big, mature whitetail deer. He has been hunting ever since he could shoot a rifle and has been addicted ever since. After only a few rifle seasons, Mike realized that he could not limit himself to 10 days in the Missouri hardwoods – he had to pick up a bow. After taking his first P&Y whitetail at the age of 16, he never looked back. Since then Mike has taken numerous trophy whitetails with archery equipment and has documented a majority of them on film. To Mike, it is more than just hunting; it is a way of life. From scouting nearly every day in the summer to shed hunting in the spring, Mike is in the field nearly every day of the year.

About Justin:

Justin Aust is the co-founder of On Point Adventure Foods, a Pennsylvania-based freeze-dried food company specializing in lightweight meals and snacks. Justin has been on his fair share of successful backcountry hunts and hiking trips across the country. As a Professional Engineer, he is dedicated to finding better solutions to overcome problems not only in his career but also to improve the overall quality of his outdoor excursions. Seeking to refine his gear and backcountry nutrition, Justin has since helped to create a variety of superior freeze-dried food options for every adventurer. Stop by On Point Adventure Foods booth (3306) or the seminar to discover the valuable insights and strategies Justin uses year after year to launch successful trips into the backcountry which will include everything from essential gear to optimizing nutrition. Whether you’re a seasoned guide or looking to mount your first serious wilderness hunting trip, Justin would love to help you on your journey.

 About Ashley:

Ashley Wishall is a full-time hunting and fishing guide in Eastern NC where has resided all of his life. After attending and graduating college with a four-year degree in business he went on to attend the fire academy and became a full-time paid firefighter. Guiding Deer/Bear hunts on his off time and traveling the country hunting led him to become a full-time guide and outfitter owning Adventures Plus Outfitters. One of the largest hunting operations in Eastern NC. He is also a licensed captain and owns/operates a charter boat based out of Morehead City NC.

His passion is his bear hounds though. He has been bear hunting since the age of 16 and loves taking kids and new hunters into harvest their first bear. Since 2008 he has been traveling the world hunting and fishing filming outdoor shows and guiding from New Zealand to Canada and everywhere in between. He enjoys learning new techniques from other areas and meeting new people hunting that turn into lifelong friendships.

About Nathan:

Rising country star Nathan Merovich’s natural twang and four octave range will pull you in right from the first note.  25 year old country singer/songwriter, Nathan Merovich, was born and raised in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.  Often compared to Eric Church, Merovich’s voice will blow you away with his pure country sound infused with his own unique style and drawing his inspiration from the greats Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Sr and Jr.

Nathan released his first single “90 Proof Pour” in July 2019.  He continued playing local venues all over Pennsylvania and in fall of 2020 released his second single “Mama’s Song.”  In May of 2021, Nathan released his debut album “Raised in the Stx,” touching upon everything he enjoys and holds near to his heart, the record has a song for everyone.  In 2022, Nathan recorded at Sound Stage in Nashville, with producer Sam Grow with songs written by  Danny Orton, Mitchell Tenpenny and Derek Reitz.  You Can find "Tonight's on You", "God Don't Care" and "Another You and Me" on all streaming platforms today.

Nathan has been a three year in a row, double nominee, in the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame Awards.  In 2020 he was a Best New Artist and Best Country Artist Nominee.  In 2021, Nathan won Best Country Artist and also had a nomination for Song of the Year with "Mama's Song".  In 2022 he won Best Male Country Artist and was nominated for Album of the Year with his debut album, "Raised in the Stx."

Today, Nathan is steadily making headway on the country music circuit, opening for acts such as Chris Jansen, Michael Ray, Lainey Wilson, Dylan Scott, Kylie Morgan, Ryan Hurd, Big & Rich, Lee Brice, Matt Stell, George Birge, Drew Holcomb, Tyler Farr, Filmore, Seaforth, Caylee Hammack, Sam Grow and many more.  Nathan played at the York State Fair in 2019, 2021 and 2022, as well as festivals like Fall Fest in 2019 and 2021.

Nathan will be touring all over the United States in 2023 with shows currently scheduled in California, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  Look out for his next 6 song EP to be released later this Spring 2024, with a few singles prior.

About James:

James Started hunting at age 14 and was able to kill his first doe with a bow and was hooked from that moment on. 35 years later he has chased his passion all over the US hunting whitetails from Washington State to Virginia honing his skills and techniques.  What he has found is that even though every state is different, and the terrain is different whitetails tend to do the same things. Since 2008 he has been blessed to share his knowledge and passion on his TV Show Open Season TV which has also allowed him to learn from other passionate whitetail hunters. 

About Klint:

Klint Macro is an educator and motivator of his fellow citizens, encouraging all Americans to exercise their individual rights and liberties through education and empowerment. 

 Klint's background is in the music and film industry but Klint changed roles by becoming a firearm safety and defense trainer and instructor in the early 2000’s. He founded the Trigger Pressers Union (www.triggerpressersunion.com) in 2013 and today he trains instructors and citizens alike on a daily basis by teaching them safe, ethical, and contextually appropriate curriculum that helps them to safely protect themselves and those that they love.

Klint is a Personal Defense Network Training Tour Instructor (www.pdntrainingtour.com) and a regular contributor to Personal Defense Network (www.personaldefensenetwork.com). Klint is certified through various companies and organizations including the USCCA, NRA, I.C.E. Training, ASP, Sabre, and Project Appleseed.

 Klint is also the co-founder and administrator of National Train A Teacher Day (www.nationaltrainateacherday.com), Co-Host of Meet The Pressers (www.meetthepressers.com), President of The Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League (www.acslpa.org) and VP of Firearms Owners Against Crime Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Educational Action (www.foac-illea.org).

About Jon:

Jon Collins was born & raised in South Central Kentucky and started hunting at a young age. Through the years, he has hunted many different game species including turkey, whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, black bear, bobcats, and coyotes in multiple states. 

 Jon has always enjoyed hunting animals where calling comes into play. Naturally, he fell in love with predator hunting. On his very first coyote stand, Jon called in 7 coyotes! Needless to say, he was hooked!

 Jon’s passion for predator calling has led him to his position with FOXPRO Inc. 

About Jeremy:

The HuntChef, Jeremy Critchfield, is the premier Wild Game Chef who loves to share his knowledge and techniques!  HuntChef seasonings, jerky, sausage, brine kits and his NEW sauce line, paired with his YouTube channel and social media pages will help you better prepare your harvest!  Check out all of his wild game cooking videos at www.huntchef.com or @huntchef on YouTube.

About Aaron:

Amputee, veteran and avid outdoorsman, Aaron Ritter is a “warrior optimist” both on and off the battlefield. His dedication and focus on living a “LIMB-itless” lifestyle is embodied in his drive to overcome adversity and challenge, and is communicated in his powerful message to others.

After losing his right leg in 2012, Aaron returned to full duty and deployed as the Platoon Chief of a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Special Forces team. His personal time is focused on outdoor adventures and encouraging others to live without boundaries. Avid big game hunter, 3-time Boston Marathon finisher, and Ultra-marathon runner, Aaron pursues big game nationwide, preferring tree saddle and backcountry applications.

Along with Aaron’s willingness to communicate his story, he loves to share his passion and knowledge of elevated hunting, backcountry experience, and methods and tactics. “Are You A Hunter, or Do You Like To Hunt”, “The Mindset of a Successful Hunter”, “The 60/30/10 Principle”, and “Backcountry Hunting with the Modern Day Tree Saddle” are a few topics you may enjoy while engaging with Aaron and LIMB-itless Outdooors.

About Rod:

Rod Bates was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and, just by looking at his name, you know he was born to fish! Although he doesn’t remember the times his parents took him river bank fishing when he was in diapers, the photos cannot be denied. Rod is a Christian and he is the owner of Koinonia Guide Service. Koinonia was started in 1999 and they offer guided fishing trips for smallmouth bass, catfish and panfish. Rod enjoys helping people become successful at catching fish. It is the mission of Koinonia Guide Service to provide their clients a safe, productive and memorable experience while exposing them to Gods Wonderful Creation.

Rod is a Proud Pro Staff Member of fantastic national companies like Bass Pro Shops, Mercury Marine, PLANO Tackle Systems, PRADCO, St. Croix, Team Catfish, Frabill and Lowrance. He is also sponsored by great local companies like Fitt Premium Lures, AlumaRyder Boats and Snagler Tackle Company.

These relationships allow Rod to field test new products and report back to the companies.

Rod’s love of fishing is not limited to river fishing as he has expanded his guide business to include exotic trips to such places as Alaska and Cost Rica. The Alaska Trip is an annual event where the group primarily targets Halibut and Salmon. 

About Autumn:

Autumn McEntee is 20 years old, born and raised in central Pennsylvania. She has been immersed in the outdoors from the age of 3 and is most passionate about waterfowl hunting, bass fishing, and beaver trapping. This allows Autumn to spend ample time in the water year-round, and her experience fuels the knowledge she shares.

About Chris:

Chris Tatum has been involved in the outdoors and hunting his entire life in eastern North Carolina. Chris became passionate enough about hunting and taking others that it started with guiding some veteran groups for a club he was a member of in his early 20s. That evolved into becoming a full-time guide in eastern North Carolina for Adventures Plus Outfitters which he's been a part of for 5 full seasons guiding deer, bear, and turkey hunts. In those 5 seasons, they have had great success and are looking forward to many more seasons of excellent hunting and service to our clients.

About Lance:

Lance has been a full time fishing guide on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River for the last 43 years, making him one of the longest, continual working, on the water, guides in Pennsylvania.

He has averaged 200 to 250 charters a year with an average of 8,000 to 11,000 fish caught and released from just his custom made 21ft jet boat, (The Beast), each year!

One interesting fact, he never uses live bait and only uses American Made fishing rods and fishing lures on his charters and he will tell you what they are and why that’s all he needs to be successful.

He is the published author of “Legend or Survivor” Tips and Tales of 40 plus years as a fishing guide. And has a second book, “The River” to be published soon.

He has been on many TV shows, made several fishing and hunting DVD’s, radio broadcasts, and has been the subject of magazine articles over the many decades of his career. 

PA Bass Nation Youth Director

About Rick:

“ASK THE BUTCHER”

Rick Fetrow is a professional meat cutter & further processor with more than 40 years’ experience.  Rick is currently employed as a Senior Field Sales Consultant for Tyson Fresh Meats since 1993.  His talents are utilized for conducting seminars, teaching food safety, teaching meat-cutting techniques, and food preparation.  Rick routinely works with area retailers like Giant Foods, Weis Markets, Redner’s Markets, and Shur Fine Markets.  On the food service spectrum, Rick conducts training classes with major accounts like Sysco Food Service, Feeser Food Service, and Performance Food Group.  Rick has also been invited as a guest speaker for area universities, vocational schools, and technical schools.  In his free time, Rick was on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Beef Council and is chairman of Hunter’s Sharing the Harvest venison donation program.

About Randy:

Randy Flannery is a registered Maine Master Guide with over 35 years of guiding experience and a lifetime of experience tracking and stalking whitetails. He and his wife Sharon own and operate Wilderness Escape Outfitters in Northern Maine where they teach people how to track and stalk the huge trophy wilderness whitetails Maine is famous for.

This renowned tracker-stalker has regularly been featured in Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Deer & Deer Hunting, NRA’s American Hunter, and many of the nation’s top outdoor publications for over 20 years.

About Jason:

Jason Clark is the founder and CEO of Southeastern Reptile Rescue. Finding homes for unwanted pet reptiles is just a part of his daily job. For over 30 years, he has responded to requests for snake removals for 911 dispatch centers throughout Georgia. He is an Alligator Agent Trapper who assists law enforcement with the capture and removal of nuisance alligators. Being a prior law enforcement officer himself, he now contracts his services to state and federal law enforcement in the training of venomous snake handling and alligator capture techniques. For the last 22 years, he has been called upon by several state and federal law enforcement agencies to assist with identifying, collecting, and holding seized reptiles for evidence. He is a public speaker and performs two to three hundred stage shows each year with live venomous snakes. He's been featured in his own series on Animal Planet and has appeared on National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Netflix, national commercials, and feature film. His current escapades can be viewed on his YouTube channel, SnakesAreUsTV.

About Ken:

Ken Hammel grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania and has enjoyed Hunting in the Outdoors for as long as he can remember. As Owner of Mountain Hollow Game Calls, Ken has been hunting Gobblers around the country for for almost 40 years and has helped build one of the most successful game call companies in the hunting industry today. In fact, Mountain Hollow Game Calls is celebrating its 42nd year in the business of manufacturing game calls since 1982.    

About Bobby:

Bobby Hart was born in to a family tradition of custom gun builders and gunsmiths. He now has taken over the lead role from his father, Wally Hart, at Robert W. Hart and Son Inc. as a 4th generation custom rifle builder. Located in Nescopeck, Pennsylvania, this small, family run business is known worldwide to the hunting, shooting, military and law enforcement industries.

About Jeff:

US Navy SEAL Jeff L. Gonzales is a nationally recognized weapons and tactics instructor. He is the founder and CEO of Trident Concepts, LLC., former director of training for The Range at Austin, and current podcast host for the BulletProof Workshop podcast.

Jeff’s background comes from Naval Special Warfare; where he served as a decorated and respected operator and instructor. Participating in numerous combat operations throughout the globe, his duties involved a wide variety of operational and instructional assignments on both the East and West coasts.

Through Trident Concepts, Jeff pioneered new advances in weapons and tactics instruction. His unique understanding of adult learning, detailed curriculum development, and rigorous adherence to performance standards continue to set him apart from an increasingly crowded field.

In recent years, Jeff has increased his focus on concealed carry. Leveraging his experience operating in non-permissive environments all over the world, Jeff shares his unique knowledge with members of law enforcement, military, and responsibly armed citizens. In this process, he has created lasting relationships and friendships. 

About Nate:

There are a couple of things Montdale, Pennsylvania is known for, one being it’s dairy farm and ice cream, the Montdale country club and the other being Lakeland Football. But here lately, there is one more buzz coming from the small dairy town, and that is none other than HeadHunters TV's own Nate Hosie aka “The Turkey Slayer”. He has built a name for himself locally and across the country for his hunting skills in the woods as host of the hit tv show HeadHunters TV on the outdoor channel.

In addition, Hosie has also found amazing success in the country music scene playing county fairs, Honky tonks, outdoor shows, private events, and clubs all across the country! He has opened for and shared the stage with some of the biggest performers in the business. Rhett Akins, Riley Green, Luke Bryan, Travis Tritt, Tyler Farr, Ted Nugent, LoCash, Granger Smith, and Dustin Lynch to name a few!

It's no wonder that at the end of the day, whether it's calling turkeys, hunting deer, chasing elk, or making music straight from his heart, Nate Hosie knows just what a lucky man he is to get to live the life he does. “Sometimes I just sit back and think about how blessed I am to hunt for a living have the opportunity to make music and have a platform to do my best to bring good to this world,” shares Hosie. “I've got a strong faith in God, my beautiful wife Tiffany our 2 incredible little boys Cruze and Nash, my mom, dad, and sisters, awesome family and friends, and a community that supports me, and for that, I am as blessed as a fella can be!”

About Kendall:

Kendall is a native Texan who avidly works to create more interest in the outdoors. She utilizes social media to speak directly into the lives of over a million men women and children around the world! She currently works with many brands in the outdoor industry to bring awareness to educate the public on hunting, the 2nd Amendment, and the outdoor lifestyle she lives on a daily basis. Kendall has a love for children and works to create opportunities for them to get actively involved in the outdoors. Unfortunately, Kendall has combated social hate, negative publicity, and many obstacles along the way but her ability to rise above the bullying has inspired many to overcome their fears and pursue their goals.

About Mark:

Mark Kayser has been writing, photographing, and filming about hunting with a career spanning three decades. He contributes hunting content to most major hunting publications in America including the largest, all-hunting publication, the NRA’s American Hunter where he is a Field Editor. In the past two decades, he has hosted a half dozen popular hunting shows including North American Hunter and Extreme Pursuits. Today his career also includes co-hosting popular hunting shows such as Deer & Deer Hunting TV on the Pursuit Network and HuntTech Online. He also blogs and is busy posting his adventures on several social media platforms. He uses the hashtag #huntinglife because that truly is his entire existence. When he cannot find an open hunting season, he escapes to the mountains for shed antler hunts and backcountry exploration.  

Mark grew up in South Dakota in a family that did not have a strong hunting background. Despite the lack of hunting guidance, Mark self-taught himself how to pursue whitetails in the Midwest cornfields and then to the Black Hills, and beyond for elk. His passion for elk hunting and a love of the West spurred him to move with his family to next door in Wyoming. This Cowboy State base offers annual elk hunting adventures and when he can draw a tag elsewhere, he sets waypoints across elk country where he launches DIY, public-land elk hunts, most with a solo attack in the backcountry.

In addition to a hunting lifestyle, Mark has given back to the outdoor community by being a board member for the Outdoor Writers of America Association, a board member for South Dakota Bowhunters Inc., a Boy Scouts of America volunteer leader taking youth into the Wyoming backcountry and a 4-H Shooting Sports volunteer leader, and NRA course certified range officer.   

Mark enjoys hunting all big game, coyotes, and wild turkeys. When he is not in pursuit of hunting adventures Mark retreats to his small ranch nestled at the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming to spend time with his two best friends, his wife Sharon and faithful border collie Sully.

 About Justin:

Justin Melnick is an ex-police officer from Indiana and is the real owner of his K9 partner Pepper on the hit TV show SEAL TEAM.  Before he was in law enforcement and on tv he was a combat photographer in Afghanistan for a number of years. 

About Rick:

Rick Hartz is 61 years old born and raised in the Susquehanna valley. Has fished the Susquehanna from New York to Maryland for over fifty years! Former tournament fisherman and newly retired. Has won over 30 tournaments on the Susquehanna River and several up and down the East Coast. Most days you will find him on the water or in the woods.

 Rick will talk about targeting big fish with a variety of baits. Such as spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, in-line spinners, jigs, and soft jerk baits.  As well as fishing in early spring with light lines and small hair jigs and tubes. He will discuss bait colors and the effect watercolor plays.

About Tony:

Tony LaPratt is the "god father" of modern-day whitetail habitat improvements. Tony has harvested 61 mature trophy-class whitetails consistently for 37 years. He has also designed over twenty-two hundred world-class hunting properties in 29 states ranging from five acres to six thousand acres.

Tony is the founder of The Ultimate Land Management & Whitetail Boot Camp. Heh as ran over 160 classes. All classes were held at the amazing Whitetail Habitat Research Center; the most advanced hunting property ever designed. Hunters have come from 41 states and Canada. 

Tony is the most innovative man in the whitetail and land management world. He is a keynote speaker all across the country. Tony has extraordinary insight into mature whitetail bucks.

You don't want to miss Tony's seminars! They are in-depth sessions about his newest techniques in exclusive whitetail discoveries. These amazing findings will totally separate your hunting land from the surrounding lands.

About Mike:

Mike Kimmel, known as the Python Cowboy, gained recognition for his expertise in dealing with invasive species in Florida. He has dedicated his livelihood to controlling the population of invasive species (specifically burmese pythons, green iguanas, & hogs) which pose a significant threat to the local ecosystem.

About Matt:

Spend an hour interacting with Matt Miller of Tryin Hard Outdoors and Collins Lowcountry Hunt Club. With over 30 years as a professional guide, top-ranked competition shooter, nationally published writer, and a certified archery coach he has picked up a few tricks that he would love to share with you. Whether you are interested in working on your crossbow, learning to shoot it more accurately, or hunting and trailing techniques this seminar will have something for you.

About Vincent:

Vincent Vigil is the owner of New Mexico Hunting Adventures LLC, an elite outfitting company based out of New Mexico that helps supply and assist with big game hunting adventures. Over the last 23 years, Vincent and the company have been featured on numerous television shows and have been a strong presence at different tradeshows around the country. These opportunities have allowed Vincent to establish networks with hunters and other outfitters all over the world. Vincent took his love and upbringing in hunting, ranching, and the outdoors and began his outfitting business in 2000. His instinctive expertise in the outdoors has allowed him the insight to understand the different perspectives required when it comes to the intricacies and challenges the outdoors can bring. Vincent has contributed thousands of dollars to animal conservations out of his love and respect for the animals that he hunts.

Not only has he developed his business over the last 24 years as an outfitter, but he has also traveled the world as a hunter, having harvested many different big game species of his own. Having traveled and hunted with numerous outfitters around the world, Vince has had the opportunity to integrate and provide insight to other hunters about best practices when it comes to hunter preparation and responsibilities after booking hunts. 

About Sean:

• Professional Guide
• World Goose Calling Champion
• World Goose Calling Champion of Champions
• Mason-Dixon Duck Calling Champion
• Eastern US Open Duck Calling Champion
• World Championship Duck and Goose Call Maker

Sean Mann is a native of Easton, Maryland.  His father took him on his first goose hunt when he was 5 years old.  Sean got his first flying goose that year, with a .410.

He grew up near the Walsh family.  Joe Walsh and Sean were classmates until 10^th grade.  Joe's Dad Dr. Harry M. Walsh wrote “The Outlaw Gunner” and founded the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland.  Sean and Joe Walsh spent a great deal of time under Doc's wing and learned the importance of proper stewardship and conservation of the resources of Chesapeake Bay.

He began working for a guide service as a “Go-Fer” when he was 13 and started guiding goose hunters on Maryland’s Eastern Shore when he was 15.

Sean entered his first World Goose Calling Championship contest in 1981 on a dare. He placed fourth in 1981 and fourth, again, the next year.  However, in 1983, Sean finished third.  Dissatisfied with “store-bought” goose calls, Sean began designing a call of his own which began the “long call revolution”.  Sean took his prototype goose call to the World Goose Calling Championship in 1984.  Although Sean and his goose call did not place in the top six contestants that year, he took many orders for calls from his fellow callers and professional guides.  “The Eastern Shoreman” goose call was born.

He found another contest as soon as possible, and in March of 1985 won the Mid Atlantic Goose Calling Championship in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Sean won the World Goose Calling Championship in 1985.  He repeated his championship performances in 1986 in both the Mid Atlantic Goose Calling Championship and the World Goose Calling Championship using “The Eastern Shoreman”, the long goose call he developed. 

These accomplishments paved the way for many of today’s goose call makers.

In 1997 Sean Mann’s Outdoor Adventures opened a waterfowl guide service in Alberta Canada, which Sean operated through 2012.  That experience necessitated the development of Sean's Shorty Reed Canada Goose Calls, for various Canada Goose Sub-species and Sean's White Out Snow Goose Call and White Front Specklebelly Goose Call.  All of these calls have added titles to Sean's  World Championship Call Making credentials.

Since 1985, Sean’s Canada Goose Calls, Snow Goose Calls and Specklebelly Goose Calls  and Duck Calls have won over 40 World and International Titles, and over 150 State, Regional and Local Titles.  They were the first to win the World Goose Calling Champion of Champions Title and the first to win the International Goose Calling Champion of Champions Title and were used by more winners of the World Game Calling Challenge than any other calls.

In 1994 Sean won the Mason-Dixon Regional Duck Calling Championship with his own duck call.  Sean repeated his victory in the Mason-Dixon Regional Duck Calling Championship in 1995.

In 1995 Sean was the first-ever winner of the prestigious “World Goose Calling Champion of Champions” competition held at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland.  As the victor of this competition, Sean was automatically and officially retired from World Goose Calling competition.

In 1997 Sean won the Mason-Dixon Regional Duck Calling Championship for a third time, officially retiring him from that competition as well.  In fifteen years, Sean was a finalist in 12 World Goose Calling Championships and 9 Mason-Dixon Duck Calling Championships, an unprecedented record.

Prior to taking on the Chairman’s role, Sean was the first and only person to ever be officially retired from all adult division calling contests at the Waterfowl Festival.

 In order to keep the Sport of Competition Calling going strong in the East, Sean founded and ran:

•         The Maryland State Duck and Goose Calling Championships

•         The Chesapeake Bay Open Duck and Goose Calling Championships

•         Upper Chesapeake Bay Goose and Duck Calling Championships

•         The Susquehanna Flats Classic Goose and Duck Calling Championships

•         The Old Time Barnegat Bay Two-Man Team Waterfowling Competitions,

•         The World Live Duck Calling ChampionshipThe World Live Goose Calling Championship.

 He served on the Waterfowl Festival Board of Directors for 3 terms and served for many years as Chairman and Master of Ceremonies of the World Goose Calling Championship, The World Live Duck Calling Championship, The Mason-Dixon Duck Calling Championship and the World Live Goose Calling Championship.

About Al:

Allen Morris of Springville Utah grew up with a love of hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors. As a youngster he could be found with his dogs and a BB gun chasing animals around his family's dairy farm. At the age of 16 Al's dad Chuck read an article in Outdoor Life about Wayne Carlton and his ability to call elk, using a turkey diaphragm call. His father called Wayne that very day . "My life was changed forever," said Morris. "After some one on one instruction over the phone from Wayne, three days later I was calling elk in the field myself. I realized I had a unique ability to make a variety of all the vocalizations the elk make. Al's talent for hunting and calling elk led to a lifetime career as a professional guide. Al has "put his knife in over 780 elk and climbing every year from his own success and his guiding ability.

Morris is a 4 time World Coyote Calling Champion along with his partner of over 20 yrs Garvin Young. 1997,2007,2008,2016. Morris also won the World Elk calling Championship at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Rendezvou in Dallas TX 2 months after winning his 3rd world coyote calling contest in 2009. Al is the only adult to have 2 different species at the same time. Al has won the Northeastern Elk calling Championship multiple times, the Best of the West multiple years Utah State along with the new Western Hunting and Conservation Expos contests. When Al is not in the field filming for FOXPRO HUNTING TV he loves to share his passion for the outdoors and the rich tradition of Predator calling and Elk hunting. He especially loves sharing the "FOXPRO" family of electronic predator calls and hand calls that make him one of the most successful personalities in the industry. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with every outdoor enthusiast that attends one of his events.....

About Forest:

• 3-Time Amazon Best-Selling Author
• Featured in USA Today & Yahoo! Finance
• Seen on ABC’s Shark Tank
• International Speaker
• NRA Benefactor Member

About Dr. Mike Fuljenz:

Dr. Mike Fuljenz, president of Universal Coin & Bullion

• Recognized as America’s Gold Expert®
• Seen on Fox Business Network & CNBC
• NRA Golden Ring of Freedom Member
• Consultant for the U.S. Mint, Royal Canadian Mint and Federal Trade Commission
• 2021 ANA Coin Dealer of the Year
• 2023 NLG Investment Book of the Year Award Winner
• 2023 Chester L. Krause Memorial Distinguished Service Award

About Alan:

Alan Probst started North American Trapper® operations in 2003 and has continued through today by bringing instructional information and quality trapping products to market. North American Trapper® has produced over 40 different instructional DVD's and his national television programs air weekly as well as an informative Nest Raider™ showcase. North American Trapper® also produces a YouTube channel with a complete Beginner Series dedicated to getting new people interested in the outdoors via responsible trapping.  North American Trapper® is the leader in the promotion of trapping as a viable option in helping landowners, farmers, ranchers and hunters alike control Nest Raider™ and larger Predation problems to become the steward of their own land.  More information can be found at www.northamericantrapper.com

About Gregg:

An Olympic-level shooter, industry leader in outdoor manufacturing, media, and marketing, Gregg Ritz combines his passion for adventure hunting, the whitetail woods, family, fitness and God into all that he pursues. Originally from Maryland, Gregg Ritz began hunting at a young age and is now passing on his legacy and traditions to his three teenage daughters. Whether promoting the outdoor lifestyle on Outdoor Channel’s award-winning Hunt Masters or championing product innovation, Gregg Ritz’s commitment to excellence is unparalleled.

Hunt Masters airs on Sundays at 8:30p ET on Outdoor Channel.

About Eddie:

Eddie Salter began hunting at the age of eight near his home in Evergreen, Alabama. After learning turkey-hunting techniques from his father and grandfather, Salter called-in and harvested his first gobbler at the age of 10. Salter began participating in competitive turkey calling and amassed an impressive list of titles, including seven Southeastern Open Turkey Calling Championships, six Alabama State Championships and two World Open Championships. Named one of the top-10 sportsmen in the U.S. in 1986 and 1989 and with almost four decades of turkey-hunting experience, Salter is recognized as one of the country’s leading authorities on turkey hunting. He’s appeared on ESPN, TNN, The Outdoor Channel and ABC’s 20/20 TV show and in numerous hunting videos and television commercials for numerous Outdoor Brands and has been featured in many outdoor magazine articles and radio interviews. He's has a Tv Show on the Sportsman Channel Turkey Man.  

About Chad:

Chad Schearer grew up hunting and fishing in the mountains of Montana. He has been an outfitter and guide for the last 30 plus years. Chad has a passion for calling in elk and has won every major elk calling competition in the United States and is a World Champion, along with 2-time Eastern US champion.  Chad has hunted on 5 continents and extensively around the world. Besides hunting, Chad is an advocate for wildlife conservation and is the chairman of the board for the Mule Deer Foundation. Chad is also a life member of the NRA. Chad and his family host the award-winning television show Shoot Straight.

About Marsha:

Marsha Schearer loves the mountains of Montana but grew up in hills of Tennessee. She jokes she was hunting for a husband now she hunts with her husband. She has been a licensed Montana Guide for over 25 years. Marsha enjoys getting new hunters involved in the outdoors and also sharing tips on how to cook wild game as she host’s Shoot Straight’s “Recipes from the Field.”  Marsha was the first lady to be put on the CVA pro staff and has hunted and fished around the world from New Zealand to Africa and many destinations in between. As she says, “Shoot like a girl, try to keep up!”

About Chris:

Chris Stefanou, notably known as "LISHARKMAN" is well known for his extreme, action-packed fishing social media pages (Instagram, TickTock, Youtube etc.), with videos reaching over 500,000,000 views and over 1,400,000 subscribers on Youtube! He is an extremely passionate angler who specializes in Land Based Shark Fishing on Long Island, New York, but often ventures out to different states along the east coast of the U.S. He also books private land-based shark fishing charters for anyone interested!

Highly conservative with his shark studies and tagging, Chris loves sharing his experiences and knowledge with fishing fanatics and shark enthusiasts. Chris has been helping various research associations by tagging and documenting thousands of sharks of different species. This helps to better study these sharks and protect them, and the ecology of our oceans.

About John:

John is a third-generation sport angler whose passion for fishing has gone on since the age of four. He has fished up and down the East Coast for both salt and freshwater species.  His initial passion was for freshwater trout, growing up fishing the creeks and streams of northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania for over 20 years.  Nearly 30 years ago, he was introduced to river smallmouth by a friend.   From that moment on he has become obsessed with learning how to catch big river smallmouth.   He spends over 100 days a year on the water, with most of that time on the Susquehanna River, from Harrisburg to Sunbury, and the Juniata River, from the mouth to Huntingdon. 

John is owner/founder of Snagler Tackle Company, LLC, which he started in 2012.  He has several lines of spinnerbaits, terminal tackle, and soft plastic baits for river smallies.   Being a professional guide for Snagler Guide Service has allowed him to teach what he has learned about river smallmouth fishing to others, share his knowledge of the river’s history, educate people on water quality issues with our rivers and the importance of our rivers to our economies, culture, and citizens. He resides in Lititz, PA with his wife and Christine, they have a daughter, Sarah, who is currently in college.

Seminar: Locate & Catch More Bass 

•   Hear and learn how to catch mature bass from legend Bobby Uhrig!

About Bobby:

Professional Fisherman and Master Lure Designer Bobby Uhrig opened Megastrike Inc. in 2001. After 9 years of research and development, Bobby launched Megastrike Fish Attractant, the first amino acid-based fish attractant on the market.  Years later, it continues to be in extremely high demand all over the world by both professional and amateur fishermen. In 2006, Megastrike developed the Evolution Jig. Innovative by design, it won Best New Lure at ICAST 2006. Since then, Bobby and Megastrike have developed many new and innovative products by filming and studying bass and other fish in their natural environment. Megastrike fishing products are the leaders in fishing tackle innovation.

About Chef Albert:

Albert Wutsch, the author of The Art of Cooking Venison, The Art of Barbecuing and Grilling Game, The Art of Cooking Game, and the producer of The Art of Backyard Butchering is retired as department chairperson of Indiana University of Pennsylvania Academy of Culinary Arts. Chef Wutsch is a certified executive chef and culinary educator who combines his mastery of cooking with his passion for the great outdoors. Chef currently works for Outdoor Solutions as Chef Instructor/Co-Host for “From Field to Table Events” across North America and Chef consultant for video and recipe development.  

An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Chef Wutsch has cooked for professional outfitters in Montana's Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Spotted Bear Wilderness, the largest untamed areas in America. He has cooked in many hunting camps throughout the country and has taught courses on game cookery across the nation. He has been a featured guest speaker for many sports shows and national conventions such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Annual Pheasant Fest, as well as the Great American Outdoor Show sponsored by the NRA.

Chef Wutsch's professional career has spanned over 50 years of culinary experience. He has received numerous culinary teaching awards and has been featured in many newspaper and magazine articles. He has conducted game cooking demonstrations on TV, has written columns for national magazines such as Pennsylvania Game News, Women in the Outdoors, Buckmasters, and North American Hunter. Chef Wutsch has judged game culinary competitions and has been retained by publishers to review culinary manuscripts. 

About Joe:

Joe Zaffuto was born and raised in a small town in Central Pennsylvania where he tried his hand at night calling at a very young age. He was only 14 when he called in and killed his first grey fox. From that point on he was hooked and now 40 plus years later he still targets predators willing to come to the call with their eyes glowing from his now “much better” red lights – still feeling that same passion he felt back then. Although he has upgraded his hunting equipment and changed his style, the concept is still basically the same.

In 2012, Joe started his own predator light company Night Eyes, LLC. Several years after starting his company Joe retired from a 28-year career in Law Enforcement where he was a certified firearms instructor. He has given seminars on calling predators at night throughout the northeast United States and has written articles for Fur-Fish-Game, Gun Trade World and Woods & Water magazines. Joe has been featured on five TV episodes that aired on the Pursuit Channel. In one of his last episodes Joe and his partner killed 18 predators in three nights of filming.

Joe finds coyotes are much more challenging to call in than fox and feels every coyote called in and killed is a trophy. Since the start of his company, Joe has called in and killed hundreds of fox and coyotes while using his Night Eyes Hunting Lights with the majority of them being in the state of Pennsylvania. Joe says: “The ever-wise coyote is without question an excellent teacher and he is still teaching me even today.”

Joe is always willing to provide hunting strategies to those who are willing to listen.  He feels very privileged to have been instrumental in helping get thousands of new hunters started into the night hunting sport and he loves to hear their success stories that follow. Night hunting still calls to Joe as strongly today as it did on that first fateful night-time fox hunt, many years ago.

Appearance Dates:

February 3: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 4: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

February 5: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 6: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

About Bill:

Bill Epeards has harvested 8 Safari Club International record book animals in South Africa including taking the Big Five of Africa with a Bow. He has 18 NWTF Grand Slams: 2 with a bow and 2 World Turkey Slams. He can be seen regularly on TV on Hunting With HECS, In the Timber Whitetail Reality Series, Mossy Oak's Hunting The Country, Jimmy Houston Outdoors, PSE's Today's Bowhunter. He also teaches the latest hunting techniques through his Bill Epeards’ Outdoor Adventure Seminars. 

Appearance Dates:

February 3: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 4: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

February 5: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 6: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 7: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 8: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 9: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 10: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 11: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

About Mike:

Mike Slinkard is a lifelong bowhunter and former pro archer. He is the founder of several hunting businesses including Winners Choice Custom Bowstrings and most recently HECS concealment technology. Mike is also the host of Hunting with HECS TV show which has aired weekly on the Pursuit Channel since 2013. Mike has bow hunted all over the globe taking over 30 different species and many Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett trophies. 

About Roger:

Roger is one of the most recognized names in the hunting industry. His TV Show Roger Raglin Outdoors has been on the Outdoor Channel for over 15 years. Roger is also enjoying his second year on the Sportsman Channel with his New TV Show Roger Raglin On Target. He is the Producer of over 60 full featured hunting entertainment videos, making him the most prolific hunting video Producer of all time. He won 3 Golden Moose Fan Favorite Awards in 1 year, and was inducted into the National Outdoor Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Stop by the Lakewood Products Booth to visit with Roger, purchase his book, get an autograph, get a photo, and learn more about Lakewood Products Gun Cases that Roger has trusted for over 10 years.

Meet Ronnie Adams of Swamp People at the Molly's Booth!

Appearance Dates:

February 9: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 10: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

February 11: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM