Time for the Outdoor Extravaganza
Chris Avena, host of the American Outdoor News Podcast speaks with Christina Pittman, President and CEO of Texas Trophy Hunters Association, about conservation and hunting heritage.
She highlighted TTHA’s 51-year history and its mission supporting youth education and the future of hunting.
Christina previewed the Outdoors Extravaganza 2026 ,scheduled January 9–11 in Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. This jam packed trade show features outfitters, hunting gear, filled with family activities, and expanded premium exhibitor space.
She explained how Safari Club International’s acquisition of TTHA strengthened education, conservation, and hunter outreach efforts. The event includes seminars with Texas Parks and Wildlife and educational programming for new and experienced hunters.
The Outdoors Extravaganza also raises funds through auctions and youth-focused events promoting the outdoor lifestyle. Families are encouraged to attend, with free youth admission, hands-on activities, and opportunities to support conservation.
Its Show Time! Time to Celebrate the Outdoors!
In this episode of the American Outdoor News Podcast, host Chris Avena speaks with Raymie Grimm of Safari Club International (SCI) about the organization’s global conservation mission and hunting advocacy efforts. Their conversation highlights how SCI continues to unite hunters worldwide through education, ethical hunting practices, and impactful conservation initiatives.
A major focus of the discussion was the Texas Trophy Hunters Outdoors Extravaganza, taking place January 9–11 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. Produced in partnership with SCI, the event features top outfitters, manufacturers, live entertainment, and highly anticipated online hunting auctions. Raymie emphasized the Extravaganza’s role in advancing the hunting industry, supporting conservation funding, and creating opportunities for sportsmen to connect directly with industry leaders.
Raymie and Chris also previewed the Safari Club International Convention and after-hours events in Nashville, which continue to grow in popularity. From chapter gatherings and foundation galas to live and online auctions, the SCI Nashville events blend entertainment, networking, and fundraising. Raymie stressed the importance of early registration, noting strong ticket demand and record-breaking auction donations that directly support SCI’s conservation and advocacy programs.
The conversation concluded with an overview of SCI Cinegética Spain, the organization’s premier European convention held in Madrid. This international event combines world-class hunting packages, cultural experiences, auctions, and exclusive social events. Cinegética Spain showcases SCI’s expanding global footprint, offering members a unique opportunity to connect with international outfitters while celebrating hunting traditions, conservation, and camaraderie on a global stage. http://Safariclub.org
A Girl & A Gun- Empowering Women in Shooting Sports
Chris Avena interviewed Robyn Sandoval, founder of A Girl & A Gun, about the organization’s origins and nationwide growth.
Sandoval explained it began as a 2011 “Girls’ Night Out” to introduce women to firearms in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment.
A Girl & A Gun has grown into the largest women’s firearms training organization in the United States. The organization empowers women through professional firearms training, mentorship, and supportive shooting sports communities.
Sandoval emphasized the importance of certified instructors, safety education, and confidence-building for new and returning shooters.
She highlighted how mentorship helps break barriers and reshape perceptions of women in the firearms industry.
With chapters across all 50 states, A Girl & A Gun continues expanding training, leadership, and instructor development programs.
The organization remains committed to responsible gun ownership, education, and growing female participation in shooting sports.
Let’s Go Bear hunting
Chris spoke with Bee Frederick and Regina Lennox from Safari Club International about current bear hunting policies. They discussed Florida bear hunting regulations, Louisiana’s reopened bear season, and ongoing challenges in population control. Bee explained the limited Florida bear hunt, which offers 172 permits across specific zones. He noted that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission uses science-based data to protect bear sustainability.
Bee detailed how the Florida bear hunting permit system works and why the FWC set conservative quotas. Florida excluded zones with fewer than 200 bears and adjusted tag numbers by region. This structured approach helps manage rising bear populations and reduce human-bear conflicts. Bee stressed that the process focuses on responsible wildlife management, not experimentation. The permit system reflects a cautious but necessary step toward long-term conservation.
Regina and Bee compared Florida’s policies to Louisiana, where bear hunting restarted after 35 years. Louisiana saw strong success in its first year, leading to more permits and better harvest data. They also discussed Connecticut’s growing bear population and the urgent need for structured management. Connecticut has over 1,000 bears but no bear hunting season, creating rising conflict in a densely populated state. The conversation emphasized that science-driven harvest data is essential for future tag allocation and wildlife balance.
The interview highlighted how expanding black bear populations create opportunities and challenges for conservation. Regina outlined the importance of hunting as a management tool, especially when bears enter unsuitable habitats. Bee explained that states aim for a 20% harvest to stabilize populations, but many fall short. Ethical hunting practices, such as avoiding sows with cubs, remain central to successful conservation. Chris closed by encouraging support for Safari Club International and inviting listeners to revisit the topic after new harvest results and regulatory updates.
From American Idol to the Most Wanted List
Country music artist Kristy Lee Cook has carved out a career that beautifully blends her love for music with her deep passion for the outdoors. Many know her from her time on American Idol, where her powerful voice and authentic charm won over audiences nationwide. Today, she is equally well recognized as the host of The Most Wanted List on the Sportsman Channel, a show that captures her adventurous spirit and commitment to the outdoor lifestyle. When Kristy sat down with me, the conversation was less about celebrity highlights and more about the real-life journey that brought her from the stage to the woods.
Kristy grew up in Oregon, where her life revolved around music, horses, and family. Those early years gave her a love of performing and a strong work ethic, but it wasn’t until later that hunting entered her world. She recalled how her introduction to the outdoors began in a unique way through a trade of horse-riding lessons for hunting lessons. What started as a curiosity quickly became a passion, opening a new chapter in her life that would eventually reshape her career.
Uniting Hunters Around the World
Carson Keys explained his role as Safari Club International’s Chapter Services Director and his “coach-player” leadership style. He oversees 125 to 130 SCI chapters across the United States. His team supports these chapters with structure, resources, and clear strategic guidance. Carson emphasized that effective chapter management strengthens SCI’s mission and expands its national reach.
He detailed the benefits of local SCI chapters and their value to their communities. Carson explained that the chapter system aims to unite local outdoorsmen for a common goal. That goal promotes hunter conservation and deeper involvement in local community projects. He described the chapter revenue model and how funds support education, conservation, and advocacy efforts.
Carson also discussed key fundraising strategies used by SCI chapters. These include banquets, raffles, hunter events, and other community activities. He stressed that strong fundraising builds local engagement and chapter growth. Carson encouraged new members to explore nearby chapters through the SCI website.
He highlighted SCI’s strong advocacy mission on state and federal levels. Carson described their presence in Washington D.C. and their defense of hunting rights. He emphasized the value of SCI membership and its many available resources. Carson noted that active members help protect hunting traditions for future generations.
Chris Tymeson on Conservation & Advocacy
Chris Tymeson, SCI’s Vice President of Government Affairs, described SCI’s advocacy work across six major areas. These include federal affairs, state affairs, international advocacy, the Hunter Information Service, guide and outfitter relations, and legal support. He explained that SCI works closely with lawmakers to defend hunters and protect outdoor traditions. Tymeson also shared his background in wildlife law and conservation policy.
Tymeson detailed SCI’s ongoing efforts to protect hunters’ rights and ensure long-term hunting access. He emphasized SCI’s commitment to sustainable use conservation rather than preservation-only approaches. He highlighted issues involving predator management, endangered species conflicts, and increasing ammunition restrictions. SCI continues to fight these challenges to preserve hunting opportunities nationwide.
During the interview, Tymeson addressed rising concerns affecting hunters and outdoorsmen. He explained how species recovery often reduces hunting access without proper scientific review. He also noted that SCI advocates for balanced wildlife management policies that support conservation and hunting heritage. SCI works to ensure hunters remain active partners in conservation efforts.
Tymeson discussed SCI’s support for a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open. This ensured federal lands stayed accessible for hunters, including a terminally ill child’s final hunt. He also addressed visa delays affecting the annual SCI convention. Tymeson criticized a harmful provision in the Big Beautiful Bill that limited public land sales without public input. SCI continues defending public land access and hunters’ freedoms.
On Target with the + One Mentorship Initiative
Chris Avena interviewed Justin Morrissey from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to discuss the +One Mentorship Initiative. The program encourages hunting mentorship and shooting sports participation through partnerships with groups like the National Deer Association and Pheasants Forever. Originally built around pledges, the +One Initiative now focuses on measurable recruitment and mentorship to expand hunting participation and firearm safety education.
Through +One, the NSSF created a national mentorship network that connects experienced hunters with newcomers. Morrissey highlighted scalable programs like Learn to Hunt, which teach outdoor skills and firearms safety in a welcoming, inclusive environment. He emphasized the importance of mentors who can adapt, communicate, and support new hunters with patience and understanding. The NSSF plans to launch a national mentor recruitment campaign to expand these efforts even further.
Today, the +One Initiative includes over 62,000 mentors who reach more than half a million new participants each year. These mentors include hunting instructors, shooting coaches, and first responders who promote firearm safety and outdoor ethics. Morrissey explained that the partnership model is far more scalable and impactful than traditional awareness pledges.
The +One Mentorship Initiative is helping preserve America’s outdoor heritage through education, inclusion, and mentorship. By teaching new generations about hunting, conservation, and firearm responsibility, NSSF and Justin Morrissey are ensuring the future of our hunting and shooting sports traditions.
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