SPECTACULAR BIG GAME HUNTS IN HAWAII & PATAGONIA

APRIL 2019

FIFTY YEARS OF B.A.S.S. EXCLUSIVE: ENGLAND’S RACHEL CARRIE KOREAN PHEASANT HUNT Dangerous Berries DOUBLE TROUBLE IN BEAR COUNTRY Awards of Excellence OUR 2019 WINNERS MAR/APR 2019 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

SPORTING CLASSICS 2019 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE SPORTING CLASSICS Special Editors’ Award CAESAR GUERINI GueriniUSA.com

hen an entrepreneurial venture forges a still- Debuting in 2002 around the relentless initiative of sportsman smoking niche into a daunting and established and competitive shooter Wes Lang to showcase to American Awards of Excellence sporting market—in this case the intensely interests the selective over/under offerings of gun-builders Awards of Excellence competitive and discriminating arena of fine Antonio and Giorgio Guerini, Caesar Guerini has never looked Sporting Classics 17th annual Awards of Excellence salute the best of the best— shotguns—whenW in the space of 16 operating years it creates aside customer desire. Fashioning and expanding an exquisitely those companies and individuals whose products and services are having a a brand so iconically recognizable worldwide for artistry, distinctive line of game and target guns of irresistible appeal. significant and long-lasting impact on our sporting lives. Nominees for the 2019 quality, performance and value it stands singular, when in From the best of affordable CNC gun design to the custom-built and hand-adorned majesty of the higher grades . . . from the awards were submitted by our senior and contributing editors, then finalized by the its culture customer service is supreme, product excellence is habitual, and the aspiration becomes ever more Woodlander to the Forum, from the guns of Invictus to Ellipse, to staff. The honorees were chosen for their achievements in defining what a extraordinary, it deserves highest honors. For 2019, Sporting the unique beauty of the Limited Editions like the Essex Gold . . . great sporting product should be. Their engineering, craftsmanship and innovations Classics proudly confers upon the Italian gun-making firm if you own a Guerini, you’ve chosen one of the world’s best. have set higher standards than ever before. of Caesar Guerini its prestigious Special Editors’ Award. — Mike Gaddis

Hornaday Dangerous Game Series Company of the Year HORNADY Hornady.com

n the late 1960s, Hornady was a mid-sized, regional Since 2002, Hornady has created a dozen new cartridges, from bullet-maker just 200 miles south of our farm. We 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire and 6.5 Creedmoor through the loaded Hornady secant ogive spire point bullets in our .416 Ruger Compact Magnum. Hornady is driving long-range .222 Remingtons, 6mm Remingtons and .30-06 shooting with high B.C. bullets, breathing new life into lever ISpringfields. Racy stuff. Fast forward 50 years and Hornady actions with Flex-Tip bullets and reviving dangerous game big in still in Grand Island, Nebraska, but it is now an bores by loading 17 heavy rounds like .404 Jeffery, .450 Rigby and international powerhouse designing and building bullets, .500 Nitro Express. Sporting Classics salutes Hornady, an innovator ammunition and reloading tools that are changing the and driving force in the hunting and shooting world. shooting world. — Ron Spomer Caesar Guerini Invictus VII 78 • SPORTING CLASSICS SPORTING CLASSICS• 79 SPORTING CLASSICS SPORTING CLASSICS 2019 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2019 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE KIMBER KimberAmerica.com imber builds the world’s finest 1911 pistols right here in America—something that makes sense, as few things are as American as a 1911 .45 ACP. Virtually Kevery critical component of every pistol is made inside the Kimber factory. The finest raw materials come through the front gate and Kimber does the rest, the only way to ensure that every part Federal Premium Bullets and Shotshells meets unequaled standards.

America’s best shooters keep choosing Kimber. Ammunition Legendary LAPD SWAT tested five major 1911 brands and chose Kimber. United States Marines FEDERAL COMPANY assigned to Special Operations Command chose Kimber. The U.S.A. Shooting Rapid Fire Pistol Team FederalPremium.com trains for Olympic competition with a Kimber. Most recently, LAPD SIS transitioned to Kimber. They all rom the very first color-coded shotshells in 1960 to Federal built the first commercial steel shotshells in the chose Kimber for the same reason: quality, Olympic-winning .22 rimfire ammo in the 1990s to the mid-1970s, Black Cloud waterfowl shells in 2007, Trophy Bonded dependability and accuracy. So should you. new .224 Valkyrie centerfire in 2018, Federal Premium Tip big game bullets in 2008, and resurrected many dangerous Kimber 1911 Pistol has a rich history of innovation and quality. In the game big bore cartridges like .470 NE. Fmid-20th century, when most ammunition manufacturers Here in 2019, Federal offers shooters and hunters more choices were loading only their proprietary bullets, Federal had the in more and gauges than any other major ammunition foresight and temerity to offer hunters a Nosler Partition manufacturer, which is why we present Federal Premium our bullet in many popular calibers. Other premium bullets Ammunition Award of Excellence. — Ron Spomer followed, giving hunters what they wanted instead of what Federal wanted them to want.

Rifles Out of Africa – In Montana Gallery in Bozeman Scout Sporting Art SteyrArms.com

ecause of its cutting edge, some would say futuristic, Today, Steyr serves traditional hunters with walnut-and-blued OUT OF AFRICA – IN MONTANA GALLERY AUG A1 bullpup military assault , Steyr might as well as synthetic-stocked CL bolt-actions. Cutting edge FWDart.com hunters/shooters gravitate to the Scout, a short, handy bolt- strike American hunters as something new out of ocated in Bozeman, Out of Africa – In Montana A part-time biologist, falconer and avid sportsman, Skip with built-in , spare magazine well, integral Picatinny rails . No chance. Steyr has been making cutting- believes that his passions are responsible for his choices of the and multiple swivel attachment points. Rimfire shooters Gallery was started by Skip Tubbs in 1980. After Bedge rifles ever since its first breechloader in 1864. Veteran graduating from the University of Montana with a truly talented group of artists who show their knowledge and rejoice in the reintroduction of the famous Zephyr, a full-size, hunters from the 20th century still speak in hushed tones of passion for the subject matter they create. professional quality bolt-action in .17 HMR, .22LR and .22 WMR. degree in zoology, Skip relocated to the Bozeman area the butter-smooth action of the Steyr Mannlicher with its Skip’s gallery offerings regularly include paintings by Bob And then there is the full line of Merkel double rifles and single Lto become partners in the Artist Union Gallery. His custom- Schoenauer spool magazine. Kuhn, John Banovich, Simon Combes, John Seerey-Lester, Julie shots—more than enough to earn Steyr our Company of the framing business soon separated and became Framework Jeppsen, Paco Young, Brian Jarvi, Guy Combes, Adam Smith and Year award. — Ron Spomer Designs, which evolved into the sporting and fine wildlife art gallery that it is today. other renowned wildlife and western artists.

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Pine Ranch - California Sporting Properties LANDLEADER LandLeader.com

merica the Beautiful is much more than a patriotic Land ownership is a spirited endeavor, and one to be proud of. Adipose “Flow” Mike Young in His Workshop song. It’s every hillside, mountain, valley, trickling And that’s why everyone in the LandLeader community far and creek and roaring river. It’s mile-long meadows wide embodies that spirit. I have the distinct honor and privilege of cows and horses grazing under bluebird skies. of working alongside real estate professionals who are beyond Fishing Shooting Sports WeA are so fortunate as Americans to live in such a beautiful passionate about farm, ranch, plantation and recreational lands. country, and it’s our duty to protect these natural wonders. Hearing the landowners’ stories that are full of history, hard work Whether you own land or aspire to, you are likely part of a and character is truly a fulfilling experience. ADIPOSE BOATWORKS ALAMO SPORTING ARMS The LandLeader family is indeed special. Each member has a community that lives and breathes the great outdoors— AdiposeBoatworks.com AlamoSportingArms.com hunting, fishing, farming, conservation, environmental true love and knowledge of the great outdoors and all that it offers. stewardship—all of the things that make land so No matter your pursuit, no matter your goals, we are here to help rom the rush of Montana big river country, the flow ith their 54 combined years in the firearms meaningful. Land gives us grit and it gives us memories, you find your perfect property. We encourage you to reach out to and swirl of the Missouri, the Big Hole and Blackfoot, industry, Mike and Pam Young have garnered our members and share your passion for the land. along with a legacy to pass on to future generations. came a better idea for a drift boat. Shared passionately a stellar reputation in the world of fine shotguns — Pat Doyle by fly-fishermen Mike Ward and Tracy Allen after and rifles. The couple first lived in Pennsylvania Fmore than 35 years of big-water guiding experience, it whereW Mike worked as a gunsmith at Krieghoff International. became Adipose Boatworks in 2009. He ultimately honed his gunmaking skills while training at Krieghoff GmbH in Germany. Pam became smitten with Born to produce the perfect trout boat, Adipose sought better, the gun industry when she and Mike moved to Florida to then best. In 2010, the company advanced the Adipose “Flow,” a work at a gun shop. no-frills, performance-intense fly-fishing craft that has become in the estimate of many the most ingeniously designed, crafted and In August 2008, Mike and Pam purchased Alamo Sporting fishable vessel on the water. Arguably by shape a skiff, it has all Arms in Boerne, Texas. Through hard work, determination and the stability and attributes of a full-sized drift boat. a reputation for honesty, they transformed a small gun shop into Shotguns Fashioned angler and rower foremost, the “Flow” is roomy— one of the largest Krieghoff and Blaser dealers in the nation. 15-foot, 4-inch centerline, 58-inch footprint, 74-inch beam—with Several months ago, the couple opened a new showroom and Beretta SL3 BERETTA extra wall heights that provide a greater degree of and launched their new website. On their 24-acre property, the comfort, plus storage and gear accommodations that are Beretta.com Youngs recently established a 100-yard rifle range where, upon creatively ample. A skiff, if you will, but with a big boat feel, a request, they can sight in a customer’s rifle prior to shipment. s the oldest firearms manufacturer in the world, But it’s not just premium shotguns that benefit from dream to handle on the most demanding rivers. In the coming months, they will install clay target machines, Beretta knows a thing or two about shotguns. Beretta’s commitment to innovation. The A400 Xtreme Plus Nine years post-genesis, Adipose also offers the “Runoff,” a enabling clients to shoot a demo or their new gun (after Mike Beretta recently launched its newest premium is the newest semiautomatic offering designed to stand up to slightly larger “Flow”-inspired boat with refinements such as a makes any -fitting adjustments). draped-out bow and tapered bow-to-oarlock dimensions, shotgun, the SL3. By blending traditional the toughest waterfowling conditions and destined to be the Alamo Sporting Arms is open by appointment only, and ultra-stable and nimble to oar and fish. gun-making techniques with modern technological go-to gun for hardcore waterfowlers who follow the birds Pam and Mike personally answer all phone calls and emails. A The pièce-de-résistance might be a Custom Shop hull-wrap “We want to provide each customer with a truly personal innovation, Beretta created an aesthetically beautiful wherever they go. finish in “brown trout.” experience,” says Pam. “We want to get to know our customers shotgun that can withstand intensive use in the field. — Mike Gaddis and become friends with each and every one of them. ”

82 • SPORTING CLASSICS SPORTING CLASSICS• 83 SPORTING CLASSICS SPORTING CLASSICS 2019 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2019 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE Optics TRACT OPTICS Tract.com fter pushing Nikon Sporting Optics to the forefront of the hunting and shooting world, Jon Allen and Jon LaCorte broke free to start a new company focused on providing hunters with qualityA optics they wanted and needed. Get rid of the corporate overhead and the focus on investors. Put the focus on high-quality optics and value pricing.

The result is a strong line of binoculars and riflescopes with the best ingredients and features at price levels that don’t make you gasp and grab your heart. SCHOTT High Transmission glass, dielectric coatings, ED lenses, precision locking turrets with Blue Cypress Kennels British Labradors multi-rotation zero stops, first focal plane reticle options, side focus parallax adjustment, illuminated reticles, waterproof and Argon gas purged and backed by a lifetime warranty against not just materials, but workmanship. No time limit, no registration Gundogs necessary and applies to any owner, original or not. You have to love products and a company attitude like this, so BLUE CYPRESS Sporting Classics happily presents Tract its Optics Company of the Tract’s TORIC 30mm 4-20x50 MOA/MOA Riflescope Year award. — Ron Spomer KENNELS BlueCypressKennels.com reeding and training Timeless Classic hunting dogs of consistently impeccable quality isn’t for FAUSTI B the feint of heart. Fausti.com Visionaries start by clearly defining ideal conformation, characteristics and nly three years after the end of World War II, Branded Rock Canyon Lodge attributes. Thoroughly understanding a young Stefano Fausti, who had learned the past and present genetics is critical for gunmaking trade while working with his uncle they provide a solid foundation for the and grandfather, decided to strike out on his own; Hunting Lodge future. Each of those elements requires Oprimarily to build shotguns under the family name. His access to outstanding Fountainhead dogs first shotgun was an exposed hammer side-by-side, which with championship pedigrees. quickly found favor among double-gun aficionados. BRANDED ROCK CANYON Blue Cypress Kennels’ British Labradors Underscoring the company’s commitment to great sporting BrandedRockCanyon.com exceed that lofty standard. All of their retrievers born, raised and trained in the traditions, a version of this hammer gun is still in the Fausti here are hunting lodges and there are hunting lodges, but there is only one catalog today, 70 years later. U. S. are from champion sires and dams Branded Rock Canyon lodge. Sure, there’s a solid structure with plush rooms, that were born and campaigned in the That doesn’t mean the company has been standing still over the a grand dining hall with two natural stone fireplaces, Western art and UK. Breeding is based on half-a-century decades. Far from it. Under the leadership of Stefano’s daughters, taxidermy, spas and saunas and weight rooms and cuisine to impress the of proven animal husbandry, which results Elena, Giovanna and Barbara, Fausti has successfully managed to Tmost discriminating palate. There are trout lakes, bird fields, mule deer, elk and in athletic dogs with stylish manners. combine state-of-the-art manufacturing with the kind of cougars. But many lodges provide those things. Whether used in the uplands or in the craftsmanship and fine hand-work that separate high-grade guns marshes, dogs from Blue Cypress Kennels from the rest of the field. The Fausti sisters may have grown up Only Branded Rock Canyon includes Branded Rock’s shooting instructors are honest, biddable and stunningly “learning to love the smell of steel,” but they also grew up with a shooting venues from flat and miles long to cater to groups and individuals and cover it good-looking. The boutique kennel has love of their nation’s incomparable contributions to the world of art. damn near straight up and down. Canyon all—from extreme range precision to all-round successfully campaigned the only As much as they incorporate modern efficiencies, Fausti guns walls and cliffs. Sagebrush and grasslands. field shooting under high-stress conditions. American-born, raised and trained also bear homage to the Italian Renaissance, a combination of Hardwoods and conifers. Steel game Branded Rock Canyon accommodates and British Labrador in the UK. Blue Cypress utility and neo-classical art that, together, may well form the silhouettes can be engaged from angles you fits all shooters of all ages and sizes in all Kennels raises the standard for British perfect definition of a timeless classic. — Doug Painter won’t find anywhere else this side of the disciplines in style and comfort. Labrador retrievers in America. Fausti 70th Anniversary Shotgun Tian Shan mountains of Asia. — Ron Spomer — Tom Keer

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Instinct HR 5000s Sporting Lifestyle GARMIN Garmin.com he ascendancy of a company to extraordinary and universal Collón Curá River in Patagonia recognition resonates about its axis of creativity, and nowhere Fishing Destination Tin the outdoor lifestyle industry has perpetual innovation flourished HOOKFIRE’S TRIPLE CROWN LODGE more dynamically than at Garmin. HookFire.com Started in 1989 in Lenexa, Kansas by Gary Burrell and Min Kao, with GPS ill and Lauren Cowen operate their booking Each May, the Cowens host the Triple Crown challenge for a then and since the core technology, agency under the HookFire brand, and their limited number of guests. At that time, the trout fishing overlaps Garmin has repositioned itself repeatedly flagship property is Triple Crown Lodge located the hunting season for their abundant free-range red stags and at the forefront of its niche, advancing on the Famous Collon Cura River in the Patagonia California quail. The “Challenge” is to take all three on the same broad and elite tiers of interactive regionW of Argentina. The Collon Cura is well known to day, much in the manner of Scotland’s famous “McNab.” electronics supporting and enhancing international fishermen as it supports some of the finest All of this grand adventure occurs along the foothills of the the outdoor experience. Including brown and rainbow trout fishing to be found on our planet. incomparable Andes Mountains, with Lanin, the beautiful technological “firsts” in a host of venues The Lodge is located on the 170,000-acre estancia snow-capped volcano, standing in striking relief. This is a true vital to sportsmen and women, among Quemquemtreu and also accesses a small river of the same “Bucket List” destination. these: marine, aviation and automotive navigation, off-trail way-finding, name where the fishing is every bit as good. — Bob Matthews sporting dog tracking and training, SCI Annual Hunter’s Convention fish-finding, health and fitness, action-based photography, range- finding and emergency location. Sporting Apparel Handhelds and “wearable” bluetooth Sporting Heritage Award compatibles place much of this technology palm and wrist level. SCHNEE’S Sportsmen trust and depend on Schnees.com SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL Garmin for horizon products, remaining SCI.com wisely vigilant for the next breakthrough chnee’s has been serving the needs of serious outdoors announcement, like the exciting new enthusiasts since 1946. The company’s mission is to afari Club International protects SCI’s sister organization, SCI Foundation, Garmin Instinct smartwatch or the provide best-of-breed footwear, apparel and outdoor the freedom to hunt and has spent more than $70 million on various Panoptix Live-Scope Sonar System. products to discriminating buyers worldwide. promotes wildlife conservation conservation, wildlife, education and — Mike Gaddis S worldwide. Headquartered in humanitarian services since 2000. More From its headquarters in Bozeman, Montana, Schnee’s has SWashington, D.C., SCI is comprised of than 100 wildlife conservation projects in worked for more than 70 years to establish itself as a trusted 50,000 members and has 160 chapters more than 30 countries have been funded resource for providing its loyal buyers with the highest quality around the globe. SCI has lobbyists in by the SCI Foundation. products and 100 Percent Customer Satisfaction. Washington, D.C. and represents the While promoting the ethic of Hunter Schnee’s is widely known for its line of pac boots, including its interests of hunters before government Pride, SCI engages the mainstream and popular Hunter II, one of the most iconic late-season mountain entities and treaty groups in Europe, social media aggressively whenever hunting boots on the market. Schnee’s owns and operates its boot Africa and other countries, as well as hunting is attacked, helping the majority of Americans who are neither for nor against manufacturing factory in Bozeman, and all of its boots are fully before state and provincial rebuildable. The company also carries a wide variety of hunting understand the critical role hunting governments. handcrafted knives in addition to its own line of distinctive plays for both humans and wildlife on Schnee’s Hunter II Model Boot sporting apparel that includes coats and vests and shirts and caps. Planet Earth. Panoptix Live Scope

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