AUSTIN, Texas — For many a veteran angler, the pinnacle of a fishing career comes with the explosion of chromed muscle that signals his first tarpon hook-up. That experience was once common on the Texas Gulf coast; so common, in fact, that through the 1950s, tarpon tournaments were commonplace and presidents and potentates made the journey to the third coast to catch a “silver king.”

The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, in cooperation with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, held the first Congressional Breakfast Briefing of the 111th Congress today.

Former Cabela's senior executive Michael Callahan has been appointed leader and facilitator of Task Force 20/20. Callahan brings 34 years of experience to the role, most recently serving as a consultant for Cabela's and as the company's senior vice president of business development and international operations before that.

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) and Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the country's second largest selling Bourbon brand, have announced a two-year partnership that positions Evan Williams as the official bourbon of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. As part of this partnership, Evan Williams' branded concessions area will be one of the highlights of the expo area. The TTBC will be held October 16 - 18 at Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas.

Texas continues to lead the nation in whitetail deer sales. Two weeks ago, the nation’s largest state association dedicated to whitetail deer — the Texas Deer Association (TDA) — welcomed hundreds of deer enthusiasts to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and raised more than $850,000 at its 1st Annual Spring Gala Banquet and in Grapevine, Texas.

Texas Parks & Wildlife TV Program - Weekly schedule and show descriptions for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has recently been updated.

Smith & Wesson Corp., announced that the company is currently accepting applications for shooters interested in joining Team Smith & Wesson for the 2009-2010 competitive season. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2009, and recruitment is open to all shooters regardless of discipline and classification.

The new Remington 11-87 Compact Sportsman Shotgun in Mossy Oak Break-Up camouflage is the perfect gun for the beginning shooter or a person of smaller stature. The 20-gauge shotgun has several features to make shooting enjoyable for shooters of all ages.

United Case(tm), a UFP Technologies brand (NASDAQ: UFPT), introduces their protective case and insert solutions for firearms. United Case now provides custom and standard case and foam insert protection for the storage and transportation of pistols, rifles and ammunition.

John Skrabo, Director of Key Accounts for Realtree the last 10 years, will become CEO/President of Bad Boy Enterprises, manufacturer of the all-electric, 4x4 Bad Boy Buggie, commencing April 1.