The Hunt Is On: Field & Stream Embarks On Nationwide Search For Top Outdoorsman

[Len Backus]

Win $25,000 And A Feature In Field & Stream

New York, New York -- FIELD & STREAM, the world’s leading outdoor magazine, announced the dates for the 2008 FIELD & STREAM TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN CHALLENGE. The event, the country’s premier showcase for outdoorsmen, is a coast-to-coast competition to name the most competent and well-rounded sportsman in the nation. Thousands of sportsmen and -women are expected to compete at 25 BASS PRO SHOPS across the country and during one special event taking place at the 2008 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL June 5-8 in Nashville, Tennessee. With 23 of Bass Pro Shops’ 49 stores hosting FREE local qualifiers throughout April, May, and June joining in on the fun will be easier then ever.

“The more you know about the outdoors the more fun you can have,” says Anthony Licata, editor of Field & Stream. “We’re looking for person who lives for the outdoors. The kind of person who enjoys all four seasons because they enjoy hunting, fishing, camping and everything that comes with it.”

Events will kick-off in April at Bass Pro Shops across the country with a series of local qualifiers, with top finishers from each store advancing to one of six regional qualifiers. Regional winners will receive cash prizes and advance to the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge National Championships in Springfield, MO September 5-7, 2008. For a complete list of stores participating, times and dates for events, and official rules, please visit www.FieldandStream.com/totaloutdoorsman>www.FieldandStream.com/totaloutdoorsman>www.FieldandStream.com/totaloutdoorsman>Total Outdoorsman Challenge or log on to Sporting Goods Equipment - Fishing, Camping, Hunting, Boating, Marine, & Outdoors Gear & Equipment - Bass Pro Shops.

For the first time ever the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge will make a special stop at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN, which USA Today called the “crown jewel” of Country Music festivals. More than 400 artists and celebrities will participate in live concerts, autograph signings, and unique experiences during the four-day event. In 2007, more than 191,000 fans from all 50 states and 21 countries attended CMA Music Festival over its four days.

A special celebrity edition of the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge will be held at CMA Music Festival in the Chevy™ Sports Zone on Thursday, June 5, with participating artists and celebrities to be announced in the coming weeks. The next day, the Nashville Regional Championships will take place in the same location. The Chevy Sports Zone is a free area in the CMA Music Festival. It is open to the general public in addition to the Festival registrants.

In its fifth year, the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge is the only contest in the country to determine the most competent all-around outdoorsman. The event tests sportsmen’s abilities by putting them through a series of skills challenges that that touch on all areas of the outdoor sports from fishing and shooting to ATV handling and archery. Sixteen participants will compete in the National Championships in Springfield, MO, earning their spots through a series of local qualifiers and Regional competitions.

Entering the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge is FREE and each competitor will receive a gift bag full of goodies from Field & Steam, Bass Pro Shops and more. The National Championship winner will be crowned Field & Stream’s Total Outdoorsman and walk away with $25,000 in cash and prizes, a feature in Field & Stream magazine, and extensive coverage on FieldandStream.com and the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge television show. The event carries a total prize purse of more than $50,000.

Hopefuls for the contest who can’t make it to a local qualifier but think they have what it takes to take the title can apply for a special wild card spot for the National Championship online at www.FieldandStream.com/totaloutdoorsman>www.FieldandStream.com/totaloutdoorsman>www.FieldandStream.com/totaloutdoorsman>Total Outdoorsman Challenge. With only one wild card spot available event organizers strongly suggest that online applications include video and/or photos.

Sponsors of the 2008 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge include: Bass Pro Shops, Toyota, Wolverine, BowTech, 2008 CMA Music Festival, Repel Insect Repellant,Dinty Moore, and The National Shooting Sports Foundation

FIELD & STREAM TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN CHALLENGE SCHEDULE:

Local Qualifiers:
(Listed in alphabetical order by city)

* Auburn Hills, MI– April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27
* Bolingbrook, IL – May 16, 17 & 18
* Cincinnati, OH – May 16, 17 & 18
* Clarksville, IN – April 18, 19 & 20
* Columbia, MO – May 16, 17 & 18
* Denham Springs, LA – April 18, 19 & 20
* Foxborough, MA – May 10, 17 & 18
* Grapevine, TX – May 31 prior to Regional
* Gurnee, IL – May 2, 3 & 4
* Harrisburg, PA – June 21 prior to Regional
* Independence, MO – June 28 prior to Regional
* Katy, TX – April 11, 12 & 13
* Las Vegas, NV – April 12, 19 & 20
* Macon, GA – April 18 19 & 20
* Mesa, AZ – April 4, 5 & 6
* Myrtle Beach, SC – April 25, 26 & 27
* Nashville, TN – May 9, 10 & 11
* Nashville, TN – June 6 at the CMA Music Festival prior to Regional
* Olathe, KS – April 12, May 25, June 11
* Orlando, FL – May 10 prior to Regional
* Pearl, MS – March 22, April 12 & 22
* Pearland , TX – April 4, 5 & 6
* Portage, IN – May 8, 10 & 11
* Rancho Cucamonga, CA – April 11, 12 & 13

Regional Championships:

* Rancho Cucamonga, CA – May 3
* Orlando, FL – May 10
* Grapevine, TX – May 31
* Nashville, TN – June 6 at the CMA Music Festival
* Harrisburg, PA – June 21
* Kansas City, MO – June 28

National Championship:

* Springfield, MO – September 5-7

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About Field & Stream:
Field & Streamâ, The World’s Leading Outdoor Magazine, is the country’s largest special-interest title and most recognized outdoor publication. Devoted to the complete outdoor experience and lifestyle, Field & Stream (www.FieldandStream.com) gives its readers the knowledge and inspiration to pursue the sports they love. It celebrates the outdoor experience with great stories, compelling photography and sound advice, while honoring the traditions hunters and fishermen have passed down for generations. Established in 1895, Field & Stream is published 11 times per year by the Bonnier Corporation.

The Bonnier Corporation (BONNIER CORPORATION), one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America and the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences through more than 40 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events.

About Bass Pro Shops:
Bass Pro Shops, an international catalog and internet retailer, is also America’s most popular outdoor store, offering shoppers the largest selection of quality outdoor gear, clothing and accessories from top industry names and at value prices. More than just hunting and fishing stores, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World stores are also part museum, part art gallery, part education, conservation and entertainment centers.

Award-winning in their concept and design, Bass Pro Shops retail stores are rated high as tourist-destination picks and more than 90 million people visit the stores annually. Bass Pro Shops, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, currently has 48 retail locations across the United States and one location in Canada.
For more information on Bass Pro Shops products, events and stores visit Sporting Goods Equipment - Fishing, Camping, Hunting, Boating, Marine, & Outdoors Gear & Equipment - Bass Pro Shops.

About CMA Music Festival:
CMA Music Festival, which launched in 1972 as Fan Fair®, takes place annually in Downtown Nashville. The four-day festival features more than 100 hours of live music, autograph signings, more than 400 Country Music artists and celebrities, popular exhibits, theme zones and special events. The 2007 CMA Music Festival was the biggest in event history with more than 191,000 fans throughout the event representing every state and 21 foreign countries. The 2008 event takes place June 5-8. The event is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Tickets are available for purchase at Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more. Official Ticketmaster site. For full information, visit 2008 CMA Music Festival | June 5-8, 2008 | 1-800-CMA-FEST.