To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Industry news Hunting And Firearms Top NSGA Report unting and firearms posted the largest increase in sales during 2008, according to the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). Among the association’s equipment categories with sales of more than $1 billion in 2008, “Hunting & Firearms” showed the greatest percentage increase. Sales of hunting and firearms equipment rose 16 percent to $4.6 billion from $3.9 billion in 2007. Only “Paintball Guns/Packages” declined in this category. “In spite of a 16-percent surge in shooting sports equipment, H retail sales of sporting goods (footwear, clothing and equipment), which reached a record $53.5 billion in 2007, fell 1 percent in 2008,” NSGA reports. “For 2009, sporting goods sales are forecast to slip another 1 percent to $52.3 billion.” NSGA also reports that in the equipment categories with sales of more than $1 billion, camping was the only other category to show an increase. “Camping Equipment” sales grew 1 percent, from $1.45 billion in 2007 to $1.46 billion in 2008, according to NSGA. For more information on the report, visit www.nsga.org. Paralyzed Hunter Wins Weatherby For Friend hunting buddy helped make Frank McDonald of Ligonier, Ind., the grand prizewinner of the “Why I Want a Weatherby” video contest. Garnering the most votes among 66 finalists, the grand-prize video shows Dale Hagberg, who is paralyzed, talking from his bed about why he wants a Weatherby rifle for McDonald, his friend and former hunting companion. McDonald will receive an expenses-paid trip to Weatherby headquarters in Paso Robles, Calif., as well as a custom Weatherby rifle. “I’m a lucky man only because I have a friend like Dale,” McDonald said. “I would just like to thank Weatherby and all the voters from everywhere. A special thank you to Dale.” Fifteen other contest entrants received Weatherby firearms as prizes. To view the winning video, visit www. weatherbynation.com. A 3 Defense Inc. announces that Blue August LLC will handle its PR. Blue August will assist Buzz Baker, owner of C3 Defense, in all public relations and editorial needs. Primary responsibilities of Blue August will be to introduce and brand the uppers and lowers produced by C3, along with their two-product line of suppressors, as well as continuing to build brand recognition and sales in the law enforcement, military and other tactical markets. Visit www.c3defenseinc.com and www. blueaugust.com for more information. C C3 Defense Selects Blue August For PR 12 JULY 2009 Read SI DIGITAL www.shootingindustry.com