Friends of Russell
Pro Staff, Professional Hunters, Outdoor Writers, TV Show Hosts,
DVD Producers & Other Intresting Folks
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Gayne Young
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Gayne Young - Outdoor Writer and Author
Early in 2011 Gayne told friends and publishers that he wanted to interview Russia’s Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin as he had read the Putin was a serious outdoorsman and conservationist. Everyone’s take on Gayne’s wish to interview Putin was, “Well good luck with that...isn’t going to happen!” Turns out we were all wrong. Gayne’s insightful interview with Putin appeared in the June/July issue of Outdoor Life! Good job, Gayne! CLICK HERE TO READ PUTIN INTERVIEW
CLICK HERE TO READ HOW GAYNE GOT THE INTERVIEW
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Gayne Young with Jungle Hunter PH
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A New Russell Boot Is Born
Unlike many hunters who welcome the cool breezes of fall as the harbinger of great wingshooting and big game hunting, Gayne Young of Fredericksburg, TX spurns those traditional fall regimens, opting instead for hunting the hot, humid, dank rain forests of the Yucatan and points South. Gayne, a long time Russell customer, began discussing a new jungle type boot with us a year or so ago...one that would better serve his unique needs.
Gayne came up with the idea for the Jungle Hunter “PH” after returning from a week long hunt in the Yucatán jungle. As Gayne explained, "I wore several pair of boots during that hunt and didn't find any of them conducive to jungle hunting. They were either too cumbersome, lacked true ankle support, or had soles that overly collected mud and debris. The Jungle Hunter “PH” boots were designed utilizing my years of experience in hunting swamps, bogs, and rain forests. I'm really excited about them."
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Jungle Hunter PH
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We started with a Russell “PH” platform, made in all leather, 7-inches high. But not just any leather. We selected a buttery soft waterproof American Bison leather. Gayne asked for a lightweight boot that wouldn’t pick up a lot of mud so we equipped the new boot with a Silvato sole that carries a modest tread. He also requested added ankle support to prevent ankle sprains when slogging around in the dark, wet jungle so we lined the quarters, (uppers) with Turtleskin and added a leather cushion collar and quick lacing brass studs in the top three eyelets.
Why jungle hunting?
“I like jungles. It’s warm and there’s more to see,” says Gayne. “I was a Tarzan fan as a kid and jungles have always fascinated me.”
Gayne has been invited to hunt late season pheasants in South Dakota this fall with Russell’s Director Marketing, Richard Sanders, and his Golden Retriever Simon, who both love cold weather hunting. We shall have to see if Gayne shows up for a few brisk days of chasing pheasants in the frozen North!!
CLICK HERE TO READ A SECOND ARTICLE BY GAYNE YOUNG. (Baja Hunting)
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President George W. Bush visits Russell Booth at SCI
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A very special guest stopped by the Russell Moccasin booth during the 2010 Safari Club International Convention in Reno, NV--.President George W. Bush! The President, after being measured, ordered a pair of Russell Signature South 40 Birdshooters and then spent some time chatting with the Russell team.
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 President George W. Bush discussing boot options with Russell's Ralph Fabricius, (center, dark shirt), and Doug Herge, (seated).
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 President Bush, up on the measuring stand, being carefully measured by Russell’s Doug Herge. Doug was so excited he forgot to ask for the President’s shipping address!
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 President George W. Bush graciously posed for a photo with the Russell Team while visiting the Russell booth at SCI, 2010. From left to right, Joe Gonyo, Doug Herge, President Bush, Richard Sanders.
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John Jennings with Sable
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John Jennings PH II's
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John Jennings - Worldwide Safaris
When “youngish” John Jennings strolled into the Russell Moccasin booth at Safari Club International a number of years ago we immediately recognized him for what he was...a young, fit, dedicated, ethical hunter. A year or so later John brought his Dad, Doug into the booth along with his younger brother, Bryan. John informed us that he was going to take his Dad to Africa for the first time in Dad’s life. Also his brother. “They both need a pair of Russell
Safari “PH” II’s.” We measured them up and off went the whole male side of the Jennings family to Tanzania and Zambia. John, whose day job is real estate in San Diego, wanted to record his Dad’s first trip to Africa and his brother’s introduction to hunting of any kind, so he formed a video company called “Worldwide Safaris.” Presently John has two excellent DVD’s available, “Sharing The Legacy” and “Danger And Triumph Under The Zambian Sun.” We just recently watched both of them and highly recommend them. The Jennings family and their Professional Hunter, (PH), Cliff Walker, hunted hard and long and paid a mighty price in effort, exhaustion, bloodied knees, long days and short nights. Most remarkable is the quality of the human relationships between two brothers and their Dad. John states at one point in the DVD, after he and PH Walker had belly-crawled for more than 600 yards across thorns and rocks and sticks and had bloodied their knees, “If it doesn’t hurt...it isn’t worth it.” Great photography. Fine camaraderie. Family oriented. Check them out at: www.worldwidesafaris.com.
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Mike Rogers with a 228-4/8” SCI Whitetail taken at Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch in Bland, MO.
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Mike Rogers, Host of Expedition Safaris, on location in Baja Mexico, interviewing two new hunters while filming at Baja Hunting.
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Mike Rogers - Expedition Safaris
SCI’s Expedition Safari on the Outdoor Channel, is the #2 rated prime time outdoor TV show in North America. Host, Mike Rogers, Jr. does a tremendous job showing the hunt, explaining the animals, the country and its people to the viewer. Expedition Safari is an original Outdoor Channel program. Outdoor Channel, a corporate partner of Safari Club International are large supporters of SCI and help promote the goals and the values of the organization through the TV show. Expedition Safari is seen in 34 million homes a week. “ Expedition Safari is about hunting and the wildlife itself ...where you learn about the types of adventures and the animals,” says Rogers, “the show is designed to be about the wildlife and to teach people about wildlife.”
Russell Moccasin highly recommends this extraordinary TV presentation of the hunting world, whether you hunt or not. Mike Rogers is the consummate professional who does great and wonderful work. His TV shows paint a picture so vivid you can almost smell the acrid iron wood campfires of Africa, the cool clean air of New Zealand and the musk of a bull elk.
Check out Expedition Safari on the Outdoor Channel. Every episode is a learning experience, even for seasoned hunters.
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Mark Buchanan - Big Bore Productions
Mark graduated with a degree in finance from the University of San Diego and has worked in the banking industry ever since. He is an avid hunter, whether it is dangerous game in Africa, bird hunting in Mexico or prairie dogs in South Dakota. He enjoys hunting anytime, anyplace and anything. His passion for hunting began at an early age, and has continued to grow and evolve, as does his penchant for exploring. Mark quickly realized that traveling to remote hunting locations and meeting the local people add an important and unforgettable layer to the adventure.
Like many hunters, Mark was initially drawn to Africa by the writings of Capstick, Ruark and Hemminway. Later it was John Pondoro Taylor's book "African Rifles and Cartridges" that fuelded Mark's passion to not only hunt Africa, but to do so with classic African calibers and custom built rifles.
Mark is not a celebrity, not an outfitter, or firearm's expert, he's just a guy who simply enjoys hunting, shooting and the outdoors. Besides rifles, he has taught himself the art of photography and enjoys shooting with his camera as much as his rifles.
It was this combination that inspired Mark to venture into video productions. He created Big Bore Productions with the intent to fill a video niche for hunters who share his passion for hunting adventures combined with classic firearms and cartridges.
These are not "how to" or "instructional" videos. Big Bore Productions was not created to teach or show anyone how to hunt. The are videos documenting real hunts, up close and personal, with a focus on the rifles and cartridges, and the excitement that only this great sport can provide. |
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Dick Dcorzfava with pending new #1 SCI Red Stag
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Dick with a fine Saskatchewan whitetail buck
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Dick Scorzafava of Westfield, MA, is the author of several books, (most recently Spies In The Deer Woods and Radical Bowhunter), an outdoor writer, popular national seminar speaker, a pro staff member of many of the leading outdoor equipment companies and appears frequently on Knight Rifle's, "Born To Hunt" television show. Dick has been wearing Russell boots and shoes for a couple years and reports, "We stalked for hours each day on my recent Sable hunt in Africa and my feet were never so comfortable thanks to my Russell Safari "PH" boots. I have finally found a boot that meets my needs and will be a loyal customer for life."
Check out Dick's websites or catch one of this TV shows.
www.radicalbowhunter.com
www.spiesinthedeerwoods.com
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“We have worn almost every hunting boot you could imagine and never had we put on a set of boots that felt so comfortable the very first time. Our Russell Moccasin boots are by far some of the BEST boots we have ever worn. We have tested them throughout all of North America and we never thought leather could be so waterproof! Thanks Russell for keeping us in the field when others don’t!”
Ralph & Vicki Cianciarulo
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Ralph & Vicki Cianciarulo -- Hosts, Archer's Choice & The Choice
Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, the Lanark, IL-based hunting couple, bring both fun and excitement to outdoor TV. The couple continuously “make each other pay” for the slightest shortfall in technique or performance, as it should be. Poor Ralph is always catching it from Vicki who never passes up an opportunity to billboard her “bigger” buck or “prettier” bear...just as best friends should.
 You are invited to tag along with Ralph & Vicki Cianciarulo, North America's Favorite Hunting Couple, the Posse and AC Media Staff as they trek across the globe in search of big game on the Archer's Choice. From Yukon Moose & Quebec Caribou to chasing Whitetails in the States, each new episode is filled with the excitement and adventure you love, wrapped with the humor and family-fun that Archer's Choice is known for.
The Choice, the couple’s other TV show, is packed with exciting adventure in the true sense of real ity hunting on TV. Each week is packed full of true hunting at its best. The ups, the downs and all the in-betweens is what makes the viewers come back each week to watch real hunting with real people and real adventures.
Both shows air on the Outdoor Channel, several times a week. Consult your local listings for details |
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 Craig Boddington -- Host, Gander Mountain's Tracks Across Africa
Where does one begin when describing Craig Boddington’s amazing career? After graduating from the University of Kansas, Boddington served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 31 years, retiring as a Brigadier General USMCR in 2005. He has served as the editor of Petersen’s Hunting and currently is the Executive Field Editor for Intermedia Outdoors contributing to Guns & Ammo, Petersen’s Hunting and Rifleshooter. He is also a regular contributor to Safari magazine published by Safari Club International. Boddington has authored more than 3,000 magazine articles and 19 books on hunting and shooting. He is currently Co-Host of Guns & Ammo Television and Host of Gander Mountain’s popular TV show, Tracks Across Africa. His hunting career can be summed up best by what he has not taken or where he has not hunted. He’s hunted six continents including 28 American states, seven Canadian provinces, five Mexican states plus all regions of North America. Dozens of Boddington’s animals are highly placed in the Boone and Crockett and Safari Club International world record books. He’s been on safari in Africa nearly 70 times and is the only living American journalist to have taken Africa’s Big Five. He’s also the only living American journalist to hold Ovis/Grand Slam Club’s World Slam of Wild Sheep and Capra World Slam of wild goats. Needless to say, Craig Boddington is an experienced hunter.
Watch Tracks Across Africa on The Outdoor Channel
Sundays - 5:30 p.m. e.s.t.
Wednesdays - 6 a.m. e.s.t. / 12 p.m. e.s.t
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 Ivan Carter, PH
PH, Ivan Carter, was born and raised in the bush in Zimbabwe. He is not only a professional hunter but an accomplished wildlife and scenic photographer. Ivan works closely with Craig Boddington and the Tracks Across Africa TV production staff and appears on the show regularly. Ivan is also one of Russell's boot testers, always doing his best to tear up whatever we provide for testing. So far he's doing a great job! With 15 Years of experience in the field, Ivan Carter guides through nine different countries in Africa and has become recognized as one of the best in the business.  If you are looking for the safari of a lifetime, something wild, remote and off the beaten path, Ivan Carter has the knowledge and experience to prepare a journey that will leave you filled with awe at the simple beauty and expanse of the dark continent. You can learn more abou Ivan by going to www.ivancarter.com |
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Larry Weishuhn, “Mr. Whitetail”
A Hunter's Life with Larry Weishuhn, Sportsman's Channel, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Outfittersrating, Sportsman's Channel, Wednesday
Co-hots, North American Hunter, Versus, Consult your local listings
Larry Weishuhn is a professional wildlife biologist, highly respected outdoor writer, and hunting television personality whose shows appear on all the major outdoor networks. Larry spends approximately 250 days a year in the field and practically lives in his Russell boots. He has hunted throughout much of the world, even though he is often referred to as "Mr. Whitetail". Larry hunts with Thompson/Center pistols and rifles, occasionally muzzleloaders. When not hunting or being filmed for his television shows he is involved with, he is busy conducting hunting and wildlife management seminars and after-dinner speeches.
Larry wears a number of different Russell Moccasin styles. Says Larry, “I’ve worn my various Russell’s exclusively every day since I got them and dearly love them”.
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Jim Miller shown here with a superb 181 SCI buck he took on a hunt at Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch near Bland, MO, fall 2010. Jim wore his Russell Sheep Hunter boots on this hunt and reported “They were just excellent for these rolling hills of Missouri.”
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Jim Miller, shown here with yet another “Braggin Buck” he arrowed in South Texas in 2010. He reports, “I have been wearing Russell Snake Proof Turkey Hunter boots for five years...I literally LIVE in these boots eight months year. I trust my life to them.”
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Jim Miller -- Host, Tex Me Outdoors TV Show
Jim worked in the archery industry for more than 25 years as a sales rep for PSE, Hoyt, and Bear/Jennings and has been bow hunting for more than forty-five years, taking many world class trophies in the US, Canada, Mexico and Africa. As a world renowned bow hunter he holds numerous records both P&Y and SCI...he was the first bow hunter to take an Afghan Urial Sheep with a bow. He also took a 40-inch Sable plus a superb 57-1/2 inch Kudu, a top ten Nilgai in Mexico and recently a pronghorn antelope with a bow that will quality in the top 10 of the Boone and Crockett "rifle" category. His TV show, TEX-MEX OUTDOORS is dedicated to the planning, practicing, and the hunting of native wild game. The show combines the history of the area hunted....the local people and the flora and fauna in an effort to entertain and educate viewers. Jim says, “TEX-MEX OUTDOORS is all about real stuff...real situations...real hunting.”
TEX-MEX Outdoors can be seen on the Sportsman’s Channel Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. See your local listings.
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