Ryan Blackhurst with his trophy Coues Deer taken in King’s Desert Shadow
We are getting some great photos submitted into us from hunters all over the country taking their trophy animals in King’s ShadowCamo. I just received this email today from Ryan Blackhurst and apprecaited the fact the King’s Desert Shadow helped him out on his hunts this year. Remember, if any of you have a kill shot in Desert Shadow, Mountain Shadow, or Snow Shadow Camo, we would love to see your success.
Here is what Ryan included in his email. Thanks Ryan and great Coues deer!
Hi,
My name is Ryan Blackhurst. Here are some pictures from my Coues Deer hunt in Mexico in January 2006. The buck was killed on our last day there. He scores 95 4/8. I got my Desert Shadow camo in a raffle at the National Guard Christmas party in Mt. Pleasant in December 2005. Kings Outdoor World contributed the camo as a prize to help raise funds for our Family Support Group. (Thanks you so much for the support, I am the company commander and it isn’t always easy to find groups that support us like you have.)
This lighter desert color camo is by far my favorite. I have used it on the muzzleloader hunt here in Utah this year (small buck, I won’t send pictures of) and just this last month on a whitetail hunt in Nebraska (10 point about 130 gross). It is very versatile and I think can be worn in almost any situation.
Thanks for putting out such a great magazine and products.
Merry Christmas
Ryan Blackhurst
December 22nd, 2006
I received this press release this morning and thought it was pretty interesting news. It is a long press release, but includes a lot of information about the buyout and acquisition:
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation to Acquire
Thompson/Center Arms, Inc.
Deal Expected to Add $70 Million of Net Sales
Provides Immediate Entry into Hunting Rifle Market
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., December 18, 2006 — Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation
(NASDAQ: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary
154-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection
and sport, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement
to acquire Thompson/Center Arms, Inc., a 40-year old, privately held, New
Hampshire-based designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium hunting
firearms, for $102 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close in
the beginning of January 2007.
Thompson/Center Arms, headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire,
manufactures and distributes innovative firearms recognized by hunting
enthusiasts for their precision, performance, craftsmanship, and
reliability. Thompson/Center Arms occupies a leadership position within
each of its core product categories of black powder firearms (or
³muzzleloaders²), black powder accessories, and interchangeable firearm
systems, as well as a presence in precision rimfire rifles. The transaction
will combine two leading firearms companies with complementary products, to
yield a single provider of high-quality pistol, revolver, shotgun and rifle
products.
Michael F. Golden, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation,
said, ³The acquisition of Thompson/Center Arms is an important step in our
diversification strategy. Thompson/Center Arms has consistently delivered
both profits and strong gross margins while building its position in the
hunting rifle market. This move will expand our presence in the $1.1
billion long gun market by providing immediate entry into the hunting rifle
and black powder segments, which represents approximately $600 million in
domestic sales. In addition to carving out a leadership role in black
powder and single shot hunting rifles, Thompson/Center Arms has developed
tremendous expertise in manufacturing long-gun barrels, a competency that
will be important to Smith & Wesson as we expand our capabilities even
further into the long gun market.²
The purchase price for Thompson/Center Arms includes the company¹s
Rochester, New Hampshire facility, which produces all of the company¹s
products and is situated geographically between Smith & Wesson¹s
manufacturing operations in Springfield, Massachusetts and Houlton, Maine.
The transaction will be financed with the proceeds from the sale of
convertible senior notes and an acquisition line of credit.
In conjunction with the acquisition, Gregg Ritz, President and CEO of
Thompson/Center Arms, will be named President of Smith & Wesson - Hunting.
He will continue to lead the Thompson/Center Arms operation and will head
Smith & Wesson¹s efforts to develop its hunting business. Ritz said, ³In
addition to bringing together two well-established and highly respected
brands in the firearms industry, this acquisition increases opportunities
for both Smith & Wesson and Thompson/Center Arms. Smith & Wesson¹s ability
to provide capital for growth and expertise in lean manufacturing processes
will provide critical support for our new product pipeline and our need for
increased capacity based on strong customer demand. In turn,
Thompson/Center Arms¹ array of barrel manufacturing expertise, hunting rifle
products, and accessories fits nicely into the Smith & Wesson portfolio of
pistols, revolvers, shotguns and future hunting rifles. There is absolutely
no overlap in our product lines, while there is tremendous similarity in our
dealer and distribution channels and our marketing vehicles.²
Outlook for Fiscal 2007
Following the closing of the acquisition in early January 2007, the Company
will include the results of operations for Thompson/Center Arms from that
date forward. The Company currently believes that the revenue contribution
from Thompson/Center Arms for the period from the closing date to the end of
the Company¹s 2007 full fiscal year, which is April 30, 2007, will be
approximately $18.6 million. Therefore, the Company now expects net product
sales for the full 2007 fiscal year to be approximately $218.6 million.
It should be noted that excluding the impact of certain non-cash purchase
accounting charges, the acquisition will be $0.01 accretive to the Company¹s
anticipated earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2007. It should also be
noted that the results for the January through April 2007 period are not
reflective of the results expected for Thompson/Center Arms on an annual
basis due to the seasonality of the hunting business, which is stronger in
the May through December timeframe.
In accordance with acquisition purchase accounting, the Company expects to
record non-cash charges of approximately $7.0 million on a pre-tax basis or
about $0.10 per share on an after-tax basis. Therefore, net income for
fiscal 2007 is now anticipated to be approximately $11.5 million, or $0.27
per diluted share, versus prior guidance of $15.0 million, or $0.36 per
share. It should be noted that the impact of purchase accounting will not
be fully known until after the transaction closes.
Outlook for Fiscal 2008
Golden added, ³We are especially pleased with the fact that the strategic
acquisition of Thompson/Center Arms will provide us a full year of increased
net sales for fiscal 2008. We now expect net sales for the fiscal year
ending April 30, 2008 of approximately $320.0 million, an increase of $70
million from our previous guidance for fiscal 2008, and reflective of the
Thompson/Center Arms acquisition.²
We expect net income for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2008 of
approximately $27.0 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, which reflects an
increase from our previous guidance for 2008 earnings per diluted share of
$0.52, and a 122% increase from our anticipated 2007 earnings per diluted
share, and reflective of the Thompson/Center Arms acquisition.
Barry Monheit, Chairman of the Board of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation,
said, ³The Board is extremely pleased with this acquisition. We are not
only acquiring a company of tremendous quality and reputation, but the
acquisition itself clearly demonstrates the commitment of Mike Golden and
his team to execute on the Company¹s strategy to gain a significant presence
in safety, security, protection and sport.²
Long-Term Outlook
Golden concluded, ³Over the course of fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007, we have
consistently delivered on our commitment to grow our core handgun business
and diversify our company into new areas of safety, security, protection and
sport. The acquisition of Thompson/Center Arms, Inc. is a key milestone in
that strategy. It places us clearly and immediately into the hunting rifle
market and, excluding the impact of non-cash purchase accounting charges, is
immediately accretive to our earnings. We believe that, once we gain the
benefit of the various synergies we expect, our operating results, including
our margins and operating expenses, for periods after fiscal 2008 will
continue to be positively impacted by giving us a significant presence in
the long gun market.²
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes ³forward-looking statements² within the meaning
of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements give the Company¹s
current expectations or forecasts of future events. These forward looking
statements include expectations regarding (i) the proposed acquisition, (ii)
the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, (iii) the timing of the
proposed acquisition, (iv) the expected financial effect of the acquisition,
(v) the accretive impact of Thompson Center/Arms earnings, (vi) the effect
of the acquisition on customer growth strategy, and (vii) the Company¹s
outlook for fiscal 2007 and 2008. The Company cautions that these
statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those reflected by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include the demand for the Company¹s products, the
Company¹s growth opportunities, the ability of the Company to obtain
operational enhancements, the ability of the Company to increase its
production capacity, the ability of the Company to engage additional key
employees, the ability of the Company¹s management to integrate the acquired
business in a successful manner, and other risks detailed from time to time
in the Company¹s reports filed with the SEC, including its Form 10-K Report
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006.
The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call today, December 18, 2006, to discuss
the acquisition and its updated outlook for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008.
The conference call may include forward-looking statements. The conference
call will be Web cast and will begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m.
Pacific). The live audio broadcast and replay of the conference call can be
accessed on Smith & Wesson¹s Web site at www.smith-wesson.com
(Windows Media is required). Those
interested in listening to the conference call via telephone may call
directly at 617.614.2703 and reference conference code #96836672. No RSVP
is necessary. The Company will maintain an audio replay of this conference
call on its website for a period of time after the call. No other audio
replay will be available.
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, through its subsidiary Smith & Wesson
Corp., is one of the world¹s largest manufacturers of quality handguns, law
enforcement products and firearm safety/security products. The Company also
licenses shooter protection, knives, apparel, and other accessory lines.
The Company is based in Springfield, Massachusetts, with manufacturing
facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. The Smith & Wesson Academy is
America¹s longest-running firearms training facility for America¹s public
servants. For more information, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to
www.smith-wesson.com.
About Thompson/Center Arms, Inc.
Thompson/Center Arms, headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire, is a
leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of premium hunting firearms
under the Thompson/Center brand. For more information, log on to
www.tcarms.com.
December 18th, 2006
There is definitely a great buzz going around about the monster whitetail buck taken by an Amish hunter from Adams County, Ohio (See previous post). There have been a lot of rumors and false information circulating about this potential record deer. News of this buck being officially scored by both Boone and Crockett and Buckmasters has definitely put the rumors to rest. This free-ranging whitetail buck has recently been officially scored at 300 6/8 gross and 291 2/8 net non-typical. It also has a Buckmasters composite score of 305 4/8 (including inside spread of 25-inches).
This score puts it No. 2 all-time for the state of Ohio and the largest buck taken with a crossbow for Ohio (state record). Like most of you know, the Beatty buck is from Ohio and is the current world record archery buck and has a Pope & Young score of 294 0/8, taken in 2000. The John Schmucker “Amish Buck” is the No. 2 in the world for crossbow behind Jerry Bryant’s monster non-typical Illinois buck from 2001, which Boone and Crockett lists a score of 304 3/8. We featured Jerry’s awesome buck in our 2005 King’s Whitetail Deer Calendar.
If taking claim to probably the biggest non-typical for 2006, Adams County, Ohio is not stopping there. In addition, a great typical archery whitetail deer has also been taken from Adams County by Justin Metzner. Justin’s trophy archery buck has been green scored at 207 5/8 gross typical with an estimated net score around the 196 mark.
Whatever is going on in Ohio, keep it up!
UPDATE: If you would like to read the story about the Amish Buck, the full story has been posted on the Ohio Division of Wildlife web site.
Click here for link
December 14th, 2006
click for larger image of cover
Currently out on newsstands is our hot new issue of Hunting Illustrated. We have another great issue in store for you. The cover shows Ralph Holsclaw and his monster 249 B&C Eastern Colorado mule deer. In addition, we have another great buck called Droopy, a beautiful 230-inch buck from the Navajo Nation. What was one of the great late season bull elk from 2005? How about Mitch Albrecht’s 412 Utah bull. We even go a step further and have a great story on the Washington state record muzzleloader bull elk.
However, the most fascinating part of this great issue is our cover story on predator attacks. We have information on some great wolf activity and the latest news. Furthermore, we have two incredible stories of survival from two women. Shannon Parker was attacked and seriously injured by a mountain lion in California. We have her story. What would it be like to encounter a grizzly bear with cubs next to a downed elk? The story of Fran Nykoluk is an amazing story of survival after being attacked by a grizzly bear and her adjustment to such a life-changing ordeal.
Once again, Hunting Illustrated is packed with amazing content you will not find anywhere else, as there is so much more to what I have highlighted above. Check your local newsstand today, or subscribe today by calling 1-800-447-6897.
December 12th, 2006
Many of us know that finding an elk that has lived in the wild for 12 years is quite unique. I remember back in 2003 when Brian Gilson shot the “then” Utah state record typical, his bull was aged at 12 years old. Some of the big bulls that are being taken down recently are big mature elk over the 10 year mark. But when Wyoming elk hunter Terry Fass shot a cow elk up the West Fork of the Smith’s Fork he had no idea the elk was tagged during a research project 19 years ago. Wyoming Game and Fish Department records indicate the elk was captured April 15, 1987 on the Bald Range and a metal tag placed in her ear. The cow elk was already an adult at that time.
Depending on their limiting factors (disease, predators, weather, loss of habitat, etc.) elk may live more than 20 years in captivity and average 10 to 13 years in the wild.
Green River Wildlife Supervisor Steve DeCecco sheds a more philosophical light on the the cow elks journey.
“Wherever this elk was tagged, she managed to evade death for twenty-something years,” DeCecco said. “Rarely do we see elk reach 20 years of age in the wild. I’d like to think about the genetic and behavioral contributions this cow elk made to the health of the Uinta Elk Herd. I know elk are adapted for their habitats, but this a feat.”
“We don’t always get to see results of our wildlife research projects. This is an example where we were able to use tools and technology available for wildlife management twenty years ago and know that it works.”
Link: WY G&F
December 9th, 2006
