"I've never seen anything like this in 30 years."

That's the way one gun dealer I spoke with yesterday described the land office business his shop was doing in AR-15 style rifles and semiautomatic pistols.

That's the trend across the country as supply channels have simply dried up for the very much in demand "black rifle" category. Nervous consumers believe the incoming administration in Washington will quickly move to reinstate the "Assault Weapons Ban" that was allowed to sunset under the Bush administration. In preparation, they're buying - frantically - "pre-ban" rifles and handguns.

Across the country the story is the same: retailers are scrambling to find AR-style rifles, complete, or in parts and pieces. Only one small problem - the supply channels are dried up and manufacturers tell me they're scrambling at full-time, full-capacity levels to meet the demand.

On hand, but not for long. At Mark's Outdoor Sports in Birmingham, Alabama, customers are asking for AR-style rifles, semi auto pistols and "sniper style rifles." It's the same story across the country, with demand definitely outpacing inventories in most locations.

At the companies manufacturing the now in-demand rifles, phones are ringing off the hooks as wholesalers look for new supplies. As one of the country's major independent retailers told me yesterday, "I've never had to ask for these rifles before, they've always been available with a phone call. Today, I'm asking."

Until two weeks ago, demand for these guns was described as steady. Since the election, however, it has been increasing to the point that potential buyers are calling gun stores before they go, making certain that an AR - any AR is in stock.

As one marketing director said, "they're gorging themselves on rifles, pistols and ammunition."

Unfortunately, some in the industry are taking advantage of that high demand and, simply stated, jacking up the prices of their guns, ammo and accessories. For Mark Whitlock of Mark's Outdoors in Birmingham, Alabama that is simply not acceptable. "I had a call from a distributor wanting to sell me AR-style rifles at a way higher price that before," Whitlock said, "I told him we didn't raise our prices the last time it looked like a ban was coming, and we weren't going to raise them today."

"I told him not to call me back," said Whitlock, "ever. That's just not the way we're ever going to do business. No one's ever going to come in here with a gun and sat they paid an outrageous price for it - at least not from me."

With a retail location that's been chosen among America's top independent sporting good retailers for several consecutive years, Whitlock is taking the long view. To do otherwise, he says, is not a long-term strategy, it's price-gouging.

Whatever it's called, it is certainly happening in many parts of the country, with small retailers taking advantage of the demand to turn quick profits.

Consumers aren't happy at the development, but they're paying up rather than risk not having guns or ammo should a ban be among the first acts taken by the Obama administration. We're hearing that it's not on the first order of business, but it's certainly not far down the To-Do list of the new administration.

In other areas of the outdoors, there are envious glances, but no one outside the gun business is eager for that sort of regulatory threat.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: whispers earlier this week in the outdoor media that longtime National Wild Turkey Federation Senior Vice President of Communications Tammy Sapp had left her position.

Today, we can confirm that rumor, but there's not a huge back-story. Seems the veteran communicator simply decided after eleven years it was time to move on to other opportunities.

It didn't take long to find one. Effective immediately, Tammy Sapp is the new Editor-In-Chief of our Women's Outdoor Wire.

We're ecstatic at the addition to our growing cadre of editorial professionals, and know that she'll bring limitless enthusiasm and a positive outlook along with her extensive experience.

Erica Shepherd (yes we're related) will continue her work at the WOW and will be teaming with Tammy to keep the WOW growing and speaking to- and for- the women in the outdoors. Erica's made her father mighty proud these past few months, and this dynamic duo will keep the Women's Outdoor Wire ahead of the curve in the industry.

We've always believed that you can either innovate- or imitate.

No imitations here.

You can read the complete story in this morning's edition of The Women's Outdoor Wire. If you're not already a subscriber, you can visit www.thewomensoutdoorwire.com and see the latest edition. While you're there, you can also sign up for your own subscription to the WOW.

There are a number of new things coming down the pipe for all the Outdoor Wire services. Some will start the beginning of the New Year; others will be phasing in slowly as we progress.

I'm not going to announce everything today, but I can repeat the expression that's come to represent our position in the outdoors:

We'll keep you posted.