Today, some news about the outdoor industry that’s really not terribly controversial. On a daily basis, news happens around the industry that has not a single thing to do with assaults on our individual freedoms, government encroachment into the private sector, or even health threats from whatever-flavor-fear-you’re-peddling-to-raise-money-today.

It’s not a long list, but it’s the list we’ve decided we’re all sadly in need of. Something that’s not a crisis, an emergency or controversial. Sometimes, simple news is good.

It’s not all good news, unfortunately (not since Turner Broadcasting’s “Good News” in the 1980s has anyone tried to do an all-good-news newscast. FYI, it failed- miserably. Or as the headline in Daily Variety read: “TBS’s Good News: Not News. Not Good.”)

Michelin, the automotive giant, has announced it will be getting into the e-bike business. They’re going to be offering “E-drives powered by Michelin”. The bikes will be in collaboration with the French company Mobivia and automotive distributor NorAuto. E-bikes, it seems, are more than a passing fad with virtually everyone.

Descente has announced that it’s going to be getting out of business in North America. According to a release from Nippon News, Descente North America, Inc. will cease business by the end of their fiscal year next year- March 31, 2020.

Got the sad news yesterday that Babes With Bullets is wrapping up their highly-successful 15-year run. Their final ladies shooting camp will be held in November at the Fresno Rifle & Pistol Club in California. There are still camps running through 2019 (check the dates out at www.BabesWithBullets.com), but this is the last year you’ll have the chance to attend a camp. They’ll still be running corporate and private training, and founders Deb Ferns and Kay Miculek will also be running LACE- the Ladies Adventure Camp Experience, mentoring novice ladies in the hunting fields.

Three of the instructors who've made Babes With Bullets camps so memorable. The irrepressible Deb Ferns, Kay Miculek and Lisa Munson have spent fifteen years making learning shooting fun for lady campers. Photo with permission.

As Kay Miculek says, “our program has always stood out with having a staff of the top “lady pro shooters” who have national and world titles. Another unique feature of the Babes with Bullets program has been that novice ladies have the opportunity to ‘try before they buy’ with all the gear provided on a complimentary basis.”

I had the privilege of filming one of those early “Babes” camps at S&W’s training facility in Springfield, Massachusetts several years ago. It featured no fewer than six instructors with national and world titles- and was one of the singular events that convinced me I wanted to get back into competitive shooting. Kay Miculek, Julie Goloski (at the time), Lisa Munson, Doni Spencer, and other instructors took the ladies in attendance from beginners to highly competent shooters in only two fun-filled days.

Watching them break everything from handling recoil to making quick draws and fast reloads were serious aids in my own shooting progress. The ability to replay and review their excellent instruction was a benefit I’ve taken advantage of many times.

I can only imagine the fun of seeing these experienced huntresses teaching the basics at the new LACE events.

LaBandera Ranch in South Texas (above) could scratch almost any itch imaginable. The only thing missing is beachfront. Anything else imaginable is there (below). Images with permission.

Finally, if you’ve like me, you’ve probably dreamed of owning your own hunting ranch. Having trained on the FTW Ranch in Texas and at Gunsite Academy in Arizona, I know the benefit of having a place where you can shoot and know you’re not disturbing your neighbors.

Alex Gyllstrom of Whtetail Properties dropped me a note recently about a South Texas ranch that’s come on the market.

The ranch is LaBandera and it’s a well-known hunting ranch. Over twenty years, it’s become one of the best known hunting ranches in a state known for great hunting. It’s “only” about 17,000 acres, but includes some of the most luxurious facilities imaginable, from truly first-class accommodations to a 5,000 foot runway and hangar so you can fly down rather than drive the 15 miles (SW) from Carrizo Springs.

Seriously, it’s one of those serious hunting resorts that most of us will only dream of visiting, much less owning. You can learn more about it by visiting https://www.whitetailproperties.com/hunting-land/texas/dimmit/la-bandera-ranch-carrizo-springs and seeing for yourself.

I won’t spoil it for you by giving away the asking price. I will tell you that if you buy LaBandera and you invite me, I will come visit.

Seemed like a good time to talk about some news that wasn’t earth-shattering. All the bad stuff’s still out there, and, as always, we’ll keep you posted.

—Jim Shepherd