"We believe in working hard-and having fun," says Synergy Outdoors' Ryan Busbice, "and we believe in growing our sport." For Synergy that means getting more people involved in hunting. Engaging people in that initial dialog is the challenge.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2075779.jpg> No shrinking violet, Bill Busbice rode the new Orange County Chopper out for its premiere in an outfit that makes the point he's not afraid to go out on the edge to engage folks - or afraid to have fun doing it. Jim Shepherd/OWDN photo.

Like hunting, you have to go where the potential customers are. So, the Busbice family put their collective heads together and decided to "go big" - with a custom motorcycle built from key components of their various business units. Its goal: interest young people in hunting and get them familiar with their Wildgame Innovations company -and it's new logo.

For the folks at Synergy, keeping hunting viable means recruiting young people. And recruiting young people means engaging them.

Despite the fact there's a very healthy argument going on across the industry- including among our own editors- that the traditional outreach programs (NASP, youth leagues, etc) aren't going to interest enough kids, you have to wonder if there's not a limit to what will appeal to youth.

While some still complain that the zombie phenomenon sweeping through shooting sports isn't sending the right message about shooting, there's no arguing with the fact that the undead are revitalizing shooting sports -and recruiting young people from the X-box generation who are looking to move from their digital world to an analog one.

That means they're shooting real guns, using real ammunition, and buying and using both at real ranges. Despite the consternation of those who aren't quite comfortable with the fact that today's new shooter might not look like the shooter's they're accustomed to seeing at the range, young men -and women-are driving a large percentage of sales to new shooters.

I'm not even going to get into the fact that they could care less about fine figured walnut stocks or engraving, those have always been acquired tastes. They're more into folding stocks, quick mag changes and tactical lights and lasers.

Back to the motorcycle. I was invited to join the Busbice in upstate New York for the unveiling of the Wildgame Innovations motorcycle at Orange County Choppers. If you've not heard of OCC, you've obviously not been watching much television. The Discovery Channel's "American Chopper" has taken us inside OCC's operations over the past few years, documenting the company's rise-and the sometimes volatile atmosphere there.

Despite the occasional made-for-TV histrionics, OCC designs and builds awesome custom motorcycles. Their custom bikes have served as centerpieces for campaigns for everything from a 9/11 fund for NY City firemen to a variety of corporate themes, even a natural gas powered bike that's been clocked at more than 200 mph.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2075781.jpg> Game cam turned security device. The Lightsout Game Cam sits just in front of the Flextone Game call, giving the bike infrared security imaging - and a variety of game calls guaranteed to get attention in traffic. Jim Shepherd/OWDN photo.

But this chopper incorporated a range of products that even OCC's folks admitted posed some challenges.

From Barnett Ghost 350 crossbow split limbs made into the handlebars to their patented carbon step-through riser that was modified to serve as a taillight, Wildgame Innovations, Barnett Crossbows, Flextone Game Calls, Easton Technical Products, New Archery Products and Realtree's camo were used throughout the bike.

In addition, the bike sports a massive set of stainless steel elk antlers on the front.

So massive that OCC's Paul Teutul, Sr. voiced his concerns that "the thing would be so top-heavy you couldn't ride it."

Senior Designer Jason Pohl and Lead Engineer and Machinist Jim Quinn didn't share those concerns. Instead, they rolled out what Quinn told me was "the wildest set of product incorporations we've ever done."

Quinn's "wild" FYI, wasn't a play on words.

From the custom Easton arrows, complete with New Archery Products' 2-bladed killzone broadheads that made the front "fender" to the Flextone Echo HD 100 used as the horn (OK, I'd look up if I heard that elk bugle) and the Wildgame Innovations Elite Lights Out game cam used as a security system, Pohl and Quinn incorporated plenty of hunting equipment into the final product.

So, I asked Teutul after the "unveil" was taped for Discovery Channel, how do you keep from making what is basically a rolling product endorsement from crossing the fine line from "creative" to "tacky"?

"Sometimes," he huffed, "you have to tell the client 'no'" Smiling, he added, "that's Jason's job." Pohl admitted it was sometimes tough to do.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2075783.jpg> The Easton arrows and razor-sharp broadheads used for a front "fender" give a whole new meaning to "road kill". Jim Shepherd/OWDN photo.

But with the mix of products on this project, he said it was "easy to see some of the elements incorporated into a bike without being, well, goofy."

OK, it's not "goofy" but it does bear a striking resemblance to one of the old "how many hidden objects can you find" games that used to keep kids busy.

But will it get people interested in the outdoors, particularly bowhunting?

"We think it will engage young people," says Matt Busbice. "If we can get them interested, I think we can make hunting attractive to them again."

With the bike having already been the subject of two episodes of this season's "American Chopper" it's safe to say there's a good bit of awareness out there already. If that awareness can be converted to participation, well, the project will be even more of a success.

If it's not, I'm betting the Busbice clan will put their collective heads together and come up with another project. "After all," Bill told me- still dressed like the hardcore Kiss fan he is, "we're not kidding about or motto: Never Settle."

--Jim Shepherd