The outdoor industry has lost one of its great pioneers this month.  Friend and Mentor, Paul Newsom lost his two year battle to cancer on the first of July.  Most of you may remember Paul from Outdoor TV shows such as “Hunting the Country”, “Outdoor Adventures Digest”, “The Camp Cook” and NRA’s “American Rifleman”.

I not only had the privilege of knowing Paul, but had the opportunity to hunt and fish with him on several occasions, in fact my very first big game hunt ever was with Paul on a New Mexico antelope hunt while filming for his show “Paul Newsom’s Great Outdoors”, talk about intimidating.   We had been tracking down a monster goat for several hours; once we were within range I thought I was going to be able to witness the master at work and watch how to hunt big game for a TV show, but instead I got my first example of how generous Paul really was.  With no warning at all Paul informed me that he had taken plenty of Antelope and that I was up, but not to shoot until the camera man told me he was ready (no pressure there).  That goat now has a special place on my wall and brings back plenty of great memories.

Paul was also the inspiration for starting “Outdoor Connection TV”; he didn’t just offer me a few pointers and tell me good luck, he actually opened up his home and invited several Outdoor Connection team members to learn how to shoot good wildlife footage.  Eighteen months later “Outdoor Connection TV” was nominated for “Best New Series” on our network.

One of my favorite trips was when my wife and I were joined by Paul, his wife Brenda and their daughter Emma in Cabo San Lucas for our 2006 Outdoor Connection Convention and Bill Fishing Tournament and in true Paul fashion, he caught the biggest Dorado on the boat, which helped us win second place in the tournament.

I was fortunate enough to attend Paul’s memorial service and man did that guy have lots of friends.  Several of his hunting buddies and child hood friends got up to share stories with us that put smiles on all of our faces and I am sure that is exactly how Paul would have wanted it.

We will miss you Paul.+