WALNUTPORT, Penn., June 17, 2005: At last, the traditional outdoor writer, photographer, videographer, and broadcaster have a professional media organization to call their own. Born out of necessity, the traditional hook-and-bullet media members, joined by shooting sports and angling industries, organizations and associations, have aligned to form a new professional organization aptly named the PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR MEDIA ASSOCIATION (POMA).

The organization got its start when dozens of traditional outdoor writers looking for a professional organization that served their needs met at the 2005 SHOT Show, with a tele-conferencing connection with writers attending the Safari Club International Show. At this meeting, nine respected outdoor writers were selected to serve as a steering committee to determine the need for and set up a new organization. Named by popular vote to the committee were: Jim Zumbo, J. Wayne Fears, Tom Gresham, John Phillips, Betty Lou Fegely, Jim Casada, Bryce Towsley, Tony Mandile, and Laurie Lee Dovey.

Accepting the challenge, the group set about sculpturing an organization that will serve the traditional outdoor press. At a working meeting in Alabama, and through phone conferencing, the committee developed a mission statement, charter, by-laws, membership criteria and elected a Corporate Partners director - Pat McHugh of MPI Outdoors.

The committee determined a slate of nine interim (one year) directors, plus a corporate director, were needed to steer the organization during its formative years. To maintain continuity, and to have decades of organizational experience available, each member of the founding committee volunteered to serve as the interim board for one year.

A framework for managing POMA’s affairs was also established and, in cooperation with the Safari Club International and the outdoor industry, a database of potential POMA members was developed.

Now POMA is a reality! Its mission statement says it all: “The Professional Outdoor Media Association, Inc. is a group of individual communicators and Corporate Partners who believe in, defend, support and promote the heritage of hunting, fishing, shooting, and traditional outdoor sports through writing, photography, and other means. By doing so, members hope to educate the general public about these sports and encourage more participation in them. The organization serves the membership by helping members grow professionally, improve their skills, better their working environments and enhance their business.”

POMA welcomes prospective members to its Web site at www.professionaloutdoormedia.org where detailed information on the organization is found.

All individuals, firms and organizations who join POMA during the first 60 days of the membership drive, between June 18, 2005 and August 17, 2005, will be designated as "Charter Members".