What is the ATA?

I just landed in Indianapolis for the 2015 ATA Show, Jan. 8-10, and will spend the next three days checking out the latest bows, arrows, broadheads, optics, gear and everything else bowhunting for American Hunter. My husband Phil and I look forward to rounding up "his, mine and ours" when it comes to our top picks being unveiled this year.

Just in case you weren't aware, the ATA stands for the Archery Trade Association, the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. While it's the archery and bowhunting industry's largest and oldest trade show, the annual event is closed to the public because the purpose is to promote commerce so it's primarily an order-writing event. Fortunately, my ATA Show press badge will give me a sneak preview of what's in store for 2015 so stay tuned.

For a word on Indy, after bowhunting, one of my next favorite things is NFL football so I'm naturally wondering how the Indianapolis Colts will do this weekend when they take on the Denver Broncos in the playoffs. Here's a pic of the Colt's Lucas Oil Stadium, which is right down the street. I may not get to go there for the game, partly since it's being played in Denver, but I do get to go there tomorrow evening for Sitka's 2015 launch party, which will be great since the company makes some of the most hard-core hunting clothing on the market.