Among the list of hot topics for sportsmen and -women these days, is the future of our outdoor heritage and how will we be able to assure that hunting and fishing is a part of the world our kids and grandkids will enjoy. Produced in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundations, Step Outside is a program that encourages current outdoor enthusiasts to introduce family, friends and special guests to traditional outdoor sports. Step Outside is co-hosted by Doug Painter and Kelly Gotch.


DOUG PAINTER

With degrees in political science and French from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Mr. Painter has served on the staff of NSSF since 1973, the trade association for the firearms industry. He began his NSSF career as a media-relations specialist and writer. Responsibilities later included positions as director of communications, marketing director, vice president of marketing administration, and executive director. Mr. Painter was named president in 2002 and at the same time president of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Fund and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute.

Currently Mr. Painter is NSSF’s Senior Advisor and Trade Liaison and is actively involved in a wide range of NSSF programs, from safety education efforts to increasing public visibility and acceptance of the shooting sports. He is active on the boards of directors of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Trust, Wildlife Management Institute, Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation, and U.S. Shooting Team. He is an honorary member of NSSF’s board of governors and Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute board of directors. Mr. Painter also serves as an advisor to the International Hunter Education Association.

A life-long hunter and shooter, Mr. Painter has written extensively on a broad range of shooting sports topics as well as on wildlife conservation and the hunter’s role in wildlife management.


KELLY GOTCH

Kelly is a true outdoorswoman. Born and raised in the small town of Ortonville, Michigan, she grew up in an atmosphere that has allowed her passion for hunting and fishing to flourish. Much of Kelly's childhood was spent playing baseball, catching frogs, fishing and playing with matchbox cars in the dirt with her two brothers. Some of her best memories involve hanging out in Dad's garage around bucks in pick up trucks on cool October nights. Being amongst camo-clad guys telling their hunting stories continues to make up her best memories in adult hood.

Kelly's interest in television production took her to Central Michigan University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts. After a short stay upon graduation in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kelly returned home to Michigan and the many hunting and fishing opportunities that define her.

Kelly joined the Michigan Out-of-Doors team in 2005 and is the co-host of Michigan Out-of-Doors Television.


UPCOMING EPISODES

Episode SO0901 – Snow Goose Part #1
Youth hunter Blake Mitchell and his dad hunt the wary arctic snow goose near Brookfield, Missouri.

Episode SO0902 – Snow Goose Part #2
Continuing snow goose hunt near Brookfield, Missouri with newcomer Crispin Powley and guide Tony Vandemore.

Episode SO0903 – Reagan’s First Hunt
Young mother Reagan Potter is going hunting for the very first time. She’s hunting Elk with guide Gary Phillips.

Episode SO0904 – Pintail Point Pheasant
Queenstown, Maryland near Baltimore is the sight for today’s Step Outside as we follow both a new bird hunter and a new hunting dog as it’s a Step Outside for both as Doug Painter serves as mentor.

Episode SO0905 – Kelly’s First Elk
Host Kelly Gotch hunts elk for the very first time with guide Gary Phillips.

Episode SO0906 – Kansas “Pass it On!”
As part of the “Pass it On” organization, several youth hunters visit Ted Turner’s Z-Bar Ranch for a weekend of target range shooting and deer hunting.

Episode SO0907 – Turkey Trot Acres
Hunting Turkey with dogs is a New York tradition. This unique brand of hunting with two novice hunters is both exciting and different.

Episode SO0908 – Turner’s Pheasant
Just 45 minutes from the downtown area of Memphis, Tennessee lies Turner’s Game-birds, a perfect place for the newcomer to hunt Pheasant in the south.

Episode SO0909 – Chase-ing Elk
Sixteen year old Chase Thornton hunts elk for his very first time accompanied by his dad in this father-son episode of Step Outside.

Episode SO0910 – Rattling Deer
Rattling deer in Texas is one of the most exciting and successful ways to hunt just prior to, or during the rut. That’s the focus of today’s episode.

Episode SO0911 – Niagara Sea Ducks
Hunting sea ducks in the swift current and ice floes of the Niagara river is definitely not for the faint of heart. Newcomer Mary Cozart and host Kelly Gotch hunt with premier guide, Chris Cinelli in the heart of the winter.

Episode SO0912- Turner Quail
Due to the loss of habitat, quail hunting in the south is difficult, if not impossible without the aid of preserves like Turner’s Game Birds in Cordova Tennessee. Preserves like this are the perfect place to introduce newcomers to the sport of quail hunting. Host Kelly Gotch hunts quail for her very first time.

Episode SO0913 – South Dakota Pheasant
Host Kelly Gotch hunts Pheasant in beautiful South Dakota with guide Tyson Kellar.