As mentioned last week, we have just returned from our annual foray to the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoors Trades (SHOT) Show in Orlando Florida.  This show, allegedly the 23rd largest trade show in America, is the mammoth centerpiece of the shooting world, a combination World’s Fair, Paris Fashion Show and extended boy’s night out for the hunting and shooting industry.

This year there was a single, huge, overwhelming topic on everyone’s mind: the political climate and the resulting widespread belief that our democratic congress and president will attempt at least a partial firearms ban within the next four years.  In speaking with everyone from major celebrities within the industry to the mom and pop folks who operate the gun store down the block, everyone is convinced that something drastic is going to happen to gun owners in the near future.

Several people, all of whom I consider intelligent, rational, well-read and not the least bit paranoid, confided that they believe the country is poised for a revolution within the next few years.  Frighteningly, they mean the kind of revolution involving bullets.

Scary stuff, regardless which end of the political spectrum you inhabit.

On a side note, we agree with the fears but have a slightly different idea as to the method.  It is our belief that hunters and shooters will be nibbled to death by bureaucratic ducks rather than suffer a wholesale gun confiscation.  From a political standpoint, it’s much easier to make guns prohibitively expensive to manufacture, own and shoot rather than ban them altogether.  In other words, some rather insignificant pieces of legislation such measures to restrict shooting ranges or ammunition possession, are the door our collective bogyman will enter.

Moving forward, everyone at the show remarked about the health of the gun industry right now.  While clothing, decoy and other hunting gear manufacturers are tremendously worried about the economy, those engaged in the manufacture of firearms or gun accessories are experiencing the best sales in history.

Due to the attendant near-hysteria regarding possible firearms confiscation, two manufacturers told me that they are not even taking orders at this time because production facilities are overtaxed and they are tired of explaining to customers why there is sometimes a 16-month wait for certain items.  Business is fantastic even though everyone remains gloomy that “the other shoe will drop” and the gun industry will be litigated and/or legislated to death.

Another noticeable trend was the dearth of new products.  Many companies had seen the economic downtown looming on the horizon and cut back research and design efforts.  Each year we annually present a compilation of the oddest new products that were unveiled but unfortunately, there is not enough material this year to compile a reasonable list.

Thus, we will only nominate two items for the honor of 2009 Strangest Product of the Year.

The first runner-up, who will assume the throne if the winner is unable to fulfill its ceremonial role, is the Grizzly Bear Suit from Columbia Sportswear.

This two-piece suit is billed as an ultra-quiet and warm camouflage suit targeted toward big-game hunters.  Unfortunately, other big game hunters will probably target the Grizzly Suit wearer because it appears just as named: a suit made of long, luxurious brown synthetic fur.

I must admit the salesmen in the Columbia booth were good sports and even quietly allowed that they too had misgivings with dressing up in what is essentially a bear costume to stalk through the woods.  They did, however, roll their eyes when I suggested that the company should offer an optional hood, mittens and feet as a “Goldilocks limited-edition-signature” model.   I also opined that it could be marketed as an “assisted-suicide suit” for hunters who frequent public hunting lands.

Now, with requisite drum roll and fanfare, we announce the Strangest Product of 2009: Toadaflage.

This is a new camouflage pattern, unlike the other 23,453 camouflage patterns already on the market,  is actually based upon the coloration of the common toad.  Though the concept seems odd, we will agree that toad skin is quite effective at hiding its amphibian owner given that we have accidentally having smashed a toad or two while running barefoot as a youth.

In viewing the pattern as presented at the show, it does appear that the Toadflage could be effective.  My only concern would be lying down on the ground during breeding season as it would be quite embarrassing to become the object of desire for an amorous amphibian.

Anyway, here’s a big salute to Toadflage!  We’ll see if it makes it to the next SHOT Show.  Fortunately, it is in good company because the laser-sighted slingshot that I poked fun at three years ago is apparently also flying off the shelf.

Maybe folks are worried about the rumored assault-slingshot ban.

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