Nashville, TN—The American worker and sportsman will be honored for his/her community spirit and volunteerism during the 2nd annual Brotherhood Outdoors Labor Day marathon, which will feature eight back-to-back episodes airing from 1 to 5 p.m. ET. on Monday, September 3 on Sportsman Channel.
A collaboration between Sportsman Channel and the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), this one-of-a-kind marathon will give viewers an intimate glimpse into the lives of these hardworking, blue-collar characters as they set out on a dream North American hunting or fishing trip or choose to show off their skills as guides—taking viewers to their favorite honey holes.
Between episodes of Brotherhood Outdoors, Sportsman Channel and the USA will pay tribute to the men and women who are working to make America not only a better place to live and work but a better place to pursue their outdoor passions. Throughout the day, viewers will meet everyday heroes who are working to preserve North America’s wildlife habitat, protect public access to quality places to hunt and fish and educate a future generation of sportsmen and women.
Episodes Airing on September 3 include:
1 p.m. | Texas Whitetail with a Steamfitter
Jake Lovato is a sportsman, sculptor and UA Local 412 steamfitter who uses his welding skills to make a positive impact, even travelling to Haiti to help rebuild an orphanage after the earthquake. In this episode, Lovato must control his impatience as he watches more deer than he’s ever seen, waiting for the perfect opportunity at that shooter buck.
1:30 p.m. |California Hog with an Ironworker
Jessica Reagor a member of Ironworker Local 395 sets out on an adrenaline-pumping California hog hunt, as she reenters the field for the first time since adopting a baby boy with special needs out of foster care two years ago. Don’t be fooled by her quiet nature, this hard-working mom from Indiana is a sharp shot and clearly not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty—especially when it comes to educating the next generation of sportsmen and women.
2 p.m. | Montauk Stripers with an Electrical Worker
Third generation union member and New Yorker Joe Proscia has a long and storied past with the great outdoors. One of the founding members of IBEW Local 3’s 500 member Sportsman Club, he’s trekked across the globe for big game and elusive fish but still swears by the stripers in Montauk Bay. You won’t want to miss this top-water battle at a treasured big-city honey hole!
2:30 p.m. | Kansas Geese with a Machinist
Brett Graham, an IAM Local 839 machinist, longtime Ducks Unlimited member and waterfowl guide, takes Tom Ackerman on a goose hunt outside Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas. Waterfowl experts and novices alike will get a thrill out of this epic hunt, which Graham replicates twice a year as a donation for a father/son/daughter hunting trip.
3 p.m. | Montana Whitetail with an Operating Engineer
Jesse Mondragon made the ultimate sacrifice dedicating more than 20 years of his life for our freedom. Back on U.S. soil, this Operating Engineer from Texas’ IUOE Local 564 will be rewarded for his continued commitment to his community with every big-game hunter’s dream pursuit of Montana’s evasive whitetail.
3:30 p.m. | Michigan Pheasant with a Firefighter
In 2010 Firefighter and IAFF Local 1561 member Scott Walsh’s life changed for the better when Houdini, a rescued German Wirehaired Pointer, joined his family. Just two years later, Walsh gets the chance to show off both Houdini and her adopted brother Hobson’s skills in the field as they pursue Michigan pheasant—getting the whole Walsh family in on the action.
4 p.m. | Montana Elk with an Electrical Worker
Fourth generation union member Scott Callaghan thought he’d seen it all. But two tours of duty in the Middle East and a personal battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was just the beginning. Back on his feet and ready for a new adventure, this family man, scout master, little-league coach and member of IBEW Local 26 in Maryland heads out west for a chance to hunt Montana’s magnificent Elk.
4:30 p.m. | (NEW!) Idaho Mule Deer with a Refrigeration Fitter
Rene Thorn, a refrigeration fitter from UA Local 250 is a devoted mother and avid sportswoman, whose passion for sporting clays led to a love affair with game birds. Focused on instilling a similar love of the outdoors in her daughter, the pair volunteers twice a month at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands near Huntington Beach, CA. Ready to stretch her boundaries further, this dedicated conservationist and newbie hunter will stalk Idaho’s famed mule deer during her first big-game pursuit.
“There are so many sportsmen and women in the union community who are doing amazing things to further conservation efforts throughout North America,” declared USA Executive Director Fred Myers. “I can’t imagine a more perfect day than Labor Day to honor and reward that commitment.”
A staple in Sportsman Channel’s ‘Made in America’ programming, Brotherhood Outdoors is presented by Bank of Labor and sponsored by the following union and contractor partners: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Electrical Contractors Association, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers and United Association/International Training Fund.
For more information about Brotherhood Outdoors, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance or Sportsman Channel, visit http://www.BrotherhoodOutdoors.tv.
About the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance:
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a Union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat throughout North America. For more information, visithttp://www.unionsportsmen.org or http://www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.
About Sportsman Channel:
Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel, along with Sportsman HD, is a television and digital media company fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities. Sportsman Channel reaches more than 31 million U.S. television households and is available in HD (http://sportsmanhd.com). Visit http://www.thesportsmanchannel.com or follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl.
