BowTech(R) Bows to Feature GORE(TM) OPTIFADE(TM) Concealment

Archery Innovator Opts In to New Pattern Based on Animal Vision


NEWARK, DE--(Marketwire - February 11, 2009) - W.L. Gore & Associates, a leading manufacturer of advanced technology products including GORE-TEX® branded products, today announced that BowTech, a manufacturer of bows and archery equipment, will offer GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment on its line of high-end BowTech®, Diamond® and Ross™ bows and Octane™ accessories for the 2009 hunting season. GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment is the first-ever concealment technology based on how animals see, both spatially and colorimetrically.

"We are proud to partner with a company that shares Gore's commitment to innovation and outcome-based technologies for our end users," commented David Dillon, Hunting Category Leader at W.L. Gore & Associates. "The science behind GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment makes it the ultimate visual concealment system and we are pleased that our partners now offer the pattern for both garments and gear. It's all about optimizing a hunter's chances of success in the field."

Gore previously announced that California-based Sitka is an exclusive launch partner for garments featuring GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment.

Until now, visual concealment has been designed from the perspective of the human eye. To create GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment, the team at W.L. Gore worked with a panel of scientific advisors and employed the latest research in animal vision science, camouflage science and computer technology to create a proprietary new concealment pattern. In contrast to mimicry camouflage, which attempts to make the hunter closely resemble his environment, Gore's digital pattern aims to prevent the animal from recognizing a hunter as a predator, even if the hunter is detected.

"BowTech is committed to quality. From the rigorous testing of all of our equipment to the pursuit of new technologies that offer our customers superior function, we are dedicated to excellence," commented Marshall White, Marketing Director of BowTech. "Our decision to offer the new GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment is based on our conviction that it is a scientifically sound and revolutionary approach to concealment, and will improve our customers' experience with BowTech® gear."

GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment comes with InVelvet™ coating, which can be found on the best-selling models of BowTech® bows, as well as the Diamond® IceMan, the Ross™ Carnivore and Octane™ accessories. BowTech's InVelvet™ finish has a soft, smooth touch and has insulating and dampening qualities to reduce chill and noise while also protecting the bow from wear and harsh chemicals.

For more information about GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment, visit www.optifade.com.

About W.L. Gore & Associates (www.gore-tex.com)

Perhaps best known for its consumer products like GORE-TEX® fabric and ELIXIR® guitar strings, Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics and medical markets. The company is headquartered in Newark, Delaware, posts sales of approximately $2 billion, and employs almost 8,000 associates at 50 facilities throughout the world.

GORE, GORE-TEX, WINDSTOPPER and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.© 2008 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., 295 Blue Ball Rd., Elkton, Maryland, 800-431-GORE, gore-tex.com.

About BowTech (www.bowtecharchery.com)

BowTech manufactures and distributes the world's finest compound bows and archery equipment. Founded in 1999, BowTech's corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Eugene, Oregon. With a worldwide distribution network, BowTech's family of brands include: BowTech®, Diamond® and Ross™ compound bows, Octane™ archery accessories, Stryker crossbows, and WaterDog Surface Technologies. BowTech is a wholly owned subsidiary of Savage Sports Corporation, located in Westfield. MA. Savage brands include Savage Arms, Stevens, Fox, Savage (Canada), Savage Range Systems and PortaTarget.