MAY 10, 2021
 
 
 

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

By the time you read this Mother’s Day has come and gone. Hopefully, this edition of The Hunting Wire wasn’t the reminder you needed. Nonetheless, without our mothers, none of us would be hunting in the first place. From all of us here at The Hunting Wire, Happy Mother’s Day. This edition of The Hunting Wire is, as always, geared toward helping you learn about, advocate for, or vicariously experience hunting all across the world. Our Voice of Leadership Panel sheds some light on public policy in the United States and how it relates to us as hunters. Let it be said, if you want to have a successful hunt for elk, deer, bear, hogs, turkeys, rabbits, or anything else, now or in the future you’ll need to be just as purposeful with your ballot choice as you are with your tree stand location. Last week I had the opportunity to hunt Maryland and Delaware wild turkeys with the good folks from NOMAD Outdoors. Until that trip the only turkeys I’ve ever killed were hens, in the fall, with my bow. Hunting gobblers in the spring - successfully - is a completely different hunt. Look for an in-depth story about that adventure which saw me successfully take not just my first tom, but my second and third gobblers in three consecutive hunts in the next edition of The Hunting Wire. Well before then however, I’d like to send out a very special thank you to a young and upcoming hunting guide, Tyler Collins, of Old Line Outdoors. In my 47 years of life, I have never met a kinder, more noble, or more eager person in the hunting industry. The future of The Hunting Wire is just as promising! We’re excited to tell you  about a new series we’ll kick-off soon with outdoor writer Ken Perrotte as he travels to Africa to hunt Cape Buffalo, and we also are putting the final touches on what we think will be a terrific first-time hunter series about America’s big game sweetheart, the deer. As always, thank you for your support and feedback about The Hunting Wire, Jay Pinsky jay@theoutdoorwire.com
Voice of Leadership Panel

(Call for Panelists – If you would like to be considered for the 2021-2022 Voice of Leadership Panel please email me directly at jay@theoutdoorwire.com.)

By Cyrus Baird, Manager of Government Relations, Safari Club International

Sportsmen and women are acutely aware of trends and patterns around them compared to other segments of the population. From patterning a big buck during the peak of the rut or tracking trends in the weather and migration routes for migratory waterfowl, a successful hunter is one that can pick up on these common occurrences and act on them.

As the calendar year flipped from 2020 to 2021 and hunters around the country closed out and reflected on their hunting seasons, there is another area that hunters should be patterning if they want to have a successful season next year…the public policy arena.

Public policy can have a tremendous impact on hunting. From bills that expand hunting access and promote or enhance, conservation funding, to legislation to ban common forms of hunting styles and ban the hunting of certain game species, hunters should pay just as much attention to their local, state and federal elected officials as they should that big cold front during the rut.

If you were not able to follow along through the first 100+ days of 2021 and key in on certain themes and patterns, here is a quick rundown of the state capitols and Washington, D.C.

Anti-Hunting

On January 26th, California state Senator Scott Wiener introduced legislation, Senate Bill 252, to completely ban bear hunting statewide. Senator Wiener did not mince words with his announcement in introducing this legislation – he is attempting to ban legal, regulated bear hunting in California. “It’s time we stop this inhumane practice once and for all.”

Wiener’s official press release lists the Humane Society of the United States as an official sponsor and supporter of the legislation. Wiener falsely claimed in his press release that recreational hunting of black bears in California has led to a decrease in population when in fact, Northeastern California has seen an increase in black bear abundance over the last 25 years. The statewide population in California is estimated to be well over 30,000 bears. This population growth has led to increased human-wildlife conflicts and public safety issues.

Soon after its introduction, news of the bill began circulating on social media and spread like a digital wildfire throughout the hunting community. The ensuing days saw a wave of scientific and fact-based advocacy roll through the state, eventually washing away the legislative mud that Senator Wiener and the Humane Society of the United States were throwing at both hunters and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Less than a week after it was originally introduced, and after increased outreach and direct lobbying from groups like Safari Club International, the bill was quietly withdrawn from Wiener.

In Connecticut, Senate Bill 925 is a re-introduction of a bill pushed by Senator Majority Leader Bob Duff that is seeking to ban the import and possession of commonly hunted game species from Africa. While hunters who have no plans to add hunting in Africa on their bucket list might think this bill doesn’t impact them, the underlying theme of the bill is inherently anti-hunting and should concern anyone who values science-based wildlife management.

For one, this legislation would preempt the federal Endangered Species Act, a similar argument groups like Safari Club International have argued to state legislatures in the past, including to California lawmakers regarding the Iconic African Species Protection Act in California in 2020, a bill that was successfully defeated.

Contrary to representations by the bill’s supporters, the species listed in the bill are healthiest in the very countries where they are hunted and subject to lawful international trade. It is documented fact that the world’s largest populations of African elephant, leopard, lion, black and white rhino, and giraffe inhabit Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—the countries with regulated hunting programs that generate income and other incentives and result in more secure habitat and lower rates of poaching. In addition, these countries have developed successful conservation programs to encourage the rural communities who live side-by-side with wildlife to invest and protect these species, instead of competing with them.

Predator Contests

Another common theme in the early months of 2021 is one that has been gained national momentum in recent years – predator hunting – more specifically, predator hunting contests. In the last 12 months, a number of state legislatures have considered bills to ban the participation in, or promotion of, contests that have the goal of killing the highest number of, or largest animal of, certain predator species.

Spearheaded by the Humane Society of the United States and Project Coyote, several bills have already passed in some fashion including in Maryland, Vermont, and New Mexico, while other state fish and wildlife agencies, including Colorado, Virginia, and Massachusetts, have considered regulatory measures to pushed by anti-hunting advocates. California was the first state to prohibit these killing contests, instituting a ban in 2014.

Anti-hunting advocates typically argue that these contests undermine wildlife management”, violate ‘hunting ethics” and even “put threatened or endangered wildlife species in peril.” It is worth stressing that hunting contests follow all applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations set forth by wildlife agencies and can serve as a useful tool in wildlife management and prevent predator-human conflict and even predator-livestock conflict.

30x30

Before the Biden administration even stepped foot into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, the concept of large-scale land conservation and protection was something campaign officials touted to help win over conservation minded voters. Dubbed “30x30”, the idea at its core is a simple one – aim to protect 30 percent of the United States lands and waters before the year 2030 – but the first 100 days of the new presidential administration has left hunters with more questions than answers. Top of the list of those questions is simply “will hunters have a seat at the table” when these conversations are had, and plans rolled out?

As hunters, we know that we are the original conservationists, and we have continually supported efforts to conserve our nation’s wildlife and wild places for more than a century, but if hunting is not involved in the discussions, will large tracts of land be put under lock and key to access and outdoor recreation in the name of “protecting” biodiversity?

Organizations like the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Safari Club International, among others, have drawn a proverbial line in the sand on this issue, drafting a resolution expressing support for the overall idea of 30x30, with the caveat including the “recognition of the positive role that hunting and fishing play in conservation.

Questions on the details of 30x30 became a common theme from Senators during the confirmation process of Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland, and Deputy Secretary Nominee, Tommy Beaudreau. In those hearings, little was offered up in the way of a detailed plan on what classifies as “conserved lands” or the underlying goal of the initiative.

Constitutional Right to Hunt

As hunters across the country continue to face attacks from anti-hunting groups, more and more state legislatures are looking to further enshrine increased protections and rights to hunt, fish and trap in their state constitutions. Currently there are more than 20 states that have constitutional protections including the most recently Utah in 2020. In 2021, a handful of states legislators introduced constitutional right to hunt bills, including in Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New York, and Iowa.

In Montana, House Bill 367, introduced by Representative Paul Fielder (R), cleared the Montana House by a wide margin 68-32, before ultimately failing to garner enough support to clear the two-thirds majority threshold needed from both chambers to place it on the ballot in 2022. To move forward, Montana hunters would need to gather enough signatures required to place the constitutional amendment on the ballot through a citizen lead initiative, a very costly and time-consuming route.

In Missouri, several bills were filed in both chambers at the beginning of their legislative session. After some consolidation and language tweaks, House Joint Resolution 23, introduced by Representative John Black (R) emerged as the clear favorite. After clearing the House 125-18, and passing through a Senate Committee, it now awaits a full floor vote before it will be placed on the ballot in 2022 for Missouri residents to approve in an up or down vote.

Non-Resident vs. Resident

A rather unusual theme that developed out of the first 100 days of 2021 was the fight over big game tag allocations in western states pitting resident of vs non-residents hunters. A topic that has been brewing within the western hunting community for years finally boiled over into several bills in places like Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming being introduced seeking to limit the number of tags offered up to non-resident big game hunters.

In New Mexico, lawmakers debated Senate Bill 312, legislation that would have increased the minimum percentage of draw licenses for big game that must be issued to New Mexico residents from 84% to 90%. It would have also eliminated a provision requiring 10% of licenses be set aside for hunters who use a guide or outfitter. As a result, around 1,000 more tags would have been available for state residents, while at the same time decreasing the number of tags provided to the guides and outfitters community. The bill was ultimately failed to get out of its first committee after it was introduced on February 1st, due in large part to the guide and outfitting community.

In Colorado, Senate Bill 21-150, introduced on March 1st, would prohibit the division of parks and wildlife from awarding more than one-third of big game hunting licenses to nonresidents in a limited license draw, but would not apply to leftover tags. The bill was postponed indefinitely in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources later in March, but not before making its rounds in the hunting circles in Colorado and elsewhere across the west.

Finally, in Wyoming, Senate File Number SF0103 aimed to cut the nonresident tag allocation for big game licenses to less than 10% from the historic norms of around 20%, depending on the species, while at the same time increasing the price of non-resident big game tags by as much as 76% of their current price. The bill died a quick death in committee shortly after being introduced in early March.

These bills proved to be a lightning rod for of online commentary from the hunting community with both sides represented. Non-resident hunters provide a massive economic boon to state fish and wildlife agencies, and local communities as well. In Wyoming, non-residents account for over 75% of the total license revenue the state agency brings in on a yearly basis. Decreasing non-resident tags would likely leave a large financial hole in the agency. In New Mexico, the loss of 1,000 tags may not seem like a big deal, but the guide and outfitter community were quick to point out that the change could likely cost the state over $4 million in outfitter revenue and $500,000 in direct license fee revenue annually to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. At the same time, some resident hunters feel that they have been sold out by their state fish and wildlife agencies, passed over in lieu of their non-resident counterparts.

This wrap up of the first 100-plus days isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list of bills that impact sportsmen and women across the country. Instead, it’s meant to illustrate common themes of bills around the country that hunters should be engaged on.

2020-2021 The Hunting Wire Voice of Leadership Panel

The Voice of Leadership Panel is an appointed group of outdoor industry leaders who have volunteered to contribute their voices on key hunting and outdoor recreation issues to inform, inspire, and educate participants within our community.

  • Jim Curcuruto, Hunting and Firearms Industry Consultant
  • Mandy Harling, National Director of Hunting Heritage Programs, National Wild Turkey Federation
  • Jenifer Wisniewski, Chief, Outreach and Communication, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Joel Brice, Vice President, Waterfowl & Hunter Recruitment Programs, Delta Waterfowl
  • Cyrus Baird, Manager of Government Relations, Safari Club International

Facilitators:

  • James “Jay” Pinsky, Editor, The Hunting Wire
  • Peter Churchbourne, Director, NRA Hunter Leadership Forum

FEATURED CONSERVATION PARTNER

Mission: To guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.

RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND REACTIVATION (R3): One of the most unique and engaging R3 programs I have seen belongs to the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s “In the Arena” series. Check it out here.

CONSERVATION: The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is loaded with conservation knowledge and most importantly, advocacy. Come here to not just learn about conservation, but to do something about it. Learn more here.
HUNTING 101

By Jay Pinsky, Editor, The Hunting Wire

I've hunted, for better or more often worse, since I was a teenager in the 1980's. Back then, I stomped around the pine-tree heavy woods of south-central North Carolina with my bow, a Martin Lynx Magnum, a Stevens 16-gauge pump shotgun, and after a summer of mowing lawns, my first deer rifle, a Mossberg 1500 chambered in the all-world 7mm Remington Magnum.

As a boy, I chased deer, rabbits, squirrels, dove, and on one occasion, I had a bear chase me in Bladen County, N.C. My fondest memory as a boy was sitting with my trusty dog, Rufus, a stubborn, beef-jerky-loving beagle who was as good at hunting as I was. We never killed anything together except bags of, you guessed it, beef jerky, along with a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and lots of time. But, man, were we terrible at hunting. We spooked more deer than Casper. I never cared that we couldn't hunt that well, and you know what, I don't think he did either. He was my best friend growing up, and the time we spent together in the woods was priceless. My father never hunted with me. Aside from the dedicated mentorship of my now passed youth pastor, Danny Towe, all of my knowledge for and about hunting came from reading magazines and listening to some old-timers tell some tall tales at the barbershop. Looking back, I realize Danny took me hunting to teach me how to become a man, and like Rufus, he cared more about our journey than killing.

Now, some 47 years later, I've gotten a little (but not much) better at hunting. Of course, when I head to the woods, it isn't with the sole intent of killing anything. But, like some of you, I'm betting, hunting, and more specifically, my quiet time in the woods has become my mental and emotional sanctuary. I'll confess now, I've had more than one "shooter" buck walk right in front of me, and all I did was smile, nod, and thank God for the fact I got to see him. I don't know if that makes me more of a hunter or less these days.

One of the animals I haven't spent much time watching is the wild turkey. A few years ago, I started learning about wild turkeys. On occasion, I've tried hunting them, but frankly, I'd never say I tried until this year. In 2021, I tried, and I failed time and time again. I'm pretty sure the first human to cuss did so after he spooked a roosted Tom. The addicting thing about turkey hunting is that I succeeded a little more but not quite enough to win each time I failed. After a few weeks of noble but fruitless attempts at taking my first gobbler on my own here in Virginia, I finally got to hunt with some experts in Maryland and Delaware thanks to NOMAD Outdoors. There I met up with NOMAD's turkey hunting legend Mike Tussey, one of their marketing guys, Bobby Lader, and my guide, Tyler Collins. Boy, what a difference mentors make. Over the next three days, I'd kill my first, second, and third turkeys in less combined time than it took me to drive from my northern Virginia home, through D.C. traffic, to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where we did most of our hunting. There were 100 reasons why I was successful this time around, and 99 of them had little to nothing to do with me. The lion's share of the credit for my success belongs to my guide. He invested hundreds of hours in scouting, building relationships with local landowners, studying wild turkey behavior, learning how to coach new hunters and his parents, who purposely raised a young man who outwardly cared more about my success than his own. Still, I will and do lay claim to that one last reason, and it's a good one – I listened to my guide.

You see, one of the best things about knowing that I'm no expert is that it empowers me to listen to those amongst us who are. So, from the moment I arrived in turkey camp, I did three things well. I accepted that my guide was right, I listened to my guide, and I never tried to tell the guide how to guide. I could do that because I have always seen myself as an ageless rookie, and the best part about being a rookie at anything is beginner's luck.

The author’s guide Tyler Collins, right and NOMAD’s Mike Tussey, left, discuss the plan to position ourselves on the turkey we heard gobble at first light. The author would go on to take that turkey, his first, and two more turkeys, one in Delaware and another one in Maryland thanks to the hard work of Tyler Collins and the team at NOMAD.

Welcome to Mossberg's new series, "Spring Collective", which will follow a hardcore group of northeastern turkey hunters as they travel to several eastern states, showcasing the turkey hunting diversity the region has to offer. The group will document their journey while sharing the tips, tactics, and strategies that allow them to be successful hunting both public and private land.

VIDEO: Mossberg’s Spring Collective: Six Longbeards at Point Blank! | Epic New England Turkey Hunts – Ep. 5

Brett Joy heads to his neighboring state, Massachusetts to hunt their opening weekend of turkey season. They hunt public access and end up calling in six longbeards at point-blank! The guys end up tagging out in two days on three epic New England turkey hunts!
Bowhunting 101

A collection of bowhunting training videos and written content on how to help you become a better bowhunter.

By Easton Bowhunting

Video: Bowhunter Basecamp – Trigger Release Tips

Brad Fenson gives some essential advice for using your release effectively.
HUNTING WIRE RADIO

By Larry Weishuhn and Luke Clayton

Luke Clayton and Larry Weishuhn

Radio File: Hunting Wire Radio - Episode 24

Hunter Recruitment Series

Link: Black Bear Den Visit with CT DEEP

The Partner with a Payer initiative joins Connecticut wildlife biologists on a research visit to a black bear den and shows how Wildlife and Sport Fish restoration funding helps to study and understand this species all over North America.

HUNTING NEWS & INFORMATION

Spring is here, and it’s time to start planting those Dunstan Chestnut orchards you’ve been planning all winter or add to your existing ones. The folks at Chestnut Hill Outdoors go to great lengths to ensure you receive the highest quality nursery stock, but the rest is up to you. If you want your trees to realize their maximum production potential, you should follow proper planting procedures.

Wildlife Research Center®, the leader in Scent and Scent Elimination, is honored to receive the Gold award for the scent and lure category of Bowhunting World Reader’s Choice. Special Golden Estrus® was selected by the readership as their top choice for deer lure.

Hawke® Optics, a world leader in high quality sporting optics with outstanding performance and value, is proud to introduce two new models to the popular Vantage line of riflescopes. The Vantage 4-12x40 with 30/30 Duplex reticle and the Vantage 4-12x50 with 30/30 Duplex reticle are perfect for hunting and recreational shooting. These new models continue the legacy of the Vantage line, offering great features and extreme clarity at very affordable prices.

The DPF Shield 4™ Cast-Away Performance Shirt L/S featuring the Realtree Fishing Pattern combines style with comfort and functionality for a great day on the water.Three performance fabrics are featured in this single shirt. A woven fabric face provides a tighter weave, allowing the pockets and collar to hold their shape.

The brand new Hawk ‘Office’ box blind provides comfort and reliability to hunters as a superior box blind. With insulated interior and exterior steel surfaces as well as an insulated powder coated steel floor, the 'Office' is a next-level box blind that is built to last. This unit gives stealth a new meaning with insulated steel walls and a steel foam insulated floor topped with a 1’’ high-density rubber mat. The ‘Office’ measures 6’ x 6.5 tall and ships fully assembled so that it is field ready. With the addition of the ‘Office’ unit, Hawk continues to help hunters succeed!

Kalkomy Enterprises, North America’s leading provider of online safety courses and software solutions, has committed to the Title Sponsorship of the IHEA-USA’s first ever virtual conference in May.Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the IHEA-USA, this action-packed 2021 virtual conference opens the doors to allow over 50,000 individual volunteer Hunter Education Instructors to attend the conference at a very affordable rate when in the past, travel and the cost of missed time away from jobs were prohibitive to attending.

Warm weather is on the way – or, in the case of Galco’s hometown of Phoenix, already here. Now’s the time to gear up with the highly versatile Corvus, which can be worn as a belt holster or a comfortable IWB!With an open top for fast draw, adjustment for ride height and cant, virtually maintenance-free Kydex construction, and comfortable forward molding, the Corvus is a superior holster choice for defensive carry.

Muddy Outdoors is home to the highest quality of products for serious hunters. From tree stands, trail cameras, box blinds, and safety harnesses, to all kinds of great hunting accessories, Muddy pushes the limits of hunting with innovative and advanced products. Today, Muddy is expanding its impressive arsenal with the new Merge wireless camera! The Merge wireless camera sets a new standard for the Muddy brand with clearer images and faster-triggering speed. The all-new Merge will let serious hunters rest easy at night knowing they have a top-notch product from a brand they can trust.

Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, congratulates pro shooter KC Eusebio on winning his eighth World Speed Shooting Championship title. Eusebio, equipped with a Bushnell First Strike 2.0 reflex sight, was successful in claiming the High Overall title and two first-place finishes in both the Open and Rimfire Optics Division during the 2021 world championship.

Chestnut Hill Outdoors' trees are on the way to select Walmart stores. Arrival is expected between April 29 and May 5th for the following states:

SportLife Brands and Realtree have teamed up to offer a new line of men's and boys' underwear, sleepwear and baselayers.Realtree underwear, sleepwear and baselayers are designed for the active outdoorsman, young and old, who appreciates comfort, performance and style. This new lineup will be hitting the market soon.

Wildlife Research Center® has introduced their new and improved Scent Killer® Gold® Laundry Detergent, with Power Boost Plus+™. This ultra-concentrated formula fights odors, dirt, and stains in your hunting clothes without adding any U.V. brighteners. Scent Killer® Gold® Laundry Detergent with Power Boost Plus+™ works in both standard and high-efficiency washing machines.

Chuck Adams, famous for being the first archer to harvest all varieties of North American big game—a feat called the “Super Slam”—announces the launch of www.chuckadamsarchery.com. Packed with valuable content, the new website features Chuck’s bowhunting expertise and will be displayed across his new online platform.

New for 2021, every category of MonsterMeal® will benefit from a new brand appearance and color-coded packaging.“We have always gotten compliments on our product packaging and presentation, so any change had to be meaningful and a drastic improvement. I inherited a great brand, but it was time for a change.” says Blake Davis, Brand Manager for MonsterMeal®.

Among the many features that make Ranew’s Outdoor Equipment Firminator all-in-one food plot implement the most versatile piece of equipment in the industry is its Accu-Seed System. It allows the Firminator to handle any seed sizes from large corn, soybeans, peas and sunflowers down to the tiniest clovers, without seed waste or need to change seed hoppers.

The Escort BTS bullpup offers all the perks of the VTS series shotguns in a more compact, portable package. This next-generation shotgun is available in either 12 ga or .410 cal and is offered in either black or FDE Cerakote. The inline gas piston design is mounted around the barrel, minimizing bulk and allowing the use of a proper bullpup layout. The tough polymer lower receiver also doubles as the forend grip, with soft rubber inlays for improved handling. Its magazine well is lined with durable alloy for smooth, long-lasting performance.

If you want to attract and hold more and healthier wildlife on your property, you need to provide the proper amount and type of natural food to meet all their year-round nutritional needs. Spring and early summer are important nutritional periods for wildlife. Newborn whitetail fawns are putting tremendous nutritional stress on nursing does, and buck antler growth rates have kicked into overdrive. Meanwhile, rapidly growing young wild turkeys, grouse, pheasants, quail and other small game birds and mammals scour the landscape for food. Chestnut Hill Outdoors offers an array of soft mast producers to fill your wildlife nutrition calendar gaps.

The range is a new shooter’s best friend, and frequent visits build the confidence and skills that translate to practical use in the field. Hitting the range is often intimidating for beginners, but range days quickly become habitual with a simple system. New shooters must learn the range rules, build a systematic approach to equipment, set specific goals, and learn fundamental marksmanship skills.

Hawk is excited to introduce the new ‘Double Down’ Box Blind! The unit provides hunters of all ages with superior scent, thermal, and noise control in a premium Box Blind. The Double Down is built to last with insulated interior and exterior steel surfaces, as well as an insulated powder coated steel floor. The steel floor is topped with a 1’’ high-density rubber mat which will dampen even the loudest noises so that hunters won’t be detected or spook their target species.

Cold Steel, manufacturer and innovator of purpose-built knives and blade tools for everyday carry, tactical, and hunting applications, announces the release of the Natchez Bowie in 3V. An elegant blade directly inspired from the infamous 19th century “Under-The-Hill” landing below the Natchez Bluffs, the Natchez Bowie in 3V hearkens to the America’s rough-and-tumble days and to its namesake frontier fighter.

Bowhunting World magazine just recently announced the winners of its prestigious Reader’s Choice Awards which are presented annually to the leading manufacturers of bowhunting equipment. Again, this year all votes were submitted online which yielded a record response. For more than a decade, Hunter Safety System has been awarded the coveted Gold Award in the “Safety Harness” category.

Searching for an easy to use, versatile grill that can meet all your cooking and lifestyle needs? Look no further than The Gravity Grill™ from CanCooker and GameMaker Outdoors. CanCooker is all about simple, healthy, and convenient cooking, accommodating any lifestyle from everyday, to weekend, and especially the adventurous lifestyle.

Hunting accuracy for shooter confidence is the cornerstone of Easton 6.5 arrows. The 6.5 uses the proprietary Acu-Carbon™ Uniform Spine process. Acu-Carbon™ is a continuous-fed, single-die manufacturing method that results in the most reliable tolerances and eliminates the need for the spine-alignment and weight sorting. Easton’s Acu-Carbon™ production line produces the most consistent spine and weight from dozen to dozen and lot to lot—year in and year out. This benefits the bowhunter with truer flight and pinpoint accuracy in the field.

Champion Range & Targets, makers of interactive and challenging target systems and trusted eye and ear protection, announced today the arrival of their new Small Frame ear muffs. These new muffs are designed specifically to fit smaller heads, making them ideal for shooters that find traditional hearing muffs too large.

Most anglers work hard all week with plans to hit the water on the weekend. Days off, and more importantly, days out fishing are why most of us work in the first place. Weekend anglers deserve the same quality and organization as professional anglers that can hit the water every day. The Plano® Weekend Series was designed for the serious angler that wants to make the most of their quality fishing time.

Those first times shooting long-range distances can be intimidating. It’s so…far! And the target looks so small!“But, remember, if you can hit at 100 yards, you can hit at 1,000 yards,” said veteran long-range shooting competitor Curt Vaughn. “It just takes practice, study and determination.”

Easterseals Michigan offers a variety of services to people with physical and mental disabilities. As COVID-19 drags into its second year, the number of people experiencing mental health issues due to the pandemic increases, which is a concerning trend. EOTECH® has teamed up with this vital organization to raise mental health awareness throughout May.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has drafted rules that implement and clarify Montana Code 87-6-221 that allows urine based scents that are obtained from a deer protection program with rigorous safeguards to be used in the state. The rule recognizes that products certified by the Responsible Hunting Scent Association (RHSA) and feature their Deer Protection Program ™ logo. The RHSA is encouraging hunters and outdoor retailers to support the rule.

Beretta USA is excited to announce the inclusion of Manurhin revolvers into our commercial product line-up. The official launch of this new line will take place this week at the 2021 USPSA LOCAP Nationals in Talladega, AL.

Taurus, manufacturer of premium handguns for defense, hunting, and sport shooting, congratulates Taurus Shooting Team Captain Jessie Harrison on her recent performance at the 2021 Team Motley Dragons Cup shoot in Odessa, TX, April 9-11.Hosted by Motley Services, this inaugural event was part of the USPSA series and represented the first match of the season for Harrison.

Galco offers a line of seven holster handbags for female gun carriers. These stylish designs allow discreet carry, while construction from the highest quality materials provides long lasting durability – even in everyday carry of a heavy handgun. All seven handbags feature an enclosed, zippered holster compartment, safely separated from the main compartment. A lockable zipper pull provides an additional layer of security.

Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, has announced the addition of two new models to its dedicated lineup of rimfire riflescopes. Specifically designed for .22LR rifles, these scopes are ideal for varmint and small game hunting, as well as for plinking and recreational shooting.

The compact M-FAK Mini First Aid Kits in Realtree Camo empowers sportsmen with the most requested point-of-wounding equipment in the smallest cube space possible so it can be easily packed along with hunting or fishing gear.

Irish Setter® Pinnacle boots feature advanced technology for greater stability and comfort for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Pinnacle’s patented ATC outsole with Ground Sensing technology allows the sole to shape and contour to rocks and uneven surfaces to enhance underfoot stability. Irish Setter Field Camo Leather, in Earth and Desert patterns, offers superior concealment and coordinates with other popular camo patterns to match a variety of terrain types. This proprietary camo-dyed Troutbrook® leather is made in Red Wing, MN.

Millennium Outdoors, LLC is pleased to announce Camron Miller as the National Sales Manager Hunting Division. Miller will take on responsibilities on the leadership team in a full-time role for Millennium Treestands and Ol’ Man Treestands.As National Sales Manager, Miller will work with the Millennium team to develop sales approaches and direction.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., provider of the world’s most rugged, lightweight, and clear sport optics, is pleased to announce that Leupold’s Pro Shooters dominated the 2021 NRL Championship Match, held May 1-2 in Earlsboro, Okla. Tops among all competitors was Morgun King, who both won the match and secured the 2021 NRL Season Championship.

The National Rifle Association’s Publications Division is pleased to announce that Brian C. Sheetz has been appointed Editor In Chief of American Rifleman magazine, succeeding Mark A. Keefe, IV, who was recently appointed to the position of Editorial Director.

The Boone and Crockett Club welcomed yesterday’s release of the Biden Administration’s Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful report guiding implementation of the 30 by 30 vision. The report outlines a broad framework for meeting the goals set forth by President Biden in January to conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by the year 2030. The plan’s eight principles emphasize the importance of collaborative, locally led conservation efforts that honor private property rights and encourage an approach that uses science to build on existing successful strategies.

Umarex USA, innovator, manufacturer, and marketer of airguns, optics, and accessories for outdoor enthusiasts is pleased to announce it is running the Gauntlet again! The Gauntlet 2 pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) is all new for 2021. Umarex Airguns is bringing substantial improvements over the first generation Gauntlet and its direct competitors. The new Gauntlet 2 will be available in both .22 and .25 calibers and bring a refined look and a new performance potential to shooters looking for an alternative to rimfire rifles or the discerning air gun shooter in aim of the 10-ring.

For over 4 decades, Cold Steel has created some of the world’s strongest and sharpest blades. The brand has pioneered new materials and designs that have helped to shape the world of the modern knife, edged weapons, and tools. The team at Cold Steel is looking forward to their newest partnership with the great folks at Buckventures!

Hornady® congratulates Josh Cluff on his performance at Buffalo Bill’s Revenge – NRL Hunter Series Match, April 24-25, 2021 in Laramie, Wyoming.Cluff took second place in the Light Hunter Division using Hornady 6.5mm 153 gr. A-TIP® Match bullets.

Everest.com, the leading multi-merchant marketplace for the outdoor recreation world just announced the launching of their first Caliber Day, in an ever growing effort to better the experience of its Caliber members and reward them for their ongoing commitment to the success of the Caliber community.

For the many gun carriers who prefer a holster with a retention strap, the SC2™ is the perfect concealed carry holster for all seasons! Comfortable and convenient, the SC2 features a snap-on design that allows the holster to attach and detach from the belt without removing the belt. Reinforced premium steerhide construction retains its shape when the handgun is removed, allowing smooth and easy return to the holster.

Outdoor Solutions announces Benelli as its official firearm sponsor for their From-Field-to-Table culinary events. As part of the partnership, Outdoor Solutions’ clients will exclusively shoot the Benelli Lupo bolt-action rifle and the Super Black Eagle 3 during From-Field-to-Table events.

Enjoying late-season hunts without pain or discomfort from the cold. That’s the aim for Better The Hunt. And for hunters who enjoy late season and cold weather hunting, the Insulated Multi Mitt from Better The Hunt might be the difference between making a comfortable shot or missing the chance at that late season trophy. Whether you’re rifle hunting, bow hunting, or using a shotgun, this versatile new product gives hunters an innovative option for keeping their shooting hand nice and comfortable on those long, cold, late season hunts.

GameMaker has launched their NEW Patent-Pending Jerky Shooter with their Snap-LoK Design for “Ez-Loading and Cleaning”! The EZ Jerky Shooter is the best Jerky Shooter on the market! Make delicious jerky and snack sticks from lean, ground meat such as beef, buffalo, elk, deer, chicken, or turkey!

Escort’s well-regarded line of pump-action shotgun is now available in turkey-specific models. The FieldHunter Turkey is available in 12-GA, 20-GA, and .410-Cal and is tailored with the turkey shooter in mind. Chambered in 3” magnum, this shotgun will handle both 2 ¾” and 3” loads. The stock and forend are made from a tough, durable synthetic polymer, built to withstand the elements.

Among the many features that make Ranew’s Outdoor Equipment Firminator all-in-one food plot implement the most versatile piece of equipment in the industry is the Accu-Seed System. It allows the Firminator to handle any seed sizes from large corn, soybeans, peas and sunflowers down to the tiniest clovers, without seed waste or need to change seed hoppers.

The Pope & Young Club is pleased to announce an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in attending the 2021 Pope & Young Convention in Reno, Nevada this July.It is Pope & Young’s 60th Anniversary and this year’s Convention is set to be a show you will not want to miss. Scheduled for July 14-17 at the Nugget Casino Resort, bowhunters from across the nation will gather to share their passion for archery and the game animals they pursue.

Effective May 10, 2021, a change to NJ hunting regulations will ban the possession, sale and use of all natural, deer-derived hunting lures (urine and glandular secretions) to help safeguard the health of the state’s deer herd from the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). All natural, deer-derived hunting lures must be disposed of in your household trash.

With 90 percent of wildland fires in the United States caused by human actions, the National Shooting Sports Foundation® is reminding outdoor recreationists, including target shooters and hunters, to take precautions so they don’t accidentally ignite a wildfire.NSSF’s “Help Prevent Wildfires” public service announcements campaign provides video and audioPSAs, an 8.5 x 11 poster, an infographic and shareable social media posts that remind recreational shooters and other outdoor enthusiasts to be mindful of their surroundings and to take precautions

Waypoint TV, The world’s leading entertainment destination for hunting and fishing programming content is proud to announce they have now surpassed 50 show titles on their podcast network along with exponential monthly audio download growth.

Inventive Outdoors, creator of some of the hunting industry’s most innovative products, is excited to announce they have entered an agreement with sales and marketing legends William J. Gartland & Associates. The Gartland & Associates group will be responsible for continuing positive growth and sales of Inventive Outdoors’ products throughout the United States and abroad. Based in Ohio, the company has a long and successful history as manufacturers reps for some of the most well-known brands in hunting and outdoor products.

Mossberg, America’s oldest family-owned and operated firearms manufacturer, is pleased to announce that the company has signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with Fred Eichler and Eichler Media Marketing. Details of the sponsorship include exclusive use of Mossberg shotguns and rifles on the Everything Eichler television show, airing on The Sportsman Channel, and production of digital content for marketing and advertising purposes.

A commercially available test that can be used to analyze deer urine for the presence of CWD prions before its distribution to the public has been in use by Wildlife Research Center® and Tink’s® for a year, and most of the major scent companies are also adopting this technology in 2020. Real Time Quaking Induced Conversion, RT-QuIC ™ for short, is a proven and reliable method for detecting the misfolded proteins that cause CWD.

The Sellmark Corporation continues to thrive and expand. A prestigious, innovative position has been opened for an Account Executive—covering the Northeast Territory—to grow Sellmark’s brands and develop industry connections for years to come. Applicants can expect to become part of a company that has grown exponentially in recent years and places no limits on its employees’ success.

 
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