AUGUST 16, 2021
 
 
 

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Life is all about change, and we as hunters know this well.

Animals change habits, locations, moods, and tendencies on their time and under their logic, not ours. As hunters, we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to changes in animals, yes – but we must also adapt to changes in humans, our environments, and our habits.

COVID-19 is just the latest example of an external factor which has forced changes in our lives. It isn’t the first, and it won’t be the last. Regardless, as we learn to adapt to new routines, laws, habits, environments, and people due to changes influenced by things like disease, economics, politics, jobs, or families I want us to remember what must never change – our commitment to hunting and to each other as hunters.

“All warfare is based on deception.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Now more than ever we are faced with the threat of extinction through the proven tactic of division facilitated by divisive behaviors both external and internal to our hunting and shooting communities. Adversaries to hunting, and to the shooting sports in general, are not only interested in fighting us alone, but also in serving as a catalyst for us to fight each other.

“If his forces are united, separate them.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War

They are counting on us to change from a loyal, noble, and compassionate group which both looks after and polices our own to one which turns on each other by finding and exploiting differences, promoting indifference about morals, values, and by questioning our very need for and validity of our American freedoms.

“Rouse him and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, to find out his vulnerable spots.” - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Our most cunning adversaries don’t want us to run away, and they certainly don’t want us to fight. No, what they want is for us to choose isolationism from the rest of American culture while, person by person, town by town, county by county, and state by state they spread their intolerance of individualism, promotion of moral condemnation, and cloak of hypocrisy for things like animal welfare, fiscal responsibility, natural resource sustainability, and freedoms. They want us distracted or worse, indifferent, while they grow until we can no longer fight back or ultimately simply not exist. As such, we cannot sit idle.

“Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack” - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

How do we attack?

First, we must prepare.

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” Sun Tzu, The Art of War

It is our duty as ambassadors of hunting and shooting sports to learn more about why we hunt and shoot than those who oppose us. Why? It is so we can not only engage with others about our way of life but ultimately command the hunting and shooting narratives.

Second, we must be well placed.

“Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War

In a world seemingly full of apathy, we must not simply be content to exist. We must grow stronger and more resolved as beacons of our freedoms, natural resource responsibility, and hunting culture. We must introduce ourselves to the non-hunting and shooting communities not just as advocates, but as ambassadors who can build bridges. After all, the point of a bridge is to provide a path to move from one place to another. Ask yourselves, what are we doing to help people come to hunting and shooting? Are we bridges to those who don’t know us – or better yet, don’t like us or are we barriers?

Third, we must lead.

We must lead ourselves, our families, our friends, and our communities. No one is coming to save us. Our fate rests either in our initiative or in our indifference. Choose wisely.

Now more than ever our world is overwhelmed with a lack of leadership in our communities, our businesses, our schools, and yes, our governments. Our communities need us to lead, and we must. To do so, to act, is not a choice any competent American sees as a choice, he or she sees it as a sense of duty.

“When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteousness, and repose confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Lastly, we must collaborate.

“Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.” Sun Tzu, The Art of War

We must acknowledge the common ground all hunters share and bridge the gaps we have created over the years between seemingly different sects like bow hunters and rifle hunters, people who use dogs to hunt and people who don’t, public land hunters and private land hunters, men and women, and despite it being 2021 I can’t believe I still have to say this – hunters of different cultures, religions, ethnicity, or age.

We must unite our community now or it won’t be long before we are nothing more than a novelty, and then finally a distant memory.

“It is more important to outthink your enemy, than to outfight him.” - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Here are a few things you can do to get started: If you see a fellow hunter under attack on social media, come to their aide. Next time there is a vote or a meeting on a new local, state or federal anti-hunting regulation, make sure you respond, even if the regulation does not directly affect your particular hunting interest.

Yes, change is inevitable. But if we ignore the changes all around us and abandon our identity as a community the last change we see will be our extinction.

As always, thank you for your support and feedback about The Hunting Wire, Jay Pinsky jay@theoutdoorwire.com

By Jenifer Wisniewski, Chief, Outreach and Communication, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Let’s get real about Hunter Education and R3. Hunter ed is mandatory in some form in all 50 states and that curriculum is managed by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). Our community of hunters, state fish and wildlife agencies, NGOs, and others have insisted that people have hunter education prior to hunting which is a good thing. But this class remains a barrier to R3 in some places and we can help to change that.

A misconception of hunter ed is that mainly kids take it. Out of the over 600,000 people who took a course last year, over half of them were over 18. These are mainly adults learning to hunt for the first time and they need more than just beginner hunter ed to go and have a successful hunt.

Fully Online Hunter Education courses should be an option in every state:

Attendance in hunter education courses grew exponentially during the pandemic as more states transitioned their offerings online or to an in-person/online hybrid. During the National R3 Summit this past May, Alex Baer, executive director of the International Hunter Education Association, shared that, in a survey of 40 states, there was a 15% increase in hunter education students over the prior year. Of note, 86% of states that added a new form of hunter education delivery, such as a new online class, saw an increase. New York is a great example of this. Previously, New York had offered exclusively in-person classes, then, as COVID-19 hit, they offered an online-option and added more than 50,000 people. There was an overall increase in the 18 to 30 and 50+ age groups, as well as women. Most new hunter education students were women.

This tells me that when states require an in-person component to hunter education, we are building a huge barrier for R3. If the statistics above are not enough reason to support completely online hunter education, here are some other things to consider:

  • Consistency. We know every student will come out with the same experience online. When attending in person, it is a different experience in every classroom. Even though the same curriculum is taught nationwide, instructors may focus on different things.
  • Proven high-quality and comprehensive information given online.
  • Nationwide increased acceptance of online learning. All eight ivy league schools offer an online option for remote learning even prior to the pandemic.
  • Hunter ed online is better customer service and matches the public’s expectations.
  • Students can take courses at their own pace which means, no more scheduling conflicts.
  • Completely accessible and always available rather than limited options.
  • 20+ states offer an online only option, and the amount of hunter incidents has remained flat.
  • States can always offer both online and in-person education as some students will still prefer live classes.

States that don’t offer hunter ed online are creating a bigger barrier for their residents. Every state allows for someone who has completed hunter ed online to hunt there through reciprocity agreements. This means that a hunter that passed online education in one state can go hunt in other states that do not offer online education.

We still need every single Hunter Ed Instructor and Volunteer!

The fact is that what we have been calling hunter education is really hunter safety. There is a lot that we don’t cover that a hunter needs to know to start hunting from woodsmanship and orienteering to meat processing and there is a HUGE demand for these types of skill building, in person, hands-on classes. If a new participant does not feel comfortable hunting on their own yet after completing an online course, they may be interested in additional education opportunities from a local instructor. We need hunter education volunteers to adjust course and adopt new classes to teach!

According to IHEA, only two out of three people who take a hunter education course actually go on to buy a license. So how do we fix that? Using our network of hunter ed volunteers to offer courses tailored to different skill levels to satisfy demand for classes we aren’t teaching. Our dedicated experts can continue to work with agencies and offer such classes that will have a higher impact on the next generation that hunts as well as helping make more successful hunters. Classes on everything around hunting like firearms, archery, wildlife tracking, advanced hunting skills, and so much more would be a great alignment of the skills of our passionate instructors.

IHEA is doing some really good work.

IHEA is doing a lot of research into how to make hunter education better. They are conducting surveys to learn how potential hunters want to receive their education and what they’re looking for in the courses. They are considering additional curricula and even refresher courses. The specialized courses would, of course, still focus on safety as the No. 1 priority and not compromise anything in that area. If you want to see more of their research or get involved, check this out.

Here's a snapshot into some of the research they have done that will be released soon. This shows the segments of people who are taking hunter ed now:

The Best Way to Take Hunter Education Now:

There are several ways to take online hunter education through different course offerings. Many of them charge a fee. That creates another barrier to hunting. The NRA provides an IHEA approved online course for free! From the organization that built the first-ever hunter education program in 1949, this state-of-the-art course is the most comprehensive online hunter education instruction in the United States...and did I mention it's 100% FREE!?! Check it out. If you don’t see your state as an option for the Free NRA course. Reach out to your state fish and wildlife agency and tell them you would like the option. Through research and experience, we have made great strides on recruiting the next generation of safe hunters. We must continue to evolve and updating hunter education is one sure way to move forward.

Jenifer Wisniewski
Chief, Outreach and Communication
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
M: (629) 204-0030 | O: (615) 781-6631
tnwildlife.org | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter


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, Chief Conservation Officer, Delta Waterfowl
  • Cyrus Baird, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Delta Waterfowl

Facilitators:

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

FEATURED CONSERVATION PARTNER

Wyoming Game and Fish Department - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages and conserves more than 800 species of fish and wildlife across Wyoming. For nearly 120 years, we’ve carried out our mission to conserve wildlife and serve people. Through these efforts, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department ensures the public continues to enjoy Wyoming’s vast fish and wildlife resource through hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching and other forms of outdoor recreation. Hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers contribute over a billion dollars to Wyoming’s economy each year.

RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND REACTIVATION (R3): Wyoming’s Hunt Planner is an excellent tool for hunters of all experience levels who want to successfully plan their adventure in Wyoming. Learn more here.

CONSERVATION: Habitat education is as easy as clicking here for Wyoming.

By Jim Shepherd – The Outdoor Wire

To the surprise (and chagrin) of many outside the industry, hunters and anglers aren’t neither the most prolific nor profligate consumers of the outdoors. Via the contributions of tax dollars via Pittman-Robertson act, they voluntarily contribute funds to help preserve, protect and defend the nation’s wild resources.

As participation numbers fall (despite the increased, but likely temporary, participation numbers brought on by the social-distancing aspects of Covid), the dollars commensurate with their participation also dwindle. It’s a surprising realization that the dwindling of participation doesn’t improve the lot of game and fish species, it imperils them.

Fewer dollars mean fewer nesting boxes for migratory birds, fewer conservation easements to preserve wild spaces for the other species, and a general reduction in wildlife and conservation resource officers to protect them from poaching or limitless consumption.

The conclusion is simple: as resources dwindle, wildlife suffers.

Last week, I was contacted by North Carolina State University’s Lincoln Larson, an associate professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at NC State. He wanted to make me aware of the results from a significant study of undergraduate students at public universities regarding the future for wildlife.

Not surprisingly, the students were supportive of conservation funding in what Larson called “many forms…and particularly supportive of new ways to do it.” As he pointed out, what they support was probably worth paying attention to.

On the surface, their support for conservation’s continuance was encouraging.

But the findings, published in Conservation Science and Practice, also force another realization: they’re all for eight of nine strategies for funding, including industry contributions, state-level funding sources, revenue from oil and gas companies, using revenue from outdoor recreation outfitters, state lottery proceeds (77%), a state sales tax (71%), even state and local bonds (72%), in addition to hunting and fishing license fees (83%). They also liked the idea of an excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment (61%).

But the area where they balked at paying for conservation cuts to the heart of the ongoing debate of “traditional” versus “non-traditional” outdoors participants.

A majority of students surveyed opposed the idea of excise taxes on outdoor recreation equipment like backpacks, tents or binoculars. The equipment they’re most likely to use.

That, says Larson, points to something that’s been a point of contention between the two types of outdoors participants.

“Students generally want people to pay for conservation,” he says, “but they might not want to pay for it themselves, at least not at this stage in their lives.”

Everyone enjoys the many benefits of outdoor recreation. But it appears that not everyone is willing to share the burden of keeping wild places wild.

There’s the rub.

Across the survey, funding wildlife conservation was something all of these young adults could support…until it came to the idea of a portion of those costs coming out of pocket.

They were more than willing to look at any other non-traditional funding source - first.

“Right now,” Larson says, “wildlife conservation in the United States is primarily funded by hunters and anglers, and it’s been that way for nearly 100 years. That system worked well until the number of hunters and anglers started to decline.”

“Now, the state agencies charged with managing wildlife are are trying to figure out: What do we do? Do we recruit more hunters and anglers, or do we come up with new and innovative ways to support conservation?”

As our future leaders were brought into the conversation, it seems they’re more than willing to look at “non-traditional” ways of replacing the diminishing revenues. Until the idea of contributions for that support was suggested from groups that have historically not paid for anything other than their own participation and enjoyment.

The study’s overall findings seem encouraging, until you realize they’re inferring paying to keep conservation going is a good idea- until I’m expected to contribute.

That’s essentially no different than the debate that’s raged across the outdoors for many of the 100 years that hunters and anglers have essentially paid the freight for others: shouldn’t all outdoor enthusiasts be expected to contribute to the wild spaces they enjoy?

Hunters and anglers think the obvious answer is “yes”. Everyone else seems to disagree. And the survey indicates that’s not likely to change anytime soon.

We’ll keep you posted.

Editor’s Note – The study, funded via a USFWS Multistate Conservation Grant, surveyed 17,203 undergraduate students from 22 states from 2018-2020 on new approaches to conservation funding. You can see the full study here.

By Ken Perrotte – for The Hunting Wire

Perrotte, Juscias and Taylor with a beautiful bull blesbok - Ruan Geyser photo

We were minutes from calling it a day - a long, warm day – and slowly traveling a final stretch of sandy road leading toward the sprawling ranch’s gate when the reclusive bull sable finally decided to betray his hiding place. We immediately knew it was him. The top of a sable’s nose is usually a jet-black strip. This old bull had a prominent white patch centered on that strip.

The old bull sized us up for a few seconds before moving from the thicket, giving us a going-away view of his dark rump and horn tips.

With Professional Hunter Pieter Taylor and our South African tracker Juscias, we grabbed my Mossberg Patriot rifle and shooting sticks and moved briskly about 100 yards left of the direction the animal was headed. We paralleled his likely track, hustling to intercept him.

Taylor set the sticks as we reached the edge of a sandy trail in the expansive bushveld just as the bull appeared 60 yards away. I quickly positioned the rifle, taking a solid broadside shot within seconds. The 300-grain Hornady DGX rounds loaded in the .375 Ruger gun – I had been hunting cape buffalo most of the day – instantly felled the ancient bull.

While a buffalo was the top objective during a late June 10-day safari to South Africa’s Limpopo Province, a stately sable was a close second. South Africa’s sables are mainly found in Limpopo, which abuts Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Sables are currently listed as a species of “least concern,” meaning populations are stable or even growing but antihunting groups still take aim at hunters opting to pursue this antelope species. It is relatively common today to see outfitters offering special package hunts for both buffalo and sable.

Bronkhorst shared that early farmers used to shoot sables to provide meat for farmhands. Sables like to settle near water, in well-drained areas that offer good grazing opportunities. This is the same type of land valued by people for agriculture and raising livestock. Conflicts must have been inevitable, at least until sables derived enhanced value as a huntable species.

Our mornings and early afternoons focused on the buffalo quest, but miles of tracking had yet to offer a shot, despite a couple close calls, including one where we found ourselves just 30 yards from a small bachelor herd. A young bull presented the only shot opportunity. Taylor wisely recommended passing.

Old Bulls, Young Bulls

Taylor and our videographer Ruan Geyser, also a certified professional hunter, had previously hunted this huge property about an hour from outfitter Phillip Bronkhorst’s Bateleur Safari Lodge [www.pbsafaris.com] several times. They knew a little about this particular old bull sable.

We encountered a couple groups of sable during the early morning exploration for fresh buffalo sign. The first was a large herd in a meadow. Some animals fed while others bedded near shade trees. Most were females with calves although one nice herd bull lounged nearby. The second was a bachelor pair, with one looking pretty darn nice to me.

The brown highlights of a younger bull sable's coat are striking in late afternoon light - 2 - Ken Perrotte photo

“That’s still a young bull, sir,” Taylor admonished, pointing out the animal sported reddish-brown coloring in his darkening coat. Fully mature bull sable have a coat with a striking black sheen. While the younger bull looked good to my inexperienced eyes, Taylor was determined to find the old bull.

The white patch on the nose, estimated to be a worn spot from years of rubbing or fighting, made the bull conspicuous. That and the fact he was now an elderly outcast booted from the herd after serving as that territory’s leader for years. Doubtlessly, many of the young sable there were his offspring.

“This bull has to be, at least, 12 to 14 years old,” Taylor said.

Africa has dozens of antelope species. They belong to the Bovidae family, along with goats, sheep and buffalos. Many consider the sable the apex antelope, a barrel-chested, long-maned, elegantly marked creature with remarkable ringed horns that rise vertically and curve backward. Calves are reddish-brown at birth, eventually developing an adult’s white markings. Adult females and younger males can have coats ranging from a vibrant chestnut brown to brownish black.

The scientific name of the Sable Antelope, Hippotragus, blends two Greek words, "hippo"-meaning "horse-like" and "tragus"-meaning "goat." Unlike American deer, which are mostly crepuscular – most active around daybreak and dusk - sables are diurnal and most active in daylight. Still, the warm South African afternoons, even in winter, saw most animals bedded.

A Miss, Somehow

We encountered the old sable late in the afternoon on our first day of hunting. Pursuing on foot, we pushed him to the edge of the large meadow where he stopped and gazed back into the bushveld.

“Range – 130 yards,” Taylor said, a distance not among my preferred options. The rifle was topped with a GPO 1-6x24 scope with an illuminated reticle. Dialed up to the highest setting, the sight picture at 130 yards somewhat resembled that of a nice whitetail at 100 yards.

As I contemplated shooting, a small herd of impala raced by, negating that notion. The sable burst forward with them. We moved quickly to the left. The animals had stopped after a 100-yard gallop. Slightly out of breath, I again rested the gun on the sticks, found the sable and flipped the safety into the “fire” position.”

Practicing at South Africa range before heading out to hunt.

Just as I was squeezing the Mossberg’s trigger, the impala, now joined by an ostrich, began running again. My eyes impulsively darted to the moving animals, and I jerked the shot right, immediately knowing I had botched it. But I believed – prayed - it was a clean miss since a puff of dust kicked up beyond the sable.

Any shot on a safari results in a thorough search to ensure a perceived miss was, in fact, a clean miss. The sable ran hundreds of yards without faltering, but we still went to the spot where it disappeared, scouring the ground for any sign of a hit. Fortunately, all was clear.

When we couldn’t find the old sable in late afternoon of the second day, I silently worried something was amiss. On day three, there he was again.

The final shot happened within minutes of a breathtaking South African sunset. Approaching the aged bull, I was stunned by its size, easily more than 500 pounds. Beyond that, up close I could see battle scars on its face and thick 43-inch horns. The usually deep-black mane had about as much gray hair as my own beard. I gave thanks to the animal, pondering the years it ruled in the bushveld and how it was well into the denouement of a long life.

Sable Sunset - Ken Perrotte photo

Two ‘Boks Round It Out

Blesbok and gemsbok are herd species that thrive in grassland habitats of South Africa and neighboring countries. They are often among the first plains game species taken by hunting newcomers to South Africa. My earlier trip in 2015, again hunting with Bronkhorst and a very-young Pieter Taylor, fresh from a stint as a pro rugby player, saw me take a terrific southern greater kudu, a blue wildebeest and a large impala ram.

“Welcome to the 50-inch club, sir,” Taylor had said, extending his hand to share that my kudu wore 53-inch horns.

Cape buffalo and sable were my 2021 priorities, with the blesbok and gemsbok optional if time permitted.

Candidly, getting either likely wasn’t going to entail much heavy lifting. Both species abound on the ranches we hunted. The key was getting close enough to the herd to evaluate individual animals and then take a clean shot that wouldn’t endanger other animals nearby.

I brought four different types of Hornady ammunition for the safari. The 300-grain DGX (Dangerous Game eXpander) and 300-grain DGS (Dangerous Game Solid) were the primary cape buffalo rounds. The DGX cartridges were in the rifle when I took the sable. For the blesbok, I downsized, using a 250-grain GMX cartridge for the blesbok. I loaded 270-grain SP-RP (spire point, recoil proof) Superperformance rounds for the gemsbok.

One happy surprise was that each of the four different cartridges grouped within a couple inches of each other at the range, meaning re-zeroing wasn’t needed if I wanted to switch things up. Still, my goal was to try to keep all shots close to 100 yards or nearer since I hadn’t verified performance at longer ranges.

Taylor glassed the herd of about 30 blesbok, looking for an older bull. Besides slight variations in body size, horn length and coloration reveal the more mature animals. Taylor said he looks for light-colored rings on the horns, a sign the animal has some age.

I’ve never been much on keeping up with trophy scores and record book entries but know that they serve as benchmarks for making sure animals taken are mature representatives of a species. I was advised by Oregonian Harold Miller, a frequent Africa hunter who was in camp, that any blesbok with horns 15 or 16 inches long is considered an exceptionally good bull. Miller had taken an incredible 19.5-inch blesbok bull a couple days earlier in South Africa’s Free State province.

We chased around this blesbok herd earlier in the hunt without taking a shot. Taylor soon identified two old bulls, both of which seemed intent on bullying younger herd members nearby. The vaguely larger of the two, the one with a coat slightly darker in coloration, died instantly with a shot to the lower neck at 110 yards. He turned out to have 17-inch horns, a big, mature animal.

Perrotte and hunting crew with gemsbok

The gemsbok quest saw us return to the large ranch where we hunted buffalo and sable. The place was well-populated with both gemsbok and impala. Female gemsbok have longer horns than male gemsbok and in some places they are fair game. Most of the females here, though, were obviously pregnant, their bellies sagging toward the ground. We began looking for a mature male.

My safari was in its next-to-last day. The abundant wildlife where we were hunting had me thinking as much about photography as getting a gemsbok. When a respectable old bull offered a chip shot shortly after daybreak, I passed, telling Taylor we could return to that location later after we had ridden around and took advantage of early morning light for photography. Plus, mornings had been warming quickly. I silently worried that taking an animal too early might necessitate an early departure – one before I had a chance to shoot photos.

We later followed a pair of gemsbok into the bushveld and actually got on the sticks, considering a shot before Taylor called it a “no go.”

Naturally, the intended bull was nowhere to be found around 10 a.m. when we looked again. We staked out the edge of a large field, catching glimpses of several gemsbok maneuvering through thick cover at the edge. Steadily, they moved into the open, revealing a herd of about 40 animals of all sizes.

This time, Taylor identified a shooter bull 100 yards away. I dialed the scope to 6 power. The main challenge was waiting patiently for a pregnant female to step forward and clear the shot window. As soon as she did, I squeezed the trigger making a perfect shot on the sharply quartering away gemsbok bull.

My South African hunting odyssey was over.

I don’t know when, or if, I’ll ever trek there again. The mounts from this trip eventually will grace my home. I can’t perfectly explain why, but those mounts become time machines. Looking at them magically transports me back to that day, summoning memories of the people I was with and the smells and sounds of the hunt. They honor the animal, the experience and the traditions.

Ken Perrotte and old bull sable - Pieter Taylor photo

Next: Some tastes of Africa, courtesy of the game animals harvested, including an incredible buffalo tail soup. For more images and a video of the plains game and buffalo hunts, visit www.outdoorsrambler.com.

Turkey season is over and while some hunters may focus on fishing, honey-do lists, or other non-hunting activities, that elk, deer, bear, or pronghorn you want to tag next season isn’t taking the summer off from getting bigger, stronger, or smarter. So, over the next few months The Hunting Wire has partnered with Mossberg to bring you a series of pre-hunt stories to help you get motivated, stay focused, and ultimately be ready for your next big game hunt.

Ross Roberge breaks down a few key points about what to consider when choosing the caliber of rifle for your hunt.

Welcome to Wild Flavors! Presented by Brenda Weatherby, the cooking show dedicated to bringing you the most delicious ways to prepare wild game.

Welcome to Wild Flavors! Presented by Brenda Weatherby, the cooking show dedicated to bringing you the most delicious ways to prepare wild game. In this episode Brenda turns a wild gobbler into some delectable turkey meatballs!

Connect with Weatherby! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weatherbyinc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Weatherbyinc/

Episode 31– Fall Hunting Prep

By Larry Weishuhn and Luke Clayton

Luke Clayton and Larry Weishuhn

Radio File: Hunting Wire - Episode 31

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

http://bowhunterbasecamp.com Ken Piper gives some great tips on judging whitetail deer in the field. Bowhunter Basecamp is a collection of bowhunting training videos and written content on how to help you become a better bowhunter. Learn everything there is to know from practicing shot placement & preparing for your hunt, to taking that trophy animal home to prove that you are a master bowhunter.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT. HELP SECURE THE FUTURE OF OUR WAY OF LIFE. If just one in three hunters adds one new person to our sport, we’ll secure a strong future for generations to come. So be the one. Ignite the passion that can change the course of someone’s life forever. For all hunting has done to enrich your life, join the +ONE movement and invite someone hunting. Share your experience with posts on social media. #PlusOneMovement #LetsGoHunting #Hunting

To learn more visit: https://www.letsgohunting.org Join the +One movement and bring a new hunter afield. Visit www.LetsGoHunting.org to learn more about getting newcomers

Subscribe to the NSSF channel: http://nssf.it/youtube

Visit and follow us: Let's Go Shooting [http://LetsGoShooting.org]: http://facebook.com/letsgoshootingusa | http://twitter.com/LetsGoShootUSA | http://instagram.com/letsgoshootingusa Let's Go Hunting [http://LetsGoHunting.org] http://facebook.com/letsgohuntingusa | http://instagram.com/letsgohuntingusa | http://twitter.com/LetsGoHuntUSA #GunOwnersCare [http://GunOwnersCare.org] http://facebook.com/gunownerscare | http://instagram.com/gunownerscare | http://twitter.com/GunOwnersCare ____ Find a place to shoot: http://wheretoshoot.org ____ NSSF [http://NSSF.org] http://Facebook.com/NSSFcomm | http://instagram.com/thenssf http://Twitter.com/NSSF | http://linkedin.com/company/349673 ____ #NSSF | #PlusOneMovement | #LetsGoShooting | #LetsGoHunting

HUNTING NEWS & INFORMATION

Keith Warren heads south of the border to the Sonora Desert of Mexico where Keith gets the once in a lifetime chance to hunt a trophy Big Horn Sheep!

ALPS OutdoorZ, premiere manufacturer of extreme-duty hunting packs and gear for big-game hunters, has released a new, professional-grade dove belt just in time for the 2021 upland season.The new Deluxe Dove Belt is built to work with any dove hunting style or environment. A key feature is the two “hold-open” shell pockets that flank the hunter’s torso. Use one pocket for live cartridges and the other for empties.

The Boone and Crockett Club has received a $500,000 grant through the Montana Historic Preservation program to begin renovations of the Old Milwaukee Depot in Missoula. With its two towers and red brick facade visible along the Clark Fork River, the building is a well-known landmark in the city and has been home to the Boone and Crockett Club’s headquarters since 1992.

Wicked Tree Gear continues to set the bar high in quality as the Wicked Tough Handsaw and its long line of products stands alone against the competition.

Ava Flanell, Federal’s newest ambassador, proves the adage it’s never too late to learn something new. The certified firearm’s instructor didn’t start shooting until later in life and today, she shoots, hunts, and teaches courses on the safe handling and fun of firearms. Flanell shares her passion with new shooters having just bought their first gun to experienced shooters wanting to continuously improve their skills.

NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, is pleased to announce that Bear Creek Arsenal is a sponsor of a +ONE® Gearbox Giveaway in support of 2021’s National Shooting Sports Month®.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., provider of the world’s most rugged, lightweight, and clear sport optics, is pleased to announce that the company’s Pro Shooters dominated the National Rifle League Hunter Series’ Grand Slam Championship, held at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex in Palisade, Col., from August 6-8. Team members Jon Pynch and Morgun King finished first and second in the Open Light Division, respectively, while Matt Alwine won the Open Heavy Division.

To be successful hunting whitetails in the woods, a hunter has to be versatile. Sometimes a hunter has to hit the ground and go scouting to find the hot spot. Most times the hot spot will not have the right tree to set up on, so a hunter must adapt to the woods. There is no better tool in a hunter’s arsenal than a lightweight, adjustable climbing stand. None beat the versatility of the OL’MAN Alumalite CTS or the Multi-Vision stand.

With a dedication to providing the highest performance products of uncompromising quality, Buck Knives, leader in sports cutlery, is pleased to introduce the 040 Onset. Further bolstering an exceptional 2021 product class, the introduction of this brand new entrant continues Buck’s commitment to best in class value and craftsmanship.

The fall hunting season is nearly here, and Galco is ready! Our Field Grade Zippered Rifle/Shotgun Cases are constructed of khaki cotton duck, lined with acrylic fleece and trimmed with rich dark havana Latigo leather.

Setter Soft Paw shoes offer the latest comfort technology and styling for men. Rugged and comfortably casual, the Soft Paw family is perfect for everyday wear and outdoor pursuits.

The new Vortex® Razor® HD LHT™ 4.5-22x50 FFP is built for long range and the long haul.Chasing big game that calls big, open country out west home demands a lot from hunters. In turn, they demand an optic that’s not just lightweight and packed full of features, but stands up to the peaks, valleys, and unpredictable weather that make western hunting such a challenge.

Hawke® Optics, the leader in high-quality, high-value precision sporting optics and mounts, is proud to announce the expansion of their exceptional Tactical Scope Ring Mounts to include four new 34mm size options. This brings the company’s total number of SKUs to 67 different models, giving shooters more mounting possibilities.

With women holding steady as the fastest growing demographic in the sport, Scent Crusher is revamping its best-selling Ozone Gear Bag with an all-new model for female hunters.The new Pink Gear Bag gives lady hunters an edge by killing bacteria and completely eliminating odors before heading into the field.

Full Range Hanging Systems, the most innovative way to display your hunting trophies, is proud to announce their partnership with Kip Campbell and the crew at Red Arrow for the 2021 hunting season.

ThermaSeat is happy to announce a new partnership with Dog Soldier heading into another season of predator hunting thrills. With a passion for the patriotic and appreciation for quality, Steve Criner is a perfect match for the most trusted brand of cushions for all outdoor pursuits.

Victory Archery™ is pleased to announce they has renewed their partnership with Adrenaline for another season of the top-rated TV show.Pursuing mature, fair-chase Midwest whitetails is no small feat, and these adrenaline junkies need gear they can count on at the moment of truth.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) sponsored Pope & Young Club’s 60th Anniversary Convention this July in Reno, NV. Bowhunters celebrated the past and looked forward to future hunting experiences while networking and sharing information with fellow bowhunters at this popular event. NBEF sponsored a luncheon featuring speaker Andrew McKean, a long-time outdoor writer and currently the Hunting and Conservation Editor for Outdoor Life.

Grand Island, NE (August 13, 2021) - The Deer Eater podcast offers more than excellent whitetail hunting advice. In their most recent episode (#10 “We're Talking All Things Ammo With Hornady”), the guys do a great interview with Hornady's Marketing Communications Manager, Seth Swerczek. Topics covered include the current state of domestic ammo manufacturing (including the shortage and the various reasons for it) and other topics, best cartridges for deer hunting, best shot placement for instantly dropping a whitetail, best bullet construction for "any angle" shots, and bullet performance regarding so-called "brush guns."

Listeners will learn that the USA's current state of manufacturing and distribution is largely stressed across the board -- not just in the ammunition industry. Seth also talks about the ins-and-outs of ammo making and the extensive training and equipment required to increase Hornady's manufacturing capacity, which they are actively growing.

Deer Eater is designed to provide “average Joe” deer hunters with the tools and know-how to better hunt whitetail deer. All whitetail deer hunters will benefit from joining Jason, Jon and Josh as they host this journey through the wondrous world of whitetails.

For more information, please visit www.Deereater.com

To listen to the newest Deer Eater episode, click here

For more information on Hornady ammunition, click here

Big&J makes deer attractants and nutritional supplements to help produce a strong and healthy herd, with vital minerals and nutrients at double the concentration of other protein-based supplements. No artificial flavors or colors are used, and the products can be mixed with food in feeders, or in a direct ground application. Before using any deer attractant or feed, check and follow all local laws and regulations that apply.

The International Hunter Education Association-USA is proud to announce a new partnership with Muzlstik, a chamber flag manufacturer based in Ohio.With this exclusive partnership, Muzlstik will offer discounts to Hunter Educators, Hunter Education programs, organized field days, and events on their brightly colored, bold chamber flags.

J Harding Associates, an established and well-respected agency located in the in Western U.S., is seeking an outside Sales Representative in Southern California with experience or interest in the following areas: Shooting Sports, Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Optics, and Cutlery.

AGM Global Vision will be attending the Fall 2021 Nations Best Sports (NBS) show in Fort Worth, Texas.NBS was established in the 1950’s as a sporting goods buying group after the founding members decided to pool their resources together in order to increase their purchasing power. Today NBS has grown to over 350 members representing 1200 storefronts across the county.

SilencerCo released the second episode of their “American Gun” series on August 11, 2021, discussing the diversity of gun owners across America. “American Gun: The Riflesmith” features a custom riflesmith from Lousianna, Terry, whose main clientele include military and police officers.

Summit Outdoors is proud to announce the launch of its new website where customers can explore new products, browse blog posts, and learn how to get the most out of their gear.

Nose Jammer is excited to announce its renewed partnership with wildly popular TV show Hunt Masters. With a unique backed-by-science formula, Nose Jammer helps hunters get close to big game by reducing their ability to sense odors, and the advanced olfactory-blocking technology pairs perfectly with Gregg Ritz’s pursuit of some of the most wary animals on the planet.

SIG Sauer, a leader in firearm, ammo, and optics manufacturing since 1985, chooses BaseMap to bring the next generation of range-finding devices to market via BaseMap’s Remote Marker technology.

Outdoor Edge, America’s leading manufacturer of knives and tools for all things outdoors, announced today a new partnership with Kryptek Camouflage, one of the hunting industry’s most sought-after camouflage brands. Through this partnership select Outdoor Edge products will now sport the Kryptek Highlander camouflage pattern.

 
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