Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
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RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – Alpen Optics introduces its new top-of-the-line Alpen Apex XP riflescopes, which are fully loaded with “Xtreme Performance” features. All lenses are fully multi-coated for maximum light transmission and optical clarity, and all riflescope models feature fast-focus eyepieces and generous eye relief. Thanks to these top-quality features, Alpen Apex XP riflescopes provide the ultimate in shooting performance.
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PHOENIX – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) will release a pair of Mexican wolves today and another pair next week into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area of Arizona. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
(If you drive a car ), I’ll tax the street,
(If you try to sit ), I’ll tax your seat,
(If you get too cold ), I’ll tax the heat,
(If you take a walk ), I’ll tax your feet.
Taxman…The Beatles
Sorry for the reminder, but you must admit, it’s poignant. Oh, Mr. President, don’t you fret about your next vacation; I’ll be sending along what’s left – that change you demanded. Promise.
But, I’d procrastinate to the last second, if it weren’t for a professional hired to persuade me. He calculates and packages myriad forms; all I do is “Sign Here.” Clean, pre-packaged, and I never had to see the inner-workings – much like a meat eater against hunting, I suppose.
Other than politicians, who’d ever be in favor of taxes? Undoubtedly, there are those among us who’ve taken on the role of Paul robustly clamoring for more from Peter; I get that. Believe me; I really get that – especially this time of year.
However, here’s the story behind a hidden tax, which has supported the abundant wildlife we value so much – and the “we” refers to all of us, whether bird watchers, berry pickers, mushroom pickers, tree huggers, outdoor lovers of all kinds – and yes, hunters.
The incredible population revitalization of many of the wild animals we may take for granted began in 1937, when President Roosevelt penned the Pittman-Robertson Act. It imposed an excise tax set at 10% of the wholesale price for long guns and ammunition (soon thereafter 11%) and 10% of the wholesale price for handguns beginning in 1970 and 11percent on archery equipment as of 1972. The excise tax applies basically to all commercial sales and imports, whether their purpose is for shooting, hunting or personal defense and is paid by manufacturers, producers and importers.
Within a short period of years, funds from excise taxes on guns began to mount – so much so, that a repeal bill was introduced. Hunters shot it down and wildlife funding is stronger than ever today.
It’s built into the price of our gear, passed on to us sportsmen at the retail level, and then taxed again. And, yet complaints are not heard. And, those hunting license fees and federal duck stamps, we’re pitching in $millions more. But, did you know that much of its use is mandated for hunter safety, land acquisition, shooting ranges and their management?
Just this past week, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will distribute nearly $1.1 billion in excise tax revenues paid by sportsmen and sportswomen to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund fish and wildlife conservation and recreation projects across the nation. Ah, yes. For once, the term “giving back” is accurate, because it implies something was first taken.
A nationwide scientific survey by Responsive Management shows that 79 percent of Americans over age 17 approve of hunting, up five percent in just two years to the highest level since 1995. America is listening.
As it stands, Michigan’s allocation is $35,244,512 – behind only Alaska, Texas and California, while on par with Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, sportsmen and women contribute $3.5 million per day to conservation, while only comprising a scant 7 percent of the population.
I, for one, am grateful for the phenomenal return of bald eagles, antelope, whitetail deer, wild turkeys, elk, and even our diminutive Kirtlkand’s warbler (which nests only in upper Michigan) to name few species. The record contributions we sportsmen continue to provide are a shining star amid an otherwise deprived economy.
Sportsmen and women may be despised by the vocal lunatic fringe; yet, if anyone chooses to live on nuts, berries, and sprouts, we’re fine with that.
Now, please pass the venison, thank you.
The Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that a new fishing license season begins Tuesday, April 1, which coincides with the new regulation cycle. All 2013 fishing licenses are good through March 31, 2014.
Michigan’s fishing licenses were restructured March 1. Anglers now have five options when making their purchases:
GW: This is a re-post of a news release January 2013. So, keep that in mind when you see specific model numbers and prices. Updated info can be found at the link, The video explanation of unique features is well presented by Eric Hendricks and I get an opportunity at a test run.
BPI Outdoors and its BERGARA CUSTOM RIFLES are in production and available for sale to the public. In July 2012, BPI tapped former Marine Corps Master Sergeant Dan Hanus to head the Custom Rifle Shop for its BergaraUSA division.
Mr. Hanus, a 22 year veteran, was most recently stationed at Quantico, Virginia, where he served as the Production Chief & Chief Instructor for the Marine Corps Precision Weapons Section. In this capacity, Mr. Hanus oversaw the production of the M40A5 Sniper Rifles, the EMR (Enhanced Marksmanship Rifle), and the M45 CQBP (Close Quarters Battle Pistol) for the Marine Special Operations Command. His guns have been used in combat and in competition all over the world. Read more
SARASOTA, Fla. – For the avid outdoorsman (hunter/fisherman), active hiker and recreational vehicle enthusiast who pursue their sport many miles from home there is WoundSeal, the only first aid product that stops bleeding cuts in seconds through the creation of an instant, durable and waterproof scab. Read more
CYPRESS, CA – Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., the leading maker of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles for outdoorsmen and women, is supporting the National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) again in 2014, and this year is giving away the all-new Yamaha Viking FI 4×4 in Hunter Green with a suntop through an online sweepstakes. Read more
LOUISVILLE, KY – Jamberly Group, Inc. the exclusive provider of ciao! baby go-anywhere, portable high chair, introduces Mossy Oak Break-Up® Pink ciao! baby chair.
The ciao! baby go-anywhere-high-chair is a patented portable high chair that has been available since 2012. Since its introduction, 10 colors have been introduced, including two Mossy Oak designs. Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity® was introduced first and has been a hit with outdoor enthusiasts. Break-Up Pink is now available. Read more
He’s a different kind of big-city cop, because he’s bold enough to tell it like it is. Instead of disarming citizens, he understands that calling 911 may not be enough. From his mouth to your ears, the video is here.
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New Outdoor Navigation App turns any iPhone or iPad into a fully functional GPS to help ensure that outdoor enthusiasts never get lost in the wilderness.
WARRINGTON, Pa., March 11, 2014 — Gogal Publishing Company today announced the launch of GPS Topo USA, a newiPhonenavigation app designed specifically for outdoor enthusiasts. GPS Topo USA delivers detailed driving directions and compass navigation capabilities, either online or offline, in one unit.
“This new app, turns any iPhone or iPad into an all-in-one automotive and handheld GPS,” says Mike Gogal, president, Gogal Publishing Company. “We’ve incorporated both orienteering style map-and-compass navigation with GPS automotive navigation in one integrated iOS application.” Read more
