Madison, NC – Since 1891 the Marlin brand has been synonymous with high-performance, market-leading rimfire rifles. Continuing that tradition, Marlin Firearms is proud to announce the next legacy in rimfire rifles – The Marlin XT™ series of bolt-action rimfire rifles. The new Marlin XT series is designed for pin-point accuracy and offers many exciting new features that include a brand new user adjustable trigger, a newly designed synthetic stock and an innovative series of youth rifles. The XT Series rifles are available in 22 LR, 22 WMR and 17 HMR calibers in a variety of wood, laminate and synthetic stocked versions.

The new XT Pro-Fire® trigger system is user adjustable from 3 pounds to 6 pounds providing the shooter a clean, crisp trigger pull with virtually zero creep. Matched with Marlin’s patented Micro-Groove® rifling, the XT rifle offers the shooter the ultimate in tack-driving accuracy. In addition, the XT Series rifles offer the newly designed trigger safety, preventing the trigger from being pulled until the trigger safety is fully depressed for an added level of safety and confidence. Our new XT trigger system was developed to provide the ultimate in adjustability, crispness, accuracy and safety.

The newly designed XT synthetic stock is based on years of consumer research and features a newly designed ergonomic stock and fore-end. The XT pistol grip has slight palm swell for a rich feel and solid grip. The improved butt stock shoulders quickly and comfortably helping to create textbook shooting form. The wood stocked versions include Monte Carlo walnut-finished hardwood, hardwood laminates, and American Black Walnut, Marlin’s Mar-Shield® clear-coat is added for that extra level of durability.

Marlin is also excited to announce two new XT-Youth models – the first Marlin rifles designed specifically for younger shooters. Marlin spent extensive time researching young shooters form and how compact stocks impacted their sight picture and overall shooting from. Marlin knows that consistant shooting accuracy comes from proper shooting form. The XT Youth rifles are designed with that in mind, featuring a shorter length of pull, shorter trigger reach, smaller pistol grip and a raised comb, making it easier for young shooters to acquire and hold the proper sight picture – ensuring that proper shooting form that will last a lifetime. In addition, the XT Youth has reduced bolt force making for easier ejection and faster chambering.

The new XT Series of bolt-action rimfire rifles are loaded with the latest and best technologies Marlin has to offer – continuing the legacy of “The Great American Rifle”. For more information and a complete listing of XT rifle models, please visit www.marlinfirearms.com/xt.

About Marlin Firearms Company

Established in 1870, the Marlin Firearms Company’s brands include Marlin, Harrington & Richardson, New England Firearms and L. C. Smith. Under its various brands, Marlin produces an array of lever action, bolt action, and semi-automatic rifles as well as break-open single shot shotguns and rifles. More information about the Company can be found at www.marlinfirearms.com.

GW: The law’s the law and if police continue to act the way they’d like it to be instead of the way it is, taxpayers will pay for their ignorance. Obviously, this was meant to be a test and they flunked.

Krysta Sutterfield, who was arrested at gunpoint for wearing her gun to a church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, has settled a lawsuit for $7,500 against the city and the officers who arrested her .

She sued the city and officers in October, after being arrested in July. She had attended services at the Unitarian Universalist Church, while wearing her holstered handgun. Althoughh there was no disturbance, someone called police and they responded, stopped Sutterfield, as she was driving away, and arrested her.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to announce the Ruger® Gunsite Scout Rifle, the ideal “fighting carbine” in .308 Winchester that is a credible rendition of Col. Jeff Cooper’s Scout Rifle concept. Cooper called for a relatively lightweight, hard hitting, do-all rifle that in the hands of an accomplished shooter was able to place accurate, sustained fire out to long ranges, yet was quick-handling and light enough for all-day carry.

Developed in conjunction with Gunsite instructor Ed Head, the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle is a new platform in the Ruger M77® family. While the Scout Rifle has M77 features such as controlled round feed and integral scope mounts (scope rings included), the 10-round detachable box magazine is the first clue this isn’t your grandfather’s Ruger rifle.

“Ruger has taken an in depth look at the intended purpose of a Scout Rifle and developed a full-featured rifle designed to meet the Scout Rifle criteria of hunt, fight, defend,” says Head. “This firearm offers outstanding features in an affordable, versatile and reliable rifle designed to deliver .308 Winchester performance in a variety of situations. It is compact, lightweight, offers 10-round box magazines, can be fit to the individual shooter, and accommodates a host of optics. It is a serious rifle for those serious about rifles.”

A Mini-14/SR-556® flash suppressor is effective on reducing the muzzle flash that may be present on some .308 Winchester loads when fired out of the short (16.5″) barrel. The 5/8-24 muzzle threads allow most standard .30 caliber muzzle accessories – flash suppressors, muzzle brakes, and sound suppressors – to be installed.The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle has a 16.5″ medium contour, cold hammer-forged, alloy steel barrel with a Mini-14® protected non-glare post front sight and receiver mounted, adjustable ghost ring rear sight for out-of-the-box usability. A forward mounted Picatinny rail offers options in mounting an assortment of optics – including Scout Scopes available from Burris® and Leupold®, for “both eyes open” sighting and super-fast target acquisition.

The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle features a matte black oxide alloy steel barrel and receiver on a black laminate stock with sling swivel studs and checkered grip and forearm. A soft rubber recoil pad, with three 1/2″ spacers allows the length of pull to be adjusted and allow the rifle to be properly sized for different shooters, or to give the shooter the proper fit with outerwear or defensive gear of varying thickness. With its compact size and weighing in at just under seven pounds, the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle combines ease of carry and shooting for the serious Scout Rifle enthusiast.

The rifle’s trigger guard and magazine well are formed with glass-reinforced nylon. The magazine release is a push-forward Mini-14 paddle just ahead of the trigger guard. “Gunsite Scout Rifle” is engraved on the grip cap of the laminated, weather resistant stock, and the receiver is roll-marked “Ruger Gunsite Scout”, commemorating the collaboration of Ruger with Gunsite Academy, America’s oldest private firearms training facility.

As they say, beware the man with one gun, for he probably knows how to use it. Never has this been more true than with the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, the one rifle to have if you could only have one. It is the perfect lightweight, hard-hitting, do-it-all bolt-action rifle – where rugged, reliable Ruger meets the practical, tactical.

For more information on the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, or to learn more about the extensive award winning line of Ruger firearms, visit www.Ruger.com. To find accessories for the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle or other Ruger firearms, visit www.ShopRuger.com.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

So, hunting season is over. I don’t think so! January merely signals the beginning of the next season. And, for me that means coyotes.

It seems everyone complains about them, but just like the weather, their whining has no effect. And, then there are those that tell me I should do something about the coyote numbers, as if I have a magic wand. I don’t exactly have a magic wand, but I am working on one.

I enjoy a good bolt gun, when it comes to accuracy. Single-shot rifles always seem to produce fine results, as well. Traditional varmint calibers such as the venerable .22-250, or .223, or the .243 are always good choices, too. But, I’ve never been much of a traditionalist. And, when it comes to varmints, it’s my philosophy that there’s no such thing as overkill. Being cute? Well let the kittens and puppies reign in that category.

I’m talking .30 caliber and when my new scope bases arrive from Midway USA later this week, we are going to have some fun in the Glenway mode that’s far from tradition.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Late-season deer hunting – in particular, the late antlerless season that ran through Saturday – has capped off a very satisfying year.

My personal deer hunting experience concluded after taking a total of four Shiawassee County whitetails, which meant that the final days of the 2010 season would be shared with friends, as part of a teamwork approach. My role would be that of spotter and coach to help in others’ success.

One friend is Mark Ergen, who had helped me construct one of my blinds years ago. Since he doesn’t own huntable land, in return for his labor, I allow him to hunt on my Quality Deer Management property. As part of the agreement, all hunters are required to “qualify” at various shooting ranges in order to hunt at those given ranges.

When Mark arrived to qualify at ranges beyond 100 yards, windy conditions prevented good accuracy in his testing months ago. After that, I hadn’t heard from him and, frankly, wondered if, and when, he might return. That call came December 27th, which began the final week of the season.

Mark came prepared with his muzzleloader and the ballistic chart we had developed for his load of 150 grains of Triple 7 powder and Hornady’s 240-grain XTP bullets. However, at 100 yards, results were sub par. So, I asked him if he’d be willing to use my New England Firearms, Ultra Slug 12-gauge gun. Mark was more than willing, knowing its well-deserved reputation for power and accuracy with Federal Premium’s ammo using Barnes bullets.

I had only three rounds left in inventory, so we were hoping that shot number 1 would be on target. It was!

At 100 yards, Mark hit the target at 2 inches high, which would put the 325-grain projectile dead on at 150 yards. Since I was keenly aware of the precision of the slug gun, I only wanted to see if it would shoot to the same point of aim for Mark. Obviously, it did and with the remaining two rounds, we went afield. For insurance, I carried my Knight muzzleloader for backup.

In the heated blind, we sat and chatted until darkness spoiled our fun. Surprisingly, we saw no deer that afternoon.

I thought how in the past Mark had hunted and came up empty, as well. During one late-season hunt two years ago, we had several antlerless deer within range, but were unable to distinguish an adult from the others in waning light and passed on any marginal opportunities. Other sessions with Mark had similar results, until last Tuesday’s hunt.

One button buck fawn appeared at 165 yards and, although we were excited about the prospects of this live decoy’s ability to signal safety to other deer, it looked as if he would be only entertainment for the final half hour of light. Finally, at about 5:10 pm, at roughly 350 yards away, I located movement in a small clearing with my spotting scope. One adult doe was heading to the brassica plot.

When it appeared, Mark patiently waited for the large-bodied female to come closer to our position. The wind was gusting to 20 mph and the angle of the shot meant there was approximately 6 inches of bullet drift to negotiate at 150 yards. Much like an experienced golfer, who waits to hit a shot during a lull in gusty conditions, Mark did the same.

At 146 yards, Mark squeezed the trigger on a hold allowing to the quieter wind. The 325-grain, all-copper projectile gave genuine meaning to “gun control”, as it humanely dispatched the trophy.

I congratulated Mark on a job well done. He had paid his dues and was finally rewarded for his persistence and patience.

Sometimes its better to be good than lucky.

Last week, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) if the Service does not create a new nationwide wolf recovery plan.

The CBD filed the notice after the FWS did not respond to an earlier petition filed by the group. In the petition, CBD requested that the FWS create a wolf recovery plan for the lower 48 states.

Specifically, the Center requested that wolves be introduced or their populations bolstered in “at least seven interconnected regions” throughout the continental U.S. This would include: “1) the Pacific Northwest, including the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, 2) the Great Basin, including portions of California, Nevada, and Utah, 3) the southern Rocky Mountains, 4) the northern Rocky Mountains, 5) the Great Plains, 6) the Midwest, and 7) New England.”

The FWS has 60 days to respond before the Center can file a lawsuit.

“Wolves in the Western Great Lakes and Northern Rocky Mountains regions have already far exceeded recovery goals and have become an increasing threat to people and domestic and wild animals,” said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation vice president for government affairs. “The reintroduction of more wolves would not be in anyone’s best interest.”

Earlier this year, the USSAF filed a petition with the Service requesting that it remove the wolves in the Western Great Lakes region from the Endangered Species List. This would return management to state wildlife agencies. Recently, the Service issued a press release stating that it intends to seek comments on a schedule that would allow it to delist wolves in the region by the end of 2011.

In the press release, the FWS noted that “wolves continue to exceed recovery goals and are no longer threatened with extinction.”

Previous efforts to delist recovered wolf populations have been reversed as a result of lawsuits filed by animal rights groups. In those cases, the reversals did not question nor overturn the findings by the FWS that wolves have met recovery plan objectives but dealt with technical legal issues.

(Columbus, OH) -The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court ruling which protected active wildlife conservation efforts on National Wildlife Refuge lands.

In 2007, environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) after the FWS had restored wildlife watering devices within the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona on lands designated as “wilderness areas.” The watering devices are critical to the survival of bighorn sheep and other desert species.

The groups’ lawsuit claimed that the Wilderness Act prohibited the FWS from constructing the watering devices because the Act required that wilderness areas be left totally unaffected by human activities.

The Service, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF), and a host of other conservation groups argued that the wilderness designation within the Refuge did not prohibit the FWS from engaging in active wildlife conservation efforts. Overall, the USSAF argued that the Refuge was required to be managed to conserve wildlife pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, even on lands designated as wilderness areas.

In 2008, Judge Mary H. Murguia of the U.S. District Court for Arizona sided with the FWS and USSAF and found that the Wilderness Act did not prohibit active wildlife management in the Kofa areas.

By a 2 to 1 vote, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision. The Court found that the FWS could not construct or maintain watering devices unless it found that devices were “necessary” for bighorn sheep conservation. It also found that the FWS could not show that the devices were “necessary” for sheep conservation until the FWS showed first that banning hunting, banning sheep translocations, controlling mountain lions, and restricting other forms of human visitation would not sufficiently conserve the sheep.

“This is truly a misguided and unfortunate ruling by the Ninth Circuit,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSAF president and CEO. “Precedent from this lawsuit could severely handicap the FWS’s wildlife conservation efforts in the future.”

In light of the recent decision, the USSAF will be examining all remaining options to minimize the effects of the Ninth Circuit’s ruling.

Joining the USSAF in the lawsuit were several other conservation groups including: Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundaton, Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association.

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By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

It sure looks like the snow and cold weather have arrived in time to change what’s remains of deer season. The beans and corn are long gone and the legume plots are difficult to uncover under the snow layer. This is when the attraction of brassica food plots become magnets to not only the deer, but me, as well.

Forage rape and purple top turnips provide balanced protein and energy that will carry deer into spring. Winter stress can be minimized by the accessibility of the green vegetation and turnip meat, which is easily consumed under a foot of snow. One of my sites has subtle low areas that make viewing whitetails impossible; however, light, fluffy snow unnaturally being thrown into the wind is a dead giveaway that a hungry deer is working beneath for a turnip. And, if ever a stalk could be made easy, it’s when deer are throwing snow like a 2-cycle snowblower.

According to food plot expert, Ed Spinazzola, deer need more phosphorus than any other animal. Large-antlered, healthy deer need high levels of calcium and phosphorus and New Zealand forage rapes are where these essential minerals can be found in abundance. Turnips, also in the brassica family, provide energy by targeting potash. By planting destination fields that are large enough, so as not to be devoured before spring, deer are able to get a healthy jump start before things green up and food is readily available.

Deer management is the name of the game. We feed them; they feed us. And, for this reason, I save an antlerless tag for mid- to late-December hunting.

Tree stands are out. So too is the ghille suit that I used to perfection earlier in the season, as I lay prone behind my bipod-steadied crossbow among dozens of unsuspecting whitetails. Way beyond cool! But, the frigid weather is beyond cool, and lying still on the frozen ground is a good way to remain frozen to the ground.

Quiet propane heaters are now my close companions within the walls of strategically located shacks. They are positioned where they are for one reason: late season, game getting. Situated over 100 yards from the food sources, the blinds are ignored by deer on nutrition missions.

It takes a lot of hard work from spring to fall preparing for December hunts. And, when the cost of seed, fuel, lime, fertilizer, and labor is counted, it’s not cheap. But the payoff comes when a day like Saturday, December 11th arrives.

My friend, Joe and I spent several hours sighting in his new CVA muzzleloader. After we got it on target, we worked as a two-man team overlooking a 2-acre brassica plot in the blind nicknamed “The Chalet.” The first snow storm of the season was still one day away but we knew the local deer population had already made themselves routine visitors to the tender smörgåsbord of veggies before us.

At 4:55 pm, a button buck began feeding some 200 yards from our lookout. Within minutes, the field became occupied with a half dozen hungry mouths. An uncommonly small spike buck joined the foray and it was good to see a buck had made it through the regular firearms season. Then, the attention of the does centered on a trail leading to the brassicas, and sure enough, another buck came into view. He was a basket-racked six pointer, and once again, I could only imagine how he might develop next season. Another six-point buck joined the feeding frenzy, making 3 bucks in plain view!

I thought how few bucks are actually taken in muzzleloader season – only a scant 6 percent of the total – but, it made no difference to Joe and me to add to the statistics. These were clearly adolescents – no trophies by any stretch of braggadocio.

We turned our collective focus to a large, adult doe that had ranged to 143 yards from the new muzzleloader’s crown. Joe couldn’t get settled in on her, however, before she began moving farther away – far enough for us to wait for another opportunity and another day.

For some, success is defined by a kill; our success on the other hand had been sowed in preceding months, but on this day it was reaped with our eyes.

On Wednesday, December 15, the Michigan House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1402 by a 72-24 vote. This legislation has also been adopted by the Senate and is currently awaiting consideration by Governor Jennifer Granholm (D). Authored by State Senator John Gleason (D-27), SB 1402 would make gun safety programs available to school districts for inclusion in curriculums in Michigan.

The purpose of NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program isn’t to teach whether guns are good or bad, but to promote the protection and safety of children if they come across firearms in unsupervised situations.

Please contact Governor Granholm and urge her to sign SB 1402.

She can be reached by phone at (517) 335-7858.

DETROIT (WJBK) and commentary by Glen Wunderlich – Many Detroiters like the idea of turning in their guns for cash at the Second Ebenezer church, while others like me know it’s a feel-good publicity stunt that has no positive effect on crime.

First, the weapons are carefully checked making sure they’re not loaded. Being offered is $25 for unusable guns up to $100 for a Mac 10 semiautomatic weapon. Reporters like this one love the word weapon; it sounds much more menacing or ominous than firearm, which is the correct term. Heck, weapon can describe a prize fighters fists or a hammer swung by a scorned woman.

Some people came to make sure they could be eligible for guns for cash. And, why not? Times are tough in Detroit and junk for cash is a good deal for them. How many gangbangers turned in their guns and gave up crime? Why isn’t there any reporting on this? Simple: It doesn’t happen!

“I just happened to (have) heard. I said I had two of them just (lying) around the house. I said I’m going to come see if they (will) give me some money for them,” said Paul Hicks. Another genius.

“Those guns will not be used to perpetrate armed robberies, and those guns will not be picked up by a young person by accident and we have another tragedy with a child killing themselves accidentally,” said Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee. Well, chief, that may be true, but they probably won’t be saving any lives, either. Anyway, just what what will happen to these guns? Are they going to be destroyed at taxpayers’ expense? More genius. Why don’t you sell them to a legitimate firearms dealer and use the money to pay the legal bill to fight ex-mayor, Kilpatrick in court? Someone has to pay the legal bill and everyone knows the city’s broke.

Continental Management is handing out the cash. A few months ago they ran out of money, so they gave out vouchers to be used later. However, despite the response, there are some skeptics out there. yeah, I’m one of them.

“It’s not going to change anything, and no criminals are turning in their firearms. Bad guys are still armed, and it’s going to make everyone else less safe because they’re not going to have any,” said Rick Ector of Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit.

“We understand the value of this program, and we’re glad to help provide some of the resources that make this a winning opportunity. Hopefully, some people will come away with a little bit of cash for the holiday,” said Gary Offenbacher with Continental Management. I also understand the value, or lack thereof, of this meaningless program. Send me a list of the guns you took in and I’ll see if they are worth more than you paid for them. Maybe we can make a deal on the decent guns and then you’ll have more money for your next valuable scheme.

“We need guns off the street. Everybody’s carrying guns now. It’s too easy to get a CCW. If we can get guns off the street, guns kill people,” said Shawn Davis. yeah, yeah, yeah. And, spoons made Rosie O’Donnell fat.

Some of the weapons are in good shape, while others are in bad shape. People say some have just been lying around the house not serving any purpose, why not turn them in and get some money for them. That’s right. Kind of like insurance: it serves no purpose, either – until you need it.