PRATT, KANSAS – Deer hunters always enjoy the chase, but the ultimate satisfaction of taking a deer can be when the meat is served to family and friends. No hunter wants to waste weeks of practice, scouting, preparation, and bagged game, so once the deer is down and tagged and photos snapped, the work of caring for the meat begins.

No matter the weather, cooling a deer soon after the kill is critical. When weather is mild, hunters must take special care to ensure their hard-earned deer is pleasing table fare, and when cared for correctly, venison provides lean, healthy, gourmet-quality meat.

A quick, clean kill through the lungs or heart is important, and knowing one’s range and equipment combined with careful shot selection are the keys to a good shot. As soon as the deer is recovered, it’s also important to field dress the animal so that the carcass can cool quickly. Be careful to keep dirt, hair, and debris away from exposed meat while dressing and when moving the deer to the vehicle. Those who plan to process their own deer should hang the deer in a clean, cool building. It’s often best to remove the hide so that meat can continue to cool, particularly if the weather is warmer than usual. Hunters who plan to have the deer processed by commercial butchers should contact them as soon as possible to arrange for delivery.

A cool, clean place is essential for butchering. Many hunters like to age their deer, but a cooler is often needed for this. Aging is not necessary, but for those who prefer this method, venison should be aged at 35-39 degrees. Cooler than this, and the meat may freeze; warmer, and the meat may spoil.

With a little extra effort and time, successful deer hunters will enjoy months of rewarding venison meals. Remember: make a clean shot, field dress the deer quickly, cool the meat, and keep it clean.

GW: Be smart: Remvoe the tenderloins from inside the animal immediately after field dressing. They are strips that run against the backbone on the inside of the animal along the ribcabe. If you leave them, they dry out and the best part, albeit a small part, of the deer is wasted.

GW: For this time I am with the HSUS. Anti-hunters going after anti-hunters? I love it!

BOISE, Idaho — The Humane Society is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for anyone who can lead Idaho authorities to a rougue and taunting poacher.

The case involves the self-described anonymous poacher, who claimed in a letter to Idaho wildlife officials earlier this month to have killed a whitetail deer illegally, an antelope, and a turkey and that he will continue his anti-hunting ways.

The November 12 correspondence to Idaho Fish and Game officials also contained photographs of the dead deer and antelope and the promise to take more wildlife illegally.

Investigators indicate the letter was postmarked from Everett, Wash.

The reward is offered by the Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Trust Fund.

GW: Makes sense to me. I’m sure the state will still receive lots of tax revenue from the the myriad anciliary items.

COLUMBIA — Gun buyers can save a few bucks this weekend during the South Carolina’s third annual Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday.

Shoppers looking for some handguns, rifles and shotguns won’t have to pay sales tax Friday through midnight Sunday during “Second Amendment Weekend.”

Accessories like ammunition, black powder, holsters and archery supplies are taxed. There also is no exemption for antique and collectible handguns, as well as handguns that do not fire a fixed cartridge.

South Carolina holds a tax break weekend for back-to-school items in August.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

One of the difficulties encountered afield is repeating accuracy potential developed at the sight-in bench. Obviously, pin-point accuracy is not as important at closer ranges, but when stretching the limits of a firearm across a field or through the woods, every bit of precision is required to minimize the risk of bad shots.

Here’s a tip for those that shoot from any type of box blind, where typically, only some form of front rest is used. First, place a sandbag-type rest on the window sill opening. Second, get a quality bipod that will adjust from 24 inches and up. (I prefer one that will extend to 60 inches or more so that it can be used for different purposes later.) Place the bipod under the shoulder stock of your firearm directly in front of the swivel stud and anlge the legs forward slightly.

Once you get the firearm at the proper height, you’ll be able to fine tune elevation quickly by moving the firearm back and forth across the front rest. With the proper set up, the firearm can be held in place, hands free and be ready for action. And,if you need to move the set up to a different location, it can be done rather quickly.

You will be surprised how stable the hold will be!

Outdoors Magazine is actively seeking a photo to adorn the February cover of their magazine. Ideally the photo will display an adult and a young hunter together with a whitetail deer or other big game animal they have harvested. Other photos, such as fish and small game animals, will also be considered and should they not be chosen for the cover, could be used inside of the magazine.

Outdoors Magazine understands that for most sportsmen, the pursuit of their passions afield and the love of their family are closely linked. That is why the magazine is declaring February its “Youth in the Outdoors” month and will focus the February issue of the magazine on youth and families in the outdoors.

Photos should be submitted via email to amanda@elkpublishing.com. It is preferred that images be at least 300 DPI in size. For more information contact kyle@elkpublishing.com.

Leica Sport Optics is pleased to announce a new riflescope trade-in promotion. From now through January 31st, 2011, take an immediate $500 off the purchase of one of our brand new Leica ER Riflescopes when you trade-in a riflescope of your own at any participating, authorized Leica retailer in the US or Canada.

Program rules:
1) Trade-in scope must be functional: Clear image & reticle must be visible through the scope.
2) any brand/make & model accepted
3) promotion ends January 31, 2011

As you have come to expect the Leica ER Riflescope line is built to the same rugged and demanding manufacturing standards that our other products are subject too. Superior optical performance with unparalleled resolution & light delivery are guaranteed, but the ER will also hold up to the harshest conditions with the highest water-proof rating in the industry.

Available in two powers, 2.5-10×42 & 3.5-14×42, with 5 different reticles and three turret options, the Leica ER Riflescope line offers options for all shooters. Typical retail prices on these products range from $1799 to $2159, however through this fantastic offer you can own one of these same products starting as low as $1299 after your trade-in.

Don’t miss your opportunity to get your first Leica ER Riflescope through this fantastic offer!

• 1/4 MOA Adjustments
• 4″ of eye relief
• generous area of straight tube fore & aft of turret housing for easy mounting
• 48% more mounting area than many competing products

For more product information visit: Leica Sport Optics www.leica-sportoptics.com

Geneseo, IL – – In February 2010, ArmaLite announced the return of its popular Hog Gun, the AR-10(T) Carbine. Within 10 days every one of them was gone. Now, nine months later, IT’S BACK, it’s in stock, and you can have one for this year’s hunting season.

But if you want one, don’t wait. This finely crafted weapon has been produced once again in a small batch. Quantities are limited and will not last long.

“This AR-10(T) Carbine combines the light weight and compact size of the carbine with the accuracy of the Target Model to give you a rifle that outperforms all other carbines. You will be ready on your next hunt with the easy carry and weather resistant stainless steel barrel chambered in 7.62 NATO.” says Tacticle-Life.com.

Specs:

Model: AR-10(T) Carbine with Free Float Handguard in Black
Caliber: .308/7.62mm NATO
Barrel: 16″ Stainless Steel Barrel
Rifling Twist: RH 1:11.25″
Muzzle Device: Flash Suppressor
Front Sight Base: Gas Block with Picatinny Rail
Upper Receiver: Forged Flat Top Receiver with Picatinny Rail and Forward
Assist

• Trigger: Two Stage National Match
• Overall Length: 37.5″
• Weight: 8.6 lbs
• Accuracy: 1 MOA

Included with Rifle: One 10 Round Magazine, One 20 Round Magazine, Black Case,
Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Your Price: $1,892.00 EA

About:

ArmaLite has one of the broadest product lines in the firearms industry. We manufacture and sell semiautomatic rifles in a variety of calibers including 5.56mm and 7.62mm, long range super-accurate bolt action rifles in calibers including .308 Winchester, 300 Winchester Magnum, 338 Lapua, and 50 BMG, and classic 9mm pistols. Visit: www.armalite.com.

NEWTOWN, Conn.-In response to a lawsuit filed today challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s denial of a petition to ban traditional ammunition containing lead core components, the National Shooting Sports Foundation will file a motion to intervene. This action allows NSSF to protect industry’s interests in the case and ensure that the will of Congress is adhered to.

The suit was brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, which earlier this year had petitioned EPA to ban traditional ammunition as well as fishing tackle containing lead. CBD claims wild birds are being harmed through the ingestion of spent ammunition fragments, though NSSF contends that no scientific evidence shows that wildlife populations are being affected.

In August after considering the CBD’s petition, EPA denied the request, saying it did not have the legal authority to regulate the production and distribution of traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976. Congress expressly exempted ammunition from being regulated by this law. Some weeks after the agency’s decision on traditional ammunition, EPA also denied the other half of CBD’s request to ban fishing tackle. This one-two punch no doubt prompted CBD to file its lawsuit.

“We knew that this fight was far from over even after we gained that early victory,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “The CBD petition and now this lawsuit are clearly attacks on the right of hunters to choose the ammunition that best suits their hunting and target shooting needs, and they are attacks on hunting as well.”

Launching a strong grassroots campaign in response to the CBD petition, NSSF mobilized the sporting and gun-owning community to make its support for traditional ammunition clear to the EPA and its administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, via e-mailed comments and by contacting their lawmakers.

NSSF continues to stress the following in the debate over traditional ammunition:

* There is no scientific evidence that the use of traditional ammunition is having an adverse impact on wildlife populations.

* Wildlife management is the proper jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 50 state wildlife agencies.

* A 2008 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on blood lead levels of North Dakota hunters confirmed that consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition does not pose a human health risk.

* A ban on traditional ammunition would have a negative impact on wildlife conservation. The federal excise tax that manufacturers pay on the sale of the ammunition (11 percent) is a primary source of wildlife conservation funding. The bald eagle’s recovery, considered to be a great conservation success story, was made possible and funded by hunters using traditional ammunition – the very ammunition organizations like the CBD are now demonizing.

* Recent statistics from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service show that from 1981 to 2006 the number of breeding pairs of bald eagles in the United States increased 724 percent. And much like the bald eagle, raptor populations throughout the United States are soaring.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Contact:
Bill Brassard Jr. (203) 426-1320 or bbrassard@nssf.org

GW: More nose-thumbing of basic freedoms by gun grabbers, much as it was in Michigan before “Shall Issue” was adopted. Go get ’em boys!

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation has filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against several New Jersey officials for deprivation of civil rights under color of law.

SAF is joined in the lawsuit by the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc. and six private citizens whose applications for permits to carry have been denied generally on the grounds that they have not shown a “justifiable need.” One of the plaintiffs is a kidnap victim, another is a part-time sheriff’s deputy, a third carries large amounts of cash in his private business and another is a civilian employee of the FBI in New Jersey who is fearful of attack from a radical Islamic fundamentalist group. Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys David D. Jensen and Robert P. Firriolo with the firm of Duane Morris, LLP in Newark.

Named as defendants in the case are three Superior Court judges, Philip J. Maenza, Morris County; Rudolph A. Filko, Passaic County and Edward A. Jerejian of Bergen County, plus Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the State Police, Hammonton Police Chief Frank Ingemi and New Jersey Attorney General Paula T. Dow.

“Law-abiding New Jersey citizens have been arbitrarily deprived of their ability to defend themselves and their families for years under the state’s horribly-crafted laws,” said SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “The law grants uncontrolled discretion to police chiefs and other public officials to deny license applications even in cases where the applicant has shown a clear and present danger exists.

“If being a kidnap victim, or part-time law enforcement officer, or the potential target of a known radical group does not clearly demonstrate a justifiable need,” he continued, “the defendants need to explain what would. Do citizens need guns to their heads or knives to their throats before the state considers their need to be justified?

“Supreme Court rulings have made it clear that the Second Amendment prohibits states from completely banning the carrying of handguns for self-defense,” Gottlieb said. “Nor may states deny citizens the right to carry handguns in non-sensitive places or deprive them of the right to carry in an arbitrary and capricious manner. That’s what is happening today in New Jersey, and we intend to stop it.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Note: The photo in this site’s window is that of the 9-point buck taken with the custom Contender in .45-70 caliber with the handloaded 300-grain Barnes bullet.

One of the guiding precepts to the Quality Deer Management philosophy is to promote the overall health of the deer herd. Many facets are involved including habitat management and harvesting a proper number of does and refraining from taking immature bucks – namely 1 1/2-year olds, otherwise known as yearlings – in an effort to balance the buck to doe ratio to a more natural state of existence. In practice, it can be a trying experience.

In spite of the record-breaking drought of August, our brassica food plots came through in fine form, although many of the plants are smaller than normal. Our closest stand to the nutritious food source is over 100 yards away making accuracy critical. My choice this season was a custom J.D. Jones-barreled handgun from SSK Industries in Ohio. The 14-inch ported Thompson-Center Contender barrel sports Bushnell HoloSight optics and rockets my handloaded 300-grain Barnes tipped bullets beyond the speed of Superman – or, at least any typical handgun caliber. It may not be what the legislators had in mind when they legalized single-shot pistols with straight-wall cartridges, but I couldn’t imagine a better tool for the task at hand. Years of practice had me ready for the challenge of handgun hunting for whitetails with my handcannon.

My morning stand was a quarter mile from our food plots and overlooked a swamp where deer tend to hide when pushed. For the first two days, my hunting partner, Joe Reynolds, and I had seen plenty of deer within range – all does, fawns, and yearling bucks of 6-point antlers or less. Although our antlerless tags could have been filled numerous times, each of us was patiently waiting for an opportunity at an adult buck.

On the third morning, I mentioned to Joe, that if he was afforded a good opportunity at a mature doe, that he should take it, because it was his last day of his deer-hunting vacation. In addition, we had Cocoa the wonder-tracking dog waiting to aid in recovery, if needed. At 7:30 am I heard thunder erupt from what I thought was the neighbor’s woodlot. Wrong! Over the 2-way radio came notice from Joe that he had dropped a doe in its tracks a quarter mile away with his Mossberg model 500 and a 12-gauge, 546-grain Lightfield slug. Cocoa would not be needed one little bit.

Since we already had field dressing on the agenda, and the myriad chores that accompany the chore, I figured to be on the lookout for a doe of my own, or of course, something even better. When I spotted movement to the west, I settled the Contender on the rest in anticipation of a shot, waiting to see what would develop. A bone-white antlered buck entered the swamp before me and I noticed that it was limping. Whatever the headgear, or lack thereof, didn’t really matter anymore, because our policy dictates that any injured animal be taken out; it’s about fairness to the animal and nothing else.

This buck just happened to qualify on several levels, however, because of his injured status and our self-imposed requirement to have at least 4 antler points on a side. When the 3 ½ year-old buck was skinned, we found that it had been shot in the leg; a copper jacket remnant from a .50-caliber projectile was all that remained of a previous hunter’s mistake. My Barnes bullet, on the other hand, retained 275 grains of its original 300 grain configuration, losing only 2-peeled back petals of copper.

The remainder of the season will be spent as field managers determined to continue on our mission of balancing the herd.