Category: General

NRA Settles New York Insurance Law Suit

In a year where it seems nothing is ever settled, the NRA’s battle with the State of New York Financial Services Department over insurance sales there has apparently come to a close. According to a release from the New York State Department of Financial Services, the state has entered into a consent order with the NRA.

According to that release, the case is resolved via a consent order that includes a civil monetary penalty of $2.5 million for violations of New York insurance laws. Under that agreement, the NRA is also banned from marketing insurance in the state or receiving any compensation in connection with any New York insurance policies for five years, even if the NRA obtains a license.

It’s important to note that there is no admission of wrongdoing by the NRA in the settlement.

In fact, on its NRA Legal Facts website the NRA says “no NRA money is being used to fund the payment to the Department of Financial Services.” And NRA counsel William A. Brewer III called the order “a resounding win for the NRA and the members it serves.”

The NRA Legal Website also points out the settlement has no bearing on the Association’s ability to procure insurance for its own corporate operations.

Win or not, the consent order states that, despite lacking a license to conduct insurance business in New York, the NRA violated various New York insurance laws and regulations by acting as an insurance producer without a license in participating in efforts to solicit and market the sale of insurance products, including the NRA’s Carry Guard insurance program. Read more

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Pelican to Launch 14Qt Cooler w/ Separate Wet/Dry Storage

TORRANCE, CA – The new Pelican™ 14QT Personal Cooler is the first on the market to separate wet and dry storage, and it will be available at www.pelican.com on Black Friday 2020. It features a dry-box section in its lid to separate electronic devices and flat personal items from internal ice and the elements outside. It also boasts an easel slot for smart phones and tablets.

“Designed for either every day carry or weekend adventure, the Pelican 14QT personal cooler features will enhance your journey,” said Stephan Corti, Pelican’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Its industry leading wet/dry storage separation will keep your meal and drinks at the right temperature for a day and a half.” Read more

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Boone and Crockett Club Releases Updated Position Statement on Climate Change

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Boone and Crockett Club today released its policy position statement on climate change, outlining recommendations to reduce carbon emissions, promote natural climate solutions, and invest in carbon reduction technologies. The position statement updates a previous position developed in 2009 and was developed by a core team of regular and professional members of the Club with input from experts representing a wide spectrum of political perspectives. Data in the United States shows that sea level is rising, heat waves and storm events are growing in severity, and various timing cues or ranges for vegetation and wildlife are shifting. Hunters are attuned to fluctuations in and stresses on big game populations and their habitat, and are seeing significant impacts to our forests, streams, and coastlines. The Club is concerned that wildlife and its habitat may not have the ability to adapt to these observed rapid changes unless action is taken soon. In accordance with its mission to conserve and sustain abundant wildlife populations and their habitat for future generations, the Boone and Crockett Club is committed to policies that reduce greenhouse gases and combat their effect on climate.

“Those of us who spend time in the field hunting have seen firsthand the effects of changing weather patterns through catastrophic wildfires, severe coastal storms, and extremes of droughts or floods. Habitat is destroyed or changed in these events, limiting the ability for wildlife populations to be resilient. The Boone and Crockett Club has been a leader in conservation for over 125 years and we recognized the need for our organization to play a role in the growing discussions on climate change,” commented Club president Tim Brady. “We hope that our recommendations will ultimately result in policies that reduce atmospheric carbon and ensure that natural systems are able to provide for our wildlife resources, while ensuring a robust economy and strong job growth.” Read more

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Hatch Debuts Friskmaster MAX Gloves

Jacksonville, Florida – Hatch®, a brand of The Safariland Group (“Safariland”), a leading global provider of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets, announced today that it has released the new standard in needle puncture and cut resistant gloves: The FMN500 – Friskmaster™ MAX – Cut & Needle Puncture Resistant Glove.

Built for those who need a glove that provides maximum protection without impeding the ability to complete routine tasks on the job, the new FMN500 (Friskmaster MAX) glove is tested to ANSI Cut Resistance A9, the highest rating for cut resistance, and provides Level 5 ANSI Needlestick Puncture Resistance, the NIJ’s highest-rated level of protection.

“The Friskmaster MAX gloves are a lifesaver for public servants who come into regular contact with cut and needle threats,” said Vince Abrams, Category Manager at The Safariland Group. “Safariland® has drawn on our success with PROTECH™ Armor to bring PROTECH Resistance Layer Technology to our Hatch gloves. The FMN500s provide robust protection from daily cut and needle threats and maintain superior dexterity. With the FMN500, you can complete all of your routine daily tasks and still be protected from the unexpected.” Read more

General

Woox Introduces New FORTE Axe

Hickory, North Carolina – November 13, 2020 – WOOX continue to set new standards in outdoor gear with the introduction of the new FORTE axe.

Following the success of the AX1, WOOX have continued their pursuit of developing the best quality outdoor gear with the new FORTE axe. Combining classical American and Italian axe designs, the WOOX FORTE is another great example of “old world” craftsmanship meeting the modern age of high-performance gear.

The American hickory handle adds strength and durability, while the anti-slip coating offers a superior grip in any condition. Each head on the FORTE axe is individually hammered into shape, hand finished and made of tempered carbon steel (c60/1060). With a length of 22 inches and a weight of only three pounds, the FORTE axe can easily be packed into the backcountry for your next great adventure. Read more

General

Outdoor Recreation’s Positive National Economic Impact

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released updated economic data on outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy showing $788 billion in economic output, comprising 2.1% of U.S. GDP and supporting 5.2 million jobs. The report includes national and state level data for both 2018 and 2019.

This is the third consecutive year that BEA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has released data on the outdoor recreation economy and the third year the industry has shown growth across the board. Today’s release shows how this growing sector was growing rapidly prior to the pandemic and where it can lead again as an economic growth engine and job creator.

Key Highlights from BEA’s new report on the outdoor recreation economy:

? Outdoor recreation makes up 2.1 percent of U.S. GDP, generating $788 billion in gross output

and supporting 5.2 million jobs.

? In terms of economic output, boating/fishing, RVing, hunting/shooting/trapping, motorcycling/ATVing, and equestrian sports are the five largest conventional outdoor

recreation activities. Read more

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Veterans Day

As a life member of the Sons of American Veterans (Sons of Amvets), I celebrate and honor America’s military veterans for their love of country, as can be seen in their patriotism and voluntary willingness to serve.

A special thank you to my uncle, Van Wunderlich, who was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 in World War II, and is still with us today in Georgia.

A warrior shows the bubble turret on the B-17

Glen Wunderlich

Posts to Thinking Afield will resume on Thursday, November 12th

 

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Michigan: Storms Force Continued Dredging at Grand Traverse Harbor

Fall storms threaten important lake whitefish spawning habitat

A sign interpreting the history of the stamp sands is show at the base of the smokestack from the Mohawk Mill.

Heavy equipment operators began work recently to dredge stamp sands north of Grand Traverse Harbor in Keweenaw County.

Roughly 100 years ago, historic copper mine tailings from the Wolverine and Mohawk mines – called stamp sands – were deposited at a milling site along Lake Superior, located in the community of Gay in Keweenaw County.

Since that time, the stamp sands have been moved by winds and waves south down the shoreline 5 miles, inundating natural sand beach areas and threatening to cover spawning habitat and recruitment areas important to Lake Superior whitefish and lake trout on and around Buffalo Reef.

A multi-entity effort, primarily funded by through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, has been mounted to combat the stamp sands problem.

During the winter of 2019-2020, workers contracted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources cleared the dark-colored stamp sands from the harbor and a portion of the beach. Read more

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Forensic Source Adds SwabTek to Narcotics Testing Line

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Forensics Source™ a brand of The Safariland Group, a leading global provider of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets, announced today that it has added SwabTek products to the Forensics Source product line. The addition of SwabTek’s tests to Forensic Source’s line of NIK field drug testing products gives investigators access to a reliable tool specially designed for rapid surface testing for amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin.

“We are proud to be working with Forensic Source to bring SwabTek’s accurate, intuitive field-testing tools into the hands of more law enforcement, first responders, school administrators and corporations who need them most,” said Bobby Betros, CEO of SwabTek. “We’re glad to offer a resource that enables everyone to safely test surfaces for harmful substances.” Read more

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