Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Join the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for Hunter Safety Education Week, Aug. 12-18. More than 40 in-person classes will be offered throughout the state as additional opportunities to obtain a hunter safety education certificate.
These new classes will be posted and available for registration on Friday, July 12, by 8 a.m. Read more
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is pleased to report that as of last Friday, Oregon Initiative Petition 3 (IP-3) officially did not qualify for the 2024 ballot. CSF has been and will continue to be a leading voice against this misguided effort to ban all hunting, fishing, trapping, and ranching in Oregon.
Initially introduced as Oregon Proposition 13 (IP-13) intended for the November 2022 ballot, this proposal would remove all animal cruelty exemptions: criminalizing hunting, fishing, trapping, animal husbandry, pest removal, and more. Thankfully the sportsmen’s and farming communities united in opposition to IP-13, which ultimately led to its demise, in much the same way as our community united to defeat IP-3 this year. While it may be easy to let our guard down after two successive victories, proponents of the now failed IP-3 are expected to take another run at a statewide hunting, fishing, trapping, and ranching ban through IP-28 for the 2026 ballot. Read more
If you’re one of the many hunters making plans to head to a Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunter management area this fall, it’s time to apply for permission slips. Applications for HMAs open 8 a.m. July 11. A successful hunting season begins long before heading afield. Securing permission for access is one of the most important planning steps.
HMAs are typically ranches where Game and Fish manages hunting access. These properties may include portions of various private lands, as well as intermixed leased BLM and state lands within the HMA boundary. HMAs are part of the Access Yes program that facilitates the partnership between private landowners and Game and Fish to provide hunters and anglers free public hunting and fishing access on private land and inaccessible public land. Access Yes also includes walk-in fishing and hunting areas, each of which has its own rules regarding species and access dates. Read more
The Defender Vision Pro HD cellular trail cameras that are IN STOCK NOW are high-performance cameras for remotely monitoring both your recreational and home properties while you are away, and it starts with our cutting-edge ALL HD ALL THE TIME feature. This innovative feature transmits images at least 5x larger than before, so you no longer need to request HD images through your Strike Force Wireless app to zoom in and see what you’re looking for. On top of that, the addition of the On Demand feature also allows you to request an immediate picture or video from the field to make these cameras even more convenient to use.
Equipped with dual carrier 4G cellular technology, from both AT&T and Verizon, and a high gain antenna and you will be able to transmit more images from remote locations to your mobile device or laptop than ever before. Also, with industry leading 0.135 second trigger speeds, 110 ft. night illumination range, and the best battery life on the market, you will have a camera that is a real workhorse in the field that will prove once again, why Browning is still…The Best There Is.
Availability: Read more
A vital migration corridor for both elk and mule deer in west-central Colorado remains intact and is now protected thanks to a collaborative effort by a conservation-minded landowner and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
A voluntary conservation agreement between the two sides conserves 1,049 acres northeast of Montrose near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BCGNP) and Curecanti National Recreation Area (CNRA).
“We’re grateful for a landowner who not only recognizes and understands the wildlife values of the property but translated that knowledge into action by conserving it,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO.
The acreage supplies transition and critical winter range for approximately 7,700 elk as well as mule deer. Combined with adjacent public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and BCGNP, the immediate area serves as a migratory corridor for both species, as noted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It also offers habitat for black bears, wild turkey, raptors and other wildlife. Read more
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission drew the names of 18 Arkansans on the stage of the Buffalo River Elk Festival Saturday to participate in this fall’s annual public land elk hunts.
More than 6,600 applicants applied for elk permits online during the May application window, and 15 of the permits allotted for public land were drawn from those entries. An additional 620 people applied on-site at the festival for three additional permits reserved for attendees of the event. Permits were drawn from a squirrel cage in front of an anxious crowd throughout the day. Winners of the three on-site permits had to be present to win during the final drawing of the festival.
Hunters are allowed to choose their weapons from archery (including crossbows), muzzleloaders, modern rifles, modern shotguns and handguns.
All public land hunts occur on the Buffalo National River, Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area and Bearcat Hollow Wildlife Management Area. Hunters are assigned specific zones within these public lands. Public land permit holders are encouraged to attend an orientation before the hunt and will be notified of the time and location.
Arkansas also holds private land elk hunts, managed through a quota system, for hunters who have landowner permission in Arkansas’s Core Elk Management Zone. Visit www.agfc.com/elk for more information. Read more
The Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) is excited to announce that it will hold its 2025 Annual Meeting at Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center, hosted by Destination Toledo. The annual gathering of the nation’s top outdoor journalists and supporting outdoor companies will kick off early Monday morning, June 22 and conclude Wednesday evening, June 24.
“We’re thrilled to help bring outdoor media from all over the U.S. to Northwest Ohio for POMA’s 2025 Annual Meeting,” said Mark Brazeau of Destination Toledo. “With world-class walleye fishing and abundant hunting resources all in close proximity to Toledo, we’re excited to show off all the amazing opportunities available to outdoor enthusiasts from around the country!”
Northwest Ohio, home to Port Clinton, the “Walleye Capitol of the World,” and one of the nation’s top waterfowl and birding spots at Magee Marsh, offers a unique blend of outdoor experiences. It’s also the location of one of the most historic shooting events each year at nearby Camp Perry. For hunters, anglers and shooters, few places are such a perfect fit for POMA as Northwest Ohio. Read more
Fall turkey hunting license applications for the 2024 season are available now through August 1.
You can buy an application for $5 online at eLicense, anywhere DNR licenses are sold, or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. Drawing results will be available Aug. 12.
Learn how to apply and find season regulations in the Michigan Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary at Michigan.gov/Turkey or view the summary in the DNR Hunt Fish app to carry it with you wherever you go.
Questions? Call 517-284-9453 or email
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The $25 stamp has raised more than $1.2 billion for habitat conservation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Bass Pro Shops hosted a live event Friday, June 28, at Bass Pro Shops in Hanover, Maryland, celebrating the first day of sale for the 2024-25 Federal Duck Stamp.
The stamps, which cost $25 and raise about $40 million for conservation yearly, are valid from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Purchased by millions of waterfowl hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and stamp collectors every year, duck stamps provide critical funding to purchase and protect wetlands and associated habitat for ducks, geese and other wildlife species.
The Federal Duck Stamp program raises millions of dollars to purchase and protect wetland habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System, benefiting waterfowl and hundreds of additional wildlife species. Of every dollar spent on a duck stamp, 98 cents of each purchase goes directly to acquiring and protecting waterfowl habitat. Read more
Provides seamless LTE dog tracking on mobile devices and is compatible Garmin VHF tracking systems
Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced Alpha® LTE is expanding coverage to North America. The small, rugged device attaches to existing dog collars and pairs with the Alpha app, so users can view their dog’s movements directly from a compatible mobile device1. Customers who want additional tracking capabilities can pair Alpha LTE with their compatible Garmin dog tracking handheld for simultaneous LTE and traditional VHF tracking, providing a seamlessly integrated experience.
“Garmin sporting dog products are globally recognized as a premier choice for hunters and their canine companions, and Alpha LTE is an ideal solution for outdoorspeople who want Garmin’s dog tracking reliability in a cellular based solution. Whether using as a standalone tracking device or in conjunction with an existing Garmin dog tracking system, customers can be confident knowing they have Garmin’s best solution for tracking their dog in challenging environments.” – Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales
Compact and user-friendly Read more