Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Want to earn a living doing something you love in the great outdoors? Now there’s a university just for you. The new University of Outdoors will be opening its doors summer 2014 in two locations — Altoona, Alabama, and Mesa, Colorado, and will be providing its students with useful skills and knowledge essential for developing a career in the out of doors. Enroll now and change the course of your future. Read more
BEAVERTON, Ore. – Leupold® introduces the TS-32X1 reticle, a minute-of-angle (MOA) based system designed to allow for precision shots without the need for dial adjustments.
A heavy post and thin stadia crosshair features 1-MOA hashmarks on both the horizontal and vertical lines. Every other hash mark on the horizontal stadia is slightly longer, providing quick and easy 2-MOA measurements. Every four MOA is indicated by a number. Read more
Fayette, MO—The Mk3 CBR (Carbine Battle Rifle) is chambered in .308 WIN/7.62x51mm NATO and is precision-built to deliver the relentless functionality that CMMG rifles are known for. The Mk3 CBR is an ideal rifle for long-range shooting or close-quarters action and because it’s built with CMMG’s premium manufacturing requirements, it gives shooters the chance to own a high-end AR rifle at a practical price. Read more
HatsanUSA Inc. has released its highly innovative 125 Sniper Vortex. These high-velocity vortex air rifles allow users to shoot from long distances with serious power and precision. Not only are they perfect for pest control and target shooting, but they are sure to change the common misconception that airguns are nothing more than gimmick. Available in .177cal (1250fps), .22cal (1000fps), and .25cal (750fps), these single-shot break barrel airguns use Hatsan’s advanced Vortex Gas Piston technology. Read more
The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) board of trustees Monday recommended to the Michigan Legislature that 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions totaling $27,677,800 be funded in 2014. The board this year considered a total of 142 applications seeking $49,431,900 in funding. In a competitive process, all eligible applications were evaluated based on scoring criteria developed by the MNRTF board. Read more
Flushing, MI. Carbon Express®-the world’s leading manufacturer of premium crossbolts announces the introduction of a new, breakthrough line of crossbows, designed to help every type of hunter Shoot Better™. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
A controversial black rhino hunt is set to be auctioned by the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Namibia. Fueled by typical emotion-driven rhetoric, the usual suspects, including the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), oppose the hunt on the grounds that the animals are endangered. On the other side, conservationists and biological scientists support the auction as a means to brighten the future of the prized African game species.
First a few facts are in order. The number one reason for the decline from around a million rhinos in the year 1800 to approximately 30,000 today is poaching. Rhino horn is one of the mainstays of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and thus has been responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of rhinos. The question is not whether rhino horn actually has medicinal value; enough Asians believe it does, and therefore, its value is literally double that of gold.
Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) was established in 1990 and is responsible for the safeguarding Namibia’s environmental resources. Since 2004, with the support of scientists in the international Convention on Trade in Endangered Species, Namibia is authorized to sell up to five hunting permits a year. With selective hunting as a part of its comprehensive rhino conservation strategy, the country’s black rhino population has more than doubled since 1990.
DSC expects the permit to sell for at least $250,000, perhaps up to $1 million. All proceeds will be returned to Namibia for underfunded rhino-related projects such as anti-poaching patrols.
Did you catch that? All proceeds are to be returned to Namibia.
Contrast this with how HSUS uses its questionable tactics to line the pockets of its hierarchy.
HSUS CEO, Wayne Pacelle, raked in $395,000 in total compensation according to its latest tax return. In total, 38 people received over $100,000 in compensation from HSUS—up from 24 the previous year. HSUS put $2.9 million into its pension plan—significantly more than it made in paltry grants to support pet sheltering.
So, rather than paint the DSC with the same brush used on poachers, while lining its own pockets, wouldn’t it be philanthropic if HSUS leaders invested that money in anti-poaching efforts or in efforts to reduce the demand for rhino horns? (That’s Wayne’s argument against the DSC, by the way, directly from his blog.) Read more
If ever anyone doubted the reasons that the NRA vehemently opposes gun registration, here is a good example. New York has changed the rules and is coming after citizens’ firearms based on registration records. Letters being sent to owners contain the following language:
“It appears you are in possession of a rifle and/or Shotgun (listed below) that has an ammunition feeding device capable of holding more than five (5) rounds of ammunition. Rifles and shotguns capable of holding more than five (5) rounds of ammunition are unlawful to possess in New York City, as per NYC Administrative Code 10-306 (b).”
“You have the following options,” the letter explains.
“1. Immediately surrender your Rifle and/or Shotgun to your local police precinct, and notify this office of the invoice number. The firearm may be sold or permanently removed from the City of New York thereafter.
2. Permanently remove your Rifle and/or Shotgun from New York City and provide the following…Disposition Report/Registration Certificate…Notarized statement of permanent removal…Utility bill or other proof of residency regarding the address where the firearm will be stored outside the City of New York.
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/06/new-york-city-confiscating-rifles-and-shotguns/#ixzz2myShDr4u
(Wilsonville, OR) Hunters have noted that white-tailed deer and elk populations have plummeted in some US regions because of last year’s disease outbreaks and increasing wolf numbers. More hunters are now turning attention to pests and varmints, like wild boars, coyotes, wolves, foxes, bobcats, raccoons and other species. Crimson Trace, the industry leader in laser sighting technology, makes products that can help increase the thrills-and successes-on the predator and pest hunts. Read more
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (Dec. 9, 2013) – SkullHooker™, the company that has revolutionized the way hunters display their European skull-mount trophies, introduces the new Bone Bracket™. Specially crafted for those that prefer to display their trophy using the skull plate as the base, the new Bone Bracket makes a simple and elegant solution to displaying skullcapped horns and antlers. Read more