Category: Hunting

And End Run Around Second Amendment Foiled (For Now)

By Jim Shepherd

In 2017, following the Las Vegas massacre where a shooter used bump-stock equipped rifles to kill 58 people, the ATF was ordered by then-President Trump to regulate bump stocks.

And they did.

At the time, Second Amendment advocates argued the ATF’s abrupt about-face was beyond the scope of authority for a regulatory agency.

Last Friday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans concurred. Ruling the ATF had, in fact, short-circuited a required legislative process by redefining bump stocks as machine guns.

Defending their action, the ATF had argued that bump stocks allowed an otherwise semiautomatic rifle to shoot more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger by “harnessing the recoil energy of the semiautomatic firearm to which it is affixed so that the trigger resets and continues firing without additional physical manipulation.”

The “harnessing” was the reasoning behind their reversal of longstanding policy.

As my grandma was fond of saying “that soap didn’t lather” with the 5th Circuit.

Instead, Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod explained in the ruling: “A plain reading of the statutory language, paired with close consideration of the mechanics of a semi-automatic firearm, reveals that a bump stock is excluded from the technical definition of ‘machinegun’ set forth in the Gun Control Act and National Firearms Act.” Read more

Hunting

Modern Ballistic Apps for Shooters and Hunters

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Years ago, Firestone produced a television commercial with these notorious words: Where the rubber meets the road. The phrase focused on the point where their tires were put to the test. Similarly, all ammunition has a parallel, as a projectile is launched toward a target. This phenomenon has many parts and understanding the mystical flight of a bullet is necessary to develop confidence at the range and afield.

The science of ballistics, when expertly applied, can add to one’s ability to hit targets with consistent accuracy. The average shooter may look up available data from ammunition manufacturers’ websites, or simply rely upon what’s printed on ammo boxes. The trouble is that these figures are developed with long test barrels indoors and often have little resemblance to field-condition results.

Enter the chronograph – a sophisticated electronic device that measures actual muzzle velocity using one’s chosen firearm and ammo. Current prices start at $130 for basic units and go up from there. Even when ammo only cost an arm, it made sense for accuracy nuts to verify their own personal results; today, however, each squeeze of the trigger can be felt deep in one’s wallet. Having a chronograph can minimize unnecessary experimentation and the corresponding pinch in the pants.

Innovative technology has produced a couple of apps that go hand-in-hand with not only competitive shooters, but hunters alike. One comes from Lapua – producer of the finest bullets, cartridge cases, and ammunition for competitive shooting – with its new Lapua Hunt app available for download in Google Play and the iStore.

Lapua Hunt is the new digital solver for hunters that appreciate ethical hunting, accuracy, and safety. Merely add your own rifle and reticle, select the best ammo and game category, and you are ready to enjoy your hunting success harvesting game of all sizes.

Lapua Hunt’s calculator view allows you to determine wind speed and direction, shooting angle and distance. In addition, you may also input weather information, (i.e. temperature, air pressure and relative humidity) for further solving. Additional paid features allow cartography/map view, and the ability to setup a hunting team.

When you use the teams function together with all members in your hunting party (i.e. ‘team’), you can keep an eye on the exact location of all team members in the map view. Moreover, if any other hunter in the same area uses the Lapua Hunt app, they will be visible as ‘Unknowns’ in your map view as well.

In the app, there is the option to buy extra features for an annual cost. The Pro Hunter feature package includes all features that are available in the application and costs $19.99 per year.

Federal also offers two great apps that give hunters and shooters the modern tools they need to perform superbly in the field and on the range. Its “Ballistic” is the definitive ballistics calculator for iOS devices. This app calculates trajectory, windage, velocity, energy, lead, and bullet flight time for any valid range. Ballistic can compensate for atmospheric conditions such as temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, altitude and more.

With a library of more than 5,000 projectiles and factory loads, as well as advanced features including a mil-dot and rangefinder, GPS, atmosphere awareness, full-size charts, a precision target log and far more, Ballistic is a complete precision marksman tool. A comprehensive video tutorial is available at www.federalpremium.com by clicking on Our Apps and the free app is available through iTunes.

If you are going to the extent of employing either app, extreme accuracy is more achievable with known velocities derived from a chronograph, rather than reliance upon input from generic sources. In any event, it’s all out there and it’s your move.

Ammunition, Firearms, Hunting , ,

“North American Whitetail” Magazine’s New Year Issue Ushers in Massive Deer, Alpha Predators and Late Season Strategies

DENVER – North American Whitetail Magazine ushered in the new year with its December/January issue full of late season whitetail hunting content featuring big bucks, alpha predators and late season whitetail tactics and strategies to fill a tag.

The December/January issue includes:

  • Massive, Missouri Non-typical
    • Josh Heuser’s incredible Missouri non-typical is featured on North American Whitetail’s cover this month. This 36-point non-typical scores 263 2/8 gross and 254 3/8 net.
    • The Effects of Wolves on WhitetailsAn expanding wolf population in the Upper Midwest is leaving whitetail hunters with the reality of hunting America’s most popular game animal alongside a large predator. Contributor Dan Cole explores this phenomenon and its effect on the region’s hunting culture.
    • Real-World Tactics for the Late Season
      • From conquering the Southern rut to using science to stay warm, North American Whitetail provides readers with the best how-to tactics to use during the late season.

    For more information on subscriptions and content from the North American Whitetail brands, the industry’s leading authority on whitetails, visit: https://www.northamericanwhitetail.com

Hunting

Michigan: DNR Welcomes 12 New Conservation Officers

Class photo: Members of Recruit School #11 pose with academy and executive staff from the Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division on the state Capitol steps Friday in Lansing. In January, the 12 probationary conservation officers – 11 men and one woman – will continue their training by rotating county assignments to receive real-life experience in handling fish, game, recreational safety, general criminal and other situations.

One of the most selective law enforcement academies in the state, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Academy hosted graduation Friday at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing, welcoming 11 men and one woman into the ranks of some of the most highly trained law enforcement professionals in Michigan.

Fifteen candidates initially were selected from nearly 400 applicants to be a part of Recruit School #11 – the DNR’s 23-week training academy that stared July 10. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Nukem Hunting Launches Run and Gun Blind in Mossy Oak Camo

WEST POINT, MS – The patented Nukem Hunting Blind, the first ground blind designed for the mobile hunter, has partnered with Mossy Oak to offer blinds in Bottomland and Obsession patterns. The “Run and Gun” portable hunting blind allows hunters to move quickly and silently through the woods. The Nukem blind weighs less than 4 pounds, is stake-free, and easily folds to eliminate the headache associated with conventional ground blinds. Hunters can set up wherever and whenever with ease and quickness.

“Nukem Hunting Blinds were developed to create a blind like no other on the market for hunters who like to go where the action is. We are ecstatic to have a brand such as Mossy Oak on our blinds so we can offer the best blind in the best patterns for hunters,” said Pat Newcomb, President of Nukem Hunting.

The Nukem portable hunting blinds come in two sizes: one for hunting from the ground and the other to accomodate a chair. The window height adjusts based on the width of the blind, so no matter the age or size, hunters are concealed yet able to see their surroundings. This blind is one-of-a-kind. Read more

Hunting

iAiming Launches iA-317

(Arlington, TX) iAiming, a global leader in smart thermal rifle scopes and creator of First Shot – Auto Zero™ technology, is proud to offer to the US market for the first time the highly anticipated iA-317.

iAiming proudly introduces an all star of its three core products. The iA-317 is a thermal rifle scope in a class of its own with unprecedented technology and a user experience that is unmatched. The iA-317 was designed and developed by Australian based Uniwin Smart PTY LTD and features a globally patented First Shot – Auto Zero™ feature. With just a single shot, this feature is designed to provide an effective, automated sight-in process. iAiming’s artificial intelligence utilizes a single scroll-knob to access the on-board menu system. First Shot – Auto Zero™ technology significantly saves time and ammunition, and is beneficial to both novice shooters and the most skilled marksmen. This innovative technology has greatly improved the products usability and is a revolutionary step in rifle scope development.

Hog hunting has been on the rise in North America for several years now. Hog numbers continue to climb and the feral pig has been named one of North America’s apex predators. They wreak havoc on crops as well as the deer and turkey populations, so it’s no wonder that hog hunting generates more interest in shooting, hunting and gear than any other game animal. For this pursuit as well as many other applications, iAiming now offers the perfect piece of equipment. The aircraft grade aluminum housing used in the iA-317 combines strength, sophistication, and rigidity in a compact, lightweight design. The hard-anodized coating provides an attractive, scratch free, chemical-resistant surface that is easy to maintain. With a resolution of 384×288 and 17?m, the quality and clarity are best in class. All components in the scope, including the battery, are designed in accordance with IP67 standards. High reliability and structural strength ensures flawless function under extreme environmental conditions ranging from -40? to +50?. The fully waterproof design handles all working conditions, even if the thermal weapon sight is exposed to moisture for an extended period. Read more

Hunting, Optics

ESCORT FieldHunter Turkey Shotguns

Rogers, AR – HatsanUSA, the exclusive U.S. distributor of ESCORT Shotguns, is proud to feature the FieldHunter Turkey. Just in time for the 2022 turkey season you can find ESCORT’s well-regarded line of turkey-specific pump-action shotguns ready for the job. Available in three calibers: 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 caliber, the FieldHunter Turkey is tailored with the turkey shooter in mind. These pump-action shotguns are chambered in 3” magnum and will handle both 2 ¾” and 3” loads with ease. The stock and forend are made from a tough, durable synthetic polymer, built to withstand the elements. The extended forend is easy to hold and cycle without the need to extend one’s reach. An aircraft alloy receiver and an oxidation resistant, chrome-plated steel barrel will ensure long service life.

The FieldHunter Turkey is available in two camo patterns: RealTree® Timber and Mossy Oak® BottomLand. Each gun ships with 3 interchangeable chokes suitable for a variety of turkey hunting situations. A 5-inch long cantilever optics rail features 4 cross-slots to accommodate a variety of Weaver mounts. The shotgun is also equipped with bright fiber optic front and rear sights for low-light hunting. The red front fiber is windage adjustable while the rear green fiber sight is both windage and elevation adjustable. Both fibers can be removed entirely to make way for mounted optics. All Hatsan’s barrels are hard chrome-lined for maximum durability and corrosion resistance. Safety is a significant concern for any firearm, so a manual cross-button safety is built in. Mounted sling studs make for easy carry and firing support. Read more

Firearms, Hunting

NWTF Expands Renowned Callmaking Contest

(Photo Credits: Slate and Glass)

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — For the NWTF’s 50-year celebration in Nashville, and henceforth, the prestigious Grand National Custom Callmaking Contest will have a new Wildlife Art Division, as well as a new JAKES category, Pinfeathers, in the Turkey Hunting Division.

“We are beyond excited to broaden our Grand National Custom Callmaking Contest,” said NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter. “Year after year, we are stunned by the level of talent and artistic expertise our call makers bring to the table, not to mention their generous contribution to our mission through their artistic prowess. We can’t wait to see what our collective of artists has been up to over the last year.”

The new Wildlife Art Division will consist of three categories, Carved or Carved and Painted, Two-Dimensional Art and Art/General, intentionally vague to include all artistic mediums. The Best of Show Award will provide the winner from one of the three categories with a $1,000 prize. Read more

Hunting

Hunt in Comfort with the Maverick XL Blind

Pulaski, WI — Maverick Blinds debuted its biggest, most versatile blind yet with the Maverick XL. With a 7-foot diameter, over 6-foot inside height, and generous door opening, the Maverick XL offers plenty of room for gear and even an extra hunting buddy.

This blind has nine side-opening windows on friction hinges allow for 360-degree viewing and shooting with a gun, bow, or crossbow. Maverick’s patented two-piece design makes it easy to set up, and a 2-inch rain guard at the seam guarantees water stays out. A 2-inch bottom flange helps secure the blind to the ground or an elevated platform, while a slide-lock door seal and window seals come standard, the new design also has an overhang above the windows to provide an added layer of protection from the elements.

The rotomolded polyethylene construction is extremely durable, UV-stabilized, and paintable. The Maverick XL is available in black, brown, and green with clear or tinted plexiglass windows.

To learn more about the Maverick XL and browse the full lineup of hard-sided blinds, visit maverickblinds.com. Read more

Hunting
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