Category: Hunting

SneakyHunter Bootlamps: Taking Stealth to a New Level

SALMON, Idaho (Aug. 10, 2020) – SneakyHunter Bootlamps – essentially, headlamps for your feet – eliminate the problem of accidentally spooking game with a headlamp or flashlight, as well as inadvertently temporarily blinding your companions by accidentally shining your light in their eyes. They make navigating rocky, uneven backcountry trails safer and easier. The lights operate using three AAA batteries and have three settings – white, for general hiking; red or optional green, for hiking with a red or green light that will not spook big game animals; and violet, which illuminates a blood trail better than conventional lights.

Hands-free activation is done by simply pushing the button on top with your foot – one click for white, two clicks for red, three clicks for violet. The lid is rated as highly water resistant. The SneakyHunter Bootlamps attach to your boot via an easy-to-use 18-inch long, 1-inch wide elastic cinch strap. The hook and loop strap is placed under your instep, and the two prongs on the front of the unit are slipped under your boot laces, resulting in a slip-proof attachment. The unit is made so that when it is mounted in the proper position, the light will shine where you will be walking.

SneakyHunter Bootlamps are a unique invention, not a knockoff of a product already on the market. They were created after Jim Manroe — a serious big game hunter who got hooked on his passion when his father took him for the first time at age 6 — kept unintentionally spooking elk with his headlamp on the way into his favorite honey hole. “After I spent time reviewing my unsuccessful hunts,” Manroe said. “I realized there were missed opportunities from my headlamp illuminating the eyes of big game, or generally disturbing them with scattered light. I decided I had to figure a way to eliminate that problem.”

Made in the USA, the SneakyHunter Bootlamps hunter version is available at retailers nationwide and conveniently online at www.sneakyhunter.com for a suggested retail price of $59.99 for a pair. They are available in green. To order yours now CLICK HERE. Read more

Hunting

Hank Forester to Share Field to Fork R3 Success at POMA’s Virtual Conference

ATHENS, GA– Hank Forester, Assistant Director of Hunting Heritage Programs for the unified Quality Deer Management Association and National Deer Alliance (QDMA/NDA), will share the success of the Field to Fork adult hunter recruitment program when he speaks at the Professional Outdoor Media Association’s virtual conference on Wednesday, August 12 at 11 a.m. EST.

Forester co-founded Field to Fork as food-based outreach to non-hunters that provides instruction and mentored hunting experiences to adults who are interested in learning how to hunt their own wild, local venison. Piloted in Georgia in 2016, Field to Fork expanded to 25 events in 17 states in 2019. Nearly 80% of participants are continuing to hunt on their own.

Forester will join Jim Curcuruto, Director of Research and Market Development for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), to speak on the importance of engaging new outdoorsmen and women. The role of traditional outdoor media in supporting programs like NSSF’s +ONE Movement and Field to Fork will also be discussed. Discussion will also include ways to build on the initial shooting-sports industry Field to Fork hosted for Ruger and Sig Sauer employees, proving that the industry can lead by example and mentor aspiring hunters within their companies while inspiring their customers to do the same.

POMA pivoted this year to a two-day virtual conference, August 11-12, for members and interested outdoor communicators. For more information and to register, visit www.professionaloutdoormedia.org.

QDMA is a Cornerstone Corporate Partner of POMA and has been since the media organization was formed in 2005. POMA’s mission is to foster excellence in communications at all levels, help members build their businesses, connect media and industry, promote fair and honest communication of the traditional outdoor sports and conservation stories, and mentor the next generation of traditional outdoor sports communicators. Read more

Hunting

Optics and Ethics of Technology

Relative to hunting, the term “fair chase” could be defined in many ways depending on the subjective perspectives of sportsmen and women across the land.  Fortunately, conservation groups such as the Pope and Young Club have already put a lot of thought into hunting ethics as a guide to those that want to do the right thing afield.  Of course, ethics is another conceptual idea that needs boundaries apart from the written law.

With the ever-increasing advent of electronics and all manner of technology being incorporated into hunting gear, it becomes easy to blur the line between what’s fair and what is not.  A new product named the Omega is one such sighting device that uses a mil-dot sight, real-time rangefinder up to 600 yards, and HD Video camera.  All this comes in one neat package that accommodates vertical bows, crossbows, shotguns, rifles, black powder, or even handguns and it comes with all the necessary hardware to mount it accordingly.

The first ethical question should be is it legal in Michigan (or any state that you may hunt)?  In terms of Michigan regulations, since it employs a common mil-dot reticle in its scope, there’s nothing unfair about that aspect of the apparatus.  There is also no rule against recording a hunt with a camera, nor are rangefinders prohibited.

The Omega addresses an issue I’ve had with my crossbow since the day I began using it:  ranging an animal with a separate rangefinder.  To do so, requires movement on the part of the hunter – a distinct disadvantage to taking game.  While today’s fast bows minimize rainbow trajectory, crossbows – especially lower velocity models like mine – are problematic.  Compared to typical, conventional vertical bows, the crossbows ‘ arrows/bolts shed velocity faster than vertical bows’ projectiles when weight for weight is equal.  That means a slight miscalculation in distance to the target could mean a miss or worse yet, wounding an animal.  Nobody wants that.

Digging deeper into the ethics questions, a position statement from the Pope and Young Club may help.  The Pope and Young Club is a non-profit North American conservation and bowhunting organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of bowhunting by striving to increase awareness and appreciation of bowhunting foundations, principles, and values. The Pope and Young Club is focused on Fair Chase hunting ethics that support the ethical pursuit of free-ranging, wild game animals without unfair advantage, while promoting the conservation of both habitat and wildlife. (The Club also maintains the universally recognized repository of records and statistics on North American big game animals harvested with a bow and arrow.)

Before taking any shot, it is paramount for any sportsman to consider if the shot will result in a humane kill.  If not, it may be legal but certainly is not ethical, and in my book that makes it unfair.

Therefore, the Omega sight checks the boxes of fairness and if $400 fits into one’s budget, it may be worth investigation.  Manufactured by Lil Bow Peep, LLC, of Medina, Ohio, information and purchase information is available at www.omegasights.com.

Archery, Firearms, Hunting

POMA Hires New Executive Director

Johnstown, PA The Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) has hired Thomas MacAulay, former Marketing Director of BPI to lead the organization as its new Executive Director. Thomas will take the helm of the organization on August 11, 2020.

Tony Bynum, President of the Board of Directors said, “I’m super excited to have Thomas on board. Thomas’s availability came at the right time. We had a vacancy and went through a dozen interviews. Thomas was the last person interviewed. His passion and commitment to working with people, along with his financial and business management background really sealed it for us. He [Thomas] had a plan for POMA coming into the interview and his passion and desire to make this organization grow really came through.”

Tony Smotherman, a current board member, worked with Thomas at BPI Outdoors and assured the Board that it made the right choice in bringing him on.

Thomas has some big shoes to fill – literally and figuratively. Thomas is the third Executive Director of POMA and replaces the most recently departed, Kevin Orthman. Orthman helped build a solid brand making POMA the premier national outdoor media organization for the traditional hook and bullet community. Kevin recently left POMA to pursue other life goals with his family.

About POMA:

POMA works with its media members and Corporate Partners to foster excellence in communications at all levels. POMA helps its members build their businesses, connects media and industry, promotes fair and honest communication, and mentors the next generation of outdoor sports communicators. www.professionaloutdoormedia.org

For further information contact:

Tony Bynum, Board President

board@professionaloutdoormedia.org

Fishing, Hunting

Michigan Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo Canceled for 2020

LANSING, Mich. — As a result of the escalation of COVID-19, Michigan Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo, Bonnier Events has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo presented by Suzuki KingQuad, scheduled for August 14-16 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, MI.

We are cancelling due to our concerns over the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state of Michigan. The safety and health of our Exhibitors, Attendees and Employees is paramount to us and we don’t feel as though moving forward at this time is the correct thing to do.

Save the date, as next year’s Michigan Expo is scheduled for March 12-14, 2021.

The staff of the Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo presented by Suzuki KingQuad appreciates your patience and support as we work through this unprecedented situation. We look forward to seeing you in 2021.

For more information on the Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo presented by Suzuki KingQuad, visit www.fieldandstreamexpo.com.

Fishing, Hunting

Hunter Safety Systems Introduces the Shadow

DANVILLE, Ala. (August 3, 2020) — Known for its premium line of treestand harnesses, Hunter Safety System is now entering into a new price-point category with the introduction of its Shadow harness. This new harness is the latest in affordable treestand safety. Simple by design yet comfortable and extremely rugged, the Shadow is a great harness at an incredible value, priced at just $49.99.

At a mere 27 oz., the new Shadow is the lightest harness in the Hunter Safety System line. Like all Hunter Safety System harnesses, the Shadow features a comfortable fit design and tactical release buckles so that it goes on easy and has no dangling straps or weave-through buckles. It can be worn over lightweight clothes or underneath cold weather gear for all season use. Whether you are a seasoned hunter or just entering the market, the Shadow is a great harness.

“The Shadow harness is our most economical harness, but it still retains the quality customers have come to expect from Hunter Safety System,” said Joe Laseter, sales manager. “We believe it is the best harness available at this price point.” Read more

General, Hunting

Pope and Young Defines Use of Cellualar Trail Cams

Chatfield, MN – The Pope and Young Club, historically, has not viewed the use of trail cameras as a violation of the Rules of Fair Chase. With the invention of wireless trail cameras and other devices that can send real-time data to a hunter, all hunters need to consider how the use of these devices may affect fair-chase. While the use of a wireless trail camera is not automatically a violation of the Rules of Fair-Chase, using this technology to deliver real-time location data of the animal being hunted, would be a violation of the Rules of Fair Chase #7.

“After numerous phone calls and emails asking for clarification on the use of cellular trail cameras and other transmitting technology,” said Roy Grace, Records Chair for the Pope and Young Club. “The Pope and Young Records Committee, with assistance from the Boone and Crockett Records Committee, jointly created a policy that should provide hunters with a greater understanding of how this technology can be used in a manner that still provides Fair-Chase.”

For clarification, receiving a wireless image (photo, video, GPS coordinate, etc.), which elicits an immediate (real-time) response, guiding the hunter to the animal would be considered a violation of the Rules of Fair-Chase. This would prohibit that animal from being eligible for entry into the Pope and Young Club’s Records Program. Fair-Chase is defined as the ethical, sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit of free-ranging wild game animals that does not give the hunter an improper or unfair advantage over the animal. Read more

Hunting

Michigan: Learn to Wing Shoot with August 20 Class

Have you ever wanted to learn to wing shoot? Then this class is for you – come join the fun!

You will learn the basic skills of holding and shooting a gun at a moving target. No shotgun experience is necessary. Shotgun and ammunition will be provided, or you can bring your own shotgun.

Registration is $20. Class size is limited to 15 students. You must be 18 or older to attend. Frankenmuth Conservation Club is located at 8415 E. Curtis Road in Frankenmuth.

For more information or to register, contact Bill Fischer at 989-395-5945 or FischerW@Charter.net.

Participants should bring their own eye and ear protection. Although this is an outdoor program and proper social distancing of at least 6 feet is required, participants still are encouraged to wear face coverings as an added precaution.

Firearms, Hunting

Great American Spending Agreement

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

It has been termed a win for public lands, as the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Great American Outdoors Act with a 310-107 vote.  The Senate passed the bill in a 73-25 vote on June 17, with a broadly bipartisan group on the yeas and an entirely Republican group on the nays.  With gleeful exuberance Republicans and Democrats have finally agreed on something:  more spending.  Yippee!  President Trump is poised to seal the deal when he signs a bill to amend title 54 of the U.S. Code.

The bill is to establish, fund, and provide for the use of amounts in a National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to address the maintenance backlog of the National Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Indian Education, and to provide permanent, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and for other purposes.

The Act will provide $9.5 billion over five years to address the crumbling infrastructure on America’s public lands and waters, with $6.5 billion in funding going to the National Park Service and an additional $3 billion in funding to repair and maintain infrastructure on public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Forest Service. These funds will be used to repair roads, build trails, and improve access for hunting and fishing on public lands and waters across the country.

The Act will also provide full and permanent funding – $900 million annually – for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF was established by Congress in 1964 to support conservation efforts across the country by purchasing land, implementing easements, and leveraging funding through various federal, local, and state partners. The LWCF has funded almost 50,000 projects to date, spanning nearly every county in America, from vast National Forests to small, local parks. Ensuring full and permanent funding for future land acquisition efforts will continue to make immediate impacts on wildlife conservation efforts and increase access for hunting and fishing across the country.

Said Representative Michael Simpson (R – Idaho),  “Not only does this bill support hundreds of thousands of jobs, but it protects and maintains our public lands for generations that aren’t even born yet.”

It all sounds so promising but it also portends something else for “generations that aren’t even born yet”:  more debt.  Yet, nobody ever wants to address this most precarious  sword of Damocles.

Consider the following reality in terms of what we owe.  In year 2020 the interest on our national debt is projected to be $376,000,000,000. And, that’s 7.8 percent of the national budget.  By year 2026, which does not take into account any COVID 19 costs, the interest on the debt will be $543,000,000,000 and whopping 9.6 percent of the budget.

And, that’s just the interest!  And, that just plain incomprehensible, when one stops to consider that one billion is one thousand million.

And, here we all are enjoying the fruits, much like the Emerald Ash Borer has enjoyed our once-prolific hardwood trees’ succulent juices beneath the bark.  Of course, the operative words are “once-prolific.”

So, let us rub our collective hands together.  Just don’t look up.

Fishing, General, Hunting
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