Partnership between states bolsters ongoing restoration project
RAYMOND WILDLIFE AREA — For the first time in more than 150 years, elk are leaving their hoofprints on West Virginia soil.
On March 3, dozens of elk that were captured and quarantined in January east of Flagstaff were loaded into a livestock trailer and transportednonstop to a release site in the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area in southwest West Virginia.
Volunteers needed to spotlight endangered black-footed ferrets
Survey results shine light on recovery effort in Aubrey Valley, on Double O Ranch
SELIGMAN, Ariz. — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking volunteers to assist with spotlighting efforts to help document the population of endangered black-footed ferrets in Aubrey Valley and on the Double O Ranch near Seligman. Read more
Tampa, FL – B&T introduces a revolutionary enhancement for a revolutionary pistol, with the new USW-320 Universal Service Weapon Upgrade Chassis. This simple to install upgrade quickly converts the SIG SAUER P320 and US Army M17 service pistol into the Universal Service Weapon configuration complete with folding stock for added stability.
“SIG’s P320 striker-fired pistol is unique in that it gives the user complete modularity by allowing him or her to change frame size, fit and even caliber by simply swapping out the serialized trigger group,” explains Jon Scott, VP of Sales at B&T USA. “The USW-320 builds on this modularity by providing a chassis that adds the stability of a folding stock along with ambi controls and an integrated Picatinny/NAR accessory rail.” Read more
Real Avid introduces the new Spot Light Precision Cleaning Kit, a tool that has a built-in light to help you see the carbon and dirt your missing while cleaning firearm components. Read more
FAIRFAX, Va. – The National Rifle Association today announced that it has filed a lawsuit challenging the State of Florida’s newly-enacted ban on the purchase of firearms by young adults between the ages of 18-21.
Florida’s ban is an affront to the Second Amendment, as it totally eviscerates the right of law-abiding adults between the ages of 18 and 21 to keep and bear arms. The ban is particularly offensive with respect to young women, as women between the ages of 18 and 21 are much less likely to engage in violent crime than older members of the general population who are unaffected by the ban. Despite this fact, the State of Florida has enacted a sweeping law banning all young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 from purchasing any firearm from any source. Chris Cox, the Executive Director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, stated, “Swift action is needed to prevent young adults in Florida from being treated as second-class citizens when it comes to the right to keep and bear arms.
We are confident that the courts will vindicate our view that Florida’s ban is a blatant violation of the Second Amendment.” The case is National Rifle Association of America, Inc. v. Bondi, and it has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Read more
Thom Dammrich, NMMA President, reiterated the recreational boating industry’s concerns following President Trump’s formal announcement yesterday of new tariffs on steel imports (a 25 percent tariff) and aluminum imports (a 10 percent tariff) – releasing the following statement:
“The Administration’s short-sighted decision to implement new tariffs is meant to fulfill a campaign promise rather than support robust, pro-growth trade policy. This action will hurt countless manufacturers and uniquely American industries like ours that support 650,000 American jobs and $37 billion in sales each year. 95% of all boats sold in America are made in America.
“The recreational boating industry is disheartened that the Administration has chosen to ignore the warnings from American manufacturers, Members of Congress, and aluminum producers alike. Today’s action threatens the livelihood of Americans in aluminum and steel using industries. The President has chosen 150,000 workers in the steel and aluminum industry over the 6.5 million workers in user industries. Read more
Travel farther, faster, and with less impact using one of QuietKat’s FatKat Mountain bikes or trikes.
Colorado based electric bike company QuietKat’s mission is to go above and beyond the standard electric bikes to provide its customers with the ultimate hunting and outdoor recreation machine. The tough, overbuilt design gives users access to deep terrain while minimizing scent trails and noise pollution, allowing them to get closer to game without disturbing the environment. The folding models are ideal for portable transport in all outdoor applications and are a great tool for boating and camping.
QuietKat is running a 2018 sweepstakes to win a cutting edge QuietKat Rover equipped with a 750w hub motor, single-speed gearing, and rigid front fork. There is no purchase necessary to win. From now until the end of the year, visit their website and Facebook for multiple ways to enter. Read more
OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – – Bushnell, an industry leader in high-performance sport optics, announces the release of a new Bushnell Ballistics App powered by the proven and powerful Applied Ballistics Ultralite Engine.
The new Bushnell Ballistics App is a companion app to use with Bushnell riflescopes to calculate firing solutions for ammunition and rifle combinations. The app allows users to use current atmospheric data and AB Laboratory bullet data to calculate the hold-overs needed to make precise shooting solutions. Read more
The sights and sounds of spring are upon us, no matter what Punxsutawney Phil has indicated. Back are the sandhill cranes, redwing blackbirds and others such as the robins – all of which must wonder the efficacy of the early-bird adage of getting the proverbial worm. No doubt Old Man Winter’s not done with us yet.
Regardless, some of our most resilient, non-migratory game birds – the wild turkeys – are just as anxious to bid farewell to the persistent snow, as they get in gear for their annual mating rituals in the coming weeks. It’s easy for us humans to forget, as we man the snow shovels week after week, but the early spring hunting season begins in about a month – ready or not.
Here are a few suggestions to pass the time for those with visions of drumsticks dancing in their heads.
·There are about as many turkey calls as turkey hunters themselves and now’s the time to see how they’ve held up. Box calls may need a bit of light sanding on the friction surfaces, along with some chalking to finish the job. Pot calls such as slate or glass may need similar attention such as light sanding of the surfaces including that of the striker. Diaphragm calls can get funky, too, and rather than mess with old ones, they’re inexpensive enough to simply replace; just don’t forget to sing a few practice tunes with them before heading afield.
·Check the function of shotguns – especially if they’ve seen use from last season during upland game or wildfowl seasons.
·Patterning the smoothbores should also be on the checklist. Most turkey loads pack a wallop at both ends – downrange and squarely on the shoulder. Consider using light target shells, if you are concerned about your point of aim; they are inexpensive and are less likely to produce the dreaded flinch. Once you get on target, it’s time for the serious stuff.
·If you’ve yet to select any particular brand of shotshells, I’ve yet to find a better one for the money than Winchester’s Long Beard XR shells. They come in 12 and 20-gauge configurations and pattern better than shells costing much more. Although XR stands for extended range, make sure to limit shots to a distance whereby the pattern is tight enough to produce about 10 pellets in the head and neck region of the turkey. If you don’t have store-bought turkey targets, make your own.
·Camo gloves, facemasks and insect repellant should be packed. Forgetting any one of these essentials can spoil a hunt.
·Decoys are big business but they don’t have to be expensive. I’ve had the same old rubber hen for years and that’s all I’ve ever used. Although many decoying theories prevail, I’ve never found any need for elaborate setups. But, if you are a run-and-gun hunter, a turkey fan-tail decoy can provide cover and deception.
·Finally, if you are taking a youngster along, strongly consider a portable blind. It can keep hunters dry, while concealing inevitable movement from within. And, unlike whitetail deer, turkeys pay no attention to them – even if you’ve set them up immediately before turkeys are present.
