AFB, Utah Farm Bureau File Brief Supporting Ranchers’ Access to Public Lands

WASHINGTON – The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the state of Utah and San Juan County (Utah), last week filed a brief in support of President Donald Trump’s December 2017 proclamations decreasing the size of the Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument and the Bears Ears National Monument.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the brief backs the federal government’s request to dismiss a series of consolidated cases filed against President Trump’s declarations.

The brief explains how changes made by the proclamations will protect ranchers’ livelihoods by enhancing their ability to graze livestock in and around the monuments. “Plaintiffs’ claims, if granted, would significantly jeopardize the Farm Bureaus’ members who ranch in the area under the authority of multiple federal laws and regulations, just as their ancestors have done for generations over the last 150 years,” the groups wrote.

They emphasized that, contrary to the plaintiffs’ assertions, President Trump was authorized to take such action under the Antiquities Act and that presidents before him had made similar modifications to national monuments on at least 18 separate occasions.

“The Act does not contain any limitations to a President’s ability to modify the area of land reserved for an existing monument should it be determined that the area reserved is not consistent with the Antiquities Act’s limited reservation authority.”

Indeed, there is no legal precedent for limiting Trump’s authority to make such modifications. Instead, the Supreme Court, federal circuit courts and federal district courts have uniformly supported broad presidential authority under the Antiquities Act, the groups wrote in the brief.

Nor has Congress ever passed a law in response to a presidential declaration modifying a national monument. In fact, the two times in which Congress has responded to a national monument proclamation both related to the establishment of national monuments, not modifications to already established monuments.
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Wildlife

2019 lake trout regulations to change in Grand Traverse Bay

Because the 2018 harvest limit for lake trout in Grand Traverse Bay was exceeded, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking at some regulation changes for 2019. Before any changes are proposed to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, which has the authority for establishing most regulations, the DNR is inviting the public to learn about options during a meeting Wednesday, March 6, 6 to 8 p.m. at the DNR Customer Service Center in Traverse City, 2122 South M-37.

Each year, lake trout harvest limits in 1836 Treaty-ceded waters are determined by the treaty tribes, the United States and the state of Michigan. Last year, the state recreational harvest in Grand Traverse Bay (known as the Lake Trout Management Unit MM-4) reached 93,000 pounds – exceeding the set total allowable catch of 77,200 pounds.

“When either the state or the tribes exceed harvest limits by more than 15 percent, there is a penalty the following season,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. “Under this scenario, recreational anglers on Grand Traverse Bay this year will be required to reduce their catch by nearly 32,000 pounds.”
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Fishing

Michigan Master Angler program has some new rules for 2019

Anyone hoping to submit a catch to the DNR’s Master Angler program – which each year recognizes the largest fish of several dozen species – will want to pay close attention to the 2019 application.

A few new rules have been added to the program for 2019, including:

  • No more than one entry for fish of the exact same size will be accepted for each species. (For example, if you catch two 10-inch bluegills, submit just one.)
  • Each entry must include at least one photo showing the fish being measured. Color photos of the entire fish are required, too; entries received without color photos will not be accepted.

“The DNR’s Master Angler program has more than tripled in popularity in the last five years,” said Lynne Thoma, the program’s administrator. “We want to recognize as many anglers as possible for their fishing accomplishments, while retaining the integrity of this program. We feel these new rules will help us do that.”
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Fishing

TrueTimber® Strata Featured on All-New Killer Instinct® FURIOUS™ PRO 9.5 Crossbow

INMAN, S.C. – February 20, 2019 – TrueTimber Strata, the company’s most popular all-season camouflage pattern, is now featured on the brand-new Killer Instinct FURIOUS PRO 9.5 crossbow. Unveiled at the Archery Trade Association (ATA) Trade Show in January, the new-for-2019 FURIOUS PRO 9.5 helps customers dominate the woods thanks to a long list of premium features, low-profile design and coveted Strata pattern.
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Archery

Century Arms Lifetime Warranty for VSKA Rifle

DELRAY BEACH, Florida — Century Arms, North America’s premier AK manufacturer, is proud to announce their new heavy duty AK rifle, the VSKA, is now backed with a Lifetime Warranty.

Announced in October 2018, the 2019 VSKA (vis-kuh) from Century Arms represents the latest in an American-built AK rifle. Critical components are machined from S7 tool steel, including the bolt carrier, front trunnion and feed ramp, all heat-treated for maximum durability. S7, often referred to as a “Shock-Resisting Tool Steel,” is commonly used for tools like chisels and jackhammer tips as it has maximum shock resistance and high compression strength, while retaining toughness. The front trunnion and bolt are machined from billet and exceeded the durability goals for the project. Additionally, the VSKA features a nitro-carburized 4140 steel bolt, a chrome-moly 4150 barrel, and sports the RAK-1 Enhanced Trigger Group for an impressive trigger pull. Along with a magnesium-phosphate finish, Century adds a little style to the heavy-duty brute with an American Maple wood buttstock and forend.

Each VSKA ships with one 30-round standard-capacity magazine and has an MSRP of $735.95.
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Firearms

Long-Range Shooting and the Ballistic Edge

Gainesville, GA – If you are serious about improving your long-range shooting abilities-and we know you are!

You need to incorporate the Ballistic Edge into your long-range shooting.

What is the Ballistic Edge?

It starts with the world-renowned JBM ballistic engine which calculates all Ballistic’s shooting solutions. No wonder Ballistic is used by competition shooters, long-range hunters, and the military to deliver the most precise calculations possible.

The Ballistic Edge is further enhanced by the data in the huge Ballistic Library, home to over 5,400 projectiles and factory loads. The Library is updated regularly to include new offerings.

The Library and the JBM ballistics engine go to work the second a shooter begins to build his or her own Ballistic Bullet Profile. That Profile contains the basic inputs–including the manufacturer’s ballistic coefficient and bullet weight, sight height, and muzzle velocity, to name just a few-plus the all-important atmospheric conditions.
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Firearms

Savage Redesigns AXIS

Savage Redesigns AXIS with New Performance Features

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts ––

Savage’s groundbreaking AXIS rifle has a new look and design for better performance. Shipments of these firearms have been delivered to dealers.

When the AXIS was introduced, it totally changed what hunters should expect from an entry-level rifle. The redesigned AXIS is even better. In addition to a fresh look with improved ergonomics, it’s loaded with features that deliver Savage’s legendary accuracy, including thread-in headspacing, button rifling and a floating bolt head. The AXIS is offered in the complete spectrum of popular hunting calibers, in full-size, compact and left-hand models.

Features

  • Rugged synthetic stock with new ergonomic design
  • Sporter barrel contour
  • Carbon steel barreled action with matte black finish
  • Detachable box magazine
  • Also available in left hand and compact models
  • Weaver-style two-piece bases
  • Recoil pad

The available model list below also includes the AXIS left-hand and compact stock options.
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Firearms

Michigan: learn new outdoor skills from the experts February-June

What began with a handful of classes at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac, Michigan, has evolved into a statewide opportunity for in-depth learning about a variety of outdoor topics – from fly fishing to food plots to photography.

About 300 students participated in the DNR’s Outdoor Skills Academy during its first year in 2014. By 2018 that number had nearly doubled to almost 600 participants.

“Our classes offer more than just a brief taste of outdoor activities – we spend a full day or more teaching the needed skills to get out and try those activities,” said Ed Shaw, interpreter at the Carl T. Johnson Center and originator of the Outdoor Skills Academy. “We provide gear, hands-on experience and expert instructors.”

These instructors – also known as “pro staff” – are knowledgeable and proficient in the outdoor pursuits they teach. Among the upcoming classes, for example, are a whitetail food plot and habitat management clinic with staff from Killer Food Plots, a class on attracting butterflies with native plants taught by naturalist Craig Elston of CDE Nature, a walleye fishing clinic with professional anglers and a wildflower photography workshop by world-renowned photographer Tom Haxby.
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Fishing, Hunting

Walther Introduces “Shoot It. Love It. Buy It.” Program

Walther has introduced an innovative program that shows how confident they are in their flagship model, the PPQ series of handguns. This program is called Shoot It. Love It. Buy It.

There are essentially two parts to this program.

First, a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee. Wherever you decide to buy a new PPQ, online or in-store, it is covered with this guarantee. If you don’t love it within 30 days, visit ShootItLoveItBuyIt.com and go through the “return your gun” process. Walther will provide the shipping label to have it sent back. Once received at Walther and inspected, they will issue a check for full reimbursement of what the buyer paid for the PPQ. Including tax.

Second, a Try Before You Buy. At select dealers across the United States, which are listed on their website, you can take home a PPQ for 30 days with no money down. All you need to do is visit ShootItLoveItBuyIt.com and apply for a voucher. When you apply for a voucher, Walther will pre-authorize your card for $1000.00. This is not a charge, only to make sure you have a valid card. Once this happens, you will be emailed a voucher number. Take the voucher number to the closest participating dealer near you, pick out the model PPQ you want to try out, and give the dealer the voucher number. You will still need to fill out the standard 4473 background check paperwork. Once completed, you can take home the PPQ and shoot it as much as you like! If you love the PPQ, you will automatically be charged the dealers sales price 30 days from purchase. If you don’t love it, return the gun back to Walther through the ShootItLoveItBuyIt.com portal and your card will not be charged.
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Firearms

GECO Personal Defense Ammunition

Tampa, FL – GECO has announced the release of two new lines of personal defense ammunition: RED ZONE and ACTION EXTREME. Each of these new lines embody the required features and standards of modern defensive ammunition, including excellent deformation with deep penetration and high residual mass. By meeting these demands, GECO has ensured that RED ZONE and ACTION EXTREME can be trusted and relied upon for personal defense.

GECO RED ZONE 9mm is the ultimate personal defense cartridge. Featuring aggressive terminal performance and a very low risk of over penetration, RED ZONE ensures that each round delivers devastating expansion and on-point accuracy. Optimized for maximum performance when fired out of short-barreled 9mm pistols, RED ZONE is a superior option for concealed carry pistols and home defense firearms.
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Ammunition
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