Food Plots Lead the Way Among Hunter Land Management Practices

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. —While roughly three out of 10 surveyed hunters are actually involved in managing or attracting wildlife on the land where they hunt, of those who do, more than 80 percent of their efforts are spent on creating food plots. In fact, the HunterSurvey.comsurvey conducted by Southwick Associates found that food plots were the leading practice by nearly double most other practices.

Following are the top five management practices as revealed by the survey:
Food plots 81 percent
Mineral sites 49 percent
Timber management 45 percent
Plant management 42 percent
Feeders 39 percent
Other practices measured included creating man-made water sources (17 percent), controlled burns (15 percent), maintaining water level or flow (11 percent) and other (6 percent).

The survey also examined the interaction of hunters around their feeding sites. Of those hunters who do use feeders (where legal) to enhance opportunities, 86 percent monitor those sites with trail cameras, 67 percent of them do so year-round, 33 percent run feeders year-round, and 83 percent hunt over them or near them.

“This survey shows that food plots and other means of attracting and holding game in an area or on a particular property are important management tools among a third of today’s hunters,” says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.

To help continually improve, protect and advance hunting, shooting and other outdoor recreation, all sportsmen and sportswomen are encouraged to participate in the bi-monthly surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and/or AnglerSurvey.com. Every other month, participants who complete the surveys are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.

Wildlife

Biologists Set To Begin Grizzly Bear Trapping For Research Purposes In The Custer Gallatin National Forest

Public Reminded To Heed Warning Signs

BOZEMAN – As part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, the U.S. Geological Survey is working to inform the public that pre-baiting and scientific trapping operations are about to begin within the Hebgen Lake drainage basin in the Hebgen Lake Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana. Biologists, with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST), will begin work in the area beginning July 15th and will continue through August 31st. Trapping operations can include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with warning signs. It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs.

Monitoring of grizzly bear distribution and other activities are vital to ongoing recovery of grizzlies in the Yellowstone Ecosystem. In order to attract bears, biologists utilize natural food sources such as fresh road–killed deer and elk. Potential trapping sites are baited with these natural foods and if indications are that grizzly bears are in the area, culvert traps or foot snares will be used to capture the bears. Once trapped, the bears are handled in accordance with strict protocols developed by the IGBST.

Whenever bear trapping activities are being conducted for scientific purposes, the area around the site will be posted with bright warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. These signs are posted along the major access points to the trapping site. It is important that the public heed these signs and do not venture into an area that has been posted. For more information regarding grizzly bear trapping efforts call the IGBST hotline at 406-994-6675.

Wildlife

Barrett Takes 2nd in the 2017 King of 2 Miles


Team Barrett preparing for final course of fire (7° inclination)


Team Barrett wind coaching for Team Cutting Edge

(Raton, NM) Barrett Firearms walked away with a 2nd place finish at the 2017 King of 2 Miles (Ko2M) shooting a stock Barrett Model 99 chambered in .416 Barrett. Shooter Ronnie Wright was named “Prince” of The 2 Mile displaying Barrett Firearms ability to deliver precision fire on Extended Long Range (ELR) targets from a production rifle. Barrett is proud of its ability to manufacture stock precision rifles while having an individual place in the top 3 shooters at the Ko2M, and humbled by the world record holders in attendance and impressive equipment used. Barrett Firearms would also like to congratulate Derik Rogers and the Applied Ballistics team for their first place finish and all the hard work devoted to advancing the ELR community.

The King of 2 Miles is a competition designed for extended long-range target engagement. King of 2 miles was founded in 2015 and each year more shooters are making hits at longer distances. In the years since its inauguration there as been an influx of shooters and industry advancements making it possible to do what seemed impossible only a few years ago. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing would like to thank the King of 2 Miles, shooters and industry partners who strive to support and improve this fast growing sport. Read more

Firearms

Stevens Unveils New 301 Single-Shot Shotgun

SUFFIELD, CT – Stevens by Savage Arms is pleased to offer practical hunters more performance from the trusted single-shot, break-action shotgun platform with the rugged and reliable new Stevens 301. Shipments of these firearms are currently being delivered to dealers.

The Stevens 301 features a crisp, reliable break action and rugged, modern synthetic stock that withstands even brutal abuse afield. It is available in .410, as well as 12- and 20-gauge models.

Features & Benefits
• Single-shot shotgun
• Break action
• Standard and compact models available
• Rugged synthetic stock

Part No. / Description / MSRP
22557 / 301 Single Shot, 12-gauge, 26-inch barrel / $173
22558 / 301 Single Shot, 20-gauge, 26-inch barrel / $173
22559 / 301 Single Shot Compact, 20-gauge, 22-inch barrel / $173
19201 / 301 Single Shot, .410, 26-inch barrel / $173
19202 / 301 Single Shot Compact, .410, 22-inch barrel / $173

Stevens by Savage Arms is a brand of Vista Outdoor Inc., an outdoor sports and recreation company. To learn more about Savage Arms, visit www.savagearms.com.

Firearms

Bovine tuberculosis – a disease still worth fighting


DNR continues to work to eradicate bovine TB; help neededMichigan Department of Natural Resources
After more than two decades of study and testing white-tailed deer for bovine tuberculosis, Michigan has become world-renowned for its research and expertise on managing this serious contagious disease.

Over this time, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife managers have learned a great deal, including that continued assistance from hunters and others remains vitally necessary to make significant gains in battling bovine tuberculosis into the future.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease caused by certain bacteria that attack the respiratory system of animals and humans.

There are several types of tuberculosis, but bovine tuberculosis (bTB) can infect the widest variety of animals and is what wildlife managers have been trying to eradicate from white-tailed deer in Michigan.

“Michigan is one of the leading experts in management and information related to bTB,” said Kelly Straka, DNR state wildlife veterinarian. “We are the only state in nation that has bTB established in wild deer.”

Although originating and typically occurring in cattle, bTB can infect nearly any mammal, including humans. Bovine TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), which is part of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Read more

Wildlife

Walther Arms the 5″ PPQ M2 Standard Slide

At the request of specific Law Enforcement users, Walther Arms is proud to release a 5″ PPQ M2 Standard slide model suited for duty use. The new 5″ model does not have any ports in the slide. With greater interest from LE and Military customers, their preference is to have a solid slide to minimize points of entry for foreign objects to enter the firearm. All other aspects of the pistol are unchanged. The part number for the new 5″ PPQ M2 Standard is 2813734 and there is also a 10-round version available, part number 2813735.

“Even though this is a relatively minor change, Walther is excited to take feedback from our customers and incorporate it into our products. The PPQ line continues to grow as the best striker fired polymer pistol with the best grip and trigger on the market” said Luke Thorkildsen Walther Arms VP of Marketing and Product Development. Read more

Firearms

NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks for June 2017

The June 2017 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,016,213 is a decrease of 10.9 percent compared to the June 2016 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,140,088. For comparison, the unadjusted June 2017 FBI NICS figure 1,888,266 reflects an 11.1 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,123,334 in June 2016.

The second quarter 2017 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 3,116,282 is a decrease of 2.0 percent over the 3,179,825 figure for second quarter 2016.

The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks and permit rechecks used by several states such as Connecticut, Illinois, and Utah for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. NSSF started subtracting permit rechecks in February 2016.

Though not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide an additional picture of current market conditions. In addition to other purposes, NICS is used to check transactions for sales or transfers of new or used firearms. FBI NICS and NSSF-adjusted NICS figures do not account for firearm sales using approved alternate permits such as a concealed carry license. Several states allow the use of such alternate permits. It should be noted that these statistics represent the number of firearm background checks initiated through the NICS. They do not represent the number of firearms sold or sales dollars. Based on varying state laws, local market conditions and purchase scenarios, a one-to-one correlation cannot be made between a firearm background check and a firearm sale. Read more

Firearms

New Costa VIP Pistol from STI International


STI International has teamed up with self-defense and weapons training expert Chris Costa to design the new Costa series of pistols.Specially designed and built for the discerning concealed carry market, the new Costa VIP pistol features a shortened stippled grip, 4.15-inch bull barrel, low profile Tritium front sight with a fixed ledge rear and a Picatinny under-rail for mounting a light or other accessories.

The Diamond Like Carbon black finish on metal parts and the black TreeBark stippled VIP length grip helps ensure added concealment. The 2011® platform provides higher round capacity for more firepower when it is needed the most. The Modular design of the 2011 transfers recoil along a flatter plain for better control and faster follow up shots. The STI Recoil Master spring system reduces recoil allowing shooters to stay on target. The gun comes equipped with two 120mm magazines.

The Costa VIP sells for a suggested retail price of $2,599.

For more information, please visit www.stiguns.com or e-mail marketing@stiguns.com.

Firearms

Cabela’s Shareholders to Vote Next Week on BPS Merger

With federal regulators apparently satisfied with the proposed merger of Cabela’s (CAB) and Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s shareholders are now scheduled to vote next Tuesday, July 11 to move forward with the transitions. The original sale priced the transaction at $5.5 billion, but was amended after delays, sitting now at $61.50/share, down $4 from the original price, but still at a premium to the current share price trading range.
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