Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
WEST POINT, MS – Recent advances in hunting gear and apparel technology have created a new solution to the timeless problem hunters experience: extremely cold temperatures.
Heated clothing is quickly becoming a popular tool for hunters to use because, having on-demand control to instant heat increases hunter comfort, enabling the hunter to endure cold temperatures longer and spend more time in the woods. Read more
This spring and summer, the DNR and several partners released more than 12,000 juvenile lake sturgeon in public waters, part of an effort to rehabilitate this culturally significant fish species. This year’s total is twice the number stocked in 2017. Read more
After a 15-year hiatus, largemouth bass virus has re-emerged in a new northern Lower Peninsula water. This virus has been confirmed as a factor in a fish kill in Cedar Lake in Alcona and Iosco counties, Michigan, with additional lakes in the area being examined. This virus previously affected adult largemouth bass in the early 2000s in southern Michigan lakes.
Largemouth bass virus is one of more than 100 naturally occurring viruses that affect fish and is closely related to viruses found in frogs and other amphibians. Its origin and how it is spread are unknown, but anglers are considered a likely path for transmitting the virus through the movement of live, infected fish from one water to another, or by using contaminated and uncleaned gear or boats in uninfected waters. LMBV is not known to infect humans, and infected fish are safe to eat – as long as the fish is thoroughly cooked.
LMBV usually causes fish kills during periods when fish are most stressed. Potential stressors include very hot weather, intensive recreational fishing, and possibly aquatic weed or other treatments made during hot weather. Anything that can be done to minimize stress on fish will reduce the effects of this virus and subsequent fish deaths. Read more
GREELEY, Colo. — Hunters and shooters can gain great savings on several Burris optics through five limited time fall promotions covering some of the most popular optics in the Burris lineup. Promotional incentives range from a $100 rebate with the purchase of an Eliminator to a free Fullfield II, Fullfield E1 or FastFireTM III 3-MOA with the purchase of select optics.
Purchase a Burris Eliminator 4-16×50 riflescope by December 31, 2018, and receive a $100 rebate from Burris. The Eliminator is the most innovative and effective hunting riflescope in the world; combining outstanding optics, pinpoint laser ranging out to 1,200-plus yard and push-button automatic trajectory compensation across virtually all rim-fire, center-fire and muzzleloader rifles and ammunition.
Buyers of the popular Burris Fullfield E1 will receive a free Fullfield II 3-9×40 Ballistic Plex reticle riflescope — a $239 value. The Fullfield II™ is one of the most recognized and awarded scopes in the shooting and hunting industry. This offer ends November 30, 2018. Both optics are available in a special bundle package at participating Burris retailers. Read more
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., has announced its new SX-5 Santiam HD 27-55x80mm Spotting Scope. Designed with the most diehard hunters and shooters in mind, the SX-5 Santiam HD will be available in both a straight and angled model and is built to redefine top-tier spotting scopes.
A generous eyepiece means premium edge-to-edge clarity and unmatched sharpness and definition, while fully-multicoated lens coatings eliminate color aberration and distortion throughout the entirety of the magnification range. A rugged, lightweight armor and DiamondCoat 2 and Guard-Ion scratch-resistant and water-shedding lens coatings ensure the SX-5 Santiam HD spotter can handle anything you can throw at it. Its Porro prism construction, ultra-fine center focus wheel, adjustable eyecup, and indexed rotational tripod ring deliver the features that hunters and shooters have been asking for.
“Our consumers are some of the most dedicated, relentless hunters in the world,” said Zach Bird, Product Line Manager for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “They need optics that are as tough as they are – and the SX-5 Santiam HD Spotting Scope has been designed from the ground up to deliver that performance.” Read more
GREELEY, Colo. – Light conditions change from early dawn to high noon challenging the view through binoculars with low light and harsh glares. Steiner introduces the new BluHorizons Series, the first sunlight adaptive binocular for all light conditions.
Steiner exclusive Autobright™ Sunlight adaptive lens technology automatically adjusts brightness for the best view in any lighting situation. Whether the sun is just below the horizon, shining brightly directly overhead or bouncing off water or snow at all angles, BluHorizons are engineered to gather the right amount of light and reduce glare for optimum viewing.
BluHorizons are nearly indestructible and available in two models. Compact and lightweight, the 8.8-ounce 8×22 fit in a pocket or purse for instant accessibility in the field, on the beach or in the stadium. The slightly larger 10.6-ounce 10×26 are also easy to pack and offers 10x magnification to bring the subject up close and personal. Read more
(Wilsonville, OR) – America’s Top Brand of laser sights, Crimson Trace®, today announced the release of 11 new riflescopes designed to meet the needs of tactical, long range, hunting and recreational firearms enthusiasts. This new custom-designed riflescope line ranges from a 1-4X24mm in the sporting line up to a 5-25X56mm long-range tactical riflescope. Riflescopes designed for short, medium, and long range applications are included in each of the three series and numerous custom reticles are offered.
“We’re extremely excited to enter the large and diverse riflescope market with these feature packed products,” said Lane Tobiassen, President of Crimson Trace and American Outdoor Brands Corporation’s Electro-Optics Division. “Consumers can expect the same high-quality engineering and design that Crimson Trace has been providing for nearly 25 years.”
Each riflescope incorporates advanced exterior and interior components designed by Crimson Trace engineers in Oregon. Other features include advanced ED fully multi-coated Japanese glass with illuminated custom reticles in the first focal plane to ensure consistent sizes. The new riflescopes incorporate seven custom-designed reticles with specific purposes and applications.
Each riflescope offers a range of magnification options and provides generous eye relief. The line includes models with 30mm and 34mm one-piece tubes with objective lenses in diameters ranging from 24mm to 56mm. All new riflescopes include specially designed turrets, making adjustments easier when wearing gloves. All riflescopes are equipped with flip-up caps on the ocular and objective lenses to protect the glass and help keep the riflescope clean. Subdued internal components reduce glare and bright spots resulting in improved vision and a clearer image. The line also includes a 3-9X40mm riflescope with an illuminated reticle and 34mm tube and two 1-8X28mm riflescopes with 34mm tubes. Read more
Counter Assault once again has proven to be the leader in bear spray, making the first true advance in twenty years.
Counter Assault has developed and received EPA registration for the very first 40-foot bear spray on the market. In addition, this product is the only bear deterrent pepper spray to meet the requirements of the EPA Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) of the Clean Air Act relating to ozone depleting substances. Counter Assault has taken the lead in the industry and moved forward with meeting these important environmental goals.
Counter Assault has a long history of leading product innovation, regulatory standards and sustainability. In July 1991, Counter Assault developed the first bear deterrent pepper spray to achieve Canada Health registration and in May 1998, was the first company to receive EPA registration for bear deterrent pepper spray. In December of 1998, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (“IGBC”), a group consisting of various federal and state wildlife agencies awarded Counter Assault the 1998 Grizzly Bear Stewardship Award for significant participation in the research and development of bear deterrent pepper spray.
With this new product launch in first quarter 2019, Counter Assault’s 10.2 oz. canister will have a spray distance up to 40 feet with 8 seconds of spray time and Counter Assault’s 8.1 oz canister will have a spray distance up to 32 feet with 7 seconds of spray time. Read more
The Remington V3 Tac-13, Represents the Ultimate in Compact Personal Defense
Ilion, NY – Remington’s advanced, patented gas-operated system now available with a 13” barrel and a Birdshead pistol grip.
The V3 Tac-13 is based off the revolutionary VersaPort gas system. The Remington V3 Tac-13 flawlessly cycles all 2 ¾ to 3-inch 12 gauge loads while reducing recoil to a level previously unheard of in autoloaders. Read more
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a lower-court’s decision that struck down a mandatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – including HFC 143a, which is commonly used by marine manufacturers. NMMA and their members worked to oppose and overturn the HFC rule and applauded the Court for deciding against rehearing the case.
The phasing out of HFCs was enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2015 as part of the Obama administration’s regulatory agenda. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled last year that EPA overstepped its authority under the Clean Air Act’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. The Supreme Court’s decision effectively affirms the District Court’s ruling that SNAP cannot regulate HFCs because the program was designed to address ozone-depleting substances, which HFCs are not. Read more