Senate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Members Introduce Legislative Package for Hunting, Fishing

(Washington, DC) – This week, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Senator Martin Heinrich (NM), along with CSC leaders, Senators Jim Risch (ID), Joe Manchin (WV), Deb Fischer (NE), and Heidi Heitkamp (ND), introduced a bipartisan sportsmen’s package of legislation (S. 733) in the Senate.

Provisions within this bill would increase access to public lands for outdoor recreation, and enhance opportunities for pursuing hunting, angling, and recreational shooting traditions. Key provisions within S. 733 include:

  • Reauthorizing federal land open to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting;
  • Reauthorizing the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act;
  • Exempts commercial filming permits for film crews of three or fewer, or for news gathering purposes;
  • Authorizing the Hunt Unrestricted on National Treasures (HUNT) Act
  • Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to allocate funds for construction and expansion of public target ranges on federal land;
  • Permanently establishes the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee to advise the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture on wildlife and habitat conservation, hunting, and recreational shooting.
  • Allows the transport of bows or crossbows across National Park Service (NPS) land;
  • Allows use of qualified hunter volunteers to manage wildlife on NPS land. Read more
Fishing, Hunting

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium Opening Set

National celebration planned with commemorative events honoring positive conservation impact of hunters and anglers

Springfield, MO – Johnny Morris, founder/CEO of Bass Pro Shops and leading conservationist, in partnership with noted conservation partners from around the world, today announced the all-new Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri will celebrate its grand opening on National Hunting & Fishing Day, September 21, 2017.

“I am proud and excited that this special facility dedicated to those who love the outdoors will open in the heart of America in our hometown, Springfield, Missouri,” said Johnny Morris. “We are deeply grateful to the many remarkably talented individuals and world-class conservation organizations that have come together for the past nine years to help make this vision a reality. It is our shared hope that the tremendous investment of time, energy and resources will have a profound, positive long-term impact on the future of hunting, fishing and conservation in America.”

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium will be the largest, most immersive fish and wildlife attraction in the world. Read more

Wildlife

Judge Approves Settlement to Protect Farmers’ Privacy

WASHINGTON — The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Pork Producers Council yesterday closed the final chapter of their lawsuit challenging EPA’s release of farmer and rancher personal information, when a federal judge approved a settlement that secures the private information of thousands of livestock and poultry farmers in 36 states.

“This lawsuit has won a major victory for personal privacy,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “Months ago, we won a court decision that vindicates the rights of farmers and all Americans to protect their personal information from dissemination by the government. This settlement is the final step, requiring that EPA scrub all personal information from the records involved and train its staff on the proper handling of personal information.” Read more

General

MI DNR monitors waterfowl populations from the sky

Earlier this year, Department of Natural Resources staff took to the sky in small aircraft to observe and count ducks, geese and swans on southern Michigan waterways. DNR Wildlife Division staff observed 148,521 ducks, 49,840 geese and 5,103 swans in 2017’s survey.

In the 2016 survey, 157,028 ducks, 33,468 geese and 5,896 swans were observed. Goose observations increased in 2017, while duck observations were down about 5 percent and swan observations down 13 percent.

Though duck observations were slightly down, biologists believe that duck populations in Michigan are stable. The 5-percent decline can be attributed to cold arctic blasts in late December and early January pushing birds southward, with some ducks bypassing Michigan altogether. Read more

Wildlife

Blue Book of Gun Values, 38th Edition

The worldwide leader in up-to-date gun values and information

Minneapolis, MN – With almost 1.6 million copies in circulation worldwide, Blue Book Publications, Inc. is proud to announce the upcoming release of the 38th Edition Blue Book of Gun Values by S.P. Fjestad!

This new edition contains significantly updated values and information reflecting fundamental changes in the gun industry.

Firearms and their values continue to evolve significantly in this revitalized chapter of America’s history, and this new 38th Edition tracks both currently manufactured guns in addition to substantially older makes/models. Read more

Firearms

Include safety as part of spring turkey hunting preparation

Spring turkey hunting success and safety comes down to the same thing – proper planning. Preseason scouting can put hunters in the right position when turkeys come off the roost, increasing their chance for success.

That same preseason preparation should happen with equipment and with the hunting plan, said Jeff Barnes, recreation safety officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“Hunters need to go through their equipment to make sure everything is in good shape, make sure their calls sound like they want them to sound and pattern their shotgun with the ammunition that’ll be used during the hunt so they know where the bulk of the shot is hitting,” he said.

Being familiar with the equipment will help minimize any disturbance to the roosting birds when hunters are setting up in the dark.

“Turkeys are aware of their surroundings so hunters should stay close to cover even when coming to the timber in the darkness. Know how to set up your blind in the dark. Know how you want to set up your decoys in the dark,” Barnes said.

Turkey hunters are skilled in the art of concealment either inside a hunting blind or in camouflaged clothing blending in to the understory or fence line.

“Be aware of what’s around you. Even if you’re on private property, there could be other hunters out there who are coming to your call. Don’t shoot at movement; don’t shoot at sound; no turkey’s worth it. I encourage hunters to only shoot after they see the turkey’s beard,” Barnes said. “Being safe is important because the people we hunt with are our family and close friends.”

Hunters who do shoot a turkey are encouraged to not carry it over their shoulder to avoid someone mistaking it for a live bird and take a shot. Barnes suggested hunters use a blaze orange turkey transport harvest bag.

Practicing safe hunting becomes more crucial as the annual spring leaf out progresses.

“The later it gets in May, the harder it is to see. Hunters need to stay vigilant to identify the bird and the beard,” he said.

Tips Read more

Hunting

Lyman Products Sweepstakes


Win the reloading setup of your dreams, by entering the Lyman Products What’s on Your Bench sweepstakes!The Grand Prize includes a Savage Axis II XP Hardwood Stock Rifle, a Borecam Borescope, a Cyclone Rotary Tumbler, a T-Mag Expert Reloading Kit, and everything you need for reloading and firearms maintenance, like a Case Prep Xpress, a GEN 6 Compact Digital Powder System, a Revolution Gun Vise, a Universal Cleaning Rod Set, a Master Gunsmith Ultimate Gunsmith Tool Set, an “E-ZEE Prime” Hand Priming Tool and much more!

Sign up for Lyman’s “Zero’d In” newsletter to receive updates and info on great new Lyman Products and be entered in our sweepstakes to win everything you’ve always wanted for your reloading bench.

Just for entering, you’ll receive a special promo code to receive 10% off any purchase on Lyman’s website. Read more

Ammunition

Christensen Arms Releases New Modern Sporting Rifles

Gunnison, UT – First debuted at Shot Show 2017, Christensen Arms is proud to announce the official release of the CA-15 and CA-10 Gen 2 rifles. These rifles are available with either stainless steel or carbon fiber barrels and feature newly designed, billet 7075 receiver sets that were engineered to mate seamlessly with a slim-profile, aerograde carbon fiber handguard. Both rifles feature a true free-floating barrel and boast the Christensen Arms Sub-Moa Accuracy Guarantee.

Weighing less than 6 lbs., the CA-15 G2 is one of the lightest and most accurate AR15 platforms available. It is offered in Black Anodize, Tungsten Cerakote, or Burnt Bronze Cerakote and is chambered in .223 Wylde. MSRP is $1,749 for the stainless steel barrel configuration and $2,295 for the carbon fiber. See the official video for more information.

Combining aerospace alloys and ultra-lightweight carbon fiber, the CA-10 G2 weighs a mere 7.2 lbs., making it one of the lightest AR10 platforms ever created. It is available in either .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor, and comes in your choice of 3 color offerings. MSRP comes in at $2,595 for the stainless barrel variant and $2,995 for the carbon fiber. Watch the teaser video to see it in action.

For more information on either rifle, visit the Christensen Arms website. Read more

Firearms

Ruger Precision Rifle in 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is pleased to introduce the Ruger Precision Rifle® chambered in 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. Delivering low recoil and exceptional accuracy potential from a wide variety of 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. ammunition, the availability of the Ruger Precision Rifle in this new chambering broadens the appeal of the already very popular rifle.

Whether launching high ballistic coefficient .223 projectiles, working from the bench making tiny 100 yard groups, or learning to read wind with low cost ammunition, trigger time with this newest Ruger Precision Rifle will be worthwhile and enjoyable.

This new model of Ruger Precision Rifle employs a hybrid “Target” chamber, which safely accommodates 5.56 NATO cartridges while providing excellent projectile control and accuracy for both .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO cartridges. The rifle ships with two, 10-round AI-Style Precision Rifle magazines that accommodate 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. factory ammunition loaded with the longer, higher ballistic coefficient projectiles popular among long-range shooters.

Like all Ruger Precision Rifles, this model’s highly accurate, free-floated barrel is cold hammer-forged from 4140 chrome-moly steel and features 5R rifling for minimum bullet upset. Minimum bore and groove dimensions (air-gauged for process control) and a centralized chamber deliver outstanding accuracy, longevity and ease of cleaning. This new model features a 1:7 twist rate that stabilizes long-for-caliber projectiles. Read more

Firearms

Barrett Fieldcraft Now Shipping

(Murfreesboro, TN) Barrett is excited to announce that shipments of Fieldcraft rifles to distributors have begun. This rifle is designed to be carried further on long days in the field and perform like a Barrett at that critical moment. The stock is crafted from hand-laid carbon fiber to provide an ultra-light yet rigid platform for shooting from field positions. The stainless steel actions are scaled for their specific caliber and fully hand bedded to the stock. This rigidity optimizes the accuracy of a lightweight rifle.

“Fieldcraft is the latest representation of our philosophy to build the highest performance rifles for every application,” says President Chris Barrett. “Even though we are known for making the world’s finest military-grade rifles, we love to hunt. Recently we introduced the Barrett Sovereign shotgun line, and now we have created the ultimate hunting rifle.” Read more

Firearms
1 … 1,134 1,135 1,136 1,137 1,138 … 1,916