RMEF, Sportsmen’s Alliance File Brief in Support of Yellowstone Grizzly Management

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation filed a joint summary judgement brief supporting a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove federal protections from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) grizzly bear population.

“We stand alongside the Sportsmen’s Alliance and our fellow conservation organizations in supporting federal scientists and wildlife biologists who declared the grizzly population fully recovered,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “The next step is keeping grizzly management under the umbrella of state agencies that manage all wildlife in accordance with the North American Wildlife Conservation Model, which uses hunting as a management tool.”

“Despite the emotional rhetoric of the animal rights crowd, the time has come to return this population of bears to state management,” said Evan Heusinkveld, Sportsmen’s Alliance president and CEO. “The truth is, this is a historic moment for the species and the Endangered Species Act as a whole. Returning the Yellowstone area population of bears to state management should be a monumental achievement widely celebrated as a conservation success story.”

Numbering more than 700, the Yellowstone grizzly population meets all delisting criteria. These factors include not only the number and distribution of bears throughout the ecosystem, but also the quantity and quality of the habitat available and the states’ commitments to manage the population in a manner that maintains its healthy and secure status.

RMEF and its partners helped permanently protect more than 169,000 acres of vital wildlife habitat valued at more than $131 million in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Additionally, RMEF also directly contributed more than $3.1 million and leveraged an additional $17.5 million to help enhance wildlife habitat on more than 426,000 acres in the GYE. RMEF also contributed more than $1 million in funding and leveraged an additional $10 million from conservation partners to carry out 118 GYE wildlife management and wildlife research projects.

“These projects are crucial and helped to contribute to the understanding of wildlife populations, ecology and habitat needs, including increasing the understanding of grizzly bears and conserving the habitat needed for them to thrive in conjunction with all wildlife populations,” said Weaver. “Habitat needs to remain the focus of on-the-ground conservation work, not seemingly non-stop litigation.” Read more

Wildlife

USA Shooting’s 2020 Vision for Support

On gun ranges across the country, athletes patiently execute shot after shot while chasing the same dream to represent their country and sport at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. This past Tuesday began the two-year countdown to another Olympic showcase. There’s now a 2020 vision that unites beginning and veteran shooters alike and as the Road to Tokyo comes into view we all understand what tremendous opportunity that awaits.

For some, that pursuit hasn’t changed in three decades, and for 39-year-old Kim Rhode, she’s as steady as she’s ever been having amassed seven international victories since earning bronze in Rio de Janeiro. Her 2020 vision is the same as it was at her first Olympic Games back in 1996 and that’s to outwork the competition, be calm in the face of great pressure and enjoy every part of this ride. She’s already an Olympic legend having become the only summer Olympian EVER to earn six Olympic medals (three golds, one silver, two bronzes) in six consecutive Games. What’s next?

“One of the things I’m really looking forward to in Tokyo 2020 is the atmosphere, the traditions, the culture, and really just my teammates – the memories and comradery leading up to and through the Olympics. That’s just something I’ve found after going to six Olympics – each one is unique and so different. I can’t wait to see what Tokyo brings.” Read more

Firearms

Knife Owners’ Protection Act Introduced in Senate

Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) has introduced S.3264, the Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2018 (KOPA) including repeal of the Federal Switchblade Act. This is a companion to the House KOPA bill, H.R.84, introduced last year. Originally conceived and authored by Knife Rights in 2010 and first introduced in 2013, KOPA will remove the irrational restrictions on interstate trade in automatic knives that are legal to one degree or another in 44 states, while also protecting the right of knife owners to travel throughout the U.S. without fear of prosecution under the myriad patchwork of state and local knife laws.

Sen. Wicker said, “I am pleased to introduce the Knife Owners Protection Act. This legislation would provide law-abiding knife owners the appropriate protection when transporting knives across state lines. It would also repeal the antiquated Federal Switchblade Act. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to advance this sensible policy for knife owners”

Read more

Cutlery

3M Company Settles in “Defective” Combat Arms Earplugs Allegations Case

The Department of Justice announced today that 3M Company (3M), headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, has agreed to pay $9.1 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly sold the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) to the United States military without disclosing defects that hampered the effectiveness of the hearing protection device.

“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the men and women serving in the United States military from defective products and fraudulent conduct,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler of the Department’s Civil Division.  “Government contractors who seek to profit at the expense of our military will face appropriate consequences.”

“Through rigorous enforcement of the False Claims Act, we protect taxpayer dollars from waste, fraud, and abuse,” said U. S. Attorney Sherri Lydon for the District of South Carolina.  “And in this case in particular, we are proud to defend the integrity of our military programs and ensure that our men and women in uniform are adequately protected as they serve our country.” Read more

General

Michigan Conservations officers rescue Montague woman from Manistee River

Quick actions of two Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers earlier this month resulted in a successful water rescue, saving a woman from drowning in the Manistee River.

CO Sam Koscinski and CO Scott MacNeill were conducting marine patrol on the river in Manistee County when they noticed a distressed female in fast-flowing water, located north of Tippy Dam. Elisabeth Aldridge, 22, of Montague, Michigan, was wrapped around a log being pulled by the current, her head barely above water.

Aldridge and her friends were swimming when the strong current took her further into the river. One of Aldridge’s friends was trying to reach the log where Aldridge was stuck, but struggled against the current. Officers Koscinski and MacNeill arrived on scene and advised the friend to return to shore. Read more

General

Mossy Oak GameKeepers Announces K5 Giveaway

Mossy Oak GameKeepers is excited to announce the GK5 Giveaway.  This giveaway began at 8:00 AM Central Daylight Time (“CDT”) on July 25, 2018, and ends at 11:59 PM CDT on November 30, 2018.

To register for the giveaway, go to https://www.gkgiveaway.com/.  Registering for the GK5 Giveaway enters you in the Grand Prize Drawing and Weekly Prize Drawing.  See the complete line of GameKeeper products at your local Walmart.

The winner of the grand prize will drive off in a fully restored 1972 Custom GameKeeper Edition K5 Blazerpowered by Jasper Engines & Transmissions with a 3 year/100,000 Miles Parts & Labor Nationwide Warranty!

Additional prizes consist of WEEKLY giveaways of a GameKeeper prize package consisting of the following items:
  • 1-GameKeeper T-Post Feeder
  • 1-9 lb. Bag of BioLogic Perfect Plot Seed
  • 1-GameKeeper 25lb Broadcast Seeder
  • 1-GameKeeper Shadow Game Camera
  • 1-Bag of Full Draw Ground Down Cracked Corn
  • 1-Bag of Full Potential Mineral Supplement
  • 1-Full Draw Supplement Block
  • 1-MEEN Green Fertilizer
  • 1-GameKeeper Membership – Logo Cap, Logo Decal
  • 1-(.25) Acre Bag of BioLogic Non-Typical Clover
  • 1-Year Subscription to GameKeepers Magazine. Read more
General

Nikon’s New PROSTAFF P3 Family of Purpose-Driven Riflescopes

Melville, NY  –Nikon introduces a new line of purpose-designed riflescopes just in time for the upcoming hunting season and summer shooting activities. The new PROSTAFF P3 line-up of scopes includes eight new models specifically designed for muzzleloaders, slug guns, predator hunting, crossbows and rimfires/air rifles.

The all-new Nikon riflescope family consists of platform-specific models bearing PROSTAFF P3 MUZZLELOADER, PROSTAFF P3 SHOTGUN, PROSTAFF P3 PREDATOR HUNTER, PROSTAFF P3 CROSSBOW and PROSTAFF P3 TARGET EFR names. Shared features throughout the line include bright, fully multicoated optics, crisp hand-turn reticle adjustments (1/4 MOA except for the CROSSBOW model’s 1 MOA graduations) and generous consistent eye relief. Other features common through the family include rugged, all-aluminum one-inch main body tubes, turret caps and eyepiece quick focus adjustment rings (with rubber insert). The zoom ring on variable power models is also aluminum. Read more

Optics

Remington Awarded Army Carbine Contract

Huntsville, AL – Remington is pleased to announce the recent award of a contract to supply the US Army with Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) 5.56mm Carbines.

This is the second significant award for 5.56mm carbines to Remington by the US Army on behalf of key international allies. Remington Chief Executive Officer Anthony Acitelli said of the award: “Remington is proud of our continuing contribution to public safety and our nation’s national security priorities worldwide. “We look forward to continuing our daily dedication to the design, production, and delivery of the highest quality military and law enforcement products for our public safety officers, warfighters, and allies alike.”

Firearms

Nikon Introduces the NEW TREX Modular Optic Carrying System!

Melville NY (July 24, 2018) – Nikon’s new TREX™ modular optic carry system is headed for dealers’ shelves and now available for the serious outdoors enthusiast. The TREX harness comfortably distributes an optic’s weight during long miles in the field and is available in three system variants – FreeStyle, EXO and 360 – designed to address the degree of optics protection sought for your environment. All components in the system are fully interchangeable, allowing users to modify the TREX into any of the above variants by adding or removing the optic accessory bags. Each model also has a ventilated yoke built into the harness that integrates a stowaway hydration net to allow you to accommodate your own hydration bladder.

TREX™ FreeStyle Harness

At the system’s core is the TREX FreeStyle™ fully adjustable harness with quick-release attachment cords. This feature-packed harness securely holds your optic close to the chest while running or crawling, yet allows fast access for glassing.

Read more

Optics

DNR conservation officers seize record amount of illegal crayfish in southeast Michigan

More than 2,000 pounds of live, illegal red swamp crayfish recently were seized by Department of Natural Resources conservation officers – the largest aquatic invasive species seizure by the Michigan DNR.

Red swamp crayfish are prohibited in both Michigan and Canada. They burrow and create shoreline erosion, creating instability. Additionally, they compete with native crayfish, reducing the amount of food and habitat available for amphibians, invertebrates and juvenile fish.

Conservation officers in St. Clair County were notified Friday, July 13, by U.S. Customs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when a commercial hauler transporting red swamp crayfish was denied entry into Canada and would be returning to Michigan. The commercial hauler was stopped by Canadian officials at the Sarnia, Canada, border crossing in an attempt to leave the United States.

“Our officers have great working relationships with professional law enforcement partners across the U.S. and Canada. This is a fine example of how important those relationships are in protecting Michigan’s natural resources,” said Chief Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division.

Assisted by customs officials, DNR conservation officers stopped the truck and obtained 55 bags of live crayfish. After interviewing the driver, the officers learned the truck originated from Canada and made stops in Maryland and Arkansas to pick up cargo prior to attempting its return to Canada. The driver did not have appropriate records, other than a few purchase receipts. DNR Law Enforcement Division’s Great Lakes Enforcement Unit is conducting further investigation. It currently is unknown if any stops or sales were made in Michigan.

The first concern regarding red swamp crayfish in Michigan was in 2013, when conservation officers learned the illegal crayfish was being used as bait in southwest Michigan. The first live infestations in Michigan were detected and reported in 2017. Confirmed infestations include locations in southeast Michigan.

Native in southeast states of the U.S., red swamp crayfish are the most widespread invasive crayfish in the world, and often are used in classrooms as teaching tools and at food festivities such as crayfish boils. Any possession of live red swamp crayfish in Michigan is illegal. The DNR is working to increase awareness and reporting of the illegal crayfish, in addition to removing infestations from confirmed locations.

Fishing
1 … 1,164 1,165 1,166 1,167 1,168 … 2,102