Boone and Crockett Releases Essay on Fair Chase


MISSOULA, MT– The Boone and Crockett Club, the oldest hunter-conservationist organization in North America, has released a comprehensive essay on fair chase, the first and longest standing honor code in North American hunting.”Millions of hunters worldwide practice fair chase, many without even knowing this code has a name or that the Club originated it,” said Club President Morrie Stevens. “With public misperceptions about hunting on the rise and increasing questions about hunting practices and new technology, we feel it is time to re-visit this fundamental part of hunter’s conservation ethic.”

The concept of fair chase—the ethical pursuit of a game animal in the field—emerged over 125 years ago at a time of environmental crisis when many formerly abundant wildlife populations in North America were on the brink of extinction. Theodore Roosevelt, after witnessing the bleached bones of thousands of slaughtered bison, was determined to do something about this travesty.

The new code of conduct for hunters established by Roosevelt and the Boone and Crockett Club not only transformed individual behavior and purposes for hunting, but also supported the new conservation principles the Club was promoting. The system of wildlife conservation we have today is still based on the Club’s principles of limiting harvest and wisely managing wildlife populations to ensure they will never be threatened again, as well as an ethical approach to hunting that meets with the expectations of sportsmen and society.

The Club’s essay on fair chase explores the code’s historical roots and provides a framework for how modern fair chase hunters think about hunting practices and customs. It delves into how hunters evaluate new technological advancements, regional traditions and why fair chase is more a matter of the “spirit of the hunt” than a set of written rules. The essay also addresses the opportunity for hunters to foster a positive public perception of hunting by conducting themselves in an ethical manner.

“Fair chase is rich with benefits,” said Stevens. “Not only to the game we hunt and the traditions of hunting, but to hunters personally. Fair chase is linked to such things as self-reliance, discipline and character development, and caring for something greater than ourselves. Understanding the value and transformative nature of a fair chase ethic is just as important for those who hunt as it is for non-hunters.”

The new essay can be read at this link: http://www.boone-crockett.org/pdf/On_Fair_Chase.pdf

About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Montana. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

Hunting

Thin Green Line Needs Your Help

Around 12:45am on Sunday, August 21, a California game warden patrolling in the redwood country of Humboldt County in northwestern California about 30 miles SE of Eureka, spotted a car that was shining a spotlight in the woods. Surmising that the people in the car were spotlighting deer, the warden approached their car. The occupants of the vehicle fled and began shooting at the warden. As the poachers fled, they continued to shoot at the warden’s truck.

Wardens typically patrol alone in remote areas without immediate back-up. The warden radioed in asking for back-up. The warden did not return fire as he was driving as that would have been more dangerous. According to Cal. Fish and Wildlife’s Information Officer, Capt. Patrick Foy, eventually, the pursued vehicle crashed into a tree and the suspects fled on foot into the woods, leaving two guns in the abandoned car. The warden was not injured.

“Due to the presence of multiple suspects, their intent on shooting him, and lack of immediate assistance, the warden waited for help before continuing the search,” according to Captain Foy. Multiple agencies responded to the call for assistance from the warden.

The poachers have not yet been found. A group of environmental organizations and the California Wildlife Officers Foundation are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the capture of Shawn Eugene Hof Jr., 24, who allegedly was illegally hunting wildlife with the poachers when he fired multiple shots at the warden on Aug. 21. Hof is described as 5 foot 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office crime tip line at (707) 268-2539.

This incident is, unfortunately, not that unusual. According to warden Jerry Karnow, former President of CA Wardens Association, game wardens in California are involved in an average of at least one police shooting a year. Remember in 2013 it was CA game wardens who played a major role in the pursuit of Christopher Dorner. Considering that there are only 250 wardens in the field in CA for 38 million people, this means that wardens are engaged in more shootings than the average city police force of 250 officers.

California wardens are not alone. According to the FBI, game wardens nation-wide are nine times more likely to be assaulted in the line of duty than a police officer. http://www.policemag.com/channel/patrol/articles/2012/03/a-law-of-unintended-consequences.aspx

 Karnow and Lt. John Norris, who heads a tactical unit of game wardens currently focusing on busting illegal marijuana gardens, both agree that this year is the worst in memory for illegal marijuana grows on wildlands in California. Read more

General

Head Down Products Launches New Custom Ammunition


Through the creation of Head Down Ammunition, Head Down Products is now able to provide a top-of-the-line ammo that lives up to the HD standard of quality, at affordable prices.”These tasks were not taken lightly. Head Down Products doesn’t endorse just anything. If we put our skull on it, or sell it on our website, you better believe we have tested it, and tested it again to make sure it meets our standard of quality and performance,” said Head Down co-owner Lee Queen.

In regards to the new hunting round, Head Down co-owner David Hunsucker explained, “We wanted a heavy, quality load that would put a pig in the dirt and keep him there. We also wanted a round capable of long distance accuracy that would enhance our Head Down rifles. We believe we have found just that with this custom HD .223 60gr V-Max.”

The first two items to be released 9/1/2016 are:

HD .223 60gr V-Max (50rds)
MSRP: $44.99
Intro Special: $35.99
HD .223 55gr FMJ. (1,000rds)
MSRP: $389.99
Intro Special: $349.99

Both items are currently available at www.HeadDownProducts.com

Ammunition

Leatherman Now Selling Replacement Links for Thread Multitool


Leatherman Tread – MSRP $165Anytime, anywhere. The functionality of a Leatherman tool, with you everywhere. Our engineers designed multiple tools in each 17-4 stainless steel bracelet link, making usable tools like Allen wrenches, screwdrivers and box wrenches available at a moment’s notice. Adjustable to accommodate any wrist size and fully customizable with the links you need most, the Leatherman Tread is as stylish as it is functional.

General

Coast Guard Rescues 15 Anglers Near Golden Gate Bridge


SAN FRANCISCO — U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco responded Thursday to a mayday call from the 50-foot sport fishing vessel New Seeker. The call, received at approximately 4:30 p.m., reported that the vessel was taking on water in the vicinity of Kirby Cove near the Golden Gate Bridge.Coast Guard Station Golden Gate and Marin County Fire Department immediately launched rescue boats and safely removed 13 passengers and two crewmembers from the vessel. One passenger was reported to have suffered a head laceration and was transferred to local EMS for treatment.

Currently there is no report of pollution from the vessel and salvage operations are underway. Read more

General

Michigan: Warm, Dry Weather Can Trigger Wildlife Diseases

: Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Disease Laboratory technician Julie Melotti takes tissue samples from deer to test them for CWD.While continuing to work hard to determine the extent of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Michigan’s free-ranging deer herd, laboratory staff has been anticipating epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and Type C and Type E botulism.

Deer that are exposed to the EHD virus, but do not die from the illness, may show growth interruptions on the hooves and sometimes peeling hoof walls.

A white-tailed deer in winter is shown. Deer can be affected by epizootic hemorrhagic disease and chronic wasting disease.

A healthy male mallard is shown. Mallards are dabbling, non-diving ducks.

Many of us humans truly enjoy the hot, dry weather of a warm Michigan summer.

For some wildlife, however, the prolonged heat and drought-like conditions can spell trouble.

Given this summer’s hot and dry weather in many parts of the state, staff at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Disease Laboratory in Lansing has been looking at wildlife diseases affecting deer and waterfowl. Read more

Wildlife

Antlerless Deer License Application Results Now Available

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that antlerless deer application results are available beginning today.

Application results and leftover license availability can be found at mi.gov/deer.

Any leftover antlerless deer licenses not issued in the drawing will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. EDT until license quotas are met.

The 2016 antlerless deer license quotas for each DMU also can be found at mi.gov/deer. Please note, DMU 333 has unlimited antlerless licenses that may be purchased without application beginning Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.

For additional information, the 2016 Michigan Antlerless Deer Digest is available online at mi.gov/dnrdigests.

Hunting

The Beast Safe from Browning


New for 2016 in the Browning ProSteel safe line-up is the Beast safe. The Beast is built to give those with big gun collections a large safe, with superior features, at a great price. The new Beast has outer dimensions of 58″ tall x 44″ wide x 27″ deep.Designed for safety from intruders and fire, the Beast features a 12 gauge steel body and a 1″ formed door with partial inner plate. The Force Deflector Locking System has 1″ diameter chromed locking bolts that are active on three sides to help keep the safe secure in the event of a break in. The Beast has ThermaBlock fire protection with a 1400° F/60 minute rating to maximize defense against exterior heat. Read more
Firearms

“Save on a Savage” Rebate Promotion

SUFFIELD, Conn. –– Hunters and shooters can now get the accuracy and dependability they trust from Savage Arms at an even more affordable price. The “Save on a Savage” rebate program offers customers the opportunity to choose from dozens of firearms and receive cash back.

“This isn’t a small promotion. The list of firearms that qualify for this promotion is quite impressive—several of both centerfire and rimfire rifle styles are eligible,” said Savage Firearms Marketing Director Bill Dermody. “This program also includes the popular A17 17 HMR which was voted ‘Rifle of the Year by both NRA American Hunter and Guns & Ammo magazines.”

The rebate offers include buying any Savage Arms Trophy Hunter, DOA Hunter, Model 14/114 or Model 16/116 and receive a $75 mail-in rebate; or choose any AXIS or A17 synthetic stock and get $30 back. Shooters who purchase any bolt-action Savage rimfire, including the B.MAG and Rascal, will be eligible for a $25 mail-in rebate. Read more

Firearms

Traditions Performance Firearms Adds Mountain Rifle To Line

Traditions is excited to introduce into their line the Mountain Rifle, as well as the Mountain Rifle Build-It-Yourself kits.

Based off of a Jacob and Samuel Hawken design, the Mountain Rifle was the inseparable companion of fur trappers and American explorers alike. Part of the “plains rifle” family, the Mountain Rifle could be found on the horsebacks of fur trappers looking for beaver and other pelts thanks to its long barrel which enabled this rifle to take targets at longer distances. American explorers also were partial to this rifle due to the longer barrel.

Traditions Mountain Rifle in .50 caliber is reminiscent of the gun used back in this time period of America. While the original had a rust brown finish on the barrel, Traditions has selected a Brown CeraKote Finish which replicates this finish while providing increased corrosion resistance. These rifles feature a 32″ octagonal barrel, Patch Box, custom scrolled trigger guard, 1:48″ twist, double set trigger, wooden ramrod, hexagonal thimbles, 2 tennon design, adjustable rear sight, and more. It is available in Percussion or Flintlock. Read more

Firearms
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