Deer Talk Now Reveals 10 Best Deer Hunting States

Iola, Wisconsin – Hunters from across the country have varied opinions on what makes their state among the best or worst for whitetail hunting. When it comes to discussing the best and worst states for deer hunting, don’t rely on anecdotes and coffee shop chatter when you can get the facts in cold, hard numbers.

From North to South, Deer & Deer Hunting Editor Dan Schmidt reveals the Top 10-plus deer hunting states in the latest episode of Deer Talk Now, and he explains why they’re that strong in this epic episode of Deer Talk Now. Learn more about deer behavior, distribution and hunter success rates for the top states.

Is your state on the list? Do you think it should be? Bonus: The Worst Deer Hunting States in America and the Top 3 Underrated States. Also, what happened in Texas in 2009 that drastically changed deer harvest records?

Watch the show here: http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/media/videos/featured-video/deer-talk-now-real-top-10-list-best-deer-hunting-states Read more

Hunting

Arizona Files Motions Today to Protect State’s Interest in Mexican Wolf Recovery

PHOENIX — The State of Arizona, on behalf of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, today filed two motions aimed at protecting the state’s interest in the Mexican wolf reintroduction program and successful recovery of the endangered wolf subspecies that inhabits east-central Arizona and New Mexico.

Arizona filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit Center for Biological Diversity v. Sally Jewell. The suit concerns the recently-revised 10(j) Rule that governs the management of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. The state filed the motion to intervene to defend its trust authority over wildlife conservation in Arizona and its involvement in the revision of the 10(j) Rule.

The state also filed a motion to dismiss the suit based on the court’s lack of subject matter jurisdiction because the plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that their interests have suffered due to the revised 10(j) Rule.

“Given that the new rule governing Mexican wolf recovery provides more habitat and potential for population growth than the rule and permit it replaced, the plaintiffs cannot demonstrate that their interests have suffered as required by law,” said Arizona Game and Fish Commission Chair Robert Mansell.

The revised 10(j) Rule increases the Mexican wolf population objective from at least 100 animals to a range of 300 to 325. It also eliminates the previous recovery area where wolves could live to a three-zone area that eventually expands their range ten-fold. Read more

Wildlife

Funky Nests in Funky Places Contest Underway

Using spider web to affix its nest to a single bulb in a strand of holiday lights, this tiny Anna’s Hummingbird successfully hatched two chicks. 2014 entry by Kathy West, California.

Ithaca, NY—Spring is nesting season and some birds have a flair for the funky when it comes to finding the right real estate to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. The annual “Funky Nests in Funky Places” contest hosted by the Celebrate Urban Birds project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is underway. Look for another entertaining collection of nests in old boots, barbecue grills, motorcycle helmets, traffic signals, rakes, old tires and who-knows-what.

Participants may send in a photo, video, story, poem, or even some form of dance or artwork. Entries may be submitted in categories such as “cutest,” “funniest,” “funkiest,” or “most inconvenient.” Celebrate Urban Birds is offering a free, downloadable flyer showing some of the places you can look for funky nests in urban locations. Read more

Wildlife

Thompson/Center Reintroduces G2 Contender in Complete Rifle and Complete Pistol Systems

SPRINGFIELD, MA— Thompson/Center Arms makes it easier than ever for sportsmen and women to experience the versatility and performance of an interchangeable firearms platform through the reintroduction of the venerable G2 Contender. Now, T/C enthusiasts can take home a G2 Contender rifle or pistol as part of a complete rifle or complete pistol system.

Utilizing the longtime choice of serious hunters around the world, the G2 Contender, the complete rifle and complete pistol systems easily transition from plinking to big-game hunting. Chambered in .30-30 Win. (Complete Rifle System) as well as .22LR and .357 Magnum (Complete Pistol Systems), the new T/C G2 Contender rifle and pistol come complete with barrel, stock and forend. As needs arise, hunters and shooters have the freedom to customize their G2 Contender complete rifle with barrels in blued or stainless and in seven different calibers ranging from 17 HMR to 30-30 Win. An additional 11 different calibers from 17 HMR to 45 Colt/410 Bore are available as an accessory barrel to compliment the G2 Contender complete pistol. Read more

Firearms

Benelli ETHOS 20

ACCOKEEK, MD — With two prestigious, back-to-back Shotgun of the Year awards on the trophy wall, it would be hard to surpass the buzz surrounding the new Benelli ETHOS 12. But the launch of the ETHOS 20 promises to do just that, and in the process drive subgauge enthusiasts over the top and into the nearest dealer.

The spry ETHOS 20 weighs in at just under six pounds, and like the 12-gauge predecessor, cycles any 2 ¾ or 3″ load from light to magnum flawlessly and interchangeably. Designed around the same platform as its beefier sibling, the 20-gauge model sports the same improved ergonomics, patented Progressive Comfort® recoil reduction system and fetching AA- Grade Satin Walnut stock and forearm. The superb balance and style affording ETHOS 12 shooters faster, more fluid mounting and handling is inherent in the lively 20-gauge version.

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Fishing

LaserLyte Mighty Mouse™ Laser for 22 Mag NAA Revolvers

Cottonwood, AZ – LaserLyte®, innovators in firearms laser technologies, introduces the Mighty Mouse Laser for all North American Arms .22 Mag Pistols, including the Pug, Black Widow and Side Winder. The Mighty Mouse Laser sight is built from 55% glass filled nylon that is grip activated when one holds the pistol in a shooting position.

The 22 Mag Grip Laser allows for a longer stand-off distance and an increased rate of repeated accuracy. The laser is fully adjustable to the point of impact. The Mighty Mouse Laser will also work with all current holsters for any 22 Mag N.A.A mini revolvers.

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Firearms

Potterfields Make Donation to Support Youth Shooting Sports

Columbia, MO –Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, recently donated $107,957 to the MidwayUSA Foundation to benefit youth shooting sports. This donation stems from the matching program offered by the MidwayUSA Foundation. Donors have the ability to choose the shooting team that will benefit from their donation and Larry and Brenda Potterfield match that donation.

Along with the matching program, the MidwayUSA Foundation offers its active teams promotional items to use as fundraisers. At this time, teams can register to receive a Winchester Model 70 Super Grade rifle to raise funds for their shooting team. Larry and Brenda Potterfield also match proceeds generated from these promotions and returned to a team’s respective endowment account. Read more

Firearms

Final Two Killers Sentenced in Kidnapping and Murder of DEA Special Agent

WASHINGTON—Two Colombian nationals were sentenced to decades in U.S. federal prison today for their roles in the kidnapping and murder of former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent James “Terry” Watson in Bogotá, Colombia, on June 20, 2013.

Attorney General Eric Holder, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office, DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart and Bill A. Miller, Director, U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) made the announcement.

“With these sentencings, all seven defendants involved in the kidnapping and murder of Special Agent Terry Watson have been found, prosecuted, and brought to justice,” said Attorney General Holder. “Special Agent Watson was a courageous patriot, a principled law enforcement agent, and a proud defender of the rule of law. Our nation owes him and his loved ones a debt we can never repay. And although our prosecution of his heinous attackers has come to its rightful close, the Department of Justice will never rest in our efforts to honor Special Agent Watson’s life of service and sacrifice by upholding the values that he served to protect.” Read more

General

114 Sportsmen’s Groups Call on Congress to Reject All Efforts to Sell or Transfer Public Lands

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 100 hunting, fishing, and conservation organizations, including the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Trout Unlimited, Dallas Safari Club, Pope & Young Club, the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, and more than 80 state-based groups, have released a letter to local and national decision-makers opposing the sale or transfer of federally-managed public lands. Recipients include House members meeting tomorrow to discuss federal land acquisition, and its impacts on communities and the environment, and Senators who recently passed a budget resolution that could encourage the sale or transfer of public lands.

“We’re calling on lawmakers to end this conversation now,” says Whit Fosburgh, TRCP’s president and CEO, whose recent blog post addressed the Senate amendment, which passed 51-49 on March 26. “Nothing galvanizes sportsmen like the loss of access for hunting and fishing, and continuing to indulge this controversial idea is keeping us from the real task of managing our public lands.”

America’s 640 million acres of federal public lands—including our national forests and Bureau of Land Management lands—provide hunting and fishing opportunities to millions of sportsmen and women. Since late last year, efforts to wrest public lands from the federal government and put them under state ownership have been matched by the unanimous outcry of sportsmen across the country. “Decision-makers need to know what they are stepping into,” says Joel Webster, director of western public lands for the TRCP. “Over 72% of western hunters depend on public lands for access, and sportsmen are not going to stand idly by as they’re sold away.” Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife
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