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MIAMI – A modern update on a classic design, the new Taurus® Protector Polymer Series is built for those who want the best of old and new. This revolver is offered with either a classically inspired checkered grip that has the look of wood but the purchase and durability of polymer or a Taurus Ribber Grip®. Taurus’s new polymer hybrid frame makes the revolver lightweight and easy to carry.

This 5-shot revolver is available in .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum ammunition models with blue or matte stainless finish. Additional features include a single action/double-action trigger, highly visible fiber optic front sight and ambidextrous thumb rest.

The .38 Special + P model’s barrel measures 2.5 inches, with an overall length of 6.32 inches and weight of just 18.2 ounces. The .357 Magnum model’s barrel measures 2.5 inches, with an overall length of 6.32 inches and weight of just 18.2 ounces. Like all Taurus handguns the Protector Polymer comes standard with the unique onboard Taurus Security System® that allows users to securely lock the gun using an inconspicuous key-lock. MSRP $445 – $461.

Flushing, Michigan – Carbon Express, a leader in arrow technology and innovation, introduces the Covert CX-1 & CX-2 crossbows to its growing and impressive crossbow lineup. These unique crossbows combine a personalized comfortable fit and aggressive styling with a host of other features that deliver superior performance in the field.

The lightweight Covert CX-1 is designed to offer lightning fast speed in an easy to handle crossbow. The bronze anodized aluminum flight rail, accompanied by proven carbon infused limbs, aluminum alloy engineered cams and premium strings & cables, results in quiet precision that continually hits its mark shot after shot. The 9″ Picatinny multi-position adjustable rail system helps accommodate all shooting styles and is perfect for mounting various accessories.

The Covert CX-1 kit includes a detachable 3 arrow quiver accompanied by 3 Carbon Express® exclusive Maxima Hunter® crossbolts and a 4×32 Pro Deluxe red/green illuminated scope to complete the package. Optional accessories, such as a rope cocker, rail lubricant and three practice points, are also included.

Covert CX-1 Technical Specifications:
• 330 Feet Per Second
• 105 Ft Lbs. of Kinetic Energy
• 185 Lbs. Draw Weight
• 14″ Power Stroke
• Anti-Dry Fire System
• Silentech® Coating provides a rubber-like exterior finish that reduces vibration
and dampens sound
• Mossy Oak® Break-Up® InfinityTM

The Covert CX-2 offers all of the same great qualities as the Covert CX-1, but a few performance specifications have been added to give it an even greater advantage over the competition. The crossbow features a dark grey anodized flight rail along with a tactical fore grip that can easily be adjusted into five different positions allowing ultimate maneuverability for any hunting environment.

Covert CX-2 Technical Specifications:

360 Feet Per Second
118 Ft Lbs. of Kinetic Energy
200 Lbs. Draw Weight
14.5″ Power Stroke
Anti-Dry Fire System
Silentech® Coating provides a rubber-like exterior finish that reduces vibration
and dampens sound
Mossy Oak® Treestand® camouflage

About Carbon Express®
Carbon Express®, an Eastman Outdoors Inc. brand, is the leading manufacturer of high performance carbon hunting and target arrows and arrow components for hunters and target shooters. For more information or customer service, visit www.carbonexpressarrows.com, or call 800.241.4833.

MIAMI – With a stylish nickel finish, this Wizard matches a sharp new look with the ability to shoot with up to 23 different caliber options. The Wizard’s ingenious break-open barrel system easily transforms to any other barrel in seconds. Just start with .243 Win. and add additional barrels to the system as desired. The Wizard, with single-shot simplicity, is the perfect choice for year-round hunting and shooting.

Rifle barrel options include .17 HMR, .22LR, .22 Mag., .22-250 Rem, .270 Win., .223, .30-06 SPRG, .308 Win., .35 Whelen, .38-357 Mag., .44 Mag., ..454 Casull, 45-70 Gov. and 7.62×39. Muzzleloader barrel options include .45 and .50. Shotgun barrel options include .410 bore, 28 gauge, 20 gauge, 20 gauge slug, 12 gauge and 12 gauge slug. The Wizard’s barrel measures 23 inches with an overall length of 36.5 inches and weighs seven pounds.

Additional features include cushioned recoil pad with spacer for reduced recoil, uniquely contoured Monte Carlo stock with curved cheek rest, scope mount base, hammer extension, fiber optic front sight for fast, easy target acquisition and the onboard Taurus Security System®. MSRP $352.

The Rossi revolution of firearm design and manufacture started with the founding of the company in 1889 by Amadeo Rossi. For the past 120 years, the tradition of innovation grew along with the company and the Rossi family. Today, Rossi brand firearms still feature the same dedication and innovation in every product. Rossi looks forward to providing its customers with the next generation of great firearms. Rossi Brand firearms are imported into the U.S. and serviced by Braztech International, LC. Rossi is proud to offer a free One-year NRA Membership with the purchase of any Rossi model. For more information about Rossi Firearms, visit www.rossiusa.com. High-resolution images are available at www.rossidownloads.com.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

This week’s topic will focus on rifle scopes and two high-tech options available to serious hunters. Before getting into specifics, a brief overview of terminology is in order. Understand that there is no one perfect scope for all applications, because tradeoffs exist between magnification (or power), light gathering ability, and even reticle choices. Let’s start there.

A reticle is the pattern placed in the eyepiece of the scope which establishes the gun’s position on the target. While crosshairs are widely used, even those are configured in many different ways. Fine crosshairs are good for long-range use, but tend to vanish under poor light conditions, such as those encountered in twilight hours of deer hunting. Conversely, heavy crosshairs may not produce the smallest groups, but in real-life hunting conditions may offer better opportunities at taking game.

With low light in mind, and as an alternative, red dot optics can be a good choice for a number of reasons; however, I have found that the inexpensive red dot sights are rendered useless in poor light – exactly when game tends to move most.
I installed an inexpensive red dot sight on my compound bow years ago and instantly became about twice as accurate. Was I excited! But, when I discovered that the contraption’s red light overpowered the lens in low light, I relegated it to the shelf, and replaced it with fiber optic pins.

Since then, I have used two high-end, red dot scopes on firearms, which have eliminated red light reflection back to the eye. One is the Bushnell HoloSight, which was made by EOTech, but today is only marketed by EOTech. It incorporates a laser, which is not projected onto the target but rather superimposed onto it, which makes it perfectly legal for Michigan deer hunting. The precise red dot holographic sight only subtends an inch at 100 yards and is fully operational in low light because the power can be dialed down significantly. There is no parallax, which means it gets on target fast. Magnification options are available, also.

The EOTech HWS is actively in use with military forces around the globe, including many special operations forces, like USSOCOM, where it is standard for close quarter, urban combat. Military units like Stryker Brigade, 10th Mountain and 3rd Infantry have chosen the holographic weapon sight as its optic of choice. It is battle proven to withstand the abuse that any harsh environment, high-powered weapon platform, or military mission can dish out. I have had one on my .45-70 Contender pistol for many years and it has taken the most brutal punishment of a true handcannon and never missed a beat. These units don’t come cheap, but they’re as tough as cement nails.

Another red dot option with over a million in use by the U.S. armed forces is the Aimpoint. The Swedish manufactured sight was originally designed for Scandinavian moose hunters, who desired rapid target acquisition in thick cover. As with the EOTech, there’s no need to center the red dot or to find the right eye relief (the position of your eye relative to the scope). If the red dot is on target, you’re good to go, making it a good choice for not only rifles, but handguns and shotguns, as well.

I have recently mounted an Aimpoint model 34L on a Browning BAR in .30-06 caliber and consider its quick target acquisition to be perfect for the task at hand – varmint hunting. Normally, I don’t concern myself with fast-action shots, but this rig is designed for predator hunting, where more than one opportunity may present itself. And, any chance at a double on coyotes will be difficult at best. That’s where the semi-automatic Browning, Aimpoint, and my handloaded 100-grain V-Max verminators combine for one lethal, fast-handling package. For those that are involved in deer drives, you won’t go wrong with the quality of an Aimpoint and its quick-strike capabilities.

Like most things in life, quality doesn’t come cheap, but these scopes will not disappoint – especially in most of Michigan’s relatively short-range hunting conditions.

The Kids Gone Hunting Foundation and Table Mountain Outfitters have teamed up to offer an antelope hunt to a child. Any child under the age of 18 at the time of the hunt can enter the drawing for the chance to win the antelope hunt by simply answering this question in 250 words or less, “What’s so great about antelope?” Entries must be received by midnight, Friday, March 4, 2011.

The antelope hunt is a 3-day gun hunt in Cheyenne, Wyoming with Table Mountain Outfitters. The winner may arrange to hunt during a 3 day period within the timeframe of October 20and November 5, 2011. It is a guided hunt. Hunters stay in the town of Cheyenne (lodging and meals are not included in this package). The winner is responsible for purchasing a license which costs $286. If a parent or another child wants to hunt along with the winner the cost for the additional hunt is $1995. Winning the hunt is contingent upon drawing an antelope license. The deadline to apply for an antelope license is March 15, and generally it is a 100% draw.

Send your essay answer to Kids Gone Hunting Foundation via Email at info@kidsgonehunting.com. Entries must be received byFriday, March 4, 2011 by midnight central standard time. Include your name, address, age and phone number in the entry. No purchase necessary to win. Entrants must have permission from a parent or guardian to submit an essay answer. The hunt may not be transferred or held over for next year. Kids Gone Hunting reserves the right to publish the winning essay answer. Winners/guardians must sign waivers issued by Kids Gone Hunting and Table Mountain Outfitters to participate in the hunt.

ABOUT KGH: Kids Gone Hunting Foundation, Inc. strives to instill conservation stewardship in the hearts of children by teaching them an appreciation for the virtues of hunting as a means to perpetuate wildlife and natural resources and create an understanding of the gifts provided by God’s great outdoors through kids reaching out to kids. Visitwww.kidsgonehunting.comfor more information.

For information about Table Mountain Outfitters visit http://www.tablemountainoutfitters.com or call Scott and Angie Denny at 307-632-6352 or Email: info@huntingwyoming.com.

ST. IGNACE — A man has been jailed for killing three wolves in Mackinac County, and state authorities are investigating two other wolf poaching cases in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

The Michigan DNRE says William Hayward,58, of Bay City, pleaded guilty last week in St. Ignace District Court to shooting three wolves, which are protected under federal law.

He also pleaded guilty to destroying tracking collars worn by the wolves.

He was sentenced to a year in jail, with 90 days to be served immediately and the rest could be suspended if he meets terms of a two-year probation period. He was ordered to pay $5,090 in fines and restitution.

Washington, DC- A coalition of the nation’s largest hunting and conservation groups has thanked members of Congress for taking several steps in the right direction for wolf conservation. The coalition recently reminded Congress that all wolves in the Rockies and Great Lakes area are recovered and should now be managed by state biologists. The coalition supports all four pending bills in the House and Senate to move recovered wolf populations to state management. The groups include Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club, National Rifle Association, and Safari Club International.

“The reintroduction of wolves has become a serious problem in several states across the country. Therefore, efforts to manage wolf populations through regulated hunting is long-overdue,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Left unmanaged, wolf packs have been decimating the game animals on which hunters depend, as well as threatening livestock and local communities. The NRA supports all legislative measures that will preserve America’s hunting and conservation heritage and will continue to fight for a solution to this critical issue.”

“The wolf is recovered biologically but population management is hung up in legal questions that judges call ‘ambiguous'” said Bob Model, Chairman of Government Affairs for the Boone and Crockett Club and Vice-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “Lawyers and judges disagree on the law. But no one disagrees with the numbers. The strength of the large and growing wolf population is obvious, and the numbers meet and far surpass the established threshold for recovery.”

Wolf populations in the Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes are at least 5 times larger than the federal recovery goals according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Representative Mike Simpson, and Senators Baucus and Tester have illustrated that there are many options available to move toward a solution, and we greatly appreciate that,” said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “These members are building on the attention that Senator Hatch and Representative Rehberg called to this issue with their companion bills earlier this Congress. We thank all of these Members for their contribution to the debate, and we support all of their pending legislation on this issue.”

The groups noted that recent proposals do not include Wyoming directly. They said that in order to return all recovered wolf populations to state managers, comprehensive legislation must include at least Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin in the Great Lakes. A transfer to state management is also called for in areas of Utah, Oregon, and Washington in the Rocky Mountains. But the coalition also supports interim steps to move toward these goals, in recognition of political realities that may delay or forestall a comprehensive remedy at this point in time.

“Wolves are remarkable in many ways,” said Dr. Larry Rudolph, President of Safari Club International, “most notably, they are efficient predators. They must be managed by the same state experts that manage the elk and deer that wolves eat. State biologists need the authority to manage the entire ecosystem and all the species that interact in it. Wolves are also opportunists, feeding on prey they may encounter when not actively hunting in packs. By the same token, we must be opportunist in seizing every opportunity for progress on this issue.”

BEAVERTON, Ore. – Utilizing an exclusive camouflage application technology for superior durability, Leupold® now offers the popular Mossy Oak® Break-Up® and Mossy Oak Treestand® hunting patterns on VX®-I and UltimateSlam® 3-9x40mm scope models.

Leupold’s advanced anodization process bonds the camo pattern directly to the scope body, ensuring an extremely tough and long-lasting finish, without adding thickness to the maintube diameter. The VX-I and UltimateSlam scopes are the first to feature this process.

One of the most versatile camo patterns, Mossy Oak Break-Up is effective in various hunting environments, from flooded timber to deep woods. Mossy Oak Treestand is designed specifically for whitetail deer hunters who shoot from an elevated position, providing concealment among the bare limbs of a tree in late fall.

“With these field-proven camo patterns, our VX-I and UltimateSlam scopes are a great choice for deer hunters concerned with concealment, whether they use a rifle, muzzleloader or shotgun,” commented Pat Mundy, communications manager for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “Our unique anodization process, combined with the ruggedness typical of all our scopes, will deliver years of reliable performance, season after season.”

The VX-I camo riflescopes have the time-tested Duplex® reticle, micro-friction dials marked in ¼-MOA increments for easy windage and elevation adjustments, and Leupold’s classic lockable eyepiece for a secure focus. UltimateSlam scopes are designed to enhance accuracy with muzzleloaders and shotguns. Each UltimateSlam pairs Leupold’s exclusive Sabot Ballistics Reticle (SA.B.R.®) with an innovative power selector ring that allows hunters to synchronize their gun with their preferred load.

In addition, VX-I and UltimateSlam scopes feature Leupold’s Standard Multicoat lens system for a bright, clear image. Like all Golden Ring® scopes, they are waterproof and fog proof, and tested under extreme conditions to ensure ruggedness and durability.

VX-I and UltimateSlam scopes are backed by Leupold’s Full Lifetime Guarantee. For more information, visit a local dealer, go to www.leupold.com or call 1-800-LEUPOLD.

A coalition of the nation’s largest hunting and conservation groups has thanked Members of Congress for taking several steps in the right direction for wolf conservation. The coalition reminded Congress that all wolves in the Rockies and Great Lakes area are recovered and should now be managed by state biologists. The coalition supports all four pending bills in the House and Senate to move recovered wolf populations to state management. The groups include Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club, National Rifle Association, and Safari Club International.

“The reintroduction of wolves has become a serious problem in several states across the country. Therefore, efforts to manage wolf populations through regulated hunting is long-overdue,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Left unmanaged, wolf packs have been decimating the game animals on which hunters depend, as well as threatening livestock and local communities. The NRA supports all legislative measures that will preserve America’s hunting and conservation heritage and will continue to fight for a solution to this critical issue.”

“The wolf is recovered biologically but population management is hung up in legal questions that judges call ‘ambiguous'” said Bob Model, Chairman of Government Affairs for the Boone and Crockett Club. “Lawyers and judges disagree on the law. But no one disagrees with the numbers. The strength of the large and growing wolf population is obvious, and the numbers meet and far surpass the established threshold for recovery.”

Wolf populations in the Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes are at least 5 times larger than the federal recovery goals according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Representative Mike Simpson, and Senators Baucus and Tester have illustrated that there are many options available to move toward a solution, and we greatly appreciate that,” said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “These members are building on the attention that Senator Hatch and Representative Rehberg called to this issue with their companion bills earlier this Congress. We thank all of these Members for their contribution to the debate, and we support all of their pending legislation on this issue.”

The groups noted that recent proposals do not include Wyoming directly. They said that in order to return all recovered wolf populations to state managers, comprehensive legislation must include at least Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin in the Great Lakes. A transfer to state management is also called for in areas of Utah, Oregon, and Washington in the Rocky Mountains. But the coalition also supports interim steps to move toward these goals, in recognition of political realities that may delay or forestall a comprehensive remedy at this point in time.

“Wolves are remarkable in many ways,” said Dr. Larry Rudolph, President of Safari Club International, “most notably, they are efficient predators. They must be managed by the same state experts that manage the elk and deer that wolves eat. State biologists need the authority to manage the entire ecosystem and all the species that interact in it. Wolves are also opportunists, feeding on prey they may encounter when not actively hunting in packs. By the same token, we must be opportunist in seizing every opportunity for progress on this issue.”

NEWTOWN, Conn.-The National Shooting Sports Foundation, trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, calls the 3.6 percent rise in paid hunting license holders for 2009 one of the most encouraging signs for hunting in recent years.

“This is great news for our industry and everyone associated with hunting,” said Steve Sanetti, president and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “Many efforts are at work to build hunting participation, and they are paying off. More people are enjoying the outdoors and sharing the tradition of hunting with family and friends. Also, more hunting license sales translate into more funds for wildlife conservation.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week reported a total of 14,974,534 paid license holders for 2009, the largest figure since 2002 – an increase of 526,494 over 2008. The 3.6 percent rise in paid license holders represents the largest year-over-year increase since 1974. (A “paid license holder” is one individual regardless of the number of licenses purchased.)

NSSF cites several reasons for the increase, ranging from programs launched by many state wildlife agencies over the last decade to increase hunting participation to a difficult economy that motivated hunters to fill their freezers with game rather than store-bought meat. Also, hunters who were among the unemployed or had their work hours reduced used some of their free time to go hunting.

Coordinated efforts of state wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and the firearms industry appear to have halted a decades-long decline in hunting license sales, which since 2005 have held at the 14.5-million level until the jump in 2009. NSSF has played a key role promoting hunting participation with its programs and websites. Through its Hunting Heritage Partnership program, NSSF has provided state agencies with $3.8 million to fund initiatives designed to encourage hunting among all age groups. Also, through Families Afield, a partnership effort of NSSF, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and National Wild Turkey Federation started in 2004, thirty states have made it easier for youth to begin hunting at a younger age with licensed adults. NSSF websites such as www.WingshootingUSA.org make it easy for hunters to locate gamebird preserves, where youth can easily get started in hunting and where inactive adult hunters can revive their interest.

Another positive sign for hunting is that contrary to claims of a wholesale decline in hunting participation, paid license holders have increased in 24 states in the five-year period from 2005 to 2009.

“Due to continued urbanization and changes in our culture, hunting will face significant challenges for the foreseeable future, but at the same time hunting remains an extremely important activity in the lives of millions of Americans, as the latest hunting licenses sales figures confirm,” said Sanetti.

NSSF points out that the actual number of hunters who go afield in any given year is greater than the total of paid hunting license holders in that year. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service figures do not account for certain state exemptions for purchasing a hunting license. Many states allow landowners and active military to hunt without purchasing a license; also, lifetime license holders and youth hunters who do not fall within the required license purchasing age are not included in the figures.

According to an NSSF-funded study carried out by Southwick Associates, the pool of hunters in America is much larger than previously thought. The study, released last fall, estimated that 21.8 million people purchased a hunting license at least once in the last five years.

Hunters are the backbone of conservation funding in America, contributing more than $1 billion each year through the purchase of licenses, tags, permits and stamps and through excise taxes paid on firearms and ammunition. For example, proceeds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps, a required purchase for migratory waterfowl hunting, have purchased more than 5 million acres of habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

NSSF, using its new 12-state hunting license sales index, anticipated the national increase in paid hunting license holders by reporting a 3.5 percent increase in license sales last spring. “It’s gratifying to see how accurate our state index was, which gives us confidence in future index-based hunting license sales figures,” said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF’s director of industry research and analysis.

NSSF will announce its state index hunting license sales report for 2010 this spring.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

NSSF celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2011.