Annual Breeding Waterfowl Population Survey Estimates 32.3 Million Ducks

Total ducks and mallard numbers decline, but pintails and canvasbacks increase

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The breeding population of ducks declined 7% this spring, while pond counts dropped by 9% compared to last year, according to the 2023 Waterfowl Population Status report released Friday by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Those numbers resulted from the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, which has been conducted annually by the USFWS and Canadian Wildlife Service since 1955, except for 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 concerns. The survey, which is used to set hunting regulations throughout North America, estimated a breeding duck population of 32.3 million ducks in the traditional survey area, which is 7% less than 2022 and 9% below the long-term average. Importantly, the May pond count, a key indicator of duck habitat and potential production, showed 4.98 million ponds, a 9% decrease and 5% below the long-term average.

The numbers might seem discouraging on the surface, but Dr. Frank Rohwer, president and chief scientist of Delta Waterfowl puts forth an important reminder: “We don’t hunt the breeding population. We hunt the fall flight, which is made of the breeding population plus this year’s duck production. Duck production is the key to the upcoming hunting season.” Read more

Wildlife

Wisconsin: DNR Stocks Great Lakes to Improve Angling

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to help enhance fish populations in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior through its 2023 stocking efforts.

“The fisheries of the Great Lakes provide world-class fishing opportunities for our stakeholders,” said Brad Eggold, DNR Great Lakes District Fisheries Supervisor. “We continue to assess the fish populations of the Great Lakes and stock appropriate numbers and species of fish to build on the success that started over five decades ago.”

Stocking efforts will continue throughout the year, including stocking 50,000 brook trout, 44,468 brown trout and 258,228 coho salmon into the Great Lakes, to ensure the 2023 stocking quotas are fulfilled.

Since the start of 2023, DNR fisheries staff have stocked the following fish into the Great Lakes:

LAKE MICHIGAN

    • 405,532 brown trout
    • 1,386,492 Chinook salmon
    • 241,772 coho salmon
    • 7,681 muskellunge
    • 522,852 rainbow trout

LAKE SUPERIOR

  • 174,906 brown trout
  • 58,300 lake trout
  • 40,816 splake
  • 100,000 walleye

During this year’s data entry, DNR staff discovered that approximately 4,200 additional steelhead yearlings stocked into Lake Michigan in 2022 had not been recorded in the database. The database has since been updated to reflect this addition to the fishery.

Read more fast facts about our Great Lakes stocking efforts on this DNR publication.

You can find previous years’ fish stocking information for Lake Michigan and Lake Superior on the DNR fisheries webpage.

Fishing

Kinsey’s Offers Exclusive CVA Scout Pistol in 350 Legend

MOUNT JOY, PA – Kinsey’s Inc., a leading distributor in the archery and firearms industry, is thrilled to announce the release of their exclusive CVA Scout Pistol. This handcrafted masterpiece combines state-of-the-art engineering and unparalleled aesthetics, perfectly aligning with Kinsey’s and CVA’s commitment to quality and innovation.

The CVA Scout pistol is a single shot, break action, exposed hammer pistol in 350 Legend. It features cerakote sniper gray metalwork and a fluted and ported barrel. It also includes a weaver rail for mounting optics. The pistol’s grip and foregrip are crafted in Veil Alpine camo.

The exclusive CVA Scout Pistol is now available for purchase, and it promises to redefine standards in firearm design and functionality. This limited-edition offering is available exclusively through Kinsey’s Inc.

Steve Mullinax, National Sales Manager for CVA, commented on the partnership stating, “We at CVA are excited to partner with Kinsey’s Inc. to bring you this exclusive 350 legend Scout pistol. It’s incredible accuracy and lightweight configuration make it the perfect choice for chasing deer in the deep woods. Get yours today, only available at Kinsey’s.”

To purchase the Kinsey’s Exclusive CVA Scout Pistol — visit their webstore:

CVA Scout Pistol 350 Legend

Kinsey’s Exclusive CVA Scout Pistol Product Specs:

Caliber: .350 Legend

Camo: Veil Alpine

Cerakote: Sniper Gray

Barrel: 14″ Fluted Stainless Steel with Threaded Barrel and Muzzle brake

Item #: 1209763

Firearms

Grizzly Bear Relocated to Reduce Conflict Potential

After consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured and relocated an adult male grizzly bear on Aug. 15.

The bear was captured for livestock depredation northwest of Thermopolis on private land. The bear was relocated to the Five Mile Creek drainage approximately 41 miles west of Cody.

Bears are relocated in accordance with state and federal law and regulation, and Game and Fish is required to update the public whenever a bear is relocated.

WHY RELOCATION?

Grizzly bear relocation is a management tool large carnivore biologists use to minimize conflicts between humans and grizzly bears. It is critical to managing the expanding population of grizzly bears in Wyoming. Read more

Wildlife

New Bushnell Match Pro ED 15×56 Binocular Now Shipping

Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, is now shipping the Match Pro ED 15×56 binocular, a premium optic designed for precision and competition rifle shooters. Designed from the ground up to offer unparalleled image quality and resolution, the Match Pro ED binoculars offer ED Prime glass and the market’s only proprietary, rotating Shot-Call MRAD reticle in a high-magnification binocular.

Since being introduced, the Match Pro ED 15×56 binocular has become a game-changer on the competitive circuit. Bushnell pro shooter Robert Brantley has used the Match Pro ED binocular in recent PRS matches where he’s won four consecutive Tactical Division titles.

“The new Match Pro binos offer the perfect setup for spotting and calling shots on the range,” said Brantley. “They offer the all-day comfort of your favorite binos with the ability to fine tune corrections with the Shot-Call reticle. It truly does offer the best of everything and I’m not ever going back to shooting without them.” Read more

Optics

Kimber Announces New Limited Lifetime Warranty

Kimber has built a reputation for premium quality and trusted reliability which has been widely recognized by firearms enthusiasts worldwide. In support of this tireless pursuit of excellence, Kimber has strengthened their support of new and loyal product owners with a new limited lifetime warranty.

Previously all Kimber firearms carried a one-year warranty against defects in workmanship from the Manufacturer. Now, Kimber has introduced their most comprehensive product warranty in their storied 30-year history. Kimber has long been known for superior quality in 1911’s, creating the trend of extremely accurate light weight mountain hunting rifles plus a new generation of handguns and revolvers. This new warranty delivers on a Kimber promise started over 30 years ago by creating a gunsmith quality firearm at an affordable price. Read more

Firearms

ESCORT’s PS Youth Semi-Auto Shotgun Now Available in .410 Caliber

Rogers, AR – If you’re looking to get started or help someone with shooting sports, Hatsan’s ESCORT® PS Youth is the perfect beginner’s shotgun. But that doesn’t mean it lacks features! This semi-auto shotgun is just the right size for youth and smaller framed shooters. It’s easy to carry, easy to load, and easy to shoot.

The PS Youth is available in 20-gauge or .410 caliber, with 3” magnum chamber. It features ESCORT’s Fast-Loading and Smart-Valve Piston Systems. An aircraft-grade aluminum alloy receiver is fully anodized and sports a well-designed 11mm groove for optics mounts. The chrome-plated 22-inch barrel pulls everything together utilizing a 7mm, checkered, ventilated, anti-glare rib ending with a classic brass bead.

No matter what game is being taken, the ESCORT PS Youth can handle a variety of shots, including steel (with specific chokes). The multi-choke system includes five chokes (F, IM, M, IC, CYL). A migratory plug can be installed for 2+1 capacity and removed for a complete 4+1 capacity. Read more

Firearms

CZ BOBWHITE G2 Side-by-Side Shotgun

Kansas City, KS

  • The CZ BOBWHITE G2 reigns as the best-selling side-by-side shotgun year-over-year, boasting accessibility with left-handed and intermediate-sized options.
  • Precision craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing elevate the CZ BOBWHITE G2, featuring Italian barrel steel, improved spring systems, and elegant laser-engraved checkering.
  • Customized versatility shines through sub-models like the Southpaw for left-handed shooters and the Intermediate for smaller-statured individuals, all while maintaining an affordable price point.

Emerging as the best-selling side-by-side on the market year over year, CZ BOBWHITE G2 has established itself as not only the finest side-by-side in its category but stands out as the most accessible with both left-handed and intermediate-sized variants available. CZ’s BOBWHITE is built using Italian barrel steel hand-fit to a CNCed steel action. The BOBWHITE’s crisp double triggers, Circassian walnut furniture and hand-engraved details are befitting a shotgun priced well beyond its $799 base MSRP. Read more

Firearms

Introducing the GForce One: Your Ultimate Waterfowl Shotgun

GForce Arms is proud to announce the launch of the GForce One hunting shotgun. The GForce One is designed and manufactured with the hardcore hunter in mind. With a mission to offer an affordable hunting shotgun that harbors many of the features and functionality of high-end brands such as Benelli, Browning, and Beretta, GForce Arms introduces a reliable shotgun that will make any outdoor enthusiast proud. By the way, it comes with a lifetime warranty. No B.S., no questions asked, no proof of purchase. We just keep your gun running so that you can keep doing what you do best… hunting and shooting.

The design of the GForce One operating system produces unmatched functionality and reliability. The Gforce One comes with two plugs (just in case you lose one) and it’s made to handle 3 inch magnum shells, as well as light 1oz field loads with ease. As hunters and shooters at GForce Arms, we have a strong appreciation for not needing to clean our shotguns every time we return from the field. Therefore, we set the expectation for the GForce One to cycle day in and day out without the need to pull out the cleaning kit after every hunt. We are proud to be able to check that expectation box with our inertia operating system. Read more

Firearms

CCI Releases New Clean-22 Hyper Velocity 22 LR Rimfire Ammunition

CCI launches a new product for 2023: Clean-22 Hyper Velocity. Now CCI shooters can get all the benefits of exclusive Clean-22 technology with the flat trajectories and power of an extreme-velocity load. New CCI Clean-22 Hyper Velocity clocks in at 1,550 fps, while the advanced polymer coating on the 31-grain, lead, round-nose bullet reduces fouling, especially in suppressed rimfires.

Clean-22 Hyper Velocity | CCI (cci-ammunition.com)

“By adding the Clean-22 Hyper Velocity to the lineup we now have a load in all common and popular muzzle-velocity windows,” said CCI’s Product Director Jason Slinkard. “This new SKU rounds off the Clean-22 product family. Customers are looking for variety, and CCI has always delivered. Shooters were often asking for a high velocity option in this product line, and this purple stuff is it!” Read more

Ammunition
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