States Focus on Big Game Migrations in the West

Ask many hunters across the country what their bucket list hunt is, and it would probably be a western big game hunt for elk, mule deer, or pronghorn. The vast landscapes these animals call home, with high-elevation forests and seemingly endless sagebrush sea, present the challenge and excitement for a dream hunt. These landscapes also define the lives of big game animals that must migrate across vast distances through the seasons to fulfill their habitat needs.

Elk migrating on National Elk Refuge. Moving long distances through the seasons is critical to big game survival. Kari Cieszkiewicz USFWS

Hunters and westerners in general have long recognized that the deer they see in the sagebrush flats in mid-winter will be gone once spring unveils the newly sprouting forage in higher elevations. As the “green wave” moves up the hillside each spring, so too do the big game species as they follow the food that sustains them. They head to high elevations to fawn or calve, staying in the high country through the summer months before making the same trek back down. The advent of GPS wildlife collars has unveiled an even more detailed story about the life cycle of big game species, and the vulnerable habitats along their migration routes.

For decades, state fish and wildlife agencies have been at the forefront of managing big game populations, utilizing funds through the sale of hunting licenses as well as excise taxes paid by manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and archery gear through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Fund. But the West is booming, and new housing construction, energy development, and increased traffic on roads coupled with wildland fires and the wide swing of drought to heavy snowpack, are all affecting big game populations.

Five years ago, the Department of the Interior’s Secretarial Order 3362 was signed to support state efforts to identify and improve big game migration corridors and seasonal ranges. According to the Department, direct funding to implement the Order over the last five years included $6.4 million for research and $2.5 million for mapping support to state fish and wildlife agencies. In addition, $20 million was directed toward habitat conservation and enhancement through a grant program coordinated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The new funding and focused attention have been invaluable to rapidly ramp up conservation efforts, however, states emphasize how important Pittman-Robertson funding has been to help them work with partners to implement big game habitat connectivity projects. Read more

Wildlife

CZ TS 2 & CZ TS 2 Orange, Side-By-Side

Kansas City, KS – Tight manufacturing tolerances, supreme accuracy, and enhanced ergonomics define the CZ TS 2 series of tactical sport pistols. These pistols are loaded with high-performance features, making all TS 2 and TS 2 Orange models solid choices for practical shooting disciplines like IPSC, USPSA, 3-Gun, and Steel Challenge. However, choosing between these proven pistols can be difficult, so here is a side-by-side comparison to help inform buying decisions.

CZ TS 2 and TS 2 Orange are steel-framed single-action-only pistols sharing many competition-ready design features. And both versions are available in 9mm or .40 S&W.

Functional and aesthetic updates to the TS 2 line include a flared aluminum magwell for faster reloads and colored aluminum grips with deep checkering for a splash of color and, more importantly, improved hold. A deeper undercut on the beavertail moves the hand closer to the bore axis, and along with a lower profile slide, shooters experience less muzzle flip and faster follow-up shots. Read more

Firearms

Garand Collectors Association Donates $30,000 to CMP Scholarships for 2023

Along with the $218,000 in scholarships awarded by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) in 2023, the Garand Collectors Association (GCA) provided a generous $30,000 contribution to be distributed amongst the remarkable young applicants from across the country. These top individuals were chosen by the CMP Scholarship Committee and awarded a one-time, $3,000 scholarship.

Receiving the $3,000 GCA scholarships were Kenlee Ewton (18, Soddy Daisy, TN), Caroline Audette (17, Fort Mill, SC), Elizabeth Lilly (17, Marble Falls, TX), Kimi Yokoyama (18, Honolulu, HI), Kaitlyn Choy (17, Kaneohe, HI), Diane Heschel (18, Oak Harbor, OH), Emma Bueschel (18, Joliet, IL), Garrison Brown (18, New Stanton, PA), Paige Hildebrandt (17, Belgrade, MT), Colby Fujino (17, Honolulu, HI), Ashton Arlington (18, Granbury, TX), Jenna Kruger (18, Pierre, SD), Christian Bell (18, Parrish, FL), Elijah Spencer (18, Boise, ID), Olivia Schammel (18, Kingwood, TX), Tess Hines (18, Springfield, VA), Matthew Stout (18, Poquoson, VA), Ava Downs (18, Muskego, WI), Blake Jankowski (18, Tom River, NJ) and Ada Korkhin (18, Brookline, MA).

One scholarship recipient wrote:

“I would like to thank the CMP and the Garand Collectors Association for this scholarship. I plan on studying mechanical engineering and this award will help me be able to pay for that. My experiences with my rifle team were the best times I had during high school and I hope to find ways to continue participating in marksmanship activities. My parents gifted me with an M1 Garand as a high school graduation present so it is very special to me that part of my scholarship comes from the GCA. Thank you again!” Read more

Firearms

Federal Ammunition Introduces New Action Shotgun Ammo

ANOKA, Minnesota –– Federal is proud to introduce new Federal Action Shotgun, catering to the wants and needs for competitors within the growing sport of action shotgun. This specialized load was created to deliver a perfect balance of power, shoot-ability, and control needed in multi-gun competitions.

Federal Action Shotgun (federalpremium.com)

“Every aspect of this new ammo has been designed to help competitors run their shotgun stages more efficiently and effectively,” said Scott Turner, Federal’s Shotshell Product Line Manager. “First and foremost, this product is designed to address and eliminate hand-loading and magazine-feeding issues these athletes often encounter. Second, it delivers the quantity and power that action shotgun shooters were already seeking out. And finally, it uses the ideal components for the ultimate in pattern performance and reliability competitors can depend on.”

Action Shotgun features an overshot card and roll crimp that adds strength and rigidity to the mouth of the shell, allowing for improved cycling in both tube-fed and magazine-fed shotguns. The shell cup is made of brass-plated steel for reliable feeding and extraction to reduce the risk of jams. Read more

Ammunition

NSSF Files Motion to Enjoin California Firearm Industry Liability Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in its legal challenge, NSSF v. Bonta, seeking to enjoin California’s firearm industry liability law, AB 1594, that was passed last year and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The unconstitutional law permits and encourages civil suits against members of the firearm industry for the damages caused by the actions of criminals. This law is an affront to the U.S. Constitution and abuses the judicial system in an attempt to circumvent the will of the U.S. Congress when it passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). The law goes into effect July 23. NSSF’s motion to enjoin was filed by Clement & Murphy, PLLC.

NSSF’s motion argues that California’s firearm industry liability law is preempted by the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) which was passed with bipartisan support in Congress and subsequently signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005. The PLCAA was specifically enacted to stamp out frivolous lawsuits sought by activist politicians, gun control lawyers and greedy trial lawyers seeking to bankrupt the lawful firearm industry by blaming them and their lawfully-sold and non-defective products for the violence and harm caused by criminals who misuse firearms to commit their crimes.

“It’s no surprise California’s rabidly antigun General Assembly would pass and Governor Gavin Newsom would sign into law a blatantly unconstitutional attack on the lawful firearm industry instead of looking in the mirror to see how their own policies are leading to historic levels of criminal violence and endangering law-abiding and innocent Californians every day,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. “NSSF will not stand by and allow the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, or the Constitutional protections of the industry that provides the means of exercising those rights, to be trampled upon while criminals committing acts of violence are handled with kid gloves by soft-on-crime prosecutors. California’s industry liability law is in blatant defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Bruen and is preempted by the PLCAA. NSSF will continue to defend our constitutionally-protected industry against the broadsides of Governor Newsom and his extremist antigun agenda.” Read more

Gun Control

‘Papa Bear’ Statue to be Built in Grayling Michigan

Pope and Young Will Be Matching Donations

June 15th, 2023 – Pope and Young, North America’s premier bowhunting conservation organization has a long history and fondness for Fred Bear and everything he did for bowhunting and conservation. To honor Fred and his many contributions to Bowhunting, Pope and Young is helping to raise funds for a seven-foot bronze statue of Mr. Bear.

Adorning the seven-foot bronze statue will be a bronze plaque that lists the history and accolades of Fred Bear. The statue and plaque will be set in place Grayling, Michigan in Grayling City Park.

Fred Bear not only played a vital role in the archery community as whole, but he was also a proud member and supporter of Pope and Young. Fred became a member of Pope and Young in 1961 and served on its first board. Fred is one of the most recognized bowhunters of the 20th century, with his early work filming and promoting bowhunting being unparalleled.

To support this noble cause, Pope and Young will match any donation members make, so donate now through the Pope and Young website by clicking, HERE. Read more

Archery

Last Chance to Register for Burris Optics Team Challenge

Greeley, CO – Burris Optics, a leading manufacturer of premium optics, announces registration will be closing soon for the Burris Optics Team Challenge, a two-day shooting competition that will take place on June 22-25, 2023, at a private 17,000+ acre ranch in Douglas, Wyoming.

The Burris Optics Team Challenge is a unique event that allows two-person teams to compete against each other in a variety of shooting disciplines, including long-range rifle shooting, pistol shooting, and shotgun shooting. The competition is designed to test participants’ marksmanship skills, as well as their ability to work together as a team. In partnership with Competition Dynamics, this match offers athletes a world-class, cutting-edge competitive practical shooting experience with an unmatched level of professionalism and operational excellence.

Participants in the Burris Optics Team Challenge will have the chance to win a variety of prizes, including Burris Optics products, cash, and other shooting-related gear. In addition, the top-performing team will be crowned the Burris Optics Team Challenge Champions and awarded a grand prize. Watch this video to see this event in action. Read more

Firearms

NLCA Cert Petition Joins Effort Asking Supreme Court to Overturn Chevron and Scrap Fishy Rule

NCLA Cert Petition Joins Effort Asking U.S. Supreme Court to Overturn Chevron and Scrap Fishy Rule

Relentless Inc., Huntress Inc., and Seafreeze Fleet LLC. v. U.S. Department of Commerce, et al.

Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) have imposed an unconstitutional rule requiring fishing companies to pay for at-sea government monitoring of their herring catch. Unfortunately, relying on Chevron deference to do the heavy lifting, the First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that rule. Today, the New Civil Liberties Alliance petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari in Relentless Inc., et al. v. Dept. of Commerce, et al., seeking to overturn the Chevron precedent and vacate the rule.

NOAA implemented a Final Rule in 2020 to force fishing companies like Relentless Inc., Huntress Inc., and Seafreeze Fleet LLC, to pay for human at-sea monitors aboard their vessels. This would be like forcing motorists to pay for ride-along state troopers to monitor their speed. Not surprisingly, Congress never gave the agency authority to launch such a program. NCLA’s clients are small businesses that commercially fish for Atlantic herring (as well as mackerel, Loligo and Illex squids, and butterfish). Paying for monitors would cost them more than $700 per day, substantially cutting into—or even exceeding—their daily fishing profits for herring. Read more

Fishing

Eighth Annual Fin-Finder WreckFest Online Bowfishing Contest Returns

8th Annual Fin-Finder WreckFest Online Bowfishing Contest Returns

Mount Joy, PA — Fin-Finder is inviting all bowfishing enthusiasts to enter the 8th annual Fin-Finder WreckFest23 Online Bowfishing Tournament.

Fin-Finder’s WreckFest allows you to bowfish your waters, on your time — from the bank or the boat for a chance to win big.

WreckFest23 will run from Wednesday, June 14th until Sunday, July 16th, 2023.

This year, Fin-Finder is offering bowfishing enthusiasts two ways to participate. Participants can choose from a free or $25 paid entry option. Each pricing tier comes with its own benefits and prizes.

By registering for Tier 1 of WreckFest23, participants will earn entries to win the following awesome prizes. Read more

Fishing

Ruling Could Threaten Wetlands That Aid Fisheries

By Frank Sargeant

We used to think of “wetlands” as just plain swamp, useless for producing much but mosquitoes, snakes and frogs. That’s not the case now for conservation-minded anglers and hunters, who realize that these areas are at the heart of producing everything from waterfowl to the clean water that lets fisheries thrive—and they’re also the source of much of the nation’s drinking water.

We note this because the U.S. Supreme Court last month issued a ruling sharply curtailing Clean Water Act protections for wetlands that could be problematic in these days when so many wild lands are being turned into suburbs and shopping malls.

Ruling in Sackett v. EPA, the court limited Clean Water Act protection for wetlands to those with a “continuous surface connection” to other “Waters of the United States,” which will remove federal protections for vast areas of the nation’s wetlands.

The beginning trickle of waters that become a trout stream depend on adjacent wetlands to feed them and cleanse runoff. (Trout Unlimited)

Earlier rulings had protected any wetlands with a “significant nexus” to Waters of the U.S., and for decades the Clean Water Act has covered wetlands that are “adjacent” to those waters. In the case in question, the court found that a landowner did not need a federal Clean Water Act permit to fill in a wetland lacking a “continuous surface connection” to a water body flowing into Idaho’s popular Priest Lake, which provides important cutthroat trout habitat. Read more

Fishing
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