Students Attend Rifle Small Arms Firing School at Camp Perry

The Rifle Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) kicked off with instruction from the Army Marksmanship Unit at Camp Perry on July 22 and 23rd for 310 students. This class gives new and experienced competitors alike the opportunity to learn from the best in the nation and develop their skills in a controlled and safe environment.

The class started out with two hours of instruction in Camp Perry’s Hough Auditorium, complete with demonstrations and time for questions. New students were encouraged to handle the AR-15 rifle to learn the mechanics and understand marksmanship basics like sight alignment and trigger control. More experienced competitors had the opportunity to ask advanced questions.

For the next section of the class, students headed out to Rodriguez Range and use their own equipment (scope, jacket, glove, mat, etc.) for training and eventually, the Excellence-In-Competition rifle match on Day II. The AR-15 rifle, sling and ammunition were provided by the CMP for the class and match that followed. Teams of four shooters worked their coaches and began training by dry-firing. Instructors worked with students individually to teach them the basics for prone, sitting/kneeling, and standing positions.

The dry fire and position work period was followed by live fire practice. Two members from each firing point were sent to the pits to raise, lower and score targets for the two relays on the range. Pit duty is crucial because the class and match are shot on paper targets and it provides valuable scoring opportunities.

Jeff Schneider, a SAFS coach, offered his advice to his students during the live-fire practice. “Shoot like you’re dry firing, focus on the front sight, follow through the trigger and repeat. Forget your last shot; focus on the one you’re taking. Pretend you are Dory from Finding Nemo and ‘just keep swimming’,” he said.
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Firearms

AZGFD Offering Additional Big Game Hunting Opportunities

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) once again will be offering additional hunting opportunities that will provide all hunters with a chance to draw an additional elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and Gould’s turkey permit-tag, while generating revenue to support wildlife conservation efforts across the state.

The draw will open at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) Wednesday, Aug. 2, and close at 5 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Aug. 8. Applicants who are drawn for a limited-entry permit-tag will be contacted by the department (during the week of Aug. 14), at which time payment will be required before the permit-tag can be mailed. It is the responsibility of each applicant to provide accurate contact information to avoid missing an opportunity to receive the permit-tag for which they were drawn.

These opportunities should not be confused with the annual draws that are conducted by the department in February, June and October. A limited-entry permit-tag application does not preclude a hunter from applying for any other hunts throughout the year or impact bonus points. Animals harvested during limited-entry permit-tag seasons are excluded from annual bag limits. Read more

Hunting

NWTF and USDA Forest Service Collaborate to Tackle Wildfire Crisis in Montana

Photo courtesy of David Nikonow.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation has teamed up with the USDA Forest Service in Montana’s Bitterroot National Forest to conduct forest restoration amid what has been deemed a wildfire crisis. The restoration is part of the NWTF’s Big Sky Forestry Initiative and the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy.

The ongoing project, known as the Stevensville West Central Fuels Reduction project, encompasses approximately eight miles of Forest Service boundary in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, stretching between the Sharrot and Silverthorn Watershed in the north and the Sweathouse Watershed in the south.

The wildfire crisis has emerged as a significant concern in the western regions, primarily attributed to factors such as deteriorating forest health caused by overgrown forests, a warming climate and unprecedented drought conditions. In this project area, the absence of beneficial low-intensity fires over an extended period has led to the rapid increase of Douglas fir and other conifers, which has in turn, outcompeted and crowded out the ponderosa pine. This situation has escalated the risk of wildfires in the region and resulted in a decline in wildlife habitat diversity, underscoring the critical importance of the ongoing restoration project. Read more

Wildlife

Evaluate Your Yard This Summer

Native plants are always good additions to any yard, and sunflowers brighten any location where they are planted; plus, birds like American Goldfinches will forage on the plants and the seed heads as they grow, mature, and dry (new photo by Paul Konrad).
If you are looking for a good perennial to add to a garden space, Bee Balm comes in a variety of colors, but emphasize red flowering plants, which are most attractive to hummingbirds (red flowers produce nectar with a higher sugar content).
Red Hot Poker plants are among the variety of “hummingbird plants” that flower well under drier conditions.

It’s a great time to take a second look at your yard with birds in mind now that the summer growing season has provided what may be the peak of greenery in your trees, shrubs, garden, and lawn, and while many of your flowering plants are in bloom as part of a succession of plants in flower – with more on the way. Take it all in, and at the same time, remember your spring flowering trees and the birds that were attracted, and think about the flowers that have attracted the most hummingbirds. Remember the tall grasses and flowering plants that provided winter and early spring forage and cover for birds, and consider how you can improve and expand on your successes. Read more

Wildlife

Viking Invasion Is Coming!

The Aviara looks like a Scandinavian design, but in fact it’s built in Tennessee by Mastercraft, a well-known wakeboat builder.

The “Next Big Thing” in recreational powerboats is apparently the Scandinavian or Nordic style, sort of a modern Viking longboat, with high freeboard, vertical or reversed bow, sharp deadrise or “V” at the transom and lots of power based on the new class of jumbo outboards. Most also have a double-stepped bottom and a relatively narrow beam, tapered in more of linear shape than the typical broad-beamed USA design.

The boats are distinguished by lots of speed for a given amount of horsepower, great fuel economy and also by an impressive ability to zip smoothly through waves that would knock your teeth out in a conventional hull.

Most also have “modular” design, which means you can opt for anything from no seats at all to enough seats to turn the boat into a commuter bus. And most have bunks for at least two tucked into the console, as well as some sort of head arrangement. Pilothouse designs, with air conditioning, are also typical on the larger models, 25’ and up.

The Quarken wins the prize for the best name–it’s reminiscent of the legendary Kraken of Nordic lore.

The boats were mostly a thing in Europe until the last couple of years, but now at least two U.S. firms are building models in the genre. Wellcraft’s 355 and Mastercraft’s Aviara line are both in this playbook—you’d never know they are U.S.A. built had the companies not ‘fessed up. Read more

Fishing

Yamaha Unleashes the 2024 YXZ1000R SS

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, the pioneer in delivering the industry’s first and only direct-connection pure-sport Side-by-Side (SxS), announces enhancements to the 2024 YXZ1000R and YXZ1000R SS (Sport Shift), highlighted by a new 6-speed transmission and all-new Yamaha Auto-Shift Technology in the SS variant. Assembled in Yamaha’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Newnan, Georgia, the new YXZ1000R lineup raises the bar in terms of capability, comfort, and versatility, promising unforgettable off-road adventures for pure-sport SxS enthusiasts across the country.

The highlight of the 2024 YXZ1000R SS is Yamaha’s exclusive Auto-Shift Technology, featuring three modes of direct-connection, conveniently accessible via a dash-mounted dial. This groundbreaking technology provides automatic-transmission drivers with the pure sport experience while offering the flexibility of switching to manual gear selection for an unparalleled direct-connection driving experience. The new 6-gear, close-ratio transmission is designed to excel during low-speed operation on various terrains, ensuring the vehicle stays within the ideal powerband without compromising high-speed performance. Furthermore, the enhanced transmission boosts clutch durability, delivers smoother engagement, and optimizes the overall driving experience. The new YXZ1000R SS also showcases increased accessory integration with a higher electrical output and added accessory ports and plugs.

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General

Yamaha Unveils 2024 Proven Off-Road ATV and Side-by-Side Lineup

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, sets a new standard for Proven Off-Road 2024 Side-by-Side (SxS) and ATV models with the unveiling of all-new models and technological enhancements. The 2024 collection showcases Yamaha’s commitment to providing optimal capability, comfort, and confidence for every off-road enthusiast, whether conquering the toughest terrain or embarking on epic adventures.

Manufactured with pride at Yamaha’s state-of-the-art facility in Newnan, Georgia, every Yamaha SxS and full-size ATV is assembled in the USA and distributed worldwide. The 2024 lineup boasts a wide range of models designed to cater to various preferences and needs: Read more

General

SDS Imports/TISAS USA Announces The 1911 Night Stalker

TISAS/SDS Imports is extremely proud to announce their 1911 Night Stalker series chambered in 9mm, 10mm and .45 ACP. Thereby establishing a new standard for the ageless 1911 pistol, engineered with precision for flawless operation for the beginning shooter or “old ranger”.

The 1911 Night Stalker joins TISAS’s diverse line up of their other 1911 offerings available in several configurations that meet and exceed the needs and desires of anyone, be they a competition shooter to every day carry, at a price point to fit any budget. It comes with a Lifetime Service Plan which further demonstrates TISAS/SDS Imports’ commitment to quality.

TISAS USA’s 1911 Night Stalker is built for quality and endurance while looking great, starting with its 5-inch black Ceracoke coated, hammer forged steel barrel and forged full-sized foundation construction frame. For durability the frame and slide are ceracoated in Ceracoke H-337 Platinum Grey. The rear slide has thick-angled styled cuts. The underside of the frame has a Mil Standard 1913 Picatinny Rail to accommodate a variety of “equipment”. The 1911 Night Stalker has novak cut rear sights with an easy to see Tritium front sight for quick pointing and target acquisition.

The internals for the 1911 Night Stalker are based on Colt (trademarked) Series 70 parts along with a SF machined mainspring housing. The new design solid black, single-action trigger has vertical front grooves to assure trigger control. The pistol’s ejection port is match design. Read more

Firearms

Introducing the All-New Proven Off-Road Yamaha Wolverine X2 1000

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, expands its Proven Off-Road lineup of recreational Side-by-Sides (SxS) with the launch of the all-new Wolverine X2 1000. Designed to embody the power and performance of Yamaha’s flagship Wolverine RMAX 1000 lineup, the Wolverine X2 1000 offers exceptional capability, comfort, and confidence within a compact and value-packed machine.

Inspired by the success of the Wolverine X2, the new Wolverine X2 1000 blends a range of enhancements, derived from both the 850 platform and premium RMAX 1000 series. Key upgrades include a 999-cc twin-cylinder engine, a premium automotive-style interior, switch prewiring for the optional Yamaha D-Mode technology, fully adjustable suspension, and 28-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires mounted on all-new tuning-fork inspired aluminum wheels. Read more

General

Michigan DNR hiring now for fall positions

Outdoor lovers, conservation-minded folks and anyone who wants to help wildlife thrive – the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hiring for a variety of temporary wildlife positions that may be right for you! Based throughout the Lower Peninsula, these fall jobs could be especially attractive to college students, those looking to reenter the workforce, or seniors and retirees who want to get more involved in the outdoors.

Whether you’re looking to gain new skills or seeking an interesting job steeped in natural resources, the DNR Wildlife Division has several options. Temporary fall workers are crucial to maintaining the healthy wildlife populations that are central to quality hunting and wildlife watching experiences. People in these roles help deliver:

    • Surveillance for chronic wasting disease in deer.
    • Support for seamless managed waterfowl hunt drawings.
    • Answers and information to customers with wildlife-related questions.

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Wildlife
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