USDA Commits to Big Game Conservation

New USDA-NRCS partnership with Wyoming will focus on conserving big game migratory habitat on private lands.

On Friday May 20, USDA announced a new partnership that uses diverse Farm Bill investments to support voluntary conservation of private working lands and migratory big game populations in Wyoming. Using lessons learned from this pilot, USDA seeks to scale up this model across the West as part of President Biden’s commitment to support voluntary, locally-led conservation efforts to reach the administration’s national conservation goals.

USDA participated in extensive engagement and listening sessions with stakeholders throughout Wyoming and developed this pilot in response to their feedback. Those listening sessions helped guide the pilot’s concepts and principles: recognition of the large scale of this issue in key landscapes, coordination with state agencies, consistency with state policy and direction and support of existing partnerships wherever possible. Read more

Wildlife

Eleven Mexican Wolf Pups Journey From Captivity to Join the Wild Population

A Mexican wolf pup is given a health check before being placed into a wild den. Photo courtesy of Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team.

PHOENIX — Eleven genetically valuable captive-born Mexican wolf pups have been placed into wild dens to be raised in the wild by their surrogate parents after another successful fostering season. Now in its seventh year, the Mexican wolf fostering program continues to help boost the genetic diversity of this endangered subspecies.

Over a three-week period this spring, 11 pups were fostered into five wild packs across New Mexico and Arizona. The pups traveled from captive facilities across the U.S. as part of a coordinated effort to place genetically diverse wolves into the wild population in support of recovery efforts.

Fostering is a proven method used by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) to increase genetic diversity in the wild Mexican wolf population. It begins with carefully managed breeding by the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) program to produce genetically diverse pups within the captive population. Within 14 days of whelping (being born), the captive-born pups are transported to the wild and mixed together with similarly aged wild pups.

Once all of the pups are placed back into the wild den, the breeding female’s maternal instinct kicks in. She will feed and care for both the wild and captive-born pups. With the help of her pack mates, the pups will be raised with the skills and knowledge needed for a life in the wild. The IFT has documented that fostered pups have the same survival rate as wild-born pups in their first year of life (about 50%). Read more

Wildlife

SAF: Biden and Anti Gun Democrats Fueling Gun Sales

BELLEVUE, WA – In the aftermath of this week’s murderous rampage by a deranged killer inside an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, gun sales have reportedly “rocketed” and the Second Amendment Foundation said today that President Joe Biden and his Democrat colleagues in Congress have only themselves to blame.

“Whether he likes it or not, Joe Biden is largely responsible for this,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “When he went on national television to provide comfort to a grieving nation, and instead launched a tirade against law-abiding firearm owners and gun manufacturers, he only further divided the country and used the bully pulpit of the presidency to foment irrational fear and loathing of businesses and especially people who have absolutely no connection to the crime.

“In their bid to spread hysteria and hate,” he continued, “Biden and his fellow Democrat gun prohibitionists on Capitol Hill, led by Sen. Charles Schumer, have actually talked more people into buying more guns. Stock prices at Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Company have reportedly spiked.

“If Biden and his gun prohibitionist pals are concerned there are too many guns in civilian hands,” he added, “they should lower their rhetoric and cut back on their attacks on our constitutional rights. The public realizes the importance of the Second Amendment, which guarantees we will have the tools to defend ourselves against the kinds of dangerous lunatics that liberal policies have allowed to roam free.” Read more

Gun Control

Colt Introduces “Baby Snake” for Rimfire Shooters: King Cobra Target 22 LR Revolver

West Hartford, CT (May 31, 2022) – Colt’s Manufacturing introduced its newest snake gun—the King Cobra Target 22 LR at the National Rifle Association Annual Meetings. From competition to plinking and small game hunting, this baby Cobra does it all and packs 10-rounds of .22 LR in its cylinder.

Exceptionally solid and all-American built, the King Cobra Target 22 LR was designed and made to be shot—a lot! Expect to see these revolvers at the many formal and informal rimfire competitions at gun clubs around the nation. Don’t be surprised when the winners of these competitions are using the King Cobra Target 22 LR.

The King Cobra Target 22 LR features US forged stainless steel construction. The one-piece stainless steel barrel is built for the utmost accuracy, topped with an adjustable target rear sight, fiber optic front sight, and Hogue® overmolded rubber grips.

“We are very excited to debut this new baby snake to our customers at NRA Annual Meetings,” said Justin Baldini, VP of Product Strategy, Colt CZ-USA. “Shooting .22 LR is such an important part of shooting sports. It’s where we come to learn as a beginner; and where we return as seasoned shooters to cost-effectively enjoy more time at the range. We’re confident that new and old Colt fans will love what we’ve done with the new King Cobra 22 LR.”

The King Cobra Target 22 LR is available with 4-inch and 6-inch barrel lengths, and both feature a 1:16RH rifling twist. Read more

Firearms

CZ-USA Introduces Two 457 Rimfire Rifles Configured for Lefties

Kansas City, KS (XXXX) – The wait is over for southpaw shooters coveting CZ’s latest generation of precision rimfire rifles. CZ-USA proudly introduces two left-hand 457 rifles – the Varmint in .22 LR and American in .22 LR or .22 WMR – tailored for left-hand shooters.

These new models inherit the advanced features of the CZ 457 series of bolt action rifles but with left-hand comfort and ease of use. The bolt, push-to-fire safety, and a separate bolt extractor control mirror right-hand rifle models for left-hand comfort. The striker status indicator located at the rear of the bolt provides a quick visual check while hunting or competition shooting. A shortened 60° bolt throw allows rapid and convenient reloading and increases clearance between the bolt and mounted optics.

CZ 457 rifles feature an adjustable trigger mechanism with a low trigger pull weight, creep, and customizable travel. The Varmint and American both feature Turkish walnut stocks with checkering on the grip and forend. With the use of an exceptionally durable anti-corrosion finish for moisture and protection, the external metal parts hold up great in the field and make maintenance a breeze. Read more

Firearms

FPC Appellate Win Blocks Pittsburgh, PA Gun Control Scheme

PITTSBURGH, PA – Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and FPC Action Foundation (FPCAF) today announced an appellate victory in FOAC v. Pittsburgh, Penn., a lawsuit filed in 2019 in response to a gun control scheme enacted by the City and its then-Mayor, Bill Peduto. The opinion, filed earlier today, is available at FPCLaw.org.

In April of 2019, Pittsburgh enacted regulations that, among other things, prohibited the “use” of so-called “assault weapons” and “large capacity magazines.” In response, FPC and FPCAF joined with Firearm Owners Against Crime (FOAC) and three individuals to file a legal challenge, represented by attorney Joshua Prince of Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C. In October of 2019, the trial court ruled in favor of the FOAC plaintiffs and declared the challenged laws “void and unenforceable due to field preemption by the Legislature.”

Throughout the litigation, the City unsuccessfully argued that the ordinances comply with Pennsylvania’s preemption law, which prohibit local governments from “in any manner regulat[ing] the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth.” But the appellate Commonwealth Court ultimately disagreed.

“Effectively, the [Assault Weapon] and [Large Capacity Magazine] Ordinances single-out these particular, and presumptively lawful, firearms and firearm accessories for differential treatment and outlaw the manner in which they are ‘used,’ including the act of ‘discharge,’” wrote Judge McCullough for the Court. “Further, the Ordinances in effect regulate the ‘ownership’ and/or ‘possession’ of firearms.” Thus, the Court held, “we affirm the order of the trial court and its conclusion that section 6120(a) of the UFA preempts the Ordinances, section 1102.2 of the AW Ordinance, section 1104.3 of the LCM Ordinance, and section 1107.04 of the ER Ordinance.” Read more

Gun Control

Federal’s Force X2 Shotshell a Golden Bullseye Award Winner

ANOKA, Minnesota –– The National Rifle Association’s (NRA) Shooting Illustrated magazine selected Federal’s Force X2 shotshell to receive the Golden Bullseye Award for 2022 Ammunition Product of the Year. Federal was recognized with the award during a special reception on Friday, May 27, 2022, at the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

“The team at Federal Ammunition is very proud to have received yet another Golden Bullseye Award from the NRA Publications,” said Federal Ammunition President, Jason Vanderbrink. “The Force X2 shotshell signals a big change in buckshot ammo. To receive this award from Shooting Illustrated magazine affirms that this round will be a great performer in close-range personal defense situations.”

Force X2’s nine copper-plated 00 FX2 buckshot pellets are specially engineered to split into two equal-size pieces on impact. This creates up to 18 wound channels, improves the transfer of energy from the payload to the target, and minimizes the potential for over-penetration, reducing the risk to bystanders. Force X2 is also loaded for more manageable recoil, allowing the shooter to stay on target for faster follow-ups and better accuracy in a self-defense situation. Read more

Ammunition

Camera Magic

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Cameras are everywhere!  They’re in the sky, in our vehicles, in doorbells and in our pockets.  Ordinary citizens routinely capture images we normally would not see – or, for that matter – believe.  Wireless phones that double as cameras do an incredible job, as millions of us already know; however, dedicated digital cameras may be a better choice.

Today’s phones are versatile devices but like so many multi-purpose gadgets, certain functions are compromised.  Take for example their size, which I find quite cumbersome.  Locating controls can be frustrating, as well.  Picture resolution is outstanding with phones but zooming the lens is limited for quality long shots.

After researching various dedicated digital cameras, I wanted to keep things simple and opted for a point-and-shoot Canon Power Shot ELPH 360.  It’s designed for the photo novice that wants to capture moments quickly on a budget of $250 or so.

Usually, when outdoors, there is plenty of gear to tote along when hunting or fishing but the slim and compact design of this little gem means it’s no ordeal to slip it into a shirt pocket.  Unlike other cameras of the past, there are no detachable lens covers to fumble with, either; the lens has an automatic cover that operates when the camera is turned on or off.

The 12x optical zoom can really bring wildlife up close, but at full magnification, resolution suffers.  But, if one wants to count antler points or locate bullet holes in a target downrange, it will suffice.

The 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and image processor deliver detailed photos thanks to the optical image stabilizer, which separates it from the shakiness of a phone.  With a little practice and technique, it can make panning appear to have been done on a tripod!

No matter what type of camera is chosen, here are a few tips to make viewing your videos a more enjoyable experience.

*  When panning, do so slowly.  Begin by facing the end of the pan and then without moving your feet, twist into the beginning position.  Start the pan by holding the camera still for a few seconds, then slowly and steadily move it to the ending position – again with a good pause at completion of the shot.

*  To improve resolution, compose shots by getting closer to the target image rather than using a zoom mode.

*  Minimize movement with the camera by allowing the motion of the shot to tell the story.  Nobody wants to watch never-ending camera movement by the operator.

There are many dedicated, point and punch cameras on the market and YouTube has comparisons so that one can decide what options suits one’s needs and budget.  Like many technological marvels, having access to the internet is crucial, because there are no written instruction manuals in most cases.  But, having the ability to watch product demonstrations is a good way to make decisions before spending that hard-earned cash.

Wildlife
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