Phase I of Landscape-Scale Oregon Project Complete

MISSOULA, Mont. —More than 4,600 acres of prime elk habitat in northeast Oregon are now protected and open to the public thanks to a collaborative effort by the Manulife Investment Management’s timberland business (formerly Hancock Natural Resource Group), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other supporters.

“We thank and congratulate our partners for conserving this landscape that is so important for elk, mule deer, birds, fish and other wildlife,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “While we pause to celebrate this accomplishment, we know there is still much to do to complete phase II of the project that covers nearly 11,000 more acres.”

The Minam River Acquisition is a two-phase effort comprised of 15,573 acres that serve as a gateway to the Wallowa Mountains and link the Minam River Wildlife Area and Minam State Recreational Area to the 361,000-acre Eagle Cap Wilderness. It also improves public access for hunting, fishing and other recreational activity to an additional 6,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

The Minam River Wildlife Area is easily accessible off Highway 82 and the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway. A proposed trailhead near the highway will flow south through the project area and connect with the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Read more

Wildlife

Springfield Armory Releases Ronin EMP

GENESEO, ILL. (11/29/21) – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the newest addition to its award-winning family of 1911’s — the Ronin® EMP®. Combining the popular features of the Ronin series of pistols with the CCW-ready Enhanced Micro Pistol (EMP) platform, the result is a potent and packable EDC partner that offers the smallest 1911 in the world.

The patented EMP stands apart in the 1911 market, having been specifically engineered around the 9mm cartridge and its overall shorter length than rounds such as the .45 ACP and 10mm. Rather than simply shortening the barrel and slide like most compact 1911 pistols, the EMP also shortens the frame of the pistol fore to aft. As a result, the pistol is not only shorter and more compact, but also has a reduced grip radius for both enhanced comfort and concealability.

Now, the EMP gets the Ronin family treatment. The Ronin EMP features an attractive two-tone finish, made up of a carbon steel slide with a hot salt blue finish and satin silver Cerakote® finish on the lightweight aluminum frame. Additional Ronin features include Crossed Cannon™ wood grips, a fiber optic front sight paired to a Tactical Rack rear sight, extended beavertail grip safety with memory bump, and much more. Read more

Firearms

Weatherby Introduces New Mark V Hunter Bolt Action

Sheridan, WY – Weatherby, Inc.® introduces the new Mark V® Hunter to its premium bolt-action line. Bringing a wealth of chamberings to the legendary Weatherby Mark V platform, the Hunter is fitted with a freshly-designed stock that echoes the shape and ergonomics of the Mark V Backcountry 2.0 family of rifles that debuted earlier in 2021. The Hunter’s polymer stock features the same trim, flat-bottomed forend, ambidextrous palm swells and aluminum pillar construction and is finished in a Granite Speckle.

Threaded 1/2×28 for use with a suppressor or brake, the Mark V Hunter’s barreled action is sealed under a shell of Cobalt Cerakote, shielding it from the elements. A deep-fluted bolt with removable knob not only trims a little weight and helps clear dust and debris, it also reduces the bearing surface within the action resulting in smoother operation.

The Mark V Hunter is available in a wide range of cartridges, both Weatherby Magnum chamberings as well as American classics: Read more

Firearms

Barrett Produces 1000th MRAD MK22

Murfreesboro, TN: Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. is pleased to announce the production of the 1000th MRAD® (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) Mark 22™ MOD 0 (MK22) rifle, in support of the United States Special Operations Command Advanced Sniper Rifle and United States Army Precision Sniper Rifle contracts. The MK22 is the latest acquisition which greatly enhances the capabilities of our service personnel, replacing several currently fielded sniper rifles within the United States Military.

Designed with precision and modularity in mind, the MK22 provides even greater flexibility within the highly successful MRAD rifle platform. This multi-caliber bolt action sniper rifle is capable of converting between 7.62x51mm, .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum calibers, based on the mission.

“We are proud of this significant achievement, especially during this time of increased supplier challenges and unprecedented demand for the entire product line.” said Joel Miller, Barrett’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

About Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.

Barrett is a family-owned and operated company and the world leader in large-caliber, long-distance, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military and more than 70 State Department approved countries around the world. The Barrett Quality Management System (QMS) has received the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification for the design and manufacture of firearms, ammunition, and accessories, and to provide training for those systems. Read more

Firearms

Weatherby of the North

Hunting Waterfowl in Saskatchewan

By Jay Pinsky – Editor, The Hunting Wire

The Weatherby Element and Boss ammunition combo was a superb tool on the Saskatchewan prairies for waterfowl.

Waterfowl hunting isn’t for the faint of heart. Bitterly cold temperatures, low, gray skies, and strong winds which ruin most hunts put smiles on most waterfowlers faces, who know success often comes long after most fair-weather hunters call it quits. As such, waterfowl hunters, at least the ones who do it a second time, pride themselves on being a hearty lot. They demand a lot of themselves, their hunting dogs, and their equipment not just for a single experience, but as a lifetime.

That said, waterfowlers need guns which don’t just look tough, but genuinely are tough. Not just for one day, or for one shot-of-a-lifetime moment. No, waterfowl hunting guns must work every day, in the worst weather, frozen, with gloves on, in the dark of blinds, by feel, with heavy loads and under all kinds of shooting situations. After all, there’s not a lot of waterfowl hunting at a sporting clay course these days. Waterfowl guns must work while muddy, often filthy on the inside, and if you’re lucky, reeking of wet dog, Canada goose guts, and of course shotgun shell powder. Waterfowl shotguns aren’t expected to be runway models. Nope, they’re as blue-collar as a gun can be which is why the best ones demand white-collar dollars.

Or do they? Read more

Firearms, Hunting

Exciting Feeder Live Cams

We can all appreciate seeing such exciting birds as a Pine Grosbeak or a Red-legged Honeycreeper, although most of us will enjoy an occasional observation of these and similarly impressive birds on Cornell Lab’s live cams.

We all enjoy the birds that visit our feeders each day, but there are times when we yearn for some new birds. Here’s a great option: It’s fun to periodically check on other active feeders located in other areas, for example, a prime feeding station in upstate New York, backyard feeders in northern Ontario, and a rainforest feeding station in Panama. It’s like taking a virtual trip to another active feeding site with a different range of birds for you to observe and identify – especially in the case of the tropical feeder venue in Panama.

A great place to start for an introduction to the Panama bird feeders is a new video compilation of species that include toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, and motmots that have visited the Canopy Lodge fruit feeders. This video was created from clips from the live cam and is provided on YouTube at Panama Fruit Feeder All Species Compilation – Oct. 28, 2021 – YouTube although you may actually be overwhelmed by the remarkable diversity of birds recorded – in a good way. At the same time, the live cam feed is a bit more serene, and you never know what birds will visit next; access it at Panama Fruit Feeders | Cornell Lab Bird Cams Cornell Lab Bird Cams (allaboutbirds.org)

Closer to home, the Ontario feeder cam can provide views of birds that probably don’t swing by your feeders, like Pine Grosbeaks, Canada Jays, a flock of Evening Grosbeaks, and other regional winter birds as you watch the snow fall, all at Ontario FeederWatch Cam | Cornell Lab Bird Cams Cornell Lab Bird Cams (allaboutbirds.org)

Also, the infamous feeding station at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a look at classic eastern feeder birds, plus an occasional Ruffed Grouse or Pileated Woodpecker. Take a look at Cornell FeederWatch Cam | Cornell Lab Bird Cams Cornell Lab Bird Cams (allaboutbirds.org)

On each of the feeder links provided above, there are accompanying YouTube videos of recent highlights you probably missed. These videos come in handy when you visit the site at night or during another low activity period – and they are fun to keep up with throughout the year.

Enjoy the birds at your feeders this winter, but you will also enjoy checking in periodically to see what’s up at these interesting feeding stations in New York, northern Ontario, and Panama.

Wildlife

The BirdSpotter Photo Contest

A portrait of a female Eastern Bluebird received high praise from birders in last year’s BirdSpotter Photo Contest (photo by Larry Keller).
Unique photos go far in the BirdSpotter photo competition, like this close-up of a Northern Cardinal with a seed and attached snowflake (photo by Gregory Cruthis).

With the BirdSpotter Photo Contest beginning in just 12 days, it’s time to focus your camera on your feeding station to get your best photos of birds that visit your feeders, water feature, and landscaping. One of the nice things about the BirdSpotter contest is that it is a true hobbyist photo activity – professional photographers usually don’t contribute photos, so your chances of doing well in the twice monthly competitions are increased – but perhaps it’s really about the fun of sharing your photos with fellow birders who likewise share photos of birds in their yards and birding sites.

In advance of the December 4th start, you may wish to clean and organize your feeding station to provide clear photo sight lines with regard to the direction of the sunlight. You may even want to add a new natural perch or 2 for birds to use as they approach feeders or a winter birdbath. The BirdSpotter photo contest is a part of the winter activities of Project FeederWatch, but it’s not necessary to be a FeederWatcher to submit photos, or to vote for your favorite submissions, but most contestants are FeederWatch participants.

In short, here’s how BirdSpotter works:

Every other Monday there will be a BirdSpotter photo challenge with a theme that describes what kind of photo will be called for. For example, in the past, categories have included such themes as flying birds, female birds, colorful birds, and as many species as possible in a single photo – but the categories for this season’s BirdSpotter contest will be announced the first week of December.

Then, select your best photo within the category theme and upload it – each contest category is open from Monday through midnight the following Thursday. Even if you don’t submit a photograph, you can help by voting for your favorite photo in the competition.

There will be 2 photo winners every second week: 1 photo that received the most votes from other birders, and 1 “Judges’ Choice” photo. Winners will be announced every other Friday and they will automatically be entered to win the Grand Prize at the end of the contest.

What’s in it for you besides bragging rights and a bunch of fun? Great prizes from Wild Birds Unlimited and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for each of the photo challenge winners.

You can get information about the BirdSpotter Photo Contest at Contests – FeederWatch and you are welcome to check out the winners from last year and review the challenges provided during last year’s contest in the FeederWatch blog at BirdSpotter 2020-21 – FeederWatch

You can also review the archives of winning photos and photographer credits from past years of BirdSpotter competitions at Contests – FeederWatch and for more information about Project FeederWatch, see FeederWatch – Count Feeder Birds for Science You can also see that one of the fun aspects of Project FeederWatch is that you can send photos to share with other birders anytime for their never-ending stream of contributor photos year-round. Photography is obviously a big part of backyard birding, and we hope you enjoy the photo opportunities that come your way.

Share your backyard birding experiences and photos at editorstbw2@gmail.com

Wildlife

Creedmoor Sports Announces Thanksgiving Holiday Sale

Creedmoor Sports doesn’t want you to miss out on the incredible deals starting this week. As the weather begins to turn cold, it’s time to determine what shooting equipment you’ll need to replace or upgrade, and what’s going to help you start loading ammo for the next season. Beginning November 22, nearly every Creedmoor product is on sale, along with select items from brands like Radians, IOSSO, Hi-Lux, Sightron, and Anschutz.

Creedmoor’s 55” and 60” Blue Deluxe Rifle Cases, regularly $149.95, are on sale for just $119.95. They’re great for larger rifles, with or without scopes, and provide plenty of pocket space to carry extra gear.

If you’re in the market for a new competition sling, Creedmoor Sports has both the Ron Brown Service Rifle Sling and the Turner All-Weather Sling at only $64.95.The extremely popular Bullseye Mind book and informative books by Jim Owens are also available at discounted prices.

The Complete 1” Polecat V2 Spotting Scope Stand, regularly $364.95, is at the awesome price of $329.95. This super sturdy tripod will support most spotting scopes with objective lens diameters up to 100mm. The 1” rod helps to prevent vibration from the wind and the scope head can be easily manipulated to align your spotting scope with your target, while maintaining its position when tightened. Read more

Firearms

Beretta Experience Giveaway, Hosted by USCCA

Trip included in the prize package for the Beretta Experience Giveaway hosted by the U.S Concealed Carry Association

West Bend, WI – As part of its ongoing mission to help responsibly-armed Americans avoid danger, save lives, and keep their families safe, the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), in partnership with Beretta, Galco, Leupold, Pelican, Primary Arms and Remington launched the Beretta Experience Giveaway, providing the winner with $30,000 worth of guns and gear to transform their preparedness and accuracy plus a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Founded in 1526, Beretta is the oldest firearms manufacturer in the world, progressing and developing its firearms lineup over the last 500 years. The winner of the Beretta Giveaway Experience will gain access to the innovative Beretta lineup with its products offered as a portion of the prize package. In addition to providing the winner with acclaimed Beretta clothing and accessories, Beretta will welcome the winner and one guest to visit its headquarters, including an exclusive tour of the Beretta Museum in Gardone Val Trompia, Italy. Built in 1880, the Beretta Museum is the history-rich and oldest entity of the Beretta headquarters, holding the private Beretta Family firearms collection. Closed to the public, the Beretta Museum is only accessible to the Beretta family and invited attendees, allowing invited individuals to view over 1,500 firearms products spanning over 500 years of manufacturing. Read more

Firearms
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