Waypoint TV, Xpedition Enterprises, and The Given Right Join Forces to Giveaway Dream Hunt

Winner will build their own hunting experience in Texas

Austin, Texas – November 10, 2021 – Waypoint TV, The world’s leading entertainment destination for hunting and fishing programming, is teaming up with Xpedition Enterprises and The Given Right to give one lucky winner the hunting experience of a lifetime.

“For a growing brand like Xpedition Enterprises, a strong digital marketing plan is a must. Waypoint has been an invaluable partner, and we are excited to sponsor this hunt and help give back to the fans that make all this possible,” says Chris Cobbett.

Although this giveaway marks the first of its kind with Xpedition, Waypoint has a long-standing relationship with the hunting industry giant, airing popular programs such as The Given Right, Struttinbuck, and Behind the Season. The contest runs from November 1st – 30th, giving the winner the opportunity for a “build-your-own” three-day hunt with the Xpedition team, who will also provide licensing and lodging. Not only will the winner have their choice of weapon and a time that best fits their schedule, they’ll also be able to choose the game, with the option to hunt either whitetail or the elusive axis deer. The free range, fair chase hunt will take place in Fredericksburg, TX.

“Just about every hunter has dreamed of an opportunity to deer hunt in Texas, and our partnership with Xpedition Archery is making that dream a reality. There is no better way to celebrate the hunting season than to provide one lucky person with a hunting trip to the place where everything is bigger!” says Graig Hale, Waypoint TV’s Director of Business Development.

Contestants may enter at www.waypointtv.com/giveaways. Read more

Hunting

Michigan: DNR Asks Anglers to Turn in Adipose Fin Clipped Fish

Have you caught a trout or salmon in Michigan that had an adipose fin clip? If so, it could contain a tag with valuable information.

Through mass marking assistance by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, several Great Lakes states, including Michigan, mark popular gamefish like steelhead, Chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon, brown trout and lake trout.

The adipose fin – a small, fleshy fin behind the larger dorsal fin – is found on only a few fish, including trout, salmon and catfish. Most trout and salmon with an adipose fin clip also have a coded-wire tag in their snout. The tag is small, like the tip of a lead pencil, so it must be removed by lab technicians. If anglers catch an adipose fin clipped fish, they should turn in the head at a local drop-off station in Michigan.

“We have creel clerks at some ports, but there are several areas where we don’t have staff, including on river systems with unique fisheries, such as Atlantic salmon or steelhead,” said Randy Claramunt, Lake Huron Basin coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “To get enough tag returns to learn about these species, we need the help of our anglers to voluntarily turn in heads.” Read more

Fishing

National Deer Association’s Kip Adams to Host November Beer and Deer Webinar Tonight

November 10, 2021 – The National Deer Association (NDA) November Beer and Deer Webinar will feature NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer, Kip Adams. Supporters can tune in today, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. EST for this month’s episode – Rubs and Scrapes: The 411 on How Deer Communicate. To register for this, and other NDA Beer & Deer webinars, please visit the Beer & Deer webpage at DeerAssociation.com.

“Kip is not only our Chief Conservation Officer, but one of our many in house experts on most things deer,” said NDA President and CEO, Nick Pinizzotto. “We always work hard to make sure each webinar in this series delivers useful information to our listeners and Kip has a ton of knowledge that can really be useful for hunters and land managers everywhere.”

Kip Adams is a certified wildlife biologist and NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer. He has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from Penn State University and a master’s in wildlife from University of New Hampshire. He’s also a certified taxidermist. Before joining NDA, Adams was the deer and bear biologist for the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department.

Join NDA the second Wednesday of every month to sit in with NDA’s staff and guests as they cover a topic related to deer hunting, habitat management, or the latest in deer research. Additionally, each episode includes a message from Nick Pinizzotto where he discusses everything from behind-the-scenes business at NDA, to important updates in grassroots conservation, advocacy and hunter recruitment efforts.

To catch up or watch previous episodes, please visit the Beer & Deer playlist on NDA’s YouTube channel. Read more

Wildlife

Avoiding Your Own #newmexicomoment

This feature first appeared in The Shooting Wire…

What (sadly passes) as “news media” has presented a regular load of non-news about the heartbreaking accidental killing of Director of Photography Halyna Hutchins and critical wounding of Director Joel Souza on the set of a movie being … shot … on October 21, 2021.

A lot of the “news” coverage – which leaves out incidentals like “when-where-why-how” – centers around “who is at fault?”

We won’t dally around with that here. There’s enough heat shedding absolutely no light and we won’t add to it. As to culpability, that’s for the triers of fact, not us. There are ongoing investigations. The people and state of New Mexico have gone to a lot of time, effort and expense to enact and enable laws (civil and criminal), recruit, hire, train and deploy peace officers and county prosecutor/district attorney offices as well as an Attorney General – not to mention the potential civil litigants and their attorneys – to attempt to unravel this mess. As to the potential for the insurer of the production to investigate, quite separately, the possibility of not paying claims on the basis of any alleged failures to follow “best practices,” I’ll let those better educated consider that.

An image from a TV screen, from an old Perry Mason TV show … mind the muzzle, Mr. Berger! Below, “the Rules” as formulated by the API/Gunsite founder, Jeff Cooper.

The issue for enthusiasts – both consumers of the outdoors and shooting industries and members of those industries – is how to keep from having a #newmexicomoment of our own.

First, we don’t rely on the word or belief of others as to the condition of any firearms within our reach and grasp. We look to Jeff Cooper who came down from the mountain with the tablet upon which the first four of our Rules were imprinted.

Rule One – All guns are always loaded.

This isn’t a matter for debate or discussion. It’s not “treat guns as if” because that allows some possibility, however remote, that “Murphy” didn’t show up to mess up the works. We don’t allow for the possibility. If the chamber is flagged, the gun is field stripped into components, if it’s tagged, taped and locked open – we still follow the rest of the Rules that follow.

Because all the Rules follow from Rule One. “Which commandment, out of all of them, do we have to follow?” – Rule One.

Because all guns are always loaded, we practice muzzle discipline, Rule Two – Never let the muzzle cover anything you don’t want to destroy.

Don’t guess the gun’s condition — observing Rule Two, check the damn thing. Note the hand is behind the muzzle. Below, ensuring the gun is empty is best done twice: once by looking and again by feeling for a cartridge.

It’s not “don’t point the gun” – that’s an active and intentional act; too often, it becomes an act of carelessness, lack of discipline, allowing the muzzle to cover something we really don’t want to shoot. That’s why “holstered handguns are safe.” If it’s not in your hand, you’re not unintentionally, thoughtlessly covering something precious and important to you. So, the handgun should be (1) in the holster, (2) at a ready position with the muzzle covering the safest available direction and practicing trigger finger discipline, or (3) aimed in at an appropriate target, with an appropriate backstop, whilst in the process of shooting. Otherwise, it should be in a locked container, which we’ll get to in a moment.

As to that pesky trigger finger, the human hand is designed in such a way that when any fingers close, they all tend to close. For us, that’s a problem. When handling firearms of any type without any intention to morally, ethically and legally shoot it, the trigger finger should be “at register.” Register is the furthest point on the gun away from the trigger/trigger guard that doesn’t compromise the control of a firing grip.

Rule Three, “Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target,” was a relative late-comer to the “tablet.” When discussing the Rule (which is a mnemonic, short-hand as a reminder – not the whole Rule), I make it a point to note that we’re not touching the trigger until the muzzle is covering something we can shoot (or must shoot) and we have formed the intention to shoot; no ‘gunpoint’ allowed. Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

Endangered Species Protection Proposed for Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator snapping turtle. Photo by Gary Tucker, USFWS.

Largest Freshwater Turtle in North America Threatened by Habitat Destruction, Trapping Across Midwest, Southeast

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following a petition and legal victory from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monday proposed protecting the alligator snapping turtle under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species.

This prehistoric-looking freshwater turtle is known for its spiked shell, strong, beaked jaws and worm-like tongue for luring fish. The alligator snapper faces a predicted 95% decline in 50 years and may be doomed to extinction in as few as 30 years under even the most optimistic predictions.

“Alligator snappers are some of the fiercest, wildest creatures in the Southeast, but overexploitation and habitat destruction have put their lives on the line,” said Elise Bennett, a Center attorney. “These freshwater giants will get a real shot at survival and recovery with the help of the Endangered Species Act and its lifesaving protections.”

Habitat degradation, historical overharvest and ongoing capture have caused significant population declines in the once-abundant turtle. Early in the 20th century, alligator snapping turtles were plentiful in river systems draining into the Gulf of Mexico, from the waterways and lakes of the Midwest to the swamps and bayous of Florida, Louisiana and Texas. But the Service found that the species’ range has since contracted in Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and possibly in Oklahoma. Read more

Wildlife

SCI Takes A Stand Against Big Tech’s Censorship of Hunting

Tucson, AZ (November 8, 2021) – Unfortunately, censorship of hunting-related content on social media is everywhere—and Safari Club International thinks it’s time for hunters to stand up to this censorship by Big Tech!

Big Tech’s latest censorship attempt is occurring at YouTube, the world’s largest video content media mogul, which has added new guidelines to its “Ad-Friendly Content Guidelines.” New restrictions on any picture/video showing an animal in distress caused by human action will censor content from a hunting channel and limit views.

This move will demonetize hunters, as taking away views will remove any chance of making ad revenue, the only way to make money from YouTube. Furthermore, these new guidelines will limit videos used to educate new hunters on safety and conservation issues.

But SCI is fighting against Big Tech censorship on behalf of hunters across the country. If you haven’t already, now is the time to sign onto SCI’s “Petition to Stand Up to Big Tech” at safariclub.org/hunter-advocacy-action-center/. Hunter voices need to be heard!

Facebook continues to censor hunters, too. Scrolling through your News Feed on Facebook, you’ve no doubt discovered an innocent-looking photo posted from a hunter, guide or outfitter with the photo blurred out–or even removed–and the tag “sensitive content” added to the description.

Or, you may have been in a hunting-focused Facebook or group, only to log on one day to find out the group was deleted and banned by Facebook for violating their “community standards.”

“We’ve heard countless stories from hunters, guides, outfitters, and more, of their accounts being locked or even taken down entirely with little to no warning or justification–potentially impacting their business and livelihoods,” said Laird Hamberlin, CEO of SCI. Read more

Hunting

Smith & Wesson Releases M&P 15T II Engraved Limited-Edition Rifle

Commemorating Smith & Wesson’s move to Tennessee

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., (November 9, 2021) – Smith & Wesson Inc. broke ground for its new headquarters on November 5th in Maryville, Tennessee, and to celebrate this historic move from 2100 Roosevelt Ave, Smith & Wesson has released 2,100 limited edition M&P15T II engraved rifles. Engraved on the magazine well is an eagle, American flag, and the text “Since 1852 Protecting the 2nd”, representing the company’s commitment to the 2nd Amendment and its customers.

The M&P 15T II Engraved rifle features a free-float 16” barrel that features 5R rifling with a twist rate of 1:8 and is equipped with a mid-length gas system delivering reduced recoil and efficient cycling. A forged, oversized trigger guard provides maximum clearance when wearing gloves, and it’s equipped with a new flat face trigger for a crisp and consistent trigger pull. The M&P15T II comes standard with a Radian™ Raptor-LT™ charging handle, providing ambidextrous manipulation. Also included is a Magpul CTR carbine-length stock, and a 15” aluminum M-Lok handguard topped with Magpul MBUS® sights.

The MSRP on the new M&P15T II Engraved Limited-Edition rifle is $1,372. Read more

Firearms

Steiner Optics Introduces the Micro Pistol Sight Red Dot

GREELEY, Colo. – Steiner brings battle-proven durability and mil-spec ruggedness to pistol red dots with the new MPS (Micro Pistol Sight). Designed to endure the most rigorous needs of law enforcement and military operations, the MPS is a continuation of the efforts of Steiner to provide optics and imaging solutions for all defense and tactical applications.

All-metal construction, enhanced sidewalls, and a recessed window with a metal hood that blocks objects from reaching the front lens make this one of the toughest pistol sights ever created. The sight window is completely sealed and nitrogen filled protecting the roof-mounted 3.3 MOA emitter from weather and water down to 10 meters. The top-mounted battery compartment ensures quick and easy battery swaps without removing the optic and a low sight window close to the slide.

At 2.05 oz, the MPS is compact and lightweight offering a robust feature set including 6 day and 2 night vision brightness levels, user-selectable auto-off, and 13,000 hours of battery life on medium brightness. The true 1X magnification and Steiner quality glass offer an undistorted image for both eyes open operation and complete situational awareness. Read more

Optics

Remington Firearms to Locate Global Headquarters, Advanced Facility in LaGrange

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced Remington Firearms (RemArms), America’s oldest firearms manufacturer, will locate its global headquarters and open a new advanced manufacturing operation as well as a world-class research and development center in LaGrange, Georgia. Through these projects, RemArms will invest $100 million and create 856 jobs over a five-year period in Troup County.

“Georgia’s firearms industry is responsible for thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of investment in our communities,” said Governor Kemp. “I am a proud owner of some of Remington’s first-class product, and now, I am excited to welcome them to their new home in the Peach State. As yet another big manufacturing win for our state, I look forward to seeing the oldest firearms manufacturer in America thrive in Georgia’s pro-business environment.”

Founded in 1816, Remington Firearms is one of the United States’ largest domestic producers of shotguns and rifles. Several of the company’s strategic products will be manufactured in Georgia. The new headquarters will also become home to an innovative research and development center.

“We are very excited to come to Georgia, a state that not only welcomes business but enthusiastically supports and welcomes companies in the firearms industry,” said Ken D’Arcy, RemArms CEO. “Between the support we’ve received from the state and from Scott Malone and Kelley Bush of the City of LaGrange Economic Development Authority, we cannot wait to expand our company in Georgia. Everyone involved in this process has shown how important business is to the state and how welcoming they are to all business, including the firearms industry.” Read more

Firearms

Passing of Alan Mossberg

NORTH HAVEN, C.T. – On November 6, Alan Mossberg, Chairman of O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., passed away at his home in Tierra Verde, Florida, surrounded by close friends and family. Alan was 89 years old.

“On behalf of the Executive Team and over 500 US-based employees, we extend our deepest sympathies to Alan’s family during this difficult time,” said Doug Bell, Mossberg’s President and COO. “A great leader, visionary, and champion of bringing high quality, innovative firearms to the masses, Alan was a tireless advocate for gun rights and gun safety while always working to ensure that the American traditions of hunting and shooting sports live on for many years to come. More importantly, Alan was a devoted husband, father, and friend – He will be greatly missed”

Grandson of O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. founder, Oscar Mossberg, Alan started working for the Mossberg organization at a very young age. For the better part of the last 50 years, Alan became a major pillar of the global firearms industry by successfully leading Mossberg to grow into one of the world’s largest and most respected small arms manufacturers.

A staunch proponent of conservation and shooting sports throughout his career, Alan was heavily involved with organizations such as, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, North American Hunting Club, Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, and the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team. Under Alan’s guidance, Mossberg has been (and continues to be) a substantial contributor to these and other organizations that promote the safe and healthy future of hunting and shooting sports. Read more

Firearms
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