Conservation in Session

                                    Photo courtesy of Blake Grisham
                                             Photo courtesy of Blake Grisham

A growing program at Texas Tech University is providing students with a transformational, hands-on approach to working with wildlife, gaining a skillset not common in a traditional classroom.

As part of the NWTF’s recent $360,000 investment into wild turkey research, a Texas Tech project in Texas’ Edwards Plateau seeks to understand the factors leading to diminishing habitat for Texas Rios and correlate them with the increasing dip in harvest rates. The findings will ultimately help the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department implement scientifically backed management to boost habitat quality and, in extension, bird production.

Blake Grisham, Ph.D., associate professor of wildlife management at Texas Tech University, is leading the charge for the research project. Still, Grisham prefers not to take all the credit, as he is proud to share it with his students, who collaborate with him in the field as part of his Wildlife Techniques class.

During the summer, at the over 400-acre Llano River Field Station, students in the class attend an 18-day, intensive, hands-on program instructed by Grisham and Warren Conway, Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Natural Resources Management.

“To the best of our knowledge, this class is the only remaining field-based immersion wildlife techniques course in Texas,” Grisham said. “Students not only benefit from the hands-on experience in the field but also from the collaboration of an array of faculty and guest wildlife professionals. This immersive and interdisciplinary approach is a crucial element of the experience for our students who take this course annually.” Read more

Wildlife

Nebraska fire officials begin burning slash piles across the state

GW: A proactive measure to pay dividends. Very smart!

Starting immediately as weather allows over the winter months, officials across the state plan to burn slash piles.

Nebraska Game and Parks will burn slash piles containing trees and shrubs removed from grasslands and forests, along with other debris piles, on both wildlife management areas and state park areas. The goal is to reduce fuel loads while conditions are safer for burning.

In the Pine Ridge, Nebraska Game and Parks is partnering with the Pine Ridge Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands to reduce fuel loads in forested areas.

When burns are occurring, smoke likely will be visible from nearby communities and other nearby roads and properties.

The burn piles will be checked at least daily until they are completely extinguished.

Thinning and reducing hazardous fuel accumulation and build-up on the ground is an important tool in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Many of these slash piles are from mechanical thinning completed in grassland and forested areas throughout the state and some residue from previous fires.

For more information contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Wildlife Office at 402-471-5431, and for information on the Pine Ridge fires, contact the Pine Ridge Ranger District at 308-432-0300 or the Game and Parks Commission Pine Ridge Field Office at 308-665-2924.

Wildlife

Bear Creek Arsenal Announces All-New .410 AR-15 Shotgun

GW: Now, if someone would produce some ammo for the .410. Haven’t seen a single box on the shelf of any store for quite some time.

Sanford, NC –The AR-15 platform just got even more versatile with the release of Bear Creek Arsenal’s® .410 AR-15 shotgun and complete uppers! For the first time, you can shoot rimfire, pistol, rifle, and shotgun ammo from the same Bear Creek Arsenal® AR-15 lower (with the purchase of corresponding uppers).

The Bear Creek Arsenal® .410 Shotgun complete upper has been thoroughly tested for reliability with a wide variety of ammunition and includes many enhanced features. First of all, it incorporates Bear Creek Arsenal’s® ultra-popular Gen-2 side charging handle for improved ergonomics, especially with optics. Secondly, the 3-inch chamber allows shooting magnum rounds and TSS turkey loads via manual loading. Accuracy is vital in any hunting or self-defense situation, which is why Bear Creek Arsenal® included a full, removable choke which leads to tight groups at up to 50 yards!

The 5-round .410 magazine also available for sale from Bear Creek Arsenal® offers great capacity for the small game hunter. Simply swap uppers and load the magazine to begin experiencing the Bear Creek Arsenal® .410 AR-15 Shotgun, available for purchase immediately at bearcreekarsenal.com!

Firearms

Springfield Armory SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine

GENESEO, ILL. – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the release of the SAINT® Victor 9mm Carbine, the newest addition to the Victor line of AR-pattern rifles. This pistol caliber carbine (PCC) adds a new level of capability to the popular SAINT Victor series.

The SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine is designed to deliver a PCC with all the performance and capability you have come to expect from the SAINT Victor line. Featuring forged 7075 T6 aluminum dedicated 9mm upper and lower receivers, this new carbine is built to deliver.

Employing a rugged direct blowback system of operation that ensures rock-solid reliability, the SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine features a Melonite®-coated 16” barrel. At the muzzle is the SA Forward Blast Diverter, recessed under the carbine’s free-floated, full-length handguard that features ample M-Lok® slots for accessories.

The carbine feeds from Colt®-pattern, 32-round magazines that interface with the carbine’s dedicated 9mm lower. Rounding out the package are spring-loaded flip-up sights, a six-position collapsible B5 Systems Bravo Stock featuring an ergonomic cheekweld and no-slip cushioned buttpad, B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip, and a B5 Systems trigger guard. An ambidextrous safety ensures you can effectively run the carbine from either shoulder. Read more

Firearms

Nukem Hunting Launches Run and Gun Blind in Mossy Oak Camo

WEST POINT, MS – The patented Nukem Hunting Blind, the first ground blind designed for the mobile hunter, has partnered with Mossy Oak to offer blinds in Bottomland and Obsession patterns. The “Run and Gun” portable hunting blind allows hunters to move quickly and silently through the woods. The Nukem blind weighs less than 4 pounds, is stake-free, and easily folds to eliminate the headache associated with conventional ground blinds. Hunters can set up wherever and whenever with ease and quickness.

“Nukem Hunting Blinds were developed to create a blind like no other on the market for hunters who like to go where the action is. We are ecstatic to have a brand such as Mossy Oak on our blinds so we can offer the best blind in the best patterns for hunters,” said Pat Newcomb, President of Nukem Hunting.

The Nukem portable hunting blinds come in two sizes: one for hunting from the ground and the other to accomodate a chair. The window height adjusts based on the width of the blind, so no matter the age or size, hunters are concealed yet able to see their surroundings. This blind is one-of-a-kind. Read more

Hunting

Going Match Pro with Bushnell

By Paul Erhardt, Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network

I am not a long range shooter. Er, uh, I wasn’t a long range shooter but then I got to do some serious long range shooting.

I’m not talking just a couple hundred yards. No sir, those are rookie distances. I’m talking really reaching out there. You know, 800, 1,000, 1,300 yards out there. And, of course, 1 mile.

I hit targets at all those distances. I was using a very well set up custom rifle designed for precision rifle competition use. But still, a rifle can only do so much, and the shooter has to do his or her part. And, not to brag, I did my part.

But I did have a little help. A secret weapon, if you will. So, what was my secret weapon?

Glad you asked. All that rifle, and all my innate long range shooting talent (which I didn’t know I had up until that point) amount to nothing without a solid piece of glass to help you aim. The scope I was using was the recently announced Match Pro ED 5-30×56 FFP Riflescope from Bushnell. Read more

Optics

Powder Valley Adds Barnes Ammunition

Powder Valley is pleased to announce the addition of Barnes Ammunition as we continue to aggressively grow our offering of ammunition and reloading supplies and components.

“We’ve offered Barnes Bullets for years and our Customers have a great deal of confidence in the Barnes Brand – they demand dependable, accurate ammunition and Barnes products definitely fill that need” said Bill Clinton, CEO of Powder Valley.

“Whether it’s our flagship all-copper, VOR-TX and VOR-TX LR lines, designed for hunters who demand accuracy, maximum weight retention and devastating energy transfer, to our Precision Match line of match ammunition loaded with our superbly accurate Matchburners projectile, to our TAC-XPD personal defense handgun ammunition, Barnes produces ammunition that the consumer can count on. Powder Valley has been a long-time valued retailer of Barnes handloading components, and it only makes sense that they now offer Barnes ammunition for their loyal Customers as well.” Said Mike Painter, Barnes Marketing and Product Management Director

Visit https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/brand/barnes to see Powder Valley’s offering of Barnes Bullets and Ammunition.

Ammunition

iAiming Launches iA-317

(Arlington, TX) iAiming, a global leader in smart thermal rifle scopes and creator of First Shot – Auto Zero™ technology, is proud to offer to the US market for the first time the highly anticipated iA-317.

iAiming proudly introduces an all star of its three core products. The iA-317 is a thermal rifle scope in a class of its own with unprecedented technology and a user experience that is unmatched. The iA-317 was designed and developed by Australian based Uniwin Smart PTY LTD and features a globally patented First Shot – Auto Zero™ feature. With just a single shot, this feature is designed to provide an effective, automated sight-in process. iAiming’s artificial intelligence utilizes a single scroll-knob to access the on-board menu system. First Shot – Auto Zero™ technology significantly saves time and ammunition, and is beneficial to both novice shooters and the most skilled marksmen. This innovative technology has greatly improved the products usability and is a revolutionary step in rifle scope development.

Hog hunting has been on the rise in North America for several years now. Hog numbers continue to climb and the feral pig has been named one of North America’s apex predators. They wreak havoc on crops as well as the deer and turkey populations, so it’s no wonder that hog hunting generates more interest in shooting, hunting and gear than any other game animal. For this pursuit as well as many other applications, iAiming now offers the perfect piece of equipment. The aircraft grade aluminum housing used in the iA-317 combines strength, sophistication, and rigidity in a compact, lightweight design. The hard-anodized coating provides an attractive, scratch free, chemical-resistant surface that is easy to maintain. With a resolution of 384×288 and 17?m, the quality and clarity are best in class. All components in the scope, including the battery, are designed in accordance with IP67 standards. High reliability and structural strength ensures flawless function under extreme environmental conditions ranging from -40? to +50?. The fully waterproof design handles all working conditions, even if the thermal weapon sight is exposed to moisture for an extended period. Read more

Hunting, Optics

ESCORT FieldHunter Turkey Shotguns

Rogers, AR – HatsanUSA, the exclusive U.S. distributor of ESCORT Shotguns, is proud to feature the FieldHunter Turkey. Just in time for the 2022 turkey season you can find ESCORT’s well-regarded line of turkey-specific pump-action shotguns ready for the job. Available in three calibers: 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 caliber, the FieldHunter Turkey is tailored with the turkey shooter in mind. These pump-action shotguns are chambered in 3” magnum and will handle both 2 ¾” and 3” loads with ease. The stock and forend are made from a tough, durable synthetic polymer, built to withstand the elements. The extended forend is easy to hold and cycle without the need to extend one’s reach. An aircraft alloy receiver and an oxidation resistant, chrome-plated steel barrel will ensure long service life.

The FieldHunter Turkey is available in two camo patterns: RealTree® Timber and Mossy Oak® BottomLand. Each gun ships with 3 interchangeable chokes suitable for a variety of turkey hunting situations. A 5-inch long cantilever optics rail features 4 cross-slots to accommodate a variety of Weaver mounts. The shotgun is also equipped with bright fiber optic front and rear sights for low-light hunting. The red front fiber is windage adjustable while the rear green fiber sight is both windage and elevation adjustable. Both fibers can be removed entirely to make way for mounted optics. All Hatsan’s barrels are hard chrome-lined for maximum durability and corrosion resistance. Safety is a significant concern for any firearm, so a manual cross-button safety is built in. Mounted sling studs make for easy carry and firing support. Read more

Firearms, Hunting

NWTF Expands Renowned Callmaking Contest

(Photo Credits: Slate and Glass)

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — For the NWTF’s 50-year celebration in Nashville, and henceforth, the prestigious Grand National Custom Callmaking Contest will have a new Wildlife Art Division, as well as a new JAKES category, Pinfeathers, in the Turkey Hunting Division.

“We are beyond excited to broaden our Grand National Custom Callmaking Contest,” said NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter. “Year after year, we are stunned by the level of talent and artistic expertise our call makers bring to the table, not to mention their generous contribution to our mission through their artistic prowess. We can’t wait to see what our collective of artists has been up to over the last year.”

The new Wildlife Art Division will consist of three categories, Carved or Carved and Painted, Two-Dimensional Art and Art/General, intentionally vague to include all artistic mediums. The Best of Show Award will provide the winner from one of the three categories with a $1,000 prize. Read more

Hunting
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