Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
POST FALLS, ID—Big game hunting seasons are open across America and all successful hunters know that when the big game topples, the strenuous work begins. Selecting the correct knife—and being careful in the process—ensures a safe and enjoyable experience.
The professionals at Buck Knives offers these tips for all hunters: Read more
MISSOULA, Mont. — Hunters supporting Virginia’s first-ever managed elk hunt scheduled to take place October 8-14 generated more than $606,000 to bolster wildlife and management projects within the state’s elk management zone.
“This funding is an indicator of the significant contributions of hunters who support Virginia’s elk and elk country,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “We also salute our partners at the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) for their diligence in successfully managing the state’s growing elk herd. Those efforts open the door for this first, historic hunt.”
DWR awarded its first elk conservation license to RMEF which conducted a raffle that generated more than $93,000 for conservation. That came on the heels of DWR’s initial lottery of five antlered elk tags that raised more than $513,000.
“That’s approximately half a million dollars that will go right back into wildlife conservation because of the contributions of these hunters,” said Ryan Brown, DWR executive director. “Though a small hunt, it’s significant in marking the early success of the restoration of this magnificent animal to Virginia, and also a tremendous opportunity to show the greater public the conservation benefits of hunting.” Read more
Location, Date – Access to high-quality water will be a defining feature of the 21st century. Record heat waves and drought are not only leading to more frequent and intense wildfires but are also putting one of life’s most valuable resources at risk: the water we drink.
A new Forest Service research report describes how extensively public drinking water systems rely on national forests and grasslands. Read more
Williamsburg, KY – Through a partnership with the Safari Club International Foundation, S3DA was able to reward one deserving youth archer with a New Mexico elk tag. Archers submitted an application to S3DA with some of their pertinent demographic information along with some essay questions regarding their hunting experience and why they should be chosen. The applications are then reviewed by a committee which ultimately decides the recipient, which this year was Blayne Hunt.
Blayne, his dad Nathan, and his stepmom Catie spent a week in New Mexico chasing elk for the very first time. This story is in Nathan’s words: “Soaking wet gear, boots that may never recover, tired legs and eyes. From the very first afternoon we were on elk. After two close calls on decent bulls, the hail and rain hit for two straight days. Finally, we caught a break in the weather and Blayne and I were able to call/sneak in on an absolute hammer of a bull who made it to exactly 43 yards, slightly quartering away.
He blew our hats off with his last growling bugle – staring right through Blayne and me as our ears rang. It was magnificent! Everything went as planned except for the shot. A deflection in the thick timber sent one just over him (luckily a clean miss and not an injury). And that was that. We both stood there in disbelief… dreams crushed… defeated.
Down, but not out. On the 1,000 ft climb back to camp, the heavens opened up yet again and we spent the remainder of the day and night in wet sleeping bags and a tent. Friday was our last chance.
We woke up to 20 mph winds, thick fog, bitter cold, and hoping just to hear one. Luckily, we did. The three of us climbed another mile or so trying to get in front of him, only to have him go silent. We started to slip out the general direction he was headed last, and he crested the hill quartering toward us. 50… 45… the wind switched just faintly, and he stopped in his tracks, turned, and eased just enough behind cover that Blayne couldn’t take an ethical shot before he vanished in the broken fir trees. It was over as fast as it started.
As they always do, the days blended and eventually came to quickly to an end. We’ll share these memories forever – 10-12 miles at 11k elevation – listening to bulls bugle all night under the stars – witnessing these majestic creatures do what they do, and as it was intended. I want to thank S3DA and Safari Club International Foundation for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Blayne never would have gotten the opportunity otherwise.”
Sioux Falls, South Dakota – October 6, 2022 – Silencer Central is slated to attend TriggrCon October 7-8, 2022, in Fall River, Kansas. As America’s leading silencer dealer, Silencer Central will feature a sneak peek of a new Banish product set to launch the first of November as well as a live-fire demonstration of the entire Banish line.
“TriggrCon showcases the most innovative products in the industry, and we’re excited to present our Banish line with a special feature of a brand-new Banish product,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “We look forward to hitting the road for this premier event and showing other professionals first-hand what this line has to offer.”
Presented by UN12, TriggrCon exhibits exclusive debuts of leading products from a variety of brands and companies. Industry professionals, media and shooting enthusiasts will gather at the Flint Oak Hunting Lodge to experience these major product launches and a look into what has made an impact on the industry this year. Read more
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms Government is sponsoring the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association 2022 SWAT Competition, which runs October 6th-9th at the Conroe/FBI Training Range in Conroe, Texas.
The TTPOA SWAT Competition is a 4-day challenge for SWAT team members and active-duty military from all across America. With stages focused on communications and team dynamics, the TTPOA SWAT Competition puts professional marksmen to the test with exciting stages that challenge their shooting skills. Teams come from all around the U.S. to compete, and to support the event, Primary Arms Government has joined as a competition sponsor.
Dedicated to supporting Law Enforcement and Military professionals, Primary Arms Government is a full-service partner for procurement, equipment support, and more. As one of Texas’ largest Law Enforcement suppliers, Primary Arms Government has expressed its pride in supporting this year’s TTPOA SWAT Competition. Read more
Rifle, shotgun, and muzzleloader deer seasons are fast approaching, but whatever firearm is used it is very important for the hunter to be confident with their abilities to hit a target accurately – every time. To help ensure that you and your firearm are shooting accurately, Whitetails Unlimited will ship ten 100-yard sight-in targets at no cost. The targets measure approximately 14 x 16 inches and have 1-inch grids with a 6-inch center highlight ring.
Whitetails Unlimited celebrates the American tradition of hunting deer, the most popular big-game animal in North America. WTU expects hunters to go afield on ethical, fair-chase hunts; part of that hunting ethic is to only take shots when the hunter is sure of the target, knows what is beyond the target, and is following all applicable hunting laws and regulations. For more information about hunting safely and legally, contact your state’s department of natural resources.
To receive your targets, contact the Whitetails Unlimited National Headquarters at 1-800-274-5471 or via email at nh@whitetailsunlimimted.com. Read more
BELLEVUE, WA—Attorneys representing the Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and their partners in a federal lawsuit challenging California’s ban on personally-built firearms are now defending their motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the state.
Joining SAF and CCRKBA in their original legal action, known as Renna v. Bonta, are the North County Shooting Center, Inc., Gunfighter Tactical, LLC, San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, Firearms Policy Coalition, and several private citizens Danielle Jaymes, Laura Schwartz, Michael Schwartz, Robert Macomber, Clint Freeman, John Matthew Klier, Justin Smith, John Phillips, Cheryl Prince, Darin Prince, Ryan Peterson, Leonard Ruebe, PWGG, L.P., and Lana Rae Renna, for whom the lawsuit is named. They are represented by attorneys Raymond M. DiGuiseppe of Southport, N.C. and Michael P. Sousa of San Diego.
The case is in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
“California only wants to argue about the plain text and not the history of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “On that level, we will win as well, because you cannot keep and bear arms if you can’t make, buy and/or sell arms. It is really that simple.”
According to the new motion, the state has attempted to develop a litigation strategy that purportedly shifts the burden onto the plaintiffs, while the state essentially does nothing absent an order from this Court directing them to undertake the historical analysis required under Bruen. Read more
AMES, Iowa — Iowa has been steadily adding new habitat for monarch butterflies over the past couple of years. The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium recently released its Monarch Conservation Effort Report, which offers a snapshot of monarch habitat establishment through 2020 in all 99 counties across the state.
“This report demonstrates the significant impact so far from the combined efforts of the consortium’s broad membership and partners to engage Iowans about monarch butterflies and their importance to Iowa. Its release also underscores the need for continued education, habitat creation and conservation efforts by all stakeholders,” said Daniel J. Robison, holder of the endowed dean’s chair in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.
The report summarizes the program goals, methodology and habitat acres established through 2020. The data show that over the past six years, more than 430,000 acres of monarch butterfly habitat has been established in the state. The habitat acres already established are over halfway to the consortium strategy’s low-end goal of 790,000 by 2038. Read more
MISSOULA, Mont. — Strengthening a relationship with a state that dates back nearly three decades, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation successfully collaborated with Kentucky River Properties to conserve and open access to a rugged slice of Kentucky elk country.
RMEF acquired five parcels, all earlier private inholdings covering nine acres, in a rugged area known as Steel Trap and donated them to the Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF).
“This seemingly small transaction has big hunting and access ramifications,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “Much of Kentucky’s elk zone covers private land where access can be challenging. This project helps alleviate that and may serve as a springboard to future, larger land conservation and public access possibilities.”
Steel Trap’s features include a closed canopy forest with flat to moderately steep terrain about 19 miles northeast of Pineville. It borders Phillips Fork, which feeds the Red Bird River. Two of the parcels are bisected by an unimproved road that secures permanent access to interior portions of the DBNF, heavily used by elk. Read more