Wild Turkey Conservation Aids in Delisting of Endangered Tortoise

(A turkey hunter in Florida stumbles upon a gopher tortoise while out looking for Osceolas. Photo courtesy of NWTF staff.)

From increasing opportunities to go afield to making forests safe against catastrophic wildfires, the NWTF’s conservation work has far-reaching impacts that benefit overall ecological value. The delisting of the gopher tortoise in much of its historic range is a recent demonstration.

Just as wild turkeys benefit from active forest management, so does the Southeast’s celebrated burrowing turtle, Gopherus polyphemus.

The keystone species was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1987 as a threatened species in the western portion of its range, namely from Alabama to Louisiana. Since its initial listing over three decades ago, the species has undergone various levels of listing, which eventually encompassed the entire Southeast.

However, through the efforts of private landowners, state and federal agencies and conservation partners, the species has been delisted as threatened in the eastern half of its range, including in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and most of Alabama. The turtle will retain its status as threatened in western Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. The announcement was made in October by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The NWTF’s role in helping the gopher tortoise is a result of the organization’s longleaf pine conservation efforts.

Longleaf pine ecosystems once dominated the Southeast, extending from Virginia to Florida and expanding as far west as eastern Texas, almost mimicking the gopher tortoise’s range. Today, however, estimates show that longleaf pine ecosystems encompass about 3% of their historic range and are highly fragmented. Read more

Wildlife

X-Vision Optics All-New Hands-Free Night Vision Binocular

There’s no need to slow down at sundown with X-Vision Optics new XANB55 Hands-Free Deluxe Digital Night Vision Binoculars. With 1-3x magnification, the hands-free binoculars offer full color daytime observation up to 400 yards and up to 200 yards in total darkness. The 2-megapixel wide angle display provides crystal-clear imaging and clarity on the move. The device enables you to capture photos and videos which can be played back on the unit or easily shared with any compatible device so you can show off any adventure to your friends and family.

The performance, dependability, and versatility of the hands-free night vision binocular is second to none. The device comes with a protective travel case, micro-USB recharging cable, and head mount. The night-vision binocular is equipped with 3 levels of screen brightness and 4 levels of IR brightness. Its ability to automatically transition from daytime full color to IR night vision means no slowing down at sundown. The device is dust and water resistant to a rating of IP52. The X-Vision Optics Deluxe Digital Night Vision Binoculars are perfect for any harsh environment with its durable exterior that is built to last. Read more

Hunting, Optics

Buy your snowmobile trail permit and ready your sled for the season

Thinking about suiting up and sledding Michigan’s 6,000-plus miles of state-designated trails? If you haven’t already, it’s time to pull your sled out of storage, prep it for winter and purchase your 2022-23 snowmobile trail permit.

Be ready! State-designated trails are open Dec. 1 through March 31 and grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground.

Buy your permit ?

Epic rides start with safety! Get safety-certified and “Ride Right.” Please ride sober, on the right side of the trail and at safe speed, so you get home to your family and friends.

General

Montana: court order changes wolf hunting season, effective immediately

HELENA – On Tuesday, a District Court in Lewis and Clark County issued a temporary restraining order impacting some of Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping regulations. The changes go into effect immediately.

The changes outlined in the temporary restraining order are as follows:

  • Reinstitutes wolf management units (WMU) 110, 313, and 316 as they existed in the 2020 wolf regulations. WMU 110 borders Glacier National Park and WMUs 313 and 316 are north of Yellowstone National Park
  • Reinstitutes the quotas for WMU 110, 313, 316 as they existed in the 2020 wolf regulations, which are two wolves in WMU 110 and one wolf each in WMU 313 and 316. Currently, one wolf has been harvested in WMU 313 and no wolves have been harvested in WMU 316 and 110. Wolf hunting and trapping in WMU 313 is now closed.
  • Restricts all hunters and trappers to harvesting five wolves total per person, per season.
  • Prohibits the use of snares as a legal method of take for trapping wolves.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will make legal arguments in this case at a hearing scheduled for Nov. 28. The court has set the temporary restraining order to expire on Nov. 29. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

SAF Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Delaware Gun Ban

Second Amendment Foundation

12500 NE Tenth Place · Bellevue, WA 98005

(425) 454-7012 · FAX (425) 451-3959 · www.saf.org

 

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Delaware’s recently-adopted ban on so-called “assault weapons” on the grounds the legislation—known as House Bill 450—violates the Second Amendment.

Joining SAF in this legal action are the Firearms Policy Coalition, a Nevada-based group, DJJAMS, LLC, a firearms retailer in Delaware’s New Castle County, and two private citizens, Gabriel Gray and William Taylor. Named as a defendant is Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Plaintiffs are represented by attorney Bradley P. Lehman at Gellert Scali Busnenkell & Brown LLC in Wilmington. The case is known as Gray, et.al. v. Jennings.

“One week after the Supreme Court handed down its landmark Bruen decision in June,” noted SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, “Delaware Gov. John Carney signed House Bill 450, which we believe is clearly unconstitutional. Yet this new statute categorically bans the protected conduct of possessing, self-manufacturing, transporting, importing, selling, transferring, purchasing, receiving and lawfully using constitutionally protected arms that are in common use across the nation.”

The new statute lists dozens of firearms described generically as “assault long guns” and 19 handguns described as “assault pistols,” plus so-called “copycat” firearms. Violators can be charged with a Class D felony, punishable by up to eight years in prison.

“By adopting this statute after the Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling, Delaware is clearly ignoring the court, and the Second Amendment,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “This case cuts right to the heart of our mission, which is to defend the rights of gun owners by challenging egregious gun control laws in court. This law is extremism on steroids, and cannot be allowed to stand.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 700,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

Contact: Alan Gottlieb (425) 454-7012

Firearms, Gun Control

SK Customs’ Limited Edition Purple Heart Commemorative Colt 1911

HAYMARKET, Va. (August 8, 2022)—SK Customs® gives back to honor those who have sacrificed and served for our great nation by launching the 240th Anniversary Purple Heart Commemorative firearm on their behalf. This limited-edition design of the Government Model Colt 1911 Series 70 chambered in .45ACP has been created in honor of the Military Badge of Merit, the modern-day Purple Heart Medal and those who have received it.

The origins of the Purple Heart Medal trace back to August 1782 (240 years ago) when General George Washington issued the Badge of Military Merit. This medal was bestowed whenever any singular meritorious action was performed. In 1932, the award was reintroduced as the Purple Heart Medal to commemorate bravery and wounded soldiers. Today, the Purple Heart is awarded for a wide variety of injuries; this includes combat injuries and deaths, those wounded in acts of terrorism and other reasonings. Read more

Firearms

CCRKBA: ‘Biden Exploits UVA Slayings With Dishonest Call for ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban”

BELLEVUE, WA – The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms today said the Biden White House’s call for a ban on so-called “assault weapons” in response to the murder of three University of Virginia students in which a handgun was used is “a dishonest exploitation of a tragedy in a deplorable effort to advance Joe Biden’s gun ban agenda.”

“This isn’t a case of Joe Biden making a typical gaffe,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “This was a deliberate attempt by the administration to advance a cause to which Biden has been committed since he arrived in Washington 50 years ago.

“Joe Biden often doesn’t even know what state or country he’s in,” Gottlieb added, “but he knows exactly what he’s doing whenever an opportunity to push gun control comes along. And he is constantly disingenuous about it. Even the anti-gun-rights Washington Post has called Biden out for lying about guns by giving him multiple Pinocchio awards.”

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement in which she blatantly politicized the triple slaying that took the lives of Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis, Jr.

“Too many families across America are bearing the awful burden of gun violence,” the statement said. “Earlier this year, President Biden signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly three decades, in addition to taking other historic actions. But we must do more. We need to enact an assault weapons ban to get weapons of war off America’s streets. House Democrats acted, and the Senate should follow.”

“This horrible crime had absolutely nothing to do with so-called ‘assault weapons,’ and the White House knows it,” Gottlieb said. “The statement, which the president had to have approved, amounts to a crass exploitation of a tragedy in a deplorable effort to advance Joe Biden’s gun ban agenda. He has fully embraced the despicable tactic of never letting a crisis go to waste, no matter how awful the situation. Read more

Gun Control

Force Arms Announces Tactical Lever Action Shotgun

The Huckleberry is a modern twist on a timeless classic.

GForce Arms, Inc. is proud to announce the newest addition to our Huckleberry, lever action shotgun line…the GFLVR410SK.

This model is the newest addition to the successful Huckleberry line, aimed for the lever action lover that wants to add modern finishes and features. It boasts a beautiful, skeletonized stock, MLOK/Picatinny forend, and high grade, aluminum receiver. Like all GForce Arms firearms, it comes standard with our limited lifetime warranty.

The GForce Arms Huckleberry is a true showstopper that takes the lever action shotgun into the modern age. It features light recoil, smooth cycling, and fast handling. It is perfect for the firearms enthusiast who wants more out of their tried-and-true lever action shotgun.

GForce Arms is a team of people who absolutely, undeniably, and without question love our country and firearms. We love to shoot with our family and friends. We take pride in our products and strive to provide firearm buyers with a quality and reliable product at an affordable price. We strive to generate new and positive interest in shooting sports. Finally, we strongly support the promotion and education of shooting sports and firearms safety, regardless of age, gender, or experience.

 

LVR410SK MODEL FEATURES Read more

Firearms

Buck Knives Offers Deer Hunting Tips

POST FALLS, ID— Hunting for deer is one of the most popular pastimes in America. Deer hunters take many routes to fill their tags ranging from prowling the Back-40, to sharing deer camps with friends and family, to solo hunts on public lands. According to one US Fish and Wildlife Survey, more than nine million hunters spent on average of two weeks or more hunting deer. If you hunt deer and fill your tag, are you prepared?

Buck Knives offers these tips if you will be hunting deer in the days and weeks ahead and if you are thinking about purchasing a new knife for your deer hunting adventure.

*Select the best possible rifle, riflescope and binoculars, ammunition and other gear you can afford—and handle well. Be certain you can tame or manage the firearm’s recoil and shoot accurately. Adjust your binoculars to your vision, and focus on other key details to get the most from your hunting gear. If you sighted in your rifle or slug gun during warm weather, check to be certain you can see through your riflescope with the correct eye relief when you add more layers of winter clothing.

*Stay aware of wind directions. Deer can see and hear well, but when they detect human odor in the faintest wind, they are on high alert. Move and hunt with the wind in your favor and remember that winds can swirl in mountainous terrain. Read more

Cutlery, Hunting

National Forest Foundation Receives $2 Million for Firewood Banks

Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports the Wood for Life Partnership, providing firewood for families in need

Flagstaff, AZ – November 15, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is announcing today that as a partner of the Wood for Life project, the National Forest Foundation has received more than $2 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand its firewood relief program for homes in tribal communities in the Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain and Southwestern Regions.

“The work of Wood for Life and its partners is vital to tribal communities and the health of the nation’s forests and grasslands,” said Randy Moore, Chief of the Forest Service. “This funding will have a significant impact for those that rely on firewood as a source of heat and offer job opportunities and skills building for youth in forestry. The Wood for Life project is a great model that can hopefully be expanded to support the health and wellness of tribal communities across the country.”

In addition to helping families heat their homes through firewood banks, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also funds forest restoration work to reduce wildfire risk and provide wood from those treatments to tribal communities. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and agency firewood bank initiatives, the Forest Service is investing more than $10 million in the Wood for Life program over the next five years, focusing on firewood banks serving tribal communities and aligning with USDA’s commitment to increasing investments in historically underserved communities. This work will also be implemented primarily by native, youth, and veteran crews, including Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps on the Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona and the San Juan National Forest in southwest Colorado. Read more

Wildlife
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