Is there an E-Bike in your Outdoors Future?

— Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com

The idea of even getting on a bicycle may seem strange to most of us who haven’t traveled on two wheels since we were old enough for a driver’s license. While avid suburban conditioning fans may ride 10-speeds, for most of us bikes are just a distant memory unless our kids or grandkids are riding them.

They shouldn’t be. New models with electric power-assist not only make bikes more practical for a lot more of us, they open up new uses uniquely suited to two-wheel transportation—including great hunting and fishing access to remote areas and beaches throughout the nation.

The off-road versions of E-bikes now available make it possible to travel miles into difficult terrain on trails that are too narrow for full-sized vehicles, and to do it in silence, with almost no impact on the habitat or the wildlife. This gives them a huge advantage over noisy four-wheel ATV’s, a favorite of many hunters in deer and turkey seasons.

Scouting for springtime turkeys becomes far easier because it’s possible to roll along at a steady pace, three or four times your walking speed, while calling with a diaphragm call in your mouth and listening for a response. You don’t have to be quite so careful that there’s not a rattler or a moccasin watching your next step, either!

This display version at SHOT Show is carrying a cooler, but the single wheel cart is more than capable of bringing you and your harvest home on wheels. OWDN photo.

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Wildlife

Bond Arms Roughneck Marking Compliance Recall

Granbury, TX (January 25, 2022) – Bond Arms is known for its outstanding fit and finish on every gun they build. To create a more affordable option for budget-conscious customers without compromising features, Bond Arms trimmed down its finishing process to create the Rough Series. The result is a handgun with the same outstanding qualities inherent in every Bond Arms’ gun without all the frills.

With quality firearms for wise consumers also comes mandatory ID markings. A batch of Roughneck 38/357 barrels made it into the consumer’s hands without the barrel’s full ID markings. To make sure Bond Arms is in full compliance with the production process Bond Arms needs all Roughneck 38/357 owners to do us a favor and take a look at their Roughneck barrels. If the barrel matches the sample highlighted below, please call Bond Arms directly at 817-573-4445 or email us at customerservice@bondarms.com to arrange for the return of the barrel. Read more

Firearms

NSSF Retailer Surveys Indicate 5.4 Million First-Time Gun Buyers in 2021

The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the firearm industry trade association, revealed that at least 5.4 million people purchased a firearm for the first time in 2021. Nearly 30 percent of all firearm purchases last year went to new gun owners, based on NSSF’s retailer surveys and adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background checks.

That figure is a 10 percent decrease from the 40 percent of first-time gun buyers revealed in similar surveys in 2020. More than 21 million background checks were conducted for the sale of a firearm then, with over 8.4 million of those estimated to be for those buying a firearm for the first time.

“We welcome these new gun owners to the greater community of law-abiding Americans who choose to own a firearm for lawful purposes, including self-defense, recreational target shooting and hunting,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “The surveys revealed that new gun owners are continuing to embrace their Second Amendment rights and nearly half of them are seeking out professional training. These trends show that not only is there still a strong interest in gun ownership but also that these new gun owners are interested in learning more about the safe and responsible handling, use and storage of firearms.” Read more

Firearms

Houston Safari Club Foundation Becomes POMA Corporate Partner

(Houston, TX- January 25, 2022) The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to announce its status as a new Corporate Partner of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA).

Since 2005, POMA has been a leader in outdoor sports communication excellence. Writers, filmmakers, organizations and businesses all unite under the POMA umbrella to bring the best in outdoor news and information to consumers.

“Together, we all work to spread the good news about the outdoors, shooting sports, hunting, and the conservation of habitat and wildlife around the world. Now, more than ever, it is critical for professionals in the outdoor space to unite and fight against censorship of our passions by social media,” states Joe Betar, Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director. Read more

Hunting

Ethics course required before gathering shed antlers in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Collecting antlers that fall off the heads of deer, elk and moose each winter is a popular pastime in Utah. Before you head outdoors to collect shed antlers, though, you are required to complete the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Antler Gathering Ethics course.

After dropping their antlers, male deer, elk and moose will grow a new set starting this spring. Looking for the shed antlers is a fun activity that your whole family can enjoy. However, late winter and early spring is a tough time of year for deer, elk and moose, which is why the educational ethics course is required if you want to go “shed hunting” between Feb. 1 and April 15.

“During winter, big game animals, especially deer, often have a difficult time finding food,” DWR Law Enforcement Capt. Chad Bettridge said. “If you spook an animal and cause it to run, the animal has to use up fat reserves and energy that it needs to make it through the winter.” Read more

Hunting

Records Fall During Sheep Week

Bozeman, Montana. January 25, 2022. The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) recently concluded its 45th convention, Sheep Week®, with record amounts raised again for wild sheep conservation.

At this premier event for raising dedicated funding for state, provincial, territorial, and tribal wildlife agencies through the auctioning of their special conservation permits, eleven permits were sold for record amounts, with one tying and existing record. From these twelve permits alone, $2,274,500 million was raised.

WSF is entrusted by these wildlife agencies to auction their special conservation permits, primarily for wild sheep but also for other coveted big game species.

“This was another big year for state, provincial, territorial, and tribal wildlife conservation efforts,” said Gray N. Thornton, president and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “The fact that a handful of individuals stepped at these levels to benefit entire populations in exchange for the opportunity to hunt one special animal is the definition of paying it forward. That’s the definition of conservation.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Montana Elk Habitat Protected, Open to Public Access

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and U.S. Forest Service worked with a willing landowner to conserve two private inholdings of wildlife habitat and conveyed them to the Lolo National Forest. The 1,040-acre transaction took place just west of Lolo, a small western Montana town about 10 miles south of Missoula.

“We greatly appreciate YT Timber for asking us to conserve this land and help transfer it into the public’s hands,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “This acreage serves as both important winter range and a movement corridor for elk, moose, deer and other wildlife species.”

The transaction opens public access to the 1,040 acres and secures new access points to several thousand acres of surrounding public lands. In doing so, it alleviates challenges for hunters and others because of the area’s checkboard ownership pattern.

“This project secures the last remaining and intact wildlife movement zone across the north end of the Bitterroot Valley between the Bitterroot Mountain Range and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the south and west, the Sapphire Mountain Range to the east and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem to the north,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “Maintaining contiguous public ownership in this area ensures the protection of these larger movement corridors.”

In addition to providing prime wildlife habitat in the form of forested conifers, aspen and other vegetation, the two parcels feature key riparian habitat since more than one mile of Bear Creek, Camp Creek and Sleeman Creek, all headwater streams and tributaries of Lolo Creek below, cross the property. The transaction protects these spawning and rearing areas for native westslope cutthroat trout and other fish species. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Taurus Offers Limited-Time G3c Pistol Rebate

(Bainbridge, GA) – Taurus®, manufacturer of premium handguns for defense, hunting, and sport shooting, has announced a limited-time rebate on all new Taurus® G3c handgun purchases.

From January 24, 2022 through April 15, 2022, handgun buyers are encouraged to take advantage of the Taurus G3c 2022 Savings Event. For every new Taurus G3c compact 9mm pistol purchased, buyers can receive a $25 mail-in rebate redeemable through the manufacturer. Add the rebate to a tax refund and there has never been a better time to acquire one of Taurus’ most popular everyday carry handguns.

The G3c is a polymer-frame, striker-fired semi-auto 9mm that offers the handling, operational function, and overall performance of a full-size handgun but in a size ideally suited for EDC use and deep concealment. Sporting a rugged, wear-resistant finish and 10- or 12-round capacity, the single-action G3c includes restrike capability, exceptional ergonomics, integrated accessory rail, and a drift-adjustable rear sight that can be upgraded to a popular aftermarket night sight system.

The Taurus G3c 2022 Savings Event mail-in rebate applies to all G3c models, including the new Taurus® G3c T.O.R.O., which readily accepts the most common red dot optics without the need for a gunsmith. Read more

Firearms

NWTF CEO Cited for Conservation Excellence

EDGEFIELD, S.C.— NWTF CEO Becky Humphries was recently honored as the 2021 recipient of the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year Award for her commitment to conservation and America’s sportsmen and women.

“I am extremely honored to be recognized by John L. Morris and the entire Bass Pro team,” Humphries said. “John is a legendary conservation leader who advances conservation across the nation, and he is an exceptional partner to the National Wild Turkey Federation. Joining the Bass Pro staff to celebrate Christmas was a special experience for me, and also my family, and I am humbled to join the ranks of previous awardees.”

Bass Pro Shops founder and noted conservationist Johnny Morris presented the prestigious award to Humphries at Bass Pro Shops’ Basecamp in Springfield, Missouri.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a greater champion of wildlife, wild places and our sporting heritage than Becky Humphries,” Morris said. “Under her leadership, the National Wild Turkey Federation has continued to thrive as one of our nation’s most significant conservation organizations and valued partners. It’s an honor to salute Becky’s outstanding work, leadership and passion for conservation through the 2021 Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year Award.” Read more

Hunting
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