Mountain Goat World Record

On Saturday, December 5th, the Pope and Young Club convened a Special Panel of Judges in Prescott, AZ for a potential P&Y World Record Mountain Goat. Kaleb Baird’s mountain goat scored an amazing 53 4/8” and is now the largest bow-harvested Mountain Goat in North America. This amazing goat was shot in Alaska, on September 11, 2020.

Measurers present at the Special Panel (L to R) were Milo Durfee, Brian Rimsza, Roy E. Grace (Records Chairman), and Marvin Zieser. With a final score of 53 4/8” Baird’s mountain goat was confirmed as the new P&Y World Record. This goat surpasses the previous largest in the records program by 2/8 of an inch, which was taken just 10 short months ago.

“Leading up to this hunt I’d known there was the potential for a truly special billy. I joked with some friends over the summer that the plan was to take a record goat in hopes of enticing a hunting partner”, said Kaleb Baird. However, with a highly unpredictable work schedule and the travel complications 2020 presented I wasn’t able to get any commitments, so I headed up the mountain solo during the second week of September. It just so happened to be the best stretch of weather we had for the entire year in Southeast Alaska. I found this billy

on day four and spent the first half of the day ascending to his perch. By the time I got there he’d moved, and I thought I’d lost him for the day. One last pass through his previous hangout and I stumbled right into him and a smaller partner. He stood for a great 31-yard shot but managed to make the edge of the mountain and drop into a nasty avalanche chute for his final dash. Read more

Hunting

Davidson’s Exclusive Winchester Model 70 in True Timber Strata

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – A time-tested classic gets a modern treatment with Davidson’s latest Exclusive developed in conjunction with Winchester Repeating Arms.

This Exclusive Model 70 has a FDE Cerakote finish on the barrel, receiver, bolt handle, trigger guard, and floorplate.

The synthetic Monte-Carlo style stock is finished with True Timber Strata camo. Strata incorporates both macro and micro camo schematics. The macro design breaks up the human outline at all distances while the micro design melts into any terrain at close range. Read more

Firearms

Coast Guard Releases National Recreational Boating Safety Survey Results

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard is announcing the release of the National Recreational Boating Safety Survey for 2018. The Survey, which was mailed to over a quarter-million Americans, produced scientific estimates about characteristics of recreational boaters, different types of recreational boats that are owned and operated, boating population sizes, and risk exposure, all in an effort to assist agencies and organizations meet nationwide best boating safety practices and standards.

In 2018, an estimated 84.5 million Americans boated (over 25% of the population) and nearly 14.5 million households (11.9%) owned boats. Of the 25.4 million boats owned, 13.4 million were unregistered, including 7.3 million kayaks, 2.4 million rowed boats, and 2.2 million canoes. All boats, registered and unregistered, were operated for 3.42 billion hours (over 130 hours per boat). Read more

Fishing

Pearl Harbor Day

Today is the seventy-ninth anniversary of “a day that will live forever in infamy.” On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States Naval Base at Honolulu, Hawaii and brought the United States into the Second World War. After Pearl Harbor, the U.S. geared up for war, and the country never looked back. Today, as we live in another period of uncertainty, but we owe our lives and success as a nation to the more than 16 million Americans who left their homes and traveled over the world to protect freedom. Today, only about 325,000 of them are left, and estimates say they’re dying at the rate of nearly 300 per day. Today, it’s appropriate to remember them and the sacrifices they made for us.

Thank you, Uncle Van Wunderlich, for your bravery and for putting your life on the line so that we could remain free.  I will never forget.

General

B&T Provides the United States Air Force with APC9K PRO Models

Tampa, FL – B&T, Inc. is proud to announce the United States Air Force has purchased B&T APC9K PRO platforms. These ultra-compact weapon systems are destined for specialized service and close personal protection use within the branch.

“B&T is honored to have our APC9K PRO selected by the United States Air Force. We’re pleased to know that specially trained Airmen will be equipped with the finest equipment available to not only ensure their personal safety during challenging assignments, but contribute to the overall success of their mission,” stated Jon Scott, Vice President of Sales, B&T USA.

The United States Air Force is the second branch of service to purchase APC9K PRO sub compact weapon systems after identifying an operational need for a highly concealable, sub machine gun. At less than 15-inches in length, the APC9K is optimized for low visibility carriage and discreet deployment; use in and around vehicles, and within confined spaces — all while delivering unsurpassed accuracy, controllability and ergonomics. Read more

Firearms

Late Season Michigan Deer Hunting

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Michigan’s muzzleloading season began December 4 and runs one week shorter than previous years ending December 13. That means if you’d like to take a whitetail buck with a firearm – any legal firearm that can be used in regular firearms season – there is only a week left. While we are at it, how long will we call it muzzleloading season, when hardly anyone will choose the ol’ smokepoles anymore? Maybe it could be renamed extended firearms season or late firearms season. In any event, I thought if I were going to take a buck, opening day would be a good place to continue the quest.

First off, my final days of the regular season were encouraging, because of the sheer number of deer being seen and that they seemed to have become a bit more relaxed already. However, two adolescent bucks put on a show of strength right before my old eyes. It certainly wasn’t any genuine fight over a female; heck, the does paid no attention to them, as the young studs played tug of war in reverse. However, it was entertaining.

I also watched and visually measured up an 8-pointer who appeared in the final hour of daylight. Although within my self-prescribed range, he too was a young buck with a rack as wide as his ears but had the slender build of yearling (1.5 years old). So, with that I issued a renewed lease on his life and let him go about his business.

On opening day of “irregular” firearms season, I took a stand overlooking the show grounds of the earlier season, where the actors had a few days to prepare for their new presentation. I was not disappointed.

The action picked up as the sun sank, as always. The first animals to appear on stage wore no headgear – that is until closer inspection with my Burris binocular revealed some small bones protruding from one of the skulls. One by one they continued to filter into the legume spread.

Before long, several other bucks decided to join in the fun, but they were more intent on proving a point (so to speak) to male competitors than to fill their stomachs. One of them simply waltzed near another nearby trouble maker and they agreed to begin their show of strength – but, they did so carefully so as not to hurt themselves. Back and forth, heads down low, they pushed and shoved their way to a draw. Seconds later, they joined the females as they dined on the lush clover and alfalfa afoot.  

Before the shift had finished, the quarreling bucks strolled off together enroute to a plot of turnips – not so much to feast but to cozy up to the does that were already there.

Michigan Bucks in Late Season

It’s always difficult, if not impossible to sneak off without disturbing the peace but an opening day with so much activity is nothing more than my invitation to be on the lookout for Mr. Big on another day.

Hunting

Arizona: Restrictions in Place as Bald Eagle Breeding Season Begins

Outdoor recreationists, pilots, drone operators asked to avoid nesting areas

PHOENIX — Arizona’s bald eagles are back, and they will soon be preparing for the next generation of eagles at breeding sites statewide.

To assist with the state’s continued bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) encourages outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to do their part by not disturbing the state’s 92 eagle breeding areas. To protect breeding attempts, some portions of public land and water areas will be temporarily closed to help these majestic animals and ensure even more young eagles take to the skies this spring.

“Arizona’s bald eagles are hard at work preparing their nest for what we hope will be a productive breeding season,” said Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson, bald eagle management coordinator. “The birds nest, forage and roost at rivers and lakes that are also popular recreation spots. That’s why we must be vigilant to help protect the birds and ensure their populations statewide continue to flourish. That success wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of outdoor recreationists who respect the closures during the breeding season.”

During the 2020 breeding season, 71 young hatched, and 55 reached the important milestone of their first flight, known as fledging. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board recommends $37.8 million to boost outdoor recreation

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board recommended Wednesday to the Michigan Legislature that 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions totaling $37,789,600 be funded in 2021. The board this year considered a total of 136 applications seeking over $60 million in funding. In a competitive process, all eligible applications were evaluated based on scoring criteria approved by the Trust Fund board.

“Easy access to the beauty of Michigan’s natural places and open spaces during a challenging, uncertain year has been a source of comfort and connection for residents across our state, and the Trust Fund is a major part of making those opportunities available,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Whether you’re enjoying a trail or park close to home or exploring the deep forest, outdoor recreation resources like these are big contributors to each community’s quality of life and unique appeal.”

The Trust Fund board recommends funding to both state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions that will further access to public outdoor recreation.

This year, the board recommended $27,289,600 for acquisition grants and $10,500,000 for development grants. There were 26 acquisition grants awarded to local units of government for a total of $20,805,400, while four acquisition grants went to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for projects totaling $6,484,200. The Trust Fund board also recommended a total of $9,300,000 in 42 development grants be awarded to local units of government while four DNR projects garnered a total of $1,200,000. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Pulsar Unveils Digisight Ultra LRF Digital Riflescopes

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Pulsar has unveiled two elite riflescopes to augment its impressive Digisight lineup; the Ultra N450 LRF and Ultra N455 LRF. These digital night vision scopes employ 4.5-18x magnification and powerful 1280×720 CMOS sensors to detect objects, day or night, with unique precision. With integrated laser rangefinders, the Digisight Ultras can spot objects up to 1,100 yards away. Their 1024×768 AMOLED screens display every image in stunning detail, and their technological implements are top-notch: Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in recording with sound, Picture-in-Picture digital zoom, compatibility with the Stream Vision App and ten variable electronic reticles.

Eminently durable, Digisight Ultras boast glass/nylon composite housing, IP67 waterproof and dustproof ratings, operating temperatures from -13F to 122F and a recoil rating of .375 H&H. The Digisight Ultras come included with a battery pack, charging kit, USB cable, IR illuminator, wireless remote control, QD weaver/picatinny rail, cleaning cloth, carrying case and Hex wrench. Read more

Optics

Hawke Optics Adds Three New Rimfire Scopes to Vantage 30 WA Line

Explore the Performance of a VANTAGE 30 WA 4-16×50 SF Scope Matched with Hawke’s New Rimfire-Specific Reticles and Take Your Plinking to a New Level

Hawke® Optics, a world leader in high quality sporting optics with outstanding performance in the field at amazing value to consumers, happily announces three new rimfire-specific models in the Vantage 30 WA line. Hawke matched the value-packed features of the Vantage scope line with the all-new rimfire caliber-specific reticles. The end results are superior accuracy and scopes that are a must-have for any serious rimfire shooter. These exciting new scopes are a solid addition to Hawke’s popular rimfire optic line.

Available for .22LR HV, .17HMR, and .22LR Subsonic, Hawke’s exclusive rimfire reticles have pre-calculated aim points for each specific caliber. With each scope, you zero while on 16x magnification at 50 yards (100 yards for the .17HMR) and from there, all aim points are pre-calculated with easy-to-read yardage markings etched in the reticle. With these reticles, you will experience outstanding downrange accuracy unlike any other rimfire scope on the market today. Read more

Optics
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