Utah: How Drought Impacts Deer and Elk: Tips for 2021 Hunts

SALT LAKE CITY — Several years of ongoing drought conditions and the extreme drought this summer have decreased mule deer populations across the state. Here are a few things people hunting deer and elk this fall should know.

Drought impacts deer by decreasing their body fat (because there are fewer plants and available food sources on the landscape). If the does have poor body fat and nutrition, it leads to smaller fawns, and those fawns have a decreased chance of surviving. If an adult deer has too little body fat at the beginning of the winter — especially a severe winter — it will often not survive the winter months.

The current deer population in Utah is roughly 320,000 deer, which is the lowest total number of deer in the state in several years (although not as low as 2010 or the early 2000s). While hunting bucks doesn’t impact the total population growth rate, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has decreased the total hunting permit numbers for the last several years in order to better manage to the buck-to-doe ratios outlined in the management plans. Read more

Hunting

Faxon’s 10/22 Builder Event Giveaway

(CINCINNATI, OH) – Faxon Firearms, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based manufacturer of quality rifle and pistol components, and complete firearms, will soon be wrapping up their “10/22 Builder Event” giveaway… but there is still time to enter!

“At Faxon Firearms, we truly believe in ‘The Fellowship of Firearms™,’ which makes giveaway events like this one really special. So many people began their shooting sports activities on the 10/22 platform, so it was a natural move for us to begin manufacturing Faxon Rimfire Barrels for 10/22, allowing us to apply everything people love about our AR and Pistol Barrels to the beloved ‘.22.'” – Dustin Wallace, Faxon Media Director

The Faxon Firearms 10/22 Builder Event giveaway features a prize pack valued at over $3,000 and includes:

  • Faxon Firearms:
    • TiN Flame Fluted Faxon Rimfire Barrel – Threaded
  • Volquartsen Firearms:
    • 10/22 Stainless Steel Black Receiver, Competition Bolt, TG2000 Trigger Group – Black
  • ORYX:
    • Beisa Chassis
  • Seven Hills Outfitters:
    • Gator Waders Deck Boots & Helle ARV Knife
  • Hornady:
    • RAPiD Safe AR Gunlocker
  • VERTX:
    • S.O.C.P. Sling and Walker Medical Kit
  • Lockdown
    • Magnum Magnet, Compact Dehumidifier, LED Vault Tape Light, PUCK
  • Caldwell:
    • FDE E-MAX Shadow Ear Protection
  • Crimson Trace:
    • Brushline Pro 2-7x32mm Rimfire BDC Reticle
  • Wheeler Tools:
    • Scope Rings

You can enter the giveaway through August 22, 2021, via the following link: https://bit.ly/Faxon1022 Read more

Firearms

CCRKBA Ad Illustrates Biden’s Admission of Planned Handgun Ban

CCRKBA

NEW CCRKBA TV AD TAKES BIDEN TO TASK AFTER ADMITTING HANDGUN BAN PLAN

BELLEVUE, WA – The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is taking Joe Biden to task with a new 60-second TV message on several cable networks, and they’ve got the best help of all, the president’s own words of admission that he wants to ban 9mm handguns.

The new message includes a film clip of Biden saying he wants to ban 9mm pistols.

“Neither Joe Biden nor his White House handlers can sugar coat the president’s acknowledgement during a CNN Townhall program that he intends to ban some of the most popular pistols in the country,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “This was no Biden gaffe, for which he is famous. It was an admission, whether unintentional or completely candid, that his hope is to ban 9mm handguns owned and used by tens of millions of Americans, including thousands of police officers.”

Biden was responding to a question about gun control when he told his audience, “Whether it is a 9mm pistol, or a rifle, it is ridiculous. I am continuing to push to eliminate the sale of those things.”

“Biden cannot walk that one back no matter how hard he tries,” Gottlieb said, “and we’re going to keep reminding America about what he said. This is not going to be swept under the rug as just another one of Joe Biden’s famous slips of the tongue.”

CCRKBA’s 60-second message will be broadcast on the following networks: AMC, FX, the Comedy Network, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, One America News Network, Destination America, Bloomberg, BBC America, the Investigation Discovery Channel, American Heroes Channel, SYFY (Science Fiction), TLC (The Learning Channel), TruTV, DirecTV, The Weather Channel, HLN, Dish TV, CNBC, the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel.

Viewers are asked to text “SAVE 2A” to 474747, and join the fight to save a right.

“When Joe Biden ran for the presidency,” Gottlieb recalled, “his gun control plan was already extreme, but now he’s exposed himself as a handgun prohibitionist. We’re going to energize every American gun owner possible to stop Biden’s radical agenda.” Read more

Gun Control, Self Defense

Pennsylvania Elk Cam Goes Live

Can’t wait for the September peak of Pennsylvania’s elk rut? Get a jumpstart now with the Game Commission’s Elk Cam.

The Game Commission again has installed a camera on State Game Lands 311 in Elk County, in a field that typically is a hub of elk activity as the bugling season heats up. Video and sound from the camera are being livestreamed at www.pgc.pa.gov, and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkeys, deer and other wildlife, as well.

“Nature is full of surprises, and that’s some of the reason the Game Commission’s wildlife livestreams have proven so popular,” agency Executive Director Bryan Burhans said. “The Elk Cam gives viewers a chance to experience the wonder of Pennsylvania’s elk rutting season, without ever leaving home. Sit back and enjoy the show.”

The livestream, which is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, is the latest in a string of real-time wildlife-watching opportunities offered by the Game Commission. Read more

Wildlife

SCI: Petition to Stop All Wildlife Trade Would Harm Wildlife and Communities From Alaska to Zimbabwe

SCI strongly opposes a petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Natural Resources Defense Council that requests that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ban the import and export of all wild mammals and birds and institute a cumbersome import/export tracking system. These groups seek to exploit the tragedy of the Covid-19 pandemic to achieve their personal goal of shutting down the legal, regulated international trade in wildlife—without scientific support, and at the expense of the countries and communities who rely on this trade.

The petitioners ask the Service to ban all imports and exports of mammals and birds, both alive and dead. This is a monumental ask. It would stop everything from the import of live parakeets, leather goods, or hunting trophies, to the export of live animals, alligator skins, moose antlers, and game meat sustainably harvested in the United States. The economic impact of the requested action would be felt across the globe.

The petition relies on the alleged origin of the Covid-19 pandemic in a wildlife “wet” market to justify an across-the-board ban on the import or export of mammals and birds. While SCI supports responsible controls on live wildlife trade to ensure human safety and the welfare of the animals themselves, the petition improperly seeks to take advantage of the global pandemic to completely ban legal, regulated trade in all mammals and birds, both alive and dead. The petition relies on zero data to support its proposed blanket ban, especially with respect to imports and exports of wildlife products. It disregards the fact that the products of already-harvested wildlife are subject to strict controls and inspections before they ever enter international trade. Read more

General

Yamaha Celebrates 4 Million Units Assembled in the USA

MARIETTA, GA – Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC) and Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, (YMUS) have reached a historic manufacturing milestone, celebrating the production of 4 million vehicles with the assembly of a new 2021 Wolverine RMAX2 1000 Side-by-Side (SxS) at the state-of-the-art U.S. manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia.

Yamaha held the occasion at the Newnan factory on August 12 to recognize employees and thank them for their dedication to ensuring superior manufacturing processes and producing the highest quality of vehicles. Yamaha’s hub for 4-wheel off-highway vehicle manufacturing, YMMC is where all of the company’s Side-by-Sides, full-size ATVs, WaveRunners, and Golf Cars are produced for worldwide distribution.

“Over the past 20 years, Yamaha has invested more than $380 million into U.S. manufacturing to create a world-class facility in Newnan,” said Taka Imanishi, president of YMMC. “Whether it is our ATV or Side-by-Side vehicles, Golf Cars or Personal Watercraft, YMMC strives to maintain the highest quality of production and environmental standards, while giving back to the community through comprehensive corporate social responsibility programs.” Read more

General

Glock Supports National Shooting Sports Month With +ONE Gearbox Giveaway

NEWTOWN, Conn. – NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, is pleased to announce that Glock is a sponsor of a +ONE® Gearbox Giveaway in support of 2021’s National Shooting Sports Month®.

NSSF’s +ONE Movement encourages the mentoring of newcomers by experienced target shooters and hunters in order to pass on the enjoyment and tradition of the shooting sports. The perfect time to introduce someone new to recreational shooting is during the month of August — National Shooting Sports Month.

Glock wants to help recreational shooters get out and enjoy the fun and excitement of the shooting sports by offering this great package, valued at more than $3,500.00, full of essential range gear.

What’s in the Glock Gearbox:

G43X MOS: $582 4 Pistol Range Bag

6 Multi-Mag Pouch

Quadcamo Hat

Carry Confidence Shirt

Training course from GLOCK’s Director of Training: Brilliance in the Basics

All expenses paid trip to tour US factory

Personalized fan video from Chuck Norris

Personalized letter from Mr. and/or Mrs. Glock with both autographs Read more

Self Defense

ALPS OutdoorZ Introduces Deluxe Dove Belt

GW: Good for a crow hunter, too.
NEW HAVEN, Mo. – ALPS OutdoorZ, premiere manufacturer of extreme-duty hunting packs and gear for big-game hunters, has released a new, professional-grade dove belt just in time for the 2021 upland season.

The new Deluxe Dove Belt is built to work with any dove hunting style or environment. A key feature is the two “hold-open” shell pockets that flank the hunter’s torso. Use one pocket for live cartridges and the other for empties. The pockets are supported by a rugged, two-inch web belt with a tough SR buckle that is fully adjustable for an optimal fit and comfort.

In addition to the shell pockets, the Deluxe Dove Belt comes with a large game pouch for bird storage. The pouch features a TechMesh bottom to provide air flow on those warm, early season hunts and to promote fluid drainage and easy clean-out. A separate water bottle pocket is included and also comes with a TechMesh bottom for condensation drainage. All pockets can be removed and adjusted for custom performance and easy cleaning.

The Deluxe Dove Belt is made of durable 600D fabric in either Brown or Mossy Oak® Shadow Grass® Habitat™ camo. Overall weight is 1 lb., 12 oz. Read more

Hunting

Advantages of EOTECH’s Holographic Weapon Sights

Ann Arbor, MI – EOTECH’s Holographic Weapon Sights (HWS®) are among the most elite optics in the world. Selected by USSOCOM and battle tested, EOTECH’s combination of technology and rugged build quality offer proven advantages to all who use them.

The most significant advantage the HWS offers is extremely fast target acquisition. It allows for maximum situational awareness by providing a unique rectangular heads-up display that supports target engagement with both eyes open that maximizes the user’s peripheral vision and situational awareness. Its unlimited eye relief allows the user to position the sight anywhere on the firearm and allows for off-axis usage where proper cheek weld or sight alignment isn’t possible.

The HWS offers other significant advantages over typical red dot sights. Because it is powered by a laser diode instead of an LED, the HWS offers the smallest aiming point in the industry. This, combined with the large outer ring, often known as the “donut of death”, provides unparalleled speed in engaging targets, while offering unmatched accuracy for a 1X optic. This advantage is compounded when the reticle is viewed under magnification. The aiming dot does not magnify in size like it does on LED-driven red dots. The user maintains the small 1MOA dot but now with a target that is magnified 3-5 times in size. This allows for more precise shots downrange.

Additionally, the holographic reticle is perceived by the shooter to be projected at the target, allowing focus on both the target and the reticle, whereas a red dot forces the user to shift focus back-and-forth from near to far – reticle to target. Holography also allows EOTECH to develop all types of reticle options including multi-dot ballistic solutions, stadia and ranging reticles, and solutions specific to unique platforms like less lethal or grenade launchers. Read more

Optics

CDFW, NOAA Fisheries Revive Voluntary Drought Initiative to Protect Fisheries

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries announced a Voluntary Drought Initiative today designed to protect populations of salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon from the effects of the current unprecedented drought.

The initiative provides a framework for water users to enter into individual agreements with the two agencies to maintain enough water for fish spawning and survival, and implement other collaborative actions like fish rescue, relocation, monitoring, and habitat restoration. In return, landowners and water users will benefit from a simplified permitting process under the federal and state endangered species laws and may receive incidental take authorizations for California Endangered Species Act (CESA)-listed fish in case a participant unintentionally takes a listed fish species. While individual agreements under this initiative expire December 31, 2021 and may be renewed on an annual basis, prospective participants may enroll at any time.

“This severe drought impacts all of California and presents unique challenges for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon listed under the Endangered Species Act,” said Barry Thom, Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, West Coast Region. “To help imperiled fish survive these conditions, we are asking private landowners to work with us and CDFW to implement actions that may protect sensitive aquatic ecosystems as part of a Voluntary Drought Initiative.”

As an example of how the initiative can be beneficial, in 2014 CDFW worked with Los Molinas Mutual Water Company on Mill Creek in Tehama County. The company provided access through its properties for fish population monitoring and provided flows in the creek for the benefit of spring-run Chinook salmon.

“Drought conditions create substantial challenges for many landowners or water users throughout California,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “NOAA and CDFW have found that open dialogue with drought-affected landowners or water users regarding voluntary steps to reduce significant risks to federal- and state-listed species from drought has been an effective way to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.” Read more

Fishing
1 … 764 765 766 767 768 … 2,073