Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund Awards $300K Grant to The National Wild Turkey Federation

Landmark grant to provide support for priority NWTF local and national projects, including the Western Shared Stewardship Initiative

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is proud to announce it has awarded a $300,000 grant to the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to benefit priority local and national conservation projects including the Western Shared Stewardship Initiative, a unique partnership set to address urgent wildlife habitat needs, wildfire challenges and watershed improvements in the western United States. The landmark grant, enabled by noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris and generous Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s customers who round up purchases in stores and online to the Outdoor Fund, is a gamechanger for the NWTF’s critical conservation needs in 2021.

“I want to give Johnny and his entire team, as well as Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s customers who support the Outdoor Fund, a resounding thank you for their continual support the advancement of our outdoors lifestyle,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “Our partnership with Bass Pro and Cabela’s is the result of two organizations dedicated to conserving our nation’s natural resources and preserving our hunting heritage. Contributions from the Outdoor Fund will continue to drive the NWTF mission to unprecedented heights and expand our past successes even further.”

Like the NWTF, the Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Outdoor Fund encourages more than 200 million Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s customers to round up purchases to support conservation partners and projects that connect new audiences to the outdoors, protect and conserve wildlife habitat across America and advocate for sportsmen’s rights and the outdoors, a mission that closely aligns with the NWTF’s. Read more

Hunting

USDA Expands and Improves CRP

Higher payment rates, new incentives to help spur future program enrollment

St. Paul, Minn. – April 21, 2021 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the open enrollment of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate resiliency. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are acknowledging the exceptional work of USDA Secretary Vilsack and agency officials to fast-track these critical improvements for the nation’s premier private lands conservation program.

“Today’s CRP announcement by Secretary Vilsack delivered upon every requested improvement we’ve made since he returned to USDA leadership. At the top of that list was the need for adjusted soil rental rates to make CRP an attractive option for farmers and ranchers once again. That had to be the starting point, and it’s clear our voice was heard. We’re also encouraged to see the grassland habitat created by CRP acknowledged as a massive component of the recipe for climate resiliency,” reported Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s director of governmental affairs. Read more

Wildlife

Boone and Crockett Club Calls for $45 Billion Infrastructure Investment in Forest Management and Restoration

MISSOULA, MT– Today, the Boone and Crockett Club released a new fact sheet outlining the need for $45 billion in federal infrastructure investments in forest management and restoration on federal lands over the next decade. The document notes that the U.S. Forest Service has over 80 million acres of land at moderate to high risk from catastrophic fire and that there are millions of acres in need of reforestation when high-intensity fires reduce the potential for natural regeneration. The Club notes that President Biden’s American Jobs Plan outlined a goal to, “Maximize the resilience of land and water resources to protect communities and the environment,” and that forest management must be a significant part of this investment. Yesterday, Colorado’s Senator Michael Bennet introduced the Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act that would address these forest management funding needs; his state was one of several that witnessed unprecedented damage during the devastating 2020 fire season.

“Restoration and management of America’s national forests is an investment in our natural infrastructure that protects our communities, municipal water supplies, and fish and wildlife habitat – and provides natural climate solutions. These projects also deliver jobs to American workers in communities across the country,” commented Club President Jim Arnold. “The Boone and Crockett Club calls on Congress to make an investment of $40 billion in federal forest management and $5 billion in reforestation over the next 10 years to make our forests more resilient and reduce our risk of catastrophic wildfires.” Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Winchester Ammunition Awarded U.S. Army Contract

EAST ALTON, Ill. — Winchester has been selected by the U.S. Army as the second source provider for small caliber rifle ammunition. This most recent contract is for 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 50 caliber ammunition with an initial order of $37 million and is the third consecutive second source contract Olin Winchester has received.

“Winning this contract, combined with being selected as the operating contractor at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, solidifies Winchester’s position supplying small caliber ammunition to the U.S. military,” said Brett Flaugher, president of Winchester.

“Winchester has proven time and again that we can meet and exceed the exacting standards required by our military customers,” said Kevin Noonan, director of military programs and strategy. “The reason you see Winchester continue to win these contracts is because we are delivering quality, cost-effective products on time.”

Winchester is the world leader in the development, production and supply of advanced, high-performance small caliber ammunition. Since World War I, Winchester has been the U.S. Army’s largest commercial supplier of small caliber ammunition and has met the needs of law enforcement and U.S armed forces with decades of support at the highest levels.

Ammunition

Faxon Rimfire Barrels for Ruger 10/22

(CINCINNATI, OH) – Faxon Firearms, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based manufacturer of quality rifle and pistol components, and complete firearms, is excited to announce the release of their Faxon Rimfire series of barrels for 10/22.

One of the pillars of Faxon Firearms is their belief in the Fellowship of Firearms. They believe that firearms bring people together and create generational memories. Since the 19th century, the .22 LR has been a perennial favorite for beginning and seasoned shooters alike, an optimal choice to embrace the “fellowship” pillar of the Faxon ethos.

Faxon is bringing everything you love about their AR and pistol barrels to the beloved “22.”

As with all Faxon Barrels, the “Faxon Rimfire” line is made in-house at their Cincinnati facility from raw bar stock and undergo the same rigorous testing and quality control measures that have made their AR and pistol barrels a market favorite.

These barrels are made from 416-R stainless steel, given 6 Groove Rifling at a 1:16 twist, and a Recessed Target Crown. Barrels are Magnetic Particle Inspected and are finished in either Salt Bath Nitride or PVD. Faxon Rimfire barrels for 10/22 are chambered in .22 LR Sporting.

To give these barrels a Faxon signature touch, they have adapted 3 of their most popular barrel profiles from the AR platform to rimfire: Pencil, Straight Fluted, and Faxon’s patented Flame Fluted profile. Read more

Firearms

Pulsar Thermion XG50 Wins NRA 2021 Optic of the Year

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Pulsar’s elite Thermion XG50 has been voted as NRA’s American Rifleman’s 2021 Optic of the Year! The ‘Golden Bullseye’ awards are given annually, and, according to their website,

“To qualify for a NRA Golden Bullseye Award, products must be reliable, innovative in design and function, and perceived as a value to the purchaser. Winners of a Golden Bullseye Award are selected by a seven-member committee of NRA Publications staff members with more than a century of collective experience in the shooting and hunting industry.”

Referring to the XG50, American Rifleman said the scope “expands the range at which hunters can detect game and provides increased resolution, giving users more information about what they’re seeing downrange”, adding “it’s easy to understand why we named the Pulsar Thermion XG50 Optic of the Year.” Read more

Optics

Attracting a Variety of Migrants

Have you ever attracted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak to your yard? Ah, Yes.  One of my favourites! …GW  It may be attracted to seeds, fruits, suet, or sugar-water nectar. By providing a full menu of bird foods, you should have a chance at bringing new birds to your yard.
A yearling Baltimore Oriole was one of about a dozen Baltimore and Orchard Orioles that were attracted to the cut oranges and grape jelly at this feeding station. Some birds may stay to nest in your area when provided with a regular source of preferred foods.

It’s that time of the year when you gotta pull out all the stops ‘cuz the migrants are arriving, and more are on the way! We need to provide everything possible to attract the greatest variety of birds to our yards, and to benefit the migrants as they make their way across the land from south to north this spring. And we may be able to attract new birds to stop and stay a while – to nest in your yard or neighborhood, after finding out they find a predictable source of favorite foods and fresh water on the edge of backyard habitats.

It’s not that hard, or very expensive. The most important thing you can do to attract and benefit the greatest variety of migrating birds is to simply provide fresh water. That’s easy! And if you add the sound of moving water via a dripper, mini-fountain, or water wiggler, more birds are sure to find your watering and feeding station.

In addition to fresh water, add some sugar-water – in the form of nectar in a hummingbird feeder, as well as sugar-water in an oriole feeder. Speaking of orioles, be sure to provide the ultimate oriole magnets: Grape jelly and sliced orange halves. Read more

Wildlife

Trout Shootout

The Full Story:

LAKE CHARLES, LA – Hook & Barrel Magazine is proud to present the Salty Catch Trout Shoutout held at the Lake Charles, Louisiana Civic Center. The event will be held June 5th in partnership with the State of Louisiana and sponsored by PENN, plus local top sponsorship by Navarre Auto Group and is expected to host nearly 2,000 people. Adding excitement and community camaraderie to the tournament, a festival style day of entertainment will bring the community together for a great cause. Beginning at 10am, the community is invited to watch anglers from around the region and as far away as Texas, try their luck at winning the first prize pot, a whopping $1,000.00 for the biggest speckled trout as part of an overall cash and prize winnings exceeding $10,000 for other placing fish! Throughout the day, anglers will be bringing their fish in to be weighed. Along with this, vendors will be set-up throughout the Civic Center grounds near the amphitheater where visitors can browse local offerings as well as meet with the Penn team and meet the Editor-in-Chief of Hook & Barrel Magazine, John J. Radzwilla.

The crowning jewel of the event will be a community concert held from 3-5pm. Rising country music star and American Idol winner, Laine Hardy, will headline the main stage and delight fans as well as raise money for hurricane relief. A native of Livingston, Louisiana (pop. 2,000), the 2019 winner of American Idol was six when he picked up his first guitar and later joined his brother playing in local clubs and bars for upwards of six hours a night, inspired by artists ranging from Luke Combs to Elvis Presley to Mark Broussard. After winning American Idol in 2019, Laine focused on songwriting and touring, headlining shows in Denver, Indianapolis, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Lexington and more.  Laine’s 2020 “Ground I Grew Up On” virtual tour, made over 15 online stops to date, with views at 2 million and counting.

Laine’s latest hit song on country music radio nationwide.
Tickets for the event and angler registration go on sale April 15. Event tickets can be purchased on hookandbarrel.com/tickets and anglers can register on saltycatch.com. Read more
Fishing

Michigan: Wildlife Habitat Grant Application Period Open

Now through June 4, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program will accept applications for habitat improvement and enhancement projects.

“We look forward to the opportunity to partner with those who want to increase habitat and enhance existing habitat through the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Jared Duquette. “Healthy and abundant habitats not only benefit wildlife, but also benefit Michigan residents.”

Funding is available for local, state, federal and tribal governments, profit and nonprofit groups, and individuals through an open, competitive process. Minimum grant amounts will be set at $15,000, with the maximum being the amount of funds available for the grant cycle. The 2021 overall available grant amount is approximately $1 million. Read more

Wildlife

CMP Ammunition Warning

Dear CMP Family,

The CMP advises to not use .30/06 ammunition in M1 Garands, 1903s, and 1903A3s that is loaded beyond 50,000 CUP and has a bullet weight more than 172-174gr. These rifles are at least 70 years old and were not designed for max loads and super heavy bullets. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle.

This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10).

Civilian Marksmanship Program

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.

Ammunition, Firearms
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