WSF Commits $100,000 to Defeat a Ballot Initiative to Ban Mountain Lion Hunting in Colorado

The Wild Sheep Foundation is donating $100,000 to Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better (CWDB) to defeat the ballot initiative Proposition 127 to ban the hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx. The Initiative will be on the state’s November ballot after obtaining the required signatures.

“This is wrong on so many levels, and it’s not just a Colorado issue,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “Science-based professional wildlife management and the proud traditions of legal, regulated public hunting are increasingly under attack. This ballot initiative is all about out-of-state animal rights and anti-hunting extremists funding a campaign based on misinformation to elicit an emotional response from voters who are being swayed by toxic or misleading headlines.”

Marketed as the “Stop the Trophy Hunting of Mountain Lions” campaign, the initiative, if passed, would eliminate all hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx statewide, even though lynx is not a legally hunted species in the state.

“I guess they threw lynx in for effect,” added Corey Mason, WSF’s Executive Vice President of Conservation and COO. “That’s not where the misinformation ends, however. Anti-hunting groups are throwing the kitchen sink at this to confuse not only those who do not hunt but sportsmen and women as well. Their propaganda attempts to call into question proven wildlife management principles and undermines Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If you read all their hype, it’s a desperate attempt for a ballot measure that would tie the hands of Colorado’s wildlife professionals to act responsibly for all its wildlife and the safety of its citizens and disproportionately impact farmers and ranchers in rural communities.” Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

Rossi USA R95 Line Chambered for Straight-Walled Cartridges

Bainbridge, GA. – Rossi USA is proud to expand its R95 lineup with new offerings in popular cartridges: 44 Mag, .357 Mag, .444 Marlin, and .360 Buckhammer. These additions cater to shooters looking for the versatility and performance of straight-walled lever-action rifles, combined with the trusted reliability and classic design of Rossi’s R95 models.

ROSSI R95: NOW AVAILABLE IN POPULAR STRAIGHT-WALLED CARTRIDGES

The new R95 models maintain the series’ reputation for rugged durability and precision, offering enhanced shooting versatility for hunting, target practice, and more.

Key Features:

  • Versatile Caliber Options: Available in 44 Mag, .357 Mag, .444 Marlin, and .360 Buckhammer, these models offer a wide selection to suit a variety of shooting styles and applications.
  • Durable Construction: Built to the same high standards as the rest of the R95 series, these models are designed to withstand rigorous use while delivering reliable performance.
  • Adjustable Sights: Integrated adjustable rear sights and drift-adjustable front sights allow shooters to achieve precise aim, enhancing accuracy in diverse shooting conditions.
  • Medium Loop Lever: Select models come with a medium loop lever, designed for smooth cycling and enhanced handling, catering to various shooting preferences.
  • Soft Touch Recoil Pad: All models feature a soft touch recoil pad, designed to reduce felt recoil for improved comfort during extended shooting sessions.
  • Threaded Barrel Options: Certain models offer threaded barrels for added customization with muzzle devices or suppressors, expanding the rifle’s tactical potential.
  • Tube Magazine with Ample Capacity: Each model features a tube magazine optimized for its specific round, offering reliable firepower for various needs.
  • Integrated Sling Mounts: Designed for practicality, these models include integrated sling mounts, making them easy to carry and maneuver in the field. Read more
Firearms

Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F 9mm Pistol with Manual Safety

GENESEO, ILL. – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the release of the Echelon™ 4.5F 9mm Pistol with Manual Safety, adding a new option to this popular line of fully ambidextrous pistols that has set a new standard for modern, striker-fired duty pistols.

The manual safety of the new Echelon variant is frame-mounted at the rear of the frame. In addition to being ambidextrous and easy to engage/disengage, the manual safety on the new Echelon also features matching texturing to the rest of the pistol. The result is an ergonomic design that adds an additional layer of safety to an already extremely safe and durable pistol. Read more

Firearms

Rogue Ridge RG750 Tackles the Toughest Jobs

Minden, LA – Rogue Ridge’s RG750 fat tire e-bike is built for impressive performance at an incredible value.

Engineered with a 750-watt motor and 13 amp hour battery, the RG750 can power up steep hills and through long trails into the backcountry. It can reach up to 20 mph with an impressive range of up to 35 miles and fully recharge in just 2.5 hours.

The RG750’s fat tires easily traverse any terrain, from sand and rocks to snow and mud, making it the ideal tool for hunting or adventuring in any conditions.

Featuring a tech-welded frame constructed of 6061 aluminum, this workhorse is load-rated for up to 300 pounds. The RG750 features a display for quickly checking current speed, average speed, trip distance, and remaining battery power.

The e-bike comes off-road ready with a rear pannier rack, 48v 2a charger, mud fenders, tire liners, and a 1-year warranty. Available in Mossy Oak Bottomland and three solid colorways, the RG750 is a great value at $3,999.99-$4,199.99. Read more

General

Introducing the Ruger LC Carbine Now in 10mm Auto

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to introduce the Ruger® LC Carbine™ chambered in 10mm Auto. This lightweight carbine features a 16.25″ threaded barrel, adjustable folding stock, Ruger Rapid Deploy folding sights and ambidextrous controls. With the stock set to the shortest length of pull, this LC Carbine is just 28.6″ in length. Based on the .45 Auto LC Carbine, the 10mm Auto carbine features right- and left-hand bolt releases, an octagonal handguard, reversible magazine release and is compatible with most off-the-shelf, Glock-pattern, 10mm Auto magazines.

The LC Carbine features an aluminum free-float handguard with M-LOK attachment slots, QD attachment points for slings, and a full-length Picatinny rail for AR-height optics. The folding stock is reversible and features an adjustable length of pull, but can easily be replaced with AR-pattern stocks. The rear of the receiver has a Picatinny rail for maximum accessory compatibility. The LC Carbine can be easily disassembled without tools, allowing for convenient cleaning and maintenance. Read more

Firearms

Sportsmen’s Alliance Sues Fish and Wildlife Service for Failure to Act on ESA Wolf Petitions

Group Asks the Court to Compel FWS Decision on Wolf Delisting and Downlisting Requests

“…we will never refrain from holding agencies accountable to their statutory mandates to scientifically manage wildlife.”

Today, Sept. 9, the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to compel the agency to issue findings on two petitions requesting gray wolf delisting and downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

“Today, we’re making good on our promise to sue the Fish and Wildlife Service for its failure to timely respond to our petitions in accordance with the ESA,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “Unsurprisingly, the agency has asked us on multiple occasions to refrain from bringing this suit. But we will never refrain from holding agencies accountable to their statutory mandates to scientifically manage wildlife.”

In June 2023, Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with The Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association and Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, filed two petitions with FWS requesting the agency delist gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes and downlist West Coast wolves to threatened. The agency ignored these petitions for over a year, and on July 2, 2024, we notified FWS that we intended to sue the agency for its failure.

The first petition requests that FWS recognize and delist wolves in Western Great Lakes states — Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota (including areas in adjoining states). These wolves have long surpassed their recovery goals. The second petition asks FWS to downlist West Coast wolves — wolves in Western Washington, Western Oregon and California from endangered to threatened. These petitions serve as a blueprint for successfully delisting the wolves in accordance with prior court decisions.

“The ESA is crystal clear in its petition process – FWS must issue a preliminary 90-day finding on our petitions and make a final decision within one year,” said Torin Miller, Associate Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “FWS has done neither, and we’re happy to remind them that the ESA’s provisions are not optional.” Read more

Animal Rights, Wildlife

Women’s hunter safety field day and Go Confident session

Friday, Sept. 27, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Glassen Shooting Education Center, DNR Rose Lake Shooting Range
14500 Peacock Road, Bath Township (Clinton County)

This hunter education field day designed for women also includes a Go Confident session that covers common concerns of women who are beginning to hunt on their own.

After completing the at-home, online portion of Michigan’s hunter education course, attendees will complete the hunter education field day and exam at the Rose Lake Shooting Range. After the final field exam and range exercises, attendees will participate in a special Go Confident session on basic scouting, orienteering, and tree stand and blind placement, etc.

This event is free, but registration is required.

Register for field day+ ?

Hunting

Fall Raffle Launches with Bonus Tags

Conservation First USA is excited to announce a unique opportunity for you to win one of eight big game hunt permit-tags in its special fall raffle. The tags (one each for mule deer, whitetail deer, bison, elk, pronghorn, javelina, mountain lion and black bear) grants you the opportunity to hunt almost anywhere in the state for 365 days — a rare and valuable chance for any hunter.

Key Details: Read more

Contests, Hunting

Reports of EHD-Affected Deer Occurring Across Southwest Michigan

Most recent case of epizootic hemorrhagic disease confirmed in St. Joseph County

A common viral deer disease has made a return to St. Joseph County after a three-year hiatus, with additional counties likely to follow. Over the past several weeks, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has received reports of over 120 probable cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, primarily from counties in the southwestern Lower Peninsula.

The DNR Wildlife Health Section and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory recently confirmed the EHD virus in a free-ranging white-tailed deer from St. Joseph County. Several other counties are awaiting lab confirmation.

EHD is a viral, sometimes fatal disease found in wild ruminants such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk.

“Although early reports indicate 2024 could see a significant outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in pockets of Michigan’s deer population, this isn’t necessarily unusual,” said Chad Stewart, acting supervisor of the DNR Wildlife Division’s Sustainable Populations Section. Read more

Wildlife

WSF: New Desert Bighorn Sheep Source Herd in Texas

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) applauds the effort to restore desert bighorn sheep in the Lone Star State’s Franklin Mountains State Park.

Historically, desert bighorn sheep were native to Texas. With the settlement of the Trans-Pecos Region of Texas, native wild sheep populations declined rapidly, becoming extirpated by 1960. Through hard work and dedication, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Texas Bighorn Society (TBS), private landowners, and dedicated sportsmen and women collaborated to restore desert bighorns to many historic mountain ranges.

“Recently, wild sheep populations in Texas have declined dramatically because of health-related die-offs associated with pathogen transmission from non-native aoudad,” explained Kevin Hurley, WSF’s VP for Conservation. “Franklin Mountains State Park is one area identified by TPWD and TBS that is free of aoudad, making it the perfect location to re-introduce desert bighorn sheep safely.” Read more

Wildlife
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