Hawke Optics Expands First Focal Plane Scope Family

New Sidewinder Scopes Add to Lineup That Includes Frontier, Vantage and Airmax Models

Hawke® Optics, a world leader in high performance sporting optics that deliver in the field at an amazing value to consumers, expands to an already impressive lineup of First Focal Plane (FFP) optics for firearms and air rifles. The new Sidewinder FFP models ensure that shooters can find a precision FFP optic to fit every style, condition and budget.

The Sidewinder line is made up of four FFP models, the 4-16×50 SF and the 6-24×56 SF, each available with the FFP MOA reticle, or the FFP Half Mil Reticle. The FFP MOA reticle is specifically designed for first focal plane optic with MOA spacing with slightly closer aiming points than the FFP Half Mil reticle. The FFP MOA models are fitted with Hawke’s 1/4 MOA exposed and locking turrets with witness window, and the FFP Half Mil models are fitted with 1/10 MRAD turret clicks. This gives shooters options in optics and turret graduations to fit their personal preferences. These scopes have a 30mm main tube and are loaded with the amazing new H5 optics that has shooters amazed at the clarity and accuracy of this value-packed scope. H5 brings an ultra-wide 24-degree field of view. The low-dispersion Crown glass has 18-layer multi-coated optics for superb light transmission and clarity. Each Sidewinder has a full four-inches of eye relief, making them perfect for long-range work. Read more

Optics

SAF Applauds CO Judge’s Ruling Striking Down Boulder Gun Ban

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation is applauding a ruling by a Boulder, Colorado District Judge striking down a Boulder city ordinance that outlawed possession, sale or transfer of semi-automatic sporting rifles and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.

“This wasn’t our case,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “but it was the right decision by Judge Andrew Hartman. He ruled against the city ordinance because it violated Colorado’s state preemption law, which prohibits such local ordinances as the one in Boulder. Anti-gun politicians and organizations target such laws because they require uniformity in state gun laws and prevent the creation of legal minefields designed to trip up law-abiding citizens.”

Gottlieb is also delighted that the media alluded to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2010 that incorporated the Second Amendment to the states via the 14th Amendment. This was a SAF case known as McDonald v. City of Chicago, which nullified that city’s long-standing ban on handguns.

Judge Hartman’s ruling is another victory for state preemption, Gottlieb noted, coming soon after a Washington State Court of Appeals panel ruled unanimously in a SAF lawsuit that the City of Edmonds acted illegally when it adopted a so-called “safe storage” requirement a few years ago. SAF and the National Rifle Association challenged that restriction and a similar one in the City of Seattle. Washington has one of the earliest preemption statutes, which has been used as a model for similar laws in other states.

In Colorado, Judge Hartman wrote, “The Court has determined that only Colorado state (or federal) law can prohibit the possession, sale, and transfer of assault weapons and large capacity magazines…the State of Colorado has passed laws that are effectively a scheme preempting local governments from enacting municipal firearms and magazine possession ordinances.” Read more

Gun Control

Butler Creek Unveils New Element Scope Caps

Modular, Rugged Caps Offer Customization and Uncompromising Protection

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. –– Butler Creek®, maker of smart, field-proven hunting and shooting accessories, announced today the launch of its new Element Scope Caps. Rugged and modular, Element Scope Caps are designed to protect almost any scope thanks to various size options and a multi-flex rubber sleeve design.

The Element Scope Cap comes with modular, interchangeable lens caps to choose from – clear disk, ballistic data disk or standard black disk. The ballistic data disk accepts a ballistic chart template insert, which can be downloaded and printed from the Butler Creek website. This gives shooters easy access to critical ballistics data in the field, providing them with all the information they need to make an accurate shot before pulling the trigger. Read more

Firearms

XS Sights +2 Mag Extension Kit for Remington 870

Fort Worth, TX – XS® Sights is pleased to introduce the Remington® 870 +2 Magazine Tube Extension Kit for easy do-it-yourself installation. This lightweight magazine tube extension increases the capacity of standard Remington 870 shotguns by two shotshells and allows for the mounting of additional tactical upgrades. The kit includes a factory detent removal tool, a 45” Wolff® 12-gauge extended spring, and the +2 extension tube.

“This is a great product for shooters looking to expand the versatility of their standard four-shot 870,” said Zack Kinsley, Marketing Manager for XS Sights. “We have sold the tool to remove the factory detents for years and decided to provide a complete system that is simple, lightweight, and allows for personal preference tactical upgrades while installing the tube.”

Made from 6061 aluminum that is hard coat anodized, this one-piece tube weighs less than traditional steel tubes. The tip of the extension has wrench flats enabling an easier grip while attaching the tube. The flats also offer shooters the ability to use an adjustable wrench to get a snug fitment. Measuring six inches in length, the extension will not extend past a 20-inch barrel on a traditional four-round capacity shotgun tube. Read more

General

Ruger Introduces the MAX-9 Pistol

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to introduce the MAX-9™ – a pistol with all the features of a full-sized handgun in a size that is comfortable for everyday carry. Chambered in 9mm Luger, the Ruger® MAX-9 has an impressive 12+1 capacity. It measures just 6” long, has a slide width of less than 1”, weighs 18.4 ounces, and is equipped with a 3.2” barrel. This micro-sized pistol fits comfortably in an inside the waistband holster or pocket holster, or conveniently in a concealed carry purse.

The MAX-9 features a tritium fiber optic day/night front sight that adapts to a variety of light conditions, and comes optic ready for direct mounting of co-witnessed JPoint™ and Shield-pattern micro red dot sights. The 10-round magazines fit into a comfortably sized, medium-textured grip and 12-round magazines not only provide additional capacity, but also increase the surface area of the grip. Standard models are available with an ergonomic and intuitive thumb safety that operates similarly to those found on 1911-style pistols, and Pro models are available without the external manual safety lever. All models feature an integrated trigger safety and a loaded chamber viewport that provides visual indication of a cartridge in the chamber.

“The Ruger MAX-9 is a game changer,” said Ruger President and CEO Chris Killoy. “With industry-leading features at a highly competitive price, this American-made handgun will provide a versatile option for consumers looking for a superior offering in the popular micro-compact market.” Read more

Firearms

Buck Knives New High End Hunting and EDC Available Now

Buck Knives is pleased to confirm recently announced new products are now available. This variety of new knives include upgrades to famous classics and a bolster locking automatic.

Pro 100 Series Fixed Blades

The classic 100 Series hunting knives, including the famous 119 Special, received a serious upgrade with the addition S35VN steel and OD green canvas Micarta handles. The 102 Woodsman, 103 Buck Skinner, 105 Pathfinder, 119 Special and 120 General are now offered with this Pro Level upgrade. Made in the USA, prices range from $160-$250 MSRP.

New Assisted and Automatic Opening Paradigms

Buck’s Shift Mechanism™ bolster locking technology is being reintroduced on the new 590 Paradigm assisted opening folder and 591 Paradigm Shift automatic. Each Paradigm is redesigned with sleek lines, superior S35VN blades, G10 handles and Cerakote® coated bolsters. Available in black or brown, each model is made in the USA. $225 and $250 MSRP.

417 Budgie

The Budgie framelocks feature a stout, two inch S35VN blade and G10 handles. This small EDC is packed with big features, including a large thumb hole for easy opening, a lanyard loop, belt clip and two color offerings of black or clear G10. Made in the USA, the Budgie’s are $100 MSRP. Read more

Cutlery

Michigan: spring turkey season leftover licenses available now

Turkey call ready? Check. Equipment sighted in? Check. Spring turkey license purchased? Buy your license now!

The spring turkey season is the perfect way to kick off a new hunting year and enjoy time outdoors during the spring awakening. If you didn’t apply for a license, or if you weren’t successful in the license drawing, leftover licenses for the spring turkey season are now available. Buy a remaining license at Michigan.gov/Turkey.

Are you looking for a more flexible option this spring? For a longer season, private-land hunters in southern Michigan can purchase a Hunt Unit ZZ (Hunt 0301) license for April 17- May 31. Read more

Hunting

Michigan DNR staff produces award-winning guide to school forests

Whether they consist of a couple acres in a suburb or hundreds of acres in a rural area, school forests are a perfect setting for hands-on learning about plants, trees, wildlife and how ecosystems work.

The Michigan School Forest Guide offers plenty of advice on school forests, from how to set one up, how to make the most of an existing school forest and even how to introduce students to public forests if a school forest isn’t available. It has been awarded the Thomas Say Award for Outstanding Publication by the National Association for Interpretation.

Who was Thomas Say, by the way? He was an early 19th-century naturalist who identified more than 1,500 insects and wildlife species native to North America. The awards program honors naturalists whose work inspires greater understanding, awareness and stewardship of natural resources.

“Once, there were more than 600 school forests in Michigan,” said Ada Takacs, DNR department specialist, who created the guide along with DNR staffer Mike Smalligan, AmeriCorps volunteers Rachel Straughen and Angel Squalls, and naturalist Maureen Stine. “If your school has a forest, that’s a plus. If your school doesn’t have a forest, there are still ways to get kids into this rich learning environment.”

Want a forest for your own school? A PDF copy of the guide is available Read more

Wildlife

Michigan S3DA Hosts Indoor State Championship

Williamsburg, KY – In order to comply with the local COVID guidelines, Michigan S3DA hosted the Indoor State Championship at Rising Phoenix in Troy, Michigan and Central Michigan Sportsman’s Club in Stanton, Michigan. The state championship was held over a two-day span with approximately 74 archers participating from 5 S3DA teams. To provide an extra layer of safety, each hosting facility offered multiple line times, provided hand sanitizer, limited the number of spectators, and enforced social distancing and facemasks except for when archers were on the line and in the act of shooting. Central Michigan Goldstar archer, Logan Fouts said, “Even with all the difficulties of trying to remember to put my mask back on, it was great to be able to compete again and shoot with my teammates and other teams.”

One of the line judges, Toni Falk reflected on the event, “What a pleasure it was to be a part of the 2021 MI S3DA State Tournament. Officiating gave me the opportunity to both observe and interact with an amazing group of youth competitors. I was especially touched interacting with two ladies in the same scoring group who were so close in score it appeared that it could go either way. In the very last end, one of the girls shot her best end of the day with five inside out x’s and the other girl had a miss. My thoughts were as I observed the scoring group, this is going to be a hard way to finish for one of these girls, but that was not the case at all. While I quietly observed, the girls moved from scoring the target with the miss to the target with 5 inside out x’s. When the five circled “Xs” were recorded, without hesitation, the archer with the miss recorded in her last end and congratulated her competitor with a high five for the awesome competition and finish. I walked back across the range thinking there is more than one winner at that bail. These kids are so inspiring!” Read more

Archery

New Boat Engine Cutoff Switch Law Goes Into Effect April 1

Applies to boats less than 26 feet operating on plane or above displacement speed

SPRINGFIELD, Va. – There are new engine cutoff device wear requirements for recreational boat operators as part of the January 1, 2021, passage of National Defense Authorization Act that included a U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization. These devices, commonly referred to as engine cutoff switches (ECOS), are designed to prevent a boat-strike injury if an operator is accidentally ejected overboard while underway.

Engine cutoff devices can be located at the helm of the boat or on the tiller or body of an outboard engine and typically connect a boat’s operator to the cutoff switch with a lanyard. Some ECOS devices eliminate the lanyard and rely on wireless proximity devices to shut down an engine if the operator goes overboard.

Effective April 1, 2021, the new law requires a vessel operator to use either a helm or outboard lanyard or wireless ECOS on certain vessels less than 26 feet when traveling on plane or above displacement speed. These vessels include (1) boats that have a functioning engine cutoff device installed at the helm or on an outboard engine or have wireless ECOS, or (2) boats manufactured beginning January 2020. The Coast Guard increased the number of boats required to have ECOS installed after this date in an effort to reduce boating accidents and fatalities. Read more

Fishing
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