NFWF Announces More Than $640,000 in Grants to Reduce the Impacts of Derelict Fishing Gear

Grants from the Fishing for Energy program will support innovation and comprehensive management of derelict fishing gear to protect and restore the quality of marine and coastal habitats

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $643,500 in grants to support strategies that reduce the impacts of derelict fishing gear to marine and coastal environments and navigational safety in Alaska, Florida, Maine and Washington. The grants will generate $226,500 in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $870,000.

The projects supported by the four grants will result in fishing gear innovations and comprehensive management techniques that prevent the negative impacts of derelict gear on the environment, and decrease the threats it poses to key species. This work supports the management of derelict fishing gear that results in a continuing and long-term plan and efforts for dealing with the gear.

The grants were awarded through the Fishing for Energy program, a partnership between NFWF, Covanta, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. This year, additional funding was provided by Shell Oil Company and through community service funds arising from a federal environmental prosecution. Read more

Fishing

USCG Seeks Info Regarding Laser Strike

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard is seeking information from the public in locating a suspect or suspects who pointed a blue laser light at a Station Seattle boatcrew conducting search and rescue operations Monday night near Point Wells.

The crew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium initially reported they were fit to complete their assigned search and reported no immediate injuries from the laser strike. However, several minutes later, multiple crew members reported experiencing pain and discomfort in their eyes as a result of the exposure.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received the initial report from the Station Seattle crew that a blue laser struck the response boat’s cabin. The laser strike reportedly came from the general vicinity of the Point Wells area.

“Laser incidents are incredibly dangerous, put the safety of our boatcrews in jeopardy and degrade our ability to navigate and respond to search and rescue,” said Lt. Alex Cropley, commanding officer of Station Seattle. “We ask the public to understand the dangers associated with playing with lasers and how they disrupt search and rescue assets from responding to mariners in distress.”

Laser pointers can cause danger to Coast Guard air and boatcrews due to glare, afterimage, flash blindness or temporary loss of night vision. If a laser is shined in the eyes of an aircrew member, Coast Guard flight rules dictate that the aircraft must abort its mission.

Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft or vessel is a felony crime under 18 U.S. Code Section 111, which states whoever forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates, or interferes with any person – a U.S. government officer – (in this case, a Coast Guard member) engaged in performance of his/her official duties, is in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 111.

Coast Guard Investigative Service agents are working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact investigators at 206-220-7170 and visit: https://www.uscg.mil/Units/Coast-Guard-Investigative-Service/.

For more information about laser safety and the effects of a laser incident, visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s Laser Safety Imitative webpage at: http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers/

General

SAF, Defense Distributed Win Court Victory in 3D Gun Case

BELLEVUE, WA – The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously ruled that New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal is “subject to the jurisdiction of Texas courts” in a First Amendment case brought by Defense Distributed, a Texas-based firm, and the Second Amendment Foundation.

The case revolves around plaintiffs’ distribution of materials related to the 3D printing of firearms. Defense Distributed and SAF contend Grewal’s efforts to prevent publication of the information online violates their First Amendment rights. Grewal has been fighting to stay out of Texas federal court in this case. He is one of nine Attorneys General to file suit in the Western District of Washington to enjoin the State Department from authorizing the release of Defense Distributed’s files. The opinion may be read here.

However, just before Grewal and his colleagues sued in Washington state, SAF and Defense Distributed filed their own legal action in the Western District of Texas challenging what they say is “select enforcement actions taken by the state Attorneys General.” Grewal, according to court documents, moved to dismiss “for lack of personal jurisdiction.”

“No one is above the law or the constitution, not even attorney General Grewal,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “If you trample on the First Amendment rights of gun owners trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights, you will be headed for trouble.”

In its ruling, the 5th Circuit noted, “Grewal’s conduct beyond sending the cease-and-desist letter confirms his intent to crush Defense Distributed’s operations and not simply limit the dissemination of digital files in New Jersey. Grewal’s enforcement actions are selective. Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act is Upheld

Most native birds in North America are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which was passed in 1918 and upheld last week in federal court (Whimbrel photo by Paul Konrad).

Last week a federal judge upheld the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, halting attempted changes to the letter of the most important bird protection legislation ever passed. United States District Court Judge Valerie Caproni ruled that the legal opinion that serves as the basis for the Trump administration rollback of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) does not align with the intent and language of the 100 year old law. In her ruling, Judge Caproni found that the policy “runs counter to the purpose of the MBTA to protect migratory bird populations” and is “contrary to the plain meaning of the MBTA.”

The ruling makes it clear that the administration must halt its attempt to roll back the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Last week’s decision comes in response to a series of lawsuits filed in 2018 by eight state governments and several national conservation groups, including the National Audubon Society. To review Audubon’s news release, see https://www.audubon.org/news/victory-federal-judge-rules-administrations-bird-killing-policy-illegal You can also review the legal decision at https://nas-national-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/2020-08-11_mbta_decision.pdf

Wildlife

Secretary Bernhardt Announces Historic Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities on Public Lands

New hunting and fishing opportunities across 2.3 million acres at 138 national wildlife refuges and nine national fish hatcheries

SAGINAW, MI – Continuing the Trump Administration’s unprecedented efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced today at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge the historic opening and expansion of over 850 hunting and fishing opportunities across more than 2.3 million acres at 147 national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. This rule is the single largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in history.

“On the heels of President Trump signing the most significant conservation and recreation funding in US history, providing nearly $20 billion over the next 10 years to fix and conserve the American people’s public lands, the Trump Administration has now made an additional 2.3 million acres accessible to new hunting and fishing opportunities,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “We continue to take significant actions to further conservation initiatives and support sportsmen and women who are America’s true conservationists.”

The final rule opens or expands 859 hunting and fishing opportunities (an opportunity is defined as one species on one field station in one state). On top of last year’s expansion of 1.4 million acres for new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities, this proposal would bring the Trump Administration’s total expansion to over 4 million acres nationwide.

“The Trump Administration and Secretary Bernhardt have made access to public lands for hunting and fishing and other outdoor recreation a priority beginning day one. Hunting and fishing are a part of our American history, and we continue to ensure we provide opportunities for these activities which epitomize our American heritage,” said Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “Furthermore, we have maintained our commitment to promoting good government by reducing the regulatory burden by working with states to facilitate these outdoor activities.”

This rule increases the number of units in the Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System open to public hunting to 430 and those open to fishing to 360. The rule also formally brings the total number of National Fish Hatchery System units open to hunting or sport fishing to 21. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

National Shooting Sports Month Gains +ONE Gearbox Giveaway from Browning

NEWTOWN, Conn. – NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, is pleased to announce that Browning has agreed to sponsor a “+ONESM” Gearbox Giveaway in support of 2020’s National Shooting Sports Month®.

Founded in Ogden, Utah, by John Moses Browning in 1878, Browning continues its storied legacy today with an expansive lineup of firearms such as the X-Bolt, A5 and Citori lines, as well as knives, firearm safes, ammunition, lighting products and hundreds of accessories for both hunters and target shooters.

The 2020 National Shooting Sports Month Browning’s “+ONE” Gearbox Giveaway, valued at more than $3,000, includes:

1 Citori CX over/under 12-gauge shotgun

1 Second Chance stag-and-ebony knife

1 Black/Gold shotgun case

1 Rumble USB-rechargeable lantern

1 Stoke 2.0 USB-rechargeable flashlight

1 Browning hat in Trapper Grey

1 Browning hat in Slope Loden

1 Browning Pastime-Skull hat

1 $500 certificate for purchasing Browning ammunition Read more

Ammunition, Firearms

Smith & Wesson Campaign to Support First-Time Gun Owners

SMITH & WESSON GUNSMARTS campaign set to inform, educate, and excite new gun owners

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Smith & Wesson announced today the launch of its new multi-media marketing campaign: SMITH & WESSON GUNSMARTS. The company’s new campaign is designed to welcome new gun owners into the firearms community and highlight key resources available to those who have just purchased their first pistol, rifle, or revolver.

Kyle Tengwall, VP Marketing, said, “As an industry leader, it’s our responsibility to help educate and inform those who have recently purchased their first firearm and help them to become confident, responsible members of the firearms community. As such, we’ve developed SMITH & WESSON GUNSMARTS – a resource that provides information on firearms training programs, industry information, and an educational video series hosted by experts in the firearms space. We hope that new and seasoned gun owners leverage this information to help them become confident and responsible members of the firearms community.”

As a cornerstone of the campaign, the company has released a new video series devoted to helping inform, educate, and excite those who have recently joined the firearms community. Hosted on YouTube, the SMITH & WESSON GUNSMARTS video series covers a comprehensive set of topics that takes the viewer from the basics of firearms safety through their first trips to the range – all in a simple, inviting manner. Read more

Firearms

CenterPoint Archery® 2020 Summer Rebate

INMAN, S.C. – August 18, 2020 – TrueTimber invites hunters to take advantage of the CenterPoint Archery 2020 Summer Rebate featuring the CP400 Crossbow available in TrueTimber Strata. With the purchase of a CP400 crossbow, buyers will receive a $100 rebate. Buyers who purchase the CP400 with Silent Crank in Strata will receive a $150 rebate. The rebate began July 1 and will run through September 30.

“We have worked closely with CenterPoint for some time now and love this opportunity for bowhunters to get this awesome deal on a crossbow in our Strata pattern,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “CenterPoint has created a really great crossbow with the CP400 and pairing it with Strata creates a combination that will absolutely give hunters an advantage in the woods this fall.”

CenterPoint CP400

CenterPoint Archery has evolved in design and performance with the introduction of the innovative CP400 Crossbow. Utilizing licensed HeliCoil™ technology together with a custom designed riser, CNC-machines cam system and adjustable stock, CenterPoint Archery has raised the bar in crossbow design and performance. The CP400’s extremely narrow axle-to-axle width is an incredible 6-inches when fully-drawn, produces speeds of 400 fps and generates a knock-out punch of up to 142 fpe. This evolutionary design delivers amazing power and downrange accuracy. Read more

Archery

Primary Arms Optics SLx 1-6x24mm SFP Rifle Scope

PRIMARY ARMS OPTICS RELEASES NEW SLx® 1-6x24mm SFP RIFLE SCOPE WITH PATENTED ACSS® AURORA™ 5.56 M RETICLE

New Meter-Based Reticle Configuration for Popular SLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope

Utilizes Patented ACSS Aurora 5.56 M Advanced BDC Reticle for 5.56/.308/5.45/6.8SPC

Priced at $289.99

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms Optics is proud to announce the latest addition to their SLx lineup: the 1-6x24mm SFP Rifle Scope with the patented ACSS AURORA 5.56 M Reticle. Customers who are accustomed to the metric system, your wait is over. This is the first variable optic to feature the new metric-based ACSS reticle, which provides the user with an intuitive holdover system with built-in ranging and wind-holds. Whether you’re engaging from point-blank to 800 meters, this optic will provide you the tools necessary to succeed at a price affordable to most budgets.

The SLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope is one of the most popular members of Primary Arms’ SLx line. SLx optics built Primary Arms’ reputation for innovation, reliability and value. All SLx optics undergo rigorous field-testing during development to best serve you in any environment, and this 1-6×24 low-power variable optic is no exception. This scope is renowned for its quality and value, offering high-quality glass with a brightly illuminated reticle for improved precision. This scope is waterproof, fog-proof, and durable enough for duty-use, and Primary Arms backs it with a full lifetime warranty and commitment to customer satisfaction.

The ACSS AURORA 5.56 M reticle is the perfect match for this optic, bringing ACSS’ innovative technology with meter-oriented measurements. Dimitri Mikroulis, creator of the ACSS reticle system, describes its benefits with clarity: “The ACSS Aurora 5.56 M is an advanced meter-based version of the famed ACSS reticle. ACSS Aurora 5.56 M enhances hit ratio with improved range estimation, wind holds, movement leads and a highly calibrated BDC for the 5.56 cartridge.” Read more

Optics

Rocky Mountain Introduces RM405 And RM415 Crossbows

Blistering speeds, exceptional features and extreme durability at an unprecedented price

Superior, WI – Continuing a reputation for providing sportsmen and women Rock-Solid Dependability™ at an unprecedented price, Rocky Mountain® is proud to introduce the new-for-2020 RM405 and RM415 crossbow packages.

Built around the combination of a high-performance single-piece OD green stock and a rock-solid limb system, the new RM405 kit comes loaded for bear and ready to work at a lean 7.40lbs. With the total uncocked assembly measuring 18.5” W X 35” L the performance-based system loads down a 200lb limb set to a narrow 14.5” in the cocked position – sending crossbolts down range at 405fps* with 139 ft-lbs. of bone-crushing kinetic energy. Performance doesn’t just come by way of fast projectiles. The RM405 features a DFS Technology (Dry Fire Safety) that auto engages when the bow is cocked, dual string suppressors and limb dampeners to reduce bow noise, a large stirrup for easy cocking and adjustable foregrip for a custom feel when shouldered. Each package also includes a red/blue Illuminated reticle 4X32 scope, rope cocking device, quick-detach three crossbolt side quiver, three PileDriver Carbon Express® crossbolts with practice points and rail lubricant to build a second-to-none value proposition at just $299.99 MSRP.

Stepping up the game from the RM405 the new-for-2020 RM415 isn’t to be outdone. 215lb limbs send crossbolts down range at a searing 415fps* with commanding accuracy and 146 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. Tied together by a premium set of strings the energy-efficient eccentric system spans 14.5” of power stroke, yet is easily cocked with a rope cocking device (provided with the kit) to effortlessly engage the integrated DFS Technology (Dry Fire Safety) trigger assembly. Sitting atop the one-piece molded camouflage stock is an ultra-bright fog proof, shockproof, and water resistant red/blue Illuminated 4X32 scope with a precision-etched multi-position reticle. At just 7.5lbs this performance-driven package is both lightweight and maneuverable measuring a compact 14.5” W X 35” L when fully cocked. A large stirrup, dual string suppressors and string dampeners round out the bow’s performance driven-features to provide additional ease-of-use and stealth whether at the range or on the hunt. The RM415’s Trail Ready to Hunt Kit includes a rope cocking device, quick-detach three crossbolt side quiver, three Carbon Express® PileDriver crossbolts with practice points and rail lubricant. An integrated rail lube storage area, sling studs and adjustable foregrip add to the bow’s already exceptional price-to-performance ratio. MSRP: $349.99 Read more

Archery
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