Utah Cites 60 for Quagga Mussel Violations During Pioneer Weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — Law enforcement officers and technicians for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah State Parks had a busy Pioneer Day weekend, working to prevent invasive quagga mussels from spreading throughout Utah.

Statewide, Aquatic Invasive Species technicians inspected 15,709 boats and performed 367 hot-water decontaminations from Friday to Sunday. DWR conservation officers issued 60 citations. Most of the citations were issued for failure to stop at an inspection station, and some were for infractions of state rules to prevent the spread of invasive species, like failing to pull drain plugs.

Technicians inspected a total of 1,572 boats at stations in the Lake Powell area from Friday to Sunday. One hundred forty-eight boats were decontaminated and 11 citations were issued. Last Pioneer Day weekend at Lake Powell, technicians and officers inspected 1,219 boats, performed 115 decontaminations and issued 29 citations. Read more

Fishing

HSC-PAC Announces Online Auction

(Houston, TX- August 10, 2020) The HSC-PAC announces the launch of an online auction to help raise funds for its political action committee.

The 2020 election year is by far one of the most important in recent history. Federal legislators that are pro-hunting, pro-conservation, and pro-2nd Amendment are a necessity to maintain our hunting way of life. You have seen what these types of elected officials can do, to support hunting and the outdoor lifestyle, as evidenced by the recent passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. Let’s keep the right people, in the right seats, to protect the future of hunting!

Firearms enthusiasts should absolutely check out this auction! The online fundraising auction features select firearms, in various calibers and platforms and will run from August 10, 2020 to August 21, 2020. Interested bidders may participate in the auction here! Read more

Firearms

Hank Forester to Share Field to Fork R3 Success at POMA’s Virtual Conference

ATHENS, GA– Hank Forester, Assistant Director of Hunting Heritage Programs for the unified Quality Deer Management Association and National Deer Alliance (QDMA/NDA), will share the success of the Field to Fork adult hunter recruitment program when he speaks at the Professional Outdoor Media Association’s virtual conference on Wednesday, August 12 at 11 a.m. EST.

Forester co-founded Field to Fork as food-based outreach to non-hunters that provides instruction and mentored hunting experiences to adults who are interested in learning how to hunt their own wild, local venison. Piloted in Georgia in 2016, Field to Fork expanded to 25 events in 17 states in 2019. Nearly 80% of participants are continuing to hunt on their own.

Forester will join Jim Curcuruto, Director of Research and Market Development for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), to speak on the importance of engaging new outdoorsmen and women. The role of traditional outdoor media in supporting programs like NSSF’s +ONE Movement and Field to Fork will also be discussed. Discussion will also include ways to build on the initial shooting-sports industry Field to Fork hosted for Ruger and Sig Sauer employees, proving that the industry can lead by example and mentor aspiring hunters within their companies while inspiring their customers to do the same.

POMA pivoted this year to a two-day virtual conference, August 11-12, for members and interested outdoor communicators. For more information and to register, visit www.professionaloutdoormedia.org.

QDMA is a Cornerstone Corporate Partner of POMA and has been since the media organization was formed in 2005. POMA’s mission is to foster excellence in communications at all levels, help members build their businesses, connect media and industry, promote fair and honest communication of the traditional outdoor sports and conservation stories, and mentor the next generation of traditional outdoor sports communicators. Read more

Hunting

CMP Adds Pistol 2600 League

By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer

To provide more challenges for driven competitors and to create a place to permanently celebrate their talents, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has introduced the Pistol 2600 League – designed to recognize those competitors who have shot a score of 2600 or better in the Match Gun category of a CMP Sanctioned event.

The League will begin with those competitors who earn the score any time in 2020. Currently, there are 13 members.

“Shooting 2600 can be a life goal for some shooters – just as making the President’s 100 or going Distinguished,” said Jim Henderson, CMP pistol coordinator.

Henderson can appreciate the work it takes to earn a coveted Distinguished Pistol Badge (securing his own in 1989) as well as what it’s like to win the President’s Pistol competition, which is one of the most prestigious events held at the annual Camp Perry National Matches. As a retired member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (having served for over 30 years), he’s a nine-time winner of the President’s Pistol Match and is the current National Record holder of the event.

It’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about pistol competition.

“I know, for me, when I shot 2600 for the first time, I initially thought it was awesome! Then the competitive side of me spoke up, and that little voice in my head said, ‘You dropped 100 points. Get back to work,’” he reminisced.

He went on, “I think shooting 2600 is that fork in the road for a lot of competitors. They make the decision to continue to treat pistol as a hobby or get down to business and make some progression in their skills.”

Along with the 2600 group, the Pistol League also acknowledges the 2650 Elite and the 2670 Champion categories for those competitors who continue to cultivate their skills and successes. Read more

Firearms

Optics and Ethics of Technology

Relative to hunting, the term “fair chase” could be defined in many ways depending on the subjective perspectives of sportsmen and women across the land.  Fortunately, conservation groups such as the Pope and Young Club have already put a lot of thought into hunting ethics as a guide to those that want to do the right thing afield.  Of course, ethics is another conceptual idea that needs boundaries apart from the written law.

With the ever-increasing advent of electronics and all manner of technology being incorporated into hunting gear, it becomes easy to blur the line between what’s fair and what is not.  A new product named the Omega is one such sighting device that uses a mil-dot sight, real-time rangefinder up to 600 yards, and HD Video camera.  All this comes in one neat package that accommodates vertical bows, crossbows, shotguns, rifles, black powder, or even handguns and it comes with all the necessary hardware to mount it accordingly.

The first ethical question should be is it legal in Michigan (or any state that you may hunt)?  In terms of Michigan regulations, since it employs a common mil-dot reticle in its scope, there’s nothing unfair about that aspect of the apparatus.  There is also no rule against recording a hunt with a camera, nor are rangefinders prohibited.

The Omega addresses an issue I’ve had with my crossbow since the day I began using it:  ranging an animal with a separate rangefinder.  To do so, requires movement on the part of the hunter – a distinct disadvantage to taking game.  While today’s fast bows minimize rainbow trajectory, crossbows – especially lower velocity models like mine – are problematic.  Compared to typical, conventional vertical bows, the crossbows ‘ arrows/bolts shed velocity faster than vertical bows’ projectiles when weight for weight is equal.  That means a slight miscalculation in distance to the target could mean a miss or worse yet, wounding an animal.  Nobody wants that.

Digging deeper into the ethics questions, a position statement from the Pope and Young Club may help.  The Pope and Young Club is a non-profit North American conservation and bowhunting organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of bowhunting by striving to increase awareness and appreciation of bowhunting foundations, principles, and values. The Pope and Young Club is focused on Fair Chase hunting ethics that support the ethical pursuit of free-ranging, wild game animals without unfair advantage, while promoting the conservation of both habitat and wildlife. (The Club also maintains the universally recognized repository of records and statistics on North American big game animals harvested with a bow and arrow.)

Before taking any shot, it is paramount for any sportsman to consider if the shot will result in a humane kill.  If not, it may be legal but certainly is not ethical, and in my book that makes it unfair.

Therefore, the Omega sight checks the boxes of fairness and if $400 fits into one’s budget, it may be worth investigation.  Manufactured by Lil Bow Peep, LLC, of Medina, Ohio, information and purchase information is available at www.omegasights.com.

Archery, Firearms, Hunting

Primary Arms Sponsors Giveaway, Prizes for National Shooting Sports Month

NEWTOWN, Conn. – NSSF®, the trade association for the firearm industry, is pleased to announce that Primary Arms is the newest Gearbox Giveaway sponsor in support of 2020’s National Shooting Sports Month® and the all new #RangeChallengeSM Series.

Based in Houston, Texas, Primary Arms is an online retailer of firearms, firearm parts, upgrades, ammunition, optics and accessories. They support a broad range of firearms, including a very deep assortment of products to build or modify AR-15, AR-308, AK variants and common handguns.

The 2020 National Shooting Sports Month Primary Arms Gearbox Giveaway, valued at more than $3,700, includes:

1 LWRC SMG 45 pistol in .45 ACP with an SB folding brace

1 Primary Arms GLx 2X prism red dot scope with ACSS CQB-M5 5.56/.308/5.45 reticle

1 Vertx Transit Sling 2.0 backpack

1 Walker’s Silencer bluetooth rechargeable electronic earbuds

1 Magpul Summit pair of tortoise-frame polarized shooting glasses with bronze/gold lenses

The company is also donating a Primary Arms SLx 3­­–18X50mm first focal plane riflescope with an illuminated ACSS-HUD-DMR-5.56 reticle, a Primary Arms GLx 30mm cantilever scope mount, an Expo Arms Combat Series 5.56 Chrome Lined AR-15 Barrel Gov. Profile Mid-Length – 16″ and an Expo Arms M-LOK Combat Series Handguard – Black – 15″ XP-GUARD15-C-BLK as four of the rewards to be given away to participants of the all-new #RangeChallenge Series. Designed to be an easy, user-friendly target-shooting activity any range can offer its customers starting in August, the #RangeChallenge Summer Shots Series focuses on mentorship while being entertaining for all shooters from those just getting started to seasoned competitors.

“Now this is a package ready for all sorts of fun range time!” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Retail & Range Business Development. “We’re grateful to Primary Arms for both generous donations and are excited to see who the winners will be during National Shooting Sports Month.”

“Primary Arms is proud to partner with NSSF during National Shooting Sports Month to help promote the shooting sports,” said Dina Sanders, Primary Arms Brand Marketing Manager. “We want to encourage everyone to introduce family and friends to the sport and educate newcomers on becoming new gun owners.”

National Shooting Sports Month, a celebration of the shooting sports and the firearm industry, takes place throughout the month of August. Firearms ranges and FFL retailers across the country have listed hundreds of events, classes, shoots and promotions on the calendar at ShootingSportsMonth.org. That calendar interacts directly with NSSF’s LetsGoShooting.org website, which consumers use to discover the August events taking place in their communities. Ranges and retailers are encouraged to continue adding their August activities to the calendar here, and when they do, NSSF will send those businesses a promotional package that includes shirts and hats.

NSSF’s #RangeChallenge Series’ Summer Shots season runs from Aug 1 to Sept 22. For questions about becoming a #RangeChallenge host range or information about holding other events in August, please contact Ann Gamauf, NSSF Retail & Range Business Development Coordinator, at agamuaf@nssf.org or 203-426-1320 ext. 247.

Additional Gearbox Giveaway and #RangeChallenge sponsorships are available. For more information on how these sponsorships and your involvement will benefit both your business and the firearm industry at large, contact Zach Snow at zsnow@nssf.org or 203-426-1320 ext. 224.

About NSSF

NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Firearms

POMA Hires New Executive Director

Johnstown, PA The Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) has hired Thomas MacAulay, former Marketing Director of BPI to lead the organization as its new Executive Director. Thomas will take the helm of the organization on August 11, 2020.

Tony Bynum, President of the Board of Directors said, “I’m super excited to have Thomas on board. Thomas’s availability came at the right time. We had a vacancy and went through a dozen interviews. Thomas was the last person interviewed. His passion and commitment to working with people, along with his financial and business management background really sealed it for us. He [Thomas] had a plan for POMA coming into the interview and his passion and desire to make this organization grow really came through.”

Tony Smotherman, a current board member, worked with Thomas at BPI Outdoors and assured the Board that it made the right choice in bringing him on.

Thomas has some big shoes to fill – literally and figuratively. Thomas is the third Executive Director of POMA and replaces the most recently departed, Kevin Orthman. Orthman helped build a solid brand making POMA the premier national outdoor media organization for the traditional hook and bullet community. Kevin recently left POMA to pursue other life goals with his family.

About POMA:

POMA works with its media members and Corporate Partners to foster excellence in communications at all levels. POMA helps its members build their businesses, connects media and industry, promotes fair and honest communication, and mentors the next generation of outdoor sports communicators. www.professionaloutdoormedia.org

For further information contact:

Tony Bynum, Board President

board@professionaloutdoormedia.org

Fishing, Hunting

Fourth Edition Ruger Collector’s Series 10/22 Rifle

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is proud to introduce the Fourth Edition of the Ruger® Collector’s Series – the Vote 2020 10/22® Carbine. Accompanied by unique collector’s memorabilia, this Fourth Edition of the Collector’s Series is a great way to start a 10/22 collection, add to an existing collection, or simply celebrate your right to vote.

This collectible rifle features an exclusive Collector’s Series bolt marking and comes packaged with a Ruger Collector’s Series commemorative decal in the box. Also included are a Fourth Edition Ruger Collector’s Series “Vote 2020” metal street sign and pin as well as a $25 ShopRuger gift certificate.

This patriotic rifle features a synthetic stock that is hydro-dipped with a full-length American flag and ships with one detachable, 10-round rotary magazine. The rifle also features a protected, non-glare blade front sight, ghost ring adjustable rear aperture sight, and Picatinny rail while retaining popular 10/22 features like the push-button, cross-bolt manual safety and cold hammer-forged barrel that is threaded ½”-28 to accommodate popular muzzle accessories. Read more

Firearms

SIG SAUER CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle Now Shipping

NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the SIG SAUER CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle is now shipping and will be available in retail stores soon. Whether you’re hunting the steep terrain of mountains or densely forested hills, the CROSS delivers PRS performance, built for the backcountry hunter.

The SIG CROSS rifle is the first-ever true crossover bolt-action precision hunting rifle, engineered to meet the demands of today’s hunter. The SIG CROSS was designed and built, from concept to completion, at the SIG SAUER research and development facilities in New Hampshire with the input of the industry’s premier competitive shooters, some of the world’s best long-range shooters, and a team of professional hunters that the CROSS is built for.

The SIG SAUER CROSS features a precision free-floating stainless-steel barrel fitted to a one-piece aluminum receiver, with no need for bedding or action screws, to deliver extreme accuracy; an aluminum M-LOK™ handguard for quick and easy attachment of bipods, rails, night-vision or thermal clip-on optics; familiar AR-15 styled controls for a seamless transition to the CROSS platform; a unique two-stage match-grade trigger that can be adjusted from 2 to 4.5lbs, and AICS pattern magazines for the ultimate compatibility across calibers, platforms, cartridges, and loads.

The unique folding and locking precision stock of the CROSS offers toolless adjustment that can be modified for any shooting position while in the field. With folded stock the CROSS measures as short as 25” making it the ideal hunting rifle to fit in any backcountry backpack.

The SIG SAUER CROSS is available in .308 WIN and 6.5 Creedmoor with an 18” barrel, and the all-new 277 SIG Fury Hybrid cartridge with a 16” barrel.

CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle Specs (6.5 Creedmoor): Read more

Firearms

Johnny Morris Buys Dogpatch USA, Plans Nature-Based Attraction

Dogpatch USA, a derelict theme park in northern Arkansas, has been bought by Bass Pro Shops founder and conservationist, Johnny Morris.

While specific plans for the property – Dogpatch USA – remain in the early stages, Bass Pro says that the future development will be an extension of the group’s signature experiences that help families connect with nature. These include its award-winning Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Big Cedar Lodge and Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to restore and share this crown jewel of Arkansas and the Ozarks so that everyone can enjoy the wonderful region we call home,” said Morris, a lifelong resident of Springfield. “We are going to take our time to restore the site, dream big and imagine the possibilities to help more families get back to nature through this historic and cherished place.”

The property is near the 135-mile Buffalo National River, the first national river in the USA, and a 35-minute drive from Big Cedar Lodge, a resort developed by Morris.

Dogpatch USA was built in 1967 and operated as a theme park that featured a trout farm, horseback and amusement rides and attractions. The park attracted 300,000 visitors annually at its height in the late 1960s before closing its doors in 1993 after years of decline.

No purchase price has been disclosed, but a local paper reported in June that the site had been sold for $1.2m.

Wildlife
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