Senate Passes Natural Resources Management Act, Recognizing Sportsmen’s Access Priorities

Washington, DC – The Senate approved the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47), which contains many longstanding priorities advocated by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), on a bipartisan vote of 92 – 8.

Introduced by Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee Chair and Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) along with Senator Maria Cantwell (WA), this comprehensive package of legislation includes numerous provisions that will improve access for sportsmen and women and will provide resources for habitat conservation programs. Following introduction in January, nearly 50 organizations submitted a support letter urging Senate Leadership to consider S. 47. Some of the priority sporting provisions in this bill include:

  • Authorizing the transportation of archery equipment through National Park Service (NPS) Units.
  • Directing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands to be open for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting unless specifically closed.
  • Directing the NPS, BLM, USFS, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to annually identify lands where sporting related activities are permitted, but where access is currently unavailable or restricted.
  • Permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund with 3% or $15 million of annual appropriations made available for the purpose of securing additional access for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and other outdoor related activities.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation applauds the Senate Leadership for bringing this important legislation for sportsmen and women to the floor for a vote,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “This is common sense legislation that is the result of years of negotiations with Congressional champions to get to this point, and CSF will work with the House of Representatives to pass this legislation and get it signed into law.” Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Trump Urged to Halt Offshore Wind Turbines Along Atlantic Coast

Washington, DC – In a letter submitted to President Donald Trump on Thursday, February 7, 2019, Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) Executive Director Jim Donofrio requested an immediate halt on all work on proposed industrial wind farms along the Atlantic Coast. The request was prompted in response to the issuance of 6 commercial offshore wind leases by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) since 2016 along the Atlantic Coast. BOEM is the federal agency under the Department of Interior that oversees offshore renewal energy development in federal waters. Donofrio called for work being conducted under this permits to be halted citing a failure of the agency to fully investigate and assess the impacts that offshore wind energy generation facilities will have on valuable commercial and recreational fisheries.

In his letter, Donofrio articulated the fishing community’s concerns with the pace at which the leases have been issued and the lack of a comprehensive ecological evaluation on the potential impacts that offshore wind development may have on fish stocks. While the idea that adding new structure in the form of wind turbines to the ocean, particularly in areas where the bottom is comprised of fine sand, will attract fish and create new fishing opportunities for anglers, one cannot over-look the literature coming out of countries that have aggressively developed their coast lines with wind turbines. Studies from Denmark and other European countries find that fish stocks display measurable behavioral and migratory responses in presences of noise (vibrations created by the massive blades) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by the turbines and the miles of underwater cables required to transmit the electricity generated to shore.

Applying these findings to the lease areas proposed for development off of Atlantic coast the US, there is the very real threat that once installed, offshore wind farms may disrupt north/south and inshore/offshore migrations of important fish stocks such as striped bass, bluefish and pelagics. It is also unknown how the inshore/offshore movements of demersal species such as summer flounder will be impacted. It would be extremely unfortunate to build these facilities in hast only to find out that EMF from the transmission cables disrupts the seasonal movements of summer flounder into Mid-Atlantic bays and estuaries. RFA finds that associated risks far outweigh the benefits of offshore wind and demands that development be halted so that all potential impacts can be fully vetted.

“The companies that are pursuing these projects have no legal obligation or regard for American commercial or recreational fishermen who have been on these grounds earning a living for decades,” explained Jim Donofrio. “Our jobs and our fisheries must come first.”
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Fishing

Bear X Introduces All-New Saga 405 to Crossbow Lineup

EVANSVILLE, IN – Bear Archery announced Monday the launch of an all-new crossbow to the 2019 Bear X lineup. The Saga 405 is a high-performance crossbow built for top-of-the-line speed, extreme accuracy, and maximum versatility at a price that is attractive to well-seasoned hunters and novices alike.

Offering aggressive, lethal power and blistering speeds of 405 fps, the Saga 405 is the fastest model to date in the Bear X crossbow line. Measuring 14” wide cocked, the Saga 405 weighs in at only 7.8 lbs. and is available at a retail price of $349.99.
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Archery

Michigan DNR conservation officers rescue stranded snowmobilers

Four snowmobilers were rescued Saturday night from the ice of the Big Iron River by a pair of conservation officers who risked their own safety to find the riders and bring them back to waiting emergency crews.

The ordeal began at about 6:30 p.m. EST Saturday, when Negaunee Regional Dispatch broadcast a report of snowmobilers being separated from their larger group. They were now stranded on the river, south of White Pine.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers Jenni Hanson and Zach Painter – who typically patrol Gogebic County – had been working earlier in the day near Bergland with U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Josh Lopac.

The three officers were working to police careless snowmobiling Saturday in Ontonagon County.

“We work together a lot,” Painter said. “There’s a lot of land in this part of the Upper Peninsula that’s part of the Ottawa National Forest.”

That same day, Painter had responded to a personal injury accident, involving a snowmobiler who struck a tree and had to be airlifted to a Wisconsin hospital. Hanson had been assisting with a women’s snowmobile clinic in Bergland. She was on her way home when the call came in. Read more

General

NWTF Launches Sweepstakes with GoWild to Help Tackle Hunter Recruitment

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — GoWild has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation to promote hunter recruitment with a sweepstakes valued at over $4,500.

One winner will receive an all-expense-paid turkey hunting trip for two to Wisconsin, where they will enjoy the full experience of chasing that morning thunder! The great team from Wolf Pack Adventures will guide the adventure.

“Few things are more exciting than hearing morning gobbles roll through the hills” said Brad Luttrell, Co-Founder and CEO of GoWild. “This sweepstakes and experience brings a chance to support the great conservation work done by the NWTF, and to take some personal responsibility for the future of hunting.”

By taking the NWTF & GoWild 2019 pledge, community members are committing to take someone hunting or fishing who has never gone before. The sweepstakes is open to any NWTF member — new or old. Sign up for a chance to win the Turkey Hunting Sweepstakes on the GoWild app (available on iTunes or Google Play). Entry is easy and free for members. Newcomers are encouraged to sign up and take the pledge with a friend.

Details & How to Enter for a Chance to Win*

  • All-expense-paid trip to Wisconsin for two (2) to hunt turkeys with the Wolf Pack Adventures guides on May 18-19, 2019.
  • Guide fees, hunting licenses, and ammunition provided.
  • Lodging and meals are included.
  • Take advantage of Wisconsin’s great Walleye fishing when you arrive! Fishing licenses will also be included.
  • To enter, download the GoWild app and create your account. Then, open the app and find the details by searching “NWTF.”

*Terms and Conditions may apply. See complete details on GoWild. Read more

Hunting

Federal Expands HEAVYWEIGHT TSS Turkey Line

ANOKA, Minnesota – – Federal is proud to introduce five new Premium HEAVYWEIGHT TSS turkey shotshell loads, extending the revolutionary shells’ deadly reach on gobblers. Shipments have been delivered to dealers.

The new offerings include blended loads that combine No. 7 and 9 or 8 and 10 Tungsten Super Shot. With some payloads topping 1,000 pellets, they more than double the shot count of lead No. 5 loads of the same weight for more hits on target than any turkey load in history. The tungsten-alloy material’s 18 g/cc density is 22 percent higher than standard tungsten and 56 percent more than lead. The result is the most energy and highest velocities at extreme range. Its rear-braking FLITECONTROL FLEX wad performs flawlessly through ported and standard turkey chokes for the most consistent, deadly patterns possible.
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Ammunition

Buckeye Firearms Foundation Wins Legal Battle over Bump Stock Ban

Additional Media Information

Buckeye Firearms Foundation Wins Legal Battle Against Cincinnati over Bump Stock Ban

Buckeye Firearms Foundation, in cooperation with Ohioans for Concealed Carry, has won a lawsuit against the City of Cincinnati over its “bump stock” ban.

On Friday morning, February 8, 2019, Judge Ruehlman of Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas granted a Motion for Summary Judgment and shall issue a permanent injunction. As a result, the City of Cincinnati is no longer permitted to enforce its illegal ordinance.

In May of 2018, Cincinnati City Council passed an ordinance making the possession of “trigger activators” illegal within city limits. The trigger activator ban included a number of devices, including “bump stocks” or “bump fire” stocks, which are legal everywhere else across Ohio.

“This ban was completely unjustified and a great concern for gun owners,” said Dean Rieck, Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Foundation. “Under Ohio law, local municipalities are not permitted to enact firearms laws that conflict with state law. And clearly, outlawing guns or gun parts, is a clear violation of state law.”
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Gun Control

Pointer Phenoma Semi- Automatic Shotgun

RENO, NV –– One of the most versatile shotgun lines available this year for dealers and sportsmen is the POINTER Phenoma semi-auto shotguns. The new POINTER Phenoma line comes in a variety of gauges, camo, Cerakote colors, styles and various sizes for young and old. Making it suitable for everything from bird hunting to clay crushing at the range.

The POINTER Phenoma semi-auto line comes in a 12ga, 20ga, 28ga, and.410 , something for every shotgunners environment. For those Turkey hunters looking to take advantage of the new .410 Federal TSS turkey ammo craze that boasts the ability to crush gobblers with a .410 load at 60 yds, we have the perfect .410 semi- auto for you at reasonable prices.
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Firearms

Kahr Arms Announces Spring 2019 Rebate Program

(Greeley, PA) – Kahr Firearms Group, a leader in innovative firearms design and manufacturing, is pleased to announce its Spring 2019 Consumer Rebate Program.

Kahr Arms is offering a $45 Consumer Rebate for all new Kahr pistols purchased from February 1 to May 31, 2019. Purchasers can create an online account and submit the online form, along with the serial number and a photo proof of the receipt with the date of purchase, at shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com. Kahr Arms will verify the serial number and receipt and send a $45.00 coupon code by email to be redeemed atshopkahrfirearmsgroup.com.

Only online rebates will be accepted (no fax or mail). The online rebate form will be closed on July 31, 2019. Terms and conditions apply. Customers must be 21 years or older to participate. The terms, conditions and duration of this offer are subject to change without notice. All requests for the $45 Consumer Rebate must be submitted from the Kahr Firearms Group Pro Shop website at shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com.

*A participant will receive a coupon code to be redeemed on the website. Offer void where prohibited by law, subject to tax, or otherwise restricted. This offer is valid only to U.S. residents in the United States. This offer cannot be combined with any other Kahr Firearms Group offer and applies to individual sales of newly manufactured firearms purchased from authorized dealers. For more information, email promotions@kahr.com or visitshopkahrfirearmsgroup.com.

For more information about Kahr Firearms Group products, visit www.kahr.com, www.magnumresearch.com, www.auto-ordnance.com or www.customdeserteagle.com. For press inquires contact Monica Arnold at pr@blueaugust.com. Read more

Firearms

Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Ask Anglers to Trade in Gear, Help Kids

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are celebrating the return of fishing season and inviting customers to trade in used gear to be donated to local charities in exchange for big savings. The 2019 Spring Fishing Classic is a free celebration taking place February 15 – March 3 in all Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s locations across North America (March 1 – 17 in Canada and Alaska).

Customers that donate used rods and reels (in working order) can receive trade-in savings of up to $200 on the purchase of a new rod and reel. The used fishing equipment will be donated to local nonprofit organizations. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s have donated nearly 340,000 products to youth-focused nonprofit organizations as part of the company’s mission to inspire everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors.
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Fishing
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