Elusive Iowa elk put down Saturday by wildlife officials

An elk of unknown origin in eastern Iowa was shot Saturday afternoon to protect the Iowa deer herd and domestic livestock from the potential impacts of chronic wasting disease and other diseases.

The bull elk had been spotted in various locations in Dubuque and Jackson counties since it first appeared on a trail camera by Cascade in October.

Sightings of elk that had escaped from a captive herd are fairly common in Iowa and when an elk is spotted, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to determine status of elk and the best available options. If the elk can be returned to the proper owners, then they are. If not, they then pose a risk to spreading CWD and/or other diseases and are dispatched. Captive producers from the area did not report they were missing any animals. Read more

Wildlife

Viridian Announces Giveaway with Remington

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. –– Viridian Weapon Technologies has launched a nationwide giveaway with support from Remington Arms Company, U.S. manufacturer of firearms and ammunition for the hunting, shooting sports, military and law enforcement markets. At the end of the giveaway, one lucky winner will receive a Remington RP9 handgun and Viridian X5L laser/light.

The Viridian X5L delivers a brilliant green laser that is visible day or night, indoors and out.  With a lean aluminum-body profile that fits pistols securely, this powerful laser and light combo features a 178-lumen taclight with beam intensity and explosive strobe. The X5L also provides a number of custom modes for convenient pre-programming and includes a TacLoc® holster with INSTANT-ON® activation.

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Firearms, Optics

DSC Joins Bear-Ban Dismay: “Where Is the Science?”

DSC Joins Bear-Ban Dismay: “Where Is the Science?”

DALLAS– This week, despite a wealth of scientific evidence to the contrary, British Columbia moved to ban all grizzly hunting in the province, effective immediately. The reason for the ban appears to be the government’s “consultation” with “many British Columbians” who have declared the hunt “is not in line with their values,” according to a BC government news release.

The Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia (GOABC) has issued a statement decrying this decision. “It is truly disappointing that we throw history and science out the window for some urban votes,” said Michael Schneider, president of the GOABC. “We expect our government to make informed decisions based on the best facts and science. Emotional decisions are not good for anyone.” (www.goabc.org)

DSC has joined GOABC in several research projects in the region, specifically pertaining to grizzly bears. From this research that is still underway, there have been no indications that a blanket ban is warranted.

A previous ban, announced in August, took effect in November for a specific region. But this latest announcement limits all grizzly hunting to just sustenance hunting by First Nations, for food, social, ceremonial purposes, pursuant to treaties and Aboriginal rights. Read more

Hunting

Act Now to Shape NPS Policy on Peak Season Fees and More

Time is running out to submit comments on the proposed peak period fee initiative at 17 popular national parks.

The National Park Service (NPS) has proposed increasing “peak season” fees at 17 national parks starting in 2018 to help combat the growing maintenance backlog, which currently amounts to almost $12 billion.  “Peak season” would be defined as each park’s busiest contiguous five-month period.  Entrance fees for seven days would rise to $70 per private, non-commercial vehicle, $50 per motorcycle, and $30 per person on bike or foot.

The proposed increases would take place at Acadia, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Denali, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Joshua Tree, Mount Rainier, Olympic, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Shenandoah, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion National Parks. Read more

General

Howa HS Precision Rifle

Backed by Lifetime Warranty and Sub-MOA Guarantee

RENO, NV –– Legacy Sports International, Inc., leading U.S. importer of firearms and shooting accessories, is excited to unveil the new HOWA HS Precision Rifle. Developed for hunters, the HS Precision Rifle is available as rile only. The rifle features the Legacy Sports International Lifetime Warranty and Sub-MOA Guarantee.

The Legacy Lifetime Warranty and Sub-MOA Guarantee are a testament to the confidence we have in our HOWA rifle lineup, and the commitment to our North American customers that they will enjoy their HOWA for years to come.

Take advantage of the accuracy of the Howa HS Precision Rifle. The Howa HS Precision is thoughtfully constructed to fulfill the demands of today’s most uncompromising hunters.

The HS Precision rifle stocks are built one at a time from the highest quality raw material. HS Precision starts by CNC machining the aluminum bedding block. Every stock produced will have an aluminum bedding block that is machined specifically to the dimensions of the Howa Barreled Action. The aluminum bedding block is them placed into a mold. Both sides of the mold are hand laminated with Kevlar, fiberglass and carbon fiber. An abundant amount of these materials are added for strength and durability. Next the mold is injected with a proprietary mixture of a dense polyurethane foam material. This gives the general shape and design of the stock. The rest of the time is spent hand finishing the stock to ensure it is perfect. Read more

Firearms

SCI Opposes Grizzly Bear Hunting Ban in British Columbia

Safari Club International has a better plan for the management of grizzly bears in British Columbia, Canada. Whether officials heed that sage advice remains in question following the announcement of a halt to all grizzly bear hunting in that province.

In making this decision, BC officials ignored the facts that the healthy population of grizzly bears in the province can be hunted sustainably without any harm to the viability of the population.

When wildlife becomes a political football, science-based management and conservation are thrown out the window in favor of popularity whims that change whenever the political winds blow from a different direction. Read more

Hunting

Whitetails Unlimited Contributes to Michigan Habitat Project

Whitetails Unlimited recently awarded a grant in the amount of $4,500 to the Allegan Michigan Conservation District for a habitat enhancement project. The project will take place in the Allegan State Game Area where a hunting opportunity need has been identified. Almost 200 acres of habitat will be rehabbed by thinning overpopulated trees and removing invasive plants. The focus will be creating habitat for deer, turkey, and small game, which would then be open to public hunting.

This project falls into WTU’s H.O.P.E. (Habitat Options and Planned Enhancement) Program. Over the past fiscal year, WTU has contributed over $150,000 towards projects similar to the one in Allegan Michigan. Read more

Wildlife

Streamlight Launches Low-Profile Enduro Pro Headlamp


New, Multi-Function Headlamp Features Stylish Design, 200 Lumen OutputEAGLEVILLE, PA – Streamlight®, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, launched the Enduro® Pro, a versatile, low-profile headlamp with a sleek design for outdoor enthusiasts, industrial professionals, and consumers alike. The new light offers three lighting modes to cover a variety of tasks, including: spot LEDs for focused, task lighting; flood beams for soft, area illumination; and red LEDs to preserve night vision. Read more
Optics

Limited Edition Henry “One of Twenty” Rifle Auction to Support Mule Deer Foundation

Salt Lake City, UT- Henry Repeating Arms has donated one of 20 Big Boy .44 magnum special edition lever action rifles to the Mule Deer Foundation to support its conservation and shooting sports outreach mission. This is a limited edition rifle designed to celebrate Henry’s 20 years of building its high -quality rifles only in the United States of America. The rifle is up for auction on www.Gunbroker.com through December 23 and all proceeds will support MDF’s mission.

“We greatly appreciate this generous donation in support of MDF and our mission and thank Henry Repeating Rifles, and its president and owner Anthony Imperato, for all they do for the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry,” commented Brian Fienhold, MDF’s chief operating officer. “Henry has been producing fine quality firearms here in the United States for 20 years and this unique rifle is no different. It is #12 out of only 20 being produced and will be a valuable collector’s item for the discerning gun buyer.” Read more

Firearms

$25,000 Donation to Kick Off New Montana Public Access Program

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation contributed $25,000 to the Montana Public Land Access Network, a new program that will promote public access in the state of Montana.

“Access to quality wildlife habitat is one of the most important challenges facing hunters in Montana. All too often, land ownership patterns prevent hunters and others from accessing public lands,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “The Montana Land Access Network will provide a critical funding source to help the state, conservation organizations and private landowners work together to secure even more access. We are pleased to make a significant contribution to the network.”

The new program places donations from organizations and individuals into a fund designed to help the State of Montana secure access to state and federal public lands—primarily through access easements with private landowners.

RMEF presented a $25,000 check to Governor Steve Bullock at the Montana capitol in Helena to kick off the program. Read more

Hunting
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