Western CMP Games Outdoor Rifle Events Return to Arizona

By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer

PHOENIX, Ariz. – After a small break in 2019, the annual Western Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Travel Games is back for another set of marksmanship events at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. The week-long series of recreational vintage and modern rifle competitions is set to be held March 13-22 and is open to competitors of all ages and experience levels.

The Western Games lineup is comprised of CMP Games matches like the Garand, Springfield, Vintage Military, Modern Military, Rimfire Sporter, Carbine and Vintage Sniper matches as well as a series of CMP Highpower (HP) Rifle Matches, which include three days of 80 Shot Aggregate competitions, a 4-Man Team event and a Service Rifle EIC Match.

For beginners and enthusiasts wanting to sharpen their marksmanship skills, a Rifle Marksmanship 101 class will also give participants insight into the fundamentals of safety and competition shooting. Participants work one-on-one with experienced CMP Rifle Master Instructors for classroom and hands-on training. Rifles and ammunition will be provided for the class. At the conclusion of training, students in the school will fire in a true M16 EIC Match, observed by instructors on the line.

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Firearms

Kopfjäger K800 Tripod Updated

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Kopfjäger has updated their popular K800 Carbon Fiber Tripod to include flip locks. All new K800 Tripods and K800 Tripod with Reaper Grip Kits will now be sold with flip locks instead of the previous twist lock system. This flip lock system is the same type currently found on Kopfjäger K700 Tripods and Kits.

The result is a tripod that is able to be adjusted much easier and quicker in the field. This more convenient design slightly increases overall folded length to 19.75 in. and increases weight moderately to 3.85 lbs. Overall functionality and materials remain the same. Hunters and shooters who are on uneven ground or that find themselves routinely making adjustments to their tripod height will now be able to make quick adjustments in the field without having to spend precious moments twisting the locks. Read more

Firearms

ZEISS T-Series Reticles for Long-Range Precision

White Plains, NY – ZEISS’ new ZMOA-T Series Reticles cater to hunters and shooters reaching out to longer distances for precise shot placement on distant targets, smaller targets, and smaller targets at longer distances. From the shooting range, to competition, to long-range open terrain hunting, the T-Series thin-line reticles offers an impeccably fast aiming solution and pinpoint accuracy.

The thin-line reticles are designed to cover the least amount of the target possible while maintaining sharp and easily visible lines that create a distinctive sight picture and aiming reference. This gives the shooter higher levels of confidence in all shots taken, no matter how far down range. Each hash mark represents one MOA spacing. MOA references are easily identified with even numbers placed adjacent to the main vertical and horizontal lines of the reticle for quick reference. The floating center point of aim allows for precise shot placement, and floating dots left and right of the vertical centerline allow for windage calls and confirmation of bullet impact without guesswork. Read more

Optics

Leica’s First Long-Range Riflescope with 6x Zoom

When it comes to accuracy at a distance, long-range shooters can rely on the uncompromising technology of the new Leica PRS 5-30x56i riflescope. Its generous magnification range of 5x to 30x offers many uses for both competitive settings and long-range sport shooting and hunting – at extended distances and under the most difficult conditions. Maximum optical performance gives a shooter high light transmission (>90%) high contrast images while maintaining increased eye relief and color fidelity, giving the shooter the ability to concentrate fully on the target in any conditions. The reticle’s large adjustment range in the first focal plane also gives the shooter the ability to shoot at extended ranges. Read more

Optics

Leica’s Geovid 3200 COM Rangefinding Binoculars

Leica’s highly anticipated Geovid 3200.COM rangefinding binoculars now come with Bluetooth connectivity, ranging to a true 3,200 yards

Hunters and precision long range shooters who want to hit their targets reliably over long distances, at the range or in the mountains in every weather condition, require reliable, repeatable ballistic readings – within fractions of a second. The revolutionary Leica Geovid 3200.COM with Bluetooth® measures precisely to a true 3,200 yards on non-reflective targets. Industry leading optical quality and a rugged sleek design gives the new Geovid a long life and lasting value. As a binocular and rangefinder, it combines unmatched precision and performance with a new more robust Bluetooth® platform. Coupling these new features and Leica’s unrivaled optical qualities it gives shooters a new level of confidence in any situation mother nature can throw at them. Read more

Optics

Ranger Unveils All-New 2660 and 2600 Bay Boats

Totally new designs deliver performance with saltwater friendly features

FLIPPIN, AR— Ranger Boats expands its acclaimed lineup of bay boats with the introduction of the all-new 2660 Bay and 2600 Bay boats. Designed for high-performance inshore and near-shore angling, the boats offer a host of features along with new deck and hull designs to create two versatile rigs for both anglers and families alike.

“Ranger’s rich innovation heritage thrives on integrating consumer and pro angler feedback into boat designs,” said Larry Jett, Ranger manager of saltwater business. “More and more consumers are looking for versatility in their boats without compromising fishing DNA for the best of both worlds. The 2660 and 2600 offer incredible performance and fishability for any type of saltwater angler.” Read more

Fishing

Deer Hunting Statistics from QDMA

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

The Quality Deer Management Report for 2020 has been released and depicts national trends in whitetail deer management throughout its range. It is important to note that most of the information contained in the report does not include statistics from the most current hunting season just finished in 2019. Unfortunately, information from Michigan related to yearling bucks taken was not reported, and therefore, is not available at this time. However, there is still plenty of worthwhile trends being developed.

National yearling buck harvest rates are at the lowest ever recorded, and the percentage of 3½-year-old and older bucks in the harvest is 37 percent of the total antlered buck harvest, which is the highest percentage ever recorded.

In addition, the antlered buck harvest (those 1½ years or older) is at near record levels, and last season’s buck harvest was 5 percent above the previous 5-year average – a very positive sign for deer hunters and managers. On the contrary, antlerless harvest was down slightly from the prior year, and it was 4 percent below the 5-year average. The antlerless harvest has now declined nearly 20 percent in the past decade.

Crossbow harvest exceeds the vertical bow harvest in 11 of 25 states (44 percent) thanks to enlightened deer managers legalizing their use in recent years.

The latest information regarding the 2018-19 total harvest indicates 66 percent of deer were shot with firearms, followed by 23 percent with bows, 10 percent by muzzleloaders, and 1 percent by other means.

State wildlife agency deer project leaders reported spending more time on Chronic Wasting Disease (22 percent) than deer management proposals (20 percent) or education and outreach (14 percent).

Michigan-specific statistics are as follows. Antlered bucks taken for year 2018 totaled 211,754, which is down from year 2017’s total of 226,656. Bucks taken per-square mile were 3.7, which is tops in the nation and 6 percent higher than Michigan’s 5-year average. Of that whopping total, however, is a large percentage of yearling bucks (those 1.5 years old), and although not reported, has run in the neighborhood of 46 percent the past few years. Wisconsin appears to have the dubious distinction of taking the most yearling bucks, which equals some 53 percent of its total bucks taken. In 2018, the national average percentage of the antlered buck harvest that was 1½ years old was 30 percent.

Some states have already issued press releases on the 2019-20 deer season and QDMA includes five of the top headlines here as an outlook for the data you’ll see in next year’s Whitetail Report. If the early results hold true, 2019 was a good year for many deer hunters, as evidenced by the following snapshots: Kentucky had a record gun deer harvest, Missouri’s harvest was down 2 percent but still near record numbers, Vermont had its fourth highest deer harvest in last two decades but Wisconsin’s deer kill was down 14 percent.

There you have it by the numbers courtesy of QDMA.

Hunting

Whitetails Unlimited to Help Boy Scouts Recover From Theft in Pennsylvania

Contact:

Clyde DeHart, Whitetails Unlimited Pennsylvania Field Director: (717) 713-7062

www.whitetailsunlimited.com

Whitetails Unlimited’s Clearfield County Chapter in Pennsylavaia will help the Camp Mountain Run Boy Scout Camp recover from a recent theft, said WTU Pennsylvania Field Director Clyde DeHart.

Officials say that a compound bow, two shotguns, and four .22-caliber rifles were stolen from the Camp Mountain Run Boy Scout Camp in Penfield sometime between January 18 and February 8. They are used during summer camp events, which start in June, for the Bucktail Council of Boy Scouts of America. A storage area was damaged to gain access to the secured firearms, and the loss and damage is estimated to exceed $2,500. Read more

General

ZEISS Precision Rings Line Expands

Six New Ring Set Options Added to the Already Impressive Lineup

White Plains, NY –

ZEISS announces the addition of six new sets of rings to the trusted and field-proven series of ZEISS Precision Rings that were introduced early in 2019. ZEISS raises the bar by offering features like an integral anti-cant bubble level, integral recoil lug, and unique designs that incorporate specialized machining and finishing processes to prevent scope marring as well as more functional aspects other mounting options just don’t offer. The new options include two additional 30 mm ring heights as well as four 34 mm variants. There are 11 different ZEISS Precision Ring options to select from, in 30 mm, 34 mm, and 36 mm diameters, and are now available at authorized ZEISS retailers.

ZEISS follows their mantra of “Confidence in the Toughest Conditions” more than ever with ZEISS Precision Rings. They are manufactured to the highest of standards from premium materials and tight tolerances for long-term security and heavy-duty field applications. A refined design boasts low-profile, non-snagging hardware and micro-radiused machining on all leading edges, where scope contact is made, to ensure that these rings don’t mar the scope’s finish. The manufacturing and construction from ultra-durable 7075-T6 aluminum results in a Mil-Spec grade and STANAG compliant mounting solution for precise, accurate and repeatable shots on target. Read more

Optics

Sector Optics Introduces F1 Rangefinder

San Diego, California – Innovative optics manufacturer, Sector Optics has introduced its first standalone laser rangefinder: the F1 Rangefinder.

Much of the technology within the new F1 Rangefinder was previously integrated into the Sector Optics T2 Thermal Imager/Rangefinder. For 2020, Sector Optics has introduced this laser rangefinding technology in an ergonomic separate product. With a clean, ultra-light shape reminiscent of a small flashlight, the F1 transforms any riflescope into a laser rangefinding riflescope. The easy-to-read display gives you both linear range, as well as horizontal equivalent distances well over 1,000 yards. Through its lightweight design, the F1 Rangefinder does not add unnecessary weight or bulk to a riflescope, nor does it unbalance the rifle. The entire unit is powered by a single CR123 battery. Read more

Optics
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