Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

WASHINGTON, D.C. — North American’s leading public lands advocacy group, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), celebrates the advancement of two bills passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate last week following their passage by the House of Representatives earlier this year – the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act (S. 3791) and Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (H.R. 6492). 

“Hunters and anglers across the nation share our appreciation for the tremendous bipartisan effort to prioritize conservation and public access before the close of the 118th Congress,” said Kaden McArthur, BHA Director of Policy and Government Relations. “Conservation of fish and wildlife habitat, and access to our public lands and waters, are the foundation of our pursuits. As these two bills are signed into law, we will have taken critical steps to ensure that future generations can experience the same opportunities to hunt, fish and recreate that we enjoy today.” 

Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Programs Extended 

The ACE Reauthorization Act will continue through 2030 programs passed in the ACE Act in 2020 that benefit hunters and anglers across North America, including: 

This legislation was sponsored by Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Companion legislation was sponsored by Reps. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), and Mike Thompson (D-CA). 

A total of 397 junior sporter and precision air rifle athletes arrived in Ohio and Alabama over the weekend of Dec. 6-7 to compete in the 2024 Gary Anderson Invitational – one of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) most anticipated youth events of the year.

Individuals from around the country participated in the three-position match within the electronic target ranges of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center (Port Clinton, OH) and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center (Anniston, AL). Even Gary Anderson, a local to the Port Clinton area, arrived at the match to witness the junior athletes in action.

Bethany Shirley, 18, of Monroe, GA, led the sporter competition for the second consecutive year – reaching a score of 657.9. Following close behind was Brianna Benedetto, 18, of Beach Park, IL, with 652.6, as Alexandria Orr, 14, of Poquoson, VA, found third with a score of 648.9.

In precision, last year’s third place finisher, Jack Ogoreuc, 17, of Grove City, PA, returned to claim the top spot with an outstanding score of 701.0. Katlyn Sullivan, 18, of Statesboro, GA, and Carley Seabrooke, 18, of Helena, AL, proved a tight matchup with both producing a score of 695. Sullivan squeaked out a score of 695.5 to earn the second place position, as Seabrooke recorded 695.2 for third.

Along with individual competitions, a four-person team event is also held during the event.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the Senate for securing final passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 3791). Earlier this week, the full Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent after its overwhelmingly bipartisan passage in the House earlier this month. Once enacted, it will ensure continuation of some of the nation’s most successful conservation programs including the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

“These programs are indispensable to the scientific management of our natural resources, empowering state agencies to ensure abundant fish and wildlife, healthy habitats, and recreational opportunities for all Americans” said Judith Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and President of the Association. “On behalf of the state agencies entrusted to steward these resources and the millions of hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists across the country, we thank Chairman Carper (D-DE), Ranking Member Capito (R-WV), and the entire Senate for once again passing this bill unanimously.”

Since its inception in 1981, NAWCA has put more than 3,300 projects on the ground in North America thanks to more than $5 billion from partners, leveraging federal dollars more than 2-1 to conserve and restore almost 32 million acres of wetlands. Likewise, NFHP continues to be one of the most effective and highly leveraged conservation programs in the nation, having already led to over 1,500 successful conservation projects in all 50 states for the benefit of fish, their habitats, and anglers throughout the country.

“State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners will continue to deliver on the trust placed in them,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association. “We thank Congress for renewing its commitment to conservation and look forward to building an even more successful legacy for these programs.”

Among other vital provisions, the Chesapeake Bay program is reauthorized, and states are ensured the necessary authority to continue regulating types of fishing tackle based on localized effects for the next five years. The bill also includes measures to combat Chronic Wasting Disease and reauthorizes funding for livestock depredation compensation and prevention.

TUCSON, AZ – As the calendar readies to turn to 2025, Riton Optics is offering peace of mind for dealers and users alike with the conversion of The Riton Promise Warranty to a fully-transferable unlimited lifetime warranty.

“As hunters and shooters ourselves, we wanted to offer the highest level of support we could to our customers, but also to our network of dealers, so they can have absolute confidence in all aspects of the Riton brand,” said Brian Young, Vice-President of Sales at Riton.

The Riton Promise Warranty will require no proof of purchase to exercise and will cover any manufacturer defect as well as accidental damage or breakage. The warranty will cover variable power optics, binoculars, spotting scopes, and unlike many other brands, red dot optics as well.

“We stand behind our products,” said Chris Varas, Assistant Director of Product Research and Development. “When we looked at our processes, we were already going above and beyond for our customers anytime we could. We were already functioning like this, because a quality customer experience matters so much to us, but we weren’t promoting it. There just wasn’t any reason not to do this,” he concluded.

Like all unlimited lifetime warranties, there are exclusions to what is covered, such as loss, theft, or deliberate damage.

We get a lot of questions about how folks go about finding the right properties for hunting leases as well as how to find them and what the rules are. We reached out to Aaron Sutton, Managing Broker at National Land Realty. Aaron brings a vast amount of knowledge to the land sales market as an avid sportsman, conservationist, and role model to young hunters. He has traveled North Carolina hunting from the mountains to the coast and ventured throughout the US and Canada on hunting trips as well.  With over 15 years of real estate experience, Aaron understands how to obtain or sell properties with the customer’s best interests at heart.  He also has created a niche for himself by building relationships amongst clients as he promotes integrity, honesty, and creating mutual trust between himself and buyers or sellers.  

1. What exactly is a land lease, and how does it work?

There are different types of leases, but a land lease is exchanging money for the use of a property. Hunting leases are strictly recreational, so you’ll get more enjoyment out of it as opposed to a farm lease which is more of a business lease. 

3. Who typically rents land for hunting, and what kind of land are they looking for?

Typically it’s groups of people looking for private land to hunt on. The type of property they’ll look for varies because different regions of the country provide different experiences. For example, duck hunting properties are really common in Arkansas, whereas the Midwest is more deer hunting. Acreage size varies regionally a lot too. Here in North Carolina, we have smaller tracts that have been divided up over the years. Out in the Midwest though, you’ll see more multi-thousand-acre tracts with a single owner.

Can you share more about your story starting MKC? How did you first get interested in the business?

Starting Montana Knife Company was really the culmination of a lifelong passion. I made my first knife when I was just 11 years old, and I became obsessed with bladesmithing, eventually earning my Master Bladesmith title at age 19.. Over the years, I realized there was a need for quality, American-made knives specifically built for hunters and outdoorsmen, designed to hold up to the tough demands of our environment. That’s where MKC was born. I wanted to combine my skills as a bladesmith with my love for Montana to create knives people could rely on for generations.

How did growing up in Montana influence your interest in starting MKC?

Montana is a big part of who I am. Growing up here, you learn to respect the land and the work that goes into making something last. We’re a state of hunters, ranchers, and hard-working folks who rely on good tools, and that’s a huge influence on MKC. It’s about building something that’s practical, tough, and true to the Montana way of life. I wanted to create a product that’s as rugged and reliable as the people who use it.

How has the business evolved since 2020 when it first started?

When we launched in 2020, it was a leap of faith. I started out small, with just a one design and the help of my kids in my garage, but we quickly saw demand take off. Since then, we’ve expanded our lineup and grown our team, but the core of what we do—crafting high-quality knives with purpose—has stayed the same. Now, with our new facility being built in Missoula, we will be able to bring even more jobs to the community and keep up with demand, while still focusing on craftsmanship.

How does your role as the Master Bladesmith keep you engaged in the work and business?

As a Master Bladesmith, I’m deeply involved in every aspect of the knife-making process, from design to testing. Being hands-on with the craftsmanship keeps me connected to what makes MKC unique. It’s not just about running a business for me; it’s about creating products I’m proud to put my name on. Every knife that leaves our shop has to meet the standards I’ve set as a bladesmith, and being involved in that process is what keeps me passionate about the work.

What differentiates MKC from other knife manufacturers?

Our knives are built for the real-world needs of hunters and outdoorsmen, and they’re made right here in Montana. No other major knife company is actually led by a master bladesmith. We focus on creating tools that are dependable, versatile, and durable enough to pass down. We also do things a little differently with our drop releases, so we’re producing in smaller, focused batches that let us keep quality high. We’re proud to offer knives that are made with precision and designed specifically for people who share our love for the outdoors.