Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

Easton shooters have swept the premiere categories at the Dutch Indoor Nationals this month in Den Bosch, The Netherlands. “Mister Perfect” Mike Schloesser once again took the Men’s compound title, while Olympian Steve Wijler took men’s recurve. Quinty Roeffen took the women’s recurve title, and Sane De Latt took the compound women’s title. 

Coincidentally, both Easton and the Dutch Archery Federation are celebrating their centennial in 2022.  “Since 1922, the Dutch Archery Federation and Easton have had close ties, with Easton gear being the premier arrow choice of Dutch athletes for the vast majority of their century of archery,” said Gary Cornum, Easton marketing director. “We send congratulations to the Dutch federation athletes on this incredible shared milestone!”

Kite fishing is one of the most productive and exciting ways to catch fish. Using a kite to keep baits thrashing on the water’s surface rings the dinner bell for bluewater predators from incredible distances, and results in some of the most heart pounding strikes you’ll see anywhere. Though it’s usually associated with sailfish, the technique catches marlin, tuna, wahoo, and even mahi from Norcal to Nova Scotia. 

Kite fishing is so successful because of the way it presents baits seductively near the surface without any terminal tackle in the water to give away the game. The bait is suspended by the kite, with only the tantalizing motion of the baitfish visible to the predators below. This stealthy approach gives you an edge in even the most pressured fishery. 

The kite shares some lineage with the ones you flew as a kid, but are specialized designs built to carry a payload of one or more baits in the often rough conditions offshore. Built of lightweight and rugged materials, there are kites tuned to fly correctly in anything from light to high winds. On almost windless days, helium balloons can be employed to provide additional lift to keep the kites flying. 

You don’t need a lot of specialty equipment to get your boat ready to kite fish, but you can never have enough rod holders. You’ll want to keep all the rods that are fishing baits on the same kite clustered close together. If your boat isn’t so equipped, get one of the adapters that go into one of the existing rod holders and increase their capacity to three or more.

The kites are connected to the boat via a braided line of anywhere from 50 to 100 pound test, corralled by a short rod with a single guide and reel. The line features release clips, similar to the ones you find on outriggers, evenly spaced out. Each clip will hold a line from a 25 to 40 pound class outfit, attached to live bait. Experienced skippers will fish as many as six lines per kite, but three are most commonly used.

Booking a bucket-list outdoor experience is now easier than ever. Outguided makes it possible to discover and book outdoor adventure in just a few clicks. From fly-fishing to whitewater rafting and from dog sledding to heli-skiing, Outguided is lighting up the world of adventure by putting it at consumers’ fingertips. Gone are the days of scrolling search engines and emailing guides for days or weeks on end. At Outguided.com, the adventurer can select a location and a pursuit and instantly has access to professional guides and outfitters. Travelers can choose their trip, book the dates, and pay online. Available activities include fishing, hunting, skiing, winter sports, rafting, scuba diving, and much more, all led by professional guides.  

Established in Madison, Georgia in 2019, and with trips all around the world, Outguided was founded by Tim Rood and Brooks Pennington. They have experienced both the thrill of nature-based experiences and the hassle of booking them the old-fashioned way. Pennington, an avid bowhunter and fisherman, and Rood, a skier/scuba diver/kiteboarder, want to make it as easy as possible for people to discover and book not only the outdoor adventures they’re most passionate about, but also provide a tool for introducing people to new pursuits and adventures. 

Outguided is also focused on building the modern tools for guides to grow and operate their business. Over the past two years, the Outguided team has met with hundreds of guides and incorporated their feedback into the product. The Outguided software empowers guides to spend less time running their back office and more time doing what they love: leading unforgettable trips in the outdoors. For guides, the Outguided platform takes care of payments, messaging, scheduling & more.

“The guides we work with can leave much of their back-office operations to us, and free them up to spend more time leading trips and creating an incredible experience for their clients,” Rood said. “Outguided is proving to be a game-changer for the clients and the guides themselves.”

Stewardship is a key element of Outguided.com. Two percent of the company’s revenue is donated to a conservation group that protects our natural resources and wild places for future generations.

Gamakatsu, the longtime leader in hooks for everything from bluegills to blue marlin, has expanded beyond hooks and related terminal tackle. Gamakatsu introduces the Spiral Z, a beaded attractor that will grab the attention of sportfish in both fresh and saltwater applications.

The Spiral Z is ideal for trout and salmon in lakes or rivers that have grown accustomed to the same old-style attractors while also doing double duty with other species. Anglers employing the Spiral Z attractor to their lures will create an altogether new package with a distinct look, vibration and sound appeal. The attractor is built around a stainless-steel wire with colored beads in a variety of colors and a ball-bearing line swivel to eliminate line twists.

Unlike traditional dodgers and flashers, with the Spiral Z, the entire package rotates, creating an undulating lifelike motion for gamefish of every species. It’s an infinitely customizable attractor and can be rigged any distance in front of a favorite lure. Pick the combination of size and color that fits the local fishery, add the lure of choice to complete the profile, and anglers can spin their way to bigger catches than ever before. 

Spiral Z Features:

From humble beginnings as Japan’s smallest fishing hook manufacturer in 1955, Gamakatsu® Ltd has evolved to become the world’s preeminent hook manufacturer. Over the years, manufacturing upgrades and cutting-edge innovations have fueled Gamakatsu® USA’s rise as a top producer of fishing hooks, apparel, and fishing related items. 

Perfect for the Food Plot

Charlotte, NC – The WORX® 20V, 2-gal. Lawn Sprayer eliminates the need for stop-and-go hand-pumping in order to provide continuous spraying action with no loss of pressure during operation. The portable, battery-operated sprayer is ideal for lawn care and home gardeners, as well as professionals, to quickly and easily spray water soluble solutions.

Portable lawn sprayers long have been standard garage and tool shed equipment for applying fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. They also are handy for spot watering and spraying chemicals for cleaning, sanitizing and algae/mildew removal. In most cases, portable sprayers enable gardeners to save money by using concentrated, rather than pre-mixed, solutions.  

In place of labor-intensive pumping, the WORX 20V, 2-gal. Lawn Sprayer is equipped with a dependable  20V, 2.0Ah, MAX lithium, Power Share battery that drives an air compressor pump to deliver a constant spraying pressure of 26 PSI. The battery’s run time is approximately 40 gal. per charge. This pump upgrade from hand-pumping helps eliminate fluctuations in spraying pressure and downtime. In addition, Power Share batteries are compatible with more than 75 WORX 20V, 40V and 80V lawn and garden, DIY and lifestyle products for cost savings and convenience

Unlike manual pumps, the lawn sprayer’s air compressor pump never makes contact with the tank’s liquid contents. Therefore, the same pump can be used with other lawn sprayer tanks without concern of contamination, including WORX tank models WA4028 (5L) and WA4029 (2gal), which are sold separately.  In addition, the pump shares a common thread with several tanks from competitive manual-pump sprayers, including Round Up®, Smith®, Husqvarna® and Scotts® models.

The AR-10 is one of the most popular rifles on the market. Whether you are hunting or seeking a weapon for personal protection. But before you purchase one of these guns there are a few things you should know. Let’s answer some of the most common questions.

Best Caliber for the AR-10

There are a few types of calibers you can use for the AR-10. For example, you might want to use it with a .223 Remington or a .300 Blackout. You might also want to use a 7mm Remington. If you are looking for a long-range sniper round you can use the 6.5 Creedmoor. This will be able to take out a target from 1,000 yards away. However, most people find they get the best results when using a .308 Winchester. This is the best general-purpose round, with good aim and enough power to kill most hunting species.

The only limitation is the size and shape of the bullet. The cartridge will need to be able to fit into the gun and be triggered by the firing mechanism properly. Because of this, if you have specialized requirements, you can talk to a gun store owner and they will be able to manufacture rounds to meet your needs.  

Ultimately, though, each of these will work with an AR-10. The trick is to find the right caliber for your needs. For example, if you are hunting, you will need something that shoots flat and does a lot of damage. This will allow you to take down targets from a distance, with a precision shot.

If you are looking for a gun that delivers good performance to protect you from a home invasion, you might want something that produces a lot of damage in close range. This article goes into more depth about the caliber options and which one will function best in each situation.

Excited about heading away for a weekend break? Short breaks can be a great way to reset and relax without taking any vacation days. However, whether you’re flying, driving, staying in a hotel, or camping, you’re probably going to need to pack light.

Making sure you’ve packed everything you need without packing too much can be a challenge. Especially when flying, you’ll probably have a baggage limit, or if you’re carrying a backpack, the weight could be an issue.

Here’s our ultimate guide to packing for a weekend away.

The basics

No matter what your plans are, here’s what you are certainly going to need for a weekend away. Some essential items are an absolute must in all weathers and for every weekend getaway. Run through this ultimate checklist of the basics before getting more specific.

If you really don’t know where to start, this list is definitely a good place to begin. You can, of course, shake it up a bit, depending on your plans. If you’re going somewhere very hot, sunscreen and sunglasses will definitely be on your list. If it’s a cold winter break, you’ll need more layers. If you know it’s going to be a very fancy weekend, you’ll need more than one jumper.

It’s the last day of your camp and it’s time to pack everything up. Yet you’re left staring at a large sleeping bag and a tiny container to put it into. Sound familiar? Your sleeping bag will fit, you just need to make sure that you are folding it properly. Here are some tips to help you do this.

Clean the Sleeping Bag

The first thing that you need to do is clean the sleeping bag out. In most cases, this means shaking it. If it got wet, hang it up and wait for it to dry. You don’t want the damp bag to start growing mold.

Lay it Flat

Next, you need to pick a flat surface and lay the sleeping bag out. You can use your hands to make sure that it is flat, you don’t want to have any wrinkles on the bag. As you are doing this, make sure that you are getting rid of any air that has become trapped inside the bag.

You’ll need to zip up the bag. Keep smoothing it out as you are doing this, forcing out any remaining air pockets.

Fold the Sleeping Bag in Half

Next, you will need to fold the bag in half. As you are doing this, it’s important to be as precise as possible. Ideally, the two ends of the bag will be perfectly aligned. If there are any mistakes during this step, they will be amplified in the future, making it harder to repack the sleeping bag.

The history of red dot scope technology dates back to 1975. Originally, the red dot aiming technology was designed to be used on rifles by a Swedish optics company named Aimpoint AB. Later, American Sports Shooter Jerry Barnhart figured out how to use a red dot sight on a handgun in the IPSC Handgun World Shoots. He also surprised everyone with his new mount at the 1990 USPSA Nationals, easily winning the championship. 

Since the US military introduced them into field use in 2000, the firearm equipment market has been flooded with several advanced scope technologies and models. In this post, we will look at a range of red dot sights and scopes that are best for your firearm and shooting style based on price, durability, quality, and overall feature set. 

Affordable Red Dots

Firstly, let’s look at how affordable red dot sights can perform. Here, we will cover a couple of models that you can get for $20+ and work our way up to the $50 price point. 

These red dot sights can be fairly useful, and some of them function better than you might be expecting. However, you may face certain issues such as poor battery performance, little or no features, and poor build quality. 

Planting mast orchards is a great way to attract and hold more wildlife, and Dunstan Chestnuts should be at the top of every orchardist’s species list. However, mast production is directly related to the effort that goes into establishing orchards. That’s why the folks at Chestnut Hill Outdoors offer sound advice on planting and care.

Site Selection – Dunstan Chestnut trees do best in well-drained, sandy-loam soils with a pH around 5.5 – 6.5, so avoid low-lying areas. They also require full sun for best results.

Spacing – Young trees should be planted 30-50’ apart, with ideal spacing for nut production being 35-40′ apart. It may seem like a lot at first, but in time, Dunstan Chestnut trees can grow 40 – 60′ high with a 30 – 40′ spread, and crowding will reduce nut production.

Pruning – Chestnuts require minimal pruning. Light pruning in the early years helps trees form a solid central leader structure.

Fertilization – Do not fertilize at planting. Once the trees are established, fertilize in early spring (Mar-April) as growth begins. Do not fertilize in the fall, which could promote late-season tender growth that early frosts can damage.

When it comes to drawing strikes from predatory fish such as walleye, Gamakatsu’s new MaxEye Jig Heads are as good as it gets. The premium walleye jigs featuring the attention-getting MaxEye are available in numerous sizes and colors. The large, highly detailed life-like eye provides fish a focal point that they can’t resist. 

Gamakatsu’s MaxEye jigs heads have a durable paint finish that will not chip or flake. They also boast a dual offset rebarb wire keeper and collar system, which will safely secure the softest and most-fragile plastics or live bait without tearing. The premium Big River Jig Hook used on the MaxEye Jig Heads is tuned to provide an ideal balance of strength and weight. They sport an increased gap diameter to increase hook-ups and a special bend with an acute angle to provide better holding power. 

The Gamakatsu MaxEye Jig Pill Head has a shape which resists snags and imparts a unique action when it contacts the bottom. This design pairs well with live baits or plastics. The larger MaxEye Jig Swim Head has a special design that’s great for use with any soft plastic swimbait, and it pairs perfectly with bulky plastics or smaller finesse baits.

Any angler going after walleye would be remiss to head out on the water without some of these new Gamakatsu MaxEye Jig Heads.

MaxEye Jig Pill Head Features:

Old Man Winter may have his icy grip on the coast, but the fishing season is just around the corner. Prep your boat now with Tigress’ line of performance fishing gear and accessories and be ready when the bite kicks off.

Tigress has the gear that serious offshore anglers need to maximize their time on the water from the flats to the canyons. Tigress builds all of its products with the same attention to detail and quality, so anglers can count on them no matter how tough the conditions get. Tigress builds the best, from necessary accessories like rod holders and portable cleats to dredge booms and everything in between. 

Catching fish offshore means covering ground, and nothing covers ground like an outrigger system from Tigress. Offshore anglers will put more fish in the box this coming season by outfitting vessels with Tigress’ best in the business outriggers during the offseason. Tigress’ outriggers are considered the best in the business by tournament pros, with the podium finishes to prove it. Tigress has outrigger systems sized for everything from center console bay boats to offshore yachts, so anglers chasing Chicken Mahi or Grander Marlin can have outriggers built to the same never-say-quit specifications. 

Kite fishing is an exciting way to conjure bites on the toughest days. Replace worn kites and rigging now and cash in when the fish arrive. Tigress offers a kite fishing set up for every scenario, from near-howling winds to the gentlest breeze. Built to last from durable components, these kites are just what offshore anglers need to start fishing in this thrilling manner. 

Rigging may not be exciting, but it’s where the rubber meets the road for offshore anglers. Replace worn parts with quality components from Tigress now to avoid losing fish later. Tigress has a complete rigging kit for every scenario, from outfitting a small center console to triple rigging a full-size sport fish with 35-foot outrigger poles and everything in between. From economy to ultimate, all of Tigress’ kits are built with top of the line components so they’ll never let anglers down out on the water. 

Following the success of last year’s Delta/McKenzie Archery Shooters Association (ASA) Pro/AM Tour,  along with Outdoor Sportsman Group and its linear networks, digital and social channels, the ASA has launched its six-event 2022 season. This week’s event originates from Russell County, Alabama on March 26 with the Elite Archery Pro/AM. 

Outdoor Sportsman Group (OSG) – the world’s largest aggregator, creator and distributor of outdoor lifestyle content – has re-signed as the official multimedia distributor of the Delta/McKenzie Archery Shooters Association (ASA) Pro/AM Tour. Events will be presented to the public via broadcast linear programming, digital and social channels (Sportsman Channel, MOTV and Sportsman Channel Facebook page). OSG will continue to distribute monthly tournaments throughout the summer, with the final tournament on July 30 on Sportsman Channel.

The ASA, established in 1994, was formed to call attention to the sport of archery by providing a series of tournaments for highly-skilled participants. The concept has evolved to the point where Sportsman Channel agreed to televise tournaments in a six-month schedule in 2021 and has renewed that pact for the 2022 tournament season. Each Delta/McKenzie ASA Pro/AM tournament can draw up to 2,000 amateur and professional archers from all over the world.

The ASA “Pro Pressure Point Shootdowns” are the highlight of each national Delta/McKenzie ASA Pro/AM tournament. After two days of competition in the field, the top five archers in each of the four professional divisions square off on a special, five-target field set up with stadium seating and Competition Archery Media’s broadcast cameras.

Each archer shoots an arrow at one of the five targets to add to their two-day cumulative score from the weekend. If needed, a sixth arrow also is shot to determine the final podium positions. This phase of the competition features the added pressure of archers performing in front of hundreds of spectators on the field with broadcast cameras following their every move.

Instantly identifiable by the bright red fin on the stem, Redfin Polarized sunglasses frames are known for light-weight, comfortable and stylish design. Redfin frames are handcrafted in Italy from marine-grade polymers in a range of popular shapes so that every face can enjoy comfort and protection from UV rays.

There’s a Redfin frame for everyone. The Amelia offers a modern update to the classic wrap frame with peripheral protection from the sun, wind, and water. The Tybee has a classic look with ear stems that fit comfortably under a cap. The Sanibel and Big Ship are made for larger wearers. The Jekyll offers a sleek, narrow profile but is still comfortable on a wider face. Wrap design and a shallow ear-stem curve characterize the Outer Banks, while the modern Hatteras features nearly straight stems and a flatter front. The wide-sided Wassaw wraps your eyes for maximum comfort with a dash of style.

The Redfin Off Shore collection fights glare and eye strain with tints built on a dark gray base lens. Lake Shore lenses offer optimal clarity for spotting fish in murky waters, and the Fly Tyer series assures maximum visible light transmission (VLT) on rivers and streams. 

All Redfin Polarized frames feature dependable stainless-steel hinges and soft but grippy Megol nose pads to prevent slipping. The lenses of Redfin Polarized sunglasses are made by Carl Zeiss Vision and offer 100% protection from harmful UVA, UVB, and UVC light. Ultra-light and ultra-clear, these lenses are built to last with a super-hard anti-scratch coating and resist fogging, oil, water, dust and dirt. They’re perfect for fishing, golfing, driving or just relaxing at the beach.

Colors include classic black and gray matte, along with elegant tortoise patterns. All Redfin Polarized sunglasses come with a zipper case, microfiber pouch, Redfin decal and Zeiss wipes.

Columbia, MO – MidwayUSA Foundation is excited to announce that hundreds of youth shooting teams across the nation have received their annual cash grants to cover critical expenses. A payout of over $4.1 million has been distributed to 832 youth shooting teams. This is the largest cash grant payout MidwayUSA Foundation has paid and these funds will assist approximately 37,000 youth shooting athletes. Expenses covered are ammunition, targets, travel, entry fees, team gear, and more.

“We use the Foundation in everything that we do, whether it’s travel, training, competitions, ammo, gear, and equipment. Our team knows that the money will be there annually to help us with the various expenses associated with having a shooting team,” said Michael Elam, Head Coach of Shotgun Sports at Lindenwood University. Lindenwood University received an impressive $39,000+ cash grant in this most recent MidwayUSA Foundation cycle. This large payout proves Lindenwood’s active fundraising efforts, as well as proves the potential for other young shooting sports programs. MidwayUSA Foundation paid an average grant of $4,953, per endowment, in this grant cycle.

As a team’s endowment grows, so does their annual cash grant. Each grant is 5% of their MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment balance and the Foundation offers various resources to help shooting teams increase their endowment. For example, every team can receive tax-deductible donations right through the Foundation’s website. Search for a local team at  midwayusafoundation.org/findateamfundateam and submit a safe and secure donation directly from that team’s page. Additionally, online donations made to youth shooting teams are matched through MidwayUSA Foundation’s current Matching Program. The Foundation’s Matching Program is funded by Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA.

In addition to cash grants, teams are eligible to receive product grants to conduct fundraisers. Teams choose the product and host a fundraiser in their community. Proceeds from the fundraiser are split, half stays with the team for immediate expenses, and the other half is contributed to their MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment where it will be matched. See all the available product grants at  midwayusafoundation.org/fundraisingproducts.

The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow youth shooting sports by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation made is tax-deductible and allows the Foundation to assist in expanding and enhancing the leadership skills, confidence, and discipline of today’s youth through shooting sports activities. The Foundation supports all shooting disciplines. For more information about how the MidwayUSA Foundation is changing the future of youth shooting sports, please visit midwayusafoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.

Federal’s “It’s Federal Season” podcast will have a new format in 2022. Utilizing the brand’s talented ambassadors, a series of guest hosts will entertain and inform on numerous topics where they have expertise as well as interview great guests.

The first guest host is Julie Golob. “Julie is one of Federal’s most respected ambassadors,” said Brian Anderson, Federal’s Marketing Director. “As a professional shooter, she is champion in many disciplines but as important as that is, she is a great role model for all shooters and we are excited to have her lead off the new podcast format.”

Golob’s first guest is Ashley Hlebinsky from The Gun Code. Ashley is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on firearms history and over the past decade, she has worked in and managed some of the largest firearms collections and museums in the world.

Both Golob and Hlebinsky are experts in their fields and discuss a variety of topics including Women’s History Month relating to firearms, their favorite firearms, and historical collections. A great episode for historical perspectives.

Episode #31 “A Firearms History Lesson”

Last week the conservation community lost a fierce champion of fish and wildlife conservation.  Congressman Don Young was the longest-serving member of the current Congress and an influential advocate for conservation policy.  Young served the Congress since 1973 and was serving his 25th term and 49th year as Alaska’s only Member of the United States House of Representatives. 

Don Young was known as an avid outdoorsman, hunter, angler, and trapper who worked to ensure that future generations of sportsmen and sportswomen have the same outdoor opportunities that he enjoyed during his life. Young was one of the earliest voices for dedicated and permanent funding so that state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies have the resources they need to recover and proactively conserve at-risk species. He led efforts to secure funding for states and tribes through the State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, Migratory Bird Join Ventures, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, Multinational Species Conservation Fund, and Wallop-Breaux reauthorization. In 2012, Young was a recipient of the Association’s Teaming With Wildlife Award. In addition, in December 2021, he voted in the House Natural Resources Committee to advance Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, as amended. 

“We have lost one of the greats,” stated Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “Congressman Young was a true conservation hero and a leading champion for wildlife conservation.  We send our heartfelt condolences to the Young family.”

“Congressman Young will be remembered for his decades of service to the people of Alaska and for his leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. I have fond memories of working with him on conservation funding opportunities,” said Executive Director Ron Regan.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—the organization that represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies—promotes sound resource management and conservation, and speaks on important fish and wildlife issues. Found on the web at www.fishwildlife.org, on Facebook / AssociationofFishandWildlifeAgencies and on Twitter @fishwildlife.

Upland project doubles the size of McCann Creek Fishery to offer unique outdoor opportunities

Pheasants Forever is proud to announce a new public land acquisition in Wisconsin’s primary pheasant range. Spearheaded by the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the McCann Creek Fishery Area Addition is a signature Build a Wildlife Area® project that now provides 182 acres of public access and upland habitat immediately adjacent to the McCann Creek Fishery Area.

“I’ve driven by this property often and was impressed with how well the prairie came in over the last few years. When I noticed the for-sale sign, I immediately contacted Scott Stipetich, Pheasants Forever’s precision ag and conservation specialist, and the ball started to roll,” said Travis Hakes, the Chippewa Valley Chapter board president.  “This property offers diverse habitat, which makes it a desirable acquisition for Pheasants Forever. Our chapter is grateful for all the hard work from everyone involved, and we’re excited to help manage this property for generations to come.”

The McCann Creek Fishery Area Addition includes 80 acres of Conservation Reserve Program prairie, 66 acres of combined wet meadow, emergent wetland and hemi-marsh restored through the Wetland Reserve Program, and 35 acres of riparian forest and shrubland. McCann Creek, a Class 1 trout stream, flows through the property. The project provides habitat not only for pheasants, but turkey, waterfowl, deer and many other non-game wildlife species. This acquisition also expands opportunities for trout fishing and trapping, creating an all-around sportsmen’s paradise for Bloomer Township and Chippewa County.

Funding support for this project came from the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever and a diverse array of sponsors including Wisconsin’s Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Chippewa County Stewardship Fund, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Further, this acquisition had support from the local community, the Township of Bloomer, the Bloomer Rod and Gun Club, and the Wisconsin Council of Trout Unlimited.

Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 20 years, congratulates tactical athlete Zach Rodman on his first-place finish in the Men’s Elite Division of the Tactical Games Utah. The two-day competition, which hosted close to 200 competitors, took place March 12-13 at the Southern Utah Practical Shooting Range in Washington, Utah.

Rodman, a 15-year veteran of the Kokomo, Indiana, police force and SWAT team, utilized Blackhawk’s T-Series holster and new Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear, including plate carrier, belt, and pouches throughout the competition.

“Zach is off to a great start this season, placing 6th at the Meridian event and then following it up with a fantastic first place finish in Utah,” said Courtney Tiziani, brand marketing manager for Blackhawk. “The Men’s Elite Division is arguably the toughest classification in the Tactical Games, and it’s been no surprise to see Zach and his gear performing at an optimal level.”

Two pieces of kit that have been cornerstones to Zach’s gear list are the Blackhawk T-Series holster and Foundation Series Tac Nylon. Blackhawk’s T-Series holsters with leg straps are optimally designed to maintain proper holster position and security as competitors navigate unconventional obstacles throughout the Tactical Games. Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear gives competitors some of the lightest weight gear in its class without sacrificing durability or modularity, which is critical to maintaining speed and endurance while wearing heavy plate carriers.

Rodman’s next competition will be June 25 – 26 at the Tactical Games Ohio. The season finale will take place November 5 – 6 at the Tactical Games National Championship at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas.