Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

The Boone and Crockett Club thanks Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI-3) and GT Thompson (R-PA-15) for yesterday’s  introduction of legislation to authorize federal funding to address chronic wasting disease (CWD) more holistically. H.R. 5608 authorizes $35 million each to research and management efforts and requires 75% of the management funding be directed to state and tribal wildlife agencies. If enacted, the bill will lay the groundwork to provide additional resources to states and tribes to proactively address CWD outbreaks and to manage this always-fatal disease of deer, elk, and moose.

“Chronic wasting disease is a significant threat to many of our country’s native big game species, a challenge that affects both future hunting opportunity and the health of these ecologically important wildlife species,” commented James F. Arnold, president of the Boone and Crockett Club. “We appreciate the continued leadership of Congressmen Kind and Thompson for their efforts to find solutions to this growing challenge. The legislation that they introduced today will provide critical new funding to state wildlife agencies that are on the front lines battling CWD.”

Chronic wasting disease is a highly contagious neurological disease affecting cervids (members of the deer family) that has been found in wild or captive herds in 26 states and three Canadian provinces to date. The disease is known as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and is caused by a naturally occurring protein, called a prion, that is misfolded. When prions are introduced into a healthy cervid, they multiply through existing, natural processes of protein replication and begin damaging the animal’s nervous system. It may take as long as two years before the animal begins to show outward signs of the disease. CWD can be transmitted through direct physical contact, contact with saliva, feces, or carcass parts of an infected animal, and can even spread through soil that has been contaminated with infected tissues or fluids. There is no known cure for CWD, it is not treatable, and it is ultimately always fatal. 

H.R. 5608 will authorize funds to states to help manage existing CWD outbreaks and to provide rapid response funding for detections in new populations. In addition, the bill would provide increased funding for research to improve testing and disease containment mechanisms, including the development of live animal or environmental testing and ways to decontaminate infectious prions. Another important provision directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the Herd Certification Program standards including those that help minimize or eliminate the interaction between wild and captive deer.

“State fish and wildlife agencies have been working hard to prevent the introduction of CWD into new areas and to limit its spread, however CWD management is expensive—the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act will help states manage and mitigate outbreaks of the disease,” Arnold concluded.

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. 

Steve Hall grew up in Denver, CO and graduated with a B. S. degree in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University in 1981. Since then, he has served as American Sportsman’s Club Colorado Services Manager, Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) Education/Outreach Director, Texas State Rifle Association Executive Director, International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)-USA Executive Director and currently serves as the TPWD Hunter Education Coordinator. 

During his TPWD career, Steve initiated or helped develop many education & outreach programs (e.g. Mandatory Hunter Education, Outdoor Woman, Aquatic & Boater Education, Parrie Haynes Youth Ranch, Texas Youth Hunting Program Partnership, 4-H Shooting Sports and Sport Fishing Partnership, TX Archery-in-Schools, TX Student Air Rifle Program, Target Range Grants, Fly Fishing and Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo). Steve teaches for the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow national program and has been inducted into the IHEA & Texas Hunter Education Halls of Fame. Steve also was honored nationally by the Aquatic Resource Education Association. Steve is an avid bow hunter and fly fisherman and continues to volunteer to teach in many outdoor education programs. 

About Hunting Matters
Tune in to “Hunting Matters” with Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director Joe Betar as he engages in conversations with guests, from various backgrounds, that have a passion for hunting and conservation. Great discussions, news, hunting legislation updates and more! “Hunting Matters” airs each Saturday, 6am-7am CDT on KPRC AM 950 – Real Texas, Real Talk, a Houston iHeartMedia station, and Houston’s longest running radio station. “Hunting Matters” is also available via podcast on Apple/iTunes, iHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, and Spreaker. Subscribe, listen and provide a review and rating!

About Houston Safari Club Foundation
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 600 scholarships totaling $2.7 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants for hunter-funded wildlife, habitat, and various conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.

The Texas-based designers and makers of aftermarket gun parts, known for their AR15/10 Drop-in Trigger Group, hire an industry marketing veteran to take their business to the next level.

CMC Triggers Corp., a Texas-based, family-owned and operated company designing and producing quality aftermarket gun parts, announce they will be partnering with Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM) to expand awareness of the CMC Triggers brand through a comprehensive strategy of press and writer relations, social media, and other marketing initiatives.

“This past year has been a year of significant changes for CMC Triggers,” Jack Biegel, owner and president, explained. “We are at the point that our marketing efforts need to step up and align with our strategic business goals for the future of the company. Laura Burgess Marketing brings years of experience within the shooting sports industry and we are confident that as part of our team, LBM will help us reach our goals to engage new customers and markets.”

“At LBM, we are excited to work with the CMC Triggers team and help them grow their market share through our industry relations,” Laura Burgess, president of LBM, added. “It is a pleasure to work with this family-owned business and support their marketing efforts.”

CMC Triggers’ AR15/10 Drop-in Trigger is designed to significantly improve the performance and accuracy of the firearm. Combining years of aerospace manufacturing with advanced machining experience, CMC Triggers are built with the highest standards with tolerances of +/-.001. CMC Triggers are designed to function under the most adverse conditions, consistently and reliably. With thousands in the hands of sport shooters, competition shooters, security professionals, law enforcement, and military personnel, customers all agree on a resounding and positive difference in how their gun feels and functions, from the range to the battlefield. CMC Triggers drop-in triggers for the AR15/10 in single and two-stage for several firearm platforms, barrels and firearms parts, all produced and sold with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and Lifetime Warranty.

The excitement of deer hunting can be incredibly intense – which is, of course, why it’s so popular. It’s also an excellent reason for hunters to take a good solid rest for their firearm or crossbow because “the whitetail shakes” are real, and adrenaline can turn the toughest guy or gal into a quivering mass of jelly. Not to mention that we owe it to the game we pursue to give them our best shots by making every effort to be as steady as possible before we let the arrow or bullet fly. Swagger Bipods are some of the best and most flexible tools available to help hunters stay steady and get that critical job done right.

In a box stand or blind, a hunter may have a shelf or other surface where a shorter bipod such as the Swagger SEA12 (Extreme Angle) or SFR10 QD (Flex to Rigid, Quick Detach) will serve with distinction. In such cases, a hunter should spend some time to get the bipod set at a comfortable height (both are easily adjustable) that will allow supported shots in any direction. The SFR10 will even enable one to adjust the flex joint tension to make it stiffer (or even rigid) for serious steadiness. Hunters should take the time to practice getting behind the weapon with the bipod supporting it and making sure they are entirely ready to make a shot from any angle at a moment’s notice.

In a pop-up blind, things are different because the soft sides of the structure generally don’t offer much in the way of support. Hunters should provide separate support for their long guns or crossbows, such as the Swagger Stalker QD42 bipod or the Swagger Hunter42. These models offer lengths ideal for shooting from a seated or kneeling position. Again, each hunter should take some time to become familiar with the bipod and its special features. Hunters should experiment with ways to support the stock’s butt on or near the shoulder as the bipod supports the front end so that when an opportunity presents itself, a perfectly placed shot takes mere seconds. 

Even hunters in ladder, hang-on or climbing stands can benefit from the use of a bipod. Longer bipods can be a great choice for this, and the Swagger Stalker QD42 is ideal for most stand hunting thanks to its extreme adjustability, with a most effective length range of 12 to 42 inches. Not only does the Swagger Stalker QD42 have great range, it can also be placed on rifles, crossbows, muzzleloaders and many shotguns with the shotgun adapter. Hunters who try a Swagger bipod in a traditional hunting stand may be surprised at how much accuracy can be gained.

The steady support of a quality bipod allows hunters to make well-placed, ethical shots in a timely manner, and it’s unlikely they’ll find any better choice than Swagger. Anyone who’s examined a Swagger Bipod can immediately recognize the quality and engineering that goes into each model. Regardless of whether you hunt from the ground or aloft, in blinds or open hunting stands, there’s a Lifetime-Guaranteed Swagger Bipod to serve your needs.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) latest round of Monthly Matches fired Oct. 9, 2021, at both of its indoor air gun range locations in Anniston, Alabama, and Camp Perry, Ohio. Though many regular athletes to CMP’s air rifle and pistol events were off competing in the ISSF (International Shooting Sports Federation) Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru, the October Monthly Match still yielded over 150 entries between the two facilities.

Claiming the win in the International Rifle event in Alabama was the Army Marksmanship Unit’s SP4 Alison Weisz, with a score of 252.4. Weisz, who earned 6th in the air rifle mixed team event and 14th in the 10-meter air rifle event at the Tokyo Olympics this year, earned the victory by just four-tenths of a point above fellow Army Marksmanship Unit teammate, SP4 Sagen Maddalena. Maddalena also represented Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, bringing home a 5th place finish in the 50m rifle three-position match.

Emme Walrath, 15, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, returned to Camp Perry once again to lead the International Rifle Monthly Match – her third win in the event in 2021. Walrath also led the 3×20 Precision Rifle Match with an impressive score of 595-47X. The win was her second in that event.

Anna McComb, 14, of Orient, Ohio, topped the Camp Perry Sporter 3×20 with 525-9X, as Bethany Shirley, 14, of Monroe, Georgia, led the category in Anniston with an overall score of 532-15X.

Elysa Walter, 17, of Sugar Hill, Georgia, acquired a score of 590-48X in the Anniston 3×20 Precision Match – just three points above the second place competitor. Walter had previously earned the win in the event back in September.

To accommodate the strong demand for a growing product lineup, Henry Repeating Arms, one of the country’s leading firearms manufacturers, is expanding its operations with an 84,000sf building on 13.5 acres in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Strategically located less than an hour away from the company’s 140,000sf headquarters in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, the new facility will employ over 100 people in the Rusk County area within three years.

The new property gives the company a total of 350,000sf of manufacturing space with over 600 employees to support its “Made in America, Or Not Made at All” mantra. The facility will initially be machining parts for the company’s lineup of more than 200 models of rifles and shotguns. The additional Ladysmith acreage also allows for future expansion.

“Staking our flag at a new facility is the beginning of another exciting chapter in our company’s history, and we are wasting no time prepping the building for our machines,” said Andy Wickstrom, President of Henry Repeating Arms. Wickstrom continued, “We thank the state of Wisconsin and Rusk County officials for keeping the door open for us, and we look forward to adding members of another great Wisconsin community to our family.”

“We’re excited to see Henry Repeating Arms make a commitment to Ladysmith, WI and Rusk County. They are an employer we are eager to see grow in our community for years to come,” added Andy Albarado, Rusk County Economic Development.

Henry firearms are purchasable only through a licensed firearms dealer. For more information about Henry Repeating Arms and its products, visit henryusa.com or call 866-200-2354.

The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act provides a bipartisan avenue for hunters, wildlife managers, and captive industry stakeholders to address the growing threat posed by the disease

Today, Representatives Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) introduced legislation to address a host of state and federal needs in the fight to contain the spread of chronic wasting disease. CWD remains the top threat to the future of deer hunting in the U.S.

The TRCP applauds the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which is the result of several months of discussion and debate among wildlife partners and captive industry stakeholders. The legislation would expand the federal government’s role in the fight to address CWD in four key ways:

“The threat posed by CWD to deer hunting in America is difficult to overstate—for too long, funding woes, research questions, and ineffectual enforcement have resulted in a worsening status quo,” says Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Curbing the accelerated spread of this disease each year requires an all-encompassing effort that can only be achieved by the pragmatic, bipartisan approach in this bill. The TRCP and our partners are grateful for the leadership of Representatives Kind and Thompson and look forward to working alongside both lawmakers to bring this critical legislation to passage.”

To learn more about CWD and how to get involved, head to our blog.

Wildlife Research Center®, the leader in Scent and Scent Elimination, will return to the National Association Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo & Annual Meetings in Columbus, Ohio October 27th -29th, 2021. Distributors are invited to stop by booth #467 to learn more about the latest scent systems and innovations from Wildlife Research Center.

Wildlife Research Center sets the industry standard for scent management with its broad line of Scent Killer and Scent Killer Gold lines. From scent eliminator spray to laundry detergent, personal care items and field wipes, the Scent Killer lines deliver A-Z scent elimination options that serious hunters have come to trust.

In addition to scent elimination technology, Wildlife Research Center also covers the attractant and cover scent categories with a full line up of natural and synthetic scents custom formulated to deliver results from early bow season until the late-season wrap-up.

To learn more about Wildlife Research Center’s full range of products, visit booth #467 at the NASGW 2021, or go to www.wildlife.com. 

Awards given yearly by DU Conservation Programs Committee

Engineer Casey Campbell received a Ducks Unlimited (DU) Excellence in Conservation Award for his work on Nebraska’s Wood Duck State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) project.

DU’s Conservation Programs Committee (CPC) created the awards to recognize outstanding conservation accomplishments and the DU staff who made them possible. Thanks to the continued commitment of DU’s staff, the organization reached a historic milestone this year, conserving more than 15 million acres since DU was founded in 1937.

Any extraordinary accomplishment that supports DU’s conservation mission of filling the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever is eligible for recognition. The 2021 awards were announced during the Sept. 9 CPC meeting.

“These awards recognize Ducks Unlimited’s exceptional conservation professionals and the work they do every day,” said CPC Chair Dr. Christine Thomas. “The awards were created to support morale, motivate our staff and convey the gratitude of DU supporters and volunteers.”

Enda Running is a game-changer in the world of running. The new Kenyan brand provides avid runners with a remarkable training experience this fall while putting a well-deserved spotlight on the country’s global reputation of excellence in the sport.

The first running shoes proudly made in Kenya, the offerings are specifically designed to support training in the most optimal way by featuring a natural midfoot landing ideal for runners.

Whether training for a marathon or running with a buddy around the neighborhood, Enda Running has the perfect pair to keep feet properly aligned and the stability needed to finish that run in comfort. The stylishly bright offerings aren’t bad either!

Co-founded by Navalayo “Nava” Osembo to bring Kenyan athletic greatness to runners worldwide, the brand fuels economic development in the region with 2% of all purchases going back into the local communities. Creating skilled jobs with higher wages and reducing environmental impact further the brand’s commitment to its people and the planet. The brand is Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral Certified, and vegan-friendly.

Kenya is known for raising incredible running athletes as well as artistic creativity and contemporary style. Just look at the proof below with accents from Kenyan culture, the region’s natural features, and vibrant colorways inspired by native birds.

EOTECH’s Holographic Weapon Sight comes in all shapes and sizes. One of the top-selling models is the XPS2, an operator-grade Holographic Weapon Sight built for close-quarter engagements and fast-moving targets. Like all EOTECH® products, the XPS2 is rugged, reliable, and dependable. 

At only 3.8-inches long and a mere 9-ounces, shooters love EOTECH’s shortest and lightest HWS sight. The HWS XPS2 is mission-capable and includes a single CR123 lithium battery configuration and compact footprint that leaves ample rail space for rear iron sights or magnifiers. 

Choose from one of EOTECH’s many reticles for the XPS2. The most popular reticle is a 68 MOA ring surrounding a 1 MOA center dot, allowing the shooter to quickly pick up and lock on a target. A two-dot reticle adds a second aiming dot that provides an additional aiming point for longer shots. Others include a single 1-MOA dot (no ring) and two reticles for either FN or Sage less lethal launchers. In all EOTECH HWS systems, the reticle is focused at the same plane as the target which aides in rapid target acquisition while reducing eye fatigue.

The non-night-vision compatible XPS2 includes a rich feature-set including a waterproof housing, long battery life, and 20 daylight brightness settings. This battle-tested sight even works if the sight window breaks or becomes partially obstructed. The XPS2 offers peace of mind in high-stress environments and is proudly made in the USA.

XPS2 Technical Specifications

Biologist Tom Petersen received a Ducks Unlimited (DU) Excellence in Conservation Award for his work on Nebraska’s Dry Spotted Tail Creek project.

DU’s Conservation Programs Committee (CPC) created the awards to recognize outstanding conservation accomplishments and the DU staff who made them possible. Thanks to the continued commitment of DU’s staff, the organization reached an historic milestone this year, conserving more than 15 million acres since DU was founded in 1937.

Any extraordinary accomplishment that supports DU’s conservation mission of filling the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever is eligible for recognition. The 2021 awards were announced during the Sept. 9 CPC meeting.

“These awards recognize Ducks Unlimited’s exceptional conservation professionals and the work they do every day,” said CPC Chair Dr. Christine Thomas. “The awards were created to support morale, motivate our staff and convey the gratitude of DU supporters and volunteers.”

Petersen received the award for his work with Dry Spotted Tail Creek that not only restored wetlands and waterfowl habitat, but habitat for trout. The project has been nearly a decade in the making and improves not only the stream but 192 wetlands acres along Nebraska’s North Platte River.

Dynaplug Enters the Road Tubeless Market

As Road tubeless has gained prominence and more wheel and tire manufacturers are fully supporting road tubeless setups, Dynaplug is ready when the road gets rough. Today marks the launch of two new tool options, The Dynaplug Air Road and Carbon Ultralite Road Racer. Each tool has been redesigned specifically for the needs of the modern Road cyclist, providing puncture repair and inflation options to expedite the flat repair.

Optimized for tires from 700 x 23-32, Dynaplug’s new proprietary “road” length insertion tubes allow easy plugging without the need to navigate knobs or extra volume from bigger rubber. Along with Road insertion tubes, today Dynaplug also announces the launch of Road plugs – substantially shorter than standard plugs. The smaller size means the excess plug will not rub against the frame or fork on tighter clearances Road or All Road frames.

Dynaplug Air Road Kit: 

Dynaplug® Air is the only tool of it’s kind in the world. Plug your tubeless bicycle tire and air it up with CO2 at the same time. Made in the USA and available in black and vibrant anodized color options, the Dynaplug® Air Road tackles multiple jobs with one tool. Thread-on CO2 cartridges help refill precious volume to tires while simultaneously plugging punctures. With a thread-on hose included the tool doubles as a CO2 inflator when that’s all required of the job. 

During its 50-year history, Safari Club International has been the leader in defending the freedom to hunt through advocacy efforts around the world. The organization’s accomplishments have been praised by world leaders and impacted generations of hunters worldwide.  

It all started in 1971 when lifelong hunter C.J. McElroy launched a local California hunting club called the “Safari Club” to expand his love of the sport. As the club’s leader, McElroy began consolidating other similar clubs and Safari Club International was born a year later. 

SCI rapidly expanded with chapters across the country and in Europe, opening their first overseas chapter in Spain. Within ten years, they had a significant cultural and legislative impact. SCI went on to launch hunting education programs like the American Wilderness Leadership School and supported pro-hunting candidates to protect hunting rights. 

By 1980, SCI had already represented the United States in discussing and drafting international agreements, successfully campaigned for dozens of political candidates through the SCI Government Affairs Committee and met with President Jimmy Carter to discuss the Endangered Species Act. 

SCI continued its momentous pace for the remainder of the 20th Century. In 1994, SCI’s work resulted in a major legislative victory with the amending of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which allowed U.S. hunters to import legally taken Canadian polar bear trophies.

Clamtainer makes plastic See-in Storage Containers that make it super easy to see into the package and quickly know what you have. We got a box full of these in all kinds of sizes to test. We put them to use on everything from batteries to toilet paper to ammunition, and we found them to be quite useful. We are going to work our way through a few of our absolute favorites.

The Clamtainer TP Buddy

The TP Buddy toilet paper holder is the perfect container to keep your toilet paper clean, dry and ready to use.  The TP Buddy fits inside your pack, inside your trailer, in the camp outhouse or under the seat of your truck.  You can clearly see how much you have. The container opens with a single hand, and it comes with a small string to hang it on the limb of a tree.   like that the TP Buddy keeps the paper clean and the roll is not crushed.  For $6.95.

Clamtainer Battery Buddy

Batteries for GPS units, scopes, headlamps and flashlights are always a part of our pack. A clear case keeps them organized. This is essential, and a definite step up from the Ziploc bags I have used for years to store batteries in my gear box. I can clearly see in the Battery Buddy what  batteries I have before and after my hunt. This container makes it easy to see what needs to be replaced before my next hunt. The AA batteries pack can hold up to 8 batteries and comes in a 5 pack of containers for 9.95. The AAA holds up to 24 batteries and comes in a 5 pack for $9.95.

Clamtainer Doom Box Enclosed Mouse Trap

This enclosed mouse trap is genius. The container keeps the mouse trap enclosed so your dog or cat cannot get accidentally hurt. As well, it contains the mouse within the container once the mouse is trapped. This makes cleanup safer as you do not have to touch the rodent. It is a much better mouse trap than your standard trap, and it can be used over and over. Truly, Clamtainer built the better mousetrap.  I will be buying more of these as I need mouse traps, there is nothing better on the market.

Clamtainer Ammo Buddy

The Clamtainer Ammo Buddy holds cartridges and shells. Better yet, the container prevents your ammunition from getting dirty. These come at a variety of prices depending upon what you are looking for. What I like is that these fit easily in your pocket. I like carrying these on the outside pocket of my pack so I can easily see they are available for me and exactly how much ammo I have available. These are great for the range and great for the field.  I also really like the Clamtainer for the 12 gauge 25 CT Ammo Box for waterfowl hunting.  I know my shells are dry and I can see which shells I have. These are also nice to have at the end of the day when I am clearing out my waders or shooting vest and I can get a quick count of ammo available.

If you are a junior or senior high school marksmanship athlete and are interested in moving on to the collegiate level, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has created a new online service with you in mind.

College Connect, an addition to the CMP’s Competition Tracker software, is a venue for athletes to indirectly connect with NCAA coaches. Similar to recruiting for college football or basketball, the versatile program allows users to regularly update online profiles with current educational and competitive info for college coaches to observe. Likewise, the service provides a central location for coaches to maintain awareness of potential team prospects.

“It’s a resume, basically,” said CMP’s smallbore manager, Brad Donoho, who helped create the program. “It’s meant to be a passive connection between prospective athletes and coach.”

The service is currently live and available to junior and senior student-athletes, with free use. Though there is no actual contact between athletes and coaches through College Connect, the service will allow for athletes to provide their contact information for coaches to contact them during permitted recruiting periods.

“If my name is on a page like this, and all of a sudden I’m shooting some decent scores – a coach might look at that and go, ‘Wait a second. This kid’s pretty good. Maybe I should contact them,’” Donoho explained.

During the recent Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) meeting, a Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) proposal to provide funding for the Boone and Crockett Club’s Poach & Pay Project was recommended for approval. Coordinated in conjunction with the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), Poach & Pay is the first comprehensive research project to review, assess, and address the level of illegal take of wildlife in our country. Initial funding for this project was provided by the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Leupold & Stevens, Federal Ammunition, and Safari Club International along with a research and media partnership with International Wildlife Crimestoppers, Inc. The MSCG grant will support the research that is underway and, combined with additional partner funding, will allow for a coordinated public outreach campaign using the results of the research. 

“A comprehensive study on wildlife poaching is long overdue and the Boone and Crockett Club with our partners at the Wildlife Management Institute believe it is time to change that,” commented Club chief executive officer Tony Schoonen. “With the financial support through this Multistate Conservation Grant and our sponsors we will know with more certainty what this ‘dark figure’ of poaching truly is, and then will work together to fight wildlife crime.”

The MSCG Program is administered by AFWA in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Created through the Fish and Wildlife Administration Improvement Act of 2000, $6 million from the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson funds are made available annually for conservation projects impacting a majority of states. The Secretary of the Interior gives final approval for MSCG funding, however proposals receive in depth review through a series of AFWA committees and recommended proposals typically are approved.

The first phase of the Poach & Pay research is attempting to quantify the degree to which wildlife violations go undetected by surveying and interviewing representative samples of hunters, landowners, conservation officers, and persons convicted of wildlife crimes. This month, surveys were sent to 80,000 landowners, 80,000 avid sportsmen (defined as purchasing a hunting license in each of the past 5 years), and more than 1,000 conservation officers in the eight target states (Maine, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Oregon, and Nevada). These states were selected to maximize variability in location, urban/rural makeup, percent of public vs. private lands, species composition, and accessibility and quality of data.

“The Hunter and Landowner surveys focus on wildlife crimes for which the respondents have personal knowledge, the rates of detection by landowners and hunters to the rates of reporting by those same individuals will be examined,” noted WMI’s Dr. Jonathan Gassett, lead researcher on the project. “A more comprehensive survey is being administered to law enforcement officers of the eight subject states to investigate their thoughts, opinions, and attitudes on the levels of illegal take of wildlife, as well as their experiences with the associated judicial processes.”

Look for the green line—the all-new Delta McKenzie Greenline block-style target is built to last. In head-to-head shooting tests, results show new Greenline will last up to two times longer, which greatly extends target life on the archery range.  The foundation of Greenline’s durability is its exclusive heavy-duty Mo’Foam layers. In addition, Greenline uses Delta’s patented process that welds the layers together into a single block.  The resulting solid target offers four-sided shooting and further extends durability.

Greenline features:

Visit your archery dealer or go to dmtargets.com  to see the full line of Delta targets.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have hired Aaron Williams to serve as regional field representative in eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. In his new role, Williams will provide support for volunteers in the Cornhusker and Hawkeye states. Williams will oversee 35 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters, 26 in Nebraska and nine in Iowa. In total, there are over 22,000 members between the two states, working to improve public and private lands conservation efforts for pheasants, quail and other wildlife.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever empower county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent – the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers can see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy. Williams will help guide local chapters to achieve the organization’s mission in both Iowa and Nebraska, while also fostering strong partnerships with state agencies, corporate supporters, donors and upland hunters. 

“Our local chapters are the foundation of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, so making sure we have top-notch representatives servicing those chapters is imperative,” said Jerry McDonald, the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever field service manager in Nebraska. “We believe Aaron is a great fit for this position and will dovetail perfectly with our membership.”

Williams is a lifelong bird hunter who comes to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever from national retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods. He worked for Dick’s for over a decade, rising to the position of general manager at the company’s Omaha, Nebr. location. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

“I could not be more excited to get started with this great organization,” Williams said. “The idea of tying my passion for upland hunting to my career is just amazing. I’m looking forward to learning more from some great leaders and making lasting relationships with my chapters to further the mission of Pheasants Forever.”

Cranston, Rhode Island – SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA, a subsidiary of the Austrian based company is pleased to announce the new tM35 thermal imaging clip-on device. With the tm 35, hunters can count on proven SWAROVSKI OPTIK quality. A thermal imaging clip-on device with modern thermal imaging technology in one, for impressive enhanced vision in twilight conditions or when hunting at night where legal.

Together with SWAROVSKI OPTIK rifle scopes, the tM 35 offers a powerful combination for a reliable point of impact. Re-sighting in is not required after the tM 35 is attached to a SWAROVSKI OPTIK rifle scope via the optional tMA Thermal Monocular Adapter. The tM 35 Thermal Clip-On device is compatible with the Z8i, Z6(i), Z5(i) and Z3 series rifle scopes. Make the right decision and take the perfect shot.

As with our illuminated riflescopes, the tM35 also features the established SWAROLIGHT automatic switch on/off timer. This saves energy and avoids unnecessary, distracting movements. The device is activated when the user takes aim and shoots and is then deactivated when the user puts the firearms down. The automatic brightness adjustment automatically adapts the brightness of the display to the ambient light conditions. Featuring both white hot and black hot modes that often make it possible to identify more details depending on the environment.

Using a rechargeable battery with a 3,000 mAh capacity and a 7 hours battery life with continuous operation with operating temperatures ranging from +5°F to +122°F.

A thermal image does not require light and reacts to thermal radiation. The tM 35 when mounted to a riflescope will allow the user to pick up thermal images of game both day and night. Before using please check your local and state regulations in regard to hunting during night time hours where you will be hunting.