Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

Anglers across the country bid on the latest gear in support of Keep America Fishing

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) recently held its inaugural online auction to raise funds in support of Keep America Fishing. Keep America Fishing (KAF) is the association’s grassroots advocacy program that provides our nation’s 55 million anglers a way to let their voices be heard when fisheries policy and management decisions will impact recreational fishing.

“Keep America Fishing helps give the American angler a voice in the halls of Congress and in state legislatures across the county,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “The website and email-based advocacy campaigns amplify the efforts of ASA’s Government Affairs team who work so diligently to support the industry, our anglers and fisheries management.”

The auction, which ran from September 16 – 19, had something for everyone and was well-received nationally with 26 states represented among the winning bidders.

The Keep America Fishing online fundraiser was unique in that it featured ICAST 2021 New Product Showcase “Best of Category” winning products as well as dozens of new products that were featured in the New Product Showcase – many of them not available elsewhere. The New Product Showcase is the featured event during ICAST, the recreational fishing industry’s annual trade show.

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes Chris Dorsey, President/CEO, Dorsey Pictures.

Chris Dorsey has been called the ‘brand father’ of outdoor television having helped create and launch 56 series across numerous national outdoor networks through his company Dorsey Pictures founded 20 years ago. He’s also created nearly an equal number of popular mainstream television series and specials on scores of networks including History Channel, Discovery, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, HGTV, DIY, Travel, Oxygen, ESPN, NBC Sports, Oxygen, Spike and many others. He’s also hosted nearly 400 episodes of outdoor programs–including Sporting Classics with Chris Dorsey currently airing on the Outdoor Channel–and is among the world’s most widely traveled hunters having taken all 29 North American big game species, the Deadly Seven of Africa, the spiral horns of Africa and the turkey World Slam. 

He’s the author of 12 books on outdoor and natural history subjects and his work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Newsweek, The Robb Report and most of the outdoor periodicals in the English-speaking world. 

He’s also a columnist for Forbes, covering a wide range of topics including politics, public policy, conservation, and the outdoor industry. He previously served as editor-in-chief of Sports Afield and Ducks Unlimited magazines. 

He was inducted into the Outdoor Legends Hall of Fame in 2021, and he’s also served on numerous boards and advisory positions throughout the outdoor industry always with an eye for showcasing to the masses the important role that hunters and anglers play in supporting conservation. As such, he’s a recipient of the Curt Gowdy Memorial Award from the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and the Ray Scott Trailblazer Award from the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.

Adjustable and Mobile Spotting Scope Mount Makes Scouting Easier

Hawke® Optics, the leader in high-quality, high-value precision sporting optics and mounts, has an easy-to-use window mounting option to go along with their wide range of spotting scopes. This Spotting Scope Window Mount helps you take a better look at subjects from the comfort of your vehicle.

Spotting scopes give you the opportunity to study and enjoy from a distance that doesn’t intrude into the natural habitat, as well as scout from longer distances when hunting. If you’re hunting large game in the western states or in any wide-open area, using a spotting scope to glass is beneficial. The most important tip for using a spotting scope is keeping it steady. That’s where the all-important mount comes into play. You can use a tripod, which is a great choice, but does require some setup. Many spotting scope users opt for a window mount, and the Hawke Optics Spotting Scope Window Mount is a perfect blend of ease of setup and adjustability. This makes it a quick way to get setup and viewing – all from the comfort of your vehicle.

Imagine you’re driving along, checking fields for deer activity when you spot something that catches your eye. From a distance, you can tell it has big antlers, but you don’t know how good just yet. You reach for your Hawke Optics spotting scope, attached to the Window Mount, and it takes just seconds to attach the foam-padded clamp to your window. You adjust the scope to the right angle and location and just like that – you’re viewing the buck you’ll be chasing this season.

Learn more about this and other high-quality accessories at hawkeoptics.com.

Did you know that Nevada is home to the most public land in the lower 48 states? That’s right, corner to corner, Nevada is nearly 85% public lands. To celebrate this amazing resource of outdoor recreation, the state of Nevada has been hosting Nevada Public Lands Day on the fourth Saturday of September since 1979. This year, Nevada Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 25th. Everyone is invited to enjoy Reno-Tahoe’s state parks, monuments, recreation areas and nearby national parks for free.

Here are our top seven Nevada State Parks to visit on fee-free day:

Nevada Public Lands Day, as part of the National Public Lands Day, is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. There are two volunteer events in Reno-Tahoe:

For more information on planning a visit to the Reno-Tahoe Territory, visit RenoTahoe.com.

About Reno-Tahoe Territory
The Reno-Tahoe Territory is a vast and diverse region of high desert valleys, majestic tree-lined mountains, and crystal-clear lakes. Encompassing the destinations of Carson City, Carson Valley, Reno-Sparks, North Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe and Virginia City, Nevada. There’s no other place in the world that can claim the beauty of Lake Tahoe, the action and adventure of the “Biggest Little City in the World,” the rich history of the Comstock Lode, or the state’s oldest recorded settlement — all within 60 minutes of each other. Visit  RenoTahoe.com for more.

The Redesigned Sustain FJ Rises to Every Inshore and Freshwater Challenge

Strong yet sensitive aren’t words typically defining an aesthetic show-stopper. But they do illustrate Shimano’s newly-redesigned Sustain FJ series of spinning reels, each built to conquer the toughest of any inshore or freshwater species.

The redesigned Sustain FJ is a member of the MagnumLite series of reels, providing the perfect blend of performance and toughness with every turn of the handle. Shimano’s MagnumLite Rotor represents an entirely new approach to rotor design, delivering vastly improved balance and low rotor inertia. Engineered to optimize the balance between weight and durability, the MagnumLite Rotor makes Sustain more sensitive and responsive, providing crisp start-and-stop retrieves and instantaneous hooksets across a wide range of applications.

Premium gearing within the redesigned Sustain FJ enables these reels to tackle the toughest assignments. Shimano’s HAGANE Gear lies at the heart of Sustain, delivering smooth performance and legendary durability through the union of strength and power. The cold-forged aluminum HAGANE Gear delivers smooth feel and function over many seasons. By leveraging an exclusive three-dimensional design process and eliminating cutting work on the drive gear, the HAGANE Gear offers unparalleled durability compared to reels with diecast or machined gear construction. Sustain’s operation is enhanced by Micromodule Gear II technology, representing an exacting refinement of every gear surface and tooth to deliver effortless operation with minimal sound. Each Sustain FJ also incorporates Shimano’s SilentDrive technology, a unique feature handed down from Shimano’s flagship lineup of reels that leverages high-precision, micron-level tolerances for each drive train component to reduce wobble, noise and vibration. Thanks to the HAGANE Gear, Micromodule Gear II and Silent Drive technology, anglers fishing with Sustain will enjoy an exceptional balance of durability and smooth operation.

The HAGANE Body encapsulates Sustain FJ within an all-metal, aluminum frame for extreme rigidity and impact resistance, efficiently transforming every turn of the handle into cranking power. Shimano engineered Sustain FJ for the long haul with water and corrosion resistance delivered by the Shimano X-Protect system. By combining water-repellent coatings with a water-channeling labyrinth construction, Shimano’s X-Protect technology shrugs off the elements without sacrificing reel performance, ensuring years of durability.

Ducks Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited Canada continue to match funding for successful cross-border program

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) recently announced a continued commitment to fund critical waterfowl habitat work across the Canadian breeding grounds through the Fall Flights program.  

The Fall Flights Presidential Task Force was established to review the progress made toward implementing AFWA’s Fall Flights program and provide recommendations to the AFWA President. 

“Thanks to the continued support of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Fall Flights program will continue to deliver pivotal habitat work in Canada,” said Ducks Unlimited Chief Conservation Officer Karen Waldrop. “We appreciate the leadership of past AFWA President Sara Parker Pauley and task force Co-chairs J.D. Strong and Chuck Sykes. Because of organizations like AFWA and their leadership team, waterfowl, wildlife and people will continue to benefit.” 

In support of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), and in recognition of the need for non-federal match funds for North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants, AFWA established the Fall Flights Program in 1991 for state wildlife agencies to support projects in the Canadian breeding grounds. 

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:

Every waterfowler loves to watch a group of mallards commit to the decoy spread. Once that decision is made, there’s no turning back. Hearing loss from waterfowling is really no different. Once that decision is made to hunt unprotected, there’s no turning back. Ears can and will be damaged.

Much like the game of football, waterfowling is a beloved American tradition. As with hard hits in football, the hearing damage incurred when waterfowl hunting can have lasting, debilitating impacts on our brain and quality of life…and that’s The Cold Hard Truth.

Science has proven that moderate hearing loss results in a 3 times higher risk category for Alzheimer’s and dementia compared to another person of the same age and healthy hearing ability.

In 2019, Dr. Bill Dickinson and Dr. David Gnewikow started TETRA Hearing in response to emerging research around hearing damage and the fact that data shows nearly 90% of waterfowl hunters don’t use hearing protection.

TETRA’s AlphaShield and CustomShield products for waterfowlers allow you to hunt protected, and still hear the hunting sounds we all love—calling, whistling wings, and buddies talking. According to Dickinson, TETRA solved all of the issues with traditional devices that caused so many to hunt unprotected.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) is proud to share that the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) has extended its relationship naming Iridium and Thales as its official communications partners. IMOCA skippers will continue to rely on Iridium Certus® as their primary means of satellite communication at sea, after years of successful races and even life-saving communications provided.

Beginning in 2019, IMOCA skippers set sail with the new state-of-the-art satcom system, relying on Iridium Certus during several high-profile yachting events that attracted a global audience, including the prestigious Vendée Globe race. As the official communications partners, Iridium and partner Thales will continue to equip the IMOCA racing fleet with the Iridium Certus satellite connectivity delivered by the Thales VesseLINK 700 terminal.

“Continuing our partnership with Iridium and Thales justifies how confident the skippers and the Class are in this technology,” says Antoine Mermod, President, IMOCA Class. “By combining the expertise of two companies, our boats are equipped with the closest land-like level of communication ever proposed. The applications of the equipment on-board an IMOCA yacht participating in the Vendée Globe race remain essential tests for any developments; this communication combination has definitely proven its worth.”

Iridium® is the only satellite network with reliable, truly global connectivity, even in adverse conditions at sea. The connectivity solution enables IMOCA skippers to easily communicate with their shore teams, send photos and texts to friends and family, conduct interviews over Skype, Zoom or Microsoft TEAMS, and in the most extreme cases, provide critical connectivity during rescue situations.

“We were already equipped with the Thales and Iridium system during the last Vendée Globe. This system has proven itself on the round the world race. The antenna and the network worked very well, even in hostile conditions and with our boats constantly on the move,” says Kevin Escoffier, skipper, Team PRB. “Moreover, the VesseLINK 700 is very efficient in terms of power consumption. I am very happy with the Iridium and Thales partnership with the IMOCA Class. Communication has become essential nowadays and this system perfectly meets our needs.”

Built for Comfort, Function and Versatility, the New Field Pants Will Be Your All-Around New Favorite Pants for Upland Hunting, a Day at the Range and Every Activity in Between

Madison, WI – DSG Outerwear, premier makers of the most technical, high-performance, and size-inclusive hunting apparel for women, is proud to announce their newest pair of one-of-a-kind pants designed with incredible fit and unmatched quality for every adventure outdoors. Whether you’re gearing up for an upland hunt, chasing the Big 5 or hitting the hiking trails, the new DSG Field Pants will be your go-to piece of apparel.

“Our customers are already raving about the amazing fit and function of our new Field Pants, and we couldn’t agree more,” said Wendy Gavinski, president and founder of DSG Outerwear. “These pants have everything, including large convenient cargo pockets and articulated knees for added flexibility. Ladies who love the outdoors will not be disappointed,” she added.

Like all DSG Outerwear apparel, the Field Pants are created by women for women. This means they are not extra baggy in all the wrong places and bulky like downsized men’s pants – but designed to perfectly fit the female form. In fact, you won’t even need a belt to keep these great-fitting pants from falling (like many other hunting pants you’ll find). Constructed with durable, ripstop fabric with articulated knees, these stretchable athletic pants are incredibly lightweight and will move right along with you wherever your adventure takes you.

What good would functional pants be without much-needed pockets? These pants have all your storage needs covered with two large cargo pockets, one located on each front thigh of the pants. These large pockets are perfect for stashing your phone when not in use, or housing other important gear. Two front hand pockets along with two rear pockets keep smaller items like your hunting license or ID within reach.

Squirrels are a plentiful natural resource. Plus, squirrel is some of the best wild meat and their skins are used for caps, coats, glove linings and many other items, but the tail is usually thrown away. Mepps® continues to ask hunters to save their squirrel tails, AND, they’re offering to reward you for your efforts!

Mepps buys fox, black, grey and red squirrel tails and will pay up to 26 cents each for tails, depending on quality and quantity. Plus, the cash value is doubled if the tails are traded for Mepps lures. All Mepps asks for is the squirrel tail with the bone left in. The rest of the squirrel is for hunters to keep and harvest.

Mepps® needs squirrel tails to create hand-tied, dressed hooks for their world-famous, fish-catching lures. They’ve been recycling squirrel tails for over half-a-century. In fact, they have recycled nearly 8 million tails since the mid-1960s, more of them than anyone else in the world.

We’ve tested many different natural and synthetic materials for our dressed hooks, but nothing can compare to the action of a squirrel tail underwater. The fact is squirrel tails are all hair–no fur. Practically all other animals have fur tails with just a few guard hairs. Fur doesn’t have the same rippling, pulsating movement of squirrel hair in the water.

Mepps Communications Director, Nik Kolbeck, wants to remind everyone, “We are focused on sustainability, we do not advocate the hunting of squirrels solely for the purpose of sending in squirrel tails.”

Headliners include Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump Jr., Larry the Cable Guy, Craig Morgan, Edward Byers, Jim Shockey and others

Safari Club International is celebrating 50 years of defending the freedom to hunt! The International Hunters’ Convention is coming back to Las Vegas with an incredible roster of entertainment. Save the dates of January 19-22, 2022 to come support conservation efforts and celebrate the freedom to hunt with thousands of your fellow hunters at the world’s largest hunting convention.

This year’s lineup of guest speakers, entertainers and hosts is something you won’t want to miss. Attendees can expect to see and hear from top pro-hunting political voices Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr.! Entertainers include Larry the Cable Guy, Craig Morgan, Edward Byers and Jim Shockey—some of the hunting industry’s greatest champions.

The convention will boast more than 1000 exhibitors –everything from the top manufacturers to the finest premier destinations around the world for the adventure of a lifetime. The best companies from the outdoor industry will bring their newest releases, from firearms and accessories to optics, ammunition, archery, gear and equipment. Other offerings include furs, jewelry, furnishings and fine clothing – something for everyone!

Spirited auctions offer exclusive firearms, once-in-a-lifetime hunts and adventures, the finest artwork and more. Educational, informative seminar presentations cover the spectrum of hunting, fishing, shooting and outdoor adventure. Proceeds from SCI’s auctions support hunter advocacy as well as SCI Foundation’s conservation and education programs.

MKS Supply, marketer and exclusive distributor for Barnaul Ammunition, Full Forge Gear, and well-known firearms brands Hi-Point Firearms and Inland Manufacturing, has teamed with Mid-Ohio Hydrographics (Mansfield, OH) to further expand its hydrographic decorating services to more hunting and shooting industry manufacturers.

Custom finishes—from the smallest accessories to firearms, bows, and larger outdoor gear—are increasingly employed to satisfy customer demands and to help distinguish brands in crowded product categories, and custom hydrographic coatings are one of the most durable, economical, and impactful way to add that special touch to any product.

Mid-Ohio Hydrographics currently provides custom and production-level hydrographic and custom-color coating services across the outdoor and shooting segments, including firearms, grips and stocks, game calls, and more. The company’s high-volume capacity and proprietary automated systems ensure fast turnaround and accommodation for the largest orders.

If you are looking to set your company’s products apart in the eyes of your consumers and potential customers, please visit their website at www.midohiohydro.com and use the contact form on the home page. Or contact Wes Stumbo by phone at 419-989-2290 today for a consultation or a project quote.

About MKS Supply

Metal-jacketed micro carbon arrows are field-proven for big game hunters seeking to maximize lethal penetration with the goal to provide bowhunters the highest level of success. The Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) arrow combines an aluminum jacket over a micro diameter carbon shaft that results in the most advanced arrow ever available to bowhunters.  FMJ arrows extract more energy from the bow and increase penetration by combining it with reduced surface area and a slick metal shaft surface. The ultra-micro diameter penetrates with less friction within the target for more pass-through impacts to take down game quickly and speed recovery. Reduced friction during flight means higher speed downrange and the slick aluminum surface further reduces drag.  This offers noticeably easier extraction when pulling shafts from practice targets. FMJ’s are available in the new T-64 and in 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm micro diameters meeting price points to fit virtually any bowhunter.

For more information on the FMJ arrows visit www.teamfmj.com

RCBS®, the leading manufacturer of ammunition reloading equipment for rifles and pistols, announced today it has once again named the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program as the recipient of its 2021 youth shooting sports donation.

Over the past six years, RCBS has donated a portion of the proceeds from every RCBS Explorer and Explorer Plus Reloading Kit to the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program. This year, RCBS presented the organization with a check for $5,000 to help fund youth education.

“We’re honored to once again back the National 4-H program with its mission of educating youth on safe and responsible firearm use,” said Eliza Graves, senior brand manager for RCBS. “Various 4-H events each year help give thousands of young adults opportunities to develop life skills in an environment that fosters self-worth and conservation ethics. The mission of 4-H is one that’s supported wholeheartedly by the RCBS team.”

Each year, over 400,000 young people participate in 4-H shooting sports across the country, with over 19,000 adult volunteers and professional educators assisting with their education.

About RCBS

Updated for the 2021 season, SEVR 2.0 now features an improved chisel tip for even greater strength on impact.  “We’re constantly looking for ways to fine tune the product. By changing the angle of the tip, we’ve made the ferrule stronger against hard impacts,” said Clint Warner, SEVR Director of Product Development.

SEVR’s blade-to-body tolerances provide smooth, reliable blade deployment.  Premium titanium ferrule construction adds strength, and fully contained blades, make SEVR’s field-point accuracy the envy of the bowhunting industry.  

SEVR is sold exclusively online. For more information on SEVR 2.0 visit sevrbroadheads.com. 

Watch it on the Sportsman Channel

This week Ducks Unlimited Television (DU TV) takes you around the country, showcasing Ducks Unlimited’s (DU) commitment to developing the next generation of conservationists.

Co-host Ashley Horobetz starts the show in Mississippi with past DU scholarship winners Jake and Ford Lange. The brothers both chaired their DU Varsity chapters in high school and share a passion for wetlands conservation and the outdoors lifestyle.

“A major goal of mine is to involve my kids in conservation,” said Ford Lange. “It’s scary to me to think there could be an entire generation that doesn’t hunt, doesn’t fish, doesn’t enjoy the outdoors. I want my children to have the same experiences I have had. I know those experiences outdoors have made me a better person.”

The episode continues with highlights from previous shows this season featuring youth in the outdoors. Young outdoors enthusiasts are the future of wetland conservation and DU works diligently to educate our youth about conservation benefits, not only for waterfowl but other wildlife and people.

SPRO® is committed to designing the world’s finest fishing tackle for America’s best anglers. This past week, SPRO angler Michael Neal capped off the win at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour CarParts.com Stage Seven at Lake St. Clair Presented by Covercraft in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.

Neal caught 58 smallmouth bass totaling 168 pounds, 11 ounces – a new Bass Pro Tour Championship Round record for the heaviest one-day weight – to win by a 76-pound, 2-ounce margin over second place – also a new Bass Pro Tour record for the largest margin of victory.

“What a week! I really am not sure what to say at this point,” Neal joked in his post-tournament interview. “The first win of my career. I won the (Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit) Angler of the Year title earlier this year, but this is my first actual tournament win and it feels really, really good to get the monkey off of my back. I’ve had so many second-place finishes – I finished second this year at REDCREST. I never would have expected my first win would be with smallmouth. I’ve never been a smallmouth guy – I grew up on the Tennessee River fishing offshore. But, I’ll take it.”

For his accomplishments, Neal earned the top prize of $100,000, but most important to him – the giant red Bass Pro Tour winner’s trophy that he now will keep forever.

“It feels so good to finally win. I caught tons and tons of fish, had a great time and broke several records this week,” Neal went on to say. “But records are meant to be broken, and I’m sure someone else will break them the next time we go to another phenomenal smallmouth fishery.