Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

Finding the best tools for your next fishing trip out is about more than the bait you choose and the rod you pick. It’s about having the resources to make you a better angler—and fishing is a lot more fun when you’re good at it. 

There’s no better resource out there than the pros. After all, it’s not about what you know, but who you know. If you want to find the pros, you’ve got to go where the pros are, and that’s on the fishing app FishAngler. Here’s three reasons why.

1. Open Access to a Community of Fishing Pros

Whether your favorite fishing trips are solo or partnered, you never have to go without the experience of all your favorite anglers in your back pocket—literally. One of the ultimate features that marks Fishangler as the best fishing app on the market today is its unlimited access to a community of anglers around the world. From favorite fishing spots, top-performing bait, and even favorite times of day to fish, anglers in the community upload photos of their catches along with everything they used to reel them in. Not to mention any tricks of the trade they leave in their captions exclusively for their fellow fishing followers.

FishAngler isn’t the only app to have such a rich pool of social sharing capabilities. Fishbrain is a popular app that sport similar social feature; the difference is that FishAngler doesn’t hide theirs behind a pay wall. FishAngler is known to be the best fishing app for anglers, by anglers, which makes it the ultimate tool for not only building your skills, but your community as well. 

2. Data-Packed Features for Fish-Packed Coolers

It’s not just the pros with the deep wells of knowledge, though. In the same way Fishbrain keeps its community behind locked doors, so it keeps its most useful data-mining tools as well. FishAngler unlocks the best-kept secrets of the most skilled anglers out there by compiling the data and trends of anglers everywhere and delivering them directly to your smartphone. With data trends for best catches in your favorite body of water, there’s no pond, lake, or river that you can’t master.

While embracing the heritage of its 40+ years as an online retailer for the shooting sports industry, Natchez has expanded its product lineup to include the other outdoor activities its customers care about, which include hunting, shooting, fishing, hiking, camping, and outdoor sports.

Natchez Shooters Supplies, an online retailer specializing in shooting, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and outdoor supplies, announces it has rebranded as Natchez Shooting & Outdoors. After 40+ years as an online retailer for the shooting sports enthusiast, Natchez has been expanding its product lineup to meet its customers’ other adventurous outdoor hobbies, including fishing, hiking, camping, and more. The new name reflects Natchez’s expanded offering that provides its customers with more of what they need to supply their next adventure at the competitive prices they have always known. This new message will be delivered through its updated website and marketing materials, including its new logo, which embraces the message of finding your true north and navigating all the great outdoors has to offer.

“Natchez may be four decades old, but we have never rested on our laurels,” commented Natchez Chief Marketing Officer, Tommy Hamn. “Our customers’ choice of outdoor activities is evolving and expanding, and we must evolve and expand with them to meet their needs. Our brand update reflects the interest of our expanding customer base while honoring and supporting our existing customers passion for shooting sports.”

Natchez’s new logo brings shooting and outdoor enthusiasts together with the symbolic True North mark and compass reference. True North speaks to a person’s character, what drives them, and how they treat others; it’s their internal compass. The compass also represents the idea of navigating outdoor adventures and guiding its customers along the right course to ensure they have all they need for their chosen outdoor pursuit. This symbology resonates with the Natchez brand because it also speaks to the company’s core values of doing what it says it will, being accountable and respectful, as well as always being customer-centric.

“With a strong sense of legacy and heritage, we value our customers and employees like family. Our new logo embraces our true north – doing right by our customers – while also reflecting our company’s forward-moving trajectory. That trajectory includes our expanding category offerings to provide more products to our customers, our warehouse expansion of 40,000 sq. ft. to our existing space to accommodate more brands and adventurous outdoor products our customers want, and the expansion of our sales team to provide an ever-improving customer experience,” Hamn continued.

Brownells customers can now turn their hard-earned tax refunds into guns and accessories during the second annual Brownells Tax Time event, starting January 24 and lasting all the way through April 15.

The special deals and offers for Tax Time will be periodically unveiled at the Brownells Tax Time page.

In addition to special deals, visitors to the Brownells Tax Time page can expect exclusive content from Brownells personalities Steve O and Caleb, as well as various well-known content creators from around the online firearms community.

The first batch of special deals for the Brownells Tax Time Event will be the “Top 5 Rifle Scopes,” allowing customers to upgrade their rifle optics or to score a scope at a great price for that new rifle or next build project.  

Shortly after the Top 5 Rifle Scopes, customers can also look forward to more deals and content on the “Top 5 Rifles” and “Top 5 Handguns.” In the following weeks, customers will be able to browse popular products in many other categories.

Brand officially hits 20 years of serving customers on January 29, 2023

5.11 Tactical, the global innovator of Purpose-Built Gear,  will celebrate two decades of serving customers when it reaches its official 20-year anniversary on Sunday, January 29, 2023. 

“This month, we’re celebrating two decades utilizing consumer feedback to produce innovative Purpose-Built Gear,” said the CEO of 5.11 Tactical Francisco J. Morales. “Since 2003, it has been a privilege empowering customers to Always Be Ready.  Whether they depend on our gear in the line of duty or for everyday use, we’d like to say thank you for counting on us as we pass this milestone and look forward to the future.”

Founded in California in 2003, 5.11 Tactical got its start from a pair of rock-climbing pants that were named after the 5.11 difficulty rating for rock climbing. Eventually, consumers sought to utilize the durability and technical features of those pants for other aspects of life. As a result, the brand expanded its product offering and grew in popularity, especially with public safety professionals such as first responders, fire and emergency services, law enforcement and military personnel

“Serving those who serve will always be at the forefront of what we do,” said Morales. “Whether it’s through brand partnerships, special events like our annual 5.11 Days celebration, or simply developing dependable gear, we will always strive to support public safety professionals and military personnel and show our gratitude for their service.”

Rogers, AR (January 27, 2023) – HatsanUSA® is proud to announce its largest airgun – the .62 caliber PileDriver. The PileDriver is designed exclusively for high-powered hunting applications. Capable of producing over 700 ft-lbs. of kinetic energy in .62 caliber, it is also available in .45 and .50 caliber models. Although this rifle utilizes a 33-inch barrel, its bullpup design keeps the maximum length under 4 ft. The side-lever cocking mechanism is easy to reach and operate. 

A 480 cc carbon fiber bottle fills to 4350 PSI and will provide up to 6 high-powered shots on a single fill. A built-in pressure gauge aids in monitoring pressure in the cylinder, and a quick-fill nozzle allows easy refilling. The PileDriver’s unique, patented hammer design eliminates traditional steel coil springs in favor of a smoother, easier-to-cock, gas piston mechanism. This top-loading single-shot rifle also features an extra-large loading port that will accommodate ammo up to 34mm in length.

The rifle’s 14-inch-long scope rail is cut to accept both picatinny and 11 mm dovetail mounts, offering plenty of real estate for various optics. Three picatinny accessory rails are attached around the air bottle for added customization. The high-strength steel barrel is precision rifled for long-range accuracy, and the absence of a shroud allows for sabot rounds, further expanding one’s ammunition options. The fully adjustable 2-stage Quattro trigger is another customizable feature the .62 Caliber PileDriver offers. The receiver is anodized in black, and a manual safety is included.

The all-weather, synthetic bullpup stock features an ergonomic pistol grip with textured grip surfaces for enhanced feel and control. The soft rubber buttpad is both elevation and angle adjustable to ensure controlled recoil and a comfortable fit. An elevation adjustable cheek rest ensures proper sight alignment with any optic. 

As one of the most potent production PCP’s on the market, the PileDriver .62 cal is optimized for high-powered, big game hunting!

Nimes, France – The first World Level 1000-Point event of the indoor season has just concluded in Nimes, France, and once again Team Easton competitors took most of the medals with a total sweep of the recurve podiums with the Easton X10, and a sweep of the Men’s Compound Finals.

American archer Kris Schaff defeated Easton teammate Mathias Fullerton of Denmark in the compound final before a crowd of thousands of excited spectators at the famous arena in the French Riviera, as the Sud de France – Nimes Archery Tournament 2023 saw a welcome return to pre-pandemic participation and spectator levels.

It was a total sweep of every recurve podium for the Easton X10 with French star Thomas Chirault and Italian competitor Tatiana Andreoli taking the men’s and women’s recurve titles, respectively. With Nimes rankings now potentially counting for Paris Olympic slots with World Archery’s new ranking system, where indoor events count toward Olympic Games participation, there was more than just the usual level of tension – and the forgiving finger release characteristics of the X10 proved unbeatable in the high pressure arena of Nimes.

Easton, a leader in archery equipment, is proud to support Team Easton and is dedicated to creating high-performance equipment for archers of all levels. 

To learn more about Easton’s products and find a dealer near you, visit eastonarchery.com.

NEW HAVEN, Mo. – ALPS OutdoorZ, premiere manufacturer of extreme-duty hunting packs and outdoor gear, understands that many a hunt has been foiled by noisy fabrics. That is why the company has introduced a new line of accessories designed to ensure maximum silence in the field while providing optimal protection from the elements, starting with that essential hunting accessory—the bino harness.

The all-new DEADQUIET® Shield Bino Harness utilizes the proprietary DEADQUIET® fabric developed by ALPS OutdoorZ to create a bino harness that not only protects expensive optics from weather and environmental hazards but is also quiet in operation.

The layered DEADQUIET® fabric consists of a fleece exterior that effectively deadens the sound of contact with hands, brush, and other clothing. The inside layer is a rugged suede that offers silent retrieval and replacement of binoculars and exhibits a high wear resistance for years of hard use. Sandwiched between these layers is a waterproof membrane that keeps binos dry and protected in the harshest weather.

Built on a structured case design for added protection and support, the DEADQUIET® Shield Bino Harness is adjustable for a perfect fit as clothing requirements change throughout the season. MOLLE webbing is integrated into both sides of the harness so that left- and right-hand archers and gun hunters can conveniently position a rangefinder, call, or other attachments within easy reach without interference.

Additional features of the DEADQUIET® Shield Bino Harness include: suede-lined shove pocket that can accommodate a phone, handgun, or other gear; silent, zipper-free access; reinforced elastic tethers with silent swivels that can be easily adjusted or removed; bottom MOLLE webbing that is perfect for securing the ALPS OutdoorZ DEADQUIET® Ember Handwarmer.

Columbia, MO – The leading advocate for youth shooting sports, MidwayUSA Foundation, recently held its first event at NSSF’s 2023 SHOT Show.  Over 100 supporters gathered on Wednesday, January 18, for a reception to share ways the industry can support youth shooting sports. In attendance were corporate and industry partners, top youth shooting athletes, and guest speakers, Larry and Brenda Potterfield. “Having been to many events at SHOT Show over the years, I felt MidwayUSA Foundation knocked it out of the park.  It was great to hear young shooting athletes share their stories and be recognized,” said Jon Zinnel of Federal Premium, CCI, Remington, & HEVI-Shot Ammunition. 

The strong industry support didn’t stop at attendance. Wildlife for Tomorrow, of Arizona, and SKB Shotguns both provided generous donations at the event.  SKB Shotguns is a longstanding sponsor of MidwayUSA Foundation and donated $10,000 from accessory sales, an annual program they specifically created to benefit youth shooting sports.

Wildlife for Tomorrow, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, presented Larry and Brenda Potterfield, founders of MidwayUSA Foundation, with a check for $319,500 to benefit youth shooting teams across Arizona. Currently, 49 youth shooting teams in Arizona hold an endowment with MidwayUSA Foundation.

“Collaborating with both industry leaders and conservation partners will create more opportunities for our youth through shooting sports. Youth target shooters are THE key to preserving and growing our outdoor industry,” added G. Scott Reynolds, MidwayUSA Foundation Executive Director. Learn how your business or organization can partner with MidwayUSA Foundation to fund young shooting athletes across the nation by contacting John Linquist, Relationship Manager ([email protected]).

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.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. —The National Wild Turkey Federation congratulates Dave Baron, owner and CEO of Baron Technology, on recently receiving the NSSF’s highest honor, the Ken Sedlecky Award, during the 2023 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

“I am thankful for this honor and can do nothing but show tremendous appreciation to my family and those in my business who have been by my side faithfully supporting our efforts to promote hunting and the shooting sports so much throughout the years,” said Baron, who has spent decades creating specialty firearms and other collectables throughout the shooting sports and hunting industries.

According to the NSSF, the Ken Sedlecky Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves by their long-term commitment to the success of the industry and by their support of NSSF’s mission to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports.

“There is nothing more important than developing the next generation of conservation and Second Amendment advocates as they are the future of these things we hold dear,” Baron said.

Elected to the NWTF National Board of Directors in 2021, Baron has been an avid turkey hunter and NWTF volunteer since experiencing his first turkey hunt in 1985. He also has long been a proponent of supporting youth participation in the shooting sports. He was a sponsor and chairman of the NWTF Northeast Regional Shoot in New England for over a decade and is a Centurion Life Member of the NWTF and a Life Member of the National Rifle Association.

Innovative Forensic Investigations (IFI) will provide its full suite of investigative genetic genealogy services to Cold Case Initiative (CCI) to support its mission.

(L-R) Christopher McMillin, Founder, and Tom McAndrew, Special Advisor to Cold Case Initiative, stand in front of an unidentified decedent. © Tom McAndrew

Bucks County, Pa. (January 2023) – Cold Case Initiative (CCI), a nonprofit assisting agencies with funding to offset the cost of techniques used to solve cold cases, violent crimes, missing persons, and unidentified decedents, is pleased to partner with Innovative Forensic Investigations (IFI), an investigative genetic genealogy firm providing services to law enforcement and government agencies nationwide. IFI will provide CCI access to its full suite of investigative genetic genealogy services. CCI will fund any legitimate investigative step needed in a cold case in addition to investigative genetic genealogy.

“I am extremely excited about this partnership because I know it will lead to violent crimes getting solved and unidentified victims having their names restored,” commented retired Pennsylvania State Trooper Cpl. Tom McAndrew, a special advisor to CCI’s non-profit board and director of law enforcement relations at IFI. He continued, “CCI was started by seasoned detectives whose only motivation was to help law enforcement agencies solve cold cases and fight for victims, which is the same like-minded mission as IFI. CCI and IFI recognize that law enforcement agencies are called upon to do many things every day, and this often allows little budgeted funding for cold cases. CCI hopes to help defray those costs and eliminate this hurdle. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to many good things to come.”

“At IFI, we believe in the power of collaboration while upholding the standards of our judicial system and are excited to partner with such professionals whose mission aligns so well with what we do and believe in,” Jennifer Moore, CEO and founder of Innovative Forensics Investigations, commented. “CCI is doing such positive work and providing much-needed funding for deserving law enforcement agencies. We are happy to partner with CCI and provide our investigative genetic genealogy services to help solve more cases and provide resolution for victims and their families.”

Jacksonville, Alabama – Bear Edge Knives, manufacturer of knives for everyday use and carry, introduces the new Bear Edge 61125. The 61125 is an American-built pocketknife featuring a bead finish blade, ergonomic stainless steel handle design, and the super smooth spring action of a modified drop-point 3 ¼ inch hollow ground blade that rides on ball bearing washers.

This new flipper elements are influenced from the popular Bear OPS Incognito with clean lines, a slim build, and a matte gray finish. Designed with a contemporary appearance, the 440 stainless steel bead-finished blade and stainless-steel handles operate as good as they look. The ball bearing washers on the Bear Edge model 61125 allow the 3 ¼-inch blade to open smoothly with a simple downward push of the trigger. The stainless-steel handles are lightweight, dependable, and equally comfortable in the hand or pocket.

A reversible metal pocket clip is also included on the Bear Edge 61125 to fit comfortably in a pocket or boots and allows for tip-up carry and quick access. Weighing 4.5 ounces and with an overall length of 7.5 inches, this new assisted opening stainless steel framelock is a must have for 2023.

Bear Edge Model 61125 Specifications

    Model: 71125 (clam pack) 61125 (Box)

he Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has announced its lineup of Master Instructor and Range Officer training courses for 2023! These courses allow learning opportunities on how to train others in marksmanship as well as to ensure safety and proper regulations at local competitive events. The training schedule is stretched around the country throughout the year to increase CMP’s outreach to interested individuals.

Those seeking certification in teaching marksmanship basics and match details as “Master Instructors” of CMP’s sanctioned Garand, Springfield and Modern/Vintage Military (GSMM) rifle or Rimfire Sporter rifle events should look to the GSMM Master Instructor Training Workshops. Registration fee for the class is $135 and includes a notebook, thumb drive, sling, 20 dummy rounds and a CMP Rifle Scorebook.

Upcoming 2023 GSMM Master Instructor Training Workshops:

For more on CMP Master Instructors, visit https://thecmp.org/training-tech/gsmm-master-instructor/.

Likewise, those wishing to be trained on facilitating athletes and safety on the range at CMP sanctioned competitions should enroll in the CMP Range Officer Training Courses. The training is currently offered at Level I and Level II stages.

KASTKING APPOINTS ERIC KNICKERBOCKER AS NATIONAL SALES STRATEGIST

As KastKing begins the company’s 10th anniversary, they continue to expand its market share and increase brand presence. A large part of that growth is continued expansion into the traditional retail world through an incredible array of retail and wholesale partners.

KastKing’s promise to its partners is to be a reliable and trusted provider of inspirational and advanced technology products in the fishing tackle industry. In keeping with that promise, KastKing is proud to announce the addition of Eric Knickerbocker in his new role as National Sales Strategist. He will lead retail and wholesale sales efforts across America.

In this role, Knickerbocker will support the president to ensure that business strategies have been successfully executed to achieve top-line growth targets and maintain minimum margin levels for rapid growth.

He will collaborate closely with the marketing, product development, and supply chain teams to plan and launch wide product assortments with all US retail customers and fishing tackle wholesale distributors that will enhance and grow the overall KastKing market share in the US while building a solid brand foundation with effective promotional strategies.

Verdict Single Jaw BOA Release

When it comes to releases, bowhunters and target archers want options, and true to form, APEX Gear has delivered once again. The index-finger release crowd demands quality, functionality, durability, comfort, and consistency, and for 2023 APEX gives this crowd the Verdict Single Jaw BOA Release.

Many shooters favor a single jaw release due to its simplicity. Depress the trigger, the top jaw opens, and the bottom jaw, part of the release head, remains stationary. Many archers love the idea of fewer working parts, and the compact head design on the Verdict helps boost the ease of D-loop attachment, and the black-polished head boosts D-loop longevity. The forward trigger position allows the shooter to get into the trigger easier, and when shooters can find the trigger quickly and get comfortable with the trigger, target-panic is less likely. Sweetening the pot is the sear-less firing mechanism, which promises simplicity and remarkable shot-to-shot consistency. Each shot is crisp and ultra-clean. 

Comfort is found in the padded wrist strap, and the BOA Fit System — no buckles or Velcro, means an effortless, consistent strap-to-wrist fit. Velcro is loud and leather buckle holes wear over time, making exact wrist-to-strap fluidity impossible. With the BOA Fit System, the fit and feel around the wrist is precise every time, making repeatable anchor point positions possible. The release head pivots out of the way when not in use, keeping the head and post out of the way when you’re pushing through heavy brush or walking to and from the treestand. Customization is boosted through the adjustable head design, which can be lengthened or shortened along a threaded post to ensure maximum customization.  

The Terminus Single Jaw BOA Release is available through shooting sports retailers

Alachua, FL (January 26, 2023) – For those who plan their spring planting early, Chestnut Hill Outdoors offers a vast array of tools and knowledge hunters need to enrich their land and ensure that the plants thrive for many years. Mast orchards are a very effective and popular way to attract and hold more wildlife. Savvy hunters should remember the 5 Ps: Proper Planting Prevents Poor Performance.

Planning is essential to maximize a property’s potential to hold and feed whitetails. First, select the optimal site for each specific variety of trees and shrubs. Pick a location with good soil drainage. Most mast-producing trees and shrubs prefer well-drained, sandy-loam soils but will grow on other soil types with good drainage. Avoid areas with soil that stays wet for long periods, such as creek bottoms or low spots that stay saturated during snowmelt in spring.

Plants are conditioned to withstand winter cold, but too much cold at the wrong time can harm growth and fruit production. Avoid frost pockets where cold air or late frosts settle at the bottoms of valleys, where unseasonable frosts may damage blossoms and fruits. Instead, seek areas with good air circulation, such as on the top or side of a hill. 

Plants need the right combination of three things to grow: moisture, soil nutrients, and sunlight. Pick a location with good sunlight. In general, that means open areas. Old, abandoned fields make great places to establish mast orchards. If you have food plots, plant trees along the edges rather than in the middle, as deer will be more inclined to feed along the edges in daylight. You can even plant in the forest, provided you pick tree-fall gaps or canopy openings where the mast trees will have sufficient sunlight above.

Don’t be afraid to think backward. In addition to seeking the optimal site for each specific variety of mast-producing trees and shrubs, consider figuring out which species will do best in the chosen areas. Also, consider the position of each mast plot and try to position them, so they work in concert with each other and other features on the landscape.

Roadless areas in the Tongass National Forest offer irreplaceable big game habitat, host valuable salmon fisheries

WASHINGTON – Unique backcountry fish and wildlife habitat in America’s largest national forest, the Tongass in Alaska, will once again be conserved under a rule finalized today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This afternoon’s announcement by the USDA is the latest decision affecting the long-term management of the 9.3 million acres of roadless backcountry lands in the Tongass. The USDA rule restores long-established protections for these areas, which comprise habitat for sought-after game species, including mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer and both brown and black bears, and encompass thousands of miles of salmon-rich waterways, legendary among anglers and fundamental to the state’s commercial salmon industry.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has consistently voiced support for responsible management of roadless areas within the Tongass, and BHA today applauded the administration’s decision.

“Alaska hunters, anglers, Tribal Nations, outdoor recreationists, business owners and community members have collectively stepped up to support conserving the Tongass’s unique backcountry roadless areas,” said John Gale, BHA vice president of policy and government relations. “These public lands and waters comprise invaluable fish and wildlife habitat and play an important role in the economies of communities across southeast Alaska.

MISSOULA, Mont. (January 25, 2023) – The Boone and Crockett Club announced that James L. Cummins, Executive Director of Wildlife Mississippi, has been elected to serve as the Club’s 36th President. Cummins is a native of Mississippi (the state where Theodore Roosevelt’s infamous Fair Chase bear hunt took place) and as Boone and Crockett Club president he intends to focus efforts on promoting conservation policy and hunting ethics.

“For me, it was not hard to fall in love with the Boone and Crockett Club—my values and its values are practically the same, and its founder, Theodore Roosevelt, is my philosophical soul brother,” Cummins states. “As the oldest conservation organization in North America and the second oldest in the world, the Club has 135 years of thoughtful and measured commitment to conserving wild places and wild things. And we do so in a manner that balances human and wildlife needs, such as the wise use of our natural resources for hunting or managing our forests as a partial solution to climate change.”

Born and raised in the Delta town of Greenville, Mississippi, Cummins is a self-described “science nerd” who did his 11th grade science project on antler growth in white-tailed deer. He is a wildlife biologist by training with a B.S. from Mississippi State and a master’s degree from Virginia Tech. He also has significant policy experience serving as a staffer for the late U.S. Senator Thad Cochran and continuing policy actions in his current position with Wildlife Mississippi and through volunteer leadership positions with the Boone and Crockett Club and the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation. Cummins also serves as one of the six Americans on the Bi-National Softwood Lumber Council with Canada. He became a member of the Boone and Crockett Club in 2007, recruited by former Club president and Honorary Life Member Bob Model who also led the Club’s engagement on conservation policy issues.

“James has been an active member helping to lead the Club’s Conservation Policy Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. He is always there when we need his leadership and guidance on policy and organizational structure and we are very excited to have him as Club president for the next two years,” commented Club CEO, Tony Schoonen.

Cummins has already jumped into his new role as President, working closely with members of Congress in the waning days of the 117th Congress to include the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act in the omnibus appropriations bill. He is actively engaged on deliberations for the reauthorization of the Farm Bill and forest policy. 

Protections will Keep Pristine Wilderness Untouched for 20 Years 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Backcountry Hunters & Anglers commends the decision to advance long-term protections for the Rainy River watershed and the pristine waters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a crown jewel of public lands and waters in northeast Minnesota and America’s most visited wilderness area. 

An administrative mineral withdrawal secured jointly through the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service would establish a moratorium on mineral extraction in the region. In 2016, the Obama administration took steps to withdraw portions of the watershed from new minerals development. In 2018, the Trump administration canceled the Forest Service’s withdrawal application and the associated environmental review after three public meetings had already been conducted, more than 90,000 public comments collected, and environmental analyses undertaken.  

Today’s decision is an important milestone following the environmental analysis of the Boundary Waters and the potential effects of copper-nickel mining in this pristine watershed reinitiated by the Biden Administration in 2021. The results of that analysis showed major risks from mineral extraction. The administration’s withdrawal proposal would prohibit the development of any mineral leases on approximately 225,504 acres of Superior National Forest lands within the watershed of the Boundary Waters for up to 20 years. 

“Across the country, the significance of the historic decision by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to implement 20-year protections for the Boundary Waters is being celebrated. Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters would like to express our deepest gratitude to this Administration for its leadership in protecting the BWCA from sulfide-ore copper mining,” said Lukas Leaf, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters executive director.  

Inspired by the many adventures he experienced as a member of the Air Force Pistol Marksmanship Team back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dr. Robert “Doc” Engelmeier from Pittsburgh, Pa., created his own exposé. Documenting his excursions, including to Camp Perry, he goes into remarkable detail about being a competitor during that time period, the awards he accumulated and the friends he made along the way. The CMP will be posting the piece through a series on our online publication, The First Shot, featuring fascinating commentary and vintage photos for readers to enjoy. 

This is the first installment of the series.

A Hardball Odyssey

By Dr. Robert “Doc” Engelmeier

The purpose of this short commentary is to record what was perhaps the most memorable chapter of my Air Force career. I was very fortunate to have received my advanced prosthodontic training at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, which arguably was and still is the strongest prosthodontic program in the country. That residency was followed by an Air Force sponsored fellowship in maxillofacial prosthetics at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston – the largest cancer treatment center in the world. I was the last Air Force sponsored fellow to train there before the Air Force launched its own maxillofacial program. 

Old Saybrook, CT (January, 2023) – For 2023, Traditions® is proud to introduce the ShedHorn rifle. With the  addition of this model,  Traditions® adds to its’ robust line of sidelock muzzleloaders. The ShedHorn is a great option for all sidelock enthusiasts who are looking for modern innovation while still being primitive. 

The ShedHorn is available in .50 caliber, has a musket cap ignition, and fires loose powder or Pyrodex. A chromoly steel barrel keeps this muzzleloader light weight and easy to carry. With the 1:28” twist, the ShedHorn can fire saboted and more modern projectiles. The Accelerator Breech Plug removes by hand and makes cleaning easy. Additional features include a double set trigger, Premium CeraKote Finish, and fiber optic sights. 

The ShedHorn is available for 2023 in configurations of synthetic black, Veil Wideland camo, or wood stocks and a Premium CeraKote Finish on the outside of the barrel in various colors. MSRP ranges from $468-$559.

To check out the new ShedHorn, stop by Traditions® booth # 14638 at the 2023 SHOT Show.

Visit www.traditionsfirearms.com to see our full line of products or contact us for more information.