Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

TrueTimber, the world’s best-selling camo brand, has been announced as the Signature Sponsor and Official Camouflage Sponsor of the 2024 Old West Invitational Turkey Shoot. The hunt will take place in Hulett, Wyoming on May 2-4, 2024.

“We are ecstatic to be sponsoring this hunt for a variety of reasons,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “This is not only an amazing setting for everyone in attendance, but we are always thrilled to support an organization that gives back to the local community and our natural resources. We wish everyone the best of luck and are excited for the stories to come.”

Taking place in the Black Hills under the shadow of the famed Devil’s Tower, the invitation-only hunt takes place to raise funds for the Greater Hulett Community Center. If you are interested in joining the hunt, visit the Sponsor Forms & Information page on the invitational’s website to find more information.

“We are beyond thrilled to have TrueTimber as a premier partner with us in this event,” said Greater Hulett Community Center Program Director Michelle McLerran. “This is an exciting hunting experience to enjoy some beautiful country pursuing the Merriam, and our guides and hunters will have the perfect camo. Thank you TrueTimber for supporting our community.”

The Guide Meeting and Reception will be held on the evening of Thursday, May 2, 2024, and will feature a Calcutta Auction. Friday, May 3 is the first day of hunting. An early breakfast and lunch will be provided, with a social hour in the evening followed by dinner and a fundraiser. May 4 is the second and final day of hunting, with an early breakfast provided to hunters and the Awards Luncheon and Hunter Send-Off ending the weekend that afternoon.

DENVER (May 1, 2024) – Sportsman Channel shows all share a focus on one important thing: the love for outdoor hunting adventures. This spring, tune in to Winchester Deadly Passion, Winchester & Drury’s Natural Born and Pigman: The Series, each showcasing various hunting expeditions, techniques, and the lifestyle that surrounds the sport of hunting. Additionally, each of these hosts and series emphasize the relationship between hunters and nature, the ethical pursuit of game, and the conservation efforts integral to maintaining wildlife habitats and populations.

Winchester Deadly Passion  (Sundays, 11:30 a.m. ET): Every good hunter needs a solid role model, and Melissa Bachman, host of Winchester Deadly Passion, fits that bill perfectly with a unique ability to share her love for hunting with passionate fans and viewers. Bachman travels the globe going head-to-head with everything from world-class red stag and thousand pound gators to Boone and Crocket whitetails and thunderous bull elk. With rifle, bow or shotgun in hand, Bachman’s fast-paced, in-the-moment hunting style will keep you on the edge of your seat, while her expertise and decades of experience give viewers useful tips and strategies they can use afield.

Winchester & Drury’s Natural Born (Sundays, 10:30 p.m. ET): Winchester & Drury’s Natural Born combines “The American Legend” that is Winchester with a natural born passion for all things hunting! Each week, follow along with the Drury Outdoors Team as they chase everything from song dogs to warm-blooded whitetails! With heart-pounding turkey hunts and real-life tips from the field, you won’t find a more action-packed show on the Sportsman Channel!

Pigman: The Series (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET): Pigman: The Series is the story of Brian “Pigman” Quaca, a true-blue original and a character at the core, given to a rough and tough hunting lifestyle aimed at entertaining the masses with his different take on traditional hunting television. Willing to take a hog by any legal means necessary, the endeavors and travels undertaken by Pigman send him all across the world with a determined sense to change the way people look at outdoor film. Viewers shouldn’t be confused though; although Pigman’s relentless approach to killing hogs is how he earned his name, it is a simple misnomer that hogs and javelinas are the only animals this man is willing to take down. From whitetails in Kansas, to turkeys in New Jersey, to red stag in New Zealand, Pigman is a versatile hunter.

Catch up on past seasons of many of these shows on MyOutdoorTV, Outdoor Sportsman Group’s number one streaming service. MOTV is available to subscribers on ALL DEVICES, from a big-screen TV at home to a phone in a bass boat or a tree stand in the woods. For more information about MyOutdoorTV, visit http://motv.com #MYOUTDOORTV. 

WildFed Premieres May 6, 7:30 p.m. ET during “Taste of the Wild” Block

DENVER (April 29, 2024) – Since 2021, viewers have joined hunter and forager Daniel Vitalis on a culinary journey through the mountains, woods, and waters on WildFed on Outdoor Channel. And now, season four premieres on Monday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET, offering more adventures waiting for discovery as Vitalis and his guests show the gear, techniques, and traditions to sustainably hunt, harvest, and cook the incredible wild foods found everywhere.

Season four of WildFed finds Vitalis and crew chasing down themes that have inspired their culinary adventures. One such theme has been “eating the inedible,” not only eating it but showcasing it as potentially gourmet cuisine. They explored the Asiatic carp in Kentucky to bowfish for what they were told was a fish too bony to eat. They paired up with a chef who specializes in utilizing this species at her restaurant, and the result is showing a generation of anglers that carp have what it takes to entice appetites!

“WildFed has always had a three-part mission to educate, entertain, and inspire,” shared Daniel Vitalis, host of WildFed. “Entertainment is paramount, but we make sure that education and art are a close second. I love to teach so much that I sometimes wish the show could be an hour long! Viewers of season four can be sure they’ll be learning a lot about the animals, plants, and fungi we’re harvesting. Still, they’ll barely notice since the show’s artistic camera work and entertaining pacing make it a Trojan Horse for the educational content embedded within. For me, teaching is as important as being an outdoorsman.”

Season four of WildFed continues to host incredible guests. Vitalis and crew feature exciting and well-educated hunters, guides, botanists, foragers, cooks, chefs, and friends over the season. “This year, you’ll meet my friend Toa, a tattooed Maori hunter-gatherer who lives on his tribal lands in New Zealand, a zany mushroom-obsessed forager named Langdon, who takes me morel hunting in the wildfire-burned forests of Washington State, and a legendary Houndsman — and my bear hunting mentor, Lawrence — who’s been breeding and running dogs for over 40 years. We work with incredible chefs who specialize in cooking over fire; we make a meal underground in a pit-bake with red-hot stones and even make caviar from an invasive fish whose skin looks like a python’s,” shared Vitalis. 

Mark your calendars as the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) hosts the annual Talladega D-Day event, set to be held June 6-9, 2024, at Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. Registration is currently open, so sign up now to join this commemorative occasion!

This year, the Talladega D-Day event will honor the 80th anniversary of the Allied Forces landing at Normandy Beach in France. Guests will be able to celebrate the heroes of the World War II generation through diverse marksmanship competitions and activities scattered throughout the 500 acres of Talladega Marksmanship Park.

New for 2024 – D-Day will include a special shotgun tournament on Talladega’s 15-station Sporting Clays Loop! The competition will take place on Saturday, June 8, and will include 200 clays for two-person teams. Register for the D-Day Shotgun Tournament at https://app.scorechaser.com/tournament-PAKQN0CJWGM0X1.

The 2024 D-Day event will also include the return of contemporary rifle match favorites like the Roosevelt Commemorative and Garand Iron Man EIC Rifle matches, as well as a Rimfire Sporter Rifle Benchrest Match and Benchrest Vintage Match – both ideal for those just beginning in rifle competition or those with ailments, eager to get back on the range.

Along with a variety of educational courses, CMP’s traditional Games events such as the GSMM, Carbine and Vintage Sniper rifle matches and pistol matches like the 1911 As-Issued and Military & Police will round out the full schedule. Those competing in the John C. Garand Match with As-Issued M1 Rifles will have the chance to earn a GCA (Garand Collectors Association) Master Marksman medal, based on score.

Attorneys representing the Second Amendment Foundation and its partners in a federal lawsuit challenging the ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “large-capacity magazines” in Illinois have filed a response brief to the state in their effort to have the U.S. Supreme Court grant certiorari in the case, which is known as Harrel v. Raoul.

The petition for certiorari was filed in February. SAF is joined by the Illinois State Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, C4 Gun Store, Marengo Guns, and a private citizen, Dan Harrel, for whom the lawsuit is named. They are represented by attorneys David G. Sigale in Lombard, Ill., and Peter A. Patterson, William V. Bergstrom and David H. Thompson at Cooper & Kirk, Washington, D.C.

In their brief, SAF and its allies note there are currently ten cases pending in the courts, all dealing with the same issue, so the timing for Supreme Court review is ripe. “Given the ongoing resistance to the core reasoning of Heller and Bruen, (we) respectfully submit that the existence of so many other similar cases cuts in favor of granting certiorari now,” the brief states.

“The Supreme Court has previously recognized the importance of providing guidance on recurring issues impacting constitutional rights,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “As we note in our brief, there is no reason for this issue to ‘percolate’ any longer, and further delaying a decision on such a fundamental rights issue simply prolongs the deprivation of those rights all over the country.”

“Millions of peaceable Americans own modern semiautomatic rifles and standard-capacity magazines,” added SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “Millions more should have the same rights, but for bans such as the one being challenged in this case. Such rifles and magazines are commonly-owned by citizens in other states, and by granting certiorari, the high court will recognize the important constitutional question at hand, and provide an answer.”

Team Savage, the shooting representative of renowned firearms manufacturer Savage Arms, proudly announces the impressive performance of Matt Alwine in the 2024 NRL Manners Elite Hunter. Alwine secured a first-place victory in the Factory division of the event, showcasing exceptional skill and precision in competitive shooting.

The Manners Elite Hunter took place in Grandfield, Okla. April 12-14. The event was centered around realistic hunting experiences true to Southern Oklahoma, with blind stages that tested competitors across all aspects of shooting and hunting.

“Matt Alwine continues to stand out at NRL competitions in 2024, securing his third league victory in less than 2 months,” said Beth Shimanski, Director of Marketing at Savage Arms. “Both Savage and Alwine are known for uncompromising precision and accuracy. Our product development team works tirelessly to maintain this reputation in competition and the field, and it is always great to see top results from our Team Savage shooters.”

Alwine secured his victory in the Factory division using a Savage Carbon Tactical chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. This continues Alwine and Team Savage’s strong start to 2024, following his first-place finishes in March at the NRL Hunters Series Match.

For updates on Team Savage and more information on Savage Arms’ extensive line of leading firearms, visit savagearms.com.

My whole life changed the day I found out I had alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). Galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose, or Alpha-Gal, is a severe and life-threatening allergic condition. After consuming mammal meat or meat products, the symptoms can be severe, and your exposure can be closer to home than you think. One bite from the Lone Star tick could take away all your favorite red meat dishes and delicacies.

The Lone Star

The Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is a formidable arachnid native to the southeastern region of the United States but has been expanding its range in recent years. This tick is named after the distinct white spot on the back of adult females shaped like the state of Texas. Known for their aggressive behavior, Lone Star ticks can transmit several diseases. If you’re ever in an area where Lone Star ticks are prevalent, taking extra precautions to avoid bites and checking yourself for ticks after spending time outdoors is essential. Alpha Gal Syndrome can be problematic for many people, as coming in contact with ticks is expected when spending time in natural environments. This results in a higher percentage chance of exposure to a tick, which could transfer AGS. This map from Lymedisease.org shows the population and spread of the Lone Star tick across North America.

My Life Before Alpha-Gal

My family has lived and moved all over the country. I have lived in the Deep South and the Pacific Northwest. But I can remember the day we moved from the panhandle of Idaho to the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee. I had never seen so many trees, such untamed wilderness! I was a younger kid when I moved to Tennessee. I have always loved my time in the outdoors. It could be climbing hardwood trees, wading through hip-high grass to get to bass fishing ponds, or hours of yard work. I could not tell you the number of nights my mom would ring the bell on the back porch to bring me inside after a long day. I could not get enough time in the woods. People ask when I got bit by a tick. My answer is no telling; I remember a few dozen.

The interesting thing about Alpha-Gal was that it did not occur immediately. It can sometimes take years after the bite and exposure until you see symptoms or have an allergic reaction. I remember my older sister getting sick; the doctors and medical professionals were perplexed. She finally went to an allergist who tested her for various things. The tests came back positive for cats, dogs, and milk. It would have made sense if we knew it was an allergy to mammals. If my sister had not gotten sick before me and gone through specialists and testing, I probably would have struggled for years to manage AGS. She was able to be diagnosed with Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

Growing up on a farm, I was responsible for early morning and late night chores and caring for the animals. Back then, the Bob White Quail was still an ordinary sound during the last minutes of sunlight. Growing up on a farm taught me a lot: how to work hard, appreciate where my food came from, and care for what you are responsible for.

HOIST®, one of the fastest growing hydration beverages in the U.S., is proud to announce the continuation of its partnership with Team Red, White & Blue (RWB), the leading health and wellness community for Veterans–with over 200,000 members nationwide.

Now in its third year, the partnership has grown, and HOIST will be sponsoring a leg of the Team RWB Old Glory Relay, where Team RWB brings the beloved American flag from a special trip oversees back to U.S. soil.

Old Glory begins a journey across six states, from Philadelphia to Chicago, moving across the U.S. through the hands of Veterans and their supporters. HOIST will be sponsoring the relay from its April 27 Columbus, Ohio rally stop through the April 29 rally stop in Cincinnati. As a part of this sponsorship, HOIST will be donating gear to sponsored participants as well as donating product, including its military hydration powder sticks, for use along the entire Old Glory Relay. HOIST will also be donating a portion of its e-commerce sales to Team RWB during a July giveback promotion. 

“We’ve had the opportunity to work with Team Red, White & Blue for three years now, and it’s an honor to collaborate, once again, with an organization that is a symbol of unity, patriotism and support for our Veterans,” said HOIST Director of Business Development Rachel Trotta. “We’re looking forward to sponsoring this year’s relay and are proud to have members of the HOIST team participating. Good luck to all those as they embark on this year’s Old Glory mission!”

Team RWB exists to guide Veterans through the wellness journey, offering both real-life and virtual opportunities that are focused on building a healthier lifestyle. It encourages a strong focus on mental and physical health to ensure that Veterans’ best days are ahead. HOIST provides top of the line hydration, which aids in both mental and physical performance, making this partnership an exemplary pairing. The HOIST product line of IV-level hydration ranges from bottled beverage to powder sticks and liquid pouches, all of which provide three times the electrolytes, half the sugar and no artificial sweeteners or dyes.

Elevating Precision and Versatility in Nighttime Operations

Armasight, a pioneer in Thermal and Night Vision technology, proudly unveils the Collector 320 and 640 Compact Thermal weapon sights, addressing the need for compact yet high-performance thermal imaging solutions.

The Collector series offers a breakthrough in thermal imaging technology, boasting a lightning-fast 60Hz refresh rate powered by Armasight’s Iron Wolf thermal image processing technology. This ensures users experience seamless imaging in dynamic scenarios, solving the problem of lagging visuals during critical moments.

Designed with versatility in mind, the Collector 320 and 640 are remarkably lightweight at only 16.3 ounces, making them ideal companions for small caliber rifles, air guns, and crossbows. Their compact design solves the problem of bulky and cumbersome weapon sights, offering unparalleled maneuverability in the field.

Armasight addresses the need for ease of use and functionality with the Collector series, featuring intuitive 3-button controls and multiple color palettes. With 8 reticle options and video/image capture capabilities, users can tailor their viewing experience to their preferences, solving the problem of limited customization in thermal imaging devices.

Huntington Beach, CA, is the place and April 27-28 are the dates to check out Hobie® Eyewear’s stellar line-up of polarized sunglasses right at the water’s edge. SURFscape, 2024, produced by the Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA), is the venue, and it will feature more than 100 leading surf brands in a novel beachside format expected to draw 10,000 consumers checking out the latest surf lifestyle products on the market. 

“We’re really pumped for this event,” says Dylan Coates, Marketing Manager for Hobie® Eyewear. “We’ll be sharing spaces 29 and 30 with Hobie® Electric Bikes to create one space that captures the nostalgia of the early days of the Hobie® brand while showcasing our modern product offerings.”

Indeed, Hobie® Eyewear will have NEW 2024 styles, including Cortez, Blockhead, and Eddy Float, available for purchase. Stop by, and you’ll also find Hobie® Swag for all attendees, plus giveaway drawings for “one of a kind” Hobie® sunglasses.

“SIMA’s SURFscape presents an ideal platform for Hobie® Eyewear, a brand deeply rooted in Southern California, to engage with our core consumers,” says Oliver Reyes, Hobie® Eyewear’s National Sales Manager. “The invaluable feedback received last year fuels our excitement for our involvement in SURFscape’s second edition. We anticipate this year’s event to exude the same exhilarating atmosphere as its predecessor.”

Coates agrees. “SIMA excels in introducing innovative ideas that foster connections between brands and retailers in the surfing industry. Amidst a challenging retail landscape, they consistently lead in discovering novel solutions to empower their members for success. SURFscape exemplifies this ethos. Its inaugural year was a resounding success, and we foresee it becoming a cornerstone event within the surfing community for years to come. Whether you’re big into the surf lifestyle or simply curious about the surf scene, this is one event you don’t want to miss.”

The Riton 5 PRIMAL 10×42 ED binoculars impress me for what they are and most importantly what they are not. These binoculars offer a high definition ED glass providing a sharp image in a simple design with a 10x magnification offering right about what you need and what you don’t. These binoculars are compact in design but full-size in features. What they are not is extremely expensive and

I have had these by my side for the last 2 months for predator hunting and all my turkey season so far. I had these sliding easily into a Forloh Method Bino Harness for predator season but for turkey season these binoculars are small enough to fit right into my turkey vest pocket and away we go.

I had the opportunity to use these in snow while turkey season and they held up from the water and remained completely fog-proof allowing me to watch the flock of turkeys that wouldn’t cross the creek to come over to our field. Those Merriams turkey sure are amazing strutting around under the cottonwoods. At 150 yards, I was enjoying watching those 12 gobblers and jakes showing off for the hens. They twist-up eyecups adjust extremely well and were comfortable being held up to my eyes for the hour plus watching these birds strut back and forth.

These binoculars are simply outstanding and they are a solid choice in a sea of offerings currently in the market. Riton offers a Lifetime Limited Warranty on these binoculars built by a team that absolutely cares about its customers. These are clear, they are lightweight and they are well built which is all we can ask for in a quality product. For all of our readers utilize the promo code: huntinglife for 15 percent off.

5 PRIMAL 10×42 ED Features

ELLEVUE, WA – The U.S. Supreme Court has granted the petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Garland v. VanDerStok, which challenges the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ “Final Rule” which considers frames and receivers to be firearms.

The case dates back to April 2022 when the ATF published its “Final Rule” changing the regulatory definition of the term “firearm,” to encompass objects which are not firearms, along with firearms parts kits, in direct contradiction of Congress’ definition of those terms found in the Gun Control Act of 1968. In December 2022, the Second Amendment Foundation and Defense Distributed filed an intervenor’s complaint in an existing lawsuit being litigated in the Northern District of Texas.

“We are delighted that the Court has agreed to hear our challenge to ATF’s frames and receivers ‘Final Rule’,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “ATF has continuously exceeded its constitutional authority and violated the separation of powers by creating law – a job reserved exclusively for Congress. It is time for the Supreme Court to remind ATF that it may not do so and affirm the judgment of the Fifth Circuit.”

“This case typifies the Biden administration’s war on the Second Amendment,” added SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “Clearly under Joe Biden, the ATF has unilaterally set itself up as the sole authority on firearms regulation, bypassing Congress and arbitrarily changing long-standing regulations to suit the administration’s anti-gun agenda.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 720,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

Trailblazing Network Marks its 30th Anniversary Reflecting on a Legacy of Innovative Outdoor Broadcasting

DENVER (April 24, 2024) –  Outdoor Channel, the nation’s leader in outdoor entertainment, proudly announces its 30th anniversary today, celebrating three decades of delivering the spirit of outdoor adventure to millions of viewers. Outdoor Channel remains committed to its founding principles and the spirit instilled by George Massie, the man whose passion for the great outdoors inspired millions. From humble beginnings in the early 90’s to a television powerhouse today, Outdoor Channel has continuously evolved, offering the best in hunting, fishing, shooting, and adventure right into viewers’ homes.

“As we mark the 30th anniversary of Outdoor Channel, it’s a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared and the profound impact the channel has had on the outdoor community,” said Mike Carney, President & CEO of Outdoor Sportsman Group. “As an industry veteran, I’ve always felt Outdoor Channel has been more than just a broadcaster; it’s been a companion for those of us who live to explore the wilderness. I’ve welcomed the opportunity to revisit the past during this process as we look forward.”

A Journey Through Time – Outdoor Channel’s Rich Legacy

The late George Massie, affectionately known as ‘the buzzard,’ was not only the founder of Outdoor Channel but also a fervent gold prospector and advocate for the rights of miners. He eventually created Outdoor Channel Holdings, of which his son, Perry T. Massie became CEO.

The channel’s commitment to quality broadcasting and best-in-class programming continues as it embarks on more original programming with the likes of Andrew Zimmern and Terry Schappert. Additionally, the network has become a genuine home for adventurous personalities such as Jim Shockey, Lee & Tiffany Lakosky, Michael Waddell, Joe Mantegna and so many more for the past decades.

Unique Event Showcases Sought-After Products to Cater Directly to Outdoor Sportsman Group’s Dedicated Audience’s Needs, Ensuring a Successful Spring Season

DENVER (April 22, 2024) – The time to gear up for spring adventures has never been more fun as Game & Fish announces the return of ‘Great American Spring’ this April offering tips, tools, and educational advice to inspire outdoor enthusiasts across the nation. Presented by Falken Tires and Yellowstone Bourbon, the 2024 lineup promises to deliver engaging content that resonates with both do-it-yourselfers and professionals who are preparing to make the most of the upcoming season.

“’Great American Spring’ brings the outdoor community together, celebrating the renewal, spirit, and excitement that springtime offers,” said Tom Lawrence, Senior Vice President of Sales at Outdoor Sportsman Group. “Our partnership with leading brands like Falken Tires and Yellowstone Bourbon underscores our commitment to quality and ensures that we highlight products that our passionate audience trusts and values.”

With exclusive content housed onGame & Fish (www.gameandfishmag.com/greatamericanspring), as well as appearing on Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks (Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel), ‘Great American Spring’ presented by Falken Tires and Yellowstone Bourbon highlights sought-after products that cater directly to Outdoor Sportsman Group’s dedicated audience’s needs, ensuring a successful spring season. ‘Great American Spring’ will run through June 30.

“Falken Tires is excited to be a part of the Outdoor Sportsman Group’s upcoming ‘Great American Spring,” shared Don Reindl, Creative Services & Communications Manager for Falken Tires. “We think this partnership provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our highly regarded line of Wildpeak light truck tires to OSG’s outdoor lifestyle audience.”

Outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts live to be outside, uncluttered, and unencumbered by four walls. When they come home from the fields, woods, mountains, streams, lakes, and oceans; they still crave outdoor space. Outdoor Sportsman Group’s ‘Great American Spring’ presented by Falken Tires and Yellowstone Bourbonwant to help.

More than 2,400 students in grades 6-12 are expected to compete in the 54th Annual Cornhusker Trap Shoot May 2-4 on the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association in Doniphan, Nebraska.

Joining Nebraskans typically are shooters from Missouri, Colorado, Kansas and South Dakota. More than 900 junior high and more than 1,500 senior high students are expected to compete.

“It’s exciting to see the dedication and talent of these young people,” said Rachel Carlson, shoot director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “This event is a celebration of the competition season, and we are proud to consistently see it as one of the largest youth events in the state.”

Competition will take place in individual and team divisions. Junior high students (grades 6-8) will shoot 100 16-yard targets on May 2. High school competitors (grades 9-12) will shoot 75 16-yard targets on May 3, then 75 handicap targets on May 4. The high school shooter with the highest combined score will earn the Cornhusker Cup. Competition begins at 8 a.m. each day.

The Cornhusker Trap Shoot is open nationwide to all shooters in grades 6-12 who have completed a hunter education course.

Emphasizing conservation and wider public access across 245 million acres

Today, the Department of the Interior released its much-anticipated Public Lands Rule, creating a conservation leasing mechanism for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acres. The new rule prioritizes healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water, and balanced decision-making at the forefront of public lands management decisions. Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) applaud agency leaders for creating a tool to carry out durable restoration and mitigation on America’s 245 million BLM acres, including landscape-level projects for upland birds and other wildlife.

“Our public lands provide wildlife habitat and clean water, the energy that lights our homes, the wood we build with, and the places where we make family memories,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. “This rule honors our obligation to current and future generations to help ensure our public lands and waters remain healthy amid growing pressures and change.” 

“While we haven’t yet had a chance to read the newly final Public Lands Rule in its entirety, we applaud BLM’s innovative approach to elevating conservation in its land management decisions, and we’re excited for the opportunities the rule may create to help PF & QF deliver our habitat mission on lands across the West,” stated Ariel Wiegard, PF & QF’s vice president of government affairs. “Our organization is also looking forward to partnering with other BLM land users, including in the livestock and energy sectors, to bring this rule to life and ensure the long term sustained yield of America’s natural resources.”

Building on decades of land management experience and emphasizing the use of science and data, including Indigenous Knowledge, to guide balanced decision-making, the rule applies the existing fundamentals of land health across BLM programs, establishes restoration and mitigation leases, and clarifies practices to designate and protect Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). The rule will help to ensure the BLM continues to protect land health while managing other uses of the public lands, such as clean energy development and outdoor recreation. The final rule:

Recently, Petersen’s HUNTING, the leading media outlet devoted exclusively to hunters, tapped Colton Heward as its new Managing Editor. Heward is a noted big-game guide and successful outdoor journalist who’s helping to lead HUNTING’s efforts to educate, entertain and inform hunters through its print, digital and social channels. 

After being on the job for a month, Heward responded to a few questions about his new role. 

Q: Colton – congrats on your new role! We realize you are new to this role, but can you share with us your day-to-day activities? Many of our readers might not know what a Managing Editor really does.

A: I am still learning my role as the Managing Editor with each passing day. With that said, my day-to-day routine fluctuates but primarily consists of working closely with David Draper (Editor-in-Chief) and Chris Gorrell (Art Director) on copy and layout for the current issue we are working on, assigning, reading and editing our contributors’ work, and planning future issues. Fortunately, I do still get to do a fair amount of writing as well. 

Q: What is your vision for the magazine and this role?

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Calling all vendors! Reservations are now being accepted by the Ohio National Guard for space on the celebrated Camp Perry Commercial Row: an entire section dedicated to retailers during the annual National Matches.

Each year, the month-long National Matches, facilitated through a partnership between the Ohio National Guard and the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), welcomes thousands of rifle, pistol and air gun individuals from around the country to Camp Perry, located near Port Clinton, Ohio. All events are open to the public. Spectators are welcome to observe firing on the Camp Perry ranges at any time and are encouraged to participate in the many exciting activities offered during the National Matches season – including a shopping spree at Commercial Row.

Commercial Row is a market-like experience, coordinated by the Ohio National Guard, where visitors may browse and purchase firearms, ammo, competition gear, parts, accessories, apparel and more from some of today’s industry leaders. Commercial Row is a crowd favorite and is often marked as a must-see destination for guests to the National Matches – a prime location for businesses to gain visibility, contacts, a wider consumer base and, of course, sales.

Space Rental: Rates for 2024 are $50 per space, per day. Spaces are 10’ x 19’ rooms, with four to a building. Priority is given based on length of vendor stay to maximize use. Outdoor spaces are also available for $25 per day, electricity hookups included.

Insurance for Vendors: The CMP has partnered with Lockton Affinity, LLC, a licensed insurance producer, to offer special liability policies for Commercial Row Vendors while at Camp Perry. Visit https://locktonaffinityoutdoor.com/cmp/ for more details.

National Conservation Legacy Center to Feature Recreation Exhibit Promoting Safe, Responsible Motorized Recreation in Support of Access to Public Land

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, today announces it will be the exclusive motorized recreation sponsor of the Recreation exhibit at the National Conservation Legacy Center (“Center”) of the National Museum of Forest Service History (Museum) through a grant from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (Yamaha OAI). The Recreation exhibit will focus on the many aspects of outdoor recreation along with its value to and reliance on land stewardship and conservation efforts to protect access to public lands.

“User education is fundamental to securing access to public land for outdoor and motorized recreation and this opportunity at the National Conservation Legacy Center is a compelling example of the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative mission,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager. “The National Conservation Legacy Center’s recreation exhibit is a creative, educational experience, and Yamaha’s support further demonstrates the OHV community’s commitment to a sustainable future of outdoor recreation for all types of users.”

With motorized recreation featured along with other recreation opportunities on public lands, the exhibit will be designed as an intuitive and interactive educational presentation led through personal storytelling to ignite visitors’ curiosity about outdoor recreation, illustrating the importance of responsible motorized recreation in land stewardship in a memorable and engaging way. Combining leading museum education science technology with the Museum’s extensive Collection of objects representing America’s unique commitment to public land, visitors will leave the Center informed and inspired with a renewed understanding of their personal connection to our country’s rich heritage in the outdoors.

Located in Missoula, MT, surrounded by some of the country’s most notable public lands, the Center is expected to open in Fall 2025. With the Yamaha OAI grant, Yamaha becomes a major sponsor of the Recreation exhibit for 10 years.

Chief Upland, in collaboration with Mossy Oak® camouflage and the National Wild Turkey Federation  (NWTF), announces its latest innovation for avid turkey hunters – the exclusive NWTF Edition Flydown Collection Turkey Vest System.

This turkey vest system features Chief Upland’s customizable storage system, the iconic Mossy Oak®  Original Bottomland® camouflage pattern and the familiar NWTF logo on the shoulder strap. With each purchase, hunters receive a complimentary 1-year NWTF membership (a $35 value), contributing directly to vital conservation efforts.

A spacious game bag for turkeys and decoys, rear backpack storage, and dedicated hydration reservoir storage/routing come standard. The lightweight vest is designed to distribute weight to the hips for all-day comfort and uses 1000 denier Cordura for waterproof, briarproof durability. Integrated padding on the upper back adds comfort when leaning against a tree. When comfortable, hunters can remain in the field longer and increase the odds of a successful hunt.

To comfortably fit a wide range of hunters, the ultralight unisex vest is offered in Small/Medium, Large/Extra Large and 2X+ with adjustable fit across the waist, chest and shoulders. Sizing is based on the hunter’s t-shirt size.

Versatility is at the core of the Flydown turkey vest, as the vest, pouches, and flip-down seat are integrated on a military-style MOLLE platform. Chief Upland’s Flydown Collection offers a variety of pouch options– from ammo and calls, to water, electronics and even a Thermacell® device. Customize with mix-and-match 6+ attachments purchased separately or as part of a bundle.