Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

From the Producers of “Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen” Comes James Beard Award Nominee Yia Vang Cooking Invasive Species as a Delicacy

mbrace the wild as Chef Yia Vang sets off on a mission to pursue, gather, prepare, and devour invasive species in Outdoor Channel’s unique series, Feral, premiering season two on Monday, December 4 at 9 p.m. ET. 

Feral highlights the wilderness adventure, thrill of the chase and exploration of less-traditional hunted species with a fun host and engaging guests that are in search of unique and wonderful food prepared by Vang, a James Beard Award nominee and master chef. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome viewers back for a second season of ‘Feral’ on Outdoor Channel. Our adventurous host, Chef Yia Vang, will continue his journey, chasing and cooking wild species that have become too prevalent. This unique culinary expedition promises to challenge and engage our audience, offering an edgy and entertaining experience not found anywhere else,” said Tim Cremin, Head of Programming for Outdoor Sportsman Group. 

A trained chef, avid traveler, angler and hunter, Vang is always up for a culinary challenge. He has been named Best Chef in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) multiple times and has been featured on CNN’s United Shades of America, in the pages of National Geographic and graced the cover of the May 2020 issue of Bon Appetit. 

GOSAFE Technologies, Inc., a new firearm security company focused on products, training and risk mitigation, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Global Defense, a renowned provider of comprehensive global solutions to the firearms and defense industries. Global Defense will partner with GOSAFE as their International Exports partner.

GOSAFE has redefined firearms security with its cutting-edge technology that integrates a mobile safe within the firearm itself, accessible only through a unique-to-user key. This innovative solution offers unmatched levels of protection, enabling firearm owners to safeguard their weapons while ensuring quick and secure access when necessary. GOSAFE’s commitment to revolutionizing firearms security aligns perfectly with Global Defense’s mission of providing unparalleled solutions to the firearms and defense industries.

Commenting on the partnership, CEO Jordan Young expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I first heard about the GOSAFE products a few years ago and was fascinated by the design and innovative locking feature. Gun safety and security can never be overlooked whether at home, on the job, or in the field. Security is one of the firearm owners’ key responsibilities. When Mr. Chris Carlberg called, I learned GOSAFE MOBILE MAG and MOBILE SAFE are now being deployed across the U.S., and I was thrilled to hear. I truly believe the GOSAFE devices will be the new standard in firearms security for gun owners for generations to come, and Global Defense is proud to be the export partner for the GOSAFE line in the expansion into Governmental and Commercial markets globally.”

Global Defense has a longstanding reputation as a trusted provider of comprehensive solutions to the firearms and defense industries, offering an array of cutting-edge products and services. As the International Exports partner for GOSAFE, Global Defense will leverage its extensive global network, expertise in logistics, and commitment to exceptional service to facilitate the distribution of GOSAFE’s groundbreaking products worldwide. Attendees of Enforce TAC and IWA will find GOSAFE products on display inside the Global Defense booth at both of these international trade shows, slated for February 2024.

For more information about GOSAFE, please click here.

In Time For Black Friday

FALCO® Holsters, a globally renowned name in bespoke leather holsters, introduces alluring gift boxes for custom Premium Leather Holsters priced at $150 and above, just in time for the holiday season. This exclusive offer extends across their entire collection of premium leather holsters. Orders completed by December 6, 2023, will be elegantly packaged in a gift box, ensuring timely delivery for Christmas. To elevate the holiday excitement, FALCO Holsters announces a 24-hour Black Friday sale featuring a site-wide 20 percent discount from midnight EST on November 24 through midnight on November 25, 2023, using code BF2023 at checkout.

Katarina Zacharova, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at FALCO Holsters, expressed, “For a distinctive and personalized leather holster gift to a loved one or even yourself, simply visit our website and create your own.”

Customizing a FALCO holster is easy, said Zacharova. “The holster configurator on our website helps you through each step. Choose your preferred leather color and favorite stitching thread color. You can even upload a design for laser embossing or add initials. With a myriad of personalization options available for each Premium Leather Holster model, make yours truly one of a kind. Some folks customize their holsters to match their EDC guns, alma maters, or favorite sports team,” she suggested.

FALCO Holsters Premium Leather Customization Options Include:

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda supports second round of grants to high-priority, locally-led conservation projects across the United States

WASHINGTON — The Biden-Harris administration joined the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and public-and private-sector partners today in announcing $141.3 million in grants through the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC). The 74 new grants announced today will support landscape-scale conservation projects across 46 states, three U.S. Territories, and 21 Tribal Nations, and will generate at least $12 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of more than $153 million. Approximately 40 percent of 2023 grants and funding will support projects implemented by Indigenous communities, representing an unprecedented level of funding dedicated to Tribally led projects for a single grant program at NFWF.

America the Beautiful, launched by the Administration in 2021, set the nation’s first-ever goal to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The 10-year, locally led and nationally scaled initiative lifts up efforts to conserve, connect, and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife upon which we all depend. In his first two years in office, President Biden invested more dollars in conservation than any other President in a two-year period, and he is on track to conserve more lands and waters than any President in history.

ATBC grants support projects that conserve, restore, and connect wildlife habitats and ecosystems while improving community resilience and access to nature, which also advance President Biden’s ambitious environmental justice goals. The competitive grant awards were made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, other federal conservation programs, and private sources. The White House launched the Challenge in 2022 as a partnership with the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Defense, Native Americans in Philanthropy, and NFWF.

“Nature is essential to the health, well-being and prosperity of every community in America. Through the President’s Investing in America agenda, we have the historic opportunity to invest in locally led, collaborative efforts that can help combat the impacts of climate change, advance environmental justice, and safeguard the lands and waters we all love,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “I’m thrilled that in this year’s grant selections, 40 percent of the projects awarded will be implemented by Tribal communities, putting Indigenous Knowledge at the center of our conservation work.”

This Christmas, give the gift of stealth to hunting enthusiasts with stocking stuffers from Scent Thief®! Introducing the Scent Thief Field Spray, the Scent Thief Wafer, and the Scent Thief Body Wash & Shampoo– the perfect trio of products to revolutionize hunting. 

The Scent Thief 12oz. Field Spray redefines traditional hunting strategies. It is the first and only product to remove an animal’s sense of threatening odors entirely with No Smell Technology. The patented formula temporarily shuts down an animal’s ability to smell. The animal’s olfactory epithelium, the area of an animal’s nose responsible for detecting odors, is relaxed, making it impossible for them to detect odors of any kind.

To use the field spray, shake the bottle and generously apply it to clothing, boots, and equipment. As they walk to their hunting site, hunters can spray their path and the surrounding vegetation. During the hunt, users should occasionally spray into the wind channel and use the wind to their advantage. Re-apply the spray every 60-90 minutes, especially in extremely windy, rainy, or dry conditions, to ensure hunters remain undetectable to their prey. Give loved ones the advantage while hunting and let the wind work in their favor.

The Scent Thief Wafer is the next evolution in No Smell Technology. Hunters can hang this ingenious product downwind in a tree or blind during hunting expeditions. Scent Thief packages the Wafers in a resealable pouch to extend their life, allowing them to last two full days or four hunts. The wind will carry the essential oils to create a “No Smell Area” around the hunter. It is the ideal way to stay undetected while hunting. The Scent Thief Wafer works well in light to no-wind conditions. Use the wafer and field spray to maximize effectiveness when there are consistent or gusting winds. 

Finally, complete the Scent Thief No Smell System with the Scent Thief Body Wash & Shampoo. It is perfect for general hair and body cleansing. It uses the same patented odor-blocking technology as the Field Spray and Wafer. Scent Thief’s Body Wash & Shampoo eliminates all scents, leaving avid hunters undetectable by animals.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Mississippi NWTF State Chapter continues a five-year wild turkey habitat partnership with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on the Canal and Divide Section WMAs in the northeastern corner of the state.

The approximately 15,300-acre Divide Section WMA, located in Tishomingo County on both sides of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, is leased through the Army Corps of Engineers to the MDWFP for wildlife management and public hunting access.

Wild turkeys were completely absent in the area until they were re-stocked in the mid-1980s, around the time the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway was completed. Since then, the Army Corps of Engineers and MDWFP have managed the property to increase wild turkey populations, other game and nongame species and overall ecological health. And thanks to recent efforts, wild turkey populations continue to expand.

“Since 2018, NWTF Mississippi has contributed funds to increase the amount of early successional habitat on the WMA,” said Kacie Bauman, NWTF district biologist for Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. “Turkeys are now utilizing the managed areas where once it was overrun with invasive plant species. This is why the state chapter invests in this project year after year.”

Early successional habitats are areas with vigorously growing grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees that provide excellent food and cover for wild turkeys. Examples of early successional habitat include weedy areas, grasslands, old fields or pastures, shrub thickets and young forests.

 Most athletes with Olympic dreams are specialists. It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, and focus to become internationally elite at anything. In shooting, most settle on one of the disciplines early on—either rifle, pistol, or shotgun. But a few of USA Shooting’s National Team members have successfully broken the mold. Nick Mowrer and James Hall are two examples, both Olympic hopefuls on the Path to Paris.

In 2021 at the Tokyo Games, Mowrer became the first American to compete in more than one discipline at an Olympics when he competed in both Men’s 10m Air Pistol and 50m Smallbore Rifle. He had already competed in Men’s Free Pistol at the 2012 London Games. He has won World Cup medals in both rifle and pistol, was the four-time aggregate Collegiate Pistol Champion in 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012, and was the NRA National Rifle Junior Champion in 2008.

Hall competed alongside Mowrer in Men’s 10m Air Pistol in Tokyo. He had initially been a rifle shooter, only starting pistol competition when he was almost 30. He was an NRA Rifle All-American for four years at Jacksonville State University, where he led the team to an NCAA Smallbore National Championship in 2005. He was named the Conference Smallbore and Air Rifle Most Valuable Player in 2005 and 2006.

How is it that these two athletes have managed to find success in both rifle and pistol when the conventional path is long-term specialization? Their versatility may stem from the fact that both Mowrer and Hall are avid all-around shooters.

“If it’s got a trigger, I want to pull it!” says Hall. “I’ve competed in CMP high power, USPSA, 3-gun, steel challenge, long range air rifle, bullseye pistol and prone matches. In 2022 I participated in the TV show American Airgunner and got the opportunity to do lots of crazy trick shots. I love all shooting sports…I’ve often joked with Nick that if competitive slingshot was a thing, we would do that too.”

Federal Ammunition’s FireStick muzzleloader ignition system has now been approved for use during the muzzleloader specific seasons in 25 states, including Minnesota, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and more. Additionally, several more state approvals are anticipated in 2024.

“As the muzzleloader seasons approach, the use of this new revolutionary FireStick system is blazing the way for new hunters to try muzzleloading,” said Federal Ammunition Muzzleloader Product Director Dan Compton. “It not only allows for a less intimidating experience for the newcomers, it also has helped to reactivate former muzzleloader hunters to get back into the sport. Many of these hunters had gotten frustrated with the complexities, cleaning hassles, and inconsistencies of less modern muzzleloading rifles. All those frustrations are solved with Federal’s FireStick system.”

Federal engineers opened a whole new chapter in muzzleloading technology with the FireStick launch several years ago. This all-new ignition system charges from the breech, yet the projectile is loaded from the muzzle. The FireStick powder capsule is impervious to moisture and built to the same tight tolerances as Federal Premium Ammunition. It is a quick, simple, and safe system for hunters of all experience levels.

“The FireStick system is now being utilized in rifles manufactured by two of the industry leaders in muzzleloading; Traditions, and CVA,” continued Compton. “The NitroFire rifle from Traditions and the new Crossfire rifle from CVA both offer hunters different options to fit their preferences.”

There’s never been a muzzleloading system like FireStick. Learn all the details that set FireStick apart, giving hunters convenient, safe, and consistent performance.

Ol’ Man treestands has always been a leader when it comes to safety and comfort, and the Assassin 18’ ladder stands are no different. This stand is as solid as a rock, with ladder sections that bolt together and a bridge support. No more need for a tree brace; these stands are solid and ready to be put in the perfect spot. 

The Assassin 18’ Single Ladder comes with the patented Millennium-style ComfortMax seat with lumbar support that will fold in both directions. Ideal for all day sits, the full platform and footrest provide ample room for both sitting and standing. The armrest and the shooting rail are padded to ensure comfort and stability when it comes time for the shot. These great features and an unbelievable price make the Assassin 18’ ladder stands the ultimate ladder stand. 

Built to last, the Assassin 18’ Dual Ladder Stand boasts super tough 2mm thick tubing along with a powder coat finish keeping hunters in the game for years to come. Additionally, the ladder sections are bolted together, adding strength and eliminating unwanted noises that spook game animals. The Assassin 18’ Dual Ladder Stand was built to allow friends and family to join in on those special hunts without sacrificing comfort and safety. A zero-compromise stand you can enjoy with that special hunting partner.

Focus on hunting and not worrying about your stand with the Assassin Line of Ladder stands from Ol’ Man.

Assassin 18’ Line Features:

Assassin 18’ Line Specs:

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Kansas State Chapter of the NWTF recently met in Hays to review Hunting Heritage Super Fund project proposals for 2024 funding awards. After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were presented to and approved by the NWTF Kansas Board of Directors. The state board budgeted $55,750 for conservation projects and $33,486.92 for other projects, including outreach-education events, state scholarships and 4-H Shooting Sports support.

NWTF award funding will be matched with nearly $2 million in partner funds for the approved projects.

“NWTF volunteers are vital to the organization, and this is especially true in Kansas,” said Annie Farrell, NWTF district biologist for Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. “I commend their efforts for supporting projects that drive our mission, both in Kansas and across the country. 2024 will be another great year for the NWTF in the Sunflower State.”

The $55,750 directed at Kansas habitat conservation objectives include:

In addition, $33,486.92 was approved to support education/outreach efforts in Kansas including JAKES, WITO, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, the Kansas state scholarship and shooting sports projects. Specific project awards include:

Having a great memory and clear vision on the water can pave the way to success on the kayak tournament bass trail, whether you are a veteran competitor or new to the game. Indeed, it was those two abilities that proved crucial for Brady Storrs last week as the 22-year-old from Kearney, Nebraska, outdistanced a highly competitive field on Tennessee’s Lake Chickamauga during Hobie’s Power-Pole Tournament of Champions (T.O.C) catch, photograph and release (C.P.R.) event.

The 2023 Tournament of Champions brought the top 60 anglers from the Hobie Bass Open Series (B.O.S.) together for a 3-day showdown on the famed Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, TN, for the opportunity of over $100,000 in cash and prizes, including a guaranteed $30,000 first place prize. 

Winning by an impressive margin of 4.5 inches over 60 qualifying competitors that included several past T.O.C. champions, Storrs tallied an impressive 256.25” of largemouth over the three-day tourney to best Jordan Marshall (251.75”) and Justin Largen (251”) at the top of the leader board. Day 1 witnessed Storrs take the seventh spot with 82.5 inches of largemouth bass. On Day 2, he upped his pace with 85.5”. Day 3 put him over the top with an additional 88.25” – and top rung on the final scoreboard. For their efforts, Storrs walked away with a check for $30,000 while Marshall pocketed $10,000 and Largen took home $7,500.

“It really was a challenging event,” said tournament director A.J. McWhorter. “Our anglers endured weather and water condition changes daily in their quest for the Grand Championship Title. Brady Storrs showed his champion skill-set is not just angling but also maintaining the perseverance and patience to improve his five-fish total each day and come out on top of one of the toughest fields in kayak fishing!”

Storrs agreed the weather was challenging, noting Day 2 started with sunny skies before a cold front moved through. Day 3 proved even tougher as rain and wind entered the mix. Luckily, a Day 1 pattern he uncovered held up. “I realized that the bass often missed on the first cast or two I made into the weeds with a small, white-bellied Snag-Proof frog. If I made a third cast all the way to the back of the weeds, though, it allowed more time for them to track it down. If they still missed, I would return to those same spots later, try again, and pick up those fish.”

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the Biden-Harris Administration and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as they announce over $140 Million in Grants from the America the Beautiful Challenge to Restore Lands and Waters (Challenge). Today, the Administration announced that 74 new grants across 46 states, three U.S. territories, and 21 Tribal Nations have been selected for locally led ecosystem restoration projects under the public-private grant program.

“We thank the Administration for supporting the critical work of State Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Tribes, and their partners,” said Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and President of the Association. “Bold actions like the America the Beautiful Challenge are needed to conserve, restore, and connect wildlife habitats and ecosystems while addressing regional landscape conservation priorities, improving community resilience and access to our natural resources.”

Administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Challenge brings together funds from the Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Defense to fuel on-the-ground conservation work undertaken by state, Tribal, NGO, and private working land partners.

“These grants are critical for state conservation and restoration efforts across the nation,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association. “Large-scale, voluntary conservation projects led by local communities are key to restoring and securing at-risk species such as those identified in State Wildlife Action Plans.”

Leveraging at least $12 million in matching contributions this year, the Challenge will provide more than $153 million for conservation projects that support increased connectivity, enhanced habitats, and abundant populations while stimulating the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy.

The chestnut tree is making a huge comeback as a food plot tree – it is field-proven that deer prefer chestnuts over acorns. And Chestnut Hill Outdoors, with its popular Dunstan Chestnut trees, has everything needed to provide chestnuts to the deer and wildlife.

Chestnuts were the primary mast source for deer and other wildlife for thousands of years before the chestnut blight in the early 1900s. The blight left a nutritional gap in the American hardwood ecosystem, leading acorns to become a popular food source for deer as an alternative to chestnuts. However, this all changed with the introduction of Dr. Robert Dunstan’s chestnut, the Dunstan Chestnut.

Since deer are evolutionarily programmed to eat chestnuts, Dr. James Kroll, “Dr. Deer,” from the Whitetail Research Institute in Nacogdoches, Texas, conducted a study and found this to be true. 

“Even though the wild deer at this location had never seen a chestnut in many generations, they got on the chestnuts within only an hour after we put them out,” Kroll said. “The deer ate the chestnuts 100:1 over the acorns! Chestnuts are deer’s preferred food.”

Chestnut Hill Outdoors offers the best-producing chestnut tree species – the Dunstan Chestnut. It produces very large, sweet-tasting chestnuts, which are like candy to deer. Acorns contain tannin, which is bitter-tasting. Dunstan chestnuts do not contain tannin and are, therefore, significantly sweeter. Chestnuts are also a great source of carbohydrates (40 percent) and protein (10 percent). Chestnut Hill Outdoors selected the Dunstan Chestnut tree for its blight resistance, its ability to bear chestnuts in only three to four years, and its ability to produce annual, heavy crops of chestnuts, unlike oak trees that can skip years of producing acorns.

HOIST®, one of the fastest growing hydration beverages in the U.S., is thrilled to announce the addition of its latest flavor, Black Cherry, providing a rich flavor profile that consumers can look forward to this season.

As a brand deeply rooted in the hunting and outdoors industry, HOIST understands the importance of staying hydrated during outdoor activities. Whether it’s a long day of hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, proper hydration is essential for peak performance and overall well-being. Black Cherry embodies the HOIST commitment to delivering unparalleled hydration

while maintaining a satisfying taste. Crafted with

precision, this new flavor is set to offer a refreshing take on the hydration qualities that HOIST beverages are known to bring to the table.

“We are ecstatic to unveil Black Cherry to our customers and the broader market,” said HOIST Co-Founder and Vice President of Sales Ben Schmidt. “Our team has worked tirelessly to create a flavor that exceeds the high standards our customers have come to expect from us. Black Cherry is a testament to our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the hydration beverage arena.”

Evening for Conservation & Grand Opening festivities to include early Black Friday Week deals, doorbuster giveaways, state conservation leaders, outdoor celebrities and more!

Bass Pro Shops today announced plans to celebrate the official grand opening of its new Bass Pro Shops Outpost in Niles, Ohio, with a special Evening for Conservation on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.

Grand Opening Night’s “Evening for Conservation” To Support Local Organizations

The outdoor and conservation company invites the greater Northeastern Ohio community to a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and weekend-long celebration for the conservation company’s seventh location in the state, highlighted by fishing and hunting celebrity appearances, family activities, giveaways and more. Plus, for every dollar spent during the Evening for Conservation, 10 percent will be donated to local conservation organizations.

Following a star-studded grand opening program and ribbon cutting, guests will enter to get the first public look at the company’s newest destination retail location as the store officially opens for business.

Mike Robinson is an English restaurateur, one of Britain’s most prominent game chefs, and a passionate outdoorsman. He’s also the host of Farming the Wild on Outdoor Channel, which is going into its fourth season on Monday nights at 7 p.m. ET. This series shows, in part, how deer and wildlife are managed and used in the United Kingdom, as well as how he utilizes natural ingredients to make his most famous dishes. Robinson offers an authentic field-to-table experience to his clients by serving dishes made with fallow deer he harvests in the nearby woods. 

This popular series, which expertly merges gastronomy with sustainable hunting, is set to take viewers on an unforgettable culinary adventure. In season four, follow Robinson as he traverses the wild landscapes in the U.S., hunting, foraging, and cooking his way through the changing seasons. With his deep respect for nature and knack for creating mouthwatering wild game dishes, Robinson continues to redefine what it means to be an outdoorsman in the modern world. Get all the recipes from season four here. 

“To be relevant and crucial to conservation in the future, we must focus on the food and the feasting element of hunting and everything it means to hunters and non-hunters alike,” shared Robinson. “I enjoy having a healthy herd of deer and offering a sustainable field-to-plate in my restaurants. Nothing goes to waste in our restaurants – we truly believe in a nose-to-tail philosophy. It is up to the chefs in each restaurant to decide how to use that meat and bone.”

Robinson co-owns the only pub in Britain with a prestigious Michelin star and harvests the natural ingredients that make up some of his most famous dishes. As an expert marksman and deer stalker, Robinson shares his unique skills and techniques to hunt the game he sustainably manages. As a Chef, he also shares professional methods and tips to help viewers elevate their wild game cooking into truly Michelin-caliber food, both at home and over their campfires.

Also, check out Robinson’s other series on Outdoor Channel, returning in 2024 with new seasons: Fishing the Wild, Wild Fish Masterclass, and Wild Game Masterclass. Watch all past seasons of all four series anytime on any device by streaming on MyOutdoorTV.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments will fund water conservation and renewable energy projects

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced the availability of up to $50 million for water conservation and efficiency projects as part of the President’s Investing in America agenda to enhance the resilience of the West to drought and climate change.

Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will boost the Bureau of Reclamation’s Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Program, which provides funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader resilience and sustainability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of renewable energy; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability.

The announcement today was made following the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment, an annual report assessing the science of climate change, its impacts, and our options for reducing present and future risk. This is part of an overall $100 million the Bureau of Reclamation is announcing this week for water infrastructure upgrades that advance drought resilience in the West.

“In the wake of severe drought conditions throughout the West, the Department is bringing every tool and resource to bear — including significant investments through President Biden’s Investing America agenda — to help build community resilience to drought and climate change for generations to come,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through today’s funding announcement, we are working to advance innovative solutions for water conservation and climate resilience.”

Miami, FL – 1791 Outdoor Lifestyle Group, a leading provider of premium leather products, holsters, EDC tool organizers, and associated outdoor and sporting goods, is excited to announce the selection of FMJ Marketing as their media relations agency of record. FMJ Marketing will be the point of contact for content creators and media editorial inquiries, product sample requests, public relations communications, and related activities.

With over 25 years of industry marketing and public relations experience, Matt Foster of FMJ Marketing will help develop and lead 1791 Outdoor Lifestyle Group’s media relations outreach strategy, campaign implementation, and help writers and content creators with their day-to-day information and product sample needs. This is to facilitate 1791’s commitment to provide the best service possible, and be an information resource, to industry media professionals.

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt Foster and FMJ Marketing into our team as our new media relations agency of record,” said Ramiro “Rambo” Romani, CEO of 1791 Outdoor Lifestyle Group. “Matt’s expertise and dedication align perfectly with our vision, and we look forward to a partnership that will propel our brand to new heights through strategic and innovative media outreach.”

“Working with 1791 is an honor. They’re passionate about the 2nd Amendment, their products and working with the media” says FMJ Marketing’s Matt Foster. “Their desire and vision to engage on a personal level with industry media professionals, to proudly show their company and products, and tell their story is inspirational and exciting.”

Shooting sports media and content creators can look forward to regular dialogue and engagement with 1791 Outdoor Lifestyle Group, including timely product news announcements, useful category information, content ideas and product sampling to facilitate handgun and other product reviews. 
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Ten Paralympic shooting athletes are headed to Santiago, Chile, to compete in the 2023 Parapan American Games Nov. 18-21 in the hopes of medaling for Team USA.

The 2023 team consists of seven rifle athletes and three pistol athletes. Four of the team members are Tokyo 2020 Paralympians and seven are returning for their second time at the Parapan American Games.

Among the returning athletes is Kevin Nguyen, 2019 Parapan American Games champion in R6 mixed 50m rifle prone SH1. Nguyen is also a Tokyo Paralympian and a Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU).

Taylor Farmer is also returning as the reigning champion in R3 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 alongside Stetson Bardfield, 2019 champion in R5 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2, and Mike Tagliapietra, 2019 champion in P1 Mixed 25m Sport Pistol SH1.

Of the 2023 athletes on the roster, four have ties to the military. Nguyen and John Joss serve with the USAMU, and Marco De La Rosa and Robert “Nick” Beach served in the Marine Corps.

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced preliminary results for the 2023 bear season. The 2023 bear season harvest is well below the recent annual average of approximately 4,000 harvested bears, representing the lowest yearly bear harvest since 2008.

Wisconsin bear hunters harvested 2,922 bears during the 2023 black bear season, a marked decrease from the 4,009 bears taken by hunters last year. This decline was observed across the state, as the bear harvest fell short of respective targets in all management zones.

Similarly, statewide hunter success dropped to 23%, down from the recent 5-year average statewide hunter success rate of 32%. Hunter success rates in individual zones varied from about 60% in Zone A to about 5% in Zones E and F.

“This fall saw a remarkably high acorn crop across much of the state, and this abundance of natural food typically results in reduced hunter success rates as hunters’ baits are less effective,” said Randy Johnson, DNR Large Carnivore Specialist. “Almost all of the anecdotal reports I heard from bear hunters this fall mentioned the incredible abundance of acorns and other natural foods in the woods. It is difficult to predict when these bumper acorn crops will occur, but when they do, the impact on bear hunting is unmistakable.”

Harvest data indicates Zones A and B, in the northern and northeastern parts of the state, were less impacted than other areas, with hunter success rates closer to average at 59% and 50%, respectively. Zone C, located in the central part of the state, fell well short of its harvest target, with below-average hunter success rates as well. Similarly, in the northwestern area of the state, Zone D saw well below-average harvest and hunter-success rates. The drop in Zone D is likely due, at least in part, to recent management actions intended to reduce bear populations in this area, combined with the abundance of natural foods available this fall. Finally, Zones E and F, encompassing most of the state’s southern areas, saw declines in average hunter success rates and total harvest.