Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

London gunmaker John Rigby & Co. is delighted to announce the creation of its new gunmakers’ apprenticeship programme, the Rigby Academy. The Rigby Academy has been developed to preserve the traditional skills and methods used in gunmaking and develop a new generation of expert precision craftsmen. Without direct action being taken, with more craftsmen retiring than joining, there is a real risk that gunmaking skills are lost or consigned to the past.  John Rigby & Co. is steeped in a rich history of British gunmaking with its core values upheld by an ambitious team of strongminded and talented craftsmen, so the company is ideally placed to take the lead on such an important issue.

Rigby is led from the front by Marc Newton, a young and dynamic managing director, who benefited from the mentorship of the brand’s former owner and gunmaker, Paul Roberts. As part of his work to restore Rigby to its rightful position as one of the world’s leading gunmakers, Marc has gathered a highly skilled, vibrant and ambitious team of gunmakers, most of whom are under the age of 30. 

Successful applicants to the Rigby Academy will complete a structured training programme over five years which has been designed by the company’s top and time-served gunmakers, with all work being overseen by Marc Newton. The apprentice gunmakers will start their training working on Rigby’s award-winning bolt action rifles, the Highland Stalker and Big Game, before progressing onto bespoke London Best rifles, before completing their training on the company’s premium Rising Bite double rifles and shotguns. On completion of the apprenticeship, the Academy’s graduates will be awarded a Rigby gunmakers’ certificate and be invited to interview for a full time, permanent position within the company.

Rigby managing director Marc Newton commented: “By creating the Rigby Academy, I hope to inspire and educate the next generation of gunmakers and help preserve the niche skills involved in gunmaking for the future. I am extremely grateful to be in the position I’m in at a relatively young age and know how important mentorship is to helping young people thrive and realise their potential. The Rigby Academy can help turn the tide away from falling gunmaker numbers towards new, young apprentices learning and preserving these skills for the future.” 

Applications to the Rigby Academy are accepted all year-round, with interested parties invited to email their CV and covering letter to: [email protected]. 

Industry’s Most Accurate Rangefinder Designed Specifically for Bowhunters

Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, is excited to announce the availability of the most precise laser rangefinder of its era – the new Broadhead Laser Rangefinder. Meticulously engineered for industry-leading precision and +/- 0.3-yard accuracy out to 150 yards on any target, the Broadhead Laser Rangefinder is the perfect options for archers and bowhunters as they set their sights on the upcoming season.

Now available for purchase online or at your local archery supply store, the Broadhead builds on Bushnell’s legacy of developing the most advanced rangefinders for today’s outdoor enthusiast. At its core, the Broadhead is tailored around short-range accuracy for archers who need to know exact distances. The Broadhead’s 0.3-yard accuracy has been tested to deliver consistent ranges on any target, such as 3D targets and animal hides, regardless lighting or reflectivity. And combined with +/- one-degree angle accuracy, it leaves no doubt about a bowhunter’s precise range to target.

With its high-definition, all-glass, fully multi-coated optical system with a 50% larger objective lens, the Broadhead delivers images two times brighter than similar rangefinders. This ensures bright, true-to-life colors for easier recognition of game, and makes the Broadhead as effective at sunrise as it is at midday. Additionally, the built-in ACTIVSYNC™ display automatically changes from black in bright light to red in low-light conditions, so users can always see their readings. Beyond 150 yards, the Broadhead can range animals out to 500 yards, trees out to 800 yards, and has a max range of 1,500 yards on reflective targets with +/- one-yard accuracy

The Broadhead comes equipped with Scan mode for constant ranges when holding down the range button, as well as near/far target modes to allow users to home in on targets while ignoring objects in the foreground and background. The rangefinder also comes equipped with ARC (Angle Range Compensation) technology, which accounts for terrain angle in the field and gives bowhunters the “real” effective range on challenging uphill and downhill shots.

Bipartisan conservation legislation now heads to the Senate

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). This landmark legislation will provide $1.39 billion for states, territories and tribes to support proactive habitat restoration of species of greatest conservation concern across the U.S. The bill’s spending would be guided by federally approved State Wildlife Action Plans, in which state wildlife agencies have identified 12,000 species in greatest need of conservation to date.

RAWA was introduced in the House by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI). Similar legislation awaits a vote in the Senate, where it has been introduced by Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Roy Blunt (R-MO).

“RAWA follows a tried-and-true formula for proactive habitat conservation,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “We’ve seen other programs, like the Pittman-Robertson Act, utilize this very same conservation methodology to great success. The end result will be healthier habitat that greatly benefits waterfowl and other wildlife, as well as generations of sportsmen and women to come. We thank our friends in the House of Representatives for prioritizing this landmark conservation legislation.”

DU’s Chief Operating Officer, Nick Wiley, previously served as Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as well as President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). In 2015, AFWA created the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources. The 28-member panel, co-chaired by Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris and former Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, identified the need for a more consistent, dedicated mechanism to fund state fish and wildlife agencies and recommended the creation of RAWA.

Washington State recently made a step to leave the Union with yet another Unconstitutional law. Senate Bill 5078 was forced upon US citizens calling the Evergreen state home and prohibits the sale, attempted sale, and distribution of what the bill describes as “large capacity” magazines, including the now 50-year-old international standard capacity of 30 rounds for AR magazines.

Until Washington State can find politicians who have read the Bill of Rights and comprehend the statement, “…the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”, effective July 1, 2022 no more new standard capacity magazines can be obtained in Washington State. Only reduced-capacity magazine of ten rounds or less.

As proud American patriots, DuraMag was quick to respond and ensure that law-abiding citizens could exercise their inalienable rights by visiting the state in April to personally deliver much-needed supplies of quality magazines that could outlast Governor Inslee’s anti-American actions. DuraMag is also supporting Washington retailer Weapon Outfitters promotion, which adds a free DuraMag for every five purchased.

DuraMag’s visit was coordinated with One One Bravo, LLC for a coordinated public shooting pit clean-up and class, supported by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Roughly 40 volunteers spent the morning cleaning up the shooting pit and filling two pickup beds with waste. The afternoon was spent training with One One Bravo, LLC. At the end of the day DuraMag put on a demonstration of its dauntless mags followed by distribution of a magazine to every participant.

“It’s alarming when a government wants to disarm or degrade the ability of the people to defend themselves,” said Justus Hall, DuraMag Vice President of Sales. “We want the people of Washington to know that we stand with them, and hope that with offers like those from Weapons Outfitters, the law-abiding citizens of Washington State can weather the storm of an anti-American government. We trust our magazines to last through the next election and beyond.”

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for today’s bipartisan vote of 231-190 to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA, H.R. 2773). If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would dedicate $1.3 billion to state agencies and $97.5 million to Tribal Nations every year to recover and sustain healthy fish and wildlife populations. This significant investment would benefit the more than 12,000 species of greatest conservation need identified in state wildlife action plans—including mule deer. Funding will be used to implement on-the-ground efforts such as land conservation, habitat restoration, fighting invasive species, reintroducing native species, tackling emerging wildlife diseases, and improving conservation education and outdoor recreation. 

Following is a statement by MDF President/CEO Joel Pedersen:

“Securing increased funding for state fish and wildlife conservation efforts has been a top priority for the conservation community for decades, and the Mule Deer Foundation is proud to be part of the coalition of thousands of organizations supporting the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Today’s vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to pass RAWA is a critical step toward finally enacting dedicated funding to help proactively address the conservation needs of our nation’s wildlife species. We know that the increased investment in wildlife conservation will help to ensure that declining species are addressed well before they need to be listed as threatened or endangered. In addition, funding will be available for improving conservation education and recreational access to actively engage all Americans in the outdoors.

Mule deer and black-tailed deer have been identified by most western states as species of greatest conservation need within their State Wildlife Action Plan. MDF has worked closely with our state agency partners on habitat conservation and restoration that will benefit deer and the hundreds of other species that also utilize these habitats. The increase in funding through RAWA will go a long way to addressing these and the many other conservation needs across the country.

MDF thanks all the members that voted in support of this historic legislation and specifically the congressional champion of this legislation, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI), for her leadership on this bill. We urge the U.S. Senate to take up their version of the bill, S. 2372, and enact this legislation this year.”

Dads across the country have their chance at a one-of-a-kind custom rifle and a pellet grill – a prize package valued over $2,000 – in the Brownells Father’s Day Giveaway starting June 14 and lasting through Father’s Day, June 19.

The S&W M&P Sport rifle is custom Cerakoted by Blown Deadline and inspired by the iconic well-worn white sneakers bearing noticeable grass stains as seen on the feet of hardworking American dads on lawns across the US.

The rifle comes with a 36” Woodwind Pellet Grill from Camp Chef, for the ultimate dad-approved backyard grilling experience.

“Fathers work hard to support their families,” said Brownells VP of Marketing Ryan Repp. “We wanted to show our appreciation for all they do by giving them a chance to win something for the uniquely American Dad.”

Contestants can enter to win at the Brownells Father’s Day page and can earn extra entries by following the suggestions on the page, such as following the Brownells Instagram account or subscribing to the YouTube channel.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is excited to announce the 2022 First Shot Ceremony, set to take place Tuesday, July 12, at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility near Port Clinton, Ohio.

The First Shot Ceremony serves as a welcoming event for guests, participants, volunteers and staff eager to start the 2022 National Matches – an event that has assembled marksmen and women at Camp Perry since 1907.

The first CMP National Matches of the 2022 season will fire on July 12, beginning with the pistol series, and will conclude on August 12, following CMP’s lineup of long range rifle matches. Whether an experienced competitor or new to the sport, the National Matches calendar also includes several highpower rifle, smallbore rifle and air gun competitions and clinics scheduled throughout – ready to accommodate the thousands of visitors expected to participate in the annual event.

The 2022 First Shot Ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Camp Perry’s Rodriguez Range. Fully open to the public, spectator seating will be set up alongside the range, with additional bleachers placed diagonally in front of the Lawrence Road Shooters’ Plaza – where the ceremony will take place. Roads will be blocked to keep traffic away in the area immediately surrounding the Plaza, with ample parking available around Camp Perry.

Sights and sounds at the First Shot Ceremony will include an authentic B-25 bomber, Georgie’s Gal, courtesy of Port Clinton’s Liberty Aviation Museum. The fascinating aircraft will make passes prior to the start of the festivities at approximately 9:45-10:00 a.m. as distinguished speakers and military guests fill the Plaza below.

Training, healthcare, nutrition and equipment advice to be featured at The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO, slated for July 29 to 31 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, will feature three exhibit floor venues offering continuous activities throughout the event. The Duck Dog Stage, the Duck Hunters Stage and the Delta Waterfowl Stage will feature top-notch presentations all aimed at helping you enjoy duck hunting.

Eukanuba and Lucky Duck are sponsoring the Duck Dog Stage. Accompanied by their incredible dogs, members of their pro staffs will inform and entertain the EXPO audience.

“We are excited to join Delta Waterfowl this year at The Duck Hunters Expo,” said Brad Wadler, vice president of Eukanuba. “We are looking forward to sharing education on sporting dog nutrition, health and training so you can have your best season yet with your sporting dog. Join us and our partners Chris Akin, Josh Miller, Dr. John Myers and Lucky Duck at the Duck Dog Stage.”

The lineup for the Duck Dog Stage sponsored by Eukanuba and Lucky Duck includes:

Gear up for hunting season with great deals on the full SEVR lineup of broadheads. Archer’s can take advantage of some of the best pricing of the year during the SEVR SUMMER SALE that is going now for a limited time.

SEVR’s exciting 2022 broadhead lineup includes the improved titanium 2.0 with a more swept-back blade angle, re-engineered deployment arm geometry, and a new 2” cutting diameter blades. The SEVR Titanium 1.5 uses the same basic design as the Ti 2.0 but features a specific blade configuration for hunters who need more penetration for tougher animals such as elk, moose, and bear. The Robusto™ 2.0 is optimized to fit crossbow arrows and weighs an FOC boosting 150 grains for improved accuracy and increased momentum.  Designed with an intermediate cut diameter and blade angle, the SEVR AP 1.7 features a precision 7075-alloy ferrule, .035″ thick blades, and precision stainless-steel tip

For a limited time, SEVR is running their full line of broadheads at some of the best prices of the season—Visit sevrbroadheads.com today.

Today, a major win for wildlife and a big step closer to the finish line for this hugely popular and impactful bill

Today, a major win for America’s wildlife was accomplished, renewing hope for the ultimate enactment of this historic legislation in this Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of passing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R.2773) on the floor, advancing the bill one important step closer toward passage. The final vote was 231 to 190 including Republicans and Democrats, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation to both parties and unifying the Congress with a shared goal of advancing this historic bill that is so desperately needed to fund wildlife conservation in America. This vote now kicks the bill over to the Senate to take action.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R.2773), introduced by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), will dedicate $1.3 billion annually to state fish and wildlife agencies to implement their science-based wildlife action plans and an additional $97.5 million for tribal fish and wildlife managers to conserve fish and wildlife on tribal lands and waters as well as a complementary federal component that would fund endangered species recovery planning in coordination with states and tribes. This will provide dedicated funding, so state and tribal wildlife managers can proactively conserve fish and wildlife species of greatest conservation need in a voluntary, non-regulatory manner before federal listing under the Endangered Species Act is warranted. This bill will get Americans back to work immediately, creating an estimated 33,000 jobs each year restoring natural resources and bolstering community resilience while protecting our valuable natural infrastructure. This bill has 194 bipartisan cosponsors in the House and 35 in the Senate and is perhaps the most impactful wildlife conservation funding bill in a generation.

The Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife represents the national coalition of diverse stakeholders united around the shared vision for the future of wildlife conservation funding and strongly supports passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act in this Congress. Its members include the outdoor recreation, retail and manufacturing sector, the energy and automotive industries, private landowners, educational institutions, sportsmen’s and other conservation groups and state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies.

“Right now, the United States is facing an unprecedented biodiversity crisis,” said Congresswoman Dingell.  “We’ve already seen our nation’s beautiful monarch butterfly population plummet, and we’ve lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970. Without significant a change in the way we finance conservation, more of the animals and wildlife we hold dear to our heart will become endangered. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is landmark legislation that takes long-overdue action to address this crisis by using innovative, on-the-ground collaboration that will protect our nation’s environmental heritage. We have a conservation, economic, and moral obligation to act in order to protect and recover America’s wildlife for future generations. Grateful to the broad, bipartisan coalition that has fought for this legislation, and I urge the Senate to act on this bill right away.”

Mike Schloesser took his first ever individual European Championship title, defeating reigning champion Yakup Yildiz in the men’s compound finals in Munich, Germany this weekend. With the win, Schloesser makes history by becoming the first World Archery Grand Slam title holder ever.  Schloesser’s achievement comes after having taken the World Championship, World Cup Final, World Indoor Series, and Continental Outdoor titles.

Commenting on his historic victory in Munich, Schloesser stated, “I’m very satisfied, I’m really happy and I worked really hard for it. I’m just really stoked because this is something that’s been on my list.”

The European Champion win also means Schloesser currently holds six premiere titles, the others being, the World Cup Final, World Indoor, World Field, European Games and European Indoor championships. 

Mike Schloesser chose the Easton X10 for his history-making performance—the same arrow that has won more world and Olympic titles than any other arrow shaft in history.  Schloesser is currently preparing to compete in The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama in July.

To learn more about the X10, and all the other tournament winning and bowhunting success arrows made by Easton in the USA,  visit: www.eastonarchery.com

Specific characteristics are essential when it comes to a concealed carry handgun. The Dan Wesson Enhanced Compact Pistol (ECP) and Tactical Compact Pistol (TCP) check all the boxes for reliability, accuracy, ergonomics, and weight. Both compact 1911 pistols deliver serious firepower in 9 mm and .45 ACP configurations. 

The Enhanced Compact Pistol is a traditional 1911 design with modern styling and enhancements. The ECP sports a stainless-steel slide and a forged aluminum frame, keeping the weight to a mere 29 oz. Tapered G10 grips and a bobbed mainspring housing enhance the pistol’s ergonomics, affording shooters with smaller hands an easier reach to the trigger. A tri-topped slide wears aggressive side serrations for superior grip. Its top rib knocks down glare, while the new U-notch rear sight mates perfectly with the brass bead front sight for rapid target acquisition. 

The Tactical Compact Pistol includes the same performance elements of the ECP while adding tactical features like a 1913 Picatinny rail for a light or laser and a one-piece flared magwell for tactical reloads. TCP has a compact stainless tri-topped slide and aggressive slide serrations – modern, practical, and stylish additions. Its top rib helps reduce glare, and it features a new U-notch rear sight with a whopping .156” wide notch paired with a brass bead front sight. 

The TCP’s grips are also new, with a tapered profile – slim at the top and full-width at the bottom – giving shooters with smaller hands an easier reach to the trigger. With three facets that mimic the distinctive slide, their serrated features encourage a high, deep grip. The TCP tips the scales at just 32-ounces, perfect for daily carry.

A bull barrel is inherently more accurate than thinner profiles. It increases the forward weight of the 1911 and slows down unlocking for smoother shooting. The ECP and TCP wear a match-grade 4-inch barrel with a 30-degree crown and flush cut for easier disassembly. Its recoil system uses a flat wire recoil spring rated for 15,000 rounds in .45 ACP: that’s three times the round count of a typical 1911 dual recoil spring setup! Both pistols use a flat K-style trigger and a square commander-style hammer.

You should take time to know about the way your car insurance is affected before deciding whether you need to buy a new car or lease one from the auto dealership. Auto insurance for a leased car may appear more costly than general insurance for a car as it depends on numerous factors. Our guide can help you understand the facets involved in the cost of leased insurance with the lowest car insurance prices.

How does auto insurance for a leased car work?

A few individuals may consider getting a car on lease for a long-term car rental; however, it is not the ideal analogy. You need to show the proof of insurance while leasing a car, like how you need insurance to rent one. It shows that you are getting insurance coverage and prove to bear financial responsibility in times of an accident.

It is right to consider a car lease as a model of paying for using the vehicle. If you were planning on buying a car, you would have to place money to make the initial payment and take the car on loan to repay the rest of the cost, which is how vehicle finance works.

While you lease a car, you need to pay the entire money. The third-party leasing company will buy the vehicle allowing you to use the car for a monthly price. 

From Eukanuba’s Pet Health and Nutrition Center

Humans can use topical supplements like moisturizing lotion or hair conditioner for good health, but a dog doesn’t have that luxury. The condition of a dog’s hair and skin comes from proper feeding, and it’s far more important than just making them look good. Healthy hair and skin protect them from the environment.

Setters and springers have long hair and leg and tail feathers while pointers, GSP’s, and Labs sport high-and-tights that reveal incredible muscular definition. The similarity of all breeds is that the skin and coat are the dog’s largest organs. And, they are the dogs’ first line of defense against illness. Hair and skin helps protect a dog’s immune systems from allowing infection to be introduced to their bodies. Infection can enter the dog’s system through skin cuts, tears, and wounds which is why the topic is so important.

Skin cells are constantly replicated as epithelial cells are lost every day. Some are lost from normal cellular reproduction while others are removed when dogs run through fields and swim in rivers. The replacement of these cells requires a tremendous amount of protein and amino acids, so much so that from a requirement standpoint, the skin uses more protein than any other system including muscles. If you’ve ever noticed the cracked skin on a Lab that comes from repetitive water retrieves or the dry skin on a hard-working pointer then you know what I’m talking about. Those skin ailments come from the wetting and drying process just as they come from exposure to harsh terrain. If you’ve ever seen a bird dog stop to scratch itchy skin then you know one thing is true. They are concentrating on that itch and not on their job at hand. Proper feeding can help resolve the problem, especially those foods that are rich in fatty acids. Those fatty acids should be balanced with protein as that combination helps keep their skin soft and smooth. Soft, supple skin doesn’t tear easily and it keeps them protected.

In addition to protein and fat, minerals are important for maintaining healthy hair. Zinc, selenium and Vitamin E contribute to elasticity which reduces the impact of cuts, scratches, scrapes and punctures. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are what adds the sheen to a dog’s coat and help keep hair from breaking and exposing the skin to cuts. Open wounds invite disease and there is another benefit to omega-6 fatty acids; they help facilitate the proper healing of a wound. Omega-6 fatty acids help reduce the swelling and redness around a cut, scrape or tear. If your dog has dull hair then there likely is a nutritional gap than should be corrected. To select the right dog food, talk with your veterinarian.

But there is a direct correlation between a dog’s skin and its overall health, too. Epithelial cells found in the skin are also found in the GI tract. So if nutrition is creating good, healthy skin then the GI tract is likely to be healthy as well. That’s important for processing food to refuel all of the animal’s systems ranging from muscular to circulatory and respiratory. Handlers usually notice a dog’s performance through its athleticism. Muscles, condition, and the ability to perform tasks are usually associated with their cardiovascular and muscular systems. But don’t over look the skin and hair. If skin is cracked, dry or brittle and the hair is dull, look for a new food. A dog’s skin and coat is treated from the inside-out. And a healthy dog is a happy dog, and those kinds of pups love to work hard for their handlers.

“Photography and Videography: Staying Ahead of the Visual Content Game” Led by Matt Addington of Matt Addington Photography

Learn from the most respected visual content producers in the outdoor space at the (POMA) Business Conference this June with “Photography and Videography: Staying Ahead of the Visual Content Game” panel discussion on Thursday, June 16. POMA’s Annual Business Conference is June 14-16 in Kalispell, MT. Moderated by Matt Addington, of Matt Addington Photography, the panel consists of Tony Bynum of Tony Bynum Photography, Tyson Woods of TWoods Images, and Jeff Davis, editor and visual creator for Whitetails Unlimited magazine.

The session is slated for Thursday, June 16 at 9:15 a.m. and will repeat at 10:15 a.m.

In this session, attendees will hear from some of the most respected photographers and videographers in the outdoor industry on what has led them to where they are now…and what it will take to continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of visual media. Though the panel is stacked with years of experience, its members are certainly at different places in their careers and have diverse backgrounds. Topics will range from how to get started, how to price, copyright and usage best practices, utilizing social media, gear and technology, and how to effectively tell a good visual story for clients.

“I’m humbled to be able to share part of my story and experience in with so many of the people that I respect in this industry,” shared Matt Addington. “POMA has been instrumental in providing me connection with so many of the best people in the outdoors. We’re living in a time where there is more visual media in front of us than ever before so staying up to speed is critical both as a creator and consumer of the content. This group we have put together will bring decades of experience from working in the field and I couldn’t be more grateful to lead the panel with them.” 

Medal of Honor recipient from the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Edward Byers Master Chief Ret. is pleased to announce Source Outdoor Group of Gainesville, Georgia, as his Agency of Record. In this role, Source Outdoor Group will be tasked with a wide range of responsibilities for American hero, including brand development, social media marketing, and public relations.

Byers looks to grow his brand across several businesses through multiple verticals, including professional speaking and mentoring, consulting and advisory opportunities.

Before hard pivoting into the civilian sector, Byers served 21 years in the Navy as a Navy Corpsman and a Navy SEAL. He served with 2/2 Marines, SEAL Team 4, Pentagon Joint Staff and SEAL Team 6 (ST6) as a Team Leader. In 2020, Byers retired as a Master Chief. 

Byers is the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest award for valor. He is the first person from ST 6 and the 6th Navy SEAL in history to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Byers is one of 27 Medal of Honor Recipients since 9/11 and one of only 65 living members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. He is also the recipient of five Bronze Stars with Valor, two Purple Hearts, Meritorious Service Medal, and numerous other valorous awards. 

“I look forward to working alongside Source Outdoor Group as I establish and grow my brand,” said Edward Byers. “I chose Source Outdoor Group as our strategic marketing partner and plan to translate my vision into marketing strategies that drive results. We look forward to expanding the Edward Byers Brand through our new partnership with Source Outdoor Group.”

The Blitz is a select-fire semi-/full-auto Pre-Charged Pneumatic air rifle that produces up to 53 ft-lbs of energy and fires at up to 1150 FPS. Users can easily switch between either firing mode with just the flick of a switch. The gas-operated cycling mechanism does not rely on battery power and is capable of firing at a high rate of speed. This PCP air rifle features a large 580cc carbon fiber air tank that can provide over 100 shots of semi- or full-auto excitement. Two detachable spring rotary magazines are included with the rifle, and the loading key has its own unique storage space on the stock.

The tactical all-weather synthetic stock looks great and boasts excellent ergonomic features. The integrated pistol grip has rubberized panels to help facilitate a secure grip in any environment. An elevation adjustable cheek rest ensures proper sight alignment, and the butt pad is both elevation and angle adjustable, so it can be customized to fit just right.

Equipped from the factory is a 1-piece carry handle with adjustable open sights that can be removed to make way for lighted and/or magnified optics of choice. Hatsan’s standard combination optics rail is integrated into the top of the receiver, allowing for the use of either 11mm dovetail or 22mm Weaver mounts. Three Picatinny accessory rails surround the air cylinder for ultimate flexibility in accessory mounting options. The Blitz also features a built-in manometer that is color-coded for easy reference.

Blitz Features:

Blitz Specifications:

Planting Mast Orchards is a great way to attract and feed deer and other wildlife, and Chestnut Hill Outdoors has a diverse array of hard and soft mast-producing trees and shrubs. It’s up to the landowner to decide which species to plant—the greater the variety, the wider the window of attractiveness. However, individual species of trees and shrubs are adapted to living in certain climates. Landowners need to plant types best suited to the local climate to ensure maximum growth and mast production.

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the nation into 10-degree F zones based on average annual minimum winter temperatures at the macro level. These zones or Regions describe the range in which plants are adapted and will be most productive. To ensure proper selection, Chestnut Hill Outdoors lists these zones for each of their products, and they check every order to ensure the selected species are appropriate for their destination. For example, Chickasaw plums are best suited for Zones 5-9, while American plums have a wider cold tolerance in zones 3-8. On the hard mast side, sawtooth, shumard and overcup oaks are better suited to zones 5-9, while nuttall and white oaks will thrive in zones 4-8.

USDA Plant Hardiness Plant Zone Map Link:  http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

When selecting species, it’s also essential to consider micro-climate. Variations in elevation, slope, aspect and even proximity to bodies of water can all result in subtler, more localized temperature variations. Though the property may be in zone 6, the micro-climate of a low-lying pocket with a northern aspect may be closer to zone 4. In most situations, avoiding low-lying pockets is an excellent general rule of thumb, especially when planting mast trees that break dormancy early and could become damaged by late frosts that settle into these pockets. Conversely, gently sloping hillsides will provide a warmer microclimate where cold air drains off, especially if they have a southern aspect and receive more sunlight, which is another factor to consider when determining whitetail planting zones. Most mast species prefer and may even require full sun. 

Purchasing and planting mast-producing trees and shrubs to attract deer represents an investment of time, money and effort. By carefully considering both macro and microclimates when selecting species, landowners can maximize plant productivity so they and the deer they feed will receive a greater return on that investment.

Viridian Weapon Technologies is proud to be a stage sponsor of the 2022 USPSA / Sig Sauger 2Gun Nationals presented by Federal. The National Championship will take place June 11-12, 2022 at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex in Palisade, Colorado. The competition will start on Thursday, June 9th and continue on Friday June 10th with staff and a limited number of approved competitors.

The Viridian Reflex Sight family brings light-weight, green dot-powered reflex sights designed to fit multiple mounting footprints, hold up to the toughest conditions and provide 30,000+ hours of battery life. Viridian will sponsor the first stage of this year’s competition that features 9 IPSC PCC and 9 USPSA Handgun targets for an exciting start to this multigun event.

“Speed and accuracy is what this is all about,” said Viridian Professional Shooter and Product Manager Justin Johnson. “Our new Reflex Sight options were designed with quick target acquisition and accurate shot placement in mind for self defenders and competitors alike. Having green dot-powered optics is an advantage in a personal defense or competitive setting.”

“We’ve worked hard on our product line over the last several years,” said Viridian President and CEO, Brian Hedeen. “We want to be a leader in more categories and continue to leverage our technologies across multiple weapon platforms. To have competitive products on a stage like this with the sport’s best and top professionals means a lot to our team. It will be fun and exciting to be part of this great event—and we expect to see more and more of our sights atop the guns of competitors.”

These reflex sites are backed by Viridian’s seven-year warranty, fit compact and full size handguns and have viewing windows maximized so shooters can get the most benefits around target acquisition and clear fields of view.

When searching for a new crossbow, finding a lightweight, maneuverable, easy-to-use crossbow that’s accurate and affordable has always been Barnett’s focus. The latest addition to Barnett’s Whitetail Hunter™ Series checks these boxes. The new Barnett® Whitetail Hunter 400 XTR boasts features that compliment any hunter at every experience level.

Weighing in at only 6.5lbs, this most recent design is not only narrower but offers faster ballistics compared to its predecessors. To pursue innovation, the 400 XTR from Barnett’s Whitetail Hunter ™ series is 25FPS faster than the previous generation. Engineers also reduced the axel-to-axel length by a whopping 3-inches to 10-inches overall. This improves maneuverability and offers excellent handling without sacrificing power.

For seamless and consistent firing, a TriggerTech™ 3lb zero-creep frictionless release trigger is fitted. It engages with the anti-dry fire trigger system to prevent accidental discharge while unloaded. The trigger is manufactured from metal injection providing consistent manufacturing and feel.

Assembly and use are not only simple, but it’s equally efficient. Composite Laminated Limbs are attached to the frame with a single-bolt assembly. This attachment system is proven throughout many of Barnett’s lineups. While preparing for use, a patented Soft-Lok ™ floating bristle arrow retainer guarantees proper placement and retention of arrows. A lightweight side-mount quiver ensures follow-up shots are well within reach.

Cocking this system is simple with a rope cocking device. The 205 lb draw pull also can be cocked with a stock-mounted crank device. Integrated finger safety notches allow a user tactile feedback when nearing the end of the stock and provide a safe area to hold while ready to fire.