Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

Inspired by the very rare and extremely sought-after 1st Generation Colt pistols inspected by US Ordnance Department Principle Sub-Inspector in Charge, Henry Nettleton, Cimarron Firearms recreated the Colt Single-Action Cavalry Model with his unique inspection initials.

Cimarron Firearms, makers of quality replicas of Old West firearms, is proud to introduce the US Cavalry 1873 Henry Nettleton single-action revolver. For collectors of antique firearms, the Henry Nettleton inspected Cavalry models are a much sought-after firearm with auction prices reflecting its rarity.

The Cimarron replica of the US Cavalry 1873 model showcases the features that made this gun the weapon of choice for government troops. The Henry Nettleton Cavalry is a 45LC single-action, six-shooter with a 7 ½-inch barrel in a standard blue finish with walnut grips. What makes the Henry Nettleton model so unique is that Nettleton, a US Principal Sub-Inspector for the US Ordnance Department in 1878, only inspected and stamped about 3,000 guns. Additionally, Nettleton placed his inspection stamp on the left side of the hammer and trigger guard, unlike any other inspector. Why he was allowed to do this, is still unknown. Many of the guns Nettleton inspected were later refurbished for the NY Militia and barrels were cut down to 5 ½-inches and case hardened along with the cylinder, hammer and trigger, and trigger guard. The Cimarron US Cavalry 1873 Henry Nettleton pays respect to the original 1st generation Colt government models inspected by Henry Nettleton, down to the details of proof marks and all of Nettleton’s inspection stamps using the exact same fonts and placements as the originals. MSRP: $697.34.

For more information on Cimarron Firearms and accessories, visit www.cimarron-firearms.com.

Keep up with the history and happenings at Cimarron on YouTube with “Cimarron Originals with Mike Harvey.”

The National Deer Association (NDA) is offering six-month internships that will run from July 1 to December 31, 2022. The intern(s) will work with the Conservation Department on research, education, advocacy, mission events, hunting, grant writing and/or certification program issues.

The selected individual(s) will assist the Conservation Department on identifying research funding opportunities, developing educational materials, engaging in legislative efforts and R3 programs, and/or helping with NDA’s certification programs.

About The Internship:

To apply for the internship, please send a one-page cover letter and one-page resume to Kip Adams, Chief Conservation Officer, by June 13, 2022.

Join NDA and support their mission today, or sign up for their free e-newsletter to receive the latest on deer hunting and management at DeerAssociation.com

The new CZ Scorpion 3+ Pistol is the next variation of the latest Scorpion 3+ family of firearms. The Scorpion 3+ Pistol will be available this summer in a limited production run. Like all Scorpion 3+ models, the 7.8-inch pistol boasts a suite of customer-requested features and performance upgrades. The redesigned 9mm pistol includes improved ergonomics and smooth operation. Furthermore, its advanced materials are more rigid and lighter than ever before. The Scorpion pistol balances a compact size with the better ballistic performance expected from a longer barrel. 

The new Scorpion 3+ Pistol uses a 7.8-inch cold hammer-forged barrel for outstanding ballistic performance, squeezing more velocity from the popular 9mm cartridge than standard pistol-length barrels. 

Ambidextrous controls are the gold standard in modern firearms, and the Scorpion 3+ includes both an ambidextrous AR-style mag release and bolt catch/release. The CZ engineers repositioned the releases, making them easier to find and ultra-intuitive to operate – shorting any learning curve for those transitioning from AR-style platforms. 

The mag body features a locking window that accommodates the AR-style mag release. New Scorpion 3+ magazines are also backward compatible with previous generations of the Scorpion. The new ergonomic grip design makes it a more comfortable shooting experience for the user. Also, the M-LOK® handguard’s reinforced, heat-resistant polymer construction provides durability without the weight and expense of an aluminum rail handguard.

A redesigned and resized magwell adds a more significant purchase on the handguard for large or gloved hands. The adjustable four aperture aluminum sights are updated, delivering lower 1/3 co-witness with popular red dots and providing a better sight picture and reliable backup. The slimmed-down upper receiver, fitted with an endcap, accommodates a sliding brace, an option that offers superior shooting stability in this powerful pistol.  

Colt’s Manufacturing is proud to introduce its newest snake gun—the King Cobra Target 22 LR at the National Rifle Association Annual Meetings. From competition to plinking and small game hunting, this baby Cobra does it all and packs 10-rounds of .22 LR in its cylinder.

Exceptionally solid and all-American built, the King Cobra Target 22 LR was designed and made to be shot—a lot! Expect to see these revolvers at the many formal and informal rimfire competitions at gun clubs around the nation. Don’t be surprised when the winners of these competitions are using the King Cobra Target 22 LR.

The King Cobra Target 22 LR features US forged stainless steel construction. The one-piece stainless steel barrel is built for the utmost accuracy, topped with an adjustable target rear sight, fiber optic front sight, and Hogue® overmolded rubber grips. 

“We are very excited to debut this new baby snake to our customers at NRA Annual Meetings,” said Justin Baldini, VP of Product Strategy, Colt CZ-USA. “Shooting .22 LR is such an important part of shooting sports. It’s where we come to learn as a beginner; and where we return as seasoned shooters to cost-effectively enjoy more time at the range.  We’re confident that new and old Colt fans will love what we’ve done with the new King Cobra 22 LR.”

The King Cobra Target 22 LR is available with 4-inch and 6-inch barrel lengths, and both feature a 1:16RH rifling twist. 

SilencerCo will be giving away a “suppressor a day” at the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits (NRAAM) in Houston, Texas, from May 27th to May 29th.  Attendees who stop by the SilencerCo booth (# 2432) can enter for the chance to win a free suppressor. The giveaway schedule is as follows: 

The Omega 36M, Hybrid 46M and Harvester EVO are three of SilencerCo’s newest suppressors. The Omega 36M and Hybrid 46M are designed to work on both pistol and rifle platforms. They are also modular suppressors that can work in either a short or long configuration. The Harvester EVO is a short, lightweight silencer designed with hunters in mind for optimal performance. 

In order to register, attendees must visit SilencerCo’s booth and complete the registration form. Winners must be present at the show and will be contacted daily by phone and email.  Winners who don’t respond within 48 hours will forgo their prize and another winner will be chosen. Once all winners are confirmed, SilencerCo will make an official announcement in their weekly eblast. 

Eligible winners must be 21 years or older and reside in one of the 42 states where silencers are legal. Non-silencer-friendly states are not eligible for full or partial winnings. The winner is also responsible for providing a transfer FFL/SOT within their state and must cover the cost of the $200 tax stamp and any other transfer fees. No purchase is necessary in order to enter. Void where prohibited. The winner is responsible for all Federal and State taxes incurred (where applicable). 

SilencerCo

No words can adequately express the pain and loss caused by the mass killing of innocent people—including children—at the hands of manifest evil. We grieve for the lives lost and convey our deepest sympathies to those affected by these heinous acts.

Time and time again, we see that evil people intent on causing death, injury, and chaos simply ignore the thousands of federal, state, and local criminal laws that prohibit acts like murder, terrorism, and assault, wreaking havoc until they voluntarily cease, commit suicide, or are stopped by others—usually armed individuals.

Anti-rights politicians, special interest agitators, and the corporate press have—yet again—disgustingly commandeered these tragedies in a rush to enact their agenda of disarmament and authoritarianism. They offer false hope in support of a radical ideology to separate people from their human rights, often at the very moment that the People are most vulnerable and most acutely need to exercise those very rights. 

Those who oppose human liberty would have us choose between being disarmed or facing incarceration, locked in a cage for peaceably keeping and bearing arms, as is our right. But fundamental rights are not subject to the tyranny of the majority, and thus, we reject this proposition.

The government has no duty to protect you—you are, and always have been, your own first responder. There will always be weapons in the hands of evil. The only question is whether you are armed and ready to defend life and liberty against that evil. The fundamental human right to keep and bear arms does not come from the government or the Constitution. Our rights exist because we are human, and FPC will continue to defend and restore them.

Protective measures will safeguard important salmon spawning rivers in Bristol Bay’s headwaters from large-scale mine waste disposal. 

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is taking an important step toward safeguarding Bristol Bay’s fisheries, communities and economy through section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act by announcing its revised Proposed Determination for Bristol Bay. If these proposed protections are finalized, they will prohibit and restrict the discharge of mine waste into rivers, streams and wetlands of the North and South Fork of the Koktuli River and Upper Talarik Creek, rivers that would be heavily impacted if the Pebble mine was built. Today’s announcement also marks the start of a 40-day public comment period that ends on July 5th and coincides with the beginning of fishing season in Bristol Bay, where a record of more than 70 million sockeye salmon are forecasted to return in 2022. 

“We applaud the EPA for taking this step toward protecting Bristol Bay’s wild salmon fisheries and the Alaska communities that depend on them,” said Chris Wood, president and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “There are no good arguments for a large-scale mining operation in the headwaters of some of the world’s best and most critical salmon habitat. The Clean Water Act is designed to safeguard special places like these. We are pleased that the EPA is listening to Alaskans and anglers across the country and acting on the science showing that mining in Bristol Bay would lead to unacceptable impacts on Alaska’s lands and waters.” 

“As an organization that represents more than 64 Alaska fishing, hunting and tourism businesses we are absolutely thrilled by the important step the EPA took today. We appreciate that the EPA recognizes how important and valuable these rivers are to our fisheries, businesses and families. This is great news heading into our busiest time of year.” said Brian Kraft, President of the Katmai Service Providers and owner of Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge in Bristol Bay. 

“This is fantastic step forward that Alaskans have been urging for over a decade.  It’s clear that the EPA is taking the decades of strong science into consideration and the concerns of the people and businesses in Bristol Bay seriously.” said Nelli Williams, Alaska director for Trout Unlimited. “Advancing 404(c) is a welcome and essential piece of the puzzle for keeping Bristol Bay’s fisheries, and the communities, industries and opportunities they support vibrant.” 

Gamakatsu® takes their innovations into the soft bait market by introducing DuraScent baits. Whatever species anglers are chasing, there’s a DuraScent offering tailor-made for that purpose, with built-in features that outfish and outlast the competition.

The DuraScent Octopus brings eight legs of super-durable and energetic action to waterways from coast to coast and beyond, tempting fish with its undulating natural action. It comes in three sizes – 1.5 inches, 4.5 inches and 6 inches – to “match the hatch” and appeal to a wide array of gamefish. DuraScent Octopus are extremely durable lasting longer than traditional soft plastic octopus/hoochie style baits. Super-soft elastomer provides extreme flexibility and stretches to over 6 times its length. Its buoyant material floats, creating a natural look and feel that fish can’t resist. The 1.5-inch size is infused with shrimp scent and is ideal for targeting kokanee, trout, bass and panfish. The 4.5-inch size is infused with an all-natural blend of real shrimp extract and is perfect for salmon and other larger species. Rig it behind a favorite dodger or flasher, and the natural action and extreme scent will help trigger more strikes. The 6-inch size excels when targeting a wide variety of bigger bottom fish like halibut. Anglers don’t leave home without a DuraScent Octopus if they want to come home with a full fish box or livewell.

DuraScent Octopus Features:

From humble beginnings as Japan’s smallest fishing hook manufacturer in 1955, Gamakatsu® Ltd has evolved to become the world’s preeminent hook manufacturer. Over the years, manufacturing upgrades and cutting-edge innovations have fueled Gamakatsu® USA’s rise as a top producer of fishing hooks, apparel, and fishing related items. 

When anglers purchase Gamakatsu® hooks, they are buying an original product made exclusively by Gamakatsu®. Gamakatsu® is continuously testing new materials and striving to improve their products, which already sets the standard for the rest of the industry.

Shoot Like A Girl® is excited to announce their new partnership with Volquartsen Firearms for the Sea to Shining Sea Tour and the 2022 Season. Founded in 1974, Volquartsen has since dedicated itself to producing handcrafted, quality, American-made firearms designed and engineered to the highest standards.

“The addition of Volquartsen to our partnership roster is exciting and we can’t wait to work with them on future Shoot Like A Girl events,” said Karen Butler, Founder and President of Shoot Like A Girl. “A family-founded company, we know their standard of production is something to be incredibly proud of. Incorporating them into our lineup will bring forth opportunities to event guests to see remarkable and quality American-made products.”

Founded on the core values of creating timeless firearms with innovative manufacturing, Volquartsen’s goal is to treat everyone like family and to do the right thing. Their firearms are designed for performance and reliability- no compromises. They pledge to their consumers that each product is built to the best of their ability, all while keeping it fun for their employees.

“The number of women in the shooting sports continues to grow and much of that can be attributed to organizations such as Shoot Like A Girl,” said President Scott Volquartsen. “We are excited to be able to support their mission and as a result, continue to grow and strengthen the firearms community as a whole.”

Shoot Like A Girl strives to empower women through shooting sports demonstrations and events while opening a discussion surrounding sports and outdoors. Through partnerships like those with Volquartsen, they’re able to bring their state-of-the-art mobile gun range and certified female instructors to cities across the country to share their extensive knowledge of firearms, archery, outdoor accessories and safety with guests and attendees who are never charged. Those present are given one-on-one attention from passionate experts in the shooting sports field.

FN America, LLC is set to unveil custom MultiCam® patterned FN SCAR® NRCH rifles at the 151st NRA Annual Meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, May 26 – 29, 2022. The pattern, Crye Precision’s original MultiCam®, has been applied hydrographically to the receiver and trigger module frame of the SCAR 16S, 17S and 20S commercial SCAR variants.

The legendary FN SCAR®  series, having roots in its battle-proven lineage, now features dual, non-reciprocating charging handles that enable users to shoot from any position or use any grip style. The benchmark of reliability and versatility with its three variants, the FN SCAR rifles are capable of consistent accuracy from their cold hammer-forged and chrome-lined barrels and one-piece forged aluminum receiver. They deliver precision fire with aid from their fully adjustable buttstock, low-flash gas regulator and fast-handling characteristics uncommon in similar rifle platforms.

The MultiCam®  pattern is arguably one of the most popular camouflage patterns currently used by conventional and special operations forces worldwide. According to Crye Precision, the MultiCam® pattern was developed to effectively limit the visual and near-IR signature of a person operating across a very wide range of physical environments and seasons. After many successful evaluations, after being proven in combat, and after becoming the officially issued pattern of the U.S. Army for all Afghanistan operations in 2010, MultiCam® is the proven multi-environment concealment solution.

To learn more about the MultiCam SCARs or other FN SCAR rifles, please visit www.fnamerica.com or the FN Booth (2923) at the 151st NRA Annual Meeting. 

Carry the Future® | FN America, LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of Belgium-based FN Herstal, S.A. provides U.S. military, law enforcement, and commercial customers with a complete range of state-of-the-art, groundbreaking solutions developed around small caliber firearms and associated ammunition under the FN brand name.  

Silencer Central, America’s largest silencer dealer, will be showcasing their line of Banish suppressors and more at the 151st NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Houston, May 27-29, 2022.

Silencer Central will be exhibiting in booth 3806 and will provide attendees the opportunity to buy directly at the booth and get a FREE NFA Gun Trust, free fingerprinting, and no-fee payment plan. Silencer Central will display their complete Banish line of suppressors for consumers to engage with and will have professionals present to discuss the e-Forms and purchasing processes, and all things Silencer Central.

“We’re excited to take Silencer Central and our products on the road to Houston for the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “As an industry expert in silencers, our booth allows attendees to learn about purchasing silencers through the e-Forms process. It’s going to be great to see everyone in person again, and we look forward to introducing our new purchasing process to our consumers.”

Silencer Central is licensed in all 42 silencer-legal states and will ship the purchased silencer(s) directly to your front door once approved making this the most streamlined silencer buying experience. Approval times are averaging less than 90 days with eForms, so you will have your approved silencer shipped directly to your door in no time.

In addition to learning about all of Silencer Central’s Banish products, show goers will also have the opportunity to meet some of the outdoor industry’s leaders who have recently partnered with Silencer Central to help educate hunters and gun enthusiasts on the benefits of shooting suppressed.

Today marks the centennial anniversary of the opening of a building housing the National Collection of Heads and Horns at the Bronx Zoo in 1922. Organized by several Boone and Crockett Club members, the Collection was intended to raise visibility for declining wildlife species and was officially dedicated “In Memory of the Vanishing Big Game of the World.” The collection, now housed at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, will be getting a new addition to the Collection—a bighorn sheep ram that was found by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on Flathead Lake’s  Wild Horse Island. The ram scored 206-3/8 during the recent 31st Big Game Awards Judges Panel and now ranks #9 all time.

When the National Collection of Heads and Horns was dedicated in May 1922, Boone and Crockett Club member and the collection’s original curator William T. Hornaday noted that, “As wild animal extermination now is proceeding all over the world, it is saddening to think that 100 years hence many of the species now shown in our collection will have become totally extinct.” His prediction, however, did not come true—most of the North American species that are part of the National Collection have thrived thanks largely to sustainable wildlife management and consistent funding championed by the Club.

“The nation’s awakening to the conservation crisis a century ago led to policy changes like the Lacey Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Pittman-Robertson Act and more—and the Boone and Crockett Club helped lead the charge on many of these issues,” commented Tony A. Schoonen, chief executive officer of the Boone and Crockett Club. “We are proud of our organization’s contribution to conservation and the centennial of the National Collection of Heads and Horns is an excellent opportunity to celebrate these achievements.”

The centennial of the National Collection of Heads and Horns comes in the same year as the 31st Big Game Awards and one of the trophies honored in the awards—a bighorn sheep ram found dead on Wild Horse Island—will be added to the collection. The ram is an excellent example of how the Boone and Crockett Club’s official measurement and scoring system for trophy big game helps to track the success of conservation policies and programs. The current World’s Record bighorn sheep scoring 216-4/8, another ram that scored 209, and the new ram found in 2021, show that quality habitat and healthy populations found on Wild Horse Island can produce remarkable representatives of the species. Wild Horse Island is also providing a nursery herd for the reintroduction of bighorn sheep and supporting the continued restoration of bighorn sheep in other states. A recent video produced by the Wild Sheep Foundation documents the recent translocation effort to the Tendoy Mountains in Montana.

“We are excited about this new ram that is now displayed with the 31st Big Game Awards trophies and will ultimately stay on display within the National Collection of Heads and Horns,” said Gray N. Thornton, president and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “He is a true testament to the reversal of fortune our big game species experienced, which was the primary purpose of the National Collection 100 years ago. The celebration of this ram also honors the Wild Horse Island herd that is so incredibly important for bighorn sheep restoration, as we document in our Return to the Tendoysvideo.” 

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is pleased to announce that Team Ruger posted several divisional wins this past weekend, charging hard into their competition season.

Team member Randi Rogers captured the Single Stack Division title at the USPSA Texas State Open Championship held at the Wallis-Orchard Gun Range in Wallis, TX. She claimed the win with a final time of 1225.88, shooting her Ruger Custom Shop® SR1911® Competition Pistol in 9mm Luger.

Team members Dave Olhasso and James McGinty each walked away with divisional wins at the PSA Steel Shootout held at the Palmyra Sportsmen’s Association in Annville, PA. Olhasso captured the first place spot in the Stock Revolver Division with a final time of 167.50 competing with his Ruger® GP100® revolver chambered in .357 Magnum. Competing with his Ruger Custom Shop® SR1911® Competition Pistol in 9mm Luger, Dave continued the day gathering a first place finish in the Stock Auto Division and a second place finish in the Open Auto Division with times of 95.53 and 98.97, respectively. He also pulled off a second place finish in the PCC Division with a final time of 54.75 using the Ruger® PC Carbine™ chambered in 9mm.

Teammate James McGinty grabbed first in the Open Revolver Division with a final time of 117.42 competing with his Ruger Custom Shop® Super GP100® Competition Revolver chambered in 9mm Luger. James also took the second place spot in the Stock Auto Division shooting his Ruger Custom Shop® SR1911® Competition Pistol in 9mm Luger, with a final score of 98.97.

With these wins, Team Ruger is off to a fast start for the season, logging an impressive 12 first place, 3 second place and 1 third place wins.

The Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament has reeled in more than $6 million since it began 33 years ago.

More than 1,000 anglers in 539 boats took to the water in Palatka last week to compete in the 33rd annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament, widely recognized as one of the largest bass fishing tournaments in Florida.

The three-day event featured different competitions each day, culminating in the main tournament Saturday, May 21. Wyatt Kinney, of Bunnell, Fla., and Austin Black, of East Palatka, Fla., won first place overall with a five-fish aggregate weight of 29.89 lbs. Second place went to Brett Bollinger and Justin Atkinson, both of Green Cove Springs, Fla., with a total weight of 24.57 lbs. Michael Hall, of Yulee, Fla., and Tracey Duckett, of Lake City, Fla., took home third place overall with a five-fish weight of 23.62 lbs.

The winners of Thursday’s Lads and Lasses Tournament were: Steve and Kirsten Bishop, of DeLand, Fla., with a five-fish aggregate weight of 24.84 lbs., followed by Wyatt Kinney and Alyssa Gross, of Bunnell, Fla., in second place, and Jason and Jasmin Phiel, of Palatka, Fla., in third.

During the VIP & Friends Tournament on Friday, May 20, Robin Shiver and Syler Prince, of Palatka, Fla., took home first with an aggregate weight of 19.15 lbs. Danny Inabnett and Randy Sievert, of DeLeon, Fla., came in second place, and Edwin Smith and Jace Stokes, of Glen St. Mary, Fla., came in third.

For many hunters preparing for a trip, especially a long-awaited one, is a stand-alone ritual. Restocking on ammo, polishing your rifle, choosing what to wear. Almost like a prom prep, only less stressful and defining. Some hunting enthusiasts pay their undivided attention to and spend money only on firearms, neglecting apparel and thinking it doesn’t matter that much. There is some reasoning behind it since hunting clothes don’t lure more animals or help your hand remain steady. We need to set priorities, and for the most part, apparel will always be beaten by firearms and ammunition. However, every seasoned hunter will tell you that there is much more to apparel than meets the eye. Clothing is the closest thing to your body, and it actually fulfills more functions than your firearm. No firearm will keep you warm, dry, and well-hidden from your prey unless you shoot a cannon with a bore wide enough to house a human. But, for the sake of fairness, no outfit will help you shoot your prey either. We at GritrOutddors.com believe that there is no competition for your money between apparel and firearms. Those are two important aspects of hunting that deserve to be considered. And in this article, we will help you choose the best men’s hunting clothing to get the full worth of your money. And look good. 

Hunting clothing is all about function above looks: its value is determined by performance in the field rather than visual appeal. Hunting apparel manufacturers have more aspects to work on than other outdoor clothing producers. Your outfit should keep you warm, but not cause excessive sweating. It should keep your movements unrestricted, but not be too loose or tight. It should keep you dry and protect you from the wind, and, finally, conceal you from animals’ eyes. Quite a list of responsibilities, right? You will hardly find something in your closet that could handle all these tasks. But are those features really that important when hunting? If you have ever returned from the forest soaking and freezing, you won’t discard the comfort that hunting clothing can provide.

Now that we’ve hopefully proved the worth of hunting apparel (at least we tried), let’s get down to choosing clothes. We must first decide on the brand. The hunting apparel market, just as any other in the US, is very competitive. Many brands specialize solely in hunting apparel, and there are those for whom it is one of the product ranges. We could say that you should not listen to anyone and check all things first-hand, but this is exactly why you are here, aren’t you? Looking for advice. We could enumerate more than a dozen of hunting camo brands worthy of your attention and recommend trying each of them, but you hardly need that many camouflaged jackets and pants. And it would cost you a pretty penny. To save your money and time, which are both precious resources, we will stop at one brand and give you a few examples of its products. Today’s brand: King’s Camo. 

King’s Camo is known for developing its own camo patterns, inspired by brush, coloration, depth, and details of various terrains. But this brand is not only about coming up with fancy pictures to put on clothing – product quality matches the ingenuity of their patterns. King’s Camo belongs to the clique of leading hunting apparel manufacturers, so five-star performance is guaranteed. 

What pieces of clothing you might want to incorporate into your hunting outfit? The options are numerous, depending on the climate you live in, the type of game you plan to hunt and its natural habitat, clothes you feel comfortable wearing, that sort of thing. The safe choice would be to have a pair of pants or bibs, one or two jackets for different seasons, gloves, a neck gaiter, and a hat. Boots are technically not apparel, so we are not going to elaborate on them, but a sturdy pair of boots is another mainstay for a fruitful hunt.

Commercial fishermen urge EPA to move quickly to finalize 404(c) process

DILLINGHAM, AK – Today, as thousands of Bristol Bay fishermen and seafood industry workers prepare for what is predicted to be another record-breaking return of wild salmon, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will release proposed protections for the Bristol Bay watershed on Thursday, May 26th. The EPA’s Clean Water Act Section 404(c) Proposed Determination would help keep critical salmon habitat in Bristol Bay’s headwaters pristine and productive. This proposal comes in response to a 20-year long effort led by Alaska Native tribes, fishermen, and businesses to stop the proposed Pebble Mine from being built in Bristol Bay’s headwaters. 

In response to today’s release, Bristol Bay’s commercial fishing fleet welcomed the EPA’s Proposed Determination and applauded the EPA for taking a step towards protecting the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery, which is predicted to have a record-breaking 73 million sockeye salmon return this summer and provides over half the world supply of wild sockeye salmon. 

“Today’s announcement is an important step toward finally protecting Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine and we hope EPA will move quickly to finalize the 404(c) Clean Water Act process to enact durable, long-lasting protections for the region, as we have requested, as soon as possible. With a predicted record-breaking fishing season kicking off shortly, it couldn’t be more clear what is at stake if Pebble Mine were built: thousands of jobs, a sustainable economy, and an irreplaceable way of life are all on the line. For years Bristol Bay’s fishermen have been asking the EPA to finalize Clean Water Act protections for our fishery and stop the Pebble Mine. Before we head out on our boats, we’ll weigh in once again and urge the EPA to protect Bristol Bay’s $2.2 billion dollar sustainable economy and the 15,000 jobs imperiled by the Pebble Mine,” said Katherine Carscallen, Director of Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay. 

“We’re glad to see that the EPA is following the science and taking steps to protect Bristol Bay’s wild salmon fishery,” said Andy Wink, Executive Director of the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association. “Our industry has been operating with the Pebble Mine hanging over us for far too long. This threat has created tremendous uncertainty and risk for our fishermen and seafood processors who have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into fishing boats, fishing permits, and processing plants. We look forward to the EPA completing its 404(c) process as quickly as possible so that our industry can focus on harvesting and supplying the world with Bristol Bay Sockeye.”

Stoeger Industries, manufacturer of performance-grade shotguns, personal defense handguns, and airguns, announces today they will be exhibiting at the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in booth #1809, May 27-29, 2022, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

Attendees and NRA members are encouraged to visit the Stoeger booth and learn more about the expanding family of STR-9 semi-auto pistols. The Stoeger line of handguns are built for comfortable shooting and dependable EDC performance and are affordably priced. Guests can discover which model fits their carry needs, from the full-size STR-9F with its impressive 17+1 capacity to the new STR-9SC Sub-Compact and STR-9SC Sub-Compact Optic-Ready models. Featuring an ergonomic polymer frame and striker-fired semi-auto action, the STR-9SC Sub-Compact, and STR-9SC Sub-Compact Optic-Ready deliver performance benchmarks that exceed their low MSRP.

Stoeger offers three models in the STR-9SC Sub-Compact lineup—standard STR-9SC Sub-Compact, STR-9SC Sub-Compact with Tritium night sights, and STR-9SC Sub-Compact Optic- Ready. All come with a medium backstrap, left- or right-side position magazine release lever, trigger safety, integrated accessory rail, front post/square notch rear sight configuration, and a 10-round magazine for 10+1 carry.

For the growing number of shooters who desire a highly concealable pistol with a red dot sighting system, the STR-9SC Sub-Compact Optic-Ready is the go-to. This model comes with a factory-milled optic cut in the slide and four mounting plates with patterns to accommodate the most common micro-red dot optics on the market today. A cover plate is also included for open sight use.

To learn more about the new STR-9SC Sub-Compact series from Stoeger Industries, stop by NRA Show booth #1809, or visit StoegerIndustries.com.

The Wyoming Migration Initiative, with speaker Emily Reed, is hosting a session at the POMA Business Conference this June with “From the Field to the Media: Community Big-game Migration Science” session on Thursday, June 16. POMA’s Annual Business Conference is June 14-16 in Kalispell, MT. Emily Reed is an associate researcher and communication specialist for the Wyoming Migration Initiative at the University of Wyoming. She has helped plan and carry out successful communication campaigns for scientific research and conservation in innovative ways. Reed will teach attendees how to apply science communication tools to their own media content, with the goal of educating audiences effectively and efficiently.

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

“Effective science communication can have positive, long-term impacts on conservation, management, and policies. But we also know that the default science communication strategy – just share the facts – doesn’t work,” said Reed. “Still, many of us in the media space rely on just sharing facts because we don’t have time, or perhaps are faced with messaging constraints, or aren’t trained in evidence-based science communication strategies. At WMI, we’ve determined how to overcome those obstacles and want to share our story – and results – with those attending POMA.”

The POMA Annual Business Conference consists of three exciting days of educational and networking opportunities. Kalispell will also have suggestions for activities before and after conference to help members make the most of their time in the area. Members are encouraged to register now and book travel early to take advantage of early booking savings. 

As with every conference, attendees will enjoy:

Benelli, the world’s leaders in innovative firearm technology, including the ground-breaking Benelli Inertia Driven system, effective Comfort Tech recoil-reduction systems, and the BE.S.T. anti-corrosion coatings, announced today their attendance at the 2022 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas.

The Benelli booth, #1809, will host various new products that fit the needs of the most demanding hunters and sport shooters. Show visitors will have the opportunity to see several new rifles, semi-auto shotguns, and limited edition over-under shotguns, all built with the quality control and innovation designs Benelli is known for.

Guests that favor style and attention to detail will want to check out the new Benelli Lupo BE.S.T. rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, and .300 Win-Mag—both available with premium AA-grade walnut stocks well-thought ergonomics that make Lupo one of the most comfortable and accurate rifles on the market today. The new Lupo BE.S.T. rifles include the field-proven, Benelli Surface Treatment (BE.S.T.) on the barrel—a finish so dependable in preventing rust, corrosion, and abrasion that Benelli backs it with a 25-year warranty.

Serious waterfowl hunters will be drawn to the all-new Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 in 3-inch chamber 28-gauge—perfect for hunting flooded timber in the southern regions as well as the beaver dams and cattails of the north, where tight quarters favor the sub-gauge. And with more hunters seeking smaller-gauge shotguns, the new Super Black Eagle 3 28-gauge 3-inch models fit the needs of waterfowlers looking for greater challenges with a scaled-to-suite gun.

The new SBE 3 models continue the unfailing performance and rugged construction that has made the Super Black Eagle the first choice among discriminating shotgunners yet do so in a lighter weight, faster-handling package ideally suited for those decoyed birds in flooded timber. Offered in Crio®-treated 26- and 28-inch barrel lengths, the 28-gauge SBE 3s are modest 5.5 and 5.6 pounds, respectively, with 47.5- and 49.5-inch overall lengths.

Franchi announces their upcoming attendance at the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas. The company invites all NRA members and show attendees to visit them at booth #1809 to learn more about their high-quality semi-automatic shotguns, over-under shotguns, and bolt-action rifles.

The Franchi booth will have various firearms on display during the NRA show hours May 27-29 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Visitors will have the opportunity to examine first-hand the new Instinct L 20-gauge, featuring an all-steel, color case-hardened receiver, automatic ejectors, and classic Prince of Wales-style stock, as well as the new 26-inch barrel Instinct L, which delivers the classical form and premium performance of Franchi’s Instinct line but at a size and weight ideally suited for fast-paced upland action.

Guests will also be able to experience the popular Momentum Elite, Franchi’s premium-grade big-game hunting rifle. Since its debut in 2020, the Momentum Elite has earned a solid reputation for its precision construction and numerous features that savvy big-game hunters appreciate in a dedicated hunting rifle. This year, Franchi expands the Momentum Elite portfolio with new color options for the .350 Legend and 6.5 PRC caliber rifles. 

Schedule time to see all of the premium performance firearms that Franchi has to offer and talk with the friendly Franchi staff at this year’s NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits at booth #1809.

For more information on high-quality shotguns and bolt-action rifles by Franchi, visit FranchiUSA.com.