Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

BELLEVUE, WA – Noting that California’s “sensitive places” law severely restricting lawful concealed carry is “sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court,” a federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the law’s enforcement.

It is a major victory for the Second Amendment Foundation and its partners in a federal lawsuit filed in September. The case is known as May v. Bonta. Sharing the victory are Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Gun Owners of California, the California Rifle & Pistol Association and eleven private citizens. They are represented by attorneys C.D. Michel, Sean A. Brady and Konstadinos T. Moros at Michel & Associates in Long Beach, and Donald Kilmer, Law Offices of Don Kilmer, Caldwell, Idaho.

U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney at the Central District of California handed down his 43-page decision Wednesday. In his ruling, the judge noted, “The right to self-defense and to defend one’s family is fundamental and inherent to our very humanity irrespective of any formal codification…For many years, the right to bear arms, and so necessarily the right to self-defense, was relegated to second-class status.” That all changed when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down three landmark rulings over the course of 14 years, ending with the June 2022 Bruen decision.

But California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom essentially ignored the high court, and as Judge Carney noted, defied the rulings on Second Amendment rights. Senate Bill 2, designating virtually all private property open to the public as “sensitive places” was adopted.

“SB2 is not only an affront to the right to keep and bear arms,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “it’s an insult to the intelligence of every honest citizen in the Golden State. It amounts to a massive prohibition on legal carry throughout the state, which runs counter to what the U.S. Supreme Court said in its Bruen ruling last year. Thankfully, Judge Carney sent a message to Gov. Newsom and anti-gun-rights state lawmakers that they can’t get away with this.”

Proposed law would fund important duck production and habitat conservation efforts to bolster waterfowl populations

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — A bill to authorize $3 million annually to enhance duck production in the prairie pothole region through the installation and maintenance of Hen Houses and to develop nesting and brood habitat in California was introduced today in Congress.

H.R. 6854—The Habitat Enhancement Now, or HEN Act—was put forward by Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minnesota, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-California, and Rep. Douglas LaMalfa, R-California.

“We sincerely appreciate the leadership of Congresswoman Fischbach and Congressman Thompson and Congressman LaMalfa to invest in tools that can significantly boost duck production,” said Dr. Scott Petrie, chief executive officer of Delta Waterfowl. “The science of breeding ducks has shown that nest success is often far below desired levels in the prairies and brood habitat is limiting production in California. This legislation will create an incremental funding stream to address those challenges head on.”

Decades of research and use have proven that Hen Houses nesting structures cost-effectively increase mallard nest success by keeping the hen and her clutch of eggs out of reach of mammalian nest predators. On the prairies, mallards consistently use Hen Houses at high rates, and experience up to 12 times more nest success over mallards that nest in nearby upland grass cover.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — As the NWTF geared up to celebrate its historic 50th Anniversary all year in 2023, the federation set out to positively impact 1 million acres from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. The NWTF officially surpassed the unprecedented 1-million-acre goal on Dec. 18, and as of today, has 1,009,053 positively impacted acres reported and is validating additional acres before the year closes.

“This is a monumental accomplishment for our organization, and it is the direct result of the hard work our talented staff, volunteers and partners accomplish daily,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Positively impacting 1 million acres in 365 days would not have been possible just a few years ago; however, we have steadily grown our effectiveness and overall impact as an organization year after year.”

Bringing the NWTF’s total impact to over 23 million acres since tracking began in 1985, the 1 million acres accomplished in 2023 was an ambitious task and was a hard-earned effort spearheaded by the NWTF’s conservation staff across the country. Acres that were part of 2023’s 1 million total include private-, federal- and state-owned lands that the NWTF positively impacted. Positively impacted acres are broken into two categories: conserved or enhanced acres and influenced acres.

Conserved or enhanced acres are acres where the NWTF has a direct impact on the ground. A significant amount of conserved or enhanced acres were accomplished with a deliberate focus on conservation at a landscape scale though the NWTF’s initiatives across its Big Six Regions of Conservation. Landscape scale efforts also include work done through the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and on private lands through the NWTF’s National Forestry Initiative.

NWTF state chapters also played a major role in bolstering conserved and enhanced acres by funding projects through the Super Fund, including land acquisitions, long-term habitat enhancements, equipment purchases, annual plantings and more. The Super Fund is a funding model where NWTF volunteers raise money at banquets and other types of fundraisers and then allocate a significant portion of those funds back into meaningful conservation and outreach projects in their respective states (and beyond).

Becky Yackley of Team Winchester represented the United States at the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Shotgun World Shoot in Pattaya, Thailand.

Becky placed sixth overall in the Lady Standard Division and, along with Lena Miculek, and Jalise Williams, won Gold for Team USA in the Lady Standard Team.

“Becky’s passion and dedication to the shooting sports is inspiring and her hard work makes her one of the top competitors in the world. She trained extremely hard for this event, as she has throughout the year, and her work ethic is unmatched,” said Jason Gilbertson, Director of Marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “It is an honor to be aligned with Becky and her family and we look forward to their continued successes.”

Becky and her family participate in shooting events throughout the world, using Winchester ammunition exclusively, including USA Ready pistol and rifle and AA® shotshell products.

About Winchester Ammunition

Winchester is the largest small caliber ammunition enterprise in the world and the leader in delivering innovative ammunition products to hunters, sport shooters, law enforcement and the U.S. Warfighter. The 157-year-old Winchester brand is built on integrity, hard work and a deep focus on its loyal customers. Learn more about Winchester by visiting Winchester.com or connecting with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is seeking a highly motivated individual to assume the role of National Director for the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP). The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of the SCTP and related clay target shooting programs within the SSSF.

Full Job Details and how to apply

About the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is 501(c)(3) public charity responsible for all aspects of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) across the United States. The SCTP and SASP are youth development programs in which adult coaches and other volunteers use shooting sports to teach and to demonstrate sportsmanship, responsibility, honesty, ethics, integrity, teamwork, and other positive life skills.

Provide and enhance personal growth and development opportunities for student athlete members; become the premier authority in all things pertaining to firearm-related pursuits for youth; pass on to future generations the legacy of lifelong, safe, responsible enjoyment of the shooting sports. This includes serving as the primary feeder/pipeline for organized, sanctioned shooting organizations and teams, like USA SHOOTING, TEAM USA, and the NGBs (NSSA, NSCA, ATA). 

Gun Tote’n Mamas is proud to announce its year-round discount of 20% off all regularly priced bags for Military and First Responders. This exclusive offer represents commitment, respect, and privilege to assist the men and women who serve our country and communities.

Gun Tote’n Mamas honors the sacrifices made by those in the armed forces, first responders and other public service professionals. That’s why the company extends this discount to active-duty personnel, veterans and dependents, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs/EMS, nurses, doctors, public service/government employees and retired individuals from these professions.

“We are humbled to support those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others and our Nation,” said Claudia Chisholm, President of Gun Tote’n Mamas. “By offering this discount, we hope to make our high-quality concealed carry bags more accessible to those who daily put their lives on the line.”

In addition to the year-round discount, Gun Tote’n Mamas is proud to support organizations such as the Military Women’s Memorial. This organization honors the service and sacrifice of women in the military and provides a place for their stories to be shared and celebrated.

Gun Tote’n Mamas offers a wide range of concealed carry bags that combine style, functionality and safety. Each bag is meticulously designed to provide easy access to firearms while ensuring secure and discreet carry. With a variety of sizes, styles and colors available, there is a broad choice for every individual’s needs, preferences and profession.

Kick off the new year at the 2024 ATA Show in St. Louis, Jan. 11-13. The world’s largest archery-only show gathers over 700 retailers and 450 archery brands under one roof for three days of face-to-face business. Register to attend the 2024 ATA Show now to take advantage of everything the annual event offers.  

The ATA Show will feature:  

Register Now to Save 
Attend the can’t-miss event and register now to avoid an onsite registration fee. Plus, ATA-member retailers who book their room in the ATA Hotel Block by Dec. 20 can also save through ATA’s First Night’s on Us promotion in partnership with Explore St. Louis. Each retailer account will receive one $150 credit on their bill toward their first night’s stay. 

To register for the Show,  click here. For registration questions, please contact Sarah Haala, ATA’s Trade Show coordinator, at [email protected] or 507-233-8130.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in January. Here are some opportunities:

James Family Conservatory and Nature Center grand opening Jan. 1

Take a sneak peek at the new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park with its grand opening from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 1. Walk through the conservatory, see the working greenhouse and then explore activities in the nature center.

Starting Jan. 5, the facility will be open Fridays and Saturdays only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for Jan. 13 when it closes at noon.

Little Saplings program presents Squirrels on Jan. 3

Exciting Merger Enhances Bowhunting/Archery Content and Reaches the Widest Audience of Dedicated Hunting Archers

DENVER (December 18, 2023) – In an exciting development that unites two of the archery world’s largest and most respected names – Bowhunter Magazine and Petersen’s Bowhunting – Outdoor Sportsman Group is set to combine its category leading bowhunting brands into a singular, unified, multi-media consumer bowhunting brand under the BOWHUNTER nameplate. This collaboration signifies a new era, bringing together decades of expertise, passion, and dedication to deliver even more comprehensive and engaging content to the global community of bowhunters.

Jeff Waring, Publisher of Outdoor Sportsman Group’s bowhunting brands, is sharing the announcement with Petersen’s Bowhunting subscribers in the coming weeks. “We’ve reviewed all aspects of both bowhunting publications, and it just makes sense to take this opportunity to combine resources, reach a wider audience, and provide more comprehensive content. This merger, which effectively combines two leading brands into one, will enhance the overall quality of the content our readers have come to expect from these brands with the added expertise we are integrating into the BOWHUNTER media brand. We appreciate our readers’ loyalty and commit to continue serving them with the best and most comprehensive media in the category.”

The new-and-improved BOWHUNTER aims to provide enthusiasts and advertisers with a bigger, more vibrant, and robust one-stop shop for all things about hunting with the bow and arrow. Looking ahead to 2024, readers will find a new-but-familiar editorial mix, now under the watchful eye and direction of Editor-in-Chief Christian Berg, who will be working closely with now Bowhunter Editor-at-Large and TV Host Curt Wells.

As the original all-bowhunting publication enters its 53rd year, BOWHUNTER will publish eight regular issues in 2024, and the team will also oversee publication of four newsstand specials including the New Gear Guide, two editions of Crossbow Revolution, and in its second year, the popular Tree Saddle Hunter. Additionally, the year ahead will see expansion of BOWHUNTER’s web presence via the merger’s strengthening of Bowhunter.com, related social channels, and re-branding of the Bowhunting Podcast. Plus, celebrating its 2Oth season of field production, BOWHUNTER TV will reach more viewers than ever via its evolving distribution model of Outdoor and Sportsman Channels, MOTV, and a widening variety of leading-edge streaming services.

We have had the opportunity to test out the Rattan Pathfinder E-Bike and at the price point for this E-Bike it is exceeding our expectations. The Rattan Pathfinder is a serious bike at a price point that seems to be about half of what other premium electric bikes are going for with basically all of the same features.

We had the Rattan Pathfinder shipped to us and from the point of order to having the bike in our hands it was less than a week to have it delivered. It comes in a large box and overall the bike was extremely easy to put together but the EBIKE User Manual could be a little more intuitive and better written. Overall it was pretty easy to figure out and the entire package was easy to put together. Our bike came with a full basket which we installed and pannier bags which we opted to leave off for the time being as it just didn’t feel right for our outdoor and hunting use of this bike.

The power and performance of the Pathfinder’s 750W brushless gear hub motor are impressive. The bike provides a smooth and effortless ride whether you are climbing hills or cruising city streets and on wet, muddy or sandy gravel. The tires on this are going to handle just about everything your throw at them with the exceptions of goat heads or thorns and you are going to have to upgrade to some Tannus Armour Inserts for areas with heavy thorns. The bike has a top speed of 28 mph and at that speed it’s a fun bike to ride but for most of my outdoor and hunting needs, I am never going to be traveling at that kind of speed especially loaded down with gear and out with meat(Hopefully).

The range on this bike is 40 to 60 miles and for everything I need from this type of bike, I will almost rarely ever even come close to those kinds of mileages on a daily hunt so this is more than sufficient for my daily use and with the use of the Yoshino Power Bank I can easily keep this bike charged in camp. The hydraulic brakes offer great stopping power when you need it. We tested this on some downhill slopes and it hung in there like a champ.

The LCD display with wireless mobile connection and sync with the Key-Disp app allows you to have more control over your bike and keep it safe. The Rattan Pathfinder comes standard with front light and tail light with a brake light indicator to offer enhanced visibility and safety when riding on public roads. I like running these lights in the morning heading into the stand because I get in early and everyone can see where I am going in on public land.

Czech CSG Group, the global industrial-technology company owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad, announces the purchase of the majority stake in the Italian, family-owned Armi Perazzi S.p.A., manufacturer of high-quality shotguns for sport shooters and elite hunters. Typical owners of these premium firearms, of which Perazzi produces approximately 1,500 units per year, are Olympic medalists, successful competitive shooters being amongst them. One such individual is the Czech Olympic gold medal winner in trap from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, David Kostelecký.

CSG also operates two small-caliber ammunition factories in the USA.

The company’s founder was Daniele Perazzi, an Italian gunsmith who realized his dream of producing the highest-quality shotguns worldwide when he founded the Armi Perazzi company in 1957. Currently, the company is led by the founder’s descendants, Mauro and Roberta Perazzi. CSG acquires an 80-percent stake in the company while the Perazzi siblings share the remaining 20 percent equally. The business will continue to be run by the Perazzi family and the current management team. The acquisition process on the selling side was assisted by the Milan-based consulting and investment company FAI, with legal advice provided by the law firm Gianni & Origoni.

The purchase of Perazzi is CSG’s second major acquisition in Italy. Last year, the company acquired a majority stake in Fiocchi Munizioni, the manufacturer of small-caliber ammunition, which operates production facilities in Italy, the UK, and the USA (where it has two production sites: one in Ozark, Missouri, and the second in Little Rock, Arkansas). Perazzi serves the American market through its subsidiary, Perazzi USA Inc., in Azusa, California. Perazzi USA is the sole importer and distributor for the United States market.

Mauro Perazzi said, “The decision to find a strategic partner to whom we would sell a majority stake in the company was motivated by our desire to ensure a secure future, sustainable growth, and strengthen the company’s unique position in the global luxury arms market. We decided to partner with CSG, which also has roots as a family business, because CSG understands our history and business philosophy.”

Traditional gun vaults are ideal for secure, long-term storage of firearms and ammunition. They are not, though, designed to be part of a tactical response system in an emergency, such as a home invasion. That is why Hayman Safe Company developed the Minuteman quick-access gun safes.

Part of the Minuteman series, the Minuteman Magnum (#MM 5020 E) is the stand-alone big brother to the in-wall-mounted Minuteman (MM 4814 E). The Minuteman Magnum’s mission is to provide both safe firearm storage and lightning-quick access to your defensive long guns or handguns in the most convenient locations in the home.

Built from a 1/8-inch formed steel body and a 3/16-inch formed steel door and featuring a tough gray powdercoat finish, the Minuteman Magnum can be secured to any floor or wall. Its small 20×12-inch footprint and low 50-inch height makes this safe ideal for placement in a living room, hallway, bedroom, or anywhere you need fast, strategic access to your defensive weapons.

The Minuteman utilizes a limited-range tilt-out door that is secured via a deadlocking boltwork. The UL listed electronic locking system comes standard with a programmable keypad or choose the programmable keypad with the optional biometric lock system. Long guns may be stored secured to the inside of the door in a muzzle-down attitude for safe retrieval or along the back wall of the safe. An adjustable shelf system on the door can accommodate guns up to 39 inches in length while a hook-and-loop strap system keeps the guns firmly in place and easy to retrieve.

Understanding that most home invasions and break-ins occur at night, the Minuteman Magnum includes a self-illuminating strip along the keypad recess to provide discrete visual identification in low light conditions. To see the safe contents, a motion-sensor light located in the top of the safe turns on when the door is opened, so there is no fumbling in the dark during a high-adrenaline crisis.

5.11 Tactical, the global innovator of Purpose-Built Gear is thrilled to announce new everyday carry (EDC) products for Fall 2023. Built with functionality and durability in mind, these new products are designed to meet the needs of first responders, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday individuals who prioritize preparedness in their daily lives.

“EDC items are essential pieces of gear for anyone who intends to be prepared for any situation or challenge that might arise,” said 5.11’s Matt Page, Vice President, Global Product. “These are items that need to be dependable and durable enough for professional use while also being able to perform without failure in everyday emergencies. Our product team created each of these items to meet those standards without compromise.”

Customers in search of a reliable pocketknife can look to the Braddock DP Full ($50). Ideal for EDC and nimble enough for daily tasks, it features a 3.5-inch, drop-point blade constructed with edge-retaining D2 steel that includes a swedge for reduced point thickness. Its 2.7-mm thickness provides blade durability and the G10 handle ensures solid grip for years of daily use. The liner-locking folder measures 8.125 inches when open but folds to a pocket-friendly 4.875 inches. It also offers a reversible deep-carry pocket clip. 

A more compact option is found with the Braddock DP Mini ($40). It utilizes the same materials but offers a 3-inch blade and measures 7 inches when open, but folds to a pocket-friendly 4 inches and comes with a deep-carry pocket clip that can be installed on either side.

The Halon FR Glove ($50) is made with inherently fire-resistant goatskin leather in the palms for abrasive tasks and fire-resistant Polartec® Power Grid FR on the back for increased flexibility, warmth, and breathability while also reducing the glove’s weight. The hook-and-loop fasteners at the wrist provide a snug seal. With a comfortable fit, extreme dexterity, and touchscreen capability, users will never feel the urge to take these gloves off.

This holiday season, TRUE offers a holiday gift guide of top-notch knives curated for every aficionado in your life. From the avid fisherman to the grill master, TRUE has a collection that marries precision, style, and functionality. Elevate the art of gifting with these exceptional tools that promise to bring joy and mastery.

1.  SYK Fillet Knives (7” and 9”) – Best Fillet Knives for the Fisherman: Tailored for the discerning angler, the SYK Fillet Knives in 7” and 9” sizes are a cut above the rest. Engineered with precision and featuring razor-sharp blades, these knives effortlessly glide through fish, ensuring a clean and perfect fillet every time. Gift the fisherman in your life the tool they need to transform their catch into a culinary masterpiece.

2.  MAAR Cleaver Flipper Knife – Best Oversized Pocket Knife: The MAAR Cleaver Flipper Knife is the epitome of versatility and convenience. Its oversized design doesn’t compromise on portability, making it the best companion for those on the go. Whether it’s for camping, hiking, or everyday use, the MAAR Cleaver Flipper Knife is the perfect blend of power and practicality for the modern adventurer.

3.  PrimalForge Kit with Slicer & Chopper –Best Knife Set for the Grill Masters: Elevate the grilling experience with the PrimalForge Kit, a dynamic duo comprising a Slicer and Chopper. Crafted for grill masters who appreciate the art of barbecue, this knife set is designed to handle everything from slicing through juicy steaks to chopping vegetables with finesse. Give the gift of precision to the barbecue enthusiast who takes pride in their culinary creations.

4.  BERM Tanto Flipper Knife – Best Multi-Purpose Flipper Knife: The BERM Tanto Flipper Knife is a masterful blend of elegance and functionality. Its sleek design conceals a powerful cutting edge, making it the ideal multi-purpose flipper knife. From everyday tasks to unexpected challenges, the BERM Tanto Flipper Knife is a reliable companion that combines style and substance for the modern individual who demands the best.

A good bag is worth the weight in gold of what you can carry in it. Sometimes even more. For a lot of hunts, you can get by with what you can get in your pockets. When you’re only a few hundred yards from your truck, cabin or house, your bag just doesn’t matter much.

Backcountry hunts for elk or mule deer hunts are not a place to ignore the value of a good bag.

As I approached my first archery elk hunt last September, I knew I needed to upgrade my pack from my typical whitetail rig to something more robust.

The Mystery Ranch Pop Up 40 was the choice.

WHY DID I CHOOSE THE MYSTERY RANCH POP UP 40?

There’s no attribute I value more for my gear than versatility. While there are certainly items that are purpose-designed, I want gear that can serve in a variety of applications and conditions. A quick look at the Pop Up 40 shows that it can function as an oversized daypack, or if you’re getting skinny and going deep, you could make it work as a pack for a stake camp.

Bear Forest Knives has released a small batch of its latest precision cutting tool, The Backstrap. This 10.187” long fillet knife is the perfect addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s collection and provides a unique cutting experience.

The engine behind this design is a 6-inch narrow, upward-curving blade with an ultra-sharp full flat grind. The Backstrap is crafted from high-quality, easy-to-sharpen 52100 high carbon steel, which provides exceptional edge retention properties.

The micarta handle has a finger groove that creates an integrated guard, ensuring a secure grip and reducing the risk of slipping when handling innards or blood. It comes with a black KYDEX® sheath for protection and easy carry. 

Harvesting Your Hunt

Whether filleting a fish or sectioning up stew meat and veggies, this knife will get the job done precisely. Not to mention it’s great for processing those ever-so-prized elk and deer backstraps, which often require a lot of time and effort to acquire.

San Antonio, Texas—Around 150 young anglers and their families joined former NFL players and union volunteers at San Antonio’s Southside Lions Park on Saturday for the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) 3rd Annual Fishing Lines at Christmas Time family fishing event.

The San Antonio Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) organized the free community event with support from the Priest Holmes Foundation, NFLPA San Antonio/Austin Former Players Chapter, and Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation.

Fourteen union volunteers representing the San Antonio BCTC, Sheet Metal Workers Local 67, Roofers Local 123, Electrical Workers Local 60, Insulators Local 87, Laborers’ Local 1095, United Association Local 142, and the NFLPA San Antonio/Austin Former Players Chapter donated their time to rig fishing poles and provide youth with instruction and assistance in baiting and casting at Lions Park Lake. Wardens from Texas Parks and Wildlife were on hand and brought their water patrol boat for the young anglers.

“The sheer number of volunteers coming out was more than expected,” said USA Conservation Coordinator Cody Campbell. “It was impressive to see the number of people who showed up.”

Even though the forecast called for sun and 77 degrees, the weather was less than ideal. “It rained pretty much the entire time,” Campbell said. “Even so, families were not deterred. Once they were there, no one left. Seeing them out there fishing, being together, and enjoying time outside is what it’s all about.”

You’ve cooked and eaten some weird stuff on Dead Meat. Is it all good?

If you watch the show, you might notice that I don’t sit down and eat a heaping bowl of muskrat stew. Sometimes a bite or two is all I need to let the viewers know how it tastes, and it’s not all good. But food is subjective. One man’s hagfish is another man’s nutria.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten on the show? 

Back to the hagfish. It’s a lamprey-like jawless, spineless fish that looks more like an eel than a fish and it puts out an ungodly amount of slime. Now, I know what you’re thinking…how much slime is an ungodly amount? I’m talking a bucket full. All it takes is a little agitation and they’ll immediately emit a load of this funky slime. When you get them onboard, they barf up a mess of slime, along with whatever bait, mostly fish guts, they’ve been feeding on. Can you believe they haven’t gotten popular in the U.S.? It’s a big deal in South Korea, where most of our hagfish is imported to. On the show, I try and get people who harvest whatever it is we’re chasing to do the cooking part. I asked a couple of Korean restaurants if they would show me how they prepare the hagfish. One place simply hung up on me, the other laughed…and then hung up. Whenever I can’t find a local to cook one of the odd creatures, I do the cooking. I turned the hagfish into something reminiscent of the unagi, or freshwater eel, you’d find in a sushi bar. 

The latest season of Dead Meat took you to South America. Have you run out of critters in North America?

My friend, Kevin Phillips, whose family owns the Michael David Winery in Lodi, California has been to South America several times. Last year, he and his family lived most of the year in Uruguay. He mentioned that it might be a good fit for the Dead Meat show and, after figuring out whether it made sense budget-wise, I said, “Let’s go!.” Oh sure, it might have cost us a little more ( a lot more), but Kevin did all the logistics, which is normally my job, and he set up an incredible 32-day journey through Argentina and Uruguay.

Did you have a bucket list of targeted species or just wing it?

We did have specific species in mind and I think we got to all of them except two fish – surubi, which is a big catfish and wolffish, which can grow to 5 feet and are supposed to be fierce fighters. 

Word on the street is that you hunted parakeets. Really? 

Now I know I’m gonna get some grief for the parakeet hunts, but it was a blast. Part of the time we rode around in the back of a moving pickup and shot them as they flew over. I know what you’re thinking – is that legal? Not here, but it’s 100% OK in Uruguay. Parakeets are a huge problem. They are invasive, annoying and they have exploded in numbers, especially in areas with large eucalyptus forests. If you set a cleaned parakeet breast next to a dove breast, you can’t tell the difference and they taste like a dove, too. The other critter we hunted were vizcacha. They’re the largest member of the chinchilla family and they live in something that looks like a prairie dog town. It’s like South American Whack-A-Mole. You hunt them at night with spotlights. When they stick their heads out, you shoot them. If you don’t hit them in the head, they burrow back underground and get eaten by foxes and pumas. The biggest surprise is that they didn’t taste like other furry groundhog-looking animals. The meat was much lighter in color and flavor. More like rabbit. It was great! 

Building upon the previous Senate passage, moments ago,the House of Representatives passed the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 (S. 788), a bipartisan bill to bring the federal duck stamp process into the 21st century by allowing for hunters to have an electronic federal duck stamp on their smart phone for the entirety of the hunting season. This legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) would like to thank Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Sen. John Boozman, the leader of the Senate bill, and CSC Vice-Chair Rep. Garret Graves, who led the House companion bill, for their commitment and support of America’s sportsmen and women.

Prior to the House floor vote of S. 788, the CSF worked with the bill sponsors in both chambers of Congress and key offices to help shepherd this bill, a CSF legislative priority, through the political process. As a result of CSF’s efforts, the House passed S. 788 on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, a sign of the wide-spread support of sportsmen and women. With Congressional passage behind us, CSF will be encouraging the White House to quickly sign this legislation into law. Once this legislation is signed into law, CSF will be working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement this legislation to ensure that this legislation is in effect for the 2024 – 2025 hunting season.

The Duck Stamp Modernization Act will simplify the Federal Duck Stamp process by allowing hunters to have an electronic duck stamp on their smartphone for the entirety of the hunting season. Under current law, when a hunter purchases an electronic Federal Duck Stamp (e-stamp), the e-stamp is only valid for a period of 45 days to allow for the actual stamp to be mailed. Once the actual stamp is received by the e-stamp purchaser, the actual stamp must be signed by the respective hunter across the face of the stamp and be in the hunter’s possession while afield. However, this legislation will remove the 45-day validation period and make the electronic stamp valid for the entirety of the hunting season. To ensure the continuance and integrity of the Federal Duck Stamp art contest, a longstanding tradition for waterfowlers and other bird enthusiasts alike, S. 788 will ensure that purchasers of e-stamps still receive the actual stamp in the mail. Specifically, the legislation will provide that actual stamps will be mailed to purchasers from March 10 to June 30.

“CSF extends our thanks to CSC Leaders Sen. Boozman and Rep. Graves for their efforts to see the Duck Stamp Modernization Act pass Congress in short fashion. It is time that hunters no longer have to worry if their actual stamp will arrive in the mail prior to their e-stamp expiring,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “This legislation is a common-sense, bipartisan effort that helps simplify antiquated processes for sportsmen and women.”

King Eider Holiday Gift Guide

If your mission to surprise the anglers in your life with items to use on the water is more challenging than expected, continue reading. Recognizing the potential headache induced by navigating the sometimes confusing and overwhelming world of fishing products, we aim to ease your shopping experience with these suggestions. 

We’ve carefully curated a comprehensive list of tools and tackle below, making it easy for you to purchase without requiring any prior knowledge of fishing. 

Smith’s Mr. Crappie Slab-O-Matic Electric Filet Knife 

One thing every sportsman needs is a good, electric filet knife. The Mr. Crappie Slab-O-Matic Electric Filet Knife is designed to effortlessly and precisely filet fish, providing a convenient and efficient tool for anglers to prepare their catch with ease.