Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Performance Eyewear Brand Introduces Radically Clear, Blue Light-Blocking Reader Lenses for All Full-Wrap Frame Styles

Bajío Sunglasses, a maker of blue-light filtering, sustainably-made, performance sunglasses that are built to save the world’s saltwater flats and estuaries, has officially added a Readers line to their expanding collection of lenses.

Bajío’s radically clear, polarized, blue light-blocking readers are designed to magnify the user’s visual experience. Created for anglers who don’t require prescription sunglasses, but would like more focal power for tying knots and reading electronics, Bajío Readers offer both magnification and superior fish spotting in one single pair of shades. The brand’s goal with this series of lenses is to help those who have been switching back and forth between readers and their favorite fishing sunglasses out on the water. Built to order, Bajío Readers are available in every full-wrap frame style and increase four different lens options by three magnification powers. Bajio’s readers are built by hand in New Smyrna Beach, Fla and shipped within 48 hours.

“We constantly see people walking around with clear readers hanging around their necks while wearing high-performance sunglasses. Our customers have asked us, and we provided them with a solution with our industry-leading LAPIS polarized lens technology” said Renato Cappuccitti, VP of Operations/Rx. “Bajío Readers are available in all our full-wrap sunglass styles with our most popular lens color options, and built for our core customer who needs a little extra magnification power in their lenses.”

Built to order, Bajio Readers are fully customizable in our best-selling full-frame frames including Bales Beach, Boneville, Eldora, Nato, Nippers, Ozello, Palometa, Piedra, Las Rocas, Stiltsville, Toads, and Vega with Bajío’s frames that are made from plant-based Nylon that degrades quickly and is gentler on our oceans after being disposed of. Bajío Readers are available in polycarbonate lens options Green Mirror, Blue Mirror, Rose Mirror & Gray, and magnification powers +1.50, +2.00 & +2.50. Every lens features durable anti-scratch properties and oleophobic coatings, which make sunscreen and water easy to remove. In addition, these lenses feature the brand’s proprietary LAPIS technology offering exceptional clarity and providing a visual experience that is second to none.

Team Remington shooter and Sporting Clay veteran Wendell Cherry won the coveted High Over All (HOA) spot at the National Sporting Clays Association’s US Open, March 27 – April 2, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. 

Securing the 1st place finish in a shoot-off, Cherry bested a field of talented competitors to take HOA in both the main event and the Veteran’s division.

In addition, Team Remington’s Madison Sharpe, Todd Hitch and Mike Luongo all secured top 10 places shooting Remington ammunition at the US Open. Sharpe continues to shoot at the highest level, coming in 2nd place in the Ladies Cup and 3rd place in the Lady Main Event. Hitch took Junior HOA and finished M1 or 4th overall, with Luongo winning the 20GA Briley event as HOA and finishing 7th overall in the main event.

Find Remington ammunition at dealers nationwide and online. For more information on Remington ammunition and accessories, visit www.remington.com.

Archery hunting success starts with a foundation in good shooting, and for young hunters, that means a bow suited to their size and strength. Barnett® understands the needs of the aspiring archer and builds compound and recurve bow models for kids, big and small. 

Parents looking for the perfect gift for their young hunter should consider a compound or recurve bow. Barnett builds the gift kids will never forget; their first bow! 

Vortex Compound Bow 

With a customizable draw weight from 19–45 pounds (with 60–70% let-off) and draw length from 22–27-inches, the Vortex Compound bow grows with the teenage hunter’s needs. The right-hand bow features a three-pin fiber optic sight, capture arrow rest, and three-arrow quiver. The compound bow is clad in Mossy Oak® Break-Up Country camo to hide from the wary game.  

Vortex Lite Compound Bow

HatsanUSA, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Hatsan airguns and Escort firearms, is excited to announce that Greg Gershon, with Donaldson & Associates, has been selected as HatsanUSA’s 2022 Sales Rep of the Year.

Greg earned this award with his overall sales growth success, steadfast key account management, and how he leveraged his deep-rooted relationships.

“I can’t express how thrilled I am to see Greg receive this award. He went above and beyond to represent HatsanUSA and Escort Shotguns this past year,” said Blaine Manifold, president and chief executive officer of HatsanUSA. “I have always been able to count on Greg to get the job done and to always be a top contributor to the success of HatsanUSA.”  

HatsanUSA is the exclusive distributor of Hatsan airguns and Escort firearms in the U.S. Recognized for craftsmanship and precision performance, Hatsan products provide an exceptional shooting experience. The brands are purpose-driven and renowned for outstanding power, performance, reliability, and value. Hatsan takes pride in its vertically integrated manufacturing process, which enables it to maintain the highest levels of quality, workmanship, and a competitive advantage.

For more information, please visit 
www.hatsanusa.com

ANNISTON, Ala. – On Friday, March 17, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) held a ribbon cutting and champagne toast to officially mark the renaming of its South Competition Center in Alabama as the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center, in honor of former Board Chairman and CEO, Judith Legerski. The renaming commemorates Legerski’s many years of commitment to the CMP and marksmanship safety.

“It was only fitting, that upon her retirement, we forever showed our appreciation to Mrs. Legerski and the dedication she had in moving the shooting sports world forward by honoring her with the renaming of the competition center here in Anniston,” said Gina Johnson, CMP Chief of Staff. “The CMP is a better place because of her involvement and leadership.”

“Mrs. Legerski’s excitement and love for CMP will be missed,” Johnson added.

Judith Legerski was appointed to the original CMP Board of Directors by the Secretary of the Army Togo West in 1996 at the time the company was privatized by Congress. Holding several positions during her tenure, she was elected Chairman in October 2011 and served in the role until her retirement in September 2022.

Attending and speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication were retired Board members Harry Sieben and Cris Stone, along with CMP Chairman and CEO Jerry O’Keefe.   Current board members Regina Chavis and Ed Newell were also in attendance.

As the days grow longer and the weather grows warmer, the world around us is transformed by the magic of spring. The air is filled with the gentle whispers of new growth and the promise of new beginnings. For anglers long awaiting warming weather, spring also signals the movement of their favorite panfish, the crappie, to their spawning grounds. It’s time for some fast and furious fishing – if you have the right lures. And none catch crappie better than an assortment of Al’s Goldfish lures.

For decades, crappie and panfish anglers have depended on the original 3/16 oz. Al’s Goldfish in the conventional configuration, with the treble hook off the tail. Its unmatched versatility keeps catching a wide variety of fish species, including crappie and other panfish. While more than a dozen colors are available, the metallic flash and splash of color mimics small baitfish that crappie love. And there’s also the 3/16 oz. Goldfish Ice Jig with a single hook off the nose – perfect for vertical jigging in and around brush piles, sunken trees, and other thick structure cover that attract and hold schools of springtime crappie.

For a change of pace, try jigging with Al’s Helgy, which resembles a hellgrammite – the aquatic larva of the dobsonfly. While it’s pure poison on trout and smallmouth bass, it has also proven itself as a first-rate crappie killer with its unique fluttering action.

Another great choice is Al’s ¼ oz 49er, which flashes and wobbles when retrieved, but is also very productive when jigged, as the lure will dart erratically when jigged up, and flutter on the drop, which makes the lure attractive to aggressive crappie.

In addition to these deadly crappie lures, Al’s Goldfish Lure Co. makes and markets so much more, including several other sizes and weights of lures, ice fishing jigs, trolling rigs, bottom jigging rigs, and accessories. For a complete look at Al’s Goldfish Lure Company’s entire line, visit www.alsgoldfish.com,, give them a call at 413-543-1524.

Viridian Weapon Technologies E SERIES Lasers are the perfect addition to the new TaurusTX 22 Compact. Viridian is proud to be the only company to offer a gun-specific laser sight for the TaurusTX 22.  The E-SERIES offers a high-vis red laser designed for quick target acquisition and accurate follow up shots—a great fit for a compact firearm with significant capacity.

The latest E SERIES Laser Sights are made for the conceal and carry owner who wants power and affordability. The E SERIES is essential for daily carry, offering the most laser power legally available on the market. With this improved precision and visibility, you can be confident in your aim when it matters most. That’s why we call it essential.

“The breadth and depth of great new products from Taurus is impressive,” said Viridian President and CEO, Brian Hedeen. “Over the last few years, the company has done a great job of keeping the new product pipeline full. The TaurusTX 22 Compact is another prime example and a platform for which we’re thrilled to offer model-specific lasers right away.”

E SERIES Laser Sights are designed to easily fit onto the pistol’s trigger guard, hold up to the toughest conditions and provide 6+ hours of battery life with a constant laser. These sights feature an ambidextrous ON/OFF button with 5 min auto shut OFF, are powered by a 1/3N battery, and quickly mount with tools included in the package.

Following on the heels of the reliable, affordable and wildly successful TaurusTX 22, the TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class leading reliability, capacity and shootability in a 22 LR platform.

Simplicity, paired with strength and reliability, is what the Millennium Marine Spyderlok Track System is all about. The track system offers a new level of convenience, adjustment, and confidence for anglers who choose spider rigging for crappie, trolling for saltwater predators, or drifting for catfish.

For any fishing that takes place using a rod holder, the Spyderlok Track System is a must. Quickly secure and adjust rod holders from stow to go in seconds with no tools required. Available in 32,” 18,” and 5.5” lengths, the unique track system allows anglers to quickly secure multiple rod holders and accessories with fewer attachment points and pieces of hardware. Rod holders and accessories stowed during transport & boat storage easily move to actively fishing. With the track mounting system deployed, spend more time fishing and less time setting up or tearing down. Once installed, the Spyderlok Track System requires no tools to add or remove rod holders and accessories, decreasing the time to set up and increasing the time for baits in the water.

For anglers looking for the ease and adjustability of the Spyderlok Track System but dealing with another manufacturer’s rail system, the TS-103 Track Adapter is the perfect solution. Built with Millennium Marine’s legendary durability and ingenuity, the TS-103 perfectly adapts the R-100, R-400, R-401, R-200, and R-300 to other brand rail systems, securely locked in place with two thumbscrews.

The stainless steel hardware can be mounted to gunnels or the boat deck without concern for rust or corrosion, whether in saltwater or freshwater fishing. The Spyderlok Track System includes easily removed plastic end caps and one R-110 track system mount. The Track System can be used with the existing R-100, R-400, R-401, R-200, and R-300 products and future Spyderlok product options.

Track Systems Features:

Mogadore, OH.  Industry leader TenPoint Crossbow Technologies is excited to announce the promotion of Brian Flaherty to Director of Marketing. Brian joined the company upon graduating college in 2009 and has previously served in various sales and marketing roles, most recently as the Marketing Manager.

As Director of Marketing, Brian will manage all functions of the marketing operation within TenPoint, including creative direction, social media, website design and function, eCommerce, and advertising.

“I’m excited to see Brian advance to the next chapter in his career,” said Phil Bednar, President and CEO of TenPoint Crossbows. “Brian has been a crucial part of the company’s success since he started 15 years ago – pioneering an entire category of social media and internet marketing for the company over the past 12 years. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead TenPoint’s marketing direction into the future.”

Prior to working at TenPoint, Brian earned his MBA in Management from the University of Akron in 2009 and his Bachelor of Arts in Education in 2008. While at Akron, he was a 4-year letterman on the football team. Brian resides in Florida, is a dedicated husband and father, part-time football coach, and enjoys the outdoors.

“I am honored to be a part of the team that continues to set the standard for crossbow innovation,” said Brian. “The unprecedented growth I’ve seen during my years at TenPoint is a testament to the Bednar family and their founding principles that are deeply rooted in the company – family-owned, Made in America, and hunter-focused. With incredible ownership, management, and employees, we will continue to exceed the expectations of retailers, customers, and crossbow enthusiasts around the world.”

No more 2023 Nebraska spring turkey permits are available to nonresidents. The quota of 10,000 permits has sold out.

Permits were available for purchase by nonresidents beginning Jan. 9, 2023. The last permit of the quota was purchased March 24.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in 2022 made several changes to turkey hunting orders at the August 2022 meeting in response to a declining turkey population across the state. Those changes start with the 2023 spring season and include:

The fall turkey season permits will go on sale Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. Central time.

For more information on turkey hunting, read the Turkey Guide at digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1489064-turkey-guide-2023-web/0.

Spring is in the air, and with the new season comes the highly anticipated warmer temperatures and plenty of new growth. For deer hunters, the growing season equates to much more than green grass and new leaves. Spring is when whitetail bucks begin growing their antlers for the upcoming season.

Many hunters believe that the time to feed minerals to deer to improve their overall health and increase antler growth is during the latter portion of summer before the fall hunting season gets underway. Sadly, this assumption is false, and hunters miss out on the most crucial time of year to improve the health of deer. A whitetail doe needs a boost in her mineral intake while preparing to give birth to her fawns later in the spring. As for bucks, they need an increase in mineral intake during the tail end of winter and the early spring when the first signs of antler growth begin popping through like a spring flower. To get the most out of your bucks this fall now is the time to start using Big and J’s Headrush

Deer need minerals to thrive; phosphorous and calcium are two of the most important for antler growth and bone strength. Headrush from Big and J has these minerals and the key trace minerals such as zinc, copper, and manganese. Not only are these minerals important for antler growth, but studies have shown that a healthier doe will produce more milk for young fawns. Headrush becomes a one-stop shop for the minerals the entire herd needs to thrive, not just bucks for antler growth. Headrush is also bioavailable, meaning that the trace minerals are readily absorbed by the deer rather than excreted.

Because a buck’s body mass and strength suffer after the rut, the need for an increase in minerals is vital. Add to that the need for more nutrients to begin growing their new antlers, and it is easy to see why spring is the most crucial time for hunters to provide them with the needed minerals from Big and J’s Headrush.

Headrush is packed with bioavailable trace minerals that a buck’s newly developing antlers crave during the spring. Big and J have added a high amount of calcium vital for increased antler growth, which is unavailable for deer to find in their natural environments. To ensure deer return to your mineral sites often, Headrush has the same powerful, long-range aroma as the popular BB2 from Big and J. 

Author Jen Selinsky once wrote, “The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter!” During winter’s dark months, a hunter’s thoughts turn to spring – and for many, that means black bear hunting. Harvesting a black bear means more than just a cool rug. When properly cared for in the field – you field dress and care for the meat just as if it were any treasured deer, elk, or other big game animal — and prepared with care at home, bear meat is both delicious and good for you. In general, bear meat has a taste similar to venison, though it is often a little sweeter tasting than meat from ungulates. It has a dark red color, and in terms of texture, it’s close to pork, though with a slightly coarser grain.

And just like a deer, elk, or wild boar, one of the tastiest cuts of black bear is the backstrap. One of the best ways to prepare a black bear backstrap is to smoke it using the new Smoked Bear Loin Roast recipe featuring Hi Mountain Rib Rub from Hi Mountain Seasonings. Made from a delicious blend of paprika, dehydrated garlic, salt, dehydrated onion, honey granules (refinery syrup, honey), black pepper, mustard, cayenne pepper, and soybean oil, Hi Mountain Rib Rub adds a robust flavor to your bear loin that makes it stand out from more traditional preparation methods.

The process is simple. All you need is one trimmed black bear backstrap, one can of coffee-flavored beer, Hi Mountain Rib Rub, salt, fresh ground coffee, ½ cup maple syrup — and your smoker or pellet grill. Make sure to trim any fat from the backstrap, then place it in a nonporous container, add the coffee beer, and marinate it in the refrigerator for a couple hours. Remove, pat dry with paper towel, and apply salt to taste on all sides of the roast along with a liberal amount of Hi Mountain Seasonings Rib Rub and coffee grinds on all sides as well. Place it in a nonporous container and place in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Remove from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour. While you’re doing that, preheat the smoker or the smoker pellet grill to 250 degrees. Place the bear meat in the smoker/pellet grill. During the smoking process glaze the roast with some maple syrup on both sides of the roast. Smoke it until the internal temperature of the roast hits160º F. Slice it thin and enjoy!

The suggested retail price for a 10 oz. shaker bottle of the Hi Mountain Seasonings Rib Rub is $10.99. It can be purchased at grocery stores and outdoor retailers nationwide or conveniently online at www.himtnjerky.com. This is just one of dozens of free delicious wild game recipes and an amazing amount of different spices, rubs, seasonings, sausage and jerky kits, and so much more found on the Hi Mountain Seasonings website, www.himtnjerky.com.

About Hi Mountain Seasonings: Located in the heart of Wyoming, Hi Mountain Seasonings was founded in 1991 and is America’s premier manufacturer of kits for homemade jerky and sausage. Hi Mountain Seasonings has successfully captured distinct, traditional Western flavors in its jerky cure & seasonings; Western-style seasonings; bacon cures; snackin’ stick kits, dressings & dips; and much, much more. The company also offers field dressing and prep and cooking tools. For additional information, write: Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501; call toll-free 1-800-829-2285; or visit the company website at www.himtnjerky.com.

Janesville, WI — With spring turkey hunting season upon us, Rinehart Targets®, the worldwide leader in quality archery targets, is encouraging archers to practice taking down gobblers with their line of durable and realistic turkey targets. With a wide variety of high-quality and life-like turkey targets to choose from, there’s an ideal gobbler in the line for every archer and shooting scenario that’ll help hunters prepare to bag more birds this season.

Part of Rinehart’s award-winning Signature and Competition Series, the company’s turkey line includes several unique targets, each with its own life-like positioning to accommodate every hunting scenario. The Signature Strutting Turkey, Tom Turkey, Alert Turkey, Gobbling Turkey, and Strutting Turkey all are crafted from Rinehart’s Signature self-healing foam, which offers unmatched durability and can withstand thousands of shots without breaking down. The innovative foam construction allows for arrows to be pulled out with ease, and is also weatherproof and UV resistant, ensuring that the targets can be used in all weather conditions without deteriorating.

Each target features incredibly realistic details as well as multiple scoring rings, allowing archers to hone their accuracy and aim for the perfect shot. They are also lightweight and easy to transport, with a simulated weight that is just like the real turkey.

The Signature Strutting Turkey Target is one of the standout targets in the line with a height of 25.5 inches and a simulated weight of 14 pounds. This target features a strutting tom turkey in full display, making it the perfect target for practicing shots on a turkey in the breeding position. With its realistic details and durable construction, the Signature Strutting Turkey Target is sure to be a favorite among serious turkey hunters.

Another great option is the Rinehart Tom Turkey, which stands at 19 inches tall with a simulated weight of 14 pounds. This target is ideal for practicing shots on a turkey in a relaxed or feeding position. For those looking to practice shots on alert turkeys, the Rinehart Alert Turkey is the right choice. With a height of 23 inches and a simulated weight of 17 pounds, this target features a turkey in a cautious posture, making it the perfect target for honing your skills in stalking and shooting wary prey.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is pleased to introduce the Super Wrangler® family of single-action revolvers. Building on the success of the affordably-priced Wrangler line introduced in 2019, the Super Wrangler features a robust steel cylinder frame and ships with two cylinders, allowing you to convert between inexpensive .22 LR ammunition and powerful .22 WMR ammunition.

Built on the legacy of the popular Ruger® Single-Six®, the Super Wrangler complements Ruger’s rich history of producing quality, rugged, reliable single-action revolvers. The attractive price, combined with the affordability of rimfire ammunition, make this revolver ideal for learning to shoot, introducing friends or family to the sport, or just experiencing the fun of single-action shooting.

With the introduction of the Single-Six in 1953, Bill Ruger pioneered the use of modern investment casting in firearms manufacturing to usher in a new level of affordability in single-action revolvers. Through the use of modern CNC-machining methods and lean manufacturing techniques, the Super Wrangler continues this tradition and sets a new bar for affordability while maintaining the rugged reliability that is the hallmark of Ruger firearms.

Initially offered in three attractive Cerakote® models – black, silver and bronze – the Super Wrangler features an adjustable target sight and 5.5-inch barrel. The standard checkered black grip panels can be swapped for Single-Six panels, allowing for a variety of customized options. The Super Wrangler will fit in Single-Six holsters that accommodate 5.5-inch barrels. Cylinders are unique to the Super Wrangler, and are not interchangeable with standard aluminum-frame Wrangler or Single-Six Convertible cylinders.

Single-action rimfire revolvers offer a safe and fun way to introduce new shooters to the sport and can serve as a reminder, to even the most experienced shooters, that range time can be just plain fun. Whether it’s your first firearm or your next, time at the range with the Super Wrangler promises to be well spent.

The technical hybrid WINDSTOPPER® jacket offers wind protection and breathability

SITKA Gear, the leading manufacturer of performance hunting apparel, has released the revolutionary Mountain Evo Jacket. The jacket is designed with high-exertion backcountry pursuits with diverse climates and perspiration in mind and includes strategically placed windproof material where active hunters and outdoorsmen need it most. The innovative stretch panels on the body-mapped jacket allow for enhanced breathability where needed most—under the arms and on the back. 

The Mountain Evo Jacket comes in black as well as OPTIFADE Open Country and Subalpine and is perfect for vigorous outdoor activities when a pack is needed from hunting and mountain biking to backpacking and backcountry skiing. The newest addition to SITKA’s line of technical apparel makes any outdoor adventure more comfortable with room to move and room to breathe.

“This versatile Gore WINDSTOPPER® jacket was built for year-round active pursuits,” said John Barklow, Senior Product Manager at SITKA Gear. “The WINDSTOPPER panels in the Mountain Evo Jacket are the ideal solution to protect from convective cooling and light precipitation, while the breathable 4-way stretch panels limit the need for pit zips and provide unrestricted movement, keeping outdoor goers dry and comfortable during the pursuit. The jacket has been ultrasonically welded and taped seams provide no bulk, save weight and seal out all wind.”

Key Features:

Jacksonville, Alabama – Bear & Son Cutlery, manufacturer of premium Alabama-made knives, announces their popular Damascus fixed blade knives are now in stock at Bass Pro Shops® across the nation. Customers can find the beautiful White Smooth Bone folding pocketknife, model WSB07, and the Small Genuine India Stag Damascus Hunter, mode 563D, in stock at local stores today.

Bear & Son Cutlery 3 ½-inch White Smooth Bone Damascus Mini Trapper WSB07D

is a folding knife that combines craftsmanship with individual design to produce an extraordinary tough pocketknife. The beautiful and unique pattern Damascus 2 ¾-inch master blade and 2-3/4-inch spey blade are easy to sharpen, hold an edge exceptionally well, and complements the smooth, white bone handles and silver bolsters. Made in Alabama, with quality control throughout every step of the knife making process, this knife is built to last and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Bear & Son Cutlery Small Genuine India Stag Bone Damascus Hunter 563D

is an Alabama-made fixed blade knife built for hunters and trailblazers. The Damascus steel 3-inch blade offers a unique one-of-a-kind design with razor sharp cutting abilities. The clip-point blade allows one to cleanly cut hard-to-reach places and serves as a general-purpose cutting tool. A Genuine India Stag Bone handle provide a traditional look yet offers confident control with or without gloves. The knife also includes a nickel silver finger guard providing additional control for toughest jobs. Also included is a handmade leather sheath and as with every Bear & Son Cutlery knife, a limited lifetime warranty.

Visit a Bass Pro Shop® today and check out these popular knives and other Bear & Son Cutlery products. Find a store near you by visiting this link.