Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles
Hunting spring gobblers from a blind is fun and extremely successful. If you have never tried it, here’s a quick primer and the gear you will need. The first step is to select an ambush site which requires scouting either on foot, from a distance through binoculars or via trail camera. Just like deer hunting, you don’t want to hang a stand in any ole tree. If you find feathers, scratching, or droppings, turkeys are feeding or traveling through that area. Pick a spot so that your blind faces north or south and you are ready for the next step.
What Makes a Good Blind
Primal sells tree stands and ground blinds and after a good look at the ATA Show, I ordered one. This model allows for shooting in 270 degrees providing great versatility for cautiously approaching gobblers. Numerous vendors sell these hub blinds which are easily transported and go up quickly. Larger is better and turkey blinds need not be brushed in because wild turkeys, for all their savvy acuity, are downright stupid about blinds. You can pop one up in the middle of a field and a turkey will walk right past it. Make sure it’s anchored so as not to make noise or flap in the wind and put it up at least two weeks prior to the season so that deer become used to it.
Use a Comfortable Chair
The Alps Stealth Hunter Deluxe chair is specifically designed for blind hunting. It folds and come with a handy carrying strap, has four sturdy legs that adjust for height and uneven ground, swivels like and office chair, and is totally silent. Just as you saw Editorial Assistant Zachary “chilling out” in the lead photo, this baby is comfortable. You probably have one or more camp chairs, yet they are TERRIBLE for hunting. First, they often creak and leave you in an unbalanced position. They may be comfortable, but after you scare a gobbler or two, you will understand the need for a quality chair.
Clasping Shooting Rest
Here’s the combo of Alps chair and Final Rest clasping shooting rest. Placing the crossbow on the rest frees up both hands to use turkey calls, especially friction callers that can create subtle turkey calls that are very seductive. Because your movements are screened by the blind, you are free to drink coffee, eat a sandwich or other snacks during the hunt. You can take pictures of creatures with your cell phone and know that your crossbow is loaded and ready at a moment’s notice. Note: We set this gear up outside the blind to aid phototherapy and illustrate gear use.
One or More Decoys
Placing one or more decoys in line with your shooting windows allows you to make a lethal shot with very little movement. Since the adjustable height of your chair has you aligned with the scope or red dot, you can watch a big tom strut into your sights for a dead-rest shot. Once you have called one or more turkeys into sight of your decoy(s), stop calling and let the visual attraction do its work. We are experimenting this spring with the Barnett Hyper Raptor Crossbow and SKRE camouflage and so far, both are performing well.
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The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) promotes instruction in international-style target archery as part of the in-school curriculum to improve educational performance and participation in shooting sports among students in grades 4-12. Andy Kaetzel has been principal at two different school and had excellent success. “Our children quality for the state contest almost every year and have gone to the national competition on two occasions,” he says proudly. “Although the program begins officially in grade 4, we purchased Nerf bows for younger students, and they love it.”
Safe and Fun for School Kids
NASP lessons are oriented toward target archery which is widely accepted as a safe, wholesome, and noncontroversial discipline. Founders designed the program so young people everywhere, whether urban or rural, could learn archery skills and decide on their own how and where to apply those skills. The program has specific safety rules at the target line and while retrieving arrows.
Follow the Rules
What’s being taught or promoted in public schools is highly scrutinized and, in some cases, controversial. Just as a young person’s first job is a learning experience, so is their first organized sport. The NASP program has hard-and-fast rules for safety, enjoyment, and success. To succeed, youngsters need to pay attention, do as they are instructed, and demonstrate that lessons are understood. WOW! This is teaching.
The Most Inclusive of All Sports
Most sports favor a particular body type. That is, tall for basketball, large for football, lanky for soccer, and so forth. Arrows show no preference. A child can be tall or short, thin or stout, nimble or not-so-much, or confined to a wheelchair. The equipment used in NASP is designed so that anyone can use it successfully.
Discipline of Mind and Body
This image shows the size and scope of a state archery championship. Once underway, there will be children standing in front of every target to demonstrate their skill. Given the chao demonstrated by young people in some large group gatherings, one might question the safety of such a huge undertaking. The challenge is large, but the archery program exceeds all expectations. Participants must embrace discipline of mind and body and demonstrate they can succeed with each opportunity.
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Remington Ammunition has released the official rosters for its 2024 shooting teams, which encompass a championship-caliber group of the nation’s top clay shooters across all disciplines.
“Team Remington has returned in 2024 locked and loaded to be better than ever,” said Team Remington Manager Mike Hampton Sr. “Big Green has assembled an impressive roster of the best skeet, trap and sporting clays shooters in the country. It will be a very exciting year to follow along with Team Remington as we continue to bring home big wins and exhibit excellence in the field.”
Team Remington has already notched exciting victories in 2024. The trap team’s newest member Peter Walker won nine awards in Tucson’s Spring Satellite Grand American, along with junior shooter Wyatt DeBrie winning both HOA and HAA at that event. Madison Sharpe of the sporting clays team secured the Main Event Lady Title at the 2024 Jack Link’s Cup in Okeechobee, Fla. Fellow sporting clays shooter and 2023 National Champion, Brandon Powell, claimed the Seminole Cup Main Event title in Woodbine, Ga., shooting an astounding perfect score on 200 straight targets.
All Remington team members use Remington’s Premier STS and Premier Nitro shotshells in competition. The Premier line of shotshell ammunition provides Team Remington with the confidence they need on the range competing with top-quality, performing shotshells that offer consistency and accuracy.
Remington Skeet Team
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SK Guns®, the Nation’s only series-driven, limited edition manufacturer of custom firearms, is proud to announce the release of the third edition of the Untamed Series of the world’s deadliest predators: “Luchando Tigre.” This latest production in the series combines a native ritual and a deadly predator into one remarkable installment.
“Luchando Tigre” comes from the native Atsatsilisti ritual in the Mexican state of Guerrero to offer blood to the god Tláloc and the earth in exchange for the rain necessary for a good harvest. Dressed in a tiger personification and equipped with a rope bathed in mezcal, the tribute’s shed blood is the offering required by Tláloc to send the rain. A deadly tiger is depicted wrapping around the slide leaping toward its prey with teeth and claws bared, locked on tearing apart its prey.
“This year’s edition of the Untamed Series truly embodies the idea behind this line of custom guns,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “The tiger symbolism used in the Arsatslisti ritual for rain combined with the danger synonymous with the Bengal tiger that is depicted along the slide showcases the “tigris” subspecies century-old status as one of the most feared predators in the world.”
The tiger is covered in 24K gold and black-filled stripes with selective silver-plated eyes, teeth and claws. The Colt® logo decorates the rear left panel and the right is engraved with each gun’s unique issued series number.
The production comes complete with a set of rare specimen genuine tiger maple wood grips showing off stripes going across the grain resembling a tiger’s coat with 24K gold Colt® Rampart inserts.
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Yamaha Continues Empowering Communities and Enriching Outdoor Recreation
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is proud to announce the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) contributed over $1 million in grant awards in 2023, marking the largest annual funding total since the program’s inception in 2008. This significant increase, nearly double from the previous year, reaffirms Yamaha’s position as a leader in the powersports industry, advocating for access to public lands for motorcycle, ATV, Side-by-Side, and e-bike owners, and enriching the greater outdoor recreation community.
Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s motorsports marketing manager, stated, “Yamaha’s goal for the Outdoor Access Initiative is to serve as a meaningful resource to those supporting access to public land for all types of recreation. Investing $1 million in one year is a significant achievement. We remain committed to supporting those who work tirelessly to ensure riders and outdoor enthusiasts can continue to enjoy our nation’s outdoor spaces.”
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the funding cycle focused on projects aimed at educating and inspiring the next generation of motorized and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Two notable recipients were Cycle Kids, Inc. and the Strider Education Foundation, which engage elementary school-aged children in bike riding fundamentals as part of physical education curriculum. Additionally, the Sierra Foundation will provide local 5th and 6th grade students the opportunity to attend the Rich Oliver Mystery School 4-week Ride & Wrench camp to learn motorcycle riding and maintenance skills.
“Riding a bike often marks one’s first taste of adventure and independence in an outdoor setting, and Yamaha is thrilled to provide kids with the chance to learn in a safe, structured environment,” Nessl added. “Fostering a love of outdoor recreation is central to our mission, and these grants to school-based programs mark the beginning of many students’ journeys.”
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The collaborative effort between Taurus Armas S.A., a leading Brazilian multinational, and Jindal Defense Systems Pvt Limited, a prominent Indian group, has reached a significant milestone with the initiation of pilot batch production at the new manufacturing unit in India. This joint venture, known as JD Taurus, marks a pivotal moment in the global firearms industry.
Under the guidance of Taurus’ expert team from Brazil, the Indian facility has commenced the production of pilot batches of firearms in March 2024. This strategic move aligns with the transfer of technology (ToT) and knowledge, ensuring seamless integration and adherence to stringent quality standards.
The primary objective of these pilot batches is to establish technical, operational, and manufacturing processes to guarantee the replication of high safety and quality standards on an industrial scale. The manufacturing unit is poised to cater to both military and civilian markets, with an initial annual production capacity of up to 250,000 weapons, subject to scaling based on demand.
JD Taurus is actively participating in major tenders, including the ongoing procurement process by the Ministry of Defense, India, for 425,000 Carbines. This endeavor underscores the company’s commitment to supplying cutting-edge firearms to bolster national security.
Taurus’ renowned reputation for competitive pricing, advanced technology, superior quality, and high production volume positions JD Taurus as a formidable contender in the global market. Notably, Taurus secured a significant tender to supply T4 carbines to the Philippines Army in 2022, further solidifying its global footprint.
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Irving, TX – Yamamoto Baits is excited to announce the release of the all-new Sensei Worm. Designed to be a finesse killer, the 6.5’’ Sensei features a custom-tailored soft plastic formula that leaves the worm neutrally buoyant in the water. This results in a bait that even the most finnicky bass are going to have a hard time turning down.
“The Sensei Worm has quickly become my go-to plastic for Neko rig and shaky head applications,” says Yamamoto pro Cody Meyer. “Yamamoto is known for putting out baits with phenomenal action, and the Sensei Worm just seems to continue that tradition.”
The balanced design of the Sensei Worm allows for a wide, slow shimmy when rigged weightless. Its versatility is also evident when targeting deeper fish, especially with finesse presentations.
“This worm can shine all over the lake,” says Meyer. “I’ve also caught fish on it dropshotting and with a traditional Texas Rig. I can confidently say that the new Sensei Worm will help you catch more fish in even the toughest conditions.”
For more information on Yamamoto Baits, please visit their website HERE, or find them on Facebook and other social media avenues.
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The ATA Show is the largest archery-only Show in the world, uniting 700 retailers and 450 archery brands annually. The 2024 Show ended Jan. 13 in St. Louis with many attendees and exhibitors calling it the best Show they’ve had in years. The ATA recently surveyed its members to gather extensive feedback on Show objectives, events, promotions, satisfaction levels and other high priority Show topics. The ATA will use post-Show survey responses to improve future ATA Shows.
ATA Show Satisfaction and Value Increase According to 2024 post-Show survey results, both exhibitor satisfaction rates for the quantity of attendees and attendee satisfaction rates for the quantity of exhibitors increased substantially. Both groups said the quality of those interactions increased from last year as well, meaning more members had productive connections and conversations, and likely a higher return on investment.Reasons for Attending Defined Attendees said their top reasons for attending were to see new products, get Show-special pricing and meet company leaders and their staff face to face. Exhibitors listed meeting with customers face to face, developing new accounts and leads, and networking atop their list for attending. Many members confirmed they were able to meet their company’s attendance objectives at the ATA Show.New Product Objectives Mixed Seventy percent of exhibitors launched new product in St. Louis, accounting for a record 156 new products making their ATA Show debut. As noted above, attendees rank seeing new products as the number one reason for attending the Show, but exhibitors ranked debuting new products sixth on their company objectives list, indicating a disconnect between exhibitors and buyers.The ATA Show is where the archery industry comes together. It’s where archery professionals stay informed, maintain relevancy and renew relationships through real in-person interactions that can’t be replicated online or over the phone. Over 77% of attendees are already planning to attend at the 2025 ATA Show, while only 1.7% of exhibitors said they don’t plan to exhibit at next year’s event.
The ATA is focused on creating a strong and vibrant Show that meets member needs. We hope to see you at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis at the Indiana Convention Center, Jan. 8-10.
About the Archery Trade Association
The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA has served its members since 1953. We work to increase the recruitment and retention of new, current and once-active archers and bowhunters. We are the driving force in defending, educating, and lobbying for the greater good of the industry and sport. We preserve and promote archery and bowhunting’s rich heritage to ensure active consumer participation, and successful manufacturing and retailing for generations to come. The organization also owns and operates the ATA Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest-running trade show worldwide.
The post ATA SHARES 2024 POST-SHOW SURVEY RESULTS appeared first on HuntingLife.com.
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Follow Along with the Drury Outdoors Family for an In-Your-Face POV on the 2024 Turkey Season
DENVER (March 18, 2024) – It was so good last year, the Drury clan have put together a second season of JUST SHOT: Drury’s Turkey Season available now in the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) library for streaming on virtually any device. Join Mark Drury and the DOD team as they trek across the Midwest for a beak bustin’, in your face, non-stop, action-packed good time. With calling so sweet and decoys so deceptive, the longbeards don’t stand a chance. Just like any JUST SHOT season available on MOTV, this turkey series will give viewers a near real time look at the strategies and tactics the Drury’s implement week in and week out. Watch it all unfold on MyOutdoorTV, Outdoor Sportsman Group’s No. 1 global subscription streaming platform.
MyOutdoorTV’s JUST SHOT content delivers filmed hunts from some of the most recognizable names in the outdoor industry almost immediately following the hunt. Other JUST SHOT content currently available on MyOutdoorTV includes JUST SHOT: Petersen’s HUNTING Adventures, JUST SHOT: Can’t Stop the Flop, JUST SHOT: Buck Commander and much more.
“MyOutdoorTV’s JUST SHOT continues to redefine the way our audience consumes hunting content and gives them another reason to make MOTV their go-to streaming resource,” shared Sr. Vice President and MOTV General Manager Sean Luxton. “JUST SHOT: Drury’s Turkey Season promises to deliver an insider-view into the heart and soul of turkey hunting, brought to life through the lens of the seasoned Drury team. It’s where passion meets tradition, and it’s all happening this season on MyOutdoorTV.”
JUST SHOT content is a great complement to MyOutdoorTV’s massive on-demand library and its growing list of of 24/7, ad-free, Live TV Channels. Watch HuntStream, WhitetailStream, AnglerStream and TurkeyStream, all featuring the world’s best hunting and fishing shows whenever and wherever you choose to watch – available to subscribers on ALL DEVICES from a big screen TV at home to a phone in a bass boat or a tree-stand in the woods. For more information about MyOutdoorTV, visit http://motv.com #MYOUTDOORTV.
About MyOutdoorTV (MOTV): MyOutdoorTV is the No. 1 global subscription streaming platform from Outdoor Sportsman Group created just for outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. MOTV features favorite Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, Sportsman Channel Canada television shows, exclusive Major League Fishing content, acquired content from around the world, as well as exclusive MOTV Originals. MOTV is the pre-eminent voice for all outdoor enthusiasts and super serves the outdoor enthusiasts with an expansive acquired library of the best hunting, fishing and shooting programming in long and short form, recipes, tips and tricks, how-to instructional videos, as well as educational and exclusive content focusing on improving success in the field and on the waterways. MOTV is powered by the four networks, along with additional exclusive content available from Outdoor Sportsman Group’s established integrated media arm that includes 15 category-leading outdoor magazines, such as: Guns & Ammo, Game & Fish, Petersen’s HUNTING, In-Fisherman and 20 top websites. Subscribe to MOTV at www.MyOutdoorTV.com and watch on the following platforms: Apple IOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, Amazon Channels, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung SmartTV, LG SmartTV, Vizio SmartTV, YouTube TV, Xumo, YouTube Primetime Channels, Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, Comcast, Cox and Vizio SmartTV. MOTV is available in 162 markets worldwide. #MYOUTDOORTV.
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For many wildlife managers, planting food plots has been the primary means of supplementing wildlife food sources. Instead of expensive food plots that need mowing and spraying and often turn into a weed patch, why not plant trees that will yield persimmons, apples, acorns, and other mast that deer love? Maintaining a tree patch is less labor intensive and requires less machinery, and you may be able to get funding to do it.
Healthy Forests Healthy Waters (HFHW)
Our hunt club had about three acres near our clubhouse that had grown up in weeds and small trees for several years. We tried planting corn there, but the cost was very high and the impact on the deer herd seemed minimal. Last fall we signed up for HFHW and I spent the morning mowing trees and briars to make way for the planting.
Make Your Own Mast
The barren ground was growing trees, yet not the kind that were conducive for deer mast. As part of the program, we were able to select the species of trees we wanted and have the planting done to accommodate our club tractor which will eventually mow the plot once or twice per year. Trees will come from the state nursery and will be planted by staff members of the HFHW program.
Sleeves to Protect Seedlings
You probably have seen sections of what seems like white pipe protruding from the ground. Because young trees are susceptible to browsing by deer, rabbits, and other animals, each seedling is planted in and protected by a cylinder which will allow the tree to grow to sufficient height and diameter until animals will no longer be a threat.
Waiting on Dry Weather
I should have taken a “before” and “after” picture to show progress. Here’s the “after” and the job was made much easier with a tractor and brush-hog attachments. This equipment is available at most rental facilities and it’s amazing how much work can be accomplished with the right gear. Because the ground was wet from recent rain, the 4WD capability came in handy.
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I saw samples of SKRE camouflage at the 2024 ATA Show and loved the pattern. My starter box arrived yesterday, and I was anxious to gear up and see what it was like. Our turkey season is still a month away, and I know that the greens will blend with the vegetation very well. More important than the coloration is how the clothes fit. What kind of pockets does it have? Is it warm?
Love the Double Vest Pockets
The Hardscrabble Jacket grabbed my attention immediately due to the double breast, zippered pockets. The zippers work easily, and each pocket is large enough for critical gear. My new Samsung phone fits, even with the security case and it will sit there every time I go hunting. It’s also my camera and I use it constantly. The other pocket will hold my mouth calls, rangefinder, hunting license or other critical gear. The beauty of a chest pocket is the small amount of movement needed to access gear and the security of not losing gear that matters most.
Zippered Trousers
I was once in a car accident, minor thankfully, when the police officer asked for my license. Reaching for my wallet, it wasn’t in my pocket and as I nearly panicked, I remembered changing pants in the mountain while turkey hunting. Luckily, it was right where I expected it to be. The Hardscrabble pants have two front pockets and two back pockets, substantial in size and each with zippers that operate smoothly. In my experience, the first thing to fail on hunting clothing is a zipper which either jams or separates. These seem well made.
Smooth and Quiet
I need to spend much more time with this gear to get a true reading, yet with the first few steps, I noticed that there was no sound when walking. The trousers are trim and the swishing sound that many camo brands make was totally absent. Likewise, when using calls and shooting my crossbow, the fabric was totally silent.
Full Set
In these images, you can see how well the pattern blends within itself. SKRE offers a hooded jacket and pants, gloves, Morino wool neck gator, and balaclava that makes an ideal face mask. With the zippered jacket pockets, these items can be stored in the jacket so that I know exactly where they are when you need them. Testing new products is a lot of fun and I’ll share my experiences with this new brand as the season unfolds. Thinking about new camouflage for the spring or fall season? One click below will get you to the full site. Enjoy!
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Swink, CO—Jace Bauserman, an award-winning outdoor writer and renowned big-game hunter, adds a top-tier how-to guide for whitetail fanatics to his growing collection of how-to style hunting books. This guide, crafted by a seasoned professional, equips both bow and rifle hunters with the knowledge to consistently punch tags, no matter where they chase their whitetail dreams.
Winning Ways For Whitetails is a 130-page treasure trove of practical, tried-and-true tactics that will significantly increase your odds of success. Bauserman, a true whitetail enthusiast, has pursued his whitetail dreams across the country. Whether you’re a public land DIY goer, a private landowner, or someone who leases or has private land permission, this book will empower you with new strategies for your hunting arsenal.
Chock-full of outside-the-norm tactics, Winning Ways For Whitetails covers everything from choosing the right public land property to land management tips, shooting advice, and more. Bauseman’s new book is a winner! The book also dedicates an entire chapter to how-to-hunt the various phases of the whitetail rut.
Winning Ways For Whitetails is Bauserman’s third hunting book. If you’re a turkey goer or love to head West to chase pronghorn, Bauserman’s books Bowhunting The Prince Of The Plains & Turkey Hunting Tales, Tips & Tactics are also excellent educational guides.
All three books are available for purchase on Bauserman’s website, www.jacebauserman.com. They are also available on Amazon at the links below:
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Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 20 years, has updated its popular Stache IWB line of holsters with a new Mag Adapter Wing to let the operator customize the ride angle for the spare magazine carrier.
Made of durable polymer, the Mag Adapter Wing kit comes with two different wings, one 25º and one 15º, to give the operator choices to best fit personal carry style. Both Mag Adapter Wings are drop-in and require no special tools for installation.
“The Stache IWB has been an incredibly popular holster amongst serious concealed carriers. The value that it brings to the table distilled into such a simple, comfortable, and practical way makes it a no-brainer for serious concealed carriers,” said Liam Yarbrough, Senior Product Manager at Blackhawk. “We noticed customer feedback that the old-design Mag Adapter Wing didn’t feel very strong, so we beefed it up a little more and went with fixed angles to ensure stability.”
The new Mag Adapter Wing Kit is included with all Stache IWB Premium holsters. To see the full line of Stache IWB holsters with Mag Adapter Wings, including new models to fit the Glock 26, Springfield Hellcat Pro and Sig P365X-Macro, visit www.Blackahwk.com.
About Blackhawk
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Moorpark, Calif- Dickinson Arms, a distinguished leader in high-quality firearms, proudly announces its strategic partnership with Full-Throttle Communications, a leading name in marketing, advertising, and PR for the hunting, outdoor and shooting sports industry. Effective immediately, the seasoned agency will spearhead all media relations, marketing, and advertising efforts for the growing firearms brand.
“At Dickinson Arms, we are excited to embark on this journey with Full-Throttle Communications. Their industry experience and innovative approach will undoubtedly help us take our marketing efforts to the next level,” said Aykut Bekmez, Business Development Manager at Dickinson Arms. “This partnership aligns seamlessly with our commitment to excellence to delivering exceptional products and customer support.”
Renowned for its commitment to craftsmanship, Dickinson Arms offers a wide range of firearms, including basic pump shotguns, inertia or gas-operated semi-automatics, supremely balanced over & unders, and stunning side-by-sides. Each firearm is a testament to the company’s dedication, with wood and metal parts meticulously shaped and hand-fitted together, and premium quality components ensuring reliable performance even in the toughest conditions.
The partnership coincides with the unveiling of several new Dickinson introductions for 2024 including the company’s new ADAM Series of 1911 pistols, the brand’s official launch into the ammunition market with their new 9mm loads, and much more. Visit their website to view all new products.
“Dickinson Arms is synonymous with excellence in the firearms industry, and we are excited to collaborate with them to help amplify their brand presence,” said Jason Bear, President/CEO of Full-Throttle Communications. “We’re honored and excited to work alongside the company and look forward to implementing some effective and powerful marketing and PR solutions for the brand.”
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The heart-lung area of a wild turkey is the size of a baseball, and gobblers are a master at “the hidden ball trick.” If you plan on hunting spring gobblers with your bow, these images furnished by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation are absolutely critical. The best way is to practice on a 3-D turkey target or a target with turkey vitals, like the Back-to-Back by Morrell.
Save to Your Phone
Spring turkey hunting is a mixture of adrenalin rush, suspense as you wait for a bird to approach, and patience as the woods becomes quiet and you wait for a tom to spot your decoys. This is prime time to review the kill zone of a wild turkey and it helps if you have a phone image of a fully feathered birds at full strut and other stances. Just like you would do with a deer, pick the shot location on a gobbler picture in various positions.
Broadside is Best
If you compare the two pictures above, you will see that everything above this bird’s beak, parallel to the ground, is feathers. Many turkey hunters like to pick the vitals by aiming up the leg to the point where it intersects a line with the waddle, the red, bumpy section of the neck. The trick is to get the bird to stand still. A hen decoy will cause the gobbler to strut stoically, while a jake will cause it to rush in and attack the decoy.
Other Shot Angles
A frontal shot will be lethal if you strike just above the beard. That patch of whiskers makes a clear aiming target, but you must be careful that the tom is facing you directly. Gobblers often rotate their fans so that they appear to be facing you when their body is at an angle. Patience is the key as is a large broadhead, with three-blade models preferable.
Quick Kill or Clean Miss
The head/neck section is very vulnerable to an arrow and a hit in this area disables the turkey instantly. A spring gobbler’s head and upper neck is the size of a soda can, so it’s larger than many hunters think. You can hit this instantly lethal target from the front or the side. If you are competent with a diaphragm caller, make an alarm putt and the gobbler will raise its head and fully exposing its neck. Normally, when a turkey hears this alarm sound, it will hold this pose for a few seconds, so you must be ready to shoot.
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The Professional Outdoor Media Association is pleased to announce the sponsors of POMA’s 2024 Annual Meeting, to be held May 6-8 in Pinewood, South Carolina.
POMA’s Annual Meeting is the ultimate outdoor media extravaganza. It’s a must-attend event for top outdoor media, content creators, photographers and corporate wizards alike.
The Headlining Sponsor and Host of the event is the South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA). SCWA has gone above and beyond with their support of the 2024 Annual Meeting, providing the location, on-site accommodations, a wild-game chef and a separate location for the welcome dinner, as well as assistance securing financial sponsorships.
“The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is proud to host the POMA conference at the SCWA Wildlife Education Center, the nation’s largest wildlife education center. The future of fish and wildlife conservation depends on recruiting the next generation of hunters, anglers, trappers and shooters, while also maintaining a strong outdoor media to help educate the general public and recruit future conservationists,” said SCWA Chief Executive Officer, David Wielicki.
The event’s Premier Sponsor is Palmetto State Armory (PSA). PSA has been an influential Corporate Partner and sponsor of the event, and will be bringing five of their brands for range day – PSA, DPMS Panther Arms, AAC Ammunition, Sabre and H&R Arms.
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The Great American Outdoor Store’s newest Pennsylvania location in South Fayette Township will showcase vast assortment of quality gear at great prices
Bass Pro Shops announced plans today for a new destination retail super store location in South Fayette Township, Pa., in the southwest suburbs of Pittsburgh.
Bass Pro Shops’ newest store will be the company’s third in the great state of Pennsylvania, and the first in western Pennsylvania. The 100,000 square-foot two-level Outdoor World retail destination will expand its presence and build on its reputation of serving the passionate sportsmen and women of the region with the widest selection of quality products at the best prices around, while providing genuine, friendly expert service.
“It’s an honor to serve the sportsmen and women in the Pittsburgh area, with genuine friendly, expert service and to help outfit them for adventures as they enjoy Pennsylvania’s great outdoors,” said legendary angler, noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.
This new retail destination location will be part of Newbury Market, conveniently located to serve western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, offering the widest selection of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation gear in the industry, with an inventory specifically tailored to the region. This retail attraction is expected to open early 2026.
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I demonstrated the Burris Oracle X rangefinding scope at a sporting show in Central Pennsylvania last summer, and participants were amazed. So much so that I pitched the idea of a field test to Petersen Publishing’s Crossbow Revolution Magazine. They agreed it should be an interesting story, and the full article hit the newsstand last summer. If you are a crossbow fan or just interested in the subject, you’ll find everything you need to know in this edition.
Beginning with Success
Since I was familiar with the Burris Oracle X, I began my test with that scope. One of the challenges of this assignment was using three sets of technology which had to be transported to Africa, set up, sighted in, disassembled, and repeated in one week’s time. After sighting each scope according to its individual process, I marked the Picatinny rail so that the scope could be mounted in Africa with minimal difficulty. Luckily, the outfit had one good target that would stop the TenPoint Viper 430, but I had to put butter on the shafts to remove them.
Bowhunting Unfriendly
I was assured by my outfitter that this hunt was very bowhunter friendly but upon arrival, the guides told me that the properties we would hunt were rifle hunted year-round and that the average shot is between 150 and 250 yards. Yikes! I had hoped to sneak within 50-75 yards of game animals and use the rangefinder sights to seal the deal. The picture above was taken at 300 yards with a telephoto lens, a manageable rifle shot but way out of arrow range.
First Success
Because I had been using the Burris Oracle X for the past two years, I began with it and scored at 71 yards. African animals are difficult to stalk because they often live in herds of like or similar animals. Imagine trying to sneak close to a herd of whitetail or mule deer. To be successful, I had to sneak behind bushes and small trees, crawl under the lower bows, and shoot from a prone position, complicated by the thick ground cover that would surely affect arrow flight.
Sig Sauer BDX
Archers may be surprised to learn that Sig Sauer’s BDX ranging system can be calibrated for crossbows. This system is well known and written about in the outdoor press among rifle hunters, yet the same technology works well for crossbows. The Sig Sauer scope pairs with a Sig Sauer KILO5K rangefinder and once the range of a target is determined with the hand-held rangefinder the corresponding aiming point appears as a red dot in the scope. The scope has a standard BDX reticle so it works with or without the rangefinding option. Once used the usefulness of this system is incredibly apparent.
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