Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Inspired by the many adventures he experienced as a member of the Air Force Pistol Marksmanship Team back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dr. Robert “Doc” Engelmeier from Pittsburgh, Pa., created his own exposé. Documenting his excursions, including to Camp Perry, he goes into remarkable detail about being a competitor during that time period, the awards he accumulated and the friends he made along the way. The CMP will be posting the piece through a series on our online publication, The First Shot, featuring fascinating commentary and vintage photos for readers to enjoy.

This is the second installment of the series.

My Start and a Daring Trip:

My first foray into military competition came along in 1971-1972. Upon my return from Vietnam, I was reassigned to Otis AFB on Cape Cod. I joined the base pistol team there which competed weekly in the Cape Cod Pistol League. That base team consisted of both Airmen and Coast Guard members.

The largest Coast Guard Air/Sea Rescue unit at the time was situated on Otis AFB. The team won the league championship in 1972, so we Air Force members of the team qualified to travel to Tindall AFB in Florida to compete in the Air Defense Command (ADC) Matches. Unfortunately, none of us qualified for the ADC Team that went on to the All-Air Force Matches that year.

Fiocchi, a global leader in defensive, target, and hunting ammunition, announces the appointment of shooting industry veteran David Blenker to the position of President and CEO of its North American operations. Blenker will replace Anthony Acitelli, who is retiring after a three-and-a-half-year tenure in this role.

An experienced corporate leader and a decades-long veteran of the shooting industry, Blenker guided two greenfield projects over the past five years — the new Taurus USA and the new A-1 Industries manufacturing facilities in Bainbridge, Georgia.

Blenker’s involvement in the shooting industry goes beyond corporate management. He is a past Board of Governor of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, along with being a past board member of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, past board member of the South Florida Council of Boy Scouts of America, and currently holds a board seat on the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance. Here, Blenker exercises his passionate advocacy for the grassroots growth of shooting sports — an endeavor that perfectly aligns with Fiocchi’s ongoing support of the Scholastic Clay Target Program. Blenker is also an avid hunter and competitive shooter.

In his new role as President and CEO of Fiocchi USA, Blenker will guide several major initiatives for the company — most notably the expansion of Fiocchi of America, such as the new primer manufacturing facility in Arkansas — and furthering Fiocchi’s commitment to sustainable technology implementation throughout the product lines.

“I am truly excited to work with such a legendary brand as Fiocchi and to work alongside the dedicated employees who have helped the company make such large strides over the last few years,” said Blenker. “With its increasing manufacturing capabilities and a growing footprint in North America, I look forward to this new chapter in Fiocchi’s nearly 150-year history. I must also thank outgoing CEO Anthony Acitelli for his outstanding stewardship of the brand and for bringing Fiocchi’s North American operations to this point.”

Fiocchi, a global leader in defensive, target, and hunting ammunition, is excited to announce its partnership with The Clay Lab. This new partnership is part of a continuing initiative by Fiocchi to support the shooting sports and to help grow the knowledge base of and participation in sporting clays competition and recreational shooting.

Developed and hosted by competitive shooters Scott Hardison, JP Tayamen, and Jeremy Smock, The Clay Lab focuses on producing high-quality videos that cover the sporting clays community, events, and gear reviews, but also takes deep dives into the processes and technical aspects of shotgun shooting to provide valuable insight for beginner and advanced shooters alike.

“Joining Team Fiocchi has been an exciting time for our channel,” said The Clay Lab co-host Scott Hardison. “As our squad’s knowledge and experience in the game have grown, we have come to understand the importance of quality ammunition. With the backing of Fiocchi, we couldn’t be more confident in our future. Delivering quality content to the community has always been our goal, so it just plain makes sense for our channel to be paired with the quality of Fiocchi.”

To learn more about The Clay Lab, visit ClayLabUSA.com or check out their YouTube channel.

For more information about Fiocchi ammunition, visit FiocchiUSA.com.

OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN – It was during a dense, wet fog on Halloween morning when lifetime experienced Michigan game hunter Mike Hoeppner lost track of his massive 9-point, 200 lb dressed big-buck archery kill. 

An avid lifetime hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, Hoeppner has landed many exciting hunts during the course of his sportsman career, but never lost a buck he couldn’t find… until now.   

After an exhaustive two-hour long foot-search in the chilly autumn rain and dense woodland brush of Northern Oakland County, Michigan, this experienced hunter nearly lost all hope of recovering his dream buck. Coming it at 138 5/8 inches in the Big Buck Gross Scored, this buck was recorded at being large enough to make it into the Commemorative Bucks of Michigan state records, and would be devastating for an experienced hunter to lose track of. 

Following the fruitless search, Hoeppner decided to enlist the help of one of Michigan’s most valuable hunting resources to save the day – a blood-tracking Dachshund named Max. 

Weight less than 15 pounds, these feisty little dogs are apex trackers, successfully finding lost game in some of Michigan’s densest, forested habitats. Moving quickly through the slippery, wet grounds, it took less than 5 minutes for this experienced tracker dog to locate the lost buck, which had fallen into a deep, weeded ravine. 

Tennessee Wildlife Federation and Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) are proud to announce a partnership for their respective programs: Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program (Tennessee SCTP) and National Scholastic Clay Target Program (National SCTP). This partnership will enhance the experience for athletes and the administrative roles for coaches.

“Since 2001, Tennessee Wildlife Federation has provided young Tennesseans with the premier shooting sports program in the state through the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program,” said Ashley Tone, Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program Manager. “As a former Tennessee SCTP athlete myself, I am proud to be a part of the driving force behind promoting shooting sports in my home state and propelling our program forward.”

Tennessee SCTP provides youth, age 9 through college, an opportunity to participate in shotgun shooting sports—trap, skeet, and sporting clays—with peers from across the state. The program is designed to teach the importance of safe firearms handling, responsibility, leadership, teamwork, and to promote healthy competition.

“All of us at Tennessee Wildlife Federation see the positive impact this program makes on so many athletes and their families, as well as increasing outdoor recreation and conservation in our state,” said Tone. “We are excited to be strengthening and expanding the opportunities for our teams through a new partnership with National SCTP.”

Through this partnership:

Scent Thief® is pleased to announce Source Outdoor Group® of Gainesville, Georgia, as its Agency of Record. In this role, Source Outdoor Group will be tasked with a wide range of responsibilities for the innovative brand, including public relations, media planning, and influencer management.

Scent Thief’s mission is to keep hunters hidden in the woods using patented “No Smell” technology, which shuts down an animal’s ability to smell. Consumers can stay discrete on their hunt with a broad scope of products, including shampoo and body wash, field spray, hanging tree wafers, and much more!

“I’m pleased to welcome Source Outdoor Group and their expertise in developing sound marketing strategies to grow our brand,” said Jay Carpenter, President of Scent Thief. “As our integrated marketing partner, Source Outdoor Group will be tasked to translate the organization’s program initiatives into communications strategies that drive results. We look forward to expanding our marketing capabilities through our new partnership with Source Outdoor Group.”

Source Outdoor Group has a diversified list of clients across the country. The firm is an industry-leading marketing communications company known for building brands in the outdoor industry.

“We’re pleased to work with Scent Thief to create and execute marketing tactics that will help the brand expand,” stated Aaron McCaleb, President/Owner of Source Outdoor Group. “Through relevant marketing, content, and communication initiatives, we look forward to engaging people with their revolutionary product line.”

Brad Downey, co-founder of Frontier Sales & Marketing Group, has announced that he will be stepping down from his role as Principal of the Agency. “I have so enjoyed my time as a Manufacturer’s Sales Rep in the Outdoor Industry. It has provided me with the greatest experiences and relationships that anyone could ask for in their career. But twenty-five years is a long time to do anything and it is time to make way for new leadership and fresh perspectives”, said Downey. 

Denis Breaud, who started with the Agency in 2015 will be taking over as Principal alongside Co-founder, Principal Dennis Clark. “Denis Breaud has been a tremendous asset to our organization from day one and I could not be happier to hand over the reins to him. He has great relationships with our Brands and brings a lot of enthusiasm to this role. I have no doubt that he and Dennis Clark, my trusted Partner of 24 years, will take this Agency to new heights”, added Downey. 

Frontier Sales & Marketing Group is an Independent Sales Agency based in Katy, Texas, that provides Sales Representation for companies in the Outdoor Industry. Founded in 1999 by Dennis Clark and Brad Downey, Frontier proudly represents some of the finest Brands in the Fishing, Hunting, Camping, and Outdoor Recreation categories for 15 South Central & Southeastern states. 

Prior to co-founding Frontier Sales & Marketing Group, Brad Downey was employed by the Frank Carter Company, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

The TT Plate Carrier LP MKII is a lightweight, flat plate carrier with a neutral front that is designed for undercover use.

Tasmanian Tiger®, a tactical nylon line of products distributed exclusively for the US market by Proforce Equipment, Inc., is pleased to introduce the TT Plate Carrier LP MKII, a lightweight plate carrier designed with ultra-flat construction and a neutral front meant for undercover use. It features a length adjustable elastic side attachment as well as two fixed and two additional detachable, elastic side pockets for magazines, radios, or small parts. Adjustable shoulder straps provide a minimum of 9.8in/26cm to a maximum of 10.2in/20cm.

The TT Plate Carrier LP MKII is available in size S/M, suitable for SAPI plates, up to 12 x 10 in. (30 x 25 cm.). It is made from T-Square Rip FD and is available in Olive, Black, Coyote, and Titan Grey for an MSRP of $99.95.

Click to see the 2023 Tasmanian Tiger New Items digital catalog here or the Vol. 3 Product digital catalog here. Find a local dealer here for any of the exciting Tasmanian Tiger products.

Stay in the conversation by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All sales inquiries can be directed to [email protected].

Fishing Tom’s Guide Service, Southwest Louisiana’s premier fishing guide service, will be exhibiting at the Houston Fishing Show in Houston, Texas, March 1-5, 2023. This event takes place at the George R. Brown Convention Center Wed. – Fri. from Noon – 9 PM, Saturday from 10 AM – 7 PM and Sunday from 10 AM- 6 PM. Adults are $15 each and children 6-12 years old are $3 each.

In its 48th year, the Houston Fishing Show is the longest running fishing show in the city. Fishing Tom’s Guide Service will be among hundreds of other top outfitters, manufacturers and companies at this show that are dedicated to the diehard fishing and outdoor enthusiast. Fishing Tom’s Guide Service will be offering a “show-only” special for three that includes one night lodging before fishing, one full day of fishing, three meals including a gourmet Cajun dinner, hot breakfast in the morning and a sack lunch for the boat. This fishing special is $900 at the show. It has a $1200 retail value . If you are unable to attend the show you can also book this special by calling Tom the first week of March at 318-675-9114.

“This is a great 2023 special, and we encourage visitors to stop by and talk with us about this great fishing opportunity as it is only being offered at this show,” said Tom Adams, owner and guide. “If you enjoy fishing and have friends and family that enjoy it as well, this is the time to book the trip. You can’t go wrong.”

Be sure to stop by booth #506 at the Houston Fishing Show to take advantage of this exclusive show special. For more information on the Fishing Tom’s Guide Service, visit www.fishingtom.net, call 318-675-9114 or Click Here

Fishing Tom Guide Service takes its clientele to fish the Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes through the bayous and marshes that surround those areas. These seasoned captains know the waters and can navigate these intricate waterways to get to areas others dare not approach. The targeted species when fishing these areas are typically redfish, flounder, sheepshead, tripletail, trout, and other saltwater species. It is not unheard of to catch more than 15 different species in one day with this premier guide service.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced the first-ever Long Island regular spring wild turkey hunting season dates. The opening of this new season is the result of wild turkey reintroduction efforts DEC initiated in the mid-1990s, coupled with decades of responsible and diligent wildlife management.

“The NWTF New York State Chapter supports decisions based in sound science that balance biological and social carrying capacities of wild turkey populations with hunting opportunity,” said Eric Davis, NWTF New York State Chapter president. “Based on the wild turkey recovery that has happened on Long Island and increasing wild turkey populations, the science supports opening a spring season in Suffolk County.”

Long Island’s wild turkey population is an example of successful restoration and management efforts. Like regions all over the country, wild turkey populations on Long Island disappeared throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 
In the mid-1990s, DEC trapped approximately 75 wild turkeys in upstate New York and released these birds at three locations in Suffolk County. The Long Island population is now estimated at more than 3,000 birds and growing.

“DEC is excited to give Long Island hunters an additional local turkey hunting opportunity,” DEC Regional Director Cathy Haas said. “Not only does this new season give more opportunities to local hunters, it also serves as an example of how locally extirpated populations can be successfully reintroduced and flourish. Both the fall and new spring seasons are possible thanks to the diligent work of DEC’s regional wildlife staff, as well as the cooperative efforts of local hunters and volunteers who took the time to share their turkey sightings, allowing our staff to assess population health and growth.”

In 2009, the first fall-only wild turkey season opened in the region. DEC carefully monitored this new season over the ensuing years and confirmed the Long Island wild turkey population could continue to thrive while under hunting pressure. Long Island proved to be a region where safe and successful hunting of wild turkeys was possible, with no hunting safety incidents reported throughout 14 fall seasons.

Silencer Central, America’s largest silencer dealer, is slated to attend the 2023 Safari Club International (SCI) Convention, Feb. 22-25 in Nashville. Silencer Central is a proud corporate sponsor of the event and supporter of SCI’s mission to promote hunting and wildlife conservation across the world.

Established in 1971, SCI serves as the country’s leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promote wildlife conservation worldwide, working with federal and state legislators to develop, promote and communicate positions on important issues, laws, regulations and initiatives. SCI tirelessly works to promote the image of the hunter to the general public through words, actions and giving back to educational, civic, conservation and humanitarian efforts across the globe.

“Silencer Central is excited to return as a corporate sponsor of the SCI celebration, tradition and important mission,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “With hundreds of professional hunters and outfitters in attendance, we’re thrilled to showcase the value, performance, and functionality of the Banish lineup. We know the benefits of hunting suppressed and are continually working to change the game for hunting and shooting enthusiasts.”

Customers can buy directly onsite at the event at booth #729, with Silencer Central representatives assisting throughout the entire purchasing process. Silencer Central will hold a seminar highlighting the benefits of hunting suppressed on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m. in the Music City Center, room 201AB. To learn more, visit safariclub.org.

Silencer Central delivers silencers directly to customers in the 42 states where silencers are legal. The shipping process has revolutionized the way suppressors are sold and allows for customers to streamline their purchasing experience by cutting out unnecessary hurdles to silencer ownership.

Nukem Hunting invites attendees of the 25th Annual Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo to visit the Nukem Hunting (booth 466 and 467) to get a first-hand look at the full lineup of ‘Grab and Go’ hunting blinds. The show is set to take place February 23-26, 2023, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attendees will get the chance to test, touch and see the revolutionary ground blind from Nukem Hunting.

The Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo is the largest hunting show in the Midwest, displaying the latest hunting, archery and waterfowl gear. The show brings in hunting outfitters from around the world, features a hunting seminar series, demonstrations and various other events.

“We are really excited to make our way up to Indianapolis for the Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo,” said Nukem Hunting Owner Pat Newcomb. “This is a great show that brings together hunters from all over the Midwest and gives us another great opportunity to get our blinds in front the right people.”

Nukem Grab and Go hunting blinds are perfect for the run and gun hunter who likes to take the hunt to the animal. The compact construction allows users to move silently through the woods and set up at a moment’s notice. The no-stake, easy folding design eliminates the headache associated with conventional ground blinds and gives hunters the ability to set up virtually anywhere. To see the Nukem Hunting blinds in action please view the following video. To learn more about purchase options, please visit nukemhunting.com.

About Nukem Hunting

SilencerCo is excited to launch a new custom paint service to help customers step up their suppressor game. SilencerCo’s Cerakote-certified team can refinish suppressors in one of five different colors for the cost of $89. 

This new service gives shooters the option to match their suppressor to a specific firearm or even just add a little color to their current collection. Those interested will need to contact the SilencerCo Customer Service team Monday – Thursday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM MST. The SilencerCo Customer Service contact information can be found here. 

“Our intention with this project is to give shooters the ability to customize their suppressor,” said VP of Marketing, Customer Service & Warranty, Jessica Kallam. “Whether it’s Coyote Tan for long-range desert shooting or Sniper Grey for pairing with an AR-15, our paint team will do an impeccable job.” 

Color Options:

To learn more about SilencerCo’s Custom Paint Project visit https://silencerco.com/paint-program.

New Custom Plaques Offer Perfect Way to Commemorate Hunt

Primos® Hunting, a pioneer in game calls and hunting accessories, announces new commemorative custom turkey fan plaques available from the Custom Mill Shop. A long-time request from turkey hunters, the new custom plaques are available just in time for the spring season.

Designed by turkey hunters for turkey hunters, Primos custom plaques are the perfect way to commemorate that special bird or memory for a friend, family member or yourself. Handcrafted in Mississippi with solid hardwoods, each plaque is individually marked for authenticity and can be fully customized to celebrate any successful hunt.

“Chasing turkeys in the spring is an adventure full of highs and lows, so when you finally get lucky enough to bag that big tom, you want to be able to display it proudly,” said Jason Harris, Director of Marketing and Product Management at Primos Hunting. “That’s why we created the Primos Custom Turkey Plaque. It has tons of ways to add unique details about your hunt and will surely be the envy of your hunting buddies.”

The Custom Mill Shop turkey plaques feature a cherry wood baseplate and a select maple fan holder. Purchasers can select between two styles: the Field Report or Custom. The Field Report includes personalized text, the state the bird was taken in or shotshell size (12, 20 or .410), as well as stats like spur and beard length. The Custom style allows you to choose from multiple turkey graphics and text options on both the top and bottom of the plaque.

(Summerville, SC) –  American Tactical, a leading firearms manufacturer, has announced the introduction of two new bolt action rifles from Black Creek Labs – the MRX Bronco and the TRX Bronco Hunter.  The TRX Bronco Hunter is an accurate utility rifle designed for backcountry carry and hunting, while the MRX Bronco is ideal for range shooting, varmint and small game.  Both rifles are part of Black Creek’s newest line of Bronco bolt action rifles and are now available for purchase with an MSRP of $1499 for the TRX Bronco Hunter and $1199 for the MRX Bronco.

The TRX Bronco Hunter is an innovative rifle that is specifically designed for backcountry hunting. It features a two piece, Bronco adaptable chassis system with a 10 inch fore-end that is made of aircraft grade aluminum. The rifle also features a folding stock that captures the bolt handle when folded, making it compact, save and easy to carry. The TRX Bronco Hunter feeds from high capacity AR10/SR25 mags, eliminating the requirement for extra mags or loose ammunition. Additionally, the FSS stock can be made to lock the safety in the “safe” position, making it unable to fire when the stock is folded.

The TRX Bronco Hunter uses the Black Creek TRX Short action, which can be chambered in .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor. It is guaranteed to shoot 1 MOA with suggested commercial ammunition and is fitted with a TriggerTech REM700 field trigger, making it one of the smoothest shooting rifles available in its class.
The MRX Bronco, on the other hand, is a versatile, compact rifle that is ideal for range shooting and small game hunting. It features a 16.5 inch, medium weight barrel and a M-LOK compatible handguard. The rifle feeds from AR15 magazines and can be chambered in 300BLK, 7.62×39 or 5.56.. The MRX Bronco is fitted with a TriggerTech REM700 field trigger and is guaranteed to shoot 1.2 MOA with suggested commercial ammunition.The MRX Bronco comes with a collapsible PDS (Personal Defense System) stock for easy on the range adjustment.

“We’re excited to introduce the Black Creek Labs TRX Bronco Hunter and MRX Bronco to the market,” said Tony DiChario, President of American Tactical. “These rifles offer unparalleled accuracy and versatility in their class, making them perfect for a variety of applications. With their innovative design and top-of-the-line features, we’re confident that the TRX Bronco Hunter and MRX Bronco will be a hit with shooters and hunters alike.”

For more information on products from American Tactical, Inc. visit www.americantactical.us. For press inquiries, contact Monica Arnold at [email protected].