Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

FALCO® Holsters, globally recognized for exceptional artisanship in every handcrafted, purpose-built leather holster, enjoyed unprecedented success during the NSSF® SHOT Show 2023 by focusing on dealer support through partnerships and new product innovations.

“We made our sell-through dealer support program a priority for 2023,” said FALCO Holsters Vice President of Sales and Marketing Katarína Zacharová. “The retailers we met with during SHOT Show were enthusiastic about our margins, MAP pricing, and the ease of working with us,” she commented.

“One of the exciting new dealers we’ve added to our list of partners is Frontier Justice,” said Zacharová. “As a destination retailer and range headquartered in Missouri, they approach gun ownership as a lifestyle through a personalized approach. That matches perfectly with our one on one style of business.”

According to Zacharová, there are many benefits for dealers who partner with FALCO Holsters. “It is crucial to listen carefully to the needs of front-line retailers, and their message has been clear. They want to carry exclusive products customers can only purchase from them, without the competition of other brick-and-mortar locations, online retailers, or big box stores. Through this direct dealer collaboration, our retailers differentiate their product assortment from others and enjoy a competitive edge,” she said.

FALCO Holsters puts tremendous effort into collaborating with retail partners. “We recognize conserving shelf space is crucial for dealers, so we offer a Multifit line of premium leather holsters,” commented Zacharová. And, as the popularity of weapon-mounted lights, lasers, and sights continues, we have many optics-ready choices for dealers to choose from.”

The CMP Board of Directors is currently comprised of 9 individuals who share the same common interest: advancing marksmanship in the United States through safety, competitions and program opportunities. Though their goals are mutual, they come from an array of backgrounds – bringing with them their own unique experiences for the betterment of the organization. Here, we learn a little more about the individuals who are helping to lead CMP into the future.

John Carson:

Hometown:

My hometown is La Jolla, California, then a small military retirement community.

How did you hear about the CMP, initially?

Pope and Young Announces the Biggest Raffle in Conservation

Pope and Young, North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization is proud to announce their 33rd Biennial Convention Raffle.  This raffle will be the biggest in the company’s history, and features four incredible hunts, with all the dollars raised going to support bowhunting conservation, and Pope and Young’s fight to continue to preserve, promote, and protect your passion for bowhunting. 

One lucky winner will have the opportunity to choose from the following hunts, and will be able to hunt with either bow or firearm:

The drawing will be held on Saturday April 15, 2023, at the 33rd Biennial Convention in Reno, Nevada.  There will only be 1,500 tickets sold, so act fast to get your chance to win.

For more information about the raffle, or to get your tickets, visit https://rafflecreator.com/pages/29991/2023-convention-raffle .

For the most up to date information about the Pope and Young Convention, or to register today, please visit, https://pope-young.org/33rd-Biennial-Convention .
About Pope and Young:
Pope and Young is North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization. If you are a fair chase, ethical bowhunter, and you care about preserving the culture and future of bowhunting, then you belong to the Pope and Young. Join today at www.pope-young.org.

HatsanUSA®, the exclusive U.S. distributor of ESCORT® Shotguns, is proud to feature the FieldHunter Turkey. Just in time for the 2023 turkey season you can find ESCORT’s well-regarded line of turkey-specific pump-action shotguns ready for the job. Available in three calibers: 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 caliber, the FieldHunter Turkey is tailored with the turkey shooter in mind. These pump-action shotguns are chambered in 3 in. magnum and will handle both 2 ¾ in. and 3 in. loads with ease. The stock and forend are made from a tough, durable synthetic polymer, built to withstand the elements. The extended forend is easy to hold and cycle without the need to extend one’s reach. An aircraft alloy receiver and an oxidation resistant, chrome-plated steel barrel will ensure long service life.

The FieldHunter Turkey is available in two camo patterns: RealTree® Timber and Mossy Oak® BottomLand. Each gun ships with 3 interchangeable chokes suitable for a variety of turkey hunting situations. A 5 in. long cantilever optics rail features 4 cross-slots to accommodate a variety of Weaver mounts. The shotgun is also equipped with bright fiber optic front and rear sights for low-light hunting. The red front fiber is windage adjustable while the rear green fiber sight is both windage and elevation adjustable. Both fibers can be removed entirely to make way for mounted optics. All Hatsan’s barrels are hard chrome-lined for maximum durability and corrosion resistance. Safety is a significant concern for any firearm, so a manual cross-button safety is built in. Mounted sling studs make for easy carry and firing support. 

With ESCORT’s FieldHunter Turkey shotguns you’re set, right out of the box, for your next turkey hunting adventure.

MSRP: $499.99

FieldHunter Turkey Features

Deadline for Entries ends March 1st

POMA’s Pinnacle Awards are the highest honor the organization can bestow upon its media members for their creative works. They honor communicators annually for exceptional journalistic achievement in traditional outdoor sports-focused magazine writing, newspaper/web writing, photography/illustration, book, broadcasting, and conservation journalism.

POMA’s board of directors recently added two new categories to accurately showcase the talents of the organization’s membership: Magazine – Complete (Digital) and Magazine – Complete (Print).

Pull together your best articles, magazines, books, broadcasts, photos, etc., and get them ready to submit. You can mail submissions, or use our simple electronic submission option. Content between Nov. 1, 2021, and Oct. 31, 2022, is eligible for entry.

Pull together your best articles, books, broadcasts, photos, etc., and get them ready to submit. You can mail submissions, or use our simple electronic submission option.  

Signup period runs from February 27 through April 7

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (USDA- FSA) has announced a new general signup period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) running from February 27 through April 7, 2023. CRP has long been the nation’s most important tool for targeting environmentally sensitive lands with conservation practices that produce wildlife habitat, cleaner waters, healthier soils and a more resilient climate.  Landowners should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to learn more about general CRP eligibility. 

“CRP has always been a key tool for American farmers, ranchers and landowners,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s director of government affairs. “CRP enables producers to enroll difficult-to-farm acres in the program to improve wildlife habitat, soil health, water quality and climate resiliency, and is a key part of the economic safety net for rural communities. As the country looks to improve its ecological impacts and economic standing, CRP should be celebrated as a method for bolstering both sides of the equation.” 

The Conservation Reserve Program has supported wildlife populations and rural communities since President Ronald Reagan signed CRP into law on December 23, 1985. There are currently 23 million acres enrolled with a 27-million-acre cap set for fiscal year 2023. Additionally, producers and landowners can enroll acres under the continuous signup, including sought after practices such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative. 

The Farm Service Agency will also announce the dates for a Grassland CRP signup in the coming weeks. Grassland CRP is a working lands program helping landowners and operators protect grasslands, including rangeland and pastureland, while maintaining the areas as working grazing lands.

Noted author Mike Arnold, a Distinguished Research Professor of Genetics at the University of Georgia, will be signing copies of his groundbreaking new book, Bringing Back the Lions: International Hunters, Local Tribespeople, and the Miraculous Rescue of a Doomed Ecosystem in Mozambique, at Music City Center in Nashville, TN February 22-25, 2023.

Arnold will appear in the Zambeze Delta Safari Booth #1400 with legendary African professional hunter and conservationist Mark Haldane on the following dates and times: Wednesday, Feb. 22nd, from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm; Thursday and Friday, Feb. 23rd and 24th 9:00 am-11:00 am, and 2:00pm-5:00 pm; and Saturday, Feb. 25th from 9:00 am-noon.

Arnold’s highly acclaimed Bringing Back the Lions details how a small group of professional hunters, including Haldane, spearheaded a near-30-year effort to return a once-incredible wildlife paradise from a decimated and near-barren landscape to one of the world’s premier wildlands – the area of Mozambique known as Coutada 11. Coutada 11 is an official concession covering 2000 square kilometers (approximately 772 square miles) of some of the most diverse habitat and animal species in Africa. This area is one of the few remaining in Africa where one can still do a classical African Safari.

A life-long hunter who has traveled the globe, Arnold has published hundreds of research articles and four books on a variety of topics, including conservation biology. Publications such as Science Magazine, The New York Times, and National Public Radio continue calling Mike for interviews covering his research. Earlier this year he attended the 20th annual meeting of the African Wildlife Consultative Forum in Maputo, Mozambique, where he was honored to be able to present a copy of his book to the Honorable Carlos dos Santos, Mozambique Ambassador to the United States.

You can pick up a copy of Mike’s book at the convention, or conveniently order your own from www.Amazon.com,  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/, and other fine booksellers. For more information on Safari Club International and their 2023 convention, visit https://safariclub.org/2023-convention/.

Silencer Central, America’s largest silencer dealer, is thrilled to continue its partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation as a proud sponsor of the 2023 Convention and Sports Show. From Feb. 15-19, 2023, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Silencer Central will serve as a Longbeard and Grand National Auction and Dinner sponsor.

“We’re passionate about the mission of the NWTF and its dedication to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “As a Longbeard and Grand National Auction Dinner sponsor, we’re honored for the opportunity to present our suppressors and show attendees how our work relates to the fulfillment of NWTF’s initiative.”

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The convention features 90,000 square feet of exhibiting space, unifying the latest products and leading outdoor brands to celebrate 50 years of NWTF’s conservation success. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation and preservation efforts to protect our hunting heritage.

“NWTF is very fortunate to have Silencer Central return as a convention sponsor and exhibitor. They continue to increase their support for our organization and mission in many ways,” said Natalia Daniels, NWTF national director of corporate relations and licensing. “It would be impossible to host our convention without the support of partners like Silencer Central.”

Silencer Central delivers 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.

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes Tim Richards, Government Affairs Director for Wildlife Forever. 

Tim Richardson is a Washington, DC-based public affairs, media, and fundraising consultant. Tim has been Government Affairs Director for Wildlife Forever since 1995. Prior to that, he worked for Texas’ U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in Washington and was a political journalist in Austin during the 1980s. Tim is rural Michigan native who moved to Texas in 1979.

After a decade in Texas journalism and two years on Capitol Hill, Richardson became the nation’s only private consultant to work on Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon restoration for grant applicants. Clients in Alaska and Texas have received over $500 million in oil spill funds for projects involving public and private stakeholders, partners, and natural resource agencies. In addition to oil spill restoration Tim has worked on myriad state and federal government affairs issues for over thirty years.

About Hunting Matters
Tune in to “Hunting Matters” with Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director Joe Betar as he engages in conversations with guests, from various backgrounds, who have a passion for hunting and conservation. Great discussions, news, hunting legislation updates and more! “Hunting Matters” airs each Saturday, 6am-7am CDT on KPRC AM 950 – Real Texas, Real Talk, a Houston iHeartMedia station, and Houston’s longest running radio station. “Hunting Matters” is also available via podcast on Apple/iTunes, iHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, PodBean and Spreaker. Subscribe, listen, rate and review. Hunting Matters is the recipient of a 2022 Gold AVA Digital award, a 2022 NYX/Marcom Silver award and a 2022 MARCOM Gold award. 

About Houston Safari Club Foundation
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 646 scholarships totaling $2.92 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants for hunter-funded wildlife, habitat, and various conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.

FLY FISHING THE MIDDLE PROVO RIVER, JUST OUTSIDE PARK CITY, UTAH, OFFERS APPROACHABLE AND SCENIC WINTER FISHING

Regardless of your skill level, the Middle Provo River, in the Heber Valley just outside of Park City, Utah, might offer the most approachable and scenic winter fly fishing in America. Whether you come to Provo as a novice or an expert, you will find something here to challenge, inspire, and reward your visit.

To start, “The Middle,” as it is locally known, has a truly unique and successful restoration story. The dynamics that challenge riparian conservation came together earnestly in the Heber Valley between 1999 and 2008. The State of Utah, The Feds, the local ranchers, and the NGOs all worked together to comprehensively restore the Middle Provo. They reduced the ditch banks, fenced the herds, silenced the motors, added miles of a new channel, and restored a postcard-worthy high valley. Today it is 13 miles of the most beautiful and healthy blue ribbon tailwaters, perhaps anywhere outside of a Wilderness Area. And there is no time of year more suited to experiencing this accomplishment than deep snowy winter. 

The Provo is well known for challenging rocky straights interrupted by perfect pools and lots of small “buckets.” Thanks to the restoration, it enjoys healthy and robust all-season hatches. The Fishing pressure is also well known and for a good reason. The pressure eases off notably in the winter, but be open to walking the next bend. (Cross-country skiing is the only other use allowed along Provo). The days are shorter and slower, but the beauty and rewards of staying focused are unequaled. 

All the poetry of fly fishing will welcome you to the Heber Valley in Winter. One of the best-kept secrets is how easily visitors can sneak away from “shredding powder” at Park City’s mega ski areas and “slay the browns” on the Provo. 

Remington Ammunition is proud to announce that Team Remington’s Madison Sharpe won 1st place in the sporting clays Ladies Division at the inaugural Fujairah Mountain Shooting Championship in United Arab Emirates, Feb. 9-11, 2023.

“As we continue to showcase our talent across the world, I’m proud of Team Remington’s accomplishments and dominating performances,” said Team Remington Manager Mike Hampton Sr. “We congratulate and are proud of Madison for her win. Madison, and all Team Remington competitors never fail to deliver impressive performances across the board.”

Under the sponsorship of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, FMSC sets itself apart from other championships with challenging layouts and exciting side events. With breathtaking views of the surrounding Dubai area, participants from around the globe are immersed in a new clay shooting experience, competing against prominent shooters from over 40 countries.

Team Remington is comprised of an accomplished list of top shooters who continue to compete with the best in the world across trap, skeet and sporting clays competitions domestically and internationally. Utilizing Remington Premier STS Target Loads, Team Remington shooters continue to tally podium finishes and represent Big Green against the best shooters in the world.

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

By Gary Anderson, DCM Emeritus

Six USA Shooting rifle, pistol and shotgun athletes earned prestigious U. S. Distinguished International Shooter Badges in 2022 with international championship performances that gave them the 30 or more International Excellence-in-Competition (IEIC) credit points required to receive the Badge. 2022 honorees included three members of the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit, two members of the Ohio State University Pistol Team and one athlete who is a gun club manager in Kansas. Two of the six are women. The two youngest are 21 years of age, the oldest is 37 and their average age is 28. Two are rifle athletes, two are shotgun competitors and two are pistol athletes. Three were members of the very successful 2021 USA Olympic Shooting Team. 

America’s Marksmanship Distinguished Badge Program traces its history to the first gold Distinguished Marksman Badges issued by the U. S. Army in 1887.  This program, which is now administered by the CMP, offers competitors opportunities to earn 11 different Distinguished Badges.  Of those 11 different badges, the one that is the most difficult to earn is the U. S. Distinguished International Shooter Badge.  This is because to earn this badge, a rifle, pistol, or shotgun athlete must first qualify for a USA Shooting National Team that represents the USA in International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) or World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) Championships.  ISSF Championships include the Olympic Games, World Shooting Championships, World Cups and Continental Championships.  WSPS Championships for athletes with disabilities include the Paralympic Games and WSPS World Championships and World Cups. 

Making a USA Shooting National Team is only the first step in earning this badge, however. To be awarded the badge, a National Team member must then earn 30 International Distinguished credit points with medal-winning or high place finishes in ISSF or WSPS Championships. Credit points vary from 30 points that are awarded for Olympic or Paralympic Games gold, silver, or bronze medals to five points that that are awarded for third place finishes in the Pan American Games. 10 and 5 points are awarded for medal finishes at Junior World Championships. Olympic events receive higher point totals than non-Olympic events.  Earning an Olympic Quota Place for the USA earns 10 bonus points. Olympic Mixed Team events (one man and one woman) receive credit points while points for other team events are no longer awarded after the ISSF started adding multiple team events in 2020. Regulations for awarding the International Distinguished Badge are found in the current CMP Smallbore Rifle and Air Rifle/Air Pistol Rulebooks (http://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-competitions-rulebooks/).

USA Shooting (https://www.usashooting.org/) is the U. S. National Governing Body for Olympic Shooting and is responsible for selecting and training USA Shooting National Teams that represent this country in ISSF or WSPS Championships.  The International Distinguished Badge was instituted by the Department of Defense in 1963, pursuant to recommendations from the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice.  Responsibility for administering this program was transferred to the CMP when Congress and the U. S. President established the Civilian Marksmanship Program as a federally-chartered, non-profit corporation in 1996.  The CMP now administers the Program in accordance with authority granted to it by federal law (36 USC §40722 (3). 

Ideal for home, property, and livestock protection

Henry Repeating Arms, one of America’s leading firearm manufacturers, announced today the Homesteader 9mm, a feature-packed semi-automatic 9mm carbine cloaked in the gunmaker’s heritage design language built to meet the needs of property owners and weekend range visitors alike.

The Homesteader 9mm boasts premium materials and an adaptable feature set to provide effortless versatility for various roles, including home defense, protecting livestock from the predators that threaten them, and as a fun, approachable firearm for the shooting range using ammunition both widely available and affordable. To provide compatibility for the most common magazine patterns, the Homesteader 9mm utilizes removable magazine well adapters to accept Glock®, SIG Sauer®, or Smith & Wesson® M&P® style magazines, in addition to the included 5-round and 10-round Henry 9mm magazines.

Other notable features include a threaded barrel for suppressor use to minimize noise for neighbors at the range or at home and thoughtfully laid out, centrally located controls that will appeal to right- and left-handed users. Its compact size and lightweight frame provide maneuverability for close quarters and allow the firearm to be stored where some standard-sized rifles and shotguns may not fit. Intuitive, fast target acquisition is achieved with fully adjustable sights and maintained with features like a reciprocating mass inside the forearm to counteract recoil and non-slip leather-like texturing on the genuine American walnut furniture. Durable finishes like deeply blued steel, a matte sealant on the wood, and hard anodizing on the aluminum receiver keep the Homesteader resilient to a hardworking firearm’s inevitable wear and tear.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $928 for the version with a Henry magazine well only and $959 for the versions that include an additional magazine well. All Henry Repeating Arms firearms are purchasable only through a federally licensed dealer.

Winchester announces the launch of Winchester Life, a TV series now available on Outdoor Channel and various digital platforms.

“For millions of people throughout the world, Winchester is a way of life. It is time spent in the outdoors and experiences that will never be forgotten,” said Jason Gilbertson, director of marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “The Winchester Life series is all about sharing stories that need to be told, entertaining and educating viewers, and the positive value of the shooting sports and hunting traditions.”

The series includes rich content such as educational segments on ammunition and ballistics, epic hunting destinations, shooting sports events and personalities, and films that best represent Winchester, a brand of more than 150 years.

Winchester Life is distributed on Outdoor Channel television network, the Winchester Ammunition YouTube channel, and on Winchester.com. For air dates and times, visit Winchester.com or Outdoor Channel Plus – Outdoor Channel Plus.

Winchester Life supporters include: Winchester Firearms, GSM Outdoors, Winchester Safes, Folds of Honor and Shoot United.

Huk Performance Fishing apparel will be on display at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina, from February 17-19, 2023.  

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) celebrates the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment, and special events. It’s where artists, craftsmen, collectors, and sporting enthusiasts come together to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and connect through a shared passion for wildlife.

Huk, who calls Charleston home, will showcase their Waypoint line, made from recycled plastic bottles. Anglers will appreciate the comfort and feel of the garments while keeping our waters clean. Warm and Cold weather items from the Waypoint collection will be available to purchase on-site. 

In addition to showcasing Huk’s latest gear and talking with factory experts, the tent will be filled with interactive activities and local Charleston guides. Casual Crabbing with Tia will be in the booth all weekend, teaching about crabbing in the Lowcountry. Fishing experts from Redfin Charters will be in the booth Friday, offering tips and tactics to help anglers catch more fish. Kayak fishing experts and SCDNR-certified fishing instructors Jason and Jennifer Schall will offer advice on kayak fishing and how to get started fishing in the Charleston area. 

Attendees can stop by the Huk tent in the outdoor area of Brittlebank Park and grab a free dog bandana. For more information, visit www.sewe.com and the Huk social media pages at @hukgear.

SK Guns®, the Nation’s only limited-edition, series-driven production manufacturer, is thrilled to debut the latest SK Customs® series and a new collectible firearm set to celebrate the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 50th Anniversary during the annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by booth #725 in the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Feb. 15-19, 2023, to learn more about SK Customs® series, the SK Bespoke Collection® and more.

“Following our recent launch of a brand-new collectable Colt series, The Untamed, we’re proud to exhibit at this year’s convention to show our continued support of the NWTF,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “As a proud partner of the 50th anniversary celebration, we’re excited to connect with industry professionals, partners and visitors.”

As one of the largest industry shows in Nashville, the convention displays the latest products and services in 90,000 square feet of exhibiting space. Since 1973, NWTF has conserved or enhanced more than 22 million acres of wildlife habitat, invested more than $500 million in conservation and outreach efforts, and invested more than $8 million in wild turkey research. Exhibitors and guests will gather to celebrate 50 years of conservation success and the continued work still to come.

SK Customs recently announced its donation featuring two sets of custom designed and engraved Henry® Golden Boy Silver .22LR and a new model Smith & Wesson® 1911 chambered in 45ACP to be auctioned off during the show. The package is sold as a set and will be featured during the Grand National Live Auction on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 18 and on the NWTF’s Online Hunt Auction throughout the weekend.