Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

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.

The life of many students is like running in circles. Morning in the dorm room gives way to an afternoon on campus and ends with sitting in the library until night. Then the young people go to their dorms, and everything starts again. But outdoor activities can change everything! However, not all students understand how to organize leisure and enjoy nature. So how do you explore the outdoors as a student? Here’s what you should know first!

Visiting National Parks

Arrange a visit to one of the famous national parks nearby. Take your friends and go on a tour. Surely you will enjoy contemplating mountains, forests, plains, or flower meadows. In addition, many national parks are ideal places for picnicking or boating. This pastime is a perfect example of outdoor activities.

But do not forget that the trip to the reserve can take quite a long time, so you should understand what papers you will have to craft in advance. Perhaps you should find a writing service to delegate some assignments. In any case, such a strategy will allow you not to worry about your grades. For example, you can count on SpeedyPaper help options if you don’t have time to craft all the assignments.

Go Kayaking!

Many students lack extreme emotions or the opportunity to let off steam. That is why kayaking is the perfect outdoor activity. You need to find a group of like-minded people, rent kayaks and choose a mountain river. Since you are unlikely to be a first-class swimmer, you should start your outdoor activities with basic options.

Rafting on the river will give you vivid emotions and a dose of adrenaline that invigorates every part of your body. In addition, you can set up camp near the river or on the edge of the forest after such entertainment. Then, having gathered a circle of like-minded people, you can tell stories and eat food cooked on a fire. You will certainly have something to discuss on campus after such a trip.

Are you excited about hunting? Can you barely imagine your life without spending your weekend in the woods, watching a deer or another animal? Well, how is your hobby related to the choice of your profession? There are numerous aspects that should be specified here, so you should miss none of the points. Unfortunately, in the overwhelming majority of instances, parents are not really supportive of prospective students, who choose a college depending on its proximity to hunting areas, but it may work well with some of them. 

At the same time, it is inevitable to mention that it does not mean you are ready to ignore the quality of the provided education in order to spend a good vacation. Therefore, it is indispensable to stay critical, making a choice you will not regret. 

If you love hunting, fishing, and just staying outside, you need to make maximum effort to find the best college that will be located somewhere close to the lake and woods. Does it mean you will spend most of your time hunting? Browsing the web, you will surely come across tons of effective essay writing services that may provide you with tons of free time, but you will have to spend lots of money to get most of your projects done by professionals. Although the assistance you receive from WritePaperForMe specialists is not really expensive, it does not mean you will have to get it every single time you feel bored. Instead, show your desire to study, stay academically successful and productive so that you have enough time to go hunting and do other activities you love. 

So, is it possible to find a university that will be perfect for both studying and entertainment? Check out a few colleges you may be interested in. Compare their features and analyze specifications before you make the final choice.

Penn State College

Penn College is located in the center of the state, being one of the most accessible schools ever. Nonetheless, taking into account its location, the university also seems the most convenient for students who love nature and everything related to it. 

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies welcomes Director Chuck Sykes to the list of Officers, and Directors Bryan Burhans and Kendra Wecker to the list of Members of the AFWA Executive Committee. 

“The Association is excited to have Director Sykes as our new Vice President, and to have Directors Burhans and Wecker join our Executive Committee,” said Curt Melcher, Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “Together, we will work to fulfill the Mission, Vision, Values and Goals of the Association and continue the great work of this remarkable organization.”

Chuck Sykes is the Director of the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. For over 10 years, Sykes has overseen the operations of all wildlife and fisheries biologists and conservation enforcement officers. He and his staff manage, protect, conserve, and enhance the wildlife and aquatic resources of Alabama for the sustainable benefit of the people of Alabama. Sykes has graciously accepted the appointment of Vice President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, moving from the Member list, on the Executive Committee.  

Bryan Burhans is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which manages nearly 500 game and non-game wildlife species, 1.5 million acres of public land and the expectations of nearly 1 million hunters and anglers. Kendra Wecker is Chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife and oversees Ohio Department of Natural Resources efforts to manage and conserve fish and wildlife populations on behalf of all Ohioans. The Association is excited to have both Burhans and Wecker as new Members of the AFWA Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee charge is to determine all matters not especially provided for in the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws until passed at a regular meeting; employ and assign duties to the Executive Director and subordinate employees; approve annual budget of itemized estimated expenditures; and provide for payment of legitimate expenses incurred in behalf of the Association.  Visit www.fishwildlife.org/landing/executive-committee for the full Executive Committee list.

Federal Ammunition is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor for the Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 17-19. The event will bring together tens of thousands of upland hunting enthusiasts to see all the best new products including Federal Premium’s lineup of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever branded product lines.

“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever continue to lead the path for upland conservation and have done a tremendous job under Howard Vincent’s leadership, for the past several decades,” said Jon Zinnel, Senior Manager for Federal’s Conservation programs. “We commend Howard for his enthusiastic leadership of the organization, and we also look forward to working with incoming CEO Marilyn Vetter, who is debuting at this year’s Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic.”

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will be offering a full lineup of free seminars for attendees, as well as access to vendor booths, workshops, youth activities, and many other show floor activities. Attendees are encouraged to stop by Federal’s booth No. 1835 to talk with Federal’s passionate staff about the perfect ammunition for any upcoming upland hunting adventure.

“At this event, Pheasants Forever is celebrating 40 years of conservation success,” continued Zinnel. “We look forward to its bright future as it continues its conservation efforts across the country, and we are excited to continue collaborating closely with them for many more years to come.”

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Their mission is to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy. For more information, go to www.pheasantsforever.org.

Traditional shooters will want to check out the new shaft in in Easton’s line of arrows—the Carbon Legacy.  The new Legacy builds on Easton’s 100-year tradition of making the world’s finest archery tackle.  When Doug Easton first began his archery company in 1922, he started out making handcrafted wood arrows and longbows one at a time in his small workshop. Each arrow featured Doug’s own signature cresting applied to the finest hand-selected cedar shafting.  Today’s traditional Legacy is a nod to Doug’s meticulous commitment to crafting the finest traditional equipment available in that era. The Legacy combines the traditional look of wood-grained carbon with high-visibility white-dipped and hand-feather-fletched craftsmanship to offer the finest vintage aesthetic. “We really wanted to make the Carbon Legacy something special,” stated Gary Cornum, Easton Marketing Director. “We went back into our archives and found some of Doug’s 1920’s arrows and borrowed ideas from his original wood shafts to inspire the look we were going for.”

Loaded with features the traditional enthusiast will value, the Legacy comes fletched with three 4” left wing helical feathers including a barred index feather with combinations of solid red, white, and bright yellow hen feathers. The Carbon Legacy is accurate, durable, and has exceptional flight visibility.  Legacy is available in five popular hunting sizes (340, 400, 500, 600, and 700). Includes RPS inserts and pre-installed 6.5mm 3D Super Nocks.

Features:

For more information on Easton Carbon Legacy arrows, see your local archery pro shop or visit www.eastonarchery.com