Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Colona, IL – There is no doubt we are in the “golden age” of semi-auto rifles with companies like Rock River Arms continuing to offer top-quality rifles designed with premium materials and strict quality control — all sold at reasonable prices. Rock River Arms earned their reputation by manufacturing some of the most accurate and reliable semi-auto rifles for the law enforcement and civilian markets. Now for 2022, the company ups the game for hunters with the introduction of the All-Terrain Hunter (ATH), a mid-length rifle that stands tall in the field of AR-platform hunting rifles.

Designed specifically with the modern hunter in mind, the ATH rifle’s precision 18-inch heavy match stainless steel barrel is cryogenically treated for maximum stability and accuracy even under high-volume shooting conditions. Chambered in .223 WYLDE to accommodate both 5.56mm and .223 Remington hunting ammunition, the ATH barrel incorporates a 1:8 twist rate and boasts a guaranteed 3/4 MOA accuracy at 100 yards.

The barrel mates to a forged A4 upper receiver and is shrouded by a 13-inch extended lightweight free-float handguard. The co-witnessed, full-length rail system offers plenty of room for high-magnification optics and thermal gear for late-night varmint hunting while the M-LOK® compatible handguard ensures ample mounting positions for bipods, slings, and lights.

Hunter ergonomics also score high marks with the RRA ATH. A winter trigger guard provides ample room for the trigger finger even when wearing heavy gloves. The Hogue pistol grip also accommodates gloved hands with its no-slip rubber coating and prominent finger grooves. To meet changing shooting scenarios and clothing requirements, a six-position RRA Operator CAR buttstock rounds out the lower receiver assembly. With its generous cheek weld and textured buttplate, this stock makes it easy to maintain a secure and comfortable sight picture in a fast-paced hunting environment. The stock also incorporates multiple quick-detach sling mounting points and a watertight battery storage compartment.

Hunters will appreciate the ATH’s operational controls. The star safety selector, for example, is easy to manipulate when wearing gloves. More noteworthy is the inclusion of RRA’s world-class Two-Stage Ultra Match Varmint Trigger. With its light take-up, crisp break and 3.5 – 4 lbs. pull weight, this trigger goes a long way toward minimizing shooter-induced shot disturbance—a critical factor in long-range accuracy.

While setting the industry standard in Performance Fishing Gear, Huk is also taking a more environmentally conscious approach by incorporating lightweight, recycled yarns to produce their Waypoint Collection. The Waypoint Collection features a hoodie, long sleeve shirt, polo, men’s 7.5” shorts, women’s 2.5” shorts, and men’s pants.

Converting plastic waste into more practical applications like clothing made from recycled materials is an effective way to reduce the impact of single-use plastics on the environment. Huk partnered with REPREVE® to incorporate these recycled materials into its Waypoint line to help reduce plastic pollution. The collection will have the same unique Huk style but with an eco-friendly twist. On average, nine recycled plastic bottles are used to create one item in the Waypoint collection. The blended fabric provides flexibility and stretches while maintaining shape and fit.

The Waypoint hoodie and long sleeve shirt feature 62% recycled polyester, 33% rayon, and 5% spandex. The lightweight recycled yarns are used to create an environmentally sound garment without sacrificing comfort or functionality. The hoodie and long sleeve shirt feature cooling fibers that work to remove heat from the surface of the skin, keeping anglers more comfortable and on the water longer. The hood is built taller around the neck, allowing for extra protection from the sun. Both hoodies and long sleeve shirts are rated 50+ UPF for ultimate protection against the sun and feature a chest pocket for storing lightweight items. The hoodie is available in men’s and women’s sizes. 

The Waypoint polo is the perfect choice for dressing up an outfit a little bit. The polo features 62% recycled polyester, 33% rayon, and 5% spandex resulting in a comfortable, lightweight product. The polo has the same cooling fibers as the hoodie, which will keep outdoorsmen cool and out in the sun longer. It is rated 50+ UPF for ultimate protection against the sun and features a chest pocket for storing lightweight items.

The Waypoint men’s 7.5” shorts are a perfect combination of style and comfort. The performance shorts are made from 37% recycled polyester, 35% polyester, 20% cotton, and 8% spandex and feature a moisture-wicking waistband. This combination provides superior stretch, mobility, and sun protection for a full day of water-filled activities. Ideal for both fresh- and saltwater fishing applications, the shorts are quick-drying and stain-resistant. The shorts are constructed with zippered front fly, zippered back pockets to secure gear and wallets while moving around the boat. A conveniently designed plier pocket helps keep essential gear close at hand.

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes Chris Williams of Williams Knife Company. 

Inspired by his grandfather, Chris Williams is a second-generation knife maker. He watched his grandfather craft knives from discarded bandsaw blades in his workshop. This prompted Chris to create his own style of knives that were as beautiful as they were functional. This “hobby” continued to blossom as he made knives for friends until he ultimately walked away from a promising career as an investment banker to fully dedicate his energy into creating legendary knives. 

In 2005, Williams Knife Company was born and what has evolved has become a veritable artform. His big break came in 2010 when he crafted a new style of oyster knife that he named “The Edisto”, designed specifically for the small cluster oysters found along the east coast, which won the overall 2011 Made in the South award from Garden & Gun Magazine.

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 and provide a review and rating. Hunting Matters is a 2022 Gold AVA Digital Award and 2022 NYX/Marcom Silver Award Winner. 

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.

NASA is headed back to the moon, and Fisher Space Pen® will be there to see them off! On August 29th, Artemis 1 will set a course for the moon from launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center. This marks the first test of a new and innovative flight system and the first step towards a deeper voyage beyond Earth. Fisher has long been a partner of space travel with NASA and is proud to attend this event that sets a new tone for space exploration.

The Artemis 1 moon mission features the first ever integrated flight test of NASA’s deep space exploration system: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and the ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. This will be an uncrewed launch that hopes to pave the way for a new generation of space travelers and astronauts. Test objectives for the mission include modal survey, optical navigation camera certification, large file delivery protocol uplink, and many other groundbreaking technological functions. This launch will indeed mark a new day in discovery.

Since being aboard the Apollo 7 mission in 1968, Fisher Space Pen has been aboard every crewed spacecraft mission along the way for NASA. Fisher’s now permanent exhibit inside the Kennedy Space Center honors the relationship between these two parties to this day. Although this uncrewed mission means no Fisher pens will be aboard, executives and representatives from the company will still be in attendance. 

“We are so excited for this new chapter in NASA’s story, and we’re honored to attend and continue this partnership as both Fisher Space Pen and NASA continue to explore new ideas” said Fisher Space Pen VP of Sales and Marketing Matt Fisher. The ties between NASA and Fisher Space Pen couldn’t be stronger, and this new venture begins an exciting journey.

Fisher Space Pen Co. is a 74-year-old American manufacturer of ballpoint pens, with the notable distinction of being the only ballpoint pen used on every crewed flight into space since Apollo 7 back in 1968 and most recently with Space X. While pressurized technology made it possible for NASA’s astronauts to write in space, it also provided writing capabilities in all-weather, underwater, over oil and grease and from -30 to +250 degrees Fahrenheit. These pens are the perfect tool for trade professionals, first responders, military, rugged outdoor enthusiasts, trekkers, backpackers, industrial manufacturers, underwater divers and anyone who values a pen that doesn’t fail.

During the 2022 Precision World Championships held in France, Aug. 6 – 12, 2022, Rusty Ulmer took the Individual Senior Open with a clean score of 100 percent.

PROOF Research®’s sponsored shooters, Austin Orgain and Rusty Ulmer, were part of Team USA at the first International Precision Rifle Federation World Championship that took place Aug. 6 – 12, 2022, in Bitche, France. Four days of competition from the best long-range shooters from 26 countries across four continents were held at the CSA Bitche extreme long-range shooting facility in northern France. The International Precision Rifle Competition was held in partnership with the host, the French Precision Rifle Association (FRPRA), and Ultimate Ballistics.

The competition included twenty stages with 93 targets in six divisions. Over 249 of the world’s best long-range shooters and 300 participants convened for four days of tough competition. Among Team USA, PROOF Research sponsored shooter and two-time PRS Pro Series Golden Bullet Award winner Austin Orgain shot his personalized rifle build with the PROOF Research competition contour steel barrel chambered in 6 Dasher. Rusty Ulmer, another PROOF Research sponsored shooter, took home the prize in the Individual Senior Division for 55+. Rusty’s win caps off his shooting competition career with six national wins, 15 top three national finishes, 25 top five national finishes, 13 regional wins, and now an IPRS Senior Division win.

“For a match this important, I won’t trust anything but the best,” Rusty commented. “That’s why there was a PROOF barrel on my rifle.”

PROOF Research is proud to have some of the top long-range shooting competitors in the country using PROOF Research barrels. They know that PROOF Research delivers a world-class barrel for extreme accuracy and performance.

MKS Supply, the marketer and exclusive distributor for Barnaul Ammunition, Hi-Point Firearms, Inland Manufacturing, and Full Forge Gear, continues its support of the WTTA mission through financial contributions and placing a self-assessment card in every Hi-Point shipped.

Walk The Talk America (WTTA), a non-profit organization designed to bridge the gap between the firearms industry and owners and the mental health industry, welcomes the continued support of its corporate sponsor, MKS Supply. MKS Supply is the marketer and exclusive distributor for Barnaul Ammunition and well-known shooting brands Hi-Point Firearms, Inland Manufacturing, and Full Forge Gear. It supports WTTA’s efforts by donating financial resources and by placing a WTTA self-assessment card in every new Hi-Point firearm it ships. This helps expose hundreds of thousands of firearm buyers to be mindful and aware of their mental health and to take a free and anonymous screening.

“We feel it is very important to support mental health awareness, not only in the firearms community but in every community. WTTA is the most focused organization to help accomplish that goal and we are proud to partner with them on that mission,” commented Charles Brown, president of MKS Supply.

As a proud corporate sponsor, MKS Supply ships all Hi-Point firearms with a WTTA information card. In addition, the company continues to make donations in support of WTTA’s charity efforts, including a recent charity auction that included a Hi-Point C9 Pistol, a Hi-Point .45 carbine, and a Full Forge Gear double pistol bag and backpack.

“We are so honored by the commitment that MKS Supply has made to the WTTA mission,” Michael Sodini, WTTA founder, said. “They were one of the first companies to start placing our self-assessment cards within their product boxes. As the sales and marketing branch of Barnaul Ammunition, Hi-Point, Inland Manufacturing, and Full Forge Gear, they have a large reach and have done a great job helping us to spread our very important message.”

Outdoor Sportsman Group, in partnership with Michael Waddell and his brand Bone Collector, announce an extended, exclusive partnership in the outdoor entertainment industry. The announcement was made today by President and CEO of Outdoor Sportsman Group Matt Hutchings.

Michael Waddell and Bone Collector have a long history with Outdoor Sportsman Group and continue to be an industry-leading content provider for audiences across the country. Known for their entertaining personalities, Bone Collector hosts Waddell, Nick Mundt and Travis “T-Bone” Turner documents the culture of hunting – whether bugling elk in Colorado, chasing big whitetails in Kansas or giant Nebraska mule deer. The camaraderie, laughs and passion for the outdoors brings together family and friends and makes for a great show. Bone Collector is a true depiction of the hunting lifestyle and highlights the brotherhood and sisterhood of hunting while also providing world-class production. 

“We’re excited to have Michael and the Bone Collector team as an exclusive partner with our media businesses as we continue to lead the future of outdoor entertainment across all current and future platforms,” Hutchings said.

“My passion for the outdoors and belief in the people that make up the culture are worth celebrating,” Waddell said. “Having the chance to share this and distribute the best of the outdoors on national TV and many other places is a must! I’m excited that now, and in the future, Outdoor Sportsman Group gives us that opportunity.”

“We continue to invest and build on what is the best content available in outdoor entertainment,” Outdoor Sportsman Group Head of Programming Tim Cremin said.  “Michael is the perfect partner for us on all our platforms moving forward into the future.” 

New Ulm, Minnesota – The Archery Trade Association has launched a new quarterly Retail Business Tracker Survey to gain insight from retailers across the country to help members adapt to changing conditions both regionally and nationally. 

The survey collects information quarterly from shop owners and managers in four different regions used by the census bureau. A statistically significant number of ATA retail members were chosen in each region to provide information on overall sales, types of sales, customer demographics and retailer sentiment.

“Data and reliable facts are crucial to our members as they make critical business decisions every day,” said Jeff Poole, ATA’s president and CEO. “The purpose of this new survey is to provide our members with meaningful information they can use to help manage their business.” 

Additionally, open-ended questions on what customers are talking about and the challenges and concerns shop owners face can provide insight into customer interests. The survey results are presented nationally as well as regionally. 

A preview of the results can be found here, where members can also download the free report. To join the ATA and gain access to the full survey, visit archerytrade.org/membership.

Improvements For Brill Area Sportsmen’s Club 100/200-Yard Rifle Range

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed issuance of a grant award to the Brill Area Sportsmen`s Club for a 100/200-yard rifle range project in Rice Lake, Barron County, Wisconsin.

The project will clear about one acre of forested area, construct a berm in the newly cleared space, and increase the height of an existing berm by four feet. These berm adjustments will increase safety between the two firing lanes on either side.

The DNR is dedicated to promoting hunter safety, hunting and shooting sports. To meet this objective, the DNR developed the Shooting Range Grant Program to assist with the development of new ranges and improvements to existing ranges that make their facilities available to the public. The DNR’s vision for shooting ranges in Wisconsin is to increase opportunities for shooting in a safe environment. Doing so will maintain Wisconsin’s hunting heritage and the economic impact those activities have.

According to the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 4321-4347, as amended), the DNR developed an environmental assessment for the Brill Area Sportsmen’s Club: New berm construction and ADA pathway project. Subject grant funds originate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program.

For most professionals, the idea of an enjoyable weekend is a distant dream. Unfortunately, slumps in life are real and feel like they will last forever—a cycle of working hard and reaching nowhere. People in a slump would rather spend their weekends indoors, lazily curled up on the couch or bed, or catching up on tasks they might have missed during the week.

Overcoming a slump is challenging because it evolves into a routine you follow every day once you fall into its web. You feel that it’s better to deviate from activities that are “too” comfortable if they alienate you from others and limit you from experiencing new things. 

However, help is here! Here are some practical tips to reclaim your weekend after a slump.

A Weekend in or Out

Weekends are extremely valuable for the average working person or small business owner, because it’s when they catch up on pending tasks or get more work done, whether self-imposed or company mandated. According to a recent study, nearly seven out of ten people treat Saturdays and Sundays just like any other weekday.

Tim Beckler will lead the strategic financial management of The Duck Hunters Organization

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The long-time leader of Delta Waterfowl’s Finance Department has been promoted to chief financial officer.

Tim Beckler, a certified public accountant who first brought his business finance expertise to Delta in 2003, was named CFO earlier this month. He had previously served Delta as vice president of finance.

“Tim has very effectively led all aspects of our Finance Department, including being instrumental in budget preparation and taking a managerial role to keep us all financially on-track, while also managing various aspects associated with substantial organizational growth and maturation,” said Dr. Scott Petrie, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Tim’s role has continually expanded and evolved. He now serves as a strategic partner to me and our leadership team. Tim has been highly effective at leading our financial investment planning, and he continues to provide thoughtful insight and financial leadership as we prepare for and activate full-scale Million Duck Campaign operations.”

Beckler’s promotion strategically coincides with Delta’s launch of the Million Duck Campaign, a landmark initiative to produce 1 million ducks annually and secure the future of waterfowl hunting through duck production, habitat conservation, research and education, and hunter recruitment, retention and advocacy.