Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

For an even more effective outcome to your every crossbow shot, Barnett® HeadHunter Strobe crossbow arrows now come with an innovative strobing-lighted nock. These rugged polycarbonate half-moon nocks feature multicolored strobing lights that are far more effective than static lights in helping you see your shot and find your arrow in low light conditions.

The HeadHunter Lighted Nocks’ pressure-sensitive design ensures they switch on automatically at the shot. They’ll remain on for up to three days and can be turned off easily with an on/off toggle switch. Available in 20″ and 22″ lengths, they come fully assembled in a three-pack to fill your quiver for the hunt.

HeadHunter Strobe Lighted Arrows:

About Barnett Crossbows

Barnett is the first and longest-standing crossbow company with a storied heritage. Founded in 1962, we are the pioneer of the modern-day crossbow. Barnett’s tradition of innovation has brought about numerous “firsts” in the crossbow & archery industry for the past 60 years. Barnett innovates and supplies a broad spectrum of high-performance and value-driven crossbows, vertical and youth bows, and archery accessories popular with both hunting and recreational shooters. Barnett is also the leading provider of slingshots and accessories.

Long-term support is helping Pheasants Forever establish quality grasslands in SD

The South Dakota Department of Tourism has renewed their national sponsorship with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever through 2023 in support of the organization’s landscape-level habitat initiatives which support South Dakota’s status as “The World’s Pheasant Capital.” Through this partnership, the Department markets to the largest collection of upland hunters in the nation, while providing direct monetary support to Pheasants Forever’s mission of habitat conservation.

“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are thrilled to renew our longstanding partnership with the South Dakota Department of Tourism,” said Chris Kalis, Pheasants Forever’s director of corporate partnerships. “Exciting prospects lie ahead for Pheasants Forever in South Dakota — we couldn’t be more pleased to have the support of the Department of Tourism as we look forward to building our extensive habitat initiatives in the pheasant capital.”

The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks estimates show pheasant hunting generated $246 million in economic impacts for the state in 2021. Those revenues are the result of 54,411 resident and 75,606 non-resident pheasant hunters purchasing licenses, fuel, food and lodging during the state’s season. Habitat is considered the critical factor for maintaining long-term pheasant populations in the state, which are looking to rebound after a dry summer in 2021. The notion of habitat’s importance is emphasized by the South Dakota Department of Tourism with their overarching support of Pheasants Forever – funding which impacts habitat programs on the local level, including the Community-Based Habitat Access Program, South Dakota CREP enrollments, and other programs.

“Pheasant hunting is a critical part of the tourism economy in South Dakota.  In fact, it is a lifeline for many small businesses in our state.  Our strong partnership with Pheasants Forever allows our department to reach thousands of potential hunters and share our incredible hunting and outdoor experiences with them,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “Our partnership also allows us to continue to put a solid spotlight on the importance of preserving and expanding habitat so pheasant hunting can continue to be a staple of our economy and way of life for generations to come.”

AUBURN, Ala. – Kelly Dunning, a researcher and professor in Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, is exploring the varied policy responses to chronic wasting disease, or CWD, among states through the Lone Mountain Fellowship at the Property and Environment Research Center in Bozeman, Montana.

CWD is spreading across the U.S. in free-ranging white-tailed deer, moose and elk herds. Dunning believes its arrival in a herd could cause a backlash among hunters, causing negative impacts on hunting license sales, funding for conservation, outdoor heritage and traditions and rural community livelihoods and well-being.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed significant attention on zoonotic diseases that can transmit from wildlife to humans,” said Dunning. “It is uncertain whether CWD can be transmitted in this way, but the consequences for the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation would be dire.”

According to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is one of the world’s most successful systems of policies and laws to restore and safeguard fish and wildlife and their habitats through sound science and active management.

Given the high stakes nature of the CWD issue, researchers are beginning to study public knowledge and perception of CWD, including the actions hunters may take that could endanger conservation.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommendations for 2023 wild turkey hunting seasons at its Aug. 31 meeting at Fort Robinson State Park.

The meeting begins at 8 a.m. Mountain time at the park’s Buffalo Barracks, 3200 U.S. 20, Crawford.

The proposed changes to orders for the 2023 turkey season are:

The commissioners also will consider recommendations for a 2023 bighorn sheep hunting season. The orders recommend authorizing one lottery and one auction permit. The season would be Nov. 28-Dec. 22.

In addition, commissioners will draw the winner for the 2022 bighorn sheep lottery permit.

Shoot Like A Girl® is excited to announce their new partnership with MTN OPS for the Sea to Shining Sea Tour and the 2022 Season. MTN OPS offers a full line of performance products and gear to elevate your training and improve your life. Their product lineup includes energy products, protein supplements, recovery and general wellness supplements. MTN OPS is also the creator of Operation Conquer Hunger, which utilizes MTN OPS purchases to donate nutritious meals to children around the world. 

“The partnership with MTN OPS is an exciting addition to the products we can offer our attendees and guests,” said Karen Butler, Founder and President of Shoot Like A Girl. “They share so many of our values in fostering community bonds, the desire to succeed and contributing to conservation. They are truly an amazing partner, and I am excited for our participants to be introduced to the brand and all it has to offer.” 

Shoot Like A Girl strives to empower women through shooting sports demonstrations and events while opening a discussion surrounding sports and outdoors. Through partnerships like those with MTN OPS, they’re able to bring their state-of-the-art mobile gun range and certified female instructors to cities across the country to share their extensive knowledge of firearms, archery, outdoor accessories and safety with guests and attendees who are never charged. Those present are given one-on-one attention from passionate experts in the shooting sports field. 

“MTN OPS is excited and grateful to be able to partner with Shoot Like A Girl and to empower individuals looking to be in the outdoor community,” said Matt Lloyd, the VP of Marketing. “MTN OPS’ mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families by inspiring them to achieve their ultimate level of performance through high-quality energy and performance products, backed by science. Through its Operation Conquer Hunger initiative, the company has donated more than three million meals to children in need through charity partners.”

To learn more about MTN OPS, visit their website. During the Shoot Like A Girl Sea to Shining Sea Tour, MTN products will be showcased at the mobile range for the public to view, sample and learn more about. The Sea to Shining Sea Tour dates are available online. 

WildEar, a leader in innovative hearing protection for the avid outdoor enthusiast, the weekend warrior, the swimmer, music lovers, cell phone users and those desiring comfortable, undisturbed sleep, announced today that it is now a distributor for Minuendo’s Lossless Earplugs, a fully adjustable hearing protector.

Hearing loss prevention, while usually regulated on major job sites, is a concept that is not a primary consideration for many musicians who are playing or listening to music for prolonged periods. The Minuendo Lossless Earplugs have been designed specifically for musicians and anyone who is exposed to loud noise in recreational settings. The amount of noise reduction is adjustable, allowing the user to choose the amount of protection suitable for the noisy setting. The ability to self-adjust gives users more control over reducing the potential for hearing loss over the long term.

The earplugs from Minuendo are high fidelity hearing protectors featuring a patented membrane technology that mimics nature and translates to a clear and natural sound. They keep the user protected by providing a seamless adjustment between light (-7dB) and heavy (-25dB) sound reduction. They offer unmatched comfort without electronics or batteries. Currently available at www.wildear.com for $159.

About WildEar

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Walker, Minn., CavCom is the leader in innovative industrial hearing protection and communication systems. CavCom’s WildEar designs provide innovative electronic and passive hearing products and protection for the avid outdoor enthusiast, the weekend warrior, the swimmer, music lovers, cell phone users and those desiring comfortable, undisturbed sleep. For more information on the full line of state-of-the-art products visit https://www.wildear.com/ or call 855-494-WILD(9453).

Chestnut Hill Outdoors trees are on the way to select Walmart locations. Arrival is expected to select stores between August 22 – 24 in the following states:

This is the first of many Fall shipments to other states!

Arrival times may vary per store, please contact your store to see if they have arrived, or travel to the store.

Click here for more detailed information!

This is a one-time shipment to the stores linked above. To minimize emails from Chestnut Hill Outdoors, please reply to us with the state(s) you wish to purchase your trees.

RT-QuIC (Real-time quaking-induced conversion) testing for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is  a new testing technology with a long and successful track record in research studies. The key advantage for RT-QuIC over past  CWD testing technologies is dramatically improved sensitivity through PCR-like amplification of the CWD agent.  

Benefits RT-QuIC technology can bring hunters include better control of CWD, reduced introduction of CWD to new regions,  easier and simpler sample collection for testing of harvested game, timelier CWD test results, and the possibility of live animal  testing for wildlife management agencies and game farms.  

CWD Evolution founder Davin Henderson offered, “RT-QuIC offers new testing technology that will give wildlife managers badly  needed new tools in their tool chest to combat CWD.” He also added “The addition of a predictive live animal test for CWD is  a game changer. Many states are poised to use this test as soon as it becomes available.” VMRD CSO, Don Knowles, added,  “Providing quality-controlled RT-QuIC reagents to the diagnostic community is an important first step in reducing CWD and  preserving wildlife.”  

CWD Evolution has a decade of RT-QuIC testing experience and VMRD is a USDA-licensed manufacturing facility that has  commercialized over twenty USDA-licensed diagnostics over the last four decades. Together the companies are partnering to  commercialize a USDA-licensed RT-QuIC laboratory test. Pending the license process, the companies began offering RT-QuIC  reagents for research purposes June 15th. These reagents can be used by state agencies in pilot studies before the USDA licensed test is available commercially. 

ABOUT CWD EVOLUTION – CWD Evolution offers the first commercial RT-QuIC test and has been a leader in advancing RT-QuIC  testing in the diagnostic world.  

The MXPW series will empower two-way radio users to be more portable, spontaneous. 

Today, leader in two-radio radio communication technology and innovation Midland Radio unveiled a brand-new type of product in the radio industry – a portable base station. Midland’s innovation offers three new products, the MXPW500 compatible with Midland Radio’s MXT500, the MXPW115 compatible with the MXT115, and the MXPW01 compatible with the 40-Watt Solar Bundle.  

The MXPW series enables two-way radio users to achieve maximum GMRS range (up to 50 Watts) without being tethered to their vehicle or home, making the Micro Mobile portable for the first time ever. The base stations are rugged and durable with a full suite of features, including a long battery life, quick recharge and solar charging capabilities. 

“We’re thrilled to bring a new product to the market that takes Micro Mobile usability to the next level. Now, our customers can take their two-way GRMS radios with them wherever they go, without having to worry about losing power or sticking close to home. No other radio provider offers a compatible portable base station quite like this,” says Zak Al-Shawish, GMRS Product Manager at Midland Radio. 

Available now, the units are offered at the following price – radios not included:  

MKS Supply, marketer and exclusive distributor for Barnaul Ammunition and well-known shooting brands Hi-Point Firearms, Inland Manufacturing, and Full Forge Gear, takes mental health seriously. That is why the company, along with its represented brands, are enthusiast supporters of Walk the Talk America and encourages all firearm industry manufacturers and consumers to support this important mental health education and assistance program.

Walk the Talk America (WTTA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a straightforward yet challenging mission: “Through formal education, outreach, and engagement with the mental health and firearms communities, Walk the Talk America aspires to reduce firearm suicides and other negative incidents associated with firearms ownership.”

MKS Supply and its associated brands are committed to WTTA’s efforts to prevent gun suicide by:

WTTA provides firearm industry members from manufacturers to retailers with insert and point-of-purchase materials that offer critical first-step guidance and screening resources. WTTA also provides a free downloadable slide show to help firearm instructors discuss mental health awareness with their students and to provide actionable resources for those in need.

MKS Supply is proud to be a corporate partner in support of WTTA’s public education and outreach efforts. All Hi-Point firearms, for example, ship with a WTTA information card, and the company donates in support of WTTA charity events. The most recent charity auction included a Hi-Point C9 pistol, Hi-Point .45 carbine, and Full Forge Gear double pistol bag and backpack.

May pond counts are 4% above the long-term average, which should lead to good duck production and a strong fall flight

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — After being cancelled for the previous two years by concerns over COVID-19, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service were able to conduct the annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey this spring. The results were released today in USFWS 2022 Waterfowl Status Report.

The survey, which is used to set hunting regulations throughout North America, put the total spring breeding population index at 34.2 million ducks, which is 4% below the long-term average and 12% below the 2019 index. Importantly, the May pond count, a key indicator of duck production potential, showed 5.45 million ponds, which is 4% above the long-term average and 9% above the 2019 index.

“Given the widespread dry conditions last year across most of the prairies where ducks breed, it’s not surprising that the breeding population number is lower than it had been throughout most of the 2010s,” said Dr. Chris Nicolai, waterfowl scientist for Delta Waterfowl. “The good news is that much of the prairie — especially the Dakotas, Manitoba, and eastern Saskatchewan — was really wet this spring. Duck production should be good to excellent across the eastern part of the prairie and in the northern areas, too.”

Duck production is typically high the first year following a drought, said Dr. Frank Rohwer, Delta’s president and chief scientist.

More than 300 million pounds of flexible plastic packaging is created in North America by the companion pet industry each year, impacting around 67% of households that own pets across the United States. Unfortunately, 99% of multi-laminate packaging used for most pet food and treats currently used in North America does not have a sustainable end-of-life solution. While other industries like food and beverage are advancing quickly toward scalable sustainable solutions, the pet industry has faced challenges.

On August 23 in Las Vegas, five leading pet food brands will step outside of the competitive business mindset to change the future of packaging for the better. Leaders from Canidae, Earth Animal, Instinct, Petcurean, and Primal Pet Food will publically sign-on to the Pet Sustainability Coalition’s Packaging Pledge, a new program that helps companies meet voluntary, public, and time-bound sustainable packaging commitments. The PSC Packaging Pledge is in direct alignment with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, thereby increasing participation from the pet industry to move toward recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by the year 2025.

The PSC Packaging Pledge builds from the momentum of additional sustainable packaging successes led by the Pet Sustainability Coalition, including Flex Forward, a return-to-retail pilot program that collected over 8,000 lbs of post-consumer packaging for recycling trials and was completed in 2022. Testing trials in Flex Forward resulted in a better understanding of the challenges presented by the current composition of most pet food packaging. These challenges include non-standard design practices, a wide variation of packaging types and forms of plastics used, various multi-material closures and windows, metallic layers, wide color assortments, and more.

While packaging ranks among the top three most important sustainability issues facing the pet industry, the majority of pet companies rely on part-time staff, inadequate tools, resources, and support to advance their packaging toward more sustainable outcomes. Starting in 2018, the Pet Sustainability Coalition became the first organization to unify the industry toward defined solutions including increasing the use of recyclable mono-material packaging, recommending the use of clear consumer labeling, testing end-of-life possibilities and retail collections. Today, the PSC Packaging Pledge will provide a long-term pathway to sustainable packaging including tools, a marketplace, and technical support for brands to feasibly meet this public commitment. Recent feasibility studies suggest that with collaborative effort from pet food manufacturers and currently existing technologies to move toward recyclable, refillable and compostable packaging – the pet industry can achieve rapid adoption by 2025 and near 80% transition of all pet food multi-laminate packaging by 2030.

The PSC Packaging Pledge has been constructed in consultation with a large number of industry experts, including the U.S. Plastics Pact, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Closed Loop Partners, The Recycling Partnership, World Wildlife Fund (W.W.F.),The Association of Plastic Recyclers (A.P.R.), and more. The groundbreaking program is made possible through generous donations by Earth Animal, Tyler Packaging, and Thanh Phu.

Total populations were estimated at 34.2 million

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) today released its report on 2022 Waterfowl Population Status, based on surveys conducted in May and early June by FWS, Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and other partners.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last FWS duck breeding population survey was released in 2019.

Total populations were estimated at 34.2 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, 12 percent lower than 2019’s estimate of 38.9 million and 4 percent below the long-term average (since 1955).

“Although the beneficial effects of timely precipitation during late winter and spring were evident by high pond counts across the eastern prairies, the total duck estimate in the Traditional Survey Area was the lowest in nearly 20 years,” said DU Chief Scientist Dr. Steve Adair. “The drop in duck numbers reflects the consequences of low production caused by multiple years of prairie drought, including 2021, which was one of the most severe and widespread in nearly 4 decades. But the survey revealed some bright spots for duck populations and provided optimism for good production this summer and carry-over of favorable pond conditions into fall and winter.” 

WRITTEN BY EUKANUBA STAFF

Whether you’re driving a decked-out dog hauling rig or crating Rover in the backseat of your sedan, traveling with dogs is a process. Here are some tips and recommendations from two hunters and trainers who spend a lot of time on the road with their dogs.

AL ARTHUR: KING OF THE ROAD (SANDHILL RETRIEVERS)

If anyone understands how to travel successfully with sporting dogs, it’s Al Arthur. He’s been training dogs his entire life, working with several industry leaders along the way and winning the National Field Trial Championship twice, once in 2015 and his second in 2020. Arthur is currently ranked among the top three US Open Handlers and travels around the country with up to 24 dogs at a time to hunt and compete.

“Our dogs travel from Georgia to Vermont and Michigan each year, and every week we are leaving to go to a competition somewhere in the United States,” he says. “Our dogs probably travel 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year.”

Arthur stresses the importance of food, water, comfort, and plenty of stops when it comes to traveling with dogs.

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) announces that after eight years in the position of President and Executive Director, Ben Berka will be leaving his position August 26th, 2022. “Ben Berka has served well when the Foundation needed capable and strong leadership as the programs grew,” commented SSSF Board Chairman, Ed Fitzgerald. “He has paved the way for future growth and capabilities, and we wish him well in his new opportunities.”

Tom Wondrash and Rick Leach, as strong leaders and the respective National Directors for the Foundation’s Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting Programs, will assist with the transition of the Foundation’s day-to-day operations. “Both Tom Wondrash and Rick Leach have proven track records of organizational development and leadership that qualifies them for this effort,” said Chris Hodgdon, SSSF Vice Chairman. “Having been the drivers for many of the Foundation’s efforts to expand its capabilities and offerings, makes them uniquely effective in working together to operate and manage the resources of the largest youth shooting program in the world.”

Having concluded July’s National Championship event with over 10,000 combined registrations, this marks the Foundation’s largest Clay Target competition to date and the world’s largest Action Shooting tournament. The youth development programs will begin ramping up for the start of the fall season, as many teams are back in school competing.

About the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is 501(c)(3) public charity responsible for all aspects of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) across the United States. The SCTP and SASP are youth development programs in which adult coaches and other volunteers use shooting sports to teach and to demonstrate sportsmanship, responsibility, honesty, ethics, integrity, teamwork, and other positive life skills.

Provide and enhance personal growth and development opportunities for student athlete members; become the premier authority in all things pertaining to firearm-related pursuits for youth; pass on to future generations the legacy of lifelong, safe, responsible enjoyment of the shooting sports. This includes serving as the primary feeder/pipeline for organized, sanctioned shooting organizations and teams, like USA SHOOTING, TEAM USA, and the NGBs (NSSA, NSCA, ATA).