Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a petition for a rehearing in the Second Amendment Foundation’s victory in a case challenging Pennsylvania statutes that prohibit law-abiding young adults from carrying firearms for self-defense and prevents them from acquiring a state license to carry (LTCF) because of their age. The case is known as Lara v. Evanchick.

The petition for an en banc rehearing had been filed by attorneys representing the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. SAF is joined in the case by the Firearms Policy Coalition and three private citizens, including Madison M. Lara, for whom the case is named. They are represented by attorneys David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson and John D. Ohlendorf at Cooper & Kirk, Washington, D.C.

Writing for the majority, Circuit Judge Kent A. Jordan explained, “The petition for rehearing filed by appellant in the above-entitled case having been submitted to the judges who participated in the decision of this Court and to all the other available circuit judges of the circuit in regular active service, and no judge who concurred in the decision having asked for rehearing, and a majority of the judges of the circuit in regular service not having voted for rehearing, the petition for rehearing by the panel and the Court en banc, is DENIED.”

“We’re satisfied with the court’s decision,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “It’s an important win. The Third Circuit has affirmed that the Second Amendment applies to young adults, and that 1791 is the historical marker for understanding the right to keep and bear arms. Finally, the court has said 18-to-20-year-olds can open carry during a state of emergency in Pennsylvania.”

“We’ve been fighting this battle for more than three years,” noted SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, who is a Pennsylvania resident and practicing attorney in the state. “The court’s decision is an important step forward to getting this issue resolved.”

Christensen Arms, renowned for its innovation and production of precision rifles, is now shipping the new Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire to retailers nationwide.

A list of authorized Christensen Arms retailers can be found online at christensenarms.com.

“The Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire embodies two things for which Christensen Arms has become synonymous: accuracy and carbon-fiber technology,” said Christensen Arms Executive Vice President of Marketing Willie Vernon. “This tack-driving rifle packs an incredible number of performance-driven, shooter-friendly features into a compact design thanks to its folding stock, so it’s perfect for tossing into a range bag or strapping to your backpack. This is going to be your new favorite rimfire, hands down.”

With a design based on the popular chassis-style Modern Precision Rifle centerfire rifle, the Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire, which made its debut at SHOT Show 2024, is equipped with a carbon-tension barrel to be extremely accurate, rigid and lightweight. Accuracy is the cornerstone of the new Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire, which comes with Christensen Arms’ guarantee to shoot three-shot, sub-MOA groups at 50 yards. Equipped with a side-folding, magnetically secured stock for easy storage and transport, the Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire delivers a Triggertech Trigger, a lightweight aluminum chassis, an FFT carbon fiber handguard with M-LOK, as well as an adjustable FFT carbon fiber cheek piece and 6 QD flush cup mounts.

Available with either a 16-, 18- or 20-inch barrel and chambered in .22LR, .22WMR, and .17HMR, the Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire is at home in the field or on the range and is easy to operate for new and experienced shooters alike, delivering shooters the opportunity to train with economical rimfire rounds. Additional options include three color finishes (Black, Desert Brown, and Tungsten) and two different handguard lengths (10.5” and 14”) along with an adjustable length of pull and cheek riser to meet the needs and preferences of a variety of shooters.

What do you think about this?

How long have you been hunting?

I have been hunting for well over 30 years, born and raised in Northern Ontario, Canada. Hunting is a way of life, it always has been, growing up immersed in the outdoors I actually was ignorant to the rest of the world and the hunts it includes from the Savannahs of Africa to the badlands of Alberta and I feel blessed to have been able to travel and experience these exotic hunts.

What got you interested in hunting in the first place?

My father is the one that got me interested in hunting. He taught me that what we hunt and harvest is what we eat. I always found it very peaceful to be out in the outdoors with him and rewarding to bring home meat to my family. That connection to nature and the tradition of providing for my loved ones really sparked my interest in hunting. My father was a man that loved the outdoors and shared as much as he could with his family. My mom was the angler in the family and my dad the hunter, although mom loved to eat the meat we brought home and liked to target practice she was not one to harvest animals.

What is your favorite type of game to hunt?

 My favorite game to hunt changes as I grow and have new experiences, but thus far, I still find the Northern Ontario Moose hunt to be a favorite. It allows me to reflect on my family and upbringing, and hunt in the same way my grandfather did. It’s a special connection to my roots and a tradition that holds a lot of meaning for me.

What challenges do you face when hunting?

There are various challenges that come with hunting for myself including physical, and mental. As I get older, weather tends to play into my hunts with extreme conditions and cold gets to my bones so I find that wearing the proper equipment for me and my needs gets me through my days. I have a condition called Graves Disease which I argue with every day, but it still wins and one of the intolerances are to cold. Sometimes the terrain gives me a challenge since I broke my talus bone in my foot in 2021 but I overcome it by keep on trekking making sure the footwear I have is going to support my needs.

Based on customer requests, Hydra Weaponry introduces the Hydra 10; a powerful and highly accurate .308 rifle with caliber conversion barrels available soon.

Hydra Weaponry, Maine’s largest firearms employer, designers, and manufacturers of the truly modular MARCK-15 Hydra® Weapon System, unveil the Hydra 10, a .308 with the hard-hitting performance expected of this leading American AR-rifle manufacturer.

Based on customer demands, the Hydra 10 is built upon years of research, development, and real-world testing. It combines advanced engineering with user-centric features to deliver a rifle platform that excels in any scenario. From long-range precision shooting to tactical applications, the Hydra 10 offers unmatched adaptability and performance.

Key features of the Hydra 10 include:

“We are proud to introduce the Hydra 10, a rifle platform that embodies our commitment to innovation, quality, and performance,” said Mack Gwinn III, CEO at Hydra Weaponry. “The Hydra 10 represents a new standard of excellence in the world of .308 caliber rifles.”

We have been lucky enough to do some extensive testing with the Armasight Sidekick over the last couple of weeks. We have tested this in both an urban situation as well as out at the farm while chasing coyotes and raccoons. While the critters got away from us, the impression of the Armasight Sidekick 320 was not lost on us.

Introduction to the Armasight Sidekick

The Sidekick 320 is the smallest fully multi-functional 12-micron 320 thermal imaging monocular on the market. At a price point of under $2300, this unit is worth taking a look at. The Sidekick 320 boasts a 60Hz frame rate; you can clearly see the advantages of this looking through the unit. We have even taken this with us on our nightly dog walks, and I can clearly see Miko when we throw the ball in the field. We have a glow in the dark ball we can throw about a hundred yards. I toss this ball out and send Miko way out and back, and I can watch her through the unit the entire time. She is a black dog, so at night I cannot see her; I lose her without the unit. The unit weighs 210 grams, so it is incredibly light. You can use it as both a handheld unit or you can mount it with the built-in mini-rail for hands-free operation mounted to a helmet. OLED display provides a crisp image, and the button controls are easy to control the unit. It takes some time to learn how it all works, so give it some time. When you get in the field, the time you spent learning will pay off exponentially.

Armasight Sidekick 320 Features

Package Includes

Compact Design

The beauty of this unit is its small size and light weight. It is easy to use, and the buttons line up to your fingers easily for manipulation. The eye-cup blocks out light. The entire unit fits easily in the pocket of your hoodie, so it is easy to carry with you. The unit weighs 210 grams, so it is convenient to have with you anytime you are out after dark. Sitting in the feed lot and seeing a coyote or a coon with this unit is so incredibly cool. Of course, watching Miko walk around with this unit in the dark is just eye-popping.

Hands-Free Functionality: The Benefits of Helmet Mount Usage

Seeing in the dark is already one of the coolest things you can do. It gives you this feeling of confidence you have never really had in the outdoors at night without technology like this. Mounting the Sidekick 320 to a helmet with the Rayvn Group Modular Bridge Mount is simply epic. You can walk around with this unit mounted on to a helmet and see everything. It is easy to flip up and get it out of your way. It takes a little effort to figure out how to mount it and get it set, but once you do it, it is super cool. Once I had it mounted, I took a two-mile walk just exploring with the unit. One of the features that I like about this unit is that it has a very large field of view and it allows me to see far and wide without clouding my vision. I can see everything for about a hundred yards or so very clearly, and I can see animals like coyotes, rabbits and coons as well as my dog easily. It is incredibly easy to get closer to animals at night without spooking them by keeping still and making very slow movements.

Video and Image Capture

The Sidekick 320 allows image capturing and video recording which can be pretty handy. It takes a little bit of learning how to navigate through to the image and video capture, but once you learn it, it is pretty easy to utilize in the field. The video is clear, as are the images. The opportunity to share what you see at night in a unit this reasonable is an absolute game changer. It is awesome fun to come back from a walk having seen foxes, coons, cats and such in my neighborhood. also pretty cool to sit on a park bench and watch people interact. In a hunting situation, it’s always good to have this kind of back-up video capture. In a tactical or dangerous situation, it might be life saving.

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has announced its outdoor electronic target line, located on Petrarca Range at Camp Perry, will open for the season on Monday, March 18!

Every Monday, the public is welcome to use Petrarca during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March through April, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through September. The covered range includes 10 electronic rifle targets set at 100 yards (capable of simulating 200, 300 or 600 yards) as well as five cardboard pistol targets (able to be arranged at 50 feet or 25/50 yards).

Utilizing KTS (Kongsberg Target System) technology, monitors located at each firing point instantly display shot scores – adding ease for guests, eliminating the need for target changes and allowing more time on the range. CMP personnel are also on hand to ensure safe range procedures and to provide guidance, as needed.

During the summer months (June through August), Petrarca Range hours may change to accommodate the annual National Matches. The range will also remain open on select Mondays in October and November.

Please note the Range will be closed: April 8, May 27, June 17, July 8, July 12-28, August 2, August 11, September 2 and October 7.

Perfect for EDC

FALCO® Holsters, a global leader in crafting bespoke leather holsters, reveals its latest innovation in shoulder holsters designed to enhance concealed carry experiences. The new collection features the handcrafted leather D131 and D231 Roto Shoulder Holsters and the D901 Hybrid Roto Shoulder Holster, offering versatility and efficiency for everyday carry needs. 

Katarína Zacharová, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at FALCO Holsters, explains, “The light-bearing full leather version of our highly successful Roto Shoulder system has been eagerly anticipated and reflects our dedication to prioritizing customer feedback.” She emphasizes the unique features of these shoulder holsters, stating, “Our shoulder holster line stands out for its interchangeability, allowing all configurations to integrate into a single harness system seamlessly.”

Zacharová states, “This adaptability offers unmatched convenience, accommodating diverse carry preferences and many firearm combinations. Whether you’re switching between firearm models or adjusting for different scenarios, our holsters provide an effortless transition. For instance, switching from carrying your .45 caliber 2011 with a weapon-mounted light in full leather today to a .380 semi-auto in the hybrid leather/Kydex holster version tomorrow is as easy as detaching the customized holster from the adjustable leather harness and replacing it with the holster tailored to a different firearm.”

FALCO’s Roto Shoulder Holsters boast a rotating function, enabling a vertical carry position for a sleek profile and ergonomic draw even with full-sized handguns. Zacharová explains, “When you’re ready to draw, simply unsnap the security strap, and the holster rotates to an angle that promotes a more comfortable grip and rapid draw. The holster incorporates a leather security strap designed to be released by the forefinger and adjustable leather belt tie-down straps to keep your firearm in place. Strategically placed spaces in the leather harness allow extensive size adjustment to fit the harness to your body type. Combined with the leather harness, everyday carriers enjoy balanced weight distribution of the handgun and magazines for all-day comfort.”

Federal Ammunition congratulates sponsored shooter Austen Smith for securing her spot on the 2024 USA Shooting Women’s Skeet team, headed to the summer games in Paris. Smith had a phenomenal performance during the Shotgun Selection Match, March 11-17 at the Tucson Trap and Skeet Club in Tucson, Arizona.

This will be Smith’s second appearance at the summer games. She was the youngest member of the 2021 USA Shooting team in Tokyo, where she finished 10th place. She had only been shooting for 7 years prior to making it to her first games. Smith is coached by three-time Olympic Champion Vincent Hancock.

“We congratulate Austen Smith, and all our sponsored shooters for their exceptional performances all year long to make it on the team headed to Paris. These athletes compete at the highest level. They are extremely accomplished and work hard to compete for their country on the world’s greatest stage,” said Jason Nash, Federal’s Vice President of Marketing. “We can’t wait to watch them compete and represent our great country.”

Smith’s most recent competition achievements include: Gold and a new world record in Mixed Skeet Team at the 2023 ISSF World Championship; Gold in Women’s Skeet Team at the 2022 World Championship; Gold in 3-Woman Skeet Team and Silver in Mixed Skeet Team at the 2022 World Cup Lima; Gold in Women’s Skeet at the 2021 ISSF World Cup Lonato; and many more.

Shotgunners on Team Federal use Federal Premium Gold Medal and Top Gun shells, all designed to shoot smoothly and produce dense, uniform shot patterns that turn clay pigeons to dust. Federal is the number one choice for shotgun shells and manufactures products in America for all competitive and recreational disciplines. See the full lineup, including the latest High Over All, at www.federalpremium.com.

On Celebrate Trails Day, Rails to Trails Conservancy calls on America to walk, bike and be active outside to showcase the joy and impact of trails

WASHINGTON, DC—Rails to Trails Conservancy, the nation’s largest trail, walking and biking advocacy organization, is calling on people across the country to get outside on trails this spring to celebrate the many ways that trails and connected trail networks bring joy and impact to people’s lives. Central to the organization’s call to action is Celebrate Trails Day, hosted on April 27, 2024, with hundreds of events nationwide that serve to inspire more people to make trails, walking and biking part of their everyday lives.

“There is unmatched potential in trail networks to make walking and biking part of our everyday lives, unlocking all of the good that happens when we are active outside, in the places where we live,” said Brandi Horton, RTC’s vice president of communications. “That’s why RTC is uniting everyone in a common appreciation for trails—and the impact of connecting trails in our communities. Our time on the trail is so much more than a day outside.” 

Here are five reasons to get outside on trails this spring, and on Celebrate Trails Day, says RTC:

To find creative ideas for getting outside, photo and video content for use with credit to RTC, reporters are encouraged to visit RTC’s Celebrate Trails Day website and follow #CelebrateTrails on social media.

The Professional Outdoor Media Association is excited to announce the educational and content creation sessions for this year’s POMA Annual Meeting – May 6-8 in Pinewood, South Carolina, hosted by the South Carolina Waterfowl Association.

Each session has been crafted with media members in mind, and will provide multiple pieces of content that can be used as prompts for future articles, blogs, social media posts, etc.

On Monday, May 6, Chef Danny Hieronymus of Hieronymus Provisions and author of the cookbook “Hookin’ and Cookin’ – Southern Coastal Cuisine” will host/sponsor a wild game cooking demo. Chef Danny will walk through a simple, yet elevated recipe you can use to impress your friends and family during your next hunting camp. Chef Danny will also be on-site, preparing all of the meals during the Annual Meeting.

On Tuesday, May 7, there are four Content Creation Sessions. There will be time allotted to attend all of the presentations during these sessions.

Medic Up Consulting: Explore vital first aid techniques within the context of hunting, fishing and outdoor sports. Specifically, the application of tourniquets, the process of wound packing and the use of chest seals. These critical skills are essential for emergency response scenarios often encountered in outdoor activities and will be thoroughly discussed to equip participants with life-saving knowledge.

Greeley, CO – Burris Optics, an industry leader in the evolution of optics technology, is delighted to announce the renewal of its partnership with Steve West and Steve’s Outdoor Adventures, a prominent name in outdoor adventure and hunting. This affiliation underscores Burris Optics’ commitment to delivering high-performance optics tailored for the diverse hunting landscapes of North America and beyond.

Steve’s Outdoor Adventures TV, renowned for its thrilling hunting expeditions and informative content, continues to capture the hearts of outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. As the Official Optics Partner, Burris Optics is excited to contribute to the success of Steve West’s global hunting pursuits and Adventure Hunting Television.

At the forefront of this partnership is the Burris Veracity PH, a state-of-the-art hunting scope designed for North American species and other global hunting scenarios. Engineered for precision and clarity, the Veracity PH offers hunters the advantage of fast target acquisition and reliable performance in various environments. This optic is a testament to Burris Optics’ dedication to providing hunters with the tools they need to excel in the field.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Steve’s Outdoor Adventures,” said Jordan Egli, Director of Marketing at Burris Optics. “Steve West’s passion for hunting and his commitment to his video production, showcasing the beauty and diversity of global hunting, align perfectly with our values. We are excited to continue providing him with optics that meet the demands of his adventurous pursuits.”

“I am excited that our relationship with Burris Optics will continue. Having worked with the company for nearly 20 years, I have been blessed to have been a part of the incredible Eliminator scope line since its inception including its predecessor the Burris Laser Scope. To see where the Eliminator scope line has come, and to now shoot and hunt with the Eliminator 6 has been an honor and a privilege.” – Steve West, Steve’s Outdoor Adventures TV

In addition to the Veracity PH, Burris Optics proudly introduces the new Burris Eliminator 6, a premium hunting optic that combines precision technology with ease of use. The Eliminator 6 offers an integrated laser rangefinder and works with the Bluetooth ballistic calculator, empowering hunters to take precise, ethical shots without the need for manual ballistic calculations. This renovated optic boosts Burris Optics’ dedication to innovation in the field of hunting optics.