Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Winchester, the largest manufacturer of small caliber ammunition for the U.S. military, today announced that the U.S. Army has awarded the company a contract to manufacture, test, and deliver 5 million 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) cartridges. 

The NGSW cartridges will be produced at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Mo., the United States’ only government-owned, contractor-operated small caliber ammunition production facility. 

“The award of Lake City’s first production order of the 6.8mm NGSW cartridge represents several years of hard work, dedication, and collaboration between Winchester, the U.S. Army, and industry partners,” said Brett Flaugher, President of Winchester. “The Winchester team is honored to have been entrusted with the opportunity and responsibility of producing the ammunition which will keep our nation safe for years to come.”

About the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

The Lake City Plant, which began production in 1941, provides small-caliber military ammunition for both training and combat purposes. The plant, encompassing nearly 4,000 acres, also serves as a national test center for ammunition performance and weapons firing. For information regarding Winchester’s Lake City operations visit https://winchestermilitary.com.

About Winchester Ammunition

Winchester is the largest small caliber ammunition enterprise in the world and the leader in delivering innovative ammunition products to hunters, sport shooters, law enforcement and the U.S. Warfighter. The 157-year-old Winchester brand is built on integrity, hard work and a deep focus on its loyal customers. Learn more about Winchester by visiting Winchester.com or connecting with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.

Team Federal had an excellent showing at the Leupold Steel Classic Texas Precision Match held January 27-29 in Navasota, Texas. Federal sponsored shooters Cory Klemashevich took first place in the Gas Gun Division and Greg Bell won first place in the Tactical Division. The match was the first Precision Rifle Series competition of the 2023 season. There were 224 competitors total at the match.

“We build a match that we ourselves would want to shoot, we show folks true southern hospitality, and feed them the best food we can. The rest takes care of itself,” said Klemashevich, who also helps organize and run the match. “This year, we had shooters from three other countries including Norway, Mexico, and Canada. Plus, many shooters from within the U.S., from as far away as Washington, Florida, Michigan, California, and Maine. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones, really makes for a fun event.”

Klemashevich shoots Federal Premium Gold Medal Match 109-grain Berger Hybrid 6mm Creedmoor rifle ammunition.

“Conditions at this match were rainy, muddy, and windy,” said Klemashevich. “Having accurate ammo that performs reliably is always a massive advantage in any competition. Rifles will get water and grime in the chamber especially in the Gas Gun division, where pressure and dwell times can affect point of impact, and bolt velocity can affect reliability. There is no question that the Gold Medal Match product line is the most consistent precision ammo available. I certainly relied upon it during this match, and I am happy with the results.”

Federal ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

Viridian Weapon Technologies is proud to present a variety of new products at the 2023 Nation’s Best Sports Spring Semi-Annual Market. Attendees are encouraged to stop by booth #304 in the Fort Worth Convention Center from February 2 to 6, 2023 for a first-hand look at Viridian’s upgraded and groundbreaking lasers, lights, optics, holsters and more.

“After launching a record number of new Viridian products at SHOT Show 2023, we’re thrilled to continue the momentum at this year’s NBS Spring Semi-Annual Market,” said Viridian President and CEO, Brian Hedeen. “This event showcases the latest and greatest hunting and shooting products on the market, and we’re honored to exhibit alongside amazing brands to present our new rechargeable C Series Lasers and lights with SAFECharge, the RFX 45 closed emitter green dot, new E SERIES products and more.”

The NBS Spring Semi-Annual Market offers independent retailers a diverse portfolio of buying opportunities in all categories of outdoor sports and general sporting goods. Members have access to hundreds of vendors and advantageous buying programs while finding the newest, hottest and cutting-edge products in the industry, coupled with the ability to purchase products at deeply discounted rates.

Viridian products will be included in the Hot Show Buying Special on Thursday evening. NBS members and invited vendors will get the chance to kick off the event with a first-hand look at these new products, along with exclusive deals on selected items.

For more information on Viridian Weapon Technologies’ groundbreaking firearm innovations and self-defense products, visit  ViridianWeaponTech.com.

Bear Forest Knives introduces PuuMuk. Raw 80CrV2 High Carbon steel with micarta scales never looked better in leather—all made in the USA!

Collectors, reenactors, campers, and outdoors people alike have endeared this 1800s knife pattern. Since prolific writer and adventurer George Washington Sears, known as “Nessmuk,” popularized this pattern, it has been one of the most emulated styles in the cutlery industry. The hump on the spine, close to the point, and deep belly define the general look of a Nessmuk-style knife. In fact, it was an old butcher’s knife pattern suitable for woodland carry.

The PuuMuk is a Scandinavian puukko and a Nessmuk-style combination knife. It features the straight handle of a puukko without a guard and the blade shape of a Nessmuk. It has an overall length of 8.25 inches, with a 4-inch blade. Unlike the book diagram of Nessmuk’s knife, with an antler handle and what seems to be a partial tang, the PuuMuk is a full tang knife. It features a 90-degree spine for an added scraping and peeling wood tool. 

Thin blades are back, and Bear Forest Knives captured the essence of this iconic classic with the PuuMuk. The .093″ (3/32″) thick blade stock is meant to slice bacon, butcher, skin game, sharpen tent pegs, and whittle. And it will be comfortable at home on the kitchen cutting board, slicing cheese, summer sausage, or veggies for stew. 

The Bear Forest Knives PuuMuk is a modern-day mountain man’s EDC—if there ever was one!

GPO USA’s original 10×50 rangefinding binocular has recently been named the Best Rangefinding Binocular by POPULAR MECHANICS Magazine. This honor was first bestowed upon the product in an article titled “The 7 Best Range Finders for Hunters and Golfers” published October 27, 2021. It was recently honored again as the Best Rangefinding Binocular on January 11, 2023, in “Best 8 Binoculars for Hunting, Birding and other Outdoor Activities.”

Author Justin Park carefully did his research to come to his conclusion about the GPO 10×50 RangeGuide. According to Park, “I’m one of those people. I’ve used the best and the worst binoculars on the market, and I spent time hands-on testing several models during fall big-game hunting seasons in Colorado. I also spoke with optics dealers and shop owners, fellow hunters, and brand representatives to get a full sense of all the different binoculars available. My picks—mostly 10x magnification with objective lens sizes ranging from 32mm to 54mm—are meant to give options for each type of end user, from brands old and new.”

Founded in 1902, POPULAR MECHANICS is one of the oldest magazines in the United States. Since its debut it has remained true to its audience continually publishing articles on home improvement, automobile maintenance and new advancements in technology and science. It has been published since 1958 by Hearst Magazines Corp. Inc.

“It is a real honor to receive this type of recognition, not just one time, but two separate years,” said Mike Jensen, GPO USA owner/CEO. “Our continued efforts to provide our customers with top-quality innovative products has clearly paid off and we are proud of the fact that we continue to receive such prestigious distinctions.”

Since the introduction of the GPO 10×50 RangeGuide, the company has introduced two new compact rangefinding binoculars: an 8×32 RangeGuide and a 10×32 RangeGuide. All three RangeGuides are available at retailers and conveniently online at www.gpo-usa.com. For more information on the RangeGuides Click Here

SK Guns®, the Nation’s only limited-edition, series-driven production manufacturer of collectible firearms, has officially named Peter Grillone as Chief Creative Officer. Grillone will be responsible for leading a team of designers, historians and copywriters on the rapid growth of the SK brand.

“We’re thrilled to announce Peter as our new chief creative officer,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns and SK Customs. “Peter brings a wealth of talent as one of the most published media creators in the firearms industry. With his unique style and extensive experience in photography and creative services, I have no doubt he will contribute greatly to the growth of SK Guns and SK Customs.”

Prior to joining SK Guns®, he served as the commercial photographer for a variety of brands in the firearm industry such as Wilson Combat and Nighthawk Custom. With experience in providing creative direction for these brands, Grillone has established himself as one of the top firearm photographers. He is now able to use his past experiences and talented creative eye to manage the creative team at SK Guns.

“I’m extremely honored to serve as CCO of SK Guns,” said Grillone. “These limited-edition, custom firearms continue to create a huge impact on the industry as they illustrate the rich history of historical events, influential leaders, rituals, places and more. I’m excited to use my experience to tell each gun’s unique story and help our creative team continue to grow.”

To learn more about SK Guns®, and SK Customs®, visit skguns.com.    

Traditions® Performance Firearms will be exhibiting at the 2023 Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania February 4-12. The show is a 9 day event and features over 1,000 exhibitors covering 650,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. Traditions® will be displaying their 2023 line of products in booth number 693.

As the leader in the muzzleloading industry, Traditions® will have on hand their entire product line including the ground-breaking, award-winning NitroFire® as well as the new ShedHorn® rifle. Along with their performance-driven muzzleloaders, Traditions® will also display their centerfire, revolver, Build-It-Yourself Kit, optic, and accessory lines.

Gregg Ritz of Hunt Masters will be making a special appearance on Thursday February 9 from 11AM-12PM for a meet and greet at Traditions® booth.

Traditions® looks forward to welcoming GAOS attendees and industry colleagues to their booth #693.

To learn more about Traditions® products, visit www.traditionsfirearms.com.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. –  ALPS OutdoorZ, premiere manufacturer of extreme-duty hunting packs and outdoor gear, is excited to be displaying at the 2023 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo this week in Salt Lake City, UT. The expo will be held February 2-5 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. 

The Western Hunting Conservation Expo is THE consumer event of the year for western big game hunting enthusiasts. In addition to displays from hundreds of outdoor industry manufacturers and retailers, the expo includes free seminars, game calling contests, auctions and drawings, and vendors displaying or selling gear for the western hunter.

ALPS OutdoorZ will be displaying in booth #2966. The company welcomes all expo attends to stop by and see the latest in hunting pack technology, including the award-winning Elite frame and pack system. Developed specifically for remote wilderness hunting, the Elite system is comprised of a redesigned frame and pack that combines light weight and added strength for multi-day trips and game pack-out.

To see the new products offered by these ALPS Brands, visit ALPS OutdoorZ at booth #2966

For more information about ALPS OutdoorZ, visit https://alpsoutdoorz.com. 

Leading tackle company’s conservation commitment moves toward carbon neutrality, zero waste and healthy fisheries

Beyond an obsession for battling big fish, there’s one thing upon which anglers almost universally agree: Clean, healthy waterways and flourishing fish habitat lie at the heart of everything we hold sacred. 

Count the people at Z-Man Fishing among America’s 60 million anglers—everyday folks you might meet at the tackle shop or along the shoreline. At some point each day, we’ll stop casting, survey our surroundings and simply marvel at the beauty both above the surface and below; we’ll pause to ponder what this awe-inspiring place might look like, 5, 10 or 100 years from now. It’s at times like these that anglers grasp their power to write the future—the same reason Z-Man has for years been working creatively, quietly, to help sustain healthy, vibrant fisheries behind the scenes.

It began early in the company’s 30-year history. From the beginning, Z-Man understood the value of supporting causes that ensure long-term sustainability of fisheries and aquatic environments. These motivations are evident in Z-Man’s product line itself, as its 10X Tough ElaZtech® soft plastic material exhibits advantages that lessen its environmental impact relative to other soft baits. 

Not only does ElaZtech’s boosted durability reduce the number of soft plastic baits used by anglers, ingested by fish or discarded in the water, Z-Man’s specialized material is also one-hundred percent non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals like phthalates. Additionally, ElaZtech floats and is FDA Food Grade compliant—as opposed to traditional plastisol baits, which sink to the bottom and can be ingested by fish and other wildlife, sometimes causing digestive problems among other issues. Conversely, any inadvertently discarded ElaZtech baits will float and can be easily scooped from the water’s surface for proper disposal. 

SilencerCo is excited to give away a free suppressor each day at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo. The event will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah from February 2 – 5, 2023.  To learn about the benefits of hunting suppressed and to enter for a chance to win a Harvester EVO, Omega, 36M, Hybrid 46M or Velos LBP come by the SilencerCo booth (#5714).  

The Harvester EVO is SilencerCo’s flagship hunting suppressor – designed specifically with hunters in mind. This .30 caliber silencer is short, lightweight, constructed out of extremely durable materials, and affordably priced. It ships with both a 1/2 x 28 and 5/8 x 24 direct thread mount so it’s hunting-ready right out of the box. 

he Hybrid 46M is a great choice for big bore hunters since it accommodates calibers ranging from 9mm to 10mm on pistols and 5.56 NATO to .458 SOCOM on rifles. It’s also modular and can be run in a shorter configuration to trim down on overall weight and length. 

The Omega 36M is the most versatile and modular suppressor on the market. It can be used on both rifles and pistols with calibers ranging from .22 Hornet to .338 LM and 9MM Luger. The Omega 36M performs well on all of these calibers and does not sacrifice sound suppression quality for versatility. 

“Perhaps the most exciting suppressor we are giving away is SilencerCo’s newest release, the Velos LBP,” said VP of Marketing, Customer Service and Warranty, Jessica Kallam. “This durable 5.56 silencer minimizes gas blow-back, has no barrel restrictions and is rated for full-auto.

EPA’s Clean Water Act 404(c) Final Determination prohibits and restricts mine waste discharge in the Bristol Bay watershed and safeguards fish, rivers and a way of life; move is celebrated by Alaskans, anglers, hunters. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publicly announced a Clean Water Act 404(c) Final Determination finding that mine waste would harm the Bristol Bay watershed, and restricted its discharge into rivers, streams and wetlands of the North and South Fork of the Koktuli River and Upper Talarik Creek, rivers in the vicinity of the Pebble deposit.  

The decision effectively prevents development of the long-proposed Pebble gold and copper mine, which for decades has threatened the world’s most productive wild sockeye salmon runs, Alaska’s strongest Chinook salmon run, and the region’s famed sport and commercial fishing industries.  

“This is an incredible day for the Bristol Bay region.” said Nelli Williams, Alaska director for Trout Unlimited. “For more than a decade, the science has remained strong and public support has been unwavering for Clean Water Act protections. An Alaska-sized thank you to the Biden Administration and the EPA for listening to Alaskans, Tribes, anglers and hunters, and for doing the right thing for a world-class renewable resource and the people and jobs that depend on it. The work in Bristol Bay isn‘t done, but today is a milestone to be celebrated.”  

“Pebble Mine would destroy massive amounts of water and land in the heart of a wild, pristine and productive landscape. These safeguards are reserved for special places and Bristol Bay fits the bill perfectly. While there is more work to be done, with this news we can begin to work toward a bright future for Bristol Bay without the shadow of the Pebble mine constantly hanging over our heads,” said Brian Kraft, president of Katmai Service Providers and operator of two Bristol Bay fishing lodges. “This sends yet another very strong message to the Pebble Partnership: your mine is not wanted here; we have better plans for Bristol Bay.”  

TrueTimber, the world’s best-selling camo brand, will return as title sponsor on the CJB Motorsports No. 5 sprint car piloted by Spencer Bayston for the 2023 World of Outlaws season. The No. 5 will showcase a variety of TrueTimber camo patterns including the currently featured RipTide camo, which will make its official debut during the World of Outlaws opener at Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs, Florida on Thursday, February 9.

“We are so excited to be onboard the No. 5 car again this year and we are looking forward to another great season,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “Spencer and the CJB team connected us to so many new fans in 2022 and really helped grow our footprint in the World of Outlaws arena. It was exciting to see Spencer earn the Rookie of the Year title and have so much success last year and we can’t wait to see what the future holds from him and the rest of the team.”

Bayston had an exciting season in 2022, finishing eighth overall in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series standings with two victories, 16 top-five and 39 top-ten performances. He closed the year with back-to-back World Finals top-ten appearances at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, finishing eighth on each occasion. His continued success throughout the season earned him the 2022 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year award. Bayston’s car featured both TrueTimber RipTide and Strata camo paint schemes throughout the season.

“We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with TrueTimber Camo. This partnership has proved beneficial to both parties, and I’m confident their support will ultimately help us contend for a World of Outlaws championship,” Chad Clemens, owner of CJB Motorsports, explained. “We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to compete in front of such a compassionate and brand loyal fanbase, and it’s their return support for TrueTimber that makes this relationship work. I’m confident only big things are ahead for this team.”

To learn more about the entire TrueTimber product line and see all available patterns, visit TrueTimber.com. Details about future product launches can be found on TrueTimber’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central, America’s largest silencer dealer, is officially an active member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Board of Directors. Maddox will join the mission of promoting, protecting and advancing America’s outdoor traditions.

“I’m proud to begin serving as a member of the CSF’s Board of Directors,” said Maddox. “This respected and trusted organization constantly works to protect and advocate for our industry, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that as we work to protect our outdoor heritage.”

As the most respected and trusted sportsmen’s organization in the political arena, the CSF works with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and enhance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. The Board of Directors consists of leaders from the outdoor community and associated industries dedicated to the service, mission, objectives and goals of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

“Brandon has been a tremendous advocate for South Dakota’s continued economic growth and our 2nd Amendment freedoms,” said South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. “I am glad that South Dakota will have such a strong voice on the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Board of Directors.”

Maddox, an award-winning business leader with more than 25 years of strategic leadership experience, is recognized as a national thought leader on helping consumers acquire sound suppressors for mitigating sound and recoil on their firearms. As a pharmacist by trade, his experience navigating state pharmacy regulations in many states gave him valuable skills as he began operations from his basement. What began as Maddox’s home-based Federal Firearms License (FFL) evolved into a Silencer Manufacturer, wholesaler and dealer that has grown into the nationwide brand it is today. Maddox’s expertise in understanding statutes governing firearms sales makes him a popular voice for the industry. He is a passionate outdoorsman and has spent almost two decades honing his expertise in the Western Dakota prairies.

EDGEFIELD, S.C.—When we think of the NWTF and Tennessee, we can’t help but think about our 50th anniversary celebration in Nashville just on the horizon, but that’s not the only thing to celebrate in the Volunteer State — the Tennessee NWTF State Chapter recently helped expand research efforts that will ultimately benefit turkeys and turkey hunters.

The new research extends the work of an active six-year research project led by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the University of Tennessee.

Over the project’s six years, it has helped the TWRA manage wild turkeys with the best available science and has helped garner essential information for wild turkey management, including population vital rates (such as estimates of reproductive success and survival), habitat use, hunter attitudes and effort, disease ecology and the effects of habitat management.

“We are excited to continue this research partnership with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the National Wild Turkey Federation to address several important questions that have arisen during the past few years,” said David Buehler, Ph.D., UT professor of wildlife science. “Because of the intensive monitoring we have conducted over the past six years of over 700 radio-tagged hens and gobblers and over 225 poults, we are uniquely positioned to address contemporary questions such as the effect of the two-week season delay on turkey productivity and populations.  Tennessee’s science-based approach to turkey management should serve as a model for others to follow.“

“This project has provided our agency important information,” said Roger Shields, TWRA wild turkey program coordinator and NWTF Technical Committee representative. “Foremost is an understanding that the observed decline in the turkey population here is not due to poor survival of adults, it’s being driven by low productivity. Almost across the board, we’re seeing reproductive rates are lower than we’d expect for a stable turkey population.”

The Netherlands. France. And now, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. With three of the world’s four premiere indoor events in the history books, Team Easton competitors continue their drive to world domination.

Lancaster Archery’s acclaimed, 2000-shooter Classic just concluded and Vegas Champion and archery prodigy Bodie Turner, after two perfect qualifying round scores, prevailed in a tight final against fellow Team Easton archer Kris Schaff to top the podium at Lancaster in the premiere Open Pro category. Both Bodie and Kris relied on the incredibly precise Easton X7 shaft for
their stunning performances. And, two-time Vegas Champion Liko Arreola stormed her way to the bronze medal in the women’s compound final with the Easton Superdrive.

In men’s recurve, Easton shooters swept the podium with Brady Ellison winning his first major championship of the year. He took home his gold in the final against runner-up Jack Williams, and India’s Sachin Gupta taking third.

In women’s recurve, Olympian Casey Kaufhold defeated Netherlands top seed Gaby Schloesser in the gold medal final, with Savannah Vanderweir taking the bronze again to give Easton shooters another recurve podium sweep.

The next, and final stop, on the world-level indoor circuit is the Vegas Shoot this coming weekend. The Team Easton booth will be featuring limited-edition Vegas Shoot swag, and celebrating the finale of Easton’s 100th anniversary commemoration.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s final determination vetoes the proposed Pebble Mine

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) used its 404(c) authority under the Clean Water Act to stop the approval and ultimate construction of the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The EPA’s final determination effectively vetoes Pebble Mine, citing concerns about the impacts of mining waste and discharge on Bristol Bay’s renowned salmon fishery.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) lauds this decision and is grateful to the EPA for acting to secure clean waters throughout Bristol Bay for years to come. Stopping the development of this mine was a team effort among Alaskans, tribes, the outdoor recreation community, partner organizations and the millions of anglers and sportsmen and women throughout the country.

“The EPA’s final determination will protect the iconic fisheries of Bristol Bay from the impacts of mining waste, extending crucial safeguards to one of the world’s greatest salmon fishing destinations,” said ASA Inland Fisheries Policy Director Connor Bevan. “ASA thanks the EPA for incorporating the voices of Alaska’s communities and tribes, as well as anglers across the country, who have long opposed Pebble Mine’s potential impact on Bristol Bay’s headwaters.”
 
Bevan also thanked the thousands of sportfishing advocates that continually voiced their opposition to the construction of Pebble Mine through ASA’s Keep America Fishing Action Center.

Before the veto, the Army Corps of Engineers denied issuing Pebble Mine the necessary federal permits to extract copper, gold and molybdenum from the mine. ASA is hopeful that this is the final step in the process of this mine’s potential construction.
 

Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act Would Ensure Public Waters Will Be Enjoyed by Future Generations 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Backcountry Hunters & Anglers welcomes the reintroduction of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act, legislation sponsored by Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN) that would permanently protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the most visited wilderness area in the United States. A permanent withdrawal of sulfide-ore mining in the Superior National Forest upstream of the Boundary Waters is critical to ensuring that future generations can enjoy this crowned jewel of Minnesota’s public lands.  

“The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the watershed that feeds it are national treasures that deserve permanent protection,” said Land Tawney, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers president and CEO. “We are thankful for Congresswoman McCollum introducing legislation to do just that and ask her colleagues to follow suit. Protecting such a special place now and for future generations will ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to experience this unique landscape and that it will continue to provide clean water for so many. Pass this legislation now!” 

Hunters, anglers and others have long been in strong opposition to the foreign-owned Twin Metals proposed sulfide-ore copper mine located within the Boundary Waters watershed. This method of mining is not connected to Minnesota’s Iron Range heritage and has a poor industry record that threatens the complexly interconnected hydrology of the Boundary Waters. Rep. McCollum’s bill would maintain the region’s pristine ecological quality, unparalleled hunting and fishing opportunities and sustainable economic role for local communities. 

“Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has fought for the permanent protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its surrounding watershed since the formation of the Minnesota Chapter in 2010,” said Aaron Hebeisen, chapter coordinator for Minnesota. “It was one of our founding principles and continues to be a keystone issue to our members. We recognize the importance of mining to Northern Minnesota and that this bill would allow for traditional mining practices to take place, should iron-ore and taconite mining deposits be found here and could continue to be extracted in a responsible manner for the ecosystem. While we celebrate the administrative mineral withdrawal recently announced by the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, we support the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act as the only solution to permanently protect this nationally treasured area.” 

ANCHORAGE, AK— SalmonState today cheered the issuance of a series of safeguards by the Environmental Protection Agency that will protect the headwaters of salmon-rich Bristol Bay, Alaska and prevent the construction and operation of the proposed Pebble open pit mine.

The EPA’s Final Determination concludes a deliberative, science-based process via the Clean Water Act originally called for by Bristol Bay area Tribal governments 13 years ago. Under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act, the EPA determined if the massive proposed Pebble Mine could be built and operated without destroying critical salmon-sustaining wetlands and waterways. The science laid out in the documents clearly shows the answer is “no.”

Bristol Bay is the home of the largest sockeye salmon run remaining on the planet. In 2022, Bristol Bay broke records for the third year in a row, with a return of nearly 80 million sockeye salmon.

“Today’s decision may be the most popular thing the federal government has ever done for Alaska,” said SalmonState Executive Director Tim Bristol. “Thousands of Alaskans and over a million Americans from across the political spectrum have called for protection of Bristol Bay’s one-of-kind salmon resource from massive open pit mining and today, the EPA delivered.”

“This is a victory for every single person — from Bristol Bay’s tribal citizens, commercial fisherman, sport anglers, business leaders, chefs, scientists, and so many more — who have spoken out over the years, and we thank the EPA and the Biden Administration for this well-considered, heavily documented, overwhelmingly popular move,” Bristol continued.

The Duck Hunters Organization is adding more than 2,000 nest structures in key duck breeding areas this winter

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — Working amidst waist-deep snowdrifts, Jason Mix-Schneider made history for Delta Waterfowl on a frozen slough in South Dakota earlier this winter.

A cattle rancher by trade, Mix-Schneider is one of three newly hired Hen House delivery specialists installing nest structures in South Dakota as part of a major duck production expansion for Delta Waterfowl. By pounding in stakes, attaching cradles and positioning nest tunnels in early January, he erected Delta’s first program Hen Houses in the state.

Matt Chouinard, senior waterfowl programs manager for Delta, brought a trailer-load to Mix-Schneider’s Veblen, South Dakota ranch, then provided expert instruction and guidance for the first few structures.

“Looks good,” Chouinard said as Mix-Schneider fluffed the flax nesting material to complete the task. “Congratulations Jason. You just installed the first-ever Delta Hen House in South Dakota.”

SOUTHPORT, Conn. – Sturm, Ruger & Co., one of the nation’s leading firearms manufacturers, is returning as a sponsor of the 2023 Shooting Sports Showcase in Talladega, AL, this spring.

Ruger Public Relations Manager Paul Pluff said, “Ruger is proud to exhibit and to be a sponsor at the 2023 Shooting Sports Showcase. The event will give us the platform to showcase some of our hottest new offerings while demonstrating the product quality and reliability to key retail partners along with some of the best media influencers today.”

Known for its wide array of rugged and reliable pistols, revolvers, and rifles, Ruger products are some of the most popular firearms on the market today. Ruger has products to fit just about any security, hunting, and shooting sports need.

Set for March 28 with a meet-and-greet the previous evening, the Showcase is a private industry event created to give firearms and archery manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and media the chance to spend quality time on the range together without distractions or extensive travel requirements.

Pre-registration is required, so please visit www.shootingsportsshowcase.com for all the information.