Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Success comes in many forms and on a hunt does not always end with a harvest. I remember my earliest adventures out in the woods trailing behind my father in his footsteps and even quite literally in the snowy New York winters tracking a harvest, beginning to learn and respect what success in the woods meant. Thinking back on one of my first deer hunts, success that day meant just keeping warm in our blind. Having my father, an experienced hunter and his close friend taking me under their wing for those first fall whitetail and spring turkey hunts, I picked up and learned as much as I could and even began finding some early success of my own. I’ll never forget the first youth turkey hunt, making it out to our blind before the crack of dawn under cover of darkness. Fighting back weary eyelids and straining my eyes through the dark till the spring woods came alive with that beautiful chorus, followed soon after by thunderous gobbles in the trees directly above. With the groundwork and scouting put in, that morning was picture perfect. Two older toms landed within forty yards. A few calls by my dad had my heart pounding as the birds went full strut on a beeline to our decoys. My spring turkey hunt ended within minutes with my first hunting success and an unstoppable smile.

Not long after I began to take up archery and finding a new passion with a bow in my hands, I set out to try for my first whitetail in the fall. In a very similar fashion to our previous hunts, everything had been laid out. Before the days of powerful apps like onX and BaseMap, my dad and his hunting partner like many others had a wall of Google Earth type satellite views of our properties including various stand and blind locations, prevailing winds, etc. Following the guide of the two, I spent as many evenings as possible after school or waking early on the weekends to get into the woods and before long I had harvested my first two deer. About a year following on a new property to us, it happened. I felt the overwhelming, core shaking experience of having my first giant make an appearance. I recall being extended at full draw for what felt like an eternity, realistically a minute at most, I was able to place the perfect shot and after a unique tracking experience through a swamp I had harvested my first mature whitetail – a gorgeous elven point proudly on the wall above my desk. I was beginning to think I knew what success in the woods meant.

Over the years I sharpened these skills finding success here and there and continuing to learn alongside my mentors. Time went on and life changes in both school and work, I found myself in the woods less and new hobbies had taken priority. It wouldn’t be a long hiatus till a friend had rekindled a flame and brought me out on a few fall hunts. Again, the plan and strategy formed from experience, sitting in a blind tucked perfectly out of sight in a spot led to finding a new form of that sought after success. Sharing previous as well as new outdoor experiences alongside new friends, being part of another hunter’s success brings a new meaning to it. Being adrift from the woods for so long and being there witnessing their hard-earned victory brought back a passion that I will not let go of again. Several hunting adventures were had and then a plan had been developed to head cross country to meet a new friend and mentor in the outdoor world to guide on my first Nebraska turkey hunt. This was a feat and great adventure at the time to drive sixteen hours and chase thunder-chickens, while having my own tag purchased my biggest concern for the week was helping make sure preparations were met and we were at our guides door promptly. An unforeseen cold front led to a slow start in the week and concerns for the time spent began to creep up. That minor stress vanished a few days into the trip. Weather began to warm, birds became responsive, the fire was lit. Our guide had us well hidden at the bottom of a knoll where just the evening prior birds roosted in the nearby hardwoods. A day of calling and patience led to that moment. A phrase my dad said to me when I was just twelve popped into my head, “get your sh*t together” was all I could think in the frantic yet quiet scramble to get us positioned. Following her well-placed shot on a tom that like normal, refused the decoy laid path we had set for him. The dust settled and with fist bumps and cheers shared out of blind I saw it, my hunting partners smile, like the one I couldn’t fight back on my very first successful turkey hunt. A long week, ending successfully with much more than just a harvest.

From that point on success had taken form in many ways and thoughts on it shifted significantly. I found myself enjoying the shared passion and success of others around me even more than my own. Often running a camera over their shoulder or running a climber up a nearby tree. Success now meant sharing these feelings I had on my first trips out as a young hunter till now, someone who has renewed a passion for the outdoors and has a lot to learn yet. The game has changed significantly over the years with the advantage of apps again like onX and BaseMap. Weather tracking and moon phase monitoring apps have put so much more power and access to knowledge in the fingertips of the hunter. These would soon come in handy on a challenge presented to me.

A few changes in access to hunting properties over the last two years compared to my younger years recalling the wall of maps. The loss of one well scouted property put a hurt on this falls season. Through a conversation with my friend and mentor a challenge was extended to me. A challenge to get away from my norm and plan focused hunts that I have experienced and do it solo. The theme of always following the guise of more experienced hunters is common for many but it was the crux for a lot of my early success. In a conversation regarding finding land to hunt, the idea of venturing up to the Adirondack State Park came up. A new excitement emerged. I set out to research, scout, and hunt in a new location without the “handholding” of having more experience around to influence me directly.

Field-testing and comparing four different knives through a series of outdoor challenges

By Albert Quackenbush, Owner/Author of the SoCal Bowhunter Blog

Connect to social media at any given time of day and I will venture a guess that you will see someone sharing a post that includes a knife. Show me a hunter preparing for a weeklong hunt and he will have a sharp knife in his kit. Even survivalist types carry amazing knives for bushcrafting. There are endless uses for knives, but I had specific ideas in mind for this article. For the better part of a year, I have been testing four particular knives to see how well they would work in both bushcrafting and hunting scenarios.

Disclaimer: I am no survivalist or bushcrafter. I am a hunter through-and-through, but I do make my own fires and shelters from time to time.

Creating a Featherstick

All four knives were sharp right out of the box. With little bushcrafting skill, I began testing these blades out with some simple tasks; making feathersticks, shaving bark, splitting wood and making a fire. It took me some time to get used to making a featherstick because the available wood was near a dried up riverbed. The heftier handled Case Recurve and TOPs BOB were easier to grip, where the ESEE had a smaller handle, but allowed for better control. The Shay Butler Intrepid surprised me with the best grip of all, but challenged me for making feathersticks properly, due to it being so sharp and having a steep angled blade.
Winner: ESEE Ashley Game Knife. 2nd place: Case Winkler Recurve

Shaving Bark

I found that shaving bark took a little less control as making a feather stick and the process went faster because I didn’t have to keep the shavings attached to the stick. As I tried different ways to shave the bark into thin strips, I figured out the Intrepid was easier to manipulate and control. The AGK was also easy to control. The Winkler Recurve allowed me to grip, shave and make short work of larger sticks for larger kindling. This one was tough because I felt the Recurve and Intrepid were extremely close in usability and function, but due to the combination of blade, weight and grip, the Case Recurve took this one over the Intrepid.

Splitting wood

Each knife was used on some small logs and I used a baton to strike the spine to see which worked well. This was a new experience for me, but it didn’t take long to figure out.

Signup period runs from February 27 through April 7

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (USDA- FSA) has announced a new general signup period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) running from February 27 through April 7, 2023. CRP has long been the nation’s most important tool for targeting environmentally sensitive lands with conservation practices that produce wildlife habitat, cleaner waters, healthier soils and a more resilient climate.  Landowners should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to learn more about general CRP eligibility. 

“CRP has always been a key tool for American farmers, ranchers and landowners,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s director of government affairs. “CRP enables producers to enroll difficult-to-farm acres in the program to improve wildlife habitat, soil health, water quality and climate resiliency, and is a key part of the economic safety net for rural communities. As the country looks to improve its ecological impacts and economic standing, CRP should be celebrated as a method for bolstering both sides of the equation.” 

The Conservation Reserve Program has supported wildlife populations and rural communities since President Ronald Reagan signed CRP into law on December 23, 1985. There are currently 23 million acres enrolled with a 27-million-acre cap set for fiscal year 2023. Additionally, producers and landowners can enroll acres under the continuous signup, including sought after practices such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative. 

The Farm Service Agency will also announce the dates for a Grassland CRP signup in the coming weeks. Grassland CRP is a working lands program helping landowners and operators protect grasslands, including rangeland and pastureland, while maintaining the areas as working grazing lands.

Deadline for Entries ends March 1st

POMA’s Pinnacle Awards are the highest honor the organization can bestow upon its media members for their creative works. They honor communicators annually for exceptional journalistic achievement in traditional outdoor sports-focused magazine writing, newspaper/web writing, photography/illustration, book, broadcasting, and conservation journalism.

POMA’s board of directors recently added two new categories to accurately showcase the talents of the organization’s membership: Magazine – Complete (Digital) and Magazine – Complete (Print).

Pull together your best articles, magazines, books, broadcasts, photos, etc., and get them ready to submit. You can mail submissions, or use our simple electronic submission option. Content between Nov. 1, 2021, and Oct. 31, 2022, is eligible for entry.

Pull together your best articles, books, broadcasts, photos, etc., and get them ready to submit. You can mail submissions, or use our simple electronic submission option.  

HatsanUSA®, the exclusive U.S. distributor of ESCORT® Shotguns, is proud to feature the FieldHunter Turkey. Just in time for the 2023 turkey season you can find ESCORT’s well-regarded line of turkey-specific pump-action shotguns ready for the job. Available in three calibers: 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 caliber, the FieldHunter Turkey is tailored with the turkey shooter in mind. These pump-action shotguns are chambered in 3 in. magnum and will handle both 2 ¾ in. and 3 in. loads with ease. The stock and forend are made from a tough, durable synthetic polymer, built to withstand the elements. The extended forend is easy to hold and cycle without the need to extend one’s reach. An aircraft alloy receiver and an oxidation resistant, chrome-plated steel barrel will ensure long service life.

The FieldHunter Turkey is available in two camo patterns: RealTree® Timber and Mossy Oak® BottomLand. Each gun ships with 3 interchangeable chokes suitable for a variety of turkey hunting situations. A 5 in. long cantilever optics rail features 4 cross-slots to accommodate a variety of Weaver mounts. The shotgun is also equipped with bright fiber optic front and rear sights for low-light hunting. The red front fiber is windage adjustable while the rear green fiber sight is both windage and elevation adjustable. Both fibers can be removed entirely to make way for mounted optics. All Hatsan’s barrels are hard chrome-lined for maximum durability and corrosion resistance. Safety is a significant concern for any firearm, so a manual cross-button safety is built in. Mounted sling studs make for easy carry and firing support. 

With ESCORT’s FieldHunter Turkey shotguns you’re set, right out of the box, for your next turkey hunting adventure.

MSRP: $499.99

FieldHunter Turkey Features

Pope and Young Announces the Biggest Raffle in Conservation

Pope and Young, North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization is proud to announce their 33rd Biennial Convention Raffle.  This raffle will be the biggest in the company’s history, and features four incredible hunts, with all the dollars raised going to support bowhunting conservation, and Pope and Young’s fight to continue to preserve, promote, and protect your passion for bowhunting. 

One lucky winner will have the opportunity to choose from the following hunts, and will be able to hunt with either bow or firearm:

The drawing will be held on Saturday April 15, 2023, at the 33rd Biennial Convention in Reno, Nevada.  There will only be 1,500 tickets sold, so act fast to get your chance to win.

For more information about the raffle, or to get your tickets, visit https://rafflecreator.com/pages/29991/2023-convention-raffle .

For the most up to date information about the Pope and Young Convention, or to register today, please visit, https://pope-young.org/33rd-Biennial-Convention .
About Pope and Young:
Pope and Young is North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization. If you are a fair chase, ethical bowhunter, and you care about preserving the culture and future of bowhunting, then you belong to the Pope and Young. Join today at www.pope-young.org.

The CMP Board of Directors is currently comprised of 9 individuals who share the same common interest: advancing marksmanship in the United States through safety, competitions and program opportunities. Though their goals are mutual, they come from an array of backgrounds – bringing with them their own unique experiences for the betterment of the organization. Here, we learn a little more about the individuals who are helping to lead CMP into the future.

John Carson:

Hometown:

My hometown is La Jolla, California, then a small military retirement community.

How did you hear about the CMP, initially?

FALCO® Holsters, globally recognized for exceptional artisanship in every handcrafted, purpose-built leather holster, enjoyed unprecedented success during the NSSF® SHOT Show 2023 by focusing on dealer support through partnerships and new product innovations.

“We made our sell-through dealer support program a priority for 2023,” said FALCO Holsters Vice President of Sales and Marketing Katarína Zacharová. “The retailers we met with during SHOT Show were enthusiastic about our margins, MAP pricing, and the ease of working with us,” she commented.

“One of the exciting new dealers we’ve added to our list of partners is Frontier Justice,” said Zacharová. “As a destination retailer and range headquartered in Missouri, they approach gun ownership as a lifestyle through a personalized approach. That matches perfectly with our one on one style of business.”

According to Zacharová, there are many benefits for dealers who partner with FALCO Holsters. “It is crucial to listen carefully to the needs of front-line retailers, and their message has been clear. They want to carry exclusive products customers can only purchase from them, without the competition of other brick-and-mortar locations, online retailers, or big box stores. Through this direct dealer collaboration, our retailers differentiate their product assortment from others and enjoy a competitive edge,” she said.

FALCO Holsters puts tremendous effort into collaborating with retail partners. “We recognize conserving shelf space is crucial for dealers, so we offer a Multifit line of premium leather holsters,” commented Zacharová. And, as the popularity of weapon-mounted lights, lasers, and sights continues, we have many optics-ready choices for dealers to choose from.”

On February 3 during the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) hosted a forum to discuss strides taken to implement Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3362 (SO 3362) and work still needed to improve big game migration corridors and seasonal ranges. MDF’s Western Big Game Migration Forum brought together more than 50 senior leaders from federal, state, non-profit, and industry partners who are actively engaged in wildlife connectivity. On the same day, the organizations celebrated the 5th anniversary of the signing of SO 3362 that has served as the catalyst for the collaborative conservation efforts on the issue.

“Secretarial Order 3362 was signed on February 9, 2018, at the Mule Deer Foundation booth during the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, and it was fitting that we were able to celebrate its 5-year anniversary at our booth at this year’s Hunt Expo,” noted Mule Deer Foundation President/CEO Joel Pedersen. “SO 3362 marked a turning point to drive coordinated efforts, focus funding, and encourage collaboration on something we all hold dear: our great western landscapes that are home to mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and hundreds of other wildlife species. The Western Big Game Migration Forum provided the opportunity for us to meet with a wide range of partners and talk about our successes but also focus on the tremendous amount of work and funding still needed to truly make a long-lasting impact.”

Participants in the Forum included U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie, Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning, USDA Forest Service Deputy Chief Chris French, directors or senior leaders from 11 western state fish and wildlife agencies, leadership from eight outdoor industry companies, and high level staff from nine different hunting-conservation organizations. The varied perspectives led to active discussions in a two-hour session before speakers outlined the issue to the public and media in a widely attended afternoon session. Closing remarks at the public session were delivered by MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan, a leading voice in mainstream media for wildlife and hunting conservation.

“When we planned the Forum, we hoped to bring together all the high-level individuals who are working on this issue from federal land management agencies to researchers to state wildlife agencies to private sector partners—and all of those partners were in the room and contributed to an outstanding conversation,” commented MDF Chief Conservation Officer Steve Belinda. “A key theme for the session was recognizing we need to do even more to engage the public on this critical issue and increase funding opportunities so all partners can expand the pace and scale of work being done on the ground. We have had many successes, but we are just getting started and there is so much more we can accomplish working together.”

According to Casey Stemler, coordinator for SO 3362 for the Department of the Interior, direct funding to implement the order over the last five years included $6.4 million for research and $2.5 million for mapping support to state fish and wildlife agencies. In addition, $20 million was directed toward habitat conservation and management through a grant program coordinated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. However, he acknowledged that this is just a fraction of the investments since significant work has been accomplished through funds from partner agencies and organizations. He also noted that the dramatic changes in the West in recent years due to increasing population, human development, and habitat loss continues to escalate the challenges these species face.

Looking for a little relief this tax season? Double the rewards and double the relief from Alien Gear Holsters® with their limited-time tax season promotion.

Alien Gear Holsters®, designers and manufacturers of American-made holsters and firearms accessories, and the Rapid Force line of Level 2 and Level 3 Duty Holsters, feel your pain during this tax season and are offering double Alien Gear Holsters Loyalty Rewards Points on all purchases for a limited time during the 2022 tax season.

Now you don’t have to wait to see if Uncle Sam is giving you a refund this year, you can take advantage of Alien Gear Holsters’ savings right now with two concurrent deals, IN ADDITION to earning double points on all purchases.

Alien Gear Holsters gives you more purchasing power with our double Loyalty Rewards Points. Start earning points by just creating an account. Every time you purchase a product, refer a friend, leave a review, or follow and share on Alien Gear Holster’s social media platforms, you earn points. Alien Gear Holsters helps you stretch that dollar even further with their Sezzle payment option, where you can buy now and pay later.

“At Alien Gear Holsters, we understand that during tax season, every dollar counts,” Sandi Little, COO for Alien Gear Holsters, said. “During this tax season, we are offering our customers a great way to get that holster they always wanted at significant savings.”

Team Winchester members Anthony Matarese Jr. and Joe Fanizzi proved once again why they are two of the top sporting clays shooters in the world. Matarese Jr. and Fanizzi recently traveled to the United Arab Emirates for the first inaugural Fujairah Mountain Championship.  This event offered one of the largest prizes in the shooting sports with over $200,000 in added money paid out to top shooters. 

More than 400 of the best sporting clays competitors from 44 different countries gathered to compete while also having to battle the harsh desert conditions and steep mountainous terrain. When the dust had settled, Matarese claimed 2nd place while Fanizzi took home the Junior championship and overall 3rd place. 

“Anthony and Joe represented Team Winchester and the U.S. on the world shooting sports stage, and proved they are two of the best,” said Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester. “It’s exciting to see new events like this one and understand the importance of the shooting sports in different countries.”   

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.

Winchester: Committed to Safe, Legal and Responsible Firearm Use

As a global leader in the shooting sports and hunting industry, and a brand of 157 years, Winchester is committed to safe, legal and responsible firearm use. Winchester works with key groups like the National Shooting Sports Foundation on a variety of topics important to our industry, including training and education, and on specific programs such as Gun Owners Care and Project ChildSafe. Winchester will continue to support programs, organizations and individuals who promote hunting and shooting sports activities in a positive and responsible environment. Any use of firearms by youth participants should be done under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or other responsible adult. 

Lafayette, LA – Grey Man Tactical introduces the ultimate locking transportation package for both rifle and handgun with the #303 – Vehicle Locking Rifle Rack + Pistol Safe RMPX. The Locking Rifle Rack – SC-6 Mount secures your rifle by clamping down on the buffer tube or handguard of your rifle and utilizes a 12V cigarette lighter push button for electronic release of the locking mechanism.

Included in the package is the Vaultek® SL20i – Biometric Slider Safe that secures your handgun while keeping it out of sight. The RMP Cover adds an additional level of concealment covering the entire panel and the contents.

Designed to be the most durable and secure mounting solution on the market, the #303 package from Grey Man Tactical is the go-to option for firearm owners.

The #303 – Vehicle Locking Rifle Rack + Pistol Safe RMPX Package contents include:

QTY 1 – 15.25 X 25 RMPX
QTY 1 – RMP Cover
QTY 1 – RMP Headrest Mounting Clamp
QTY 1 – Master Lock® 5/16″ Python Adjustable Locking Cable
QTY 1 – G-Code® Soft Shell Scorpion Mag Carrier [Pistol]
QTY 1 – G-Code® Soft Shell Scorpion Mag Carrier [Rifle]
QTY 1 – Locking Rifle Mount – SC-6
QTY 1 – RMP Buttstock Cup Kit [Standard, Black Anodized]
QTY 1 – SE20-BK Keypad Safe

SK Guns®, the Nation’s only limited-edition, series-driven production manufacturer, is thrilled to debut the latest SK Customs® series and a new collectible firearm set to celebrate the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 50th Anniversary during the annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by booth #725 in the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Feb. 15-19, 2023, to learn more about SK Customs® series, the SK Bespoke Collection® and more.

“Following our recent launch of a brand-new collectable Colt series, The Untamed, we’re proud to exhibit at this year’s convention to show our continued support of the NWTF,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “As a proud partner of the 50th anniversary celebration, we’re excited to connect with industry professionals, partners and visitors.”

As one of the largest industry shows in Nashville, the convention displays the latest products and services in 90,000 square feet of exhibiting space. Since 1973, NWTF has conserved or enhanced more than 22 million acres of wildlife habitat, invested more than $500 million in conservation and outreach efforts, and invested more than $8 million in wild turkey research. Exhibitors and guests will gather to celebrate 50 years of conservation success and the continued work still to come.

SK Customs recently announced its donation featuring two sets of custom designed and engraved Henry® Golden Boy Silver .22LR and a new model Smith & Wesson® 1911 chambered in 45ACP to be auctioned off during the show. The package is sold as a set and will be featured during the Grand National Live Auction on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 18 and on the NWTF’s Online Hunt Auction throughout the weekend.

Huk Performance Fishing apparel will be on display at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina, from February 17-19, 2023.  

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) celebrates the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment, and special events. It’s where artists, craftsmen, collectors, and sporting enthusiasts come together to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and connect through a shared passion for wildlife.

Huk, who calls Charleston home, will showcase their Waypoint line, made from recycled plastic bottles. Anglers will appreciate the comfort and feel of the garments while keeping our waters clean. Warm and Cold weather items from the Waypoint collection will be available to purchase on-site. 

In addition to showcasing Huk’s latest gear and talking with factory experts, the tent will be filled with interactive activities and local Charleston guides. Casual Crabbing with Tia will be in the booth all weekend, teaching about crabbing in the Lowcountry. Fishing experts from Redfin Charters will be in the booth Friday, offering tips and tactics to help anglers catch more fish. Kayak fishing experts and SCDNR-certified fishing instructors Jason and Jennifer Schall will offer advice on kayak fishing and how to get started fishing in the Charleston area. 

Attendees can stop by the Huk tent in the outdoor area of Brittlebank Park and grab a free dog bandana. For more information, visit www.sewe.com and the Huk social media pages at @hukgear.

Winchester announces the launch of Winchester Life, a TV series now available on Outdoor Channel and various digital platforms.

“For millions of people throughout the world, Winchester is a way of life. It is time spent in the outdoors and experiences that will never be forgotten,” said Jason Gilbertson, director of marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “The Winchester Life series is all about sharing stories that need to be told, entertaining and educating viewers, and the positive value of the shooting sports and hunting traditions.”

The series includes rich content such as educational segments on ammunition and ballistics, epic hunting destinations, shooting sports events and personalities, and films that best represent Winchester, a brand of more than 150 years.

Winchester Life is distributed on Outdoor Channel television network, the Winchester Ammunition YouTube channel, and on Winchester.com. For air dates and times, visit Winchester.com or Outdoor Channel Plus – Outdoor Channel Plus.

Winchester Life supporters include: Winchester Firearms, GSM Outdoors, Winchester Safes, Folds of Honor and Shoot United.

Ideal for home, property, and livestock protection

Henry Repeating Arms, one of America’s leading firearm manufacturers, announced today the Homesteader 9mm, a feature-packed semi-automatic 9mm carbine cloaked in the gunmaker’s heritage design language built to meet the needs of property owners and weekend range visitors alike.

The Homesteader 9mm boasts premium materials and an adaptable feature set to provide effortless versatility for various roles, including home defense, protecting livestock from the predators that threaten them, and as a fun, approachable firearm for the shooting range using ammunition both widely available and affordable. To provide compatibility for the most common magazine patterns, the Homesteader 9mm utilizes removable magazine well adapters to accept Glock®, SIG Sauer®, or Smith & Wesson® M&P® style magazines, in addition to the included 5-round and 10-round Henry 9mm magazines.

Other notable features include a threaded barrel for suppressor use to minimize noise for neighbors at the range or at home and thoughtfully laid out, centrally located controls that will appeal to right- and left-handed users. Its compact size and lightweight frame provide maneuverability for close quarters and allow the firearm to be stored where some standard-sized rifles and shotguns may not fit. Intuitive, fast target acquisition is achieved with fully adjustable sights and maintained with features like a reciprocating mass inside the forearm to counteract recoil and non-slip leather-like texturing on the genuine American walnut furniture. Durable finishes like deeply blued steel, a matte sealant on the wood, and hard anodizing on the aluminum receiver keep the Homesteader resilient to a hardworking firearm’s inevitable wear and tear.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $928 for the version with a Henry magazine well only and $959 for the versions that include an additional magazine well. All Henry Repeating Arms firearms are purchasable only through a federally licensed dealer.

By Gary Anderson, DCM Emeritus

Six USA Shooting rifle, pistol and shotgun athletes earned prestigious U. S. Distinguished International Shooter Badges in 2022 with international championship performances that gave them the 30 or more International Excellence-in-Competition (IEIC) credit points required to receive the Badge. 2022 honorees included three members of the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit, two members of the Ohio State University Pistol Team and one athlete who is a gun club manager in Kansas. Two of the six are women. The two youngest are 21 years of age, the oldest is 37 and their average age is 28. Two are rifle athletes, two are shotgun competitors and two are pistol athletes. Three were members of the very successful 2021 USA Olympic Shooting Team. 

America’s Marksmanship Distinguished Badge Program traces its history to the first gold Distinguished Marksman Badges issued by the U. S. Army in 1887.  This program, which is now administered by the CMP, offers competitors opportunities to earn 11 different Distinguished Badges.  Of those 11 different badges, the one that is the most difficult to earn is the U. S. Distinguished International Shooter Badge.  This is because to earn this badge, a rifle, pistol, or shotgun athlete must first qualify for a USA Shooting National Team that represents the USA in International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) or World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) Championships.  ISSF Championships include the Olympic Games, World Shooting Championships, World Cups and Continental Championships.  WSPS Championships for athletes with disabilities include the Paralympic Games and WSPS World Championships and World Cups. 

Making a USA Shooting National Team is only the first step in earning this badge, however. To be awarded the badge, a National Team member must then earn 30 International Distinguished credit points with medal-winning or high place finishes in ISSF or WSPS Championships. Credit points vary from 30 points that are awarded for Olympic or Paralympic Games gold, silver, or bronze medals to five points that that are awarded for third place finishes in the Pan American Games. 10 and 5 points are awarded for medal finishes at Junior World Championships. Olympic events receive higher point totals than non-Olympic events.  Earning an Olympic Quota Place for the USA earns 10 bonus points. Olympic Mixed Team events (one man and one woman) receive credit points while points for other team events are no longer awarded after the ISSF started adding multiple team events in 2020. Regulations for awarding the International Distinguished Badge are found in the current CMP Smallbore Rifle and Air Rifle/Air Pistol Rulebooks (http://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-competitions-rulebooks/).

USA Shooting (https://www.usashooting.org/) is the U. S. National Governing Body for Olympic Shooting and is responsible for selecting and training USA Shooting National Teams that represent this country in ISSF or WSPS Championships.  The International Distinguished Badge was instituted by the Department of Defense in 1963, pursuant to recommendations from the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice.  Responsibility for administering this program was transferred to the CMP when Congress and the U. S. President established the Civilian Marksmanship Program as a federally-chartered, non-profit corporation in 1996.  The CMP now administers the Program in accordance with authority granted to it by federal law (36 USC §40722 (3). 

Remington Ammunition is proud to announce that Team Remington’s Madison Sharpe won 1st place in the sporting clays Ladies Division at the inaugural Fujairah Mountain Shooting Championship in United Arab Emirates, Feb. 9-11, 2023.

“As we continue to showcase our talent across the world, I’m proud of Team Remington’s accomplishments and dominating performances,” said Team Remington Manager Mike Hampton Sr. “We congratulate and are proud of Madison for her win. Madison, and all Team Remington competitors never fail to deliver impressive performances across the board.”

Under the sponsorship of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, FMSC sets itself apart from other championships with challenging layouts and exciting side events. With breathtaking views of the surrounding Dubai area, participants from around the globe are immersed in a new clay shooting experience, competing against prominent shooters from over 40 countries.

Team Remington is comprised of an accomplished list of top shooters who continue to compete with the best in the world across trap, skeet and sporting clays competitions domestically and internationally. Utilizing Remington Premier STS Target Loads, Team Remington shooters continue to tally podium finishes and represent Big Green against the best shooters in the world.

Find Remington ammunition at dealers nationwide and online. For more information on Remington ammunition and accessories, visit www.remington.com.

FLY FISHING THE MIDDLE PROVO RIVER, JUST OUTSIDE PARK CITY, UTAH, OFFERS APPROACHABLE AND SCENIC WINTER FISHING

Regardless of your skill level, the Middle Provo River, in the Heber Valley just outside of Park City, Utah, might offer the most approachable and scenic winter fly fishing in America. Whether you come to Provo as a novice or an expert, you will find something here to challenge, inspire, and reward your visit.

To start, “The Middle,” as it is locally known, has a truly unique and successful restoration story. The dynamics that challenge riparian conservation came together earnestly in the Heber Valley between 1999 and 2008. The State of Utah, The Feds, the local ranchers, and the NGOs all worked together to comprehensively restore the Middle Provo. They reduced the ditch banks, fenced the herds, silenced the motors, added miles of a new channel, and restored a postcard-worthy high valley. Today it is 13 miles of the most beautiful and healthy blue ribbon tailwaters, perhaps anywhere outside of a Wilderness Area. And there is no time of year more suited to experiencing this accomplishment than deep snowy winter. 

The Provo is well known for challenging rocky straights interrupted by perfect pools and lots of small “buckets.” Thanks to the restoration, it enjoys healthy and robust all-season hatches. The Fishing pressure is also well known and for a good reason. The pressure eases off notably in the winter, but be open to walking the next bend. (Cross-country skiing is the only other use allowed along Provo). The days are shorter and slower, but the beauty and rewards of staying focused are unequaled. 

All the poetry of fly fishing will welcome you to the Heber Valley in Winter. One of the best-kept secrets is how easily visitors can sneak away from “shredding powder” at Park City’s mega ski areas and “slay the browns” on the Provo. 

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes Tim Richards, Government Affairs Director for Wildlife Forever. 

Tim Richardson is a Washington, DC-based public affairs, media, and fundraising consultant. Tim has been Government Affairs Director for Wildlife Forever since 1995. Prior to that, he worked for Texas’ U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in Washington and was a political journalist in Austin during the 1980s. Tim is rural Michigan native who moved to Texas in 1979.

After a decade in Texas journalism and two years on Capitol Hill, Richardson became the nation’s only private consultant to work on Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon restoration for grant applicants. Clients in Alaska and Texas have received over $500 million in oil spill funds for projects involving public and private stakeholders, partners, and natural resource agencies. In addition to oil spill restoration Tim has worked on myriad state and federal government affairs issues for over thirty years.

About Hunting Matters
Tune in to “Hunting Matters” with Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director Joe Betar as he engages in conversations with guests, from various backgrounds, who have a passion for hunting and conservation. Great discussions, news, hunting legislation updates and more! “Hunting Matters” airs each Saturday, 6am-7am CDT on KPRC AM 950 – Real Texas, Real Talk, a Houston iHeartMedia station, and Houston’s longest running radio station. “Hunting Matters” is also available via podcast on Apple/iTunes, iHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, PodBean and Spreaker. Subscribe, listen, rate and review. Hunting Matters is the recipient of a 2022 Gold AVA Digital award, a 2022 NYX/Marcom Silver award and a 2022 MARCOM Gold award. 

About Houston Safari Club Foundation
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 646 scholarships totaling $2.92 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants for hunter-funded wildlife, habitat, and various conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.