Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

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.

Hatsan’s NEW ZADA break barrel air rifle is the newest edition of entry-level, spring-action air rifles. The refined design is precision-engineered to be the ultimate high-performance beginner’s shooting platform.

Designed for a lifetime of use, the ZADA utilizes a precision rifled German steel barrel and a synthetic molded shroud to reduce overall weight. The ZADA is available in three calibers .177 caliber, .22 caliber, and .25 caliber, and is capable of producing up to 24 ft-lbs. of kinetic energy and blistering fast velocities between 700 and 1300 FPS depending on the caliber and ammunition selected.

Hatsan focused on ease of use when equipping the ZADA with an easy-cocking break barrel, purpose-built for the beginning shooter. Its large muzzle break, with Hatsan’s QE technology with an integrated sound moderator, makes manipulating the single-shot cocking action smooth and nearly effortless. As a result, this provides more control to the shooter and quieter shots down range.

The ZADA sports a new tactical style stock with a pistol grip, designed to be more ergonomic and attractive than its predecessor. Its ambidextrous synthetic stock is rock solid and lightweight. With the marksman in mind, the ZADA features a textured grip and forearm for better control and feel. Designed with a Monte Carlo cheek piece and rubber buttpad, the ZADA features comfort similar to those of the most advanced Hatsan air rifles.

This airgun incorporates an integrated, shock-absorbing, advanced-polymer scope rail to keep the included 4×32 Optima scope zeroed for superior accuracy. If you prefer not to use the scope, the ZADA is fitted with contrasting colored fiber optic sights. The rear sight is fully adjustable for both windage and elevation. It boasts a fully adjustable trigger, manual firing safety, and an automatic cocking safety, making the NEW ZADA a great entry-level airgun for those interested in picking up a fun hobby.

Come Check Out the Widest Range of Turkey-Hunting Specific Scopes and Sights at the Hawke Optics Booth #2156

Hawke® Optics, a worldwide leader in quality sporting optics that perform outstanding in the field while maintaining optimum value for the consumer, is coming to the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Convention February 15- 19, 2023 (booth #2156) in Nashville, TN, and they are bringing the best turkey-hunting shotgun optics you’ll find anywhere. Hawke is set to take over the turkey hunting market and you will not want to miss it. With more turkey hunters adding an optic to their shotguns every year, now is a great time to increase your accuracy for better hunting.

“We’re excited for this year’s NWTF Convention, and for our customers to get hands-on with the best range of turkey-hunting shotgun optics available,” said Kevin Sheehan, Hawke Optics VP of Sales & Marketing. “Our new Vantage IR 1-4X20 Turkey Dot shotgun scope sets a new standard for hunting sight performance, and for hunters looking for something else, we have the Reflex Circle Dot Wide-View sight and the 1x Prism Red Dot sight. Regardless of what style of sight you want for your turkey gun, we have you completely covered.”

The new Vantage IR 1-4×20 Turkey Dot scope was designed from the ground up to be the ultimate turkey scope. It uses Hawke’s new Turkey Dot IR reticle for extremely fast target acquisition. Being a multi-power scope, you can use it on 1x for reflex shooting when the bird is in close. However, you also can zoom in at longer distances with up to 4X magnification. The 4 MOA illuminated center dot is surrounded by a circle that measures 10 inches at 25 yards, when on 1x magnification. The floating non-illuminated posts at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock give additional guides and level confirmation for improved accuracy and rapid target identification.

The new turkey scope has 4-inches of eye relief, making it adaptable to how you mount your shotgun. It has capped low-profile ½ MOA turrets and a new precision glass etched reticle with multi-stage illumination in both red and green. The scope is built on a 1-inch monotube chassis and features a high torque zoom ring and a fast focus eyebell. It also is nitrogen purged, shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof, so it can handle whatever elements you encounter while out in the turkey woods.

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.”

Selecting a sharpening system for a hunting camp can be a tricky business. There are many choices available for keeping your steel keen, and even more knife manufacturers and blade style options. 

What is a hunting knife exactly? After the hunt, a hunting knife prepares the game for food. This includes but is not limited to skinning and boning. Some hunting knives may have a blade with both a curved portion for skinning and a straight portion for cutting slices of meat. You’ll also find that some blades incorporate a Gut Hook.  

A whetstone (water stone) is a rectangular stone with a gritty surface used to sharpen knives and other metal tools. Whetstones can be natural or synthetic. Natural whetstones can have a slower process than synthetic but produce a fantastic cutting edge without removing much steel. A whetstone requires a certain skill level to use successfully, can be heavy, bulky, and is one-dimensional at the end of the day. 

A quick and convenient alternative to packing whetstones is the Warthog V-Sharp XE (Xtreme Edge) which features 4 Snap-in Angle Adjustments (17°, 20°, 25°, 30°) weighing in at 8 ounces of durable ABS plastic; the V-Sharp XE is waterproof. Skinning, fillet, and kitchen knives use 17°- 20° angles, making the V-Sharp XE the obvious choice. It comes standard with 325 Grit Natural Diamond Rods (Finishing Steels included) and 600/1000 Grit (optional). Simply drawing the blade in a slicing motion entirely through and out of the sharpener, keeping the blade flat against the Blade Guide. This motion gives a consistent angle from the heel to the tip, regardless of the blade materials or brands. The V-Sharp XE sharpens the blade on both sides simultaneously, perfect for most other flat-blade knives. It’s ideal for hunting camps and base camps! 

Gut Hook File- Gut Hook knives feature sharp, semi-circle “hooks” behind the knife’s tip. The gut hook serves more than one purpose. For hunters and anglers, it helps open up the gut cavity of a kill by first making a small incision on the underside. Then, the gut hook is put into the small opening and pulled down like a zipper. This makes it easier and potentially faster to field dress game and dramatically reduces the chance of puncturing an internal organ. A gut hook is a utility tool for slicing cordage/rope on the utility side. A significant drawback to a gut hook is how difficult it can be to sharpen. Still, many hunters consider the gut hook feature a must-have when field dressing game. The Warthog Gut Hook File features a 600 Grit Diamond Rod, a blue composition handle with an oversized lanyard hole, measuring 7 1/4″ overall, and a 3 7/8″ Diamond Rod ideal for gut hook blades and large serrations.

The Original Muck Boot Company Men’s Apex Pro Vibram Arctic Grip All-Terrain Boot Review

We have been using Muck Boots for well over 20 years, and these new Apex Pro boots are some of the best we have had the chance to use and test. It all comes down to the simple look and feel of these boots. As well, we like the new Vibram Artic Grip All Terrain Outsole with the Vibram XS Trek Evo compound.

The new traction lug technology and the grip on these boots allow you to have the kind of adventures you want. This includes in any kind of winter conditions you might come into contact with such as ice, wet ice, scree, loose soil and hard pack snow and icy rocks. We tested these boots for the first time doing some snow blowing on an inclined driveway with a ½ inch of underlying ice below the snow.  We were able to hold traction and get our work done without slipping on the ice. 

The boot is built to be used as a little bit more of an active boot. Our initial thought was (and remains) to use these boots this winter as a do everything boot and also to use these for coyote hunting where we know we are going to be a little more active and we will be moving around and a lot more active. 

The grip on these boots have grit built directly into the rubber so it allows them to stick on ice and slippery surfaces which keeps you on your feet. The comfort of these boots is exceptional, and they are easy to slip on and off. Because of the rubber overlay on the front of these boots, they are not made to fold down, but they slip on and off so easily that it really isn’t something that you need. These boots look good and will work both over your pants and under your pants depending on the fit that you are looking for. Generally in ice and snow, I wear them over my pants. These boots are 100% waterproof so they will work well for ice fishing, hunting in snow and working around the farm in the winter.

An average of 88% of state white-tailed deer harvests occur on private land, according to the National Deer Association’s latest Deer Report, released today. Texas reported the highest rate of private-land deer harvest at 99% while Massachusetts reported the highest rate of public-land harvest at 43%.

“Most of America’s 600 million acres of public land are in the West, yet proportionally few hunters are residents of those states,” said NDA Chief Conservation Officer Kip Adams and one of the report’s authors. “Most whitetails live in the eastern states along with most hunters, and this new data underscores the conservation importance of habitat management and deer hunting on private land.”

NDA’s Deer Report is available for free download at this link.

NDA’s new Deer Report includes an estimated 2021-22 season deer harvest of more than 5.9 million, so it follows that an estimated 5.2 million of those whitetails were taken on private land compared to just over 700,000 on public land – more than seven times as many. Regionally the rate of private-land harvest included 93% in the Southeast, 91% in the Midwest, and 81% in the Northeast. Complete state-by-state data is available in the full report.

“This does not diminish the importance of public hunting land,” said Adams. “We need to acquire more public hunting land in the east, and we need to better manage the habitat on existing public land. But for hunter recruitment, herd management, and all the ways we want to protect and improve deer hunting, we need to understand most of those opportunities will be on privately owned acres.”

SEE HOW TROPHY GRAPH SYSTEMS IMPACTS THE FISHING DAY WITH THE GUYS FROM FISHING UNIVERSITY

Fishing University with Charlie Ingram will feature Trophy Graph Systems, a Rose Metal Products (RMP) brand, on the January 30th episode airing on both the Outdoor Channel and the World Fishing Network. In this segment, Trophy Graph Systems Johnny Christy and Art Pleinis fish with Charlie Ingram and Ray Brazier on Lake Wappapello near Poplar Bluff, Missouri. During the fishing trip, Christy demonstrates how utilizing their graph mounts can substantially increase anglers’ fishing time by effectively placing multiple graph systems on the bow of the boat. The ability to run Live Scope, a mapping program (chart plotter), and 360 Imaging, along with traditional sonar, gives elite anglers a competitive edge! 

Trophy Graph Systems started when Christy’s friend needed to mount two graphs on the front of his bass boat. RMP developed a mount, and according to Christy, “it took us three tries to get it right, and some of getting it right meant it was close. For some, it might have been close enough, but for us, it just wasn’t there.” They continued on the project until they developed the perfect fit. From there, word quickly spread and the Trophy Graph Systems brand was born. Trophy Graph Systems continued refining the product to build a system applicable to all bass anglers.

That first year of production, Johnny Christy and Art Pleinis attended the Bass Master Classic at Lake Ray Roberts in Ft Worth, Texas, with a couple of mounts, a table, and an RMP sign. People didn’t know who they were and thought RMP stood for Russel Marine Products. Wally Marshall (Mr. Crappie) stopped by their “booth.” According to Christy, Marshall looked over the mounting systems on display, looked at Christy and Pleinis, and commented, “Boys, what you have here looks pretty dang good, but you gotta look the part. You gotta get banners and flags. You have to look like professionals,” chuckles Christy! 

The beauty of Trophy Graph Systems is the ability to customize your boat graph solution to whatever configuration you might need. A modular system and different base mounts allow almost any layout imaginable. The systems are offered at very competitive prices and are both strong and durable, thus securely keeping precious electronics displays exactly where you need them. This is one of the reasons why Trophy Graph Systems always says you can confidently “Put your money where your MOUNT is!!” 

Last week, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Board of Directors (Board) welcomed new members to the Board rounding out a full slate of individuals representing various industries who all share in the mission of working with the Foundation’s leadership and staff to protect and advance our outdoor heritage. This latest round of members include Peder von Harten, President & CEO Nicholas Air; Brandon Maddox, Founder & CEO Silencer Central; and Vishak Sankaran, President Outdoor Accessories & Golf Vista Outdoor Inc. Together, these gentlemen not only bring decades of diverse experience to the CSF Board of Directors but also a deep passion for conservation and the sportsmen’s way of life.

“Just as the outdoor way of life is a tradition that is passed from generation to generation, so too is the privilege of serving on the CSF Board of Directors,” said Board Chairman Richard Childress. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with all of our new members, who will bring fresh perspectives from each of their industries to the Board of Directors.”

“The CSF Board of Directors provides crucial oversight and linkage between the Foundation and many of our Mission Partners,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “The addition of these new members will continue to strengthen the Board, and by extension, allow CSF to continue in its purpose as the most respected and trusted sportsmen’s organization in the political arena.”

Peder von Harten is the President of Nicholas Air, a rapidly growing, yet boutique private jet membership program based in Oxford, Mississippi. Additionally, he is also the Founder of Piper Ranch Media which helps brands manage growth strategies while also producing several publications devoted to the outdoor lifestyle, hunting, ranching, American heritage, and the rural way of life. Outside of work, Mr. von Harten is an active hunter, rancher, investor, and conservationist.

Brandon Maddox is the Founder and Owner of Silencer Central, a leader in the firearm sound suppression industry and one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Mr. Maddox is not only an accomplished business owner and investor, but he is also a passionate sportsman whose sound and recoil reduction products have helped enhance the experience for thousands of hunters and shooters.