Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Hunting vests are a necessary piece of gear.  The Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest is a leading-edge design delivering a highly functional yet minimalist spin on the Turkey hunting vest. The lightweight and versatile design are exceptional in its class, allowing hunters to choose between wearing a traditional vest or unclipping and converting the bottom half of the vest into a fanny pack.  

The Pursuit Convertible Vest guarantees the only extra weight hunters have to tote around will be the weight of a long beard in the rear roll-top game tote. The game tote has a multipurpose setup, as hunters can use it for extra clothing layers or equipment. This lightweight design doesn’t come at the expense of optimal storage options. The Pursuit Convertible Vest provides multiple pockets to keep the most utilized items nearby. A turkey’s vision is sharp, keeping hunters on their toes during a chase. The chest and side storage pockets allow minimal movements, which are critical to successfully harvesting a turkey. The chest pocket provides room for a rangefinder or cell phone, while the external Thermacell® pocket helps to keep from swatting unwanted insects away during a hunt.

The Pursuit Convertible Vest provides two friction and mouth call pockets, a box call pocket, and a locator sleeve. The zippered storage cargo pocket also has elastic loops to hold strikers and shotgun shells. Hunters can quickly fire off the call of their choice and locate a potential gobbler, all without reaching into far-away bags or pant pockets.

The Pursuit Convertible Vest has a double-padded, high-density foam cushion for optimal comfort, with magnetic closure. The magnetic closure is handy when making a quick move or changing the game plan during the hunt. The vest is available in two different Mossy Oak camo print options, the Mossy Oak Bottomland® or Mossy Oak Shadowleaf®. Both camo patterns have proven to blend hunters easily into the surrounding terrain.

Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest 

First Focal Plane Optical System and 34mm Main TubeMake for the Best Optic for Long-Range Shooting

Hawke® Optics, a world leader in quality sporting optics that perform outstanding in the field while maintaining optimum value for the consumer, knows that accuracy at any range requires an optic built with precision, clarity, and light transmission. The premium First Focal Plane Frontier riflescope line with 34mm main tubes is exactly what you need, and it is available to customers and dealers everywhere. The Frontier 34 FFP scopes were designed for extreme long-range shooters, or shooters looking for precision accuracy and a scope with maximum adjustment.

The Frontier 34 FFP riflescopes are available in either 3-18×50 or 5-30×56 with both configurations available with two FFP illuminated reticle options – Mil Pro Ext and MOA Pro Ext. These riflescopes give you up to 46 MRAD or 158 MOA, depending on your specific model, of elevation adjustment. They are truly unparalleled in high-end shooting optics. You have 11 levels of red illumination that light up the entire reticle, with off stops in between each level for quick access back to your preferred brightness.

As part of Hawke’s System H7 series, the Frontier 34 FFP are unmatched for clarity due to an outstanding 21 layers of advanced coatings on all glass surfaces, producing extremely high light transmission and the clearest field of view. The scope is built on a 34mm mono-tube chassis that is machined from high-grade aluminum for extreme durability and houses a side focus adjustment turret allowing you zero in on your target from close to extreme ranges. Hawke’s patented Zero, Lock ‘n Stop turrets are resettable, lockable and feature a built-in return to zero feature, providing you the flexibility to adjust to conditions in the field. The Frontier 34 FFP are the ultimate optic and contains features reserved for our most advanced riflescopes.

All Frontier 34 FFP models have 4-inches of eye relief and locking ocular focus. The magnification and parallax adjustments move smoothly, and the turret clicks can be felt and heard clearly at each individual click. All models utilize a removable throw lever. As with all Hawke scopes, they are fully water, shock and fog proof and nitrogen purged, and come with Hawke’s No Fault Lifetime Warranty. If you haven’t checked out these scopes, and you want to have the ultimate in ELR optics topping your rifle, what are you waiting for? Learn more at www.hawkeoptics.com.

Japanese-Inspired Blade Design and Tapered Handle Make for a Formidable Knife

Ontario Knife Company® (OKC®), the award-winning cutlery maker with more than 130 years of experience designing and creating blades for every need, has designed the new Stealth knife that carries easily and uses Japanese-inspired designs in the blade and handle to make for a multi-purpose tactical tool that flies under the radar, but packs a big punch.

The OKC Stealth has a 3.56-inch blade made of S35VN with 57-59 HRC hardness. S35VN is an extremely tough, high-quality steel which provides superior resistance to wear and chipping while delivering excellent, long-lasting edge retention. The blade has tight serrations for utility. The 9.13-inch overall-length knife has a full tang construction and is covered by a double black micarta handle with a scale pattern for extra grip. The knife handle ergonomics are extremely versatile and comfortable with a distinct taper for striking and shattering when the situation calls for it. The black nylon sheath is molle-compatible and carries easily. This is a superbly balanced and fast-handling knife that is perfect for any situation, from good to very, very bad.

The OKC Stealth has a 3.56-inch blade made of S35VN with 57-59 HRC hardness. S35VN is an extremely tough, high-quality steel which provides superior resistance to wear and chipping while delivering excellent, long-lasting edge retention. The blade has tight serrations for utility. The 9.13-inch overall-length knife has a full tang construction and is covered by a double black micarta handle with a scale pattern for extra grip. The knife handle ergonomics are extremely versatile and comfortable with a distinct taper for striking and shattering when the situation calls for it. The black nylon sheath is molle-compatible and carries easily. This is a superbly balanced and fast-handling knife that is perfect for any situation, from good to very, very bad.

For more information about Ontario Knife Company and its industry-leading line of advanced knives, machetes, edged products and specialty tools, contact Ontario Knife Company at P.O. Box 145-26 Empire Street · Franklinville, NY 14737 · Telephone (716) 676-5527 · Or visit www.ontarioknife.com. The Ontario Knife Company is a subsidiary of publicly traded Servotronics, Inc. (NYSE MKT – SVT).

The Nomad Pursuit Series paves the way for an innovative turkey hunting apparel line that provides hunters with comfort and concealment on every hunt. Top to bottom, the Pursuit Series has hunters covered with state-of-the-art technology. The Pursuit Series features everything from sun-protective and stain-resistant fabric to styles worn comfortably at every temperature.

Nomad’s Pursuit short-sleeve and long-sleeve designs were developed with spring days in mind as they offer hunters protection from harmful UV rays. Both shirt designs are essential pieces of a turkey hunter’s wardrobe, blocking UVA and UVB rays while providing a moisture-wicking fabric that transports sweat away from the skin. The tops make great layering tools on chilly mornings, but when the sun and temperatures rise during a hunt, they can also be worn alone. The anti-microbial properties of the designs make these styles workhorses for hunters, as the fabric prevents the spread of microorganisms during a harvest. This feature will come in handy for everything from packing out a long beard to processing the meat obtained.  

Like the Pursuit tops above, the Nomad Pursuit 1/4 Zip is another long-sleeve option that delivers hunters +UPF 30 SPF blocking damaging sun rays. The 1/4 zip design allows hunters to unzip the upper part of the garment when needing to cool off or get additional airflow. Hunters will value the garment’s anti-microbial and stain-resistance properties, as they can enjoy it on many future hunts. Constructed with a synthetic material that keeps any sweat off the skin, hunters will stay dry and cool when on a run-and-gun chase of a gobbler.

The Pursuit Pants are a must-have for every turkey hunter’s wardrobe this season. The lightweight 4-way stretch design makes chasing down those gobbles effortless, as hunters will have a complete range of motion. At the same time, the ever-adjust band and never-pop button keep pants fitted and secure during the hunt. Turkey hunters often are challenged with beating turkeys to an intended destination, and sometimes this comes with a lot of movement. All of the mentioned features keep the pant in place during an action-filled hunt. The articulated knees and anatomical shaping provide top performance and fit packed into one pair of pants.

The Pursuit Series is available in Mossy Oak Shadow leaf, Mossy Oak Bottomland®, and Realtree Timber®. 

As the seasons change, there’s no better time to spend quality time at your favorite camping spot with your family in the great outdoors.

When you’re preparing for a weekend out in the wild, you have to make sure you have everything you need, including food, water, sleeping bags, and sturdy tent and – of course – proper light sources.

While a campfire may be warm and cozy, it’s no match for some reliable, bright and easy-to-carry LED lighting products to keep you and your family safe during your camping excursion.

NEBO can help with their line of LED lights to help enhance outdoor time.

Such as the MYCRO Headlamp & Cap Light. It’s a rechargeable light that you can wear using an adjustable head strap or clip to your cap. The MYCRO has six light modes to illuminate the hiking trail or the campsite with 400 to 15 lumens of light, as well as an ultra-bright Turbo mode that will give you 30 seconds of light at 400 lumens.

Minneapolis trade unions hosted Union Sportsmen’s Alliance ice fishing event on East Rush Lake on Saturday

Spring Hill, Tenn.—Warm winter weather drew more than 100 youth and their families to East Rush Lake in Rush City, Minnesota, for the annual Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) Minneapolis Area Take Kids Ice Fishing Day on Saturday, March 4.

Hosted by the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC), International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 9, and a coalition of additional labor unions and other supporters, the free event aimed to introduce the next generation of anglers and conservationists to the joys of ice fishing.

“It was a great day on the lake—by far, the best event we’ve had,” said Dave Morin, an IUEC Local 9 officer and the event organizer.  “Every other year, we’ve had freezing rain, negative digits, six inches of snow—every condition except optimal. This year, we had beautiful weather, the kids caught lots of fish, everyone won a prize, and there were tons of smiles.”

Morin’s favorite part of the event was seeing a young girl catch her very first fish. “She was showing the perch off to everyone, kissing it, and telling everyone she wanted to put it on the wall. She was so proud,” he said.

Hunting is a grand tradition in America that is enjoyed and practiced by millions of people each year. But why is hunting such a popular sport? As well as being a fun and exciting sport, hunting also benefits natural resource management and wildlife. And that’s not all; the vast amount of money generated by hunting helps to support businesses and create jobs. 

Unfortunately, many people are put off taking up hunting as a sport as they believe that they do not fit the image of a hunter. The stereotypical image of a hunter is often a white male. However, while many hunters are white males, these aren’t the only individuals who enjoy this sport. People of all ages, genders, and ethnicities can enjoy hunting.

If you’re considering hunting and want to learn more about it, keep reading below. We’ve made a list of some things you need to know: 

Before you embark on your new hobby, you need to get a license. However, it’s not as simple as just applying for one. You need to enroll in a hunter education course first. The good news is that these courses are not only informative, but they’re also often a great deal of fun too. As well as this, they’re usually free or very cheap to purchase. You can find a hunter education course near you by searching your state’s game or wildlife commission website. 

Before purchasing a firearm in America, you need to ensure you have a license. Once you have this, you can search for the type of firearm you want. The type of firearm you need will depend on the type of animal you are hunting. For example, if you are hunting squirrels, a scoped .22 rifle is perfect. However, you might want to consider a shotgun if you’re hunting a moving target such as a bird or a rabbit. 

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.

Will Dantzler

Hometown:

Grew up in Dayton, Ohio. Now living in Indianapolis, Indiana.

How did you hear about the CMP, initially?

Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM) will lead efforts to increase brand awareness of the global company to new customers within the commercial markets in the US.

 Caracal USA, a leading international manufacturer of small arms for the law enforcement and defense markets, has partnered with Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM), a 20 year veteran of public relations and marketing communications within the shooting sports community, as part of the company’s strategy to build market share in the US commercial shooting sports market.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the marketing team for the Caracal USA brand,” Laura Burgess, president of LBM, commented. “This company has built its reputation on serving the world’s elite law enforcement and militaries, and now our efforts will focus on driving brand awareness to the concealed carry and self-defense markets, shooting sports competitors, and hunters in the US.”

“As part of our 2023 corporate strategy to increase brand awareness and visibility in the commercial market, while continuing to support our law enforcement and military markets, partnering with an industry veteran with a solid reputation for success is key,” Jeffrey Spalding, president and CEO of Caracal USA, added. “LBM will be instrumental to our success in the shooting sports community this year.”

Caracal USA, known for the CAR816A2 produced in the US, introduced several new products at the 2023 SHOT Show. First, the Enhanced F has been completely redefined and is currently being produced in Caracal USA’s new facility in Idaho and will be available in late spring. Additional new products include the Caracal Lynx DS, a 2011-style pistol available in three calibers, the Lynx DS Compact available in three calibers, the Lynx DS Versus designed for competition use and available in three calibers, the CMP9K fully ambidextrous semi-auto pistol, and the CSR 308 and 338 long-range precision rifles. Caracal USA’s new products will become available to dealers throughout 2023. 

AN ENTIRELY NEW ERA OF BRAIDED FISHING LINE HAS JUST ARRIVED!

“Affordable Innovation” has always been the KastKing rallying cry. Now, enter Hammer Braid—a truly new version of braided fishing line.  

Hammer Braid is colorfast, has nearly zero stretch, a higher knot strength, and better abrasion resistance than other brands on the market. It’s everything you want in a premium braided line and precise for any angling condition. 

How is it different? It’s what happens to the fibers prior to the braiding process that sets Hammer Braid apart. Individual fibers are treated utilizing an engineered proprietary coating (EPC) process that provides multiple benefits.

“We’re pre-coloring the fibers prior to braiding, which gives us a much more color-fast product,” says KastKing product development specialist Rex Nelson. “Most companies are coloring the product as a post-braid treatment, but we’ve found the color really sets better within the individual fibers when treating prior to braiding and allows the color to be more permanently locked.” The end result is a braid that holds its color longer than competitive braids.

BHA’s donation will go to the WWF’s Hunters for the Hungry Program to help educate hunters on how they can participate in the program and teach them how to donate meat to H4H for food-insecure communities.

Big Horn Armory (BHA), makers of big-bore firearms, will be donating $3,500 to the Wyoming Wildlife Federation (WWF) to help support its Hunters for the Hungry Program (H4H). This donation will help educate hunters on how they can participate in the program and teach them how to donate meat to H4H for food-insecure communities.

“Since we’ve partnered with WWF in 2020, we’ve been able to donate $8,500 that has been used to educate hunters and support meat donation to food-insecure families within Wyoming. We are happy to work with such a worthy cause that helps impact our fellow citizens of Wyoming,” commented Greg Buchel, president of Big Horn Armory.

WWF’s H4H Program began in the fall of 2018. H4H is looking to deepen its hunter donations with its incredible partnering processors in Lander and Jackson, WY in the future. Over the last four years, over 14,100 meals have been donated through the program to food-insecure communities.

“The continued support of Big Horn Armory and their customers is immense for WWF’s ability to communicate within the Hunters for the Hungry network. We have been able to reach more hunters in specific locales about this opportunity to donate game meat because of the past support of Big Horn Armory,” commented Wyoming Wildlife Federation’s Executive Director, Joy Bannon.

C&H Precision Weapons – a leader in the industry of mounting pistol optics – has a storied history of use in the hands of many DoD and agency hands. The FBI has used C&H as their optics mounting plate for many years. These mounting plates can accommodate an entirely different optic footprint by taking the older pistol slides and upgrading them. This begs the question,” is it good enough for me, a consumer?”

Many individuals know that the military often contracts with the lowest bidder. Mil-Spec is usually a nice way of saying “cheap,” but not many corners are cut regarding internal and external law enforcement agencies. C&H Precision is used by many of the nation’s elite law enforcement agencies. One of the largest federal law enforcement agencies is the FBI. 

The Bureau’s needs are broad. There are many considerations when it comes to pistols and optics mounts. Not only do the mounts need to meet the Bureau requirements, but they also need to meet the needs of an individual user. Anyone who carries in the field must be comfortable with the optic and mounting on their pistol. Because of the diverse environments, optics and mounting plates must be incredibly rugged and durable. This goes far beyond the nomenclature of “mil-spec.” The FBI isn’t restricted to budget like the military, so quality takes precedence over cost.

Looking more closely into C&H Precision Weapons, it’s easy to see that the same standard of excellence necessary for FBI use is found in all consumer products. Because there is no differentiation between Bureau use, each mounting plate is built to the same standard. So, the question remains: if CHPW is good enough for the FBI, is it good for me? At this point, that’s a no-brainer. As C&H is the industry standard, it’s easy to rely comfortably on the proven and effective mounting options from C&H Precision Weapons.

Options on firearm platforms and optics can be reviewed at: https://chpws.com/product-category/slide-milling/

Long-range shooters now have the stability and flexibility they have been searching for, and it presents itself in one small tactical bipod. The Swagger Bipods SFR10 was designed for long-range hunting, competition shooting, and long-range shooting. The SFR10’s adjustable flex tension technology allows shooters to fine-tune the flexibility to their situational needs.

The SFR10 model features Modular Leg Technology that allows each leg’s active tension to create a desired range of motion. When shooting at the range or during a competitive situation, flexibility allows transitioning from target to target while shooting from a bench or prone position. Bench shooters did not favor the traditional stiff bipod that had to be picked up and moved between each target. The flexibility of the SF10 allows for a smoother transition while keeping a solid rest to make the shot. If shooting longer range, the SFR10 (Flex to Rigid – Quick Detach) allows shooters to go from a flexible bipod to a solid rest with a push of a button. 

One main feature that sets the SFR10 apart from the competition is the ability to quickly acquire a target and load while still tracking that target in any terrain. Predator hunters, prairie dog hunters, and many others have raved over the effectiveness of the SFR10s while in the field because of their mobility and the ability to remove the bipod quickly when needed.

Whether a hunter, a competitive shooter, or someone who simply likes shooting, the one feature that all shooters can agree sets the SFR10 apart from anything that Swagger has ever developed before is the ability to stay flexible yet be quickly set to a locked down in a rigid position.

SFR10 – Field to Range adjusts from 6” to 10.5.”

Get ready to set sail for the 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show! Owned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) and produced by Informa Markets, the 41st annual Palm Beach International Boat Show will take place Thursday, March 23 through Sunday, March 26. The event will be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, located directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from the island of Palm Beach. Tickets are available for purchase now through March 26.  

“As the proud owners of the Palm Beach International Boat Show, we are thrilled about the new things to do and see at the boat show this year,” said Alyssa Freeman, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County. “MIAPBC is grateful for the longtime community support and its partnership with Informa Markets, which has created a first-class boat show with more than a $1 billion economic impact.”

This year’s boat show will feature new and exciting activities that will provide visitors, exhibitors, and the entire West Palm Beach community with a memorable weekend. The 2023 event will showcase hundreds of boats ranging from 8-foot inflatables to superyachts nearly 300 feet in length. Among this year’s notable debuts is the 92-year-old Honey Fitz, a prestigious, 93-foot wooden yacht that has been used by five U.S. presidents: Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and – most notably – President John F. Kennedy. Also making its debut is the latest in yachting from Benetti, showcasing the M/Y “Calex,” a bespoke, 220-foot yacht with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure. Nautical Ventures will also debut several products ranging from the innovative Axopar 45 XC to the Windy SR44 SX. 

“As we round out the 2023 winter boat show season, we are excited to return to downtown West Palm Beach to celebrate the 41stannual Palm Beach International Boat Show,” said Andrew Doole, president of U.S. Boat Shows with Informa Markets. “From the fan favorite AquaZone to the Windward VIP Club, this year’s boat show will bring incredible fun and relaxation for the whole family to enjoy.”

Activities throughout the show will cater to people of all ages who are adventure seekers and passionate about the marine and yachting industry. These one-of-a-kind experiences include:

Competitive kayak angler and musician Abby Abbondanza joins influential Z-Team

Admittedly, Abby Abbondanza’s a pretty cool name for a musician. So maybe it’s a moniker more befitting a heavy metal rockstar than a country singer. Then again, country crosses over into rock, pop and other genres; perfectly appropriate for a songwriter, professional angler and salt-of-the-earth gentleman who’s reinvented himself as a successful kayak fishing competitor.

When he’s not slinging ChatterBaits® or ElaZtech® soft plastics, new Z-Man pro-staffer Chris “Abby” Abbondanza still strums an awfully impressive six-string. Original frontman of country crooners the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, Abbondanza and bandmates produced three acclaimed studio albums, including 2006 single “Mr. Right Now,” which held the #2 spot on GAC’s video chart for fifteen weeks straight.

Eventually, the group disbanded, but Abby never stopped writing, performing and releasing solo albums—and certainly, he never stopped fishing. Today, he continues performing his own style of country music to audiences all over the northeast. But ask him what’s more important, singing or fishing, and his answer speaks for itself. “Put it this way. I schedule my concert calendar around fishing tournament dates, not the other way around,” Abby says with a welcoming grin. Three years ago, Abbondanza, a Pennsylvania native who lives within a few hours of Lake Erie, sold his bass boat to tackle competitive kayak fishing full-time.

“Several years back, my buddy Adam Milstead, who’s an ex-UFC fighter and a big dude like me, got me into kayak,” he recalls. “At first, I figured someone my height (Abby’s 6’4”) would have trouble in a kayak. Actually, it’s just the opposite, and now, a kayak’s my favorite way to stalk bass. The stealth and human-powered parts of the sport just add to the appeal. And the people on circuits like the Hobie BOS—including my good friend and fellow Z-Man pro Jody Queen—make up an awesome community of anglers. We’re a friendly bunch who like to share in each other’s successes and just have a good time. Sometimes, Jody and I will sit and just jam on our guitars for a while. Fishing and music are good for the soul, man.”

TALLADEGA, Ala. – On Feb. 23, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) hosted its first installment of the new Talladega Quarterly Matches, with great success. Over 90 competitors attended the inaugural event, which featured both rifle and pistol outdoor competitions.

“The matches went great, and we had a good crowd!” said Jim Henderson, CMP pistol coordinator. “For our first Talladega Quarterly, we had 15-plus people for each of the EIC matches! It was good to see not only the .22 and Service Pistol EICs well attended, but the Revolver EIC was too!”

Those who earn Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) points are on their way to earning a Distinguished Badge – a prestigious honor in the marksmanship community. The Talladega Quarterly lineup allows ample opportunities to earn those points, comprised of such competitions as the Service Rifle EIC matches along with Service Pistol, .22 Rimfire and Service Revolver Pistol EIC events. Other competitions like the 80-Shot and Mid-Range matches add even more chances for guests to find fun challenges on the range.

“I certainly see these Quarterly matches as being a great place to pick up EIC points in the future,” Henderson added.

A Rifle Marksmanship 101 training class was also held during the Talladega Quarterly event (led by members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit) and included an accompanying M16 EIC Rifle match. In February, Todd Chandler, 58, of Mobile, AL, reached a score of 385-15X for the overall win, as James Diehl, 61, of Hardinsburg, KY, earned his 4 introductory EIC points in the match with his third-place finish. Also earning introductory points were Richard Young, 75, of Marietta, GA, and Steven Irvan, 40, of Gilbertsville, KY.

Fiocchi, a global leader in defensive, target, and hunting ammunition, pushes its centerfire rifle offerings to the next level with the introduction of the all-new Knock Down series. Presented in a wide range of the most popular hunting calibers, Fiocchi Knock Down blends premium components with a precision-engineered monolithic bullet for decisive terminal performance on big game.

Part of Fiocchi’s EnviroShield technology, Knock Down ammunition centers on an all-copper hollow point bullet. Profiled for maximum accuracy and speed, this bullet delivers controlled expansion for penetration into the toughest game animals while ensuring the kind of energy transfer needed for a devastating punch.

Adding to that punch is Fiocchi’s proprietary powder, which burns clean, hot, and consistent for reliable accuracy and high velocities to ensure point-of-aim/point-of-impact performance on those long-distance shots. Reduced fouling and faster bore cleanup are two additional advantages the Knock Down brings to the discerning hunter.

Fiocchi Knock Down is offered in the following calibers/bullet weights:

For more information about Fiocchi ammunition, visit FiocchiUSA.com.

Brownells unveiled the BRN-180SH complete upper – the newest addition to the popular BRN-180 line – announcing it at the IWA Outdoor Classics show in Nuremberg, Germany.

Chambered in 300 Blackout, the BRN-180SH has 10.5” barrel with 5/8-24 muzzle threads, and a gas system with three settings –unsuppressed, suppressed, and off.

The BRN-180SH retails for $999.

With the gas system turned completely off, the upper is converted into “single shot” mode, virtually eliminating sound produced by gases escaping through the ejection port or by the bolt carrier group cycling.

When fired with a suppressor attached and the gas system turned off, the BRN-180SH in single-shot is even more quiet than a BRN-180S.

“May your troubles be less. And your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door.” And, in case you want more than luck, how about a chance to win over $12K in the Spartan Armor Systems® St. Patrick’s Giveaway?

Spartan Armor Systems®, manufacturers of American-designed and made body armor, tactical gear, and targets, have partnered with some of the top tactical companies to offer over $12,000 worth of gear in five prize packages for its St. Patrick’s Giveaway. Spartan Armor Systems has partnered with Cloud Defensive, Emerson Knives, Riflespeed, VIKTOS, Real Avid, and IWI for the giveaway. Entrants have a chance to win top-of-the-line body armor, knives, and an array of must-have gear in one of five prize packages, including a TAVOR X95 rifle from IWI.

Must be 18 or older to win, and prizes cannot be redeemed for cash value. Winners will be notified via email and have seven days to claim their prize. This giveaway is not sponsored by Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or any other social media platform. You will need to enter your name and email to start the entry process and use any of the 25 entry methods for your chance to win. The Spartan Amor Systems St. Patrick’s Giveaway ends March 17, 2023.

Check out Spartan Armor Systems 2023 Catalog and the extensive line-up of instructional, informative, and testimonial videos.  Also, visit and follow Spartan Armor Systems’ Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages.

About Spartan Armor Systems®:

Written by Bethany Beathard

Spring time will be upon us soon, which means gobbler chasing weekends. If you want to increase your chances of turkey harvesting success, consider investing in a turkey decoy. The purpose of using decoys is to lure in a wild tom turkey. Decoy manufactures continue to produce realistic designs. According to Audubon bird studies, turkeys have excellent eyesight. They are able to see three times more clearly than 20/20 vision. Additionally, they can also see in color and have a 270-degree field of vision. This provides them an upper hand on both predators and hunters. It can be challenging when trying to choose the right turkey decoy for you. Be sure to research the states regulations regarding the use of decoys prior to purchasing. First and foremost decide on how much you are willing to invest and set your budget. Consider the terrain and time of season you will be hunting. Scouting the turkey’s behavior in your local setting will be a benefit.

Most Realistic Tom: Avian-X HDR Strutter

You get what you pay for here, as far as realism and durability. Avian-X has created a life-like, high quality design. These decoys are made up of a molded dura-rubber material with non-chip paint. They are collapsible; yet, not the fastest to deploy in a hurry. This tom features a versatile design. You can exchange the heads between worked up tom’s red, white and blue display or a relaxed tom’s solid white head. Avian-X really added to the versatility with this bird. The adjustable synthetic tail fan and beard allow you to transform the decoy from tom to jake. This heavy-duty construction will really increase the longevity of use over multiple seasons. The cons are these decoys tend to be on the bulkier side and are an expensive investment.  

Most Realistic Hen decoy: Avian-X HDR Hen or Avian-X HDR Heavy-Duty Feeder Hen

Avian-X has really put in the work creating versatile hen designs. First, the Avian-X HDR Hen, is perfect for tempting aggressive, dominant toms. This decoy includes 2 removable head designs, resting and active. Next, the Avian-X HDR Heavy-Duty Feeder Hen, showcases a relaxed hen, easily inviting on-looking toms. Both hen decoys showcase enhanced flocking and realistic paint detail, adding to the realism. Again, Avian-X has made another collapsible decoy to withstand years of use. However, these decoy are still expensive and not the most compact design.

Most Realistic and Budget Friendly Set: Primos Hunting Lil Gobstopper Hen and Jake Combo

Primos really did a good job producing an affordable decoy combo. The set can be paired together or used separately giving you variety in your hunting set up. The use of authentic colors and posturing of these birds really set a realistic unintimidating setting. Nonetheless, gobblers cannot stand seeing a jake take their place next to a mature hen. The small design and collapsible feature really makes for a convenient choice for on the go hunters. With the price point landing around $60 you really cannot go wrong. Primos set you up to get the job done with this budget friendly duo. A con here is the use of plastic stakes, you may consider upgrading to a heavier duty metal stake. Even with an upgraded replacement you would be well under budget.

Most Economical: RedHead Foam Turkey Decoy 3-Pack

If you do not want to make a big investment, the RedHead Foam Decoy 3-Pack is the way to go. These are a simple foam set that come with a two-piece metal step-on stake. RedHead offers 3 different poses and lifelike painted feather detailing. The three of them together provide a perfect flock to attract that long beard you are waiting for. This set is light-weight, inexpensive and easily packable. If you have been on the fence, purchasing these decoy would be a perfect introduction without the large investment. However, the cons are they are not as realistic, the foam is not very durable and the longevity of use is uncertain.