Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Now in its third year of support for the youth shooting sports, TETRA Hearing has renewed its Silver Sponsorship of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP). Founded by professional audiologists, TETRA Hearing products are built from the ground up with proprietary software and hardware to give a unique edge to to clay target athletes.

‘The Scholastic Clay Target Program was built on a foundation of being a part of something bigger. Our partnership with SCTP goes two-fold, as supporting young athletes while stressing the need for wearing hearing protection at an early age will lead to a healthier lifestyle. The Scholastic Clay Target Program provides student athletes  with a supportive environment where shooting sports serve as a catalyst for teaching important life lessons and skills that foster the type of character we can most certainly support. Together our goal is to protect ears today, so together we can #HearTheHunt tomorrow.” –Dr. Bill Dickinson, AuD (Owner/Co-Founder of TETRA Hearing™)

“As a youth development program focused on shooting sports, safety is our number one focus,” said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. “Of course, hearing protection is an absolute in all shooting sports and we are very thankful to continue a relationship with TETRA Hearing for a third year. Speaking with Bill and the team at TETRA about the technology found in their products is incredibly fascinating and we are very thrilled to have such passionate folks supporting our program.”

TETRA Hearing continues to support the SCTP year-round, with the season culminating at the National Championships each July. In direct support of SCTP athletes, teams, and families, the TETRA Hearing team was on the ground at Nationals last year and sat down with the SCTP’s podcast to discuss the science behind hearing protection:

Listen Now on the Rangetime Podcast

Federal Ammunition adds the Force X2 Shorty Shotshell to the line of Premium Personal Defense Shotshells. The Force X2 Shorty is designed for use in firearms capable of cycling sub-length shotshells. This new 12-gauge 1 ¾-inch shotshell allows for higher magazine capacity with up to twice the wound channels over traditional buckshot pellets. This new product is currently shipping to dealers.

“Shotgun platforms are evolving to be able to cycle 1 ¾-inch shells reliably. The Mossberg 590S is a great example of that,” said Jesse Whiteside, Federal’s Senior Director of Product Management. “When Mossberg demonstrated the new gun to us, we immediately saw the potential of the increased capacity and terminal effects of Shorty Force X2 load.”

The Force X2 Shorty packs a punch with six-pellet 00 copper plated segmenting buckshot. Each pellet is designed to split in half on impact. This allows the loads to have double the wound channels while reducing the risk of collateral damage from over penetration.

“The concept behind Force X2 is pretty straightforward. In a 6-pellet 00 FX2 Buck load you get 12 wound channels,” continued Whiteside. “And with the short size, you get more magazine capacity. It’s as simple as that.”

Joining a full line of proven Federal Premium Personal Defense Shotshells, the Force X2 Shorty carries the same quality and performance expected by users. When repeatability is needed, the Force X2 Shorty is designed with manageable recoil.

Barnett is honored to accept the 2021 Shooting Sports Retailer Gold Award in the category of crossbows. Published by the Grandview Outdoors, Shooting Sports Retailer is the most trusted shooting magazine in the nation.

The Shooting Sports Retailer Gold Award acknowledges the finest products available in shooting sports. The winners are selected by a committee consisting of editors, graphic designers and veteran Grandview Outdoors Publications staff, representing more than a century of collective experience in the shooting and hunting industry. To qualify for consideration for a Gold Award, a product must have been:

“We are thrilled and humbled to receive this award,” says David Barnett, President of Barnett Outdoors. “Our team takes pride in offering a quality product at an affordable price for our core consumers. This recognition from Shooting Sports Retailer is greatly appreciated.”

The award will be announced in the June issue of Shooting Sports Retailer, recognizing Barnett’s accomplishment.

About Barnett Crossbows

SK Customs pays tribute to Haka Ka Mate with the launch of The HAKA, part two of a two-part limited-edition production designer series Colt 1911.

HAKA Ka Mate pre-dates the 19th Century and is defined as a Warriors Mantra; an expression consisting of every part of the body. Today Haka is performed in many reverences most predominately by the New Zealand Champion National Rugby Club and in other arrays throughout the world in both a ceremonial and threatening show of force through rhythmic moving of the body. 

“The Haka is a ceremonial dance in Māori culture and represents a display of a tribe’s pride, strength and unity,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns and SK Customs. “As we continue to release limited-edition firearms, we will continue to pay tribute to traditions and cultures from around the world.”

This final iteration of The HAKA is presented on a Full-Size Colt Classic 1911 Series 70 .38 Super and comes in a high polish stainless steel frame, slide and accents. The HAKA also features:

The HAKA comes with a limited-edition series number from 001 of 200 etched in 24K gold behind the right slide serrations. The HAKA is the final legacy of this two-part limited-edition designer series with The MANA distinguishing the series.

Employees Join The Great Outdoors Fund and Grant Recipient for Georgia Trail-Rehabilitation Project

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, marked the 14th anniversary of the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI)  with an employee volunteer event in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, helping The Great Outdoors Fund fulfill its OAI grant project on the Oakey Mountain OHV trail system. In a fitting celebration of the OAI program awarding more than $5 million in grant funding to date, a contingent of employees and volunteers joined the effort north of Yamaha’s motorsports headquarters and factory in Georgia to clean up and restore an area decommissioned to public motorized access.

“It’s immensely gratifying to help communities and improve rider access across the nation through Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative, especially when seeing a consistently positive outcome after the program’s fourteen years of dedication and determination,” said Mike Martinez, president of Motorsports at Yamaha, who led the company’s attendance at the event on April 30, 2022. “When grant recipients are local and our employees can provide hands-on assistance, like on the Oakey Mountain trail in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, it only further reinforces the vital need to keep our nation’s public lands open for all to enjoy through the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative.”

The 2022 Yamaha OAI program is underway and riding clubs, land stewardship associations, and public land managers are encouraged to work together with Yamaha dealers to identify projects and apply for support.

“With the demand for these spaces being at an all-time high, the resources and energy required to protect, maintain, and improve access to public land has never been greater,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager. “Therefore, we strive to make it an easy process to receive the necessary assets through the Yamaha OAI program to fulfill projects and keep trails open; from our perspective, the sooner we get the funds working on the ground, the quicker the impact on what matters most.”

By Kristine Ostertag

Crappies are America’s favorite panfish. Anglers from North to South often spend the early part of their seasons pursuing these bountiful and tasty targets as they make their annual movements into the shallows to feed and then spawn. Here are some tips that will help you enjoy Nature’s most perfect panfish, both on the line and as guests of honor at the dinner table. 

The Catch

You’ll probably wonder where to even begin to look for crappies as you hit the lake early in the season. Water temperatures, food sources, and available cover are the key factors to consider. In early Spring, crappies move from their winter spots and slowly transition into shallow water, beginning this transition once the water warms to 55 to 60 degrees. Flats adjacent to wintering holes or along weed edges 10 to 12 feet deep are great places to look. As the water continues to warm, you’ll find crappies moving into muddy weedy bays as they are there to feed. The mud provides bugs and attracts small baitfish, while the dark bottom keeps the water warmer. You should also consider trying the areas near the mouths of small rivers and creeks that feed into the lake. As spring progresses, crappies will start moving into their spawning areas. They need a firm bottom for nest building, generally with cover such as brush, timber, or weeds and frequently near deeper water. In muddy or stained water, crappies may spawn in the extreme shallows, while they may spawn slightly deeper in clear water. Typically crappies will spawn when water temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees. 

Be mobile when searching for early-season crappies. Use search baits like spinners and road runners with small plastic swimbaits or grubs, or even small panfish-sized crankbaits. Trolling can also be very effective in locating spring crappies. Once you find fish, you can spend more time in that area and use a bobber with a jig tipped with a minnow or small plastic. A 7-foot, Light power, Extra Fast action Shimano Sensilite spinning rod paired with a 1000-series  Shimano Nasci FC reel is a terrific combo for crappie fishing, whether you’re covering water in search mode or setting up in one spot with bobbers and bait. 

Team Remington continues to compete on the highest level as team members put on spectacular performances in the U.S. Open Sporting Clays Tournament that took place May 16-22, 2022, at the Back Woods Quail Club in Georgetown, South Carolina. Madison Sharpe, Wendell Cherry, Todd Hitch and Reanna Frauens all claimed top spots in their events.

The event hosted the nation’s top shooters across a variety of categories where multiple Team Remington shooters had the chance to compete on the main stage. 

Madison Sharpe, a South Carolina native, won High Lady in the Beretta Main Event with a score of 169. She was one of 130 competitive shooters in the event. Not only did Sharpe capture HOA in Ladies, but she was also HOA in the Juniors division.

Other winners include:

“This was a huge weekend for Team Remington, and it goes without saying that we are thrilled to once again see Big Green on the podium,” said Mike Hampton, Team Remington Manager. “This is a great example of just how much talent is out in the field showcasing Remington Ammunition and our shooter’s ability to finish at the top against the best of the best.”

Part one of a four-part series featuring Shimano and G. Loomis pros discussing bass fishing techniques

The legendary Bienville Plantation in Florida was taken over by Bassmaster Elite Pros who had their boats full of brand new Shimano rods, reels and tackle to try out. We spent two days with four different anglers to get their takes on the new gear, how they target big bass, and whether or not they like it when alligators get close to the boat! This is part 1 of a 4 part series.

Pro Angler Josh Douglas breaks down his favorite approach for prespawn bass using square bill crankbaits, including the new Shimano Macbeth. He shows us how he tweaks his presentation a bit to trigger strikes during a cold front. 

Shimano leverages a century of tackle design excellence to craft the new Macbeth series of freshwater lures. Bass fanatics can wield a comprehensive array of meticulously-designed crankbaits to dissect the shallows and land their next trophy. Six distinct designs couple exceptional wobbling action, precision internal weight placement, and intricately-tuned diving lips with ten strike-provoking color patterns to help Macbeth lures grab the attention of oversized bass. Look for the entire Macbeth family at authorized Shimano retailers soon. 

Versatile EDC Leather Options for Everyone

FALCO® Holsters, globally recognized as “The Gun Holsters Company” and renowned for their distinctive approach of using one artisan in the production of each leather holster from beginning to end, proudly announces their holster line fits more than 3,000 models of handguns and 40-plus lights and lasers.

According to FALCO Holsters CEO Róbert Kováč, “Choosing a holster for your firearm is crucial for safe, responsible everyday carry. Especially for the millions of new gun owners in the U.S. who need a little extra help finding the perfect fit for their firearms. The custom-fitted design of FALCO leather holsters offers comfort, convenience, and most importantly, safety.”

There are many factors to consider when choosing a holster, but three of the most important are; a covered trigger guard, sufficient retention, and a design that provides safe re-holstering. “No one should have to compromise for a universal holster style that doesn’t meet every one of those requirements,” Kováč stated. “At FALCO, we believe every gun owner deserves an exceptionally crafted, custom-fitted holster specific to their firearm. And that it should be delivered fast,” he said.

FALCO Leather Holsters

By Eukanuba’s Pet Health and Nutrition Center

Give a pointer, setter, shorthair or Lab a choice between working or taking a nap, odds are they’ll take work at every opportunity. Handlers are in it to win it today, but they’ve got an eye on tomorrow as well.

Bird dogs and retrievers can be seemingly strong as steel if they’ve been forged to handle elevated work levels. Pre-season conditioning helps dogs run for longer periods of time. Regularly exercised dogs develop strong, powerful muscles and cardiovascular systems that help them run long and hard. Conditioning also helps support mental sharpness to keep hard-charging dogs focused on the tasks at hand. Dogs that are in good physical and mental shape are more likely to recover faster than out-of-shape dogs.

But even the best conditioned dogs can tire over time. Their energy levels can drop and their mental sharpness can soften. Some of their fatigue may come from oxidative stress and the buildup of free radicals. Free radicals, the by-product of strenuous activity, are a normal part of a dog’s everyday life. Increased workload results in more free radicals being released in the dog’s body. Large amounts of free radicals can slow down the rebuilding of cells lost during rigorous exercise. By reducing free radical production, dogs may recover more quickly.

That’s where nutrition can play an important role in positively impacting post-exercise recovery of hard-working dogs. Antioxidants like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, lutein, beta-carotene and taurine, among others help reduce oxidative stress and free radicals. In a study* of Iditarod dogs, the ones that run a 938-mile course across 8 to 15 days, the results found that dogs with a higher pre-race plasma Vitamin E concentration were twice as likely to finish the race.

Recovery from daily work and training is important for a dog to work at his peak. Proper conditioning and optimal nutrition are both important for the recovery process. Nutrition that contains antioxidants like Eukanuba’s Premium Performance line aids post-exercise recovery times and helps prepare dogs to perform at their peak tomorrow.

GALLS®’s recent acquisition of U.S. Patriot Tactical unites the two of the largest multi-channel distributors in the U.S. Military individual market.

GALLS®, the nation’s leading supplier serving America’s public safety professionals, proudly announces the completion of a major acquisition of U.S. Patriot Tactical (“USP”). USP, a military and law enforcement supplier, operates over 63 retail stores worldwide, providing products and gear for U.S. Military service members, law enforcement professionals, and tactical operators.

“After decades of successfully servicing the Public Safety sector, GALLS entered the Military individual market in 2017,” Mike Fadden, CEO of GALLS, explained. “The recent acquisition of U.S. Patriot Tactical will give us a combined 77 years of experience serving Public Safety and U.S. Military professionals. GALLS and USP will have the premier sales and service capabilities in the industry.”

U.S. Patriot Tactical founder, Phil Dee stated, “My family founded U.S. Patriot in 2000 to meet the needs of soldiers at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and over the past 22 years we have grown into one of the world’s largest military retailers. We now look forward to joining forces with GALLS, the top distributor of public safety uniforms and equipment nationwide, and together we will continue to serve the military community for years to come.”

Since 1983, GALLS has operated a national distribution network for public safety, law enforcement, and local, state, and national government agencies. The company provides customized, mission-critical uniforms, safety equipment and related gear for law enforcement, fire, EMS, private security, corrections, federal, military and postal professionals.

Bettinsoli USA, importer of high-end Italian shotguns has renewed as a supporter of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), a youth development program. SCTP athletes have already begun to excel with Bettinsoli competition shotguns. With forged materials built to take high round counts from youth athletes, Bettinsoli product offerings such as the Grand Prix, Omega Sport, and Diamond Deluxe are quickly gaining popularity in the competitive clay target world.

“We are extremely happy to continue our support and be involved with the largest youth shooting program in the country,” said Nick Stratman, Co-Owner of Bettinsoli USA. “Programs like SCTP are the bedrock and future of the shooting sports. We applaud these folks for getting our youth involved and keeping them involved for years to come, carrying on and passing down a long tradition of clay target shooting here in the US!”

The SCTP is excited to see Bettinsoli USA and BOSS LLC be a part of the Skeet Doubles competition this year by awarding a brand new Bettinsoli Omega Sport to one lucky individual from the Skeet Doubles competition. Eight athletes will be chosen (by score) from the Skeet Doubles competition shot on Friday, July 15th and will be invited to shoot a round of Make A Break on Saturday, July 16th in front of the grandstands. These eight shooters will all shoot a Bettinsoli shotgun, with the top shooter winning the brand new Bettinsoli Omega Sport, compliments of Bettinsoli and BOSS LLC!

“Bettinsoli USA has been a sponsor of our program going on 2 years now and we are thrilled with their enthusiastic support,” said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. Nick and the rest of the team at Bettinsoli USA recognizes our youth development program as an opportunity to make a difference. They have quickly capitalized on that opportunity and have begun to see our athletes win with Bettinsoli shotguns! We are focused on building a long-lasting relationship with Bettinsoli USA, a true supporter of youth shooting sports.”

About the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is 501(c)(3) public charity responsible for all aspects of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) across the United States. SCTP and SASP are youth development programs in which adult coaches and other volunteers use shooting sports to teach and to demonstrate sportsmanship, responsibility, honesty, ethics, integrity, teamwork, and other positive life skills.

Federal Ammunition is proud to congratulate legendary shooter, hunter, author, mother, and U.S. Army veteran Julie Golob on an excellent performance at the 2022 Bianchi Cup. Competitors from throughout the United States and worldwide attended the event, which is the Action Pistol National Championships and International Tournament, held at Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club near Columbia, Missouri, May 25-27, 2022. Golob took home the Women’s Team Gold Medal and was the Women’s Silver Medalist. She placed 20th Overall in the Open Division.

“After a challenging 2 years of contending with COVID-19, this sport is building back up to pre-pandemic attendance, which is great to see,” said Golob. “The event consisted of four courses of fire: Practical, Barricades, Falling Plates, and Moving Target. The match tests extreme accuracy and speed. Unlike many other action shooting sports, Bianchi is unique in that there is a perfect score. It allows you to track your progress and test yourself against the best shooters in the world.”

“We at Federal congratulate Julie on her recent wins in Missouri,” said Federal Vice President of Marketing Jason Nash. “Julie and Federal have been partners for many years. She has done excellent work for us, promoting our brand and products. Especially this year with her efforts in helping us produce our ‘It’s Federal Season’ podcast. We thank her for all she does for us, on and off match stages.”

“I rely on Federal Premium components and use a custom load tuned for my Open Division action pistol that starts with high quality Federal brass and incredibly reliable Federal primers,” Golob said. “Their products build confidence in my performance.”

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

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation is gearing up for the 12th National Wild Turkey Symposium next week in Asheville, North Carolina. 

Co-hosted by the NWTF and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the Symposium will assemble expert ecology researchers, academia, state and federal agencies, wildlife professionals and all-around wild turkey enthusiasts, all in the name of wild turkey conservation.

Areas of emphasis during the Symposium will include wild turkey habitat selection and movements, harvest dynamics, disease ecology, nesting ecology, population dynamics and human dimensions of turkey hunting.

“The National Wild Turkey Symposia have been essential in the wild turkey restoration story,” said Mark Hatfield, NWTF director of conservation services. “Just as it was when those first researchers assembled decades ago, sharing ideas and novel research is just as important today as we address population declines and many other questions surrounding wild turkey ecology.”

Since 1959, the National Wild Turkey Symposia have provided a platform for managers, researchers and academia to present current research updates on wild turkey ecology. 

ATN Corp. accepted the 2021 SSR Choice Gold Award in the Night Vision/Thermal Category, as well as the 2022 NRA Golden Bullseye Award for the ATN ThOR 4 Thermal Riflescope during the annual tradeshow.

ATN, Corp., an industry leader in innovative optics for civilians, law enforcement, and the military, was honored to receive two awards during the 2022 NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, May 27 – 29, 2022. The ATN Corp. team received the  Shooting Sports Retailer 2021 SSR Choice Gold Award in the Night Vision/Thermal category, as well as the 2022 NRA Golden Bullseye Award for the ATN ThOR 4 Thermal Riflescope, named the American Hunter Optic of the Year.

Shooting Sports Retailer is the most respected and one of the longest-standing B2B brands in the shooting sports retail market, with more than four decades in the industry. Each year, it asks its readers to speak up and share their thoughts on the best brands in the industry today. Readers vote on brands they believe deserve the recognition and Shooting Sports Retailer honors the Gold, Silver, and Bronze award winners.

“We appreciate the dealers and customers that support and work with us. We will continue to provide industry-best programs and products that fuel the shooting sports accessories market,” commented James Munn, CEO of ATN Corp.

The NRA Golden Bullseye Award is an award given yearly by the NRA to the top firearms manufacturers in America. Criteria to be chosen for a Golden Bullseye Award include perceived value to consumers, designed in a style suited to the enthusiasts of the hunting and shooting industry, met or exceeded performance expectations in the field, innovative design and function, among other requirements to be considered.

The coalition of state-based groups decries suit by property owners’ association as attempt to upend Montana’s game management, reduce public hunting opportunity

HELENA, Mont. – A coalition of Montana hunting and conservation groups has taken formal action to oppose the lawsuit filed in April by the United Property Owners of Montana against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Fish & Wildlife Commission, calling it “an attack on wildlife management and Montana’s egalitarian hunting traditions.”

Composed of Helena Hunters and Anglers, Hellgate Hunters and Anglers, Montana Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Montana Bowhunters Association, Montana Wildlife Federation, Public Land Water Access Association and Skyline Sportsmen, the coalition filed a motion to intervene on behalf of FWP and the citizens of Montana. The groups represent a broad array of interests and are committed to maintaining long-term, proven management that benefits all Montanans, not just a privileged few. All have a strong record of public participation in decisions affecting Montana’s natural resources and hunting heritage.

UPOM, an organization of out-of-state and resident landowners with a history of opposing the concept that public wildlife are owned by the public in Montana, alleges in its suit that the public process for managing elk and setting hunting regulations in Montana is unconstitutional. It attempts to force FWP to act to reduce elk numbers in the state substantially – by upwards of 50,000 animals – and giving landowners authority over management practices of elk on their properties, including opportunities to sell elk tags to the highest bidder. Similar attempts by UPOM at the legislative and commission levels have been loudly opposed and soundly defeated.

“Elk are a cornerstone of Montana hunting traditions,” said Steve Platt, president of Helena Hunters and Anglers. “UPOM and its billionaire backers are trying to privatize our public elk herds for their own gain. The citizens of Montana will not let them get away with this!”

Nomad Outdoor and Mossy Oak are proud to announce the release of “Following the Hart,” the final installment in the Chasing 49 Film series in Spring 2022.  “Following the Hart” is the story, or better yet legend, of Nomad co-founder Jason Hart. For those of you that know Jason, odds are good you are somehow woven into his story. Jason’s love of the Wild Turkey, South Carolina’s low country, and people define who he is. Jason rarely meets a stranger and is a friend to so many. Jason’s love affair with the Wild Turkey has been a lifelong pursuit, culminating in his completion of the US Super Slam last spring. In a way fitting of Jason, he was inspired to pursue the US Super Slam by the passing of a dear friend in 2013. “Following the Hart” tells Jason’s story through the eyes of his friends, in a way fitting Jason. 

The Chasing 49 team would like to extend a sincere thanks to all those that made time to help tell Jason’s story.  

Marolina Outdoor Inc. was founded to bring deep-seeded product expertise across all outdoor categories. Our innovative designs and technologically-focused products, create the foundation of our authentic outdoor apparel. Huk clothing represents a fresh take and a unique understanding of angling needs, offering functional styles that appeal to anglers of all ages. Nomad is motivated to provide quality apparel so that hunters can maximizes their experiences to hunt and provide sustenance regardless the size of the game or where their pursuits lead them.

For more information, please visit 
WWW.NOMADOUTDOOR.COM

Safari Club International is excited to announce that registration is now open for its 2023 Annual Convention. The 51st annual SCI Convention will be held February 22-25, 2023, at Music City Center in Nashville, TN.

SCI’s preferred hotels for the 2023 Convention include Grand Hyatt Downtown, Hilton Nashville Downtown, Hyatt Place Downtown, JW Marriott Nashville, The Westin Nashville, Renaissance Nashville, and Omni Nashville. Please mention “SCI2023” or “Safari Club room block” when booking hotels over the phone to receive discounted pricing.

The Convention will showcase unique hunting opportunities on six continents, world-class taxidermy and art, and give manufacturers their first opportunity to demonstrate new products directly to consumers. Considered the “Ultimate Sportsmen’s Market,” the Convention also plays host to dozens of topical seminars presented by subject matter experts. Several hundred hunts, fishing trips, firearms, works of art, jewelry, and other items and services are offered at live and silent auctions, helping SCI raise hunter advocacy and conservation funds. Finally, you won’t want to miss out on the nightly banquets and world-class entertainment starring country music celebrities, hunting superstars, and much more!  

Whether attendees are looking to book their dream hunt, scope out the latest firearms and gear, or find taxidermy inspiration, the SCI Annual Convention will impress with many exhibits and something for everyone! 

To register for the 2023 SCI Annual Convention, visit www.safariclub.org. To contact a registration agent, please dial 520-620-1220 or call toll-free at 888-746-9724.

The secret is out. Long practiced by the Japanese and more recently by Australian anglers, slow pitch jigging is more recently catching on in the U.S. It’s a different technique that requires different equipment than conventional speed jigging, yet it’s just as effective, and sometimes more so. Rather than simulating a fast-fleeing baitfish to entice an aggressive strike, a slow pitch jig flutters and falls to imitate wounded or dying bait, representing an easy meal even for the most finicky finfish.

SPRO® has added a dynamic pair of new slow pitch jigs for this deadly effective technique. SPRO’s new Shimmy Flat and Shimmy Semi Long jigs feature a flashy foil finish, some with luminous glow stripes for added attraction. The Shimmy Flat is a basic leaf-style slow pitch jig designed to flutter when it falls while the Shimmy Semi Long features a more streamlined design for greater versatility and a wider range of applications.

These jigs also offer the convenience of rapid deployment. All styles, colors and sizes come rigged with premium Gamakatsu Assist 700 hooks. “If an angler just wants to tie a jig on and put it down, this is it, ready to go, right out of the package,” says SPRO Sales Manager Syd Rives.

SPRO has set up anglers for success to target a variety of species and sizes. SPRO’s innovation is second to none when it comes to providing anglers all the essential baits to be effective on any body of water at any time. Anglers can count on SPRO’s attention to detail and field-tested approval on these jigs and all of SPRO’s products.

SPRO® Shimmy Flat Features: 

Finding the right protective eyewear for on the job, at the range or for everyday-carry doesn’t have to be limited in options or style. Gatorz Eyewear is happy to announce that it is expanding its durable ballistic eyewear options to include Cerakote® OD Green and Tan in its popular Magnum and Wraptor billet aluminum frames.

These frames are created in partnership with Cerakote®, the industry leader in thin-film ceramic coating. Adding this matte finish to the protective eyewear lineup offers a unique style and a whole new level of durability. The Cerakote® also provides an anti-corrosive coating and extreme hardness.

The Magnum is the original wrap-style frame. This popular, large-size frame and lens pairing features close fitting full coverage. The preferred style of special operations and law enforcement personnel, this frame provides a comfortable, secure fit for any activity whether on the job or for personal use.

The Wraptor frame features a medium-size, wrap-style fit. With a tighter wrap than the Magnum, this frame is popular with anyone looking for a close fitting style with smaller lenses. A Gatorz original, the Wraptor looks great on any face shape, especially those looking for a closer fit.

Gatorz not only offers the Magnum and Wraptor protective eyewear frames, but it has an entire ballistic line-up, offering four different frame options, with enough lens choices to fit any protective eyewear needs. The line-up consists of ANSI Z87.1 compliant eyewear, as well as MILSPEC Ballistic tested eyewear. The high-impact resistant lenses are offered in a wide variety of choices, including clear, smoke, photochromic and high contrast shooting lenses.