Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Federal’s “It’s Federal Season” podcast will have a new format in 2022. Utilizing the brand’s talented ambassadors, a series of guest hosts will entertain and inform on numerous topics where they have expertise as well as interview great guests.

The first guest host is Julie Golob. “Julie is one of Federal’s most respected ambassadors,” said Brian Anderson, Federal’s Marketing Director. “As a professional shooter, she is champion in many disciplines but as important as that is, she is a great role model for all shooters and we are excited to have her lead off the new podcast format.”

Golob’s first guest is Ashley Hlebinsky from The Gun Code. Ashley is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on firearms history and over the past decade, she has worked in and managed some of the largest firearms collections and museums in the world.

Both Golob and Hlebinsky are experts in their fields and discuss a variety of topics including Women’s History Month relating to firearms, their favorite firearms, and historical collections. A great episode for historical perspectives.

Episode #31 “A Firearms History Lesson”

Last week the conservation community lost a fierce champion of fish and wildlife conservation.  Congressman Don Young was the longest-serving member of the current Congress and an influential advocate for conservation policy.  Young served the Congress since 1973 and was serving his 25th term and 49th year as Alaska’s only Member of the United States House of Representatives. 

Don Young was known as an avid outdoorsman, hunter, angler, and trapper who worked to ensure that future generations of sportsmen and sportswomen have the same outdoor opportunities that he enjoyed during his life. Young was one of the earliest voices for dedicated and permanent funding so that state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies have the resources they need to recover and proactively conserve at-risk species. He led efforts to secure funding for states and tribes through the State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, Migratory Bird Join Ventures, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, Multinational Species Conservation Fund, and Wallop-Breaux reauthorization. In 2012, Young was a recipient of the Association’s Teaming With Wildlife Award. In addition, in December 2021, he voted in the House Natural Resources Committee to advance Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, as amended. 

“We have lost one of the greats,” stated Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “Congressman Young was a true conservation hero and a leading champion for wildlife conservation.  We send our heartfelt condolences to the Young family.”

“Congressman Young will be remembered for his decades of service to the people of Alaska and for his leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. I have fond memories of working with him on conservation funding opportunities,” said Executive Director Ron Regan.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—the organization that represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies—promotes sound resource management and conservation, and speaks on important fish and wildlife issues. Found on the web at www.fishwildlife.org, on Facebook / AssociationofFishandWildlifeAgencies and on Twitter @fishwildlife.

Upland project doubles the size of McCann Creek Fishery to offer unique outdoor opportunities

Pheasants Forever is proud to announce a new public land acquisition in Wisconsin’s primary pheasant range. Spearheaded by the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the McCann Creek Fishery Area Addition is a signature Build a Wildlife Area® project that now provides 182 acres of public access and upland habitat immediately adjacent to the McCann Creek Fishery Area.

“I’ve driven by this property often and was impressed with how well the prairie came in over the last few years. When I noticed the for-sale sign, I immediately contacted Scott Stipetich, Pheasants Forever’s precision ag and conservation specialist, and the ball started to roll,” said Travis Hakes, the Chippewa Valley Chapter board president.  “This property offers diverse habitat, which makes it a desirable acquisition for Pheasants Forever. Our chapter is grateful for all the hard work from everyone involved, and we’re excited to help manage this property for generations to come.”

The McCann Creek Fishery Area Addition includes 80 acres of Conservation Reserve Program prairie, 66 acres of combined wet meadow, emergent wetland and hemi-marsh restored through the Wetland Reserve Program, and 35 acres of riparian forest and shrubland. McCann Creek, a Class 1 trout stream, flows through the property. The project provides habitat not only for pheasants, but turkey, waterfowl, deer and many other non-game wildlife species. This acquisition also expands opportunities for trout fishing and trapping, creating an all-around sportsmen’s paradise for Bloomer Township and Chippewa County.

Funding support for this project came from the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever and a diverse array of sponsors including Wisconsin’s Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Chippewa County Stewardship Fund, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Further, this acquisition had support from the local community, the Township of Bloomer, the Bloomer Rod and Gun Club, and the Wisconsin Council of Trout Unlimited.

Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 20 years, congratulates tactical athlete Zach Rodman on his first-place finish in the Men’s Elite Division of the Tactical Games Utah. The two-day competition, which hosted close to 200 competitors, took place March 12-13 at the Southern Utah Practical Shooting Range in Washington, Utah.

Rodman, a 15-year veteran of the Kokomo, Indiana, police force and SWAT team, utilized Blackhawk’s T-Series holster and new Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear, including plate carrier, belt, and pouches throughout the competition.

“Zach is off to a great start this season, placing 6th at the Meridian event and then following it up with a fantastic first place finish in Utah,” said Courtney Tiziani, brand marketing manager for Blackhawk. “The Men’s Elite Division is arguably the toughest classification in the Tactical Games, and it’s been no surprise to see Zach and his gear performing at an optimal level.”

Two pieces of kit that have been cornerstones to Zach’s gear list are the Blackhawk T-Series holster and Foundation Series Tac Nylon. Blackhawk’s T-Series holsters with leg straps are optimally designed to maintain proper holster position and security as competitors navigate unconventional obstacles throughout the Tactical Games. Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear gives competitors some of the lightest weight gear in its class without sacrificing durability or modularity, which is critical to maintaining speed and endurance while wearing heavy plate carriers.

Rodman’s next competition will be June 25 – 26 at the Tactical Games Ohio. The season finale will take place November 5 – 6 at the Tactical Games National Championship at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas.

Outdoor activities are very beneficial to human beings’ physical and mental wellness. Health experts suggest that outdoor activities make people happier, improve their self-esteem and, most importantly, expose them to a good dose of vitamin D.

What’s excellent about outdoor hobbies is that they allow you to burn calories while feeling like you are exercising. In addition to the health benefits you can get from outdoor pursuits, you also get social benefits.

These benefits include developing teamwork abilities, coping with stressful situations, networking, and making new friends.

Here are the top five outdoor hobbies you should try in 2022.

Hunting

If you are an action lover, hunting is the best outdoor hobby. Hunting requires excellent coordination and preparation skills. Anything can happen in the wild. To ensure that you are prepared, you must pack the essential hunting gadgets needed for a safe trip. These may be a GSP system, fresh food, water, or a first-aid kit.

A True Concern for Drivers Across the Country

U.S. LawShield®, industry leader and America’s largest provider of Legal Defense for Self Defense®  coverage, announces a live YouTube event on Tuesday, March 22 at 11:00 AM CT to address road rage & self-defense.

According to U.S. LawShield CEO P.J. Hermosa, “Road rage is a serious problem plaguing drivers across the country. When an incident turns deadly in the blink of an eye, you need to know how to handle the situation safely and responsibly. U.S. LawShield hosts these events on YouTube as a way to educate the population on all matters of self-defense—in this case, to educate drivers on how to avoid road rage incidents while remaining safe and law-abiding.”

The U.S. LawShield YouTube event Fast & Furious: Road Rage & Self-Defense will give viewers answers to questions like:

Viewers can subscribe to the U.S. LawShield YouTube channel to take advantage of educational events like this at no charge.

Shimano Expride, Bantam and Sahara Establish New Standards of Angling Performance

Shimano leverages over a century of manufacturing excellence to provide anglers with exceptional tackle to capture extraordinary fish. Ever in pursuit of perfection, Shimano has reimagined and redesigned three proven product lines – Expride, Bantam and Sahara – to craft next-generation offerings that set new standards for on-the-water performance. 

Shimano Expride B Rods are Synonymous with Excellence

Command tournament-winning performance with the next generation of Shimano Expride casting and spinning rods with the redesigned Expride B series. Extending a legacy of exceptional performance, all Shimano Expride B rods incorporate Hi-Power X blank technology to deliver the optimum blend of performance and durability. A Shimano-exclusive manufacturing innovation, Hi-Power X allows rod engineers to craft models with finely-tuned lengths, powers and actions that address specific presentations, such as power cranking (EXC610MGB), supersized swimbaits (EXC80XXHB) or even broad-spectrum versatility (EXS72MHB). An expanded library of 22 different Expride B models is now available, each precision-crafted to fight and land trophy-caliber fish under the most challenging conditions. Shimano engineers further enhanced the Expride B series by incorporating premium Carbon Monocoque handles. These innovative, lightweight hollow carbon handles increase vibration transfer through the rod and into an angler’s hand, delivering up to 30% more sensitivity for superior bite transmission. The new Expride B series also features CI4+ reel seats and Fuji SiC guides for premium angling performance in an exceptionally light and well-balanced rod family. The Shimano Expride B lineup of 16 casting rods and 6 spinning rods has MSRPs of $389.99 to $419.99.                 

Shimano Bantam A is the Ultimate All-Terrain Baitcasting Reel

Fresh off the recent unveiling of its newly renovated website, HuntStand is proud to announce an expansion of its industry partners that now include hunting property specialist Base Camp Leasing, as well as its fast-growing sister division, Base Camp Country Real Estate.

“HuntStand is very pleased to partner with one of the largest and most-reputable groups in the nation that provides quality hunting access to tens of thousands of hunters annually,” said Lanford Holloway, CEO of Terrastride, HuntStand’s parent company. “Among the many exciting facets of this partnership, we will be working to enhance the technology by which Base Camp’s land agents create and share high-quality digital and printed maps with clients, a HuntStand core specialty.”

As part of the partnership, for a limited time, existing and new Base Camp Leasing clients will receive complimentary one-year subscriptions to HuntStand Pro, with access to subscription discounts when the limited offer expires. Clients will also receive access to HuntStand articles, videos and more delivered via the Base Camp monthly newsletter.

Key benefits to HuntStand include exposure to Base Camp’s extensive group of Midwest land lessees, as well as its rapidly growing land sales group, and quality video content.

“We are excited to announce this new partnership with HuntStand, the leader in mapping apps,” said Nathan Mrnak, Base Camp Leasing COO. “HuntStand’s passion for the outdoors, conservation, and approach to enhancing the experience of being an outdoorsman or woman aligns perfectly with Base Camp Leasing’s relationships with our landowners, members and listing agents.”

The 2-Day Precision Rifle Series (PRS) National Match Regional Qualifier took place March 12 – 13, 2022 at the Cool Acres Sporting Camp in Swainsboro, Georgia.

MasterPiece Arms (MPA), manufacturer of precision Pistol, BA Rifles and Chassis Systems, is proud to announce that its Team MPA shooters claimed eight of the Top 10 Finishes at the 2022 MPA Spring Shootout running their MPA Chassis. Over 120 competitors competed at the MPA Spring Shootout, which was held March 12 – 13, 2022 at Cool Acres Sporting Camp, located in Swainsboro, Georgia. The MPA Spring Shootout is a Precision Rifle Series (PRS) 2-Day National Match Regional Qualifier, and one of three Regional Qualifiers in the Southeast for the 2022 season. The match counted toward PRS Series Points. Full match results and standings can be viewed at https://www.precisionrifleseries.com.

“The MPA Spring Shootout finished up this past weekend and I could not be prouder of our Team MPA Shooters at the match for performing so well despite what Mother Nature threw at them. Competitors running MPA Chassis had eight of the Top 10 Finishes in the match, a clear indication of how well our systems perform during competition. Congrats to all the winners and top place finishers,” commented Phil Cashin, owner of MPA.

“In the game today, you have so many options to choose from. What distinguishes Masterpiece Arms from the rest of the competition is constant innovation. As a result, MPA has an answer for seemingly every situation you come across in competition. This weekend the MPA Matrix Chassis was the perfect answer and it showed. It was an assertive message; I was able to come out on top and the MPA chassis accounted for eight of the top 10 placings,” Morgun King remarked.

Not only is the MPA chassis winning matches, but it was recently confirmed to be the official chassis of the 2022 PRS season for the sixth consecutive year in a row. MPA BA Rifles and Chassis are built by precision rifle shooters, for precision rifle shooters. MPA’s President and Owner, Phil Cashin, is an active PRS shooter. Cashin is always testing out new ideas and tweaks in the matches he competes in and continues to seek out feedback from other world-class shooters. Much of the product innovation and accessories that have been introduced over the past several years have come at the suggestion of fellow competitive shooters.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – HuntStand®, North America’s #1 Hunting Land Management App and Media Company has set the stage for an action-packed menu of all-new turkey content. Available exclusively in the Field Notes section of the new HuntStand.com, this year’s carte is sure to cure those with a fever for the King of Spring. 

Sticking to the mission of generating valuable content for hunting enthusiasts of all experience levels and backgrounds, this spring’s lineup brings a soup-to-nuts approach to turkey hunting topics. Designed to educate, entertain and inspire, new Field Notes will include everything from in-depth gear guides to exciting episodic series that are equally captivating and informative. App users and visitors to  HuntsStand.com will find great benefit from a 2022 turkey hunting gear guide, where HuntStand’s editorial team weighs in on the best new products to help hunters be successful in the field. This year’s picks include new turkey gear from ALPS OutdoorZ, Montana Decoy, Federal, Trulock and more. Searching for a new turkey gun? We’ve got it covered in a hand-picked roundup of this season’s most attractive models.

Meanwhile, the HuntStand Pro Tips series leans on a team of seasoned hunters to help turkey hunters make the most of their time afield through use of the HuntStand app. This series goes beyond just the underpinnings of app basics and touches on how users can make the most of HuntStand’s vast features to dupe even the wariest of toms. An additional video will take the zest of app use and strategy to an even deeper level, with turkey hunting insights from several of HuntStand’s national media partners.

Weekly, semi-live videos from the POSSE, a HuntStand YouTube series, will document raw and real hunts with turkeys hitting the dirt across the country. The series starts in April, following a group of hardcore turkey hunters who have a fever for calling up gobblers from coast to coast. Can’t wait until April to scratch the turkey hunting itch? You can stream 2021 POSSE episodes right now in the Wild Turkey section of HuntStand.com. 

“Old Man Winter needs a swift kick to the curb!” noted HuntStand Content Director Josh Dahlke. “Our whole team is ready for early mornings, short nights and thundering gobbles—and we won’t stop until we’re forced to submit to summertime.”

ATN continues to work with international groups, expediting much-needed resources to the citizens of embattled Ukraine. ATN donates $300K to one of the oldest international organizations dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the world’s poor and victims of military conflicts.

ATN, Corp., an industry leader of innovative optics for civilian, law enforcement, and the military, have donated $300,000 to The Gorta Group, an NGO established in 1965 to serve people and communities in war zones and conflicts, to provide humanitarian and medical relief to Ukraine.

The Gorta Group CEO, Ray Jordan, arrived in neighboring Slovakia on the same day the Russians invaded Ukraine. With his senior staff, the organization procured partnerships with the Ivano Frankvisk Hospital No. 2, the Slovakian Foreign Ministry, two Slovak NGOs, secured a warehouse in Vysne Nemecke, and secured vehicles and drivers to cross the border. By early March, The Gorta Group was providing welfare and medical services for refugees and delivering non-medical items, including much-needed flour for Ukrainian bakeries.

Currently, The Gorta Group has three warehouses and distribution centers (two in Ukraine, one in Slovakia), two hospitals in Ivano Frankvisk, Ukraine receiving medical supplies, and one regional food distribution center, also located in Ivano Frankvisk. The Gorta Group’s dedicated staff has decades of experience in managing large-scale food and non-medical item distribution to marginalized communities and communities ravaged by conflict.

Marc Vayn, founder of ATN Corp, an American citizen born in Kyiv, Ukraine, has been in Bulgaria, assisting with efforts to move desperately needed products to the Ukrainian citizens in their defense against Russian troops. ATN set up a donation platform, of which Vayn donated $100K of his personal funds to the cause. The ATN fund currently has raised $170K for the cause.

New Haven, Mo. – ALPS Mountaineering, manufacturer of performance-driven technical support gear for wilderness exploration, trekking, and family camping, has just introduced a one-and-done sleeping bag system that meets the needs of multi-climate campers. The new Aura System is an ingeniously designed sleeping bag that offers three different configurations to keep campers comfortable in everything from cold to warm-weather climates.

The Aura System is based on a 30°F mummy bag featuring two-layer offset construction to eliminate cold spots. Quilted between the polyester liner and nylon ripstop outer layer is TechLoft Micro insulation, which delivers the base 30°F rating. Insulated chest and zipper baffling further eliminates cold air intrusion for a comfortable night’s sleep.

When temperatures take a dive, the Aura System can be converted to a 15°F mummy bag by installing the quilt top with enclosed foot box. This adds an additional layer of heat-trapping insulation to the bag and foot box. Simply slip the quilt’s foot box over the base bag and secure the quilt to the bag via dual #8 zippers and hook-and-loop patches along the chest baffle.

An incidental feature of this system is the space created between the bag and quilt. If even more warmth is desired, the camper can insert clothing between the layers. It’s also the perfect solution for dressing on cold mornings because clothing stays warm while layered in the bag.

The quilt can be removed to reduce weight and bulk when backpacking in warmer temperatures.

The results are in for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) 2021-2022 National Three-Position Postal Competition. The annual event saw over 1,060 participants in total over the course of the postal period, which ran from October 2021 to February 2022.

The annual competition is designed for sporter and precision junior marksmen involved in 4-H, Scouts, American Legion, club or JROTC air rifle programs. Top scoring athletes of the Postal event move on to the Regional Championships, set to be held in Ohio, Alabama and Utah in March and April. The culminating National Championships will be held at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Camp Perry, Ohio, June 23-25, 2022 (sporter) and July 13-15, 2022 (precision).

Leading scorers of the 2021-2022 CMP Three-Position Postal Competition include:

Individuals:

Sporter:

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is in search of qualified individuals to fill counselor positions for its Junior Rifle Camps program. This premier program has an established history of providing the highest quality three-position and international air rifle and smallbore instruction in the country for high school athletes and not only positively supports the careers of campers but the counselors who lead instruction as well.

Camp Counselor positions are open to college students who have completed at least one year of school and are members of an NCAA or college club rifle team. Applicants must be available to work and travel throughout the 2022 summer for camps, though accommodations will be made for applicants competing in International Competition.

These are highly competitive positions, and selection will be based on a number of criteria including academic performance, shooting experience, coaching/youth leadership experience and references. All Camp Counselors who are selected for hire will be required to pass a background check and drug test before beginning employment.

Job duties will primarily consist of working with groups of five or more high school-aged athletes of various skill levels at five-day camps, three-day clinics and three-day advanced standing position camps. Additional duties include range set-up, break down, general cleanup, various range activities, assisting with camper registrations and check-in as well as working various CMP events outside the camps.

The staff will have downtime factored into the summer but may work extended days and weeks. Counselors will represent CMP at all times during the summer and MUST adhere to a code of conduct for the duration of their employment.

The newest issue of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers’ magazine is available today

MISSOULA, Mont. – The spring issue of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers’ quarterly magazine, Backcountry Journal, is arriving in mailboxes across North America. Check out some highlights of an issue that will inform and engage, drive action and advocacy on critical issues, and fuel plans for public lands adventures as we head into spring…and beyond.

The Last Best Wild: E. Donnall Thomas Jr., recipient of BHA’s 2021 Ted Trueblood Award, reminisces about past hunts in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and addresses threats faced by the refuge currently. Don explores the current politics of drilling in the refuge and ponders what losing this, the last, best wild, would mean to us all to in this not-to-be-missed feature.

Washington Chapter Fights for Spring Bear Hunt: BHA chapter leaders Bryce Levin and Dan Wilson give us the skinny on the spring bear hunt in Washington state – and explain why the outcome carries significance for hunters across North America.

Como to Caspian: BHA member M. Mahmood Tajbakhsh highlights the importance of small public water, in the form of city lakes and public fishing docks, in keeping the angling tradition alive and well – not just for his family, who immigrated from Iran and continue to carry on their angling traditions, but for so many more families like theirs.

TrueTimber is proud to announce the popular Winchester XPR is now available in TrueTimber Midnight camo. The New XPR Extreme Hunter – TrueTimber Midnight MB carries a sleek design with Winchester’s trusted functionality and accuracy. To help celebrate the launch, TrueTimber and Winchester Repeating Arms have  teamed up to host the #CountdownToMidnight Sweepstakes where one lucky hunter will win this new rifle and a $500 gift card to the TrueTimber online store. To enter, fans should fill out the online entry form at TrueTimber.com/giveaway. Giveaway ends March 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

“We are thrilled to see Winchester Repeating Arms add this XPR variation to their extensive lineup of shotguns and rifles in TrueTimber camo,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “TrueTimber and Winchester fans alike have been using Winchester guns in a variety of TrueTimber camo patterns for years now and we are really excited to see the Midnight pattern get added into the mix. This is a great looking gun, and we know one lucky winner will be heading into the woods in style next season.”

The giveaway winner will be one of the first people to get their hands on this new XPR variation from Winchester Repeating Arms. This giveaway is open to continental U.S. residents only and entrants must be age 21 or older. Other restrictions apply. For more information and additional coverage on the giveaway, fans are encouraged to follow the hashtag #CountdownToMidnight on the TrueTimber and Winchester Repeating Arms social media pages.

New for 2022, the XPR Extreme Hunter – TrueTimber Midnight MB is a bolt action rifle with Tungsten Cerakote finish on the barrel and receiver paired with a TrueTimber Midnight camouflage finish on the composite stock. This rifle features a precision button-rifled barrel, M.O.A. trigger system, two-position thumb safety, bolt unlock button, detachable box magazine, Inflex® Technology recoil pad and sling swivel studs. The Extreme Hunter is available in 14 popular calibers from 223 Rem up to 300 Win Mag.

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.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation’s 46th Annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville drew more than 52,000 attendees from Feb. 16-19.

“After having to host a virtual convention in 2021, it was so good to get the flock back together in Nashville,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “We are immensely thankful to all of our supporters who joined us for the good times and celebration.”

With 400-plus exhibitors, the NWTF’s sport show is the largest consumer show in Nashville and features the outdoor industry’s top brands, companies and personalities. 

Attendees enjoyed live music throughout the week from country music superstars and local performers alike. Guests also enjoyed an array of events hosted by the NWTF, including a pub crawl, hunting and conservation seminars, competitions, raffles, auctions, dinners, get-togethers and much more. 

The NWTF also launched its Help the Yelp Project during its convention. The Help the Yelp Project is a laser-focused campaign designed to bring all turkey hunters into the NWTF as active participants and stewards of the organization’s mission. 

Mule Deer Foundation leaders receiving the Boone and Crockett Club’s 2022 Conservation and Stewardship Award (left to right: Emmett Burroughs, MDF Founder; Joel Pedersen, Current MDF President/CEO; Steve Belinda, MDF Director of Conservation; Miles Moretti, retired MDF President/CEO; Jim Arnold, B&C President; Tom Price, B&C Member).

Last night, the Boone and Crockett Club presented the Mule Deer Foundation with its Conservation Stewardship Award. The prestigious award is given annually to the organization or entity that best exemplifies excellence in natural resource conservation and stewardship—core values of the Boone and Crockett Club and its founder, Theodore Roosevelt. Mule Deer Foundation President/CEO Joel Pedersen, Founder Emmett Burroughs, retired President/CEO Miles Moretti, and Director of Conservation Steve Belinda accepted the award during the Club’s annual dinner on March 16 at the 87th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Spokane, Washington.

“Over more than 30 years, the Mule Deer Foundation has been a leader on habitat restoration on forests and rangelands across the West,” commented James F. Arnold, President of the Boone and Crockett Club. “We are proud to present them with our Conservation and Stewardship Award to recognize them for all the work they do to sustain mule deer populations, as well as to support our hunting and conservation legacy.” 

The Mule Deer Foundation was founded in 1988 by Emmett Burroughs and has worked for more than 30 years to fulfill its mission of “Ensuring the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitat.” The organization signed a formal memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in 1989 to help with habitat restoration work on federal lands. This MOU moved into formal stewardship agreements to undertake larger forest management projects, and from 2013 to 2020 more than 20 stewardship projects were completed to improve forest health while increasing forage for deer. During this time, the organization also began to work on sagebrush rangeland restoration to improve mule deer winter range habitat that often overlaps with other at-risk sagebrush dependent species like the greater sage-grouse. In February 2018, during MDF’s annual convention at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke signed Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3362 on improving big game corridors and winter ranges in the West. MDF took a leadership role on this effort through their Migration Corridors and Winter Range Initiative. The organization’s on-the-ground habitat restoration and conservation projects have increased substantially over the last five years. In 2020 and 2021, MDF invested $9.9 million that was matched 3.6 to 1 for a total of $45.7 million invested. The organization implemented 200 conservation projects that improved almost 265,000 acres and removed or converted 115 miles of fencing to wildlife-friendly designs.

“On behalf of the staff and members of the Mule Deer Foundation, I sincerely thank the Boone and Crockett Club for recognizing our work by honoring us with the Conservation and Stewardship Award,” said MDF President/CEO Joel Pedersen. “The habitat conservation and restoration projects that we lead are critical to supporting mule deer and black-tailed deer on their seasonal ranges and migration corridors.”

World class chef, lifelong outdoorsman, as well as Emmy Award®-winning television host and James Beard Award-winner Andrew Zimmern launches his Outdoor Sportsman Group digital original series  Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen now on OutdoorChannel.com. The show also will appear on Outdoor Channel in September 2022.

Each episode features Zimmern creating a meal using wild game accompanied by seasonal sides from his garden. The meals are sustainable, delicious and easy to make, with the goal of helping people maximize the enjoyment of sourcing their own food and easing the struggles that at-home cooks experience in the kitchen.

The 10 digital episodes appearing on OutdoorChannel.com launches now while five linear television episodes will air on Outdoor Channel in September 2022. 

Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy Award®-winner, four-time James Beard Award recipient, television personality, chef, writer, teacher, world traveler and social justice advocate. As the creator, executive producer and host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods franchise, Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food and Emmy Award®-winning The Zimmern List, the host has dedicated his life to exploring and promoting cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food. Zimmern is also a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations’ World Food Programme. 

In 2020, Zimmern returned to television with his series What’s Eating America (MSNBC), and in 2021, he premiered Family Dinner on Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network. His latest foray on Outdoor Channel is his first on the outdoor lifestyle network.

There are multiple options available for home defense weapons. However, it mostly comes down to handguns and shotguns. According to a recent survey, around 65.9% of people used handguns, and 21% used shotguns for home defense. But people worldwide are still debating which of the two is perfect for home defense.

Both shotguns and handguns have pros and cons, and in the end, it is all about your preference. Some prefer shotguns for their stability, accuracy, and power. The others prefer handguns as they allow for better mobility.

As you can see, both have some limitations, which a handgun conversion kit can fulfill. These kits can give your handgun a shotgun’s body and capabilities to perfectly blend the best of both defense weapons.

What Is a Handgun Conversion Kit?

A handgun conversion kit is a carbine body shell where you can insert your handgun and use it as a shotgun or rifle. With handgun conversion kits, you get a stock to shoulder with handgun conversion kits similar to a long-range gun.

You can convert numerous handguns like 9mm, .45 ACP, or .40 ACP using a conversion kit. Even the conversion is not very complicated. You need to find the hatch, put the firearm into the shell’s compensator, lock it to fit well, and it’s all done. Moreover, it also has a rail on the top where you can mount all the accessories you want for better accuracy.