Crimson Trace

SUBSCRIPTION    SUBMIT RELEASES    ADVERTISE    ARCHIVES    CONTACT                                  THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
— EDITOR'S NOTE
No Wires on Memorial Day Monday
In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, no editions of the wires will be produced on Monday, May 27. We will resume full schedule delivery again on Tuesday, May 28.

— BOATING
The Army Corps of Engineers has issued a small craft advisory for the Arkansas River in Arkansas because recent heavy rains have caused flows to rise. During the high flows, strong currents and large debris can threaten the safety of pleasure craft. | For More...

Stay sober and know the laws when operating a boat this holiday weekend, urges the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Law Enforcement Division. There were 118 boating accidents and 12 boating related fatalities in 2012 in Georgia, and conservation rangers made 180 boating under the influence arrests. | For More...

This spring and summer remember to inspect, clean and dry your boats, trailers and fishing gear to stop aquatic hitchhikers from taking hold in Montana. | For More...

As Memorial Day weekend approaches marking the unofficial start to the peak boating season, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding boaters and anglers to "Clean, Drain, and Dry" their boats and equipment to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers. | For More...

BOATERexam.com has extended its National Safe Boating Week promotion through the Memorial Day weekend after registrations for its NASBLA-approved online boating safety course more than doubled over the promotion's weekend launch. | For More...

— COMPETITIVE SHOOTING
Thanks to two sponsorship programs funded by MidwayUSA, this year's field of competitors at the Bianchi Cup will feature more new faces than ever before. First-time men, women and junior competitors in the Production Division with the highest aggregate score will take home $2,500 for 1st place, $1,500 for 2nd place and $750 for 3rd place. | For More...

Smith & Wesson Corp. Wednesday announced that Team Smith & Wesson members captured three national titles in the Overall as well as the Senior and Women's categories at the 2013 United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Revolver National Championships. Top winners included Smith & Wesson Champion Jerry Miculek, who has now earned an unprecedented 11 USPSA Revolver National Titles, and fellow teammate Annette Aysen, who earned her sixth USPSA National Title. | For More...

On Sunday, June 30, 2013, Baron Technology, Inc. presents the 16th Annual Northeast Sporting Clays Championship at the Mid-County Rod & Gun Club (http://midcountygunclub.com) in LaGrangeville, New York, in conjunction with the National Wild Turkey Federation. | For More...

Range Systems has renewed their commitment to participate in the S.H.T.F-3 shooting event in Morristown, Minnesota June 22, 2013. | For More...

Team International Training, Inc. (ITI) member s performed exceptionally well at several IDPA and USPSA sanctioned matches over the weekend of May 18th and 19th, 2013 bringing home several titles including Morgan Allen being crowned the Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP) Division Champion at the Great Lakes Regional. | For More...

Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) and Pinetucky Gun Club near Augusta, GA co-hosted their 3rd 3-gun match featuring 2-man teams comprised of a disabled veteran/injured military person and a club member sponsor in a full day event that featured teamwork, marksmanship, great BBQ and good fellowship. | For More...

— CONSERVATION
Improving forage quality and quantity for elk and other wildlife is the focus of 2013 grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for the state of Oregon. The grants total $215,790 and directly affect Benton, Douglas, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Tillamook, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Yamhill Counties. | For More...

— ENFORCEMENT
Charles Kokesh was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Pensacola, Florida, for violating the Endangered Species Act and the Lacey Act by selling two African elephant tusks and for making false accounts of wildlife related to that sale. | For More...

The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Tonto National Forest, will be conducting an Operating Under the Influence (OUI) checkpoint at Saguaro Lake during the weekend of June 1-2 in an effort to apprehend boat operators who are impaired by drugs and /or alcohol. | For More...

— EVENTS
The Shawnee National Forest and the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest are now accepting registration for the Shawnee Family Day. The event will be held at the Touch of Nature Center in Carbondale on May 25th where families have an opportunity to spend the entire day together exploring the outdoors and having fun. | For More...

A living history demonstration of an 1860s soldier camp will be re-enacted at Nebraska's Fort Kearny State Historical Park on May 25-27. | For More...

— FISHERIES
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will host a public meeting June 4 in Vancouver, Wash., to begin the process of developing steelhead management plans for four tributaries to the Columbia River. | For More...

The sport fishery for hatchery spring chinook salmon and hatchery steelhead will reopen Saturday (May 25) on the lower Columbia River under an agreement reached Wednesday by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon. | For More...

— FISHING TOURNAMENTS
The Texas Team Trail presented by Cabela's continues to build on their sponsor list with the recent addition of General Tire. The announcement comes as the Texas Team Trail heads toward the final event of the 2013 season at Cedar Creek Lake on June 1. | For More...

Coming up next weekend the Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail will hit the waters of the Warrior River at Tuscaloosa, Alabama on June 1, 2013. This is the opportunity for local catfish anglers to compete for cash, prizes and a chance to advance to the Cabela's King Kat Classic. | For More...

The Texas Team Trail presented by Cabela's continues to build on their sponsor list with the recent addition of General Tire. The announcement comes as the Texas Team Trail heads toward the final event of the 2013 season at Cedar Creek Lake on June 1. | For More...

Steven Nick, of Lacombe, La., and Matthew Whitman, of Metairie, La., weighed in a two-redfish limit that totaled 16.76 pounds to win the first event of the season for the Louisiana Division of the IFA Redfish Tour presented by Cabela's in Empire, La. on May 18. | For More...

John Kay, of Port Aransas, Texas, caught a redfish and speckled sea trout that measured a combined 51.75 inches in length to win the first event of the season for the Louisiana Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing at Empire, La., on May 19. | For More...

— GEAR
The BackPacker Sling by Heavy Hauler Outdoor Gear has "kicked it up a notch" by adding adjustable Limb Stabilization straps to better secure your crossbow while simultaneously reducing limb movement. | For More...

You can now lube your firearms right in the same ultrasonic machine that you use to clean them. Simply drain the cleaning solution, wipe out the tank, and refill with Lyman's Turbo Sonic Gun Lube. | For More...

— INDUSTRY
The Marine Corps Combat Shooting Team (CST) specifically requested the assistance of top ranked Stag Arms shooting team member Kalani Laker to increase their effectiveness in battle. | For More...

After nearly a decade since its initial introduction into the firearms marketplace, the SLR-106 series is getting a change in to "Collector's Item." Production on the series officially ended. | For More...

Wiley X, Inc. reminds us all not to lose sight of the solemn meaning behind Memorial Day. This uniquely American holiday is set aside for our nation to remember the estimated 1.2 million brave American soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country dating back to the Revolutionary War. | For More...

Gander Mountain is bringing a pioneering firearms industry development to Indiana with the opening of the state's first "Gander Mountain Firearms Super Center" in Merrillville. Grand opening events are set for the weekend of May 24-26. | For More...

— LEGISLATION
In a bipartisan move applauded by the sportfishing industry and the broader sportfishing community, both Houses of Congress passed the Freedom to Fish Act which will remove unnecessary access restrictions to recreational fishing along the Cumberland River in Tennessee and Kentucky. The bill passed on May 21, and now awaits the President's signature. | For More...

— NEW PRODUCTS
LAN World Inc. is excited to announce the importation and distribution of the new AR-15 rifle magazines from HERA Arms, Germany. These magazines feature a rear window that allows the operator to view the actual round count while the weapon is in use. | For More...

The Realtree line of camouflage toss games provides lots of fun on camping trips, hunting trips or in your own backyard. | For More...

Montana Decoy is proud to announce the new Moose II decoy. It's lightweight, easy to use and built from an actual photo of a moose in the wild. | For More...

Featuring an integrated 2-liter hydration reservoir combined with incredible comfort and carrying capacity, Fieldline Tactical's new Surge Hydration Pack is ideally sized to carry all of your gear for a day trip or overnight adventure. | For More...

— ORGANIZATIONS
Tuesday, May 28, Citizens for Limited Government will host Frank Fiamingo, President of the NJ Second Amendment Society, to discuss issues law abiding citizens are facing as the assault continues on our Second Amendment Rights. | For More...

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's CMP Advisory Panel will meet via webinar on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The Advisory Panel will review materials related to the development and selection of preferred alternatives for Action 6 of Draft Amendment 20 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan. | For More...

Wednesday, more than 350 hunting and fishing businesses and organizations sent a letter to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, asking that the Council prioritize restoration of the Gulf ecosystem in order to also achieve economic restoration in the region. | For More...

In an effort to save lives during a boating season in which there have been four statewide boating fatalities - twice as many as last year - Native Air will present a $1,000 check for the the Life Jacket Loaner Program. | For More...

— PEOPLE
Revitalization efforts on two ranches in two different ecological regions of the state have earned Jack and Jan Cato of Houston the 2013 Leopold Conservation Award, Texas's highest honor for private land conservation. | For More...

— PUBLISHING
Wading through the labyrinth of online education courses, the June issue of American COP highlights a wide range of opportunities available to officers looking to enhance their careers. In "Online Education Opportunities," American COP staff writers identify some of the best institutions catering to police officers. | For More...

The American Gunsmithing Institute introduces a new Technical Manual & Armorer's Course on the Beretta Px4 Storm Pistol hosted by Senior Instructor and Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap and Master Gunsmith Ken Brooks. | For More...

— RADIO
As wildlife habitat is disappearing or not being properly managed it is also having a direct effect on the health and population of wildlife species nationwide. This week hear from experts about what is causing these losses and how to fix it before it's too late. | For More...

— RECREATION
Nebraska's Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will begin taking reservations for select sites in the Cedar Bay, Beed's Landing and Boardman campgrounds starting May 28. | For More...

— SPONSORSHIPS
Shawn Vallandingham, a professional redfish angler from Leesburg, Georgia, joined the ATTRAXX™ Pro Staff to help promote the lures infused with patented SCI-X™ feeding stimulants to saltwater anglers. | For More...

— STATES
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said today that aquatic invasive species inspection stations and roving inspection crews are in operation at key border crossing sites, along major highways, and on heavily used water bodies. | For More...

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners at a board working group meeting Monday drafted and approved two resolutions in response to legislation that would change the way the agency conducts business. | For More...

— VOLUNTEERS
The National Rifle Association is pleased to name the 2012 Friends of NRA Volunteers of the Year. Presented by Mill Pond Press, recipients were recognized for their outstanding impact on Friends of NRA, the grassroots fundraising program for The NRA Foundation. | For More...

— WILDLIFE
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in conjunction with the Nature Conservancy, is asking motorists in southern York County to be aware of rare turtles crossing area roads and watch for new road signs alerting motorists to turtle crossing areas. | For More...

Pennsylvania Game Commission officials Wednesday announced that they, along with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, have renewed a program to sustain and protect a historic nesting colony of great egrets and black-crowned night-herons on Wade Island. | For More...

— WORKSHOPS
Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks are conducting four workshops this summer in Mississippi to help participants learn how to better manage white-tailed deer populations. | For More...

FEATURE
"Semper Paratus": A good motto for you, too
EDITOR'S NOTE: With severe weather season on us, we know that most of us aren't as prepared as we need to be. With that in mind, we have created a relationship with Self Reliance Illustrated (www.selfrelianceillustrated.com) to tap into their expert network and offer solid information to our readers. We think you'll find today's first piece informative and helpful in "getting your mind right" about preparation.


The United States Coast Guard motto is "Semper Paratus" which means "Always Ready." The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared." What does it mean to be ready or prepared? I am not talking about stockpiling MREs and canned foods. I'm not talking about building a bomb shelter or hoarding ammo. I am talking about the state of being ready or being prepared. I believe there are two main parts to being ready. There is a mental part and a physical part.

Why do you need to be ready and what do you need to be ready for? It seems like the past few years we've been seeing more and more natural disasters. Blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, landslides, wildfires, and thunderstorms can strike and leave you in a tough spot. If a large storm knocks out power for millions do you have water, food, or warmth for your family while you wait for them to restore power? If you must evacuate due to a storm do you have a plan, a meeting place, somewhere to go, a way to get there? If there is a dangerous situation in your neighborhood and you are told to stay inside can you do so with essentials for your family? We also need to take financial hardships into account. If you lose your income can you feed your family if money runs short? Having some food stored away could be helpful in the wake of the stress of losing a job.

Think about our dependence on technology. Do you have maps if your GPS or your phone aren't working? Do you have cash on hand in case you can't use a card to get gas while trying to evacuate an affected area? Do you have important phone numbers or addresses written down? The world we live in continues to be unpredictable. Over the past year we've seen events both natural and manmade that have caused people to have to evacuate their homes or stay in them for several days. Hurricanes, blizzards, sinkholes, tornadoes, or other dangerous situations can derail your plans. During the hunt for the bombers of the Boston marathon they locked down neighborhoods. There are increasing reasons to be ready and aware and to be able to get out of a dangerous situation or stay in to avoid one.

There are two parts of preparedness. The mental part is to have the knowledge you need and a plan. As humans, we cannot know everything. We cannot know every process, fact, or happening. We can do our best to have a general grasp of concepts and by familiarizing ourselves with helpful information found in books, magazines, web sites, courses, and knowledgeable people. First you should evaluate what you know and what you should know. Maybe you are really good at tracking animals but you have never started a fire without lighter fluid. Figure out what you know and what you need to know. Then decide what to do to increase or hone your knowledge. Take classes, read, and practice.

Choose the most important things that you should know. Take a CPR course, learn some basic first aid, and learn how to deal with a medical emergency. This knowledge could save a life. Learn how to start a fire. If you are for some reason stranded outside could you make a fire for heat, food, and to boil water? There are many techniques and tools to choose from. Learn how to do this and practice. Could you provide water for yourself from the wild? Do you know where to get it and how to make it safe to drink? There are many techniques to purify water as well. Familiarize yourself with them. Could you feed yourself in the outdoors? Are you familiar with any wild edibles? Learn a few that are available in your area. Identify them. Acquainting yourself with a map and compass is another great idea. There are so many things to think about when it comes to having to get out of a dangerous place or staying in. Learn what you need to do to keep you and your loved ones safe in emergency situations.

Next, a plan. It is not realistic to try and plan for each possible event. Plan for the ones most likely to happen to you and your family. If you live on the east coast develop a plan if you have to be evacuated because of a hurricane. If you live in the Midwest make a plan as to what you will do when a tornado is spotted. If you live up north plan how you would live through a snowstorm that knocks out power for an extended period of time. Come up with a plan and discuss it with your loved ones. Make sure everyone knows the plan to limit chaos and confusion if you have to put the plan into action.

The physical part of being ready is having a body able to complete the needed tasks and the equipment to do so. Do your best to be fit so you can travel and handle stress. Take care of yourself so you can be helpful in a bad situation instead of a liability. Have the proper equipment or products you may need, keep them in working order, and know how to use them. Learn to replace water filters, sharpen knives, clean your rifle, use your camp stove. Do you have a bug out bag or a go bag? If your family had to evacuate unexpectedly would you be able to do so in time with the necessary items? Many people keep go bags that have necessary items just in case they have to grab and go. Make a go-bag, first aid kit, stock your pantry, and store water.

Do you have any first aid knowledge? Could you give CPR to someone if you were the only one around? Do you know how to clean and dress a wound? Do you have a first aid kit? If you do, have you opened it and familiarized yourself with what is inside?

Go out and practice basic skills. Take a compass on a hike, identify wild edibles, start a fire from a fire steel. You never know when these skills could save a life. Practice and keep your body familiar with performing these tasks.

If something happens you want to be able to take care of yourself and your loved ones and not have to depend on someone else for rescue. Don't become overwhelmed with these questions. Do something about these questions you don't know how to answer. You can't do everything at once. Start small. Pick an area to improve and do it. Make a plan and a to-do list. Talk to your loved ones to get them on the same page. When unforeseen circumstances are upon you being prepared will keep you from panicking and keep you clear-headed and ready for anything.

-- Erin Marshall
Erin is Executive Editor of Self Reliance Illustrated (emarshall@selfrelianceillustrated.com)
May 22-25
Pickwick Lake, Florence, AL
May 22-25
Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club, 4350 Academy Rd., Hallsville (Columbia), MO
May 31-Jun 1
Waukeshaw Gun Club, Waukeshaw, WI
May 31-Jun 2
Heartland Public Shooting Park, Grand Island, Nebraska.
Jun 1
387 Perch Pond Road, Holderness, New Hampshire
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
THE OUTDOOR WIRE DIGITAL NETWORK > THE FISHING WIRE : THE SHOOTING WIRE : THE TACTICAL WIRE : THE DEALER WIRE
© Copyright 2013 The Outdoor Wire Digital Network. All Rights Reserved.
The Outdoor Wire is an opt-in only newsletter. If you've received this newsletter by mistake,
you can remove yourself from future mailings by following the following link:
www.theoutdoorwire.com/optout.php?email=###email###