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THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

- HOLIDAY NOTICE -
In observance of the Easter holiday, we will not be publishing any wires on Friday, March 29. If your news needs to be distributed before April 1, 2024, please have it in our hands no later than 5PM Eastern time on Wednesday, March 27. News arriving later will not make Thursday’s final editions for the week.
- AWARDS -
Faxon Firearms is honored to announce its recent victory in the highly coveted Shooting Sports Retailer (SSR) Gold Awards. Faxon Firearms has been awarded in two distinguished categories: Aftermarket Barrel and Favorite New Product.
- COLLEGIATE FISHING -
Known for revolutionary products like LiveScope™ live-scanning sonar and the Force® Trolling Motor, Garmin has been a proud supporter of collegiate bass fishing since its inception.
- COMPETITION -
ZeroTech Optics announced Alix McFarland's achievement as the Top Woman Shooter at the opening match of the 2024 Australian Precision Rifle Series tournament, held in Monarto, South Australia.
TAC Vanes had an incredible team showing despite the cold, rainy conditions at the ASA Black Eagle/Darton Archery Pro/Am in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, with several top finishes across women’s, men’s and known divisions.

- EVENTS -
When the moon slips between Earth and the sun April 8, six of the nine Arkansas Game and Fish Commission nature centers will be in the path of a total solar eclipse.
Luth-AR announced Henry T as the lucky winner of the Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun Giveaway Grand Prize. Henry is now the proud recipient of the very first 1-8 1/2 Fractional Twist complete upper barrel assembly.
- FISHING -
Mark your calendars for an exciting opportunity to cast your lines during the upcoming Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) license-free freshwater fishing weekend. This spring's license-free fishing weekend is on April 6 and 7 and invites residents and visitors to explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer.
To promote fishing opportunities in New Mexico and encourage anglers to branch out and discover new fishing waters and species, anglers can participate in the New Mexico Bass Challenge, the New Mexico Trout Challenge and the Master Angler Challenge.

- FISHING TOURNAMENTS -
Brand new Classic champion Justin Hamner’s press conference in the bottom of floor of Tulsa’s BOK Center looked a little different, with nearly a dozen Yamaha marketing folks piling in to celebrate their new champ.
- GEAR -
Steelhead Outdoors pistol lock boxes keep handguns and pistols secure during transport. FBI crime statistics suggest more than half of gun thefts are from cars - and most of those were stolen from a car parked at a residence. The other 28% were stolen from a car in a parking lot.
Safariland announced the release of new fits for the redesigned, RDS compatible IWB IncogX holster. The IncogX, developed in partnership with Haley Strategic Partners, now accommodates the Smith & Wesson Shield, Shield+, Shield EZ, and M&P models.
- GRANTS -
The Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program (GLSNRP), a partnership between the Great Lakes states, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is calling for grant proposals.

- HUNTING -
The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s proposed recommendations for the 2024 deer, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, black bear, mountain lion, predatory and fur-bearing mammals, small game, migratory birds, trapping, and population management seasons.
- INDUSTRY -
NSSF® celebrates Kentucky House Bill 357, informally called the Second Amendment Privacy Act, passing into law. This NSSF-supported law protects the privacy and sensitive financial information of people purchasing firearms and ammunition in Kentucky.
The SIG SAUER ROMEO Series has once again received a top industry rating in the recently released 2023 Hunting & Shooting Equipment Brands Report from Southwick Associates as the most frequently purchased brand in the red dot and reflex sights category.
ALPS OutdoorZ announces the continuation of its partnership with the Kids & Clays Foundation, a national organization dedicated to using shooting sports to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Chapters.

MidwayUSA announced that it has earned the 2023 Bizrate® Platinum Circle of Excellence Award. The award is based on Customer feedback and recognizes retailers who go above and beyond to provide exceptional online services and experiences.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
Following their introduction of the 1-8 1/2 Fractional Twist barrels, Luth-AR announces the availability of 1-8 1/2 Fractional Twist Complete Uppers, featuring either MLOK or Keymod 15" Palm Handguard.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
Ducks Unlimited proudly presents its 2023-24 Season in Review, a comprehensive analysis of waterfowling across the United States, focusing on a year marked by unique environmental challenges and conservation efforts.
- RADIO -
This week, Outdoors Radio features Ballard’s Black Island Resort managing partner Gary Moeller, Wisconsin Conservation Congress executive committee member Terri Roehrig, Outdoor News managing editor Rob Drieslein, Travel Iowa spokesperson Jessica O’Riley, and Webster County MN Tourism Board member Tasha West.

- SHIPPING NOW -
Christensen Arms is now shipping the new Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire to retailers nationwide. A list of authorized Christensen Arms retailers can be found online at christensenarms.com.
- STATE AGENCIES -
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on the illegal shooting and wanton waste of two mule deer in Cherry County, northwest of Cody, Nebraska. The mule deer were shot March 23 or 24 off of Hay Valley Rd.
Want to enjoy Indiana’s outdoors but are concerned about what areas might present barriers? A new one-stop feature of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website highlights work that has been purposeful in reducing challenges to allow guests to experience all that DNR properties offer.
A lot of bills were passed during the 2024 legislative session, and March 21 was the deadline for Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to sign or veto them. There were several bills related to wildlife management that were signed into law this legislative session — here are just a few to know about.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP) invites coastal stakeholders and other members of the public to provide input on the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study (GLCRS) during a virtual meeting on April 10 at 9 a.m. CT.
- STATE PARKS -
Montana’s Travelers’ Rest State Park is hosting a temporary natural history art exhibit, Cabinet of Natural History, beginning April 5. The display features 54 color lithographs of American wildlife published from 1830-33 and is open for viewing during regular visitor center hours.
- STATES -
The Department of Natural Resources Ortonville, Pontiac Lake, Rose Lake and Sharonville shooting ranges will be closed for the Easter holiday Sunday, March 31. The ranges will reopen Monday, April 1.
The largest youth archery competition in Alabama, the National Archery in the Schools Program Alabama State Championship, will be held April 4-5, 2024, at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl located at 220 Hall St. in Montgomery, Alabama. The media and public are invited to attend.
The Alaska Region of the Forest Service, which features the Tongass and Chugach National Forests, is honored to have been selected to provide the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
- TELEVISION -
Join hosts Patrice and Kevin McCabe as they return to Nebraska to explore Fort Robinson State Park and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area in the state’s Panhandle during the third season of “RV There Yet?”
Pursuit is pleased to highlight a great lineup of fishing with the Hooked On Sundays block available each week to Pursuit UP viewers. Each Sunday on Pursuit UP, viewers can tune in to catch Hooked on Sundays starting at 7:00am ET to see some of the best shows and personalities in the space.
- WILDLIFE -
A grizzly bear was euthanized Monday after a cattle depredation on private land along the Rocky Mountain Front. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks had previously captured and radio collared the young adult male bear weighing 375 pounds near Simms earlier this month, and it was relocated at that time by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
If you’re outside working or recreating, you need to be aware that bears are out there, too. Anytime bears are not in hibernation, which is typically between the beginning of March and the end of November, is the time to be bear aware, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife information Specialist Danielle Oyler.
 

Tomorrow is Good Friday, the first day of the Easter weekend, 2024. Despite the best efforts of the Cadbury bunny, the holiday isn’t about hiding eggs, eating candy and celebrating the eventual arrival of spring.

For Christians worldwide, it is a sacred religious holiday.

Like many of you, we will observe Good Friday.

Meaning? No wires in your inboxes.

No, there’s no shortage of news happening.

From the untimely demise of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, to the ongoing shenanigans by the NRA to the battle over the company presently known as Vista Outdoors, there is no shortage of news.

Fixating on the normal doesn’t seem to be appropriate for this weekend. The normal turmoil of modern life is actually counter to the spirit of Easter.

Easter isn’t about the normal, it’s about the extraordinary.

We might all be better off if we acknowledged more of the extraordinary in our lives instead of focusing on the troubling.

Despite the fact we’re still having ridiculously wild weather nationwide, spring is arriving.

If you’re anywhere near Washington, D.C., the National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing. And the National Park Service reports the Yoshino cherry trees are currently at peak bloom. That apparently happened on March 17 and the peak (actually a sustainable 70% bloom) is expected for several more days.

Originally a gift from Japan, the Yoshino cherry trees that surround the tidal basin in Washington, D.C. are a site worth seeing. National Cherry Blossom Festival photo, with permission.

The Yoshinos around the tidal basin, if you’ve never seen them, are an experience. blossoms are reportedly blooming at a level unheard of in recent years. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can check them out yourself courtesy of the live “#BloomCam” supplied by EarthCam. If you want an event in early April, the National Cherry Blossom Parade is set for Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 10AM-Noon on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets. The parade is free, but seating is available at the East and West ends of the parade route for $25-30.

No April Fool joke..the long-established White House Easter Egg roll is set for Monday after Easter. White House Historical Society photo.

On “Easter Monday” the White House will host their annual Easter Egg roll on the South Lawn of the White House. We’re told it’s an “EGGucation” event, and cornball jokes aside, it will honor thousands of military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors. The first White House egg roll, FYI, was held April 22, 1878 after President Rutherford B. Hayes agreed to open the White House grounds on Easter Monday to children who wanted to roll Easter eggs. Apparently, the idea of egg rolling is an old European folk custom. Normally held during “Easter season” the “frolic” was a competition of kids rolling eggs down a hill during spring festivals.

As Easter baskets are being prepped, adults are seeing first-hand one of the biggest price hikes in years. Cocoa prices are literally “off the charts” this year-and that increase is being reflected in the costs of putting chocolate candies into Easter baskets.

For the first time -ever- cocoa prices topped $10,000 a metric ton on Tuesday. The world is facing what commodity brokers and chocolate makers describe as the largest cocoa shortage in the past 60 years. Black pod disease and swollen shoot virus have ravaged cocoa trees in Ghana and the Ivory Coast -the world’s largest cocoa suppliers. The two countries account for about 60 percent of the world’s cocoa output.

Choco-holics already know about the shortages. Many candy bars have experienced “shrinkflation” - smaller sizes at the same price as larger bars, or seen prices skyrocket. And skyrocket isn’t an exaggeration. In the past 12 months, cocoa prices have tripled -and are already up 124 percent this year.

Most of you already know by now, but chocolate has become one of the most expensive candies out there. In 2024, prices are already up 124% with no relief in sight. When you’re paying $8 for 7 ounces of chocolate, the gold paper isn’t entirely inappropriate.

Chocolate makers like Hershey and Nestle have seen their profits drop as they’ve delayed passing on costs. Hershey’s stock price has dropped twenty-two percent over the past 12 months. Nestle’s down thirteen percent.

In response, they’re trying to shift consumers over to “non-chocolate Easter treats” like “cookies ’n cream bunnies” and alternatives to the once-ubiquitous chocolate bunnies and eggs. One new candy is the Kit-Kat lemon crisp bar. Another tactic to help ease the chocolate withdrawal is Hershey’s mixing Haribo gummy bears in its assortment bags.

Easter, FYI, is the third-largest occasion in the U.S. for candy. Halloween is the largest, with the “winter holiday season” a close second.

Anyway…hope you get beyond all the chocolate uncertainty, the long list of other problems that occupy most of our time and attention -and have a blessed Easter weekend.

Back Monday — no fooling. And, as always, we’ll keep you posted.

— Jim Shepherd

 
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