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TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2019

- ARCHERY -
More than seventeen hundred archers from eighty-seven Alabama schools competed for top honors and the opportunity to advance to the NASP Eastern National Championships on May 9-11, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Of the teams that competed in the state tournament, fifty two have registered to attend nationals.
- BOATING -
Last week, NMMA submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), calling on the agency to abandon its proposal to allow year-round sale of E15 fuels and strengthen its Misfuelling Mitigation Program (MMP).
- COMPETITIONS -
Inshore anglers from across South Carolina and surrounding regions will converge at Georgetown, South Carolina, April 27-28, for the first of two events for the Atlantic Division of the 2019 IFA Redfish Tour Presented by Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s and IFA Kayak Fishing Tour.

The Fort Smith JROTC Grizzly Air Rifle Team worked hard all season and it paid off. The team of Fort Smith, Arkansas high school students who are supported by Umarex USA, placed 1st in four Arkansas Invitational Matches and individual team members have risen above the rest as overall high score shooters.
- CONSERVATION -
A new paper published Monday in the journal Nature Communications shows a blueprint for conserving enough habitat to protect the populations of almost one-third of the warblers, orioles, tanagers, and other birds that migrate among the Americas throughout the year.
 
- ENVIRONMENT -
Yesterday, dozens of national, regional, and local hunting and fishing groups submitted final comments on the EPA’s proposed rollback of Clean Water Act protections for 50 percent of wetlands and 18 percent of stream miles in the U.S. Their comments underscore the potential economic consequences for rural communities and outdoor recreation businesses and the species that stand to lose habitat if clean water standards are weakened.
- EVENTS -
Celebrate the migration of bird life through the Indiana Dunes region May 16-19 at the fifth annual Indiana Dunes Birding Festival at both Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park.

Viridian Weapon Technologies is showing the FACT Duty Weapon-Mounted Camera at the annual conference of the Texas Police Chiefs Association. The event is in Galveston, April 16 and 17.
The Historic Mansfield Roller Mill will participate in Mansfield’s Mushroom Festival on April 27 and 28, staying open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Breakthrough Clean Technologies will be exhibiting at the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Indianapolis. Stop by the Breakthrough Clean booth to take advantage of their show specials.
- FIREARMS -
Smith & Wesson Corp. announced that the company’s M&P15-22 SPORT rifle is now available with a factory-mounted MP-100 Red/Green Dot Optic. Chambered in .22LR, the M&P15-22 SPORT rifle is an optics ready configuration that includes a red/green dot MP-100 optic.

Savage is proud to introduce the 110 Apex Hunter XP, which pairs a Model 110 rifle with a 3-9x40mm Vortex Crossfire II scope that comes mounted, bore-sighted and ready to hunt.
Beretta announced the launch of a brand-new pistol, the Beretta APX Carry. It extends the APX platform to include a single stack, sub-compact profile offering.
- GEAR -
DeSantis Gunhide introduces 20 holster fits for the SIG P320 XCOMPACT pistol. These holsters, and others, will be displayed at the NRA Annual Meeting.
ALPS OutdoorZ continues to expand its waterfowl gear product line with the introduction of two new decoy bags—the 6-Slot Goose and the 12-Slot Duck Decoy Bags.

- INDUSTRY -
Monster Meal, a division of Tennessee Farmers Coop is extremely excited to announce the hire of Michael Hecht as National Sales Manager.
RubLine is extremely pleased to introduce Tina Rausch to the Team. Tina brings 18 years of office management experience overseeing a very successful McDonalds franchise.
Lethal® Products announces Jon and Gina Brunson continue to be Always Lethal with their highly-popular, outdoor television show, Addicted to the Outdoors.
Berger Bullets announces its new .375 caliber ELR Match Solid Bullet has been selected for the Extreme Sniper Strike Operations program. The ESSO program is a US government project.

Highby Outdoors has partnered with CleverTee, another Sidney, Nebraska, company, to produce and sell T-shirts to raise money for the Nebraska Farm Bureau’s “Disaster Relief Fund”.
Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) announces that its Boat Group will establish its Merritt Island facility in Florida as an Integrated Manufacturing Center for Sea Ray, Boston Whaler and other Brunswick boat brands.
American Defense Manufacturing announced that the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) has approved the UIC line of rifles as an authorized duty weapon for individual officer purchase and use for official law enforcement capacity.
- JOBS -
Realtree is seeking a Community Content Manager and a Graphic Designer.

The Outdoor Writers Association of America has an immediate opening for a creative, organized individual to fill the position of communications manager.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
The CZ Bobwhite G2 is still a traditional, double-trigger, side-by-side shotgun with an English-style grip. For 2019, CZ-USA has added a lighter CNC-ed receiver, has upgraded the internals, and given the receiver a hardier finish.
Outdoor Edge has introduced the ParaSPARK bracelet and the Ignitro knife, a pair of new survival tools complete with built-in fire-starting materials as well as razor sharp blades.
Apex Tactical Specialties announces two new Action Enhancement Kits specifically designed for the CZ Shadow 2 and the CZ 75 B. The new kits are available for pre-order now and will officially ship on April 23.

Elite Archery Monday released the latest in its 2019 bow lineup: the Valor. Coming in at 28.75” axle to axle, with an ultra-forgiving 6 13/16” brace height, the Valor puts new meaning to the word value.
Pachmayr introduces the Custom Series Pearly Pistol Grips, the ultimate custom look for the 1911. They replicate the appearance and feel of actual mother of pearl but at a much lower cost.
The Realtree Pink Camo Silicone Band Compatible with the Apple Watch is ideal for the outdoors-loving woman who appreciates both style and durability. The silicone band is made using durable silicone and stainless steel and provides a smooth, comfortable feel.
RISE Armament announced release of the updated RA-901 Stinger Handguard. It incorporates anti-rotation tabs to ensure proper positioning and is a 15-inch free-floating M-LOK handguard.

Federal introduces Federal Premium Black Cloud TSS waterfowl shells, which deliver hard-hitting performance on high-flying birds. These blended loads feature No. 7 or 9 TSS with BB or No. 3 FLITESTOPPER steel. Shipments of Federal Premium Black Cloud TSS ammo have been delivered to dealers.
- NEWS -
The Firearms Industry Compliance Conference, hosted by NSSF and Orchid Advisors, is offering 3 months Free Gearfire eCommerce and Live Inventory Technology to the first 150 Retail and Range FICC Registrants.
- OLYMPIC COMPETITION -
All three American women qualified for the Finals of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode came out on top with her second gold medal in as many World Cups in the 2019 season.
- ONLINE -
Mossy Oak GO is now streaming “The Disease,” an all-new short film produced by Slate and Glass Productions.

- ORGANIZATIONS -
For a fifth year, Buck Knives has renewed their sponsorship as the official membership knife of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association (TTHA).
For the next year, a select group of six passionate young Americans will serve as Ambassadors for the shooting sports, supporters of the Second Amendment, and representatives for the NRA’s commitment to building the next generation of shooting athletes.
Registration for the Academic Archer program concluded for the 2018/2019 school year on April 1st with an all-time high of 31,251 students enrolled into the program. Educators from 47 US states, and three Canadian Provinces implemented the NASP® Academic Archer Program with their students.
Despite early morning rains, 200 young anglers and their families lined the pond at the Tennessee Children’s Home Spring Hill Campus Saturday, April 13 for the Spring Hill Area Take Kids Fishing Day. A joint effort by the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 1853 and UAW Region 8, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and other supporters, the free event was aimed at introducing the next generation of anglers and conservationists to the joys of fishing.
- PROMOTIONS -
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. is giving away a Crossfire Red Dot Optic with any REC7 or REC7 DI system purchased April 15 through August 15, 2019. Valued at over $200, the optic is covered by the lifetime, unconditional, no-fault, transferable, Vortex VIP Warranty.
Cordova Outdoors, the officially licensed cooler of the National Rifle Association, is excited to announce a special 10% discount on all hard-side coolers purchased at the 2019 NRA Show.
- STATES -
A total of 118 Michigan communities, five campuses and two utilities have earned Tree City, Tree Campus or Tree Line USA designations for 2018.
On Monday April 22 (Earth Day), the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC), Vermont Fish & Wildlife and other project partners will begin planting 1,931 native trees and shrubs along Charles Brown Brook in Norwich, Vermont at the site of the former Norwich Reservoir Dam which was removed in 2018.
Join the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for its free Wild Webcast on Weird Wildlife Wednesday, May 22, from noon to 1 p.m. to learn about amazing animal oddities.
The Upland Game Bird Council will meet in Helena on May 6 and 7 to participate with program planning efforts for the 2019 field season.
Many young hunters found success during Ohio’s 2019 youth spring wild turkey season after 1,318 birds were harvested, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
North Dakota’s 2019 paddlefish snagging season opens May 1 and is scheduled to continue through May 21, with one tag issued per snagger.
The Vermont walleye fishing season will open on Saturday, May 4, marking the return of some of the best walleye fishing in New England.
While dead and dying fish washing ashore can be discouraging to see, it’s the result of a natural process called “winterkill," according to biologists with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
- TELEVISION -
This week on Keith Warren’s Deer and Wildlife Stories, we’re visiting the Brown Trophy Whitetail Ranch in Robinson, TX. This deer farm is located right next to the local high school and goes to show that you don’t need property in a rural area to have a successful deer farm.
It’s been said that when God designed the whitetail buck, the 8 point was the blue print all other bucks came from. Chad and Scott both lock eyes with incredible eight pointers that are sure to get the heart racing.
Viewers of Sportsman Channel will have a chance to see what happens behind-the-scenes as Jeb Burton and team, including his father – former NASCAR driver and 2002 Daytona 500 champion, Ward – and fiancé Brandi, present an all-access pass to pit road and beyond in Crossroads with the Burtons.
On this week’s The Sporting Chef show on Sportsman Channel, Chef Scott Leysath is finally able to take his two English setters, Mac and Floyd, for the first time for the California pheasant opener.
- TOURNAMENTS -
The third-year Elite Series pro from Arkansas tallied a four-day total of 50 pounds, 15 ounces and earned a victory that was unexpected, to say the least.
- WILDLIFE -

Around Michigan this spring, some people may find a surprise in their gardens and flower boxes, or even in landscaping near office buildings. If you do come across a duck’s next, simply leave it alone. 

With a casual glance or two back, a Canada lynx left its holding carrier in under a minute Friday and trotted off over the snow into a stand of pine trees in central Schoolcraft County.
 

FEATURE

Editor’s Note: Today’s feature first appeared in our companion service, The Hunting Wire. May we all be blessed with “happy feet.”


The first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem. I’m a sock snob; I’m addicted to socks. I’m constantly on the look out for that sock that’s comfortable to wear, warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. In a perfect world a man should be able to wear the same sock, no matter where he’s walking, the weather, or what shoe/boot is on his feet. Of course, the perfect world is somewhere on the other side of a reality that does not exist. That does not mean attempts to find that reality should be considered futile. When I was leaving for basic training my father gave me some of his best advice. He said, “Take care of your feet.” For soldiers – and hunters – you’ll not find better guidance. After all, when done right, hunting is a foot-based endeavor.

During the first day of the 2019 SHOT Show I found something I was not expecting. I stumbled on this cute girl sitting behind a small folding table, with a few socks on it. You couldn’t really call it a booth – it looked more like a table you’d run across at a flea market. I asked her about the socks, we talked a bit, and she gave me a pair. I wore them the next day and my feet felt the best they’d ever felt after putting nine miles on them. I was so impressed; I wore those socks for the next two days. Yeah, I know, by the end of the third day, they smelled.

A few months later I was in Wyoming hunting coyotes and the thermometer was hovering around zero. But, I had a suitcase full of those new socks; I’d ordered five pair when I returned home from SHOT. My feet stayed warm and comfortable, even in boots you’d not think rated for those temperatures. 

Sometimes – yes, it’s rare, but sometimes – you find a hidden gem that can change your entire hunting experience. Nothing can ruin a hunt like sore feet, and a good way to keep your feet from getting sore or cold is with good socks. The Farm to Feet Fayetteville Lightweight Technical Crew might be the best socks I’ve ever put on my feet.

These socks were adapted from a hiking sock made specifically for the armed forces and law enforcement. They’re made with ultra-soft 19.5 micron US merino wool on a 200-needle knitting machine. They have hidden nylon plating, a targeted cushion zone, seamless toe closure, and are made from 51 percent merino wool, 45 percent US nylon, and 4 percent US Lycra spandex. And the best part, they’re guaranteed for life! They’re one of the best pieces of hunting kit I’ve purchased for less than $30.00; at $24.50 I’d call them a steal.

Of course, that does not mean my infatuation of finding the perfect sock has ended. Sometimes even after admitting you have a problem and finding a cure, the addiction continues. I’ll keep searching for the perfect sock, but while I’m on that journey, rest assured I’ll be doing it with comfortable feet.

OUTDOOR WIRE
Event Calendar

APRIL 25-28
148th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

The 2019 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be held Thursday, April 25, to Sunday, April 28, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. https://www.nraam.org/

MAY 6-8
Firearms Industry Compliance Conference

PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (Website)

JUNE 2-5
NSSF Industry Summit

Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, Colorado (Website)

JUNE 7-9
D.C. Project Foundation’s 3-Gun Fundraiser

Reveille Peak Ranch, Burnet, Texas. Contact: Dianna Muller di@pro3gunner.com Info: pro3gunner.com/team-match

 
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