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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2019

- COMPETITION -
Throughout May 2019, competitive shooters using Walther pistols have earned nearly $14,000 at various IDPA and USPSA matches across the United States.  Walther Contingency dollars are available to 1st and 2nd place winners at most USPSA and IDPA matches. 
Lowrance continued its domination of America’s tournament-fishing circuit as Lowrance Pro Jacob Wheeler won the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Stage Seven championship.
USA Shooting’s junior shotgun talent was on full display Saturday from International Shooting Park just outside Colorado Springs. Five mentally draining days of trap competition came to conclusion at the National Championships for Shotgun.

Two first-time National Champions were crowned at the International Shooting Park outside Colorado Springs, as the four-day test of nerves and shooting skill concluded in Men’s and Women’s Trap.  Julia Stallings and Alex Rennert are the 2019 National Champions.
- ENFORCEMENT -
Wildlife officers at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) have shut down two illegal marijuana grows on private property in Lake County.
- ENVIRONMENT -
The Canadian Wildlife Service has proposed a number of key changes that simplify and clarify regulations, particularly regarding possession, transportation and gifting of harvested waterfowl. Another key provision provides free migratory game bird hunting permits and habitat conservation stamps for all youth hunters.
- EVENTS -
The Civilian Marksmanship Program has announced the enhancement of numerous events scheduled during the National Pistol and Rifle Matches. The recent developments of the National Matches will provide guests with more opportunities to compete, improve and take part in the World Series of Shooting Sports that has inhabited the Lake Erie summer shore since 1907.

Leaders from 15 different states home to wild, free-ranging elk recently gathered at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to discuss a wide range of issues that impact elk and elk habitat.
Join other boaters at Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area to celebrate a nationwide event dedicating to increasing safe boating participation along with spending the day outside.
- GEAR -
DGR-Crosley announced that RAILBLAZA has partnered with Tyler Ankrum for the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, Texas) on Friday.
- GIVEAWAYS -
Primary Arms announces a new rifle giveaway for June: the company will be giving away a brand new 9mm pistol-caliber carbine. This build features Glock 17 magazine compatibility and many other features.

- INDUSTRY -
German Precision Optics USA has created an industry-leading Spectacular Lifetime Warranty.  GPO will take care of any of its products at no charge to the owner, ever. If the product is not functioning properly, GPO USA will repair or replace it with a product that is in perfect working condition. 
Vihtavuori Powder dominated the 47th Annual Firearms Industry Super Shoot with the entire Top 20 competitors using N133 smokeless powder. Each year the F.I.S.S. attracts hundreds of the world’s best competition benchrest shooters.
Reno Cerakote, a high-volume Cerakote applicator, launched their new Supercell production line in Mid- March and has already seen the benefits of the increased daily throughput.
CCI/Speer is proud to kick of National Safety Month with a safety milestone at its Lewiston, Idaho facility. The facility’s Quality Department recently reached 14 years of injury-free operation.

MOJO® Outdoors announces the return of Stevie Fry Barefield as Head of Marketing. 
- MEDIA -
The 13th-17th May marked the week-long media event of Seeland's new 'Hawker Prym1 Woodlands' suit launch, together with event partners, Hornady AmmunitionJ. P. Sauer & SohnLeupold Optics and Prym1 Camo.
- ONLINE -
More full episodes of "The High Road with Keith Warren” were promised to their YouTube Channel and here they come. Watch as Keith and Matti Warren head back up to Legends Ranch for the "Legacy Hunt” to hunt in the snow. It’s late season and Matti is after a big framed typical buck. She has a big surprise for her dad.
- OPTICS -
Axeon Optics rail mount Second Zero optical prism devices are now available. Both the 4.3 and 11.5 MOA rail mount versions can be ordered direct from Axeon Optic’s website.

- ORGANIZATIONS -
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation announced the members of the 2019 All-Scholastic Team. Over 230 student athletes from 24 states have been named to the team this year and will be recognized at the opening ceremonies of the Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program National Team Championship event on July 17 in Marengo, Ohio. 
The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and well-being of all Coast Guard members and their families, bas been presented with the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Award.
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) has honored Ryan Creeden of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) Local 627 with the 2019 IBB Conservation Steward of the Year Award for his exemplary commitment to conservation and community service
- PARTNERSHIPS -
The GLATOS, FishUSA and AFTCO Great Lakes partnership is young but is growing quickly.

- PROMOTIONS -
To celebrate Father’s Day, buy dad a Burris optic. Burris has great gift ideas for dad, including an archery accessory, spotting scope, or rifle scope.
Steiner comes to the rescue with a selection of Father’s Day gift ideas sure to make Dad happy. Sunlight adaptive binoculars, Marine binoculars and more great Steiner optics are special gifts he would enjoy.
Now through July 31, 2019, Beretta will be running a promotion in which you will be eligible to receive a $100 rebate when you buy any of these eligible Beretta APX striker-fired pistols: Full-Size, Combat, RDO, Centurion, and Compact (excludes the new Beretta APX Carry).
- RADIO -
This weekend on Northwestern Outdoors Radio, there’s a  new hiking guide to Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and co-author Nathan Barnes will offer suggestions about where to go when exploring the central Cascade mountain range,

- RESEARCH -
High and medium concentrations of Florida red tide caused 100% and 30% mortality in stone crab larvae, respectively, and many of the surviving larvae had impaired swimming behavior, during a four-day lab study published by Mote Marine Laboratory.
- STATES -
The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division has created a new Coastal Zone and shifted the mandatory alligator hunting training workshop to online only.
The application deadline is June 14, 2019 for resident hunters wanting to apply for an elk, either-species/either-sex deer, or antelope permit.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants in Fiscal Year 2020 to enhance and improve public boating access, facilities, and navigation throughout the state.

Pressure, vibrations and tread marks from motorized vehicles can cause additional issues for an already-saturated levee, says USACE.
Three District 7 Indiana Conservation Officers have recently been recognized for their outstanding service to the public.
Check out these Florida parks in both fresh and saltwater for great summer angling action.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will open a harvest fishery for white sturgeon in Lake Roosevelt starting June 15.

Arizona’s Lost Dutchman State Park is offering an exciting full-moon hike on June 16, giving you the chance to explore the Superstitions in the moonlight.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park in Stephenson County will be closed in 2020 while a number of improvement projects to the park’s main lake, boat access area, roadways and related facilities are underway.
You’ll be registered to win great prizes, including a fishing kayak, gift cards to your favorite outdoor retailers and our grand prize, a Bass Tracker Classic fishing boat, that we’ll be giving away all summer long.
- TELEVISION -
Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks (Outdoor ChannelSportsman Channel and World Fishing Network), the world’s largest aggregator of outdoor lifestyle content, present the 19th Annual Outdoor Sportsman Fishing Awards. Voting is now open for the Fan Favorite categories for shows and hosts airing on any of the three networks in 2018. 
 

Shortly before the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, I collaborated with Honor Defense to “create” a concealed carry compact pistol.

The goal wasn’t to come out with something exotic or screwball -no metal from meteorites or petrified t-rex grips or such. The goal was an affordable, reliable pistol for personal carry. Something you’d describe as a Frank Lloyd Wright gun for someone who was serious about carrying a gun: no frills, no gimmicks, just something useful and functional.

Here, for the final time (we promise) is the gun that resulted in a collaboration between Outdoor Wire editor/publisher Jim Shepherd and Honor Defense. Today, “Jim’s gun” is headed for its new owner. We hope he enjoys the gun Honor Defense’s Gary Ramey described as “the Winter of 1776” for its decidedly non-mil spec color scheme. Photo by Honor Defense.

OK, I admit I went a little “different” with the color scheme, but I wanted a gun that featured something other than the standard black, blue, OD or coyote tan, but avoided the “rainbow Skittles look” and had a bit of “attitude”.

To get there, I fell back onto the palette that I see best- black and white. There are shades of grey as well, but the gun looks different without being over the top (although I do admit the stars and stripes on the dust cover do look terrific - that’s an Honor Defense offering I couldn’t resist).

Saying I “designed” this gun is like saying I “built my own laser” during a visit to Crimson Trace’s headquarters a couple of years ago. When I “built” that laser, I did so under the rigorous scrutiny of one of C-T’s highly-skilled assemblers. They knew what I was doing; I was simply following instructions.

But it’s still on my favorite rifle -and runs like a champ. And having your name on your gun is pretty awesome- even if it’s a removable part on the rail.

Similarly, Honor Defense did the real design, creating a small pistol that shoots like far larger ones, but allows for owner customization.

The 1911 grip angle is my favorite, so I went with that. Likewise, presbyopia means I’m alwaysgoing to opt for the longest slide possible. Otherwise, the pistol sights are pretty much useless for me. That’s why I’m a proponent of lasers on carry pistols. Although I also believe the type of carry you have in mind has a lot to do with whether or not there’s a laser.

For a small, defensive carry pistol like this one, I didn’t go with a laser. That’s because lasers, especially rail mounted ones, change the carry characteristics of the gun. It necessitates a significantly larger holster in most instances. To me, “larger” and “easily concealed” are contradictions.

Besides, a small concealed carry pistol isn’t something I’m ever planning to use for longer distance shooting. Personal defense, at least in my mental context, means at distances not much more than 10-12 feet. At that distance, and under duress, you shouldn’t be thinking anything other than pointing the gun and pressing the trigger.

And I still believe that the laser isn’t where you begin your training on a handgun, it’s where you end up after you’re proficient enough to “run your gun” without having to look at it. It should be an affirmation of your ability to aim accurately. That may sound like a contradiction, but it’s the same approach I take to driving a car. You don’t go adding performance enhancements until you’re ability to drive matches the improvements. Otherwise, you’re looking to get yourself in trouble.

Trouble with a gun - or a car- isn’t something you look for; it’s something you avoid whenever possible. But knowing your abilities allows you to plan accordingly.

Enough theory, everyone wants to know the answer to a simple question: “who won Jim’s gun?”

Our winner is Tim Schneider from Plainview Minnesota, I’m not going to offer a lot of biography on Tim, because I haven’t spoken with him.

But I will tell you he’s probably going to be pretty well qualified to run the “Winter of 1776.”

Tim’s not only a shooting enthusiasts, he’s the Chief of Police for Plainview.

Congratulations, Tim. Both Honor Defense’s Gary Ramey and I hope you enjoy the gun we enjoyed putting together for you.

As always, we’ll keep you posted.

—Jim Shepherd

OUTDOOR WIRE
Event Calendar

JULY 30 - AUGUST 1
Import/Export Conference

Washington, DC (Website)

AUGUST 1-3
Boone and Crockett Club's 30th Big Game Awards

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, Springfield, Missouri, https://www.biggameawards.com/

 
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