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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019

- ACQUISITIONS -
Major League Fishing (MLF) has closed the acquisition of Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), bringing together the league behind the no-entry-fee Bass Pro Tour and the largest grassroots organization in the world.
Premium fly-fishing product manufacturer Mayfly Outdoors has completed its acquisition of international fly line manufacturer, Airflo.
- AMMUNITION -
Blazer Ammunition has expanded its wide selection of range ammunition with a bulk pack that’s perfect for high-volume shooting or training. The Blazer buk pack contains 22 LR ammo loaded with 38-grain round nose bullets.

- ARCHERY -
Easton has released the premiere arrow in its new 6.5 carbon arrow line. The 6.5 ±.001-inch Match Grade arrows stand apart for their industry-leading structural uniformity, and precision tolerances for the best accuracy in the lineup.
- AWARDS -
Taurus has been awarded the 2019 Handgun of the Year by the editors of Guns & Ammo magazine. This year, Guns & Ammo selected the new Taurus TX22 semi-auto pistol for the award.
- COMPETITION -
The Texas Team Trail (TXTT) presented by Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s recently unveiled the schedule for the 2020 season, which includes stops at some of the most popular tournament bass lakes in the country.
- CONTESTS -
BaseMap has released its newest feature: GearDrop. This patent-pending feature allows app users to drop a marker within the weekly GearDrop area for a chance to win prizes from ZEISS, Hoyt, SPOT, Traeger and many other outdoor, hunting and fishing brands.

- FIREARMS -
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announced that the AR-556 rifle with free-float handguard is now available chambered in .300 Blackout. This rifle features a 16.10” cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:7” twist and pistol-length gas system.
- GEAR -
The new TrueTimber Bib series is designed to be a tough barrier between hunters and the harsh elements that can be expected throughout the course of the year. T
Ahead of the ice-fishing and holiday season, prepare your favorite ice angler with gifts to up their odds from Rapala, VMC and StrikeMaster.
- HUNTING -
One Montana’s Master Hunter Program is accepting applications November 15, 2019 to January 10, 2020 for 2020 classes.

- INDUSTRY -
ZEISS announces Murray Road as their agency of record for public relations and media buying and planning.
JEBS Choke Tubes announces an impressive eight year stretch of growth that included a greater than 135 percent increase in revenue annually.
Lumishore, manufacturer of high-performance LED marine lighting systems, announced today it has hired Bob Hamilton as Vice President of Sales.
LWRC International is honored to have been chosen, and fielded as the duty carbine for the Dallas, Texas SWAT Team. Dallas SWAT also chose the Aimpoint CompM5 red dot, a Surefire SOCOM Mini II suppressor, the Surefire M622 Ultra SCOUT Light and the MAWL-DA visible / IR laser aiming and illumination device.

- JOBS -
Those interested in pursuing a career as a Michigan conservation officer are encouraged to submit an application for the DNR’s 10th conservation officer academy
- MEDIA -
Realtree introduces Black Cloud to its Realtree 365 platform. Black Cloud follows Dennis Loosier and Billy Campbell – known as Dr. Duck and The Fowl Hunter, respectively – as they take a season-long journey into America’s great public waterfowl landscape.
- MEDIA ADVISORY -
Bobby Lane will host a Facebook Live on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, to make an announcement surrounding Bobby Lane Fishing.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
Boker USAintroduce their new Boker Plus Specialist series line of multi-tools. The new models include the Specialist Mini, Specialists I, and Specialist II.

Galco is excited to introduce additional fits for the versatile and affordable new Switchback belt holster – now available for a broad range of popular compact semiautos with 3”- 4” barrels from Glock, Ruger, S&W, Taurus and more.
SB Tactical has announced the addition of the TAC13-SBA3 and TAC13-SBA4 Stabilizing Brace Kits for the Remington V3 TAC-13 firearms. These add greater stability which results in greater accuracy.
Streamlight Inc. launched the Syclone, a compact work light featuring both spot and flood beams with a total of six output modes. Delivering up to 400 lumens, it also provides the convenience and cost savings of USB rechargeability.
Streamlight, Inc. has introduced the Strion Switchblade, a compact and powerful 500 lumen area light with a double-sided light bar. The light bar rotates 180 degrees to offer three lighting modes: area lighting, color matching and UV lighting.

- NOTICES -
The Joint-State Columbia River Policy Review Committee, made up of members of the Washington and Oregon fish and wildlife commissions, announced today that it would postpone a planned November 18 public meeting in Ridgefield, with the intent to schedule additional meetings beginning in early 2020.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) announces the addition of new State Advisors for the 2019/2020 competition season.
Honored American Veterans Afield and the Monroe Schuler Foundation announced the completion of the 8th Annual HAVA/MSF Elk Hunt at Vermejo Park Ranch near Raton, NM.
- PASSINGS -
Joe Higgins, vice president of Sales for B.A.S.S., died Saturday, November 9, in Jupiter, Florida, after a lengthy illness. He was 67.

- PROMOTIONS -
Denver Outfitters®, known for its premium Rod Vault® fly and Rod Vault® ST vehicle mounted rod storage solutions is celebrating a month of Thanksgiving with a different giveaway each week of November.
- PUBLISHING -
The Kahr Arms 25th Anniversary K9 is celebrated with feature coverage in the January 2020 issue of GUNS Magazine. The anniversary model model features tritium sights, front and rear slide serrations, Cerakote finish and slide ports.
The January/February issue of American Handgunner features the Kimber Custom Shop EVO SP pistol. The solid little pistol has a solid stainless steel slide, stylish serrations, TRUGLO TritiumPro sights, aluminum grip-frame and KimPro II Charcoal Gray finish.
- RADIO -
Some great guests are coming aboard on Northwestern Outdoors Radio this week to include Robby Denning, the author of "Hunting Big Mule Deer", who has some great advice on bagging a November buck.
- RETAIL -
The Heybo Field Fleece is a perfect way to enjoy the warmth of heavy hunting gear without the bulk. This loose-fit fleece is classic cut for comfortable wear and its poly fleece makes it essential to pack for cold hunts when extra weather protection is needed.
BreachBangClear.com is happy to announce that we're now working with Lucky Tackle Box - it's a monthly subscription box for anglers (and fly fishermen, and all others who seek to do battle with piscine adversaries).
The new Bushnell VIP Program, open to all military personnel from all branches of service - active, retired, and veterans – provides everyday discounts on any Bushnell product. Whether used for personal or duty use, the new program enables special VIP pricing for the men and women of the U.S. Military.
From big ticket items to angling essentials, Rapala has everything you need for the angler in your life.
- STATES -
One of southwest Kansas’ most popular and scenic fishing spots, Clark State Fishing Lake, northwest of Ashland, is in better shape than ever after much-needed repair work to the area’s spillway was recently completed.
The public is invited to Brown County State Park on November 15 for a dedication celebrating the addition of Weed Patch Trail, a 2.4 mile mountain bike trail constructed in partnership with the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA)
Get ready to take camping to a new level with the brand-new cabins now taking reservations for stays after December 1 at Lake Havasu State Park.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s boating access off Lennoxville Road is now open to the public after the completion of upgrades to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from the site.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved changes to the regulations on passive fishing gear (jug lines, minnow traps, perch traps, throwlines, and trotlines) to facilitate the removal of abandoned gear from public waters, make the presence of passive fishing gear identifiable to all users of public waters, and minimize the unintended take of aquatic resources.
During this summer tournament anglers caught and kept 492 smallmouth bass and 419 northern pike, approximately 17 percent of the adult smallmouth bass and eight percent of the adult northern pike within the reservoir to reduce depredation on native trout and other species.
On November 18-22, the Montana National Guard will provide the opportunity for up to five Purple Heart recipients to hunt mule deer on the training area of Fort William Henry Harrison. Reservations are on a first-come basis.
- TELEVISION -
This week on The High Road with Keith Warren, Keith and his good friend Mike Zmek travel to Gobble N’ Grunt Outfitters in North Central Nebraska. Here, Keith will be going after a Whitetail Buck with his ML2 Savage muzzleloader.
- TOURNAMENTS -
Bass anglers again have the opportunity to compete against others for more than $13,000 in cash and fishing gear at the annual ‘G. Loomis Skeleton Cup’ team tournament out of Conley Bottom Resort (http://conleybottom.com) on Kentucky’s Lake Cumberland.
 

Editor’s Note: Today’s feature came to us as one of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ “Showcasing the DNR” features. It’s certainly worth sharing as an inspiration -and suggestion- for those of us who know people who would love to get back into the outdoors.


Accessible trailers are helping disabled hunters get back outdoors 

Michigan’s outdoors should be accessible for all people to enjoy. All too often, that isn’t the case. Whether it’s a lack of understanding or inaccessible facilities, outdoor spaces aren’t always welcoming to people with disabilities.

That’s starting to change, thanks in part to groups like the Bays de Noc Gobblers, a chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. For years, the Upper Peninsula-based chapter has utilized the federation’s Wheelin’ Sportsmenoutreach program, which focuses on making the outdoors more accessible for hunters.

As a result, the Gobblers have become a frontrunner in providing accessible hunting. Specifically, the group developed mobile trailers designed not only to accommodate wheelchair users, but also to ensure a safe, fun hunting experience for people of all mobility levels. These unique trailers make it easier for hunters with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors without barriers.

Each trailer is large enough to allow wheelchair users space to move around. Inside, a sliding window gives hunters a view of the target area and allows access for a gun or crossbow with a specially equipped “sip-and-puff” trigger actuator – an adaptive piece of equipment which lets the hunter pull the trigger by taking in a breath on an attached tube.

A camera connected to the gun’s scope feeds video of the target area to a 19-inch monitor affixed to the wall above the window, allowing those in the trailer an up-close view. A joystick helps the hunter take aim.

To Ken Buchholtz, president of the Bays de Noc Gobblers and chairman of the Wheelin’ Sportsmen program, the trailers are a necessary step toward keeping Michigan’s outdoors enjoyable for everyone.

“If there’s a wheel, there’s a way, and the smile makes it all worthwhile,” he said.

Buchholtz also sits on the Accessibility Advisory Council for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and has received the DNR’s Partners in Conservation award, the Volunteer of the Year award from the National Association of Activity Professionals, and the Elk’s Club Citizen of the Year award, among others.

But accolades aren’t the reason Buchholtz is so involved in accessibility issues. For him, the Wheelin’ Sportsmen is more than an outreach program – it’s a passion.

According to Buchholtz, the accessible trailer program grew from people concerned about the lack of infrastructure to support hunters with disabilities who wanted to do something about it.

What started as an ambitious idea quickly became something tangible.

The Bays de Noc Gobblers, made up entirely of volunteers and funded by grants and community donations, are leaders in the state and the nation when it comes to building and operating these accessible trailers.

Currently, the Gobblers have four permanent accessible deer blinds and three hunting trailers available for use. In the past few years, as visibility and understanding of accessibility needs have grown, the group has even seen increased requests for these trailers from other states.

The trailers aren’t just for seasoned hunters, either. The Gobblers also go out to assisted living homes, where residents can try out the equipment and hunt – some for the first time in their lives.

“People tell me they always wanted to go hunting, but never had the opportunity to,” Buchholtz said. “When these hunters bag their game, the program also helps pay for the processing of the animal.”

For hunters with disabilities, programs like these are a much-needed tool. With the support of groups like the Bays De Noc Gobblers and programs like the Wheelin’ Sportsmen, disabled hunters can bridge accessibility gaps and get back to Michigan’s beautiful outdoors.

“There’s nothing like enjoying the great outdoors,” Buchholtz said “There’s truly nothing like it.”

For DNR Conservation Officer Dave Painter, the trailers signify more than an opportunity to get hunters with disabilities out in the field. They’re a rallying point for the communities that utilize them.

After being out in the field taking pictures of a bear in spring 2010, Painter ran into a pharmacy to get the film developed. There, he struck up a conversation with a cashier, who mentioned that her 11-year-old son, Robbie, would love those pictures.

She said Robbie loved all kinds of wildlife, but he couldn’t get out into nature the way he wanted. Painter gave her copies of the bear pictures and asked if Robbie would be interested in hunting. Robbie wanted to hunt, she said, but he wouldn’t be able to hunt in the traditional way.

Robbie has muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease that results in overall muscle weakness that progressively worsens. At 11, he used a wheelchair, but it was not equipped to move effectively in the woods.

After meeting Robbie, Painter was determined to get him out hunting in the outdoors he so clearly cherished.

Painter saw Buchholtz on a local outdoors show in the U.P. and immediately saw a clear connection between the Gobblers’ efforts with the Wheelin’ Sportsmen program and his own efforts to get Robbie out hunting.

Painter contacted Buchholtz, who eagerly described the accessible hunting trailer the Gobblers had developed, and assured Painter the group would “make it happen.”

And they did.

The Bays de Noc Gobblers set up an accessible trailer near Crystal Falls, and Robbie shot a bear on his very first hunt.

After seeing how excited Robbie was, and how positively the experience affected him, Painter went to Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County. Together, they were able to raise $16,000 to build their own aluminum-enclosed accessible hunting trailer. The Gobblers offered support, giving pointers and suggestions to help improve the hunting trailer experience.

The trailers haven’t just helped individuals. They’ve also helped knit the community together.

“Quite often in hunting, we’re always fighting over something – like technique or equipment,” Painter said. “We don’t see any of that. Everyone thought it was a good idea, everyone wanted to be a part of it.” 

Doctors had previously told Robbie’s mother that he wouldn’t live past the age of 15; he’s 20 years old now, and though he has lost all mobility, he still hunts. Painter controls the joystick, and Robbie tells him when to stop. With the sip-and-puff mechanism, Robbie still gets to bag his own game.

“We’ve had some fantastic hunts,” Painter recalled. “He’s still able to get out and be successful.”

The trailers have even turned Robbie into a local celebrity.

“That’s his thing,” Painter said.

Robbie is known as the guy who first used the accessible trailer in Iron County. When he goes out to Wildlife Unlimited banquets or around town, people will come up to him and ask him how he’s doing, what he’s hunted recently. It serves as a point of connection, not only with nature and hunting, but between people.

Such connection is important to the DNR, too.

Every person should be able to enjoy the bounty of Michigan’s state parks, recreation areas and forests. The development of devices like the accessible hunting trailers is part of a broader conversation on accessibility in public spaces.

The DNR is taking an active part in that discussion, and over the past few years has made a concerted effort to make some state parks more accessible to all visitors.

“We want to make our natural resources available to anyone of any ability,” said Michelle Coss, DNR parks and recreation fund development coordinator. “We’re trying to do what we can to remove those barriers and hesitations for people.”

Not only has the DNR been incorporating accessible hunting features in some of its recreation and game areas, it has been giving more thought to accessible recreation in general.

The availability of accessible fishing piers and kayak launchesgives visitors a chance to make long-lasting memories on Michigan waterways, and with the introduction of track chairs in state parks, visitors with mobility challenges can explore areas of the parks that traditional wheelchairs may not be equipped for.

These chairs, which are currently in use at five state parks, are just one part of the DNR’s commitment to integrating accessibility-focused designs and programs into all of Michigan’s state parks.

“Accessibility is one of our big priorities moving forward,” Coss said. “For people with disabilities, we want them to know there are things being put into place that will make it easier for them to enjoy the parks like everyone else.”

Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors is a cooperative partnership with the DNR and several other entities that provides outdoor recreation opportunities for individuals with health challenges; and coordinators support networks which facilitate recovery through connecting with nature.

Since 2013, when the partnership began, the partnership has helped hundreds of individuals connect with hunting, hiking, birding and fishing opportunities that have helped them return to the outdoor activities they enjoy.

In addition, several accessible hunting blinds have been installed at the Sharonville State Game Area, along with the use of tracked wheelchairs to help disabled individuals enjoy the outdoors.

Making state parks, recreation areas, waterways and forests accessible is more than checking off a box. It’s about making sure that all visitors have the chance to experience the outdoors and make lifelong memories in Michigan’s beautiful natural areas.

-- EMMA KUKUK
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

OUTDOOR WIRE
Event Calendar

JANUARY 21-24
SHOT SHOW

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JANUARY 24-26
Houston Safari Club Foundation's Annual Worldwide Hunting Expo and Convention

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https://hscfdn.org/convention/attendees/

FEBRUARY 1-9
Great American Outdoor Show

Harrisburg, PA

FEBRUARY 5-8
Safari Club International Convention

Reno/Sparks Convention Center, Reno Nevada

 
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