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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020

- ACQUISITIONS -
MarineMax recently announced the acquisition of SkipperBud's and its affiliate, Silver Seas, deepening the North-South-West connection for both organizations and their customers.
- AWARDS -
The Ultra Custom holster from 1791 Gunleather has been awarded the Holster of the Year by Guns and Ammo Magazine.
- COMPETITION -
Taurus Team Captain Jessie Harrison took took First Place in the Ladies Open division and earned the Ladies Open National Champion title at the USPSA Race Gun Nationals.
Humminbird® and Minn Kota® pros Brandon Palaniuk and Carl Jocumsen were riding high after the two buddies took first and second at the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes. One week later, Lee Livesay and Mike Huff finished first and second respectively at Lake Chickamauga.
- EVENTS -
Monroe Lake interpretive naturalist Jill Vance will host a combination driving and walking tour through the former town of Elkinsville in Brown County on Monday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m.

Representing the first major marine event to take place since April, the 61st Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the largest in-water boat show in the world, gathered locals and visitors alike from October 28 – November 1 to attend the five-day outdoor show with hundreds of exhibitors and boats on display across nearly 90 acres and six city sites.
- FIREARMS -
Phoenix Weaponryannounces they are offering customers the ability to have most any logo, serial number, and fire control symbols engraved onto their billet lower receivers.
- FISHERIES -
The DNR has recently stocked more than 9,000 surplus rainbow trout, thanks to a strong production season at Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station.
- GEAR -
In response to overwhelming demand from our dealers and customers, Barnett Crossbows is now shipping several popular Barnett crossbow models with pre-installed Crank Cocking Devices.

The EOTECH® Vudu 5-25x50 first focal plane rifle scope is a favorite optic among law enforcement, military, and precision rifle competitors. It has earned top honors in the field and at the range because of its compact, rugged design and superior optics.
As temperatures drop, more of us wear more layers or heavier coats -- limiting access to belt, shoulder or IWB holsters. Many of us will carry a second, smaller handgun in a coat pocket where it can be quickly and easily brought into action -- and Galco has pocket holsters to ensure security, speedy access and concealment.
- HUNTING -
Because of COVID-19 concerns, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will not run check stations this firearm deer season. Instead, all deer will be checked in electronically via Telecheck.
The hunting of all mountain lions in the northeastern Montana Hunting District 690, which includes portions of Chouteau, Blaine and Hill counties will close at one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Umarex USA, Inc. has joined the growing number of supporters of the world’s first airgun hunting record book, the Airgun Hunting Legion.
- INDUSTRY -
1791 Gunleather is pleased to announce the addition of George Vilarino as the new Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast and Great Lakes regions.
Blaser Group is pleased to announce its J.P. Sauer brand partnership with Big Rock Sports, one of North America’s largest wholesale distributors for the outdoor industry.
SAR USA by Sarsilmaz announced that they have partnered with Athlon Outdoors Personal Defense Network in support of their tactical training video series.

Following the cancellation of SHOT Show 2021 Media Lodge announces their commitment to producing and distributing an unparalleled product video series, featuring new and notable hunting and shooting products.
RSR Group, Inc. announced the addition of Ed Brown Products to its product offerings. Ed Brown provides a large selection of custom 1911 handguns and parts which are now available for purchase through RSR Group.
- INSTRUCTION -
SIG SAUER Academy announced that Volusia County Gun & Hunt Club in New Smyrna Beach, Florida will be hosting on-location SIG SAUER Academy courses.
- JOBS -
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation this week announced the promotion of two employees as well as the opening of a key staff position.

- LITIGATION -
The Second Amendment Foundation filed a federal lawsuit challenging laws in the state of New Jersey that effectively prevent average law-abiding citizens from legally carrying loaded sidearms outside of their homes for personal protection.
- MEDIA -
Staccato 2011, LLC announced the launch of the “Built for Heroes” video series. The series is dedicated to sharing stories of our country’s veterans, law enforcement, and military professionals.
Last night, Student of the Gun radio aired episode 1,000 of their eight-years of programming.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
Robusto couples SEVR’s patented rear-deploy locking-pivoting blade technology and features a fluted, hardened-steel ferrule that provides maximum strength and higher front-of-center (FOC)—ideal to withstand the punishing demands of today’s high-energy crossbows.

Bloodsport introduces their new Nitefall™ Hybrid Design broadhead, that depicts advanced engineering while providing bowhunters with a large entry hole and deep penetration they have been seeking.
Lean back and enjoy the comfort of the triple-layer design Self-Support Series from ThermaSeat®. The self-supporting ThermaSeat combines the Infusion cushion and an adjustable backrest, so you can sit comfortably anywhere.
The X2 series incorporates updated programming to improve performance and usability. The new Lock Mode is a key feature that prevents unintentional setting changes while the firearm is being carried.
Halo Optics works hard to make the technology found in its extensive line of rangefinders user-friendly and extremely accessible.

Available in RAW’s two staple color packages, midnight bronze and black with red accents, the RAW15 300 AAC rifle has both the looks and accuracy to please any sport shooter or hunter
The Scent Crusher® Room Clean plugs into any standard 110-volt AC outlet to release ozone and clear unwanted odors.
The knife sports a full tang build of rugged D2 steel ideal for outdoor use, hunting and everyday cutting tasks. Layers of red fiber under the handle scales of brown Micarta and the delicate satin finish of the leaf-shaped blade create visual interest and the characteristic hollow rivets do double duty as a lanyard hole.
- ONLINE -
HuntStand® is proud to announce a partnership with Outdoor Access, under which HuntStand will become the organization’s official hunting and land management app.
GUNS Magazine Podcast first anniversary episode features Host and GUNS Magazine Editor Brent T. Wheat, American Handgunner Editor Tom McHale and FMG Publications’ Extraordinary Assignments Editor Roy Huntington as they discuss prudent preparations in case things get ugly following Election Day.
With firearm sales continuing to surge across the country, NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi welcomes millions of first-time gun buyers to the community of firearm owners in a new video and offers tips on how to safely enjoy the shooting sports.
SneakyHunter BootLamps –headlamps for your feet that allow you to light your way hands-free – is inviting visitors to explore its newly designed website. The new website has been optimized for mobile and tablet devices and features a newly organized presentation of its bootlamps that creates an easier more user-friendly experience for visitors to experience and understand how the SneakyHunter BootLamps work.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
The Dallas Safari Club Peter Hathaway Capstick Hunting Heritage Award Committee has selected Rob Keck as the 2021 award recipient.
- PUBLISHING -
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is proud to announce its quarterly publication, Hunter’s HornTM, was awarded an honorable mention for design excellence (Ozzie) in Folio’s annual 2020 awards, in the Design Category for Single Magazine Issue/Association/Nonprofit/Charity.
An attractive and money-saving holiday gift solution is ordering a subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine before Dec. 10. The calendar, which is sold separately for $10 by mail or online but included in subscriptions, features exclusive photos from all over the state and is also included in the November-December 2020 issue.
- RETAIL -
The October 2020 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System(NICS) figure of 1,769,553 is an increase of 60.1 percent compared to the October 2019 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,105,335.
- SPONSORSHIPS -
Building upon a track record of public lands support for upland birds and backing of local chapters throughout the nation, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever is pleased to announce SCHEELS as the organization’s newest national sponsor and merchandise fulfillment partner.
- STATES -
As part of the implementation of its managed public land strategy adopted in late 2018, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been reviewing and revising – and now is seeking public input on – dedicated project boundaries around state forests, game and wildlife areas, parks and recreation areas.
The best estimate is that there are 727,000 Walleye longer than 14 inches, including 400,000 females and 327,000 males, in Mille Lacs Lake.
Battling gusting winds and intermittent snow yesterday, Maine Warden Service Divers recovered the body of a New York City Man who drowned after his kayak flipped, dumping him into the 47-degree water.
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 10, to interview three candidates for the governor’s appointment to fill a 2021 vacancy on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.
- TELEVISION -
This week on Brotherhood Outdoors, a dedicated sportsman and International Union of Police Associations (IUPA) Local 21 member, Daniel Roufus, travels to Long Island for a brant hunt that ignites his passion for waterfowl hunting.
Each week on Lake Commandos airing on World Fishing Network, host Steve Pennaz and guests break down new water while trying to “out fish” one another.
- WILDLIFE -
Three years after their habitat was nearly wiped out by the 2017 Frye Fire in the Pinaleño Mountains of southeastern Arizona, an annual survey of the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel shows an exciting and notable increase in their population.
 

Today’s the big day. Our one inarguable day of absolute equality.

The day Michael Bloomberg’s bazillion dollars have precisely the same amount of influence as the lint in your pocket.

One person, one vote. Unrefined, unfiltered, undeniable Democracy.

This big day, in this crazy year, feels more energized than most.

Here in Tennessee, 2.1 million people - half of all registered voters - voted early. In Texas, early voting was nearly as large as the total turnout for a “normal” election year.

Seems everyone agrees this isn’t a “normal” election year.

Even my most disconnected friends, relatives and acquaintances appear to have gotten the message: this election matters.

Probably because the differences between the two major parties have never been so apparent.

Once almost negligible differences are now uncrossable chasms.

One party says our time hasn’t passed, that we can still come together and “get through it”- whatever it is.

The other says our history is one rotten mess of theft, racism and oppression. Their goal is to erase our history and replace it with…something.

Even before global pandemic, 2020 was the year one that party declared their intent. To change how things were done - permanently. To remake the USA in their image.

To essentially force-feed their change to the rest of us.

When they’ve not gotten their way they’ve demonstrated a willingness to encourage their supporters (those “mostly peaceful protesters”) to loot stores, burn police stations, and terrorize fellow citizens.

As a solution to ending those “mostly peaceful acts” they’ve proposed defunding the police.

That’s not enforcing the law, that’s supporting illegal activities (provided the bad-actors support their position).

Across the country retailers have boarded up windows, added security guards and pulled more valuable products off shelves “out of an overabundance of caution.” They don’t plan on being the next victims of “mostly peaceful protests.”

Having already seen the results of that kind of “governance” from Seattle and San Francisco to Detroit, Minneapolis and Nashville, I’d prefer another path.

But we are long past the time where good losers congratulated gracious winners, then worked - together - for the betterment of everyone.

My age has shaped my vision. I’ve seen plenty of nasty elections. Before I was old enough to vote, I worked at polling places to “convince” undecided voters.

In those days, two dollars and a half-pint of Kentucky whiskey “convinced” voters. The two bucks was paid on the way in and the half-pint on their way out.

We won a lot of elections that way.

Some we elected were personal acquaintances. Others were kin. Over the years, I came to realize honest democracy was earned, usually through sacrifice. It wasn’t meant to be bought or sold.

My public expression of that realization opened a rift in my family that never healed.

But those angry responses convinced me that elections mattered.

Nothing since has changed my mind.

As always has been the case, some candidates run for personal benefit. Others have no other trade, they’re professional politicians. Ultimately, our problem isn’t a bad system, it’s bad candidates.

The system was based on service for a short term, not becoming a permanently entitled member of a special class. Public office was intended to be a short-term inconvenience to serve the greater public good.

It’s gotten to the point that 2020’s not the year where candidates for both sides sound like slight variations on a single theme. There are fundamental differences in how they want to govern.

To me, one’s idea looks a lot more like “ruling” than “governing.”

The only way to really get their attention is voting. If you haven’t, it’s not too-late. Go do your job as a citizen.

Because if you don’t vote, your opinion doesn’t matter.

You’re just another squeaky hinge in a life filed with rusty gates.

—Jim Shepherd

 
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