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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

- ARCHERY -
The Hoover Community Archery Park, Alabama’s newest community archery park, is now open to the public year-round during daylight hours for recreational shooting, competitive tournaments and outdoor educational programming.
- BOATING -
Don’t light your boat up like a Christmas tree, says the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Extra lights installed in the wrong place could cause other boaters to misinterpret your boat’s navigation lights and present a safety hazard.
- CONSERVATION -
Last week, Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) held its 18th African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF). Despite the many challenges to organize this unique African meeting during COVID-19, the virtual AWCF successfully maintained the momentum for sustainable use wildlife conservation in Africa.
- CONTESTS -
Taurus, together with GunsAmerica, Primary Arms, and Brand Avalanche Media, is excited to announce the Giving Thanks III $15K Guns & Gear Giveaway.
- EVENTS -
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet in Lewiston on Nov. 19-20, with the public hearing starting at 7 p.m. (PST) Thursday, Nov. 19 in the Clearwater Regional Office at 3316 16th Street.

- FIREARMS -
Krieghoff announces the K-80/S “Galapagos Islands” side-plated shotgun as their Gun of the Year 2020. As exotic as the islands that inspired it, this exquisite K-80 features the vast wildlife which roam the untouched islands of Ecuador.
Savage’s110 Ultralite is available in KUIU Verde 2.0 camo. This rifle, a new addition to Savage’s Backcountry Xtreme Series, has been pared down to less than six pounds.
SAR USA by Sarsilmaz announced the launch of the new SAR 2000 pistol line in the US. Designed as a duty pistol for military officers, the all steel hammer-fired SAR 2000 pistol is favored among military and police forces around the world.
- FISHERIES -
Red Snapper Season will be open for additional dates this fall for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Additional dates include Nov. 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29.

There will be lots of freshly stocked rainbow trout in community ponds around the state this week, and anglers are welcome to take a few home for dinner.
- GEAR -
Galco’s VHS 4.0 is available for the SIG-Sauer P320F/M17 with and without red dot sights. The VHS 4.0 comes complete with vertical holster, harness, double ammo carrier, tie-downs and harness fasteners.
- GRANTS -
The 2021 Vermont Watershed Grants Program is now accepting applications for projects that protect, restore and enhance the state's lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds, including Vermonters’ ability to understand and enjoy these treasures.
- HUNTING -
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has designated Saturday, November 21, 2020, as one of the 2020-2021 hunting season’s Special Youth, Veteran and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days.

With COVID-19 cases beginning to increase in Arkansas, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wants to remind everyone to put a little space between them and other hunters at camp, at the boat ramp and in the blind this duck season.
- INDUSTRY -
ALLEN Company partnered in 2019 with the Girls with Guns Lifestyle brand. New products have been launched for the 2020 and 2021 sales seasons, including the Concealed Casual Collection of purses and handbags.
Gun Talk Media announces the addition of Matt Johnson and Gary Killingsworth to their ever-expanding team.
Celerant Technology, announces an integration with Sunburst Pet Supplies, a service-focused distributor offering regularly scheduled delivery to pet specialty retailers across the state of Arizona. Through Celerant’s point of sale, local pet stores can quickly and easily import products, streamline inventory, and manage product data across all retail channels.

Chaos Headwear announces a new partnership with Polylana Fibers, the industry standard in eco-efficient knitting fiber.
On October 23 of this year, Riton celebrated the grand opening of their new building. With over 10,000 square feet of space and property for continual expansion, this beautiful new structure features an engaging front lobby area with custom displays, a full studio for media and significant floorspace for operations, quality control and warehousing.
Warne announced the promotion of Victor Ianciuc to Director of Operations. Victor joined Warne just over 3 years ago as Director of Engineering and in his short time with Warne has had a major impact on the company.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
All of the creative and fresh apparel, hats and drinkware made by Shield Republic embody the spirit of American pride, with many displaying strong support for the Second Amendment.

The new Spring Lock Spinner from Gamakatsu makes your favorite swimbaits and other soft plastics even more effective by adding flash and vibration to attract fish from even greater distances.
To help both locals and the thousands of anglers who flock to Manitoba annually find and catch more fish, Humminbird® announces the release of the LakeMaster® Manitoba chart, providing highly accurate chart coverage of over 160 lakes and rivers, including over 100+ bodies of water with high-definition mapping.
- NOW STREAMING -
WAYPOINT continues an expansion into the digital streaming space and today announced its WAYPOINT channel will be available globally on Plex.
This week, LUND Ultimate Fishing Experience joins pro staffer Nick Nault and his friend John Maier as they search for Brown Trout.

- ORGANIZATIONS -
Major donations from the Weatherby Foundation International and Safari Club International Foundation will help the nation’s leading provider of in-school outdoor education – the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (OTF) – make its unique Outdoor Adventures (OA) program available to more schools across the nation and get more kids outside.
Big Frig, makers of quality coolers, tumblers, and accessories, is continuing as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor.
- PEOPLE -
Dr. Paul Mechling, a resident of Pierpont Township, was recently presented with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Cardinal Award for conservation.
- RADIO -
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes Kevin Welborn of Joshua Creek Ranch

This week, Outdoors Radio features Huntworth Gear pro staffer Jeff Budz, photographer and author Tim Flanigan, and Access Ability Wisconsin founder Monica Spaeni. Jeff Kelm scores a buck with his crossbow. Dan heads north for gun deer season.
- RETAIL -
Featuring an ultra-durable bond and non-slip texture, TACKBACKS, available in a variety of Realtree camo options, grip firmly and safely to the back of phones, tablets, laptops and so much more.
- STATES -
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists, representatives of non-government organizations, and other interested parties to sit on a Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee.
For the first time in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s history, deer hunters will have a Saturday-Sunday opening weekend.
- STUDENT FISHING -
The fifth annual Brandon Card College & High School Bass Open, hosted by Bassmaster Elite Series angler Brandon Card, will take place Saturday, Dec. 5 at Lonas Young Park on Norris Lake.
- TELEVISION -
Join shooting pro Doug Koenig and his youngest son Bradley, as they travel to the Palmyra Sportsman’s Club in central Pennsylvania for the PSA Shootout, the largest “all-steel” knockdown match in the US.
This week on MOJO TV, Terry heads to popular waterfowl destination, Argentina, where he teamed up with Ramsey Russell of getducks.com.
Bill Dance is bringing his educational format to saltwater fishermen in Bill Dance Saltwater on World Fishing Network, every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.
- WILDLIFE -
State of the Bobwhite 2020 is a range-wide snapshot of population, hunting, and conservation status of the northern bobwhite, as well as features on various projects of interest around the core bobwhite range. The digital version may be accessed at https://bringbackbobwhites.org/download/nbcis-bobwhite-almanac-state-of-the-bobwhite-2020/
 

Last year, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Newington, New Hampshire, and participate in the inaugural Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit (ADSS) at the SIG SAUER Shooting Academy. I left with the assurance I would be there again this year for ADSS II.

None of us had a clue how our 2020 plans would be turned upside down. When I left, there was no good reason why I wouldn’t be attending. Shortly after the Bassmaster Classic in March COVID-19 changed all our plans.

Happily, I can report that ADSS II went off without a hitch as event organizer Trevor Baucom one again partnered with Camp Freedom to offer a unique combination of shooting instruction and competition.

The ADSS is limited to people with disabilities. This year’s participants included veterans and “civilians.” Some were dealing with lifelong disabilities, others challenges related to injuries - many suffered in the line of duty.

The varied types of disabilities mean instructors deal with everything from lifelong issues to motor function loss due to traumatic brain injuries or strokes, to limbs lost in combat.

It makes instruction tough, but rewarding. Fortunately, the instructors at this event know how to “work with what you’ve got,” recognizing differing levels of potential and adapting their teaching to maximize the abilities, no matter how limited those might appear.

Instructors learn to bring things to a student’s level, whether it means literally kneeling (top) to instruct or helping adapt their capabilities to hold a firearm as stable as possible (below).

If you’ve ever seen someone who struggles to stand, or walk, or even control weakened arms learn to shoot, you know what a true smile of accomplishment looks like.

Watching them progress from barely competent to suitably proficient is as rewarding for the instructor as the student.

For many, shooting isn’t just a recreational accomplishment, it’s a significant step toward real independence. The disabled are among the most preyed-upon members of our society.

The ability to defend yourself makes a huge difference in both peace-of-mind, and quality of life.

This year’s event was even more “real world” than last year. Rather than an event of elaborately decorated indoor stages only two were indoor this year. Being outdoors, especially on shooting ranges not specially adapted for wheelchairs and disabilities, injects even more reality. It also demonstrates the tenacity of the competitors.

Unlike “normal” competitions, the ADSS begins with instruction. Divided into groups, one went for pistol training as the other attended training that probably should be required at all shooting events: first aid training. More specifically, a “Stop the Bleed” course where they learned to correctly use the Individual Patrol Officer Kits every participant received from event sponsor North American Rescue.

Those kits include a Combat Application Tourniquet, an Emergency Trauma Dressing and Combat Gauze. The instruction included tourniquet use on limbs and dressing wounds to the torso.

This year, participants received Patrol Officer Kits from North American Rescue. Equally important, they received instruction on how to correctly use their lifesaving tools.

“We thought it was important to include a first aid course for a couple of reasons,” says Trevor Baucom, “we’re 100% in control of our actions when handling firearms, but we have no control over anyone else. A friend of mine was at the range recently, working on something. He took a step to the side of his shooting position when he heard a shot, followed by a ‘thump’ in the berm right behind where he’d been standing.”

“About 100 yards away, an older gentleman was shaking his head and looking at his rifle case he’d just tossed into his vehicle. Later, he said it was the first AD he’d had in 68 years. Maybe so, but my friend was only about eighteen inches from a 30.06 round in the stomach.”

“Most ranges,” Baucom observes, “are 20-plus minutes away from medical care. Having the tools and knowledge to sustain life is critical.”

Hard to argue that. We have a considerably harder time admitting that most ranges, despite having first aid kits, seldom have the trauma training and equipment essential to protect their customers or employees.

After the Day One instruction, participants moved to a demonstration range where they could try products from several event sponsors including Canik, Colt, SIG, Glock and Smith & Wesson.

Saturday was Match Day. One of this year’s wrinkles was a lowlight indoor stage, another featured shooting out of vehicles. But another addition was an IDPA 5x5 classifier.

That’s important because shooting the classifier -and receiving the 1-year IDPA membership that was gifted to every participant- means the participants can continue competing and training through IDPA.

That’s a great migration tool to bring more new enthusiasts into shooting sports.

With two very successful events under their belts, it will be interesting to see just what’s in store for ADSS III.

We’ll keep you posted.

—Jim Shepherd

 
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