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Shotgun Disaster at Lake Mead’s 2021 Bass Pro Shops Amateur US Open
Delayed Start at Lake Mead Bass Pro Shops Amateur US Open Causes Pile Up at CallVille Bay On Saturday April …Permitless Carry Wave Sweeps the Nation
Gun control advocates seem conflicted recently about how to mis-characterize the NRA. Does it still exercise “undue influence,” or is …Leaked ATF Rule Would Upend Firearm Industry
Rule primarily adds and alters definitions that are used to implement federal firearms laws On April 20th, The Reload, published …The Los Angeles River’s overlooked anglers
For over 10,000 years, the Los Angeles River — known to the local Gabrieliño-Tongva tribe as Paayme Paxaayt — has …MOST RECENT HUNTING POSTS
Be Aware of the Spike in Ammo Scammers
GoWild is issuing a strong warning to firearms consumers: Scammers are aiming for your ammo purchases. GoWild’s security team has …The Nine Eastern Elk States
The nine states east of the Mississippi River, or bordering it, that have elk. Each state has restored enough elk …Be Bear Aware When Recreating Outdoors
Bears are emerging from dens with the onset of spring, and people are reminded to “Be Bear Aware.” Bears can …Wild Population of Mexican Wolves Grows for Fifth Consecutive Year
The wild population of Mexican wolves in the United States saw its fifth consecutive year of growth in 2020. According …Wildlife Conservation Funding Benefits from the Surge in Gun and Ammo Sales
New gun owners have turbo-charged the firearms industry while generating extra money for wildlife habitat and hunter recruitment. We’re more …
Improving Your Hunting Skills?
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Hunting Tactics and Strategies
5 Strategies for Late-Season Deer Hunting
8 Deer Hunting Tactics for Rifle Season
Putting Your Shotgun Crosshairs on a Coyote
Deer Hunting Tips for Archers
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Hunting News
TRAIL CAM’S: Letter to AZGFD from Don McDowell
Is it Safe to Hunt with Old Ammo?
By Mike Hanback January 8, 2021 – RealTree.com
With ammunition shortages around the country, many hunters are looking at the old box of cartridges in the gun cabinet, and wondering if they’re OK to shoot
The ammunition shortage of 2020 and early 2021 has had a massive impact on shooting and hunting. As early as last June, shelves were becoming bare of popular cartridges like the .223 and 9mm.
By October, when most gun hunters started prepping for deer season, it was difficult if not impossible to find a box of .270, .308, or any other hunting caliber in many parts of the country.
Two main factors led to the shortage: shutdowns and interruptions in supply chains for components and manufacturing, and a surge of new shooters and hunters into our ranks. Eight million new gun owners (that’s the estimate) and counting who purchase on average two boxes of cartridges create an instant demand of 16 million units of ammo! That’s on top of what we longtime shooters and hunters need.
The shortage caused many hunters, including me and quite possibly you, to dig around in our stuff and find old cartridges to use last season. So, can you shoot a deer with 5- to 20-year-old cartridges?
Tips for .410 Turkey Hunting
Turkey hunting with this tiny shell is all the rage right now, but does it really pack enough punch?
The TSS Difference 
The .410 offering for turkey hunting might surprise some folks, but Dan Compton, Vista Outdoor shotshell product line manager, said it shouldn’t: Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) pellets’ incredible density are perfect for sub-gauge shotshells.
“TSS pellets make hunting turkeys with a .410 a very viable option,” he says. “It provides the performance of conventional 12-gauge loads with a significant drop in recoil.”
How have recent advances in shotgun loads made turkey hunting with a .410 a viable choice, according to Compton? “It all comes down to the shot! A .410 loaded with No. 4 or No. 5 lead is underpowered for turkey and not the best option. A .410 loaded with TSS is over 50% denser than lead. That increased density brings energy, and lethality, to .410 loads,” he says.
In relation to ethical kills, you may wonder what kind of reliable yardage window these loads provide. “In a .410 TSS load of No. 9 shot, the traditional lead shot ranges of 40 yards is good, ethical range,” Compton says.
MOST RECENT FISHING POSTS
Fly Fishing in Maine: The Top Species – Flies and Times
The State of Maine offers some Fantastic Fly Fishing for Several Species Ken Schultz: Takemefishing.org 4/8/2021 No matter what suits …The Ethics of Spearfishing
Although the history of spear fishing goes back thousands of years, the ethics of modern events crosses the line on …How to Catch Blue Catfish in Rivers
Blue catfish are commonly found in rivers, large impoundments, and in the big water below those impoundments. What Blue Catfish …Saguaro Lake Project Uses Recycled Christmas Trees to Create Fish Habitat, Improve Angling
Saguaro Lake Project Uses Recycled Christmas Trees to Create Fish Habitat, Improve Angling Did you know that discarded Christmas trees …Montana’s New Rules for the Madison River
Rules Are Changing on the Madison River in Montana HELENA – The rules regulating recreation use on the Madison River …
Fishing Tactics and Strategies
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Improving Your Fishing Skills?
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Annabel “Boots” Bellum on Apr 25 Radio Show
Midwinter Ice Fishing Tips from Northland Fishing Tackle
BEMIDJI, Minn. – The midwinter dog days are here with ultra-cold weather, which can mean tougher bites. To help anglers through this period, Northland’s Nick Lindner hooks up with Will Pappenfus, a noted panfish expert and Team Northland pro, and they dissect ways to get on bull bluegills and slab crappies despite midwinter’s challenges. The video to the right walks through some extremely valuable information on determining location, the right presentation, and gear recommendations to get the job done.
In terms of location, Will recommends anglers seek out basins as panfish have largely vacated shallower vegetation in search of emerging larvae out deeper. Depending on whether you’re targeting bluegills or crappies, you’ll need to search out different areas of the basin, all information covered in the video!
Regarding presentations, Will is a big fan of Northland’s Tungsten Punch Fly with a couple spikes or waxworms for reaction bites. He’ll also drop and work a small Northland Rippin’ Shad. The Tungsten Punch Fly is a wickedly effective bait. Invertebrates and suspended zooplankton are the preferred prey of any panfish species, and this jig stands out while fitting in – a lifelike chewy larva hackle impresses caddis and mayfly imposters, while an undulating soft hackle at the head of the jig mimics a breathing and swimming insect.
The Rippin’ Shad is a great reaction bite bait for outsized crappies. Its internally weighted rattle chamber emits sonic vibrations that attract crappies from afar, and its tight wiggling action provides just the right recipe to rip your way to bigger crappies chasing baitfish.
Nick and Will also discuss the nuances of how to work these baits in the video to the right, a huge part of the equation. And lastly, they cover the importance of the right rod setup and line choice, other important factors in the total system.
Rep. Boebert Leads Effort to Ensure BLM Headquarters Remains in Grand Junction
Moving the BLM Headquarters to Grand Junction was a game changer for the West and local communities Rifle, CO – …DOI Welcomes Day One Executive Orders
Department of the Interior Welcomes Day One Executive Orders to Restore Public Lands and Waters, Combat Coronavirus Last edited 1/21/2021 …HR 5717 – Tax Guns at 30% and Ammo at 50%
HR 5717 – Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020 If you’re a gun owner, you literally need …Judge Merrick Garland Appointed Attorney General
Biden to Nominate Anti-Second Amendment Judge Merrick Garland for Attorney General Thursday, January 7, 2021 At a news conference on …Wild horses rounded up near Utah-Nevada border
Utah’s wild horse and burro population is estimated at 5,746 animals; however, according to the BLM the land can only …
Species in the News
What Impacts Conservation
Politics & Constroversy
Trail Cameras VS Fair Chase
Water Crisis Already Real at Powell and Mead
What is the General Government Appropriations Act of 2019
Public Lands – Where the Pavement Ends
The Funding of NGOs
6 Signs of Geo Engineering
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How NGOs Cripple America Using The EAJA
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Maintaining Safeguards in Nation’s Largest National Forest
Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Update, Fourth Quarter 2020
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
The end of year census for 2019 was a minimum of 163 Mexican wolves in the wild (76 in AZ and 87 in NM). This was a 24% increase in the population from a minimum of 131 wolves counted at the end of 2018. The end of year census for 2020 is currently underway. Results of the 2020 census are anticipated to be available in March 2021. Annual surveys are conducted in the winter as this is when the population experiences the least amount of natural fluctuation (i.e. in the spring the population increases dramatically with the birth of new pups and declines throughout the summer and fall as pup mortality generally occurs in this period). Thus, the IFT summarizes the total number of wolves in the winter at a fairly static or consistent time of year. Counting the population at the end of each year allows for comparable year-to-year trends at a time of year when the Mexican wolf population is most stable.
MORTALITIES
Ten Mexican wolf mortalities were documented in the current quarter, which brings the total number of documented mortalities in 2020 to 29. Of the 29 mortalities, 8 were pups, a segment of the population that normally experiences high mortality during the year. Six of the moralities were juveniles and 15 were adults. The impact of these mortalities is uncertain but based on the 2017 Population Viability Assessment (PVA) completed for recovery planning purposes, continued population growth is expected.
The Debate and Tracking of 2nd Amendment Rights/Legislation
Montana Legislature’s Attack on Public Hunters
An aggressive attack on public hunters under the guise of protecting gun rights The Montana Legislature is leveling one of …What’s the Future for the 2ND Amendment?
The Supreme Court Focus on the Second Amendment…It’s Been Crickets! With the District of Columbia v. Heller decision in 2008 …Groups File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Maryland Concealed Carry Ban
Groups File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Maryland Concealed Carry Ban The Second Amendment Foundation was joined by several other gun rights …AMERICANS WHO OWN GUNS FEEL SAFER
Americans Who Own Guns Feel Safer BELLEVUE, WA – A new Rasmussen poll showing an overwhelming majority of Americans who …
HR 5717: Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020
This bill makes various changes to the federal framework governing the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms and ammunition
HR 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
Utilizing the current background checks process to ensure individuals prohibited from gun purchase or possession are not able to obtain firearms. Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 203
HR 1446: Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021
Strengthening of background check procedures to be followed before a Federal firearms licensee may transfer a firearm to a person who is not such a licensee. Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 – 210
HB 2622: State of Texas 2nd Amendment Sanctuary State Act (voting)
Protecting Texan’s 2A rights from an out-of-touch government. Passed Yeas 83 Nays 45
HR 127: Sabika Sheikh Firearm Licensing and Registration Act
Prohibits the possession of certain ammunition and large capacity magazines
SB 5078: High Capacity Magazines
Prohibits the possession of certain ammunition and large capacity magazines
S 3254: Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020
Makes various changes to the federal framework governing the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms and ammunition
