To: ALL MEDIAFor immediate release January 15, 2014 For more information contact: Bill Brassard Jr.203-426-1320 New York Benefits from Spending by Target Shooters   Read the Report View/Download as PDF   View INFOGRAPHIC LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation has released a major new report about the importance of target shooting activities to the economies of New York and the nation. NSSF is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. The report, Target Shooting in America: Millions of Shooters, Billions of Dollars, was released today in conjunction with a press conference at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), the largest trade show of its kind in the world and a showcase for the firearms and ammunition industry. The report provides a first-ever look at U.S. target shooting-related expenditures. Also included are state-by-state statistics for the number of target shooters, retail sales, taxes and jobs. The target-shooting report complements the Hunting in America report released by NSSF and the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies in March 2013. In New York, target shooting-related spending contributed $817,050,105 to the state's economy and supported 6,333 jobs. Nationally, the money target shooters spent in 2011 resulted in $23 billion being added to the nation's economy and supported more than 185,000 jobs. "More people target shooting is good news for the industry, and it is equally good news for America’s economy," said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. Retail sales related to target shooting account for nearly $10 billion, with rifle and handgun shooting being the leading contributors, followed by shotgun and muzzleloader shooting. California and Texas are the top two states ranked by retail sales. Combining data from Target Shooting in America and Hunting in America shows that target shooters and hunters together poured more than $110 billion into the nation’s economy, fueling more than 866,000 jobs. “Communities and businesses of all sizes benefit from these activities,” said Sanetti. Target shooters ($8.2 billion) and hunters ($8.4 billion) spend nearly equal amounts on equipment common to both pursuits, such as firearms, ammunition and accessories. Hunters spend more overall than target shooters when factors such as fuel, food, lodging and transportation are included. “The Target Shooting in America and Hunting in America reports give us a more complete understanding of the economic importance of the shooting sports to America,” said Sanetti. “We’ve long known about the recreational benefits of these activities, and now we know how much they contribute to our country’s financial well-being.” Read Target Shooting in America: Millions of Shooters, Billions of Dollars or view the report as a printable PDF. -30- About NSSFThe National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 10,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.  

The annual search for record deer antlers is under way in South Carolina.   COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The annual search for record deer antlers is under way in South Carolina. The state Natural Resources Department is holding scoring sessions around the state in advance of the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic scheduled for March 25-27 at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia. Natural Resources project supervisor Charles Ruth says the state has almost 5,500 sets of white-tailed deer antlers on its records list. Hunters must document the date and location of the kill when they bring in a set of antlers for scoring. The department uses the Boone and Crockett system for scoring antlers. The goal is to determine where the largest deer are located and use that information for future herd management. The agency has a complete list of scoring locations on its website: www.scdnr.gov

October 2012, World’s Largest Land Mammal & Most Dangerous Hunt;   The Tuskless Cow Elephant! By~Marti Mace    The drive down the escarpment into the Zambezi Valley was superb.  Soon we were on our way through the thorn bush, on a drive to camp.  On way we saw a pride of lion’s, parade of elephants, herd of cape buffalo, rank of impala, leopard, bushbok, warthogs, etc.  This was definitely big game country, having seen 4 of the Big Five on 1st afternoon.  We reached camp just at nightfall.  There is no real twilight in Africa, it’s bright and sunny one minute and dark minutes later.      The next thing we took off at 0400 hrs every morning and only ran into tusk elephant’s for 5 days straight with boots on ground going appx 5-8 up to 10 km’s a day, then day 6 and just within the 1st couple of hours…we ran into many spoors and followed them, 3 elephant’s, then found out they were with tusk, so walked a little further and ran into another herd.  Again, they were with tusk, so we were on our way back to the bakke…then appx 25 elephant’s appeared…we glassed the herd and 1 of them was tuskless…wow, what’s the chance…the big grey tuskless cow elephant seemed huge as I peered through my Bushnell binoculars, so here I go…wiping sweat off my hands…pouring on some powder (wind check powder) at appx 1030 hours this 21 Oct 2012.  Appx 25 tusk elephants were all around and I cautiously waited for the clean shot on only 1 was tuskless.  PH, APH, X 3 Trackers and game scout were a little irritated that I didn’t make a shot when they wanted me to.  I had 25ish elephant’s all around the only tuskless cow and I only shoot when I know it will be a clean shot.  Appx 6-8 elephant’s were grouped around a Mupani tree and my elephant would go forward, then back and then another elephant was right in front of one I wanted to shoot.  So I was waiting for either the one in front of mine to move or mine had to move forward a waise for me to make a clean shot.  It was a scorcher of high temp of 129 degrees F.  I had practiced daily with my Hoyt Alphamax 32" bow, pulling 74 lbs, using a 675.7 grain arrow that I had made with a ACE 550 arrow inside of the Gold Tip Big Game hunting 100+ arrow with electrical tape every few inches around ACE 550 arrow so that it would fit tightly inside of the Gold Tip Arrow, then I added weight to front and back to get as much weight on arrow as possible.  I looked into the most suitable options with regard to arrow & broadhead choice for my particular bow set up, a crucial factor when hunting elephant in this manner.  I had specially ordered in the 180gr German Kenetic broadheads out of Alaska as I couldn’t get them at home in Wyoming.  With my bow set up and tuned to perfection, I spent some much needed time at the range from 10-100 yards daily.  I take this to heart to try and eliminate all possible human errors before going on the hunt.  My arrows were shooting through my chronograph at 267 fps.  I did the calculations and was very happy with the outcome of kinetic energy and a momentum value, which gave me a piece of mind.   I felt surprisingly confident.  Here I was standing on a pile of rocks in the Zambezi Valley with a firm grip on my right hand fingers holding the string of my bow…thinking to myself…is my arrow heavy enough as a couple other’s told me that I needed a 900gr arrow at a minimum or it would riquichet off elephant.  No matter what, I added all the weight I could on my arrows that I made, so I was still ok with it.  Then thinking…about my poundage of my bow…was it going to be good enough.  Other’s told me that I need to pull 80-100 lbs and 66 was pushing it for me, then daily pushups, body lifting, pec’s, etc to build up to the 74 lb pull and it is very hard for me even now to pull this bow.  I have to pull it high in the sky to get the bow pulled fully, then I just bring it down to sight in.  I felt this is ok for a hunt of a lifetime for the World’s Largest and Most Dangerous of all.  At 51 yrs old, I feel I was ready to find out if I could do this.  If not, then it would just be another plan to make it happen later.  I studied the African animal vitals and the required shot placement everyday since the beginning of 2011.  Closing my eyes and visualizing the elephant at various distances and standing in different positions…still thinking what struck me about these elephant’s when you are on foot; their size alone is more than enough to make you doubt your equipment, let alone their reputation as the toughest big game to hunt in the world…Anyway, everyone stayed quiet, the wind was in our favor blowing toward us as we approached, then my PH said, ok, you ready to shoot, you can do it, you’ll be fine.  He kept saying, are you going to shoot?  I said, I’m waiting for clean shot.  I did knock my arrow although…I don’t shoot anything unless I’m confident with the position and with 25 elephant’s in front of me…I’v gota make sure as only one of these are tuskless and it must be the tuskless cow or it’s a $5000 fine if I shoot a tusk cow.  I am the hunter, so I just made all of them impatiently wait for me to make the shot.        The split moment came…I pull my bow up and back and then focus in on my elephant’s heart, My focus stays on my 20 yard pin at same time as keeping eye on other close elephants just to her mid section.  I had to be quick as another elephant was just behind her front leg, so I had to make an exact shot for the heart.  I controlled my breathing and squeezed the trigger of my tru ball cyclon release.  I released the arrow and elephant did a 360 pivoting in place then dropped to the ground, in the shade under a Mupani Tree.  Mupani and Baobab trees and Wooley Kaper bushes were in abundance at this location.  I knew I had the right shot placement and I was so proud at that point.  Her hind legs immediately went down, then front and then boom…all the way down on her left side.  The matriarch of the Parade came to see if she could help her up…well, the tuskless cow never got back up and the matriarch left and all elephant’s went North up the ridge and away from us.  I had been determined that the 1st shot would count, as not only the PH, then the APH and 1 of the trackers had their .458 Winchester rifles with them.  The PH told me afterwards that the trackers were itching to get a shot & were somewhat disappointed that their marksmanship was not required.  Then subsequent inspection, the arrow was right on target and fletching’s were all that was sticking out, so I knew it hit the heart.  When she fell, the ground rumbled and I heard her make her last bellows and within just a few minutes, she had expired.  The thrill of shooting this ele flowed through me…over me, etc.  It was such an awesome thrill that neither my 1st solo flight in a Cessna 150 or my 1st parachute jump out of a C130 could match this feeling!  This was the ultimate experience as a 1st solo doesn’t make you a pilot, nor one jump a parachutist, neither does an elephant make you an expert big game hunter.  Never less, this was my elephant as well as my Alligator for another one of my most dangerous hunts.  I have achieved another one of my childhood ambitions!  My PH said congratulations with a hug and I was just so excited that finally I got the World’s largest and most dangerous down with a bow and arrow.  I am so proud of myself and blessed that I didn’t let the other people get to me telling me, I can’t, cause I’m a girl, or I needed more poundage or heavier arrows to get in the way.        I walked away from the crowd to the nearest baobab tree and took a moment of silence, I took off my hat, kneeled, closed my eyes to thank our creator for allowing me this amazing opportunity to hunt the World’s largest and most dangerous animal and blessing the Shona Tribe as now they can nourish their bodies.        After a quick photo session, the Shona Tribe came out of the bush to begin the slaughtering.  The African Sun was hot at 129 degrees F.  So the Shona had to work fast.  Machetes and knives flying and sticking out of their pockets, so a quick switch when the other blade got dull.  I went out to tell them in their Shona Language, Tatenda, Maita Balsa (thank you very much) for all the help and now you all are blessed with meat and they danced and sang for me the song that you are the one, you are the best hunter & shooter.        Then Women, kids, elderly and men all formed up line’s to receive a bag of meat.  They all bring their gunnysack to fill up with meat.  3 different lines are formed.  One with elderly, one for women with children and other for women & men.  The elderly are given 1st so they can get walking back to their villages as most take longer & to get back before dark, then women with children.  Women with babies strapped to their backs, put a bag of meat on top their heads and walk to their village and some many kilometers away.        Furthermore, we all hop into the PH’s Toyota diesel land cruiser with the PH dressed in bush hat, chukka boots, the epitome of a professional hunter as well as the apprentice PH  and rest of crew.  We all were drenched with sweat, smiles and singing.        Got back to camp and we gathered by the bush fire with celebratory drinks of gin and tonic’s, grouse whiskey shots, and we chatted about the bush university that we all attended at some point in our lives.        The next few days, we listened to the camp Motorola 2 way radio with Dande North on the frequency as well.  They didn’t have any luck getting a tuskless elephant down on Dande North, and as many tries I’ve had, this is the very first tuskless elephant that’s came across me in 2 years of searching.  Only 3% of tuskless are left in the world and they want to reduce it to zero as these are the most dangerous elephant’s on the face of the earth.        Meanwhile, I make video’s, make calendar’s, cards, etc. on my awesome elephant hunt & prepare going back to the U.S.A.  After I’ve been here since end of July managing a Safari in Zimbabwe near the boarder of Zambia and Mozambique.   They say if you hunt Africa you will keep on returning again and again.   Blessings to all, MSG Mace (Soon to be retired) I promise!

Draw results posted for MULE DEER Colorado – 2012 by Mia Anstine Wolf Creek Outfitters, Inc. Hey you all! Colorado 2012 draw results are posted for MULE DEER. Head over and see if you were successful. Let us know so we can firm up your spot!!!http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/DrawResultsAndPrefPoints/Pages/DrawResults_PreferencePoints.aspxMule Deer - Colorado Wolf Creek Outfitters, Inc., WCO, offers private land Mule Deer hunts in Southwest Colorado. The five day [...] Read more of this post

Thomas McIntyre Named ZEISS 2013 Outdoor Writer of the Year   NORTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. (January 15, 2014) – Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, the world's leading manufacturer of high performance sports optics, has named Thomas McIntyre, field editor with Sports Afield and a contributing editor with Field & Stream magazines, as its “2013 Carl Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year.”   The award was presented on January 14, 2014, at the company’s annual writers’ event during the SHOT Show in Las Vegas. In honor of his contributions to outdoor writing and to the hunting and outdoor sports, McIntyre received a customized crystal accolade and a premium ZEISS product of his choice.   Established in 2003, the Carl Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year Award marks its 10th anniversary. Each year, the award recognizes an outstanding outdoor writer who has achieved excellence in outdoor communications, has made significant contributions to the hunting and outdoor industry, and is an active supporter of wildlife conservation. McIntyre joins a Who’s Who list of outdoor writers who have positively shaped and informed the public about hunting and outdoor sports experiences and issues.   Previous Carl Zeiss Outdoor of the Year award winners have included: Wayne van Zwoll (2003), David Fortier (2004), David Petzal (2005), Ron Spomer (2006), John Barsness (2007), Terry Wieland (2008), Craig Boddington (2009), John Zent (2010), Andrew McKean (2011) and Mike Schoby (2012). Carl Zeiss Sports Optics also has honored two outdoor writers with Lifetime Achievement Awards -- Bill McRae (2003) and Jim Carmichel (2008).   “Tom is an extremely talented writer, author and champion of the outdoors,” said Michael A. Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics. “He masterfully communicates the experience of the hunt with colorful insight along with accurate and in-depth technical information that increases the knowledge and understanding of his many, many fans. His passion and appreciation for the outdoors combined with 37 years of seeking writing excellence make Tom the perfect choice for this year’s Outdoor Writer of the Year award.”   Since 1976, McIntyre, a resident of Sheridan, Wyo., has distinguished himself in several areas of the outdoor writing industry. As a magazine and newspaper writer, McIntyre has had hundreds of articles published by Sports Afield, Field & Stream, Gray's Sporting Journal, Petersen's Hunting, American Hunter, Men's Journal, Outdoor Life, Bugle, Sporting Classics, Fly Rod & Reel, Wyoming Wildlife, Texas Sporting Journal, The Hunting Report, Garden & Gun, and The Field in England. He has been the co-winner of Best Magazine Story for Best Sports Stories, awarded by The Sporting News. McIntyre also writes a column about hunting for The Sheridan Press.     As a book author, McIntyre has penned several critically acclaimed books, novels and anthologies, including: "Days Afield," "Dreaming the Lion," "Seasons & Days," "Shooter's Bible Guide to Optics (2012),” and "The Snow Leopard's Tale.”  He also served as the editor of, and contributor to, the outdoor-story anthology "Wild and Fair," featuring Pulitzer Prize winners David Mamet and Philip Caputo. Currently, McIntyre is working on a novel about the African explorer Henry Morton Stanley.   And as a screenwriter, McIntyre has written scripts for more than 750 episodes of outdoor television programs for Orion Entertainment, including “Buccaneers & Bones,” which was narrated by Tom Brokaw, and the documentary, “Wyoming: Predators, Prey, and People” for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.   "You need only to read one line of a McIntyre story to know instantly who wrote it,” said Anthony Licata, Editorial Director for Field & Stream. “Tom's prose is an astounding blend of comprehensive technical knowledge, keen intelligence, biting wit, and deep pathos. He offers one of the most interesting and original voices in the sporting press."   About Carl Zeiss Sports Optics   Carl Zeiss Sports Optics is a leading, international provider of premium sports optics. As a member of the Consumer Optics Group of Carl Zeiss, Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, LLC is responsible for sales, marketing and distribution of its state-of-the-art binoculars, spotting scopes, riflescopes and laser rangefinders throughout the United States and Canada. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics’ North American headquarters is located in North Chesterfield, Va.   About Carl Zeiss Group   The Carl Zeiss Group is an international leader in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In fiscal year 2011-2012 the company's approximately 24,000 employees generated revenue of nearly 4.2 billion euros (approximately US$5.6 billion). In the markets for Industrial Solutions, Research Solutions, Medical Technology and Consumer Optics, Carl Zeiss has contributed to technological progress for more than 160 years and enhances the quality of life of many people around the globe.   The Carl Zeiss Group develops and produces planetariums, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses and binoculars as well as solutions for biomedical research, medical technology and the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries. Carl Zeiss is located in more than 40 countries around the globe with about 40 production facilities, over 50 sales and service locations, and approximately 20 research and development sites. Carl Zeiss AG is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany.    

Alaska wildlife officials said Tuesday they were appalled the federal government rejected their plan to kill wolves to protect caribou on a remote Aleutian Island. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska wildlife officials said Tuesday they were appalled the federal government rejected their plan to kill wolves to protect caribou on a remote Aleutian Island. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced this week it would not sign off on the state killing seven wolves in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on Unimak Island. The decision ignores subsistence needs of Alaskans who live on the island and conflicts with sound wildlife management policies aimed at preserving a rapidly declining caribou herd on Unimak Island, Alaska officials said in a statement. "If action is not taken soon, hunting will remain closed for years,'' said Bruce Dale, an Alaska Department of Fish and Game regional supervisor. "Moreover, there is the real possibility of losing not only this caribou herd, but also the wolf population, which depends on the caribou to survive.'' Service officials said predator control showed potential to improve future subsistence opportunities but would have negative effects on natural diversity and wilderness character of the island. The dispute has been simmering since last year. State officials said in May they would move ahead with plans to kill wolves inside the refuge. The Fish and Wildlife Service said doing so would be considered trespass. Unimak Island is the largest in the Aleutians chain and the closest island to the Alaska Peninsula. It is home to the village of False Pass, which has a population of 41. The Unimak caribou herd has declined from 1,200 animals in 2002 to about 300 in 2010. Only about 20 were bulls. Hunting has been prohibited, and the state concluded wolf predation on calves has impeded the herd's recovery. State wildlife officials floated a plan to kill seven wolves on caribou calving grounds, using airplanes and helicopters to spot or selectively shoot wolves preying on caribou calves. Part of the plan also was to possibly move bull caribou to the island to supplement the herd. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last year said it was required by federal law to do an environmental assessment of the state's plan to kill wolves. The state contended the herd needed help sooner. A federal judge sided with the Fish and Wildlife Service. In its announcement Monday, the Fish and Wildlife Service said the herd has fluctuated considerably over the past century, from a high of 7,000 in 1925 to near-zero in the 1950s. Hunting was suspended in 2009. The service's Alaska Regional Director Geoffrey Haskett said the agency recognizes predator control as a valid wildlife management tool in support of subsistence when appropriate. "However, in this case our analysis did not support such a decision,'' he said. The service in December prepared its environmental assessment and received 95,000 comments through Jan. 31. Spokesman Bruce Woods said comments prompted a close review of policies and refuge regulations. Permits remain in place for the state to move in caribou bulls from the Southern Alaska Peninsula, which could lower the cow-bull ratio from the current worrisome 20:1, he said. "Even a small number could mean a significant increase,'' Woods said. The state also has permits to monitor cows and calves with radio collars, which could nail down whether wolves are the main problem for the herd coming back. "We don't even have any solid population figures of wolves or bears on the island,'' Woods said. State officials said statutes require the department to manage for consumptive use by people. Subsistence hunters, they said, have few alternate sources of red meat. Corey Rossi, the state's Division of Wildlife conservation director, said the decision hampers the state's ability to manage wildlife held in trust by the state but happen to be on federal land. "We have an obligation to our citizens to restore this valuable subsistence resource in spite of the lack of federal support,'' he said.

Press Release ZEISS Expands the TERRA 3X line with 50mm Riflescopes NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA. (February 19, 2014) - Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, the world's leading manufacturer of high performance sports optics, is expanding its award-winning TERRA 3X riflescope line with four 50mm lowlight models: the 3-9x50 Z-PLEX, the 3-9x50 RZ6, the 4-12x50 Z-PLEX and the 4-12x50 RZ8. ZEISS TERRA 3X riflescopes outperform many other well-known brands by featuring best-in-class image quality, comfortable ergonomics and durable construction. With a retail price starting at just $349, these riflescopes pack a powerful, uncompromising punch into a lightweight, yet extremely rugged, compact one-inch design. All TERRA 3X feature proprietary ZEISS MC anti-reflective coatings and 1/4-MOA adjustments. Based on its high performance and value, TERRA 3X riflescopes received Petersen's Hunting magazine’s 2014 Editor’s Choice Award. Building on this success, the new TERRA 3X models add even more versatility to this line of riflescopes: Featuring a larger 50mm objective, these four new riflescopes are perfect for low light conditions and offering hunters an opportunity to extend their day of shootable light. “With the tremendous success that the TERRA line has experienced,” said Mike Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, “it made perfect sense to expand this line with more high-performance models at incredibly competitive price points. We are excited to now offer 50mm low light performance riflescopes within reach of almost every sportsmen.” The new riflescopes come standard with Z-PLEX or the TERRA-exclusive RZ6 and RZ8 ballistic reticles and are backed by ZEISS’ U.S. Limited Lifetime Warranty. For more information visit www.zeiss.com/sports. About Carl Zeiss Sports Optics Carl Zeiss Sports Optics is a leading, international provider of premium sports optics and is part of the Consumer Optics Group of Carl Zeiss. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, LLC is responsible for sales, marketing and distribution of its state-of-the-art binoculars and spotting scopes, throughout the United States and Canada. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics’ North American headquarters is located in North Chesterfield, Va. About Carl Zeiss Group The Carl Zeiss Group is an international leader in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In fiscal year 2011- 2012, the company's 24,000 employees generated revenue of nearly 4.2 billion euros. In the markets for Industrial Solutions, Research Solutions, Medical Technology and Consumer Optics, Carl Zeiss has contributed to technological progress for more than 160 years and continues to enhance the quality of life of many people around the globe. The Carl Zeiss Group develops and produces planetariums, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses and binoculars as well as solutions for biomedical research, medical technology and the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries. Carl Zeiss is located in more than 40 countries around the globe with about 40 production facilities, over 50 sales and service locations and service locations and approximately 20 research and development sites. Carl Zeiss AG is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation). Page

In a dramatic move to satisfy anti-gun groups, the popular social media networks Facebook and Instagram announced today they planned to restrict content they say promotes the illegal sale of firearms. According an announcement sent to Grand View Outdoors by a Facebook spokesman, the social media network will police all posts relating to the sale of what the company calls "regulated items," which includes tobacco products, alcohol and firearms. The company specifically targets guns by warning potential sellers that they must "comply with relevant laws and regulations" and will only allow those over the age of 18 to read the posts.     "People sometimes use our free tools to discuss products that are regulated or controversial," Facebook said in its statement. "While we've recently heard specific concerns from people about offers for the private sales of firearms, this is one of many areas where we face a difficult challenge balancing individuals' desire to express themselves on our services, and recognizing that this speech may have consequences elsewhere." The move comes after efforts by gun control groups Moms Demand Action and Mayors Against Illegal Guns pressured Facebook and Instagram to restrict gun-related content on their sites. The groups have been trying to get high-profile businesses like Staples and Starbucks to ban firearms on their premises. In a statement applauding the Facebook policy, Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts said her group's efforts to pressure companies to institute "common sense" gun policy will continue. "Moms have momentum and we&'re moving the country toward a culture of gun safety one company, one legislator, one law at a time," Watts said. "We're going to keep applying pressure to corporations and political leaders until they do more to reduce the gun violence that plagues our country." Recent crime statistics issued from the FBI show gun violence continues its 30 year decline — even as 2013 marked one of the highest rates of gun sales and concealed carry permit requests. A recent Gallup poll showed a more than 300 percent increase in the percentage of Americans who think U.S. gun laws are too strict. A Facebook spokesman said in an interview his company spoke "with all sides of the debate" in arriving at the new rules to curb firearms transactions. But while the Facebook statement said the company "worked with a number of individuals and organizations on the development of these efforts," it lists only gun control groups who helped develop the policy. "We are grateful in particular for the advice offered by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Americans for Responsible Solutions, Sandy Hook Promise, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and Moms Demand Action, which helped us develop an approach for the private sale of firearms," the company said. Facebook said it will institute the new rules in the coming weeks. CATEGORIES News   Christian Lowe - See more at: http://www.grandviewoutdoors.com/articles/3759-facebook-vows-to-crack-down-on-gun-sale-posts#sthash.BrR6FQQd.dpuf

        Carl Zeiss Sports Optics Expands CONQUEST HD5 Line             NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA., (March 12, 2014) - Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, the world's leading manufacturer of high performance sports optics is pleased to announce the addition of the new CONQUEST HD5 3-15x50 to their tremendously successful CONQUEST HD5 line.   “We were extremely proud to bring CONQUEST HD5 riflescopes to market last year,” said Todd Pearson, Vice President Sales and Marketing of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics.  “ZEISS is the innovative leader when it comes to hunting optics and once again we listened to what hunters and sport shooters alike wanted, the very best performance at incredibly competitive price points.  With the huge success of the HD5 line we moved quickly to bring a 50mm objective to market.  This was the next natural evolution of this incredible scope line.”   The new CONQUEST HD5  3-15x50 will satisfy the needs of all hunters and shooters working in lower light conditions who require the enhanced performance of a larger objective diameter.  Optical performance is maximized by the use of  HD glass, legendary ZEISS T* multi-coating and the practical benefit of LotuTec® protective coating.  All of these features provide tremendous performance for the most demanding user.   The new 3-15x50 models are available with standard Z-PLEX, or exclusive RAPID-Z® ballistic compensation reticles.   Locking target turrets are also available.  Also new this year is the CONQUEST HD5 5-25x50 with Z-PLEX reticle and standard hunting turret.  All CONQUEST HD5 riflescopes are designed and built in Germany, backed by the Carl Zeiss Limited Lifetime Transferable Warranty and 5 Year No-Fault policy for complete customer assurance.     About Carl Zeiss Sports Optics   Carl Zeiss Sports Optics is a leading, international provider of premium sports optics and is part of the Consumer Optics Group of Carl Zeiss. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, LLC is responsible for sales, marketing and distribution of its state-of-the-art binoculars and spotting scopes throughout the United States and Canada. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics’ North American headquarters is located in North Chesterfield, VA.   About the ZEISS Group ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. The company has been contributing to technological progress for more than 160 years. Founded in 1846, the company now has its headquarters in Oberkochen in southwest Germany and has representatives in over 40 countries

State wildlife officials are planning a series of clinics for beginning deer hunters late this summer.   BABCOCK, Wis. (AP) — State wildlife officials are planning a series of clinics for beginning deer hunters late this summer. The Department of Natural Resources will hold the one-day workshops at the Sandhill Wildlife Area near Babcock. The classes will include information on deer biology and management, scouting and firearm safety as well as hunting rules and ethics. The agency will offer a youth workshop for children ages 12 to 15 on Aug. 4, 6 and 8. A clinic for first-time hunters over age 16 will take place on Sept. 24. Graduates will be invited to take part in a special hunt in the wildlife area on Nov. 5-6. Applications are available on the DNR's website and at DNR service centers.