To: ALL MEDIA For immediate release   February 5, 2015   U.S. Sens. Murkowski, Heinrich Introduce New Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015 NEWTOWN, Conn. - The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industries, today is pleased to note that U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have introduced the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015.   The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015 is a package of pro-sportsmen's legislation designed to safeguard and promote America's hunting and fishing traditions and to enhance the role of hunters, anglers and shooters as America's preeminent supporters of wildlife conservation. In keeping with a longstanding tradition of bipartisanship on sportsmen's issues, the legislation enjoys strong support from both sides of the political aisle with Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) Co-Chairs U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and CSC Vice-Chairs U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) serving as original co-sponsors.   "Being from Alaska, I'm lucky. Our hunting and fishing is top-notch. We learn to love the 'great outdoors' very early on in the Last Frontier. We know how to enjoy it today, and we're committed to making sure that future generations have the same great opportunities," said Sen. Murkowski. "The bipartisan legislation we introduced today will help ensure that our grandchildren have the same opportunities to hunt and fish as we did growing up."   Sen. Heinrich added, "The number one issue for sportsmen and women across the country is access. This widely supported, bipartisan bill will open more areas to hunting and fishing and grow America's thriving outdoor recreation economy. Hunters and anglers alone spend more than $465 million per year in New Mexico, and outdoor recreation as a whole is directly responsible for 68,000 jobs in our state. As an avid hunter myself, I remain deeply committed to preserving our outdoor heritage and treasured public lands for future generations to enjoy."   "The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015 is made up of several bills that will help ensure our outdoor traditions are preserved, protected and promoted, said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. This legislation addresses some of the top concerns of American hunters and recreational shooters. Its passage would be a significant accomplishment for the sportsmen's community and for America. We are grateful to Senators Murkowski and Heinrich for their bipartisan leadership on this important legislation and are looking forward to passage early in the 114th Congress."   Priorities addressed in the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act include: protecting the traditional use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle by American hunters and anglers, the removal of impediments to the use of Pittman-Robertson funds for shooting ranges and a significant number of provisions to enhance and expand hunting, shooting and fishing access on lands administered by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture.   About NSSF The 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 11,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers. For more information, visit nssf.org.

Published: December 26, 2011 8:54 PM By EILEEN SULLIVAN. The Associated Press   QUANTICO, Va. -- Call it a playground for Bambi and G-men, where imaginary criminals are hunted and deer are the spectators. The 547-acre FBI Academy, where some of the nation's best marksmen fire off more than 1 million bullets every month, happens to be one of the safest places for deer during hunting season. The property on the Marine Corps base here is home to some of the FBI's most elite forces and training programs as well as a de facto wildlife refuge where deer, fox, wild turkeys, groundhogs and vultures roam fearless and free. The most common furry friends on the sprawling campus some 30 miles outside Washington are the deer, a regular at the shooting ranges, driving courses and physical training trails. On a December afternoon, deer grazed above one of the academy's 16 practice shooting ranges. They stood just 15 feet away from the paper targets. Nearby, shots popped loudly from a Colt M4 Carbine rifle, and the white-tailed deer did not flinch. "They're pretty immune to the sound," said Sean Boyle, a firearms instructor at the academy. The deer typically graze on top of the berm, about 15 feet away from the targets and rarely go directly in the line of fire. Boyle said he doesn't recall an instance where a deer was shot accidentally. "It's like they think, 'We've pushed the limit for this far, and all our generations have pushed the limit for this far,' " Boyle said. "They're just so docile around here. They don't know what a gun is."  

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.    

Critical safety questions at Remington Arms Two dozen deaths, more than 100 injuries linked to Model 700 rifle By Scott Cohn Correspondent CNBC CNBC updated 10/20/2010 6:31:19 PM ET 2010-10-20T22:31:19 A 10-month investigation by CNBC has found that at least two dozen deaths and more than 100 injuries have been linked to the signature product of an iconic American company. The Remington Model 700-series rifle - with more than 5 million sold - is one of the world’s most popular firearms. Famous for its accuracy, the rifle is now the target of a series of lawsuits claiming that it is unsafe and susceptible to firing without pulling the trigger. Remington insists its rifle is safe and free of any defect, though internal documents obtained by CNBC indicate the company has wrestled with concerns over the gun’s safety for some 60 years. The documents reveal that on at least two occasions, the company considered – and then decided against – a modification of the original trigger design intended to eliminate inadvertent discharges. One of those proposed fixes would have cost Remington 5.5 cents per gun, according to the company’s own calculations. To date, more than 75 lawsuits have been filed against Remington alleging safety problems with its 700-series rifle. The company has consistently stated that the deaths and injuries involving the gun have been the result of improper modifications, poor maintenance or unsafe handling, and it has prevailed in some court cases by arguing that inexperienced users are in denial that they pulled the trigger. CNBC: Remington Under Fire One of those who have suffered devastating consequences as the result of the Remington 700-series rifle is Richard Barber, of Manhattan, Mont. In 2000, Barber said, his 9-year-old son Gus was fatally shot after a day of hunting with his family when a Remington 700 rifle inadvertently discharged. Gus’ mother, Barbara Barber, had been unloading her rifle and later said she was certain her finger was not on the trigger when the gun suddenly fired. Within days of the accident, Barber began hearing about other incidents in which Remington 700s inadvertently went off. “I went to the funeral home and looked Gus right square in the eye and I said, ‘Son, it ends here and now.'" Barber said. "I promised him I would never be bought off and I would never quit until I've effected change." The Barber family sued Remington, and as a result the company agreed in 2002 to modify certain older 700 rifles for a fee of $20. But the settlement stopped short of a full recall, and the basic design of the rifle stayed the same. CNBC found that from the very beginning, the company looked at ways to fix its bolt-action rifle, even contemplating a nationwide recall. But on more than one occasion, Remington decided against a recall. And it turns out that decision is Remington's, and Remington's alone. For most products – cars, toys, food, even BB guns - the government can order a recall. In 2010, for example, the Eagle 5 Rifle crossbow made by Master Cutlery was recalled after regulators found it could fire, without pulling the trigger, when the safety is switched off. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission cannot recall guns. Nor can the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or the Justice Department. Guns hold a special place in American life - and American law, says Dallas attorney Jeffrey Hightower. “Remington polices itself,” he said. “The gun industry polices itself.” A federal law, passed in 1976 and upheld repeatedly in court, specifically bars the government from setting safety standards for guns, because of the Second Amendment. Rich Barber says that’s as it should be. He’s a strong supporter of gun rights and is still an avid shooter. He even sometimes shoots Remingtons. “It is our responsibility as pro-gun individuals to regulate an issue of this nature,” he said. “I am fearful that if the government got involved in this, that they would put such stringent standards on firearms, they'd be so safe, they wouldn't work.” But now, some are trying to force Remington’s hand. The company is battling two proposed class-action suits demanding a nationwide recall. Texas attorney Robert Chaffin, who is not involved in the latest suits, says that is easier said than done. He says fixing the Remington 700 has become far more expensive than years ago and now is estimated to cost $75 to $100 per gun. “So you're talking about a recall campaign that could have cost up to $300 million if it was run to its fullest,” said Chaffin. “Which was actually more than the entire net worth of the company." That cost would complicate the company’s plans to sell its stock to the public. Since 2007, Remington has been owned by the giant investment firm Cerberus, which had quietly begun buying gun companies the year before. In October 2009, Cerberus announced plans to sell stock in a new company called Freedom Group, a collection of gun makers built around Remington. Like Remington and DuPont officials, Cerberus officials declined to be interviewed for this report. The company said it couldn’t talk to us about the Remington 700 this close to the public stock offering. “I don't think anybody wants to go on national TV and lie,” said Barber. “I could say whatever I want. But those documents clearly speak for themselves and they speak volumes about what the company knew, when they knew it, what they did, and what they did not do, and what they continue to do today. It has been ten years since the death of Barber’s son. He occasionally wishes life could be back the way it was. But he knows that can never be.

The offseason is the time to hone your archery skills. Don't miss the buck of a lifetime because you didn't. by Mike Strandlund, Editor, Bowhunting World You’ve dreamed for years, planned for months, and spent weeks in the woods. The moment’s finally arrived: An awesome trophy buck is slinking along a trail, a boulder’s throw from your stand. With confidence built on hours of practice, you slowly raise and draw the bow. But you’re shaking with excitement, and suddenly confused. How should you aim? A pin finally settles on the shoulder, but you’re just not sure. Maybe I’ll be lucky, you think, as the arrow lurches into flight. But only your hopes die today, as you see the shaft sail harmlessly over the buck’s withers and a bowhunter’s chance of a lifetime crashes away. You can only stare after the bobbing flag in heartbreak and disbelief. For each tale of hunting glory, for each animal taken with a bow, there are a dozen stories like this. I’ve got several of my own. The first arrow I ever shot at a deer missed by three feet, even though it was an easy shot. The biggest, closest buck I’ve ever seen lost a handful of hair but not a drop of blood when my broadhead took him low in the brisket. In the first analysis, these misses are puzzling. I practice a lot, am a pretty fair shot, and shoot only within my effective range. But when you examine the factors involved in shooting an arrow at game, you begin to see the wide difference between target accuracy and hunting accuracy. The archer on a target range shoots with no pressure, in a controlled situation, and repeatedly under the same conditions. But when he faces game, it can be at any distance or angle; the archer’s physical position or mental condition may be the worst for shooting an arrow. A friend of mine who has a room full of archery trophies, who regularly shoots quarter-size groups at 20 yards, discovered this the hard way when he completely missed a standing deer at 10 paces. Keys To Bowhunting Success There are two things of paramount importance in bowhunting. The first is perseverance. It’s easy enough. You learn to enjoy (or at least endure) boring sits and grueling stalks, or you concede to second-rate success. The other crucial key is the ability to come through at the moment of truth – to make the shot. Months, even years of preparation, as well as thousands of dollars and precious vacation time may be invested in the hopes you can execute a task that takes mere seconds. Many bowhunters work so single-mindedly on getting within range of an animal that they don’t plan what to do once they get there. But preparation will maximize your chance of success at the climax of the hunt. The average bowhunter can train himself to be better than a tournament archer at scoring on game. This level of excellence is accomplished through practice that is systematic and simulates the real thing. An ambitious bowhunter must train mentally and physically, as well as gain shooting knowledge and woods wisdom, all of which will contribute to his odds of success. I Know I Can, I Know I Can Job One is mental preparation. Once an archer has a working knowledge of bow-shooting fundamentals, the most important things for consistent accuracy are control, concentration and confidence. Train yourself to focus attention and be sure of yourself in any situation – but without being cocky or careless. Your attitude should be, I know I can do this job if I give it my fullest effort. Prepare yourself to face a living, moving, ready-to-bolt target at an uncertain shooting angle. I don’t think a bowhunter ever quite gets used to it. Most archers are aware that the vital zone of a big game animal can be much harder to hit than a target of the same size, but they don’t give it enough thought. Have you ever found yourself within 20 yards of a trophy animal beyond your wildest dreams? If not, take it from a hunter who learned the hard way: Be prepared. Strandlund’s First Law of Bowhunting reads that the size of an animal’s antlers is proportional to its chances of being missed by arrows. A corollary to that law is that if the animal walks by a bowhunter who has mentally rehearsed the encounter, chances are it will take a ride in a pickup truck. If we weren’t thrilled by the approach of a game animal, we wouldn’t have much reason to hunt. But bowhunters must learn to control that excitement. First, don’t psych yourself out. You must realize it won’t kill you to blow the shot (unless you’re hunting polar bear, which requires a frame of mind that I cannot explain here). Another method for developing control is visualization. As you practice, visualize the real thing. Olympic athletes and champions in all shooting sports use this technique to rehearse mentally as well as physically. Pretend that each of your practice shots is at a trophy buck. By the time you are in a real deer-shooting situation, you’ll feel that you’ve been through it a thousand times. It will take away much of the pressure and strangeness of a close encounter with a desirable animal. To visualize, muster all your imagination and make yourself believe you are in a real hunting situation. Imagine you see the animal approach, stop, and offer only a few seconds to shoot. Raise and draw as if it might see you. Pretend that each and every arrow is your only shot at that buck of a lifetime. If you do it right, you can simulate the pressure you’ll experience in an actual hunting situation. Your heart rate will even increase. Train yourself to shoot accurately under that stress. Visualization includes not only imagining you are in a real situation. It includes imagining a perfect shot. It’s the power of positive thinking, and it’s been proven to work. Practice Techniques It was in a bar in northern Wisconsin that I first heard it: Bow season’s coming up. I guess I got to get out and sight in my compound. I’ve heard similar statements a couple of times since, and am always baffled. I don’t think it’s a widespread problem. I believe most of us know that we can never attain decent accuracy with archery gear without long hours of practice. But for hunting success, practice must emphasize quality as well as quantity. Practice in a way that enhances your shooting in a hunting situation. The most important bowhunting fundamental is consistency. For an accurate shot, you need a rock-steady anchor point, string release, and follow-through. In the heat of the moment, this is where the bowhunter makes the most mistakes. A buck has an uncanny ability to make an uncertain shooter lower his anchor point, pluck the string, and lurch after the release. But if you’ve established an absolute shooting style, practiced like a robot, and prepared mentally, it can be just like target shooting. Experiment with equipment and shooting techniques. Make any needed changes before you begin serious preseason practice. A surprising number of bowhunters fail to tune their bows and arrows as well as they can, then blame their equipment or themselves for lousy shooting. If your hunting arrows don’t fly like your practice shafts, try changing broadheads, fletching, and spine until they do. Because broadheads are expensive and a bother to shoot at targets, most bowhunters don’t experiment enough with them. Examine your shooting style to see if you need any changes. I improved my instinctive shooting immediately when I switched to a string hold with three fingers beneath the arrow nock. A common mistake is for a hunter to make too much motion as he shoots, either raising the bow in the air as he draws or moving his head and bow arm about as he aims. All game animals are attuned to spotting close-range movement as the most critical sign of danger. If you’re careful to hold still and draw with the bow in shooting position, the only movement visible from the animal’s perspective is the elbow of your string arm extending outward.

going to be hosting an american from michigan USA on a whitetail buck and mule deer hunt for the 2011 hunting seasson. his name is bill hall and he is an advid hunter. he his bbull elk is in the top 10 for michigan.

Can culling coyotes on your deer lease help the herd? Lots of factors affect the answer. by Mark Kayser Coyote Density Most prey species have cyclic, annual reproduction rates and as the habitat that sustains them decreases, so does the population of the prey. Predators follow suit and also decrease as prey diminishes. Litter sizes shrink and inefficient hunters succumb to the best hunters in a pack. This has been proven in research studies involving predators such as coyotes and Canada lynx in the context of snowshoe hare cyclic trends. Your first goal is to determine if you are dealing with a high coyote density or an average population. Most states have animal damage control offices that deal with predator and nuisance animal control. The United States Department of Agriculture might have an animal damage control officer in your area. These specialists work daily with predators and can tell you if you live in a “problem” area or if trying to control coyotes would be a waste of time. You can do your own research. First, do you routinely find evidence of deer mortality on your property? Do you find fawn parts, adult deer parts and deer hair in coyote scat? Can you trace those kills back to coyotes or are they scavenging road kills from a nearby highway or taking advantage of deer wounded and lost during the deer season? Listen at dawn and dusk and count the number of howls you hear. You can also trigger howls with a siren or recorded howls. This will give you an idea of how many coyotes are in the area. Finally, look for tracks and scat, and count your sightings. If you hunt the property regularly keep notes of when, where and how many tracks, scat and sightings you come across. Ask your hunting partners and lessees to do the same to broaden your perspective of the local coyote density. Habitat Inventory If you have a large property consisting of several hundred acres that include food plots and dense cover, you might be actually ringing the dinner bell for coyotes. Quality habitat increases the all-around prey base and that might attract coyotes. That can be both good and bad. The Quality Deer Management Association attempts to keep its members abreast of the latest in information to aid deer management practices. This organization has updated its members on new research conducted by students and faculty of Mississippi State University regarding predator and deer relationship. The study, which lasted nearly 10 years, indicated that deer managers who conserve and enhance habitat aid deer by creating better fawn hiding locations and overall escape habitat. Plus, the habitat increases other prey species that will attract the attention of predators looking for an easy meal so they won’t be as apt to focus on deer. Location Where you manage deer also should influence your decision to control coyotes. Deer in southern latitudes have less overall stress throughout the year due to increased browse and less winter stress. Deer in northern latitudes often have a feast or famine lifestyle with abundant browse from spring through fall, but suffer through severe conditions due to snow and cold in the winter months. After being rundown from the rigors of the rut, northern deer easily succumb to predation when deep snow and cold enter the equation. I’ve seen a pack of coyotes run down a tired buck and strip it of every ounce of edible meat. Although that isn’t the norm, coyotes tend to have an advantage on northern deer when conditions merit. Another negative factor facing northern deer is their practice of yarding and herding up in large groups, again attracting coyotes. It’s not unusual to see coyotes approaching winter herds of deer and running them to see if any weak animals are in the group. I’ve witnessed it dozens of times and have watched coyotes do the same with my saddle horses. If you try and manage deer in a northern region that has a high coyote density, keep your eye on the conditions to see if coyotes are targeting stressed herds. Research Results Several studies have been undertaken on the predator-and-prey relationship, specifically the coyote’s impact on prey. Each study differs because of location, duration and resources available to conduct the study, but you can glean a few important facts from each. To begin with, several studies strongly support the notion that coyotes prey on fawns in the spring. One study conducted on the coastal plains of South Texas clearly showed fawn survival could be substantially increased by decreasing coyote densities. Two study areas, each consisting of 5,000 acres, were designated. They were five miles apart. One was designated a predator removal site and the other as the control site with no predator control at all. Predator densities were similar prior to the two-year removal period. During the first year the whitetail deer counts indicated a fawn-to-doe ratio on the predator removal property to be at 0.47 and 0.12 on the control property without predator removal. During the second year the fawn to doe ratio jumped to 0.82 on the predator removal property and 0.32 on the control site. Interestingly, similar jumps in productivity were seen in bobwhite quail and Rio Grande turkeys at the removal site. Another study took place over eight years in the Welder Wildlife Refuge in South Texas. Researches coyote-proofed 1,000 acres of pasture with raised and buried fence. The top of the fence was charged with electricity to ensure that coyotes were kept out. All coyotes were removed, but deer were able to cross the perimeter fence and cattle were introduced to replicate typical agricultural conditions. Researchers discovered that fawn survivability was 30 percent higher in the enclosure as compared to the unregulated refuge. Over the next five years, the whitetail density increased, but declined after that period due to decreased food supplies and increased parasites. What do these studies prove? First, the studies took place in areas where deer habitat was not altered. Therefore, as fawn survivability increased along with the overall deer herd, the food base did not. The carrying capacity of the land could not keep up with the animals found within the research sites. That’s not the case on most managed properties today. Quality management programs supplement nutrition in addition to maximizing food plots. Savvy managers have at least 5 percent, if not more, of land cultivated in food-plot programs. Most of the better properties I’ve been on actually have an abundance of food to meet the demands of area deer as well as those migrating to the property during severe winter weather. Next, in several of the studies the predator removal program was only implemented for a short window of time, two years or less. After removal had concluded, coyote numbers began to rise because of predator dispersion and fawn survivability again decreased. One of the studies showed that any coyote removal program of less than six months in time had little effect. Solid results were only seen after nine months or more, and had to be continued to keep fawn survivability high. Short-term bursts of coyote control were only recommended for problem coyotes, particularly those preying on livestock or that had learned to prey on adult deer effectively. Finally, you won’t find a “one-size-fits-all” answer to predator management for optimum deer production. The MSU study clearly illustrated that properties managed with the greatest potential for habitat can achieve quality deer production with little or no predator management. If you have a chink in your plan and are short on habitat, coyotes can pressure your deer, particularly your annual fawn crop. They could be eating the next trophy on your property before it has a chance to grow. Most deer managers take a “no-tolerance” approach to coyotes. Greg Simons manages more than 300,000 acres for deer in Texas with his outfitting business Wildlife Systems and has managed properties for hunting for 20 years. As a biologist with a wildlife and fisheries science degree from Texas A&M University, Simons believes firmly in controlling predators on his property and has the data to prove it. Simons is managing nearly 200,000 acres in west Texas for mule deer and has implemented an intensive predator control program to increase fawn production. After six years the results are obvious and only affected by Mother Nature. “We track the fawn crop on our property and before we started managing the predators our fawn crop was less than twenty-five percent. After one year of predator control, fawn production jumped to eighty percent and has been averaging seventy percent or higher since,” explains Simons. “Last year we only had two inches of rain from January through August so we were in a severe drought, but we still managed to keep fawn production at fifty percent. I can only guess what it would have been without predator control, but I’m sure the percentage would have been much lower.” Currently, Wildlife Systems has multiple leased properties under intensive predator control, but Simons stresses that you can’t hope for miracles on a small property, especially if it is only surrounded by barbed wire. Regardless of your efforts you will continue to have coyotes unless your neighbors also implement a predator-management program. If you own a high-fenced property with net or woven wire fence, you might have better luck managing coyotes. From his experience Simons knows that coyotes prefer to slide under a net fence instead of going through it, leaving easy-to-find clues of their entrance. These slide areas are perfect locations for snares to catch the invaders. Simons stresses that once you commit to a predator management program you need to continue it through the duration of your deer management program regardless of the size of a property. If you stop controlling the predators the vacuum you create will quickly be filled by other coyotes. In a year or two you’ll be back to where you started, advises Simons. If you want to increase fawn production on your property, consider increasing the habitat base and following a stringent predator management control program. Even though people might never agree on coyote control as a whole, I think we can all agree that any fragile fawn or weak adult deer will become a snack if a coyote finds it. It’s your choice whether you want to decrease that opportunity by decreasing the coyote population.

It is 12:20 pm August 1 2012, Harare Airport, Kevin and I waiting for our dear friend’s aircraft to land. Dakota McArtor is flying in on a connection flight from South Africa from the States; he is joining us on a 14 day hunt. Finally he is at ZIMRA’s desk clearing the Rifle; great is the joy when we shake hands, upon asking him if he is looking forward to this he responded “more than you guys could ever imagine”   Dakota is our American partner and dearest friend; he will be with us for the next 16 days to conduct a hunt with Colorado Buck – from the Television program Where in the World is Colorado Buck.   The drive out to Lake Chivero, just outside Harare on the Bulawayo road, where we will be staying the night, is a pleasant short drive as Dakota is talking about how he looked forward to this trip. We decided to stay overnight before we head out to the hunting area, as the rest of the hunting group will only join us later that evening.   What a pleasant surprise when Gary the proprietor of the lodge we staying at offers to take us with later that afternoon for some Falconry over dogs... I have seen this before but never part took in it... Love it, as Gary said hunting is hunting.   Back to Harare, 21:20 pm, awaiting our client’s arrival...we are relieved, when I see them walking through customs. After a brief hello and hand shakes ... oh almost forgot photo session, we headed out to the overnight accommodation we arranged for the clients. 5:45 am, clients having breakfast and trying to connect to the Internet, in order for clients to check mail etc. before we head out... Packing the two vehicles proved to be not as difficult as we anticipated, all lending a hand, which is what is great about our clients – not scared to dirty their hands. We brought both our four door hunting vehicles on this trip as the road trip down to the hunting area is roughly 4 to 5 hours drive and we needed our clients to travel in comfort.   Kevin arrived in Makuti a little while before we did, Dakota; Andrew – Colorado’s cameraman and I had to stop and run some errands. When we arrived Clients were sitting on the porch enjoying the view. We had a late lunch and lounged around for a while before heading out to pick up the game scout and to the area set out to sight the rifles. This we believe is very important as the airlines are not as careful as one hope they would be with the gun cases. We stayed in a lodge in Makuti, this is adjacent to area where Kevin and Dakota will hunt with Chris and Christine Woods, Chris is the proprietor of Cross Canyon Arms in Utah, for Buffalo, Leopard and some plains game. Colorado and I will be hunting lower down in the valley in the Nyakasanga area for Buffalo and Tuskless Elephant.   Wake up call at 04:30 am – Day One, breakfast before we headed out. Kevin and Dakota set out with the clients to check on some previously identified areas where some Leopard tracks have been spotted and activity identified, also to set up trail cams. The rest of the day was spent looking for fresh bait. Leopard hunting over bait requires you to keep the Leopard in the area with fresh bait.   We on the other hand set out to Nyakasanga, where we met up with the local PH, trackers and game scout. The areas that we hunt is within Zimbabwe’s Wildlife Management Areas (Parks) and this is a requirement that an authorised game scout accompany you on your hunts to ensure hunts are conducted in a fair and ethical manner.   We drove a while looking for fresh Buffalo and Elephant tracks, the morning did not yield any good tracks and we decided to stop under a group of trees on the bank of the Nyakasanga River (dry this time of the year) and proceed on foot looking for an Elephant herd spotted there earlier in the week. After about an hour and half’s walking we got onto fresh tracks and followed however the wind was not in our favour and as we were about to adjust our strategy we spotted a small group of young Elephant but we were winded and they took off. We still pushed ahead to see if we can find more tracks, we came across a fresh Buffalo track, only one set of very large tracks... definitely an Old Daggaboy.     We followed the tracks, at one stage we were so close to the Daggaboy I could smell him however he did not get to be this Old by being stupid.... we saw where he actually laid up... got up and were feeding again... we got closer but the Jess were thick and got his tracks where he actually turned to look back at us... then the next tracks indicated that he got out of the area... with some speed... next time Old timer... we returned to the vehicle a few miles back and had a well deserved late lunch...

Firearms Industry Economic ImpactNearly Doubles in Five Years NEWTOWN, Conn. – The total economic impact of the firearms and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $37.7 billion in 2013, a 97 percent increase, while the total number of full-time equivalent jobs rose from more than 166,000 to more than 245,000, a 48 percent increase in that five-year period, according to a new report released today by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the industry’s trade association. “We have seen dramatic, unprecedented during peacetime growth in the firearms and ammunition industry that is the direct result of consumer demand for our products in the last five years,” said Stephen L. Sanetti, NSSF president and chief executive officer. “While our nation’s overall economic recovery has been slow since 2008, our industry has been a true bright spot, increasing our direct workforce by nearly half, adding jobs that pay an average of more than $47,700 in wages and benefits. Supplier and induced jobs* were also increased by about half since 2008, even as we increased federal tax payments by 93 percent, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes that support wildlife conservation by 83 percent and state business taxes by 77 percent.” The Firearms and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report: 2013 provides a state by state breakdown of job numbers, wages and output covering direct, supplier and induced employment, as well as federal excise taxes paid. Access the full report here. * Induced jobs are those created by the economic impact made by the industry. -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.  

Shooting safety tip – June 2012 by Mia Anstine As an instructor and mentor to new shooters I notice things shooters are doing. One thing that I notice on every firing line, video, television show and movie is where the shooters trigger finger is. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot. Keep your finger off the trigger until [...] Read more of this post