Author: Adam Back

Expands commitment to conservation

Columbia, SC – Fresh off the recent launch of its highly anticipated Pro Whitetail level, North America’s most popular hunting and land management app, HuntStand, is proud to welcome Dallas Safari Club as its newest partner in the industry.

“DSC has made significant strides in recent years, positioning itself as one of the world’s leading voices in the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife, a mission accomplished through public engagement, education, advocacy, and well-regulated hunting,” said Lanford Holloway, executive director of HuntStand’s. parent company, TerraStride. “Their mission and approach align perfectly with our company’s core conservation values, making this partnership a natural fit.”

“We are honored to partner with HuntStand and grateful for their financial and in-kind support,” said Corey Mason, CEO of DSC and the DSC Foundation. “Strategic partnerships with industry leaders like HuntStand are key to amplifying DSC’s message and ultimately our impact on specific hunting and wildlife conservation issues both here in the United States and abroad. . We look forward to a long and productive partnership.”

About DSC:

A member of IUCN, DSC is a mission-focused conservation organization funded by hunters from around the world. With a volunteer army of more than 500, DSC hosts the World’s Greatest Hunters Convention™ which raises funds for conservation, education and advocacy grants. In recent years, more than $7 million has been channeled to qualified projects, organizations and programs in support of that mission. Join DSC at www.biggame.org

About HuntStand:

HuntStand® provides North America’s most cost-effective access to detailed data specifically designed to help users be more confident and successful in the field. HuntStand is the world’s most used hunting app with over 6 million downloads and millions of active users. The app offers full offline capabilities, nationwide property ownership information, multiple satellite base layers, detailed weather information, furrow mapping, deer activity forecasts and advanced map creation, sharing capabilities and much more. . HuntStand also offers a premium high-resolution map printing service. For more information, visit www.huntstand.com

Start shopping around the holidays for great deals on body armor and body armor systems with Spartan Armor Systems®, where all products are made in the USA! No matter what your mission, Spartan Armor Systems Black Friday promotions have you covered with money to spare.

Spartan Armor Systems®, makers of American designed and manufactured body armor, tactical gear and targets, are gearing up for the upcoming holiday season with a series of early Black Friday promotions guaranteed to get you shopping started at savings on a wide variety of items. Spartan Armor Systems popular armor and armor systems. Starting November 7 on the Spartan Armor Systems website calendar, customers will find which products and systems are available every other day through November 20. Days and offers include:

November 7 and 8 – Flex your entitlement to 25 percent savings on IIIA Soft Body Armor with Flex Fused Core™ soft armor panels, side panels, backpack panel, Spartan DL concealment plate carrier, and Ghost concealment shirt.
November 9 & 10 – Jump into the action with 25% off Spartan Armors Swimmers Cut Plates, Carriers and Packs including Spartan AR550 Body Armor, Omega AR550 Body Armor Swimmers Cut, Sentinel Swimmers Plate Carrier Pack and Sentinel High Mobility Plate Carrier Package.
November 11 & 12 – Take on threats with 25% off Spartan Armor Achilles products including the Spartan AR550 and Omega AR500 Body Armor and Achilles Plate Carrier Packs, Achilles Laser Cut Plate Carriers and the Achilles NIJ Certified AR550 Pack with AFAK and Tough Hook (OD Green only).
November 13 and 14: Receive a 25% discount on Hercules Tier IV Ceramic Armor (Set of Two).
November 15 and 16 – Don’t leave home without 25 percent off emergency response products and bundles, including the Spartan AR550 and Omega AR500 body armor and tactical response kits and the Advanced Individual First Aid Kit (AFAK ).
November 17 and 18 – You don’t need to be multi-headed to think of a 25 percent discount on all Hydra merchandise and bundles of the AR550 Active Shooter Kit/Police Tactical Gear, Hydra Lightweight and XL Lightweight plate carrier, and Spartan Omega AR500 Body Armor Active Shooter Kit/Police Tactical Gear.
The last two days of the Early Black Friday special are November 19 and 20 with 25 percent off AR550 Body Armor, Tactical Response Kit, Side Plates, Sentinel Swimmers, Sentinel and Achilles Plate Carrier Pack, and more packages, including NIJ certified packages.

Still undecided? Spartan Armor Systems makes it easy to purchase for personal use, department or gifts. Check out their Tactical Gift Guide for gifts for all ages, under $100, gifts, popular gear, must-have gifts, and even NIJ certified gifts. Cover walkways with protection. https://www.spartanarmorsystems.com/tactical-gift-guide

Check out the Spartan Armor Systems 2022 catalog and wide range of how-to, informational, and testimonial videos. Also, please visit and follow the Spartan Armor Systems Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages.

About Spartan Armor Systems®:

Spartan Armor Systems’ mission is to provide first responders and civilians with the affordable and reliable body armor protection they deserve. Spartan Armor Systems is one of the leading providers of body armor and tactical gear in the United States, featuring high-quality armor plates, body armor, reactive targets, and more. Spartan Armor Systems specializes in NIJ compliant body armor and manufactures Tier III, Tier III+, and Tier IV ceramic and steel threat protection. Its state-of-the-art facility in Tucson, AZ allows Spartan Armor to manufacture high volumes of body armor, resulting in some of the shortest lead times in the industry.

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account report, showing 2021 economic impact data for the outdoor recreation industry. According to the report, the outdoor recreation industry generated $862 billion in economic output in 2021. This led to the creation of 4.5 million jobs, equal to 3 percent of all workers in the United States. USA. The total value of economic output is 1.9 percent of the nation’s total GDP. Across all 50 states, the outdoor recreation economy contributed between 4.8% and 1.3% of their individual GDPs. Hawaii saw the largest impact on state GDP, while New York and Connecticut were the lowest.

The American Game Fishing Association recognizes the significant value of outdoor recreation in the United States, and we are proud to be part of an industry that plays a critical role in growing our nation’s economy. The outdoor recreation industry’s contribution to the US economy is greater than the amount contributed by other notable industries, such as oil and gas drilling, mining, agriculture, and computers and electronics .

In 2020, due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, the outdoor recreation economy contributed just $689 billion in gross domestic production, equal to 1.8 percent of US GDP before the pandemic, the outdoor recreation economy typically equated to 2.2 percent of GDP. We are getting closer to closing the gap.

The outdoor recreation industry is also ahead of the country in overall economic growth, as we saw an increase of 18.9 percent from 2020 to 2021 compared to just a 5.9 percent increase in the overall economy. Our industry also experienced a 13.1 percent increase in job growth from 2020 to 2021, equal to 3.1 percent of the nation’s total job growth.

Among the various outdoor recreation segments, boating and fishing contributed $50.4 billion in economic output. This makes fishing and boating the most important economic drivers among conventional outdoor recreation activities.

The economic impact of our industry is also an indicator of how important it is for Americans to have access to clean water and abundant fisheries. ASA will continue our work with Congress, federal agencies, and at the state level to ensure outdoor participation continues to grow.

The growth our industry has seen in 2021 indicates that outdoor recreation continues to be a priority for all Americans in terms of time and money spent. Outdoor recreation will continue to have a major impact on our nation, even in the face of general economic uncertainty. ASA is committed to promoting participation in outdoor recreation and getting more Americans outdoors and on the water.

Alien Gear Holsters® bolsters holster carrying options for its Rapid Force™ military/law enforcement line of duty gear with the new Swivel Drop Leg Extension.

Alien Gear Holsters®, designers and manufacturers of American-made firearm holsters and accessories, and the Rapid Force™ line of Level 2 and Level 3 Duty holsters, announce the new Swivel Drop Leg Extension for the product line of Rapid Force Service Holsters. For law enforcement, the military, or any professional who wears a chest platform or vest, the fully equipped drop leg holster system is a necessary method of carry, and the new Alien Gear Swivel Drop Leg Extension is the ultimate. addition to their growing line of QDS (quick disconnect system) products.

Constructed of a high-impact blend of polymers, the Swivel Flip-Leg is a flip-leg holster extension with a quick-disconnect system and a single strap that utilizes a swivel design to move with the user’s leg. With its minimalist design, it’s as tough and “built like a tank” as any other Rapid Force gear. The innovative motion system allows for a new range of motion, increasing overall mobility without sacrificing safety. The Swivel Drop Leg extension covers less legroom and is easy to reach for a secure draw and holster. It offers an adjustable ride height for low, mid, and high and works with the Alien Gear locking belt slider and other QDS mounts. The Rapid Force Swivel Drop Leg system works seamlessly with the Rapid Force LVL 2 Slim Holster and the Rapid Force Duty Level 2 and 3 Holster.

“For tactical officers and operators, our new Swivel Drop Leg extension increases carry options by allowing the user to maintain consistency throughout our holster system,” said Joe Lienemann, Director of Sales for Alien Law Enforcement Gear Holsters. “When the situation calls for it and training begins, the operator can safely rely on our platforms for their performance, robustness and durability, and focus on the mission at hand, rather than worrying about their equipment.”

Alien Gear Swivel Drop Leg MSRP $129.88.

For more information on Alien Gear Holsters and the Rapid Force line, visit www.aliengearholsters.com. Join the conversation on the Alien Gear Holsters Facebook, Instagram and YouTube page.

About Alien Gear Holsters®:

Alien Gear Holsters, a division of Tedder Industries, is based in the United States and manufactures everything exclusively from their facility in northern Idaho. Founded in 2013, Alien Gear Holsters are the most comfortable concealed carry holsters on the planet. Any planet. Alien Gear Holsters manufactures holsters comprised of lightweight neoprene and durable leather with fully interchangeable plastic shells that are interchangeable with any style of inside and outside the waistband pistol holster.

Rapid Force™ Duty Holsters protect our first responders’ firearms. Designed to meet the needs of active law enforcement and military service members, Rapid Force features secure Level 2 or Level 3 retention, fast and intuitive draw, and extreme durability.

In his classic 1981 song, “Are the Good Times Really Over?”, the late country music legend Merle Haggard sang, “I wish a Ford and a Chevy would last ten years, like they should.” His regret was that finding American-made products that can stand the test of time is getting harder every year. To stand the test of time, a company must produce high-quality products offered at a fair price that do the job as well as any of its competitors, and that are built to last.

This describes Al’s Goldfish Lure Co. perfectly.

Al’s Goldfish Lure Co. celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022 for one simple reason: the company was founded and operated for decades on the principle of helping its customers catch more fish by producing lures and accessories that perform as advertised, backed by an unconditional commitment. warranty.

“As we look back on our company’s storied history, my husband Jeff and I are increasingly committed to continuing to run the business the way our founder, Al Stuart, has for decades,” said owner Mandy DeBuigne. . “Jeff and I are ‘fish heads.’ We love to fish and we know what it takes to be successful on the water. We are a small business with a small, tight-knit group of dedicated employees and community partners who love to get the job done right and build rigs. We would like to thank our customers and business partners around the world who have helped make our dream possible.

Since its start in 1952 by avid angler Al Stuart with a single product, Stuart’s Goldfish, the company has introduced a number of other highly successful lures, but the original Goldfish, the company’s flagship product, stands its ground and the company has stays true to its original. customer values.

In the future, the company believes that its core values ​​will help it stay strong. “We value Jesus, for our blessings and the example of unconditional love,” Mandy said. “We value our veterans and active duty service members, for our freedom and their sacrifice. We value our friends and customers of all backgrounds, races, orientations, and abilities: we don’t care what you look like, where you come from, what your gender is, who you love, or what you can or can’t do. – what matters is, do you like to fish? We are committed to making our products right here in the USA, keeping Americans employed in our supply chain. And we value an honest sale. If your purchase fails beyond the normal wear and tear that happens to a product that you are literally pulling as far away from you as possible, please let us know; We’ll do it right.”

Today, the company still makes and markets the original Al’s Goldfish and much more, including various fish kill lures, ice fishing hooks, Sebago trolling hooks, bottom fishing hooks, and accessories. To see the complete line of Al’s Goldfish Lure Company, visit www.alsgoldfish.com or call them at 413-543-1524.

About Al’s Goldfish Lure Company
The company launched in 1952 with a single pioneering spoon lure, known as Stuart’s Goldfish, named after founder Al Stuart. The company’s flagship lure was renamed Al’s Goldfish in 1954, and by 1973 the popularity of the Goldfish lure skyrocketed to nearly a million lures sold in a year. Along the way, other popular lures, such as the Forty-Niner and Helgy, and hook-bonnet lure accessories were added to the company’s list of American-made products. In 2015 the line was expanded to include the Saltwater Goldfish series. In 2022, current owners Jeff and Mandy DeBuigne are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Goldfish lure. For more information on Al’s Goldfish Lure Company, visit www.alsgoldfish.com.

APEX Ammunition is pleased to announce that Mike Tussey has joined the company as a Marketing Specialist. Tussey has years of experience in the hunting industry and will be heavily involved in continuing to expand APEX’s presence in the turkey kingdom, as well as expanding the company’s waterfowl initiatives.

“Mike has been with us since day one, as an APEX Ammo ambassador, and we are delighted that he has joined our team in a more formal role,” said Jason Lonsberry, CEO of APEX Ammunition. “He is an essential member of our marketing team and will help us continue to foster partnerships as we grow the brand and expand sales channels.”

A lifelong hunter and fan of turkey hunting, Tussey has completed six World Slams, 12 Royal Slams and 23 Grand Slams and is the owner of Osceola Outdoors, a hunting guide service in South Florida. Tussey spent 30 years in the education field and most recently worked as a community marketing manager for Nomad Outdoor, promoting his brand of camo.

“I am very excited to be working with an innovative industry leader like APEX Ammunition and look forward to being a part of their rapid growth in the hunting world,” Tussey said.

About APEX ammunition

What started in 2017 with a few handcrafted shells for a hunting trip with friends has grown into an obsession with providing wing shooters with the best performing ammunition possible. Founded by US veterans and hunting enthusiasts in the great state of Mississippi, APEX Ammunition pioneered the commercial application of ultra-high-density Tungsten Super Shot to create the most accurate, highest-impact shot loads in the business. The driving principle behind the company’s continuous pursuit of innovation and better performance is its commitment to providing a hunting experience like no other. For more information, visit ApexAmmunition.com.

Educators at the Nebraska Park and Play Commission have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in December. Here are some opportunities:

Little Saplings Early Childhood Program Presents Winter Woodpeckers

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at the Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

The 2022 series concludes on December 7 with the theme of Winter Woodpeckers at 9 am. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver.

See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information.

Homeschool Hike scheduled for December 21 at Schramm Park SRA

Homeschooling families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program on December 21.

This nature exploration program designed for homeschooling families takes place at 9 am As an educator leads the walk, participants ask questions, draw, observe and make discoveries in nature.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information and to register.

Wildcat Hills will host Oh Deer homeschool program

Find out about the types of deer that can be found in the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and some of their adaptations during the Wildcat Hills Oh Deer Homeschooling Program on December 8th.

This program meets at 10 am Mountain Time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center.

The program is free, but a vehicle parking entry permit is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wildcat Tales Preschool is December 13th.

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the Wildcat Tales monthly preschool program on December 13.

The Winter Wonderland program, which will explore the ways animals prepare for winter, will meet at the Nature Center at 10 am Mountain Time. There will be a lesson plan, story, and hands-on activity specifically geared toward children ages 2-6.

The program is free, but a vehicle parking entry permit is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Get outdoors with Winter Family Nature Club

Outdoor adventure doesn’t end when winter rolls around. Bring the family to the Winter Family Nature Club at Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area in Stanton County on December 17th.

This free event, starting at 1 pm, will allow families to explore nature and practice outdoor skills to keep mind and body strong through connecting with nature and playing outside. This event will also take place on January 14, February 11, and March 11.

Registration is required and can be completed at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Science communication 101 webinar topic

Join a free virtual webinar on key strategies and methods for communicating science in a way that is relevant and meaningful to the public at 12:30 pm CT on December 14.

The discussion will be led by Shawna Richter-Ryerson of the Nebraska Park and Play Commission.

This webinar is part of the Conservation Education Lunch and Learn series, which dives into the science behind educational efforts and practices by learning from experts on a variety of scientific and educational topics. Please direct questions to [email protected].

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov to register and learn more.

Schramm to Host Christmas Bird Count for Kids

Get the family outdoors and help contribute to science by participating in the Christmas Bird Count for Kids at the Schramm Education Center near Gretna from 10 am to noon on December 29.

Schramm’s naturalists will lead birding excursions to the Platte River in the woods and view an indoor feeder so you can choose your own adventure. Make bird crafts and help count the results so they can be shared with Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count Project.

General admission to the educational center is required to participate in the event. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for youth and seniors, and children 3 and under are free. A park permit is not required in the school parking lot.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information.

With the holiday season fast approaching and Christmas approaching faster than a runaway train, it’s not too early to do some preliminary Christmas shopping. Instead of giving your friends and family the latest tech trinket, clothes they don’t need, or the dreaded fruitcake, why not give them a gift of knowledge? For athletes and conservationists, a copy of Mike Arnold’s groundbreaking groundbreaking book, Bringing Back the Lions: International Hunters, Local Tribespeople, and the Miraculous Rescue of a Doomed Ecosystem in Mozambique, will be a treasured gift for years to come.

Written in an entertaining style by one of the world’s leading conservation writers, this compelling book details how, for generations, conservationists around the world have spent billions of dollars and countless hours trying to restore wildlife and the wildlife habitat in decimated areas of sub-Saharan Africa. by many factors, including poachers, corrupt governments, hungry local populations, and a lack of education and experience on how to balance current needs and wants with long-term sustainable goals that benefit both wildlife and local people . And while these efforts often produce short-term results, long-term successes have been few and far between. In Bringing Back the Lions, Arnold, a distinguished research professor of genetics at the University of Georgia, details how a small group of professional hunters spearheaded a nearly 30-year effort to reclaim a once incredible wildlife haven from a decimated and near-barren landscape to one of the world’s major wildernesses: the area of ​​Mozambique known as Coutada 11. This official concession covers 2,000 square kilometers (approximately 772 square miles) of some of the most diverse habitats and animal species in all of Africa. .

“During my time at Coutada 11, I came to understand the essence of what I call the ‘invisible line,’ which demarcates a barren landscape with one full of life,” Arnold said. “I found that it depended on a combination of full stomachs, employment and the empowerment of local villagers; likewise, it depended on protection against marauders who would inadvertently tear apart the environmental web. On one side of the line, without animals, few trees, a lunar landscape; on the other, a solid canopy of trees broken by the occasional natural clearing, containing an overabundance of wildlife. The line reflected the restoration and protection of many ecosystems.

“It is no coincidence that the ‘invisible line’ also separated Sena hunter-gatherers and subsistence farmers from a previously unseen category of their brethren: a rural population of middle-class merchants, cash crop farmers, and industry employees. of the safari, an industry that caused the transformation of the ecosystems and the life of the inhabitants of the Seine”, said Arnold. “I had forgotten the truth. In wild Africa, as in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, wild animals are found only where they are more valuable alive than as food. Here, as around the world, the conservation-by-hunting model works when nothing else will. Even photo tourism, with its associated infrastructure of roads and hotels required to transport and house the swarms of tourists, leaves a huge carbon footprint compared to hunting concessions, which host a fraction of the number of visitors.

“With the world population approaching 8 billion, working with local people to conserve wildlife is an urgent need, not an option, especially in Africa,” said Ludo Wurfbain, Director of the Rowland Ward Foundation. “To be successful, conservation projects must benefit local people, increase wildlife and habitat, and maintain fair hunting opportunities. Bringing Back the Lions tells the story of how ecosystem restoration and social and economic advancement for local communities in the Zambezi Delta have gone hand in hand. Combining his personal experiences as a hunter in the region with an in-depth look at the challenges and hard work that have gone into this initiative, Arnold brings this fascinating conservation success story to life.”

“Professor Arnold’s work is a wonderful mix of travelogue, adventure tale, historical novel and environmental odyssey – an uplifting story of ecological and social restoration,” said Ian Sherman of Oxford University Press.

A lifelong hunter who has traveled the world, Arnold has published hundreds of research articles and four books on a variety of topics, including conservation biology. Publications like Science Magazine, The New York Times and National Public Radio continue to call Mike for interviews covering his research. Earlier this year, he attended the 20th annual meeting of the African Wildlife Consultative Forum in Maputo, Mozambique, where he was honored to present a copy of his book to the Honorable Carlos dos Santos, Ambassador of Mozambique to the United States.

Bringing Back the Lions is available at www.Amazon.com, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/ and other excellent bookstores.