Author: Adam Back

TALLADEGA, Ala. – Chuck Cranford, 56, of Albertville, AL, was the overall top competitor in the main event category of the most recent NSCA (National Sporting Clays Association) match held at Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. Cranford achieved a total score of 97 out of 100 for the win.

The game was held March 4 and 5 at Talladega’s 15-station Sporting Clays Loop, facilitated by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). A total of 57 shooters participated in the event, eight of whom became new members of the NSCA.

“We had a wonderful, beautiful weekend for our March NSCA monthly release,” said William Chapman, CMP Talladega Archery/Shotgun Supervisor. “Participants commented on how well the goals were set during the shoot. We had a lot of positive feedback.”

The runner-up to Cranford was Bob Carleton, 61, of Pell City, AL, with a score of 89, while Bruce Park, 54, of Huntsville, AL, placed third with 84.

Talladega’s next monthly NSCA Shoot will take place on April 15 and 16. Other upcoming monthly NSCA Shoots at Talladega in 2023 include: June 3-4, July 8-9, August 5-6, September 9-10, October 14-15, and November 18-19. Talladega’s monthly NSCA-registered sporting shotgun shoots are open to new or experienced competitors, with 100 targets to score. Registration fee is $55.

A Shooters for Hooters event will take place on Saturday, May 13 (cost is: $35 each shooter per loop and $5 each shooter per long bird). All proceeds benefit Never Surrender to help fulfill the mission of breast cancer education and early detection and support for those affected by breast cancer.

Talladega’s shotgun courses are also open to the public for daily use and offer options of skeet/trap/wobble, 5 Stand, and Sporting Clays. More information about the Talladega Shotgun events can be found on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/shotgun/. Questions about NSCA shotgun matches can be directed to Chapman at 256-474-4408 ext. 421 or [email protected].

About the CMP Talladega Shooting Range:

Aptly named “The Home of Marksmanship,” the park is a worthy destination for firearms supporters and visitors seeking opportunities to practice, compete, and mindfully learn. Featuring CMP electronic targets and scoring monitors that can only be found at the 500-acre facility, the park regularly hosts rifle, pistol, shotgun, and archery events throughout the year. CMP’s Unknown Distance Range at Talladega also allows guests to practice their skills on the range of more than 100 steel targets, up to 625 yards, and provides even more shooting fun in the park.

The public is welcome daily to try out their firearms or just take a tour of the grounds. Out of the line of fire, the Clubhouse features a fully stocked Pro Shop featuring an exclusive collection of CMP rifles, ammunition, marksmanship and memorabilia that is always open during park hours. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/ranges/talladega-marksmanship-park/.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearms safety and marksmanship training and the promotion of marksmanship competition for United States citizens. To learn more about the CMP and its programs, log on to www.TheCMP.org.

Travis Ham Wins Calling Competition, Keith Hickman Wins Lifetime Service Award

cousins^® Hunting, a pioneer in game calls and hunting accessories, congratulates two of their own on being recognized at this year’s National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) convention. Primos employee Travis Ham won the Grand National Calling Championship, and longtime Primos staffer Keith Hickman won the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award.

Improving on his second-place third in the competition last year, Ham took first place in the Gobbling Division of the NWTF Grand National Calling Championship. In his quest for the Grand National championship, Ham has logged thousands of hours practicing at home, at work, and in the field, to produce the most realistic sounds possible.

“Winning the championship this year was a dream come true,” Ham said. “After finishing fourth last year, I knew I was on the right track and that motivated me to work twice as hard. In fact, it took me about a week to process that I competed against the best turkey callers in the country and won. I am extremely grateful and humbled by everyone who has encouraged me, including my wonderful family at Primos, who have always supported my dreams and helped give me the tools to make my vision a reality.”

Ham has been a lifelong turkey hunter who has been competing turkey calls for over six years and serves as one of Primos’s main mouth call designers. Ham harnesses his hard-earned knowledge to help Primos make some of the most coveted, realistic-sounding mouth calls in the turkey forest.

In addition to Ham’s accomplishments, his co-worker Keith Hickman received the Roger M. Latham Award. This award recognizes outstanding NWTF chapter volunteers who have dedicated their personal time, energy and money to the conservation and management of wild turkeys. A professional Primos staff member for 25 years, Hickman helped create his local NWTF chapter, the Tennessee River Longbeards, as well as others throughout Tennessee. A former chapter president, he has served on the committee for 22 years and has helped make his chapter one of the best in the state in terms of attendance, JAKES memberships and income.

“I became obsessed with wild turkey and conservation 37 years ago,” Hickman said. “I wanted to give back more than I took, which is why I got involved with the NWTF. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mr. Will and Mr. Jimmy for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing company. My association with Primos Hunting has opened doors for me that otherwise would have remained closed. For that, I will be forever grateful.”

To learn more about the Primos hunting team and the team’s passion for turkeys, visit cousins.com.

About Cousins ​​Hunting

Primos Hunting, a Vista Outdoor brand, manufactures calls for moose, deer, turkey, predator and waterfowl, as well as blinds, shooting accessories, game cameras, attractants and supplies, clothing and other hunting accessories. Primos also produces the ever popular “The TRUTH” video series and the television show “Cousins’ TRUTH About Hunting.” For news and information, visit www.cousins.com or follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/primos_hunting/ and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/primoshunting/. Stream the language on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/CousinsHuntingVideo.

Nomad Outdoors is proud to announce its conservation partnership with the National Wildlife Turkey Federation (NWTF). Nomad Outdoors designs gear to protect hunters from the elements and to inspire and protect traditions and promote conservation.

Marked as the cornerstone for the conservation of the North American wild turkey population, NWTF is a perfect partnership for the conservation of Nomad Outdoors. Nomad Gear’s top-notch line of turkey hunting brings hunters equipment that keeps their tools of the trade concealed and within easy reach. Nomad promotes the turkey hunting lifestyle, which aligns with NWTF’s “Save Habitat, Save Game” initiative. Founded in 1973, NWTF has gone to work providing hunting opportunities across the country. Whether it’s access to land, hunting and conservation education, or improving forests and water, NWTF does everything possible to preserve wild turkey habitat and heritage.

Through this conservation partnership, Nomad Outdoors is committed to providing turkey hunters with comfortable, star-ready gear that will help make their conservation efforts successful. Through the NWTF-organized Big Six Conservation Regions, the two groups can target the needs in those areas through land improvements and restoration. As partners in conservation, NWTF and Nomad Outdoors will unite hunters with the fundamental importance behind hunting: preserving our wildlife, restoring habitat, and creating lifelong memories with family and friends.

Marolina Outdoor Inc. was founded to provide in-depth product expertise across all outdoor categories. Our innovative designs and technology-focused products create the foundation for our authentic outdoor apparel. Huk clothing represents a fresh take on and unique understanding of the needs of fishing, offering functional styles that appeal to anglers of all ages. Nomad is motivated to provide quality clothing so hunters can maximize their hunting experiences and provide sustenance regardless of the size of the game or where their activities take them.

For more information please visit
WWW.NOMADOUTDOOR.COM

When it was first introduced, Ranew’s Outdoor Equipment’s original Firminator broke new ground in the world of food plots, and they’ve continued to improve on that foundation. However, different situations or conditions sometimes require a variety of tools depending on the needs or intentions. Ranew now offers a full range of food plot implements.

Starting at the top of the line, the Firminator G3 is by far the most versatile piece of equipment in the industry, enabling the entire process of planting a food plot – plowing, planting and packing the soil – from start to finish. with a single implement. . Heavy 18-inch notched 9-gauge steel blades offer a wide range of angle and pitch adjustments for working the ground in a variety of situations, including first cutting in heavy grass, slightly opening thatch and soil for overseeds without disturbing existing or “minimal” forages. until” planting. The innovative Precision Planting System ensures proper seed distribution with no waste, whether planting large or small seeds or a variety of both. The ground driven system meters seed relative to speed and stops dropping when the Firminator stops rolling to eliminate waste. The integrated cultipacker rolls on the ground and additional weight is transferred from the frame to improve seed-to-soil contact for improved germination rates.

A scaled down version that still has all the great features and versatility of its larger cousin is available for smaller jobs or working in less accessible areas. Built on a heavy-duty 3-inch square tube steel frame, it features six (6) 16-inch ground rotary discs and the same precision seeding system. At 860 pounds, it’s light enough to be towed by a minimum 500cc four-wheel drive ATV or UTV, yet heavy enough to break down and dig into the hard ground than other ATV harrows. they would bounce off the surface. The adjustment allows more or less weight on the blade assembly for shallower or shallower depths of cut, while allowing the cultivator to maintain good ground contact and break up clods while leveling and firming the soil.

There’s even a Firminator for situations where tilling is preferable to disc. It offers the same quality, rugged American-made construction, materials and features as other models, but instead of discs, it has a robust PTO-driven walking tiller. And it’s available in 4-, 6-, and 8-foot models to fit most tractor sizes.

Proper packing improves seed-soil contact, which increases germination rates and prevents seed waste. The Ranew Heavy Duty Free Standing Cultipacker offers a standard 6ft model with 9″ heavy duty cast iron cultipacker wheels, high speed greaseable bearings and category 1 and 2 hitch pins. A professional model is also offered with improved 16-inch cast iron cultipacker wheels to create the best possible seed-to-soil contact. Both models are built with the same heavy 3-inch square tubing as the Firminator’s frames and come in 6-, 8-, and 10-foot widths, with just about any custom width available.

For those who use a larger implement for tilling the soil but still want the innovative Precision Seeding System combined with a cast iron cultipacker, there is a freestanding Firmeeder available in 4′, 5′, 6′ or 8′ versions.

Whether the job requires one implement from start to finish or a variety of implements for various applications, Ranew’s Outdoor Equipment has the right tool for the job, all built with pride and reliability in the USA.

For more information on the entire line of Firminator products and accessories, see their website at www.thefirminator.com.

Ranew Outdoor Gear Introduces The Firminator – The Firminator is by far the most versatile gear in the industry. The operator can choose from a wide range of angle and pitch adjustments to perform many different functions.

For more information please visit
ELFIRMADOR.COM

Scent Thief’s mission is to revolutionize odor control for hunters and trappers. They recognize the importance of scent and its effectiveness in the forest. Traditional odor control uses enzymes or chemicals that attempt to mask or eliminate human odor. Scent Thief believes that it is nearly impossible to do either. Instead of masking human scent, Scent Thief’s patented “No-Smell” technology nullifies an animal’s ability to smell. The result is more successful hunts and greater confidence in the woods, regardless of the wind.

When Scent Thief’s proprietary formula enters the nose, it relaxes the epithelium and the ability to smell. Unlike traditional odor blockers, Scent Thief® must be inhaled to temporarily disable an animal’s sense of smell. It’s so effective that the Justice Department stepped in when flags were raised over drug dogs. The Justice Department asked Scent Thief to add an ingredient that dogs could recognize. The current formula satisfied the Justice Department and increased its effectiveness. The added ingredient calms wildlife while blocking their ability to smell. Strong, swirling winds are no longer a problem for hunters looking to venture deep into the woods.

A wide range of products offers a complete package for odor control. Apply field spray to equipment, clothing, blinds, and surrounding vegetation to block an animal’s ability to smell. For greater effectiveness, place a wafer on a blind or a tree. Using the wind, the wafer will create a “no smell area” in the surrounding area. Before the hunt, Scent Thief Laundry Detergent and Scent Thief Body Wash use the same patented odor-locking technology for full coverage. Users interested in the whole system can try the Hunter’s Pack or the Trophy Pack for an immersive odor control solution.

About Scent Thief

Scent Thief is a double patented formula that eliminates an animal’s ability to smell without using enzymes, masking scents, chemicals or ozone. With over 20 years of research and field testing, Scent Thief effectively keeps hunters in the game. Scent Thief addresses the problem of human odor differently than its competitors by targeting the area of ​​the nose responsible for smell. By concentrating on this area of ​​the nose and relaxing it, Scent Thief blocks the signal that triggers danger in any animal with a sense of smell. Made in EE.UU.

For more information please visit
WWW.SCENTTHIEF.COM

$6.8 trillion FY24 proposal would increase funding for public land management by nearly $7 billion

WASHINGTON – The administration’s proposed budget of $6.8 billion for fiscal year 2024 increases funding for key resource management agencies, as well as programs that would address pressing conservation issues affecting fish and wildlife and lands and public waters.

The Department of the Interior would receive a 12 percent increase, or an additional $2 billion, over the levels enacted for FY 23. The Department of Agriculture’s discretionary budget would receive an increase of 14.4 percent, or an additional $4.7 billion, over the levels enacted for FY 23. levels enacted for FY23.

In particular, the proposal would invest in the expansion of biodiversity by increasing key programs and funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System, the implementation of the Endangered Species Law, and the conservation of migratory birds and the fishing. The Fish and Wildlife Service budget request is for $2.08 billion, or an increase of 17.7 percent. This figure includes an increase of $83 million for the National Wildlife Refuge System, as well as a 30 percent increase, which translates to an additional $19 million, for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, that facilitates voluntary conservation activities on private lands.

The proposed budget would provide a $141 million boost to the Bureau of Land Management, and funding for the Wildlife Habitat and Aquatic Resources Management program would receive a 13.5 percent increase. At USDA, the Forest Service would receive $2.22 billion, or $252 million above enacted levels for FY 23. This includes a 56 percent increase in hazardous fuel reduction funding that would allow the agency to mitigate the wildfire risk across 4.2 million acres in high-priority, high-risk areas, a significant investment to prioritize the USFS 10-year wildfire crisis strategy.

While the proposal is largely positive, it includes just a $30 million request for funds to clean up abandoned hard rock mine sites, less than half the $65 million request last year. Cost estimates to clean up the abandoned mines run to $54 billion. The bipartisan infrastructure package approved in late 2021 authorized $3 billion for this important work, and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers encourages Congress to appropriate at least $287 million to begin reclamation of abandoned hard rock mines, which account for the largest source of pollution in the United States.

BHA President and CEO Land Tawney praised the proposed increases in conservation-related work, calling the proposed budget a “starting point” in the likely heated negotiations between lawmakers that will follow in the divided Congress.

“The administration’s proposal addresses key needs identified by resource managers and scientists and championed by hunters, fishermen, and citizens from all walks of life,” Tawney said. “We appreciate the hard work of President Biden and his Cabinet leaders to improve America’s public lands and waters, the fish and wildlife that depend on them, and the opportunities for challenge, solitude, and adventure they provide.

“However, much remains to be done,” Tawney continued. “We look forward to working with the administration and Congress to ensure we meet our shared obligations to stewardship of our nation’s natural resources.”

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the voice
for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.

Learn more about BHA:
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http://www.backcountryhunters.org/

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA—The leaders of wildlife and conservation solutions, ASciS, the creators of the iSportsman solution, will participate in the 88^he Annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference co-hosted by the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association (NMFWA) in St. Louis Missouri March 20-24. ASciS first attended this conference in 2007 when it launched the first version of the iSportsman platform. iSportsman originated as a solution designed to help the Department of Defense remain in compliance with the Sikes Act through its hunting and fishing programs. From there, the company has expanded its solutions to include the needs of commercial and private grounds with its iSportsmanARX solution, the individual needs of outdoor recreationists through iSportsmanX, and general outdoor safety and security awareness. situation with the HazRDS mobile tool. Each year, this conference presents research and solutions for the full spectrum of wildlife conservation and management initiatives.

“For the team supporting iSportsman, the conference provides a great opportunity to learn what’s new in the industry and showcase the latest features in our wildlife management tools,” says Aneil Kumar, CEO of ASciS. “We always look forward to the opportunity to have some one-on-one time with our existing customers, reconnect with familiar faces, and meet new people.”

Many of the customers present use the iSportsmanGX service, an enhanced version of the original iSportsman software. iSportsmanGX is currently used at more than 50 military installations across the country, covering 11 million acres of mountains, forests, grasslands, and plains. Trusted by the US Army, US Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, and US Fish and Wildlife Service, iSportsmanGX provides an experience of Unlimited user with fully customizable options for any area. During support, iSportsmanGX product specialists will be available for on-site product training and upgrade courses.

Additionally, product experts and company representatives can discuss the capabilities of iSportsman’s full suite of services, as well as some of the additional value features already available to iSportsmanGX users, such as HazRDS. This added feature allows recreationists to directly report suspicious activity, trapped or injured wildlife, and hazardous materials using GEO forms that update in real time and are easily accessible for CLEO and range control.

“Our GX solution is so highly customizable that it can be easy to overlook certain aspects of the system’s capabilities,” says Kumar. “But they are readily available and increasing data collected that leads to quality wildlife conservation and management.”

The iSportsman support team is showing their support for the conference by sponsoring the Wildlife Management Institute at the Bronze level and NMFWA at the Gold level. Inquiries from both existing sponsors and interested parties are welcome.

About iSportsman: iSportsman is the nation’s leading recreation program management solution, serving as the enterprise-grade provider for the US Army, Air Force, Hunting, Fishing, and Firewood permit sales programs. Guard and Security Services. US Fish and Wildlife iSportsman has provided SaaS and custom solutions to meet the needs of large-scale recreational programs for over 12 years and currently manages permit sales, access control, reporting and plus for more than 10.6 million acres of forests, fields, trails and waterways worldwide. the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. Visit isportsman.com for more information.