St. Croix Rod announces that Dry Fly Sales will represent the company’s fly fishing brand and products in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio , South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The established agency is based in Black Earth, Wisconsin and has been serving specialty fly fishing retailers throughout the upper Midwest for the past 12 years. In addition to owners Tony and Kim Ferrie, Dry Fly Sales associates include Matt Kwitek, Karl Romboy and Andy Walls.
St. Croix Director of Fly Fishing Sales Zack Dalton says Dry Fly sales are uniquely qualified to represent St. Croix’s revitalized fly fishing brand in the Midwest. “I have known Kim and Tony for many years and have watched them work hard to build deep relationships with quality retailers in this important region that support fishermen in the key Great Lakes market,” says Dalton. “Both are passionate fly fishermen and are highly respected in the industry for their knowledge, work ethic, personality and integrity. We believe they fit perfectly with our brand, which shares these same values.”
Tony Ferrie agrees. “On the conventional fishing side, St. Croix is a dominant brand around the world, and that certainly holds true in its backyard here in the Midwest. As a family business for the past 46 years, St. Croix has leveraged its R&D, leading design and manufacturing capabilities, and angler-focused philosophy to earn the trust of anglers and dealers alike. It has been impressive and exciting to see the new fly fishing team that St. Croix has put together over the past two years, and now it is getting even more exciting as we are beginning to see the results of that team building in the form of an incredible line of all-new St. Croix fly rods.”
Kim Ferrie says that always putting customers first is another synergy between St. Croix and Dry Fly Sales. “Relationships are always key,” she says. “We are 100% focused on meeting the needs of our retail partners. Simply put, if they succeed, we succeed, and that’s the same philosophy St. Croix has toward its anglers. Challenges will always happen, but when you have mutual trust and respect and provide solutions, all problems can be successfully resolved.”
Kim says that everything at Dry Fly Sales is a team effort. “Tony and I are very direct in our involvement, but we work on each account as a whole team, not just as one person. We all interact with everyone and keep our territories fluid, which means more resources and faster service for our customers.”
Tony concludes that Dry Fly Sales is honored to have been selected and trusted by St. Croix to represent their re-emerging fly fishing brand. “Our entire team is eager to get to work restoring awareness among anglers and dealers that this legacy brand and its incredible line of new products are well deserved. Things are about to get very exciting for fly fishermen and the fly fishing industry.”
Dry Fly Sales will officially begin representation of St. Croix Fly on July 1. You can reach them at [email protected] or [email protected].
The new St. Croix Fly website will be available soon. Until then, learn more HERE.
About Santa Cruz rod
Based in Park Falls, Wisconsin, St. Croix has proudly produced the “World’s Best Rods” for 75 years. Combining state-of-the-art manufacturing processes with skilled labor, St. Croix is the only major producer that still builds rods completely from design to fabrication. The company remains family-owned and operates duplicate manufacturing facilities in Park Falls and Fresnillo, Mexico. St. Croix is revered by all types of anglers from around the world.
New Z-Man® Drew’s Ultimate Ned Rig Rods blends premium shaft manufacturing with whispers of retro finesse
Before and after local fishing forays, around the 1960s, a group of exceptional Midwestern anglers got together to shoot the breeze at Ray Fincke’s former tackle shop in Kansas City. Fincke’s resembled many other family-owned bait shops of the day: truckloads of lures, rods, live bait, and other angling essentials, all crammed into a cozy little space. Imagine the high spirits, the sharing of innovative fishing ideas that must have gone on, as Ned Kehde, Chuck Woods, Guido Hibdon, Drew Reese and other architects of Midwestern finesse (aka Ned rig fishing) drank coffee and spent hard earned dollars. in the latest and greatest approach.
A generation later, the legendary Ned and Drew have been joined by thousands of their closest friends: successful fans of Ned’s rigs from around the globe. To this day, they continue to innovate fish catching products (Reese was co-creator of the renowned Z-Man Finesse TRD™, TRD TicklerZ™ and Finesse ShroomZ™). And now, along with Z-Man, Reese has perfected Drew’s Ultimate Ned Rig Rods—the first true-to-tech tools built with the highest quality rod-building blanks, components, and magic available.
Fist bump the original heroes of Midwestern finesse fishing, and to celebrate his longstanding friendship with these great anglers, Z-Man has melded the past and future of Ned’s tackle into a singular series of spinning rods with fine line and light line lures. Designed by Reese himself, Drew’s Ultimate Ned Rig Rods fuse the original artistry of Midwestern finesse with impeccable brilliance in rod construction.
Tennessee handles reduce weight and allow anglers to customize the rod’s balance point and reel position.
Two medium-light power/fast action models include a 5’4″ (4-8lb test) and 5’10” (4-10lb test) bar, each epitomizing an emerging trend toward shorter, lighter, ultra-precise spinning rods. The feather-shaped temples weigh just 1.75 ounces and 2.2 ounces, respectively.
“There is an undeniable joy in fishing shorter, feather-light, super-efficient spinning rigs,” says Reese, one of the first anglers to harness powerful ElaZtech® baits for bass. “I think we are already seeing a renaissance in fine lure and true light line fishing. As the fishing pressure intensifies, and people find they just want to catch more bites and keep catching fish, this movement will only grow. That’s partly why we built these nice little rods to get all the best advantages out of Ned rigs for bass and many other species.”
Founded in elite grade carbon fiber blanks, Drew’s Ultimate Ned Rig bars integrate Toray 12K High Modulus fibers with a modulus value of 50 million, resulting in superlative tensile strength in excess of 640 ksi. Super-lightweight, skeletal SSR guides with stainless steel frames and dual-stamped stainless steel inserts improve line flow while reinforcing strength and durability. A premium cork Tennessee shaft greatly reduces rod weight, increases sensitivity, and allows for custom reel placement to optimize rod balance.
“Fishermen seeing a Tennessee mango today might scratch their heads,” Reese admits. “But experiencing the true performance of a rod cannot be fully realized until you have found the precise balance point, or fulcrum, between rod and reel. We chose a cork Tennessee shaft because it is many times lighter and ten times more responsive than traditional reel seats. The rod handle allows each angler to maximize comfort and sensitivity by customizing reel placement to the sweet spot. To me it’s a 2000 size Daiwa, positioned just forward from the center of the handle. A couple of strips of electrical tape work great, providing a secure, low-profile grip that fits comfortably in the hand.
“To achieve the same balance with a 7-foot rod, by contrast, you would need to extend the heel section by two feet, and that adds additional and unnecessary weight to the rod.”
Countering inevitable questions about shorter rod lengths vs. “longer/better” movement, Reese makes a compelling case for lure weight, sensitivity and control. “These could be the first spinning rods under 6 feet in a generation,” she notes. “But pick one up and you’ll immediately wonder why you’ve been overwhelmed by 7-footers for so long.
“Many of these ideas about the merits of shorter, lighter rods came from Ray Fincke, the legendary tackle salesman, who gave us all a local gathering place to brainstorm and spin,” recalls Reese. “In the 1980s, Ray designed two such rods for one of the major rod companies in the United States. These were brilliant, light-line tools for the time, dwarfed today by the hundreds of heavier and longer models. But I never strayed far from Ray’s ideas on rod design, which started me on this quest to build on his ideas and produce a truly exceptional pair of finesse rods.
“The general idea is that creating a top feel feel is all about the weight and length of the rod. A shorter, super light blank simply puts you in closer contact with your lure and the fish. It’s an almost intimate connection. Like your hand is in direct conversation with your lure. It’s right there, and every movement of the rod tip is transmitted directly to the lure and back to the fingertips. Now reduce the weight of the rod by several ounces and you will effectively eliminate as much unnecessary baggage between your fingertips and the lure.
“Imagine, every little movement of the rod tip moves the bait a short, precise distance. It’s almost a 1 to 1 ratio. Whereas the same maneuvers with sticks longer than 7 feet tend to move the lure much greater distances, often to the detriment of accurate presentation. Now add a light, low stretch braided line to one of these shorter precision rods and suddenly you’ll catch more hits than you can imagine.
Legendary Ned rig pioneer Drew Reese argues that shorter, lighter rods provide next-level bite detection.
“Almost everyone who has tried these rods says the same thing. suddenly they are feeling everything They are immediately detecting exactly what theirwhat the lure is doing, where it is going, and how intensely or hesitantly the different fish are biting.”
On a recent trip to Lake Michigan, Reese caught six largemouth bass over 5 pounds and forty largemouth bass over 4 pounds, all with 4-pound test braids, 1/10 and 1/15 ounce Finesse ShroomZ™ jigheads and their TRD series favorite baits. “The rod-line-lure combination allowed for easy 40-yard casts and I never lost a fish. I lent my friend Bill Ward (son of the legendary Virgil Ward) a pair of rods, and he caught plenty of lake trout with 3/8-ounce hooks, easily spotting every bite, even in 80 feet of water. Later, at Truman Lake, he outshot his son walleye 7-0 with the rods. When he finally lent one to his son, he quickly detected four hits in a row. While these rods certainly shine for crappie and walleye, they really bring out all the best advantages of Ned’s rigs for bass.”
Reese hints that anglers wielding longer, heavier spinning rods, even with relatively light lines, only catch a fraction of the hits, especially the subtle inhale-and-spit or “soft-mouth” variety. “You may sacrifice a few feet in casting distance compared to a 7-foot rod, but you’ll make up for it with a huge increase in accuracy, placing the bait exactly where you want it. And in terms of bite detection, it’s not even a contest.”
Ned Rig’s namesake Ned Kehde, who has been testing Drew’s rods for over a year, agrees with his old friend, expressing spontaneous joy at what he calls a renaissance in his fine-fishing endeavors. “As an outdoor writer, after decades of riding alongside top-tier tournament anglers, it occurred to me that these rods won’t attract bass competition. But for the common folk who just like to feel every bite and nod and catch tons of bass or whatever it is that bites, Drew’s rods will add a wonderful element of joy to your fishing.
“It’s funny, I used to refer to my style of fishing as ‘feelless,’” admits Kehde. “But Drew’s rods have changed that for feel everything.” (See Ned’s in-depth article on the short rod trend on Wired2Fish.com.)
Reese reveals his favorite rod/line/lure combinations:
Drew 5’4″ – 4 lb. Test Fireline – 1/15 ounce Finesse ShroomZ with Finesse TRD or Finesse ShadZ™; 1/10-Ounce Finesse ShroomZ with TRD TicklerZ
Drew’s 5’10” – 4 lb Test Fireline – 3/16, ¼ or 3/8 ounce Jigs with Finesse ShadZ, Slim SwimZ™, Jerk ShadZ™ Combining state-of-the-art rod construction with whispers of retro finesse, every element of Drew’s Ultimate Ned Rig Rods have been carefully customized and perfected by Reese, with extensive field testing done by Ned Kehde himself. The first true-to-art series of rods engineered precisely for lightweight lures and lines, fine wire hooks, and exceptional bite detection, Drew’s rods were built to shoot daily catch rates into the hundreds.
Available in August, Drew’s Ultimate Ned Rig Rods feature a two-year limited warranty, MSRP $169.99 (5’4″) and $179.99 (5’10”). www.zmanfishing.com.
About Z-Man Fishing Products: A dynamic company based in Charleston, South Carolina, Z-Man Fishing Products has been fusing cutting-edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been one of the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits, and other lures. Creator of the original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovator of 10X Tough ElaZtech® soft baits, among the most sought-after baits in freshwater and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest growing lure brands in the world.
Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2023 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H Student Ambassadors: Ryer Roberts from Colorado and Colt Shackley from Nevada. Scholarships were awarded to winners at the National 4H Shooting Sports Invitational held in Grand Island, Nebraska, June 26-30. During the opening ceremonies on June 26, Jon Zinnel, Senior Manager of Youth Shooting Programs for Federal Ammunition, announced the winners.
“As a former 4H National Ambassador, reviewing these applications is the highlight of my year. All of these ambassadors are tremendous citizens who made the decision challenging,” Jon Zinnel said. “Both Ryer and Colt demonstrated an impressive understanding of how wildlife is managed, as well as how hunting and shooting sport programs play a vital role in the operation and funding of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model in our country. “.
This annual scholarship program was created to honor legendary exhibition shooter Tom Knapp, who passed away in April 2013. In 2016, Federal Ammunition and Champion Traps & Targets partnered with the National Shooting Sports Committee 4-H to continue the Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarship Program. A strong advocate of supporting the next generation, Knapp was a long-time ambassador for both Champion and Federal Premium Ammunition. With the support of Knapp’s wife, Colleen, Champion expanded Tom’s licensed product program to fund an endowed scholarship that awards $2,500 each to two 4-H National Ambassadors per year.
Federal ammunition can be found at dealers across the country. For more information on all Federal products or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.
Some of the best moments on the water are in a back cove where the lily pads grow and the lunkers are found – the perfect place to make money. Basses are ready to pummel anything thrown at them, especially a realistic frog or worm. Who hasn’t had their heart jump out of their chest when the water exploded and the cane almost slipped out of their hands? FISH IN! Under these conditions, only the best equipment in expert hands will do the job.
It’s experiences like this that make purpose-driven rods shine. With the right tool, bass anglers can fish more effectively while enjoying their angling activities that much more. It’s the reason so many anglers carry multiple rods on their front rig.
KastKing has released a new series of technique specific bass rods to appeal to the bass fishing enthusiast. KastKing’s Assegai Bass rods are where state-of-the-art technology, precision craftsmanship, and thoughtful design converge to provide an unparalleled fishing experience.
“ICAST will be the launch pad for our new Assegai series of Bass rods which we believe will offer the pinnacle of performance in the Bass market. The Assegai series will feature a new patented blank bar that sets a new standard in power, strength, and sensitivity. A new lamination process will deliver increased feel, increased torsional resistance and improved strength, while reducing weight,” said Al Noraker, president of KastKing.
The Assegai Rod Series line includes 15 technique-specific models ranging from 6’4″ to 7’10” in length, spanning 12 casting and 3 spinning styles. Each of the rods in the line provides the serious bass angler with the pinnacle of angling excellence with rods that feature an impressive list of high-end components. “Assegai rods are designed for the way anglers approach today’s most effective fishing methods. All feature premium Fuji K-Frame guides and Fuji reel seats, exceptional cork grips with EVA inlays that enhance feel and comfort, and carbon fiber foregrips and stocks that are both functional and beautiful,” added Noraker. .
KastKing’s proprietary Elite Carbon blanks set new standards in power, strength and sensitivity that form the backbone of the entire Assegai line. With a remarkable modulus of 40 million and a strain rate of 750k, these blanks are infused with nanoresins through a high-pressure lamination process, resulting in a 5% lighter blank, 30% more torsionally resistant and 10% stronger compared to other high performance. -end rod blanks.
Additionally, to ensure a smooth cast and exceptional durability, line control is managed via premium Fuji K-Frame guides with Alconite rings. Fuji TVS spinning or PTS casting reel seats have been selected to provide maximum reel safety, control and performance.
AAA cork shafts, trimmed with a custom EVA insert, offer exceptional feel, durability, and enhanced overall rod beauty. The carbon fiber stock and foregrip not only reduce weight, but improve the overall balance of the Assegai Rod Series.
Finally, details like drop shot-style hooks keep your gear organized and easy to access, saving you time and effort on the water.
Embark on a new era of bass fishing with Assegai bass fishing rods, where cutting-edge technology, precision craftsmanship, and intelligent design converge to provide an unparalleled fishing experience.
CHARACTERISTICS:
IM9/40 mil Modulus/750K Yield Rate/4500 Mpa Tensile Strength 6 Coats with Nano Resins
Specific technique with designations of new techniques – non-traditional
Fuji K-Frame guides with Alconite rings
Fuji TVS and PTS reel seats
AAA cork handle EVA inlaid handle
Carbon combat grip and stock
Drop Shot Keeper Hook
15 models – 3 spinning and 11 casting
MSRP: $149.99
Learn more about KastKing’s innovative new products by visiting Post #5108 at ICAST 2023.
For information on KastKing or the new ICAST 2023 products, please contact Dena at [email protected].
About KastKing:
Founded in 2013, KastKing had a vision of producing quality products designed by anglers for anglers and delivered directly to the consumer at affordable prices. True to that vision, KastKing products are developed through input from the fishing community and go directly to the manufacturing plant. This reverse formula from manufacturer to consumer introduces cutting edge features into the new products that anglers want and need. The brand has gained popularity with anglers by offering affordable innovation through in-house engineering, allowing KastKing to offer never-before-seen technology at truly extraordinary prices. Ten years later, KastKing’s products have been sold to consumers in more than 150 countries and regions around the world through a variety of supply chains. Originally, KastKing products were only available online, but consumers can now find their favorite products in a growing number of retail stores. To learn more about KastKing and KastKing products, please visit our website at kastking.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
The new Z-Man® TRD GobyZ™ transcends traditional goby baits with action, buoyancy and resistance to another level
Bass leads charmed lives. Unlike humans, they are forced to eat anything that bothers them. Consider the sea bass and its deadly enemy, the round goby, those ubiquitous underwater invaders that plague smallmouth nests by the dozens, gobbling up bass eggs like Skittles. It helps explain why largemouths and predators of all species exhibit an insatiable appetite for plump little pests, and why game fish bloat to impressive proportions through an endless buffet of gobies.
A natural incentive for bass in goby-rich environments (Great Lakes and beyond), the new 2.4-inch monitor TRD GobyZ™ bolsters Z-Man’s trend-setting line of fine baits with a surprisingly adaptable shape. Poured with extra malleable, 10X Tough ElaZtech®, the TRD GobyZ compresses just as easily as the live version, which means the bass snaps up and doesn’t come loose. Yet even after dozens of aggressive attacks, a single one of these little swimmers is no worse for wear. That’s the ElaZtech advantage, those difference-making rewards that separate the TRD GobyZ from every other goby mimic swimbait out there: optimal combinations of smoothness, action, and all-day durability.
“Although it mimics a round, snack-sized goby almost perfectly, the new TRD GobyZ is also an incredibly versatile fine bait,” says Z-Man pro Grae Buck, whose Pennsylvania base of operations ranks him in the lakes Ontario, Erie and other sea bass and goby-rich environments. “Put the hook on a Pro ShroomZ™ or my favorite Ned jighead, the Football NedZ™, for an enticing slow-swimming, bottom-crawling presentation. The natural buoyancy of the bait gives it a nice calm spiral and glide on the drop. Largemouths always react to this slow spiraling action, like a tube, only with much more visual realism and appeal.
“What’s really cool is that after you let the bait fall free, it will loosen up and often pick up the pull of a bass that’s already hanging.”
The new TRD GobyZ the size of a 2.4″ Ned rig from Z-Man.
Beyond Ned Rig’s powerful applications of bait, Buck has also been playing another sneaky trick, surprisingly effective when the bottom is fouled with gobies by the dozen. “The ElaZtech floating body of the TRD GobyZ also makes it incredibly effective in a drop,” Buck believes. “Although gobies don’t typically swim more than an inch or two above the bottom, suspending this bait in a dropshot has been absolutely crushing for me. The dropshot gives the bait a different presence. Maybe it looks more vulnerable to bass. It is especially effective when the bass are not as aggressive or when they are inundated with dozens of live bait fish, and you need your bait to stand out from the hordes.”
Even in goby-free lakes, Buck notes, bass see and feed on all sorts of bottom-dwelling species, from gobies to sculpin, darters to bullheads, willows and perch. The TRD GobyZ’s lazy paddle tail moves with a subtle yet realistic swimming action, even at ultra-slow retrieve speeds, suggesting all manner of structure-hugging prey. “We have fished the TRD GobyZ in lakes where the bass have never seen a goby. It doesn’t matter. In all types of lakes and reservoirs, bass of all species are devouring this bait with astonishing aggressiveness.”
Sculpted with a wide, burly body and a flat bottom, the TRD GobyZ cuts through sand and rocky substrate as a floating ElaZtech 4×4 body that arrests your falling speed and keeps you clear of obstacles. The flat belly of the bait also allows it to nap comfortably on the bottom of the lake, much like a goby does, with the floating tail slightly raised for visibility. Lifelike anatomy includes protruding eyeballs, elongated pectoral, dorsal, and anal fins, and a round, flat paddle tail/caudal fin that offers subtle, natural swimming motions at any retrieve speed.
The versatile TRD GobyZ shines in a team dropshot, Finesse BulletZ, or Football NedZ jighead (L-to-R).
“Whether you’re casting this cool little fine bait on a ned jig or dropshot, its soft, authentic body and natural buoyancy give you plenty of confidence, and for good reason,” Buck notes. “I normally like to fish the TRD GobyZ with a drag and stop retrieve. Gobies don’t really swim. They just kick their tail, almost like a tadpole, and crawl along the bottom, stop and go. But occasionally I also like to do a jerk or jump 6 inches and pause. Try throwing it from side to side. And when you stop, the bait uses its buoyancy to rise slightly, provoking bites even after a 10-20 second rest.
“If you fish the Great Lakes or even if your home waters are completely devoid of gobies. . . the TRD GobyZ always seems to induce bites. For Ned rig and dropshot fans, the new bait adds a new twisted dimension to an already proven Z-Man finesse system. Compact swimsuit. Bottom-dwelling bug. And an undeniable bass receiver.”
Enabled by its ultra-smooth ElaZtech body, the Ned-rig compatible TRD GobyZ swimbait combines the texture and action of a live round goby, while also mimicking other bottom-dwelling fodder. Available in October, the 2.4” TRD GobyZ features ten powerful colors, including natural goby/land tones and prominent patterns for sight fishing. MSRP $4.99 per 6-pack. For more information, visit www.zmanfishing.com.
About Z-Man Fishing Products: A dynamic company based in Charleston, South Carolina, Z-Man Fishing Products has been fusing cutting-edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been one of the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits, and other lures. Creator of the original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovator of 10X Tough ElaZtech® soft baits, among the most sought after baits in freshwater and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest growing lure brands in the world.
Twenty-four women enjoyed a night of learning new skills outdoors in an inviting environment at a NWTF Women in the Outdoors event, held at the Garretson Gun Club near Garretson, South Dakota.
The Brandon Boss Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, based in Brandon, South Dakota, hosted the event for women of all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced.
Women of all levels and ages participated in various activities during the Women In The Outdoors (WITO) event sponsored by the Brandon Boss Gobblers NWTF chapter of Brandon, South Dakota.
Attendees could choose four of the eight available stations. Seventeen volunteers instructed the ladies in activities, including fishing, kayaking, archery, firearms safety and handling, pistol shooting, rifle shooting and sport shooting with clay.
“Some women attend who have hunted or fished before, and many return to this event every year to have fun and meet new friends,” said Eric Olson of Brandon Boss Gobblers. “But some women have never had the opportunity to spend a day in the woods or on the water. Seeing someone discover the outdoors for the first time, or rediscover something they tried as a child, is why we have been hosting this event for over 10 years.”
Women looking for outdoor adventures or more quality time with family and friends can find the connection through hundreds of Women Outdoors events hosted by NWTF chapters across the United States. Events are affordable and offer enriching outdoor opportunities that create lifelong activities.
Across the country, the NWTF offers Education and Outreach Programs and is staffed by dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners who seek to introduce non-hunters to the outdoor lifestyle and share the great story of conservation.
The NWTF has been investing in hunter recruitment for decades with programs like the Brandon Boss Gobblers WITO event, along with JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, Guided Hunts and Field to Fork events.
Primos® Hunting, a pioneer in hunting calls and hunting accessories, has partnered with Pursuit Energy to introduce a new line of energy drinks to the outdoor market. As part of the brand licensing association, Primos® Hunting – Pursuit Energy® The drinks are now available in limited assortments aligned with various wild game species, with the first offering starting with Blazin’ Orange and Original Gobbler turkey game flavors. Offered in sugar-free and sugar-free options, the new drinks provide great-tasting energy for your next all-day hunt.
Eric Martinez, Owner and CEO of Pursuit Energy® said: “The combination of Primos® Hunting and Pursuit Energy® Brands was a natural fit. Outdoor enthusiasts look for products designed with their needs in mind from trusted brands. Partnering with an iconic outdoor brand and extending it into the consumables space is beneficial to Primos and the consumer. This is a great opportunity for our respective companies.”
Pursuit Energy works hard to be the energy drink of America’s hunting lifestyle, designing products that are essential equipment for America’s hunters. search energy® Delivers a caffeine kick without the bitter aftertaste found in other energy drinks. Pursuit also knows that hunters don’t want spikes, crashes, or ‘jitters’. Pursuit’s energy formula eliminates those side effects. Pursuit Energy is truly the hunter’s choice.
“The new energy drinks were recently introduced at both the SHOT Show and the NWTF convention, and we were very excited to see the positive response at our booth,” said Jason Harris, Primos Director of Product and Marketing. “Retailers and consumers loved the energy drink flavors and creative can designs. We believe this partnership will be a great success for hunters throughout the season.”
For more information on Primos® Hunting Energy Drinks, visit www.primos.comor chaseenergy.com. Distribution and retail inquiries should be directed to Eric Martinez at [email protected].
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.primos.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/PrimosHuntingVideo.
BELLEVUE, WA – The federal judge presiding over a Second Amendment Foundation challenge to the Biden administration’s new arm brace rule has denied a request by the National Rifle Association to intervene in an effort to gain the same protections for its members that have been awarded to SAF members.
However, the order denying NRA involvement doesn’t mean NRA members are out of luck, said SAF founder and executive vice president Alan M. Gottlieb. They can join SAF and be covered by the judge’s ruling issued last month. The case is known as SAF, et al. v. ATF et al. Alabama.
“While we’re sure NRA members are disappointed,” Gottlieb said, “by joining SAF they can get the protection of the judge’s ruling.”
SAF offers several different levels of membership, available at https://www.saf.org/join-saf/. Annual membership is $15, five-year membership is $50, and lifetime membership is $150. Membership is effective from the date of receipt. If you have questions about membership, please contact [email protected].
In her ruling, US District Judge Jane J. Boyle wrote: “For full intervention, the NRA’s motion fails on two separate grounds. First, the Court finds that the NRA’s request for intervention is not timely. Second, the Court finds that the interests of the NRA are adequately represented by the current Plaintiffs… In short, the NRA knew of the Rule more than a year before it intervened, and the NRA had no basis to assume that it A nationwide precautionary measure would be issued in this case. In addition, allowing intervention in these circumstances risks incentivizing opportunistic “injunction buying” under the auspices of “timely” interventions to protect a threatened interest. The NRA’s motion is not timely.”
SAF is joined in the case by Rainier Arms, LLC and two private citizens, Samuel Walley and William Green. They are represented by attorney Chad Flores at Flores Law in Houston, Texas.
“We will definitely welcome any member of the NRA who wants to join SAF,” said Executive Director Adam Kraut.
Bushnell, the industry leader in performance optics, is proud to announce its 75thhe anniversary of developing high-quality, affordable, innovative optics that enhance the pursuit of outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike. For three-quarters of a century, Bushnell has been at the forefront of “Built for the Chase” product design, whether it be hunting, shooting, bird watching, or any other outdoor passion.
Since its founding in 1948, Bushnell has remained committed to its mission of providing premium options that deliver exceptional performance without breaking the bank. Over the years, the brand has built a reputation for dedication to quality, reliability, and precision, making it the preferred choice for those looking to experience life through a new lens.
From humble beginnings, Bushnell has grown into a world leader in the optics industry. Known for decades for its reliable scopes and binoculars, Bushnell’s success can also be attributed to its patented technologies that reshaped the industry. Market-leading innovations from the brand, such as RainGuard® HD water repellent lens coating, EXO barrier™ lens protection and ARC (Angle Range Compensation) technology have set new standards in optics while earning consumer trust on the road.
In addition to its focus on technology, Bushnell prides itself on its partnerships with renowned outdoor enthusiasts and experts who share the brand’s passion for quest. Noted Bushnell ambassadors such as Michael Waddell and Bone Collectors, acclaimed marksmen KC Eusebio and Jessie Harrison, and legendary hunters Will and Jimmy Primos have relied on Bushnell optics to accomplish their remarkable feats and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. His experience and feedback, along with that of many others, have been invaluable in reshaping Bushnell’s product development.
“The 75he The anniversary is a significant milestone for Bushnell, and we are incredibly proud of our journey thus far,” said Jim Bruno, president of Vista Outdoor Hunting and Shooting Accessories. “Our success can be attributed to our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and unwavering commitment to offering superior optics that are built for your search. We are grateful for the trust they have placed in us and we look forward to many more years of innovation and excellence.”
To celebrate his 75he anniversary, Bushnell will launch a variety of contests, social campaigns and retail activations that pay homage to the brand’s rich heritage. Fans are encouraged to follow Bushnell.com, Facebook and Instagram as the brand embarks on its next chapter of bringing new products to market that continue to exceed expectations and redefine industry standards around the world.
About Bushnell – Built for the Chase
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The dual petition approach responds to the court’s concerns, provides a path to protect remnant populations while delisting and returning recovered wolf populations to state management.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance, along with the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, the Upper Peninsula Bear Hunters Association, and the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, filed a pair of petitions under the Endangered Species Act. of Extinction (ESA) to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on gray wolves. One petition is to recognize and delist a Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment (WGL DPS) of wolves within Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (and areas of adjacent states), while the other petition asks FWS to exercise specific management options on existing remnant wolf populations. outside of the WGL DPS and the Northern Rocky Mountain Distinct Population Segment (NRM DPS) created by Congress in 2011.
“It is critical that we develop a long-term plan to bring back the science of wildlife management in wolves,” said Todd Adkins, Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president of government affairs. “Animal extremists abuse the ESA petition process to handcuff wildlife managers, but in this case, we’re using the same process to get state agencies and science back into the mix.”
In the WGL DPS petition, the coalition notes that wolf populations have far exceeded FWS recovery goals in the WGL region, with the total population now exceeding 4,000 wolves. This includes estimates of 2,700 wolves in Minnesota, 1,000 in Wisconsin, and more than 600 in Michigan. The original FWS recovery targets for the species were 1,400 for Minnesota and a combined minimum population of 100 wolves for Michigan and Wisconsin combined. In all three states, fish and wildlife managers estimate that wolves occupy nearly all suitable habitat throughout their range.
FWS has removed WGL DPS at various points in the past, but each of these removal actions has been challenged by extremist animal organizations in federal court. In these cases, courts have repeatedly ruled against delisting, not because of a concern about the wolf population within WGL, where recovery of gray wolves is well established, but because FWS failed to address them. the “remnant” wolves that exist outside of the established list. population segments such as WGL and NRM. The concern repeatedly raised by federal judges is that removal of the WGL DPS could remove protections for remnant wolves in other parts of the country.
The need for a second petition: managing the remnant wolves
Recognizing this reality, the hunting coalition filed a second wolf remnant petition to develop a path out of the litigation quagmire that has strangled effective wolf management for nearly 20 years. With the remaining wolves addressed with the second petition, the coalition is confident that FWS can move forward, once again, with a WGL DPS exclusion action that will survive judicial scrutiny.
The remaining request requests two specific actions. First, the FWS must create a West Coast Wolf DPS (WCW DPS) consisting of rapidly growing, partially recovered wolf populations west and south of the defined NRM DPS. This DPS would primarily cover non-NRM wolves in California, Oregon, and Washington.
The coalition recommends that this newly established WCW DPS be included in the threat level, which reduces this population from endangered status and provides maximum flexibility for state wildlife managers. Assigning this remaining population to a new DPS will provide FWS with much-needed flexibility going forward.
Second, our petition asks that FWS create a “non-DPS” consisting of all wolves in the lower 48 states that are not included in an established DPS. This will mean that all wolves outside of a DPS will continue to be protected by the ESA as endangered under the original 1978 list.
When taken together, the two petitions create a clear path for FWS to recognize wolf recovery where it has occurred while continuing to ensure management flexibility under the ESA for remaining wolves in the West and across the country. Granting the requests within the two tandem petitions would also align the FWS approach with federal court rulings in various cases over several years.
“While not immediately obvious, these two petitions follow a blueprint established by the federal courts on gray wolves and the ESA,” said Todd Adkins, Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president of government affairs. “Rather than a quick fix, this is a long-term strategy for wolves management to return to the state agencies they belong to rather than lock themselves into litigation brought by extremists to keep their fundraising giant. running full steam ahead 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 365.”
“Michigan’s gray wolves have exceeded recovery goals for more than two decades, and it is time to give our state’s professional wildlife managers the authority they need to make the best science-based decisions for both the animals and the animals. and for the residents who call our state home.” said Michigan Bear Hunters Association President Keith Shafer. “Michigan’s recently updated Wolf Management Plan, developed with input from all stakeholders, shows that we are ready and able to take on that responsibility today, to ensure that gray wolves are managed sustainably for generations to come as the rest of our wildlife.”
“Wisconsin Bear Hunters are steadfast in our belief that our wolf population has recovered and must be managed responsibly by our state Department of Natural Resources. These petitions ask the US Fish and Wildlife Service to do what it has done multiple times in the past: delist wolves as they have fully recovered in our state,” said Carl Schoettel. , president of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association. “Science overwhelmingly supports this movement, but unfortunately, previous attempts to delist wolves have been challenged by extremist animal groups that have never set foot in Wisconsin and are driven by a dangerous ideology, not by The science. These petitions put us on the path to righting the wrongs being perpetrated against the citizens of Wisconsin and our wildlife by these disengaged extremists.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and advocates for America’s wildlife conservation programs and the activities (hunting, fishing, and trapping) that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal advocacy, and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most comprehensive defense capability possible. Stay connected with the Sportsmen’s Alliance: online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Upper Peninsula Bear Hound Association is a group dedicated to bear hunting preservation, conservation, education, and the right to hunt. For more information, visit: https://www.upbearhoundsmen.com/
Founded in 1946, the Michigan Bear Hunters Association works to protect the black bear and bear game while fighting for more research, better management, fairer hunting regulations, and defeating anti-hunting measures pushed by extremist anti-hunting groups. For more information, visit: https://www.mibearhunters.org/
For more than 50 years the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association has been at the forefront of protecting the rights of sportsmen in Wisconsin, as well as promoting youth hunting, conservation, and proper wildlife management. The WBHA is much more than a hunting organization, awarding scholarships to college-bound high school graduates, sponsoring the cleanup of highways and public lands throughout Wisconsin, and supporting a number of charitable causes through our foundation. The WBHA seeks to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to enjoy the Wisconsin outdoors while participating in hunting, fishing, and trapping. WBHA believes that when young people enjoy the outdoors, they will be more inclined to protect it while understanding that proper wildlife management is critical to protecting our precious resources. For more information, visit: https://wbha.us.com/