From the Wyoming Game and Fish Department - Wyoming has Record Elk Harvest in 2012

CHEYENNE - Favorable hunting conditions, long seasons, and a growing elk population allowed Wyoming hunters last year to post the highest elk harvest ever recorded in the Cowboy State.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s recently completed harvest survey revealed that 57,331 hunters harvested 26,385 elk for a 46 percent success rate. This bested the previous high of 25,692 elk taken by hunters in 2010. Over the past 10 years, Wyoming hunters have averaged over 22,000 elk harvested annually with a hunter success rate of greater than 40 percent.

Biological Services Supervisor Bob Lanka said the exceptional harvest is attributable to a robust elk population. “We are in the golden age of elk right now,” Lanka said. “Climatic conditions in recent years have been favorable for elk and the population in much of the state has been on the increase.”

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From California Department of Fish and Wildlife - CDFW to Offer Wild Pig Hunting Clinic in Monterey County

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Advanced Hunter Education Program and the Pacific Coast Hunter Education Association will offer a wild pig hunting clinic on April 6. The clinic will be held in Lockwood (Monterey County). Designed for all skill levels, the clinic will cover will pig biology, hunting techniques, legal requirements, methods for locating wild pigs, locations to hunt, hands-on field dressing and care of wild game.

The clinic runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $45 for adults. Youths 16 years and younger are free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

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From Crimson Trace - CTC To Hold 2nd Annual Midnight 3 Gun Invitational

Wilsonville, Oregon - Crimson Trace, the leading brand of laser sighting systems for personal protection firearms, announces the return of the most talked about shooting match in the industry: The Midnight 3 Gun Invitational (M3GI). Taking place in complete darkness over two nights, August 16th & 17th, in the high desert of Central Oregon, the 2013 M3GI is poised to once again raise the bar for shooting events in the United States by utilizing lasers and lights to challenge even the most experienced competitors. Event registration is by invitation only - beginning April 2nd, 2013.

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From North Dakota Game & Fish - Moose, Elk and Bighorn Sheep Seasons Set

North Dakota’s 2013 moose, elk and bighorn sheep proclamation is finalized and applications are available at the State Game and Fish Department’s website. The deadline for applying is March 27.

A total of 111 moose licenses are available in 2013, 32 fewer than last year.

Randy Kreil, Game and Fish Department wildlife chief, said a downward population trend in the northeastern portion of the state is of great concern. “Unit M1C will remain closed,” Kreil said, “and in addition, unit M4, which encompasses the Turtle Mountains, is also closed this year.”

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From Aimpoint - Aimpoint launches new optic package for Blaser® rifles

Aimpoint, the originator and worldwide leader in electronic red dot sighting technology, has announced a new sight and mount combination designed specifically for use on Blaser rifles. The highly successful Aimpoint Micro H-1 (2 MOA dot) sight has been paired with a high quality steel saddle mount manufactured by Blaser to create this exciting new package.

Aimpoint’s previous Micro H-1 for Blaser rifles utilized a short mount that locked into just one of the two mounting points featured on Blaser rifle barrels. Based on repeated requests from the user community, a longer mount that utilizes both of the mounting points was developed and tested. Quick detach levers were added to allow this sight to be mounted and dismounted quickly, and without loss of zero. This mount is suitable for use on Blaser rifles, including the R93 and R8 models.

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From FNH USA - Retired U.S. Army Colonel Tom Loper joins FHN USA as Vice President of Military Operations

McLean, Virginia - FNH USA, LLC is pleased to announce that retired U.S. Army Col. Tom Loper has joined its executive team as Vice President, Military Operations. In this role, Mr. Loper will manage all FNH USA military operations and business development activities.

“We are pleased Tom has joined FNH USA,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO. “His extensive background and expertise in both government and civilian defense acquisition and program management will be tremendous assets to the team.”

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From Alabama's DCNR - John Denney Wins Alabama Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest

John Denney of Alexander City, Ala., is the winner of the 2014-2015 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest with his painting of a pair of pintail ducks. Denney is a second-time winner of the Alabama Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest, having previously received the honor in 2008, and was first runner-up last year.

Denney said his matte acrylic painting took approximately two months to complete. “To me, the pintail is one of the most handsome ducks, so that’s why I chose to paint it. My prior entries were both wood ducks.”

A pair of pintails was also the subject chosen by first runner-up Eddie LeRoy of Eufaula, Ala., who is a previous two-time contest winner as well. A pair of Canada geese painted by Darrell C. Warr More on Alabama's new Waterfowl Stamp Art winner ...

From MidwayUSA - NRA-ILA National Endowment for the Protection of the 2nd Amendment receives donation

Columbia, Missouri - MidwayUSA announces that is has reached a significant milestone of one million active Customers! In support of this achievement, MidwayUSA also announces a major donation of one million dollars to the NRA-ILA National Endowment for the Protection of the 2nd Amendment.

Following is the official Customer letter from Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA:

Dear Valued Customer,

One million is an attention-getting number, no matter what the circumstances. At MidwayUSA, Brenda and I – along with the MidwayUSA Employees -- have celebrated a good many ‘one million’ milestones during the last 35+ years.

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From Bushnell - McRae Lifetime Achievement Award presented to outstanding optical science and engineering students

Overland Park, Kansas — Bushnell Outdoor Products, an industry-leader in high performance sports optics and outdoor accessories for 65 years, and the University of California Davis (UC Davis) have recognized Christopher Barton as the second annual recipient of the Bushnell Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Scholarship.

Established in 2011, in conjunction with the Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Award that’s presented annually to a journalist who has made a profound impact in the outdoor industry, the $7,500 scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student in the UC Davis optical science and engineering program.

As a legendary figure in the optics industry, Bill McRae is not only known for his immense contributions to the outdoor industry, but for his dedication to mentoring journalists and industry professionals. Given all that McRae has contributed throughout his life, Bushnell established the UC Davis scholarship to share his legacy and support the next generation of optical engineers.

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