From the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources - New Sporting Clays Facility Opening at Canaan Valley Resort, Ribbon Cutting set for May 17, 11 a.m.

A new sporting clays five stand clay target field is set to open in West Virginia at Canaan Valley Resort State Park during Memorial Day weekend.

“The sport of trap shooting is popular and this provides another outdoor activity that visitors and guests at Canaan Valley Resort can enjoy,” said Frank Jezioro, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

More on West Virginia's new Sporting Clays facility ...

From the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources - West Virginia’s Spring Gobbler Season Opens April 22, 2013

South Charleston, West Virginia - The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources encourages all spring gobbler hunters to get their turkey calls out and tuned up in preparation for the upcoming season opener. The four-week season begins Monday, April 22, and closes on Saturday, May 18, 2013. Hunters may kill only one bearded turkey per day and are allowed two per season.

“Unlike 2012, when spring green-up came early, this year winter is still hanging on and very few trees have leaves out yet,” according to Curtis I. Taylor, chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section. “Therefore, the late appearance of spring will likely increase the distance hunters can hear a gobbler. However, the peak of gobbling occurs near the end of April or early May as hens go to incubate their clutches, so hunters shouldn’t be surprised if they hear more birds at that time. Gobblers will also be more willing to come to calls once hens have gone to incubate their clutches so hunters should continue hunting as the season progresses.

More on the start of West Virginia's turkey season ...

From FNH USA, LLC - FNH USA Partners with Peacemaker National Training Center

McLean, VA - FNH USA, LLC is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Peacemaker National Training Center (PNTC), one of the largest competitive shooting facilities in the U.S., to support enhancements to their main shooting complex, Liberty Range, and a separate 250-acre area used for 3-gun competition. Among the enhancements include the construction of brand-new 30-foot tall tower.

More on Peacemaker's partnership with FNH USA ...

From the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources - New West Virginia Apprentice Hunting License Available Online

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Apprentice Hunting and Trapping License (Class AH) is now available online, according to Frank Jezioro, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The license allows people to try hunting without completing a hunter education course.

“Hunter safety education can be a hurdle for novice hunters and we're really expecting to see many new hunters take advantage of this opportunity,” said Jezioro. "After these novice hunters get a taste of the experience, we believe they will complete hunter safety courses and become lifetime hunters."

More on West Virginia's Online Apprentice Hunting License ...

West Virginia poised to take 2013 collegiate rifle title after strong start in Air Rifle Championship

Columbus, Ohio - The close overall standings between teams after yesterday's Smallbore Championship have become a little wider today at the Air Rifle Championship. The final portion of the 2013 NCAA Rifle Championships, today will decide this year's national champion.

With Relay #1's scores in and Relay #2 well underway, each shot gives us a clearer picture of who will walk away a champion.

More on Day 2 at the NCAA Rifle Championships...

Nanooks hold on in bid for their 11th national championship in NCAA Rifle

Columbus, Ohio - The University of Alaska Nanooks, who finished the regular season at No. 5, are holding on to their lead at the NCAA Rifle Championships at Ohio State. With scores from three of their four shooters accounted for, the Nanooks are sporting a 1731 team score. One of NCAA's dynasty teams, Alaska-Fairbanks has ten titles to their name, the most recent being in 2008.

Just behind them in second is the other dynasty team, West Virginia University, trailing by four with a 1727. Rounding out third is last year's defending champion, Texas Christian University, with a 1723.

More on the University of Alaska's lead at the NCAA Rifle Championships...

Who has the best shot at this year's NCAA Rifle title in Ohio State?

Fairfax, Virginia - Tomorrow NRAblog heads out to Columbus, Ohio for the 2013 NCAA Rifle Championships at Ohio State University. There, eight teams will vie for the title through the Smallbore Championships on Friday and the Air Rifle Championship on Saturday. Who's going to take home the ultimate prize this weekend? Only NRAblog knows. (Okay, that's a lie.)

The competitors were selected by combining the average of a team's three highest regular-season aggregate scores (no more than one match per site) with their aggregate from the designated NCAA qualifiers. Mathematically, we have a good idea of who is going to do what on gameday, but how will it play out this weekend? We need to wait and see.

More on the top NCAA championship contenders ...

NRA Museum Curator's display Guns of Teddy Roosevelt at the Martinsburg Gun Show

Martinsburg, West Virginia - Four hours ago, the Martinsburg Gun Show opened their doors for business. With more than two hundred tables of guns, ammo, antiques and Gatling Guns, the show is sure to thrill the thousands of firearm enthusiast expected to attend this weekend. One table sure to garner a great deal of excitement is the one manned by Philip Schreier, Senior Curator of the NRA National Firearms Museum.

"We brought something special for the good people of West Virginia," said Schreier. "The guns of a President."

More on President Roosevelt's rifle and pistol at the West Virginia Gun Show ...

Texas Christian University Horned Toads lead sport into two month break

Fairfax, Virginia - The NCAA Rifle season takes a break this time of year to allow students to focus on their school work and the upcoming winter break. Now that the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association poll is out, we see there was some change, but not among the top-ranked teams.

More on the NCAA Rifle rankings ...