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TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024

- TOP STORY -
Defendants in the City of Gary public nuisance lawsuits are moving to end nearly quarter of a century of legal maneuverings after Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed HB 1235 into law last week. Today the defendants filed a joint motion for judgement on the pleadings with the court. Indiana’s law that reserves the right to seek legal action against the firearm industry to state authorities, instead of municipalities, went into immediate effect when it was signed March 15.
- ARCHERY -
Easton offers the premier line of Match Grade field points, designed for high-level archery practice. Constructed from 416 stainless-steel, with a dark polished nickel finish, the Match Grade points have an oversized profile that improves arrow flight and minimizes arrow wear.
Rage broadheads are now sharper than ever. Through a new production and blade sharpening process Rage has been able to improve blade sharpness by up to 67% over previous Rage models, and by up to 90% sharper when compared to similar competitor blades.
- AWARDS -
Shootings Sports Retailer and Tactical Retailer Magazine’s national Choice survey by independent retailers, ranking the top industry products, has once again voted Alien Gear Holsters among the best holsters in the retail and firearm markets.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) divisions of Fish & Wildlife and Nature Preserves recently presented awards to employees who provided outstanding contributions to conservation, mentoring, and teamwork during the previous year.

FeraDyne Outdoors is honored to have recently accepted several dealer and consumer-based awards in recognition of several of the company’s product categories, and brands.
- BOATING -
Connect-Ease® 2.0 PRO Trolling Connection Kits provide anglers with reliable, plug & play rigging systems (w/onboard charging) for today’s newest trolling motors & lithium or AGM batteries.
- EVENTS -
PWS (Primary Weapons Systems) is excited to yet again sponsor and attend the annual Pew Party Powered by Silencer Shop. 2024 marks the third annual Pew Party, set for Saturday, March 23rd, and to be hosted at Extreme Tactics & Training Solutions in Waxahachie, Texas.
Montana’s Missouri Headwaters State Park will host a free March Hare Easter event for families on Saturday, March 30.

SLG2, Inc is excited to announce its upcoming visit to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s in Fort Mill, SC as part of the highly anticipated Safe LivinG 2024 Elevate Tour. Safe LivinG offers attendees a unique opportunity to engage in various activities centered around personal security and firearm safety.
The 2024 National Hardware Show is just weeks away, and the family of Alliance Consumer Groups Products (ACG Brands) is set to be a part of the festivities with its NEBO, THAW, and TRUE brands.
Umarex Airguns announced its participation in the upcoming Arizona Game & Fish Outdoor Expo, set to take place on March 23-24. This annual event, hosted at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona, attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the nation.
- FACILITIES -
The Civilian Marksmanship Program has announced its outdoor electronic target line, located on Petrarca Range at Camp Perry, will open for the season on Monday, March 18. Every Monday, the public is welcome to use Petrarca during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March through April, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through September.

- FISHERIES -
The Indiana DNR will have stocked more than 2,000 channel catfish ranging in size from 10 to 14 inches (average 12 inches) in 10 locations by this weekend. These lakes are stocked every spring with catchable-size channel catfish.
Zeljko Koretic of Middle River, Baltimore County, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.
Paddlefish anglers planning to harvest a fish in the Upper Missouri River (between Fort Peck Dam and Fort Benton) need to apply for an Upper Missouri River paddlefish tag by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22.
- FISHING -
It’s no secret that Al’s Goldfish Forty Niner has long been valued as a trolling and casting lure in open water for bass, trout, and salmon, as well as an outstanding ice jig for large freshwater species such as lake trout, walleye, northern pike and muskie.

For an enjoyable and successful day on the water crappie fishing, having easy-to-use, reliable, and versatile pole mounts are essential. The Millennium Marine® Spyderlok Series is the go-to choice for ardent crappie anglers.
Fish Monkey, the industry leader in performance fishing gloves, has a complete line of 26 models to cover virtually any angling scenario, from freshwater bass and trout to saltwater inshore and offshore and even specialty gloves for cold weather and ice fishing, leadering pelagic gamefish, slow-pitch jigging and popping, fly-fishing and even cleaning fish.
- GEAR -
On Buck Knives' website you will discover a chart with 39 symbols which indicate date of manufacturing, and on the knife's blade you will find one of the symbols on the pivot point where the knife blade opens from the handle.
Now available for the SIG-Sauer P365 X-Macro, Galco's Hawkeye™ IWB includes a protective hood for optical sights. Comfortable and convenient, the Hawkeye features a snap-on design that allows the holster to attach and detach from the belt without removing the belt.

- HUNTING -
Wednesday, March 20 at 5pm is the deadline to apply for draw licenses for Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn and oryx. Deadline to submit late 2023-2024 harvest reports for deer, elk, pronghorn and turkey; an $8 late fee will apply. Failure to report for these species will result in rejection of all draw applications.
Hunters have until April 1 to apply for deer and elk permits and nonresident combination licenses. Hunters can buy licenses and apply for permits on the Montana FWP website; click on “Buy and Apply.”
Cupped Waterfowl offers the gear waterfowl hunters need to get their dogs season-ready. Gear includes the EVA Dog Dummy, Blaze Orange Dog Field Vest and more.
- INDUSTRY -
Kryptek Outdoor Group is proud to announce the appointment of Eden Palm as their new Director of International Sales.

Meprolight® has hired Jordan Stein as the Digital Marketing Manager. Jordan is certified firearms instructor and leader of his church’s Safety Response Team, and can often be found on the range, in the woods scouting for deer, or exploring a new hiking trail.
Gold Tip announced that Team Gold Tip archer Tim Jevsnik recently set a new World Record for Archery Double 50 Meter, shooting a 1427 out of a possible perfect score of 1440.
Federal Ammunition congratulates sponsored shooter Derrick Mein for winning his spot on the 2024 USA Shooting Men’s Trap team, headed to the summer Olympic games in Paris. Mein’s performance during the Shotgun Selection Match, March 11-17 at the Tucson Trap and Skeet Club in Tucson, Arizona, was exceptional.
AMMO, Inc. (Nasdaq: POWW, POWWP) the owner of GunBroker.com, announces that it will participate in the 36th Annual Roth Conference being held on March 17-19, 2024 at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, CA.
Savage Arms announced its recognition as “Best in Firearms” at the Kinsey's Dealer Choice Awards 2024. At this year's event, Kinsey's asked dealers to cast their votes for the best products based on criteria such as quality, innovation, ease of doing business and margin consideration.
Reed’s Family Outdoor Outfitters steps up big and provides support to two key programs: special events and product grants.
Nosler, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Tim O’Connor to Law Enforcement Sales and Product Development Manager as part of the company’s focus on global law enforcement sales.
- INDUSTRY UPDATE -
NSSF® applauds Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox for signing the NSSF-supported Second Amendment Privacy Acts in their respective states. The laws will bar the use of a firearm-retailer specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) for banks, credit card companies or financial service providers to track the lawful sale of firearms and ammunition.
- INVASIVE SPECIES -
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently verified a new detection of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid near Torch Lake in western Antrim County. The extent of the infestation has not yet been determined, but an extensive survey of the surrounding area is underway.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
Antler King provides an easy solution for hunters and land managers to develop all-season cover with Barricade plot seed. Formulated with a blend of grain sorghum, forage sorghum, and sorghum sudangrass, Barricade grows up to 8 feet tall, thick and fast.
Zanders announces a new partnership with SDS Imports and will be carrying the Tisas line-up of pistols, including the market leading 1911’s and the PX-9 polymer striker-fired pistol.
Telum Tactical’s largest automatic design, the Titan Series features a 4-inch D2 stonewashed tanto blade with a flat grind and black titanium finish. The textured G10 handle provides sure gripping and easy carrying with a tip-up pocket clip design.
- OPTICS -
This spring, SIONYX is poised to introduce a line of 1050nm infrared illuminators designed to complement and enhance the capabilities of OPSIN, SIONYX’s helmet-mounted digital night vision monocular.
- POWERSPORTS -
With April 1 marking the start of the 2024-25 ORV season in Michigan, now is a great time to purchase your license and trail permit. You'll have access to 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV trails and scramble areas, eligible county/national forest roads, state forest roads (open to ORV use) and more.
- PRODUCT NEWS -
Safariland announces an exclusive collaboration with Noveske Rifleworks. Launching the Liberator HP headset in Noveske's signature N81 camo brings together two industry-leading brands, offering customers a limited-edition product that combines cutting-edge technology with a unique design.
- PROMOTIONS -
From Mar. 22 – May 15, 2024, ZEISS will be offering promotions on Conquest HD binoculars and LRP S5 riflescopes at participating ZEISS authorized dealers. take advantage of $200 off instant savings on our best-selling family of binoculars, Conquest HD. Purchase an LRP S5 and get a Conquest HD 15x56 binocular free.
- SPONSORSHIPS -
Stealth Cam has renewed as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor, said WTU President Jeff Schinkten. “Stealth Cam has been a leader in the industry for more than two decades, and their products just keep improving year after year,” said Schinkten.
- STATE AGENCIES -
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Western Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council will meet at Baraga Lakeside Inn’s conference room, 900 U.S. Highway 41, in Baraga from 6 to 8:30 p.m. EDT Monday, March 25.
- STATES -
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on several draft environmental assessments (EA). For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the links provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
Gov. Jim Pillen signed a proclamation March 18 recognizing the 50-year anniversary of Hunter Education in Nebraska in 2024.
The Hammond Cove Shooting Range in Hartland, Vermont will open on April 1, at 10:00 a.m. The range operates under rules set by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on several draft environmental assessments (EA). For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the links provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
- TELEVISION -
Deer and Wildlife Stories travels to to Northeast TX to CC Bar Whitetails. Hank Corbell and his family have built the largest herd of whitetails that are scientifically shown to have increased resistance to CWD.
The Obsession of Carter Andrews, airing Saturdays at 10 a.m. ET on Outdoor Channel, offers viewers an unprecedented glimpse into the life of one of the most compelling figures in the world of fishing.
- WILDLIFE -
The 2024 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, featuring a pair of cedar waxwings, is on sale now, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Purchasing a legacy stamp is an excellent way for outdoor enthusiasts to support conservation of the state’s diverse wildlife.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that sea turtles are starting to nest on our beaches. Residents and visitors can play a big part in helping to protect vulnerable nesting sea turtles this spring and summer while visiting Florida’s coastal habitats.
 

Trade shows, like SHOT or the NRA Show, take a toll on your feet, especially if you are working the show and not afforded the opportunity to do much sitting.

Going into this year’s SHOT Show I was looking for a good pair of comfortable boots that could keep me going all four days of the show, including having to hoof it back and forth between the hotel and the venue.

Last November, Irish Setter, the makers of some pretty good boots, reached out to media members about a limited number of pre-production pairs of their new but yet to be released Setter Fifty boots that would be available to test drive ahead of the official release.

The Setter Fifty is a casual boot that takes its design cues from the original Irish Setter that became a top-seller in the 1950s.

These 6-inch boots are designed for casual wear and are of a lighter weight, with their sustainable ExtraLight® sole platform made from 51% recycled material.

In preparation for SHOT Show all I cared about was lightweight and comfortable. Having had no experience with Irish Setter boots in the past, I emailed their media contact about whether or not she thought a pair of the Setter Fifty boots would be a good choice for tackling the half-million miles of SHOT Show displays.

OK, there aren’t a half-million miles of show floor, it only feels that way when you wear the wrong shoes. Believe me, I know. I went into my first SHOT Show, in New Orleans, wearing a brand new pair of dress shoes. At some point on day two or three I could have sworn I was on the Bataan Death March, my feet hurt that bad.

Ever since I have been cognizant of the importance of having a really good pair of shoes when attending a trade show.

The good news was that the Setter Fifty boots looked like the ideal fit for the job. The bad news was I would not be able to get one of the sample pairs in time.

Somehow I made it through SHOT, though wearing less than ideal boots. They weren’t bad, but they weren’t close to my first choice.

Of course, shortly after returning from SHOT a package showed up from Irish Setter, because that’s always how the world works.

The pair I requested was the men’s 3918 which is listed as being mango in color on their website but brown in the press release. Mango, brown, apparently it’s pretty much the same thing, but for simplicity let’s just call them brown.

Ignoring the color debate, what isn’t debatable is that these are very comfortable boots. The lightweight construction has a lot to do with it but the white wedge sole is where the comfort really comes from.

While a white sole on a brown boot isn’t my first choice in color combos, I have to say these boots do look good. I’ve been kicking around in them, mostly with a pair of jeans, and I can’t say a bad thing about the combo.

Now, you’re probably thinking wearing boots around the house all day isn’t exactly like running the trade show gauntlet. And it isn’t. But from the jump these have been a very comfortable boot and I have yet to experience even a hint of fatigue.

I plan to put a few more miles on these to see how they hold up, though I am not exactly in a hurry to trash them because they are a good looking boot. Thankfully here in Arizona one doesn’t have to contend with a lot of rain or mud, just ungodly amounts of dirt and dust with a few months of 100+ degree heat thrown in for good measure.

Though I can’t yet definitively declare these an ideal choice for working trade shows, or any job that has you on your feet most of the day, I can say these are definitely worth checking out.

Irish Setter offers two Setter Fifty options for women, one a lace-up version of the men’s boot and the other a Chelsea style pull-up.

Irish Setter offers the Setter Fifty in men’s sizes 6-12, 13, 14 in D widths, and sizes 8-12, 13, 14 in EE widths, in black, brown (aka mango) and a dark brown. Women can choose from either a gray/taupe or a black pull-on Chelsea wedge boot, in sizes 5-10, 11 in B widths and sizes 6-10 in D widths. All five options carry an MSRP of $169.99.

Later this May I plan to rock this pair of Setter Fifty boots at the NRA Show in Dallas, where I expect I will be pleasantly surprised by how well they feel on my feet. At least that’s what I am counting on.

— Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network

 
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