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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025

- EDITOR'S NOTE -
In observance of the federal holiday, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, February 17. We’ll be back in your email on Tuesday, February 18.
- APPAREL -
Blocker Outdoors developed the Finisher Series specifically to make choosing turkey hunting apparel easy. The styles and camouflage patterns are field-certified, and now, the new Fused Cotton Series tenders even more affordable options.
- ARCHERY -
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) celebrates the fourth year of its Student Contributor Program. Through their words, NASP® students, families, and coaches gain a firsthand look at the impact of archery in young lives—straight from the voices of the young archers themselves.
- AWARDS -
Skeeter is once again a recipient of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA®) CSI Award for excellence in customer satisfaction in the Fiberglass Outboard Boat category and the Fiberglass Bass Boat category. Presented during the 2025 Miami International Boat Show®, this is the 23rd consecutive CSI award for Skeeter.
Yamaha’s U.S. Marine Business Unit accepted the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA®) CSI Award for excellence in customer satisfaction Thursday at the Miami International Boat Show®.

- BIRDING -
Valentine’s day isn’t the only big event for birds-of-a-feather this year. The 28th edition of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up Feb. 14-17, and anyone who wants to join is welcome. The Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint project of the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada to help scientists track changes in bird populations over time.
- CONSERVATION -
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in partnership with BNSF Railway and Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, announces the completion of a plan to enhance grizzly bear conservation and conflict reduction efforts in northwest and north-central Montana.
- COURTS -
NSSF® lauds the decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine to grant a preliminary injunction of the state’s 72-hour waiting period law handed down Thursday. The law, passed in 2024, required firearm retailers to delay delivery to a law-abiding citizen of lawfully-sold firearms for three days after an FBI NICS verification allows a transaction to proceed. The challenge to the law is supported by NSSF.
- EVENTS -
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife invites all members of the public to our Winter Extravaganza, one of the department’s Maine Outdoor Programs, this weekend at Range Pond State Park from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration opens Saturday for Patoka Lake’s (Indiana) Women’s Wilderness Weekend, an event for women to learn outdoor skills in a relaxed environment held May 16-18. Women 16 and older can participate in activities that include in-depth archery lessons, kayaking, Dutch oven cooking, basic bush craft, hunting 101, wilderness first aid, and more.
On March 1st, GRITR Range will celebrate Texas Independence Day with a special event - a free range demo at their facility in North Richland Hills, DFW. The demo will feature well-known brands such as Shadow Systems, Primary Arms, Bond Arms, and Lone Star Silencer.
Sierra Bullets and Barnes Bullets will exhibit at the 2025 IWA OutdoorClassics. Both brands will showcase product lineups and encourage all attendees to visit its booth at Hall 3C Booth #3C-328.
- FISHING -
In this informative and hands-on fishing program, you’ll learn how to select equipment and set up poles, plus techniques for shore fishing and walleye fishing regulations. This clinic includes time fishing along the Detroit River.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recognizes David Confair of Secretary in Dorchester County as a new state record holder for longnose gar – Lepisosteus osseus – in the Chesapeake division. Confair caught the 20.5-pound, 49.5-inch fish on February 8 while fishing in Marshyhope Creek.
- FISHING TOURNAMENTS -
“Cold” typically is a four-letter word in Florida, but Bassmaster Elite Series pro Drew Benton said winter weather in the right measure and with the right timing could unleash an eruption of Sunshine State potential during the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.
Due to unsafe, sustained high winds, Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN was postponed to ensure the safety of anglers. Tournament officials made the decision after examining conditions and the body of water early this morning.
The first event of the 2025 Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive at Sam Rayburn is in the books. After a weeklong warming trend the legendary body of water showed out with another 40 plus pound limit. Riley Harris and Luke Potter reached their winning weight by 9:00AM on tournament day and even elected to weigh-in early.

- HUNTING -
For the second straight year, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Umarex Big Squirrel Challenge broke attendance records with 186 teams weighing squirrels at one of 12 weigh-in stations across the state.
- INDUSTRY -
NSSF® praises U.S. Sen. Steve Daines' (R-Mont.) introduction of S. 537, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which would prohibit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) from banning the use of traditional lead ammunition and tackle absent approval by the applicable state fish and wildlife department and proof that lead ammunition and tackle is primarily causing a wildlife population decline.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
REDARC announces its Van Power Solutions. By offering pre-bundled kits tailored to specific power needs, REDARC ensures seamless compatibility and optimal efficiency, ensuring each adventurer receives a comprehensive, reliable solution suited to their unique needs.
Elite Force Airsoft is now shipping the Beretta APX Optic Ready airsoft pistol - its first optics-ready airsoft pistol. This officially-licensed replica of the iconic APX comes with three optic plates (Trijicon RMR, Leupold DPP and Vortex/Docter/Burris) which allows users to attach their favorite optic.

Federal Ammunition recently released Its all-new HammerDown 22 LR rimfire product line and is currently being delivered to retailers nationwide. The New 22 LR hunting round features nickel-plated brass for weather and corrosion resistance, specially formulated propellant, and a copper-plated hollow-point bullet.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) adds to the already popular SR1911 "Street Edition" series. This series of five engraved models of the SR1911® pistol celebrates Ruger's rich manufacturing tradition.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
Animal extremist groups have recently announced their decisions to hire additional attorneys to challenge predicted federal government regulations and actions regarding energy, the environment and endangered species. The new presidential administration has brought a wave of new administrative actions – many of which have created anxiety and ideological roadblocks for animal extremists.
A coalition of five of the nation’s greatest conservation organizations, in partnership with renowned conservationist and outdoorsman, Will Primos, launched the ‘Truth About Conservation, a public awareness campaign and firearm auction that will pull back the curtain on the critical need for wildlife habitat management and raise necessary funding for conservation.
- PRODUCT NEWS -
SK Guns announces “Presidente Madero,” the fourth production in the historic Mexican “La Revolución” series. A tribute to Francisco Madero, the 37th president of Mexico, SK Customs will provide a limited production run of only 300 Colt 1911 Full-Size Government models chambered in .38 Super.
- PROMOTIONS -
Remington Ammunition recently announced its Hi-Speed, Hi-Savings rebate promotion which offers consumers the chance to be rewarded for purchasing some of Remington’s most trusted waterfowl ammunition.
- SPONSORSHIPS -
The Precision Rifle Series (PRS) announces Accu-Tac as the Official Bipod of the 2025 PRS season. Accu-Tac’s commitment to innovation and quality aligns perfectly with PRS’s dedication to excellence in competitive shooting.
The Precision Rifle Series (PRS) announces Annealing Made Perfect (AMP) as the Official Annealer of the PRS for the 2025 season. AMP delivers consistent, high-quality results that ensure shooters achieve optimal performance and longevity from their brass.
- STATE AGENCIES -
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet in person Feb. 26-27 at the FSU Student Union, Ballroom E, Tallahassee, FL 32304.
- STATE PARKS -
The Board of Public Works approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to purchase a historic property that would become the first Maryland State Park in Wicomico County. The Department will acquire approximately 445 acres of land along Wetipquin Creek from owner Donald Graham for $3.3 million.
Those interested in the planned improvements to Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park's modern campground and the Three Mile Road/U.S. 31 intersection in East Bay Township, Grand Traverse County, are encouraged to attend a public open house later this month.
Ready to hit the trails and camp under the stars with your equine partner? In this exciting, hands-on dive into Michigan’s beautiful equestrian trail system and campgrounds, we'll walk you through the planning process for your next trail ride and camping trip, showing you how to make the most of the trail maps and find the best spots to ride and relax.
- TELEVISION -
Teaching kids fishing, archery and other outdoor activities at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park in the Escanaba. A survival skills program for women. Managing Michigan’s elk population in the northern Lower Peninsula. Not necessarily things that come to mind when you hear about a TV show called “Wardens,” but the show covered these topics and more in its 2024 season.
Watch the championship round of Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage Two LIVE on GAME & FISH TV, powered by Outdoor Sportsman Group, on February 16 from 1-4 p.m. ET.
Pursuit invites viewers to tune in to its awesome Friday night lineups on Pursuit Channel and Pursuit UP. Pursuit offers two platforms running at that same time that are full of great content whether it be for the traditional television viewers of Pursuit Channel or the ever-growing Streaming and VOD viewers of Pursuit UP.
- WILDLIFE -
?Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff recently captured elk in the Crazy Mountains northwest of Big Timber as part of a multi-year targeted elk brucellosis surveillance project. All blood samples collected from 52 captured elk tested negative for exposure to brucellosis.
 

Last year, more than 81 million Americans went camping. Of those, according to The Dyrt, a camping app with public and private campgrounds, RV parks and free camping locations across the country, more than four out of five camped either same amount or more than in prior years, despite high inflation impacting a variety of costs.

Those are a couple of the interesting stats in The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report, their comprehensive look at the latest trends, topics and figures for the camping industry. The results were compiled from surveys with The Dyrt’s own community, a sample of general U.S. residents, and camping property managers in all 50 states.

“For years,” writes The Dyrt’s founder Sarah Smith, “I’ve been saying that camping is an inflation-proof activity. Last year, that was really put to the test.”

“While some campers saved money by camping less, others increasingly turned to camping as a more affordable travel option,” she continued, “To see that more than 80% either camped more or the same shows how resilient our industry and community really are.”

One factor the study attributes to that retention is a decrease in the number of campground rate hikes. Unlike eggs, the percent of campgrounds increasing fees dropped from 45.3% in 2023 to 38.9% in 2024. In the groups that did raise rates, the number one reason was simple: inflation was hitting their purse strings as well.

At the beginning of the 2024 camping season, two costs, food and food, were causing many campers to rethink their plans. Finding inexpensive camping options was enough of a challenge that some cost-cutting campers tried to give boondocking a chance. Boondocking is a way to camp without the increased costs for campgrounds. In its simplest terms, it’s using the equipment you have and not relying on the hookups and amenities of campgrounds.

Instead of paying for an overnight stay in a campground, for example, boondockers are experts at finding places like Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lots where overnighting isn’t just permitted, it’s encouraged. Having used both in the past, it’s one way to stay in the comfort of your own rig while enjoying the relative safety of parking lots.

Visiting locations where campers are welcome offers the opportunity to see places you might otherwise not visit (top) like east Tennessee’s Sweetwater Valley Farms (top). Boondocking gives you the opportunity to see stars like these from Utah (bottom)

 

When you reach your destination, you simply set up your camp in a suitable spot. We’ve also used our Harvest Hosts membership to find interesting places from wineries to golf courses where we can spend 1-2 nights for free while sampling the local products.

Others turned to camping to get more bang from their travel bucks.

As a Colorado camper told The Dyrt, “I realized I hadn’t left my home state in more than a decade, and decided it was time to do something about that.”

The biggest obstacle?

“How expensive travel can be, especially when you’re staying in hotels. Inflation made that even worse, but by camping, I was able to afford trips to Moab, the Black Hills, and Ouray over the span of six months.”

During COVID, camping was seen as one way to get out in the fresh air, experience nature and still avoid close contact with people outside your immediate circle. I, for example, traveled from Tennessee to Rapid City, South Dakota without coming into contact with others. With enough food for the outdbound trip already onboard, I only stopped for fuel, rest breaks, a pump out of my black/gray water tanks and two overnights. With advance reservations, I didn’t need to check in at campgrounds, and never had to go anywhere inside other than my RV.

After COVID, the experience gained during that trip made camping simpler and more attractive. With memberships in popular camping resources like Harvest Hosts (link) we have taken advantage of free camping spots to visit local wineries, farms, and even golf courses. In exchange for the overnight camping privileges, hosts expect campers to sample their wares. It’s a great way to get the unique “flavors” of almost any area.

Seems we’re not the only people who have decided that camping really doesn’t have to mean being less than comfortable to experience the outdoors.

As always, we’ll keep you posted.

— Jim Shepherd

 
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