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WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025

- EDITOR'S NOTE -
In observance of the Memorial Day weekend we will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, May 26. The Outdoor Wire Digital Network will resume our normal distribution schedule on Tuesday, May 27. If you have important news to distribute prior to the holiday weekend, please submit it by 4:00pm Eastern on Thursday, May 22. News arriving later will not make Friday’s final editions for the week.
- BOATING -
Renovations at two Dawson County boat launch facilities have been completed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The improved boating access sites at Gallagher Canyon and East Midway are now open to the public.
- CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE -
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Wildlife Health Laboratory tested 5,276 samples from big game animals for chronic wasting disease in 2024. Testing was completed earlier this year and samples were submitted from throughout the state. CWD was detected in 726 of those samples submitted.
- COMPETITION -
Team Blaser dominated the 2025 Texas State Sporting Clays Championships taking home four state titles and many podium finishes. Cory Kruse was the Main Event and the 5-Stand State Champion, Austin Kiemsteadt was the FITASC State Champion, & Justin Napier was the Adios Cup State Champion.
- CONTESTS -
If you enjoy photographing Iowa state parks, the Iowa DNR invites you to enter your photos in the America’s State Parks 2025 Photo Contest, hosted by the National Association of State Park Directors. Photos will feature state parks from Iowa and other states, and could be included in calendars and other publications.

- EVENTS -
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Professional Outdoor Media Association is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic yet, with close to 50 outdoor brands and organizations confirmed to attend. This year's roster offers unmatched opportunities for content creators to network, collaborate and capture high-quality, publishable material.
If you want to try your hand at some short-range target shooting or learn more about hunting and fishing skills, there are three upcoming events — including the popular Josie Shoot — hosted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources that you don’t want to miss.
The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) announces its West-Side Charity Shoot on Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Caledonia Sportsman’s Club, bringing together marksmen and outdoor enthusiasts from across the state to raise funds for conservation and youth outdoor education.
Join the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Iowa Cubs, for Outdoors Day with the Iowa Cubs, on May 30. Tickets are $11 each, and $4 from the sale of each ticket goes to support the Iowa Hunter Education Association.

- FISHERIES -
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will reopen the Washington County Public Fishing Lake in southwest Alabama for bank fishing only on May 24, 2025.
- FISHING -
Memorial Day weekend is finally upon us, and for a lot of Idahoans, the weekend leading up to May 26 marks the kickoff to fishing season. Whether you’re a first-time fisher or a seasoned angler, Memorial Day weekend fishing offers up a whole slew of fishing opportunities across the state, and Idaho Fish and Game’s hatchery crews are stocking about 390,000 trout in May.
During its May 13 conference call, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved modifications to the spring Chinook salmon fishing seasons due to the numbers of actual returning adult Chinook salmon over Bonneville Dam exceeding the preseason forecast.
A temporary closure for Crystal Cross Fishing Access Site on the upper Yellowstone River has been lifted. The site was closed as a precautionary public safety measure due to increased grizzly bear activity, which has since decreased.

Nebraska’s archery paddlefish season is open June 1-30 from sunrise to sunset on a designated area of the Missouri River. That open area of the Missouri, where paddlefish may be taken by bow and arrow and possessed, is from Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734.
Idaho anglers can turn in the heads of legally harvested rainbow trout and hybrids from the South Fork Snake River for a chance to win cash. If your rainbow trout or hybrids have a tag, you win.
- FISHING TOURNAMENTS -
Happening also this week is Stop #2 of the 2025 Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s National Walleye Tour presented by Progressive on the Mississippi River out of Pool 8 in La Crosse, WI. The top walleye tournament anglers will once again come together in the state of Wisconsin, fishing for over $150,000 in cash & prizes.
The 2025 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops will be the Association of Collegiate Anglers’ historic 20th National Championship. College fishing’s longest-running National Championship, boasting a field of close to 400 elite student anglers, will be contested at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC on May 22-23.

- FORESTRY -
Many Michiganders’ favorite summer things involve fire, sparks and heat. Campfires, fireworks and a spin in an off-road vehicle: We love these as much as anyone, but safety has to come first. People are responsible for starting nine out of 10 wildfires – almost never on purpose.
- GEAR -
B5 Systems announces the launch of its new Modular Platform Stock. The Modular Platform Stock brings comfort and customization to firearms utilizing 1913 Picatinny mounted stocks.
- GRANTS -
Whitetails Unlimited has granted over $30,000 to various mission-related projects in the state of Massachusetts over the past fiscal year. More than 20 different organizations received grants pertaining to outdoor education, habitat enhancement, and hunting and shooting sports preservation.
At a press conference Tuesday in Old Fort, North Carolina, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced the recipients of its Rebuilding and Recovery Micro-Grant Program, a targeted effort to aid the restoration of outdoor recreation assets in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

- HUNTING -
On the evening of May 9, a hunter shot and killed a young female grizzly bear he mistook for a black bear. The bear was killed in the Priest Lake drainage of Idaho’s Panhandle. After identifying the bear at the scene as a grizzly, the hunter immediately self-reported via the Citizen’s Against Poaching hotline and is fully cooperating with Idaho Fish and Game on the ongoing investigation.
- INDUSTRY -
Celerant Technology will join leading technology providers in the shooting sports industry: Lipsey’s, FastBound, and 4473 Cloud (powered by Silencer Shop) to host a free, educational webinar to help Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) modernize and streamline their firearm sales process.
Winchester Safes announced record-breaking attendance and sales during its Semi-Annual Warehouse Sale held last weekend at its Mansfield, Texas headquarters. The event brought together hundreds of customers from across the region for an opportunity to engage with the brand directly.
NSSF® wrapped last week's 2025 Marketing and Leadership Summit with resounding success. With thought-provoking education sessions, engaging roundtable discussions and a dynamic community of leaders, this year’s Summit reaffirmed its position as the firearm industry’s premier event for marketers and executives.
- LEGISLATION -
Knife Rights' Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 2239, is now pending in the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee and we need your IMMEDIATE ACTION to get it a hearing and passed to the floor for a final vote.
- LITIGATION -
The Firearms Policy Coalition announced the filing of its reply brief with the federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in its lawsuit challenging New York’s ban on firearm carry in public parks.
- MEDIA -
Outdoor America is pleased to announce the debut of The Salt Report for on-air coverage of the upcoming 68th annual International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), slated for July 15-18, 2025 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
CVA announced their new Optima V3 muzzleloader. The new Optima builds on CVA’s proven Optima platform with modern upgrades for versatility and performance.
Galco's Masterbilt Revenger Belt Holster is now available for 4" S&W N-frame revolvers. The Revenger features detailed hand-molding for both secure retention and a beautiful appearance.
- OPTICS -
GPO USA announced its latest offering: the Polariz 10x42 Binocular Bundle. The bundle includes the all-new Polariz 10x42 binocular, a durable Quad-Connect Cordura Chest Harness for secure and comfortable carrying, a QD Handheld Rangefinder Case for added convenience, and a Strap-Cradle Binocular Tripod Adapter to ensure stability and effortless viewing — all at the low MSRP of $399.97.
- PARTNERSHIPS -
Ocufii announces its partnership with United 2A Collective. This collaboration is centered around responsible firearm ownership and a focus on providing modern technologies, techniques and education for safety-minded individuals and communities.
- POWERSPORTS -
Off-road vehicles are fun year-round, but activity in Michigan ramps up in spring and summer as people head to trails and ORV scramble areas to enjoy world-class riding experiences. Keeping safety in mind is vital on any ride, for you and others.
- PRODUCT NEWS -
Auto-Ordnance announced the availability of its latest Thompson semi-automatic rifle, a .45 caliber firearm. This iconic piece of history is now meticulously crafted to mirror the quality of the original, while integrating modern material options for enhanced performance and durability.
- PROMOTIONS -
Guns.com wants to help you celebrate the Second Amendment while we honor the brave Americans who have sacrificed their lives to defend our freedom. Now through Monday, May 26, Guns.com is offering incredible deals and rock-bottom prices on some of the best-selling firearms, suppressors, ammo, optics, and gear.
- SAFETY -
FN America, LLC recently discovered a condition on the FN Reflex MRD pistol that, in very limited circumstances when using the incorrect set of screws to mount specific optics, the pistol could experience binding, cycling issues, or interference with the firing pin safety block.
- SPONSORSHIPS -
Vortex has renewed its dedication to fostering the next generation of conservation advocates by continuing the Vortex Outdoor Adventure Camps Fund with the Boone and Crockett Club for 2025.
- STATE AGENCIES -
A proposed amendment for an item on the June 19 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting agenda is available for public review and comment online.?The commission will meet in the Montana WILD Auditorium and?virtually via Zoom June 19 at 8:30 a.m.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet May 21 and 22 at Fish and Game’s Upper Snake Region office at 4279 Commerce Circle in Idaho Falls. A public hearing will begin on May 21 at 7 p.m. MDT at the same location.
- STATE PARKS -
The City of Eufaula Parks and Recreation Department will launch “Kayak Eufaula,” an exciting new outdoor adventure program this summer, thanks to a unique partnership involving Lakepoint State Park, Alabama Power and Innovate Alabama.
Grab the popcorn and enjoy some light-hearted family fun at a Eugene T. Mahoney State Park melodrama this summer. The melodramas are designed to provide wholesome, family-orientated entertainment.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in June. Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks, except one is not required to park in the Schramm Education Center parking lot. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
Iowa state parks and forests are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the outdoor summer recreation season. Campers are urged to plan ahead when visiting Iowa state parks and forests for Memorial Day weekend.
Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s state parks. During June, a variety of events are planned for those for all ages and interests. Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
- TELEVISION -
Now available on any streaming device through MyOutdoorTV is the addition of new episodes from the acclaimed series Wardens as well as the debut of Wardens: Case Files on the platform. Fans of conservation and outdoor law enforcement can now stream episodes that highlight the dedicated efforts of those who safeguard wildlife and natural resources.
- WILDLIFE -
After consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured and relocated an adult male grizzly bear on May 16. The grizzly bear was captured for cattle depredation on private land and relocated to the Glade Creek drainage approximately 2.5 miles south of Yellowstone National Park.
 

Florida’s black bear population is booming at the same time the human population is exploding—and bear encounters seem an unavoidable consequence. (Florida FWC)

It’s been a challenging few weeks for Floridians who enjoy the outdoors, with the state’s first ever bear-human fatality near Jerome, in the Everglades, as well as a fatal gator attack on a canoeist at Lake Kissimmee, south of Orlando.

What might well have been a third casualty, at Pensacola Beach, saw intervention from above, literally. 

The bear attack appears to have been a case of conditioned black bears hanging around an isolated homestead and eventually crossing the line from being panhandlers to aggressively invading the home. Florida Fish & Wildlife officers report the 89 year old resident had been killed and partially eaten by a bear. FWC later killed three bears in close proximity to the home, but only one of them had human remains in its system.

The lesson here is obvious—while black bears are mostly like overgrown raccoons in their behavior, eating whatever they can get their paws on but not usually aggressive toward humans, they have the power and the potential to become killers. 

Keeping bears away is usually a matter of making sure there’s no garbage, pet food, bird feeders or other attractants around the home in bear country, but sometimes there are just problem bears. And of course a surprise encounter at close range can also provoke an attack.

Florida has a rapidly increasing bear population these days, too, result of a 30-year ban on bear hunting. Despite the booming human population, bears are thriving in the Everglades, in Ocala National Forest, and in the woods of the northern Panhandle these days, with the overall population thought to be around 4,000, up from just a few hundred at its lowest. 

And with the state’s human population continuing to swell into bear habitat, lots more encounters are a certainty—though hopefully none will have the tragic end of this one.

The Kissimmee gator attack was apparently a case of wrong place/wrong time for the unfortunate woman canoeist. 

Large alligators are now found in the vast majority of Florida’s inland lakes and rivers, and they can be extremely dangerous to anyone who gets too close. 

She and her husband were canoeing along a shallow, grassy shoreline when the 14’ canoe passed over a large gator, reported to be 10 to 11 feet long, lying on bottom in less than 3 feet of water. 

The gator spooked, swamping the canoe. The woman, 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema of Davenport, Florida, landed right on top of the big reptile and had no chance—it clamped down on her and dragged her under despite her husband’s attempts to save her. An FWC alligator trapper later caught two gators over 10’ long in the immediate area where her body was recovered.

A pleasant outing turned into an unthinkable tragedy that seemed very unlikely. Yet, with Florida’s huge alligator population—over 1 million despite annual hunting seasons—these incidents do happen, reminding all of us that caution is a must anywhere in gator country—which is now pretty much any inland water body throughout the southeast. 

The surf rescue was a case of right place right time for the rescued 12-year-old girl.

The 12-year-old unwisely ventured into the surf at Pensacola Beach on a double red flag warning day with a roaring surf and foaming rip currents everywhere. 

Not surprisingly, she was quickly swept offshore. 

Fortunately in this case, there was an unlikely hero: Beach shark angler Andrew Smith was setting up his gear for a night of catch-and-release sharking. 

Smith and his pals routinely haul 500-pound sharks onto the sand here, video them and then release them. And the equipment they use was key in the girl’s rescue.

A drone like this one was used by shark angler Andrew Smith to save the life of a 12-year-old girl swept offshore by a rip current at Pensacola Beach last week.

The anglers use four-motor SwellPro drones with remote drop systems to carry large chunks of bait far offshore and drop it where the sharks hang out, typically beyond the outer bars in 20’ of water or more.

Smith saw the girl in distress and also noticed the rescue floats on a nearby lifeguard tower, which was unoccupied since the beach was closed due to the double red flags. He quickly hitched one of the floats to his drop system and sent the drone out beyond the breakers where the panicked girl struggled to stay afloat.

But the first one missed, dropping too far from her to do any good.

Smith quickly brought the drone back to the beach, reloaded with the second float and sent it seaward. This time, he maneuvered the drone down to just above the sea, amazingly putting the float right into her hands. You can see the remarkable video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okKEHhYXEKg.

She hung on and drifted with the flow until a surf rescue team from Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived to bring her back to shore shortly before dark.

Thus, what appeared certain to be yet another Sunshine State tragedy was averted—by intervention from above.

— Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com

 
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