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FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2024

- AWARDS -
CZ is proud to be awarded the prestigious 2024 American Rifleman Golden Bullseye “Shotgun of the Year” Award for the legendary 712 G3 Shotgun. This rigorous selection process ensures that only top-tier products receive this esteemed recognition and the 712 G3 proves just that.
The Wild Sheep Foundation congratulates WSF Life Member Deron Millman as the recipient of the 2025 Conklin Award. Deron Millman is the 23rd winner of this "Tough Man" award, named after the late Dr. James Conklin, a Weatherby Award winner who liked to pursue challenging animals worldwide.
- BOATING -
Millennium Marine® is excited to announce the latest addition to their Deck Chair line: the D-400 Deck Chair. This chair is meticulously crafted with high-quality aluminum and breathable mesh, ensuring maximum support, durability, and long-lasting performance.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters and divers to practice safe boating and diving habits by maintaining 360-degree awareness and adhering to all divers-down flag regulations.
- EVENTS -
Dead Air Silencers announced its participation in the upcoming World Deer Expo in Birmingham, Alabama. The event will be held from July 19th to July 21st, 2024, and Dead Air Silencers will be there showcasing products from their current lineup as well as new offerings for this year.

HEVI-Shot Ammunition will join the 2024 Delta Waterfowl Expo as an exhibitor and Teal Level Sponsor. The event is July 26-28 at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Visitors to the Expo can stop by booth No. 50 to see the latest and greatest products from HEVI-Shot.
SDS Imports announced that the company has committed to be a sponsor of this year’s Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo, being held in Baton Rouge, LA, running from July 26th to the 28th.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its free Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 19-27 at the State Fair in Minot.
As hummingbirds are migrating through Utah this summer, you’ve most likely witnessed a few eating at a feeder or enjoying some other source of nectar for a quick meal. If you want to see these incredible birds up close, you should consider attending an upcoming Utah Division of Wildlife Resources event in northeastern Utah.

GForce Arms announces its participation at the highly anticipated Squad Fest 2024, proudly presented by Dive Bomb Industries. The event is scheduled to take place on July 19th and 20th in the vibrant city of St. Peters, MO.
- FISHERIES -
A full angling closure and two new hoot-owl restrictions will go into effect on additional sections of the Madison River in southwest Montana. The full closure will go into effect at midnight tonight. The hoot-owl restrictions go into effect at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 18.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists are closely monitoring the water temperatures of northwest Montana rivers and streams and could propose fishing restrictions this summer to reduce fish stress and mortality.
- GEAR -
Nothing is better than a lightweight, adjustable climbing stand when it comes time to move and get in position. None beat the versatility of the OL’MAN® Alumalite CTS or the Multi-Vision stand.

Hunters can fully prepare for the long season thanks to the Scent Thief® Combo Pack. This cost-effective combination includes a 12-ounce field spray bottle and a 32-ounce refill, essential for every hunt.
The lightest, smallest, most cost-effective muzzle device to allow quick attach functionality across all of your ASR-compatible silencers is available in the new JK HD Minimalist. A nitrided 17-4 stainless steel muzzle device weighing just 2.2 ounces, coming in at 1.0 inch long, it provides secure, rapid attachment and removal of your JK 155 suppressors and any other suppressor with an ASR-compatible mount.
- GIVEAWAYS -
Wild TV announces that they have teamed up with Mario Friendy of Final Approach, host of the popular waterfowling TV series Final Approach Presents “The Last Pass”, to offer Canadian hunting fans a chance to win a fall giveaway package valued at $9,500.
- HUNTING -
A Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Bowhunter Education field day for online students has been set near Great Falls. The field day will be held at the Ulm Bridge Fishing Access Site south of Great Falls near Ulm, from 6 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31.

The International Hunters Education Association (IHEA-USA) announces the launch of Scout, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to revolutionize how hunters access vital information and stay compliant with hunting regulations. Understanding the rules and regulations of hunting can be tricky, and Scout is here to help. Try out Scout here: https://scout.ihea-usa.org/
- ICAST -
Phenix Rods has expanded their M1 series of rods with the brand new M1 Walleye series. Designed around Phenix’s popular M1 Bass rods, the M1 Walleye series is built to last with a Toray 36 ton carbon fiber blank and proprietary Phenix Nanolite resins that make it both lighter and stronger.
Evolution Outdoor announces the launch of three groundbreaking fishing accessories: Bass Sacks, Lure Wraps and the Line Wrangler. These innovative products have been meticulously designed with the angler in mind, aiming to elevate their fishing experience and equip them with top-notch gear for their adventures.
- INDUSTRY -
White Flyer is proud to announce its 25th year of supporting the Kids & Clays Foundation and their efforts to raise money for participating Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapters (RMHC) through shooting sports.

The NSSF’s Protect Liberty Political Action Committee (Protect Liberty PAC) announced it has received another major financial boost after Luth-AR President Randy Luth gave a $10,000 contribution. Luth’s donation will be utilized to support the election of candidates who are dedicated to preserving and protecting liberty, freedom and our Second Amendment rights.
NSSF® rebukes legislation proposed by Massachusetts House and Senate lawmakers that would denigrate the Second Amendment to a state-granted privilege and do nothing to hold criminals accountable for the criminal misuse of firearms.
NSSF® applauds New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu for signing H.B. 1186, the Firearm Purchaser’s Privacy Act, into law last week. This NSSF-supported law protects the privacy and sensitive financial information of people purchasing firearms and ammunition in The Granite State. With New Hampshire, there are now 17 states with laws that protect the Second Amendment financial privacy of their citizens.
- LITIGATION -
Attorneys representing New York resident Brett Christian have filed a memorandum of law with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, opposing a motion by the defendants for a summary judgment, and supporting their cross-motion for summary judgment in a case supported by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Firearms Policy Coalition.

- NEW PRODUCTS -
Auto-Ordnance introduces the special edition Air Aces Series "Black Sheep" GI 1911 pistol! This commemorative firearm soars in honor of the fearless fighter pilots who dominated the skies of the Pacific theater in World War II.
New for Spring 2025, the Huk Shem Creek Long Sleeve Shirt is the shirt anglers desire for hot days on the water. Huk crafted the Shem Creek Shirt as the most cooling shirt for all anglers.
DeSantis Gunhide introduces multiple new holster fits for the S&W Bodyguard 2.0 380 pistol. These include the #019 Mini Scabbard and the #N38 Nemesis.
Big & J BB2 is a game-changer in the world of deer attractants. When combined with corn or used on its own, deer will seek out Big & J’s BB2 opposed to surrounding food sources, keeping them attracted to your specific location throughout the year, even during the fall hunting season.

- OPTICS -
Multi-reticle red dot sights allow shooters to adapt quickly to different scenarios by switching between reticle patterns. ZeroTech’s multi-reticle systems exemplify this flexibility, providing users with options that cater to diverse preferences and requirements.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
Wisconsin native and resident Paul Wait, who works for Delta Waterfowl as senior manager of communications, has been selected as one of eight citizen representatives on Wisconsin Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes.
Via its largest single annual investment in wild turkey research, the NWTF recently distributed $655,447 to nine wild turkey research projects for the organization’s 2024 allocation. Between NWTF funding and partner support, about $6 million will support the nine wild turkey research projects.
- PROMOTIONS -
Yamaha Marine announces a new promotion just in time for the final days of summer. Available from July 18 through August 30, 2024, the “Cruise Thru Summer” sales event gives customers who purchase new, select, eligible Yamaha four-stroke outboards several options to add value depending on horsepower range.
- RADIO -
This week, Outdoors Radio features archery expert JC Chamberlin, fishing guide Hunter Oehlert, and adventure travel expert Ross Borden. Jeff Kelm is on vacation in Colorado. Dan is catching up on summer farm chores.
- STATE PARKS -
Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s northwest state parks. During August, events are planned for those for all ages and interests. Don’t forget to purchase a required vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s southeast state parks. During August, a variety of events are planned for those for all ages and interests. Don’t forget to purchase a required vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
- STATES -
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal comments on administrative rules for special nonresident deer and turkey licenses.
 

We all suffer from what my instructor in the early days of computers called “information overload.” Too-much information delivered with too-little context.

There was no reliable way to discern the difference between real knowledge and regurgitated information.

The only thing that’s changed since then is the magnitude of both. Today, you can get “instant expertise” via Google along with a side of opinion disguised as fact, peddled with a heaping helping of emotion.

It’s more difficult to acquire the information essential to achieving knowledge. Knowledge takes time, regurgitation is as it sounds, nearly instantaneous.

To me, knowing a subject means being able to explain the complex in simple terms. That includes being able to demonstrate the difference between “upgrades” and marketing-based SKU “expansions” - and have no compunction about being honest about both.

Last week’s event with the MidwayUSA Foundation demonstrated the difference in no uncertain terms.

As I wrote in yesterday’s feature, the Vortex Edge instructors were more than capable of demonstrating the technology in the company’s optics. They were also capable of explaining why the technology mattered.

Vortex Edge expert Reuben Aleckson (top) explained the “why” behind the company’s 100-yard indoor shooting range. The ability to control temperature, humidity and lighting enables Vortex to test products in exact -and repeatable - conditions. Nick Laufenberg (bottom) was able to take us through how he mounted precision riflescopes and explain the “why” behind the “how”.

There were other experts at hand as well. The team from Silencer Central didn’t just explain how they’ve helped simplify the suppressor acquisition process from the legal side, they were on hand to help Vortex Edge Experience participants apply for their suppressor permits with the ATF. It’s one thing to hear someone talk about individual silencer ownership versus various “trusts” - seeing them explain it, then carry through the process was impactful.

Silencer Central’s Karter Keefer explained the baffling system of suppressors (top) while simultaneously showing attendees differences and similarities between suppressors made using different manufacturing techniques, including 3-D printing. (bottom).

Karter Keefer’s ability to explain different manufacturing techniques and the materials and assembly processes used in various suppressors helped us understand how gun “mufflers” are really as job specific as the mufflers on everything from cars to power tools. Advancement of 3D printing technologies explained why it’s better to “print” some products designed to hit certain price points. His explanations of trusts versus individual ownership of suppressors also enabled attendees to decide which was best for each of them.

For me, the session on Ruger’s new American Gen. II rifle corrected my misperception about the new gun. I have both, but knew the “old” rifle absolutely capable of outshooting my abilities. I suspected the “new” American might be more “SKU expansion” than new product development because I lacked essential “trigger time” on my own rifle.

Ruger engineer Mike Johnson was on hand to explain -in detail- how the new American Rifle Gen. II had been improved. He also demonstrated the ability to easily disassemble the rifle, then put it back together.

After shooting for a while, there was a realization. I was, to use a very exact word, wrong.

Ruger engineer Mike Johnson was there to explain the upgrades. He should know, he worked on engineering them. He explained each of the several improvements, from a stiffened stock to a new trigger.

The stock “fit” better and the trigger was noticeably improved. It felt more like an aftermarket replacement than the one in my “old” American. Johnson also explained the best features of the “old” model weren’t ditched, they were augmented after feedback from buyers, shooters and Ruger’s own engineers.

The effectiveness of any shooting “system” (rifle, optic, etc..) is only proven in one way: by shooting it.

As MidwayUSA Executive Director Scott Reynolds had explained to me earlier, Vortex hadn’t been asked to provide their best, brightest or most expensive scope. Only to select “the Vortex optic that best fit the rifle and caliber.” They chose their Venom 3-15x44 FFP model.

As we used the Ruger rifles and those scopes, we crept our distances out from the 50 yard boresighting on the indoor ranges. As we transitioned to targets from 400 to 1,000 yards (and beyond), it was obvious the combination of rifle/scope in 6.5 Creedmoor was more than adequate to accomplish the vast majority of shooting/hunting situations any of us we were likely to encounter.

Where the rubber meets the road is on the range. As we progressed through the ranges and distance adjustments, “Impact” was a common announcement from our coach/spotters from the Vortex shooting staff.

Not too long ago hitting targets at those distances required custom rifles, extremely expensive optics and lots of “fiddling” to get things tuned. Last weekend, every shooter hit their 1,000-yard goal with a rifle, optic and suppressor kit that cost under $2500 -including the AFT’s $200 tax stamp and establishment of a legal trust to own the suppressor.

That’s less than the cost of most true custom rifles.

As I’ve written before, it’s a great time to be a shooter.

We’ll keep you posted.

— Jim Shepherd

 
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