Nashville, TN—The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s award-winning hunting and fishing TV show, Brotherhood Outdoors, will feature a Texas quail and hog hunt with professional shooter and veteran, police chief Diane Sorantino, at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 7 on Sportsman Channel.

A proud member of PBA Local 59 in Cape May County, New Jersey, Sorantino is also a member of Team Beretta and the National Sporting Clays Association Team USA. She has two World Championship titles to her name—making her a quick shot when it came to pursuing quail at Wildcat Creek Resort in Detroit, Texas.

“While filming Diane’s adventure, we mounted a camera to her shotgun,” said Brotherhood Outdoors co-host Julie McQueen. “We discovered that she doesn’t even blink when she pulls the trigger. In fact, she keeps her eye on the target and only pulls her gaze away after the target has fallen.”

To level the playing field, the Brotherhood Outdoors crew added a wild hog hunt to the mix. Not only did Sorantino get to experience her first shot at a Southern hog but she got to pursue one of America’s most invasive species and help remedy the problem at Wildcat Creek Resort.

“In her more than 25 years on the force, Diane has dedicated her time to protecting people in her community,” said USA Executive Director Fred Myers. “We are honored to share her story and get people excited about hunting by marrying her unparalleled shooting skills and sportsmanship together in this episode.”

Winner of a 2012 Sportsman Choice award, Brotherhood Outdoors awards union sportsmen and women who are committed to preserving North America’s outdoor heritage with a guided trip or the opportunity to show off their guiding skills and local hunting or fishing destinations on national TV.

Presented by Bank of Labor, Brotherhood Outdoors is also sponsored by Employee Benefit Solutions, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Electrical Contractors Association, United Association/International Training Fund as well as Buck Knives and Burris/Steiner Optics.

To see what happens when the coveys fly and the hogs run for cover, tune in to Sportsman Channel at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 7.

For more information about Brotherhood Outdoors or a complete lineup, visit BrotherhoodOutdoors.tv.

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About the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance:
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat while passing on our national outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org  or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

About Sportsman Channel:
Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel, and Sportsman HD, is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to sportsmen and women in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities.  Sportsman Channel reaches more than 31 million U.S. television households and is available in HD, visit http://sportsmanhd.com for more information. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl

Nashville, TN—The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s award-winning hunting and fishing TV show, Brotherhood Outdoors, will feature an Arizona mule deer bow hunt with firefighter Michael McShane at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 24 on Sportsman Channel.

A proud member of IAFF Local 2909 in Dover, New Hampshire, McShane has dedicated his life to serving others and his community. For years he scrimped and saved spare change in an old water jug in order to afford his dream hunt—only to have it stolen when he was just pennies away from achieving his goal.

“Instead of becoming bitter, he just started over from the beginning,” said Brotherhood Outdoors co-host Julie McQueen. “That story seems to sum up Michael McShane; he is patient, and he doesn’t mind a little hard work to reach his goals. That’s why he was the perfect candidate for this grueling archery adventure.”

With the help of JP Vicente, a fellow IAFF member and owner of Big Chino Outfitters, McShane spent a week stalking and pursuing mule deer and javelina. Cold temperatures, altitude adjustments and 70-yard shots at moving targets kept the crew on their toes and on the move through Arizona’s rigorous terrain.

“Two of my favorite stalks were later in the week,” said McShane. “On one of them, we belly crawled for an hour, trying to sneak up on a buck and the other one was a stalk that we made after taking our shoes off. Sneaking up on a deer with stocking feet or crawling on your belly… now that’s hunting.”

Winner of a 2012 Sportsman Choice award, Brotherhood Outdoors awards union sportsmen and women who are committed to preserving North America’s outdoor heritage with a guided trip or the opportunity to show off their guiding skills and local hunting or fishing destinations on national TV.

Presented by Bank of Labor, Brotherhood Outdoors is also sponsored by Employee Benefit Solutions, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Electrical Contractors Association, United Association/International Training Fund as well as Buck Knives and Burris/Steiner Optics.

Tune in to Sportsman Channel at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 24 to see Michael McShane put his long-range archery skills to the test.

For more information about Brotherhood Outdoors or a complete lineup, visit BrotherhoodOutdoors.tv.

# # #

About the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance:
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat while passing on our national outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org  or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

 
About Sportsman Channel:
Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel, and Sportsman HD, is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to sportsmen and women in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities.  Sportsman Channel reaches more than 31 million U.S. television households and is available in HD, visit http://sportsmanhd.com for more information. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl

Nashville, TN—The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s award-winning hunting and fishing TV show, Brotherhood Outdoors, will feature a late-season New Mexico elk hunt with Dan Reyes, a proud member of United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 412, at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 10 on Sportsman Channel.

Also the owner of Ridgeline Outfitters out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Reyes challenges the Brotherhood Outdoors crew to pursue stealthy New Mexico elk with only a muzzleloader, comfortable hiking boots, high energy levels and a lot of patience.

“Traversing difficult terrain, scaling rock walls and mountainsides, all while keeping the cameras rolling was only half the battle,” said Brotherhood Outdoors co-host Daniel Lee Martin. “The real trick was to get the animal within range for a primitive weapon without using any sweet-talking or traditional calls.”

Nominated by former Brotherhood Outdoors guest Jake Lovato, Reyes is one of the only professional hunting guides in New Mexico who is also a member of the UA. Guiding professionally for the last 20 years, he is also a member of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, NRA and SCI.

“My dad taught me to appreciate the great outdoors at an early age,” said Reyes. “My outdoor way of life is very important to me and I plan to hand all of this down to my kids.”

Winner of a 2012 Sportsman Choice award, Brotherhood Outdoors awards union sportsmen and women who are committed to preserving North America’s outdoor heritage with a guided trip or the opportunity to show off their guiding skills and local hunting or fishing destinations on national TV.

Presented by Bank of Labor, Brotherhood Outdoors is also sponsored by Employee Benefit Solutions, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Electrical Contractors Association, United Association/International Training Fund as well as Buck Knives and Burris/Steiner Optics.

Tune in at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 10 to Sportsman Channel to see if Reyes can lead Brotherhood Outdoors host Daniel Lee Martin to his first New Mexico elk.

For more information about Brotherhood Outdoors or a complete lineup, visit www.BrotherhoodOutdoors.tv.

# # #

About the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance:
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat while passing on our national outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org  or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

About Sportsman Channel:
Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel, and Sportsman HD, is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to sportsmen and women in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities.  Sportsman Channel reaches more than 31 million U.S. television households and is available in HD, visit http://sportsmanhd.com for more information. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Director and President of America’s State Parks Foundation to speak about the importance of conservation in America.

Nashville, TN—More than 250 union partners, sponsors and friends will help celebrate the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s (USA) fifth anniversary on Tuesday, February 12 at the AFL-CIO Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Hosted by USA Board Chairman and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and made possible by USA’s charter unions and sponsors, the event will highlight the USA’s milestones over the last five years; honor the unions, partners and individuals who have contributed to the organization’s success; and set the USA’s direction for coming years.

Designed in conjunction with Field & Stream, USA’s Walk of Fame display will provide guests with a visual representation of the organization’s achievements as they enjoy a wild game inspired menu provided by the Union Insurance Group.  Guests will also meet Brotherhood Outdoors co-hosts Daniel Lee Martin and Julie McQueen and go home with a U.S. made, commemorative Carhartt jacket.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Daniel Ashe will discuss the importance of conserving North America’s fish and wildlife populations and habitats while keynote speaker Joe Elton, Director of Virginia State Parks and President of America’s State Parks Foundation, will help introduce the USA’s Adopt-a-Park Program.

Sadly, America’s 6,624 state parks are continually faced with budget cuts and have a backlog of repair and restoration projects.  The USA is America’s only outdoor conservation organization whose members have the collective training, skills and equipment to take on construction projects to repair and refurbish America’s state parks. Through USA’s Adopt-A-Park program, coming in the 2nd quarter of 2013, USA members will lace up their boots and enlist the help of their families, friends and fellow union brothers and sisters to renew, rebuild and restore America’s treasured state parks.

“As we reflect on the amazing conservation work our members have done over the last five years, it’s also important to look towards the future impact we can have on America’s outdoor heritage,” said USA Executive Director Fred Myers. “Whether restoring a weathered visitors center or rebuilding the park ranger station, USA members will come together through Adopt-A-Park to exhibit pride, craftsmanship, dedication and unity while demonstrating to all park visitors the best of what being union in America really means.”

Launched in 2007, the USA is uniting union sportsmen and women and likeminded individuals to educate future generations of sportsmen, conserve healthy wildlife habitat and volunteer their time and skills for projects that improve access to quality places to hunt, fish and shoot. The USA is proudly supported by the AFL-CIO; Bricklayers; Boilermakers; Electricians; Elevator Constructors; Insulators; Machinists; Painters; Roofers; Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers; and Plumbers and Pipefitters.

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The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat while passing on our national outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

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Nashville, TN—The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s award-winning hunting and fishing TV show, Brotherhood Outdoors, will feature an action-packed Asian carp bowfishing adventure with Corfu, NY native and union elevator constructor Bill Schaber at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, January 13 on Sportsman Channel.

Vice President of IUEC Local 14, Schaber will join co-hosts Daniel Lee Martin and Julie McQueen in Illinois to help combat the growing population of invasive Asian carp—archery style. Faced for the first time with the challenge of flying fish, he’ll have the opportunity to combine his longtime love of angling and bow hunting while battling one of the Midwest’s most invasive species.

A former competitive shooter and Cub Scout Master, Schaber has always been inspired by a family legacy of outdoorsmen. Each summer he hosts the Marty Schaber Memorial Kids Fishing Derby on family land for dozens of children and teens. Named for his father, the derby is now in its fourteenth year and helps expose future generations to the Schaber family’s love of the great outdoors.

“Coming from a long line of anglers, my hope is that viewers get an understanding of just how invasive this species is,” said Schaber. “Before the show, I’d never been west of the Mississippi River. I learned quickly that regardless of where you live, it’s up to us—everyday sportsmen and women—to make sure something is to done to prevent Asian carp from spreading across America.”

Working intimately with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Brotherhood Outdoors crew was ecstatic to capture not only an exhilarating bowfishing trip but to shed a national spotlight on the threat posed by non-native Asian carp.

“Over the past two and a half years, the Illinois DNR has been able to work with the community to remove more than one million pounds of bighead and silver Asian carp from their rivers,” said Brotherhood Outdoors Co-host Daniel Lee Martin. “Our goal with this episode is to make this growing issue a part of sportsmen’s everyday dialogue.”

Winner of a 2012 Sportsman Choice award and a 2013 nominee, Brotherhood Outdoors awards union sportsmen and women who are committed to preserving North America’s outdoor heritage with a guided trip or the opportunity to show off their guiding skills and local hunting or fishing destinations on national TV.

Presented by Bank of Labor, Brotherhood Outdoors is also sponsored by the following union and contractor partners: Employee Benefit Systems, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Electrical Contractors Association, and United Association/International Training Fund.

Don’t miss Bill Schaber’s wild, Asian carp bowfishing adventure on January 13. For more information about Brotherhood Outdoors or a complete lineup, visit www.BrotherhoodOutdoors.tv.

# # #

About the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance:

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat while passing on our national outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org  or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

About Sportsman Channel:
Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel, and Sportsman HD, is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to sportsmen and women in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities.  Sportsman Channel reaches more than 31 million U.S. television households and is available in HD, visit http://sportsmanhd.com for more information. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl

Nashville, TN – Wrapping up a year of beneficial Boots on the Ground conservation projects, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) staff and union volunteers wrapped up the first phase of a youth shooting facility in College Grove, TN to help educate and mentor the next generation of shooting enthusiasts.

Looking for a local project with a long term impact in the community, the USA teamed up with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) and the Nashville Building and Construction Trades in early 2012.  After months of planning, they launched a Boots on the Ground project to construct the Harpeth Scholastic Shooting Complex on a 20-acre plot to benefit the shooting programs of nine middle and high schools near the USA’s headquarters in Nashville, Tenn.

Students who belong to these school shooting programs currently drive up to 1.5 hours to practice and compete—a burden both for the students and their parents.  The new shooting complex will make the shooting sports readily accessible to more than 200 student competitors each year.

In phase one of the project, Ironworkers Local 492 member Glen Sloan and Helmets to Hardhats apprentice Nathan May constructed a 36’ gate for the entrance of the new shooting facility.  Volunteers from IBEW Local 429, Insulators Local 86 and Ironworkers Local 492 installed the gate while several USA staff painted it on Dec. 1.  IBEW Local 429 also secured a donation of electrical materials from Conti Electric in Nashville, TN—part of the nationwide Conti Corporation—to wire the facility and install outdoor lighting.

“The shooting sports are a great way to get youth away from their electronics and engaged in an outdoor activity that teaches important life skills like hard work, dedication, awareness and safety,” said Gerald Grant, IBEW Local 429 Business Manager and Financial Secretary and one of the committee members for this Boots on the Ground project. “We’re proud to offer our support to help build a shooting complex that will benefit youth in our community, including the children of some of our own union brothers and sisters.”

The shooting range is just the first step in the development of the property.  The TWRA plans to raise additional funds to build a learning center for hunter safety and wildlife management, so students can complete the live firing portion of the course at the same location, and to refurbish an old barn on the site.  The Nashville Building and Construction Trades have offered labor for any other projects they undertake at the facility.

“Many members of the Nashville Building Trades are avid hunters and shooters, so we were thrilled to get them involved in USA’s Boots on the Ground project,” said Anthony Nicholson, President of the Nashville Building Trades and Business Manager of Insulators Local 86.  “It’s up to today’s youth to carry on our outdoor sporting traditions, and this new shooting complex will introduce more school-age children to the shooting sports, which may also spark their interest in hunting.”

“The hardest part of building anything that isn’t monetarily motivated is finding funding and skilled volunteers,” said Williamson County Wildlife Officer Joe Fortner.  “We’ve been able to raise a significant amount of money but not enough to write a contractor a quarter million dollar check.  That’s where the USA stepped in.  Skilled union volunteers are able to do things the average volunteer couldn’t do.  Without the help of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, we wouldn’t be able to build this facility at this time.”

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The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat while passing on our national outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

It’s the 12 Days of Christmas for deer hunters! Over the next 12 days, Buckscore fans can WIN a different pair of ONOS Polarized Sunglasses & a copy of Buckscore, the Official Scoring System of Outdoor Channel!

Just LIKE the Buckscore Facebook page, LIKE the ONOS Facebook page, SHARE and WIN!

Enter here –> http://woobox.com/4tcxpa

The first contest ends tonight at midnight so don’t wait! Happy Holidays from everyone at Buckscore and ONOS Performance Sunglasses! Don’t forget to check back everyday until Christmas to enter again and win!

As part of a Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) Boots on the Ground project, nearly 80 union members and their families planted more than 300 native plants and groomed a considerable length of a popular hiking trail at Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve—one of the last standing wetlands ecosystems in Southern California—on December 1.

Coordinated by Rene Thorn, a Journeyman Member of United Association Local 250, the project brought together volunteers representing the UA, IBEW, IUPAT, Ironworkers, IUEC, IOUE, Roofers, IAMAW and Orange County and LA County Building Trades.  Thorn, who regularly volunteers with her daughter as part of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust’s Stewards and Jr. Stewards program, hoped to get 60-100 volunteers to participate in the event to make a positive difference in the community while learning about the importance of the area.

“It doesn’t matter if you live in the city or the country; there are tons of conservation projects in your backyard. And whether big or small, they all make a difference,” Thorn said.  “Not only did union volunteers have a big impact during this Boots on the Ground project, they also used the opportunity to teach their children about conservation and the spirit of volunteering.”

In the 1980′s, 90% of California’s wetlands were lost to development and farming.  One of California’s most significant coastal wetlands, Bolsa Chica, was purchased by the state in 1997 and is now managed by the CA Department of Fish and Game.  There is limited public funding to restore the area to its natural and native state, so the non-profit Bolsa Chica Land Trust relies heavily on private donations and volunteers.

“Our staff and Board were very impressed and thrilled with the skill and positive attitude of the union volunteers and how much they were able to accomplish in a short amount of time,” said Bolsa Chica Land Trust Executive Director Kim Kolpin. “They made great strides in widening more than a quarter mile of the Mesa Trail to make it handicap accessible and improved habitat vital to local and migrating wildlife by planting 342 native plants.”

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s Boots on the Ground program brings together union members from around the country, who are willing to volunteer their time and expertise to tackle conservation projects, like the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Trail Maintenance Day, which improve and enhance public access, wildlife habitat and outdoor experiences for communities across America.

For more information or to find out how you can help, contact Tim Bindl at timb@unionsportsmen.org or 608-397-1023. To learn more about the Bolsa Chica Land Trust and ways you can get involved, visit www.bolsachicalandtrust.org.

# # #

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat while passing on our national outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org  or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

We’ve really enjoyed building GoHUNTn, and we’re very pleased to have so many devoted fans, including you.

But we’re sorry to say that business is tough, and we have regrettably decided to dial back. There won’t be any more weekly emails, and we will not be posting as much on the site and on Facebook. But, since we launched the site, our best posts have been from our fans!

We encourage you to continue sharing your story on GoHUNTn. We’re always open to that and here to help, so please let us know if we can help. In the meantime, we will do our best to post the best hunting content from our bloggers on our almighty Facebook page. We have had so much fun creating and sharing some of the best content in the hunting world.

Keep the faith and by all means keep hunting. -Ned Desmond and Brian McClintock

The town of Mountain Air, North Carolina, 35 miles north of Asheville, is sad and mad over the death of a 3-legged bear.

According to the Daily Mail, the bear first showed up with his arm nearly completely off in November 2011. After a hibernation, it reappeared in the spring with his leg completely gone. Some construction workers took pity on the skinny bear that could only scavenge for food, and started feeding the little bear. Then, the bear got a little more ambitious and started breaking into homes, and some people got upset.

The bear became a nuisance, and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has a simple policy about nuisance bears, kill them.

The bear wasn’t hard to catch, and the commission did just that. Now, some citizens in Mountain Air are upset they did. The community tried to get the bear sanctuary, but in the end, the solution was the cheap, efficient way out. And while some are upset, others are glad the bear is no longer destroying property. -Brian McClintock

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The Minnesota wolf season withstood a lot of controversy, and hunters receiving death threats, but the early season has ended with 73 percent of the quota met.

According to Outdoor Hub, 147 wolves were harvested in the season that lasted from November 3 to 18. The goal for the early season was 200 wolves. The late season kicked off on November 24 and runs through January 31. In the early season, only bows or guns were allowed to be used for harvesting wolves, in the late season, trappers get their chance. The quota for the late season is 400 wolves, and, there is no word if the 53 wolves left over from the early season will rollover into the late season.

“We know that trappers are likely to be more successful than hunters so we expect to see a fair number of wolves taken through trapping,” Steve Merchant, the DNR’s wildlife population and regulation program manager, told Detroit Lakes Online. “I think we’ll see the same kind of trend here in Minnesota for the late season.” More wolves were taken by trapping than firearm or bow in nearby Wisconsin. -Brian McClintock

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Hunters who frequent Big Lake, St. Francis Sunken Lands, and Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Areas for waterfowl season have some new regulations this year, and they’re not too happy about it.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission amended their regulations to not allow hunters to use permanent blinds while duck hunting, nor let them keep their decoy spreads out overnight at the WMAs. The St. Francis Lake Association didn’t really like those new regulations, so they sued the AGFC.

Unfortunately for those hunters, though, the judge has determined that it wasn’t the venue for their law suit, and he tossed it out. So, for now, the duck and goose hunters who frequent these three areas are stuck with these regulations, according to Outdoor Hub. -Brian McClintock

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It seems like every year another person finds proof of a Sasquatch roaming somewhere in the world, this time it’s Siberia.

According to the Daily Mail, Russian scientists claimed back in October that a hair found in Siberia is to “unknown mammal closely related to man.” They found the hair in a cave last year, and after significant analysis, they are saying it’s a Yeti.

“We had ten samples of hair to study, and have concluded that they belong to mammal, but not a human,” said Professor Valentin Sapunov, of the Russian State Hydrometeorological Institute.

Whether or not it is actually a Yeti has yet to be determined, but research at three universities, including one in the U.S., show that this very well could be proof that Big Foot is real. -Brian McClintock

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(Via Outdoor Hub)

Turkeys don’t get a pardon from us here at GoHUNTn, and now PETA doesn’t want them pardoned at all?

This, sadly, does not mean that the PETA folks are putting real meat on their Thanksgiving table this year instead of their Tofurkey. Instead, they are urging President Obama to skip the pardoning ritual because they think it makes light of all the innocent fowl that will be on dinner tables across America tomorrow, according to USA Today.

“This year, we encourage you to forgo this event, which so many Americans find offensive, and choose a delicious, healthy Tofurky roast for your family’s holiday table. Thank you for your consideration. We wish you, your family, and all Americans a happy, violence-free Thanksgiving,” writes PETA President Ingrid Newkirk.

Thankfully, President Obama is not letting PETA sway the presidential tradition. The White House is using Facebook to let the world decide whether Cobbler or Gobbler to the turkey will be pardoned this year, with polls closing yesterday night. No official word, but it looks like Cobbler is free this year. Sorry Gobbler. -Brian McClintock

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This must have been the shock that was felt in the outdoor media industry when Field & Stream and Outdoor Life became part of the same company.

Outdoor Channel and InterMedia Outdoors (owners of The Sportsman Channel) have announced a merger, bringing the Outdoor Channel into the larger holding of IMO. InterMedia, publishers of magazines like Petersen’s Hunting, GunDog, and InFisherman, will now be the home of the two biggest cable channels completely dedicated to hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.

According to the release from Fishing Tackle Retailer, there isn’t a lot of detail about how the merger will impact business. But it’s a pretty huge shakeup in the outdoor media world.  -Brian McClintock

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Coyotes are handled like a nuisance species in just about every state. Meaning there are few regulations in hunting them. In New Mexico, you don’t need a license and there is no limit, as the coyote population is exploding and feeding on many game animals and livestock in the state.

So, Gunhawk Firearms in Los Lunas, New Mexico announced a contest where the person who brings in the most coyote carcasses would win a high-end gun. That hasn’t gone over well with the animal rights crowd.

According to Outdoor Hub, Josh Waters, an employee of Gunhawk Firearms, told KRQE that they received letters “threatening us with explosives, burning down the shop, Molotov cocktails, and following you home to pick you off one by one.”

The contest officially kicks off this weekend, and the store has no plans to stop their coyote kill, even though there is a petition with about 23,000 signature on it. -Brian McClintock

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We shared the news of BP pleading guilty to felony manslaughter, environmental crimes and obstruction of Congress and agreeing to pay a record criminal settlement of $4.5 billion dollars. And it looks like more than half of that is going straight to the habitat.

According to Ducks Unlimited, nearly $2.4 billion of the money will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. NFWF, created by act of Congress in 1984, will be in charge of dispersing the funds to maximize benefits for fish and wildlife habitats in the Gulf Coast region.

“NFWF and DU, working with other conservation-minded partners, are committed to restoring, enhancing and protecting the Gulf Coast’s remaining coastal wetlands,” said DU CEO and former head of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Dale Hall. “These funds will go a long way toward achieving those goals for the region’s important wildlife resources, including wetlands and waterfowl.”

The area holds as many as 14 million waterfowl during winter, and roughly 1 million of the 3.1 million acres of Louisiana coastal wetlands that existed just a century ago have disappeared, and the continuing loss has been equated to losing a football field-sized area of coastal marsh every hour.

Hopefully this record settlement can lead to some real improvement in the Gulf coastal area for fish and wildlife. -Brian McClintock

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(Photo from Vanishing Paradise)

Thanks to declining habitat, the grizzly bears in the Yellowstone area are running out of prime habitat to support their growing numbers, and it’s hurting the bear population.

According to Examiner.com, there have already been 50 grizzly bear deaths in Yellowstone National Park, which ties the record high from 2010. Of course, with two months left in 2012, there is a good chance that number could float above that 2010 record number.

The article is vague on what is causing the deaths, but it does seem like some of them have come from state game departments managing the herds and cutting down on grizzly bear interactions. The average number of Yellowstone grizzly deaths has doubled from 21 per year for 2001-2006 to 42 per year for 2007-2012.

It seems like there needs to be a serious look at how many bears Yellowstone can hold, and how we can solve this management problem. -Brian McClintock

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Everyone needs some venison for the freezer, but this guy decided to take the illegal way out.

A 24-year-old man from Paul Smiths, New York has been found guilty of stealing a cleaned whitetail deer carcass that was hanging on another man’s front porch. 

Police were conducting interviews near Timothy D. Coventry’s house when they found a deer in his house. They asked Coventry for a tag, and that’s when he said that he found the deer on the side of the road. But, the deer had the same characteristics as the stolen deer. The deer’s value is $520, which makes stealing it a misdemeanor in New York. According to Outdoor Hub, he was officially charged this past Sunday with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, which is a class A misdemeanor. He is awaiting processing.  -Brian McClintock

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With mountain lions attacking hunters in Nebraska, it’s no surprise that they’ve moved east of the Mississippi into Illinois, and now there is some trail camera proof.

According to Outdoor Hub, there have only been four confirmed cougar sightings in Illinois since 1870. And the latest came on October 28. Hunter Mark Cobb of Sherman was checking his trail camera photos when he came across this photo.

”Sunday afternoon, I got the SD cards out of the cameras and was sitting at my sister’s kitchen counter and was checking them out,” Cobb told The State Journal-Register. “I just kind of went, ‘Oh, my God,’ and everybody thought I had a big deer on there.”

It wasn’t a big deer, but it was something a lot cooler. There was another confirmed cougar sighting in the state near the Wisconsin boarder in September that authorities believe may be the same cat. -Brian McClintock

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The letter of the law allows hunters in Nebraska to kill mountain lions if it “stalks, attacks, or shows unprovoked aggression toward such person or another person,” or if it is in the act of preying on livestock. And that sign of aggression was exactly what happened to a hunter in Nebraska.

The unidentified hunter was out deer hunting during Nebraska’s November rifle season when the cat came within 35 yards of his hunting blind. The mountain lion then made eye contact with the hunter and circled around in front of him. Once the cat came face to face with the hunter, he made the decision to shoot and kill it.

Unlawful killing of a mountain lion is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to three months in jail, but the investigation found that the Brown County hunter was justified in protecting himself from this mountain lion.  -Brian McClintock

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Canada geese are flying through the Pacific Flyway, and the city of Ridgefield, Oregon is making sure the high numbers of geese aren’t tearing up the area’s fields and crops.

According to OregonLive.com, the city has okayed the hunting of geese in the city limits. The city authorized six landowners to hunt on a total of roughly 500 acres within the city limits, City Council member Lee Wells says.

The practice of urban goose hunting is not widespread in Oregon, but this is the third year in a row that Ridgefield has allowed for the urban hunt. The population of geese has surged the past 10 years, with cackling geese expanding into the Oregon area. Hopefully this will keep hunters and landowners happy. -Brian McClintock

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A 5×6 mule deer is a wall-hanger in anyone’s book, but this one is currently evidence.

According to the Idaho State Journal, the buck was poached sometime in the late night or early morning on November 3. For some reason, the poachers let this monster buck lay, and never went to recover the trophy they stole from the wild.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is searching for those who poached this deer, and they’re getting some help. Citizens Against Poaching is offering a minimum $250 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible. -Brian McClintock

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Kyle Camp, 10, is suffering from Down syndrome, and he went missing from his home at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 30. After three hours of his family searching, they called in the officials, but it’s not the rescue crews getting the credit.

Camp was missing for 18 hours, overnight, but he had four puppies to keep him company, and their warmth might have kept him alive. According to NBC News, they believe that the boy followed the family dog and her puppies out to the woods. Somehow, Camp and the puppies got separated from the mother dog. And that’s how they found the boy.

“Those puppies kept him company, they kept him warm and comfortable,” Jamie Swinney of Hackleburg, Ala., told NBC News on Thursday. “We don’t know what would have happened to him had the puppies not been with him. And credit goes to the mother dog for leading me to the boy.”

When Swinney found Camp, the boy’s feet were in a creek, he was soaking wet, and the four puppies were piled up on top of him. -Brian McClintock

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While the bulk of the damage from Hurricane Sandy has impacted the Mid-Atlantic, there is damage elsewhere. And while Florida escaped most of the storm, there was enough damage in Nassau County, Florida to get the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission worried.

A tree fell on the he fence of their enclosure at the White Oak Conservation Center which held two sibling panthers. The panthers decided to use that broken fence to escape. The panther kittens that escaped were found after a 24-hour exploration and returned to their pen.

According to the Daily Mail, Kipp Frohlich, head of the Imperiled Species Management Section at the FWC, said: “We are happy to report that the two are back safe and sound. The cats were pursued by panther dogs, darted and moved back into their enclosure.” -Brian McClintock

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Election day is less than a week away, and Congressman Paul Ryan may have a new job next Wednesday, that of Vice President. Whether or not he gets a few days off after election day to hit the end of the rut is yet to be seen, but Ryan, a very avid outdoorsman, might just wait to do some handgun hunting.

The Washington Times talked to Rep. Ryan’s brother-in-law and hunting buddy Mark Olcott to get some insight as to what’s in the Congressman’s arsenal. According to Olcott, Ryan’s choice rifle is a Remington Model 700 in .30-06, his shotgun is a Benelli Super Black Eagle 12 gauge, and one of his favorite guns is a .357-caliber handgun.

“He likes hunting with a handgun,” Mr. Olcott said of his brother-in-law.  “He’ll carry his .357 in the stand — in a holster — and wait for a deer comes in range for a handgun, which is more like bow range, 30 yards or closer,” said Mr. Olcott. “He’s shot a lot of deer with his handgun. He really likes that.”

The Congressman also owns a 9mm Glock for home protection in Wisconsin. Luckily, the Olcott’s live in Frederick, Maryland, just 30 minutes outside of Washington, D.C. and very close to Camp David. So, if the Ryans need to move to Washington, D.C. fulltime in early January, where it’s illegal to possess a gun, his in-laws can keep his guns nearby.  -Brian McClintock

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This week the Outdoor Channel National Deer Contest is giving away TWO (2) brand new Bushnell Trophy Cams in a random drawing! Any and all valid pictures uploaded to National Deer Contest (no matter the buck’s size) qualifies you to win.

There is no limit to the number of photos you can enter and no entry fee.

Winners will be announced in next week’s newsletter and on the Buckcore Facebook Page this coming Monday November 5, 2012.

So what are you waiting for? Login Here and start uploading photos today!

Branson, Missouri is home to a lot of attractions, like Yakov Smirnoff and Bass Pro Shop’s Big Cedar Lodge, and now, archery hunters have a new urban destination.

According to the release on the Archery Wire, the Branson, Missouri Board of Aldermen voted to allow archery hunting within city limits starting this year. Hunting will be allowed on parcels two acres or larger and not within 150 yards of any structure or property line, and only from an elevated treestand. -Brian McClintock

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West Virginia is a beautiful state with great hunting, but it doesn’t get a lot of respect outside of a John Denver song. But for the sixth year in a row, the state has found itself on the top of a list…State Farm’s list of the states that you have the biggest chance of hitting a deer with your car or truck.

According to the official release on the Archery Wire, there is a one in 40 chance that you will hit a deer in the next 12 months in West Virginia. State Farm compiles the information from their claims to come up with the rankings. Deer collisions were up 7.7 percent this year over last year.

Here’s the top 10 from State Farm’s list:

1. West Virginia
2. South Dakota
3. Iowa
4. Michigan
5. Pennsylvania
6. Montana
7. Minnesota
8. Wisconsin
9. Arkansas
10. North Dakota

Hawaii is the state where you’re least likely to hit a deer, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise.  -Brian McClintock

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There is a code among sportsmen that you do everything to recover your animals, and you use as much of that animal as you possibly can. That makes the person or people who shot these elk poachers.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials are currently searching for leads in the poaching of two 6 x 6 bull elk. The elk were killed before the season opened on the same any-elk management area earlier this month, according to the official release.

“The bull elk hunts weren’t even open yet,” Bryan Clyde, a conservation officer with the Division of Wildlife Resources says. “The only hunts in the area were the muzzleloader deer and an antlerless (cow) elk hunt.”

Well, it was bound to happen. Pennsylvania had its first confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease, and, as with most states that have the deer-killing disease, it started at a deer farm. And, also like most of those states, a deer has escaped from that farm.

Once the disease was discovered at the farm in Adams County, they set out to euthanize the other 10 deer. The problem is they only could kill nine, and the 10th is still at large. According to Outdoor Hub, “as shooters from the United States and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture worked on eliminating the deer from the farm on Thursday, October 18, Pink 23 broke through the fence and ran free.”

With the rut picking up, Pennsylvania whitetail deer expert Kip Adams is particularly worried that if this deer, Pink 23, does have CWD, there could be a wide-spread infection.  –Brian McClintock

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October 27 in Theodore Roosevelt’s 154th birthday, and the museum his father helped to found is celebrating in a big way.

The American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side in New York City, New York is reopening the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial on Teddy’s birthday. The reopening ceremony  will kick off a year-long celebration of Roosevelt’s love of nature and his instrumental role in the American conservation movement, both inspired by his lifelong association with the Museum, according to the museum’s official release.

Included in the renovated Theodore Roosevelt Memorial and the Hall of North American Mammals are going to be at least five animals that T.R. shot and stuffed himself. It will include a snowy owl that Roosevelt shot near his family’s vacation home on Oyster Bay, Long Island, when he was 17 or 18 years old and stuffed himself. He donated it to the museum in 1911.

“Some people sense a contradiction,” Michael J. Novacek, the museum’s provost, said in an interview, according to the New York Times. But he noted that Roosevelt, from his earliest years of collecting, was interested in studying nature, not wanton killing, and that he loved live animals: “He wasn’t just a hunter who was out there to get game.”

Also included are going to be some plovers that Roosevelt shot on a family vacation to Egypt. Most of the larger trophies are in storage at the museum, but hopefully some of those African trophies make their way on display as well. –Brian McClintock

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Wisconsin is off to a fast start to its wolf season, but not as fast as Wyoming.

According to Outdoor Hub, just 17 days into the state’s wolf season, 24 wolves have been harvested, but only 20 count toward the 52-wolf quota. The other four wolves were killed in the predation area, where wolves can only be killed if they’re a threat to livestock, humans or property.

The wolf season ends on December 31, but at this rate, that quota might be met a lot sooner. -Brian McClintock

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We told you that there has been some success already in Wisconsin’s wolf hunt, but here’s a set of hunters that have faced tragedy.

According to Petersen’s Hunting, Ron Hill was hunting on October 6, tracking a bear. Using their hound dogs, they set off to find the bear, but a 1.5-year-old female Treeing Walker, valued at $3,000, got separated from group. They heard the wolves howling, and started tracking the dog with her GPS collar. Unfortunately, they started seeing serious blood spatter. The hound ran into the wolves, and it was no match.

“I understand some people’s sentimental notion about wolves, but a lot of that is misconception,” Hill said. “Over the years I’ve spoken to many people about wolves, and most of them who oppose wolf hunting live in cities where they don’t see the real damage that the wolves are capable of doing. They don’t understand that as a farmer or landowner, they’re destroying your livelihood and income.”

It is the third dog killed by wolves in the area this year. We’re guessing Mr. Hill is pretty happy there is some early success this wolf season. -Brian McClintock

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We’re not sure that Congressman Paul Ryan is going to have a lot of time to hit the whitetail woods this fall, but he has geared up his daughter for her first hunting season.

And while Rep. Ryan might not be in the woods, he was the obvious choice for Honorary Chairman for the Sportsmen for Romney coalition, which the Romney for President campaign announced yesterday. But, Rep. Ryan isn’t doing the heavy lifting. The National Co-Chairs are some of very famous faces in the fishing, hunting, shooting, and in popular culture. They are:

• Johnny Morris, Internationally Renowned Conservationist
• Wade Boggs, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player
• Kimberly “Kim” Rhode, Five-time Olympic Medalist
• Melissa Simpson, Safari Club International
• Richard Childress, Richard Childress Racing
• Jeff Foxworthy, Entertainer

“Mitt Romney has a proven track record of turning around dysfunctional enterprises,” said five-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode. “For me, his greatest accomplishment remains his successful effort to save the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Governor Romney took the Games from scandal to glory, and he did so in the shadow of 9/11, at a time when every American needed something to rally around and something to believe in. Today we face similar challenges. Our economy is hurting, and the American people are looking for someone to lead us back to prosperity. Mitt Romney is that man. We have a choice in this election. We can have another four years like the last four. Or we can join Mitt Romney, turn a corner, and head down a new path. I’m with Mitt, and I hope people across this country will join me.”

The list of other members of the coalition also includes 215 governors, senators, representatives and other politicians. The National Advisory Board is made up of 43 conservation leaders including Rob Keck, Pete Brownell, and Rob Nosler. -Brian McClintock

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Before this year, there wasn’t a lot that could be done to trespassers in Washington state. They got a $250 fine and could keep their trophy. That’s changed. According to KIROTV.com, the new Hunt While Trespass law carries a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, and two men are getting to feel the full force of that law.

Two men set up their elk camp nine miles in on private property East Pierce County without permission. They were able to sneak one of the bulls out, but the wildlife cops were on them when they tried to sneak the second one out around 2 a.m. 

In addition, upon conviction, the Department of Fish and Wildlife will revoke hunting licenses and suspend hunting privileges for two years. They also have lost their animals. -Brian McClintock

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Well, it’s official, the worst disease to plague whitetails has hit Pennsylvania.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Chronic Wasting Disease was found in a south-central Adams County private deer farm during a routine check. There have been no signs that the disease has spread to wild deer, but in every other state where CWD has been found in wild deer, it’s started in farmed deer.

“Pennsylvania has an aggressive chronic wasting disease surveillance program and a strong response plan,” Agriculture Department Secretary George Greig said. “Steps are being taken to prevent further spread of this disease to the state’s captive and wild deer populations.”

No word on what that program will entail. But Pennsylvania is going to have to be even more diligent. –Brian McClintock

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Well, we just told about a grouse hunter who had to kill a wolf to protect himself and his dog, and now, it looks like the actual wolf hunters are going to have their shot in Minnesota.

According to Outdoor Hub, the Minnesota Court of Appeals has given the state the go-ahead on their planned wolf hunting and trapping season this fall. 

“We are pleased with the court’s decision,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr. “It resolves any uncertainty that hunters and trappers might have had about the upcoming season.”

The management plan calls for 400 wolves to be harvested this year. I’m sure the fights not over, but, at least for this year, hunters and trappers are going to have their way. –Brian McClintock

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We told you that Christopher Johnson was found guilty of murdering Pennsylvania Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove, and now, he’s facing a lethal injection.

The jury in Lancaster County handed down the sentence of death by lethal injection on Thursday night, October 4, according to the Gettysburg Times.

On November 11, 2010, Officer Grove had stopped Johnson for poaching a whitetail. Johnson, who had already served time in jail, didn’t want to go back. So, he turned the gun on Officer Grove, killing him. No date has been set for an appeal, or the execution. –Brian McClintock

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The Outdoor Channel National Deer Contest is under way! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of history in the making and win big prizes!

Outdoor Channel National Deer Contest is the very first ever, nationwide whitetail scoring and photography competition. The competition uses state-of-the-art, patent-pending technology, BuckScore, developed by one of the most well-respected white-tailed deer research universities to score photographs of bucks submitted by participants.

Whether you’re submitting a great harvest photograph of a buck you just shot or a trail camera picture of your top “Hit List” buck. This competition will allow you to see how you rank against other whitetail enthusiasts from across the country! There will be 4 grand prizes given away in each of the four categories: Archery, Firearms, Fan Favoriteand combined Trail Cam/On The Hoof. Each grand prize will be in excess of a $2,500 value!

Enter any deer or deer hunting related photo captured between August 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013 and have a chance to win big prizes!

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It’s been a rough year for hunters in California.

It started with the controversy surrounding former President of the California Fish and Game Commission, Dan Richards, and his legal Idaho mountain lion hunt. Photos of him with the cat on Facebook was all that the animal rights groups needed to call for his job. Richards was able to keep his position for awhile, but in the end, the Humane Society and friends won out, and Richards is no longer in charge of the commission, and it’s highly unlikely that he’ll remain on the commission after his current term is up.

Hunters suffered another huge set back when the governor signed into law a ban on using hounds to hunt bears and bobcats. Again, hunters hung tough, but in the end, the animal rights groups won. 

Now, after 60 years of being the Department of Fish and Game, the department is swapping “Game” for “Wildlife.” It’s not a huge change, but the hunting and sporting community in California are seeing this as another knock at hunters.

According to the SFGate.com, there are only 12 states that use the name Game in their management department. So, lawmakers are downplaying the controversy.

“The department’s name says a lot about its mission. We do believe there has been a shift, and it has come at the expense of those who hunt and fish,” said Marko Mlikotin, executive director of the California Association for Recreational Fishing. -Brian McClintock

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Christopher Johnson did not want to go back to jail, which is why he opened fire on a game warden after being stopped for poaching a deer in Pennsylvania.

The shootout left Pennsylvania wildlife conservation officer David Grove dead, and now, Johnson is going back to jail.

According to Fox News, jurors in Lancaster County found Johnson guilty of first-degree murder, and are now weighing whether to sentence him to death or life in prison without parole. Defense attorneys are hoping for a lesser conviction, saying Johnson was too drunk to have intent to kill. –Brian McClintock

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Many political pundits think that the “who would you rather have a beer with?” question is an important barometer for how people choose their vote for president. Well, maybe it’s because Mormons don’t drink, but The Washington Post and ABC recently decided to change that question, asking which presidential candidate people would rather camp with.

They surveyed more than 1,000 people, and according to Outdoor Hub, 48 percent of voters would rather go camping with President Obama, with Governor Romney getting 34 percent of that support.

We’re not thinking it’s a question that is going to come up at tomorrow’s debate in Denver, but you never know.-Brian McClintock

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It’s here! The September 2012 Texas Top Picks Newsletter is out and just in time for bow season! Have you read it yet? It’s full of the top posts on TexasHuntFish, the latest Texas hunting and fishing news,  photos and videos from around the state, as well as, the Texas Outdoor Calendar.

In this issue you’ll also get first word about the upcoming TexasHuntFish contests that will be unveiled in the coming days. Lots of fun and big prizes!

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Earlier this week, I ignored calling out popular culture blog, Gawker, on putting a picture up of a brown trout about the story of a human finger found in the belly of a lake trout. It was sloppy photo research on their part, but they got a pass.

But vilifying hunting in the guise of playing partisan politics does not get a free pass.

The premise of their article, Hunting and the Idiocy of Identity Politics, is right on. Identity politics can be a bad way to vote. Just because a candidate looks like you, enjoys the things that you do, or is the same religion does not mean that they are an ideal candidate. It’s a great message from Gawker: Do your research, just because someone is Catholic doesn’t mean he should get your vote.

But instead of pointing out any of these other self-identifying groups, they use a story from the Wall Street Journal that shows how Congressman Paul Ryan’s passion as a hunter is influencing voters in swing states of Ohio, Iowa and Wisconsin, just because he’s a hunter. Gawker writes:

The whole business of politicians posing in hunting gear, whether they really like it or not, is the height of bullshit, empty identity politics. “Not only will we pander to you based on superficial lifestyle choices that have nothing to do with how we will actually govern,” declare politicians, “but we will kill innocent animals in the process. That is how much we care about your votes.”

This is where I take exception. Hunting is a culture it’s not just a recreational activity. I’m preaching to the choir here, but, hunters are the original stewards of our natural resources. They are the ones that not only care most about biodiversity, they’re the ones who have been on the front lines on ensuring there is healthy habitat for our fish and wildlife. They’re defenders of constitutional rights, and not just the one in the second amendment. The money that hunters generate through license sales and excise taxes goes directly to help animals and birds that have value in brightening a spring morning or help pollinate a species of wild flowers.

Yet, we are the only “recreational activity” that has to fight very negative stereotypes. You don’t see Gawker lambasting skiers for wasting valuable water to creating fake, hard snow. Yes, hunters kill things. Some of the nation’s best biologists have created management plans for every hunting season. They’re based on population surveys, human-wildlife interactions, how many animals a habitat can support. Hunting is a sport, the only people who don’t think that it is have never done it. Anyone who thinks a wild animal has no chance against a hunter has probably only seen squirrels in Central Park. I have hunted just about every big game animal, small game animal, and bird in North America. I’ve still hunted and stand hunted, put on drives and hunted over bait. Not once have I had the advantage, and of all the days I’ve spent in the field, I’ve only killed an animal probably 10 percent of the time. Wild animals are smarter than the most dedicated hunter, and anyone who considers hiking or backpacking a sport needs to consider hunting a sport.

But more than a sport, hunting is an identity. Sure hunters differ from person to person, but, we have an unwritten ethical code. We have a 100 years of being the real defenders of wildlife. When you meet a fellow hunter, it is an immediate connection, and you know that you have at least a few things in common when it comes to a moral standard of living.

I’m not saying this is why every hunter should vote for Congressman Ryan and Governor Romney (who has been guilty of the pandering that Gawker writes about). But it’s a starting point for hunters. They need to look at his voting record and what he’s done in Congress, which, hasn’t all been good for hunters. His initial budget plans included a lot of huge cuts to programs vital to our nation’s habitats. They’re questions that hunters and everyone should weigh when making their decision this November. But not voting based strictly on identity is a message that needs to be broadcast a lot further than to hunters.

The state has legalized cars that drive themselves, but evidently, they have problems with hound hunting.

According to Outdoor Hub, California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law that outlaws the use of dogs when hunting bears and bobcats. It’s a bill that was hotly contested, and some major politics came into play, but, in the end, the Humane Society and anti-hunting groups won out.

The ban goes into effect on January 1, 2013, and there are some exceptions, but baying hounds have been silenced in California.

Many believe, and there have been rumors, that this could lead to a ban of all hunting with dogs in the state. If any state can do it, it’d be California. -Brian McClintock

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Apparently, vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan has one thing in common with most of us: he can’t drive by a Bass Pro Shops without stopping.

According to CNN News, Mr. Ryan stopped by a BPS recently in Ohio while campaigning to pick up some hunting gear for his daughter, who, at age 10, is finally ready to hunt on her own.

Liza, his daughter, got a rifle for Christmas, according to Ryan. Here’s wishing her a fantastic first fall. But, we’re not sure Congressman Ryan is going to have much time to hunt the rut himself this fall… - Rick Bach

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Laura Wood is no stranger to hunting. She has been doing it for nearly 80 years, hunting rabbits and deer in her native Nova Scotia.

The 95-year-old has had a life-long goal though, she’s wanted to tag a moose. So, she headed to Sandy Point Lodge to try to fulfill her dream, and she got her shot. On the last day of her hunt, with light fading, a cow moose came out. Wood didn’t hesitate and downed the 600-pounder with a single shot.

“Well I used to be [a good shot.] Well it must have been pretty good if I got that one…it’s in my freezer now,” said Wood according to CBC.ca.

It wasn’t her first moose hunt, she went as a mere 90-year-old with no success. But, this will likely be her last, even though she didn’t find the bull she was looking for.

“I’m getting too old,” says Wood, but ”I still plan on deer hunting.” -Brian McClintock

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(Thanks to GoHUNTn Facebook fan Eric Johnston for the lead!)

Upland bird hunters rejoice. A recent helicopter survey over central Tooele County, Utah, shows that there is a record number of chuckar partridges in Utah this year.

“I think hunters will have a good chukar hunt in central Utah this fall,” says Robinson, upland game coordinator for the DWR. “Conditions were good for chukars to nest and raise their chicks.”

According to the official release on the Outdoor Wire, Robinson counted 46 chukars per square mile. That’s more than double the 18 chukars per square mile biologists saw in the same area last year. And it’s the highest number seen since 2006, when 97 chukars per square mile were counted.

While the area around Tooele County has good numbers, that wasn’t the case in the entire state, where dry, hot conditions in northern and southern Utah cut down on chick survival rates.

But, for anyone looking to hunt in the central section of the state, the chukars should be flying wild. -Brian McClintock

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We have been tracking the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 all year, and the massive measure has just passed the U.S. Senate.

Introduced by Sen. John Tester of Montana, the 84-to-7 vote in favor of moving to vote on passage after recess reflects the broad support of these conservation, hunting and fishing provisions, writes Ducks Unlimited in their official release. Some of the highlights are better public lands management, increased fish habitat resources, improved billfish conservation efforts, extended fish and wildlife grants, clarified lead tackle and ammunition management, and many, many more.

In this bill are a lot of measures that many outdoorsmen have been fighting for over the course of years. You can read a full breakdown on everything in the bill on Tom Sadler’s Middle River Dispatches blog.

But, the Sportsmen’s Act now moves to the House of Representatives, where there is sure to be a fight.

“Now we must keep up the momentum to ensure this bill passes into law in November through working with both sides in the House of Representatives,” said Paul Schmidt, DU’s chief conservation officer. ”Fish and wildlife conservation and hunting and fishing have always had strong bipartisan appeal, and movement of this bill in the Senate is a reflection of that support.”

We’ll keep tracking it the bill’s progress. -Brian McClintock

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There aren’t many days that are actually dedicated to outdoorsmen, but today is one of them.

Today marks the 40th National Hunting and Fishing Day. The idea came from one of the best fishing and hunting states, Pennsylvania. Ira Joffe, owner of Joffe’s Gun Shop in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania first suggested the idea, and in 1970, Pennsylvania Gov. Raymond Shafer adopted Joffe’s idea and created “Outdoor Sportsman’s Day” in the state, according to the official history.

Within two years, the idea was passed through the U.S. legislature and signed into law by President Richard Nixon.

Since then, it has become one of the most embraced days in the outdoor community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of our sports, and provides all of us a chance to share our experiences. It also has attracted some of the nation’s leading celebrities as honorary chairman. This year, that person is NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.

So, Happy National Hunting and Fishing Day! We hope you’re celebrating the only way you can, by being outside. –Brian McClintock

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Have you joined the Buckscore Facebook community yet? Buckscore is the Official Scoring System of the Outdoor Channel. You can share your hunting stories, ask questions about food plots and scoring, post photos and most importantly have fun.

Just click on over to www.facebook.com/buckscorepro and “LIKE” us. The first 1000 new facebook members to “LIKE” us will receive a FREE Buckscore decal!

In order to receive your decal just send a Private Message to us on facebook including your name and mailing address. It’s as simple as that!

Join the fastest growing whitetail deer hunting and scoring community on Facebook today!

GoHUNTn has the honor of being at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s Western Media Summit at the impressive High Lonesome Ranch. And, the speakers and news are just as impressive.

Last night, two heads of federal agencies from two different federal departments came together to announce a huge agreement to help wildlife management on private lands. The partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Resources Conservation Service is unprecedented in that the two agencies are coming together with some money behind them to help incent private landowners to being part of the solution when it comes to wildlife management practices.

For now, they are focusing on seven species, including the sage grouse, lesser prairie chicken, and the eastern cottontail rabbit. Clearly, management of the sage grouse, which is a species popular to hunters, an indicator of the healthy habitat in the West, and a potential candidate for the Endangered Species List, is a very big deal. If sage grouse make their way to the ESL, it could have a huge impact on how lands for elk, mule deer, antelope are managed and accessed.

This new partnership, through the Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative, is well-funded, with $33 million allocated for on-the-ground implementation in 2012.

“By adopting this approach, we’re maximizing our investments in conservation and working cooperatively to resolve habitat management issues,” said Dave White, Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief. “We think this agreement should be the template for how we deal with endangered species in America.”

Landowners are going to be able to voluntarily enter into these management agreements outlined by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture.

“This partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflects the direction we need to go and want to go in the future,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “It’s important for agriculture and important for species conservation. It represents a great step forward – and how we need to continue doing business moving forward.”

If this is successful, it could lead to a huge change in how animals get added to Endangered Species List. This may finally be the solution to the problem of extending the great work done on managing public lands to private habitats. –Brian McClintock

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A commercial fisherman from Montegut, Louisiana has a new impressive haul to brag about.

Rob Neil, 35, hauled in a 12-foot, 800-pound alligator, using 15 shots from his .22 caliber rifle to subdue the beast. Neil was in the Intracoastal Waterway near Houma when he connected with the gator. The commercial angler decided to sell the meat, which brought him in $350.

According to the Daily Mail, he’s planning sending the hide to Europe to make handbags, shoes, belts, and other fashion accessories for gator-minded people. –Brian McClintock

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Rick Pearce was out elk hunting near the upper Squaw Creek and Bayhorse drainages last week in Idaho on September, 7 when he had some un-welcomed company.

Pearce was quickly surrounded by six wolves.

He had been using a cow call to try to get a bull to bugle, and around dusk, the wolves started howling. Five wolves came right into his cow call, thinking they had dinner. He heard them within 70 yards, and then he saw the sixth, and it was so close, he could hear him panting.

“It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up,” Pearce said, according to the Challis Messenger.

He made a 70-yard-shot, downing what he assumes was the alpha male. He tracked the wolf and finished it with his .22 caliber pistol. He went back, got his ATV and recovered the wolf, with the pack circling at 60 to 70 yards the entire time.

It’s one of the first wolf archery kills that Pearce has heard of, and we’re guessing he’s happy he had his pistol with him too. –Brian McClintock

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The National Wildlife Refuge System is one of the biggest government programs for hunters, with all of them doing great work in preserving wildlife, and many of them giving access to hunters.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has rolled out this year’s new regulations, and included in those regulations are expanding hunting in 16 different refuges in 14 states. 

“By expanding hunting in our National Wildlife Refuge System, we are supporting a heritage that has been handed down from generations and helping to achieve the goal of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to connect Americans to the natural world through outdoor recreation,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “Hunters have been a mainstay of conservation in America for more than 100 years, and expanding hunting opportunities helps ensure that we will have the resources to care for our wildlife and its habitat in the future.”

In addition to opening the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Michigan to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting for the first time, there are more hunting opportunities at refuges in Oregon, South Carolina, Louisiana, Montana, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Tennessee, Washington, Texas, Idaho, Georgia, Indiana, and Missouri.

“The National Wildlife Refuge System, one of America’s greatest conservation success stories, is committed to offering quality hunting and fishing programs — for all Americans — wherever they are compatible with refuge purposes,” said Service Director Dan Ashe.

The rules didn’t have all good news though. They did shut down hunting in two spots. Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii is now closed to big game hunting. And migratory bird hunting has been shut down in Santee National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. -Brian McClintock

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Filming a hunting television show is tricky work, and sometimes hosts go to illegal lengths to get the footage they think they need to entertain the masses. It’s landed other hosts in some deep trouble, and it’s taking the career and hunting life of another.

According to the Outdoor Wire, William “Spook” Spann, 49, was charged in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kanas on September 6 with transportation of wildlife from Kansas to Tennessee that he allegedly obtained in violation of Kansas hunting laws. The buck, which was promoted as the biggest buck ever taken on video, was a 224 Pope & Young whitetail that Spann shot in 2007.

Spann, host of Spook Outdoors on the Pursuit Channel, Spann transported antlers from Stafford County, Kan., to Tennessee, knowing the deer had been taken in violation of state hunting laws. In count two, the indictment alleges Spann falsely reported the property where the deer was taken.

We’ll let you know how this shakes down. -Brian McClintock

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(Via Field & Stream)

Today, on the 11th anniversary of the tragedies of the World Trade Centers, Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, we are all remembering the many lives lost.

But the NRA has a very unique tribute in their National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia.

One of the New York City police officers who ran into the World Trade Center, Officer Walter Weaver, never ran out. But, during the recovery efforts, Weaver’s .38 Smith and Wesson revolver was found and returned to his family. They, in turn, donated the revolver with a photo of Office Weaver, to the National Firearms Museum, where it’s preserved in that same condition and on display today. -Brian McClintock

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When Johnny King downed his storied buck in 2006 in Wisconsin, it opened the biggest can of worms for the Boone and Crockett club ever. The scoring has gone back and forth. If it’s scored as a typical buck, many believe it will be in the 220-inch area and break the world record that Milo Hansen set in 1993 with his 213-5/8 buck.

But, as it stands now, the antlers were scored as non-typical, which brought an impressive score, but not a record.

There has been a lot of controversy around the decision to score this buck as a non-typical. Boone & Crockett has stood behind it, so much so that a few volunteer scorers lost their scoring rights over it.

But, according to Deer & Deer Hunter, B&C has decided to reopen the case. They are assembling a panel that will determine the official score, which could land the King buck at the top of the Boone and Crockett books and become the most famous whitetail in the world. -Brian McClintock

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It’s official whitetail deer season!

GoHUNTn pro Billy Voudrie shared this amazing trophy buck that was downed in the early season in Kentucky. According to Tim’s Big Game Blog on Heartland Outdoors, this huge buck comes from Knox County, Kentucky and was in the 250s non-typical.

Complete with some velvet still attached, this is one awesome trophy. -Brian McClintock

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All of the states surrounding Wyoming are preparing for their second wolf hunt. Wyoming might be on that train in 2013.

The lone hold out of the Yellowstone herd, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. According to Outdoor Hub, “Beginning September 30th, wolves in Wyoming will be managed by the state under an approved management plan, as they are in the states of Idaho and Montana.”

Population estimate shows that the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf population contains more than 1,774 adult wolves and more than 109 breeding pairs. Wyoming’s management plan calls for maintaining 150 wolves and 15 breeding pairs within the State of Wyoming. This is the same management objective as was adopted by the States of Montana and Idaho.

The delisting was greeted with widespread praise from the sporting community.

“Sportsmen in Wyoming and across the country have good reason to commend this decision by the federal government, which stands as a victory for responsible wildlife management and perpetuates our nation’s rich outdoors legacy,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh in their official release. “Science clearly shows that the wolf is recovered and, therefore, that returning management to the states is the right thing to do. We offer our thanks to Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe for exercising sound judgment and promoting sportsmen-driven values.”

We’ll be tracking this issue as it moves forward. -Brian McClintock

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Secret Service nicknames are often news and sometimes pretty cool. President George H.W. Bush’s was Timberwolf.

Well, candidates receive protection too, which means nicknames follow. And, GQ magazine has revealed Congressman Paul Ryan’s new nickname: Bowhunter.

It’s no surprise, as Ryan’s outdoors’ passion has been widely covered by the media. He will be on the cover of the next issue of Deer and Deer Huntingmagazine as well. We’re working on trying to find some time to interview Congressman Ryan, and we’ll be sure to ask him what he thinks of his new nickname. -Brian McClintock

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As most states are expanding the use of crossbows, New York is going in the other direction.

A bill has been sent to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that would extend current restrictions to using crossbows. Those regulations only allow crossbow use during regular firearms season and late muzzleloader hunting seasons. Some advocates have been pushing to allow crossbows during the New York archery seasons, but New York Bowhunters, Inc. has fought hard against that, and it looks like they’ve won.

According to the Archery Wire, The bill also would eliminate a youth-only deer hunt on Columbus Day that was set to take place this year. -Brian McClintock

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The wildlife around Jackson Hole, Wyoming is legendary, and there are near-record numbers of pronghorn summering there this year.

According to Jackson Hole News and Guide, officials have counted the highest fawn ratios since modern record-keeping started in Jackson Hole.

“It’s good news for the antelope here,” Game and Fish wildlife biologist Doug Brimeyer said of the pronghorn survey, which he conducted aerially and by horse. The survey found nearly 700 antelope in the area, which is the highest they’ve counted.

But it’s not all good news.

Game and Fish biologists tallied 1,458 elk this summer, down from about 2,400 in 2010. A 2005 count turned up about 2,100 animals and a 2001 count about 2,000. Sagebrush growth is also down. Officials think that drought and wildfire are to blame. –Brian McClintock

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There are a lot of awesome posts on GoHUNTn throughout the week. Here are 10 of our most popular GoHUNTn updates from the past week:

Crazy Video: “Aporkalypse Now” Helicopter Hog Hunting with Ted Nugent – Letting the lead rain down on some harmful hogs!

Norwegian Woman Avoids Moose, Hits a Bear with Her Car – Talk about some bad luck!

High School Sisters Featured in Pennsylvania Big Game Records Book – The new superstar teen hunters in Pennsylvania

Bison Charges Child in Yellowstone National Park – This is why they call it WILDlife

Alligator Killed in Pennsylvania Reservoir? – What was a gator doing in the Keystone State?

Pennsylvania Whitetails on the Trail Cam! 1 Month till archery season opens!

Grizzly Bear Kills Hiker in Alaska’s Denali National Park – Tragedy in Alaska…

World’s Ugliest Creatures: Nat Geo Wild’s Freaks and Creeps – Have you seen anything this ugly before?

Ohio Town Spends $611 on Every Deer Culled from Local Herd – A waste of money?

Hunting Season Shut Down in Wisconsin CWD Zone: Should this season go on?

The story of Missy the German shepherd is well known now: The dog that was stranded on the side of Mt. Bierstadt in Colorado because her feet was too sore to carry on. Her owner, Anthony Ortolani, new that Missy was hurting, but couldn’t scale the mountain with his dog. He and his friend decided to safely make it down Bierstadt and send in the search and rescue crews.

When he got to the base, though, he learned that they don’t rescue dogs, and he assumed Missy was gone to him.

Then, a week later, on August 11, Scott and Amanda Washburn found Missy. Not able to get her down, they gave her some food and water, and posted their find on the online forum 14ers.com. Within days, a rescue mission formed, and Missy was saved.

Ortolani was thrilled, but the rescuers were not so quick to give the hurt dog back to him. Instead, they took the matter to the police, who have charged him with animal cruelty. His first hearing is October 16. –Brian McClintock

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Kentucky has proudly had had competitive archery in their schools for years, but now there will be an official state championship.

Starting in 2012-2013 school year, archery was voted into an official state sport by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, along with bass fishing and competitive cheerleading.

“We are thrilled to be able to add archery to our growing list of sport-activities,” said Tackett. “It’s another activity that seems like a perfect fit as it adds a group of students who may not already participate in an extra-curricular activity representing their school and it gives them a chance to compete and become a part of a team. Kentucky’s rich outdoor heritage certainly helps but the work done by Roy Grimes, President of the National Archery in the Schools Program®, and his team of experts in helping the sport reach a wider audience has been phenomenal. Students who have participated have a lifelong love for archery.”

According to the release on the Archery Wire, archery in the schools lead to a more positive, integrated attitude toward shooting sports and natural resources management. –Brian McClintock

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A 4-day antlerless whitetail deer season in October is usually very popular, but in south-central Wisconsin, that season has been cancelled.

Governor Scott Walker hasa decided to cancel the season in the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease Zone, according to Outdoor Hub. The early hunting season was cancelled outside of the CWD zone last year, and this year’s cancellation within that zone came after a report from a University of Texas said to shut it down. State officials, however, wanted the season to help thin the herd’s numbers.

“On the heels of the Kroll report, legislators and hunters have made it clear they want Wisconsin to return to a more traditional season, which includes the nine-day November gun deer hunt,” Walker said in the release announcing the cancellation. “Eliminating the four-day October hunt in the CWD zone is one of the most simple and most effective ways we can show hunters that we are listening.”

The regular season opens up for gun hunters on November 17. –Brian McClintock

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Dove season opens in Arizona on September 1, and there will be more than a million acres of public land for hunters to use.

“This is a great opportunity for families to hunt closer to home and for youth especially to connect with nature,” said Jim Paxon, chief public information officer for Game and Fish.

According to the official release on the Outdoor Wire, this is the second year that the land has been open to dove hunters thanks to a new law that gave the Arizona Game and Fish Commission authority over regulating the use of firearms for the take of wildlife within municipal boundaries. It has opened up a lot of areas in more urban areas.

For more information, check out the Arizona Game and Fish Commission website.

–Brian McClintock

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Nashville, TN—The American worker and sportsman will be honored for his/her community spirit and volunteerism during the 2nd annual Brotherhood Outdoors Labor Day marathon, which will feature eight back-to-back episodes airing from 1 to 5 p.m. ET. on Monday, September 3 on Sportsman Channel.

A collaboration between the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), Sportsman Channel and Bank of Labor, this one-of-a-kind marathon will give viewers an intimate glimpse into the lives of these hardworking, blue-collar characters as they set out on a dream North American hunting or fishing trip or choose to show off their skills as guides—taking viewers to their favorite honey holes.

“Brotherhood Outdoors isn’t just a great hunting and fishing series but a true testament to the American spirit,” said Sportsman Channel CEO Gavin Harvey. “We are excited to once again show American workers they have a home at Sportsman Channel—not just during Labor Day, but every day.”

Between episodes of Brotherhood Outdoors, Sportsman Channel and the USA will pay tribute to the men and women who are working to make America not only a better place to live and work but a better place to pursue their outdoor passions. Throughout the day, viewers will meet everyday heroes who are working to preserve North America’s wildlife habitat, protect public access to quality places to hunt and fish and educate a future generation of sportsmen and women.

Episodes Airing on September 3 include:

1 p.m.  Texas Whitetail with a Steamfitter

1:30 p.m. California Hog with an Ironworker

2 p.m.  Montauk Stripers with an Electrical Worker

2:30 p.m. Kansas Geese with a Machinist

3 p.m.  Montana Whitetail with an Operating Engineer

3:30 p.m. Michigan Pheasant with a Firefighter

4 p.m.  Montana Elk with an Electrical Worker

4:30 p.m.   (NEW!) Idaho Mule Deer with a Refrigeration Fitter

“There are so many sportsmen and women in the union community who are doing amazing things to further conservation efforts throughout North America,” said USA Executive Director Fred Myers. “I can’t imagine a more perfect day than Labor Day to honor and reward that commitment.”

A staple in Sportsman Channel’s ‘Made in America’ programming, Brotherhood Outdoors is presented by Bank of Labor and sponsored by the following union and contractor partners: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Electrical Contractors Association, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers and United Association/International Training Fund.

For more information about Brotherhood Outdoors, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance or Sportsman Channel, visit www.BrotherhoodOutdoors.tv.

#  #  #

About the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a Union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat throughout North America. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org  or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

About Sportsman Channel: Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel, along with Sportsman HD, is a television and digital media company fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities. Sportsman Channel reaches more than 31 million U.S. television households and is available in HD (http://sportsmanhd.com). Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com or follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl.

Another sad reminder that the wildlife in America’s National Parks can be very dangerous.

What actually happened at Denali National Park may never be known, but a group of three hikers came across a scene on Friday, August 24 that was clearly a sign of struggle. Near the Toklat River, they found an abandoned backpack, torn clothing, and blood. They came back and alerted the authorities, and two and a half hours later, rescue workers found a grizzly bear with the remains of that lone hiker.

Officials have closed off the area to hikers and campers until further notice. It is the first documented bear mauling death in the history of Denali National Park, according to CNN.com.  –Brian McClintock

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Their fellow Great Lake States, Wisconsin and Minnesota, are currently planning for their first wolf hunting season, and now, Michigan has their first steps to their wolf hunt.

According to Outdoor Hub, Rep. Matt Huuki has introduced a bill in the Michigan House of Representatives that would make wolves a game animal and authorize a hunt, with the Department of Natural Resources is supporting.

The gray wolf has been delisted in the state since January 2012, but the animal remains protected in Michigan. Huuki’s bill stresses that proper management measures need to be taken in order to reduce the amount of wolf encounters with livestock and pets. We’ll be tracking it for you. –Brian McClintock

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The crossbow controversy continues to gain support, and states that are allowing the method in regular archery seasons.

Illinois became the 25th state to allow crossbows for their late archery season when they passed a law that their governor signed into law on August 7. The bill had overwhelming support in the Illinois House, cruising through with a 109-0 vote, according to the Archery Wire. That bill, though, would have allowed crossbows during the entire archery season.

Those against the method for traditional archery seasons, though, spoke up, and a compromise was reached that allowed crossbows only in the late season, which starts the second Monday after Thanksgiving. Hunters 62 or older or with disabilities will be able to use crossbows all season. –Brian McClintock

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On Sunday, August 12, South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks killed a mountain lion in Spearfish, S.D. It was the 96th confirmed mountain lion death this year, which is already more than 2011.

According to the Rapid City Journal, they are on pace to euthanize between 115 and 120 cats this year. That number was zero in 1997.

“Yes, I believe that the dramatic increase in documented mortality correlates perfectly with the increase in the lion population over the same time,” said John Kanta, regional wildlife manger for GF&P in Rapid City.

They estimate that the population in the state is between 200 and 300, about double where the department wants it. They are hoping that increased quotas for hunting will get those numbers down, and the incidental deaths won’t have to happen. –Brian McClintock

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The Chippewa Nation has petitioned to stop the Wisconsin wolf hunt on in tribal territories in northern Wisconsin, but the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is hoping this soothes their concerns.

The DNR has promised 85 of the 201 wolf hunting permits to the Chippewa Indian tribe.

The wolf hunt is very controversial, but set to take place on October 15. The goal is to reduce the number of wolves in the state from 850 to 350, but some, including the tribe, believe that number is too low. The tribe is not expected to kill any of the 85 wolves that they are allotted. –Brian McClintock

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There are a lot of awesome posts on GoHUNTn throughout the week. Here are 10 of our most popular GoHUNTn updates from the past week:

Hunter Participation Up For First Time in Decades – Our sports are getting more and more important!

Bears Rip Down Cabin Wall and Pound 100-Plus Beers in Norway – This sounds like some real fairy tale crime

Man Goes to Extreme Lengths to Sooth German Shepherd – The most heartwarming story about man’s best friend

President of California Fish and Game Commission Loses Post over Mountain Lion Hunt – Ousted for legal hunt. The antis win…

8-Pointer Attacks Minnesota Man – When whitetails attack

Colts Kicker Shows Off Trophy Room – Adam Vinatieri has dead aim, on the field and off

Whitetail Deer Hunter. Catfish Noodler. Vice President? Romney Picks Paul Ryan – Could a real sportsman be in the White House?

Scout Leader Attacked by Rabid Beaver in New York – Don’t go in the water in upstate New York

Groups Sue to Stop Wisconsin Wolf Hunt to Protect Hunting Dogs? – The latest attempt to shut down the wolf hunt

Daring Rescue Video: Police Officer Frees Moose from Swing Set in Utah – Would you have done the same?

Every five years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service releases their National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Usually, its more doom and gloom for the future of our sports. Not this time!

For the first time since they started the reports in 1991, the number of hunters in the United States has increased, jumping 5 percent over the 2006 numbers and 9 percent over the 2001 numbers. In 2011, 13,674,000 Americans went hunting. The number is still short of participation in 1996 and 1991, but an encouraging sign that our sports are surging in significance.

What might be more important is that hunters spent significantly more money in 2011 than the past 10 years. When so much of the nation’s economy is on a downward spiral, this is just another example of how important hunting is to the U.S.A. economy as well as its natural resources.

Fishing also saw a surge in numbers, jumping up 11 percent from 2006 and gaining ground on the participation back in 2001.

When the full release comes out, we’ll be sure to break it down for you. –Brian McClintock

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There are plenty of college mascots that people have no idea what they exactly are. The Virginia Tech Hokies are right on the top of that list.

Virginia Tech got their nickname from a “spirit yell” that was coined by O. M. Stull, VaTech class of 1895, thanks to some fancy Latin he started his chant with. The Hokie has evolved, though, and now, the Virginia Tech mascot became a gobbler in the early 1900s. Some say it’s because their sports teams would “gobble” up the competition. But, it probably has more to do that the school is located in some prime turkey habitat.

And since then, in and around Blacksburg, Virginia, Hokies and turkeys have been one in the same. And now, the university is getting serious about their turkey love.

On September 8, the Hokies will host Austin Peay, in their annual “white out” game. Their white helmets complete with two orange and maroon turkey tracks.

While football fans will get in on some turkey action in September, hunters have to wait until October for their fall season to roll around. –Brian McClintock

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There’s a very good chance that you’ve seen this video, but if you haven’t, you need to.

John Unger credits his 19-year-old German shepherd, Schoep, with saving his life. So, Unger is making every effort to ensure that Schoep has a long, full life. But, at 19, the dog is suffering from arthritis and is blind. But, Unger isn’t discouraged. He takes his loyal companion to Lake Superior and floats in the water with him until he falls asleep. –Brian McClintock

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There are plenty of politicians who say they enjoy the outdoors, but there hasn’t been many who actually like to get their boots muddy.

But Mitt Romney found one of the ones who does when he selected Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential running mate. Ryan, known for his tax plan, seems to be at ease with a bow in his hand or a catfish on his arm. Ryan is an avid hunter, having taken many nice whitetails and turkeys, as Outdoor Life pointed out.

He also is an avid angler, having recently said at the Texas Republicans Convention that he loves noodling for catfish.

There are a lot of issues that are of national importance with direct impact on hunting and fishing like energy development, clean water, clean air, Second Amendment, and more. Hopefully with Ryan’s avid enthusiasm for the outdoors, these issues will be at the forefront of the campaign season.

Before he was named, it was looking like there wasn’t going to be any candidates with real outdoor chops. President Obama has only been fishing once as far as we know. Vice President Biden does not have a huge love of the outdoors. And Governor Romney has been hunting a couple of times, but he has more snafus when talking about guns and hunting.

If we get an opportunity to chat with Congressman Ryan, we’ll be sure to find out where he stands on the issues that impact hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen and women. –Brian McClintock

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A successful hunt at California’s Auburn State Recreation Area.

California’s economy is not in the best shape, and 70 state parks were under threat of being shut down due to lake of funds.

Well, according to Outdoor Hub, an audit of several state agencies earlier this month found an extra $119 million in untapped funds throughout California. Of those funds, $54 million was attributed to the California Department of Parks and Recreation and was hidden in two special funds. Also under scrutiny is an unauthorized program that allows for DPR employees to trade in unused vacation time for more than $271,000 in cash.

California was soliciting donations from private citizens to save the parks, and now many are asking for their money back.

“This is a disaster for our efforts to build partnerships and create strategies to support our state parks,” said Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D – San Rafael) to the Los Angeles Times. “There’s only one way to fix it, and that is to act as quickly as possible to restore public trust and confidence.”

This finding has cost DPR Director Ruth Coleman and her chief deputy their jobs. –Brian McClintock

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Adam Vinatieri is one of the NFL’s best kickers, but when he’s not pummeling a ball through the uprights, he’s most likely hunting.

He recently gave a tour of his trophies to USA Today and the Indianapolis Star, which includes animals Alaska, Africa, Argentina, Costa Rica, Canada’s Northwest Territory, the Arctic tundra and throughout the continental United States.

“Every one of them has a story or an experience behind it,” Vinatieri said. “I remember who I was with, where I was. … Each one of them has a special memory. It’s kind of cool.”

Not only is Vinatieri cool under the pressure on the football field, he’s cool with dealing with a lot of the anti-hunting sentiment that comes from being a famous big game hunter.

“I know there are people that think it’s rude or crude or whatever,” he said, slowly nodding his head. “But anything I can bring back, we eat. We grilled up four nice nilgai steaks the other night. They were awesome.”

Vinatieri is 39, so his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts is probably a few years away from ending. We know how he’s going to spend his retirement.  –Brian McClintock

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Groups are getting pretty desperate to stop the wolf hunt in Wisconsin.

According to the Superior Telegram, a host of humane groups has sued the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to stop the wolf hunt “to prevent the inhumane and cruel deaths of hunting dogs in confrontations with wolves.”

The hunt is set for October 15. As of Wednesday, more than 7,000 applications for permits for the hunt. The state is planning on giving out 2,000 or fewer permits in a drawing scheduled for the first week of September and has set a statewide quota of 201 wolves to be killed out of the total population of about 800.

The lawsuit demands the season to be delayed until restrictions can be put in place to make it illegal to use dogs to chase wolves in Wisconsin. We’re thinking these groups are grasping at straws here, but we’ll let you know if this actually gets the season delayed. –Brian McClintock

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I certainly thought this story was over, but it looks like Dan Richards could not fend off the anti-hunters in the end, and he has been stripped of his title as President of the California Fish and Game Commission.

The hubbub began when Richards went on a legal mountain lion hunt in Idaho. After the hunt, he posted some photos of his success on Facebook, which is when the problems started. Antis came at him hard, demanding he resign, trying to get him fired, and showing, once again, how little they know about how wildlife management is actually conducted.

Richards was able to keep his job during the height of the controversy, but in the end, the Californian antis got their way. On Wednesday, August 8, Richards was removed from his post as President with a unanimous commission vote. He remains on the commission, but is not expected to get re-appointed when his term ends on Jan. 15, 2013.

“I was listening to Nickelback when I was working out on the treadmill today, and they were playing their great song, ‘If Today Was Your Last Day,’[...]I was fully aware that today was my last day as president of the Commission. Thank God it’s not my last day on this green earth. It’s been a privilege and an honor to be on this Commission. I tried to be consistent and give everyone a voice and a fair shake. I believe I made decisions on matters that reflected that,” said Richards, according to Outdoor Hub.

Hopefully he goes on a lot of hunts after his term is up. –Brian McClintock

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They set records, made national news, defended themselves against voracious attacks, and made America proud bringing home three golds, a silver and a bronze.

Shooting

(Left to Right) Hancock, Rhode, Gray, and Emmons with their medals.

Coming into the final days of the London Olympics, Team USA Shooting and Archery had some of the biggest story lines in these Olympics so far. Kim Rhode set Olympic history when she became the first person EVER to medal in five straight Olympics when she won the gold in women’s skeet. Vincent Hancock made his own history becoming the first person to ever defend gold in skeet shooting. Oh yea, and they both set Olympic records for accuracy while doing it.

Our other gold medal came from Jamie Lynn Gray, who, surprise, surprise, also set an accuracy record on her way to winning the women’s rifle 50-meter, 3-position gold. 

The fourth shooting medal came from Matt Emmons, who has battled so much adversity in his career and life, overcoming cancer in 2010, who held on to the bronze medal in men’s 50-meter, 3-position. 

It wasn’t always easy for our USA Shooting Team, though. Double trap medal hopefuls Joshua Richmond and Glenn Eller, both who had real shots at a gold coming in, failed to advance to the finals.

Anti-hunters who learned trap shooter Corey Cogdell’s love of hunting (thanks to her falling in some lists of the sexiest Olympians) came after her with death threats. But, she battled back and those who believe in Codgell and her right to hunt became so popular that #TeamCorey was trending on Twitter and getting some very famous supporters. Unfortunately, neither Cogdell or her golden teammate Rhode were able to get to the finals of the women’s trap competition, an event Cogdell won bronze in while competing in Beijing in 2008.

There were some shaky moments, but with such a young team, you can expect to see a lot of repeat Olympians in 2016 in Rio.

Archery

Team USA Men’s Archery with their silver medals.

The archery tournament saw some of the Olympics earliest drama. The American men’s team needed a perfect final arrow from their three shooters to get to the gold medal round. They got the 10s and advanced, only to fall one point short of the gold on the last arrow to the Italians. However, their silver medal was the first medal of the 2012 games for the United States. 

When it came to individual archery, though, it was a bit tougher going. None of the three men shooting, Brady Ellison, Jake Kaminski and Jacob Wulke, already having a silver medal around their neck, were able to advance past the round of 32. 

One female archer, though, got very close to getting a medal. Khatuna Lorig, who was born in the country of Georgia but naturalized to become a United States citizen, got all the way to the bronze medal match. But, Lorig, who coached Jennifer Lawrence on her archery for the blockbuster The Hunger Games, came just short of the podium. 

With so many shooting and archery story lines in the Olympics, though, both teams are hoping our sports will continue to see a rise in popularity. Archery was one of the most watched contests during the Olympics. And, if we had to vote for someone to carry the United States flag for Team USA in the closing ceremonies, we’d have to vote for Rhode. Let’s hope her fellow athletes do too!  –Brian McClintock

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We’re not so sure that Californians are going to be excited, but the National Parks Service is thrilled about a pair of mountain lion cubs that have been born in the Santa Monica Mountains near Thousand Oaks, California.

“The fact that successful reproduction is occurring in the mountains indicates that we have high-quality habitat for mountains lions here,” said Dr. Seth Riley, a wildlife expert with the National Park Service. “Unfortunately, the amount of habitat is not sufficient to support a viable population long-term, and when new animals like these are born, especially young males, they run into freeways and development when they try to disperse.”

Well, being a shepherd just got a lot easier.

According to the Outdoor Hub, European scientists are in the process of constructing a collar that will monitor a sheep’s heart rate, alerting the herders and ranchers when their pulse is racing and a wolf may be nearby. Europeans, especially the Swiss, are afraid that a growing wolf population is going to decimate their sheep herds.

“Ten sheep were equipped with a heart monitor and then the animals were approached by muzzled Czechoslovakian wolfdogs. Normally a sheep’s pulse is between 60 to 80 beats per minute. When scared by the wolfdogs, their heart rate jumped to 225 beats per minute. The text message was effectively sent when the elevated heart rate occurred,” writes Outdoor Hub.

If they work, I’m guessing some U.S. ranchers will be first in line to buy a few. –Brian McClintock

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Chat “live” with Outdoor Channel’s Live 2 Hunt host Cody Robbins TODAY at 3 CST on the Buckscore facebook page at this link http://tinyurl.com/crdygqz.

Post questions in the facebook photo comment section all day and come back around 3 CST to hear what his tactics will be for the year…live! Don’t miss it!

For those few unfamiliar with the show, Live 2 Hunt with Cody Robbins is a reality based hunting show that features North American big game animals such as Moose, Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Sheep, and many other species. The show has four major elements: family, humor, adventure, and most importantly word class big game.

James Geist is a social studies teacher in New York City, so we’re pretty sure it takes a lot to shake him. But after discovering two pythons in his West Milford, New Jersey backyard in the span of four days, he’s pretty shocked.

According to the Huffington Post, Geist was sitting on his back porch when he thought he saw a tree limb move. It turned out to be a 15-foot albino python. Then, four days later, he discovered a 10-foot python. Officials believe they were pets that were released into the swamps of Jersey, which is exactly how the python problem started in the Everglades, and now they’re at the top of the food chain down there. –Brian McClintock

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(Via Outdoor Hub)

 It’s a three-pete. Gabbi Douglas, who has earned the nickname of Flying Squirrel, has becoming the third American in a row to win the gold in women’s all-around gymnastics. 

She finished less than three-tenths above silver medal finisher Viktoria Komova.

Douglas’ nickname is pretty apt for anyone who’s seen her performances. She certainly glides through the air, much like a flying squirrel. And her performance on a balance beam is very similar to a flying squirrel’s landing onto small tree limbs.

Douglas was the only American to participate in all the events in Team USA’s team gold medal, as well. –Brian McClintock

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Tech XX was the face of Louisiana Tech Bulldog athletics, but they will be looking for Tech XXI, and probably a new caretaker for their bulldog.

At first, locals thought that it was a prank or that he had run away, but Tech XX went missing earlier this week. But today, August 1, the university learned much sadder news from the Sexton Animal Health Center of Ruston, Louisiana. According to Deadspin, Dr. Patrick Sexton reached out to the Louisiana Tech saying that the pooch had died due to human error and that instead of fessing up to killing Tech 20, the employee tried to cover it up.

“Regretfully, I learned this morning that through negligence of an employee, Tech XX was left outside too long on Sunday evening and passed away from a heat stroke,” wrote Dr. Sexton. “We are devastated over the circumstances of his passing and there will be a large void in our hearts for some time to come. As with any family member, we will spend considerable time grieving his passing.”

No word on a replacement for either the mascot or if Dr. Sexton’s crew is going to continue on as caretake for future Techs. –Brian McClintock

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The phrase “trophy hunters” usually doesn’t play well in the hunting crowd and it never plays well with anti-hunters.

And, coinciding with Olympian Corey Cogdell’s ordeal with receiving death threats and criticism surrounding a zebra hunt, CNN.com has decided to post 17 artistically composed photos of “trophy hunters.” Almost all of the photos feature African excursions. What many people do not know about hunting in Africa is that it is a major contributor to the area’s economy and benefits communities struggling to feed their children.

You see Sally Struthers crying for Africa, but hunting not only employs thousands of men and women, but almost all of the meat that doesn’t get eaten at camp gets donated to the local communities providing them a much-needed source of food. And, much like in the United States, hunters and hunting groups, like Safari Club International, are actually working very hard, and succeeding, in enhancing these animals’ populations and battling poaching.

CNN.com doesn’t take a stance. They just post the photos, which are pretty awesome from a hunters stand point.  –Brian McClintock

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The last thing that Idaho wants is for the federal government to come in and tell them how to manage sage grouse. But, with the upland bird’s numbers dwindling, they are faced with that challenge as the sage grouse could soon qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

But, Idaho is hoping that another hunting season will show that they are best suited for managing the birds. They are currently accepting comments on their proposed sage grouse season for this year. Among changes include closure of all sage grouse hunting in Elmore County, from a portion last year, and moving opening day to Sept. 15, earlier than in 2011, according to KIVITV.com.

We’ll let you know how this goes. –Brian McClintock

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