Hunters and wildlife biologists knew the day would come.
Still, last week’s announcement that Virginia’s first case of Chronic Wasting Disease had been confirmed brought shock.
“This is kind of scary,” said Rob Phillips, a Virginia Beach hunter who owns and hunts on land in Patrick County, just west of Martinsville.
Phillips probably doesn’t have to start panicking about deer in his county – which is on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Virginia’s first CWD-infected white-tailed deer was shot in November in Frederick County, less than a mile from the West Virginia state line – on the west side of the mountain range.
Go to the PilotOnLine.com for the rest of the story, Va.’s first Chronic Wasting Disease case puts hunters on edge
NRA TO ARGUE SECOND AMENDMENT CASE The U.S. Supreme Court today granted the National Rifle Association’s motion to participate in oral argument in McDonald v. City of Chicago, scheduled for March 2. Former U.S. Solicitor General Paul D. Clement will argue on behalf of the NRA and divide time with counsel representing McDonald, Alan Gura. The NRA’s brief stresses a more conventional constitutional grounds for applying the Second Amendment to the states (called the “Selective Incorporation Doctrine”) than the McDonald brief, which asks the court to overrule a Supreme Court case dating back to the 1800s.
WASHINGTON ‘ASSAULT WEAPONS’ BAN LIKELY TO FAIL A bill introduced in Washington State to ban so-called “assault weapons” is likely to fail, the Associated Press reports. The bill is unlikely to make it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has three Republicans and five Democrats. One Democrat, Sen. Jim Hargrove, says he will vote no. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for Tuesday. Contact members of the committee and urge them to oppose Senate Bill 6396.
MONTANA SAYS TRADITIONAL AMMO NOT AT RISK. SO, WHY THE BAN? The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has admitted that its proposed ban on traditional shot in the state’s 72 state-owned wildlife management areas is nothing more than a “trial balloon” to see how sportsmen in the state will react. The FWP proposal has drawn the ire of many groups, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Read NSSF’s press release.
‘GUN DAY’ SLATED FOR WEDNESDAY IN MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE Numerous anti-gun bills will be heard on Wednesday, Jan. 27, in the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. NSSF and the Gun Owner’s Action League are encouraging all sportsmen, gun owners and firearms enthusiasts to contact members of the committee immediately, urging them to oppose these anti-gun bills. The roster of bills is highlighted by H.2247 an act to improve the ballistic database through microstamping ammunition. Along with the anti-gun bills, the committee will also hear testimony on GOAL’s Civil Rights and Public Safety Bill H.2259, which seeks to reform many of the unconstitutional gun laws in the state.
WISCONSIN’S MENTORED HUNTING LAW HITS THE TARGET After the first season of mentored hunting in Wisconsin, officials are calling the program an unqualified success, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “We had good participation and, most importantly, an excellent safety record, said Randy Stark, chief conservation warden with the state’s Department of Natural Resources. Some 10,564 young people aged 10 and 11 were introduced to hunting last fall in Wisconsin because of a new law that became effective Sept. 1, 2009, and 13,271 mentored hunting licenses were sold. Wisconsin is one of 28 states to adopt Families Afield legislation, an initiative of NSSF, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, to break down barriers preventing young people from hunting with their families and other supervisory adults.
POLL SHOWS ARKANSANS SUPPORT AMENDMENT ASSURING RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH The Arkansas News Bureau reports that a poll commissioned by that bureau and Stephens Media indicated that 54 percent of Arkansans want constitutional protection for their right to hunt and fish. Such a proposed amendment to the state constitution will be put before Arkansas voters. Of the sampling of registered voters who participated in the poll, 20 percent said they opposed the measure and 26 percent said they were undecided.
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN OF FIREARM SALES . . . Where you live says a lot about what types of firearms you prefer, the latest data from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) shows. In 2008, southern Atlantic states led per capita in handgun purchases and also accounted for 31.4 percent of all handguns bought in the United States. East north central states led per capita in shotgun purchases and accounted for 33.4 percent of shotguns sold. The Mountain states led per capita in rifle purchases and accounted for 10.7 percent of rifles sold. View detailed chart.
For over 30 years the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) has been defending sportsmen’s rights and their record of success speaks for itself. But as they always say: “we couldn’t do it without your commitment.” YOU are the reason we win battles against radical animal rights groups like PETA and the Humane Society of the United States.
Beginning in 2010, the USSA will be unveiling a new effort called the “Sentry Program.” While the final details of the program are still being worked out, the idea is to offer current members as well as future members something more and make sure that those who decide to become “Sentries” understand how special they are.
If you think about it, sentries have served a powerful role throughout history, standing along guard towers to defend their cities and their way of life. Being a sentry was not always easy, they were always the first in line to do battle with the attacking enemy. Yet, it was their strength of character, honor and perseverance that showed through each and every time they were called upon to throw back an assault.
For more information on becoming a sentry, read Greg R. Lawson report.
Without the tools necessary for self defense a citizen becomes a subject. Guns are the tools of self defense and the framers of our constitution were well aware of the tyranny a government can impose on personal freedom.
Muzzy's 85-Grain Phantom MX
One thing archers are noted for is experimenting with their equipment, looking for that perfect combination of speed and energy delivered on target, which equals to deep penetration and fast kills. And, since archery manufacturers are also archers, they can’t help themselves.
Muzzy built the compact and aerodynamic 100-grain Phantom-MX for hunters wanting a traditional style with superior penetration, and it delivered. Now, Muzzy has designed a lighter, faster broadhead option — the new 85-grain Phantom-MX, which features the same unbeatable and superior flight as its larger relative.
With unfailing accuracy, the 85-grain, 2-blade Phantom-MX consistently packs a deadly punch no matter what the conditions might be.
The ultra-tough .040″ thick blade with its 1 1/8″ cutting diameter cuts instantly on impact to drive deep through thick skin and bone getting the job done.
The blade is easily re-sharpened as desired.
For more information on Muzzy products, call 1-866-387-9307, or check out www.muzzy.com.
SUPREME COURT SETS ORAL ARGUMENTS IN GUN-BAN CHALLENGE. . . The long-awaited challenge to Chicago’s handgun ban will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 2, reports Dave Workman in the Gun Rights Examiner. Read Workman’s recent column.
N.J. LAWMAKERS MOVE TO EXEMPT FIREARMS RETAILERS FROM GUN-A-MONTH LAW . . . In testimony before the Firearms and Advisory Task Force earlier this year, NSSF testified that pending one-gun-a-month legislation provided no exemption for firearms retailers or manufacturers doing business in the Garden State. As such, the law would restrict law-abiding businessmen and women from obtaining inventory. NSSF is pleased to announce that the Task Force has taken NSSF’s concerns and recommendations seriously, and consequently legislation has been introduced to correct this issue.
THREAT TO AMMUNITION AVAILABILITY; ACTION NEEDED . . . As demand for ammunition continues to outpace supply, it is critically important that an amendment authored by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) to a seemingly obscure hazardous material bill (HR 4016) be attached to the legislation during consideration on the House floor. The amendment being pushed by Graves will help protect the shipment of materials necessary for the manufacturing of ammunition. Without the Graves Amendment, the rate of production will slip, perhaps precipitously. In turn, decreased production of ammunition will lead to decreased availability. This will lead to an increase in ammunition prices directly affecting consumers. Floor action on the bill is anticipated within the next three weeks. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, intends to bring HR 4016 to the floor prior to the end of the session. NSSF is encouraging all hunters and sportsmen to contact Rep. Oberstar and urge him to support the Graves Amendment. He can be reached at 202-225-6211.