ZEISS and Under Armour® teamed up to launch the new TERRA ED 8x32 and 10x32 binocular   NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA., (September 28, 2015) –   Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, the world's leading manufacturer in high performance sports optics, is pleased to introduce the TERRA ED 32 mm binoculars, in 8x32 and 10x32 mm models. These are the perfect addition to the hugely successful TERRA ED line, which already includes 8x42 and 10x42 mm models. The new 32 mm binoculars combine the benefits of quality German engineering and design with the performance and features you’ve come to expect from ZEISS – all at an incredible value. The new ZEISS TERRA ED 8x32 and 10x32 is equipped with an exclusive Under Armour® Bino Harness, featuring durable, thick hypalon attachments, solid metal hardware and adjustable elastic straps for complete comfort.   “We are excited to add the new TERRA ED 32’s to the already field-proven premium entry line of binoculars,” said Mike Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics. “Carl Zeiss is the leader in world class optics, and this compact version is sure to please the archery and general observation enthusiasts. We are listening to what this market is asking for and delivering on it with TERRA. Terra is an outstanding optical product at an incredibly competitive price. TERRA ED line of products brings an additional choice of optics to millions more sportsmen in the U.S.”   TERRA ED binoculars offer exceptional visual experiences, packaged in an attractive, functional design. Thanks to SCHOTT ED glass with ZEISS MC multi-coated lenses, the images are always bright and clear, even in low-light conditions when wildlife is more active. With comfortable ergonomics and robust, lightweight, waterproof construction, TERRA ED binoculars are built to handle rugged terrain and harsh conditions. With a stunning 5.25 ft. close focus and a generous wide field of view, you’ll never miss a thing. The compact size makes TERRA ED extremely mobile in the field. All TERRA ED binoculars are backed by ZEISS’ U.S. limited lifetime transferable warranty.   8x32 With its compact and lightweight design, rugged construction, comfortable ergonomics and wide field of view, the 8x32 is the ideal companion for bowhunters, birders and wildlife observers who demand quality optics for open country observation. MSRP: $411.10 10x32 With the 10x32, we have added magnification without adding extra weight. For situations in the field that call for a closer look, such as scoring game or observing the fine details in nature, the 10x32 delivers bright, crisp images, even in low light. MSRP: $444.43   Technical data:                                                                                  8x32                    10x32 Magnification                                                             8                         10 Objective lens diameter            (mm)                        32                          32 Exit pupil diameter                    (mm)                      4.0                          3.2 Twilight Factor                                                         16.0                      17.9 Field of view              (ft/1000 yds)(m/1000m)         405/135                  336/112 Subjective angle of view             (°)                          60                          63 Close-up setting limit              (ft / m)                                     4.9  /  1,5 Diopter Adjustment Range       (dpt)                                         +/- 4 Exit pupil distance                  (mm)                                           16.5 Pupil Distance                         (mm)                                         56 - 74 Lens type                                                                                ED Prism system                                                                   Schmidt-Pechan Coating                                                                          Hydrophobic Zeiss MC                                                          Nitrogen Filled                                                                         Yes Waterproof                           (mbar)                                          100 Operation Temperature         (°F / C°)                              -5° / +140°     -15° / +60° Length                                 (in / mm)                                     4.9  /  125 Width with an eye spacing of 65 mm  (in / mm)                             4.37  /  111 Weight                                    (oz / g)                                       17.98  /  510 Subject to changes in design and scope of supply due to technical improvements.   For more information on ZEISS’ award winning products, please visit us at www.zeiss.com/us/sports-optics or join us at facebook.com/CarlZeissHuntingUS.     About the ZEISS Group ZEISS is an international leader in the fields of optics and optoelectronics.  The more than 24,000 employees of ZEISS generated revenue of about 4.2 billion euros in fiscal year 2012/13.  Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany.  ZEISS has been contributing to technological progress for more than 160 years.  ZEISS develops and produces solutions for the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries, biomedical research and medical technology, as well as eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, binoculars and planetariums.  ZEISS is present in over 40 countries around the globe with more than 40 production facilities, around 50 sales and service locations and over 20 research and development sites.  Carl Zeiss AG is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).    

Mia & the Little Gal: Adventure Camp post up at the WON Posted on July 27, 2012 by Mia Anstine Guess what?!A new post is up at the WON. Head over there and let us know what YOU’VE been doing this summer. Mia & The Little Gal: A very special adventure camp July 27, 2012 by Women’s Outdoor News Leave a Comment The Little Gal and I have been experiencing an amazing, whirlwind of a summer. We hope you have been enjoying yours as well. We already shared some of oursummer vacation with you, but summer did no…Read more of this post at:  http://www.womensoutdoornews.com/2012/07/mia-the-little-gal-a-very-special-adventure-camp/ Getting kids outside! ….. Don’t forget to read about Mia & the Little Gal’s adventures at the Women’s Outdoor News Visit Prois Hunting for hunting and field apparel for women. Visit TenPoint Crossbows for “the mark of perfection” in crossbows Advertisements on this site are random and do not express or represent the opinion of Mia Anstine.

Coyotes are very curious! They will come to investigate almost any distress call or coyote vocalization. If they hear, smell or see anything unfamiliar it will make very suspicious. Success means trick alltheir senses!   However, you won't see them if : 1. There are no coyotes in the area! Scout first, unless you don't mind doing lots of empty stands. 2. They hear you! Sloppy approach often ruins the hunt before you begin to call. Any unfamiliar noise will spook them. Stealth mode is a must at all time. 3. They smell you! You know if somebody farts in your room. Coyotes know when something smells abnormal in there territory. 4. They see you! Can you see movement at 500 yards with binoculars? Coyotes wear binoculars permanently and they find anything out of place in a glance. Add movement and they vanish before you knew they were there. 5. They circle downwind! They'll do anything to smell their prey. They're willing to walk in the rough to get behind. Make it impossible or get somebody to cover the back door. I know I had many coyotes coming a few yards behind me before they spooked (heard them). 6. You call too early after getting to the stand! Impossible to be 100% stealth. However, little noise might spook coyotes, unless it's obvious it's a human. Once on your stand, wait at least 10 minutes completely silent before calling to let everything settle down. 7. You leave too early just after you last call ! Shy or suspicious coyotes will often come to investigate a sound more than 10 minutes after everything gets quiet. After you last call, don't move, open you eyes and ears and sit tight. 8. You call too long! If you use a hand call, coyotes will pinpoint your position pretty fast. As the time passes on the stand, shorter should be the sequence (like 15 seconds call and 2 minutes listening). If you want to play hide and seek with a coyote, the yote should be the one looking for you, not the opposite or you will loose. If you use an electronic caller away from you, you can let it run longer, especially if you add a decoy. 9. You try to call them in an open area in daylight! Most hunters try to call the coyotes in open areas. They don't like to expose themselves. They prefer to stay in cover, even when they circle downwind. They will be on the move more often after sunset and before sunrise. Hunting in woodlots is challenging and the coyotes feel safer when coming to the call. Tree stands are great is this situation. 10. You look at the wrong place! Coyotes often come where you least expect them. Most of the time, you see the coyote when it's out in the field. Coyotes will see you when still in the wood. They will often follow to the tree lines, fences, ditches, etc. Look for the white spot on their front. HUNTING COYOTE IS AN ART! IT TAKES PATIENCE AND EXPERIENCE! MOST OF THE TIME, YOU COME BACK WITH ONLY MEMORIES.. HOWEVER, THE ONES YOU'LL REMEMBER FOREVER WILL COME IF YOU FOLLOW THESE TIPS... GOOD LUCK!

Arrow Puller from TenPoint Crossbow Technologies® by Mia Anstine The Little Gal was fortunate enough to receive a compound bow for Christmas. We practice shooting three to four times a week and she is really getting pretty good. If any of you have spent any time shooting targets with a compound or crossbow, you probably know it can sometimes be hard to pull your arrow [...] Read more of this post

    Garmin(R) Enters the Action Camera Market with Compact, Waterproof, Easy-to-use HD Cameras, VIRB™ and VIRB Elite™   OLATHE, Kan./ August 20, 2013/Business Wire—Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced VIRB, its first true HD 1080p action camera series. From action sports to family vacations, VIRB combines a unique feature set that makes it easier than ever to capture life’s memories. VIRB features a rugged and waterproof (IPX-7) housing, so there is no extra case necessary to withstand the elements. The unique 1.4-inch Chroma™ color display makes setup and playback a breeze and uses minimal power so VIRB can record up to three hours of true HD (1080p) video on one charge. On-board video enhancement features such as digital image stabilization and lens distortion correction ensure that footage recorded with VIRB will look great, even before editing. VIRB can capture high quality still photos while the video camera is recording. VIRB Elite incorporates all these features, plus has built-in WiFi, data sensors and a high-sensitivity GPS. Both VIRB and VIRB Elite feature ANT+™ connectivity for remote control functionality with other Garmin products, and for data transfer with other fitness sensors.   “Action cameras are growing rapidly in popularity, and VIRB has some game-changing key features—like a color display, extended battery life, optional GPS and compatibility with existing Garmin products—that set it apart from other cameras on the market,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Our customers already embrace an active lifestyle, whether they’re hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, trail runners, boaters, or pilots, so a Garmin action camera is a compelling option to them. With GPS and enhanced wireless capabilities in VIRB Elite, users can capture not only what they were doing, but also where they were and how they did it—and then share it with their friends and family.”   VIRB has a sleek, aerodynamic design that makes it fun and simple to record HD video- just move the slider forward to record. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery can record up to three hours of HD (1080p) video with one charge, and can be easily changed on the go. The WideVü lens captures all the action, and the high-resolution Chroma display makes it easy to change menu settings, set-up and playback shots, but has reflective technology so it doesn’t drain the battery. The 1.4-inch screen uses ambient light (instead of a battery-draining backlight) to illuminate the screen and make it easy to see in bright sunlight.   VIRB is durable enough to capture even the most extreme activities right out of the box. With the rugged external housing, VIRB has an IPX-7 waterproof rating (can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes), so it can record activities like skiing and kayaking without additional protection or fear of damage. An optional dive case is available for deep-sea adventures, as well as a wide variety of other rugged mounts to secure VIRB to handlebars, helmets, surfboards and more. VIRB easily snaps into the mounts, and the teeth linkages tightly secure VIRB in place to prevent drooping and sagging in high vibration environments. There is even an available industry standard mounting adapter, making it easy for existing action camera users to get started with VIRB.   Users don’t have to be professional cinematographers to get great footage with VIRB. Video enhancement features ensure quality footage, even before the editing process begins. The digital image stabilization technology corrects camera shakiness for smoother footage, and the lens distortion correction feature gives users the option to automatically remove the fish-eye look that is common with action cameras. In addition to high quality video, VIRB can take 16 megapixel stills with photo burst and time lapse options. VIRB can even take stills while recording video. VIRB also has a micro HDMI output for convenient video playback and a microSD slot that can hold up to 64GB card (64GB microSD card can hold over seven hours of 1080p video).   VIRB Elite incorporates all these features, as well as high-sensitivity GPS, accelerometer, altimeter and WiFi. WiFi capabilities allow users to connect to the free mobile applications for iPhone and Android. VIRB Elite comes equipped with specific activity profiles so users can track location, speed, elevation, heart rate (monitor sold separately) and more while recording. This data can be reviewed right on the device, or can be embedded into their video during the editing process.   Additionally, in Ski Mode, the VIRB Elite is able to recognize the difference between going down the mountain and going up the ski lift. In this setting, VIRB Elite automatically turns on and starts recording when going down the mountain, and then goes into standby mode once on the ski lift. This mode saves battery and memory space, and keeps the user from forgetting to record when going down the mountain. This allows VIRB Elite to record all the action while users focus on their activity.   VIRB allows many current Garmin customers to take advantage of the Garmin ecosystem. In addition to the optional accessory remote (available January 2014), the Edge(R) 810, f?nix™, quatix™, Oregon(R) 600 series, and many more can control VIRB allowing users to start and stop recording and take stills right on the device through ANT+ wireless communication (for the full list of device compatibility, visit garmin.com/virb).  Also through ANT+, users are able to control several connected VIRB devices. Just move the slider forward to record on the master device, and all the other connected VIRB devices will record as well. VIRB Elite is compatible with other sensors with ANT+ connectivity such as the heart rate monitor, cadence sensor and tempe™ temperature sensor. This data can then be embedded into the video during the editing process, or viewed on the display of VIRB Elite.   To complement VIRB Elite, Garmin is launching a mobile application for preview, playback and remote functionality, along with a free desktop software application to edit and upload VIRB and VIRB Elite videos. With this software, users can easily edit their footage and embed sensor data in the video, then share with family and friends or upload to social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.   VIRB and VIRB Elite will be widely available for purchase in September 2013. VIRB MRP is  $299.99, and VIRB Elite MRP is $399.99. VIRB is the latest solution from Garmin’s outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences. Whether it’s golfing, hiking, hunting or geocaching, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about Garmin’s other outdoor products and services, go to garmin.com/outdoors, garmin.blogs.com and twitter.com/garmin.     About Garmin International Inc.Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin, Edge and Oregon are registered trademarks and VIRB, ANT+, tempe, quatix, and f?nix are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.     All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.   Notice on Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations.  The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983).  A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html.  No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.   FCC Notice: VIRB has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. These devices are not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.    

I know I know, its only January and I am already thinking about Spring Turkey season, Ive got a chance to hunt a place that hasnt been turkey hunted in several years! I am one excited dude!! I will be calling for a friends neice, she hunts but has never turkey hunted before, so Im really excited about it! I want to try to get her a good bird and then I would like to try to get a good one as well! How many of you guys hunt turkeys? Do you have a favorite call you use? I use a box and a slate call, Ive tried using a mouth call, but all I sound like is a dying cat! LOL I hope you guys are enjoying the off season so far!! Got lots to do before the weather changes and gets a bit warmer, then its time to chase turkeys and go hit the flats for some specks!!

  Angered Sportsmen To Gather By Toby Bridges       Sponsored by: Lobo Watch Many Montana, Idaho and Wyoming residents who have been adversely affected or threatened by an ever growing wolf population in the Northern Rockies have come to the realization that this issue will never be resolved by the presiding judge of the U.S. District Court in Missoula, MT. Any time that Judge Donald Molloy schedules a court session to hear arguments from staunch environmental groups wanting more protection for wolves, and thousands of more wolves on the landscape, sportsmen and those residents who have come to appreciate a rich wildlife heritage in this region of the country know they are about to lose – again. And this has angered many who have grown tired of watching wildlife populations being destroyed by an ever greater number of wolves. So much so, that a huge crowd of protesters is expected to gather outside and around the federal courthouse, at the corner of East Broadway and North Patte streets, during an upcoming hearing when Molloy listens to arguments from environmental groups about why the meaning of the “non-essential” and “experimental” classification of the Canadian wolves should be changed or eliminated. Sportsmen and livestock producers know that such change will make it even harder to gain control of a wolf population in the Northern Rockies, which many feel now exceeds 4,000 – not the 1,700 claimed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the environmental groups. All parties involved are to submit briefs by February 22, with the expected court date to be in March. (Watch for the date and time on LOBO WATCH.) The continued growth of the wolf population in the Northern Rockies is the result of management, or control, being withheld from state wildlife agencies. That management, as outlined in the original Northern Rockies Wolf Recovery Plan and the 1994 Environmental Impact Statement filed by the USFWS, was to have been turned over to those agencies in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming when the numbers reached 300 – with at least 100 wolves and 10 breeding packs in each state. That goal was reached 10 years ago, and other than one 2009 wolf hunting season held in Montana and Idaho, no other such management has taken place. And those who have been hardest hit by escalated wolf depredation have grown weary of the legal foot dragging, and those responsible. The wolf kill remains of the family dog. At the heart of the problem has repeatedly been U.S. District Court judge Donald Molloy. During a 2010 hearing, Molloy listened to arguments from the same environmental groups he will receive briefs from by February 22, as to why a scheduled wolf control/management hunt for that fall was too premature, and why wolves should once again be relisted under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. After nearly two months of deliberation, he ruled that wolves would be put back on the Endangered Species List, and the hunts scheduled for Montana and Idaho were canceled. Molloy’s court has not recognized Wyoming’s wolf management plan as being adequate, and had already ruled that a management hunt could not be conducted in that state during the fall and winter of 2009. Likewise, the state was also excluded from the possibility of a hunt in 2010. Ironically, the USFWS had helped the State of Wyoming draft their management plan, and USFWS had given it their seal of approval. However, when Judge Molloy criticized Wyoming for not allowing wolves to run statewide, USFWS then rejected the state’s plan. And Molloy’s 2010 decision was based purely on the backpedaling by USFWS – for which Molloy was largely responsible. This is not the small gray or timber wolf the environmentalists have encouraged. His decision was that since Northern Rockies wolves are recognized by that same flip-flopping USFWS as a “Distinct Population Segment”, the 2010 hunts scheduled in Montana and Idaho could not be held. It was his decision that until the Wyoming wolf management plan was changed to become more like the plans adopted by Montana and Idaho, it was wrong to allow the hunts in the other two states. And this really puzzled sportsmen who have had to deal with micro-managed wildlife populations for most of the past 50 years. Molloy’s ruling denied the opportunity to reduce wolf numbers in the other two states, where wolves were wiping out big game populations, and were turning more and more to livestock depredation. Despite the fact that intense management was needed in Montana and Idaho, Donald Molloy once again ruled in favor of pro-wolf environmentalists. Several months after that decision, another federal judge, Alan Johnson, in Cheyenne, WY made the decision that USFWS had been wrong to reject the Wyoming wolf management plan. Although that plan called for managing wolves in just the northwestern corner of the state, in only about 12-percent of the state, in and around Yellowstone National Park, there were right at 350 wolves there – which is 3 1/2 times as many as outlined in the original plan. When first outlined, environmental groups like the Defenders of Wildlife accepted the recovery numbers of 100 wolves per state, but have repeatedly taken the issue back to Molloy’s court to get the goal line moved farther and farther ahead.   This moose was, perhaps, fortunate to have survived a wolf attack. This is not a problem in just the Northern Rockies. The same has taken place in the Upper Midwest, where 6,000 or more wolves now roam across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. And gray wolves are now being found in Washington, Oregon, Utah and Colorado, with lone wolves being killed in the Dakotas, Missouri and Nebraska. If the Center for Biological Diversity has its way, this spreading is just the beginning. This radical environmental group has stated their goal is to see wolves restored all across this country, from coast to coast, running by the tens of thousands. This is one of the organizations which will be represented by Earthjustice during Molloy’s upcoming hearing. And many of those who will be protesting outside of the courthouse that day will know that should this overly environmental organization friendly judge dramatically change or eliminate the “non-essential” or “experimental” classification of the non-native and non-endangered Canadian wolves transplanted into the Northern Rockies, it will make it tougher to control the wildlife and livestock damage inflicted by wolves – and possibly to halt their spread into every state of the Continental U.S.   That fear has resulted in proposed national legislation to get wolves removed from the Endangered Species List, and the right to manage wolf numbers returned to the wildlife agencies of each and every state. Although two bills that were drafted in the Senate and the House of Representatives failed to make it onto the floor in 2010, they have since been revamped into Senate bill S.249 and House resolution H.R.509 for 2011 – and both seek the right of affected states to manage or control wolf populations and the damage wolves inflict. While sportsmen and livestock producers are sure to support these bills, environmental groups are just as sure to fight them tooth and nail. Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife, has commented, “These bills would sacrifice wildlife belonging to all Americans just because a small minority of people don’t like wolves.” The sportsmen of this country, who have been the ones to actually foot the bill for wildlife conservation for the past hundred years, not environmental groups like Defenders of Wildlife or the Center for Biological Diversity, say the exact same thing about radical pro-wolf and extremely anti-hunting environmentalists. U.S. hunters feel these groups are willing to sacrifice a wealth of elk, deer, moose, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and other wildlife just to pull game numbers so low that populations can no longer support hunter harvest. At a January press conference, David Allen, the c.e.o. and president of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation shared that the goal of this legislation is not to wipe out wolf populations, but rather to control wolf numbers at an acceptable level – a level that does not result in the dramatic loss of other wildlife resources. He also stated that the efforts of the environmental groups has nothing to do with saving wildlife, but rather to support their anti-hunting agenda, and to abuse the Equal Access to Justice Act which has become a very lucrative cash cow for these groups. Ryan Benson, national director for Big Game Forever says, “It is time to put aside the divisive politics that are used against any group who petitions for the promises of the ESA to be fulfilled. Not only does such divisive rhetoric ignore the investment of states, sportsmen and livestock producers in wolf recovery, it is also counterproductive to a constructive dialog of the need of wolf populations to be managed responsibly.” Those sportsmen and ranchers who will be marching outside of Missoula’s federal courthouse when the wolf issue sees yet another day in court have had their fill of demanding environmental groups, and feel that the outdoor lifestyle they have chosen and love is now becoming what is truly endangered. They are now ready and willing to fight back. For More go to:  LOBO WATCH http://www.lobowatch.com/

Harrisburg, PA -(Ammoland.com)- With small-game hunting seasons set to kick off this weekend, Pennsylvania’s state game lands are being stocked with pheasants in a year what Game Commission officials describe as an excellent year for pheasant production. Nearly 220,000 pheasants will be produced this year by the Game Commission’s game farms to be stocked on game lands and other public lands to provide hunting opportunities for Pennsylvania hunters. About 17,000 pheasants were released ahead of the weeklong junior-only season, which ended Oct. 18, and beginning this week, there will be several consecutive weekly releases of pheasants, as well as a late-season release of hen pheasants. In all, 103,540 roosters and 82,190 hens have been allocated for release statewide ahead of and within the early small-game season, with an additional 6,620 hens allocated for release for the late season. The best pheasant-hunting habitat and hunter access occur on more than 230 tracts of state game lands and other public lands under cooperative management with the Game Commission, and about 75 percent of the pheasants are stocked there. The remaining 25 percent are released on private lands enrolled in the Game Commission’s Hunter Access Program. But Robert C. Boyd, who oversees the Game Commission’s pheasant propagation program, said a yet undetermined number of surplus birds also will be released this year, driving the total number released toward 220,000.   “This has been a very good year for pheasant production, and it’s Pennsylvania’s pheasant hunters who will reap the rewards,” said Boyd, who heads the Wildlife Services Division, within the Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Management. “Our survey work has shown that Pennsylvania’s hunters strongly support our pheasant propagation program and the hunting opportunities it provides and this should be a banner year for pheasant hunting.”   Pennsylvania’s small-game season, which includes pheasant and rabbit seasons, kicks off on Saturday. Saturday also marks the opener for fox, raccoon and bobwhite quail hunting, and the trapping seasons for foxes, raccoons, coyotes, opossums, striped skunks and weasels kick off on Sunday. Meanwhile, seasons for squirrels and ruffed grouse, as well as the archery deer season have already begun. And the fall turkey season opener in many Wildlife Management Units begins Nov. 1. It’s that magical time of year when all of Pennsylvania’s hunters and trappers have something to get excited about, said Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough.   “By this weekend, prime time for Pennsylvania hunting will have certainly arrived,” Hough said. “At no other time of year do so many opportunities await hunters and trappers, and I hope they make the time to get out there and enjoy all that fall has to offer.”   Hough said pheasant hunting is a great way to introduce young people to hunting. Through stocking efforts, many birds await hunters, and the hunts often are action-packed. Game Commissioner James J. Delaney Jr., who represents several northeastern counties on the Board of Game Commissioners, said the opening of the small-game season is something to which avid bird hunters like himself look forward for most of the year. “It doesn’t get any better than spending a day hunting pheasants with your trusty bird dog, and I’d encourage any hunter to give it a try,” Delaney said. “Tracts all across Pennsylvania hold numbers of pheasants just waiting to be flushed. It’s exciting just thinking about it.”   A wealth of information on ring-necked pheasants, the Game Commission’s pheasant management program, and stockings statewide can be found at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website by placing the cursor over the “Hunt/Trap” tab, then selecting “Hunting,” then “Ring-necked Pheasant.” The general pheasant hunting season closes on Nov. 29, and the late season opens on Dec. 15. Only roosters may be hunted in many WMUs, check Page 20 of the 2014-15 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest for details. The digest is issued to all hunters at the times they buy their licenses, and also is available online through the Game Commission’s home page. Hunters also should note that pheasant hunting is closed in all Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, where the Game Commission is attempting to restore self-sustaining wild pheasant populations. Maps of Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas begin on Page 21 of the digest. As of this release, all hunting and trapping activity remained closed on all lands public and private within Price, Barrett and Paradise townships, Monroe County, due to the ongoing search for a fugitive wanted in the ambush-shooting death of a state trooper. Information on the closures will be updated regularly at the Game Commission’s website. About the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) The Pennsylvania Game Commission is legally mandated to manage wildlife for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians, as well as all wildlife and the habitat that supports their existence. Pennsylvania’s Constitution and Game and Wildlife Code direct the Game Commission to protect, manage, and preserve wildlife and their habitat within the Commonwealth for the benefit of all people, including generations yet to come. Based on this direction, the Game Commission adopted the mission statement “to manage all wild birds, wild mammals, and their habitats for current and future generations.” Read more: http://www.ammoland.com/2014/10/pennsylvania-game-commission-to-release-nearly-220000-pheasants/#ixzz3GzqEr8C9 Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Follow us: @Ammoland on Twitter | Ammoland on Facebook

                 ZEISS Announces New Revolutionary Hunting binoculars -The VICTORY SF     NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA., (September 9, 2015) - Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, the world's leading manufacturer of high performance sports optics, is pleased to announce the release of the new VICTORY SF binocular as the perfect complement to the VICTORY super-premium line of products. Next to the VICTORY HT, specialized for extremely low light, the VICTORY SF is the ultimate all-purpose binocular.   Offering the most brilliant images, the widest fields of view available combined with perfect ergonomics, it is ideal for all types of hunting.” said Mike Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics. “We are introducing an entirely new product design with a triple-link bridge. The ZEISS VICTORY SF is setting the new standard in optical performance and ergonomics.”   The core of the new ZEISS VICTORY SF is the Ultra-FL lens, designed to achieve new levels of resolution, brilliance and color reproduction. ZEISS engineers have developed a new, highly innovative optical system comprised of two fluoride lenses made with SCHOTT glass. The result is a spectacular and previously unimaginable viewing experience, full of brilliance and intricate details. The SF binoculars weigh in at just 27.5 ounces, extraordinarily light-weight for this type of optical performance. This allows for hours of fatigue-free viewing with the highest possible optical quality. In addition to this radical reduction in weight, the ZEISS VICTORY SF also introduces a new revolution in ergonomics: the Ergo-Balance concept. Unlike classic binoculars, the focal point of the lens is shifted further towards the back for comfortable viewing for extended periods of time. This is a product feature that hunters will definitely notice when using the VICTORY SF in the field.   The newly developed seven-lens eyepiece with ZEISS field flattener technology creates an extremely sharp image with extremely wide fields of view. The VICTORY SF 10x42 with 360 ft. field of view (FOV) and VICTORY SF 8x42 with 444 ft. (FOV) at 1000 yards are unmatched in their classes. In contrast to the traditional double-link bridge, the mechanics of the new ZEISS VICTORY SF were moved to the bridge above the focusing wheel. As a result, the focusing wheel is shifted towards the hand used to operate it for greater ergonomic benefits. There is also enough space to operate the focus wheel with gloves on in cold weather. This new position of the focusing wheel allows the hand to hold the binoculars in a very relaxed position for hours of fatigue-free viewing. The newly developed anti-slip tread on the focusing wheel improves the grip for quick focusing – even in wet conditions.   ZEISS engineers have integrated its Smart Focus concept into the VICTORY SF binoculars. Conventional binoculars require the focusing wheel to be turned 2.5 times in order to change from the close focus to the maximum observation distances. The VICTORY SF only requires the focus wheel to be turned 1.8 times, a distance that is 39% shorter. This makes it possible to focus more quickly and accurately – an ideal feature for quick and precise game observation.   The VICTORY SF binoculars are proudly manufactured at the Wetzlar production site, with the distinction of being “Made in Germany” and backed by an industry leading no fault / limited lifetime transferable warranty.   VICTORY SF 8x42: The 8x42 offers outstanding and fascinating high-contrast viewing. The 8x magnification creates an extremely large field of view, allowing for hours of viewing with unparalleled stability. With the widest field of view available these binoculars are the perfect companion when it comes to getting a quick overview of complex terrain.   VICTORY SF 10x42: The 10 x 42 allows outstanding viewing at great distances. The 10x magnification offers an unexpected level of precision and incredibly sharp details. The Ergo-Balance concept allows for easy, comfortable handling despite the higher magnification.   MSRP: VICTORY SF 8x42 $2,888.87 VICTORY SF 10x42 $2,944.43   Technical data:   About the ZEISS Group ZEISS is an international leader in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. The more than 24,000 employees of ZEISS generated revenue of about 4.2 billion euros in fiscal year 2012/13. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. ZEISS has been contributing to technological progress for more than 160 years. ZEISS develops and produces solutions for the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries, biomedical research and medical technology, as well as eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, binoculars and planetariums. ZEISS is present in over 40 countries around the globe with more than 40 production facilities, around 50 sales and service locations and over 20 research and development sites. Carl Zeiss AG is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

Firearms Owners, Industry Not the "Bad Guys," Says NSSF President Steve Sanetti in PBS Frontline Interview NEWTOWN, Conn. -- In an extended interview with the PBS Frontline program, Steve Sanetti, president and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, emphatically says that the nation's firearms owners and firearms industry are not responsible for the criminal misuse of firearms and, consequently, should not be subjected to the severe restrictions being considered by Congress and many state legislatures. "[Firearms owners] are not the bad guys. The industry isn't the bad guys," said Sanetti in the interview. "Insofar as we can help the situation we want to be able to help. But that doesn't mean piling meaningless restrictions and onerous conditions upon people who want to exercise their rights and just enjoy what they do peacefully." PBS has devoted unprecedented airtime this week across all of its news programming platforms to coverage of violence in American society. NSSF agreed to do the interview in order to provide the firearms industry's perspective on contentious gun and legislative issues. NSSF is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry and has more than 8,000 members. The following quotes by Sanetti are taken from the wide-ranging interview: On restricting magazine capacity: "Millions and millions of law-abiding Americans use semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines of varying capacities, and millions and millions of them every day don't do a thing wrong. And so we feel that it's not the correct approach and do not support magazine limitation." On selling guns and providing safety literature: ". . . people look at a trade association like ours and assume that the only thing we're interested in is selling guns. Not true. We want our products to be used safely and responsibly. Because let's face it, we're the ones who get blamed if products are used unsafely or irresponsibly." On Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) saying AR-style rifles are designed to kill people: "With all due respect he could not be more wrong . . . . You have millions and millions . . . of Americans who pass a background check, who buy these guns and have millions and millions of magazines . . . . [Yet] the crime rate has been going down. If you tell these people . . . who use these guns for legitimate purposes . . . ‘You're nothing but a murderer, because that's the only reason why anyone would own guns is to kill people.' How are you going to get these people to cooperate [on solutions to violence]?" On violence and guns: "Let's take Connecticut. In Connecticut there are exactly two homicides committed with a rifle of any kind in the last seven years. There were 40 deaths annually from knives, 320 deaths annually from clubs and 20 deaths annually from hands and feet. So it's not just firearms.Yes, firearms can be misused, but other things can be misused too. So the focus I think should be on violence." Who or what is to blame for what happened in Newtown? "I think primarily the firearms owner in this instance was not exercising that degree of personal responsibility . . . she should have done. She knew she had an at-risk individual in her home . . . . She knew he needed help. She knew he was mentally troubled. She had firearms in the house that she purchased legally. She had gone through all the background check required in Connecticut, the guns were registered to her, nothing was done improperly or illegally. But where I think she really caused this incident was by not adequately storing these guns securely away from her son who she knew to have these problems. Had she done that this incident would not have occurred and you wouldn't see this big cry over, let's have more gun control." On hasty lawmaking: ". . . people react emotionally. And I think people make bad decisions when they are angry, when they are fearful and when they act in haste. And I think that this situation had the making of all three." On restrictions on, and increased sales of, firearms: "We want people to own firearms for the right reasons because they understand, respect them, enjoy them, and will use them safely, properly, and responsibly. So the idea of a mad rush for everybody to buy a firearm I don't think is necessarily the best trend in the world but it's a fact of life because, as I say, we're Americans, and if you say we can't have something, people want it." Frontline has posted its complete interview with Steve Sanetti in written Q&A format. The broadcast segments are nowonline as well. To stay abreast of federal and state legislation that could potentially restrict ownership and use of semiautomatic firearms and ammunition and also to write your legislators, visit the NSSF Legislative Action Center here. Bill Brassard Jr.203-426-1320