Official Newsletter of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance & U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation Sportsmen’s Monthly

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE what’s on the horizon for ussa winter continuing the BLUES? TRADITION how-to keep your dog in trailblazer wraps up shape through winter record year delaware getting the most and hires former out of your trail MORE hsus employee camera during

the rut November 2013 President’s Message hen you received your copy of Sportsmen’s Monthly we believe will increase our effectiveness and national Wyou undoubtedly recognized a significant change. If visibility while allowing us to attract new members who you have been watching closely over the last several issues, can help us achieve our mission. you likely noticed a few subtle tweaks here and there that we hope are adding up to a fresh and exciting new look for In order to take important steps forward, we need your our signature publication. We hope you like what you are help. We need you to help us attract new members and seeing. spread the word “...I AM COUNTING about the attacks While recognizing the on the outdoor evolution of Sportsmen’s sports that we Monthly is obvious, ON YOU TO HELP US work to thwart on there are many other a daily basis. Those things happening within ACHIEVE GREATNESS.” organizations who the organization that we hope will enhance our ability to oppose us continue to grow and it is paramount that we protect our , and trapping heritage. We are do the same in order to be effective. As sportsmen we leaving no stone unturned as we evaluate our journey over share this responsibility and I am counting on you to help the last 35 years and use that experience to chart a course us achieve greatness. Our outdoor heritage depends on it. forward. We are working on exciting new initiatives that

Nick Pinizzotto, President and CEO Identification Statement

Did you Know? Donations to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, Sportsmen’s Monthly is published by a 501c3 organization, may entitle the donor to a tax The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance & deduction this year? The USSAF is responsible for The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation education, research, the Trailblazer Adventure Program 801 Kingsmill Parkway Columbus, OH 43229 and the Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund.

Ph: (614) 888-4868 If you donate before December 31, 2013: Fax: (614) 888-0326 1. You may be able to lessen your tax burden for 2013. E-mail: [email protected] 2. You will be funding the efforts to stop attacks on our Information may be reprinted with credit to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance hunting, fishing and trapping heritage.

2 Sportsmen’s Monthly November 2013 Sportsmen’s Monthly November 2013 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: SPORTSMEN IN THE CROSSHAIRS he winter months for many people mean a period of were removed from protected status by the U.S. Fish and Thibernation, or a slow-down in their workload. This, Service after greatly exceeding population goals set however, is not the case for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance to signify their recovery. (USSA) as your rights to hunt, fish and trap are squarely in the crosshairs of the lobby, and show no In Michigan, out-of-state animal rights groups are raising signs of slowing down. Here are some examples of issues in funds to stop wolf management efforts. A group operating which we have been or are currently working: under the name “Keep Michigan Wolves Protected” initially raised more than half-million dollars to put the issue on the For example, Maine sportsmen continue to feel the heat 2014 ballot. As is the case in Maine, HSUS has been a major from anti-hunting forces as their ability to bear hunt with out of state contributer to the campaign. bait and dogs, as well as bear trapping is being threatened. The group “Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting” has reported In California, Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a raising $85,000 in its quest to send the issue to the ballot statewide ban on traditional lead ammunition for hunting. in 2014. Despite their saying this is being led by Maine As the first state in the nation to take such unnecessary citizens, only $881 has been contributed from anyone other action, California continues to be number one in working to than the Humane Society of the (HSUS), the strip sportsmen’s rights to hunt, fish and trap. country’s largest animal rights organization. Across the country, the USSA will continue to work as the Wolf management in the Great Lakes continues to see “sportsmen’s watchdog”, dedicated to fight any legislation pressure from animal rights groups, as the HSUS and a that threatens your outdoor heritage. litany of other anti-hunting organizations have an ongoing lawsuit to overturn the delisting of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. Wolves in the Great Lakes region

Delaware Hires Former HSUS Employee as Director of portsmen and women of the state of Delaware are According to an HSUS biography about Brown, she was the Sexpressing concern after a former employee of the co-founder of Delaware Voters for Animals and lobbied Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) was appointed for a variety of federal and state animal welfare legislation as the Director of the newly formed state office of Animal including anti-tethering laws, laws banning shark finning, Welfare. and coyote-hunting bills.

Hetti Brown, the former HSUS Delaware State Director and HSUS is the largest anti-hunting organization in the U.S. and registered professional lobbyist for the group, began her is number one on the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Dirty Dozen new position November 4th. She was first appointed to the list of animal rights groups. special task force led by Sen. Patricia M. Blevins, D-Elsmere, to evaluate the state’s animal control and welfare issues. Currently, HSUS is behind efforts aimed at banning bear hunting in Maine as well as overturning the delisting of Upon recommendation by the 22-member task force, the gray wolf in Michigan despite the animals having far the state office of Animal Welfare was created under the exceeded recovery goals. Division of Public Health.

Sportsmen’s Monthly November 2013 3 GET TO KNOW the USSA STAFF Jeff Watkins Director of Field Services

Entering hunting season out of shape and overweight can be dangerous WINTER for all breeds. It could lead to heat exhaustion, illness, drowning and BLUES: more. Keeping Your Dog Running is the best physical activity you can do for your dog before and in Hunting Shape after hunting season according to s the fall hunting season reaches Lynn. He recommends the use of ATVs Aits peak, all those hours of if available and also resistance training Preferred hunting implement: summer training are hopefully paying to build muscle mass and endurance. Recurve Bow off for you and your favorite hunting Favorite species to hunt: companion. But how can you keep Resistance training can come in the Whitetails & Grouse your dog in peak hunting shape form of turning your pet into a “sled Why I love USSA: throughout the late winter months dog” for the winter. Sled dog harnesses I love USSA because of the great people I work with and because I believe when all of us, including your pet, feel can be purchased for less than $50 and strongly in our mission. like going into hibernation? you can turn an old tire into a cheap and easy resistance trainer by simply Brian Lynn, Gun Dog blogger for attaching it to your dog’s harness. Frank Price Outdoor Life and an expert on dogs and training, recommends working There are also some unconventional Director of Education your canine friend two to three days methods you can use to keep your dog a week throughout the winter months in top shape when not hunting. to keep them in shape. Jeremy Moore, owner and founder “You have to train like you hunt,” of Dog Bone - a shed antler retrieving explains Lynn. “Giving your dog a system, says the winter months can couple of sprints in the backyard, also be a “new season” for your dog by a few retrieves, calling it good, and training them to hunt dropped antlers. expecting your dog to run 10 miles over a course of a day for upland “Shed hunting keeps them in tune with hunting is just not going to work.” using their nose and making retrieves,” said Moore. “But it also keeps them in Preferred hunting implement: Being in great physical shape is not shape physically because they cover a Remington 870 Wingmaster only important, but also a necessity lot of ground. It’s similar to pheasant Favorite species to hunt: Dove when it comes to man’s best friend. hunting only with different terrain.” Why I love USSA: I have a passion (Cont. on page 5) and drive to protect and advance our outdoor heritage for future generations. 4 Sportsmen’s Monthly November 2013 GET TO KNOW

USSA STAFF

THE Getting the Most from Trail RUT Cameras During the Rut or whitetail hunters, there is no more exciting time to be in effort to meet up with estrous does (those in heat). Fthe woods than during the rut. As you are reading this, the northern latitudes are approaching the peak of the rut and there Unlike early season scouting, you should check your cameras is a chance that some of you are actually reading this from your during the rut as much as possible. Every bit of information you blind or tree stand. But is simply being in the woods during the can gain will be an important piece of the puzzle. If you have rut a sure bet to get you an opportunity at the buck of a lifetime? multiple cameras, place one or two along travel corridors to and Strategic use of trail cameras during this time can help increase from the scrape to get a better idea of which direction the buck your odds of honing in on your trophy. you are looking for is coming from. While bucks can become very difficult to pattern once the peak rut is on, they can be quite A big advantage hunters have this time of year is the bucks do a predictable during the seeking phase, which is typically a week to fine job of letting you know where they are hanging out. Rubbing 10 day period that starts around Halloween. If you are diligent, it and scraping activity is continually intensifying, and just about is very possible to learn where a particular buck is coming from, every buck in the woods spends a lot of time and effort leaving when he is traveling and where he is going. Assuming you have his calling card everywhere he can. While his intention is to located your ambush point properly and are accounting for wind arrange a “business meeting” with a receptive doe, hunters can direction, you will have a very good chance of at least laying eyes also look the buck up and “arrange a blind date with trouble”. on your quarry.

When you encounter a fresh scrape, place a trail camera directly Now that digital trail cameras have been on the market for over it and plan to check it as often as possible to see who is several years and hunters have a lot more experience to share, using it. Contrary to popular belief, scrapes are typically visited you can use them in much more creative ways to increase your by multiple bucks and if you are lucky enough to encounter a odds of scoring on the buck of a lifetime. To learn even more large primary scrape and licking branch, you are in business. It is about effective trail camera use, we recommend Deer Cameras: not unusual to see several bucks using the same scrape, which The Science of Scouting, which is a publication from our friends allows you to better understand the quality of bucks in your area. at the Quality Deer Management Association. Please visit It is also common to get photographs of bucks you have not seen QDMA.com and click “Shop the Shed” to find the book as well as before as they will begin expanding their travel patterns in an a number of other exceptional whitetail resources.

Winter Blues: Keeping Your Dog in Hunting Shape Cont. from pg. 4 “Pheasant and other upland game hunting can be simulated by find yourself stuck inside for days at a time. Using small training simply practicing with the antler shed,” explained Moore. “With sessions such as walking to the mailbox is the perfect opportunity my dogs, we do a ton of retrieving into the winter and the antler to reinforce your basic commands. shape and scent is the reward rather than bird dummies.” “Use every day type things as training opportunities.” said Moore also recommends using the snow to your advantage Moore. “If you have a long driveway, take your dog with you to when trying to keep your dog in shape. Heavy snow can be used the mailbox and work on heel, stay and sit. It’s a perfect mini to “intensify” the workout, according to Moore. Running through lesson.” fresh snow is hard enough on hunters, so pushing your dog to run and make cuts in the snow is a workout in itself. The winter months may seem daunting for some, but can prove to be an excellent season for keeping your dog in tip top shape. Often times winter weather can be unpredictable and you can Sportsmen’s Monthly November 2013 5 13th Trailblazer Season Builds on Success n its 13th season, the Trailblazer Adventure a faith-based scouting organization for girls IProgram, developed by the U.S. Sportsmen’s ranging from 5-18, has chapters in nearly every Alliance Foundation and title sponsored by the state and a membership that exceeds 30,000 Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, reached new heights with youth. They hosted six Trailblazer Adventure its series of nationwide events that introduce events this season. youth and their families to our outdoor heritage. Through hands-on activities, the Trailblazer Kicking off the season in early January, Trailblazer Adventure Program introduces youth and their held 152 events in 40 states across the country families to target shooting, fishing, archery, with over 200,000 youth and their families trapping, and numerous other conservation attending. Event sites this year included Hawaii practices. marking the 49th state to hold a Trailblazer event with only Vermont remaining.

“We hosted more events this year than ever before,” said Frank Price, USSA Director of Education. “The program continues to grow, reaching more and more youth and their families and introducing them to shooting, fishing, trapping and other conservation activities. It truly is a win-win for all involved.”

Since its inception in 2001, 1.7 million youth and their families have participated in Trailblazer events.

Trailblazer partners with many youth serving agencies such as the Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCA, and the Girl Scouts. It also wrapped up its first full season with the American Heritage Girls after holding a pilot event with the group in May 2012.

CONTINUING THE TRADITION... The American Heritage Girls, TRAILBLAZER ADVENTURE

6 Sportsmen’s Monthly November 2013 UPDATE: PETA Acquires Drones to Stalk Hunters s reported in April by USSA, the The footage can be streamed live via the APeople for the Ethical Treatment Air Angels page on PETA.org. of Animals (PETA) announced that they have officially obtained drones to stalk PETA says they aim to specifically seek hunters in the field. out hunters “drinking while in the How to Deal with possession of a firearm, injuring animals Hunter Harassment: “PETA Air Angel’s,” as they are referring and failing to pursue them so that they to them, were reported today by PETA die slowly and painfully, and using Hunter harassment is illegal in all 50 to have been taken on a test flight in spotlights, feed lures and other hunting states! Massachusetts and “went off without a tricks”. As all of us know, these are things hitch.” hunters simply do not do. If you happen to encounter an anti-hunter or drone while in the The drones will be sold in PETA’s catalog What we also know is that this is just field that attempts to disrupt your for $324.99. According to the drone another in the long line of ridiculous, hunting experience, follow these description found in the catalog, PETA attention-seeking activities concocted by USSA guidlines: members can receive instant to-your- arguably the country’s most outrageous phone video footage from the drones. animal rights group. • Report the incident to authorities as soon as possible

• Have an accurate description of the anti-hunter, as well as a license plate number and vehicle information if possible

• Be prepared to file harassment charges against the perpetrators

PETA Slams Duck Dynasty Stars for Popularizing Hunting he popular TV series, Duck Dynasty, has captured the Hunting has proven to be the number one conservation Tattention of the People for the Ethical Treatment of program in protecting and expanding our nation’s Animals (PETA), with the animal rights group criticizing wildlife populations for future generations. Young the show for promoting hunting. hunters are taught the importance of safety, why we hunt and how hunting is vital to conservation efforts. Duck Dynasty, a popular show on A&E, follows the lives of the Robertson family, owners of the Duck Mathews also claims that hunting licenses have Commander duck call brand. Family members are seen plummeted in the past two decades and that “most sporting camouflage, building duck blinds, and often people have a reverence for animals.” times follows the family into the field while hunting. If Mathews would have done his research, he would PETA’s Vice President Dan Mathews is speaking out actually find that hunting license purchases have against the show, claiming that hunting encourages remained consistent over the last two decades while would-be criminals. the public’s acceptance of hunting is over 79 percent.

“Unfortunately hunting programs teach kids that PETA is the number three group on the USSA’s ‘Dirty violence is somehow acceptable,” Mathews told Dozen’ list. PETA encourages its members to break radaronline.com. established hunter harassment laws and to interfere with hunts by protesting, blowing horns, and other Nothing could be further from the truth. unlawful acts.

Sportsmen’s Monthly November 2013 7 Non-Profit Org. Address Service Requested U.S. Postage PAID Permit No.183 Columbus, Ohio

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance 801 Kingsmill Parkway Columbus, Ohio 43229-1137 Ph. (614) 888-4868 Fax (614) 888-0326 [email protected] www.ussportsmen.org

November 2013

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