Arizona Archery in the Schools to have Championship

Source: kingsofnewengland.tumblr.com via Archery on Pinterest

More than 300 young archers will square off in competition when the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Archery in the Schools Program (AIS) hosts its state championship tournament on Saturday, March 2, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.

The event begins with competitor check-in at 8 a.m., followed by staggered group competition at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and an awards ceremony around 3:15 p.m. (time approximate). This is the culminating event for Arizona’s AIS youth participants in grades 4-12 to test their skills, qualify for nationals, and earn a chance for college scholarships.

Arizona’s program, administered by the Game and Fish Department, is part of the National Archery in the Schools Program, which promotes international-style target archery as part of the in-school curriculum to improve educational performance and participation in the shooting sports. Students, parents and educators have lauded the program for teaching life skills such as focus, responsibility and discipline. Core content covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration, core-strengthening physical fitness, and self-improvement.

Before presenting the two-week archery course, teachers undergo an eight-hour National Archery in the Schools Program Basic Archery Instructor Training Program. To get to the archery ranges at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, take I-17 to Carefree Highway and head west for 1.5 miles to the first stoplight. Turn right at the stoplight and follow the signs to the archery ranges. Spectators are welcome.
For more information on the Archery in the Schools program, including some videos and testimonials about the national program, visit www.azgfd.gov/i_e/archery.shtml.

Youth Hunters Get First Shot At Spring Turkey Season

The 2013 youth spring turkey season will begin on private lands and authorized state and federal lands on Friday, March 8^th.  This special season coincides with spring break for many of Mississippi's school systems, and provides an excellent opportunity to introduce young hunters to the thrill of pursuing 

springtime gobblers. 

Youth hunters ages 15 and under are not required to possess a hunting license.  However, youth between the ages of 12 and 15 must have a certificate documenting satisfactory completion of a hunter education course approved by the MDWFP before hunting alone.  Youths 15 years of age and under may hunt without having a certificate of hunter education if they are in the presence and under the direct supervision of a Mississippi licensed or exempt hunter that is at least 21 years of age.  

Bag limits for spring turkey season are 1 gobbler per day, 3 per spring season.  The regulation limiting turkey harvest to adult gobblers or gobblers with at least a 6-inch beard does not apply to hunters 15 years of age and under; they may harvest 1 gobbler of choice per day, 3 per spring season.       

For more information regarding wild turkeys in Mississippi and turkey hunting opportunities, visit our website at  www.mdwfp.com/turkey or call us at 601-432-2199. 

Southwick Releases Top Hunting and Shooting Equipment Survey

Southwick Associates has announced the brands hunters and shooters purchased most frequently in 2012. This list has been compiled from the 35,081 internet-based surveys completed by hunters and shooters who volunteered to participate last year in HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com polls. In 2012, top brands included:

Top rifle brand: Remington, Ruger (each 11.5% of all purchases)
Top shotgun brand: Remington (19.7% of all purchases)
Top muzzleloader brand: CVA (31.0% of all purchases)
Top handgun brand: Sturm, Ruger (17.7% of all purchases)
Top crossbow brand: Barnett (21.7% of all purchases)
Top air rifle brand: Crosman (29.6% of all purchases)
Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (21.4% of all purchases)
Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (32.1% of all purchases)
Top handgun ammunition brand: Winchester (17.9% of all purchases)
Top blackpowder brand: Pyrodex (41.6% of all purchases)
Top balls, bullets, or shot brand: Hornady (33.0% of all purchases)
Top bow brand: Hoyt (15.0% of all purchases)
Top arrow brand: Carbon Express (30.1% of all purchases)
Top fletching brand: Blazer (24.4% of all purchases)
Top broad head brand: Rage (21.1% of all purchases)
Top release/tab brand: Tru-Fire (33.0% of all purchases)
Top archery target brand: The Block (11.9% of all purchases)
Top bow case brand: Plano (35.5% of all purchases)
Top archery sight brand: TruGlo (27.8% of all purchases)
Top decoy brand: Mojo (10.8% of all purchases)
Top game call brand: Primos (26.2% of all purchases)
Top reloading press brand: Lee Precision (37.9% of all purchases)
Top reloading die brand: Lee Precision (38.3% of all purchases)
Top reloading bullet brand: Hornady (34.0% of all purchases)
Top reloading primer brand: CCI (40.3% of all purchases)
Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon (40.7% of all purchases)
Top shot brand: Lawrence (30.2% of all purchases)
Top binocular brand: Bushnell (28.7% of all purchases)
Top scope brand for firearms: Bushnell (14.5% of all purchases)
Top spotting scope brand: Barska (10.5% of all purchases)
Top range finder brand: Bushnell (36.3% of all purchases)
Top optic sight brand: EOTech (8.7% of all purchases)
Top knife brand: Buck (13.4% of all purchases)
Top cover scent brand: Wildlife Research Center (19.9% of all purchases)
Top lure scent brand: Tinks (31.4% of all purchases)
Top odor eliminator brand: Scent-A-Way (35.8% of all purchases)
Top shooting target brand: Shoot-N-C (31.0% of all purchases)
Top tree stand brand: Guide Gear (12.1% of all purchases)
Top blind brand: Ameristep (33.9% of all purchases)
Top clay brand: White Flyer (51.3% of all purchases)
Top trail camera brand: Moultrie (25.4% of all purchases)
Top holster brand: Blackhawk (15.0% of all purchases)
Top gun sleeves brand: Allen (12.1% of all purchases)
Top gun safe brand: Stack-on (25.7% of all purchases)
Top magazine brand: ProMag (11.9% of all purchases)

The marketing data presented here is a summary of a 233-page report that details consumer behavior including what products and brands are purchased, where they are bought, how much customers spend, and demographics of hunters and shooters broken out by each product category. Current information about what gear and brands hunters and shooters prefer, how many days they spend afield and what type of hunting and shooting they enjoy most is vital to businesses trying to build their customer base.

You can stay abreast of consumer buying patterns and overall market trends by purchasing an annual subscription to Southwick Associates' monthly HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com reports. Reports are available for specific product categories including firearms, ammunition, black powder, bow hunting and archery equipment, decoys, game calls, apparel, crossbows and more. To purchase a report or subscription, contact John DePalma atjdepalma@brandintelligent.com.

About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com,HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Conducted by Southwick Associates, survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurveyand http://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey andhttps://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.

Contact:
Donna@southwickassociates.com

Press Release found at the Outdoor Wire

Minnesota's Deadly Winter on Ice

This winter season (November to April) is on track to be the deadliest on the ice in more than five years, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

So far this winter, five people have died after going through the ice in Minnesota. A sixth person is missing and presumed drowned. In the 2006-2007 winter season, eight people died in ice-related incidents.

“There could be several reasons why so many people have died this season,” said Kara Owens, DNR boat and water safety specialist. “It could be there are more people out on the ice because we have had a cooler winter and more snow.”

All the fatalities this winter involved a snowmobile or vehicle either crashing into open water or breaking through the ice.

As the winter starts to wind down and Minnesotans enter the last weekend in February, Owens has an urgent message for winter enthusiasts: “The bottom line is it’s crucial that people do not let their guard down and recognize ice is never 100 percent safe.”

Fatalities by winter season (November through April)

Year        Number of deaths

2012-2013     6*
2011-2012     4
2010-2011     4
2009-2010     1
2008-2009     2
2007-2008     3
2006-2007     8
*Including one person missing

The DNR recommends anyone heading out on the ice should measure the ice thickness and contact a local bait shop or resort about area ice conditions. For information on the DNR clear ice thickness recommendations go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/thickness.html.

Don't add to the statistics and plan early to be off by the following dates:

Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice no later than midnight for each of the dates given in the following categories below.

Border Waters

• Minnesota–Wisconsin - March 1, 2013
• Minnesota–North and South Dakota - March 5, 2013
• Minnesota–Canada - March 31, 2013

Dates of removal are determined by an eastwest line formed by U.S. Hwy. 10, east along Hwy. 34 to Minnesota Hwy. 200, east along Hwy. 200 to U.S. Hwy. 2, and east along Hwy. 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

Inland Waters

• South of line - March 4, 2013
• North of line - March 18, 2013
• If shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted, and the structure and contents may be confiscated and removed, or destroyed by a conservation officer.
• After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended.
• Storing or leaving shelters on a public access is prohibited.

It is unlawful to improperly dispose of ice fishing shacks anywhere in the state. Please clean up around your shack and check with local refuse providers or landfills for ice shelter disposal information.