The International Shooting Federation (ISSF), in Munich, Germany, governs Olympic shooting sports. They recently ranked the top three skeet shooters in the world. American Haley Dunn ranked the number one in the world, followed by Ning Wei of China ranked 2nd, and Christine Brinker of Germany 3rd. Smells like Olympic gold is in store for one of these shooters.
I am absolutely convinced that nature has a sense of humor. On a recent trek through the land trust Cooper and I encountered a tree felled by a beaver. There’s nothing really unusually about that especially since the land trust has a beaver pond within its boundaries. And the tree was a hardwood so common in these parts I don’t remember if it was oak, ash or maple. The thing that made me laugh out loud was what was on the tree.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then it is with mixed emotion that someone is taking our cue. We noted shortly after this year's SHOT Show the Benelli Ultra Light was a shotgun of merit. Well it was selected as the winner of OL's Choice Award for 2008. Ok so maybe the editors at OL really do know a thing or two about shotguns. The hard part now will be finding one of these 20 gauges in my dealer’s rack.
A few week ago at the 2008 ISSF World Cup for Shotgun in Suhl, Germany, Australia's Michael Diamond (two-time Olympic gold medalist) broke 145 targets for the gold medal; Bret Erickson of the US (Don’t Mess with Texas) claimed the silver with 144; and the bronze went to Russia's Alexey Alipov, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, with 143 targets broke. Italy's Daniele Resca finished in fourth. Bostjan Macek of Slovenia and Marian Kovacocy of Slovakia tied for fifth with 141 targets each and in a shoot-off, Macek bested Kovacocy and took fifth while Kovacocy finished sixth. It looks like Erickson is a real contender for trap gold in China this year.
We sure are finding out the gun dog you like as well as the states you love to hunt birds. Don't worry we aren't asking for your secret coverts so if you have not taken the survey, please take a minute to fill it out. All you need to do is click the link to the right that says SURVEY and the survey will open. It's a heck of a lot more fun than mowing the grass this long weekend. For those of you who have filled it out, have fun mowing.
From Michigan is the brother team of Arthur and Jeff at Simply Outdoors. These guys love to hunt and fish--meaning deer and trout. They also get in a little turkey action, too. I also hear that Arthur is going to be dad. Give 'em a click.
Preliminary spring turkey harvest numbers from MassWildlife's five district offices total 2,612 birds. This breaks 2007’s total of 2,481 birds. Want to know here the hot spots are? Here are harvest numbers by district:
It is not very often we grouse hunters get to hear that the hunting conditions are excellent, so please sit down while reading this post. The state of WI has released their 2008 spring drumming report on the ruffed grouse population, which saw an increase between 2007 and 2008, making this the third boost in ruffed grouse numbers in the last three years. Let me translate: The grouse hunting is good to excellent. The survey shows an increase in drumming grouse in two of the four regions of the state. The Northern Region had an up tick of 12% and Southeast Region increased by 33%. WI’s primary grouse range is the Northern Region, which showed an increase in breeding grouse, confirming the state is still on the upswing of the current grouse cycle. Please feel free to stand and jump for joy.
The spring turkey hunting season is over in my neck of the woods and again this year Meleagris gallopavo was not convinced I was a lovely hen waiting for an amorous liaison. I did get the attention of a squirrel and it, too, was not impressed and in no uncertain terms chattered that I should leave his patch of hardwoods. I did get a few gobbles and I did a little running-and-gunning but no luck. The next morning when I let Coop out to relieve himself the tom, leaving his roost, gave a few gobbles, which I figure roughly tranlates to "see you next season, sweetheart."
Bragging rights were won at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Shoot-Out. The Shoot-Out is organized each spring by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and pits Democrats against Republicans on the trap, skeet and sporting clays. It’s a fun way to determine who are straightest shooters on Capitol Hill. Last year the Democrats won the shoot, but this year, the Republicans, lead by Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), emerged victorious along with Reps Robin Hayes (R-NC) and dual and John Kline (R-MN). Who are the top guns for the Democrats? Reps Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Don Young (R-AK), and Mike Ross (D-AR) were top shooters for the Democrats. I don't suspect that this will be the last shots fired this year, especially now that we know who is the nominee for each party.
For those of you who have taken our survey we thank you. There are many upland hunters out there and you are spread across the country and Canada. If you have not taken the survey please take a moment to fill it out. All you need to do is click the link in the right rail under SURVEY and the survey will open.
