The Beretta Group of companies, which includes Beretta USA, Benelli USA, and Burris has pledged to give the NRA $1 million over the next five years. This gift will benefit the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action and their Civil Rights Defense Fund’s litigation activities to further expand the scope of Second Amendment protections. This is especially important in the wake of the recent US Supreme Court ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller. Beretta USA is part of the Beretta Holding Group, which is controlled by the Beretta family. The family has been in the gun business for 15 generations and dates back to 1526. They also own, among the manufacturers mentioned previously, Franchi, Uberti, Sako and Tikka. The last two are in Finland. They must be doing something right.
Last month at the 30th World F.I.T.A.S.C. Sporting Championship in Limassol, Cyprus, Beretta Team members Richard Faulds captured gold using a Beretta DT10 with a final score of 198 out of 200. Silver went to his fellow Beretta Team Member, Anthony Matarese, Jr. Not to be out done by their team mates, Joe Cantey shot to gold in the Super Vet category with Larry Farrow taking silver. I could go on but Team Beretta is just smokin’ the clays and that’s just the men. In the Women's Category, Team Beretta's Diane Sorantino gained silver wielding a Teknys Gold Sporting.
For some reason there are still hunters who insist wild turkeys are to blame for devastating quail populations. They assert the turkey eat quail eggs and chicks. Well the scientific community has weighed in and the reason quail populations are low is a lack of quality quail habitat. Quail thrive in early growth habitat. Early growth is recognizable by small shrubs, weeds and grasses. This habitat provides ground cover for quail to avoid predators while providing a food source. Wild turkeys, on the other hand are pure opportunists and can thrive and use all types of habitat including early woodlands to mature forests. Plus turkeys travel farther in one day than quail do in a year. As turkeys travel they have more opportunity to find food and shelter. What is missing from the 21st century landscape are the small farms that dotted the landscape in the early to mid-20th century. Quail populations thrived during this time. Check out your state game and fish department website. Many have quail habitat improvement programs for landowners. And if you are not a landowner convince your neighbor that the program will benefit him (or her) and their land and the quail. C’mon do it for the quail.
It is also most that time of year again—for some of us the season has already started (see: Upland Hunting Season Openers). With out trying to sound like a broken record or corrupted MP3, remember safety in the field is always our first priority. The 
First the good news: 
Up here is the northeast the leaves have turned a scarlet red or brillant yellow. The orange color isn't too bad either. Bella and Cooper walk to the edge of the porch and raise their noses to the breeze. They smell fall as much as we see it. Many states have already started their grouse and pheasant seasons and this might come as old news to some, but for those of us who need to “call in sick,” make sure you coordinate properly.
