Our next spotlight on this year’s Region Volunteers of the Year is a twofer. Jeremie and Stephanie Wallace, together, are the 2011 Southern Region recipients.

A select committee of senior NRA staff choose the Region volunteers from the pool of Field Rep-selected Area volunteers. To call attention to their exception service, the Region Volunteers of the Year were brought up on stage during the National NRA Foundation Banquet at this year’s Annual Meeting and were recognized as honored guests.

Jeremie & Stephanie Wallace call Valdosta, Georgia, home and are the current chairman and treasurer, respectively, of the Valdosta Area Friends of NRA committee. With only five years of service these two are relatively new members of the Friends of NRA family, but they’ve made quite the impact in their short time.

The Wallaces raised over $43,000 for their committee in the 2011 banquet season, a number that includes banquet tickets sold, sponsorships, underwriting, and donations. Formed in 1996, the Valdosta Area Friends of NRA committee hosted 63 attendees at its inaugural banquet, raising about $3,000. By 2011 both of those numbers had leaped considerably, with the committee sporting 158 attendees and over $22,000 raised at its 2011 banquet. All in all the Valdosta Area Friends of NRA have had 2,085 attendees to its 16 banquets and has raised $174,195 for NRA programs.

“Jeremie and Stephanie embody the spirit of the Friends of NRA mission. They are truly working solely to raise funds for the future of the shooting sports. Their passion and determination is infectious and wonderful to be around,” Brad Ward, NRA Field Rep, Georgia. “This team deserves our recognition and our sincere thanks, as they are the heart and soul of the Friends of NRA.”

Jeremie and Stephanie have run Georgia’s most successful banquet for the last three years, accomplishing this by securing underwriting for the entire cost of the event prior to opening the doors – impressive. Wanting to share the wealth – literally – the Wallaces stepped up to lead their committee as well as educate other committees in Georgia on how to obtain underwriting and run the event like it is a business.

Outside of the NRA, the two are both extremely active within community organizations such as the 4H, Boy Scouts, and almost any local youth education program or event.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - The Wallaces from Georgia are NRA Volunteers of the Year

Beginning this week, sportsmen will have the option to donate $1 to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry when they purchase their Arkansas Game and Fish Commission license.

AHFH is a nonprofit organization that helps Arkansans in need of food. AHFH also is designed to partner with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to provide a healthy, balanced deer herd and provide a much-needed free, low-fat, high-protein food source to the many feeding agencies and organizations across the state. The organization also allows participating hunters a venue to give back and share their bounty with others.

It is a community-minded program that provides venison and other wild game to those in need. Organizations, businesses and churches have joined farmers and hunters to transform an abundant white-tailed deer population into a renewable food source for the hungry.

Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is a highly successful program that has provided more than 2 million meals to the state’s most needy citizens. The success of the program depends upon the generosity of hunters to donate venison and other wild game, cooperation from meat processors throughout the state, support from local food distribution organizations, and the financial contributions of businesses and other citizens.

The organization needs to raise about $100,000 annually to fund the program. For more information about the organization go to: www.arkansashunters.org.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Arkansas Sportsmen Get the Opportunity to Donate to AHFH Through License Sales

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has completed the nonresident deer permit drawing for the 2012 seasons, and for those applicants who were unsuccessful, there’s good news: more than 4,000 permits are left over from the initial drawing. These permits will go on sale first-come, first-served beginning June 18, online at ksoutdoors.com.

Nonresident hunters who were successful in the drawing should expect their permits in the mail about the second week in June. Those who were unsuccessful — more than 600 applicants — will be notified about the same time. Applicants can check the number of deer permits by unit that are still available online at the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, under “Hunting/Applications-and-Fees/Deer/Quotas-and-Draw-Stats.” Department staff will update this site frequently.

Applicants will be able to check the status of individual applications at https://www1.ks.wildlifelicense.com/results_lookup.php about June 1.

June 8 is the deadline for resident-only firearm and muzzleloader antelope permits. Antelope archery permits may be purchased online and over the counter July 25 through Oct. 30. Archery antelope permits are available to both resident and nonresident.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Kansas Nonresident Deer Drawing Complete

Light up the darkness with a small but powerful flashlight from Browning, the new HI Power Pen Light. The size of a ball point pen, this flashlight is incredibly bright for its size and will run up to 20 hours.

Powered by 2 AAA batteries the HI Power Pen Light uses Cree XP-C LED lights that creates a brightness of 85 lumens. The light will run for 20 hours on the low setting and 2 hours on the high setting. The HI Power Pen Light also has a Rapid-Strobe setting for personal safety and signaling.

The HI Power Pen light is constructed out of rugged aluminum and features a pocket clip. To help keep the light from being turned on accidently, it features a lock out tail cap switch. The O-ring seal design makes the light water resistant. The HI Power Pen Light comes with a bore light adapter.

Suggested retail value for the HI Power Pen Light   $34.99

Please visit www.browning.com for more information about Browning products. 

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - New from Browning, The HI Power Pen Light

Simmons, a leader in high-quality, high-value sports optics for more than 25 years, has added three new trail cameras to its 2012 product line. Hunters can now monitor game activity around the clock, thanks to the new Simmons low-glow LED night vision technology.

Featuring a one-second trigger speed, full-color images up to 7 MP, and a high-quality 640×480 video mode, the Simmons trail cameras capture the quality and detail hunters demand. The multi image mode allows users to select from capturing one to three images per trigger, and the video mode is programmable to record five- to 60-second video clips.

Using low-glow LED flash technology, the cameras are virtually invisible to game. Add to that Simmons motion-activated, passive infrared (PIR) sensor, and hunters can monitor game out to 25, 40 or 45 feet (see chart below).

Thanks to an SD card capacity of 32GB, all three cameras can capture and store thousands of images. Powered by four AA batteries, the Simmons cameras offer an impressive six-month battery life for long-lasting, uninterrupted performance in the field. The easy-to-use LCD setup screen allows users to deploy the camera in just minutes.

Click here to view specs.

The Simmons Whitetail and ProHunter trail cameras will be available in May 2012 for an estimated retail price range of $79.99 – $129.99. Learn more about Simmons and its complete line of high-value sports optics at www.simmonsoptics.com or call 1-800-423-3537.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Simmons Offers Value and Performance with its New Trail Camera Line

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission on Tuesday approved an indefinite extension of what’s commonly referred to as the “one-buck rule” for deer hunting.

The decision to extend the rule removes the expiration date on a 10-year-old regulation that limits a hunter to taking no more than one antlered deer during the regular archery, firearms and muzzleloader hunting seasons.

The “one-buck rule” was first applied in 2002 for a five-year period. The Commission approved an extension in 2007 with an expiration date of Sept. 1, 2012.

This year, the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife proposed extending the rule indefinitely, stating that limiting deer hunters to only one buck per year is not needed to manage the deer herd. The DNR considers it a social issue, not a biological issue.

In other actions, the NRC:

• Approved the permanent appointment of three assistant property managers: Mike Miller at Ouabache State Park; Matt Wronowicz at Brookville Lake-Whitewater Memorial State Park Complex; and Lynda Ellington at Shakamak State Park.
• Granted nature preserve status to three properties: Elliott Woods in Vigo County; Section Six Flatwoods Addition in Posey County; and Glacial Esker at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Noble County.
• Authorized the Division of State Parks & Reservoirs and State Park Inns to conduct negotiations with a potential vendor for a restaurant and other operations at the Indiana Dunes State Park pavilion.

The Commission gave final approval to the following:

• Amendments that govern aquatic vegetation control permits (312 IAC 9-10-3).
• Amendments that govern entomology and plant pathology (312 IAC 18).

The Commission gave preliminary approval to:

• Amendments to fish and wildlife rules that include clarifying requirements for chasing wild animals with dogs during the hunting season, removing restrictions and handgun license requirements when chasing raccoons, adding the late season for taking lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese, adding the monk parakeet as an exempted species of bird that can be taken at any time, adding the use of bowfishing equipment and crossbows for taking Asian carp and other specified fish on rivers and streams, adding the rayed bean as an endangered species of mussel, and removing application deadlines and other changes to the special disability permit for hunters.
• Amendments to Indiana Administrative Code 312 IAC 9 governing commercial fishing, fishing guide licenses, and establishment of the new roe harvesters and dealers licenses.
• A rule to provide administrative review of testing results and continuing education credits required of individuals obtaining certain permits administered by the DNR.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Indiana NRC Extends “One-buck Rule” for Deer Hunting

2012 Outdoor Adventure Dream Giveaway

The 2012 Outdoor Adventure Dream Giveaway sweepstakes is a nationwide drawing where your entry and donation financially help the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protect the rights to hunt, fish and trap. Up for grabs in this amazing sweepstakes is a brand new Ram Truck, a boat, an off-road vehicle, a five-day elk hunt, a 4-day fishing trip in Costa Rica, plus so much more! Find out more about the sweepstakes this week!

Craig Harper – University of Tennessee

Craig A. Harper is a Professor of Wildlife Management and the Extension Wildlife Specialist in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries at The University of Tennessee. Dr. Harper is responsible for developing wildlife-related programs and one of the many focuses on establishment and management of wildlife food plots, especially forage plots for white-tailed deer. Tune in for his food plot analysis this week!

NorthCountry Whitetails – Craig Dougherty

Craig Dougherty has been involved in the hunting industry for almost 30 years. He is the co-founder of NorthCountry Whitetails and along with son Neil, created “Kindred Spirits”, one of the most recognized properties in the North. Craig puts his vast knowledge of food plots on us this week with tips and advice on how to create a whitetail paradise of your own.

Whitetail Institute – Steve Scott

Steve Scott is the Vice President of the Whitetail Institute. With more than 20 years in the whitetail industry he knows and understands the importance of forage and management. Tune in as Steve details what it takes to turn your mound of dirt and money into a successful food plot, instead of an expensive disaster.

FREE GIVEAWAY – ENTER TO WIN!!!

The weekly giveaway is a Gear Aid Camping Kit by McNett. It includes Zip Care cleaner & lubricant, Seam Grip Field Repair Kit, an Outgo Microfiber Towel and more camping supplies. Enter Here to Win!

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - This Week’s The Revolution with Jim and Trav Features Food Plots

Hunters and shooters who buy a Redfield Revolution riflescope from May 17 to July 8, 2012, can receive a $30 rebate.  In addition, Redfield Rebel binoculars purchased only from Gander Mountain May 24-July 8, 2012, are eligible for a $20 rebate.

Both are mail-in rebates; submissions must include the rebate form and proof of purchase.  For more details or to download the rebate form, visit www.redfield.com/rewards.

Built in Oregon for American hunters, Revolution riflescopes are designed to be “best in class,” offering an exceptional array of optical, mechanical and functional features at commonly affordable prices.  Also an outstanding value, the imported Rebel roof prism binoculars come in four models that cover a wide range of hunting applications and situations.

Redfield optics can be found at dealers around the country, and at major retail outlets including Cabela’s, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports + Outdoors and Scheels.

For more information, visit www.redfield.com or call 877-798-9686.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Rebates Offered for Redfield Revolution Riflescopes and Rebel Binoculars

The American Deer & Wildlife Alliance (ADWA) is proud to announce plans for a new informational campaign to provide sportsmen with the truth about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and dispel the myths surrounding the disease. The new public service campaign will include PSA ads for print, Internet, billboards, video spots, and a new website — www.CWDMyths.com.

“In the recent demonization of the deer industry, some hunting organizations and wildlife professionals have intentionally incited fear among hunters about CWD. They have even suggested that a state’s entire deer herd could be wiped out from a massive contagion of CWD,” says ADWA President John Meng. “This type of incendiary rhetoric is blatantly false and is closing down wildlife commerce and ultimately shutting off opportunities for hunters.”

The centerpiece of the campaign will be a new website at www.CWDMyths.com, scheduled for launch next month. The site will focus on generally perceived myths about CWD and provide facts so sportsmen can stay better informed about a disease which seems to have more impact on national headlines than it does on the actual deer population.

“There has never been one documented case of a herd (wild or farmed) being lost due to a contagion of CWD so we have to get past the propaganda,” adds Meng. “When you realize that raising deer can simultaneously educate and inspire our youth about the outdoors, give economic hope for family farmers, bring jobs to industry-starved rural areas, provide conservation funding, and help preserve our American outdoor traditions, the deer industry should be welcomed by all sportsmen.”

The American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization working to promote the deer and wildlife industry and to preserve our American outdoor traditions. As a part of its public education efforts, ADWA sponsors the Points Report, a full-color quarterly newsletter providing industry news and commentary; Spikes Magazine, a semiannual youth publication; www.iHuntAmerica.com website, a comprehensive search engine for hunting ranches, game preserves and outfitters; and www.BuckBreeders.com, an online directory and classified ad service for the deer and exotic ranch industry. ADWA also sponsors Keith Warren’s Deer & Wildlife Stories, a nationally broadcast television program on the Pursuit Channel, and the Outdoor Patriot (www.OutdoorPatriot.com), a monthly podcast which features commentary and industry guests.

To support the upcoming CWDMyths campaign or for more information about the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance, visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org or call 512.778.6292.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - American Deer & Wildlife Alliance Announces New Campaign to Dispel Myths on CWD

Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor TV for the American sportsman, announced today that new show host John Riggins will kick-off his new venture with Sportsman Channel this Sunday as he helps host the network’s unique Hunt.Fish.Feed. event in Boston for The Cable Show 2012.  Sportsman announced earlier this week that Riggins, an NFL Hall of Famer and former New York Jets and Washington Redskins running back, had agreed to host a new celebrity-loaded series — “Riggo on the Range” — scheduled to begin airing January 2013 on Sportsman Channel.

Riggins will join numerous volunteers, including local elected officials, to help feed local residents in need at the Pine Street Inn shelter in Boston’s South End on Sunday, May 20, starting at 2:30 pm ET.  Sportsman Channel’s Hunt.Fish.Feed. is a unique outreach program that taps an underutilized food source—game meat and fish donated by sportsmen—to feed those struggling with hunger across America.  Sportsman is partnering locally with The Cable Show 2012 to help organize, staff and transport volunteers.  Hunt.Fish.Feed. has served more than 13,000 meals since its start.

“As an avid sportsman and chef, I’ve always placed a high priority on harvesting game,” said Riggins. “Sportsman Channel’s Hunt.Fish.Feed. is an extraordinary program that helps deliver nutritious and hearty meals to thousands at a time when food and money donations are down at shelters and facilities all across this nation. I’m proud to be part of this network and its unique program, and I look forward to helping serve those in need this Sunday in Boston.”

In his new show, “Riggo on the Range,” Riggins will treat viewers to a culinary twist on hunting, featuring guest celebrities from food, entertainment, music and sports worlds. Each segment will follow Riggins around the world in pursuit of extraordinary hunting, outdoor and cooking adventures.

“Riggo on the Range” will be a unique show in the outdoor television category. It marries the “larger than life” persona of Riggins with his love of hunting, the outdoors and culinary arts to create a series that has never been done before. In an added twist to the show, Riggins will take his prizes from the field into the kitchen to show viewers how to create a round-table feast using the assortment of in-season game and fowl he and his guests will hunt. In the first segments, Riggins and his guests will be traveling to Kansas and New Mexico as well as locations in Canada.

Riggins’ film crew is led by Curtis Fleming, award-winning host and executive producer of “Fly Rod Chronicles.” The series is produced by Fly Fishing Explorations Inc., based in Winchester, Va.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Hall of Famer John Riggins Kicks-Off his New Venture with Sportsman Channel at Hunt.Fish.Feed.Event in Boston