U.S. Department of Justice

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- United States Attorney Robert Pitman, Special Agent in Charge Gary Orchowski, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Houston Division and Special Agent in Charge Jerry Robinette, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement –Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio announced that two San Antonio men–23–year–old Keith Edwards and 22–year–old Ricky Gonzales– have been sentenced to 87 and 42 months in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in a firearms straw purchasing and trafficking investigation.

Edwards and Gonzalez, who were sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Del Rio, are two of 22 defendants who have pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges in connection with this investigation. The other defendants include San Antonio area residents Marino Castro, Jr., age 27; Edward Levar Davis, age 33; Jake Lee Cardenas, age 22; Ricky Castillo, age 23; Ronald Joseph Edwards, age 27; Samuel Antonio Escobar, age 23; Roxanne Bernal Guerra, age 32; Oralia Naranjo Ortega, age 45; Roxann Marie Rodriguez, age 24; Rosendo Rodriguez, Jr., age 37; Carlos Veliz, Jr., age 23; David Hance–Colon, age 25; Brittany Hernandez, age 20; Linda Luevanos Gonzalez, age 37; Joanna Elaine Flores, age 25; Crystal Marie Adame, age 20; Israel Cantu, age 31; Maria Montelongo Zavala, age 50; Jose Ytuarte, age 31; and, Antonia Naranjo Lopez, age 46.

According to court records, the defendants, under the direction of ringleaders Castro and Davis, conspired to illegally purchase firearms from San Antonio area firearms dealers. Once retrieved from straw purchasers, Castro and Davis admittedly arranged to transport the firearms to a staging location in Eagle Pass where they were to be smuggled into Mexico to members of the Los Zetas Drug Trafficking Organization. Between May 2010 and August 2010, authorities intercepted five different shipments attributed to this trafficking cell and seized over 200 firearms, including handguns, AK–47 and AR–15–style assault rifles and one .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle.

“People who make false statements in connection with the purchase of firearms need to know two things: first, it is likely that those firearms are being used by those who eventually receive them to commit violent crimes, often against innocent victims; and two, that their role in facilitating the acquisition of firearms by criminals – even if that role is being paid a couple of hundred dollars for buying a firearm and passing it off to a middle man – will net them a federal prison sentence of up to ten years,” stated United States Attorney Robert Pitman.

To date, nine of the defendants have been sentenced to federal prison terms–14 years (Davis), 10 years (Castillo), 87 months (Edwards), 72 months (Cardenas), 57 months (Linda Gonzalez), 42 months (Ricky Gonzales), 37 months (Hance), 21 months (Ortega), and 12 months (Veliz). Marino Castro is scheduled to be sentenced at 11:00am on May 21, 2012, in Del Rio before United States District Judge Alia Moses. Antonia Lopez died of cancer prior to sentencing. Sentencings for the remaining defendants are scheduled throughout February, March and April.

“This is an example on how Federal and State agencies working together can deny the criminal element the tools of their violent trade. Lives were saved by denying the criminals hundreds of firearms,” stated Special Agent in Charge Gary Orchowski, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Houston Division.

“One of HSI’s top priorities is the dismantling of organizations involved in the smuggling of firearms to Mexican drug cartels,” said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge for HSI in San Antonio. “The collective expertise and authorities of our law enforcement partners during this investigation significantly contributed to preventing hundreds of rifles and handguns from reaching violent criminal organizations and prosecuting those who were responsible.”

This case was investigated by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE–HSI) with assistance from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Seal is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Quality Deer Management Association’s Founder Featured Speaker At Fort Stewart Wildlife Gala

Quality Deer Management Association

FORT STEWART, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) founder Joe Hamilton was recently the featured speaker at the Fourth Annual Wildlife Gala and Venison Cook Off at Fort Stewart Army Installation in Georgia.

The Wildlife Gala, held at Club Stewart in late January, was organized to promote hunting, fishing and many other outdoor recreation opportunities at Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF) and the surrounding areas. Attendees included many active-duty and retired soldiers along with their families, and the event was also open to the public.

Hamilton, a certified wildlife biologist, founder of QDMA and current Director of Development, addressed the crowd of more than 225 people on key issues involving white-tailed deer, Quality Deer Management and the QDMA.

Fort Stewart-HAAF currently has nearly 250,000 acres open for hunting, and the area is home to over 350 species of wildlife. Fort Stewart-HAAF receives approximately 50,000 hunter-attempts annually with most hunters trying to fill a white-tailed deer tag.

In 2003, Fort Stewart-HAAF began implementing QDM by designating a Quality Deer Management Zone (QDMZ). In order to produce an even adult sex ratio, older bucks and healthier deer, the QDMZ includes a greater law-enforcement presence, antler restrictions and an intense food plot regime to include both cool- and warm-season plantings. Additionally, Fort Stewart-HAAF monitors its deer herd through check station data collection and an infrared camera survey.

The Wildlife Gala also featured several vendors, food samples, live animals, a shooting simulator and taxidermy displays. The Venison Cook Off had categories for venison chili, miscellaneous venison dishes and a children’s venison cook off. Prizes were awarded to the top three places in each category.

The event was sponsored by USAA, Bass Pro Shops, Navy Federal Credit Union, Critters, Budweiser and Coca-Cola.

For more information on Fort Stewart visit www.stewart.army.mil. Fort Stewart hunting information can be found by navigating to the “About” tab and selecting “Hunting on Fort Stewart.”

About QDMA
QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with nearly 50,000 members in all 50 states and Canada. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com.

Media members wishing to join QDMA’s Media Outreach Network can contact Tanner Tedeschi at tanner@qdma.com or by calling (800) 209-3337 ext 1017. If you are already subscribed to the Media Outreach Network but wish to be unsubscribed from the list, please inform Tanner and you will be removed.

LWRCI Tactical Training Announces All Exclusive LWRCI Two Day Carbine Course

LWRC Tactical Training Division

Houston, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- LWRCI Tactical Training Division brings you an intense Two-­-Day Carbine Operator Course.

The classes will be held the weekend of February 25 – 26, 2012 and costs $499 per person.

This program is designed to lead students from basic to advanced weapons handling skills during the progression of training.

All brands of carbines are welcome and LWRCI carbines are available to rent on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited, so hurry online to register.

All LWRC rifle owners will receive an exclusive 10% discount for using their weapon during the course.

Register online at 360tacticaltraining.com/lwrci, and find a detailed list of course topics, equipment lists, course details and eligibility.

This is a unique opportunity to work with multiple instructors who are subject matter experts.

All instructors are current and former military from the US & Canada. Do not miss your chance to train with this exceptional team of instructors.

LWRCI Tactical Training Announces All Exclusive LWRCI Two Day Carbine Course

Contact Information:

Selena Garza
360 Tactical Training
1106-­-A Witte Rd.
Houston, TX 77055
713.984.9921
selena@360tacticaltraining.com
360tacticaltraining.com

Texas Upholds the 2nd Amendment or Does it?

AmmoLand Gun News

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- The Constitution is the guiding instrument of American society, so it is not surprising that issues dealing with the document or its amendments command the highest level of attention and tend to create controversy.

One of the more controversial provisions of the Constitution is the Second Amendment, in which [god] grants Americans the “right to keep and bear arms.” Despite having been ratified in 1791, the Second Amendment continues to be a subject of fervent debate, and the amendment was implicated in Jennings v. McCraw, a lawsuit decided in Texas district court Thursday. The suit found the National Rifle Association denied in its attempt to overturn a Texas law barring 18- to 20-year-old Texans from carrying concealed weapons.

Although the litigation focused on the legitimacy of a Texas state law, Jennings implicated questions of criminal and Constitutional interpretation. According to the NRA and three Texans serving as plaintiffs, the Texas gun statutes violated both the Second and Fourteenth amendments, the latter containing the oft-cited Equal Protection Clause. The plaintiffs called the Texas laws unconstitutional and discriminatory, but U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings disagreed, granting the defendants’ motion for summary judgment. A motion for summary judgment granted in favor of the defendant acts as a dismissal, as meeting the standard indicates that a judge feels it impossible for a reasonable jury to find for the plaintiff.

The NRA’s counsel also moved for summary judgment, but the motion was denied by Judge Cummings, who dismissed another case in which the NRA challenged the constitutionality of gun restrictions in September 2011. According to Judge Cummings, the Texas law in question did not violate the Second Amendment which criminology experts hold that it “does not confer a right that extends beyond the home.”

As with any litigation involving Constitutional interpretation, the question of how accurately the framers’ intent is channeled through the decision will be questioned. Anti-gun organizations and the Brady Center, a legal action project focused on controlling gun violence that intervened in the case on behalf of the defendants, hailed the decision as a victory in which the Constitution was upheld.

However, the Second Amendment has been interpreted more broadly in the past, as in the U.S. Supreme Court decision on District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008). In its opinion, the Court noted that the amendment protects firearm possession and use for “traditionally lawful purposes,” as the plaintiffs in Jennings wished to. Such decisions have not prevented states from being restrictive, however.

In Burton v. Sills, 53 N.J. 86 (1968), the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment’s use of the term “militia” made it applicable only to organized militias, such as the National Guard.

Clearly, such inconsistent interpretation is at best confusing and inconvenient, and is an impedance to the creation and enforcement of effective laws. While the aforementioned opinion of the New Jersey Supreme Court is hardly the standard, such decisions indicate that the Second Amendment may not always receive the deference it deserves.

Similarly, the Jennings decision suggests that the doctrine of federal preemption may be subject to erosion, an issue that has consequences reaching far beyond the Second Amendment and affecting the integrity of the Constitution as a whole.

About:
Marina Salsbury planned on becoming a teacher since high school, but found her way instead into online writing after college. She currently writes on a variety of topics, but always seems to veer back to education-related articles. She currently writes for a masters degree website.

Texas Deer Association

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS --(Ammoland.com)- More than 1,500 deer enthusiasts, land owners, exhibitors, and hunters from across the state will gather February 10, 2012 for the Texas Deer Association’s (TDA) Superior Genetics Whitetail Deer Auction and Wildlife Workshop held at the Texas Wildlife Expo Center at The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo grounds.

“Our deer auction and seminar is one of the association’s many family-oriented educational and social events scheduled each year, in an industry that pumps at least $650 million a year into the state’s economy,” said Karl Kinsel, TDA Executive Director.

“In addition to making lasting business contacts, participants are updated on the latest regulations, hear about research on deer genetics, share information on health, nutrition and gain information on how to enhance native habitat for deer.”

There will be a pre-auction dinner on Thursday night, Feb.9th, from 2:00 to 9:00 pm where visitors will have the chance to enjoy exhibitor booths, food, music, fellowship and catch up with fellow deer enthusiasts.

Friday morning, Feb. 10th, exhibits will open at 8:30 in the new Texas Wildlife Expo Center. The Wildlife Workshop starts at 9:00 a.m. and continues until noon. The TDA along with co-host Purina Mills, will host the Wildlife Workshop featuring Mr. Judon Fambrough, Senior Lecturer and Attorney at Law with the Texas Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, speaking on Hunting/Landowner Liability including Water & Mineral Rights Considerations. The second speaker is Darryl Lyons, PAX Financial Group, topic is on Financial and Tax Considerations for Texas Wildlife Managers and Land Owners. After the speaker seminar there will be panelist discussion comprised of wildlife and nutrition experts taking questions from the audience.

“Door prizes will be given out. Don’t miss your chance at a free Savage 22-250 Predator Hunting Camo Rifle with Scope, as well as winning some AntlerMax Feed, Feeders and other great prizes,” Marta L. Dennis, Operation Director of TDA, said. “Please RSVP it will be standing room only.”

At 1:00 pm the Superior Genetics Deer Auction will begin. The auction features 125 lots of bred doe, 2011 bucks and doe, 2012 fawns and semen from breeders across the country. This auction has drawn a standing room only crowd since it’s first year at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2005. Expecting a crowd numbering close to a thousand, it will be another standing room only event.

“Our San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo auction and workshop has consistently been one of the most popular events of the year. The environment, the attitude and, of course, sale offering make this one of the ‘must-attend’ events in the deer industry annually,” Vance Runnels, TDA Auction Manager, said.

As one of the top grossing auctions at the San Antonio Stock and Rodeo, TDA has been a proud supporter of youth scholarships and educational opportunities for the public for the past several years. Last year TDA donated approximately $10,000 to the scholarship fund of S.A.L.E, this figure is in addition to near $70,000 the association has donated since 2005 in which the deer auction became the first in the nation to be held at a stock show.

The next two events on the TDA calendar will be the TDA Spring Gala and Superior Genetics Deer Auction March 2-3 at Embassy Suites Outdoor World in Grapevine, Texas. And the 1st Annual Greater Houston Banquet and Superior Genetics Deer Auction April 13-14 at the Crowne Plaza Reliant in Houston, Texas.

For more information on this event visit www.TexasDeerAssociation.com or call (210) 767-8300.

About the Texas Deer Association
Headquartered in San Antonio, the TDA is the only non-profit organization solely committed to improving the quality of Texas deer herds through improved habitat practices, modern harvest strategies and use of superior deer to enhance the deer herds. As a part of its public education efforts, the TDA publishes Tracks, a full-color bi-monthly magazine that updates members on legislative news, deer genetics and game management issues. TDA office is (210) 767-8300.

274 Guns Stolen in Recent Burglaries ATF Offers Rewards

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

HOUSTON, TX --(Ammoland.com)- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Crime Stoppers of Houston and local law enforcement agencies announce today a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for eight burglaries at Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in the Houston area.

“In the last six weeks approximately 274 firearms were stolen from eight burglaries. ATF is requesting the public’s assistance in recovering these firearms to prevent their use in violent crimes,” said Gary Orchowski, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Field Division.

ATF is working with Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 4, Houston Police Department, FBI, Brazos County Sheriff’s Office and West Columbia Police Department to investigate these burglaries.

The burglaries in question are listed below:

• Cypress Jewelry and Loan (12-2-11), 11133 Huffmeister, Cypress, TX, 37 firearms stolen, ATF and Harris Co Pct 4.
• Great Texas Gun Company (12-17-11), 6951 State Highway 21 East, Bryan, TX, 80 firearms stolen, ATF and Brazos County SO. (Reward previously offered.)
• Fiesta Pawn (12-24-11), 12726 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060, no firearms, Harris County SO, ATF.
• People’s Pawn (1-4-12), 11431 North Freeway, Houston, Texas, 10 firearms and electronics, ATF and Houston PD.
• Amex Pawn (1-4-12), 12303 Veteran’s Memorial, Houston, Texas, 131 firearms stolen, ATF and HCSO.
  JJ Enterprise Sporting Goods (1-7-12), 505 E. Brazos Ave, West Columbia, Texas (Brazoria County), 16 firearms stolen, ATF and West Columbia PD.
• Value Pawn (1-12-12), 10790 W. FM 1960, Houston, Texas, 77064, no firearms but other items, ATF and Harris County Pct 4.
• Jet Pawn (1-14-12), 6135 FM 2920, Spring, Texas 77379, 3 suspects arrested during attempt, ATF, HCSO, Harris County Pct 4.

Anyone with information on these burglaries is encouraged to contact:

Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477)

www.stopcriminals.org

ATF at (800) ATF GUNS or 800-283-4867

Tipsters will remain anonymous and can be eligible for up to $5,000 for arrest and charging/conviction of persons responsible for these crimes.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating firearms crimes and regulating the firearms industry. More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.

###

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

McALLEN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Lying to buy almost two dozen firearms destined for Mexico has netted a Pharr, Texas, man a prison term, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Jesus Rodriguez, 26, of Pharr, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa to 40 months imprisonment to be followed by a two-year-term of supervised release. Rodriguez was convicted after pleading guilty on April 12, 2011, of lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473 when he acquired 20 firearms.

ATF agents initiated an investigation upon receiving information that Rodriguez appeared to be “straw” purchasing a firearm in November 2008. ATF agents subsequently learned that Rodriquez had purchased additional firearms and interviewed Rodriguez who admitted he had lied on the ATF forms when he purchased the firearms and stated the firearms were for him. Rodriguez admitted to forcing his wife to purchase firearms and stated he knew the firearms were destined for Mexico. Rodriguez purchased a total of 20 firearms over a seven-month period beginning November 2008. In handing down today’s sentence, Judge Hinojosa considered all of the firearms unlawfully purchased by Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has been in custody where he will remain pending transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility where hewill serve his sentence. As a convicted felon, Rodriguez will be prohibited from even possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The prosecution of Lopez is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an ongoing gun violence reduction initiative of the Department of Justice, which partners federal, state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide to engage in a unified effort to prosecute individuals who possess firearms or ammunition in violation of federal law.

The case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven Schammel.

Central Texas Gun Works is Austin’s First Solar Business Sign

Central Texas Gun Works

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Recently, Texas has experienced difficulty in producing electricity, resulting in electrical shortages.

To offset the challenges, Off Grid Signs, LLC developed a sign that generates energy from solar-powered panels. Central Texas Gun Works (Centex Guns), owned by Michael Cargill, is the first business to adopt a solar-powered sign in Texas.

Austin’s first solar-energy-powered sign lit up on the evening of November 28, 2011 at Centex Guns, located at 321 W. Ben White Blvd, Suite 203, Austin, Texas 78704. Because the sign is independent from an electrical grid, it uses only sunlight during the daytime to charge the solar power source, which continues to illuminate the sign throughout the night. Thus, the solar-powered energy panels assist in eliminating the electrical load on Texas’ overburdened power supply.

Being off the electrical grid not only reduces operating costs for business owners like Cargill by eliminating the need to pay for electricity to light their business location’s sign, but it also enables companies to become more eco-friendly. Additionally, the adoption of green practices rewards business owners with government tax rebates and refunds.

Event Details

• Who: Off Grid Signs LLC and Central Texas Gun Works (Centex Guns) LLC
• What: Gun Store Goes Green
• Where: Central Texas Gun Works; 321 W. Ben White Blvd, Suite 203, Austin, Texas
• When: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 – 3:00PM-5:00PM

ABOUT OFF GRID SIGNS, LLC
Off Grid Signs, created by Dave Isaacs and Nick Raymond, pioneered the first “plug and play” solar power system for signs. They have 5 standard sizes that will handle most sign needs. They will also gladly build you a custom unit if one of their 5 standard sizes will not work for you. A sign in a necessity for every company, but paying to light it is not! Let them take your sign Off Grid so you can stop paying to light it. For more information on Off Grid Signs, LLC, visit http://www.offgridsigns.com.

ABOUT CENTRAL TEXAS GUN WORKS
Michael Cargill has served a Texas DPS-certified concealed handgun license (CHL) instructor for over six years and has over 20 years of firearms experience. He is also a NRA-certified Range Instructor and Chief Range Safety Officer. As of 2012, Michael has taught 1,426 applicants the required material to obtain a Texas CHL, and has a 99% success rate. In addition to his regular CHL classes, Michael holds several private classes for groups, including home owner associations, church groups, attorneys, judges, and the students, staff, and faculty of Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Austin. Michael also teaches an informal education class at The University of Texas at Austin every semester. For more information about Central Texas Gun Works, visit www.centraltexasgunworks.com.

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- NRA will appeal yesterday’s decision by a federal court in Texas, which held that the Second Amendment doesn’t protect any right to keep or bear arms outside the home.

The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings of the Northern District of Texas, came in the case of Jennings v. McCraw, in which a group of law-abiding 18- to 20-year old adults challenged the state law prohibiting issuance of concealed handgun licenses to persons under 21, who are treated as adults for virtually every other purpose under the law.

(NRA is also a party on behalf of its members in this age group.) Judge Cummings ruled that it was unnecessary to address the state’s discrimination against young adults because “the right to carry a handgun outside of the home … seems to be beyond the scope of the core Second Amendment concern articulated in Heller [v. District of Columbia].”

Unfortunately, this is only the most recent of several court decisions that have misread Heller in that way. Heller, of course, only directly addressed gun possession in the home, for a very simple reason: The plaintiffs in that case only challenged Washington, D.C.’s limits on possession in the home, rather than its restrictions on carrying firearms outside the home.

More importantly, the Supreme Court in Heller never said the Second Amendment doesn’t apply outside the home. Rather, it said that the home is the place “where the need for defense of self, family, and property is most acute”—implying that there are other places where the need may be less acute, but still exists.

Likewise, the Court suggested that it would uphold bans on carrying guns in “sensitive places”—which implies that carrying in places that are not “sensitive” would be protected under the Second Amendment.

The NRA will appeal the Jennings decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and to the Supreme Court if necessary. Although the Supreme Court recently declined to hear two cases addressing the right to bear arms outside the home, several others are working their way through the courts. These include the NRA-supported cases of Peruta v. County of San Diego, which challenges discriminatory permit issuance under California law and Shepard v. Madigan, challenging Illinois’ complete denial of any lawful way to carry firearms for self-defense outside one’s home or place of business. Peruta is pending in the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and Shepard is awaiting action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

For the latest news on these and other NRA-supported cases and to subscribe to our online Legal Update newsletter, go to www.nraila.org/legalupdate.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Texas State Rifle Association

Houston, Tx --(Ammoland.com)- Texas is still twiddling its collective political thumbs while waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to make some kind of decision on how to proceed with Redistricting and the Texas Primary Elections.

You’ll recall that a primary election is needed when several candidates representing one political party file for the same office.

For the purposes of the primary election only, a Texas voter will identify himself as a Democrat, Republican, or other will vote in that Political Party’s Primary only. That’s not the case for the Fall General Election where it’s open season for crossing party lines.

For the time being, we have at least one Texas House member who hopes to be a candidate for the Texas Senate but isn’t certain that he’s eligible based on where he lives and the outcome of the line-drawing chaos. If he can’t run for the Texas Senate, he will likely run for his “old” House seat where he will likely be paired with another pro-gun incumbent.

How do we make endorsements, how do candidates contact constituents and set up campaign headquarters and print materials, etc?

No, not every Congressional, Texas House, and Texas Senate district has this problem only the ones where people live. Seriously, if you live in a growth area, count on not knowing who’s running for what.

At this writing the Supremes may make a temporary decision to again push the primary election out to a still later date. It is generally held in March, now moved to April 3rd, and one scenario moves it to June. By the way, June is when the major political parties in Texas hold their state conventions and select delegates for their national conventions. That won’t work!

Gathering Info for the Voters’ Guide
For now, TSRA-PAC is grading candidate questionnaires for state races returned by non-incumbent candidates and issuing candidate rating letters. Incumbent candidates are also returning questionnaires and many are receiving endorsement letters.

Grading state candidates is a long-shared process between the NRA and TSRA and based on an up to date, confidential

questionnaire tailored to Second Amendment, gun ownership, self defense, concealed carry, and hunting issues only. A letter grade is published for the major party candidates several weeks before either the primary election or the general election. All we consider are the answers to the questions for new candidates but we take pro-gun legislative history into consideration for all incumbents. Heroics earn an A+, simple as that.

The Legislator must successfully “carry our water” or deliver a crucial committee vote, etc. to earn the coveted and rare A+ rating.

Give to the PAC and Come to Annual Meeting
Give generously to TSRA-PAC. These funds are reported to the Texas Ethics Commission and can only be used for campaign and candidate purposes. It’s time!

Finally, it’s TSRA Annual Members’ Meeting time and it’s being held again in Mesquite at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 1700 Rodeo, Mesquite. Below is a live link which allows you to make a hotel reservation at the negotiated convention rate.

Texas State Rifle Association 2012 Convention Hotel Reservations
Think about buying a ticket and arriving Friday night for the TSRA Foundation Banquet and Auction. Then on Saturday, you’ll want to reserve your place at the Key-Note Speaker’s Luncheon. We are honored to have Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst as our guest speaker. A decade of pro-gun bills could not have passed without this powerful and tireless friend.

Also, on Saturday, you’ll want to reserve your place at the Annual Awards Banquet. TSRA-PAC always presents an award, called the Doc Brown Legislator of the Year Award. For the first time in TSRA history, we need two Doc Brown Awards.

Among the honorees will be Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) for his patience and work in passing what may be the gold-standard in range protection legislation bar-none; and this is not Senator Estes’ first help to gun owners. Estes passed past efforts include hunting rights for the handicapped and removing a long-standing barrier that prevented Texas from purchasing a rifle or shotgun beyond the states contiguous to Texas. Thank you, Senator Eses.

Then my State Representative Tim Kleinschmidt contributed the final push to SB 321; and the Employer Parking Lot finally passed. You might recall that the author of SB 321, Senator Glenn Hegar received his Doc Brown Award at past meetings. The Texas Senate passed this issue three times before the House could get’er done. Kleinschmidt brought the bill to the House floor, finally.

There will be many other award winners including many youth competitive shooting awards, our future is linked as always to theirs.

So the Awards Banquet is a party for jobs well done by a great many people and worth your time to buy a ticket and stay over.

Of course, there’s the gun show to keep you from being too board in between.

Upgrade, renew, or sign-up for TSRA membership at www.tsra.com and check www.tsrapac.com occasionally for up dated Texas campaign information.

Keep the Faith,

About:
The Mission of the Texas State Rifle Association is to protect and defend the inalienable rights of the individual Texan to acquire, possess, transport, carry, transfer ownership and enjoy the right to lawful use of firearms for self preservation, for the defense of family and property and the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberties of the people. Visit: www.TSRA.com

Free Women’s Self-Defense Class in Austin TX

Central Texas Gun Works

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- With a mission to protect every woman in America, Resist Attack teams up with Team Haas Judo and Central Texas Gun Works to host a free women’s self-defense class in Austin.

Due to recent events in the area, these organizations feel that this is an opportune time to remind women to pay extra attention to safety while potentially violent and harmful attackers are at large.

The free self-defense class includes a simple introduction to basic self-defense techniques with Sensei Chad Haas, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu’s 5th Dan Black Belt, and situational awareness techniques with Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works. Space is limited so advanced registration is required.

Event Details

• Who: Resist Attack with Team Haas Judo and Central Texas Gun Works
• What: Free Women’s Self-Defense Class
• Where: Central Texas Gun Works; 321 W. Ben White Blvd, Suite 203, Austin, Texas
• When: Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – 6:00PM-8:00PM

For more information about this event and to register, visit www.resistattack17jan.eventbrite.com.

ABOUT RESIST ATTACK
Resist Attack founder James Shaw’s mission is to protect women from the vicious attacks we all hear about by providing every woman with free pepper spray. This program quickly launched and found widespread support from influential women bloggers and feminist groups alike. An all-women Advisory Board now helps the Resist Attack team with their mission. The first pepper spray giveaways started locally in Austin, Texas and are making a difference to women’s safety. For more information about Resist Attack, visit www.resistattack.com.

ABOUT TEAM HAAS JUDO
Sensei Chad Haas is a Guest Instructor for Austin-based F.B.I. Special Agents and The University of Texas at Austin Police Department cadets, training them in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. He has studied for 18 years under two-time World Judo Champion Sensei Zdenek Matl, and is now a 5th Dan Black Belt. Currently, Chad is the owner and Head Instructor of Team Haas Judo & Jiu-Jitsu in Round Rock, Texas. For more information about Team Haas Judo, visit www.teamhaasjudo.com.

ABOUT CENTRAL TEXAS GUN WORKS
Michael Cargill has served as a Texas DPS-certified CHL instructor for over six years and has over 20 years of firearms experience. He is also a NRA-certified Range Instructor and a NRA-certified Chief Range Safety Officer. As of this year, Michael taught 1,426 applicants the required material to obtain a Texas CHL with a 99% success rate. In addition to his regular CHL classes, Michael held several private classes for groups of home owner associations, church groups, attorneys, judges, and the students, staff, and faculty of Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Austin. Michael also teaches an informal class at the University of Texas at Austin every quarter. For more information about Central Texas Gun Works, visit www.centraltexasgunworks.com.

GHG Pro Grade Wigeons

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Goose hunters enjoyed better decoying action near Dumas, Spearman and Amarillo with the snow and colder conditions.

Christmas Day brought four inches of snow on the High Plains which encouraged geese to decoy better.

Larger Canada geese are showing with frozen ponds in the northern states. Snow geese and Canadas are solid on roost ponds near Etter. Duck numbers continue to build in the Panhandle, with more mallards showing on playas. Many divers are hanging out on reservoirs and other deep water ponds. Feed lot ponds are good for gadwalls and wigeons. Recent snow runoff has put water in many dry playas. Outfitters have said hunter participation has been down. Prospects are good.

North Zone Duck: Duck hunters have taken good numbers of mallards in sloughs, creeks and river bottoms, especially with improved habitat conditions as of a result of recent rains, reported biologist Jared Laing. Colder weather and frozen waterways to the north have encouraged more mallards to cross the state line. Scouting has been crucial, said Laing, with birds moving about with more water on the ground. Canvasbacks and other divers have been steady on Lake O’Pines, Toledo Bend and Lake Fork. Backwaters around Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend and the Sulfur River have produced good mallard shoots as well. Gadwalls and wigeons have been taken in shallow coves of lakes and reservoirs. Wood ducks have been steady at first light in wet timber. Hunting remained steady around the zone boundaries of IH-10 where some areas received 2-4 inches during the holiday weekend. Freshwater impoundments have held pintails, wigeons, shovelers and green-winged teal. Prospects are good.

South Zone Duck: The coast continues to produce steady duck shoots on the prairies, marshes and bays. Gadwalls, wigeons, shovelers and pintails have been steady near Eagle Lake, Garwood and Wharton. Most of the upper coast received 2-4 inches of rain over the holiday weekend. Sheet water has covered many dry rice fields which has encouraged ducks to work goose spreads. Bay hunters enjoyed steady shoots near Port O’Connor and Rockport. Solid shoots have come from the Lower Laguna Madre around Port Isabel and Port Mansfield. Pintails, redheads, bluebills, gadwalls and wigeons have made up the bags. Hunters in Trinity Bay have struggled the past few weeks as ducks are here today and gone tomorrow. Marsh hunters in Orange County have seen good numbers of gadwalls and teal throughout the season. Snow goose hunting has been good with wind and a low ceiling. Absent have been large concentration of small Canadas that take up the slack for call-shy specklebellies. Sandhill crane numbers are steady. Most cranes have been harvested by goose hunters in white spreads. Prospects are good.

Season/Bag Limits: The High Plains Mallard Management Unit runs Oct. 29-30, Nov. 4-Jan. 29, 2012. The North and South zones run Nov. 5-27 and Dec. 10-Jan. 29, 2012.

The daily bag limit shall be 6 ducks, to include no more than the following: 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup (lesser scaup and greater scaup in the aggregate), 2 redheads, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 1 dusky duck (mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids are closed the first five days of the season in each zone). All other species: 6.

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Duck hunting has improved with recent rains and snow. The Panhandle received more rain early this week and snow is forecasted as well.

Good numbers of mallards, gadwalls and teal have been harvested, along with wigeons, mallards and gadwalls.

Goose hunting has been great, according to several sources, with best goose hunts coming over wheat and corn. Lots of Canada geese on Lake Etter. Snow geese have been mixed with darks. Outfitters have reported larger Canada geese have moved in to the region with freezing temperatures in the northern states. Prospects are good.

North Zone Duck:  Biologist Jared Laing said hunters have enjoyed good shoots for mallards in backwaters along sloughs, river bottoms and beaver ponds. Recent rains have drastically improved habitat in what had been a dismal first split of the season. Mallard action has been good along the Sulfur River and Red River bottoms. Gadwalls and wigeons have dominated the bag for the most part, but green-winged teal and divers have helped, too. Caddo Lake and Lake O’Pines are solid for divers, gadwalls and a few mallards. Lake Fork and Toledo Bend saw good shoots in shallow creeks and coves for mallards, canvasbacks, gadwalls and green-winged teal. Laing said the Neches, Sabine and Angelina rivers have improved with recent rains for mallards, gadwalls and wigeons. Hunting remains steady around the zone boundaries of IH-10 around Sealy, Brookshire, China, Winnie and Columbus. Lots of green-winged teal have filled the bag, along with gadwalls and shovelers. Prospects are fair to good.

South Zone Duck: Pintails, green-winged teal, gadwalls and shovelers continue to be the mainstay on prairie ponds near Wharton, El Campo, Eagle Lake, Garwood, Lissie and East Bernard. An influx of blue-winged teal moved through the region last week. Bay hunters enjoyed limits t near Port O’Connor and Rockport. Redheads have been steady and so have wigeons, pintails and gadwalls. Lower Laguna Madre hunters have shot steady limits around the Arroyo Colorado and Port Mansfield. Goose hunters continue to take advantage of a high percentage of juvenile snow geese. Foggy conditions last week yielded banner hunts. Specklebellies have become much tougher to decoy, most of the times skirting white spreads and snubbing boisterous calling. Sandhill crane hunters get their first shot Dec. 24, and numbers look good around roost ponds. Limited water has concentrated cranes in very large groups. Prospects are good.

Season/Bag Limits: The High Plains Mallard Management Unit runs Oct. 29-30, Nov. 4-Jan. 29, 2012. The North and South zones run Nov. 5-27 and Dec. 10-Jan. 29, 2012.

The daily bag limit shall be 6 ducks, to include no more than the following: 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup (lesser scaup and greater scaup in the aggregate), 2 redheads, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 1 dusky duck (mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids are closed the first five days of the season in each zone). All other species: 6.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas State Rifle Association

Houston, Tx --(Ammoland.com)- This Monday, December 19th, the city of Shavano Park, near San Antonio, will reconsider the passage of an ordinance dealing with the discharge of a firearm within the city.

Mayor David Marne refused to sign the ordinance, sending it back to the 5 member city council.

In a letter to the Shavano Park City Council, Mayor Marne lists the ordinance as unnecessary and over-reaching. Mayor Marne also notes that state law, currently in place, adequately covers public safety concerns. This far-reaching ordinance could be read to prohibit the legal use of a firearm for self defense.

The ban includes bb-guns and other such non-weapon toys even with adult supervision; non-firearms often used in safety training for youth.

The passage of Ordinance No. 200-01-11 was not incident driven and adds nothing to public safety.

Bad Gun Laws Begin At the Local Level!
Support the citizens of Shavano Park and let your voice be heard! Stop Shavano Park City Ordinance No. 200-01-11

Please call 210-493-3478 and support Mayor David Marne and stop the implementation of Ciity Ordinance No. 200-01-11

You can also send an email message by going to www.shavanopark.org and click on the “Contact Us” tab.
Join, renew, or upgrade your TSRA membership. Our money and our members are from Texas! Make your voice heard first in Texas. Go to www.tsra.com or call 512-615-4200 during business hours. Also, campaign information is posted at www.tsrapac.com More will be added as the election cycle heats up.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- For hunters who do not have access to privately-owned land, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is providing low cost access to nearly a million acres of department-managed lands for hunting, including most wildlife management areas, some state parks and many leased properties under the Annual Public Hunting permit program.

The Annual Public Hunting Permit is a $48 permit, valid from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 of the following year. The permit allows an adult access to designated public hunting lands in the TPWD public hunting lands program. Hunting is allowed during legal hunting seasons for squirrel, rabbits and hares, white-tailed deer, feral hogs, spring eastern turkey, predators, furbearers, and fishing without having to pay daily permit fees and in most instances, without having to be selected in a drawing.

The North and South Zone Duck Season re-opened December 10 and while TPWD WMAs have strong hunter numbers taking advantage of hunting on weekend hunt dates, the weekday hunt dates leave plenty of available hunting areas and quality hunting for those hunters who might have hunting time during the week.

According to Jim Sutherlin, Upper Coast Wetland Ecosystem project Leader, duck hunting is quite good on public hunting lands and reservoirs where fresher water conditions and waterfowl food resources can still be found.

“Puddle ducks prefer shallow water, and we have an abundance (record numbers of several species) of ducks on the continent this year,” Sutherlin said. “Specifically, check out the duck hunts on the Big Hill Unit of the J D Murphree WMA where the hunter daily duck bag was close to 4 birds per man per day during the first waterfowl season split.”

Waterfowl hunting isn’t the only game available. There is still plenty of feral hog hunting to be found. According to survey results compiled by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service 74 percent of Texas’ 254 counties contain feral hog populations and there is a good chance TPWD offers feral hog hunting opportunities in those counties on public hunting lands.

“Right now is as good a time as any to hit the woods hard for ol’ pig sooie,” said Bill Adams, Pineywoods Ecosystem Project Leader. “In East Texas there are several WMAs that offer year-round hog hunting, but staff recommend keying in on those areas associated with rivers such as Alabama Creek, Alazan Bayou, Angelina Neches/Dam B, North Toledo Bend, and Blue Elbow Swamp Wildlife Management Areas. “

Along with the appropriate Texas hunting licenses and stamps, permit holders may take youth under age 17 hunting free of charge on these public hunting lands. Youth hunting on departmental public hunting lands must be accompanied by a supervising adult 18 years of age or older who possesses the required Annual Public Hunting Permit, a valid hunting license and any required stamps and permits.

A new online map feature allows for “virtual scouting” of public hunting areas. By clicking on the locator points, you can follow links to detailed aerial maps with highlighted boundaries and links to information pages from the APH information map booklet. A downloadable Google Earth file (.kml) is also available that contains all the boundary information along with links to the corresponding APH map booklet pages.

Permits are available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, online through the TPWD Web site (tpwd.state.tx.us) or by calling 1-800-TX-LIC-4U and paying by major credit card. There is a $5 convenience fee for online and phone purchases. If the permit is purchased at a TPWD office, the public hunting lands map booklet and supplement will be provided immediately at the time of purchase; otherwise, the publications will be mailed to the purchaser within two weeks of purchase.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Goose hunters have enjoyed steady shoots for Canadas.

Outfitters have said goose numbers are solid, but hunter participation has been down. Best hunts have come over wheat and corn near Etter, Dumas and Spearman.

A few snow geese have been mixed with the darks. Peanut and bean fields around Abilene and Lubbock have held nice concentrations of dark geese.

Duck hunting has been fair to poor around Amarillo. Drought conditions have left little to no wet playas across the High Plains. Pheasant shoots have been fair. Numbers are down compared to a year ago. Sandhill cranes remain solid over plowed ground. Prospects are good.

North Zone Duck: The second-split opener was fair for most Northeast and Central Texas hunters. Any pond holding water held ducks, but those watering holes are few and far between. Reservoirs and lakes continue to hold the brunt of the duck population, but boat access has been limited due to record low levels on many waterways making boat ramps inoperable. Many hunters reported fair shoots on mallards and wood ducks in sloughs and rivers that are holding water. Caddo Lake and Lake O’Pines were fair for divers, gadwalls and a few mallards. The Sulphur River was fair for mallards, gadwalls and redheads. Hunting around the zone boundaries of IH-10 was good for shovelers, green-winged teal, pintails and gadwalls. Still, many more divers are holding on inland ponds than in years past, probably due to the lack of freshwater near coastal bay flats. Prospects are fair to good.

South Zone Duck: The second-split opener was solid along the coastal prairies and bay flats. Prairie hunters saw large groups of decoying pintails, shovelers, green-winged teal and gadwalls. The coast continues to suffer the effects of the drought, and only those with access to water wells have been able to re-pump freshwater impoundments. Bay hunters enjoyed limits near Port O’Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas and Port Mansfield. Jefferson County marsh hunters have shot steady limits of ducks despite a hypersaline marsh. Goose hunters have seen solid decoying action from a large juvenile snow goose flock. Dry conditions have many goose concentrations heading to water by mid-morning due to their inability to water in feeding fields. More flocks of Canada geese have moved to the coastal prairies with the recent cold fronts. Largest concentrations have been found around Wharton, El Campo, Eagle Lake and Markham. Sandhill crane hunters get their first crack at the large gray birds Dec. 24 and numbers are good, especially around roosting water. Reminder: hunters must possess the free sandhill crane permit to hunt. Prospects are good.

Season/Bag Limits:The High Plains Mallard Management Unit runs Oct. 29-30, Nov. 4-Jan.29, 2012. The North and South zones run Nov. 5-27 and Dec. 10-Jan. 29, 2012.

The daily bag limit shall be 6 ducks, to include no more than the following: 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup (lesser scaup and greater scaup in the aggregate), 2 redheads, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 1 dusky duck (mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids are closed the first five days of the season in each zone). All other species: 6.

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON --(Ammoland.com)- The establishment of a U.S. Department of Agriculture plan to improve fish and wildlife habitat and water quality in the Gulf of Mexico watershed drew praise from American sportsmen, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today.

The Gulf of Mexico Initiative will direct up to $50 million over three years toward conservation assistance to landowners in priority areas along major rivers that drain into the Gulf. Launched via the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the initiative is among the efforts being undertaken by the administration’s Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.

“Sportsmen are encouraged to see this important part of the Gulf restoration equation being addressed by the administration,” said Geoff Mullins, TRCP senior director of policy initiatives and communications.

“A comprehensive approach to conservation and land use for the region – one that focuses not only on the coastal and marine habitats but the lands upstream as well – is the best way to restore the unique Gulf coast ecosystems. What’s at stake is healthy habitat for the coastal fish and wildlife species that are critical to supporting the strong economic engine of hunting and sport fishing throughout the region.”

The Gulf of Mexico Initiative comprises five Gulf Coast states – Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas – and focuses funds restoring water supplies, wildlife populations and fisheries associated with riverside communities and cities in these states. Sixteen priority watersheds are targeted for participation in the Gulf of Mexico Initiative.

“Like so many of our most identifiable waters, the Gulf of Mexico has water quality challenges that get their start hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away from the Gulf itself,” said Steve Kline, director of the TRCP Center for Agricultural and Private Lands. “Hunters and anglers across the country – not just on the Gulf Coast – applaud the administration’s support of these outdoors-dependent economies.

“A clean Gulf of Mexico begins in a flooded Texas rice field, a Mississippi cotton field, an Alabama pine stand and a citrus grove in Florida,” Kline continued. “Sound upstream conservation efforts like the USDA Gulf of Mexico Initiative underline the importance of a holistic, watershed-based approach that invests money wisely in places where real impacts can be made and benefit the public for generations to come.”

“Nationally, activities related to fishing support more than 1 million jobs and contribute almost $125 billion annually to the economy, with the Gulf region alone supporting more than 82,000 jobs and $8 billion in economic output” said American Sportfishing Association President and CEO Mike Nussman. “If we want to improve our financial situation we should continue to invest in our open spaces. The Gulf of Mexico Initiative takes steps in this direction, and we appreciate the government’s investments in the Gulf’s natural resources, citizens and economy.”

• Learn more about the TRCP’s work in support of responsible marine fisheries management.
• Learn about the TRCP’s efforts to conserve America’s agricultural and privately owned lands.

About:
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the tradition of hunting and fishing. Visit: www.trcp.org

Texas Deer Association

SAN ANTONIO –-(Ammoland.com)- The Texas Deer Association (TDA) applauds the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for their commitment and continued vigilance in monitoring deer in Texas to minimize risk of disease transmission to both wild and breeder deer populations.

TDA notes the stepped up efforts are especially needed to preserve and protect the contributions of the breeder deer industry to the state’s struggling economy.

The TPWD reported that recent confirmation of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a farmed white-tailed deer in Missouri has caused the department to increase its surveillance efforts in Texas.

As part of their efforts, they plan to have state biologists at locker plants and processing facilities for deer hunters who may want to voluntarily donate harvested deer brain tissue samples for CWD testing, even though extensive testing since 2002 has not yielded a single positive test in Texas.

CWD is an infectious neurological disease known to occur only in white-tailed deer, mule deer, black-tailed deer, moose, elk and sitka. The TPWD news report noted, “There is no indication that CWD in deer can lead to disease in native livestock or people. Wildlife officials regard prevention as the primary and most effective tool to combat CWD.”

The deer breeding industry continues to cooperate with both the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and TPWD as they have from the inception of the CWD surveillance program to develop standards and guidelines to minimize risk and to punish violators. Deer breeders are subjected to stringent testing and reporting requirements with operators keeping detailed records of every deer born, living or dying under their care. Texas deer breeders are required to test 20 percent of all deaths at their own expense, and many test 100 percent of all mortalities. Texas breeders have tested over 41% of all deer tested. At $100 per average total test cost, that amounts to an estimated $1,287,900, a significant and growing investment that deer breeders have spent to assure their industry remains secure. In addition, TDA has a strict internal code of ethics and standards to take steps against members who violate those standards. TDA’s internal ethics policies applicable to its members has been complimented by TPWD’s Scott Boruff, Deputy Executive Director for Operations.

Carter Smith, TPWD Executive Director, stated, “More than 1,200 permits are issued annually to deer breeders in Texas covering an estimated 80,000 whitetails held in captivity. The vast majority of deer breeders operate within guidelines designed to minimize risk of disease transmission.” He reported that TPWD has tested about 800 illegally-possessed deer from 32 violators, and that all deer tested were found to be free of CWD. Unfortunately, there is no available test for live animals at this time.

In 2005, TAHC and TPWD implemented a ban importation of deer into Texas. Since then, subsequent monitoring and testing of CWD has not shown the disease to be the health risk once feared, and everyone involved in the deer industry wants to keep it that way. According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, approximately 164,500 farmed cervids (both deer and elk) have been tested across the nation since 2002 and, of that number, only 171 farmed cervids tested positive for CWD. Of those, USDA reported CWD was detected in 13 farmed white-tailed deer herds and 39 farmed elk herds in 11 states: CO, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NY, OK, SD, WI. Out of approximately 775,000 free-ranging wild cervids tested since 2002, approximately 3,130 animals were found to be positive in 15 states: CO, IL, KS, MD, MN, ND, NE, NM, NY, SD, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY. According to this data, CWD is more prevalent in wild, or free-ranging, cervids than in farmed, or ‘ranch-raised’ cervids by a ratio of 4 to 1. TPWD reports that, from 2002 through 2010, a total of 31,325 ranch-raised and wild cervids have been tested for CWD, but CWD has never been found in Texas in white-tailed deer or any other cervids.

Dr. Don Davis, Associate Professor, Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, expressed his concern that other diseases that are known to exist in Texas, including Blue Tongue, Anthrax and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), have been especially devastating to both wild and farmed deer this year resulting in the loss of hundreds if not thousands of deer. He explained, “Anthrax always occurs at some level annually in the Southern Edwards Plateau generally in native and free-ranging ruminants.” In the summer of 2007, landowners in nine Texas counties lost as much as 34% of their free ranging white-tailed deer to an outbreak of common diseases, including Anthrax, which underscores the need for research on all diseases affecting white-tailed deer.

Dr. James Kroll, renowned expert on white-tailed deer, echoed Dr. Davis’ concern in previous legislative testimony. He reiterated, “Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine, stepped forward to help with deer disease research but received no public funds to do so in spite of a 2009 legislative request for such funding. The TDA has contributed to research on EHD and Blue Tongue, perhaps the most significant diseases of free-ranging and ranch raised whitetails.”

Dr. Kroll hopes the increased attention at this time on preventing CWD will help the state to also focus on the need for education, prevention and research on deer diseases confirmed to exist in Texas.

A Texas A&M Economic Study on Deer Breeding concluded the “industry is a growing and important segment of the Texas economy, contributing to the vitality of rural areas of the state.”

They reported the deer industry including hunting, deer breeding and tourism have an economic impact to the state of over $2.2 billion.

Earlier this year, Dr. Kroll spoke on the industry’s current status, “Texas has been a leader in deer management since the 1970s, and now enjoys a leadership role in deer breeding. Today, there are over 1,200 active deer breeders, most of which represent small landowners and family-run operations. Whereas, managing for trophy whitetails once was the purview of the wealthy landowner with thousands of acres, deer breeding allows the small family operation to compete. It is safe to say, deer breeding is contributing to saving the family farm or ranch in many cases.”

On a national level, individuals involved in the deer industry have been working for several years to secure funding for a research measure successfully included in the current U.S. Farm Bill. The North American Deer Farmers’ Association (NADeFA), with the assistance of Texas U. S. Congressman Michael Conaway, along with individuals representing the deer industry from across the nation, including TDA members, were able to secure a measure in the bill to include a Deer Research Initiative to focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious, parasitic and toxic diseases including research dedicated to developing vaccines for EHD and Blue Tongue disease in ranch-raised cervidae. Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples as well as U.S. Senator John Cornyn were also helpful in bringing initial attention to the need for the research effort. Funding for that measure has yet to be secured, but efforts will continue on this vitally needed project. Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine is regarded as a likely site for the program.

TDA’s president, Gilbert T. Adams, III, affirmed the goal of TDA co-founder Dr. James Kroll, “TDA will continue to advocate for a comprehensive, long-term plan to develop a healthy deer industry in our State. Such a plan will respect the philosophical differences of naturalists and alternative livestock operators while also requiring a cooperative effort between state agencies, the legislature and private landowner/operators; one that acknowledges the need for the management of game animals and respects the role of the private landowner whose stewardship is key to the continued existence of game animals.”

Headquartered in San Antonio, the Texas Deer Association is the only non-profit organization solely committed to improving the quality of Texas deer herds through improved habitat practices, modern harvest strategies and use of superior deer to enhance the deer herds. To learn more about the TDA or for membership information, visit www.texasdeerassociation.com or call (210) 767-8300. Office is located at 403 East Ramsey Ste 204, San Antonio, TX 78216.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- After spending 22 weeks in Texas, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is happy to welcome home state firefighters that have been diligently working to stem the wildfires that have burned throughout Texas.

Under an interagency agreement that all 50 states participate in, the Michigan DNR sent four tractors/plows and eight staff to Texas in mid-June. Staff rotated through every two to three weeks, with over 40 DNR staffers having spent time in Texas. The last of the crews and equipment returned home on Nov. 18.

“Fighting wildfires is dangerous, which is why we are happy to report that all of the Michigan DNR staff returned unharmed,” says Scott Heather, section manager for the Resource Protection & Cooperative Programs of the Michigan DNR. “Additionally, the State of Texas will reimburse the department for all of the costs associated with having the staff and equipment down there for 22 weeks.”

Firefighters from 43 states fought more than 29,000 blazes across almost 4 million acres of land since wildfire season began on Nov. 15, 2010. Michigan firefighters battled two of the largest fires – the Bastrop County Complex and the 101 Ranch, saving many homes.

“The unprecedented wildfires in Texas this year were just another example of why these types of interagency agreements are so important,” says Heather. “Due to the favorable weather in Michigan this summer and fall, the threat of wildfires was low, allowing us to lend our services and equipment to Texas for an extended period of time.”

This was the longest period of time that Michigan has lent staff and equipment to another state for the purpose of fighting fires. Michigan has a long history of providing equipment and staff to other states and has also benefited greatly from the interagency agreement. Most recently in 2007 during the Sleeper Lake fires in Luce County, over 230 firefighters from around the Midwest battled the 18,500 acre fire.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- According to survey results compiled by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service 74% of Texas’ 254 counties contain feral hog populations and there is a good chance Texas Parks & Wildlife Department offers feral hog hunting opportunities in those counties on almost 1 million acres of Public Hunting Lands scattered across the state.

Right now is as good a time as any to hit the woods feral hog hunting. Given the drought conditions across the state hunters can anticipate feral hogs being around whatever water sources are available, especially with acorn-producing trees nearby.

In East Texas there are several Wildlife Management Areas that offer year-round hog hunting, but staff recommends keying in on those areas associated with rivers such as Alabama Creek, Alazan Bayou, Angelina Neches/Dam B, North Toledo Bend, and Blue Elbow Swamp Wildlife Management Areas.

With the purchase of a hunting license and a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit hunters will be mailed a publication that includes maps, legal game box descriptions, and means and methods of hunting for each and every Wildlife Management Area, Public Hunting Land, State Park, etc…available in our Public Hunting Program.

Additionally, folks can digitally-scout these areas before heading down the highway by visiting http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/maps/

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- The fall issue of Texas Nature Tracker is now available.

In this new issue, volunteers and TPWD staff track and report on some Texas favorite small critters: frogs and toads, box turtles, tarpon, horned lizards, hummingbirds, mussels and more.

It’s hot and dry! With most of the state in exceptional drought, 2011 is proving to be a challenge for all living things in Texas. The weather is especially difficult for Texas’ frogs and toads. I hope your local populations are hanging in there. The eight months from October 2010 through May 2011 were the driest eight-month period on record for Texas since… keep reading below for more.

Texas Nature Tracker Fall 2011 Issue

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas Migratory Bird Report No. 14

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

High Plains Mallard Management Unit: The recent cold front pushed more geese to the High Plains. Goose hunters enjoyed better decoying action near Dumas, Spearman, Etter and Amarillo. Limits of Canadas have been taken from corn and plowed ground. A few snow geese have been mixed with dark geese. A good juvenile hatch of snow should help when snows develop a feeding pattern. Specklebellies and Canadas continue to work in Knox and Haskell counties. Duck numbers continue to build in the Panhandle, with more mallards showing with the cool front, but water remains a premium. Few playas are wet, so most ducks have had to resort to feed lot ponds and larger reservoirs. Sandhill crane hunters have enjoyed great decoying action. Prospects are good.

North Zone Duck: The first split of duck season ended at sunset Nov. 27 and results across the region ranged from poor to fair. Lack of water was the culprit, as the region and the rest of Texas have been suffering from a record drought. Many areas of the North Zone did receive solid rain as the front blew through over the weekend, but backwater sloughs and bayous that are normally wet soaked up the moisture quickly. Gadwalls and wigeons have been taken in shallow coves of lakes and reservoirs. Divers are steady around Lake O’Pines, Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork and Toledo Bend, though boat ramp access has been limited. Hunting was good around the zone boundaries of IH-10, especially after the front as an influx of green-winged teal hit the coast. Freshwater impoundments have held pintails, wigeons, teal and shovelers and the weekend rains helped recharge freshwater impoundments. The second split opens Dec. 10.

South Zone Duck: Duck hunters along the coast enjoyed the best duck hunting in the state during the first split. The coast continued to produce steady duck shoots on the prairies, marshes and bays. Gadwalls, wigeons, shovelers and pintails were taken on the coastal prairies. Large wads of green-winged teal had been absent during the past week; however, wads of greenwings showed on the heels of the blowing north wind. Bay hunters enjoyed limits to near-limits around Port O’Connor, Rockport and Port Mansfield. More snow geese showed with the front, but large concentrations have been using isolated ranches with multiple roost ponds. A bumper crop of young snow geese have decoyed well over rag spreads. Rice fields have been best thus far. Specklebellies have readily decoyed, with unofficial estimates of 30-40 percent juvenile birds in the coastal population. Sandhill crane numbers are steady, but the season does not open in Zone C until Dec. 24. Hunters must possess the free crane permit to hunt sandhill cranes. The South Zone duck season reopens Dec. 10.

Season/Bag Limits: The High Plains Mallard Management Unit runs Oct. 29-30, Nov. 4-Jan. 29, 2012. The North and South zones run Nov. 5-27 and Dec. 10-Jan. 29, 2012.

The daily bag limit shall be 6 ducks, to include no more than the following: 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup (lesser scaup and greater scaup in the aggregate), 2 redheads, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 1 dusky duck (mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids are closed the first five days of the season in each zone). All other species: 6.

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Decoying action has been solid for Canada geese over plowed, milo and corn. Strong numbers of birds have been seen near Dumas, Etter and Spearman. Good numbers of snows are on Lake Etter. Duck hunting has been hit-or-miss due to lack of water on playa lakes. Successful hunters have allowed ponds to rest longer between hunts. More ducks are using larger reservoirs than ever before. Sandhill cranes have readily decoyed over gray spreads. Prospects are fair to good.

North Zone Duck: Duck hunting remains fair at best. Lack of water in the region has encouraged ducks to keep heading south to find suitable habitat. More mallards have shown, but the brunt of the greenhead population has not arrived. Most sloughs and river bottoms are dry, but those with water are holding solid numbers of wood ducks. Gadwalls and wigeons have been taken in shallow coves of lakes and reservoirs. The diver population on lakes and reservoirs has been impressive since the drought has limited watering sources. Hunting remains best around the coastal zone boundaries of IH-10. Freshwater impoundments have held pintails, wigeons, shovelers and teal, but wildlife managers have had to pump water due to the dry conditions. More divers have been seen on the high ground since salinity levels are so high on the bays. The first split of the North Zone duck season ends at sunset Nov. 27. Prospects are fair.

South Zone Duck: The coast continues to produce steady duck shoots on the prairies, marshes and bays. Gadwalls, wigeons, shovelers, teal and pintails have been the species showing in bags. If you have water, you have ducks. Bay hunters have seen an influx of birds with limits of redheads, wigeons and pintails being the norm around Port O’Connor. Good numbers of birds were reported in Rockport and Port Mansfield, with pintails, wigeons and redheads making up the brunt of the bag. Prairie hunters are holding abnormally high amounts of diver ducks, probably due to the lack of freshwater near bay flats. Snow goose hunting has been solid in isolated areas with significant water to roost birds. A good number of juvenile snows have aided in solid decoying action over feeding fields. Specklebellies action has been impressive, with a bumper crop of young specks readily decoying over rice. Sandhill crane numbers are steady, though the large gray birds will not be legal to hunt until Dec. 23. The first split of the South Zone duck season ends at sunset Nov. 27. Prospects are good.

Season/Bag Limits: The High Plains Mallard Management Unit runs Oct. 29-30, Nov. 4-Jan. 29, 2012. The North and South zones run Nov. 5-27 and Dec. 10-Jan. 29, 2012.

The daily bag limit shall be 6 ducks, to include no more than the following: 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup (lesser scaup and greater scaup in the aggregate), 2 redheads, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 1 dusky duck (mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids are closed the first five days of the season in each zone). All other species: 6.

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Mule Deer Foundation's Charlie Stockstill, Regional Director for Texas

Mule Deer Foundation

WEATHERFORD, Tex. –-(Ammoland.com)- The Lone Star State may never be the same since the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) brought on Charlie Stockstill as Regional Director for Texas. Reminiscent of Captain Woodrow F. Call from the mini-series “Lonesome Dove,” Stockstill is an experienced and driven “man of vision.”

Stockstill has a military background, as well as years of experience fundraising, recruiting and motivating volunteers, and working with state wildlife biologists to fund pertinent conservation projects.

Stockstill’s life has been an interesting one, full of adventure and service. He has extensive training and experience mountain climbing and skiing. As a young man, Charlie made the Olympic team for biathlon – the infamous year of President Carter’s boycott of the Olympics.

Now officially retired from the U.S. Dept. of Defense, Stockstill first joined the Army at age 17. He was a Mountain Infantry Platoon Sergeant for about 14 years, and he was a Civil Servant teaching Outdoor Education through the Air Force for ten years.

From 1998 to 2009, Stockstill worked with the National Wild Turkey Federation. During his tenure, he started and maintained over 100 chapters, from Anchorage, Alaska, to Brownsville, Tex. Charlie personally developed and operated more than 300 fundraising banquets, raising in excess of six million gross dollars, for the benefit of wildlife and related outreach programs.

On a recent phone conference with other MDF personnel, Stockstill introduced himself saying, “I feel extremely welcomed, but realize that respect must be earned. My goal is to earn my share. I don’t want to rest on my laurels. I’ve done this work for a long time, and I’m extremely excited to join the ranks of MDF. This is going to be spectacular!”

He said his first order of business with MDF in Texas was to meet with state wildlife biologists to determine mule deer projects in need of funding. Stockstill said, “I find it’s easier to raise money when you have a target.”

He anticipates that initial projects will be on both public and private property in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions.

MDF already has a small faction of some 100 members in the state of Texas. A chapter was started in Allen, Tex., several years ago, and Stockstill is already working with folks to start chapters in Brownsville, Brownwood, El Paso, Fredericksburg, Georgetown and Weatherford.

MDF’s Chief Operation Officer Eric Tycksen said, “We are extremely excited to be in Texas. I think the Texas chapters are going to give us a run for our money!”

Director of Field Operations Marty Holmes added, “We also believe there will be opportunities to organize numerous M.U.L.E.Y. youth events in the state. Texans generally like shooting sports, so MDF is going to have some fantastic opportunities. We believe our Texas members will jump in with both boots on and be able to offer local folks the full menu of what MDF has to offer.”

Stockstill has posted a letter on the MDF Web site (on the Texas state page) which reads, in part, “I am asking: Will you help me ensure the conservation of the mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat?” Answer his call, and join the Texas ranks of MDF today. Contact Charlie Stockstill at 817-565-7121.

About MDF:
The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.

Big Time Texas Hunts Winners Announced

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- When an unknown number shows up on the caller ID, Weatherford Downtown Café owner Britton Schweitzer just lets it go to voicemail.

“It’s usually people trying to sell me stuff, not Texas Parks and Wildlife calling because I won an amazing hunt,” Schweitzer said.

Schweitzer and 13 other lucky sportsmen are clearing their calendars for some of the best hunting packages in the Lone Star State won through Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Big Time Texas Hunts program.

The program’s raffle offers hunting packages ranging from a guided white-tailed deer hunting experience in the South Texas brush country to the Grand Slam package which treats one Texan and a non-hunting friend to food, lodging, taxidermy and a personal guide service for four separate hunts for desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, pronghorn and desert mule deer. Schweitzer won the Grand Slam.

“When I get my license online I throw $100 toward the different hunts but never expect to win,” Schweitzer said. “I am an avid fisherman and hunter and I see it as basically donating $100 every year to public lands,” he said.

The small town café owner said he usually donates to local causes and was flabbergasted to have won the program’s Grand Slam. He said he moved to Weatherford a few years ago with his wife to raise a family. He hopes to bring her along on his hunts.

“I think it’s an awesome opportunity and I am excited I got picked,” he said. “ I never win anything and it was a pretty big shocker.”

Big Time Texas Hunts are offered through an annual raffle. This season saw 62,610 entries generating almost $600,000. Ticket sales support wildlife research, habitat management and public hunting in the state of Texas. Ticket purchasers must be at least 17. For more information on this hunting program, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/buybtth.

Following are the winners of this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts.

• Grand Slam — Michael Schweitzer, Weatherford
• Premium Buck Hunt — Joseph Yuras, Garden Ridge
• Exotic Safari — Jimmy Webb, Tyler and Martha Vogelsang, Hearne
• Whitetail Bonanza — Tommy Dulin, Colorado City; Ivan Berry, Pasadena; Francis Sharp, Pasadena; Michael Broderick, Conroe;
• Joe Mills, Gonzales; Ramona Bourgeois, Concord, CA; Humbert Trevino, Laredo; Randall Coombs, Spearman
• Waterfowl Adventure — Alexander Hamilton, San Antonio
• Gator Hunt — Darren Lasorte, Fairfax, VA

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas State Rifle Association

Houston, Tx --(Ammoland.com)- Contrary to email alerts from the usual group of nay-sayers, HR 822 dealing with National Reciprocity for those with a state-issued concealed handgun license is a very good bill.

John Snyder with www.gunrightspolicies.org calls HR 822 an “idea whose time has come”. He offers the state-issued drivers license as an example of how the bill works. States will continue to have full control over their laws and the issuance of their license. Only travel between states will be improved.

HR 822 would not create a federal licensing system and would not interject the federal government into the states’ laws regarding where a licensee could or could not carry.

HR 822 will increase licensees’ mobility and serves to by-pass the legalese and minor tweaks that currently prevent further reciprocal agreements between states.

There is no camel, no tent, and definitely no Trojan horse!

HR 822-NRA Bill supported by TSRA

Opposition to HR 822 comes from the usual ideological groups; none armed with facts, all with “feelings”. The gun rights movement continues to be on the rise as the desire for personal safety options increases.

Other opposition comes from small but noisy groups far from the congressional arena.

Texas currently has over a half-million concealed handgun licensees and the figure continues to grow. We are a mobile population wanting safety as we travel in Texas and in other states.

HR 822 Expected to Pass
NRA-supported HR 822 should hit the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for a floor-vote this week and is expected to pass. It could make the U.S. Senate early in 2012.

Go to www.tsra.com for information and plan to attend the Annual Members Meeting in Mesquite Feb. 24, 25, 26 in Mesquite.

Saturday, Feb. 25th, Keynote Speaker’s Luncheon features Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst. Dewhurst has brought a decade of successes to Texas gun owners.

Join, renew, or upgrade your membership at www.tsra.com or call 512-615-4200 during business hours. We’re only as strong as our membership. In addition, give to the Political Action Committee fund to support and elect pro-gun candidates in coming elections.

And remember, Keep the Faith

About:
The Mission of the Texas State Rifle Association is to protect and defend the inalienable rights of the individual Texan to acquire, possess, transport, carry, transfer ownership and enjoy the right to lawful use of firearms for self preservation, for the defense of family and property and the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberties of the people. Visit: www.TSRA.com

Bass Pro Shops

Harlingen, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Bass Pro Shops, recently named as one of the “Top 10 Hottest Brands in America”by Advertising Age magazine, will celebrate its 58th store’s Grand Opening Thursday, November 17th through Sunday, November 20th.

The store will open at 8 AM Thursday and at 9 AM (normal opening hours) Friday and Saturday and 10 AM Sunday. The new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World is located at the intersection of U.S. Expressways 83 and 77 and is the anchor for the new Cameron Crossing retail development.

The Grand Opening celebration will be preceded by a special Evening for Conservation event Wednesday, November 16th that is free and open to the public. Area conservation groups partnering with Bass Pro Shops will set up display booths to educate customers on their efforts and projects with a portion of the night’s sales benefiting the National Fish Initiative’s “More Fish” campaign.

Grand Opening festivities include special exhibits, store-wide savings and fantastic giveaways. You can visit with today’s experts on fishing, hunting, camping, boating and more. See huge product selections from the industry’s top manufacturers and talk with factory representatives to get the latest information on new products.

The first 200 customers each day of the Grand Opening festivities will receive a coupon for a gift with purchase. Thursday, November 17th and Saturday, November 19th customers will get a Bass Pro Shops gift card in a special gift card holder, Friday, November 18th, the first 200 will receive a Bass Pro Shops Floating Sunglass retainer and Sunday, November 20th they will receive a commemorative limited edition Bass Pro Shops cooler. Plus, you can register to win a $50, $100 or a $200 gift card to be given away at the end of the event!

Special displays through Sunday, November 20th include the Bass Pro Shops #1 NASCAR Sprint Series car and the Bass Pro Shops #3 Truck Series truck.

Western Premium BBQ Products will be cooking complimentary meat products on Saturday, November 19th from 10am to 3pm.

While at the store, enjoy Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill—and experience bowling like you’ve never seen it before. This 15,000 square-foot nautical-themed entity, located within the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store, features a truly unique atmosphere and design geared for family fun and dining. Casual family dining will be available in the Grill where customers can select from a menu featuring a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and burgers.

The store offers 145,000 square feet of outdoor excitement including the area’s largest selection of quality gear for fishing, hunting, camping, boating and marine. Much more than a hunting and fishing store, however, Bass Pro Shops also offers equipment for hiking, backpacking, outdoor cooking and more. Shoppers will find outdoor apparel for men, women and children, along with a fine selection of outdoor, casual and athletic footwear. A gift and nature center serves up a wide variety of outdoor-related items from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and furniture.

Known for bringing the outdoors indoors, a typical Bass Pro Shops retail store features over 3,500 area antiques and artifacts, up to 400 trophy fish and wildlife mounts and many grand murals depicting scenes reminiscent of the area making it a true destination experience.

Interested in learning a new outdoor skill or improving existing ones? Watch for the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Skills Workshops schedule. These are free classes that will be offered on a regular basis and will include topics like outdoor cooking, nature photography, fly fishing, camping, archery and more. Widely recognized for their efforts in conservation and outdoor education, Bass Pro Shops has received more conservation awards than any other outdoors retailer.

About Bass Pro Shops Group:
Bass Pro Shops -58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 110 million people annually, international catalog and internet retailing, American Rod & Gun wholesale division selling to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide, Outdoor World Incentives also selling Bass Pro Shops gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America and a restaurant division with 26 locations. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.

• Tracker Marine Group – Manufactures and sells Tracker, Nitro, SunTracker, Tahoe and Mako boats through Bass Pro Shops retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. Visit www.trackerboats.com
• Resort Group – Big Cedar Lodge and other resort properties including restaurants and golf course. Visit www.bigcedar.com for more information.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Opening weekend in the Panhandle saw lackluster results due to an absence of water. Very few playas, if any, are wet, so habitat is stressed. Most ducks were taken over feed lot ponds. Melting snow from last week’s cold front left a little moisture, but the region is in dire need of rain to sustain the winter waterfowl population. Sandhill crane numbers look good; however, lack of roosting water might be a problem as the season progresses. Duck season reopens and runs Nov.4-Jan.29, 2012. Goose season runs Nov.5 in the West Zone. That season also opens Nov. 5. Prospects are fair.

North Zone Duck: Duck season opens Nov. 5 and best prospects have been found on lakes and reservoirs still holding water. Lack of ponds and sloughs have ducks concentrated on big waters. The problem lies with access to these large water bodies, as many boat ramps are inoperable due to extreme low water conditions. Mobile hunters with shallow-running flatbottoms able to traverse muddy timber should see good shoots. The front that blew through last week brought new birds to the area and deposited wigeons, gadwalls and teal on lakes and reservoirs. The coastal region continues to suffer from the drought, however, many hunters have the ability to pump water from wells. Another front this week should encourage more birds to move to Texas, though most coastal prairie ponds holding water are already covered with ducks. Prospects are fair to good.

South Zone Duck: Opening day is Nov. 5 and prospects look excellent if you have access to water. Coastal prairie ponds are black with ducks and specklebellies, and a few snow geese showed with last week’s front. Concentrations of dark geese on the ground indicate a good hatch of young specklebellies, which should encourage steady decoying action. The front forecasted for this week should shove more light geese to the coast. Reports along the bay flats indicate good numbers of pintails, wigeons, gadwalls and redheads. More divers are showing daily with fronts. Bay hunters should enjoy steadier hunting this year with the lack of water on the coastal prairies. Prospects are good.
Season/Bag Limits:

High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Oct. 29-30, Nov. 4-Jan. 29, 2012.

Duck:
North and South zones: Nov. 5-27, Dec. 10-Jan. 29, 2012.

Goose:
West Zone:

• Nov. 5-Feb. 5, 2012 (20 light geese, 5 darks, to include no more than one white-fronted)

East Zone:

• Light geese and Canadas: Nov. 5-Jan. 29, 2012 (20 light geese, 3 Canadas, 2 white-fronted)
• White-fronted (specklebellies): Nov. 5-Jan. 15, 2012

Bag Limits: The daily bag limit shall be 6 ducks, to include no more than the following: 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup (lesser scaup and greater scaup in the aggregate), 2 redheads, 2 pintails, 1 canvasback, 1 dusky duck (mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids are closed the first five days of the season in each zone). All other species: 6.

About:
The Mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD), is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Visit: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Armed American Radio

Atlanta GA --(Ammoland.com)- Nationally syndicated Armed American Radio announces continued growth with affiliates added in Milton/Pensacola FL, on WEBY 1330 AM, Kalispell MT on KJJR Newstalk 880 AM and Abilene TX on KWKC Talk Radio 1340 AM.

Syndicated host Mark Walters said, “I’m pleased to welcome three new cities to the rapidly expanding network of affiliates across America carrying the broadcast. Listeners in Milton/Pensacola FL, Abilene TX and Kalispell MT can now fill their prescription for freedom on the Armed American Radio Network”!

Adding affiliate stations at an unprecedented pace since its syndication two years ago, AAR now airs in dozens of markets across America from Florida to Alaska every Sunday evening from 8-11pm ET, 5-8 pm PT and is the fastest growing nationally syndicated, pro-gun radio broadcast in America. Focusing on the right to carry a firearm, Mark Walters and the Armed American Radio Network bring listeners the news, information and truth about the right to carry that the mainstream media simply ignore!

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Mark Walters
Host

Armed American Radio is syndicated on the Salem Radio Network. For media kit information, please visit www.srnonline.com/talk/talk-walters.shtml

About:
Armed American Radio is the most free-thinking, politically incorrect radio station in the U.S.A. We discuss liberty, self-defense, weapons, family, friends, and life. Visit: www.Armedamericanradio.org

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

North Zone Dove: Grain fields of milo and corn have been the best producer in the Panhandle north of Amarillo. Mourning doves have been best in the afternoon on the edges of fields. Abilene hunters have had fair shoots in sunflowers. Red River hunters near Paris have seen fair shoots in milo, corn and soybeans. Many doves have found water around cattle troughs in the afternoon. Drought conditions have limited the amount of wet tanks and ponds, so any hole with at least a puddle of water have produced. The season runs through Oct. 23. Prospects are fair.

Central Zone Dove: Whitewings continue to dominate San Antonio fields of corn and milo in the afternoon as hunters have shot near-limits around treelines. High-flyers have trickled from South Zone fields near Uvalde. Katy, Hockley and Brookshire fields have been fair at best, and hunter participation has been scarce. Waller hunters saw better shooting this weekend as nearby South Zone fields were hunted, pushing mourning doves north to Central Zone fields. More whitewing showed around Sealy and Columbus over the weekend. Dayton and Beaumont fields have given up half-limits. The season runs through Oct. 23. Prospects are fair to good.

South Zone Dove: Best hunting came from traditional South Texas haunts in the Rio Grande Valley where whitewings have been good in milo, corn and wild sunflowers. Devine, Big Foot, Three Rivers, Fashing and George West enjoyed limit shoots. Hunters along the northern boundaries of the South Zone reported losing most of their birds just before the opener as high winds and rain blew through Wharton and Matagorda county fields, sending the brunt of the whitewing population to other pastures. The opener there was a lackluster one, but birds began trickling back by the end of the weekend. Mourning doves were solid near Palacios, Beasley, Lissie and Eagle Lake. The season runs through Oct. 30. Prospects are fair to good.

Waterfowl Migration: Teal season along the coastal prairies was arguably the best most hunters could remember, if you had ponds brimming with fresh water. Many hunters reported seeing more birds than ever throughout the entire 16-day season. A new wave of bluewings arrived last week which made the last weekend of the season just as fast as opening weekend. The largest concentration of birds were seen in Colorado, Wharton and Matagorda counties. Marsh hunting suffered due to low tides and a hypersaline environment brought on by the drought. The first trickles of specklebellies appeared this week. Teal hunters said they saw noticeably more big ducks like pintails and shovelers during teal season. Regular duck and goose season is set to open Nov. 5.

Arms Room Receives Five Star Gun Range Status from NSSF

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- The Arms Room, located in League City, Texas, is the most recent member range to be accorded Five Star status, the elite rating granted by NSSF.

The family-owned business has grown in five years from its origin as a 2,300-square-foot retail store to a 22,000-square-foot one-stop shop for experienced and new shooters.

Among its offerings are a 15-lane indoor range, a full-service retail store, an on-site gunsmith, gun rentals and full-time certified instructors.

Its many classes include a frequent offering of First Shots. Following his on-site inspection, NSSF Manager of Shooting Promotions Zach Snow said, “The Arms Room is a great model for those in the developing stages of opening a range and retail store.”

Visit: www.thearmsroomtx.com

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Texas --(Ammoland.com)- The Texas wildfire news continues to be horrific and heartbreaking. Bastrop State Park, known for its famous Lost Pines habitat, historic CCC structures and the endangered Houston toad, is the latest state park to be struck by wildfire.

Just 100 acres of the park’s 6,000-acreage have survived.

Read the current assessment in this week’s news release. Nearby Buescher State Park is also closed during the wildfire emergency but remains unharmed as we go to press.

This year, some of Texas’ biggest, hottest wildfires in memory have consumed over 3.6 million acres so far, causing devastating hardship and loss for humans and habitat. View this video report, above, on the fire at Bastrop State Park, with footage taken during the first few days of the developing disaster.

Recovery will take a long time for people and habitat. Wild lands recovery depends on a lot of things, most importantly rain. This Fire on the Prairie video is a hopeful reminder that the land can recover in amazing ways.

Visiting a park that has burned earlier this year offers a chance to observe wildfire recovery first hand, such as Possum Kingdom State Park where only 200 of the park’s 1500 lakeside acres were saved from wildfire. Over the next months, you can watch nature’s remarkable response begin to show.

Texas State Rifle Association

Houston, Tx --(Ammoland.com)- If you work for a Texas company and recently received information from your employer regarding your right to have a firearm in your vehicle while parked in your employer’s parking lot, I’d like to know.

I’d also like to see the document. Most companies have moved toward complying with Final Version of SB 321, which became law on Sept.1st.

This law protects the jobs of Texans wanting to have a firearm in their vehicle. It allows all firearms and ammunition and most industry employees are protected, with or without a concealed handgun license. The exceptions, which are not exclusions, are within the gas and oil industry.

Remember the issue was heavily opposed for a number of sessions and industry lawyers are still working to discover and create loopholes and hurdles impacting the new law. These struggles are not specific to Texas and have been the case in every state that passed a similar bill.

No Shooting This Go-Round for Renewing Instructors
Tx DPS Announces New Renewal Proces for CHL Instructors

This fall Texas Concealed Handgun Instructors are in various stages of renewing their instructor credentials. Some have completed their online application, others have taken the online exam, many have done both, and yet others are waiting. Everyone has been waiting to be told the details of how, with the new online renewal process in place, instructors would go about qualifying on a shooting range.

Soon all DPS-certified Texas Concealed Handgun Instructors will receive a packet of information with the detailed answer to this question and more. However, the really good news is that beginning with this year’s 2011 renewal group, instructors will demonstrate range proficiency every other renewal.

This means renewing instructors in good standing will not be required to demonstrate handgun proficiency this year. The few who might be required to demonstrate proficiency have recently lapsed credentials. These few will be notified seperately.

All questions about future range qualifications will be answered with materials in the packets. Don’t fret.

So Texas Instructors, get your online business taken care of.

DPS has two classes scheduled in October to certify new instructors as the program continues to grow. We currently have 2,680 active CHL instructors and 505,208 active Texas licensees.

September 1 means New Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Whether you hope for a place to dove hunt, teal hunt, or fish for shark, you better pick up that license. Don’t test the water and be fined.
Members, stay tuned for information about a National CHL Reciprocity Bill moving in Congress later this fall. I’ll let you know when and who to call.

Remember TSRA is the NRA state affiliate but our money and our power comes from Texans. Join, renew, or up-grade your membership at www.tsra.com or call 512-615-4200 during regular business hours.

Pray for Rain and Keep the Faith,

About:
The Mission of the Texas State Rifle Association is to protect and defend the inalienable rights of the individual Texan to acquire, possess, transport, carry, transfer ownership and enjoy the right to lawful use of firearms for self preservation, for the defense of family and property and the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberties of the people. Visit: www.TSRA.com

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Louisiana --(Ammoland.com)- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) wants to remind citizens that a valid Louisiana hunting license is still required to take outlaw quadrupeds including feral hogs with the new laws that went into effect today, Aug. 15.

Legislation passed during the 2011 Legislative Session, provides additional options for citizens to take outlaw quadrupeds (armadillos, coyotes, feral hogs) and nuisance animals (nutria and beaver).

House Bill 294, signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal as Act 95, makes it legal beginning today, to take outlaw quadrupeds, nutria and beaver at night from March through August on private property with any legal firearm.

Anyone taking part in these activities at night is required to notify the parish sheriff’s office 24 hours in advance of any such hunt.

Additionally, House Bill 169, signed into law by Governor Jindal as Act 29, allows the take of nuisance quadrupeds at night using sound suppressors on the firearm(s) utilized, beginning today. Anyone using such a weapon must have in possession a valid permit issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The use of sound suppressed weapons is restricted to the take of outlaw quadrupeds, including coyotes and feral hogs, from March through August on private property.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

Outdoorchannel TV

Temecula, Calif. --(Ammoland.com)- Outdoor Channel, America’s Leader in Outdoor TV, today announced the launch of Outdoor Channel HD, which captures the sights, sounds and thrill of the network’s popular programming with razor-sharp clarity in widescreen format, on Comcast Xfinity TV systems in the Houston market.

Effective immediately, Comcast subscribers in Houston will have access to the ultimate outdoor adventure entertainment available on TV, in HD.

“Comcast continues to be a great partner for us, and we’re excited to extend the reach of our Outdoor Channel brand in Houston,” said Tom Hornish, Chief Operating Officer, Outdoor Channel. “This agreement is a tremendous step forward in serving local outdoorsmen and women who are more engaged and invested in our brand than ever.”

“Offering a greater depth and crispness to our already unparalleled scenic lineup, Outdoor Channel HD is revolutionizing the way audiences watch outdoor content,” said Randy Brown, Executive Vice President, Affiliate Sales & Marketing, Outdoor Channel. “Our entrance into Houston – a top 10 DMA – is an integral part of our broader HD distribution strategy, which continues to see solid growth.”

“Comcast customers in Houston will be the first to enjoy Outdoor Channel in high definition,” said Michael Bybee, spokesperson for Comcast Houston. “We look forward to offering Outdoor Channel HD’s compelling outdoor lifestyle programming in pristine quality through our Xfinity service, and activating the interests of area hunters, anglers and other outdoorsmen seeking to dually be entertained and informed.”

Outdoor Channel HD is now available as part of Comcast’s Digital Preferred HD tier on Channel 708. The network’s linear channel is also available on Channel 115 throughout the region.

Each season, Outdoor Channel airs the highest quality outdoor action adventure programming that captures the excitement of the great outdoors through the eyes of esteemed talent and renowned celebrities. The network’s third quarter programming lineup includes new shows, like: “MidwayUSA’s Gun Stories” with actor and gun enthusiast Joe Mantegna; “Realtree’s NASCAR Outdoors,” featuring some of the biggest names in NASCAR, like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick; “Shawn Michaels’ MacMillan River Adventures” with WWE Legend and Hall of Famer; and “Mudslingers” with rising country music star Colt Ford. In addition, several brand new episodes of the network’s smash hits have returned, such as: “Benelli Presents Duck Commander,” “Bone Collector,” “Buck Commander Protected by Under Armour,” “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors,” “Jim Shockey’s The Professionals,” “The Crush with Lee & Tiffany” and “Realtree Road Trips with Michael Waddell.”

About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.
Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America’s leader in outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, off-road motorsports, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America’s leading and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Winnercomm also owns and operates the patented Skycam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information, please visit www.outdoorchannel.com.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

Obama Administration Approves Illegal Multiple Sales Reporting Requirement **Oleg Volk

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- On Monday, the Justice Department announced that it will proceed with a controversial reporting procedure that will require federally licensed firearms retailers in states bordering Mexico to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles.

Last fall, the reporting procedure was proposed as an “emergency” measure by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The procedure specifically calls for all of the firearm retailers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to report multiple sales, or other dispositions, of two or more .22 caliber or larger semi-automatic rifles that are capable of accepting a detachable magazine and that are purchased by the same individual within five consecutive business days. For example, a dealer would have to tell the government every time a deer hunter in Sacramento or Amarillo finds a good deal on a pair of semi-auto .30-06s like the popular Remington 7400.

The BATFE has no legal authority to demand these reports, and the flood of new paperwork (BATFE estimates 18,000 reports per year) will waste scarce law enforcement resources that should be spent on legitimate investigations.

Deputy Attorney General James Cole said in the DOJ statement that this new reporting measure “will improve the ability of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to detect and disrupt the illegal weapons trafficking networks responsible for diverting firearms from lawful commerce to criminals and criminal organizations.”

As anyone who watches the news is aware, the BATFE has recently come under intense scrutiny due to its involvement in, and handling of, the ill-conceived and ill-fated “Fast and Furious” operation. “Fast and Furious” was a part of the five-year-old “Project Gunrunner” program and encouraged Arizona gun stores to sell thousands of guns to suspicious buyers, despite objections from dealers and BATFE field agents alike.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) called the new policy “the height of hypocrisy,” and said the Obama administration is restricting the gun rights of border state citizens “when the administration knowingly and intentionally allowed guns to be trafficked into Mexico.” Smith went on to say, “Limiting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens is not going to solve the problem.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed, by a vote of 277 to 149, an amendment to H.R. 1 offered by Reps. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and Dan Boren (D-Okla.) that prohibits the use of federal funds for the reporting scheme.

Unfortunately, the amendment was not included in the final version of the bill as a result of Senate inaction. In March, U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) introduced legislation (S. 570) “to prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking and cataloging the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns.”

The bill would prohibit the use of federal funds for a multiple sales reporting scheme proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Please contact your Senator and encourage him or her to cosponsor S. 570 to stop this blatant abuse of power. You can reach your Senators at (202) 224-3121 or send them an e-mail by clicking here.

Commenting on the DOJ announcement, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox said, “$40 billion transnational criminal enterprises don’t fill out paperwork and are not deterred by paperwork violations. This is a blatant effort by the Obama administration and ATF to divert the focus of Congress and the general public from their gross incompetence in the ‘Fast and Furious’ scandal. This scheme will unjustly burden law abiding retailers in border states. It will not affect drug cartels and it won’t prevent violence along our borders. The BATFE and the Administration lack the statutory authority to do this and the NRA will file suit as soon as BATFE sends the first demand letters.”

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

**Image: by Olegvolk.net

Texas State Rifle Association

Houston, Tx --(Ammoland.com)- Today, June 29th, at 12:30, the Texas House joined the Senate and gaveled to a close marking the end of Special Session.

This is when Rep. Fred Brown announced his retirement effective immediately. Rep. Brown’s Texas House District 14 includes part of Brazos County.

He’s been a pro-gun vote since his first legislative session in 1999. TSRA members in the College Station area expect a special election to be called soon. You will need to elect someone to complete Rep. Brown’s term in office. Seth McKinney, son of A&M’s Chancellor Mike McKinney, has announced he’ll run.

The major issues assigned to the Special Session by Governor Perry were completed, notably the budget bills. There were no gun-related issues on the “call” although Senator Wentworth would like to add CHL on Campus to the education bill. Likely any attempt at that would have been nullified in the House by a point of order due to rule differences between the House and Senate. The much discussed in the media TSA “groping” bill was left behind.

By the way, I’m told gun bills have never been included on a Governor’s call for a special session.

All members of the Texas House and the Texas Senate will stand for reelection in 2012. This is due to redistricting. It will be a busy election year to say the least.

Stay tuned to TSRA for more information.

TSRA Gun Show in Mesquite ~July 30-31
Also, if you’re in the DFW area, mark your calendar for July 30-31 at the Mesquite Convention Center. Get out of the Texas heat and add to your collection for the fall hunting seasons. For information about having a table or attending contact Crystal Walker at cwalker@tsra.com or call the office at 512-615-4200.

Join, Renew, or Upgrade TSRA membership at www.tsra.com or call the office at 512-615-4200. TSRA needs you to be able to support gun owners in Texas.

TSRA is the NRA state affiliate but our members and our money come from Texas!

Keep the Faith,

About:
The Mission of the Texas State Rifle Association is to protect and defend the inalienable rights of the individual Texan to acquire, possess, transport, carry, transfer ownership and enjoy the right to lawful use of firearms for self preservation, for the defense of family and property and the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberties of the people. Visit: www.TSRA.com

Young Conservatives of Texas

Austin, TX --(Ammoland.com)- As the current special session of the 82nd Texas Legislature heads into its second and possibly final week, Young Conservatives of Texas call upon Governor Rick Perry to add “campus carry” to the agenda.

Tony McDonald, senior vice chairman of Young Conservatives of Texas and a law student at the University of Texas at Austin, commented, “By adding ‘sanctuary cities’ to the special session agenda, Governor Perry has shown that he intends to undo the damage done by a handful of liberal legislators who sought to stand in the way of the majority’s hard work.

It only makes sense that he also add ‘campus carry,’ an issue that clearly has majority support in the Texas Legislature and that has a much longer history than ‘sanctuary cities’ of being blocked by parliamentary chicanery.”

During the regular session of the 82nd legislature, 88 of 150 Texas Representatives signed on to Representative Joe Driver’s campus carry bill, HB 750, as coauthors. And when Senator Jeff Wentworth offered a campus carry amendment to another higher education bill, SB 1581, 21 of 31 Texas Senators voted to support it. But as happened in 2009, campus carry passed out of the Senate only to be killed on a technicality in the House, without ever receiving a floor vote.

Young Conservatives of Texas believe that the proven track record of licensed concealed carry throughout Texas, coupled with the proven track record of licensed concealed carry on numerous college campuses outside of Texas, clearly demonstrates that there is no reason to deny trained, licensed adults the means to protect themselves on Texas college campuses.

McDonald concluded, “In years past, Governor Perry voiced strong support for this cause. Our organization and many others hope that he will embrace this opportunity to back up those strong words with strong action.”

Young Conservatives of Texas has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 18 legislative sessions. To learn more about YCT, their ratings, or for information on joining, please visit www.YCT.org.

AmmoLand Gun News

Austin, Texas –-(Ammoland.com)- Today, State Senator Glenn Hegar (R, of Katy) announced that both the Texas Senate and House of Representatives have passed the conference committee report for Senate Bill 321, which strengthens and protects the Second Amendment Rights of hard-working Texas.

The legislation is now on its way to the desk of Texas Governor Rick Perry, where his signature will effect its final passage.

The legislation, once signed into law, will prevent employers from adopting policies that deny Second Amendment protections to their employees who wish to store legally owned firearms in their locked vehicles while at work. Hegar’s bill was filed in response to a number of instances across the state where employees have been denied the right to protect themselves while traveling to and from work because their employers have adopted overly restrictive policies. This was the third legislative session Hegar has worked to pass the measure.

“I want to thank my legislative colleagues both in the Senate and the Texas House for supporting this important legislation,” said Senator Hegar. “I especially want to thank State Representative Tim Kleinschmidt (R, Lexington), who sponsored the bill in the Texas House of Representatives and who worked tirelessly to help ensure that it received the strong support of House members.”

“Senator Hegar has once again demonstrated why he’s the Texas State Rifle Association’s (TSRA) Doc Brown Legislator of the Year award winner,” said Alice Tripp, Legislative Director of the Texas State Rifle Association, the National Rifle Association’s state affiliate. “After seven long years, the bill has finally crossed the finished line! Senate Bill 321 is clear and finally passed. Thanks to Senator Hegar, Texas commuters will be protected on their way to and from the workplace,” Tripp added.

“This law will help Texans regain their constitutional right to protect themselves as they travel to and from work,” said Hegar. “When an employer bars firearms on company property, even those hidden in locked vehicles, they rob their employees of their Second Amendment Rights and, even more importantly, of their right to safety,” said Senator Hegar.

Hegar said that millions of Texans spend hours each week in their cars and trucks as they commute to and from work. These commutes may be comfortable and safe for many, but others are not so lucky, as their daily drives take them through dangerous neighborhoods. Unfortunately, many Texans have been forced to make the choice between adhering to their employer’s policy prohibiting storage of their legally owned firearm in their locked vehicle on company property, non-adherence to which is oftentimes grounds for termination, or protecting themselves by having their legal firearm available to them as they make their daily commute.

“The National Rifle Association (NRA) strongly supported Senate Bill 321, legislation similar to that passed in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and eleven other states to prevent employers from enforcing policies that restrict employees’ ability to transport and store firearms in their locked, privately-owned vehicles while parked at work,” said Tara Mica Reilly, Legislative Liaison for Texas for the National Rifle Association.

“We applaud Senator Hegar’s efforts in getting this measure passed by the Texas Legislature and thank him for helping prevent hard-working Texans from having to choose between their jobs and their right to personal protection during their commutes, and to take part in lawful hunting and recreational activities before and after work,” Reilly added.

Hegar said that Senate Bill 321 is common-sense legislation that balances the rights of both employer and employee. Under the new law, employees will regain their express right to store legally owned firearm(s) and ammunition at their place of work, and with it, the ability to protect themselves as they travel to and from their jobs. Employers will be protected from any lawsuit resulting from the use of a firearm stored on their property, and they can still forbid an employee from carrying a firearm in company owned vehicles. Under his new law, employers will also retain the right to prohibit firearms in their offices.

“Responsible and law-abiding gun owners should not be forced to choose between personal protection and protecting their jobs,” said Hegar. “Once Governor Perry signs Senate Bill 321 into law, no hard-working Texan will again face that difficult and unfair choice,” he concluded.

Senator Hegar served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives and now represents Senate District 18 in the Texas Senate. He isa sixth generation Texan, and earns a living farming rice and corn on land that has been in his family since the mid 1800′s. He currently resides in Katy, Texas with his wife Dara, and their three children, Claire, Julia, and Jonah.

Texas College Republicans

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Texas College Republicans (TCR) seek the addition of campus carry to the current special session of the Texas Legislature.

The Texas Senate has passed campus carry in the past two legislative sessions, only to find it blocked from receiving a vote in a strongly supportive House of Representatives.

TCR Chair Steve Lettunich has stated,“We’d like to recognize the hard work of those within the legislature that have helped keep campus carry on the forefront, such as Senator Jeff Wentworth, Representative David Simpson, and the many other supporters of the issue. But the fight is not over yet.

“Governor Perry has also continually expressed his support of campus carry. As he adds issues to the special session, we ask that he continue his support and consider the addition of campus carry.”

TCR is the official statewide federation of College Republicans chapters and a member of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC), the official collegiate arm of the Republican Party. TCR has 35 chapters and over 2500 members within those chapters.