Rapid Response Will Protect Manitoba Elk From Chronic Wasting Disease

Manitoba Conservation officials are using plane and helicopter surveillance over part of western Manitoba this week to find and remove up to nine escaped farm elk from Saskatchewan that could threaten to spread chronic wasting disease (CWD) to Manitoba’s wild elk, Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.

“Our diligence in monitoring and responding to the threat of chronic wasting disease has prevented it from spreading to Manitoba so far,” Mackintosh said.  “We’ve seen the devastating effect the disease has had on wildlife in neighbouring jurisdictions and this latest action is essential to keep our elk healthy.”

CWD is a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of deer and elk.  In the early 1980s, it was detected in free-ranging elk in northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming.  It has since been found in farmed-elk herds in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and other jurisdictions.  Many elk farms have had to destroy entire herds because of CWD.

When Manitoba Conservation staff was first notified of the escaped elk, they began ground efforts to locate the animals, which have identifiable ear tags and have been seen in the area of Thunder Hill, west of Swan River, and in the Birtle-St-Lazare area.  They are now escalating the search by using aerial surveillance.  Once the elk from Saskatchewan are located within or near the Manitoba border, they will be culled by Manitoba Conservation staff and tested for the disease.

While CWD has become a serious problem in Saskatchewan and Alberta, to date no confirmed cases have been found in Manitoba, Mackintosh said, adding if CWD ever became established in Manitoba’s elk population, the impacts would be extremely serious.  There is currently no evidence to show that CWD can affect humans, however the World Health Organization recommends against consuming all products from infected animals.

Information on containing the spread of CWD in Manitoba is available at:

www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildlife.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Rapid Response Will Protect Manitoba Elk From Chronic Wasting Disease

Canadian Thermal Optics Cross the Border

For the consummate hunter and rifle accessory enthusiast, there are few products more versatile than high-quality thermal scopes.  These optics strip away fog, rain, darkness, and foliage to allow you to take your perfect shot where others are left blind.

Unsurprisingly, many companies have muscled into the civilian market with this formerly military-exclusive technology, and new to the American market is Canadian manufacturer GSCI.  GSCI thermal scopes are still in use in both Armed Forces and law enforcement divisions in Canada, and the civilian versions, the TWS-3000 series offered through Tactical Night Vision Company (TNVC), retain many features from their military counterparts.

The two available civilian offerings are designated the TWS-3050 and TWS-3075, intermediate and long range scopes, respectively.  Rugged enough to be mounted on up to 7.62mm caliber rifles, they utilize a super-light OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate in conjunction with up to a 640×480 IR sensor to achieve high clarity and image quality.  TNVC even claims man-sized targets can be detected up to 2,000 yards away with the TWS-3075 model.

The TWS-3050 retails between $12,199 and $20,899, while the TWS-3075 retails between $14,199 and $22,899, both dependent upon the selected resolution of the IR sensor.  Both models are available for sale at TNVC’s website, tnvc.com.

Product specifications are as follows:

TWS-3050

• Dimensions:
• 9.5?(L) x 3?(W) x 3.75?(H)
• Weight:
• 2.75 lbs (w/ Elcan Mount)
• Finish:
• Black, Corrosion Resistant
• Power:
• Two (2) 3-Volt CR123A Lithium Batteries
• Battery Life:
• Up to 5 Hours Continuous
• Warranty:
• 1 Year Warranty
• Sensor:
• 384 x 288 or 640 x 480
• Type:
• Uncooled, Microbolometer
• Sensitivity:
• 50 mK
• Spectral:
• 8-12 ìm
• Objective:
• 50mm, F/1.0
• Magnification:
• 2X (With Digital Zoom 4X-8X)
• Polarity:
• White Hot/ Black Hot
• Display:
• 852 x 640 OLED
• Refresh Rate:
• 60 Hz
• Diopter:
• +2 / -6
• Start-Up:
• ~2-4 sec.
• Reticle:
• Cross Hair (Standard or Electronic)
• Video Out:
• Standard RCA Cable
• Human ID (384×288):
• 800 yards
• Human ID (640×480):
• 1,500 yards
• Vehicle ID (384×288):
• 1,500 yards
• Vehicle ID (640×480):
• 2,500 yards

TWS-3075

• Dimensions:
• 9.5?(L) x 3?(W) x 3.75?(H)
• Weight:
• 2.75 lbs (w/ Elcan Mount)
• Finish:
• Black, Corrosion Resistant
• Power:
• Two (2) 3-Volt CR123A Lithium Batteries
• Battery Life:
• Up to 5 Hours Continuous
• Warranty:
• 1 Year Warranty
• Sensor:
• 384 x 288 or 640 x 480
• Type:
• Uncooled, Microbolometer
• Sensitivity:
• 50 mK
• Spectral:
• 8-12 ìm
• Objective:
• 75mm, F/1.0
• Magnification:
• 2X (With Digital Zoom 4X-8X)
• Polarity:
• White Hot/ Black Hot
• Display:
• 852 x 640 OLED
• Refresh Rate:
• 60 Hz
• Diopter:
• +2 / -6
• Start-Up:
• ~2-4 sec.
• Reticle:
• Cross Hair (Standard or Electronic)
• Video Out:
• Standard RCA Cable
• Human ID (384×288):
• 1,200 yards
• Human ID (640×480):
• 2,000 yards
• Vehicle ID (384×288):
• 2,000 yards
• Vehicle ID (640×480):
• 3,500 yards

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Canadian Thermal Optics Cross the Border

Victory for Gun Rights Advocates: Canadian House of Commons Votes to End Long-Gun Registry

According to multiple sources, the Canadian Parliament voted Wednesday, to nullify a long-gun registry law which has been in place since 1995. The bill still needs to be ratified by the Canadian Senate.

Bill C-19 passed the House of Commons with 159 votes in favor and 130 opposed, marking the end of a hotly contested political debate on the House floor.

In a quote first published in National Post, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said “[C-19] does nothing to help put an end to gun crimes, nor has it saved one Canadian life,” said Toews, “It criminalizes hard-working and law-abiding citizens.” Proponents of the nullification further argued that the registry did nothing but introduce an expensive obstacle to lawful gun ownership.

The conservative House of Commons agreed 159 times.

Opponents of C-19 say that passing this law will be a step backward for Canadians. Charmine Borg, MP from Quebec, is a such an opponent. Borg had this to say on openparliament.ca: “There is absolutely no question the registry gives police officers essential planning tools they use for their interventions […] Victim’s groups have condemned Bill C-19. It is grotesque, insensitive and cruel to all these victims to abolish a registry whose records can save lives.”

A non restricted firearm, as defined by Canadian law, is an airgun, shotgun, or sporting rifle more than 660mm in length. If this bill passes, Canadian gun owners will no longer have to register their non-restricted firearms.  Gun owners will still need possession and acquisition licenses.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Victory for Gun Rights Advocates: Canadian House of Commons Votes to End Long-Gun Registry

Key Statistics from the 2012 QDMA Whitetail Deer Report

More bucks were harvested in 2010 than in 2009, according to the data from 35 states compiled in the 2012 Whitetail Report by the Quality Deer Management Association. The 60-page report (pdf) lists information on harvests, species’ range, sex ratio, and other popular management topics in the United States and Canada. In this article, I’ve compiled a short list of highlights of whitetail deer statistics below.

Antlered Buck Harvest

• Buck harvest for all the regions of the United States in 2010 was 2,776,867. Canada’s total harvest for 6 providences (Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan) was 116,147.
• The top five states for the 2010 antlered buck harvest were Texas with 357,378 bucks, Michigan – 212,341, Georgia – 155,255, Wisconsin – 148,378 and Alabama – 129,000.
• The top five states for 2010 buck harvest per square mile were Texas at 5.8 bucks per square mile, South Carolina – 4.8, Wisconsin – 4.4, Indiana – 4.3 and Georgia – 4.1.

Buck Harvest Age Structure

Western states did not report their harvested buck age data, therefore they are excluded from the findings.

• The top six states with the lowest yearling-buck harvest rates are Kansas at 9 percent of all harvested bucks being yearlings, Arkansas – 10 percent, Louisiana – 17, Missouri – 17, and Rhode Island and Texas which both averaged 22 percent yearling bucks.
• The top five states with the highest harvest of 3½-year-old and older bucks were Arkansas with a 68 percent of bucks that were taken were 3½ or older, Louisiana – 65 percent, Texas – 59 percent, Kansas – 56 percent and Oklahoma with 51 percent.

Antlerless Harvest

• Antlerless harvest totaled 3,347,150 in the United States. In six Canadian provinces (Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan) the total harvest amount was 80,587.
• The top five states for antlerless harvest in 2010 were Texas with 330,698, Georgia with 308,747, Alabama with 208,000, Michigan 205,509 and Pennsylvania with 193,310.

Deer Predators

• Coyotes have the most significant impact on fawn survival and recruitment rate. Every state and part of Canada allows coyote hunting within set perimeters except for the state of Delaware, which does not allow coyote hunting.
• In response to coyote predation, the following states have increased opportunity or changed their management model in the last five years: South Carolina, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba in Canada.

Fawn Recruitment Rates

• In the U.S., the average fawn recruitment rate declined significantly from 2000 to 2005 and again from 2005 to 2010.
• The top five states for fawn recruitment in 2010 were Iowa at a ratio of 1 fawn to 30 adult doe, Wisconsin at 1:7, South Dakota at 0:95, South Carolina at 0:88 and Ohio at 0:81.

Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak

• The most significant viral disease affecting whitetails annually is hemorrhagic disease (HD). The outbreak of HD in the summer of 2011 was the not as bad as the 2007 outbreak that was the worst in 50 years, but it did affect deer in at least 18 states.
• Thirteen states confirmed HD by the time of this report. Suspected and confirmed states with hemorrhagic disease in 2011 include Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Louisiana.
• The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study is conducting research into the disease and will release their full report on the 2011 outbreak in November 2012.

Hunting License Sales

• Hunting license sales have increased. About 4.9 percent of the United States population purchases a hunting license in any given year. From 2008 to 2009 each region of the United States saw more licenses purchased. The U.S. total for license sales in 2009 was 14,973,528.
• License sales increased every year from 2006 to 2009 in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina.
• The states where license sales decreased for two to three periods were California, New Mexico, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.

Hunting Numbers Increase With More Women Hunting

• At one point in time, the report admits that hunting numbers have steadily declined between 1979 and 2009, but speculates that the hunting industry may have made it across that hurdle. With more and more women hunting each year, hunting numbers have seen an uptick. QDMA credits the National Shooting Sports Foundation for their data that women hunters increased by 653,000 from 2002 to 2009, totaling 3,204,000 women hunters.

Look to the report itself to find contact information to your region’s deer project coordinators, QDMA branches, major branch events, to see who received various QDMA awards, and an overview of the REACH program.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Key Statistics from the 2012 QDMA Whitetail Deer Report

Trophy Whitetails Up 400 Percent Over 30 Years

Hunters and conservationists will be happy to hear that their efforts are being felt in the wild – and proof of their efforts are their rewards as well.

Trophy whitetail counts have increased over the past 30 years, by a huge percentage. The 400 percent increase can be attributed to the increase of available bucks in North America, meaning that the rise in population can be even further traced to effective conservation efforts.

“It’s a combination of all different game-management agencies,” said Justin Spring, assistant director of big game records for the Boone and Crockett Club. “It’s because all the conservation groups that put money in habitat restoration, quality deer management, letting the deer grow older…. all-in-all, it’s a huge success story.”

One more important thing that Spring mentioned for future years’ count is that all hunters report the sizes of their harvest to B&C as long as that deer just makes the minimum. “We’d like our data to be valid and we need to know what the lesser values are.” So to all hunters, B&C just asks that you put in the data for even your smaller buck that meets the minimum criteria and keep doing what you’re doing, cause you’re doing it right.

Original press release issued by Boone and Crockett Club on January 30th, 2012:

Trophy whitetail entries from 2011 hunting seasons are beginning to pour into Boone and Crockett Club headquarters. But while the sporting world waits to see which states are hot—or not—producers of giant bucks, North America’s overall robust trend in whitetail entries is a story for all conservationists to celebrate.

B&C historical records show that trophy whitetails are up 400 percent over the past 30 years.

“It’s worth remembering where America’s favorite big-game species stood not so long ago—at the brink of extinction,” said Ben Wallace, Club president. “In 1900, less than 500,000 whitetails remained. But habitat programs, research, science-based management, regulations and enforcement, all led and funded by hunters, brought this game animal back to extraordinary levels. Today there are more than 32 million whitetails!”

The Boone and Crockett system of scoring big-game trophies originated in 1906 as a means of recording details on species thought to be disappearing. Over time, these records evolved as an effective way to track the success or failure of conservation efforts.

As North America’s whitetail herd has grown, numbers of big bucks also have risen.

For the period 1980-1985, hunters entered 617 trophy whitetails into Boone and Crockett records.

For the period 2005-2010, the total jumped to 3,090, an increase of 400 percent.

During this 30-year span, many states and provinces saw percentage gains much greater than the continental average (see data below). For example, trophy whitetail entries from Wisconsin have risen 857 percent. In Illinois, the increase is 896 percent. Ontario went from a single entry to a whopping 41—a 4,000 percent gain!

Six states and provinces had zero entries in 1980-1985. For 2005-2010, they combined for 48.

Boone and Crockett offers two premier ways to trace and detail historic conservation developments, not just with whitetails but many other species as well.

A book, “Records of North American Big Game,” offers detailed tabular listings for trophies in 38 different categories of game. Each entry includes the all-time entry score, date harvested, location of kill, hunter and owner names, and selected measurements. At 768 pages, the book retails for $49.95.

A searchable online database, called “Trophy Search,” is another exceptional resource. By buying an annual subscription, users can sort B&C archival data in infinite ways to identify national as well as local trends. An annual subscription is $50.

Boone and Crockett Club Associates receive discounts on both items. Order online at www.boone-crockett.org or by calling 888-840-4868.

The list below includes state-by-state rankings for whitetail entries during the period 2005-2010, plus comparative data from 1980-1985.

B&C Trophy Whitetail Production, 2005-2010
(Typical and non-typical trophies combined)

• 1. Wisconsin, 383 entries (1980-1985 rank 3rd, 40 entries)
• 2. Illinois, 299 entries (1980-1985 rank 6th, 30 entries)
• 3. Iowa, 224 entries (1980-1985 rank 2nd, 59 entries)
• 4. Ohio, 215 entries (1980-1985 rank 14th, 16 entries)
• 5. Missouri, 214 entries (1980-1985 rank 9th (tie), 25 entries)
• 6. Kentucky, 199 entries (1980-1985 rank 9th (tie), 25 entries)
• 7. Indiana, 195 entries (1980-1985 rank 16th, 14 entries)
• 8. Kansas, 181 entries (1980-1985 rank 4th, 35 entries)
• 9. Minnesota, 172 entries (1980-1985 rank 1st, 76 entries)
• 10. Saskatchewan, 147 entries (1980-1985 rank 7th (tie), 27 entries)
• 11. Texas, 132 entries (1980-1985 rank 12th, 19 entries)
• 12. Alberta, 115 entries (1980-1985 rank 7th (tie), 27 entries)
• 13. Nebraska, 78 entries (1980-1985 rank 18th (tie), 12 entries)
• 14. Oklahoma, 48 entries (1980-1985 rank 22nd (tie), 7 entries)
• 15. Ontario, 41 entries (1980-1985 rank 42nd (tie), 1 entry)
• 16. Arkansas, 40 entries (1980-1985 rank 34th (tie), 3 entries)
• 17 (tie). Michigan, 39 entries (1980-1985 rank 17th, 13 entries)
• 17 (tie). Mississippi, 39 entries (1980-1985 rank 18th, 12 entries)
• 19. North Dakota, 31 entries (1980-1985 rank 31st (tie), 4 entries)
• 20. Pennsylvania, 26 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)
• 21. New York, 25 entries (1980-1985 rank 28th (tie), 5 entries)
• 22. South Dakota, 24 entries (1980-1985 rank 20th (tie), 8 entries)
• 23 (tie). Georgia, 23 entries (1980-1985 rank 5th, 31 entries)
• 23 (tie). Maryland, 23 entries (1980-1985 rank 28th (tie), 5 entries)
• 25 (tie). British Columbia, 19 entries (1980-1985 rank 24th (tie), 6 entries)
• 25 (tie). Maine, 19 entries (1980-1985 rank 11th, 20 entries)
• 27. Virginia, 17 entries (1980-1985 rank 22nd (tie), 7 entries)
• 28. Tennessee, 15 entries (1980-1985 rank 20th, 8 entries)
• 29. Colorado, 13 entries (1980-1985 rank 42nd (tie), 1 entry)
• 30. Idaho, 11 entries (1980-1985 rank 24th (tie), 6 entries)
• 31 (tie). Massachusetts, 8 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)
• 31 (tie). Quebec, 8 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)
• 33. Delaware, 7 entries (1980-1985 rank 42nd (tie), 1 entry)
• 34 (tie). Louisiana, 6 entries (1980-1985 rank 28th (tie), 5 entries)
• 34 (tie). Manitoba, 6 entries (1980-1985 rank 15th, 15 entries)
• 34 (tie). Washington, 6 entries (1980-1985 rank 31st (tie), 4 entries)
• 37 (tie). Montana, 5 entries (1980-1985 rank 13th, 17 entries)
• 37 (tie). Alabama, 5 entries (1980-1985 rank 34th (tie), 3 entries)
• 37 (tie). North Carolina, 5 entries (1980-1985 34th (tie), 3 entries)
• 40 (tie). Connecticut, 4 entries (1980-1985 rank 38th (tie), 2 entries)
• 40 (tie). New Hampshire, 4 entries (1980-1985 rank 38th (tie), 2 entries)
• 42 (tie). New Jersey, 3 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)
• 42 (tie). New Brunswick, 3 entries (1980-1985 rank 24th (tie), 6 entries)
• 42 (tie). West Virginia, 3 entries (1980-1985 rank 34th (tie), 3 entries)
• 45 (tie). Mexico, 2 entries (1980-1985 rank 24th (tie), 6 entries)
• 45 (tie). Wyoming, 2 entries (1980-1985 rank 38th (tie), 2 entries)
• 45 (tie). South Carolina, 2 entries (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)
• 45 (tie). Nova Scotia, 2 entries (1980-1985 rank 31st (tie), 4 entries)
• 49 (tie). Oregon, 1 entry (1980-1985 rank 38th (tie), 2 entries)
• 49 (tie). Rhode Island, 1 entry (1980-1985 rank 45th (tie), 0 entries)

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Trophy Whitetails Up 400 Percent Over 30 Years

Temporary Ban on Moose Hunting Now in Effect in Eastern Manitoba

Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship advises it is temporarily closing all moose hunting in strategic areas north of Pine Falls and south of Bissett.  The closure comes a year after licensed hunting was closed in Game Hunting Area (GHA) 26.

Moose populations have declined by almost 50 per cent in this part of the province since 2006.  This temporary closure is being put in place to ensure sustainable populations into the future.

The temporary closure to all moose hunting is effective immediately in specific parts of GHA 26, which stretches from Lake Winnipeg to the Manitoba-Ontario border between the Winnipeg and Wanipigow rivers including Nopiming Provincial Park.

The closure also applies to treaty and Aboriginal rights-based hunters.  The department has consulted local First Nations and Métis people to find solutions and will continue to work with Aboriginal communities and stakeholders to develop long-term plans to address low moose populations across the province.

Other measures taken to protect moose in this area include hunting regulation revisions that increase white-tailed deer bag limits, which will help reduce the transfer of fatal brainworm from deer to moose, as well as monitoring programs to help understand how wolves and bears are influencing the moose population.

In March 2011, the province announced $800,000 for a moose population recovery plan to help end the decline and restore the population to sustainable levels in both areas of the province.  This included funding for:

• wildlife surveys related to moose management such as moose and wolf population surveys,
•  incentives to local trappers to increase the harvest of wolves,
• decommissioning roads into areas of high moose density to help limit vehicle access,
• additional staffing resources to implement the moose recovery program and consult with First Nations and Métis people, and
• resources for increased enforcement including three new natural resource officers.
• The licensed moose hunting seasons were cancelled in the Duck Mountain and GHA 26 in 2010.  Conservation closures to hunting moose by all people were implemented in the Duck Mountain and Porcupine Mountain areas of western Manitoba in July 2011.

More information on the moose hunting closures, including maps of the affected areas, can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildlife/.

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Primitive Instinct Conquers Mountain Caribou

Portsmouth, NH – This week on Primitive Instinct, host Gregg Ritz hunts one of North America’s most majestic trophies: the mountain caribou. After a long journey to the rugged Northwest Territories, Gregg begins his quest for a velvet-racked trophy bull. Tag along with Gregg as he treks mile after grueling mile and glasses several good bulls, and eventually seals the deal with his Thompson/Center muzzleloader. Tune in to the Outdoor Channel Monday at 8:30 p.m. EST and check out this high-octane adventure hunt!

Show Concept

Primitive Instinct, hosted by professional hunter and popular television personality Gregg Ritz, ushers in a dynamic genre of documentary-style outdoor television. Filmed on location across North America, Primitive Instinct chronicles Gregg’s relentless quest for a variety of record book trophies. With emphasis on the pursuit of giant whitetails, Primitive Instinct treats viewers to epic encounters in the whitetail woods, as well as unforgettable hunts for elk, moose, sheep and other coveted big game trophies. Gregg also explores our hunting heritage, immersing himself in the rich hunting cultures of the Northeast, Midwest and other regions.

“Primitive Instinct gives me an exciting opportunity to share my experiences with other hardcore hunters and adventure seekers,” said Gregg. “It’s about so much more than record-book results. It’s about matching wits with wild and wary big game, and paying respect to not just the animals we pursue, but also the unforgiving landscapes they call home. It’s about honoring our hunting heritage. It’s about pushing yourself further than you thought possible to overcome obstacles and pursue life-altering adventure – no matter what stands in your way.”

Host Bio

Gregg Ritz is a highly respected household name in every arena of the outdoor industry. His extensive and diverse role in television has lead to success in other avenues, including personality endorsements, brand management, mergers and acquisitions, and many other industry-shaping pursuits. Gregg is one of the industry’s most accomplished hunters, with a long list of record book  accomplishments across the globe. His dedication to adventure hunting is unmatched, his technical muzzleloading expertise and passion for archery are world renowned, his scouting and land management skills are second-to-none, and his use of innovative hunting tactics has made him an authority on big game hunting worldwide.

Outdoor Channel Airtimes

Primitive Instinct airs Monday at 8:30 p.m. EST on the Outdoor Channel, with two (2) additional airings.

Learn more at www.primitiveinstincttv.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Primitive Instinct Conquers Mountain Caribou

Primitive Instinct Chases Trophy Bruins on Outdoor Channel

Portsmouth, NH – This week on “Primitive Instinct”, host Gregg Ritz journeys to Vancouver Island to hunt giant black bears with good friend and legendary outfitter Jim Shockey. This intense, spot-and-stalk-style hunt is every bear hunter’s dream. With numerous bear sightings every day, Gregg and Jim eventually sneak within bow range of a big, trophy-class bruin, and Gregg’s Horton crossbow seals the deal in short order!

Show Concept

Primitive Instinct, hosted by professional hunter and popular television personality Gregg Ritz, ushers in a dynamic genre of documentary-style outdoor television. Filmed on location across North America, Primitive Instinct chronicles Gregg’s relentless quest for a variety of record book trophies. With emphasis on the pursuit of giant whitetails, Primitive Instinct treats viewers to epic encounters in the whitetail woods, as well as unforgettable hunts for elk, moose, sheep and other coveted big game trophies. Gregg also explores our hunting heritage, immersing himself in the rich hunting cultures of the Northeast, Midwest and other regions.

“Primitive Instinct gives me an exciting opportunity to share my experiences with other hardcore hunters and adventure seekers,” said Gregg. “It’s about so much more than record-book results. It’s about matching wits with wild and wary big game, and paying respect to not just the animals we pursue, but also the unforgiving landscapes they call home. It’s about honoring our hunting heritage. It’s about pushing yourself further than you thought possible to overcome obstacles and pursue life-altering adventure – no matter what stands in your way.”

Host Bio

Gregg Ritz is a highly respected household name in every arena of the outdoor industry. His extensive and diverse role in television has lead to success in other avenues, including personality endorsements, brand management, mergers and acquisitions, and many other industry-shaping pursuits. Gregg is one of the industry’s most accomplished hunters, with a long list of record book  accomplishments across the globe. His dedication to adventure hunting is unmatched, his technical muzzleloading expertise and passion for archery are world renowned, his scouting and land management skills are second-to-none, and his use of innovative hunting tactics has made him an authority on big game hunting worldwide.

Outdoor Channel Airtimes

Primitive Instinct airs Monday at 8:30 p.m. EST on the Outdoor Channel, with two (2) additional airings.

Learn more at www.primitiveinstincttv.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Primitive Instinct Chases Trophy Bruins on Outdoor Channel

Hunt Masters Heads North for Mountain Caribou this Sunday

Portsmouth, NH – This week on “Hunt Masters”, join pro hunters Gregg Ritz and Jim Shockey as they journey to the Yukon on a quest for mountain caribou. Truly a big game hunter’s paradise, the Yukon offers unforgettable adventure, amazing scenery and encounters with incredible trophies. Gregg and Jim put their Thompson/Center muzzleloaders to the test once again, and the results definitely do not disappoint! Tune in and check out this epic hunt for two truly magnificent trophy bulls!

Show Concept

Hunt Masters details the outdoor pursuits of the industry’s most accomplished hunters. A “Who’s Who” list of dedicated, diehard outdoorsmen and women, the show gives viewers a sneak peek into the play books of such noted personalities as Michael Waddell, Gregg Ritz, Jim Shockey, Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, Larry Weishuhn and Stan Potts. These experts share proven hunting tactics while giving viewers a front row seat to their most exciting and challenging hunts with bow, crossbow, rifle and muzzle-loader. This fan favorite, top-rated show offers something for outdoorsmen and women of all ages, and helps viewers hone their hunting skills like no other show.

Learn more at www.wildcomm.com/hunt-masters.aspx.

2011 Show Lineup

• Week 21:  New Mexico mule deer with Gregg Ritz & Greg Miller mule deer hunt
• Week 22:  Alaska moose with Gregg Ritz & Stan Potts moose hunt
• Week 23: Iowa whitetail with Gregg Ritz & Lee Lakosky whitetail hunt
• Week 24: New Mexico elk with Gregg Ritz & Stan Potts elk hunt
• Week 25: Illinois whitetail with Gregg Ritz
• Week 26: Yukon moose with Gregg Ritz & Jim Shockey moose hunt

Outdoor Channel Airtimes

Sunday 10:30 PM EST

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Hunt Masters Heads North for Mountain Caribou this Sunday

Chad Belding and The Fowl Life Head South in Search of Waterfowl

Award winning national television series The Fowl Life with Chad Belding continues on the Sportsman Channel and WILD TV with the team back in Saskatchewan, Canada beginning Thursday, October 13, at 2 AM ET.  Hosted by renowned hunting guru and outdoorsman Chad Belding, the show takes viewers into the lives of Team Fowl Life as they chase waterfowl throughout the United States and Canada. The team goes behind-the-scenes to call animals such as mallards, puddle and diver ducks, and geese into close range.

Team Fowl Life heads to Southern Saskatchewan chasing greater Canada geese. This week’s hunt takes Belding and the team through the majestic country side, with a Regina hunting expert, in search of waterfowl.

Belding is joined by his brother Clay Belding, Kris Verness from Banded Calls and Luke Schmidt from Banded Hunts as they track the migration to new hunting ground south of Paradise Hill.

“These big Canada geese cooperated with us coming out in small bunches and decoying perfectly,” Belding said.

The team is once again able to utilize equipment and tools from Dakota Decoy and MOJO Outdoors as the Canada goose season winds down in the Great White North.

“This hunt was the perfect end to our 2010 Canada voyage,” Belding continued. “It started up north with awesome hunts with Grant Kuypers and Buck Paradise Outfitters, and ended south of Regina as we chased the migration.”

Sportsman Channel Air Times (EST):

• Thursday, October 13 – 2 AM
• Saturday, October 15 – 10:30 AM
• Sunday, October 16 – 9:30 PM

Channel Guide:

The show can be found on DIRECTV channel 605, Dish Network channel 285 or 395 and AT&T U-Verse TV channel 642.  Check your local provider for local cable channel number.

About Chad Belding:

Chad Belding’s success started with his reality hunting show called ‘The Fowl Life with Chad Belding’ which launched on Sportsman Channel and WILD TV in 2008, and airs in more than 40 million homes in North America.  Fans across the nation have watched as Belding and his crew hunt in more than 15 states across the U.S., incorporating a local guest in each location who offers advice on their local hunting ground and participates in the hunt. Now approaching season three, ‘The Fowl Life with Chad Belding’ is becoming the must-see reality series for hunters across the nation.  Belding also launched a new show focused on predator hunts and wildlife conservation called ‘Dead Dog Walkin’ which began airing on Sportsman Channel and WILD TV on March 28 of this year.

About Banded Nation:

Launched in January 2011, Banded Nation is comprised of hunters, editors, graphic designers, producers, videographers and on-camera personalities dedicated to bringing a new approach to outdoor television and outdoor style.  Banded Nation was founded by renowned outdoor hunting show host Chad Belding and acts as the parent company to a wide variety of properties including Sportsman Channel and WILD TV’s award winning national television series ‘The Fowl Life with Chad Belding,’ the new predator hunting television series ‘Dead Dog Walkin’ and Banded Gear. Visit www.bandednation.com for more information.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Chad Belding and The Fowl Life Head South in Search of Waterfowl

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