Kimber Donates Handguns and Rifles to Ukraine
Kimber Mfg. donated 200 handguns and 20 rifles to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of Ukraine, to bolster their capabilities in this time of conflict.
Throughout this conflict, the Ukrainian people have inspired the world with their courage and determination, which inspired the Kimber team to find a way to help. Kimber answered by providing 200 R7 Mako 9mm subcompact pistols with 800 extra 13-round magazines; 10 Advanced Tactical rifles in .308 Win.; and 10 bolt-action rifles in .308 Win. Each rifle contains two magazines and a matched replacement firing pin assembly.
Other companies partnered with Kimber to ensure these firearms were ready for action. Mission First Tactical donated holsters for the R7 Mako pistols and Tactical Rifle Cases. In addition, MFT also donated 3,300 AR-15 magazines and 1,000 AR-10 magazines. Leupold & Stevens, Inc. donated 20 Mark 4 LR/T 3.5-10x40 riflescopes, which were paired and installed on each of the 20 Kimber rifles.
“The people of Ukraine are enduring tremendous hardships and are in need of support from around the world,” said Leslie Edelman, Kimber owner and CEO. “Kimber is honored to play a part in providing this much-needed assistance with the donation of these firearms and accessories. Our hearts and prayers go out to the courageous people who will be using them to defend their freedom and nation.”
Idaho Becomes 50th State to Allow Lighted Nocks and Mechanical Broadheads
On March 7, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 507 into law, which allows Idaho archers to use lighted nocks and mechanical broadheads in upcoming hunting seasons. The rule change takes affect July 1, 2022, making Idaho the last state in the nation to accept the use of these archery accessories.
Dan Forster, Archery Trade Association’s vice president and chief conservation officer, works on behalf of ATA members to influence favorable policy decisions regarding archery and bowhunting regulations. He’s pleased with the decision and said it makes things easier for hunters and industry members alike.
“We’ve been working with state agencies on equipment regulation issues for the past several years, and there’s been a lot of positive changes recently,” Forster said. “We applaud Idaho for accepting the use of lighted nocks and expandable broadheads. The decision makes the use of these accessories consistent across the country, meaning archers now have fewer things to worry about when trying to comply with regulatory complexities while hunting in Idaho. They can use lighted nocks and expandable broadheads legally wherever they bowhunt in the United States.”
National Deer Association’s 2021 Field to Fork Report: 43 Hunts, 17 States
The National Deer Association (NDA) recently wrapped up its sixth season of the Field to Fork adult hunter recruitment program. Holding 43 events in 17 states, NDA continued to blaze new trails in hunter recruitment through education and proved the efficiency of recruiting new adult hunters. This tremendously successful program sees that their recruits continue to hunt independently and share in the camaraderie of hunting.
Alongside traditional events held in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin, the Field to Fork program hosted events with organizations and conservation agencies across the country including Vortex Optics, American Outdoor Brands, Hunters of Color, The Nature Conservancy, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
“The Field to Fork program has been beyond successful, and it’s really exciting to put another great year in the books,” said Nick Pinizzotto, president and CEO of NDA. “Hunter recruitment is such an important part of our mission and seeing so many new hunters get excited to learn and experience what Field to Fork really means is extremely fulfilling.”
“Field to Fork is proving there is strong desire among many non-hunting adults to learn to hunt deer for food,” said Hank Forester, NDA director of hunting. “They have the independence and ability to hunt on their own immediately after they receive a helping hand for their first experience, and more than 80% of Field to Fork recruits are in fact continuing to hunt independently. They are sharing their venison with others, buying hunting equipment of their own, and even taking other new hunters into the deer woods.”
Many of the 2021 Field to Fork hunts were organized and hosted by NDA’s volunteer branches, while other partners included Departments of Conservation & Natural Resources in various states. The diverse community created through Field to Fork is what makes the program successful. By bringing together individuals with a passion for wild food, wild spaces and deer hunting, non-hunters can experience the true excitement found in camp or when hunting with friends and family.
