February 07, 2008

Commentary
SHOT Show has a dizzying array of
new shooting and hunting products

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- For those of us who are hunters first and everything else shooting-related second, the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show was about rifles -- perhaps the best batch of traditional hunting rifles ever to come down the model runway.
Ultimately, that means the triggers are good -- really good.
The whole trigger trend started a few years ago when Savage introduced its Accu Trigger, a smooth, crisp trigger that made gun loonies swoon, on all of its bolt-action firearms. It became the antithesis of the lawyer-triggers that had plagued the industry for years. Factory trigger were rotten, almost across the board. A lot of us bought aftermarket triggers for our guns, but that’s certainly not necessary any longer for many of the new hunting bolt guns.
This little tidbit would have been easy to miss in the mind-numbing array and endless aisles of new products that were featured in this year’s 30th version of this event. The SHOT Show is the firearm industry’s annual unveiling of the year’s new products, and this was the largest in the event’s history, both in attendance and exhibitors.
Noteably, hunting firearms and equipment have taken a supporting-cast role to the ever-growing recreational and tactical shooting marketplace. AR-style and tactical firearms are more mainstream today than bolt-action hunting rifle designs, and the “black” guns are now increasingly being used in the hunting fields. No where was that made more apparent than with a key introduction by Remington -- one of the nation’s oldest and most respected sporting firearm makers.
Remington (whose parent company now also owns Bushmaster) introduced an AR-15 looking semi-auto hunting rifle -- not surprisingly called the R-15 -- to cater to the younger generation of shooters/hunters who’ve grown up with these guns. The R-15 is billed as, and chambered for, varmint calibers this year, but big game loadings won’t be far behind. It made me feel old, probably how lever gun users felt when the first bolt-action rifles came into deer camps in the last century.
This Remington introduction would make the traditionalist in me cry, but it hasn’t come at the expense of the guns old guys like me prefer. The latest crop of new bolt-action hunting rifles is expansive and features arguably the best cartridges, triggers, and designs ever found on these guns -- and this is done while maintaining classic looks and feel. Even better, you can spend as little as $350 for a new, quality bolt gun, or -- well -- as much as you can afford above that.
Foremost in this class is the reborn Winchester Model 70. This venerable firearm stayed in retirement about as long as Roger Clemens, and it would be easy to suspect steroids (or something) were used to revitalize this old American classic rifle. It looks and feels more like its 1930s self than the decrepit shadow it had become before being discontinued just two years ago. In fact, it might even be better than ever before, with an incredible trigger, admirable fit and finish, and clean lines rivaling the original. But this dramatic upgrade doesn’t come without a price. In fact, it’s literally the price that has about doubled from the last 2006 models, retailing right at $1,000. But you get what you pay for.
Ruger has also completely reworked its Model 77 line of bolt action rifles and expanded its line of proprietary rifle cartridges, working with Hornady on these new rounds. The .375 Ruger was introduced last year, and the new .300 and .338 Ruger Compact Magnum (RCM) rounds are based on shortened versions of the .375 Ruger case. The concept behind the new rounds is to use high-energy powders that burn fully in short barrels (like the .30 TC introduced last year), allowing for rifles to be made with 20-inch barrels, rather than the standard 24- or 26-inch barrels normally used with magnum rounds. The new Model 77 Compact Magnum rifles come with a 20-inch barrel and the new RCM rounds generate velocities that match the .300 and .338 Winchester magnum ballistics. When you add in a new trigger (Ruger triggers were pretty terrible for many years) that is smooth and crisp, you may just have the best crop of Model 77s ever offered.
The only other company chambering for the still-new .375 Ruger is Legacy Sports. This Reno-based company is the importer of the increasingly popular Howa bolt-action rifles, and vice-president Andy McCormick said they would have Howa Model 1500s in a special makeup in .375 Ruger available this year. The Howa will retail for $750 versus the Ruger Model 77 retail price of $1,140.
Smith & Wesson and Thompson Center (which is now owned by Smith & Wesson) both brought out bolt action rifles that feature sleek designs with short 60-degree bolt throws, good triggers, and classic stocks. The I-Bolt is Smith’s offering and the Icon its T/C counterpart, both look like the Browning A-Bolt in many respects.
Browning also came out with an evolved A-Bolt, called the X-Bolt and – guess what – it also features the best trigger ever offered on a Browning rifle. The new Feather Trigger is set at a crisp 3 1/2 pounds from the factory. This gun also features a new recoil pad system, bolt release, and rakish stock styling on all its models.
For those of us who’ve always thought the Savage 110-line bolt rifles were sort of clunky looking, it’s time to take another look and rethink that opinion. The 50th anniversary model, new for this year, and the “Classic” are gorgeous guns, and Savage is now the first American company chambering for the peppy 6.5x284 cartridge, a former wildcat now factory loaded by Norma and Black Hills.
Marlin, which was also purchased by the same holding company that owns Remington in December, has a new X-series bolt action rifle that will retail for $325 to $350. That means you will see them on sale for $299. The XL7 is the first model in what promises to be an expansive line that features the Pro-Fire Trigger. I stood in the Marlin booth talking to Matt Foster, an old hog hunting buddy who now runs the Marlin marketing program, and I kept snapping the trigger and recocking the gun and snapping it again. Then I would look at the gun, not believing the retail price. He grinned at me, “Pretty cool, huh?”
Besides being wowed by the new bolt rifles, I spent a good deal of time looking at ammunition. The lead ammunition bans for big game and varmint hunting in California were a source of constant grumbling at the SHOT Show, but there was a flurry of activity in ammunition companies since December to have new products ready to announce and promises that more were on the way.
Both CCI and Federal (sister companies under ATK) announced lead-free .22 magnum rimfire ammunition called the TNT Green that would be available by late spring, and work was moving rapidly on non-lead standard .22 rimfire ammunition, and there was hope it would be available by year’s end.
For centerfire, Federal has expanded its line of big game and varmint ammo without lead. The varmint loads, also called TNT Green, feature a new Speer non-lead bullet, and the big game loads in the Premium line feature Barnes Tipped Triple Shocks and MRX bullets, both non-lead slugs that will be legal in California’s “green zone,” as some are calling it.
Nosler has expanded its bullet selection in the E-Tip line to include two 30 caliber slugs, a .270 and a 7mm bullet, and all four are lead-free. Winchester will be loading the non-lead bullets into their Supreme line in standard hunting calibers for this fall, and there is ongoing work on varmint and rimfire non-lead ammunition at Winchester. There was speculation that Winchester would change the lead core on its XP3 line to tungsten to make these bullets non-lead, too.
With Barnes expanding its line of Tipped and regular Triple Shock X-bullets and MRX bullets, big game non-lead bullets are available in all calibers for reloaders. The company’s line of Varmint Grenade non-lead bullets has also expanded with new .20, .22, and .243 diameter bullets, and the Multi-Purpose Green, or MPG line, includes .22 and .30 caliber fragmenting bullets. Both lines will be expanded more this year.
Black Hills Ammunition announced it will be loading .223, .22-250, and .243 ammunition with the new Barnes Varmint Grenade slugs for varmint hunters, and it already loads several popular big game cartridges with Triple Shocks.
Hornady and Remington were the only two major ammunition companies not to have non-lead products at SHOT, but Hornady management said the company would have new products to announce by the end of this year.
Other new products worth noting are a very cool holographic red dot shotgun sight introduced by Burris called the Speed Bead. The sight mounts between the receiver and rear stock of a shotgun, sitting close to the line of the bore, and allowing for quick, accurate shotgun shooting even if the stock is not mounted correctly or when the head is not in contact with the stock.
In the ammunition vein, Aguila has brought back the 5mm Remington Magnum rimfire round, and T/C has again chambered the round in barrels available for its single shot break open rifles and handguns. Ruger and Federal have teamed up to produce handguns (Ruger SP101s) and ammunition for a new .327 Federal Magnum, a lengthened .32 H&R Magnum that produces .357 Magnum ballistics in a much smaller platform with less recoil.
Bushnell in its Trail Scout series of trail cameras has combined an electronic game call with a digital camera. You can program the call to sound off every hour or two for a given duration to entice game and varmints to get their photos. Yes, it’s a little gimmicky, but you have to admit it sounds pretty fun.
In the coming weeks, we’ll cover the latest in optics and sporting shotguns from the SHOT Show, with complete stories posted on our web site at www.OutdoorNewsService.com.

Outdoor News Notes

Volunteers needed for San Gabriel Mountains bighorn sheep surveys:

Volunteers are needed to help conduct an annual survey of bighorn sheep in the San Gabriel Mountains on March 1-2. There is an orientation and instructional session on Saturday evening and then the field survey is conducted all-day Sunday.
The California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, and the Society for Conservation of Bighorn Sheep have conducted annual surveys for bighorn sheep in the San Gabriel range since 1979. The mountain range once held an estimated 740 bighorn sheep, which made the San Gabriel population the largest population of desert bighorn sheep in California. The population declined over 80 percent through the 1980’s, dipping to below 100 animals. The herd now appears to be on the increase, with recent estimates yielding approximately 300 bighorn sheep.
Volunteers will hike to designated observation sites in the San Gabriel Mountains on Sunday and count and record bighorn sheep observed. Each volunteer group will be led by a representative from the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep or the Forest Service. Survey participants must be at least 16 years old and capable of hiking one mile on rugged terrain, though most routes will be longer. Most of the hikes are not on trails, and may involve scrambling over boulders, climbing steep slopes, or bush-whacking through chaparral. No survey experience is necessary; however, volunteers must attend a mandatory orientation at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at Day Creek Intermediate School, in Rancho Cucamonga.
Complimentary campsites are available to volunteers on a first-come basis at the Applewhite Campground in Lytle Creek and Mt. Baldy RV Park in Mt. Baldy. Participants are encouraged to camp because they will need to hit the trail early Sunday.
Volunteers should bring binoculars or spotting scopes as well as two-way radios in addition to hiking gear. Mountain weather can be unpredictable and volunteers should be prepared to spend several hours hiking and additional time making observations in cold and windy weather.
Please call the Lytle Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2851 no later than February 15 to sign up and receive a volunteer packet.

New whirling disease-resistant strains of rainbow trout:

For the first time since whirling disease decimated most naturally reproducing rainbow trout populations in many areas throughout the West, new strains of rainbows have reproduced naturally in Colorado’s Gunnison River and in ponds located along the Frying Pan River near Basalt.
Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists are hopeful that the successful natural reproduction will lead to re-establishing wild, self-sustaining rainbow trout populations in Colorado, and perhaps other Western states, where whirling disease has precluded wild rainbow trout recovery efforts. The fish, a cross of the Hofer rainbow trout and other rainbow strains that are used for stocking, appear to be resistant to whirling disease. 
The fish were “young of the year,” and hatched in May 2007. They were captured in October when DOW aquatic researchers conducted electro-fishing operations in the two areas. 
“They were plump, colorful fish, they looked good,” said Barry Nehring, an aquatic researcher for the DOW in Montrose who has been working on whirling disease since 1994. “This is indicative that we've had successful reproduction.”
Several of the fish were then sent for genetic testing to a laboratory in Boulder that verified the fish were offspring of Hofer-cross rainbows stocked in the river and the ponds in 2004 and 2005.
Whirling disease is caused by a microscopic parasite that passes through the fish’s skin. The organism attacks the cartilage of young fish and distorts the spine. The affected fish move in a whirling motion, basically swimming in circles when excited or when trying to escape predation. This type of behavior greatly reduces their ability to survive in the wild.
The disease was found in Colorado in the mid-1990s and it devastated most wild rainbow trout populations throughout the state. It has also affected wild populations of fish in California, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.
During a whirling disease seminar in 2002 in Denver, a German scientist delivered a research report about a rainbow strain that was resistant to whirling disease. The Hofer rainbow trout was raised in a German hatchery. The DOW moved quickly to determine if the fish could survive in Colorado. Early in 2003, DOW researchers worked with the University of California at Davis to import the eggs and start a brood stock at the Fish Research Hatchery near Fort Collins. The fish were exposed to the disease and then dissected to see how many parasite spores had developed.
Schisler said researchers were stunned by what they saw. Spore counts in Colorado River rainbows -- which have been used for stocking by the DOW for years -- exposed to the disease could reach 4,000,000 per fish. The highest count in the Hofers reached only about 3,000 and did not affect the fish.
DOW aquatics staff then started crossing the Hofers with existing rainbow stock and conducting more tests. Not only were the new strains of fish resistant to the disease, they also grew faster than traditional stocker strains. Hofers grew to catchable size -- about 10 inches -- in about 14 months, four months faster than the other rainbow trout strains.
Mark Jones, aquatic research leader for the DOW, said Colorado leads the nation in the whirling disease war.
“No other state has conducted more research into identifying real solutions to the whirling disease problem,” Jones said. “We could tell this was a good thing from the start.”
Based on the extensive research, the DOW hatcheries are expanding production of the various crosses. In 2008 more than 1 million sub-catchable and catchable fish of the Hofer crosses are planned to be stocked in lakes and rivers throughout Colorado.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 8 IMPERIAL VALLEY FRIENDS OF NRA FUND-RAISER: The Imperial Valley Friends of the NRA will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8, at the Swiss Club, 1585 E. Worthington Road, Holtville. Tickets are $50 per person. Contact Jeff Mercer at 760-337-3030 or via e-mail at jeff.mercer@gcinc.com.
FEBRUARY 9 CWA INLAND EMPIRE SHOOT: The California waterfowl Association will be having its Inland Empire Shoot and Lunch fund-raiser beginning 7 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9 at Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises, 14995 River Road, Corona. Cost is $60 per shooter, $300 per squad. Contact Frank Moore at 714-803-7374, Debbie Davis at 909-730-7730, or log on to www.calwaterfowl.org.
FEBRUARY 9 BALD EAGLE CENSUS: Volunteers are needed for the winter census of bald eagles at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, and Lake Hemet on Saturday, February 9. Counts are conducted the same day and same times at all four waters. Volunteers need to bring binoculars, a watch, and wear warm clothes. For more information about eagle counts, please call Marc Stamer with the San Bernardino National Forest in Big Bear at 909-382-2828 to count at Arrowhead or Big Bear; Heidi Sellers at the San Jacinto Ranger Station at 909-382-2945 to count at Lake Hemet; or Rick Reisenhoffer at 760-389-2281 to count at Lake Silverwood. The last of these winter counts is March 8.
FEBRUARY 9-10 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Other dates for 2008 classes are Mar. 29-30, April 19-20, May 17-18, June 21-22, July 12-13, Aug. 2-3, Sept. 6-7, Oct. 4-5, Nov. 1-2, and Dec. 6-7. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
FEBRUARY 15 CWA SAN DIEGO COUNTY DINNER: The California Waterfowl Association’s San Diego County Chapter will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15 at the Elks’ Club, 1400 E. Washington, El Cajon. Cost is $65 per person, $95 per couple. Contact John Howard at 619-440-8319, Tom Homen at 209-587-0886, or log on to www.calwaterfowl.org.
FEBRUARY 15-18 GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT: The 11th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be held across the nation Feb. 15-18, and volunteers are encouraged to participate. Participants send in a checklist of the birds they tally at a specific location -- from your backyard to a local park to a favorite hiking location. Last year, there were 80,000 checklists submitted, identifying over 613 species and 11 million birds. The data is used to identify population trends, migration areas and timing, and range expansion or shrinkage. There’s a free drawing for all who participate, and a photo contest for those who submit photos by March 1. For information, go to www.birdcount.org.
FEBRUARY 16 NWTF-LAKE SUTHERLAND TURKEY TUNE-UP: The San Diego County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, along with the City of San Diego and the California Department of Fish and Game, are hosting the annual Turkey Tune-Up at Lake Sutherland 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16. There will be a drawing for the 22 turkey hunts at Lake Sutherland, calling seminars, where-to-hunt information, calling contest, raffle, and shotgun and archery range practice. Contact Debbie Doan at 619-561-5738.
FEBRUARY 16 TEMECULA CHAPTER OF NWTF CONSERVATION BANQUET: The Temecula Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federal will have its 2nd Annual Conservation Banquet beginning 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at Temeku Hills, 41687 Temeku Dr., Temecula. Dinner tickets are $65 each, $100 per couple. Contact William at 949-212-9150, Duncan at 951-679-3699 or Larry at 951-600-2765.
FEBRUARY 16 HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The 2008 class date schedule is Mar. 8, Apr. 5, May 3, June 21, July 12, Aug. 2, 16, 23, 24, 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
FEBRUARY 16-17 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project and campout in the Cedar Canyon area of the Mojave National Preserve Feb. 16-17. Repairs will be made to two small game guzzlers and a final coat of Merlex applied to a third drinker. Everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food, and gloves. Next project dates are March 14-15, April 11-13, May 16-18. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
FEBRUARY 23 SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA WORK DAY: Volunteers are needed for the first of four work days to be held at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area this year. The even will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. Volunteers will clean up all the waterfowl hunting blind sites and start a willow planting project. The work will be followed by a pot-luck barbecue at noon. For more information, contact the area at 951-928-0580 or visit the web site at www.sjwa.us.
MARCH 1 EARLY TROUT SEASON OPENER DERBY: The early Eastern Sierra trout season opens on Saturday, March 1, and the Lone Pine Early Trout Opener Derby will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Diaz Lake. Prizes for the largest fish and largest stringer along with an $800 blind bogey trout. Entry fee is $5. Contact Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce at 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.
MARCH 1-2 PASADENA FLY-FISHING SHOW: Southern California’s annual Fly Fishing Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 1-2 at the Pasadena Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. The event features fly-fishing gear manufacturers, destination resorts, fly-tying demonstrations and seminars. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15 per day or $24 for a two-day pass. More information at www.flyfishingshow.com.
MARCH 2 SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS BIGHORN SHEEP COUNT: Volunteers are needed for the annual bighorn sheep count in the San Gabriel Mountains. Conducted jointly by the Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, and several conservation groups, the comprehensive count relies on ground-based volunteers throughout the range and government crews in helicopter. The count provides the agencies with accurate population data on the sheep to help management. There is a mandatory orientation meeting on March 1 for all volunteers and preregistration is recommended by February 15. For information and to volunteer, call the Lytle Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2851.
MARCH 5-9 FRED HALL LONG BEACH SHOW: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show will be held March 5-9 at the Long Beach Convention Center. This is the West Coast’s granddaddy of sportsman’s shows filling the convention center with exhibitors. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to www.fredhall.com or call 805-389-3339.
MARCH 7 WEST VALLEY FRIENDS OF NRA FUND-RAISER: The West Valley Friends of the NRA will have its annual banquet beginning 6 p.m., Friday, March 7, at the Rancho Cucamonga Community Center. Speaker will be Chuck Michel, one of the leading firearm attorneys in California. This banquet is normally in the fall, so mark the calendar. Contact Steve Gomez at (909) 560-6000 or via e-mail at westvalleyfnra@aol.com.
MARCH 8 QUAIL UNLIMITED GUN DOG SHOWDOWN: The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited is hosting its 20th annual Gun Dog Showdown beginning 7:30 a.m., Saturday, March 8, at the Prado Regional Park Dog Training Area, Chino. The event is open to all hunting breeds and will feature planted chukar. Hunter-dog teams will be scored on time and shells expended to shoot and retrieve all three birds. Cost is $65 for non-QU members, $60 for QU members, $50 for re-runs. There is also a $10 park entrance fee. Contact Tim Bovard at 909-624-7411.
MARCH 8 BALD EAGLE CENSUS: Volunteers are needed for the winter census of bald eagles at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, and Lake Hemet on Saturday, March 8. Counts are conducted the same day and same times at all four waters. Volunteers need to bring binoculars, a watch, and wear warm clothes. For more information about eagle counts, please call Marc Stamer with the San Bernardino National Forest in Big Bear at 909-382-2828 to count at Arrowhead or Big Bear; Heidi Sellers at the San Jacinto Ranger Station at 909-382-2945 to count at Lake Hemet; or Rick Reisenhoffer at 760-389-2281 to count at Lake Silverwood.
MARCH 8 HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2008 class dates are Apr. 5, May 3, June 21, July 12, Aug. 2, 16, 23, 24, 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
MARCH 14-16 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Cima area of the Mojave National Preserve March 14-16. Five guzzlers and two springs are scheduled for repair and restoration. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project dates are April 11-13 and May 16-18. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
MARCH 26-30 FRED HALL DEL MAR SHOW: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show will be held March 26-30 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The companion show to the Long Beach event, this is the largest sportsman’s show in San Diego County. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to www.fredhall.com or call 805-389-3339.
MARCH 29-30 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Other dates for 2008 classes are April 19-20, May 17-18, June 21-22, July 12-13, Aug. 2-3, Sept. 6-7, Oct. 4-5, Nov. 1-2, and Dec. 6-7. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER):The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club, 16699 Stoddard Wells Rd., Victorville. Contact Dave Recce at 760-956-7092 or Dave Halbrook at 760-553-2794.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER):The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-841-2100 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Bob Peters via e-mail at bpi1@ca.rr.com or Don Jamroz at donjamroz@aol.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

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