United Airlines instituted a ‘no antlers’ baggage policy in 2009. Trophy hunters and the U.S. Sportsmans Alliance led a public sentiment campaign to get United Airlines to revise their policy and it succeeded. We at SOTS would like to thank United Airlines for showing consideration to hunters who use their airlines and we invite SOTS readers to reward United Airlines with their business.
“The new policy will allow passengers to check one set of antlers or animal horns per ticketed customer, at a cost of $175. There are certain linear dimension restrictions that must be met, and the antler tips and skull must be wrapped and properly protected.”
Another reminder of the importance of belonging to organizations that protect hunter’s rights.
“The topic (hunting) was not typical for a soirée in the ethnically and culturally diverse neighborhood in a famously liberal urban area.
But that conversation some two years ago led to a hunting trip and, later, to the Bull Moose Hunting Society — a club that aims to get urbanites into the wild and in touch with their primal instincts.”
The Bull Moose Hunting Society was named by it’s founders after the political party established by the famous conservationist and hunter Teddy Roosevelt. The appeal to urbanites seems to be a strong sense of conservation and protection of the environment. Society members generally seek to harvest invasive species such as feral pig. Members also take a politically moderate position.
Hunting organizations would be well served to take notice of hunting groups that have succeeded in urban areas such as the Bull Moose Hunting Society.
1. Assume that a disaster can happen.
2. Try not to panic.
3. Know your limits.
4. Know how to do more with less.
5. Keep it simple.
6. Prepare for whatever disaster is likely to affect your area.
7. Along with your home-based supplies, create a “bug-out” kit
8. Physically prepare and act upon your preparedness plan.
9. Help your family first then your neighborhood.
10. Rotate your supplies
It is no surprise that outdoorsmen are at a distinct advantage. We are not strangers to building shelter, foraging nourishment or survival. These are the basic skills you will need to survive in a disaster.
A survival mindset is key. Outdoorsmen generally are prepared mentally for dealing with hardships associated with a setting outside of civilization.
I invite you to revisit Spirit of the Sporstmen category on emergency readiness.
The border between the United States and Mexico is a region with casualties higher than battlefields like Iraq or Afghanistan. The smuggling of drugs, weapons and human beings is profitable and violent as rival gangs use paramilitary gangs to fight over dominance.
The good people at Nat Geo take a look at this war-zone on the USA’s doorstep:
“The US-Mexico border stretches for 2,000 miles, over mountains, through deserts and dividing cities. Each year over one million undocumented people cross this border. The call of the northern country is clear US dollars are the answer for many poor people struggling in Mexico, Central America, and beyond. Over the past few years the Border Patrol has raised the stakes for anyone attempting to cross. They are daily adding to their arsenal of high tech cameras, ground radar and cutting edge unmanned predator drones. They are recruiting highly qualified agents and training new recruits daily. From the skilled tracker on foot to the agent able to see in the dark with special night-vision equipment, the USBP faces the challenge of controlling the desert every day. It is not a job for the fainthearted. In Border Wars, National Geographic goes inside the world of the US Border Patrol with unprecedented access to the surprising world of the southern border.”
During a high-stress encounter such as a robbery at gunpoint, it is challenging to maintain an effective combat mindset. The natural human reaction to a lethal threat is to release adrenaline which results in the physical reactions:
-increased heart-rate
-rapid shallow breathing
-decrease in blood flow to the extremities
-muscle tension
-decreased peripheral vision
These effects can decrease your ability to fight or flee but they are less of a threat than the natural emotional response to a high-stress situation. Emotional reactions to a high-stress encounter may include:
-panic
-unresponsiveness from sensory overload
-hyper-vigilance
-diminished cognitive abilities
-despair
If you find yourself in a high-stress encounter, you will almost certainly have a rush of adrenaline. Being in good physical condition is advantageous as the physical effects of adrenaline and stress will impair less those who are fit. Those who are in poor physical condition will find it more difficult to manage the effects of stress.
Training regularly also provides an advantage as responding to a high-stress encounter will be more familiar to those who have experienced simulations of a high-stress encounter. During a high-stress encounter, the human mind perceives more and all of this data must be process by the brain in a very short interval of time. The more that is familiar, the less new information there is to process.
Military, police and security units train personnel on how to maintain an effective combat mindset during a high-stress encounter. Here are some tips:
-Use the rush of adrenaline to overcome the temptation to ’shut down’ from fear. Adrenaline is the body’s way of creating ‘instant energy’. You may need this instant energy should you need to fight or flee but like any other energy it is useless unless it is properly managed and channeled.
-Focus on your breathing. Deep, slow breaths will help stabilize your cardio-vascular system, improve your capacity to process and recall what you perceive. Regulated breathing will increase blood flow to extremities and decrease muscle tension.
-Constantly process and re-asses. Processing information is useful even during compliance as you will be a better witness. Compliance may be appropriate at first but remain prepared to flee or fight should the tactical situation demand you do so to survive.
-Make a decision whether it is better to fight, flee or comply. When the time is right, take action…do not hesitate. He who hesitates is lost.
You will be in a better position to make this life and death decision if learn to control the effects of a high-stress encounter.
Here we have a woman who chose to comply during a robbery. She survived. She probably made the right decision. Immediately after, the emotional effects of a high-stress encounter are evident.
Senator Orin Hatch R-UT admires his new Cobra Commemorative
Members of the Utah legislature were the recipients of spectacular commemorative pistols produced by local manufacturer Cobra Enterprises. All due to pro-gun legislation.
Commemorative pistol manufactured by Cobra Enterprises for Utah State Legislature
“Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R) announced today that he signed important National Rifle Association-backed legislation into law that will protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Senate Bill 78 will protect the right to lawfully transport and store firearms in privately-owned, locked motor vehicles that are parked in a publicly accessible parking lot controlled by a business.”
Cobra Enterprises prepares to present pistols to Utah State Legislators
“In addition to signing Senate Bill 78, Governor Huntsman also signed House Bill 357. Existing Utah law requires a person to have a concealed weapon permit to carry concealed in or on their own property. HB357 fixes this problem. Now law-abiding individuals will be able to carry a concealed firearm in their own residence, on their own property, or in their place of business without a concealed carry permit. HB357 also clarifies current law with respect to firearms in vehicles, to allow law-abiding citizens the choice of how they would prefer to carry a handgun for self-defense (open, concealed, unloaded or loaded). “
The SHOT show is considered the ‘forbidden fruit’ of gun shows. The SHOT show is restricted to industry folks only. Now I REALLY want to go!
“The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference (SHOT Show) is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports and hunting industries. It is the world’s premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, archery, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, camping and related products and services. The SHOT Show attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 75 countries. The SHOT Show is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and is produced and managed by Reed Exhibitions.”
