More Americans are planning vacations this summer, approximately 86 percent (three percent higher than 2010) according to a recent TripAdvisory survey, with the nation's waterways serving as prime destinations.

For the second year in a row, a record-low 44 percent of Americans say laws governing the sale of firearms should be made more strict, while 42 percent say gun laws should be kept as they are now, according to Gallup's annual Crime Poll, conducted Oct. 7-10 this year.

Following an unprecedented and robust midterm NSSF Voter Education campaign, including the establishment of an NSSF Political Action Committee, the 2010 elections proved to be exceptionally strong for pro-industry candidates at both the federal and state levels. In the election, Republicans took back control of the House of Representatives while picking up six seats in the Senate and 10 governorships.

As we all know, the midterm elections could be a major turning point in the direction of this country.  Federal spending, jobs, the economy and health care are topics at the top of the national mind, but a recent Safari Club International poll shows that sportsmen and women will also have a significant impact on the November elections — precisely because hunting is a major economic powerhouse in the U.S. economy. 

According to USA Today, 37 million Americans (one in eight) received emergency food aid in 2009--up 46% from 2005. In view of these dire statistics, SCIF Humanitarian Services once again sends a big “thank you!” to all the SCI chapters and individuals who helped make the 2009 season a great success for the Sportsmen Against HungerTM program. Total reported poundage as of publication deadline was 415,039 pounds, representing 1,660,156 meals.

Gone Huntin Safaris TV just received quite a nice achievement award when Co-Host Charlie Barnes managed to squeak out top honors by the thinnest of margins at the third annual Dallas Safari Club's BIG BORE SHOOT held near Van Alstyne, Texas.

On March 5, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) had decided that the greater sage-grouse was warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but that the listing is precluded at this time due to higher priority listing actions, according to the Wildlife Management Institute. The decision establishes sage-grouse as a candidate species and allows states to continue to manage the species, including managed hunting where appropriate.

The 22-member Wind Turbine Guidelines Federal Advisory Committee announced on March 5 that it had reached consensus on a set of recommendations (Guidelines) for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to utilize to avoid or minimize the impacts of land-based wind development on wildlife and habitat, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

Southwick Associates has announced the brands and products hunters and target shooters preferred most in 2009.  This list has been compiled from the 44,734 internet-based surveys completed by hunters and target shooters who volunteered to participate last year in HunterSurvey.com and TargetshootingSurvey.com polls.