Happy Holidays! Visit us at www.trailmasteroutdoors.com for great gufts for the outdoors lover on you list!

New Bow Sight to Support Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont.—A new bow sight with exclusive features for improving low-light accuracy and pin durability is the latest product tabbed to support habitat conservation in elk country. Bowhunting company Archer Xtreme (AXT) has committed a percentage of all 2011 sales to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

AXT’s new PRIMAL X5 series bow sight with RMEF logo will be available this year at retailers nationwide. Each sale will generate funds for wildlife habitat enhancement and protection, elk restoration projects, securing public access and more.

Mark Garcia, founder and president of AXT, said, “If you’re a serious bowhunter, you have to love what RMEF is doing to protect the future of our sport. Like elk, hunters also depend on great habitat. That’s why we’re dedicating one of our new, flagship products for a very worthy organization and cause.”

In 2010, RMEF passed the 5.8 million-acre mark in habitat conserved and helped launch elk restoration initiatives in Missouri and Virginia.

Steve Decker, vice president of marketing for RMEF, said, “Mark Garcia has been a leader in the archery industry for years and we are proud to partner with his new company, Archer Xtreme. Mark aims to provide bowhunters with the highest quality accessories and the PRIMAL X5 is a great example of this effort.”

Select features of the PRIMAL X5:

• Center Core Pin stainless steel tube-pins for superior strength and protection
• Fiber Harness (patent pending) bracket system allows maximum light for each pin
• Rubberized vibration absorbing coat
• 2-inch sight housing for maximum field of view in low light conditions
• Easy-set micro adjusts with tool-less locking knobs
• RH/LH adjustable
• Rear LED deployment for easy access
• Full lifetime warranty on all manufacturer defects
• Fully machined 6061T6 aluminum construction from solid billet

For more information, visit www.archerxtreme.com or look for RMEF licensed gear wherever bowhunting products are sold.

Utah's Wild Mustangs soon to be a missing Icon in our History?

Please help protect this piece of history and write your Congressman to stop them from removing them all from the Wild.

Elk Calf playing in the water

Miller Motorsports Park WE ROCK National Championships

Miller Motorsports Park WE ROCK National Championships

Miller Motorsports Park WE ROCK National Championships

The Public Has Spoken- Our Pony Express Goal Has Been Exceeded!!

On behalf of Madeleine Pickens

Dear Supporters,

Wow! What amazing supporters we have! On August 1st, we gave you a goal of 20,000 letters to take with us for our Pony Express Mustang Delivery to Washington. Our deadline was set for September 1st.

We just wanted to let you know that we have completely blown our goal out of the water with the overwhelming response from so many wild horse supporters! Just over this past weekend, we received 7,234 letters from so many of you, which brings our current count to 26, 995!!!!

*Keep the letters coming and each of you can stand as a voice for each individual mustang that has been rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management and the ones left on the range. We are their voices, their spokespeople.

Saving America's Mustangs has deepest gratitude for the Humane Society of the United States, PETA, and ASPCA for joining us in promoting the Pony Express on your blogs and websites! Without your endorsement in this cause, we would not have generated the awareness that we have. Thank you so much for getting behind this effort and we hope you will be with us in Washington when we deliver the letters. We really appreciate what you have done for our foundation. Additionally, we thank all the other organizations that have promoted it on their websites and to their contacts. Every single person that has told even one person about this campaign has been integral in this effort. Everything matters at this point.

We are still planning the execution and finalizing the date of delivery in Washington, DC. This will be HUGE and we will definitely let you know as soon as the plan is set. All media outlets are invited to join us, as well as our supporters. More details to come. Keep checking Facebook and the SAM website for more information as it comes available. This campaign has inspired people to get involved and has educated the public of what is going on with our American wild horses and how we can protect them just by speaking up! The American public is ALWAYS right!! This time is no different!!

If you haven't done so yet, it takes less than a minute to click the Pony Express button and send your letter to us. Please do this for our wild mustangs and for future generations so that they can see these majestic creatures thriving in their natural environment.



*Because of the amazing interest that has been so apparent with students, teachers, and children all over the nation in this campaign, we are extending the deadline for mailed letters and emails to be September 10th.

We have had a couple of people from outside the US that wanted to write, but cannot do it from the Pony Express button, because it asks for a US zip code. Or if the link isn't working for you, please email directly to madeleinesponyexpress@gmail.com.

Mailed letters can be sent to:

Saving America's Mustangs
2683 Via De La Valle, G 313
Del Mar, CA 92014

Thank you all for your continued support!! You all have been fabulous in sending the letters and promoting the campaign!!! We are overjoyed that this response has been so incredible! We are united together like never before. Let's keep this going strong!! We truly appreciate every single one of you! This will be an iconic change for American history. THANK YOU for being a part of the team.

Very Sincerely,

Madeleine Pickens + The Wild Mustangs

Follow Madeleine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpickens
Become Madeleine Pickens' Friend on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/madeleine.pickens
Visit her website for up to the minute information: http://www.savingamericasmustangs.org/
Saving America's Mustangs' Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Madeleine-Pickens-Wild-Horse-Sanctuary/163062350007?ref=sgm

Federal authorities plan to round up hundreds of wild horses in Utah's west desert.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Federal authorities plan to round up hundreds of wild horses in Utah's west desert.

The Bureau of Land Management says the population of horses far exceeds the ability of parched range lands to support them.

The BLM plans to remove more than 400 wild horses in September from management areas in Juab and Millard counties.

The bureau says more than 650 wild horses roam across range lands that can support less than a third of that.

The horse management areas cover some 700 square miles of basin and range around the Conger and Confusion mountains.

The BLM says it plans to put up captured horses for adoption or relocate them to pasture lands.

Archery buck deer hunt starts Aug. 21 in Utah

Utah’s first hunt of the fall -- the general archery buck deer hunt
-- starts Aug. 21.

As you head into the woods on Aug. 21, the number of young bucks you
see might vary.

If you’re hunting in northern Utah -- where the winter was mild this
past winter -- you could see more young bucks.

If you’re hunting in southwestern Utah, where deep snow covered the
deer’s winter range, you might see less.

Overall, the number of mule deer in Utah is holding steady at just over
300,000 deer. The number of bucks wildlife biologists saw after last
fall’s hunting seasons averaged about 16 bucks per 100 does on the
state’s general season units.

The total number of deer in Utah has been hovering around 300,000 for
several years. “That indicates to me that the habitat we have in Utah
right now can support about 300,000 deer,” says Anis Aoude, big game
coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Aoude says the DWR and other agencies and organizations are pouring
millions of dollars into work to improve habitat for mule deer and other
wildlife.

Mule deer winter ranges have received most of the attention, but summer
ranges are starting to receive attention too.

“Habitat improvement work doesn’t pay off overnight,” Aoude says.
“It takes years for plants to grow and establish themselves. But
when they do, and the state’s habitat has the ability to support more
deer, the number of deer in Utah should grow.”

To find success during the archery hunt, Aoude encourages you to do
three things:

- practice shooting your bow until shooting it becomes second nature

- scout the area you’re going to hunt before the season starts

- keep the wind at your face while you’re hunting.

“Those three things can make all the difference between taking a deer
home with you and coming home empty handed,” he says.

The following are deer hunting prospects for each of the DWR’s five
regions:

Northern Region

With the exception of the Cache and Ogden units, all of the general
season units in northern Utah have at least 15 bucks per 100 does.

And some units have more.

Here’s a look at the deer herds on many of the region’s general
season units:

Cache and Ogden units

Wildlife Biologist Darren DeBloois says the three-year average for the
Cache and Ogden units is slightly below the objective of 15 bucks per
100 does.

Like much of the Northern Region, DeBloois says range conditions are
good and the animals are scattered. He also says the past two winters
have been mild, and few fawns have been lost.

“Hunters should see good numbers of two-point bucks on both of these
units,” he says.

Box Elder unit

Two good years with low winter losses, high fawn production and good
range conditions should translate into a good hunt on the Box Elder
unit.

Wildlife Biologist Kirk Enright says the unit’s buck-to-doe ratio is
19 bucks per 100 does. “Habitat improvement projects we’re doing
with landowners and other agencies is creating better habitat and more
deer,” Enright says.

Uintas North Slope units

Biologist Dave Rich says the range on the units is in good shape, and
the animals are scattered. "Recent rains have kept things nice and
green," Rich says.

Summit and East Canyon units

Biologist Scott McFarlane cautions you that most of the land on these
units is private property. Written permission from landowners is
required to hunt much of this area.

Phil Douglass, regional conservation outreach manager, shares two
reminders:

§ If the average buck-to-doe ratio on a unit stays below 15 bucks
per 100 does for a three-year period, Utah’s mule deer management plan
requires that the hunting seasons on the unit be reduced in length until
the buck-to-doe ratio improves.

As a result, the archery season on the Cache and Ogden units will
be
shorter this year.

The season begins Aug. 21 and ends on Sept. 5.

§ To avoid attracting bears into your camp, store food where bears
can’t get to it and keep your camp clean. Additional tips are
available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/learn-more/bear-safety.html.


Central Region

Where you decide to hunt in the Central Region will be important this
fall. Some areas harbor good numbers of bucks. Other areas have less.

Overall, the number of bucks on the region’s general season units is
15 bucks per 100 does. The area east of Interstate 15, from Spanish
Fork Canyon north to Interstate 80 in Salt Lake City, has the best
habitat and the highest buck-to-doe ratios.

Buck-to-doe ratios are lower outside of that area. For example, the
buck-to-doe ratio on the South Manti unit is 5 to 6 bucks per 100 does.
On the Oquirrh-Stansbury unit, the ratio is 7 to 8 bucks per 100 does.

West of I-15, in Tooele and Juab counties, Wildlife Biologist Tom
Becker says the deer herds average about 10 to 11 bucks per 100 does.
On a positive note, Becker says precipitation has helped the desert
areas this year, and the habitat conditions are better than they were
last year. The improved conditions should help more deer fawns make it
through the upcoming winter.

Scott Root, regional conservation outreach manager, has two reminders:

§ The archery hunt on the Oquirrh-Stansbury unit will shorter this
fall. The archery hunt on the unit runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 5.

§ You can extend your hunt by hunting on the Wasatch Front
Extended Archery Area. You may use archery equipment to take either a
buck or a doe on the area from Aug. 21 to Nov. 30. From Dec. 1 to Dec.
15, only doe deer may be taken.

Before hunting on the Wasatch Front Extended Archery Area-or any of the
state’s extended archery areas-you must complete the DWR’s Extended
Archery Orientation Course. The free course is available at
www.wildlife.utah.gov/huntereducation.

After completing the course, you must carry your Extended Archery
Orientation Course certificate with you while you’re hunting.

You must complete the course each year before hunting on Utah’s
extended archery areas.


Northeastern Region

The archery hunt in northeastern Utah might be better than it was last
year. Biologists say the number of deer has increased on most of the
region’s general season units.

Even though the number of deer is rising, the overall number of deer is
still below objective on five of the seven units, though.

Ron Stewart, regional conservation outreach manager, says the weather
has been good to deer this year. “The winter was relatively light in
the Uinta Mountains,” Stewart says. “Most of these herds came
through the winter without much winter loss.”

(Most of the region’s general season units are located in the Uinta
Mountains.)

Even though the general season units didn’t receive a lot of snow,
rain this spring and summer has kept the vegetation on the mountains
green. That’s provided good forage for the deer. But it’s a mixed
blessing for hunters.

“The rainfall means the vegetation will be green,” Stewart says,
“so the deer may not receive an early warning by hearing the rustle
of dried leaves and grass as you sneak up on them. But it also means
the deer won’t be clustered near a few, isolated watering holes
either.”

Stewart reminds you that the archery season on the South Slope, Vernal
unit will close early this fall.

The archery season on the unit runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 5.

The following is a snapshot of the deer herds on the region’s seven
general season units:

Unit Number of deer Bucks per 100
does

North Slope Up, and near objective 18

South Slope, Yellowstone Up, but below objective 14

South Slope, Vernal Up, and at objective 12

Nine Mile, Anthro Up, but well below objective
34

Currant Creek Up, but well below objective
12

Avintaquin Stable, but well below objective 19


Southeastern Region

You might see a few more bucks in southeastern Utah this fall. The
overall number of deer is up from last year.

While that’s good news, there’s still plenty of room for growth --
the overall number of deer on most of the region’s general season
units is between 55 and 60 percent of the number called for in
management plans. “One exception is the Abajo unit,” says Brent
Stettler, regional conservation outreach manager. “The number of deer
on the unit is above the unit’s objective of 13,500 deer.”

Another positive sign is the number of bucks per 100 does that
biologists counted after last fall’s hunting seasons. Stettler says
the number of bucks on all of the region’s general season units is
above the minimum objective of 15 bucks per 100 does.

Stettler says much of southeastern Utah experienced a cool spring and
received plenty of rain in July. “Deer are widely dispersed across
their summer range,” Stettler says.

So what’s the secret to taking a deer in the region this fall?

“Hunters may experience higher success rates by simply spending more
time away from roads and other areas that experience high use by
hunters,” says Justin Shannon, the region’s wildlife manager.
“Hiking an extra mile may be more difficult. But it may also
provide a more rewarding hunting experience.”

Shannon also encourages you to do some pre-season scouting. Once
you’ve selected a particular area, learn where the springs, seeps
and creeks are. Get to know the game trails, the bedding areas and the
escape routes the deer might take once the hunt starts.

Develop a hunting strategy that will account for changes in deer
activity once archers start moving through the woods.


Southern Region

Southern Utah received something last winter that it rarely gets: lots
of snow.

The snow that fell could result in fewer younger bucks in the region
this fall. On the positive side, the moisture has also led to healthy
mature deer with bigger antlers.

Another plus is the number of bucks per 100 does. The buck-to-doe
average on the region’s general season units is 20 bucks per 100 does.
The Southern Region has more bucks per 100 does than any region in the
state.

Buck-to-doe ratios on the general season units vary from a low of 11
bucks per 100 does on the Monroe unit to 30 bucks per 100 does on the
Southwest Desert unit.

Biologists say additional precipitation this spring and summer has
provided excellent forage and water for the deer. The deer should be
spread across their summer range when the hunt starts on Aug. 21.

The following is a look at the deer herds on most of the region’s
general season units:

Monroe and Plateau/Fishlake units

Wildlife Biologist Vance Mumford says this past winter was a long one
on the Monroe and the Plateau, Fishlake units.

“The number of fawns that died this past winter was higher than
normal,” Mumford says. “That will affect the number of yearling
bucks available during the hunt, especially since the number of fawns we
started with was lower than normal before the winter even hit.”

Mumford says there should be plenty of mature deer to hunt, though.
“Those who hunt smart and scout areas for mature deer should have a
good hunt,” he says.

Mumford says lots of rain has fallen on the two units this past spring
and summer. That has led to healthy deer and good antler growth.
“I’ve seen some good mature buck groups on the Fish Lake
unit,” he says.

Mumford reminds you that the archery hunt on the Monroe unit is shorter
than it is on many units in the state.

The archery hunt on the unit runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 5.

Plateau, Boulder unit

“We just went through the meanest winter around here in memory, even
the memories of the really old guys,” says Jim Lamb, regional wildlife
biologist. “I have seen very few yearling bucks.”

The mature bucks Lamb has seen look good, however. And they’ve had
good antler growth.

“I’m not expecting great success this fall during the deer
hunts,” he says. “The elk hunts, on the other hand, will be
great. The elk seem to have wintered well. I’ve seen quite a few
spikes recently.”

Pine Valley, Zion and Southwest Desert units

Wildlife Biologist Jason Nicholes says he counted more than 20 bucks
per 100 does on each of the three units after last fall’s hunts.
“Yearling bucks may be down slightly due to some light winter
kill,” he says.

Panguitch Lake and Mount Dutton units

More fawns than normal were lost to heavy snowfall on the Panguitch
Lake and Mount Dutton units this past winter. Wildlife Biologist Dustin
Schaible says that may result in fewer younger bucks for hunters.