New Bass Pro BioBait, Hunt Application Periods, Bear Population Expansions, Firearm Legislation Wins & More

Bass Pro Shops is proud to announce the official launch of Johnny Morris’ BioBait, a revolutionary new line of products designed to catch fish in an environmentally friendly and responsible manner.

BioBait is truly “Fishing for the Future,” with a formula containing natural ingredients that are safe for the environment and break down faster than traditional soft plastic baits, making it safer for all aquatic life.

The biological formula is composed of plant-based materials that feed back into the environment. It is tear-resistant and lasts longer than most competing brands. When discarded or lost in the water, BioBait continues to break down and becomes digestible for aquatic life. If swallowed by fish, it does not expand in their stomachs and threaten their health and life. In time, BioBait will completely dissolve, unlike materials used in similar lures.

Some of the highly anticipated BioBait products now available at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s locations throughout North America and online at basspro.com and cabelas.com include:

Enticer Worm: The ultimate straight tail worm, with a robust texture and rich fish oil scent brimming with natural aminos. $5.99 for a pack of 10.

Shadow Swimmer: Featuring tight wobbling action, a floppy tail with wide horizontal sweeping motion, for non-stop action. Available in saltwater and freshwater versions. Starting at $5.99 for a pack of 6.

Crappie Craze: Mimics the darting, diving, gliding movements of a fleeing baitfish. Highly effective on crappie and bass. $3.49 for a pack of 18.

Brawny Craw: Intricate detailing from the flappy craws to the wispy legs, with natural texture and flavor. $5.99 for a pack of 10.

The Women for Gun Rights Organization celebrates recent grassroots efforts in support of the 2nd Amendment. Its delegates across Utah helped advance important legislation. It also stopped harmful attempts. This includes the advancement of HB 104 and the defeat of SB 130 and HB 132.

“Thanks to the incredible dedication and professionalism of our Utah delegates, gun rights were protected in the State Capitol,” said Raelle Cunningham, Regional Director for Women for Gun Rights. “Their respectful, persistent advocacy made a real difference this session. I’m especially proud of Cindy Zumwalt, our Utah State Director, for leading this charge with clarity and conviction.”

“Our delegates are the heart of this movement,” said Cindy Zumwalt, Utah State Director for Women for Gun Rights. “They showed up, spoke out, and stood firm for Utah families. Because of their work, we made schools safer, protected responsible gun ownership, and stopped legislation that could have put communities at risk. I couldn’t be prouder of the women who stepped up and made their voices heard.” For more, visit womenforgunrights.org.

Members of Federal’s sponsored shooters recently performed well at the Gamaliel Cup, which was held at the Crossville Shooting Sports Park in Crossville, Tennessee. The April 3-6, 2025, event proved a good one for Cameron Hicks and Abel Spire. With more than 330 shooters present, Hicks won two events, as well as the Main Event High Over All in a shoot-off. Spire also won two events, including High Over All in the 5-Stand and True Pair event. Spire placed third in the Super Sport event.

“I shot the 1 1/8 oz., 1235 load and I love the blue hull, and it pounds targets,” said Hicks. “The shoot was one of the windiest events of the year so far, so having that extra 1/8 ounce of shot made a huge difference.” Get loaded up by visiting federalpremium.com.

In other Federal news…Federal’s new ammo rebate program, titled Break Clays and Save, is now open. It’s for Federal’s High Over All (HOA) in 12- or 20-gauge ammunition. It lasts until June 30, 2025. Shooters can get up to $50 back. Customers must buy at least 10 boxes to get $1 back per box.

“With this great promotion, target shooters can gear up for both spring and summer while also putting a few bucks back in their pocket,” said Federal's Senior Manager of Trade Marketing, Bart Biedinger. “This program began April 1 and will continue through June, making it a great time to take advantage of this cost-saving promotion.”

Remington’s Pull, Shoot, Save! Rebate is now available. Customers can receive up to $50 back. To quality, they must purchase at least 10 boxes of 12- or 20-gauge Remington Nitro 27, Premier Nitro Sporting Clays, or Premier STS. Get back $1 per box. It runs through June 30, 2025.

Henry Repeating Arms recently celebrated the American construction industry with the launch of the American Construction Industry Tribute Edition, which is part of its Tribute Edition collection.

“America runs on the backs of its builders,” said Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms. “This rifle is our celebration of all the skilled tradespeople who work on everything from blueprints to brick and mortar to shape our city’s skylines, put roofs over our heads, build roads, bridges, and most importantly, the foundation of our lives and future. This new rifle is our way of saying thanks.”

Andy Wickstrom, President of Henry Repeating Arms, said, “We are proud to acknowledge the demanding and dangerous work, which requires a diverse range of skills. From carpenters and plumbers to electricians and engineers to ironworkers and excavators, the construction industry plays a vital role in shaping our communities and creating spaces for growth and progress.”

The application period for Oklahoma’s Controlled Hunts is now open. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation-sanctioned hunts that are up for grabs include antelope, deer, elk, and turkey. The deadline is May 20. Apply here while there’s still time.

Team Mathews’ Jimmy Lutz recently won the 2025 AAE Arizona Cup, which was hosted in Phoenix, Arizona. The event had more than 750 archers.

“This year was different with the wind. It was a battle,” said Lutz. “I didn’t shoot good yesterday, but I knew this bow was capable of winning. I knew today I had to mentally restart and get back at it”. For more, visit mathewsinc.com.

Sturgeon for Tomorrow recently called for volunteers to help in Cheboygan County, Michigan. From mid-April to early June, mature lake sturgeon will head upstream to spawning sites along the Black River. Along with the Michigan Department of Resources and tribes, the goal is to stop the illegal harvesting of these fish.

“For over 20 years, the annual Sturgeon Guarding Program has proven that people serving as sturgeon guards watching over the river have virtually eliminated poaching, while helping to ensure the protection and reproductive success of the species,” said Mary Paulson, the program’s volunteer coordinator. “It’s a unique and rewarding experience to witness these majestic fish swimming up the Black River and to be a key player in safeguarding one of Michigan’s most valuable natural resources.”

Sgt. Mike Mshar, who leads the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s efforts on the river, said, “This program, which protects this iconic species when they are most vulnerable, is a model of how agencies and the public can cooperate to get needed work accomplished.”

“The experience of watching researchers capture, tag, and release these amazing fish is, in itself, worth the effort of becoming involved,” said Jay Woiderski, president of Sturgeon for Tomorrow’s sturgeon recovery effort in the Black River/Cheboygan River watershed. “We also encourage those who enjoy mountain biking, mushrooming, hiking, kayaking, canoeing and camping in beautiful wild areas to partner with the sturgeon guarding effort.”

The Michigan DNR announced its partnership between the Hunters Feeding Michigan program and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. This will enhance the ability to connect more donors, processors, charities, and more.

“It’s a privilege to work side by side with the Food Bank Council of Michigan to grow the Hunters Feeding Michigan program and to help channel venison donated by hunters to local food agencies throughout the state,” said Joe Presgrove, DNR Hunters Feeding Michigan program specialist. “Together, we will help many Michiganders in need!”

Bears continue to push further south in Michigan, with significant range expansions throughout the state. The Upper Peninsula is home to approximately 10,000 bears. Now, the Lower Peninsula is seeing increasing numbers, and the number is currently about 2,000 bears. The Michigan DNR urges citizens to keep an eye out for hungry bears this spring.

“Bears eat a variety of fruits, berries and nuts, making them terrific seed dispersers,” Duquette said. “Their droppings help spread seeds across large areas, promoting plant growth and forest regeneration. As opportunistic omnivores, bears help control populations of small mammals and insects. They also scavenge on carrion, which helps recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.”

Their big message? Don’t feed bears. “We had a homeowner who wanted us to trap a bear because it was coming by their home every day,” said Stephen Griffith, a veteran DNR biologist for the Traverse City area. “But if a bear is coming by every day, there’s a problem. You need to fix the problem. Bears have a very, very good memory.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) excitedly announced the recent elimination of the ‘Zero-Tolerance’ Policy that was put in place in past years. It punished law-abiding Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) for small clerical errors.

“NSSF applauds today’s announcement by the DOJ and ATF that the Biden-era ‘zero-tolerance’ policy is being eliminated. This is great news for the industry that provides for the lawful exercise of the Second Amendment. We have worked with the Trump administration to secure this critical industry victory since the first day of the president’s second term, and we value the cooperation we’ve received at DOJ and ATF to arrive at today’s decision,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “The Biden administration purposefully suffocated the firearm industry at every opportunity, and no policy was more damaging than its so-called ‘zero-tolerance’ policy. This reckless policy throttled small businesses and drove many to shut down by threatening crippling administrative costs to fight against penalties for minor errors and infractions that were previously reconciled in good faith between ATF officials and law-abiding firearm retailers."