Outdoor News: Team Winchester Wins, Avian Influenza & Record Lane Snappers 

Each week, we bring you the latest notes and news items from the outdoor world. From Team Winchester wins to avian influenza to record Lane Snappers, and more, check out what’s cooking! 

Team Winchester’s Tim & Becky Yackley Place First 

Tim and Becky Yackley of Team Winchester placed first at the recent Memorial 3-Gun competition, which took place in North Carolina. They placed first in the Tactical Optics division. Becky placed first in the Lady’s shoot-off and even took Top Lady. 

 “This was another phenomenal event and truly tested our skills with all three firearms. We shot rifle out to 670 yards, fast flying clays with shotgun, and pistol out to 100 yards,” said Becky Yackley, member of Team Winchester. “The Winchester AA® ammunition ran flawlessly through one of the most challenging shotgun stages I’ve ever shot.” 

Winchester Safes Introduces Grand American Gun Safe 

The Grand American Gun Safe by Winchester Safes is the latest in state-of-the-art gun cabinets. It offers sophisticated protection for gun owners. It incorporates premium features, including 10-gauge steel, Palusol heat-expanding door seal, a 60-minute fire rating (at 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit), and more. It can hold up to 60 long guns. It has customizable solutions for other valuables. 

"As firearm ownership continues to grow, so does the importance of secure storage options that don’t compromise on quality or design," said Greg Walters, VP Sales & Marketing at Winchester Safes. "The Grand American™ represents our commitment to delivering the most secure and sophisticated safes on the market.” For more, check out winchestersafes.com. 

Avian Influenza in Chickens Deemed Highly Pathogenic 

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry recently announced a domesticated flock of chickens with avian influenza. The particular strain was deemed highly pathogenic. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is deadly for poultry and can impact wild birds, too. Waterfowl is especially susceptible. So are upland birds, such as pheasants and quail. If you find 12 or more birds dead in an area, call the USDA’s APHIS line at 405-521-4039. Note, it is possible for people to contract HPAI, but it isn’t common. Hunters seeking more information should visit: aphis.usda.gov. 

Additionally, state officials are asking for reports of wild birds found dead or sick only if 12 or more are seen in one area. It's especially important to report the sick or dead wild birds if the group of dead wild birds is within six miles of any poultry production facility. Those reports can be called into the Oklahoma office of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at (405) 521-4039. 

Nebraska Releases Pheasants for Season 

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently released adult pheasant roosters in 18 wildlife management areas. These include Arnold Trupp WMA (Morrill County), Arrowhead WMA (Gage County), Bordeaux WMA (Dawes County), Branched Oak WMA (Lancaster County), Cornhusker WMA (Hall County), George D. Syas WMA (Nance County), Hickory Ridge WMA (Johnson County), James N. Douglas WMA (Johnson County), Kirkpatrick Basin (North County) WMA (York County), Oak Valley WMA (Madison County), Peru Bottoms WMA (Nemaha County), Powder Creek WMA (Dixon County), Pressey WMA (Custer County), Rakes Creek WMA (Cass County), Randall W. Schilling WMA (Cass County), Sherman Reservoir WMA (Sherman County), Wilkinson WMA (Platte County), and Yankee Hill WMA (Lancaster County). The season runs through January 31, 2025. For more, visit outdoornebraska.gov. 

Man Catches State-Record Lane Snapper 

On November 18, 2024, Marcus Hannon caught a Lane Snapper that weighed 2 pounds, 15.8 ounces. He was bottom fishing at the Savannah Snapper Banks, which is about 30 miles east of Wassaw Sound. The Lane Snapper measured 18 3/8 inches long and 12 ½ inches around. It’s the new Georgia state record. For more, check out coastalgadnr.org. 

Walmart and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Re-Up for 10 More Years of Acres for America Program 

Recently, Walmart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced a 10-year renewal of the Acres for America conservation program. Since its creation by Congress in 1984, this is the largest donation to NFWF. 

"Acres for America was a simple idea in the beginning, a way for Walmart to play a part in preserving key natural habitats across the U.S.," said Hunter Hart, senior vice president of Walmart Realty. "What we've achieved since then has gone far beyond what was first imagined, and we're excited to continue this commitment and working alongside NFWF." 

"Walmart’s sustained commitment to conservation is as inspirational as it is significant," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. "The company has helped make more than 125 projects a reality from Maine to California and everywhere in between. Thousands of species of our native wildlife are dependent on the habitats protected and connected by Acres for America projects. This focus on conserving the best places in America is something meaningful that will benefit our wildlife and local communities for generations to come." For more information, visit nfwf.org.