A new grenade launcher that’ll be deployed in Afghanistan soon is programmable with microchipped projectiles; Norfolk Island is the place to head for the Clay Target Championships and a bit of R&R; The Greens spent heaps to win just two seats in the WA upper house, while the SFP got one seat for a bargain; a buyback scheme in Boulder, Colorado hits a legal snag on legislation the organisers fought for in the first place; Nikon is under fire from a wildlife photographer for making rifle scopes; and don’t miss the latest Australian Hunting Podcast with Jason Selmes.
New US Army rifle
The Army has a new rifle that programs grenades to explode at a preset distance. It’s the XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System and has a range of roughly 2300 feet (700m) and is to be deployed in Afghanistan soon. The rifle’s gun sight uses a laser rangefinder to determine the exact distance to the obstruction, after which the soldier can add or subtract up to three metres from that distance to enable the bullets to clear the barrier and explode above or beside the target. Soldiers will be able to use them to target snipers hidden in trenches rather than calling in air strikes. The 25-millimeter round contains a chip that receives a radio signal from the gun sight as to the precise distance to the target.
Norfolk Island gets thumbs up
Trap shooters are praising Norfolk Island Clay Target Championship, to be held February 2-7 2014, as one of the country’s premier events on the shooting calendar. The week-long championship is held atop picturesque Anson Bay with events including 50 Target Skeet, Double rise, Single Barrel, Ball Trap, Skeet Pairs, Ball Trap Pairs, High gun, Ladies High gun and international teams. As well as the shooting events, visitors can enjoy deep sea fishing in waters untouched by commercial fishing. Not a bad getaway. Check out the Norfolk Island travel website for more.
Greens WA election spend
It costs money to win a seat in an election with the Liberal Party spending more than $5m to win the WA poll last year. What makes for more interesting reading are the spends for the Greens and the Shooters & Fishers Party. The Greens spent a significant $446,000 to win just two seats in the Upper House, failing to secure a seat in the Lower House, while the Shooters & Fishers Party picked up their first Upper House seat for the bargain price of just over $60,000.
Political party spending on WA election:
The Liberal Party of Australia (WA Division) Inc – $5,141,459.31
Australian Labor Party (Western Australian Branch) – $2,756,512.71
The Greens (WA) Inc – $446,010.00
National Party of Australia (WA) Inc – $323,692.38
Shooters and Fishers Party (WA) Inc – $61,355.52
Australian Christians (WA) – $60,460
Family First Party WA – $13,161
Socialist Alliance – $1,792.76
Colorado gun buyback hits legal snag
It was a good, simple idea – offer gift cards to local businesses in exchange for guns. No questions asked. The Boulder, Colorado program was designed to get illegal weapons off the streets anonymously, but a new state gun law means that each gun transaction requires a $10 background check. That made it all too hard for the Boulder County Sherriff who called off the program. The irony is the new laws were championed by the very people who organised the buyback scheme.
Nikon cops activist bleat
Nikon makes cameras. Nikon makes rifle scopes. The problem is those who like to shoot with cameras don’t necessarily like to shoot with rifles and they’re not afraid to voice their opinion about those who do. In fact, 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner Stefano Unterthiner has had a bit of a rant about what he reckons is a conflict of interest within Nikon. “I always saw Nikon as a company close to nature, but I was wrong,” he said. “I don’t understand and can’t agree with their support for trophy hunting, which sends out entirely the wrong message to global photographers who love nature. Wildlife needs protecting now more than ever, and I urge the company to end its support for trophy hunting.” What are your thoughts?
Australian Hunting Podcast
A double plug here for Australian Hunting Podcast’s 38th instalment and the subject of the podcast, David Fent’s upcoming Aussie Hunting Adventures TV series. You’ll hear David talk about what the show is all about and what we can expect to see when the series airs at the end of the year. AHP’s Jason Selmes also talks about the Game Council and the NSW Government’s decision to abolish the organisation. The podcast can be heard here.
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