• MAIG Mimimcs Brady Campaign's misuse of tracing data This week, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) released a report, similar to earlier efforts by the Brady Campaign, claiming that guns originally sold in states that don't have the gun control laws that MAIG likes are more likely to end up "recovered in out-of-state crimes."
• GOAL Shoot-B-Q a Tremendous Success! Approximately 100 GOAL members gathered for a great day of "Firearms, Food, and Fun" and we couldn't have asked for better weather, a nicer venue, or better food.
• Police Charge 5 Legal Open Carry Citizens in WI - Victims need your support! This, unfortunately, did not prevent the Madison police department from overreacting by sending eight officers to Culvers to harass the law abiding citizens. Realizing their mistake, Madison dismissed the two original charges filed, and instead charged all five citizens with bogus charges of disorderly conduct designed to intimidate the citizens.
• "Nice try but No Cigar" for Brady Campaign's Paul Helmke There are more Americans owning more guns than ever before and, as we both agree, violent crime is way, way, down.
• NRA Political Victory Fund supports Jeff Perry for Congress "Jeff Perry's strong commitment to preserving our hunting and shooting heritage has earned him the NRA-PVF's endorsement," said Chris W. Cox, chairman of NRA-PVF. "Jeff was a proven leader on gun owners' and sportsmen's rights in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and I know he will continue to fight for and protect the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding gun owners at the federal level."
  
• AG Martha Coakley to face GOP Contender after all.Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour said the party is ready to throw its support behind McKenna.
• Bloomberg further disgraces himself with latest anti-gun pitch. Bloomberg revisited his perennial cause célèbre -gun control-because his anti-gun group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG), has issued an Issue Brief urging Congress to  "close the gun show loophole"-gun control supporters' Orwellian "doublespeak" for "prohibit private sales of firearms at gun shows and everywhere else."
• Obama's backdoor gun ban.The Obama administration blocks import of WW2 era M1 Garands and Carbines.
  
• Follow this case! NRA challenges the constitutionality of handgun ban for law-abiding 18-20 year olds.The suit asserts: "At eighteen years of age, law-abiding citizens in this country are considered adults for almost all purposes and certainly for the purposes of the exercise of fundamental constitutional rights.
  
• NRA backed measure signed into law by President Obama. Last week, the NRA-backed "Firearms Excise Tax Improvement Act of 2010" (H.R. 5552) was signed into law.
  
• Federal Legislation Round-up. Both houses of Congress have adjourned for their "Summer District Work Period," and there are two issues pending in Congress that require your immediate action to lobby your Senators and Congressman while back in their homestate for the next month.
• NRA will NOT endorse NV Senator Harry Reid. After careful consideration, the NRA-PVF announced today that it will not be endorsing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for re-election in the 2010 U.S. Senate race in Nevada.
• NRA defeats petition to ban lead ammunition. "It's outrageous that this petition even went this far," said Chris W. Cox, NRA-ILA Executive Director.  "We applaud the EPA for its understanding of the law and its common sense in this situation -- both of which were totally missing in the petition filed by these extreme anti-gun and anti-hunting groups."
• Shoe Leather and Votes. Get involved this election year!
• "Don't Tread on my Gun Rights" yard signs now available from the NRA. It has been estimated that well-placed campaign signs can account for four percentage points on Election Day.
  

• Read more Local stories on goalnews.org-local here
• Read more National stories on goalnews.org-national here
  

Help GOAL be more efficient and save money!

New!  In an effort to cut costs and help the environment, GOAL is now offering "paperless memberships".  GOAL has made great strides over the last year to streamline our communications.  Using our new, vastly improved websites, our weekly "Friday News" email, plus our email alerts we are able to deliver information to you faster and more efficiently than ever.  With this in mind, we are now offering "paperless memberships" to any member that chooses to "opt in".

If you choose to go "paperless" you will receive a membership renewal notice in the months preceding your renewal, your membership card, and the bare minimum of paper mailing as required by GOAL's bylaws.

You will receive no other paper in the mail, including the monthly Outdoor Message.

If you would like to opt into this program please send an email to membership@goal.org with "Opt In" as the title.  No other correspondence is necessary.

Surplus antlerless deer permits for Wildlife Management Zones (WMZ) 10, 11, 13, and 14 will go on sale on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesday, October 12, at the Westborough Field Headquarters and all MassWildlife District Offices. The exception is the Southeast District, which will be selling permits at the Myles Standish State Forest in Carver during October 12 -15, 2010. The Southeast Office will then move antlerless deer permit sales to their office in Bourne beginning on October 18. Hunters must provide their original license; copies cannot be accepted. Antlerless deer permits cost $5.00, payable with checks or cash only. Hunters may bring in original licenses and purchase permits for others. Hunters may purchase one permit per zone per day in person.

Online license holders may purchase permits through the MassOutdoors website www.mass.gov/massoutdoors and may purchase one permit for Zones 10 and 11 online. If available, additional permits must then be purchased in person at District offices or the Westborough Field Headquarters. Online license holders may purchase multiple permits for Zones 13 and 14 (Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket) online.

AUTUMN OUTDOOR SAFETY TIPS

Fall is a wonderful time to be outdoors, with its dazzling colors, crisp air, and wildlife activity galore. Whether your passion is hiking, hunting, fishing, birding, or just taking in the scenery, a few commonsense safety reminders will add to your enjoyment during your days in the field.

· Know your limits. Don't take off on a long hike, hunt, or bike ride if you're not physically ready.

· Always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.

· Watch the weather. New England weather is notorious changeable. Be ready with extra clothing.

· Expect the unexpected. Carrying a fanny pack with a few first aid items, matches, water, pocket knife, cell phone, map, compass, whistle, extra food, and flashlight can help prevent small problems from becoming big ones.

· Wear blaze orange for visibility. Whether you're a hunter, hiker, birder, or dog walker in rural areas, it's a good idea to wear a cap or vest of highly visible blaze orange clothing while you're enjoying the great outdoors.

· Respect the water. Canoeists and kayakers are required to wear life jackets from September 15 to May 15, but all water enthusiasts, especially anglers who wade in larger rivers, would be wise to wear flotation devices now that water and air temperatures are cooling.

· Respect other outdoor users. Mountain biking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, hunting, and hiking need not be and are not mutually exclusive activities. Know the hunting seasons and who is likely to be sharing the woods and waters with you. Keep dogs under direct control and respect other outdoor users' rights to enjoy our open spaces.

· Finally, licensed hunters are reminded to take the basics of hunter safety to heart. Treat every firearm as it were loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. Positively identify your target and what lies beyond it.

2010 GOAL Hunter Awards Program
GOAL is pleased to present the 2010 Hunter Awards Program! WIth four age divisions and four game divisions the awards are bigger and better than ever. We look forward to seeing your entries! 

For more information on MA hunting check goalhunters.org lots of great new content added including a new video section!