Grizzly-Nado Says: Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires
Introducing Smokey the Bear’s successor: Grizzly-Nado!
The year 2020 was such a steaming garbage fire that it’s easy to forget that it also featured real fires…lots of them. The National Shooting Sports Foundation is reaching out to America’s hunters and recreational shooters to remind us all that we have the power to help prevent last year’s disasters as we move into 2021. They have some very helpful hints and advice, which we’ll get to in a moment, but not before we make an important announcement.
In 2020, there were more than 57,000 human-caused wildfires that burned 10.3 million acres of land throughout the country, causing billions of dollars in damage along with hardship for both people and wildlife. Ninety percent of wildfires in the U.S. are caused by human actions. It’s pretty obvious that not only are some outdoorsmen being careless, there has also been a lack of leadership at the top. That’s right; Smokey the Bear’s time as our anti-fire enforcer has come to an end. It seems too many people just don’t have the healthy respect–nay, fear–for Smokey the Bear that is necessary to prevent forest fires. That’s why we’re introducing Grizzly-Nado, which is a tornado made out of grizzly bears (artist’s rendition above).
The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s “Help Prevent Wildfires” public service announcements campaign is Grizzly-Nado approved, and provides video and audio PSAs, an 8.5 x 11 poster, an infographic and shareable social media posts that remind recreational shooters and other outdoor enthusiasts to be mindful of their surroundings and to take precautions, such as:
- Being aware of restrictions on shooting and other activities in fire-prone areas
- Not using tracer rounds, exploding targets or ammunition that is steel-jacketed or contains steel-core components
- Knowing that a vehicle’s hot exhaust systems can ignite dry vegetation
- Making sure all campfires and smoking materials are properly extinguished
Wildfires are tragic in many ways, including that in most cases they can be prevented when people pay attention to their surroundings and follow safe practices.
“After seeing the terrible destruction and heartbreak wildfires can cause, no one would want to accidentally be the cause of one,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “As gun owners, we care about safeguarding our communities and our natural resources, and so we remind everyone to check the fire-danger levels in their area and take precautions before heading outdoors to pursue our warm-weather activities, including recreational shooting.”
NSSF encourages individuals and organizations to share the “Help Prevent Wildfires” public service announcements and infographic on their social media networks and to use the #GunOwnersCarehashtag. We here at Popular Outdoorsman encourage individuals and organizations to not piss off Grizzly-Nado, because he is a tornado made out of grizzly bears.
I concur with Big Al 45. I’ve hunted CO for years and no griz in this neck of the woods.
It could be a mouse or a bird, etc. The message is what matters. Make bumper or window stickers that remind people to avoid fires. This would remind people more frequently. Make it classy. People are particular about what they put on their vheciles.
No Griz in Colorado, so I’m covered.
SORRY , but you been listening to the lies from the state also. There are griz in CO and have. Been sited by people who know what they are looking at. Also, get it right Trace,! No such thing as Smokey the Bear, it is Smokey Bear!! Look it up, please. People have been saying it wrong forever, but if you check with the U.S. Forest Service and/or other notable sources, you will see the correct pronunciation of this most notable icon!
You mean ‘sighted’? Yeah, and I know personally two people who showed me a ‘cinnamon’ colored bear, which was a ‘Black’ bear but they thought it was a Griz due to it’s color.
Black bear can be many colors, but ignorant people see a cinnamon Black and freak out thinking it’s a Griz.
So pal, as a Coloradoan who hunts N.W. Colorado, I’m telling you there are NO official sightings, and the claim of ‘people who know what they are looking at’ is B.S., as NONE are of known qualification in that field, and NO pics have been taken.
Straight from the CDOW, there are NO official sightings of Griz in Colorado, and when someone claims it, I’ve found with a few questions they don’t even know the differences!
Just as the Wisc. DNR claimed there were no cougars in WISC> until 1 was hit by a car and several were caught on trail cams. Used to live in WY> and hunted in WYO and CO . Have seen Grizzly in both states. And yes I do know the difference between black bears and grizzly bears.