Days GON By: September 2016

Here’s some GON history. In 1996, York Carter won his first pickup truck in the Truck-Buck Shoot-Out. Two years later, he won the Shoot-Out again, which brought the rule into play that a person can only win one Truck-Buck Shoot-Out every 10 years. York is a long-time friend to GON, and he’s once again eligible to win a truck.

Each month we turn back the clock to see what was being reported in the pages of GON, both 20 and 10 years ago. Here’s a look back at what appeared in GON. 

20 Years Ago: September 1996

GON Hits The Web!: A lot has changed in 20 years. Just read part of this story from when GON magazine announced that it launched www.gon.com two decades ago.

“Those not familiar with the world wide web would be impressed with the amount of information that is available on hunting and fishing—and just about anything else you could imagine. To gain access to the world wide web, you need a computer, a modem and an Internet service provider. The GON website is designed to be low on graphics, which means it will download quickly even on slower modems. Service providers such as America On-Line typically charge Internet users by the hour, however, a better choice for users who plan to spend a lot of time on the Internet is an unlimited access account. 

“If you don’t own a computer but are interested in what’s out there on the web, you might want to hold off for a few months before purchasing a computer system. It is expected that cable companies will soon be providing access to the web through existing television cable wires.”

Several PETA Quotes: We know that those who support People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) don’t exactly have a level head when it comes to animals. Here’s a quote from 20 years ago from PETA President Ingrid Newkirk: “You don’t have to own squirrels and starlings to get enjoyment from them… One day, we would like an end to pet shops and the breeding of animals. (Dogs) would pursue their natural lives in the world.”

Retired GON Editor Brad Bailey accepts a wood duck plaque presented in 1996 from Ducks Unlimited Regional Director Dan Denton. The hand-painted woodie was presented in recognition of GON’s support of DU and waterfowl conservation in Georgia.

20 Years Ago: September 1996

Bill Clinton Aims For Gun Control: On the brink  of Hilliary Clinton possibly becoming president, here is some information about her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Several documents were released that helped prove Bill Clinton was out to hurt our right to own guns.

A letter from New York’s attorney general was ciruculating. The thrust of the letter was to deny gun manufacturers the right to sell guns to the military and law enforcement unless they signed a “code of conduct” with the federal government. This code of conduct was full of anti-gun restrictions that would have crippled the entire gun industry and put a serious hurt on the average Joe looking to purchase a firearm.

Bill Clinton saw the letter and sent a handwritten note to his White House Deputy Counsel that said this: “See me re: this… has some good ideas for the future.” Clinton was willing to use the power of his office to cripple the gun industry to the point that you could not get guns, even if it meant law enforcement and the military couldn’t get them either.