Late Winter Mallard Estimates Remain Lowest in 15 Years

In the final aerial survey of the 2023-24 waterfowl season, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists estimated a Delta mallard population that was more than a half-million mallards below the 2009-2024 late January long-term average and the lowest late January survey estimate on record since the 2010 start of transect-based surveys. Also, total duck population estimates were nearly 480,000 birds below the long-term average, largely due to the low number of mallards.

On average, mallards account for about 55 percent of all ducks in the Delta during late January surveys. During this survey period, however, mallards made up only 33 percent of the total duck estimate. Read more

Chris Dorsey Discusses Threats to Hunting Rights in Hunting Matters Podcast

Dorsey Television –

Chris Dorsey appears as a guest in the latest episode of the award-winning Hunting Matters podcast to discuss myriad topics including the state of outdoor media, problems with ballot box biology, threats to hunting rights, and how to get hunting into mainstream media. Hunting Matters is presented by the Houston Safari Club Foundation whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation and the promotion of the hunting heritage.

The Hunting Matters podcast is hosted by Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director Joe Betar and co-host Ramon Robles. Betar and Robles engage with guests from various backgrounds who have a passion for hunting and conservation. The show airs on KPRC AM 950 – Houston’s longest running radio station, and as a podcast on the KPRC website, apple/itunes, iHeartMedia, Googe, Overcast and Spreaker. Read more

ScentLok’s New Insulated Bomber Hat

Infused with technology, ScentLok’s new Insulated Bomber Hat modernizes the classic bomber style.

MUSKEGON, MI – The ubiquitous “bomber hat” was an invention of necessity in the early 20th century. Airplane cockpits were open, exposing pilots to whichever way the wind blew. The bomber hat maintained popularity amongst World War II pilots flying at high altitudes to combat the cold in unpressurized cabins. The functional style eventually gained favor with outdoor enthusiasts like hunters and ice anglers and remains with us today. Read more

The Taxman Lurks Behind Government Giveaways

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

We Michiganders love our parks – both state and local.  In addition, we also enjoy those fishing piers and boat ramps that allow outdoors-minded individuals opportunities to get out on our magnificent waterways of the Great Lakes systems.  To fund these public facilities’ associated expenses takes a lot of tax dollars beyond user fees.   Here, we’ll review two of the funding mechanisms employed and their stark differences.

First, to fund conservation efforts of our waterways, the Sport Fish Restoration Act authorizes a federal excise tax on certain items: 10 percent on fishing equipment; 3 percent tax on electric boat motors, tackle and fly boxes; import duties on tackle, pleasure boats and yachts; and a portion of the federal gas tax that is attributable to motorboats and small engines. Since 1952, these excise taxes have contributed and distributed more than $11.3 billion to individual states.

Michigan’s share of distributions in year 2023 was $12,913,189 and has been at least $10 million for last 16 years.  Kathy Hollar, Division Manager, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, explained it this way:   “Our industry manufacturers are vitally important to the Sportfish Restoration Program. Without their federal excise tax contributions, we wouldn’t have had seven decades of fish restoration and boating access projects across the country for all of America to enjoy.”

Contributions is a cleverly disguised term for the reality of extractions. This hidden tax, however, is not, in effect, paid by anyone other than us consumers with costs of goods and services inflated to cover the built-in taxes.  They’re not seen, but certainly felt.  With that said, at least the money has been raised in advance of any project expenses.

Compare that pre-paid method with federal grants such the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan passed in 2021, whereby the federal government provided Michigan with $6.5 billion termed flexible state fiscal recovery funds.  Of that total, Michigan’s DNR has been appropriated $498 million with 89 percent dedicated to local and state parks’ trails and infrastructure.  Wow!  That’s a tremendous infusion of cash for upgrades – and, heartaches down the road; it’s all part of a borrowing mindset.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, annual interest payments on America’s debt will reach $1.6 trillion by year 2034 and will continue to grow from there. By comparison, interest costs on the nation’s debt were $879 billion in fiscal year 2023 and recent increases in interest rates are poised to exacerbate the issue.

And, that’s merely the interest on the roughly 34 trillion-dollar debt that continues its upward spiral to future generations’ ultimate despair.   To put this incomprehensible figure into perspective, it works out to over $100 million per hour right now!

The elephant in the room that nobody has been willing to acknowledge amid the hoopla of government “giveaways” is the perpetual increase of taxation on current and future citizens.  Yes, our officials have perfected the art of can kicking.

Since politicians have no control over spending and borrowing, it appears the Beatles had it right all along with lyrics from their song Taxman and what it portends for us all:

If you drive a car, car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold, cold I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, walk,  I’ll tax your feet
Should 5 percent appear too small, be thankful I don’t take it all.

Michigan Hunter Education Field Day

Class intended for adult learners

Saturday, March 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hal and Jean Glassen Shooting Education Center
Rose Lake Shooting Range

14500 Peacock Road, East Lansing

If you are new to hunting or just hunting-curious, join the National Wild Turkey Federation and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers of Michigan for this hunter education field day for adults. We’ll cover all of the topics you need to know to hunt safely, practice shooting at the range and talk about land management and conservation.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

The NWTF will be hosting a variety of “learn to hunt” and other mentored hunt opportunities throughout the year ahead. Getting your hunter education certificate is a great way to prepare for these events.

Register for field day ?

Contact Jen Davis at jdavis@nwtf.net or 734-680-6049 if you have any questions.This event is presented as part of a partnership agreement between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the National Wild Turkey Federation, with DNR funding support.

Online Fair Chase and Hunter Ethics Learning Module Launched by Boone and Crockett Club

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Boone and Crockett Club announced today that they have officially launched their online education platform to teach hunter ethics. Thanks to a grant from the National Rifle Association’s Hunters’ Leadership Forum (NRA-HLF), a team of Boone and Crockett Club Fair Chase subject matter experts and educators formulated the world-class online learning experience to help communicate the importance of Fair Chase ethics when hunters head to the field. The Fair Chase and Hunter Ethics curriculum takes a deep dive into the roots of conservation, the value of hunting within the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and the importance of Fair Chase ethics.

“We are very pleased to team up with the NRA-HLF to offer a world-class digital education experience on the topics of Fair Chase and hunter ethics,” said Luke Coccoli, director of conservation programs for the Boone and Crockett Club who led the development of the curriculum. “This code of ethics is essential to showing respect for the game we hunt and forms the foundation for our responsibility to wildlife and wild places.” Read more

Win a Free Bear Hunt

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FREE ENTRY, sign up for our newsletters, no purchase necessary.

Get extra entries by signing up for our newsletters & following our socials!

Win a trophy black bear hunt in Saskatchewan with Into the Wild Outfitters! Saskatchewan Bear Hunt for one hunter, valued at $4,900US including:

Date – Arrive at camp and hunt – 7th, depart camp on the 8th

ENTER TO WIN

All Meals and Accommodations

Trophy Care – skin and freeze, for transport home

Tags and Guide services provided

$500 travel voucher

Pick up/drop off at Saskatoon Airport as scheduled

Full SKRE Gear Apparel Package (Valued at $850)

Not Included: Your facilitation of travel, Guide Tip/Gratuity (not required but is standard practice on a guided hunt)

 

SPYPOINT Unveils FLEX-M and FLEX-PLUS Cellular Trail Cameras

SPYPOINT, the global leader in innovative mobile scouting solutions, proudly announces the expansion of its renowned FLEX series with the introduction of two new cellular trail cameras – the FLEX-M and the FLEX-PLUS. These trailblazing additions redefine the mobile scouting experience for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts with unparalleled features and performance.

“These two cameras provide our customers with exactly what they have been asking us for,” said Jimmy Angers, President and Chief Innovation Officer at SPYPOINT. “We are committed to remaining unmatched in quality and value, and these new additions to the FLEX series exemplify that commitment.”

The FLEX-M sets a new standard for value, making the switch to cellular trail cameras easier than ever before. With 28 MP photos and 720p videos with sound, users can expect outstanding image and video quality at an affordable price. The FLEX-PLUS not only delivers 36 MP photos and 1080p videos with sound directly to the SPYPOINT app, but also features double the battery capacity. This innovative design ensures extended operation in the field and enables Instant Mode and on-demand photo and video requests. Both the FLEX-M and FLEX-PLUS are equipped with features that enhance the scouting experience, including easy setup, versatile capture modes, and constant connectivity through true Dual SIM technology. Integration with the SPYPOINT app offers easy camera activation, remote settings management and firmware updates, customizable maps, weather information, and BUCK TRACKER technology that utilizes AI image recognition to scan images with species filters.

The SPYPOINT FLEX-M and FLEX-PLUS will be available for purchase in late spring 2024. Read more

Natural Resources Commission Meets Thursday in Lansing

The next meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission – Thursday, Feb. 8, in Lansing – leads off with a Wildlife Committee agenda that includes an analysis of bear population trends and an update on the antler point restrictions survey. The meeting also will cover furbearer regulations, a legislative report and several land transactions.

The day starts at 9:30 a.m. in Rooms M119-121 of Lansing Community College, West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Drive. See the draft meeting agenda and remaining 2024 meeting dates at Michigan.gov/NRC.

For more information or to request time to speak at the meeting, email NRC@Michigan.gov.

Nightstick Launches New IR/VIS Dual-Beam Long Gun Light Kit

Wylie, Texas  Nightstick, a global manufacturer of professional tactical LED lighting products is proud to announce our new LGL-180-IR dual-wavelength long gun light kit featuring separate 1100-lumen white light and 940nm 1400mw Infrared illuminator.

The LGL-180-IR is a dual-wavelength weapon lighting system for your rifle or carbine. A hybrid dual reflector with two dedicated LEDs for IR and VIS means no compromise when choosing an operational light mode. Each beam is optimally focused for ultra-high intensity and maximum distance. The LGL-180-IR projects 1100 lumens of visible white light out to 229 meters for 2 hours of runtime, while a separate 1400mw 940nm IR illuminator beam provides a similar range, intensity and runtime during night vision use. Read more

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