Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Following are the results of the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET) collections report for the 2nd Quarter Calendar Year 2023. These figures cover the period of April 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023.
This is the third-highest figure reported for Calendar Quarter-2. Read more
The following news release was issued earlier this week by Michigan State University Extension.
$35,000 is available for Michigan organizations dedicated to aquatic invasive species education and outreach.
For the fourth year running, the Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters program has grant funding available to support aquatic invasive species outreach efforts. This opportunity is for Michigan organizations dedicated to the protection of our waterways including lake associations, local units of government, and non-profit organizations. This year, up to $35,000 is available to engage the Michigan boating community in invasive species prevention actions. Read more
Yamaha Marine gives customers more reasons to choose reliable Yamaha outboard power with the “Why Wait for Spring” sales event. Customers who purchase select eligible, new Yamaha four-stroke outboards between October 17, 2023, and December 15, 2023, have several options to add value depending on horsepower range.
Through the new promotion, customers who purchase eligible, new Yamaha outboards in the 30-to-300 horsepower range have an opportunity to add three years of Y.E.S. coverage to three years of Yamaha Limited Warranty coverage for a total of six years of warranty protection. Customers who purchase Yamaha 425-450 horsepower outboards can add two years of Y.E.S. coverage to five years of Yamaha Limited Warranty coverage for a total of seven years of warranty protection. As a bonus, customers who purchase outboards in the 115-to-450 horsepower range and also purchase, install and activate Siren 3 Pro can receive half off of a new Siren subscription plus $1,000 in dealer credit. Finally, the “Why Wait for Spring” sales event gives customers who purchase Yamaha outboards in the 2.5-to-25 horsepower range the ability to earn up to $300 in dealer credit based on MSRP. Read more
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) School Fishing Club Program funding recipients have been selected for the 2023-24 school year. After undergoing a comprehensive review, 50 schools were awarded the Florida R3 Fishing Grant.
The Florida R3 Fishing Grant is funded by the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Coastal Conservation Association, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Each school receives a $500 grant to assist with club expenses, such as purchasing fishing licenses or gear for participants.
“The School Fishing Club program enables students to discuss important conservation topics, have meaningful connections with nature, and hopefully inspire lifelong fishing and stewardship,” said Daniel Paker, Director of FYCCN. “This is our opportunity, our responsibility, to engage youth in outdoor activities and create the next generation that cares.” Read more
For those who love the sights and sounds of hunting ducks, geese and other waterfowl, this one’s for you. While seeing a flight of ducks decoy into the spread, the conditions also present some unique challenges. The hunting is often best when the weather is at its worst—cold temperatures, drizzling rain and even sleet or snow, plus gusty winds. Being on the water doesn’t help things, and retrieving decoys can also make for a soaking-wet experience too. And you also need to remain well concealed.
Hunt Monkey understands these unique challenges and has a complete line of gloves designed with the waterfowler in mind. From those dry, warm early season hunts to later in the year when things can turn downright frigid, there’s a glove solution for nearly every condition. Read more
Dear Concerned Conservationist,
MICHIGAN’S SPORTFISHING HERITAGE IS AT RISK
New legislation dropped in the Michigan House would put Michigan’s $2.3 B recreational angling industry and Michigan’s rich fishing heritage at risk.
HB 5108, sponsored by Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), would allow for the state-licensed commercial take of game fish, including lake trout, smallmouth, panfish, walleye, perch and other game fish.
These fish are planted, reared and managed using recreational angler monies through fishing license sales and the Dingell-Johnson Sportfishing Act, which levies an excise tax on fishing equipment and is apportioned back to states for fisheries work.
This legislation would have an immeasurable impact on our recreational fishery and outdoor heritage, as well as the 171,000+ jobs it supports.
Similar legislation was attempted once before, and conservationists like yourself helped stop the legislation before it got any real traction and instead moved a commercial fishing package that protected game species.
Our fishing heritage needs you again.
Send your representative a message, and take a stand for our fishing heritage.
Companywide event to offer same-day hiring opportunities across several retail departments to provide genuine expert, friendly service to customers
SPRINGFIELD, MO — Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, North America’s premier outdoor retail and conservation company, is looking to hire thousands of seasonal, part-time and full-time Outfitters to serve customers during the holidays. Read more
GW: Welcome aboard, sir. Sure can’t hold it against you for being a Buckeye
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The Professional Outdoor Media Association is thrilled to announce its new Executive Director, Robert Sexton! He began October 1, 2023.
“Members of the Outdoor Media are the essential ambassadors of our great outdoor heritage, fostering interest in hunting, fishing and the shooting sports, while providing a window to our way of life to the general public. I’m proud to serve them in building a strong POMA to support their important work,” said Rob Sexton.
Rob is one of the most seasoned non-profit consultants and issues management professionals in the country. Following early training working for the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and a key committee chairman, Rob joined the staff of the Sportsmen’s Alliance in 1995. Over the next 17 years he rose through the ranks to Senior Vice President, responsible for federal and state legislation, litigation and ballot issues as well as forging strategic partnerships for the organization.
In 2012 Rob launched RTS Strategies, and works as a consultant for non-profit organizations, with a specific focus on executive management and public policy on behalf of organizations related to hunting, fishing, firearms, and the shooting sports. Clients of RTS Strategies have included the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Sportsmen’s Alliance, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, American Kennel Club, and more.
Rob is a 1990 graduate of The Ohio State University. He and his wife Beth have been married for 30 years and have four grown children and two grandchildren. An avid hunter and angler, Rob enjoys fishing on Lake Erie and hunting wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, pheasant, quail and doves, along with shooting sporting clays when time permits.
Many anglers say fall fishing for splake on Lake Superior is an experience unparalleled anywhere else in Michigan. When temperatures begin to drop and leaves start to turn, the splake bite picks up as the fish move nearshore.
Splake – a hybrid cross between lake trout and brook trout – have been stocked in Lake Superior most years since 1971, with annual stocking since 1990.
Marked splake have been central to that stocking effort since 2021, as part of an evaluation study. At the Marquette State Fish Hatchery in Michigan’s central Upper Peninsula, staff from the DNR’s Lake Superior and Northern Lake Michigan management units, as well as field staff from across the state, put in long hours carefully marking the splake by hand.
These fish are then stocked in the spring at three Lake Superior ports: Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Bay and Munising. Splake stocked at each port are given a unique mark or fin clip consisting of a single fin or a paired clip, which has two fins. The goal is to create nearshore fishing opportunities in the smaller bays of Lake Superior, where some fisheries are available year-round. Read more
From Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC)
The October NRC meeting is at Bay College in Escanaba next week. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on . On the agenda are steelhead regulations and an update on the status of wolves.
A wolf management decision tree is also expected to be unveiled. To read the full MUCC preview, please click here.