Families Afield legislation has been introduced in Michigan that would allow new youth to take to the field under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

Senate Bill 207, introduced by Senator Joe Hune (R- Hamburg Township), would eliminate the state’s minimum hunting age and create a mentored youth hunting program for those under the age of 10. The new mentored youth hunting program, to be administered by the state’s Natural Resources Commission, would allow these youth to hunt under the supervision of an experienced adult mentor.

An identical bill, House Bill 4371, sponsored by Representative Peter Pettalia (R- Presque Isle) has been introduced on the House side.

Under current state law, youth under the age of 10 are prohibited from hunting, even if under the supervision of an adult mentor.

The bills aim to increase youth involvement in hunting by allowing young hunters to safely experience outdoor hunting traditions under the supervision of an experienced mentor.

“This bill is a major step forward for youth hunting recruitment and retention in the state of Michigan. Michigan is in the minority of states that arbitrarily limit when youth may hunt,” said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs. “Senate Bill 207 and House Bill 4371 allow parents to decide when their children are old enough to hunt and allow them to learn the fundamentals of hunter safety and wildlife conservation from an experienced adult mentor.”

“Michigan currently has some of the most stringent regulations on youth hunting in the nation, which are causing fewer young people to enjoy Michigan’s great outdoor tradition of hunting,” said Senator Hune. “The Mentored Youth Hunting Program promoted by this legislation will allow thousands of Michigan youngsters to learn how to hunt properly with an adult mentor. It’s also a great way to further promote safe hunting practices while further also improving Michigan’s last-in-the-nation hunter recruitment rate.”

The bills also create a new license, specifically designed for mentored youth, that would include a resident small game license, a combination deer license, a turkey hunting license, an all species fishing license, and a resident fur harvester license. This license is designed to be an inexpensive way for youth to try many different types of hunting.

If passed, they would be Michigan’s second Families Afield bill. In 2006, Michigan passed Families Afield legislation that created an apprentice hunting license for those 10 and older, while lowering the state’s minimum hunting age requirements for both big and small game.

Additionally, the statewide sportsmen’s group Michigan United Conservation Clubs has been instrumental in developing and advocating Senate Bill 207 and House Bill 4371.

“Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) would like to thank both Sen. Hune and Representative Pettalia their willingness to develop a positive solution to improve youth hunting safety and ethics,” said MUCC Executive Director Erin McDonough. “The ‘Hunter Heritage’ bill is long awaited by Michigan families who cherish our state’s great outdoor traditions. These bills will set Michigan in the right direction by curing our state’s last-in-the-nation hunter replacement rate, while rightfully allowing parents, not the government to decide when their kids are ready to enjoy the hunting experience.”

The Families Afield initiative was established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation in 2004 in order to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Recently, the National Rifle Association and the National Assembly of Sportsmen Caucuses have joined Families Afield with the common goal of reducing barriers to hunting. Since the program’s inception, Families Afield legislation has been passed in 30 states with more than 418,000 new hunters taking to the field as a result.

Washington, D.C.

Despite historical successes in bringing many wildlife species back from the brink of extinction, other species at risk have continued to decline, as evidenced by the staggering numbers listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. The Continuing Resolution, HR 1, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, would eliminate funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program, the nation’s most cost-effective program for preventing all wildlife from declining to the point of being endangered.

“While HR 1 cut spending to many important programs, elimination of funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants and the North American Wetland Conservation Fund was shocking and will be magnified because state fish and wildlife agencies and their partners use these funds to leverage tens of millions of dollars in non-federal fundsto put more conservation on the ground,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “More than 12,000 species that are known to be at-risk will be put in further peril if funding is not restored to these important programs.”

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program provides each state and territory with an average of $1.2 million annually to conserve fish and wildlife that are in decline and may be headed towards endangered species listing.According to the Government Accountability Office, once listed, the average cost of recovery of a single species can exceed $125 million.

The proposed elimination of funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program comes at a time when state fish and wildlife agencies are increasingly challenged to address the impacts of invasive species, habitat loss and degradation and the effects of climate change on wildlife.

“These extreme cuts endanger wildlife and our way of life. State and Tribal Wildlife Grants also protect jobs and local economies tied to the $45 billion wildlife recreation industry. Hunters, hikers, campers, nature watchers, natural resource managers, anglers and all outdoors enthusiasts will lose out if State and Tribal Wildlife Grants are stripped of funding”, said John Kostyack, Vice President, Wildlife Conservation for the National Wildlife Federation.

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, now in its 11th year, has served as a stable federal funding source for implementing congressionally required State Wildlife Action Plans in every state and territory. Each unique Plan assesses the health of the state’s wildlife and habitats and outlines the actions needed to conserve species of greatest conservation need and the full array of wildlife over the long term.

“Even in these difficult financial times when we all must shoulder some of the burden, we still need to ensure wildlife and vital habitats are conserved for the benefits they bring to Americans through cleaner and healthier environments and the legacy we leave for future generations,” said Michael Hutchins, Executive Director/CEO of The Wildlife Society. “Congressional funding for State and Tribal Wildlife Grants also goes hand-in-hand with job creation and economic sustainability since more than half a million U.S. jobs center around wildlife conservation and wildlife-related recreation.”

Funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program is supported by the Teaming With Wildlife coalition, a national coalition of 6,300+ conservation organizations and nature-based businesses including state fish and wildlife agencies, hunters and anglers, birdwatchers, hikers and other conservationists.

For more information about State and Tribal Wildlife Grants and State Wildlife Action Plans, go to www.teaming.com.

DALLAS – Three individuals have been arrested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), assisted by other state and local law enforcement, on federal firearms charges outlined in two complaints, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks for the Northern District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Champion of the ATF’s Dallas Field Office.

Ranferi Osorio, 27, and his brother, Otilio Osorio, 22, were arrested yesterday at their home on East Colonial Drive in Lancaster, Texas. Each Osorio brother is charged with possessing firearms with an obliterated serial number. Separately, according to information contained in one complaint, Mexican officials recently seized three firearms that were used in the deadly shooting on Feb. 15, 2011, of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. One of the firearms recovered was traced by ATF to Otilio Osorio.

An additional defendant, Kelvin Leon Morrison, 25, who is charged in a separate federal criminal complaint, was arrested at his home next door to the Osorio brothers. Morrison is charged with knowingly making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms and dealing in firearms without a license.

According to court documents filed in both cases, a Dallas ATF confidential informant (CI) arranged a meeting in early November 2010 with individuals who had firearms to be transported from Dallas to Laredo. The meeting was arranged related to an investigation of Los Zetas, a notoriously violent and ruthless drug trafficking organization. The weapons in question were ultimately seized by U.S. law enforcement near Laredo, before crossing the U.S./Mexico border.

According to the court documents, at the meeting, two men unloaded several large bags containing firearms into the CI’s vehicle, which was kept under surveillance until a traffic stop in Laredo. According to the court documents, the two men’s vehicle was later stopped by local police and the men were identified as Ranferi and Otilio Osorio. Morrison was the third passenger in the vehicle. The vehicle stopped in Laredo was searched and 40 firearms, all with obliterated serial numbers, were seized. Trace results indicated that three of these firearms could be specifically traced to Morrison, who bought them from federal firearms licensees (FFL) in the Dallas/Fort Worth area on Nov. 4, 2010. The investigation now has also revealed that on Aug. 7, 2010, a Romarm, model WASR, 7.62 caliber rifle was discovered by law enforcement officers in LaPryor, Texas, near the U.S./Mexico border. Trace results indicated that Morrison purchased this firearm on July 30, 2010, from aFFL. According to the affidavit, between July 10, 2010, and Nov. 4, 2010, Morrison purchased 24 firearms fromFFLs.

In addition, according to one affidavit filed in the case, one of the three firearms used in the Feb. 15, 2011, deadly assault of ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata that was seized by Mexican officials has been traced by ATF to Otilio Osorio. Otilio Osorio allegedly purchased that firearm on Oct.10, 2010, in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, prior to law enforcement’s awareness of the purchase. Ballistic testing conducted by Mexican authorities on this firearm indicated it was one of the three firearms used during the deadly assault on Special Agent Zapata’s vehicle.

A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offenses charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. If convicted, the penalty for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count. The penalty for knowingly making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count. The penalty for dealing in firearms without a license is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the ATF, DEA, FBI, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and the Lancaster, Texas, Police Department. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay for the Northern District of Texas.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska is experiencing an increase in the number of deer testing positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), as well as a wider distribution, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. There were a record 51 positives in 2010.

CWD is a disease that can affect deer and elk and is always fatal to the affected animal. Humans have never been known to contract CWD.

There were 3,645 lymph node samples collected from deer harvested during the November firearm season. The 51 positives were the most in Nebraska in one year.

The counties with the highest number of positives were: Sioux, 11; Sheridan, 7; Dawes, 6; Garden, 6; Box Butte, 4; Scotts Bluff, 4; and Morrill, 3. There were two positives each in Banner and Hitchcock counties and one each in Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Loup, Cherry, and Hall counties. The counties in which CWD was found for the first time are: Hitchcock, Hooker, Lincoln, and Loup.

No elk tested positive for CWD in 2010.

BELLEFONTAINE, OH – A Logan County man pled guilty to three wildlife violations stemming from the illegal taking of a trophy white-tailed deer in the Bellefontaine Municipal Court on Monday, January 3. As a result, he will be required to pay $23,816.59 in restitution, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

James C. Alspaugh, 39, of West Mansfield pled guilty to three charges including hunting by the aid of a motor vehicle, shooting from a roadway, and hunting without permission. The Honorable Judge John Ross presided over the case and ordered Alspaugh to pay $400 in fines, an additional $151.50 in court costs, and to forfeit the deer. Alspaugh was ordered to spend 48 hours in the Logan County Jail.

In addition, Alspaugh will lose his hunting privileges for two years. He will be entered into the Wildlife Violator’s Compact and most likely will lose hunting rights in 36 other states.

The Division of Wildlife is also imposing restitution for the deer in the amount of $23,816.95. This is in accordance with Ohio’s revised restitution law for illegal taking of white-tailed deer. The law went into effect March 2008 and allows the Division of Wildlife to seek an increased recovery value on all illegally harvested wildlife.

The non-typical trophy deer, scored according to Boone & Crockett (B&C) guidelines, netted an impressive 218 7/8.

A concerned citizen contacted Ohio wildlife officers Adam Smith and Jeff Tipton about the questionable shooting of the trophy deer in December 2010. Officers were able to recover the deer and determine that it was unlawfully taken.

The Division of Wildlife is encouraging citizens to report any illegal activity they observe by contacting the TIP line. Tips may be phoned anonymously to 1-800-POACHER.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com.

Presto® Mag Gun Blue from Birchwood Casey® is a special cold blue formulation that works well on all types of steel (Except Stainless) to provide a deep blue luster to metal finishes.

The new solution is easy to apply and comes with complete instructions for the do-it-yourself gunsmith to get professional results.

Presto Mag Gun Blue comes in a 3-oz. bottle and sells for a suggested retail price of $9.70.

For more information, consumers can log onto the Birchwood Casey website at www.birchwoodcasey.com, write to 7900 Fuller Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2195 or call 800.328.6156 x7933.

MIAMI – A modern update on a classic design, the new Taurus® Protector Polymer Series is built for those who want the best of old and new. This revolver is offered with either a classically inspired checkered grip that has the look of wood but the purchase and durability of polymer or a Taurus Ribber Grip®. Taurus’s new polymer hybrid frame makes the revolver lightweight and easy to carry.

This 5-shot revolver is available in .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum ammunition models with blue or matte stainless finish. Additional features include a single action/double-action trigger, highly visible fiber optic front sight and ambidextrous thumb rest.

The .38 Special + P model’s barrel measures 2.5 inches, with an overall length of 6.32 inches and weight of just 18.2 ounces. The .357 Magnum model’s barrel measures 2.5 inches, with an overall length of 6.32 inches and weight of just 18.2 ounces. Like all Taurus handguns the Protector Polymer comes standard with the unique onboard Taurus Security System® that allows users to securely lock the gun using an inconspicuous key-lock. MSRP $445 – $461.

Flushing, Michigan – Carbon Express, a leader in arrow technology and innovation, introduces the Covert CX-1 & CX-2 crossbows to its growing and impressive crossbow lineup. These unique crossbows combine a personalized comfortable fit and aggressive styling with a host of other features that deliver superior performance in the field.

The lightweight Covert CX-1 is designed to offer lightning fast speed in an easy to handle crossbow. The bronze anodized aluminum flight rail, accompanied by proven carbon infused limbs, aluminum alloy engineered cams and premium strings & cables, results in quiet precision that continually hits its mark shot after shot. The 9″ Picatinny multi-position adjustable rail system helps accommodate all shooting styles and is perfect for mounting various accessories.

The Covert CX-1 kit includes a detachable 3 arrow quiver accompanied by 3 Carbon Express® exclusive Maxima Hunter® crossbolts and a 4×32 Pro Deluxe red/green illuminated scope to complete the package. Optional accessories, such as a rope cocker, rail lubricant and three practice points, are also included.

Covert CX-1 Technical Specifications:
• 330 Feet Per Second
• 105 Ft Lbs. of Kinetic Energy
• 185 Lbs. Draw Weight
• 14″ Power Stroke
• Anti-Dry Fire System
• Silentech® Coating provides a rubber-like exterior finish that reduces vibration
and dampens sound
• Mossy Oak® Break-Up® InfinityTM

The Covert CX-2 offers all of the same great qualities as the Covert CX-1, but a few performance specifications have been added to give it an even greater advantage over the competition. The crossbow features a dark grey anodized flight rail along with a tactical fore grip that can easily be adjusted into five different positions allowing ultimate maneuverability for any hunting environment.

Covert CX-2 Technical Specifications:

360 Feet Per Second
118 Ft Lbs. of Kinetic Energy
200 Lbs. Draw Weight
14.5″ Power Stroke
Anti-Dry Fire System
Silentech® Coating provides a rubber-like exterior finish that reduces vibration
and dampens sound
Mossy Oak® Treestand® camouflage

About Carbon Express®
Carbon Express®, an Eastman Outdoors Inc. brand, is the leading manufacturer of high performance carbon hunting and target arrows and arrow components for hunters and target shooters. For more information or customer service, visit www.carbonexpressarrows.com, or call 800.241.4833.

MIAMI – With a stylish nickel finish, this Wizard matches a sharp new look with the ability to shoot with up to 23 different caliber options. The Wizard’s ingenious break-open barrel system easily transforms to any other barrel in seconds. Just start with .243 Win. and add additional barrels to the system as desired. The Wizard, with single-shot simplicity, is the perfect choice for year-round hunting and shooting.

Rifle barrel options include .17 HMR, .22LR, .22 Mag., .22-250 Rem, .270 Win., .223, .30-06 SPRG, .308 Win., .35 Whelen, .38-357 Mag., .44 Mag., ..454 Casull, 45-70 Gov. and 7.62×39. Muzzleloader barrel options include .45 and .50. Shotgun barrel options include .410 bore, 28 gauge, 20 gauge, 20 gauge slug, 12 gauge and 12 gauge slug. The Wizard’s barrel measures 23 inches with an overall length of 36.5 inches and weighs seven pounds.

Additional features include cushioned recoil pad with spacer for reduced recoil, uniquely contoured Monte Carlo stock with curved cheek rest, scope mount base, hammer extension, fiber optic front sight for fast, easy target acquisition and the onboard Taurus Security System®. MSRP $352.

The Rossi revolution of firearm design and manufacture started with the founding of the company in 1889 by Amadeo Rossi. For the past 120 years, the tradition of innovation grew along with the company and the Rossi family. Today, Rossi brand firearms still feature the same dedication and innovation in every product. Rossi looks forward to providing its customers with the next generation of great firearms. Rossi Brand firearms are imported into the U.S. and serviced by Braztech International, LC. Rossi is proud to offer a free One-year NRA Membership with the purchase of any Rossi model. For more information about Rossi Firearms, visit www.rossiusa.com. High-resolution images are available at www.rossidownloads.com.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

This week’s topic will focus on rifle scopes and two high-tech options available to serious hunters. Before getting into specifics, a brief overview of terminology is in order. Understand that there is no one perfect scope for all applications, because tradeoffs exist between magnification (or power), light gathering ability, and even reticle choices. Let’s start there.

A reticle is the pattern placed in the eyepiece of the scope which establishes the gun’s position on the target. While crosshairs are widely used, even those are configured in many different ways. Fine crosshairs are good for long-range use, but tend to vanish under poor light conditions, such as those encountered in twilight hours of deer hunting. Conversely, heavy crosshairs may not produce the smallest groups, but in real-life hunting conditions may offer better opportunities at taking game.

With low light in mind, and as an alternative, red dot optics can be a good choice for a number of reasons; however, I have found that the inexpensive red dot sights are rendered useless in poor light – exactly when game tends to move most.
I installed an inexpensive red dot sight on my compound bow years ago and instantly became about twice as accurate. Was I excited! But, when I discovered that the contraption’s red light overpowered the lens in low light, I relegated it to the shelf, and replaced it with fiber optic pins.

Since then, I have used two high-end, red dot scopes on firearms, which have eliminated red light reflection back to the eye. One is the Bushnell HoloSight, which was made by EOTech, but today is only marketed by EOTech. It incorporates a laser, which is not projected onto the target but rather superimposed onto it, which makes it perfectly legal for Michigan deer hunting. The precise red dot holographic sight only subtends an inch at 100 yards and is fully operational in low light because the power can be dialed down significantly. There is no parallax, which means it gets on target fast. Magnification options are available, also.

The EOTech HWS is actively in use with military forces around the globe, including many special operations forces, like USSOCOM, where it is standard for close quarter, urban combat. Military units like Stryker Brigade, 10th Mountain and 3rd Infantry have chosen the holographic weapon sight as its optic of choice. It is battle proven to withstand the abuse that any harsh environment, high-powered weapon platform, or military mission can dish out. I have had one on my .45-70 Contender pistol for many years and it has taken the most brutal punishment of a true handcannon and never missed a beat. These units don’t come cheap, but they’re as tough as cement nails.

Another red dot option with over a million in use by the U.S. armed forces is the Aimpoint. The Swedish manufactured sight was originally designed for Scandinavian moose hunters, who desired rapid target acquisition in thick cover. As with the EOTech, there’s no need to center the red dot or to find the right eye relief (the position of your eye relative to the scope). If the red dot is on target, you’re good to go, making it a good choice for not only rifles, but handguns and shotguns, as well.

I have recently mounted an Aimpoint model 34L on a Browning BAR in .30-06 caliber and consider its quick target acquisition to be perfect for the task at hand – varmint hunting. Normally, I don’t concern myself with fast-action shots, but this rig is designed for predator hunting, where more than one opportunity may present itself. And, any chance at a double on coyotes will be difficult at best. That’s where the semi-automatic Browning, Aimpoint, and my handloaded 100-grain V-Max verminators combine for one lethal, fast-handling package. For those that are involved in deer drives, you won’t go wrong with the quality of an Aimpoint and its quick-strike capabilities.

Like most things in life, quality doesn’t come cheap, but these scopes will not disappoint – especially in most of Michigan’s relatively short-range hunting conditions.