Nikon will celebrate the hunter’s conservation efforts of preserving local deer populations January 20-30, 2011 by declaring it Coyote Week. During Coyote Week hunters have the opportunity to watch videos, learn coyote hunting tips and enter to win a sweet coyote hunting prize package, exclusively at Nikonhunting.com.

For 10 days, hunters and shooters can log onto Nikonhunting.com and watch videos from Nikon’s own coyote hunters. Videos range from calling techniques, set ups and how to effectively preserve deer populations by culling coyote populations.

A great coyote hunting prize package is at stake, from world-class optics to Columbia’s best hunting jacket to calls. Hunters and shooters can also enter to win a Coyote Special Riflescope as well as a Coyote Hunting Prize Package (up to a $2,000value) on Facebook. www.facebook.com/nikonhunting.

HARRISBURG – Anthony Mark Marasco, 38, of Pittsburgh Street in Cheswick, Allegheny County, was sentenced to pay more than $4,750 in fines and serve two 90-day concurrent prison sentences after being convicted of his fourth poaching-related offense in 13 years, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials. Marasco is the first to be sentenced to prison under the new fines and penalties for poaching that took effect in September.

Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Dan Puhala filed charges against Marasco in the office of District Judge Elissa M. Lang, in Sharpsburg. On Jan. 20, Lang found Marasco guilty of the following:

– Unlawfully killing big game (turkey) over the limit, for which the judge assessed a fine of $1,500 and 90 days imprisonment;

– Unlawfully hunting while on license revocation, for which the judge assessed a fine of $1,500 and 90 days imprisonment;

– Unlawfully shooting on or across a highway, for which the judge assessed a fine of $300;

– Unlawfully hunting from a vehicle, for which the judge assessed a fine of $500; and

– Unlawfully taking or possessing game, for which the judge assessed a fine of $450, which is the result this most recent offense being a second and/or subsequent violation within a seven-year period.

Also, under the “enhanced penalties” section of the Game and Wildlife Code, Judge Lang added an additional $500 to the total fines, of which the witness is eligible for a $250 reward.

According to WCO Puhala, Marasco’s most recent incident in November was preceded by three deer-related convictions, beginning in 1997, followed by convictions in 2003 and 2007.

“The habitual nature of Marasco’s poaching offenses left little room for leniency,” Puhala said.

On Nov. 6, as WCO Puhala and Deputy WCO Art Harencame were on patrol, they were contacted by the Fox Chapel Police Department, who had stopped an apparent turkey poacher based on an anonymous tip.

“When we arrived on scene, Marasco was in his truck, along with his bow and some arrows, and was returning to the scene to pick up the turkey he had just shot with his compound bow along Trillium Lane in Fox Chapel,” WCO Puhala said. “We found that he saw the flock of turkeys from his truck, got out and shot a hen from the road, then left the area to return a short time later.

“Marasco has had his hunting privileges suspended for his previous game law violations, and remained on revocation for failure to pay more than $800 in fines assessed for offenses dating back to 1997.”

The law to increase fines and penalties for poaching was made possible by House Bill 1859, which was sponsored by House Game and Fisheries Committee Chairman Edward G. Staback. The bill was approved by the House on July 21, 2009, by a vote of 196-3. The Senate, after making minor adjustments to the bill, approved the measure unanimously on July 3, 2010, followed by a 189-6 concurrence vote in the House also on July 3. The bill was signed into law on July 9, making it Act 54 of 2010.

GW: This is an edited version of the bill. If this becomes law – and, I think it should – permit holders will finally carry concealed weapons, rather than be limited to pistols. Tasers work well for law eforcement and by not using lethal force, defenders’ lives will not be ruined in civil court after the criminal element has been neutralized.

January 19, 2011, Introduced by Senators JONES and HANSEN and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

A bill to amend 1927 PA 372, entitled

“An act to regulate and license the selling, purchasing, possessing, and carrying of certain firearms and gas ejecting devices; to prohibit the buying, selling, or carrying of certain firearms and gas ejecting devices without a license or other authorization; to provide for the forfeiture of firearms under certain circumstances; to provide for penalties and remedies; to provide immunity from civil liability under certain circumstances; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to prohibit certain conduct against individuals who apply
for or receive a license to carry a concealed pistol; to make appropriations; to prescribe certain conditions for the appropriations; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act,”

An act to regulate and license the selling, purchasing, possessing, and carrying of certain firearms, and gas ejecting devices, and electro-muscular disruption devices; to prohibit the buying, selling, or carrying of certain firearms, and gas ejecting devices, and electro-muscular disruption devices without a license or other authorization; to provide for the forfeiture of firearms under certain circumstances; to provide for penalties and remedies; to provide immunity from civil liability under certain circumstances; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to prohibit certain conduct against individuals
who apply for or receive a license to carry a concealed pistol; to make appropriations; to prescribe certain conditions for the appropriations; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act.

Sec. 5f. (1) An individual who is licensed under this act to carry a concealed pistol shall have his or her license to carry that pistol in his or her possession at all times he or she is carrying a concealed pistol.

(2) An individual who is licensed under this act to carry a concealed pistol and who is carrying a concealed pistol shall show both of the following to a peace officer upon request by that peace officer:

(a) His or her license to carry a concealed pistol.

(b) His or her driver license or Michigan personal identification card.

(3) An individual licensed under this act to carry a concealed pistol and who is carrying a concealed pistol and who is stopped by a peace officer shall immediately disclose to the peace officer that he or she is carrying a pistol concealed upon his or her person or in his or her vehicle. If the individual is carrying on his or her person or in his or her vehicle a portable device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology pursuant to section 224a(2)(a)(xii)…

The complete bill can be viewed at:http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billintroduced/Senate/htm/2011-SIB-0030.htm

The Thomas M. Cooley Law Journal and the Cooley chapter of The Federalist Society are pleased to announce a jointly-sponsored symposium entitled “To Bear or Not to Bear: Guns in Educational Institutions.”

The event is free and open to the public and will be held in the Auditorium on the 6th floor of Cooley’s Temple Building located at: 217 South Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 49801 on Friday, February 4th from 1-4 p.m.

The list of presenters includes attorneys, professors, best-selling authors, and nationally-known experts on both sides of the gun control debate:

* Dr. John Lott, Senior Research Scientist, UM, Author of “More Guns, Less Crime,” and, “The Bias Against Guns.”
* James Manley, Mountain States Legal Foundation
* Dennis Henigan, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence
* Josh Horwitz, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
* John Johnson, Campaign to Keep Guns of Campus
* Professor Steven Dulan, Adjunct Professor, Cooley Law School, and member of the Board of Directors of MCRGO and the MCRGO Foundation.

The format will be a presentation/debate with time for audience questions. There is ample seating available and interested persons are invited to attend. Professional dress is not required. NOTE: Cooley is a private institution which prohibits firearms on its premises.

Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

I love animals – and, not just the type that make it to the skillet. Our family pets have included many dogs and cats, most of which have been rescued from otherwise miserable futures. The current stock includes six cats – five of which consist of a recently taken-in stray mother, which promptly had four kittens at our home. The other is a male cat that was abandoned in a devastated apartment, which was flooded after the natural gas had been shut off and the pipes burst from the freezing conditions. Over the years, our animals have had the best of veterinary care by Dr. James Kimento of the Perry Animal Clinic and have been spayed or neutered so as not to contribute to overpopulation.

On another occasion, we literally rescued a mixed-breed dog from Grand River Avenue in Lansing, after it broke free from a chained pole, got struck by a car and lay helpless and near death amid the speeding traffic. We paid the vet bill to get it back to health and kept it, when the owner awarded it to us after creating its bleak existence.

We are also no strangers to the Shiawassee County Humane Society, where we have taken home older cats that were destined for doom. We have donated personal funds on certain occasions of public appeals and have shared homegrown catnip to the caged felines, just so they’d have a temporary reprieve from confinement.

We support the efforts of the local humane society, because it has no hidden agenda; its volunteers truly strive to help unwanted animals. The Humane Society of the United States, however, purports to do the same by virtue of its moniker, but its purpose is vastly different and multi-faceted.

To begin, it operates no pet shelters and in year 2008, contributed less than one-half of one percent of its budget in the form of grants to local shelters. So, what does it do with all its nearly $100 million in annual income? How about giving $2.25 million to a political campaign committee to support an anti-meat ballot initiative in California, while depositing the same amount into its own executive pension plan?
Its senior management includes a former spokesman, John Goodman, for the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), a group described by the FBI as terrorists. When Goodman responded to media questions about an incident in Utah, where a farmers’ feed co-op was fire-bombed by ALF, and a sleeping family on premises barely escaped with their lives, Goodwin said, “We’re ecstatic!”

So, you see, there’s a big difference in how these whackos love their animals; to them, animal welfare has morphed into animal rights. Mere ownership of pets to them constitutes cruelty because it denies animals the natural lives their species were intended to lead.

Lowell E. Baier, President of the Boone and Crockett Club, in his column, “The Secret World Inside the Animal Rights Agenda”, explains the effect of the 1970 Horse Protection Act and the 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Act – major programs of HSUS. Political action and litigation by HSUS has compelled the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to strictly interpret the 1971 act causing 37,000 feral horses and burros to free-range on land beyond its carrying capacity. The result is that almost 46 million acres of public rangelands have been hard-packed, overgrazed, and streams polluted. Additionally, 33,000 more feral horses and burros are in government-maintained corrals and pastures costing American taxpayers $40 million each year. Another $42.5 million was spent purchasing land for preserves.

With the help of emotion across “the pond”, HSUS has maneuvered the British Parliament into banning fox hunting. And, HSUS President, Wayne Pacelle has stated, “If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would.” HSUS has been the lead plaintiff fighting for wolf protections in spite of the fact that their numbers have far exceeded goals and that they are wreaking havoc with ranchers.
Elk and deer herds have been so devastated by wolves in Idaho’s Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness that license sales have plummeted by $10 million crippling the state’s game management revenue. Outfitters are going out of business as are ancillary service-related businesses such as motels, sporting goods stores, restaurants, etc.
Make no mistake; the goal of HSUS is to grant animals legal rights and standing equal to humans no matter the cost.

Think about that next time it solicits your money.

On Tuesday, Jan. 18, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 308, the “Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act.” The bill would ban the manufacture and importation of new magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Unlike the magazine ban that was in effect from 1994 to 2004, her new bill would also make it illegal for the tens of millions of Americans who already own these magazines to sell or otherwise transfer them, even through inheritance.

In a letter to her colleagues, Rep. McCarthy claimed, “The only reason for the existence of these devices is to be able to shoot as many people as quickly as possible.” Yet her bill would allow the continued acquisition and possession of these magazines by law enforcement officers, who carry firearms to defend themselves and the public. It would even allow these magazines to be transferred to law enforcement officers upon retirement, even though a retired officer’s right to use firearms for self-defense is the same as any other private citizen’s right.

HARRISBURG, PA – A Dec. 11 poaching incident has two Lebanon County brothers facing possible prison sentences, including one who has the unfortunate distinction of being the first individual to be charged with felony counts under a new Game and Wildlife Code penalty structure that took effect in September, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials.

Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Derek Daly charged William M. Kirkwood, 50, of Camp Strauss Road, Bethel, with unlawfully killing seven deer in 2010 and four deer in 2009, fleeing an officer and trespassing, among other things, for which he faces total fines and penalties of up to $64,000 and 10 years in prison. WCO Daly also charged Kirkwood’s brother, Theodore P. Kirkwood, 54, of Heilmandale Road, Lebanon, for aiding and abetting his brother, fleeing an officer and trespassing, for which he faces total fines and penalties of up to $5,000 and nine months in prison.

All charges were filed on Tuesday, Jan. 18, before District Judge Michael Smith in Cleona.

According to WCO Daly, on Dec. 11, he received information about possible hunting violations on the Lebanon Landfill property. Responding to the area, along with Deputy WCO Brian Sheetz, the officers were met by witnesses at the scene, who informed the officers of an individual who they had seen hunting without orange on and that they suspected he had killed several deer.

“The witnesses identified the individual as William Kirkwood,” WCO Daly said. “They also said they believed Kirkwood hunts the Lebanon Landfill without orange and uses an ATV to recover the deer.

“As Deputy WCO Sheetz and I were talking with the witnesses, we saw two suspects on an ATV driving across a field on the Landfill property along Heilmandale Road. Upon seeing my patrol vehicle, the ATV sped off and drove through several private properties, Route 72 and other public roadways.”

After catching up to the two brothers at Theodore Kirkwood’s home, William Kirkwood admitted to WCO Daly that he illegally killed seven deer during the two-week firearms deer season in 2010, including two protected antlered deer. After returning to William Kirkwood’s home, William Kirkwood told WCO Daly that he also was in illegal possession of antlers from two antlered deer that he found during the 2010 archery season, as well as four antlered deer that he illegally killed during 2009.

During the investigation on Dec. 11, William Kirkwood was found to have killed two antlerless deer, for which he did not possess any valid antlerless deer licenses. The two deer were recovered and retained for evidence.

“We also found William Kirkwood to be in possession of a hunting knife with fresh blood, as he field-dressed the deer prior to returning for them,” WCO Daly said. “The ATV the brothers had fled on had dried blood on the front and back. There was dried blood in William Kirkwood’s truck bed as well, which all led into questions about previous deer killed and resulted in William Kirkwood’s admissions.

“Consent to search William Kirkwood’s residence was obtained to collect all the evidence, which also led to the discovery of the six additional counts of unlawful possession.”

In total, between Nov. 29 and Dec. 11, evidence and admissions by William Kirkwood showed that he illegally killed two bucks that were below the minimum antler restrictions (one spike and one with two-points on one side), three antlerless deer and two button bucks. None of the seven deer were tagged, and he did not possess any valid antlerless deer licenses for the five antlerless deer harvested.

Also confiscated as evidence were eight sets of antlers, including the two William Kirkwood is alleged to have killed illegally this year, two that he claimed to have found and possessed illegally and four he allegedly killed illegally during the 2009 firearms deer season.

“There was very positive response from the local residents once word got out we apprehended William and Theodore Kirkwood,” WCO Daly said. “Several local residents who hunt deer legally on properties surrounding the Lebanon Landfill were very upset this was going on, and glad we have put a stop to it.”

Specific charges against William Kirkwood are: two counts of a third-degree felony for illegally killing and possessing two deer in 2010, for which he faces up to $15,000 in fines per count and up to three years in prison; two counts of a first-degree misdemeanor for unlawfully killing and possessing two deer in 2010, for which he faces $10,000 in fines per count and up to 18 months in prison; two counts of an ungraded misdemeanor for unlawfully killing and possessing two deer in 2010, for which he faces up to $3,000 in fines per count and up to six months in prison; seven counts of a second-degree summary for unlawfully killing and possessing parts of seven antlered deer in 2009 and 2010, for which he faces up to $800 in fines per count and up to one month in prison; one count of a first-degree summary for fleeing an officer, for which he faces up to $1,500 in fines and three months in prison; one count of a fourth-degree summary for refusing to stop at an officers request, for which he faces up to $300 in fines; one count of a fifth-degree summary for trespassing on posted property while hunting, for which he faces fines of up to $200; two summary counts for criminal trespass, for which he faces up to $300 in fines; one count of a fifth-degree summary for failure to wear required fluorescent orange, for which he faces fines of up to $200; and two counts of a fifth-degree summary for having a loaded firearm in a vehicle, for which he faces fines of up to $200 per count.

Specific charges against Theodore Kirkwood are: two counts of a misdemeanor for aiding, abetting and assisting in the possession and transporting of two unlawfully killed antlerless deer, for which he faces up to $3,000 in fines per count and six months in prison; one count of a first-degree summary for fleeing an officer, for which he faces up to $1,500 in fines and three months in prison; one count of a fourth-degree summary for refusing to stop at an officers request, for which he faces up to $300 in fines; one count of a fifth-degree summary for trespassing on posted property while hunting, for which he faces fines of up to $200; and one summary count for criminal trespass, for which he faces up to $300 in fines.

The law to increase fines and penalties for poaching was made possible by House Bill 1859, which was sponsored by House Game and Fisheries Committee Chairman Edward G. Staback. The bill was approved by the House on July 21, 2009, by a vote of 196-3. The Senate, after making minor adjustments to the bill, approved the measure unanimously on July 3, 2010, followed by a 189-6 concurrence vote in the House also on July 3. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on July 9, making it Act 54 of 2010.

As part of their constant effort to make ordering easy, Brownells has upgraded their website. The latest generation of brownells.com is now integrated with a world-class search engine, for drastically improved search results. At the same time the product categories were thoroughly examined and reduced by more than 50% which means fewer clicks to navigate the site.

The most noticeable change is the addition of a Make and Model filter. You can now look only for parts, accessories and tools that fit your specific firearm. The owner of a Remington 870 no longer has to wade through products for 1100s or Mossberg 500s.

When you land on a product page, all the information is there, no more clicking to see the full copy or specs, everything is in front of you. The left side navigation area has some new filters to make things faster, and bigger type to make it easier to read. And, the whole site is now hosted using cloud technology for even faster speed and greater performance.

Company President Pete Brownell told us, “We want our online shopping experience to be the best possible, and the web team has done a great job with this latest upgrade.”

At Brownells Everything is Guaranteed, period! …Forever, 100%, with no restocking fees. Founded in 1939, they supply more than 30,000 firearms parts, accessories and gunsmithing tools to armorers, gunsmiths, and shooters worldwide. Brownells provides free tech help and there’s no minimum order size or small order fees. To order, or for more information, call 800-741-0015 or visit www.brownells.com and mention code PH2.

MIAMI – The Wizard Pistol takes the same break-open interchangeable barrel system and makes it lighter and smaller for handgun hunting, target shooting or plinking. Available in .243 Win. or .22-.250 Rem with other calibers coming soon, the Wizard Pistol offers outstanding and reliable performance in a versatile package. Its ingenious break-open barrel system changes quickly by unscrewing the front swivel with no tools needed.

Offered in blue finish, additional features include pistol grip with custom grooves for fast handling and comfort, manual safety with “S” mark for visual confirmation, hammer extension, scope rail and the unique onboard Taurus Security System®.The Wizard’s barrel measures 11 inches with an overall length of 20.4 inches.

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, as part of Taurus International, a Rossi firearm still features the same dedication and innovation in every firearm. Rossi looks forward to providing its customers with the next generation of great firearms. Rossi is proud to offer a free One-year NRA Membership with the purchase of any Rossi model. For more information about Rossi Firearms, a Division of BrazTech International, visit www.rossiusa.com. High-resolution images are available for download at www.rossidownloads.com.

GW: Here we go again. If it looks like a bad gun, it cannot possibly be used for self defense. More genius!

A bill in New York would redefine “assault weapon” to include many firearms that are commonly used for hunting.

Assembly Bill 1479, introduced by Asm. Linda Rosenthal (D-New York), changes the state’s definition of “assault weapon.” The new definition would classify firearms commonly used for hunting, like semi-automatic shotguns that have a thumbhole stock or a pistol grip, as assault weapons.

Currently, possession of “assault weapons” in the state are generally prohibited.

Even more dangerous to sportsmen and gun owners, the bill gives the Superintendent of State Police the authority to regulate and classify additional firearms as “assault weapons” by simply finding that a firearm feature or modification is “particularly suitable for military and not sporting purposes.” The Superintendent can also designate specific firearms by make and model to be considered assault weapons.

Ultimately, the bill gives the Superintendent vast powers to determine which firearms citizens can and cannot own.

“This bill is taking an already extreme set of gun laws and making them worse. It outlaws many popular firearms that are commonly used for hunting and gives immense power to the State Police to restrict law-abiding gun owners even further,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance director of state services. “Sportsmen, gun owners, and collectors alike need to call their state assemblyperson and senator today to express their opposition to this dangerous bill.”

While AB 1479 does include an exemption that allows citizens to keep newly declared “assault weapons” that are possessed before July 1, 2012 the exemption does little to ease the concerns of sportsmen. The bill in turn requires that those firearms that are “grandfathered in” be rendered inoperable or mandates their registration with the state. Even after proper registration, the bill only allows those firearms to be used at a licensed gun range and not while hunting.

If passed the bill would take effect on July 1, 2012.

Take Action! New York Sportsmen should contact their state assemblyperson and tell them to oppose AB 1479. Tell them the bill would ban many firearms that are commonly used for hunting, target shooting, and other recreational activities. To find your state assemblyperson’s phone number and other contact information, use the USSA Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/lac.