Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative’s 2022 Q4 Grants Fund Large-Scale Riding Area Clean Up and Essential Trail Maintenance Projects Protecting Access to Land for Motorized Recreation

MARIETTA, GA – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, today announces the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) contributed more than $500,000 in grant awards for 2022, satisfying a commitment made in honor of National Public Lands Day. The final funding cycle for 2022 in the fourth quarter provided meaningful support to a wide variety of projects – from California desert cleanup and state-wide riding trail maintenance in Washington to multiuse bridges and trail resurfacing – making public lands sustainably accessible for motorized and outdoor recreation.

“The response from the outdoor community to our call for quality projects the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative can fund is the reason we were able to fulfill our 2022 pledge. While half a million dollars will make a significant impact, we know there are more opportunities out there in need of support,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s motorsports marketing manager. “In 2023, our commitment is unchanged as we continue to invite and welcome partnerships with land managers, riders, land stewards, and anyone who relies on public land for outdoor recreation. Together we will work to protect, defend, and improve access everyone can enjoy for years to come.” Read more

Gator Waders Realtree Camp Boots, available in Realtree Original and Timber camo patterns, keep your feet dry without sacrificing comfort or style. As the name implies, these boots are ideal for slipping on when you return to camp after a long day of hunting or for wearing around fish camp. They’re also great for soggy adventures outdoors or for a trip into town on a rainy day.

The Camp Boots feature an interior neoprene-lining for comfort, while the 100% waterproof rubber outer layer keeps water out for dry wear all day long. These highly functional boots offer ultra-durability and protection with scuff- and slip-resistant outsoles and reinforced heels and toes. Read more

On Friday and Saturday, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers ran patrols over hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails, making contacts with nearly 800 sledders over the 54th-annual running of the International 500 snowmobile race in Sault Ste. Marie.

For many years, conservation officers have taken advantage of the race running as great opportunity to make contacts with hundreds of snowmobilers attracted to the area for the popular track race.

“Overall, activity on the trails in Chippewa County was way up from past years, as were the number of violations encountered,” said DNR District 2 Law Supervisor Eugene “Skip” Hagy. “The lack of snow in the Lower Peninsula compared to the recent cold spell with ample snowfall in the Upper Peninsula likely contributed to the large number of snowmobilers in the area.”

The stepped-up patrols began Friday, Feb. 3 and continued through Saturday night, as conservation officers patrolled over 660 miles and contacted a total of 782 snowmobilers. Read more

For more information contact:Mark Oliva202-220-1340

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, is committed to reducing suicide – particularly suicide of America’s military veterans – that will be highlighted as part of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union to the nation tonight.

The White House released a Vision to Advance Progress on Unity Agenda in Year Ahead, which underscored the Biden administration’s pledge to reduce veteran suicides. This is a topic upon which the firearm industry is in agreement and is diligently working in complementary efforts to reduce the instances of veteran suicide.

NSSF, on behalf of the firearm industry, launched a partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in 2016, to confront and reduce these tragedies. The firearm industry recognizes that about 55 percent of firearm deaths are suicides and preventing access to lethal means is a crucial factor in reducing this figure. Keeping firearms securely stored puts space between the period of risk and the means to act, and sometimes that space can help save a life. Read more

Feb. 3, 2023

Five minutes after Delta (Michigan) dispatch put out a call Monday reporting a structure fire along U.S. Highway 2 in Rapid River, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Stephen Butzin arrived at the scene.

Stephen Butzin

Michigan State Police Trooper Zane Weaver got there at the same time.

The Masonville Township Fire Department and EMS personnel weren’t far behind, with the residents of the home – an unidentified husband and wife – reportedly still inside their burning house.

“I was informed that the wife left the house, when she returned, she opened the door and smoke began to pour out of the residence, she then called 911,” Butzin said.

Butzin and Weaver ran up to the front door and found thick, brown smoke coming out of the residence, and they observed a woman standing outside.

“As I walked in the house, you could not see anything at ‘standing height,’” Butzin said. “I had to crouch to be able to see through the house as it was full of smoke.”

Trooper Weaver located the husband on the couch and yelled for him to exit the residence, but he would not comply with the order. Read more

The department already has received several thousand comments via the interactive map, email and traditional mail.

Contact: DNR-Public-Info@Michigan.gov

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will continue to accept public comment through Wednesday, Feb. 8, on the National Guard’s proposed expansion of its Camp Grayling training facility to include 162,000 acres of DNR-managed forest land.

The comment period will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8. The DNR has been receiving public comments since June 2022, and the DNR and the military have sponsored and appeared at many public meetings to collect feedback throughout the summer and fall regarding the proposed expansion. Several thousand comments have already been shared with the DNR, and staff has been evaluating public input as it is received. A summary of the comments will be posted on the DNR’s Camp Grayling proposal information page.

The DNR will review the feedback received and continue discussions with the military about use of state-managed forest land for military training. Read more

Last Weeks to Enter Project ChildSafe’s 2023 Safety Sweepstakes with 8 Great Prizes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Project ChildSafe® 2023 Safety Sweepstakes is heading into its final weeks of providing donors with a chance to win one of eight great prizes contributed by industry’s top companies. The top prize—a Vault Pro Silver Eagle Gun Safe—is valued at $4,500.00.

The sweepstakes helps raise funds to support Project ChildSafe, a program of NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association. Project ChildSafe is a gun safety program that helps save lives and keeps families and communities safer through the distribution of genuine firearm safety messaging and free gun locks.

The sweepstakes is open to everyone! Enter today for a chance to win one of the following eight prizes:

• • Vault Pro Silver Eagle Gun Safe
  • Beretta Silver Pigeon 12 Gauge
  • Leica Geovid R 10×42 Rangefinder Binoculars
  • $1,000 OpticsPlanet Gift Card, Jacket & Hat
  • Mossberg JM Pro Series 930 12 Gauge
  • Kalispel Case Line Double Rifle Case
  • GTM/CZY-02 Vintage Messenger Bag
  • Yeti Tumbler with Project ChildSafe logo

Read more

HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College hosted a Law Enforcement Outreach Conference on Jan. 27 at the college’s Dow Hotel and Conference Center. Law enforcement officers from across the country received training to become certified in teaching the Hillsdale College Law Enforcement Constitution Course. The course, launched in June 2022, provides law enforcement officers with deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution. Developed by Hillsdale College faculty and staff, it includes a four-hour block of instruction that can be included in police academy training schedules and in-service training days.

“Hillsdale College has a reputation for service and patriotism, as well as rigorous constitutional scholarship,” said Patrick Whalen, assistant to the president of Hillsdale College. “As a result, we had various law enforcement agencies asking for help instructing officers and deputies about the Constitution they take an oath to support and defend. This course is an outreach to those on the front lines of protecting our constitutionally guaranteed rights.” Read more