These days, everyone could use a little more fresh air and a whole lot of green space. Not only does time outdoors provide a variety of activities that are easy to do while practicing proper social distancing, but it also does wonders for your mental, physical and spiritual health.

Not sure where to start? For ideas and places to hike, fish, hunt, bike and just explore Michigan’s out-of-doors closer to home, visit the DNR’s Michigan.gov/YourLocalOutdoors website.

It’s also the last weekend for regular firearm deer season, so if you’re ready to hit the woods, go to Michigan.gov/Deer for info on check stations, regulations, public land for hunting and more.

No matter what you do this holiday weekend, give thanks for Michigan’s forests, lakes, trails and other welcoming natural places – get out there and give yourself some space!

In a year where it seems nothing is ever settled, the NRA’s battle with the State of New York Financial Services Department over insurance sales there has apparently come to a close. According to a release from the New York State Department of Financial Services, the state has entered into a consent order with the NRA.

According to that release, the case is resolved via a consent order that includes a civil monetary penalty of $2.5 million for violations of New York insurance laws. Under that agreement, the NRA is also banned from marketing insurance in the state or receiving any compensation in connection with any New York insurance policies for five years, even if the NRA obtains a license.

It’s important to note that there is no admission of wrongdoing by the NRA in the settlement.

In fact, on its NRA Legal Facts website the NRA says “no NRA money is being used to fund the payment to the Department of Financial Services.” And NRA counsel William A. Brewer III called the order “a resounding win for the NRA and the members it serves.”

The NRA Legal Website also points out the settlement has no bearing on the Association’s ability to procure insurance for its own corporate operations.

Win or not, the consent order states that, despite lacking a license to conduct insurance business in New York, the NRA violated various New York insurance laws and regulations by acting as an insurance producer without a license in participating in efforts to solicit and market the sale of insurance products, including the NRA’s Carry Guard insurance program. Read more

TORRANCE, CA – The new Pelican™ 14QT Personal Cooler is the first on the market to separate wet and dry storage, and it will be available at www.pelican.com on Black Friday 2020. It features a dry-box section in its lid to separate electronic devices and flat personal items from internal ice and the elements outside. It also boasts an easel slot for smart phones and tablets.

“Designed for either every day carry or weekend adventure, the Pelican 14QT personal cooler features will enhance your journey,” said Stephan Corti, Pelican’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Its industry leading wet/dry storage separation will keep your meal and drinks at the right temperature for a day and a half.” Read more

‘Tis the season for finding that perfect gift for the Michigan lovers in your life!

Our puzzles, prints, mugs, and apparel are family-favorites for anyone who is curious about Michigan, past and present. Read more

Jacksonville, Florida – Hatch®, a brand of The Safariland Group (“Safariland”), a leading global provider of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets, announced today that it has released the new standard in needle puncture and cut resistant gloves: The FMN500 – Friskmaster™ MAX – Cut & Needle Puncture Resistant Glove.

Built for those who need a glove that provides maximum protection without impeding the ability to complete routine tasks on the job, the new FMN500 (Friskmaster MAX) glove is tested to ANSI Cut Resistance A9, the highest rating for cut resistance, and provides Level 5 ANSI Needlestick Puncture Resistance, the NIJ’s highest-rated level of protection.

“The Friskmaster MAX gloves are a lifesaver for public servants who come into regular contact with cut and needle threats,” said Vince Abrams, Category Manager at The Safariland Group. “Safariland® has drawn on our success with PROTECH™ Armor to bring PROTECH Resistance Layer Technology to our Hatch gloves. The FMN500s provide robust protection from daily cut and needle threats and maintain superior dexterity. With the FMN500, you can complete all of your routine daily tasks and still be protected from the unexpected.” Read more

Hickory, North Carolina – November 13, 2020 – WOOX continue to set new standards in outdoor gear with the introduction of the new FORTE axe.

Following the success of the AX1, WOOX have continued their pursuit of developing the best quality outdoor gear with the new FORTE axe. Combining classical American and Italian axe designs, the WOOX FORTE is another great example of “old world” craftsmanship meeting the modern age of high-performance gear.

The American hickory handle adds strength and durability, while the anti-slip coating offers a superior grip in any condition. Each head on the FORTE axe is individually hammered into shape, hand finished and made of tempered carbon steel (c60/1060). With a length of 22 inches and a weight of only three pounds, the FORTE axe can easily be packed into the backcountry for your next great adventure. Read more

As a life member of the Sons of American Veterans (Sons of Amvets), I celebrate and honor America’s military veterans for their love of country, as can be seen in their patriotism and voluntary willingness to serve.

A special thank you to my uncle, Van Wunderlich, who was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 in World War II, and is still with us today in Georgia.

A warrior shows the bubble turret on the B-17

Glen Wunderlich

Posts to Thinking Afield will resume on Thursday, November 12th

Fall storms threaten important lake whitefish spawning habitat

Heavy equipment operators began work recently to dredge stamp sands north of Grand Traverse Harbor in Keweenaw County.

Roughly 100 years ago, historic copper mine tailings from the Wolverine and Mohawk mines – called stamp sands – were deposited at a milling site along Lake Superior, located in the community of Gay in Keweenaw County.

Since that time, the stamp sands have been moved by winds and waves south down the shoreline 5 miles, inundating natural sand beach areas and threatening to cover spawning habitat and recruitment areas important to Lake Superior whitefish and lake trout on and around Buffalo Reef.

A multi-entity effort, primarily funded by through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, has been mounted to combat the stamp sands problem.

During the winter of 2019-2020, workers contracted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources cleared the dark-colored stamp sands from the harbor and a portion of the beach. Read more