WEST POINT, MS – TruckVault is proud to introduce the offering of Mossy Oak branded secure in-vehicle storage systems for covered pickups, uncovered pickups, and SUVs beginning fall 2019.TruckVault is the way to go for a weeklong hunting trip with friends or as a way to keep one’s favorite hunting gear safe and protected while enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer close to home. TruckVault has become well known for keeping outdoor enthusiast’s most precious valuables safe, secure, and protected while enjoying the outdoors. Read more
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — According to a recent survey* on hearing protection, 86% of hunters do not use any type of hearing protection while hunting. By the time they realize they should, it’s often too late. TETRA™, a new player in the outdoor industry, is here to change those statistics, from comfortable protection when waterfowl hunting or shooting on the range, to targeted enhancement of an elk’s bugle or a wild turkey’s gobble.
TETRA founders Bill Dickinson, Au.D., and David Gnewikow, Ph.D., combined their 50 years in the hearing-care industry and 80 years of hunting experience to provide outdoors men and women with innovative hearing products like TETRA’s new AlphaShield and AmpPods.
SANTA RITA, Guam — The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Federated States of Micronesia Police, and good Samaritans teamed to successfully rescue seven people adrift on their 18-foot vessel for six days during a joint rescue mission near the Mortlock Islands, Chuuk State, Saturday.
The boaters, missing since Sept. 8, were located by a Navy Commander Task Force (CTF)-72 P-8 Poseidon aircrew, 224 statute miles east northeast of Satawan Atoll and were then rescued by the crew of the patrol vessel FSS Micronesia. The rescued boaters were brought to Pohnpei to meet emergency medical personnel for evaluation, reportedly arriving in good health despite drifting for 145 hours.
“It’s a beautiful thing when multiple nations, agencies, and services develop a plan and successfully execute a multiday search covering thousands of miles to locate all survivors and return them safely to their loved ones,” said Chief Corley Myres, a Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JSRC) Guam watchstander. Read more
Johnny Morris – Bass Pro Shops and initial supporters donate $2 million and invite all anglers to unite in support for the people of the Bahamas
“Anglers for the Bahamas” campaign aligns anglers with worldwide relief leader, Convoy of Hope
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Bass Pro Shops founder and noted conservationist Johnny Morris today announced “Anglers for the Bahamas,” a campaign to support the Bahamas in the wake of catastrophic devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian. Together with fishing industry partners, the initial donations are approaching nearly $2 million after a Thursday morning launch event.
Bass Pro Shops is contributing a minimum of $1 million toward relief efforts, including $500,000 worth of donated goods and $500,000 in cash donations to Convoy of Hope, an international humanitarian relief organization. As part of the donation, the outdoor retailer is contributing thousands of essential supplies including family-sized tents, outdoor cooking kits, and protein-rich Jack Links Beef Jerky. Other partners like Tyson Foods are donating 125,000 meals. Read more
Taking place at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, located at 37205 Mouillee Road in Rockwood, this family-friendly event has been a Downriver tradition since 1947. Nature lovers truly enjoy the outdoor events such as dog jumping competitions and archery challenges. The festival also features an arts and crafts show, kids activities, duck and goose calling competitions, and much more.
All proceeds will benefit habitat at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, the largest freshwater marsh restoration project in North America, totaling over 4,400 acres.
Buford, GA – No matter how much rain gear anglers and hunters employ, feet seem to inevitably get wet and cold. Whether fishing in inclement conditions or sitting in a clammy duck blind, keeping feet dry and warm is always a challenge. The usual suspects – cotton or wool socks – both absorb water like a sponge. Most so-called waterproof socks lack breathability, and can make matters even worse.
Cutting the day short due to cold or wet feet is never a good thing. Thankfully, GILL offers an ideal solution in its new, high-performance waterproof and breathable socks. These premium performers are available in two versatile lengths for boot or low-top shoe wear, and are designed specifically for the challenging environments and conditions anglers and hunters face on a regular basis.
For boot-wear, the new GILL Waterproof Boot Sock is a godsend. Designed to pull up to the area just below the knee, their waterproof and wicking capabilities extend exactly where needed when wearing boots of all kinds. They’re manufactured with a durable nylon outer layer and a 50% merino thermal inner with wicking capability to treat your feet to incredibly warm and dry performance. Read more
Every time one of those “Pure Michigan” spots would come over the radio waves and into my ears, it was as if Tim Allen was speaking directly to me. I simply couldn’t take it anymore and planned that get-away to parts “Up North.” Kneff Lake rustic campground in Crawford County would be the destination and outpost for a few days of exploration, discovery, and fishing.
Kneff Lake is a mere 20 acres, but it is stocked with trout. Some 25 or more years ago, I fished the lake with some friends and once we figured out the technique for catching those cold-water trout, we hauled them in. It was those memories that I sought to relive.
The campground offers dozens of spacious, private sites sprinkled high atop the small lake. However, even with my lightweight, 10-foot jon boat, I gave up on the idea of lifting and carrying the boat and gear up and down the steep and lengthy incline. It was primarily the “up” part of the equation that I did not want to attempt by myself.
Who needs a stair climber?
Either that mountain-like trek was more than I recall or Father Time’s whispering in my ear, “Forget it” changed my plans; it was time to explore other possibilities.
My need for an easier way to launch the boat prompted me to ask a local convenience store worker for a lake more suitable for my plan. Somehow, the convoluted directions brought me to tiny Glory Lake in Hartwick Pines State Park. The launch site was perfect with not one other person on the water. I pulled in a few pan fish including one sizeable rock bass. It was as if I had my own private lake.
Back at camp I searched the county map for other nearby lake access and found K.P. Lake only about 10 miles north. It appeared to be a straight-forward drive and after a camp breakfast, it was time to explore. Stephan Bridge Road was the shortest distance but that seasonal road of sand along the eastern boundary of Camp Grayling made it seem much longer than it was. At first, when I noticed a large tract of cleared land behind a short fence, I wondered who would have removed all the timber. It became patently obvious when I read a prominent sign posted on the endless fence:
At no more than 20 mph it took some time but I located the well-hidden K.P. Lake – another perfect launch site; a Michigan Recreation Passport was all that was required and I had one. Interestingly, a sign was posted with the following:
As I rowed into the stiff north wind, I could see the unmistakable outline of one of the magnificent water birds in the distance. I skirted the rare bird from a safe distance for a better look and did my best to capture the moment on video. Obligingly, the lone loon belted out its spooky call and dove below lake level for a meal of fresh fish. The sight and sound made my day!
As part of my trip home, one more stop was on the agenda: The Au Sable River in Oscoda County. Just east of the Parmalee Bridge was a public access point for canoes, which doubled as a stream-side place to fish from the banks. Having caught plenty of trout there years ago, it was worth a look. I rigged a red wiggler worm onto a hook and caught a keeper brook trout on the second cast.
Small Brook Trout from the Au Sable River
After catching another one, I continued on my path home well satisfied with the sights and sounds of the North.
It was a trip to test some camping gear and a chance to return to my past. The sound of coyotes howling in the night along with a solitary whippoorwill added some icing on the cake. It was good to be back “Up North.”
Comments should be submitted by Aug. 31 via the interactive map or email
Michigan residents have until August 31 to help the Department of Natural Resources decide which state forest roads will be open or closed to off-road vehicles in 2020.
The DNR updates its online forest roads map every year on April 1, indicating which roads are open to ORV use. People can share their suggestions at any time throughout the year. Department proposals to change the map are made based on road inventories and that ongoing public input process. Any input received after Aug. 31 would be captured for proposed updates to the 2021 state forest roads map. Read more
A rugged GPS watch built to withstand the toughest environments
Olathe, KS / August 14, 2019 — Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the Instinct Tactical Edition, a rugged, outdoor GPS smartwatch with tactical functionality. Building on the proven reliability of the Instinct series, the Instinct Tactical Edition adds enhanced features of Garmin’s tactix® series including night-vision compatibility mode, Jumpmaster, dual-position GPS formatting, preloaded tactical activity, and waypoint projection. The Instinct Tactical Edition also includes a new stealth mode for off-grid functionality.
“The Instinct series has quickly proven itself to be the watch for individuals who need a piece of equipment as tough as the conditions they face,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice-president of global consumer sales. “Incorporating tactical features from the Garmin tactix series, the Instinct Tactical Edition combines the best of both product lines to provide tactical and multisport features for people who spend their time outdoors and demand a watch they can depend on in even the most challenging terrains.” Read more
GW: I have a sinking feeling about all this – especially after the photo shows how some people are going to trust their lives riding on some dime store junk blow-up gadget. It just isn’t going to be any good on anyone’s resume…
The annual Port Huron Float Down is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 18, 2019 on the St. Clair River. This remains an unsanctioned marine event and poses risks to the participants and other
users of the waterways during the 7.5 mile /12 km course. The fast-moving current, large number of
participants, lack of lifejackets, alcohol consumption, potentially challenging weather conditions, water
temperature, and limited rescue resources can create difficult emergency response scenarios that can
result in serious injuries or fatalities.
The marine environment – motion, sun, wind, spray – accelerates the effects of alcohol consumption.
Alcohol can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold water – further impairing a
person’s judgment, vision, and reaction time.
Water temperatures during recent Float Downs averaged in the high 60s o F/ 17-19 o C. Immersion in
water below approximately 70 degrees o F/ 21 o C can lead to hypothermia that impairs physical
performance and degrades a person’s ability to self-help or swim. Early signs of hypothermia include
shivering and loss of coordination and judgment.
In 2014, a 19-year-old, experienced swimmer drowned during the event. The U.S. Coast Guard and
local, state and federal partners including the Canadian Coast Guard mounted a significant search and
rescue effort that was eventually suspended after 21 searches lasting more than 36 hours.
In 2016, high winds and a heavy downpour led to approximately 1500 participants requiring assistance
when they landed on the Canadian shoreline at Sarnia and Corunna, leaving them stranded, subject to
Canadian and U.S. border security and, often without identification, money and means of
communication. Some had injuries and were suffering from hypothermia.
This is an inherently dangerous activity, especially for minors. As first responders, the U.S. Coast Guard
and the Canadian Coast Guard recommend that people do not take part in this event. Participants are
strongly encouraged to take several precautions: Read more
WEST POINT, MS – TruckVault is proud to introduce the offering of Mossy Oak branded secure in-vehicle storage systems for covered pickups, uncovered pickups, and SUVs beginning fall 2019.TruckVault is the way to go for a weeklong hunting trip with friends or as a way to keep one’s favorite hunting gear safe and protected while enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer close to home. TruckVault has become well known for keeping outdoor enthusiast’s most precious valuables safe, secure, and protected while enjoying the outdoors. Read more
The launch site was perfect with not one other person on the water. I pulled in a few pan fish including one sizeable rock bass. It was as if I had my own private lake.
