On a typical school day, teenagers spend just one hour outdoors, according to a new survey from the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF). The survey uncovers critical insights into how teens interact with the environment in today’s technology-driven world. It finds that although most teens (80 percent) say they prefer to spend time indoors, they overwhelmingly recognize that time outdoors makes them healthier (92 percent) and happier (88 percent). The survey sheds light on those to whomteens turn for environmental education, noting that parents and educators are trusted sources for information about the environment. However, the survey also highlights the need for both groups to do more since only 62 percent of teens feel knowledgeable about the environment and even fewer (42 percent) care about its protection. Learn more about the survey here. Read more

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Inspired by the need for a lightweight and compact first-aid rollup kit and supplies that satisfy both the soccer mom and minimalist hiker, 12 Survivors announces the newest addition to their popular line of first-aid rollup kits, the UltraLite First-Aid Kit (TS42004R).Weighing just at 11.3 oz, the UltraLite First-Aid Kit provides simplicity and portability for the all users. Constructed of moisture-wicking, honeycomb ripstop nylon, the durable first aid kit fits an astounding 90 pieces including bandages, gauze, alcohol pads, scissors, tweezers, tape and moleskin; all organized inside 6 zipper pockets. Fully customizable, restock it with items that fit your specific needs! Unlike many other first aid kits, the 12 Survivors UltraLite Kit features a slim, flexible profile allowing the kit to take up less space and fit where others may not.

Visit Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to learn more about 12 Survivors® products.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced that Sleepy Hollow State Park will offer several two-day snowshoe building workshops in December, January and February. Participants will learn to weave a pair of traditional wooden snowshoes similar to the ones Native Americans made for generations. Classes are designed to be fun, informative and interesting.

These handmade snowshoes can be used for hiking throughout the winter, given as gifts or used as home decoration. Snowshoeing is an easy, inexpensive way to get outside and burn some calories during the winter months.

The cost for making a pair of snowshoes is $180 and includes the pre-formed wooden frames, lacing, high-quality bindings and personal instruction. Because this is an activity that requires concentration over long periods of time, it is recommended for ages 16 and older. Read more

Put away the leftovers and #OptOutside as part of your day-after-Thanksgiving traditions. To encourage folks to tap into Michigan’s great outdoors and gather with friends and family, on Friday, Nov. 24, the DNR will waive the regular Recreation Passport entry fee that enables vehicle access to Michigan state parks, trails and boating access sites.To search for a list of Michigan state parks, rustic state forest campgrounds, state-designated trails and associated activities and amenities, visit www.michigan.gov/recsearch. Interested in the Recreation Passport and how it helps Michigan state parks, trails and waterways? Visit www.michigan.gov/RecreationPassport.

COLUMBIA, MO –
MidwayUSA is pleased to announce the kickoff of their 2017 Black Friday Sale. Starting today, Monday November 20 through Monday November 27, Customers can expect deep discounts on popular Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor products. This year, the MidwayUSA Black Friday Sale features great deals on select hunting clothing and shooting gear, AR-15 Uppers, ammunition, optics and more from brands like MidwayUSA, AR-Stoner, Hornady, Sierra, Leupold and Vortex just to name a few. Select products will also be eligible for FREE SHIPPING!

“Throughout the past year we’ve been able to offer our Customers some really great prices on their favorite products,” said Jeff Larkin, VP of Marketing. “Starting today, through next Monday, our Black Friday 8 Days of Deals is an opportunity to really wow our Customers – they’re going to love what we have to offer.”

In addition to the Black Friday Sale, Customers will have the opportunity to enter the 2017 MidwayUSA Black Friday Sweepstakes! Visit www.midwayUSA.com/black-friday-sale and enter for your chance to win the new AR-Stoner Optics Ready AR-15 Upper, 1,200 rnds of IMI 5.56, 1,500 Rnds of Norma 22LR, 500 rnds of Magtech 9mm, a Magpul MOE SL-K Stock, MOE Pistol Grip, and 10-pack of M2 PMAGs – plus a YETI Hopper, Rambler Tumbler, Colster and Lowball. Total ARV of prize pack: $1,853.62! Read more

Nearly a half-century ago, a group of public and private partners saw the potential of an abandoned railroad corridor in the central Upper Peninsula to become a multiuse recreational trail. Today, supporters are enhancing the value of Michigan’s first rail trail by installing innovative mile markers along the Haywire Grade’s 32-mile route.

A new partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Hiawatha National Forest, the city of Manistique, the Hiawathaland Trail Association and the Schoolcraft County Motorized Trail Association has kicked off plans for a grand 50th-anniversary celebration of the Haywire Grade in 2020 with the installation of mile markers that combine function and historical references along Michigan’s pioneer rail trail. Read more

Havoc Powers Up the Fun With 100HP, Class-Leading Suspension SystemAUGUSTA, GA — Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, continues to expand its Textron Off Road brand by creating Havoc, a new side-by-side for riders who want to push the limits of adventure on the trails and get hard work done around the homestead.

Leveraging Textron’s vast resources and built with precision engineering, Havoc delivers power and performance with its 100HP EFI engine and a class-leading suspension system with 2.5-inch King Piggyback Reservoir Shocks, 12.8-inch front and 12.9-inch rear suspension travel and 13 inches of ground clearance. Coupled with a class-leading 2,000-lb towing capacity and 600-lb dump bed, Havoc has the muscle to handle the toughest jobs.

“Bottom line, our new Havoc side-by-side is designed for work and play, and allows you to have more fun while driving off road, whether you’re getting after it on the trails, doing chores on the farm or ranch, or going on a hunt,” said John Collins, Vice President, Consumer for Textron Specialized Vehicles. “As a Textron Off Road vehicle, Havoc is a dynamic new addition to the Textron family of advanced machines for adventurers and workers all over the world.” Read more

The Department of Natural Resources ranges are offering extended shooting on the three weekends prior to Nov. 15 to help hunters prepare for the firearm deer season.• Ortonville and Pontiac Lake – Oct. 28-29, Nov. 4-5 and Nov. 11-12: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Rose Lake and Sharonville – Oct. 28-29, Nov. 4-5 and Nov. 11-12: Oct. 28-29, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The DNR shooting ranges will be open seven days per week from Nov. 1-15, including Veterans Day. The weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ortonville and Pontiac Lake, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rose Lake and Sharonville. The last shot is fired 15 minutes before closing.

Beginning Nov. 16, the regular range schedule of five days per week (Thursday through Monday) returns.

Find more information about DNR shooting ranges at mi.gov/shootingranges.

Before You Go Deer Hunting

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to buy your hunting license – online at E-License or at a license retailer or DNR Customer Service Center.

Visit mi.gov/deer for information about deer management and links to additional resources, such as deer check stations.

Week 14: Oct. 15-21, 2017Like tiny meteorites, the glowing, yellow sparks hurtled toward the ground as the conservation officer recruit flicked his wrist. Scraping the metal bar against the magnesium rod on the fire starter tool worked just as his instructor had demonstrated earlier.

The shower of sparks instantly ignited the Vaseline-saturated cotton ball he had prepared, and after strategically arranging pieces of kindling on top, the rising flame brought a satisfied smile to his face.

The recruit had just learned one of the most basic but essential outdoor survival skills – the ability to make fire.

It was one of many techniques he and his classmates acquired during Week 14 of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Recruit School, which covered outdoor survival training and search and rescue procedures as discussed in this brief video.

Stayin’ alive 

Week 14 brought recruits back to the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, where they had their initial firearms training during Week 9. On this trip, the class spent quality time with experts from Emergency Response International, who taught recruits about wilderness safety and survival, as well as the fundamentals of a search and rescue (SAR) event. ERI has partnered with DNR’s Law Enforcement Division for several years to train conservation officers, but this was the first time the company provided instruction at the recruit school. Read more