Twenty-three recruits successfully completed Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer training and graduated today, June 13. Ceremonies were held at the training academy in Lansing, involving the recruits’ families and academy staff.

The 23 new officers now enter 18 weeks of field training partnered with more experienced conservation officers in the counties in which they have been assigned. The academy and ongoing support for the graduates is funded in the DNR budget through a General Fund appropriation approved by the Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Many years ago, while in the third grade, my father decided I was going to play the violin.  I never showed any interest in music, but because he had played it, so would I.  At least I went through the motions during music class and even private lessons.

I recall being in my bedroom – probably in the first week of my short musical career – and sawing on those strings as fast as I could.  The sound emanating from the instrument resembled a combination of fingernails on the blackboard and that of a cat when its tail is stepped on.  Even I couldn’t stand it; it was obnoxious noise, pure and simple.

Similarly, during firearms deer season, it’s inevitable that some hunter with a case of buck fever, will flail away at a running deer until the gun runs dry.  My instinct is that such hunters are as skilled as this young violinist once was with the same result:  nothing but noise.

A simple solution to eliminating the fruitless, knee-jerk, firepower response is to develop the single-shot mentality.  My epiphany took place some 40 years ago, while afield with a single-shot pistol hunting squirrels.  An unsuspecting fox squirrel scampered across the trail no more than 50 feet in front of me and all I could do was smile.

Much like the violin, good shooting techniques must be developed.  Having a magazine stacked to capacity won’t do it, either.  In fact, it may lead to the very nature of missing by relying on backup shots. Read more

The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) rallied its community to garner support for ‘Almost Sunrise,’ an up-and-coming documentary that brings to light a new and unfortunate epidemic of suicide among the country’s veteran community.

It’s no surprise that the United States Concealed Carry Association—a Delta Defense, LLC company—is passionate about the Second Amendment. Read more

GW:  Just got some homemade jalapeno mustard at the Owosso Farmers’ Market last weekend.  Never knew mustard could be so tasty.

History guides from Walker Tavern Historic Site near Brooklyn will present “Making Mustard” at Walter J. Hayes State Park near Onsted Saturday, June 14, from 2-3 p.m. Campers and other park visitors will learn about mustard – and try making it themselves – the way early Michigan settlers made it. The program is free and open to all ages and will take place near the host campsite at Walter J. Hayes State Park. Read more