Turkey Time
Michigan Gobbler
The hunting season starts April 18th and prospects look good.
Category: Hunting
Interior Secretary Proposes Historic Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities
New hunting and fishing opportunities across 2.3 million acres at 97 national wildlife refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries
WASHINGTON – Continuing the Trump Administration’s significant efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced today a historic proposal for new and expanded hunting and fishing opportunities across more than 2.3 million acres at 97 national wildlife refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries. This proposed rule is the single largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in history.
“America’s hunters and anglers now have something significant to look forward to in the fall as we plan to open and expand hunting and fishing opportunities across more acreage nationwide than the entire state of Delaware,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hunt Fish Chiefs have been instrumental in our effort over the past two years to streamline our regulations and identify new opportunities for sportsmen and women like no other previous administration.”
This proposed rule would create nearly 900 distinct new hunting and fishing opportunities (an opportunity is defined as one species on one field station in one state). On top of last year’s expansion of 1.4 million acres for new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities, this proposal would bring the Trump Administration’s total expansion to 4 million acres nationwide.
“Once the Trump Administration’s effort to eliminate the threat of COVID-19 has been successful, there will be no better way to celebrate than to get out and enjoy increased access for hunting and fishing on our public lands,” said Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “I deeply appreciate everything sportswomen and men do for conservation and our economy, so I am delighted when we can do something to expand opportunities for them. I hope it will help encourage the next generation of hunters and anglers to continue on this rich American tradition.” Read more
TrueTimber® AirPack™ Inflatable Ground Blinds Feature Revolutionary Air Technology
TrueTimber® AirPack™ Inflatable Ground Blinds Feature Revolutionary Air Technology
INMAN, S.C. – April 7, 2020 – The new patent pending TrueTimber AirPack inflatable ground blind series is a groundbreaking improvement on complacent technology. For decades hunters were sold on different sizes, shapes and configurations erected with the same old framework. Advancing beyond cumbersome and breakable rod and pole frames, TrueTimber AirPack blinds are supported by ultra-durable beams filled with air, giving the blinds a strong support system while maintaining flexibility and an ultralightweight design. TrueTimber AirPack ground blinds, constructed in multiple TrueTimber camo patterns and material options, are expected to be available mid-2020.
The AirPack blind can go anywhere a hunter can—it fits into a standard-sized backpack in matching TrueTimber camo and weighs between 15 and 22 pounds depending on the model. The package includes the backpack, a one-handed silent air pump and blind with additional pockets for extra gear. The blind can be completely inflated and ready to hunt in less than two minutes.
“This is truly revolutionary technology that will change the mindset hunters have about ground blinds,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “Ground blinds have always been a hassle to transport, set up and maintain once out in the field. With these blinds, we have virtually eliminated all of those issues and created a lightweight, easy to move and set-up package that is strong enough to handle the elements, including wind, rain/snow and even trees and limbs.” Read more
Michigan: leftover spring turkey hunting licenses now available
While the DNR is working hard to protect public health and safety during the coronavirus outbreak, we also recognize the value in looking forward, in reminding us all that Michigan is home to amazing natural and cultural resources that can still be enjoyed.
Many have been asking about the status of Michigan’s spring turkey season, considering Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order. Spring turkey hunting seasons are open, and licenses are available. Read more
Brian Murphy Resigns as CEO of QDMA
ATHENS, GA (– The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) announced today that Brian Murphy has resigned from his position as CEO effective immediately. Murphy had on March 3 announced his intention to transition from CEO to a part-time role after 23 years with the organization to travel and spend more time with his family, and a search for his replacement is already underway.
In the interim, the QDMA Board of Directors has empowered a group of five department leaders to temporarily handle executive functions of the organization. The leadership team includes Director of Finance & Administration April Robertson, Director of Conservation Kip Adams, Director of Communications Lindsay Thomas Jr., Assistant Director of Conservation Matt Ross, and Assistant Director of Hunting Heritage Programs Hank Forester. They will be working closely with Board Chairman Rick Dahl until a new CEO is named.
“I’ve decided it is best for QDMA, me and my family for me to pass the torch sooner and give staff leaders the freedom to implement new strategies to address new challenges,” said Murphy. “I am confident in each of them and their ability to work as a team, continue pursuing the QDMA mission, and assist in the selection of the new CEO.” Read more
TETRA AmpPods: Harold Knight’s Choice for Hearing Perfection
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As turkey hunters across North America prepare for the upcoming season, hearing technology company TETRA is giving hunters an edge … or in some cases, giving hunters their edge back with their all new AmpPods.
TETRA AmpPods are premium hearing devices designed to fit inside the ear canal to maximize the ear’s natural sound collection, enabling hunters to once again hear the sounds of a wild turkey, and better judge distance and direction.
“I tested the AmpPods last spring against a normal set of hearing aids…and was extremely impressed and satisfied with the results,” said Harold Knight, co-owner of Knight & Hale Game Calls. “With the AmpPods, I could hear and locate birds that I would have never heard before. TETRA’s products will always be at the top of my checklist as I prepare for each hunting season.”
TETRA devices are the most advanced hearing technology ever offered to outdoor enthusiasts, and are specially designed for hunters, by hunters. The founders are also hearing doctors having the highest expertise in sound and hearing technology.
“We know and understand that turkey hunters need to hear in order to be successful in the turkey woods,” said Dr. Bill Dickinson, TETRA CEO. “Detecting and locating that distant gobbler can mean the difference in filling your tag or going home empty handed. While AmpPods enhance the sounds of the game you’re in pursuit of, we also designed them to shut off immediately suppressing the gunshot to protect your hearing when it’s time to take the shot on that gobbler you’ve been listening to.”
TETRA’s hearing devices feature patent-pending Specialized Target Optimization™ (STO). STO is the world’s first hearing technology that isolates and enhances the exact frequencies needed to improve hearing for your specific hunting environment. STO accentuates gobbles, yelps, clucks and purrs for turkeys; barks and bugles for elk; and grunts, bleats and footsteps for deer while keeping other sounds at normal, natural levels.
TETRA uses a similar chip and digital noise reduction that consumers would typically pay $5,000 for in hearing aids, and can be customized to your hearing profile using an online hearing test.
MSRP:
60-Advanced: $699/pair
90-Premium: $999/pair
TETRA isn’t just hearing protection. It’s hearing perfection.
For more information about TETRA and its products, and to take an online hearing test to learn which product is best suited for your needs, visit www.tetrahunt.com.
Interior Secretary Announces Distribution of Excise Tax Revenues
Fish, Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation and Local Communities Benefit from Excise Tax Revenues
WASHINGTON – America’s sportsmen and sportswomen generated nearly $1 billion in excise taxes last year that support state conservation programs. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt today announced the disbursement of these funds, generated through excise taxes on hunting, shooting and fishing equipment and boat fuel to all 50 states and U.S. territories by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service).
To date, the Service has distributed more than $22.9 billion in apportionments for state conservation and recreation projects. The recipient state wildlife agencies have matched these funds with approximately $7.6 billion throughout the years, primarily through hunting and fishing license revenues.
“Our conservation model is funded and supported by America’s hunters, shooters, anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts. These stewards of conservation generated nearly a billion dollars last year alone and make our country’s conservation legacy the envy of the world,” said Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. Read more
MUCC Asks for Pheasant Initiative Support Now
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Amy TrotterExecutive Director
Patterning for Turkeys
By Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
Anyone using a shotgun for turkey hunting is wise to pattern specific loads before heading afield. Myriad firearms, chokes and ammunition are going to produce various results that require testing to determine a hunter’s best options. Patterning – the act of shooting shotgun loads at large sheets of paper at given ranges – is the only way to know how combinations will perform. No doubt, patterning a shotgun can be an arduous task, but a necessary one for confidence and effectiveness.
Browning Silver Shotgun
EOTech Sight and Winchester Long Beard Ammo Testing
It was only a week ago that a friend and I headed afield for some crow hunting. When the perfect opportunity arose inside the perfect blind, my pal unloaded on an incoming bird at relatively close range. After a clean miss, the questions started: Was it the shooter, the load, the choke or any combination to blame? Without patterning, we’ll never know.
Pattern percentages – the number of pellets striking within a 30-inch circle at 40 yards – will tell the tale regardless of what any manufacturer states the choke is. Simple math makes sense of it all. Simply determine the number of pellets in the chosen, unfired shell based on readily available tables and count how many of them strike within the circle described. For turkey hunting some 70-percent of the shot should be in the circle at 40 yards, which signifies actual full-choke performance.
No. 4 Shot, 50 Yards Winchester Long Beard XR Ammo
For this purpose it is not actually necessary to center the pattern on the target, although to do so is the end game. On a sheet of paper measuring at least 36 inches square, mark an aiming point large enough to see at 40 yards. Take the shot and then make a 30-inch circle around the heaviest concentration of shot. The more shot inside the circle, the better.
A variation is to test appropriate loads through your barrel/choke combination looking for the most even pattern without excessive spacing in the pattern. Doing so will indicate which choke is most effective without counting pellet holes.
Another method utilizes 10-yard patterns, which mimics intended results at 40 yards. For this experiment, a 7-inch circle is used in place of the 30-inch circle, whereas only the pellets outside the circle are counted. This system will give relative performance between different shells, but it is still advisable to test with the 30-inch circle at the longer range, as outlined.
Once you have determined a specific shell and shot size based on results shown on paper, you can adjust your sights accordingly to center the pattern. If you have a shogun with only a front bead and your shots are not striking your point of aim, you may want to consider installing an optic or using another firearm. Otherwise, holding off the target is the only option – and, a poor one at that.
Ever since I discovered how much better patterns are produced at extended ranges with Winchester’s Long Beard shotshells, I’ve had no reason to go through the patterning process anymore. This ammo is reasonably priced compared to other high-end ammo. It will still cost substantially more than run-of-the-mill lead shot, but is purpose built to perform better with its hard, copper-plated pellets, because it deforms less when pushed through the tight chokes designed for turkey hunting. Plus, since the load delivers more shot on target, less shot is needed in the shells, thus making for less felt recoil. And, this is no minor advantage when testing any powerful loads designed for turkey hunting.
Michigan: the expanding mission of conservation officers
The mission of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division is to, “protect Michigan’s natural resources and the environment, and the health and safety of the public through effective law enforcement and education.”
It is a physically and mentally demanding career that officers and their families commit their lives to.
“Our mission evolves based on how our citizens and stakeholders engage in outdoor recreation,” said Steven Burton, assistant chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “Our mission has been shifting for 133 years.”
Early conservation
State historical documents explain that the conservation movement began during a time when most people thought natural resources were in infinite supply.
Michigan citizens then realized there was a shortage of game, fish, timber and land due to human overexploitation and took it upon themselves to preserve what remained. As a result, citizens identified the need for natural resources regulation.
William Alden Smith was appointed the state’s first game warden in 1887, establishing the Law Enforcement Division. Smith was one of the first salaried wardens in the United States and began a tradition of excellence the division continues to adhere to today. Read more