Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Grand Prairie, TX –– Multi-brand shooting and hunting manufacturer GSM Outdoors announced that the company has just completed the acquisition of leading outdoor accessory and gear manufacturer Hunters Specialties. This acquisition represents one of the largest merging of brands ever in the hunting industry. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park has reached a “tipping point” with the wolf to moose population according to references in Michigan House Bill 154 that proposes to develop a system of hunting to manage the dilemma. Such an idea is nothing new and neither is the conundrum of the delicate balance of nature and man on the island.
At its August 1923 meeting held at Rock Harbor Lodge, the Citizens’ Committee of Isle Royale discussed and expressed several grave concerns including the sale of 80,000 acres to an “Indiana corporation seeking pulp wood”; that the Michigan State legislature had recently defeated a proposal to “acquire the entire island for a state park”; and fears over a proposal to declare an open hunting season “for killing moose and caribou in the island, with the argument that there is insufficient feed for the subsistence of the growing herds and that large numbers of these animals must otherwise perish.” It is clear from the rest of the document that the organization viewed hunting as the threat and did not see a looming food crisis for the moose population as credible.
It certainly is credible today! In year 2010 a total of 19 wolves roamed the island along with 510 moose. In less than a decade, the moose numbers have quadrupled to an astounding total of 2060 with 14 wolves and more to be added.
HR 154 reads in part as follows:
“A resolution to encourage the National Park Service to establish a moose tag lottery hunt to assist in controlling the moose population on Isle Royale.
Whereas, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is home to an exploding population of moose with an average growth rate greater than 19 percent annually; and
Whereas, Issues with the moose-to-wolf ratio over the last several decades have now reached a tipping point, with a current population of only 15 wolves on Isle Royale as of March 2019. Wolves are the only natural predator of moose on Isle Royale but the diminishing wolf population has not contained the moose population in recent years; and
Whereas, The increased and unsustainable moose population on Isle Royale has created an ongoing ecological dilemma as the moose feed on the park’s balsam fir trees and other vegetation. The rapidly expanding moose herd will devastate these slow-growing trees and could eliminate them from Isle Royale; and
Whereas, Previous attempts to introduce additional wolves to balance out the moose-to-wolf ratio have not resulted in a long-term sustainable balance of predator and prey; and
Whereas, A moose tag lottery hunt will benefit Isle Royale National Park and help restore ecological balance among moose, wolves, and vegetation. Approximately forty national parks currently allow some form of hunting as part of their wildlife management practices… “
Interestingly, in March 2019 I made just such a proposal on these pages: Hunters could apply for hunting tags through a lottery system with the cost of applications and actual license fees going to the effort’s expense similar to what Michigan does with its elk population. Unlike reliance on wolves, the number of moose taken could be strictly regulated. Plus, hunters could be required to take certain animals to balance the herd’s composition according to sound management principles. Wolves, on the other hand, are indiscriminate and have no off button.
While it remains unclear if the National Park Service will allow hunting as part of a broad management plan, something different needs to happen or we will face this dilemma until time to act has run out.
Fishers, IN — The American Hunting Lease Association, well known for their Hunting Lease Liability Insurance, has announced they are now offering a Timberland Liability Insurance policy. Also known as Vacant Land Liability Insurance, their new policy will be offered along with the first-class purchasing process and friendly customer service that their current members have come to expect.
While Hunting Lease Liability Insurance protects hunters and landowners who entered into a hunting lease agreement to access the property, many landowners were unprotected against unwanted or uninvited guests. Additionally, landowners that invite friends and family to hunt for free were left unprotected in the event of an accident. Timberland Liability coverage can now address all of their needs as owners of vacant timberland as they deal with trespassers and other uninvited parties. Read more
Another exhilarating year of elk hunting has ended, and the 2019 season statistics are in. Success rates continue to be high for Michigan elk hunters.
Elk hunt period 1
Hunt period 1, which targets elk outside of their traditional range, was 12 days long, running Aug. 27-30, Sept. 13-16 and Sept. 27-30. The first four days of the hunt, temperatures were slightly cooler than normal with good weather, leading to early success. During the first hunt period, 96 state hunters harvested 71 elk (29 bulls, 40 cows and two calves). Additionally, all three Pure Michigan Hunt winners were successful during this elk hunt period. Read more
The Michigan deer management cooperator patch, given to hunters who bring their deer to a DNR check station, has been a popular collector’s item for hunters since the early 1970s. Every year the patch design is different, but always portrays the designer’s interpretation of white-tailed deer or deer hunting in Michigan.
Those interested in sharing their design ideas for the 2020 deer patch are encouraged to enter this year’s contest, which is open to everyone. Read more
GREELEY, Colo. (January 17, 2020) – The best laser rangefinding hunting scope on the market just got better. Burris® introduces the Eliminator IV 4-16×50 rifle scope with improved features to significantly increase a rifle’s range, accuracy and efficiency out to an impressive 2,000 yards.
Quick and calculated shots to extreme ranges are now possible with the Eliminator IV’s improved integrated laser rangefinder and updated onboard ballistics calculator which offers more data and faster aiming solutions to accommodate centerfire, rimfire, muzzleloader and slug gun ballistic trajectories. The Eliminator IV takes a cartridge’s ballistic info and calculates perfect holdover at the exact ranged distance and displays a bright red aiming holdover dot for the most accurate shot in seconds—all at the push of a button
A new bluetooth laser activation switch has been added removing the clutter of a wired connection while an additional integrated side mounted button promises functionality no matter what. With a trophy in sight, there’s no need to fumble with smart phones and hand-held rangefinders. Just aim, range and shoot. It’s that simple. Read more
Passport gives year-round access to state parks and other outdoor recreation opportunities, and an easy way to help protect natural resources for the next generation
If you told Michigan residents that for just $1 a month they could enjoy vehicle access to more than 100 state parks and recreation areas, 140 state forest campgrounds, hundreds of miles of state trails, historic sites, family-friendly events, hundreds of boating access sites and other outdoor spaces, most likely would jump at the chance. Starting March 1, they can.
| The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that the regular Recreation Passport vehicle entry fee for residents will increase from $11 to $12 – the first Recreation Passport price increase since January 2013. All other resident Passport fees stay the same, including those for motorcycles, mopeds and commercial vehicles. Read more |
By Glen Wunderlich
Any experienced hunter knows speed kills. Whether it’s a centerfire rifle or bow and arrow, faster projectiles equal flatter trajectory, less guesswork and more ethical results afield. With more generous equipment regulations nationwide, crossbows have taken a larger share of the archery market over the past decade.
In Michigan, legislators enacted an inane “speed limit” on hunting crossbows at a maximum of 350 feet per second (fps), when they were first legalized for the general public. This shortsighted decision was eventually overturned and the speed limit was lifted. Since then, manufacturers have engaged in a race to pace the field and some remarkable innovations have come about. What follows are some of the latest inventions to hit the market.
* TenPoint Crossbow Technologies launched the Viper S400 at the 2020 ATA Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. TenPoint’s shortest forward-draw crossbow ever, the Viper S400 measures just 32-inches in length yet delivers speeds up to 400 fps and features the revolutionary ACUslide™ cocking and de-cocking system. The super-compact crossbow measures an ultra-narrow 7.2-inches wide and weighs an incredible half-pound less than previous TenPoint flagship models.
* TenPoint has launched the Vengent S440 – the fastest and narrowest forward-draw (or, reverse limb) crossbow ever delivering lightning speeds up to 440 fps measuring a scant 5.8-inches wide.
* Also. from TenPoint is the Vapor RS470 delivering supercharged speeds up to 470 FPS and featuring the new revolutionary ACUslide™ cocking and de-cocking system – the first safe option to de-cock a crossbow with a crank.
* Barnett’s all-new Hyperflite EVO 420™ features an entirely new and unique riser-mounted cam design that creates increased limb action and whip while reducing recoil and vibration making for longer-lasting cables and more speed.
The aluminum HyperFlite track reduces arrow contact to just the tip and nock while the shaft of the arrow floats above the track; as a result, the HyperFlite EVO 420 delivers best-in-class downrange accuracy. Pairing the HyperFlite EVO 420 with Barnett’s exclusive .204 small-diameter HyperFlite arrows makes for a deadly, accurate combination of blistering 420 fps speed and up to 25 percent greater penetration.
* From Frankenmuth, Michigan comes the Killer Instinct®, SPEED™ 425 producing an unstoppable amount of energy at 425fps. This electrifying speed is controlled with sniper precision from the Killer Instinct LUMIX™ Speed Ring Scope, which instantly matches the 20-100-yard reticle to be sighted in and provide HD clarity in low light conditions.
* Also from Frankenmuth is the SWAT™ XP. Years of research, design and testing have resulted in an ultra-compact 27-inch crossbow shooting 415 FPS and cocks down to 9-inches wide.
If you are in the market for the latest and greatest, check out these screamers and more at www.thinkingafield.org. Where it all ends is anyone’s guess but it’s safe to say the trend for speed will continue.
ATHENS, GA – The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) increased advocacy on behalf of whitetails and deer hunters to a record level in 2019, engaging on 169 policy items, the most ever in a single year for the organization. The 2019 list of action items also meant QDMA was active on issues in all 50 states, another first.
“We strive to advocate for wise policy and management of whitetails at the local, state and national levels, but 2019 was our most active year to date,” said Kip Adams, QDMA Director of Conservation, who leads QDMA’s advocacy work. “We will continue to fight in every arena to ensure the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage as we go into a new year of legislative activity.”
Some highlights of QDMA’s advocacy efforts in 2019 include: Read more
Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis has announced that twenty-seven former Gander Mountain retail stores will close by the end of January. Camping World spent $100 million buying outdoor retailers in 2017 and 2018, but sold many off in 2019 as the RV industry slowed down. Now, the company says it will maintain the Gander RV as a retail brand under the Camping World portfolio, but would strategically shift away from stores that cannot sell and service RVs. Restructuring costs are estimated at $56 million. The company’s three RV sales and/or service locations will operate under three names: Camping World, Gander RV and Outdoors, and Gander RV.