Michigan: UP Trappers Association Offers Kids’ Workshop

Contact: Mike Lewis, 906-774-3592

Kids of all ages are invited to attend the U.P. Trappers Association’s 14th annual Midwinter Trappers Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Hermansville Community Center in Menominee County.

The workshop will begin at 8 a.m. CST, featuring trapping and fur handling demonstrations, supplies for young trappers, fur buying and more.

“Every kid that is the least bit interested in learning to trap should be at the Community Center in Hermansville,” said Mike Lewis, association contact for the event. “We are hoping that parents, grandparents, teachers, neighbors and friends will do what they can to get as many kids there as they can. Read more

Leupold Announces Launch of RX-950 Rangefinder

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., has announced the launch of its new RX-950, a new laser rangefinder that’s designed to provide incredibly fast ranging speeds and making getting out to 950 yards easier than ever while providing angle compensated distances – at a price point that’s impossible to argue with.

The RX-950 delivers exceptionally bright and clear images with its high-contrast LCD display. A 6x magnification makes acquiring your target and ranging long distances easy. It will deliver 950-yard ranging distance on reflective objects and hit 900 yards on trees. A fully multi-coated lens system ensures maximum brightness for clarity, contrast, and color fidelity. Read more

SPYPOINT Introduces World’s Smallest Cellular Trail Camera

With a focus on continuing its dominance in the cellular trail camera segment, SPYPOINT is introducing something increasingly rare, a genuinely revolutionary product.

The new LINK-MICRO from SPYPOINT builds on the already class-leading technology, by delivering all the features and functionality hunters expect in the smallest cellular trail camera available in the market. Don’t let it’s size fool you, (4.4”W x 3.1”H x 2.2”D) the LINK_MICRO still delivers 4G photo transmission (where available), a 0.5 trigger speed, and 80’ flash range courtesy of low-glow LEDs. MSRP – $169.99

As with all SPYPOINT cameras, however, the camera is only the beginning. The true genius is in the SPYPOINT EXPERIENCE. The SPYPOINT LINK APP drives that experience, allowing you manage settings and view photos remotely, wherever your phone has service. As easy as that is, it gets better. The exclusive BUCK TRACKER feature sorts your photos using advanced photo analysis technology. Skip the photos of raccoons and focus on pictures of the bucks you are watching. The easiest activation in cellular trail cams has only three steps, download the free SPYPOINT APP, connect your camera, start receiving photos courtesy of the pre-activated SIM card. Every camera delivers unlimited photos during the first month after activation. Thereafter, choose from three easy to understand plans on a month-to-month or annual basis. You can also take advantage of the industry’s only FREE DATA PLAN, that will send 100 photos every month for as long as the camera is operational, at absolutely no additional charge to you. No visiting a cell phone store. No loading up your personal data plan. SPYPOINT negotiates the data plan for you, so you can worry about finding big bucks, not spending them.

The LINK-MICRO from SPYPOINT will be available April 1, 2019. Read more

Michigan Deer Hunters Need More Thinking Afield

By Glen Wunderlich

The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) has compiled its annual “State of the Whitetail” report based on data gathered from the whitetails’ range across North America and what follows is a snapshot of how Michigan stacks up to other states.  Keep in mind that the information cited is from hunting seasons from 2017/2018 and prior and not the most recent seasons just completed.

For the 2019 Whitetail Report, QDMA compared harvest data from the three most recent seasons available: 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18.  

Beginning with disease reports, Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a bacterial infection of the respiratory system. Bovine TB is a chronic, progressive disease that can take years to develop. There is no vaccine. Prior to 1994, only eight wild white-tailed deer and mule deer were reported with bTB. Since then, it has been discovered in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin. With the exception of Michigan, bTB appears to be eradicated in the other states.  As of late November 2018, over 21,000 samples had been tested in Michigan with five new positive cases that year.  As you may know, the DNR had established two additional short deer seasons in Alpena County to mitigate the spread of this disease.

In October 2018 Michigan DNR discovered its first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the Upper Peninsula, just four miles from the border of Wisconsin. Additionally, two bucks suspected to be CWD-positive were harvested in late November in Gratiot and Eaton counties, where CWD has not previously been found.

Across the U.S. motorists killed over 1.33 million deer in 2017-18; that’s a whopping 22 percent of the deer harvest!  Michigan continued its bang-up job contributing some 87,959 whitetails to the roadside tally putting it in second place behind Pennsylvania’s staggering total of 141,777.  For another perspective, Michigan drivers killed .34 deer per road mile.  Based on these dismal figures, Michigan should consider lowering the cost of antlerless deer licenses below the current amounts – especially in CWD Management Zones – if it ever wants to get serious about minimizing vehicle/deer collisions.   And, the result of more antlerless deer being taken will have delivered the desired effect to minimize the spread of CWD.

Bowhunting opportunity and harvest has dramatically increased during the past two decades. In 2002, only 15 percent of the total deer harvest was taken with archery equipment, and that increased to 23 percent in 2017; amazingly, New Jersey archers took nearly 60 percent of its total deer harvest.

Michigan hunters took 311,000 whitetails with 5.5 hunters per square (PSM) mile behind only Pennsylvania’s total of 339,600 with its 7.6 hunters PSM.  This puts Michigan nearly three times the national average of bucks taken PSM!

Michigan’s antlered buck harvest is up 14 percent over its five-year average with a total of 226,656 bucks taken in 2017.  Compared to the previous year alone (2016), the total was over 30,000 more bucks taken.  However, when analyzing the composition of the bucks taken by age class, Michigan’s propensity to kill adolescent bucks (those 1.5 years old) at the rate of 46 percent of the total bucks killed continues.  In addition, with only 22 percent of the bucks taken having been 3.5 years old or older, Michigan has the fifth lowest number in the country.  Not surprisingly, there appears to be a correlation between these age-class totals.

The antlerless deer kill figures represent a five-percent decrease over the previous five-year average, although 2017 saw 5,000 more antlerless deer taken than the previous year.  What’s most concerning about the antlerless kill numbers is the fact that some 24 percent of these animals were fawns!   Either our hunters are hungrier than those in other states or we could certainly do a better job of identifying our intended targets.

One final statistic seems to be in order:  the number of non-resident deer hunters participating in Michigan deer hunts.  A scant two percent of our hunters were from other states putting us behind all but North Dakota’s one percent.  Compared to the leader in this category – Kansas with its 27 percent non-resident tags issued – Michigan with its sheer deer-herd numbers has not been a desirable destination for out-of-state whitetail hunters and it’s not because we don’t have deer.

So, there you have it – the good, the bad and the ugly.  Michigan can do a better job of deer management whether it’s on behalf of the DNR’s policies or that of its army of hunters.

Buck Harvest Up, Doe Harvest Down: QDMA’s 2019 Whitetail Report

ATHENS, GA – The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) Wednesday released its 11th annual Whitetail Report, a comprehensive update on the status of white-tailed deer including deer harvest trends through the 2017-18 season, the most recent hunting season with complete deer harvest data available from most whitetail states and Canadian provinces. Overall, the national buck harvest was on the rise while antlerless harvest fell, tipping the balance in favor of bucks for the first time in 18 years.

“The total antlered buck harvest of 2,879,000 in the United States was 2 percent more than the previous season, and 23 of 36 states increased their buck harvest,” said Kip Adams, QDMA Director of Conservation. “On the contrary, antlerless harvest was down slightly to 2,827,288. One state’s data did not arrive and was not included in this analysis, but it appears the national buck harvest exceeded the antlerless harvest in the 2017-18 season for the first time since 1998.”

Looking at the age structure of the buck harvest, yearlings (1½ years old) remained at record low harvest levels around 35 percent while harvest of 3½-year-old and older bucks remained high at 34 percent.

“It’s amazing to realize that one of every three antlered bucks shot in the U.S. is at least 3½ years old when it was one in every five only 15 years before,” said Adams.

Among other facts to be found in the new Whitetail Report: Read more

Michigan is No. 1 among Great Lakes states for jobs created from hunting, fishing purchases

New report: 

Statewide economic impact supports 171,000 jobs, generates $11.2 billion annually – more than twice as much as previous estimates; data suggest Michigan needs to do more to promote outdoor sports, address environmental threats

LANSING, Mich. – A first-of-its-kind study released Monday by Michigan United Conservation Clubs shows Michigan ranks first among the Great Lakes states for jobs created from hunting- and fishing-related purchases – and generates more than $11.2 billion annually.

The data also show 171,000 jobs are created and supported annually across Michigan by hunting and fishing, putting those related activities in the top 10 percent of the state’s job-creation industries. The greatest impact occurs in Southeast Michigan.

The economic overall effect is more than twice as much as previous estimates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to the report.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs commissioned the groundbreaking study in partnership with the Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business and with funding support from the C.S. Mott Foundation. The project’s goal was to more accurately quantify the impact sportsmen and sportswomen have on Michigan’s economic well-being.

“The research results reflect that the economic benefits for local communities in every region of the state by those who hunt and fish are vital to continuing Michigan’s prosperity now and in the future,” said Amy Trotter, MUCC executive director. Read more

Michigan hunter bags trophy mule deer

LINCOLN, Neb. – Michael Dickerson had come up empty in past hunts, but he finally got his Nebraska trophy this past September.

Dickerson of Davison, Michigan, now holds the Nebraska record typical mule deer taken by archery. He stalked and shot the deer, which scored 197 4/8, Sept. 10, 2018, on private land in the badlands of northern Sioux County.

“It truly was a privilege to have an opportunity at such a great animal,” said Dickerson, 40.

Randy Stutheit, Nebraska big game trophy records coordinator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said Dickerson’s deer is the second largest typical mule deer entered into the Nebraska records regardless of method of take. The top Nebraska mule deer of 200 3/8 was taken with a muzzleloader by Miles Lemley of Lyman, Nebraska, in Scotts Bluff County in 2007. The previous archery record was 187 2/8. Read more

B&C and P&Y: Potential Largest Hunter-Taken, Non-Typical Whitetail Deer

MISSOULA, Mont. – According to the Boone and Crockett Club and the Pope and Young Club a whitetail buck taken during the 2018 Illinois archery season could be the largest hunter-taken non-typical whitetail on record.

Bowhunter, Luke H. Brewster arrowed a buck from Edgar County, Illinois, on November 2, 2018. Shortly after the harvest, photos circulated online stating it had a green score of 311. After the required 60-day drying period and consultation with both scoring organizations the official entry score of 320-5/8 confirmed that it is only the 5th hunter-taken non-typical whitetail to exceed 300 inches in history. If verified at this score, the buck would be the third largest non-typical whitetail in Boone and Crockett and the new Pope and Young World’s Record.

The World’s Record and number two all-time non-typical whitetail deer recognized by B&C are picked-up trophies scoring 333-7/8 and 328-2/8 B&C points respectively, and were found in St. Louis County, Missouri and Portage County, Ohio. The largest hunter taken, and current number three All-time non-typical whitetail on record with B&C scores 312 and was taken by Stephen L. Tucker from Sumner County, Tennessee in 2016.

“To put Luke’s deer in perspective this deer could surpass our current World’s Record that has stood for 18 years by more than 20 inches,” said Eli Randall, director of Big Game Records for the Pope and Young Club.

The current P&Y World’s Record was taken by Michael Beatty from Green County, Ohio, in 2000 and scores 294 points. The second largest on record is a deer taken in 1962 in Nebraska by Del Austin with a score of 279-7/8 points. Read more

Winchester Varmint X Shotshells

By Glen Wunderlich

If you are up for a challenge, hunting coyotes in Michigan is hard to beat.  Although many of the canines are killed during deer season as opportunistic targets, it is quite another matter to actually call them into range and to make that perfect shot.  However, Michigan hunting regulations have changed over the past few years and now give predator hunters some options that can prove to be effective.

 

Hunting from elevated platforms or blinds is now legal but certain restrictions apply for night hunting; it is best to check the game laws before heading afield.  However, shotgun hunting is legal any time of the day or night and can be used in stands above ground.

 

Most people think of shotguns and suitable loads as being a rather short-range proposition and that’s true in a relative sense.  Compared to centerfire calibers or even rimfires, shotguns minimize any chance of ricochets or otherwise errant shots that could be problematic – especially when one cannot see what lies beyond the range of a lighted firearm.  Defining a target at long range in the dark – even with modern LED lights can be difficult.  For this reason, among others, shotguns may be a viable option.

 

A couple of years ago at a media event, I got a first-hand look at a patterning target shot at 60 yards with Winchester’s then-new shotshell offering in its Long Beard XR product and couldn’t believe the size of the tight pattern.  Naturally, when Winchester unveiled its new “Varmint X” line of shotshells, I had to see how these new shells patterned.  The results were impressive.

 

Winchester’s Varmint X® Line now includes a 12-gauge shotshell with Shot-Lok® Technology.  For hunters that hunt in heavy cover, such as is common in Michigan, shotguns can be an ideal choice as either a primary firearm or a close-in option when hunting with a partner outfitted with a rifle.

 

Shot-Lok Technology includes a liquid gel that surrounds the pellets in the shot cup and then hardens. When fired, the shot launches from the barrel nearly perfectly round as the hardened resin fractures and disperses like any shotshell buffer. The result is extremely tight, long-range patterns.

 

Hunters have been able to achieve reliable patterns much farther out than standard shotshell loads of the same gauge and shot size.  In fact, an ardent varmint hunter in Arizona that I know has taken one coyote as far as 90 yards with this ammo, although a follow up shot was required to dispatch the varmint.

 

The new Varmint X shotshell load is available in a 3-inch offering loaded with 1½ ounces of plated BBs that leave the muzzle at 1,300 fps. At 40 yards and beyond, hunters can expect to deliver up to 12 inches of penetration combined with enough devastating knockdown power to handle the largest coyotes, foxes and more.  Current pricing at www.Midwayusa.com puts the ammo at about $14 per 10-round box – far less than other high-tech offerings.

 

In testing at 40 yards with my Browning Silver shotgun and factory Browning turkey choke, the load put 72 pellets in a 30-inch circle out of the total of 73 pellets in the load! 

Patterning Target Winchester Varmint X Shotshells 12 Gauge BBs

In addition, 9 pellets hit the 5 ½-inch bull’s eye.  At 50 yards, this load printed 65 pellets in the 30-inch circle, while still placing 8 of them in the 5 ½-inch bull’s eye.  For reference, BB lead shot is .18″ diameter with a pellet weight of 8.75 grains and to date Winchester’s only option in the new configuration. 

 

A coyote on the move can present a difficult challenge to any shooter, but toting that shotgun afield can be a great equalizer.

Amy Trotter Becomes Executive Director of MUCC

Yesterday, Michigan United Conservation Clubs Executive Board named MUCC Deputy Director Amy Trotter the next executive director of the organization. Dan Eichinger submitted his resignation and was appointed as the new director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer, effective January 1st. He served as MUCC executive director since 2014.

“We are honored to have one of our own be selected to such a prestigious position like DNR director,” said MUCC President George Lindquist. “Dan’s passion for policy and conservation is something we are sure he will carry to his new appointment, and we look forward to working closely with him in his new post.”

Lindquist said the transition from Eichinger to Trotter as executive director will run smoothly because of Trotter’s institutional knowledge and policy background with the organization.

“Amy has dedicated most of her professional career to conservation and Michigan United Conservation Clubs,” Lindquist said. “The board is confident Amy will continue to build on the foundation Eichinger built and help to make MUCC a 21st-century conservation leader.”

Trotter said it is always hard to lose someone as passionate as Eichinger, but she looks forward to working with him in his new position to help promote and enhance MUCC’s position regionally and nationally.

“I look forward to leading the organization I have been dedicated to for the last 11 years,” Trotter said. “Dan and I have known each other for at least a decade, and we are both committed to ensuring that the agency and conservation and hunting, fishing and trapping groups are working together to conserve our natural resources and protect our outdoor heritage.”

Trotter started with MUCC in 2007 as a resource policy specialist, then policy manager and has served as deputy director since 2015. Prior to joining MUCC, Trotter was a consultant for natural resources at Public Sector Consultants, a non-partisan public policy research firm in Lansing.

Trotter earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University in Lyman Briggs School-Environmental Science and Management and an additional Bachelor of Science in Resource Development-Environmental Studies and Applications. She also completed the Natural Resources Leadership Project and the Michigan Society of Association Executives’ Academy of Association Management.

Trotter is from Cheboygan, Michigan and resides in Haslett with her husband Marc and two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family in the outdoors, including camping, waterfowl hunting and is dabbling in native plants and periennial gardening. She is also a longtime member and volunteer for Ducks Unlimited.

Since 1937, MUCC has been committed to protecting the rights of hunters, angler and trappers in Michigan.

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