Michigan DNR to present chronic wasting disease recommendations to Natural Resources Commission

After months of talking with interested citizens and hunting and wildlife stakeholders and reviewing the best available science regarding chronic wasting disease, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is set to presentCWD recommendations to the Natural Resources Commission at its next monthly meeting Thursday, June 14, in Lansing. Recommendations will be presented during Committee of the Whole.

The department’s recommendations are the result of a six-month-long public engagement effort, during which DNR staff and NRC members met with people around the state, hosted 11 public meetings, and offered online survey and comment opportunities. The recommendations are being presented for information to the commission, as part of the public input process.

The NRC will review, discuss and possibly modify recommendations before making a final decision at a future commission meeting. Comments may be submitted to the commission via email at NRC@michigan.gov. Read more

They Cull Lions, Don’t They?

By Steve Scott

Editor’s Note: This feature first appeared in The Outfitters Wire (www.outfitterswire.com)

Remember Cecil the lion; the “iconic” lion shot by an American client of a professional hunter who didn’t have the requisite permit? The fallout was memorable:  from internet trolls to the Ricky Gervais’ and Jimmy Kimmel’s of the world condemned the hunter in particular and lion hunting in general as a barbaric act with no place in our modern society. And with the outcry of the masses, the Obama administration leapt into action, barring any further import of lions into the United States. It was a victory for the lions, right? Well, not exactly.

In what has come to be known as the “Cecil effect,” big-game hunting in Zimbabwe, especially for lions, has seen hunter’s numbers diminish to historic lows. And though a few lions from certain countries under certain conditions can be imported under new Trump administration rules, lion hunters are not exactly coming back in droves. The fear of capricious prosecution from a third-world government, or more likely, the fear of the social media equivalent of a tar and feathering has led to reluctant hunters and a dangerous lion overpopulation in one of Zimbabwe’s few quality wildlife areas, the Bubye Valley Conservancy. Because the lion’s numbers are skyrocketing due to lack of a sustainable hunting harvest, Bubye Valley Conservancy will likely have to cull at least 200 of the 500-plus apex predator’s roaming within its borders.

In a dramatic case of lions behaving…as lions, the big cats are taking a bite out of the populations of numerous species of antelope as well, including sable, kudu, and giraffe just to name a few. But it’s not only the antelope who suffer. Lesser predators such as leopard, cheetah, and the endangered wild dogs are finding it harder to make a living in the dwindling game fields.

Fortunately, there is a solution, but it is a harsh one; Nature’s solution. Lions will devour the ever decreasing herds of antelope to a point where there are so few game animals left, the hungry predators start killing domestic cattle, goats, dogs, indigenous people, you know, a sequel of The Ghost and the Darkness until eventually, mass die-offs of most species and then voila! No more lions. Oh a few will survive, but in such small numbers there will be time for the other species to rebound. It is Nature’s way. For in a world with 7.3 billion people and growing, wildlife has to pay its way. And since lions are no longer pulling their metaphoric conservation weight, 200 of their number are going to have to die anyway. Only this way, it is without the approximate $1,000,000 sustainable use hunting would have generated for the benefit of conservation. So congratulations to the anti-hunting lynch mob. You win and lions lose.

 

Federal Premium Working With States to Update Turkey Hunting Shotgun and Ammo Regs

ANOKA, MN – Due to the introduction of new high-density HEAVYWEIGHT Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) loads, Federal Premium is working with a number of U.S. states to legalize the use of .410 shotguns and smaller shot sizes for turkey hunting.

“Hunters have better options for effective turkey loads with smaller shot than ever before,” said Federal Premium Director of Conservation Ryan Bronson. “Federal Premium is working with wildlife agencies and policy makers in the 16 states that currently prohibit turkey hunting with shot smaller than No. 8 and shotgun bores smaller than 20 gauge to rethink their regulations and give turkey hunters of all ages, statures and physical abilities more options.”

“Most of these turkey ammunition restrictions were put into place when lead was the only shot material available,” continued Bronson. “While TSS shot has been very popular among hand-loaders for some time, by making our factory loaded turkey ammunition available to a broader segment of the hunting public, we are hoping all states and Canadian provinces will consider updating their regulations to allow these new configurations.” Read more

Michigan Outdoor News Offers Free Subscription Tied to Hunter, Bow, Trapper Education

(Plymouth, MN) — Hunting is a time-honored Michigan tradition, providing challenging outdoor recreation and helping develop an appreciation for the wilderness and wildlife. To celebrate this heritage, Outdoor News Inc., publisher of locally written fishing and hunting outdoor newspapers in seven Great Lake states, is offering youth aged 17 and younger who have successfully completed the hunter safety education program through the Michigan DNR with a complimentary three-month subscription to Michigan Outdoor News. New for 2018, the three-month junior subscription has been expanded to include the Michigan DNR Bow Ed and Trapper Ed programs for adults entering these sports for the first time as well. Read more

Secretary Zinke Applauds Presidential Order Exempting Outfitters, Guides on Public Lands from Regs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today applauded President Donald J. Trump’s exemption from Executive Order 13658 for Recreational Services on Federal Lands. The Presidential exemption applies only to outfitters and guides who operate on Federal lands and does not apply to lodging, food service, or other businesses that operate on Federal lands, such as national parks, monuments, recreation areas, and other areas. The order was signed ahead of Memorial Day weekend, which is the unofficial start to peak season for many guides and outfitters.

“President Donald J. Trump is a businessman and a job creator who knows that government one-size-fits-all approaches usually end up fitting nobody. The President’s Executive Order, ‘Exemption from Executive Order 13658 for Recreational Services on Federal Lands,’ gives more flexibility to small guides and outfitters that operate in National Parks and other public lands,” said Secretary Zinke. “The order will have a positive effect on rural economies and American families, allowing guides and outfitters to bring tourists out on multi-day hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping expeditions, without enduring costly burdens. The outdoor recreation sector is a multi-billion dollar economic engine, and the more people able to enjoy our public lands, the better.” Read more

Michigan: Memorial Day weekend – why not go turkey hunting?

GW:  Just what I’m about to do, thank you.

Need an idea to get your friends and family outdoors this Memorial Day weekend?  Enjoy the spring season while trying to find a turkey or hear a gobble.

Hunt 234 – a statewide hunting license valid for public and private lands (except for public lands in the southern Lower Peninsula) – runs through May 31, perfect for your Memorial Day weekend plans!

Hunt 234 licenses can be purchased throughout the entire spring turkey season. Hunters are limited to one turkey license for the spring season. Read more

Zinke Selects Eight Boone and Crockett Members to Serve on Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council

MISSOULA, MT  – Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has selected five Boone and Crockett Club members for the Interior’s Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council along with three more members serving as alternates. The council’s role is to advise the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture on existing and proposed policies that affect wildlife and habitat conservation.

“This is how conservation was established and has been maintained and advanced in this country,” said Ben B. Hollingsworth Jr., president of the Boone and Crockett Club. “Roosevelt built a network of experts passionate about wild places and wild things to ensure that generations of people would have the opportunity to enjoy them, and a lot of these conservationists were members of the Club.”

Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell founded the Boone and Crockett Club in 1887 to address the decline of wildlife, especially game species on a national scale. Read more

Houston Safari Club Awards Grant to Sportsmen’s Alliance

Houston, TX  – Houston Safari Club (HSC) continues its support of Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation through a grant of $15,000 to support their incredible efforts to defend hunting, fishing and trapping against lawsuits, legislation and ballot issues initiated by animal rights and anti-hunting organizations.

For 40 years, the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has been able to achieve a 95% success rate of defeating anti-hunting led initiatives. Unfortunately, the number of new anti-hunting initiatives is increasing and the only way they can meet those challenges is with increased funding from supporters like HSC. “We’re extremely grateful that the Board and members of the Houston Safari Club continue to demonstrate the importance of fighting to protect our heritage,” said Evan Heusinkveld, Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation president and CEO. “It’s through the commitment of organizations like HSC that we’re able to engage in battles all across the country.” Read more

Cirrus Wind Indicator

Victoria, TX- Cirrus Outdoors changed the wind detection game with the launch of the Cirrus Wind Indicator®. “We tested the indicator for several years before bringing it to market. Being the first wind indicator on the market to utilize true vaper technology we had to make sure everything was right. Over the last year we developed our base unit into the ultimate hunting tool. Our product development team built the technology to not only have the best wind indicator on the market but the best multi tool as well.” Said Jim Angott President of Cirrus Outdoors.

The new Cirrus Wind Indicator® features three multi colored LED Lights. (red and white) This new lighted unit allows hunters to monitor and check the wind and thermals in total darkness or extremely low light. Not only do the lights help you detect the wind but they can be used as a flashlight when needed as well. Not only will the Cirrus Unit work as a wind checker and a flashlight built into one compact design, it will also act as a USB charging bank for your phone. “With all the technology, we take into the woods I find myself looking to downsize on how much I take with me to the stand. While testing the new Cirrus Wind Indicator® I had a flashlight, charger, and most important a wind indicator that all fit into my pocket.” Mike Hecht General Manager of RubLine Marketing.

Cirrus Wind Indicator® is available at several fine retailers across the country as well as several online retailers.

MSRP $44.95

ScrapeFix’s The Vine

Any scrape fanatic knows that vertically hanging licking branches are the key to mock scrapes. Whitetails can’t resist vertically hanging branches and will travel long distances to visit these locations.

CHALLENG IS TO THE PERFECT LICKING BRANCH:
• The perfect licking branch is never readily available near your trail camera locations or shooting lanes.
• As the rut gets closer bucks will often break of licking branches and abandon the scrape.
• Whitetails will rarely make scrapes in locations without the perfect licking branch.

Now you can make the perfect mock scrape in any location with ScrapeFix’s TheVine. The Vine Package comes with 5′ Fully Adjustable vine and a bottle of ScrapeFix. Place TheVine on any tree, adjust to desired height and WATCH IT WORK! 

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