Category: Hunting

Bear Hunters Asking Michigan DNR to Ban Chocolate in Bait

 

Hunters want to eliminate poisoning risk for wildlife

LANSING—Michigan’s bear hunting community is asking the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to consider banning the use of solid chocolate in bear baits. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be toxic to bears and other wildlife in high quantities.

“As hunters, we have a responsibility to look out for wildlife. We take that seriously,” said Mike Thorman of the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation. “Bait allows us to selectively harvest bears. We don’t want to see non-target wildlife harmed, so we’re being proactive about this.”

Last winter, four bears in New Hampshire died from chocolate toxicity near a 90-pound bait pile containing chocolate. In May 2015, the New Hampshire Game and Fish Commission banned the use of chocolate in bait.

“This is really a matter of using sound science to shape wildlife management decisions,” said Tim Dusterwinkle, president of the Michigan Bear Hunters Association. “Our first role as hunters is to conserve the resource we use.”

The Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, the Michigan Bear Hunters Association and the U.P. Bear Houndsmen Association have led the charge to ask DNR biologists to study the matter for a possible wildlife conservation order in the 2017 regulation cycle. Other organizations that are supporting the ban of solid chocolate in bear baits include: Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan United Coon Hunters Association, Michigan Fox Hunters Association, Michigan Archery Bear Hunters Association, Michigan Bow Hunters Association, Michigan Longbow Association, Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance, and Safari Club International.

“We’re encouraging our members to voluntarily refrain from using chocolate in baits until then,” said Amy Trotter, deputy director for Michigan United Conservation Clubs

Hunting, Wildlife

ScoutLook Offers Predator Hunting Gear Guide


SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Just as predator hunting begins to heat up in the Midwest, ScoutLook has published an informative Predator Gear Guide aimed at helping both veterans and neophytes score big this winter on foxes, coyotes, bobcats and other critters with claws and fangs. Get instant access to the guide right here: http://www.scoutlookweather.com/hunting/scoutdoors/posts/2744/scoutlooks-ultimate-predator-hunting-gear-guide
The ScoutLook Ultimate Predator Hunting Gear Guide features dozens of the latest and greatest products available, many of them Team-ScoutLook tested and approved this past fall, on hunts that stretched across the nation and beyond. Included are some of the most predator hunter-friendly apparel and boots, as well as calls, optics and more. With “prime time” predator hunting stretching through March in many locales, now is the time to ensure a deadly arsenal. Read more
Hunting

Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act Advances to Senate Floor

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee improves and passes important fisheries legislation

Alexandria, VA – The sportfishing industry applauds the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for advancing the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015. This bill, which will improve fisheries conservation and recreational fishing access throughout the country, has now cleared all committees of jurisdiction in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and now awaits action on the floor of both chambers. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Radians New DigiTrax Earmuff


MEMPHIS, TN—Radians®, a leading maker of high performance hearing protection devices (HPD’s) for shooters and hunters, has added DigiTrax™ to its arsenal of HPD’s. Tested in the Radians hearing protection laboratory accredited by the National Voluntary Accreditation Program (NVLAP Lab 50090-0), you can trust that DigiTrax’s NRR 25 rating is certifiably accurate. Read more
Firearms, Hunting

FLIR Announces Next Generation Thermal Handheld Camera


Company also demos recently announced sub-$600 thermal monocular, the FLIR Scout TK
WILSONVILLE, OR – – FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced the FLIR Scout III today at Shot Show in Las Vegas, the latest addition to its popular FLIR Scout series of outdoor thermal vision devices. In addition, FLIR is also showcasing the FLIR Scout TK, the smallest, lightest and most affordable thermal monocular in the Scout series that was first unveiled at the recent 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. Read more
General, Hunting, Wildlife

MINOX DTC 700 Game Camera


New MINOX DTC 700 Game Camera, Easier to Install, Easier to MonitorAs the use of game cameras has broadened for surveillance of private and commercial properties, ease of use and monitoring has become a more important factor. The new DTC 700 Game Camera from MINOX has been designed to meet those demands.

Quick and easy to install and simple to operate, the new DTC 700 makes this possible because the body of the camera is firmly mounted just once. Then, to evaluate the recordings or set the different options, the module inside the housing can be conveniently taken out and then inserted again. Complex installation and realigning of the camera after evaluation and adjustment are eliminated. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan Looks to Legalize Suppressors for Hunting

GW:  I sure don’t like the restrictions. – especially, with the sub-sonic ammo. Reminds me of the time when crossbows were permitted for use in archery deer season, but only if they didn’t exceed 350 fps.  Stupid.  Sure the law was changed after the fact, but how many folks got stuck with compliant, slower bows.  So, why does anyone need to know when I am hunting and decide to shoot?  Why penalize law-abiding citizens?  Understand that cheaters will always cheat, no matter the rules. 

Last month, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) heard testimony on the merits of suppressor hunting at a public hearing in Lansing, MI. During the meeting, a member of the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division delivered a presentation to the NRC expressing that their department does not object to allowing hunters to use suppressors. Following the presentation, NRC Chairman John Matonich asked that a resolution be drafted and presented for first consideration at the January 14th NRC meeting. If approved, the measure will then move for a final vote at the February 11th NRC meeting. That Wildlife Conservation Order has now been introduced, but may have some restrictions supporters were not planning on.

 Amy-suppressor-shotgun-crop.jpg

During public comment, representatives from the American Suppressor Association, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the National Rifle Association, and Gemtech all provided testimony in support of making Michigan the 38th state to legalize suppressor hunting. Additionally, the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and its Advisory Council have recommended to the NRC that they should consider legalizing suppressors for hunting.

Suppressors, which are already legal to possess in Michigan, are considered by these supporters to be the hearing protection of the 21st century sportsman. Michigan is one of only four states in which their possession is legal, but their use in the field is not. Since 2011, 15 states have legalized suppressor hunting for all game animals.

Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment #1 of 2016 legalizes suppressors for hunting in Michigan, but as introduced, would only allow suppressors that reduce the sound of a firearm by 30 decibels or less. You could still own but not hunt with a firearm that has a suppressor capable of reducing sound beyond 30 decibels. Additionally, subsonic ammunition would not be allowed in firearms with a suppressor. Subsonic ammunition is defined as ammunition that does not reach 1,126 feet per second velocity, which is below the speed of sound and would not create the “sonic boom”.

If you would like to support this measure or would like to remove either of the two restrictions proposed, please contact the Michigan NRC and politely express your position at: NRC@michigan.gov, or by phone at (517) 284-6237.

MUCC will keep our members informed as this regulation moves through the process.

Hunting

DNR marks progress at halfway point in 10-year Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative

A few years ago, when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced it was putting together a coalition to rehabilitate pheasant hunting in Michigan, it assembled an impressive array of partners to address many of the problems that led to the declining fortunes of “ringnecks.”

Now, halfway through the 10-year project, those involved in the Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative say the program has made significant headway.

A male and female ring-necked pheasant are shown. The male, in the background, is much more colorful.“We are seeing enhanced partnerships, excellent teamwork, habitat improvements and increased enthusiasm for pheasants and pheasant hunting,” said Al Stewart, the DNR’s upland game bird specialist.

The coalition began the pheasant initiative by establishing three pilot focus areas, concentrating efforts in areas that offer some of the best remaining pheasant habitat in the state. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife
1 … 173 174 175 176 177 … 383