Category: Hunting

Find Next Season’s Buck Now

Find Next Season’s Buck Now

Few things are more depressing to a die-hard deer hunter than watching the sun set on the last day of deer season. Regardless of how good or bad the season was, you always wish for one more opportunity to sit in the stand. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and once you’ve accepted the reality of the season’s close, it can be real easy to settle into “hibernation” mode and wait for springtime activities like bass fishing or turkey hunting. The truth is, though, there is no better time than now to start preparing for next deer season. Here are four steps you can take now to ensure you fill that buck tag next season.

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Hunting

Sound Suppressors, Then, Now and the Future of Hunting

By Glen Wunderlich

In the 1920s and early 1930s, the likes of Al Capone earned a whopping $60 million annually through bootlegging operations, which were a direct response to the prohibition era. Running liquor had become a profitable business, and some of the bad actors armed themselves with revolvers, pistols, modified shotguns and early machine guns. Government officials were being pressured to do something and its first attempt at gun control came in the form of the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934.

Now 82 years later the NFA still restricts sales, ownership, use, and transport of short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, machine guns, silencers and suppressors, and “destructive devices.”  While the efficacy of the historic legislation continues to be debated, one unintended consequence is without denial: Millions of law-abiding Americans have suffered drastic hearing loss through the legal use of firearms over the years.

However, a groundswell of support to repeal outdated end runs around the Constitution is under way nationally and, as of February 11, 2016, Michigan has joined the revolutionary ranks to regain these long-lost rights by permitting the use of sound suppressors for hunting.

With the repeal of Wildlife Conservation Order 2.1(6), Michigan becomes the 38th state to recognize the utility of suppressor technology for law-abiding sportsmen.

However, the NFA is still in effect, although Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) has introduced H.R. 3799, the Hearing Protection Act (HPA).  The HPA would remove sound suppressors from regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA), leaving them to be treated as ordinary firearms subject to the usual NICS check and Form 4473 for dealer sales. Plus, the $200 tax on each firearm defined as above, for any transfer involving the firearm would be rescinded, if passed into law.

While the $200 tax remains prohibitive in today’s inflated figures, it represented an exorbitantly large amount in 1934. Factoring inflation into the equation, that same $200 in 1934 dollars represented a tax of an astronomical $3580!

Sportsmen and women can thank Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who got the ball rolling when he issued Opinion No. 7260 September 2, 2011 stating that State law allows the use of noise suppressors by private citizens when authorized by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Schuette concludes in Attorney General Opinion 7260 that only Michigan residents in full compliance with federal laws may possess a federally-registered suppressor, also commonly referred to as a muffler or silencer.  Possession of a suppressor without the proper federal authorization remains a five-year felony under Michigan law.

However, it had remained illegal for the subsequent five years to suppress the sound of hunting firearms. Documented evidence shows that the use of suppressors engenders a safer and more enjoyable shooting and hunting experience for the following reasons:

  • Suppressors protect against permanent hearing loss, one of the most commonly experienced hunting-related injuries, by decreasing the decibel level associated with muzzle blast;
  • Suppressors increase shot accuracy by reducing noise and felt recoil, thereby mitigating trigger flinch and resulting in a more humane taking of game;
  • Suppressors mitigate many of the hindrances associated with introducing newer generations to hunting, thereby helping to ensure the propagation of Michigan’s rich hunting heritage; and
  • Suppressors benefit wildlife populations by decreasing stress and behavioral changes resulting from loud, widely audible firearm report.

A tip of the hat goes to lawmakers who have taken the bold initiative to restore a slice of our rights and to save the hearing of the next generation of Americans.

Firearms, Hunting

QDMA Provides Recommended Practices for Deer Hunters in CWD Zones

A lab technician with Michigan DNR prepares
to collect a sample from a hunter-harvested
deer taken in Michigan’s CWD outbreak zone. Photo by Anna Mittlerling, QDMA/MUCC.
ATHENS, GA (February 24, 2016) – To answer the concerns of deer hunters in areas affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD), QDMA has compiled recommend practices and answers to frequently asked questions in a free document that can be downloaded and easily distributed in affected communities.
“Michigan recently became the newest state to detect CWD in wild whitetails, and our members in and near Michigan’s CWD zone asked us for guidance on how they should adjust deer management goals now that they are faced with a CWD outbreak,” said Kip Adams, QDMA’s Director of Education & Outreach and a certified wildlife biologist. “We compiled our advice in a new document that can be used and shared by hunters in any area affected by this serious disease.”
To help refine the recommendations, QDMA first conferred with experts from multiple organizations, including the CWD Alliance and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center. QDMA’s State Advisory Council in Michigan assisted by gathering questions and concerns from affected QDMA members. The resulting document helps answer the most common questions, such as:
  • Should we discourage the use of food plots in CWD management zones?
  • Should we increase harvest pressure on young bucks where CWD is an issue?
  • Are healthy deer less susceptible to CWD?
  • How can QDM Cooperatives help?
  • Should I eat the venison from deer harvested in a CWD management zone?
“The document is also useful for hunters who are not yet affected by CWD so that they understand how they will be impacted should the disease arrive in their area,” said Adams. “It’s urgent that all hunters focus on preventing CWD from spreading into new areas.”
QDMA’s brochure “CWD: Recommended Practices for Deer Hunters” is available as a free PDF. Visit QDMA.com, click on the Resources menu, and select the Free Downloads page.
Direct link to PDF:
Important Note: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is often confused with other major deer diseases, especially hemorrhagic disease (which includes EHD and bluetongue virus). Click here to review the differences between CWD and EHD.
Hunting, Wildlife

Deadline to remove MI tree stands from public land is March 1

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that tree stands must be removed from public land by Tuesday, March 1.

All scaffolds, raised platforms, ladders, steps and other tree-climbing devices must be taken down. Owners of equipment that is left on public land after March 1 will be subject to a 90-day misdemeanor and a fine from $50 to $500 plus the cost of prosecution. Read more

Hunting

HSUS’s America: Where Wolves Eat Family Pets?

This from humanewatch.org…

A wolf in Duluth, Minnesota, brutally attacked and killed a family’s dog last week, and if the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has its way, we can only assume incidents like this are going to happen a lot more often.

Terry Irvin was walking his dog Leo, an 11-year-old retriever-corgi mix, along a wooded trail near Lake Superior – something he does two or three times a week – and decided to let the dog off its leash. Irvin told the Star Tribune he got a little bit ahead of the dog and waited around for him to come, but the dog never made it.

After about five minutes went by, Irvin turned around and went to look for Leo. “I walked into the woods, and I saw him,” Irvin told the paper. “It was a traumatic sight. I will never forget it. … It was heartbreaking.” Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

Reframing Trophy Hunting

Hijacked by anti-hunters, the term ‘trophy hunting’ has taken on a negative connotation in society – it’s time to take it back. Here’s a start to reframing the trophy-hunting discussion with non-hunters.

Defining a Trophy

When news anchors and the general public throw the term ‘trophy hunting’ around, they’re usually speaking in a very broad sense that assaults their emotions and is an affront to almost everything that modern, regulated hunters and hunting represents. The term is a misnomer, but they don’t even realize it.

A trophy is a very personal thing. For some just killing an animal to eat is reward enough. For others, a mature animal that is more wary is the goal. Still, for others, a very specific animal, or at least one meeting very high standards, is the ultimate goal.

This is all dependent upon the person, their skill level and experience in hunting (see infographic: “Evolution of a Hunter”), as well as understanding of the species they’re targeting.   A trophy is a crowning achievement for an individual. Period.

What it’s not

The popular myth of trophy hunting is that it’s simply hubristic killing by hunters for display upon a wall – which is only done for a head, hide or horns. The underlying belief is that the rest of the animal is left where it died and goes to waste.

This is the perception anti-hunters have created, and which they are framing hunters every chance they get. From “Cecil” the lion in Zimbabwe, Africa, to the proposed black-bear hunt under protest in Florida, anti-hunting activists and organizations cry ‘trophy hunt’ to convey what they believe is the senseless killing of animals – without regard to the associated science, management and ecosystem-wide benefits.

It’s an effective tactic that resonates with the public quickly. Those two words immediately generate an affront to the public’s sensibilities, and creates another hurdle we have to overcome to maintain scientific, and not emotional, management of our flora and fauna.

What it is

The fact is, what animal-rights’ activists portray is not just an affront to the public’s sensibilities, the waste of an animal is a disgrace to the sensibilities of a hunter, as well. When it comes to a ‘trophy hunt,’ two points often overlooked by outraged activists, the media and the public include:  A hunting season is not state-sanctioned slaughter. Every state has wanton waste laws that mandate the harvest and use of meat, hides or other body parts to ensure that the animal is not just wasted, and that the number of individuals taken is in accord with the supporting habitat and predator-prey balance of the area.

evan_regularA ‘trophy’ animal and its use as table fare are not mutually exclusive. An animal can be a specimen worthy of both taxidermy and the table.

A trophy hunter is simply someone who has placed self-imposed restrictions upon themselves that go above and beyond what’s dictated by the state. They are more selective, and will pass on younger animals, often those barely reaching the minimum standard, in a deeply personal pursuit to further challenge their skills and learn as much as possible about the prey they pursue. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

Hunters Specialties Kicks Off the Spring Turkey Season with Mail-In Rebate Offers on the HS Strut Snood Decoy Line

For the 2016 spring turkey season, Hunters Specialties is offering two great rebates on the popular HS Strut Snood turkey decoy line. This spring when hunters step up to these proven, high resolution decoys, they’ll receive $10, $20 or more off their purchase. Hunters can not only upgrade to these proven, highly effective decoys, but will pocket money back in the process.

The rebates include $10.00 off on any single member of the HS Strut family of decoys, including Suzie Snood, Penny Snood and Jake Snood. Consumers who purchase one of the new combo multi- decoy packs will receive a $20.00 rebate. Read more

Hunting

200-Gun Remington Country Experience Sweepstakes

Madison, NC – Show us the picture of that buck of a lifetime or perhaps it’s from a great day out in the field with friends and family taking your limit of green heads, or just a solid day of practice out at the range – whatever your passion – Remington wants to hear from you. With millions of Remington firearms in use, we’ve all had our ‘Remington moment’ and now we are giving you 200 reasons to share it.

As part of celebrating 200 years as America’s oldest gunmaker, Remington is launching the 200-Gun Remington Country Experience Sweepstakes through a newly refreshed website at Remington.com. This celebration includes a testimonial campaign allowing Remington consumers the opportunity to share their Remington Country Experience via short format video, still photographs and stories.

The sweepstakes concludes December 31, 2016 at 11:59:59 pm ET. Starting in April 2016, Remington will be giving away 20 firearms a month through the end of the year. Participants may go to Remington.com/200sweepstakes to upload a short video or photo, tell their Remington story, and submit their content to enter, or enter without submitting content. Content submitters have an opportunity to have their content posted to Remington.com for all to view and enjoy. Read more

Hunting

Can-Am Off-Road Introduces the New Defender XT Cab

Work and ride in total comfort with the new Can-Am Defender XT Cab. The new XT Cab package features all of the hard-working components found in the Defender XT package, but also comes with a complete hard cab, integrated heater and electric windows.

Defender XT Cab Package Details:

XT Cab Enclosure

Full hard roof with liner

Work and ride in total comfort with the new Can-Am Defender XT Cab. The new XT Cab package features all of the hard-working components found in the Defender XT package, but also comes with a complete hard cab, integrated heater and electric windows.

Defender XT Cab Package Details:

XT Cab Enclosure

Full hard roof with liner


A durable, heavy-duty plastic roof protects the occupants from elements while giving the Defender XT units a custom appearance. The cab liner adds to the insulation of the unit.

Glass Windshield

3-position full glass tilt-up windshield with wiper washer kit comes standard on the XT cab and fits seamlessly with the profiled cab.

Back Glass

Rear glass with sliding opening allows for access to the bed and ventilation.

Heater Kit

The integrated heater kit with 10 adjustable vents keeps riders warm on cold days of hunting or on the job. Read more

Hunting

Suppressors Legal for Hunting in Michigan

Written by ASA on February 12, 2016 – Comments

Salvo Hunting

On February 11th, Michigan became the 38th state to allow for the use of firearm suppressors while hunting when the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) voted 4 – 1 to approve an amended version of Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 1 of 2016. The measure became effective immediately.

The initial proposal included two arbitrary restrictions which would have limited the decibel reduction of suppressors allowed in the field to 30 dB, and would have also prohibited the use of subsonic ammunition by anyone using a suppressor while hunting. Prior to the final vote, Commissioner Louise Klarr offered an amendment to remove these two provisions from the proposed rule. Her measure passed also 4 – 1. Read more

Firearms, Hunting
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