Category: Hunting

Reminders for those who hunt deer in areas of Michigan that also have wild elk

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds deer hunters hunting in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan that wild elk are also found in this area and cannot be harvested without an elk hunting license.

“Unfortunately, in the past we have had deer hunters who make the mistake of harvesting a young male or a calf elk thinking it’s a white-tailed deer,” said Shelby Hiestand, DNR wildlife biologist. “Although a mistake, this would be an illegal take of game, which is a serious wildlife offense.” Read more

Hunting

Anti-Trapping Ballot Initiative to go Before Montana Voters on Election Day

Washington – On Tuesday, November 8, Montanans will decide the future of trapping in the state when they go to the polls to vote on Initiative 177 (I-177), which would ban trapping on public lands in Montana, subverting the science-based fish and wildlife management model in the United States.

As written, I-177, “generally prohibits the use of traps and snares for animals on any public lands within Montana,” with very narrow exemptions given to state and federal wildlife managers in certain circumstances. Passage of I-177 would effectively decimate legally-allowed fur trapping in Montana and create significant hurdles for both municipalities and state fish and wildlife managers needing to utilize trapping to mitigate animal damage and/or excessive predation in certain instances. Read more

Hunting

Michigan: Important Changes for Fur Harvesters During 2016 Seasons

For those who hunt or trap furbearing animals in Michigan, there are some changes to 2016-2017 licenses and regulations that are important to be aware of. Changes were made to simplify and clarify regulations as well as increase opportunities for fur harvesters.

Important License Changes:

2016 fur harvester licenses are valid until April 30, 2017. However, those who have not yet purchased a 2016 license MUST first buy a 2016 BASE license prior to March 1, 2017, in order to purchase a 2016 fur harvester license in the months of March and April 2017. Fur harvesters do not need to buy a 2017 base license to continue to use the 2016 fur harvester license in April. Read more

Hunting

If You Imported/Exported Wildlife Into/Out of the United States, Take Action Now

On November 1, 2016 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that information related to records for the import and export of all wildlife specimens to and from the United States may be disclosed to Humane Society International (HSI), based on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made by HSI. The Notice informs submitters of such information of their ability to object to disclosure. The information potentially includes the identity of any U.S. and foreign importers and exporters of hunting trophies for the years 2002 through 2010, 2013 and 2014, and the declared value of the trophy. In response to four FOIA requests made in 2014 and 2015, FWS previously released some information but refused to disclose other information. FWS relied on three exemptions to the agency’s duty to disclose information in response to FOIA requests.

Earlier this year, HSI sued to obtain the withheld information. SCI intervened in the lawsuit to help defend the FWS’s decision to withhold the information. Subsequently, the FWS informed the court that it is obligated to notify the submitters of the requested information of the fact that their information is the subject of a FOIA request and that the FWS may decide to release the information.

The notice informs those who are the subject of HSI’s request that the FWS will presume that anyone who does not object within the time-period allotted for responses has no objection to the disclosure of his or her information. Submitters will have 21 days from the date of the publication of the notice in the Federal Register (i.e., today) to send their written responses to the FWS’s Office of Law Enforcement Freedom of Information office. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Centerfire at Night on NRC Agenda

Late last week, the DNR released the agenda for the upcoming November 10 Natural Resources Commission meeting in East Lansing, and a significant Michigan United Conservation Clubs policy priority was included in the agenda, albeit with restrictions. On the agenda is a draft order which would allow the use of centerfire firearms for nighttime coyote, raccoon, opossum and fox hunting. MUCC members passed a policy resolution sponsored by the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association calling for a lifting of the restriction on centerfire firearms for nighttime predator hunting at our Annual Convention this summer.

However, the proposed DNR order contains two significant restrictions that were not recommended in our policy resolution: a restriction to calibers .229 and under; and a requirement that the firearm must be equipped with Generation II optics, such as electronic night-vision scopes. The background memo included with the order, however, shows that surrounding states including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin all allow centerfire firearms for nighttime predator hunting without these restrictions. The inclusion of this order on the agenda, though, is a significant step forward in a movement that began with the grassroots efforts of a group called Michigan Predator Hunters for Centerfire at Night and engaging the larger conservation community through the MTPCA and MUCC. If you would like to attend the meeting, the agenda is linked below and, as usual, we will be live-streaming the meeting through a link we will share on MUCC’s Facebook page.

Hunting

Michigan Deer Camp 2016, Nov. 14

Teachers – we hope you will participate in Deer Camp 2016 on Nov. 14!

New this year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has developed a Deer Camp event for students in second through fourth grades.

“We heard about northern schools who had created this special day where students participate in deer camp before they or their family members head out to an actual deer camp, and we thought why not share this great idea statewide,” said Kelly Carter, DNR Wildlife Division Public Outreach manager.

Teachers that sign up electronically will receive a packet outlining activities that touch on many different subjects, from science to math to English to art and even gym. In addition, there is a short video from DNR deer management specialist Chad Stewart to kick off the fun event.

The idea is that a teacher can use the various pieces throughout the entire day, or just for part of the day. Some schools even start the day with breakfast for the students. What a great idea – it really is like deer camp! Read more

General, Hunting

HSS Crossbow Harness with Flex Technology in Realtree Xtra


COLUMBUS, GA – Introducing the first and only tree stand safety harness designed specifically for the crossbow hunter. The HSS Crossbow Harness, available in Realtree Xtra, features a tether stow strap that keeps your harness’ tether conveniently out of the way when cocking your crossbow.Once the crossbow is cocked, having somewhere to store the cocking device can be a problem. The HSS Crossbow Harness solves that with its exclusive zippered pouch for your cocking device, so it is handy if you need it, but out of the way and not getting tangled up with your other gear.

Judging range is critical when crossbow hunting. When your trophy is in close, there’s no time to lose in searching for your rangefinder. The Crossbow Harness features a rangefinder ripcord that allows you to quickly retrieve your range finder. Once you’ve ranged your target, there’s no searching for a pocket to put it back in, you just conveniently tuck it away, aim and shoot. Read more

Hunting

Realtree EZ Hanger Crossbow


COLUMBUS, GA – Part of Realtree’s newly expanded EZ Hanger Line, the EZ Hanger Crossbow™ allows you to hang your crossbow safely within reach, while keeping movement to a minimum. Just screw it into the tree. The additional EZ Hook secures the bottom of the hanger, while providing you an area to hang your binoculars, gloves or other accessories.
Realtree has expanded its exceptionally popular Realtree EZ Hanger Line to include exciting new offerings designed to make time in the stand a bit more convenient.
Archery, Hunting

Bushnell Trophy Cam Aggressor Wireless Wins Award

Bushnell Trophy Cam HD Aggressor Wireless

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – The Bushnell Trophy Cam Aggressor Wireless earned the coveted Best of the Test Award in this year’s head-to-head wireless trail camera field test in Field & Stream magazine.

With an impressive score of 83, the Trophy Cam Wireless beat out the rest of the field with the test panel remarking “the Aggressor’s transmission speed was the fastest of the test… The app was the most intuitive and useful, and the low-end monthly plan is very affordable. Build quality is also top-notch.” Read more

Hunting
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