Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said a 45-year-old Ohio man died after falling from his tree stand this morning in Huron County. The name of the man is being withheld, pending notification of family members. Read more
Kennesaw, Ga. — If you’re looking for the best places to hunt deer in your state — or practically anywhere else in America — you’ll discover everything you need in Game & Fish/Sportsman magazines.
In this month’s October issues, readers will find in-depth deer-hunting forecasts for their particular state or region. Each unique article is a comprehensive look at last year’s harvest figures, the top hunting counties or game management areas for 2015, a special statewide hunting map, and much more. Hunters can pinpoint the best places in their state to fill their tag, and find insights about the deer herd where they live. Read more
Archery season opens October 1 in Michigan, and the DNR wants you to be ready to hit the field. In this informational video, DNR Deer Biologist, Chad Stewart explains what Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is, and how it affects hunters in the CWD zone. Additional information about CWD, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, is available at mi.gov/cwd.
Part of a Family of Radios That Have Been Awarded “Best of the Best” by Field & Stream Magazine,
Radio Features NOAA Weather Alert with Clear Reception, Transmission and Sound Quality
Avid hunters will tell you they want the best gear for the best price. Enter the X-TALKER® T65VP3 two-way radio by Midland®. A company focused on just that: superior products offered at world-class value, the X-TALKER T65VP3 two-way radio will not disappoint offering everything you need for your next hunt including the clearest reception, transmission and sound quality in existence and multiple charging and hands free options – all with Midland’s legendary weather alert radio features. Read more
The bitter cold of winter is just around the corner, which means haters of cold hands will be stocking up on plastic packets of hand warmers that provide one-time inconsistent heat and will inevitably disappear until next summer when they are found under car seats.
But thanks to ThermaCELL’s new Heat Packs, this winter doesn’t have to be the same.
Unlike disposable air-activated hand warmer packets, ThermaCELL’s heat packs provide users with three different temperature settings (reaching up to 116°F), can be turned off and used at a later time, and are completely rechargeable – meaning no trash and no surplus discoveries next summer.*
*ThermaCELL cannot guarantee disposable hand warmers from past winters are not still under your car seats.
ThermaCELL’s Heat Packs are available in two different sizes – smaller Hand Warmers (2-pack) and larger Pocket Warmers (1-pack). They last up to 6 hours per charge and feature materials that have thermal properties that allow for more effective transfer of heat to the body. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
Gathering firewood is always on the agenda in September, because we all know what lies ahead. For those that burn wood for winter heat, it seems like a never-ending search for fuel. Free heat? What’s that! Wood is work! Period.
The emerald ash borer has provided some fine hardwood by killing our magnificent, towering trees, while Mother Nature eventually brings the timber down to the forest floor. But, getting it out can be challenging; the cooler mornings we’ve experienced lately are all the impetus I’ve needed to peck away at the monumental task. The poison ivy leaves are still on the vines and must be taken into consideration but at least the number of biting insects has diminished. It doesn’t take long to work up a sweat but it is quite comforting to add to the wood pile a bit each day, because soon the pendulum swings the other way.
And, then it hit me: Another picture-perfect September morning was in the offing and I didn’t want to “waste” it hauling wood. Squirrel hunting inexplicably made it to the top of the agenda. Because nightfall had already arrived, I would have to take a .22 rifle that was already sighted in for a morning adventure: a Mossberg model 152 manufactured in 1948.
Mossberg model 152
The diminutive rimfire weighs a scant 5 pounds and sports a beautiful walnut stock, which was standard issue back in the day. It’s a semi-auto, using the same action as other vintage Mossberg models and works well if kept clean. I gave it a makeover with a new stock finish, rebluing, and an inexpensive Bushnell .22 scope set to be parallax free at 50 yards.
I don’t have much use for the high-velocity rimfire ammo that now costs as much as premium target ammo a few short years ago. In fact, the stuff we used to get at the local Cheap Mart for less than $10 per brick is now $60 or more, if you can find it. None of that stuff has the quality control necessary to consistently shoot groups of one inch or less at 50 yards anyway, so for that kind of cash, I opt for the target ammo, which remains available.
With standard velocity ammo, meaning sub-sonic or below the speed of sound, the old guns can be quite impressive at the target range. And, in the woods there is an added advantage of a mild report.
With typical heavy dew afoot, I slung my folding chair over one shoulder and the Mossberg over the other and hiked to the tall timber in the cover of darkness. Wetness provided soft, quiet footing and a silent approach.
The stillness of the early morning air was interrupted with commotion above. The hungry tree rodents began their day like any other in search of beechnuts and acorns and with a bit of patience, two black squirrels had fallen victim to the little Mossberg. I then set up a few hundred yards away and added a hefty fox squirrel to the morning’s take and called it a day.
It was good to be back.
Eagan, MN – Mike Pelletier is joined by good friends Ryan Grondin, Mike Rasmussen and custom turkey call maker – Ronnie Hardy as they chase U.P. gobblers in the area Mike Pelletier grew up. The area is loaded with toms but the terrible April weather of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan can really make it tough. STYRKA’s HARDCORE Pursuit airs Friday, September 25th at 9:30pm ET on Sportsman Channel. Read more
Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, recently received the John L. Morris award from the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. The John L. Morris award was presented to the Potterfields in recognition of their exemplary leadership in conservation and their lifetime commitment to fish and wildlife stewardship. The Annual Awards Banquet was held Tuesday September 15, 2015 during the 105th Annual Meeting of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies at the JW Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson, Arizona. The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is a professional association that serves as the collective voice of North America’s state, provincial and territorial fish and wildlife agencies. Read more
Join the DNR and many partners to celebrate this new hunting location
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce that the first Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) developed on private land is available for hunters this fall — the “Gold Mine” GEMS in Iron County.
Since 2014, the DNR and various partners have now worked together to develop and maintain 10 GEMS in the Upper Peninsula and four in the Lower Peninsula. These intensively-managed, accessible, walk-in areas provide hunters outstanding places to grouse and American woodcock.
The “Gold Mine” GEMS is located on Plum Creek property in near Iron River, off Gold Mine Road. This new GEMS is over 550 acres with roughly 3 miles of hunter walking trails. Read more
DANVILLE, Ala. (September 18, 2015) – In response to customer demand, Hunter Safety System now offers a LIFELINE that accommodated stands up to 44 feet high. The new LIFELINE 42 is ideal for hunters that are filming their hunt and need to have a cameraman in a higher stand and for those hunters that like to hunt from higher locations. Read more