Category: Hunting

Taking Odor Control to the MAX

One of the worst sounds a hunter can hear is a whitetail deer sounding off the nose blowing, foot stomping alarm when they have busted you. If you have spent any time in the woods, this has happened to you. It probably has played out something like this; you hold completely still as you see a mature buck or doe heading your direction, then without warning or reason you see the deer’s head pop up and start smelling the air. Before you know it, they have bulls eyed your stand location and the last thing you see is a whitetail heading off in the wrong direction. To help prevent hunters from being busted by the whitetail deer’s nose, Hunter’s Specialties recently unveiled their new Scent-A-Way MAX™ odor eliminating spray. Read more

Hunting

Moot Michigan Anti-Hunting Referendums Assigned Ballot Numbers

The Board of State Canvassers has assigned ballot numbers to the two moot anti-hunting referendums sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States through its front group, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected.

The first referendum, which seeks to repeal Public Act 520 of 2012, which originally named wolves as a game species, will be Proposal 1 on the ballot. The second, which seeks to repeal Public Act 21 of 2013, was assigned Proposal 2. This act originally authorized the Natural Resources Commission to name game species. However, both referendums will be meaningless since the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act was passed last week and will take effect in March.

The Board of State Canvassers also approved the language that will appear on the ballot. MUCC’s Drew YoungeDyke spoke before the board and suggested that a specific reference to wolves be removed from the summary of Proposal 2, since the actual act in question is not specific to wolves and applies to multiple species. An attorney for Keep Michigan Wolves Protected asked the Board to insert the word “unelected” before a reference to the Natural Resources Commission. The Board granted neither request.

“The final language reasonably apprises voters of what the legislation does, which is allow the Natural Resources Commission to name game species,” said YoungeDyke. “But it doesn’t tell them that the NRC has to use sound science, which is an important part of the act.”

After the language was adopted, YoungeDyke was asked if MUCC or Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management planned to campaign for a “yes” vote on the referendums.

“We’re not going to waste resources on it,” he said. “No matter what happens in November, there’s not going to be a 2014 wolf hunt because there isn’t time for the DNR to scientifically craft a season structure for it. And no matter what happens in November, there will be a hunting season in 2015, 2016 and every year thereafter as long as it continues to be supported by sound science.”

That’s because the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act will take effect in March. In addition to re-granting the Natural Resources Commission the authority to name game species using sound science, it also reenacts the sections of law that HSUS is trying to repeal. It also contained a $1 million appropriation to protect fisheries from aquatic invasive species, so it is not subject to a third anti-hunting referendum.

Jill Fritz, Michigan director for the Humane Society of the United States and director of Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, told reporters that they would campaign heavily for a “no” vote on Proposals 1 and 2, including television advertisements. The Humane Society’s Legislative Fund spent $750,000 on “media” for Keep Michigan Wolves Protected in late July, according to campaign finance reports.

She also told reporters that they planned to sue to block the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

Record Pronghorn Certified by Boone and Crockett

MISSOULA, Mont. – The largest pronghorn ever recorded has been certified by Boone and Crockett Club as a new World’s Record.

The huge buck, hunted in Socorro County, N.M., in 2013, scores 96-4/8 B&C points.

The new record breaks a tie between two specimens from Arizona. One was taken in Coconino County in 2000, the other in Mohave County in 2002. Both scored 95 B&C points. Club officials say the difference between these old records and the new – a full inch-and-a-half – is an extraordinary jump. In fact, the margin between the now No. 1- and No. 2-ranked trophies is the largest in Boone and Crockett pronghorn records, which contain more than 3,400 entries.

The outstanding trophy also marks a notable achievement for conservation professionals.

Boone and Crockett records are a gauge of exceptional habitat, strong recruitment of game animals into older age classes, sustainable harvest objectives and other elements of sound wildlife management and fair-chase hunting. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan duck stamps and prints available now

The Michigan Duck Hunters Association, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, introduces the 2014 collector-edition Michigan duck stamp and prints.

2014 Michigan duck stampThe Michigan Duck Stamp Program, established in 1976, has become an icon for waterfowl hunters and wetland conservation enthusiasts. During the past 38 years, the program has gained popularity with collectors and conservation groups throughout the United States.

The Michigan Duck Hunters Association coordinates the Michigan waterfowl stamp program in partnership with the DNR. MDHA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to waterfowl and wetland conservation. Proceeds from stamp sales will be used to fund MDHA projects, with 10 percent used to match DNR funding for purchasing wetlands. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Antlerless deer application results now available; remaining licenses

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters to check their antlerless deer drawing results and availability of remaining licenses at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. Successful applicants may purchase their licenses online at E-license, at any authorized license agent or at a DNR Customer Service Center.

 

All leftover public- and private-land antlerless deer licenses will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Thursday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. EDT. Licenses will be sold until quotas are met. When purchasing a license online via E-license, note that all available hunts will be listed on one page. Public-land hunts are listed first with hunt numbers that begin with a 1, followed by private-land hunts, which begin with a 2. Hunts will be removed from the list when they are sold out. License purchasers should scroll down until they find the hunt they wish to purchase.

 

For more information, see the 2014 Antlerless Deer Hunting Digest, which can be found at local license agents or online at www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests. Read more

Hunting

DNR conservation officers emphasize tree-stand safety as hunters gear up for fall

Hunting from a tree stand is a popular way for hunters to enjoy their season, but nearly every year a Michigan hunter is seriously injured or killed falling out of a tree stand. Conservation officers at the Department of Natural Resources remind hunters of the top safety tips when it comes to tree stands.
Before a hunt, know your equipment:

  • Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings before using a tree stand and harness.
  • Check the stand, straps and chains before you go out for signs of wear and tear or missing parts.
  • Practice at ground level with your tree stand and harness with a friend or family member.
  • Learn how to properly use your harness. The DNR recommends a full-body harness.
  • Waist belts or upper body-only harnesses can cause serious injuries or death in a fall.

When scouting for a tree: Read more

Hunting

Fawn Predation by Austin Delano

You would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t agree with this point…Coyotes are plentiful and their numbers are up almost everywhere. Their boom in population east of the Mississippi in the last 40 years is very impressive. With everyone seeing more coyotes when they are outdoors, they catch the blame for a lot of issues facing small game, especially whitetail fawn recruitment. Like it or not the song dogs are here to stay. You can kill as many as possible on your piece of property and definitely “help the cause” when it comes to protecting fawns, but there will always be coyotes around. The argument has been made that you need a few around to keep the other small predators in check and there is some good research that supports this claim. However no one likes the idea of coyotes managing their deer herd for them.  While coyotes may not have a major impact on the overall deer population of a given county or state, they can definitely effect small pockets and that might be your property.  Let’s look at a few things that can be done to increase fawn survival rates. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

ALPS OutdoorZ Introduces Gun Cases

New Haven, MO – ALPS OutdoorZ continues to add versatile hunter-friendly gear to their product lines for 2014 with the addition of soft-sided gun cases.  There are three models of cases available and they all use durable 600D polyester outer fabric and heavy duty #10 zippers.  The Maverick and Saratoga cases are available in models for both rifles and shotguns.  The Refuge is designed for shotguns only and will protect your gun from the elements and will keep it afloat.  Read more

Firearms, Hunting
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