Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
ATHENS, Ga. — The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is holding a Post-Convention Online Auction with 20 items up for bid including hunts, fishing trips, deer hunting equipment, NASCAR tickets and more. The online auction is now open and will run through Tuesday, September 9 at 3 p.m. ET.
The Post-Convention Online Auction can be accessed by clicking here.
Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act now law, renders anti-hunting referendums moot
LANSING, MI – The Michigan House of Representatives passed the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act today with a bipartisan vote of 65-43 . The citizen initiative, which passed the Senate on August 13 and was supported by the signatures of almost 300,000 registered voters, allows the Natural Resources Commission to name game species and issue fisheries orders using sound science, creates a $1 million rapid response fund to prevent Asian carp, and provides free hunting and fishing licenses for active military members.
“We are very thankful to the legislators who voted for sound science, the voters who signed the petition, the organizations who supported it, and the tireless volunteers who collected the signatures of almost 300,000 registered Michigan voters,” said Dan Eichinger, executive director for Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “This is an important step to protecting the rights to hunt, fish and trap in Michigan from radical animal rights organizations.”
The initiative also renders moot two referendums sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a Washington, D.C.-based anti-hunting organization, which sought to repeal two bills that would allow a regulated hunting season for wolves in certain areas of the Upper Peninsula where they have killed pets, dogs and livestock. Because the initiative contains an appropriation, it is not subject to a third referendum by HSUS or its front group, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected.
“We thought it was important to listen to the will of the 300,000 registered voters who brought this initiative to us,” said Representative Jon Bumbstead (R-Newago). “This is about more than wolves. It’s about protecting the rights of our constituents to hunt and fish by managing our fish and wildlife with sound science.”
Passage of the citizen initiative settles the wolf hunt controversy, which has moved back and forth over the past two years, providing the certainty that Department of Natural Resources biologists need to move forward with wolf management.
Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management is a coalition of conservation, hunting, fishing and trapping groups and individuals including the Michigan chapters of Safari Club International, the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, the Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance, U.P. Whitetails, Inc., the U.P. Bear Houndsmen, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the United States Sportsmen’s Alliance. The act has also received the endorsement of the National Wildlife Federation, the Michigan Salmon and Steelhead Fishermen’s Association, the Lake St. Clair Walleye Association, the Lake St. Clair chapter of Muskies, Inc., and numerous local conservation groups throughout Michigan.
Would you like to process your own deer meat? The newest video on www.GrowingDeer.tv takes you step by step, including how to easily remove the foul-tasting lymph node in the rump! Dr. Woods also shows you a simple trick for quickly aging a buck before taking the shot. It’s a great lesson to get you ready for your bow opener! Click here to watch the episode online today! Read more
The usual suspects are bellyaching about wildlife officials working with hunters to take out some wolves after their attacks have killed some 17 sheep in five attacks. Details are here…
The Department of Natural Resources, along with the Harsens Island Waterfowl Hunters Association, will host a swap meet Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the DNR Wildlife Field Office, at the corner of Columbine and Voakes on Harsens Island, Michigan.
Hunters, anglers and trappers can buy, sell and trade gear, including duck and goose calls, decoys, boats, motors, traps, fishing lures, waders and more. This free event will be fun for the whole family. Read more
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Hunting is a rich American tradition often passed down from generation to generation. A recent survey by HunterSurvey.com reveals that passing that heritage along to younger people is still alive and well with nearly 46 percent of surveyed sportsmen having taken at least one child hunting in the past year. The common perception that those children are almost always a son or daughter, however, may not be completely accurate. Read more
From Mossy Oak GameKeepers Club
With almost ten inches of mass above his G-2 he looked like a moose coming through the swamp. My heart was pounding out of my chest and my left leg was shaking so hard it made the treetop jiggle. He stopped and raked the brush with his antlers and then put his nose to the ground and followed a scent-trail of Special Golden Estrus that I set up before I got in my treestand. He did a lip curl and scanned the area – I thought the jig was up because he didn’t find what was making that “sweet smell.” I fumbled for my call and executed a perfect aggressive, drawn out grunt and a snort-wheeze. His ears locked onto my position, his hair bristled up and he came intently on a stiff-legged walk with his ears pinned back looking for who had just insulted him. I let him pass by a bit and then drove a Hoyt propelled shaft through both lungs. Read more
September 1-7 marks the first early teal hunting season that Michigan has seen in nearly 50 years.
Barbara Avers, waterfowl and wetlands specialist for the Department of Natural Resources, talks about this great opportunity for waterfowl hunters. Click the play button to find out more!
Hunter’s Specialties® has added four new models, including two predator, one deer and one turkey version to its popular Johnny Stewart® Attractor Caller line.
Each Attractor Caller features five pre-programmed, 16 bit authentic Johnny Stewart sounds. The 30-second sounds can be played in a loop for continuous action. The Attractor comes with a hand-held remote with a range of up to 50 yards. The caller has a 180 degree pivoting speaker with a built-in loop that allows hunters to hang it from a tree branch or other elevated position for greater coverage. The base unit operates on four AA batteries (not included) and the remote comes with a 12 volt, A23 battery included.
The four new models include the PT-3 (includes Baby Cottontail, Lip Squeak, Rodent Squeaks, Meadowlark and Coyote Whimper sounds), PT-4 (includes Desperate Cries of a Cottontail, Coywolf Bark/Howls, Coyote Pup Distress, Fawn Bleating and Vittles A’la Jackrabbit sounds). Read more
August 25, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – Efforts led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) over the last two years in Michigan have put the state’s ability to properly manage its natural resources at risk. Thankfully, those from Michigan’s sportsmen’s community and the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus have joined forces to combat HSUS’s objective of stripping the Natural Resource Commission’s (NRC) authority to manage wildlife based on scientific principles. These sportsmen efforts translated into nearly 300,000 certified signatures in support of enacting the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (SFWCA). This citizen-initiated law will safeguard the NRC’s authority to manage Michigan’s fish and wildlife using the best available science.
On August 13, the Michigan Senate demonstrated its commitment to conservation by voting in favor of the SFWCA. The decision now goes to the House of Representatives, whose approval would codify the SFWCA without the need for the governor’s signature. Lack of approval would send the SFWCA to the November ballot for popular vote where the emotionally charged and ill-informed campaigns of HSUS could sway voters from making the best decision for Michigan’s wildlife resources. Read more