GW:  A strong consideration for copper alloy bullets and reasons why I prefer Barnes bullets with controlled expansion design.  This article is from the Boone and Crockett Club.

Is using lead ammunition a human health hazard?

Excerpt from Fair Chase Magazine Winter 2024
By Jim Heffelfinger, Professional Member, Photos Courtesy of Author
Illustration by Wyatt Heffelfinger

In recent years, agencies have been implementing regulatory bans and phase-outs of lead ammunition in some areas, and the messaging in these efforts—and in regulations—often warn hunters and their families about lead poisoning from eating animals shot with lead ammunition. But how much should hunters worry about the health effects of eating animals shot with lead ammo?

There are legitimate reasons hunters might choose alternative ammunition. Lead bullets can sicken or kill individual birds when they ingest lead fragments, which can cause localized effects to some species. For example, lead is no small issue for the recovery of endangered California condors where every individual is important, and agencies and organizations are addressing that threat. Hunters may want to take advantage of a clean wound channel and less meat loss when a shot didn’t go exactly as planned, or they may need a solid bullet for very large game where deep penetration and performance on big bones is important.

All these important and interconnected subtopics deserve their own discussions, but the broader subject is far too complex for one article. This issue of Fair Chase emphasizes the food value of hunting, so to allow for a meaningful discussion of human health and lead ammunition, we are focusing solely on that topic here. It is up to the reader to gather as much information as possible to inform and support your ammunition choices. Read more

Powerful Alpha XL handles all terrains and communicates directly with Garmin

dog collars

OLATHE, Kan. – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today unveiled the Alpha® XL sporting dog device. This hunting-focused vehicle navigator easily guides users to their favorite hunting spot thanks to a high-resolution 10” touchscreen display and cutting-edge Garmin navigation features, then transitions to an all-in-one dog tracking and training device. Eliminating the need for a dog tracking handheld, the rugged Alpha XL navigator communicates directly with compatible Garmin dog collars, providing hunters track and train capabilities on the display. Users can view their dogs or other hunters’ handhelds from the cab of their truck or remove Alpha XL from the mounting dock and grab a seat at the tailgate for up to two hours of portable use.

“We created Alpha XL for users who wanted all the power and durability of an Alpha handheld but in a form factor better suitable for vehicles. This device guides you to your favorite hunting spot, no matter how far off the beaten path, and then helps bring you and your dogs back when it’s time to head home. It’s perfect for users who travel large distances on the hunt.”

–Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales

Notable Alpha XL features Read more

After rocking the industry with the release of their Revolver™ and Revolver™ PRO 360-Degree Cellular Trail Cameras in 2024, the world’s most trusted trail camera brand has once again upped the ante.

Gone are the days of walking into your setup blind. Stealth Cam™, the leader in cellular trail camera technology for more than two decades, announced the release of a functionality update to their Command Pro app in 2025. Available on select trail camera models, this enhancement allows users to send a command for a specific camera to capture and instantly view photos or simultaneously watch up to 3 minutes of live video footage of their hunting area with just the push of a button.

And that means hunters can now be more prepared than ever when heading into the field. Not only is it easy to ensure the coast is clear on their way to a given stand but being able to keep an eye on recreational properties, even those across state lines, has never been simpler. With just a tap, On Demand Live Stream instantly begins streaming real-time video to their device, so nothing is left to chance. Read more

With the wrap of Michigan’s 2024 elk season, hunters saw challenging conditions during Hunt Period 1 and improved outcomes in Hunt Period 2. More than 250 licenses were issued across both periods, and hunters harvested 180 elk in all.

Hunt Period 1

The season began in late August and spanned 12 days throughout September. High temperatures during the fall hunt reduced elk movement during the day, making it difficult to locate elk during hunting hours. Additionally, the heat deterred some hunters from participating out of concern about meat spoilage and heat-related conditions.

Michigan’s early season is designed to remove elk living outside of the designated elk management area, which is primarily the Pigeon River Country State Forest. There are 100 licenses issued for Hunt Period 1: 30 any-elk licenses and 70 antlerless-only licenses.

Despite the challenging weather, Hunt Period 1 proved to be successful for 59% of hunters, who harvested 24 bull elk and 35 antlerless elk, including two calves. This harvest rate is the lowest documented, falling below the average of about 74% since 2007. Read more

Urban archery deer season

• Now through Friday, Jan. 31, on public and private lands in the following counties: Huron, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, Tuscola, Washtenaw, Wayne and St. Clair (excluding DMU 174).
• Hunters can use a single deer license, deer combo license (regular and/or restricted tags), mentored youth license, inclusive mentored license or universal antlerless license.
• All archery season rules and regulations apply.

Hunters Feeding Michigan

If you can’t fit another deer in your freezer but still want to get outdoors and hunt, consider donating your harvest to Hunters Feeding Michigan. Check out the list of processors who partner to provide venison to local food banks. Please call a processor prior to drop-off to ensure they will accept your donation. All deer must be legally harvested, harvest-reported and whole to be accepted for donation.

Harvest reporting

• Deer hunters are required to report a successful harvest within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the deer (to another person, a processor or taxidermist).
• Reporting your harvest takes about three minutes and provides critical information for managing Michigan’s deer herd.

Report your harvest or see the reported harvest totals in real time at Michigan.gov/HarvestReporting.

Applications for the 2025 spring turkey hunting season are on sale now through Feb. 1. Applications are $5 and can be purchased at any license agent, online at eLicense or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

Drawing results will be available March 3. You can check your drawing results online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. You are responsible for obtaining your drawing results.

Find information on how to apply on page 8 of the 2025 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary. For questions about applying for a spring turkey license, call 517-284-9453.

Apply Now