Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
The 2023 bear hunting season is right around the corner. For hunters who plan to use bait while hunting bears, the baiting period will begin even earlier. To help hunters prepare to establish their bait sites, Michigan Department of Natural Resources bear specialist Cody Norton answers some of our most frequently asked questions: Read more
Doug Hastings, of Bath, is the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2022 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, an honor bestowed at the July meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.
Last year, Hastings instructed 700 students.
Hunter education teaches the next generation of hunters how to enjoy safe, responsible hunting and understand the importance of wildlife management. The DNR-managed program teaches lifelong skills, such as firearm safety, basic first aid and how to use a map and compass, to an average of 15,000 Michigan students per year.
“Doug is dedicated and passionate and ensures each student receives quality instruction,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, DNR recreational safety, education and enforcement supervisor. “He goes above and beyond to coordinate last-minute classes to ensure a waiting list of eager students can hunt on opening day, and that there are no delays receiving their safety certificate.” Read more
DENVER – When it is too hot outside – head inside to watch a marathon of popular archery and hunting series on Sportsman Channel Saturday evenings. On Saturday, August 5 beginning at 5 p.m. ET, tune in for the Delta McKenzie ASA Classic in Cullman, Alabama. A marathon of Become 1’s best episodes airs Saturday, August 12 from 5 – 8 p.m. ET and features outdoor adventures from hosts Nick Ventura and Tom Petry. On Saturday, August 26 from 5- 8 p.m. ET, tune in for Legends of the Fall series marathon chronicling the high-energy hunts and behind-the-scenes action of a dedicated crew of passionate hunters.
Delta McKenzie ASA Classic on August 5 beginning at 5 p.m. ET: This event is presented to the public via broadcast linear programming, digital and social channels (Sportsman Channel, MOTV and Sportsman Channel Facebook page).
Become 1 marathon on August 12 beginning at 5 p.m. ET will have six episodes with hosts Nick Ventura and Tom Petry from whitetail to elk to moose and yes, even golf is thrown in the mix!
Legends of the Fall marathon on August 26 beginning at 5 p.m. ET also features six episodes with hosts Mike and Bonnie McFerrin chasing big game from their home state of Texas to Canada to everything in between. Read more
Michigan’s reserved waterfowl hunts may be a few months away, but hunters can apply now through Aug. 28 to get in the hunt. Applications are $5, and hunters may apply only once. Apply online or anywhere DNR licenses are sold.
Drawing results will be available Sept. 11.
Reserved hunts will be held mornings and afternoons of the Middle Zone waterfowl season’s Oct. 7-8 opening weekend and the following weekend (Oct. 14-15) at Fish Point State Wildlife Area in Tuscola County and Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area in Bay County.
In the South Zone, reserved hunts will be held mornings and afternoons of the Oct. 14-15 opening weekend at the Harsens Island Unit of the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, Pointe Mouillee State Game Area and Shiawassee River State Game Area. Reserved hunts also will be held mornings and afternoons of the following weekend (Oct. 21-22) at Harsens Island and Shiawassee River. Read more
Hunting and trapping are an undeniable part of our state’s outdoor traditions. New and veteran hunters and trappers and anyone interested in how the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages wildlife populations are invited to two upcoming opportunities in St. Ignace: the Michigan Bear Forum (Aug. 19) and the Michigan Furtaker User Group meeting (Sept. 1). Read more
As America faces a storm of geopolitical threats, endures a flood of fentanyl streaming across a largely open southern border—now killing some 100,000 Americans annually, wrestles with soaring inflation, and experiences unmitigated crime in many of our largest cities, the Biden Administration’s recent move to defund schools that offer hunter safety and archery programs has many questioning President Biden’s priorities. The administration seems to be misfiring on many cylinders and, not surprisingly, Joe Biden’s approval rating continues to plummet. “It’s right up there with jock itch,” recently quipped Senator John Kennedy.
The administration is twisting the intent of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year—with the help of 15 Republican Senators voting in favor—and the Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, has moved to block funding from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to schools that offer hunter education and archery programs. BSCA prohibits ESEA funds from being used to provide training in the use of a, “dangerous weapon.”
To read the rest of this column click here. Read more
WATCH NOW: https://www.highroadhunting.com/the-high-road/50bmg-vs-wildebeest-african-safari/
We kick off today’s episode bringing down a GIANT with a GIANT. Johnny grabs the 50BMG and sets his sights on a wildebeest. Then Keith sets out on a spot n stalk searching for a blesbok.
WATCH ALL EPISODES FREE: https://www.highroadhunting.com/full-episodes Read more
The United States Senate unanimously passed the Duck Stamp Modernization Act – legislation to make the Federal Duck Stamp more accessible for waterfowl hunters by authorizing the electronic stamp for use throughout the entire waterfowl hunting season.
The bipartisan bill will allow hunters to satisfy the Duck Stamp requirement in the field by accessing their electronic stamp using a smartphone. Physical stamps will remain available for purchase from the post office and other retailers. Read more
Thursday evening, the U.S. Senate passed a top priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) known as the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 (S. 788). This bipartisan bill is led by the entire Senate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Leadership, Co-Chairs Sens. John Boozman and Joe Manchin and Vice-Chairs Sens. Angus King and Roger Marshall.
Prior to the vote, CSF worked with the bill sponsors and key offices to help navigate this bill through the political process and ultimately a successful floor vote. The Senate passage of this bill builds upon the House Natural Resources Committee passage of the House companion bill led by CSC Vice-Chair Rep. Garret Graves and CSC Member Rep. Mike Thompson.
The Duck Stamp Modernization Act will simplify the Federal Duck Stamp process by allowing hunters to have an electronic duck stamp on their smartphone for the entirety of the hunting season. Under current law, when a hunter purchases an electronic Federal Duck Stamp (e-stamp), the e-stamp is only valid for a period of 45 days to allow for the actual stamp to be mailed. Once the actual stamp is received by the e-stamp purchaser, the actual stamp must be signed by the respective hunter across the face of the stamp and be in the hunter’s possession while afield. However, this legislation will remove the 45-day validation period and make the electronic stamp valid for the entirety of the hunting season. To ensure the continuance and integrity of the Federal Duck Stamp art contest, a longstanding tradition for waterfowlers and other bird enthusiasts alike, S. 788 will ensure that purchasers of e-stamps still receive the actual stamp in the mail. Specifically, the legislation will provide that actual stamps will be mailed to purchasers from March 10 to June 30. Read more
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) once again will be offering additional hunting opportunities that will provide all hunters with a chance to draw an additional elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and Gould’s turkey permit-tag, while generating revenue to support wildlife conservation efforts across the state.
The draw will open at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) Wednesday, Aug. 2, and close at 5 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Aug. 8. Applicants who are drawn for a limited-entry permit-tag will be contacted by the department (during the week of Aug. 14), at which time payment will be required before the permit-tag can be mailed. It is the responsibility of each applicant to provide accurate contact information to avoid missing an opportunity to receive the permit-tag for which they were drawn.
These opportunities should not be confused with the annual draws that are conducted by the department in February, June and October. A limited-entry permit-tag application does not preclude a hunter from applying for any other hunts throughout the year or impact bonus points. Animals harvested during limited-entry permit-tag seasons are excluded from annual bag limits. Read more