Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
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On September 19, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) presented the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Crystal Waters State Game Area (SGA) a check dedicated to recreational development and habitat work on the property.
The Crystal Waters SGA was first purchased in 2021 using a combination of Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) dollars and a donation from MUCC. MUCC and partner organizations supported the acquisition, and MUCC along with a private donor contributed $262,500 to the purchase.
The 680-acre parcel of public land in Southeast Michigan is open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other recreational opportunities. Before this key acquisition, there was no other public hunting land within 30 miles. Approximately 23 percent of the state’s population live in one of the counties bordering this public land. Read more
Rooster pheasants will be released on 13 state game/wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan this fall. Releases will take place from Oct. 20 to Nov. 14 on all 13 areas and Dec. 1-31 on 10 areas, coinciding with pheasant hunting season.
Adam Bump, Department of Natural Resources upland game bird specialist, said, “For seasoned hunters and newcomers alike, this is a great opportunity to connect or reconnect with upland bird hunting in Michigan.”
This year, directions to parking lots at release sites are provided online.
Releases will take place during the regular pheasant season at locations below. Locations include: Read more
Hunters can take precautions and prepare for an unexpected situations in the woods.
Every hunting season, hunters get lost in the woods, and while most escape no worse than tired, chilled, and hungry, the hazards of being lost in Idaho’s woods shouldn’t be underestimated.
Hunters can take precautions and prepare for unexpected situations in the woods. Read more
Elite waterfowl hunters will tell you the foundation of their distinguished accomplishments in the marshes and fields begins with scouting – period. Pinning down good intel on a potential hunting spot requires a level of awareness that for whatever reason, some hunters ignore. Contrary to the oft-repeated adage “you can’t predict what the birds will do”, you can do a pretty good job of it, and frankly it isn’t rocket science. Factors such as weather, wind, moon phase, hunting pressure, alternate food sources, and the availability of a “hide” – among other things, are important considerations when it comes to planning a hunt, and ultimately setting the hunt into motion.
Good scouting isn’t just a matter of “taking a look” or having a buddy drive by a spot on his way to work to see if the birds are there. Determining what the situation is with any level of certainty requires better intel, which should include observing broader patterns within a given area and doing it at varying times of day and in any type of weather to narrow down hunt timing.
The basic premise is simple: “The most important thing I’d say is find where the birds are roosting and hang back and follow them to the feed, then make sure you have permission.” Said Hardcore Waterfowl Central Flyway Manager, Jason Summers. “Take note of where the are birds in the field, weather and what time they hit the field, and figure out where the best hide is and where the birds want to be.” Read more
A hunter booking through the LandTrust platform successfully harvested a 305-inch bull elk at Danielski Farms in Kilgore, Nebraska. Outdoorsman Joe Spooner and his hunting partners set up on one of the farm’s pivots, guided by the land manager’s intimate knowledge of the elk herd’s movement. Through several days of scouting, the hunters had knowledge of elk activity and recent movement, and following a morning of high winds, their luck changed that afternoon.
“We had been hunting close by and knew there were good numbers of elk, including up to 12 different bulls around,” said Spooner. “With the less than ideal weather that morning, we set up for the afternoon overlooking a big cornfield hoping they may come our way. With the wind dying before dark, everything fell into place.” Read more
Evolving from a treestand sitter to a saddle hunter is easier than you might think.
How many times have you been sitting and wished your location was 50- or even 20-yards closer to what turned out to be the travel corridor? Unfortunately, moving a semi-permanent treestand during the season is a big risk, and while not impossible, odds are any mature bucks in the area will know something is up.
On the other hand, saddle hunting makes it easy to move. Saddles are lightweight and mobile so when the right spot is located and the saddle system deployed, the hunter can move up the tree quickly and remain in a stable, comfortable position. The versatility and mobility is unmatched when it comes to a height advantage over vegetation and game.
At first glance, saddle setups may seem complicated, but with a little practice and careful attention to organization, it’s actually very easy to use a saddle. Just ask the increasing number of very successful hunters who have ditched other tree suspension options in favor of saddles. Read more
New report details fiscal impact of sportsmen at the national, state and local levels
A new report released by the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation provides the most detailed and up-to-date data concerning the economic impact and importance of America’s hunters and sport shooters to national and state economies. The report delves into the economic significance of these sportsmen in every state and every legislative district.
“It’s important that people – the general public, and state and federal legislators – understand that America’s hunters and sport shooters are an incredibly important force when it comes to our national, state and local economies, as well as providing an outsized share of conservation funding at both the state and federal levels,” said Evan Heusinkveld, President and CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “With this information, sportsmen can educate friends, family and their representatives at every level by clearly illustrating in dollars and cents what they bring to the table and mean to the bottom line.” Read more
Deer populations across Michigan present a diverse range of challenges and opportunities for wildlife management. From the overabundance in the Lower Peninsula to the varying dynamics in the Upper Peninsula, managing deer numbers effectively is crucial for ecosystem health, agricultural interests and the balance of natural predators. Recent regulatory changes highlight the state’s efforts to address these issues through strategic antlerless deer harvest policies.
Many locations in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, including many urban and suburban areas, are experiencing high deer population densities. This overabundance can lead to various problems, including increased vehicle collisions, damage to crops and gardens, and the spread of diseases such as chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis where they exist. Read more
X-Vision Optics, a leader in innovative optics technology, proudly announces the release of its newest product, the Shadow 10 Night Vision Binocular. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and professionals, the Shadow 10 delivers exceptional performance and reliability in both day and night conditions.
The Shadow 10 offers an impressive night viewing distance of 130 yards in complete darkness and a daytime range of 330 yards, making it a versatile tool for any adventure. Its 2-8x magnification ensures crisp and detailed imaging, while the 88-foot field-of-view at 100 yards provides ample coverage of your surroundings.
Product Highlights: Read more