Category: Hunting

Bullet HP from Convergent Hunting Solutions

Euless, TX — Convergent Hunting Solutions offers predator hunters the ultimate package in the Bullet HP Kit. Featuring a Bluetooth electronic game call, Picatinny phone mount, full sound library, and camo carry bag. The new system is sure to help predator hunters call in more critters.

Created by professional predator hunter Byron South, Convergent game calls are made in the USA and deliver premium sound quality at an incredible value. Tested extensively from the piney woods of East Texas to the deserts of Northern Nevada, Convergent game calls provide the best sound thanks to industry-leading technology, effective volume control and unparalleled clarity of sound that’s sure to up your game.

The Bullet HP is Convergent’s flagship electronic call, and it allows hunters to pair a smartphone with the call up to 300 feet away. Unlike older calls with megaphone-style speakers, the Bullet HP features a conical design for premium sound quality in any environment. The call is Android and Apple compatible and allows for complete control of the unit via five different sound apps, including coyote, deer, hog, turkey, and crow. The unit offers a loud, clear sound and is powered by an integrated Li-ION battery with over 10 hours of run time. At just 2.9 lbs., the Bullet HP is easy to carry, features a built-in decoy and ground spike, and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker for your favorite music.

A fantastic value, Convergent offers the Bullet HP in a Complete Game Calling System that is perfect for run-and-gun situations; the system is incredibly lightweight and versatile. In addition, the weapon-mounted phone mount is ideal for AR-15-type rifles and puts call control at your fingertips with minimal movement, giving you the ultimate edge against coyotes and other wary predators. Read more

Hunting

onX Hunt Debuts Application Season Tools

Missoula, Montana — onX Hunt has partnered with three of the top hunting-related service providers in the industry to offer Elite members a comprehensive hub to help successfully draw hunting tags across the country.

As the influx of new hunters continues to grow, and hunting regulations get more complex, it has become harder for hunters to navigate the process and find success. With onX Hunt’s new application tools, Elite members can get expert assistance through exclusive partners.

Elite members now have complimentary access to Toprut, Huntin’ Fool and HuntReminder as part of the membership package. Combined, this gives onX Hunt users an immediate support system as they seek out hunting permits.

“The processes vary so much state by state, and often are confusing even to the residents,” said Dylan Dowson, Big Game Vertical Manager at onX Hunt. “By combining the power of onX Hunt with the expert guidance of our partners, Elite members will find it worlds easier to apply for the hunts they want, and see greater odds of success—both in the draw and in the field.” Read more

Hunting

iSportsman ARX Unleashed

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA— The outdoors is getting updated. iSportsman, the leading online recreational program management service in the nation, is making distant sign-in boards, manually logging harvest records in notebooks and never really knowing who is on your land or where they are a thing of the past with the launch of iSportsman ARX. The new digital land and activity management tool promises to change the way hunt clubs outfitters and private landowners manage hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities on their properties.

iSportsman is an innovative management solution, used to manage hunting, fishing and other natural resource-based recreation on military bases, state public hunting areas and national wildlife refuges across the United States. ISportsman ARX brings that same great service in an affordable, easy-to-use solution custom tailored to the specific needs of private landowners.

Plotting and managing land boundaries, areas, tree stands, duck blinds, feeding plots and more is only part of the benefits iSportsman ARX has to offer. Using a mobile phone, hunters or recreationists can easily and quickly check into an area or stand for an activity and check back out upon completion. iSportsman ARX allows hunt clubs, outfitters and land managers to view who is actively recreating on their land, with whom and even what type of hunting they are engaged in. Harvest data is entered through iSportsman ARX by users so landowners, outfitters or club managers can maintain up-to-date, real-time records. The software allows clubs, outfitters and land managers to easily maintain records of harvests and finances, promote opportunities to other ARX users and even review charts and graphs that display hunting pressure and activity on their properties. Much of the financial and harvest data is downloadable to spreadsheets or can be shared with other stakeholders as needed. Read more

Hunting

Michigan’s Deer Management Report 2022

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

The National Deer Association (NDA) is a non-profit deer conservation group that leads efforts to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Each year, the group presents a compilation of whitetail statistics from the season completed the past year (this one covers years 2020-2021) – the most recent season with complete harvest data available from all major deer states.  Its goal is to change deer management for the betterment of hunting and to protect North America’s most vital and admired game species for future generations.

Deer hunters in the United States harvested an estimated 6.3 million white-tailed deer in the 2020-21 hunting season – the most since 2011, according to the NDA’s latest deer report. Harvests of both antlered bucks and antlerless deer were up over the 2019 season, but the estimated buck harvest of 3,041,544 was the most in 21 years.

“2020 saw the highest buck harvest in the new century, and amazingly we estimate that we set another new record for the percentage of those bucks that were 3½ years old or older,” said Kip Adams, NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer. “U.S. hunters are taking fewer yearling bucks and killing more of them as mature deer, but this doesn’t mean fewer bucks harvested overall. We’re killing older bucks and more bucks than ever in America.”

A look back in time offers a glimpse of how our hunting habits have changed.  Consider that the nation’s record season of 1999 may have seen more bucks taken; however, more than 50 percent of them were yearlings (1 ½ year-old bucks).  The steadily climbing percentage of 3½-and-older bucks in the harvest is the result of declining pressure nationwide on yearling bucks. Only 26 percent of the 2020 antlered-buck harvest was yearlings

Michigan ranks second in the nation for the sheer number of bucks taken at 219,387 followed by Pennsylvania with 174,780.  Only Texas topped Michigan with its 449,933 antlered bucks.

Among the top states with antlered buck harvest per square mile is Michigan with 3.9 bested slightly by Delaware.

The take of antlerless deer is an important aspect of deer management and Michigan rated third in the country with 191,252 behind only Pennsylvania and Texas.

Inexplicably, Michigan’s statistics relative to the age structure of animals taken is not being reported.

“We know 2020 hunting license sales increased by about 5 percent over 2019, and those license buyers took home half a million more whitetails than the previous season, or an increase of almost 9 percent,” said NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer, Kip Adams. “They helped increase the antlerless harvest back above the buck harvest where it needs to be, but they also saw more mature bucks in the woods than ever before. Hunters are clearly reaping the benefits of more naturally balanced age structures in herds across the whitetails’ range.”

For what it’s worth, the report mirrors our own anecdotal experiences right here in Shiawassee County, as we continue to see more mature bucks afield than previous years.  We are doing something right!

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan: Time to Apply for 2022 Conservation Officer Academies

Now is the time to get started for anyone interested in becoming a Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer in 2022. The DNR is currently accepting applications for two conservation officer academies to be offered this year. Applications are due Monday, Feb. 28.“

If you’re looking for a rewarding career where you can spend time outside and teaching others about the outdoors, don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of a DNR conservation officer recruit school,” said Chief Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Our recruits say the conservation officer academy is one of the biggest and best challenges of their lives, setting them up for success in a one-of-a-kind career they love.

”Steps to apply

A physical fitness test and entry-level law enforcement exam are the first two steps toward submitting an application.

  • Sign up for a physical fitness test offered through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. Upcoming test locations include:
    • Feb. 5 at Macomb Community College (Wayne County).
    • Feb. 13 at Delta College (Bay County).
    • Feb. 13 at Wayne County Regional Police Academy.
    • Feb. 18 at West Shore Community College (Mason County).
    • Feb. 26 at Michigan State Police Training Academy in Dimondale (Eaton County). This physical fitness test is for conservation officer applicants only and will allow a maximum of 30 people. To sign up, email DNR-LED-Employment-Training@Michigan.gov.
  • Complete the National Testing Network entry-level law enforcement exam. A passing test score is valid for one year. While the civil service exam is currently unavailable, applicants residing in Michigan who have successfully completed the civil service exam within the past five years can submit those exam results.
  • After receiving passing test results, candidates can submit their applications through the State of Michigan job openings website.

Candidates should be motivated self-starters with excellent communication skills who enjoy helping others learn about natural resources.Applicants are not required to have a college education, background in law enforcement, or fish and game experience. All conservation officer recruits will receive comprehensive training during the academy, as well as being paired with veteran DNR conservation officers during their first assignments after graduation.

Anyone interested in learning more or asking about the hiring process is encouraged to contact a recruiter.Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

2020 Buck Harvest Highest in 21 Years According to NDA’s Deer Report

Deer hunters in the United States harvested an estimated 6.3 million white-tailed deer in the 2020-21 hunting season, the most since 2011, according to the National Deer Association’s latest Deer Report released this week. Harvests of both antlered bucks and antlerless deer were up over the 2019 season, but the estimated buck harvest of 3,041,544 was the most in 21 years.

“2020 saw the highest buck harvest in the new century, and amazingly we estimate that we set another new record for the percentage of those bucks that were 3½ years old or older,” said Kip Adams, NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer. “U.S. hunters are taking fewer yearling bucks and killing more of them as mature deer, but this doesn’t mean fewer bucks harvested overall. We’re killing older bucks and more bucks than ever in America.”

The steadily climbing percentage of 3½-and-older bucks in the harvest is the result of declining pressure nationwide on yearling bucks (1½ years old). Only 26% of the 2020 antlered buck harvest was yearlings, another new record low in modern history. The total buck harvest of 3,041,544 was up 5.3% from the previous season. It is estimated 41% of them were 3½ or older, or 1.2 million. While hunters killed slightly more bucks in total in the record 1999 season, the national harvest at that time was more than 50% yearlings, therefore the 2020 season likely saw the greatest number of mature bucks killed by American hunters in modern history. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Houston Safari Club Foundation Becomes POMA Corporate Partner

(Houston, TX- January 25, 2022) The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to announce its status as a new Corporate Partner of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA).

Since 2005, POMA has been a leader in outdoor sports communication excellence. Writers, filmmakers, organizations and businesses all unite under the POMA umbrella to bring the best in outdoor news and information to consumers.

“Together, we all work to spread the good news about the outdoors, shooting sports, hunting, and the conservation of habitat and wildlife around the world. Now, more than ever, it is critical for professionals in the outdoor space to unite and fight against censorship of our passions by social media,” states Joe Betar, Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director. Read more

Hunting

Ethics course required before gathering shed antlers in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Collecting antlers that fall off the heads of deer, elk and moose each winter is a popular pastime in Utah. Before you head outdoors to collect shed antlers, though, you are required to complete the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Antler Gathering Ethics course.

After dropping their antlers, male deer, elk and moose will grow a new set starting this spring. Looking for the shed antlers is a fun activity that your whole family can enjoy. However, late winter and early spring is a tough time of year for deer, elk and moose, which is why the educational ethics course is required if you want to go “shed hunting” between Feb. 1 and April 15.

“During winter, big game animals, especially deer, often have a difficult time finding food,” DWR Law Enforcement Capt. Chad Bettridge said. “If you spook an animal and cause it to run, the animal has to use up fat reserves and energy that it needs to make it through the winter.” Read more

Hunting

Records Fall During Sheep Week

Bozeman, Montana. January 25, 2022. The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) recently concluded its 45th convention, Sheep Week®, with record amounts raised again for wild sheep conservation.

At this premier event for raising dedicated funding for state, provincial, territorial, and tribal wildlife agencies through the auctioning of their special conservation permits, eleven permits were sold for record amounts, with one tying and existing record. From these twelve permits alone, $2,274,500 million was raised.

WSF is entrusted by these wildlife agencies to auction their special conservation permits, primarily for wild sheep but also for other coveted big game species.

“This was another big year for state, provincial, territorial, and tribal wildlife conservation efforts,” said Gray N. Thornton, president and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “The fact that a handful of individuals stepped at these levels to benefit entire populations in exchange for the opportunity to hunt one special animal is the definition of paying it forward. That’s the definition of conservation.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife
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