Michigan Department of Natural Resources partners from Michigan State University Extension and the Quality Deer Management Association will host chronic wasting disease test sample collection sites in Kent, Ionia and Montcalm counties in November.
Hunters in these counties may submit their deer for free CWD testing at DNR check stations from Nov. 15-18 only; outside of this timeframe, hunters still can submit their deer for CWD testing for a fee by pulling appropriate tissue samples and submitting them to a USDA-approved laboratory.
MSU and QDMA staff and volunteers at test sample collection sites will be available to assist deer hunters with lymph node removal and will transport CWD samples to the Michigan State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a USDA-approved laboratory, for testing.
The sites will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. Sample collection dates and locations are as follows:
Nov. 20 – Magnum Sports, 6227 S. Greenville Road, Greenville.
Nov. 22 – Belding Hometown Hardware, 930 W. State St., Belding.
Nov. 28 – Sadler’s Great Outdoors, 3160 W. M-46, Six Lakes.
All hunters, regardless of where their deer was taken, are welcome and encouraged to bring their deer to these testing collection sites to get help collecting the appropriate tissue samples and submit those samples for CWD testing. Read more
On Wednesday, October 28, the Pope and Young Club convened a Special Panel of Judges at the Cabela’s Store in Lehi, Utah, for a potential P&Y World Record Velvet Non-Typical Mule Deer. Justin Gordon’s velvet mule deer scored an amazing 324 3/8″ and is now the largest bow-harvested VELVET Non-Typical Mule Deer in North America. This amazing mule deer was shot in Colorado, on September 2, 2018.
Measurers present at the Special Panel were (L to R) Dallas Smith of Utah, Justin Spring of Montana, Dallas Leo of Utah, and Roger Atwood of Idaho. Also present to oversee the Special Panel, was Record’s Chairman, Roy Grace of Arizona. With a final score of 324 3/8”, Gordon’s velvet non-typical mule deer was confirmed as the new P&Y World Record. This mule deer surpasses the previous largest velvet non-typical mule deer in the records program taken by Jeff Cisneros with a score of 272 6/8″. The Pope and Young Club recently changed a policy that now allows velvet antlered species to be eligible for world records status within their own velvet categories. Read more
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is recommending a few changes to the 2021 big game hunts and would like the public’s feedback on the proposals.
Big game hunt recommendations
After receiving feedback from the elk committee, which consists of DWR representatives and other organizations — including Brigham Young University wildlife researchers, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Utah Farm Bureau — as well as private landowners, sportsmen and other members of the public, DWR biologists are recommending several changes to the 2021 elk hunts. These changes include a proposal to modify the current elk management plan to allow for an unlimited number of any-bull elk permits for the 2021 hunting season. Read more
SALMON, Idaho — SneakyHunter BootLamps –headlamps for your feet that allow you to light your way hands-free – is inviting visitors to explore its newly designed website. The new website has been optimized for mobile and tablet devices and features a newly organized presentation of its bootlamps that creates an easier more user-friendly experience for visitors to experience and understand how the SneakyHunter BootLamps work.
Created with the user experience in mind, the site includes many new features to help visitors quickly and easily navigate the site. New features on the site include:
A new design emphasizing product features
Updated photo library
Product review section
Optimized image processing for quicker load time on all devices (desktop, mobile and tablet.)
“We are always looking to improve our services to our customers,” said Jim Manroe, president and owner. “Our new, user-friendly website with more information, photos, and faster load times, does just that. We will continue to strive to provide our existing and new customers with services that better serve their needs.” Read more
INMAN, S.C. – November 2, 2020 – TrueTimber has announced the NEW patent pending TrueTimber AirPack™ inflatable ground blind is now available for purchase in two size configurations at TrueTimber.com. The revolutionary air beam construction gives hunters a smarter, faster and wildly more efficient option compared to traditional ground blind technology. Customers can purchase the AirPack™75 for $179.99 in TrueTimber Kanati camo and the AirPack™90 in TrueTimber Strata camo for $259.99 Read more
Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the world, NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, today makes the difficult announcement that the 2021 SHOT Show has been cancelled.
NSSF has remained in constant communication with Nevada officials throughout the year in our planning for the 2021 show. While there has been a concerted effort to expand the allowable levels for large gatherings by the county and state, with positivity rates peaking during our key planning period we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 show. Sadly, these spikes are currently transpiring worldwide. Given the sheer complexities, diminishing timeline and immense logistical planning required to conduct a trade show as large as SHOT, NSSF simply could not move forward at this point with so many unknowns and variables. We truly appreciate the guidance of Nevada and Las Vegas officials in allowing us to communicate this news to our exhibitors and attendees well in advance of the show. We would also like to thank the Sands directly for their help and efforts to navigate this unprecedented situation. Read more
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
Joe has been my friend since the mid-‘80s and we’ve shared many outdoor adventures together. After checking with him earlier this past week, I learned that he had been down with “the” flu all week but was already getting over the related ill effects. Then, on Friday he called to say he felt 100 percent and was ready to get in on some whitetail rut activity.
Along with Joe came his new bride, Diane, and his yet-untested blue tick hound, Junior. I’m always happy to play games with the dog in our garage in an attempt to take his mind off of his owner’s departure to parts unknown. It’s a very important job, because I certainly don’t want Junior to perform his sniffing duties too early or he could spoil the whole hunting session.
Junior
Here’s a recent case in point. Joe had brought Junior over last week for potential tracking duties. Typically, when Joe leaves for the long walk, we close the doors and dog sit. But, Junior has become quite attached to his owner and tends to sulk at the door – an insurmountable obstacle to finding his master.
Junior has learned to retrieve almost anything and I have a supply of Kong balls that I bat downrange for him. To get him in the mood this afternoon, I took him to the stash of balls and pulled one off the storage rod. However, before I could smack one into the outfield, Junior put his nose to the ground and followed it furiously out of sight; he refused to mind my commands to stop. Sure enough, Junior was at the base of Joe’s tree before he could pull his bow up! The happy hound knew how to follow his nose and was unceremoniously returned to my care.
On this eve of Halloween, I now kept a close eye on Junior and had him retrieving pieces of cheese I was hiding in the garage. It was big fun for both of us. And, then over the two-way radio came Joe’s shaky voice: “I got one down.”
This was to be Junior’s first deer tracking adventure. We planned to leash him for sniffing responsibilities, even if we knew where a fallen deer had succumbed and that’s what was about to happen under Joe’s control. Loaded with our field-dressing kit and one unsuspecting hound, we drove to the hunt area where Junior would cut the blood trail.
I did my best to back pedal ahead of the frantic canine with my camera in movie mode and a flashlight in the other hand. Junior was on a mission and the tug of war commenced at a fast, unyielding pace. The blood drove him crazy, as he dragged Joe along for the ride and passed me in short order on a direct course to the prize.
The long-awaited challenge had been answered. Heck, this seemed easier than finding morsels of hidden cheese.
Back at the garage, we hung the massive 7-point adult buck under the close supervision of our successful tracking dog. There remains no question about Junior’s eagerness or ability and I’m looking forward to the next exciting adventure.
(Oct. 25, 2020 – DALLAS) — What happens when there is no hunting in Africa due to travel restrictions? Poaching goes on the rise. With no incoming revenue, safari operators cannot pay for the anti-poaching scouts and patrols that protect wildlife. These patrols remove snare lines, apprehend perpetrators and create a deterrent presence. But without hunting revenue, there was no way to continue this important work.
DSC and the DSC Foundation stepped up quickly to fill the void, creating the Hunters CARE (COVID Anti-poaching Relief Effort). This program provides relief in the form of grants that will keep boots on the ground in the struggle to prevent poaching.
By the end of October 2020, 26 grants by DSC and 21 grants from DSCF have gone to 10 countries in order to protect an impressive 24 million acres of habitat and wildlife.
In their own words, safari operators speak about the loss of revenue due to the pandemic, and the immediate impact of grants from DSC and DSC Foundation.
Danene van der Westhuyzen, Aru Game Lodge, Namibia, said, “It’s been really a tough year. We all are struggling to survive, but luckily, we all have incredible amounts of passion to keep our businesses going. Thank you, DSC and DSC Foundation, for what you have done for all of us.”
Arthur Baisly, HHK Safaris, Zimbabwe, said, “The area that we look after is 800,000 acres. at the moment. With this COVID and no clients, we have had to reduce our running costs and we sent half of the staff off with no pay. And now with the finances from the DSC, and the DSC Foundation, we are able to reinstate those scouts and get our operation up and running back to normal.” Read more
In today’s turbulent times, it’s not enough to carry just a firearm. Most self-defense experts now also recommend carrying an individual first aid kit, should you or someone else become injured, whether in a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a defensive situation.
Galco’s Ankle Trauma Medical Kit (ATM-KIT™) carrier is designed for convenient everyday carry of medical tools and supplies for first responders, gun carriers, or anyone who wishes to be prepared in an increasingly dangerous world.
The ATM-KIT’s comfortable, high-grade neoprene band offers secure hook-and-loop closure with five neoprene pockets of various widths, each with a retention strap. It accommodates tools and equipment like tourniquets, strap cutters, knives, multitools, bandages, clotting agents or other emergency rescue and first-aid gear. Read more
Milner, GA- Folks are increasingly growing, harvesting and processing their own food, particularly all-natural organic protein like venison. Meanwhile, modern hunter-conservationists are getting more serious about managing their land and the animals on it. Whether it’s part of a serious management program or merely to see who wins bragging rights, everyone wants to know how much their deer weighs.
For those who process their own game, Ranew’s Outdoors Hanging Judge Gambrel allows a secure way to hang, weigh, skin and quarter large game at a convenient height that won’t hurt your back. Ranew’s Outdoor Hanging Judge Gambrel keeps the carcass suspended off the ground to ensure the meat stays clean. That’s only part of the convenience and utility of this unique device.
The heavy duty electronic scale and gambrel combo allows the hunter to measure live weight and dressed weight and continue skinning or processing the animal without worry of damaging the scale. This removes the hassle of raising and lowering the animal to remove the scale between steps. Definitely a time and back saver! Read more
