Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Goldfinch
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host a series of public meetings in March to provide information to the public and answer questions regarding wolf management and the possibility of a future wolf hunting season. Read more
Mandeville, LA – In less than two months, radio and TV host Tom Gresham delivered 16,630 new Lifetime Members to the National Rifle Association, amounting to more than $4.9 million dollars in membership dues. Gresham announced a special $300 Lifetime Membership deal with the NRA on Thursday, January 10th, via Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Guntalk, complete with a special direct phone number. The deal ended last Thursday. Read more
NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released a major new report documenting the importance of hunting activities to the U.S. economy. NSSF is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. Produced by Southwick Associates, the report, Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation, provides detailed information on 40-plus categories of U.S. hunting-related expenditures, which grew 55 percent, as well as state-by-state statistics for number of hunters, retail sales, taxes and jobs. The report notes an overall nine percent increase in hunting participation between 2006 and 2011. The money hunters spent in 2011 resulted in $87 billion being added to the nation’s economy and supported more than 680,000 jobs nationally. Read more
The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) will attend and participate in the annual business conference of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) in Columbia, S.C., March 6-9. Read more
MISSOULA, Mont.-The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is the recipient of one of the largest endowments ever gifted to a hunter-based, wildlife conservation organization. The $30 million Torstenson Family Endowment will allow RMEF to vastly accelerate the rate at which its carries out its mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Read more
Leftover licenses go on sale March 11
The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters to check their spring turkey drawing results and the availability of leftover licenses, now online at www.michigan.gov/
Anti-trapping bills have been introduced in Connecticut, New Mexico, and Oregon. Sportsmen in these states need to contact their legislators and ask them to oppose the bills. Details are below. Read more
Massachusetts State Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) recently introduced a bill that would allow private individuals to file lawsuits for the “protection and humane treatment of animals.” This is of great concern for all sportsmen, farmers, and dog owners. Read more
On Tuesday, February 26th the New Mexico House of Representatives shot down House Bill 316, a measure banning “coyote killing contests,” by a 38 to 30 vote. Sponsored by Representative Nathan Cote (D-Las Cruces), it would have prohibited holding or participating in organized competitions with the objective of killing coyotes for prizes or entertainment. Read more
Just when it seems everything in the economy is down, comes this news. Michigan is eligible to get more than $17 million, up from $12.3 million in 2012 and from 2010 when Michigan received a record $16.1 million in proceeds from federal excise taxes. The more gun-grabbers talk, the more wildlife benefits. The irony is here…