Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Goldfinch
The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the deadline for purchasing spring turkey hunting applications is fast approaching. The last day to purchase an application is Friday, Feb 1. Read more
On January 16th, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Peter C. Anderson issued a favorable ruling for sportsmen in a lawsuit on the use of dogs in the state’s wolf hunt. This ruling paves the way for wolf hunting with dogs to take place next season. Read more
The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners will hear a petition this Friday, February 1st, seeking to ban the hunting of bears with hounds in the state. Nevada sportsmen are encouraged to attend the meeting and to submit comments to the Commissioners supporting bear hunting with hounds. Read more
The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) announced on Tuesday the official release of the 2013 Whitetail Report, the most comprehensive report on the status of white-tailed deer available anywhere.
The 2013 Whitetail Report, along with previous Whitetail Reports, can be viewed as PDFs online at www.qdma.com/corporate/whitetail-report. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the Whitetail Report, anyone wishing to purchase a printed copy of the 2013 edition can do so for $10 by visiting The Shed, the official store of QDMA, at www.qdma.com/shop or by calling 800-209-3337. Read more
Fresh off defeat at the polls in North Dakota, Iowa, and Arizona, HSUS is targeting South Dakota, Michigan, and possibly Idaho for ballot initiatives.
By Glen Wunderlich
Old Man Winter has finally made an appearance and has blessed Michigan with frozen everything from toes to water pipes. The wintering birds are flocking to feeders –and, yes, mourning doves by the dozen, too – in their never-ending quest to survive. Animals have an innate response to harsh weather by feeding heavily before ominous weather fronts approach, and with that understanding and a trusty .22 caliber rimfire, I headed to the woods at dawn in search of squirrels.
In Michigan, squirrels aren’t hunted as much as they are in some of the southern states and are quite under-utilized making for little competition from other hunters in most areas. I learned early in life that the .22 rimfire was the best tool for the job – not that a shotgun won’t bring them down – but, who needs the hidden lead pellets, extra holes, extra noise, extra cost, etc. Read more
There’s an interesting new proposed law in New Hampshire that would require people who have filmed cruelty to livestock to give the footage to authorities within 24 hours. Is this a good idea? We think so. But the Humane Society of the United States and other vegan animal rights groups are up in arms.
Instead of doing what’s best for animals in the case of cruelty, animal acitivists build a case through any means necessary, and in effect, delay response time by authorities. More here…
Another Out-of-State Group Tries to Hijack Michigan’s Ballot
LANSING –The president of one of the most radical animal rights organizations in the country popped up in Lansing Tuesday to announce a coalition circulating a petition to put PA 520 of 2012 – also known as the Wolf Management Law – on the 2014 ballot as a referendum.
Wayne Pacelle, President of the Humane Society of the United States (not to be confused with your local animal shelter), said the thought of wolves being trapped or hunted “really appalls” him during a press conference at the Capitol. The coalition calls itself “Keep Michigan Wolves Protected” and seeks to collect 225,000 signatures by the end of March to put the referendum on the 2014 ballot. If it collects enough signatures, Public Act 520 would be placed on the ballot in November of 2014. Pacelle was also quoted in MIRS News as saying, “Our hope is if we can win here in Michigan, we can address the . . . killing of wolves in other states as well.” Read more
An interesting take on the border fence in Arizona and how it may be affecting some pronghorn herds is here…
ROCHESTER, New York, (January 15, 2013) –Crosman Corporation, long known for innovative, high quality products for the shooting sports, has introduced two new bows to its youth archery line. The Crosman Trapper™ youth compound bow and the Buggy Bow™ youth long bow each feature lightweight and compact designs that provide a comfortable advantage for students and beginning archers.
According to Crosman Product Manager, Tom Clark, “If you want to guarantee your young archer develops his or her skills with an appropriately sized and weighted bow, choose one of our new Crosman youth bows. Pick the Trapper compound bow if you wish to prepare your archer for action in the field, or, if target shooting is more your style, choose the classic design of the Buggy Bow long bow,” he said. Says Clark, “The Crosman Trapper is an excellent choice for the beginning archer. With the Trapper, you can “teach basic shooting technique with ease, and, because of the cam system and 65% let off, it works well for all body sizes.” Read more