Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

CA Ban on Traditional Ammo May Lead to Ban on All Hunting Ammo

The California Assembly recently passed a ban on traditional ammunition containing lead that may result in a complete ban on all hunting ammunition.

Assembly Bill 711, which would outlaw the use of lead for hunting in California, passed the State Assembly on May 22nd by a vote of 44-21.  In a twist that presents a threat to all hunting, passage of AB 771 by the California Senate could stop all hunting with rifles as the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) may consider alternative rifle ammunition as “cop killer bullets” triggering a ban on those, as well. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Hunting, Wildlife

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Proposes to Delist Gray Wolf Population Nationwide

Washington, DC –  June 7, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) formally announced its proposal to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list throughout the lower 48 states (with the exception of the Mexican wolf population). The FWS’s monumental decision recognizes the gray wolf’s recovery resulting from state wildlife management and the participation of the hunting community.  This achievement in conservation demonstrates the impact of successful science based efforts across the country.  Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife , ,

Scientists Search for Cause of Disease Outbreak in Bighorn Sheep

A National Park Service employee who was inspecting wildlife guzzlers found four desert bighorn dead on Old Dad Mountain, 15 miles southeast of Baker, California, during the week of May 20. The employee also observed other sick animals that appeared to be weak and unsteady with labored breathing. Laboratory analysis of blood and tissue samples taken from one animal indicated that it had pneumonia. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Mississippi Ranked in the Top Ten for White-tailed Deer Hunting

GW:  Whodathunk?

JACKSON – Over the past several hunting seasons, Mississippi deer hunters have harvested some of the largest white-tailed deer on record. Mississippi is beginning to be acknowledged as one of the top white-tailed deer states in the nation. This was recently highlighted in the June/July issue of Outdoor Life magazine. Outdoor Life ranked Mississippi seventh in the nation for producing large bucks.

This ranking was based on four criteria for each state: number of bucks qualifying for the Boone and Crockett records program, hunter density, cost of guided hunts, and hunter friendliness in terms of laws and regulations. The top ten states were ranked as follows: Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Tell Your Senator: Support Conservation Funding!

MUCC
Hunters, anglers and trappers are the original conservationists. We fund Michigan’s conservation efforts through license fees and excise taxes on sporting equipment. Governor Snyder’s proposed license package would simplify the license system and raise over $18 million per year for the habitat and enforcement work that supports our outdoor activities.
As part of the Governor’s license package, the DNR released a list of outcomes from increasing hunting and fishing license revenue, with the bulk going toward additional fish and wildlife habitat work, fish stocking, and more conservation officers. They’re asking for a strategic investment in our state’s fish and wildlife by hunters,anglers and trappers and they’re being open and transparent with how they’ll invest it.
We have an opportunity to maintain, improve and provide more great opportunities to hunt, fish and trap. The bill containing the license structure changes passed the House of Representatives yesterday by an overwhelming bipartisan 77-32 vote. The bill now goes to the Senate. Read more

Ammunition, Animal Rights, Firearms, Hunting, Wildlife

Squirrels that can fly?

By Chris Hoving, adaptation specialist, DNR Wildlife Division

 

flying squirrelMichigan is perhaps the best state in the country to see flying squirrels, with more forest open to public recreation than any other state east of the Mississippi River. In fact, Michigan has the largest system of state forests in the country. Forests are the place to find flying squirrels, and the forest needs to be mature enough to have at least a few snags, or dead standing trees. Many different animals benefit from snags, including flying squirrels. Flying squirrels are not particular about what kind of forest they live in, although they prefer trees with nuts, such as beech, oak and hickory. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Outdoor Coalition Opposes California’s Ban on Traditional Ammunition

NEWTOWN, Conn. — A coalition of 24 organizations representing millions of sportsmen and sportswomen nationally and thousands in California this week sent a letter to State Sen. Fran Pavley, chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, expressing its united opposition to Assembly Bill 711: An Act to Amend Section 3004.5 of the Fish and Game Code, Relating to Hunting. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Hunting, Wildlife

Straight-Wall Cartridges in Michigan’s Southern Zone III

GW:  This bill died last year and has been brought back to life by Representative Matt Lori, whom I worked with last year on this bill.  The arguments against the bill are lame.

1)  “… could create the perception of a public safety risk…”  So, educate the uninformed.

2)  “Allowing certain rifles that shoot straight-walled cartridges could result in conservation officers having to enter privately-owned land to check cartridges…”  Since the DNR doesn’t enter privately-owned land to check – for the sake of checking – anything else, what’s the big deal about checking calibers.  Same with pistols in the Zone III during deeer season.  How do they know a pistol meets the requirements – minimum caliber, no centerfire cartridges, etc?  They don’t!  And, what has been the issue with this over the last decade?  None.

Get on with it!

ALLOW THE USE OF RIFLES IN “SHOTGUN” ZONE

House Bill 4283 (reported from committee without amendment)

Sponsor:  Rep. Matt Lori

Committee:  Tourism

First Analysis (5-13-13)

BRIEF SUMMARY: The bill would allow the use of certain specific rifles during the regular firearm deer season in the area that is currently restricted to only shotguns, muzzleloaders, and certain types of pistols. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Gun Control, Hunting, Wildlife
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