Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Goldfinch
Joe Reynolds’ 10-Point Muzzleloader Buck
A good buck taken by Joe Reynolds on December 9th during Michigan’s muzzleloader season. An account of the adventure will be posted on or after Sunday. Come back for the entertainment.
Flushing, Michigan – Carbon Express continues to apply its expertise in arrow flight technology to crossbow design with the introduction of the X-Force 350. The X-Force 350 incorporates many great features normally found only on crossbows costing hundreds of dollars more. While the X-Force 350 has many new design features, one of particular note is the tactical lightweight durable stock design, which has a one-piece ergonomic profile for improved comfort and accuracy. The skeletal profile with advanced composite material is built for the most demanding hunting environments. Read more
GW: Bad news, for sure. In mid-Michigan, we’ve already lost all of our ash trees to Emerald Ash Borer. The prospect of losing walnut trees is disturbing, although there is no indication this scourge will reach us.
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) today announced the first discovery of Walnut Twig Beetle in southwest Ohio. The Walnut Twig Beetle is a small beetle known to carry a fungus that causes Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD), which threatens the health and sustainability of walnut trees. At this time, there have been no trees determined to be infested with TCD in Ohio. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
Since my old reliable Knight Revolution muzzleloader never needed much tweaking to be ready for the season opener, waiting until the last week didn’t seem problematic. On hand were a supply of Barnes bullets and fresh Triple 7 powder and primers from last season, which were stored in a sealed plastic bag. An upgrade in power with a new Leupold scope meant there’d be some sighting in. But, that would be the case anyway – new scope or not.
Boresighting had the first shot on the paper, but with more shooting came less confidence. Shots were all over the place and then it got worse: A misfire! Read more
Michigan became world-famous when it made a daring effort to revitalize the Great Lakes sport fishery by stocking Pacific salmon in the 1960s. While Chinook and Coho fishing still remain very good overall, Michigan is now looking at residents of the other ocean to beef up the Great Lakes fishery: Atlantic salmon.
Highly prized around the world for their sporting characteristics, Atlantic salmon are currently thriving in the St. Marys River, the
connecting water that drains Lake Superior and flows into Lake Huron. Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division personnel hope to expand the Atlantic salmon fishery further into Lake Huron. Read more
The 2012 firearm deer season wrapped up late last week, and the Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunter reports from around the state have been mostly positive. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
After having the chance to participate in the legislative process on behalf of House Bill 5249 and giving testimony in its support, I really thought the bill would pass this year. Being able to use straight-wall cartridges in rifles in the southern “shotgun” zone seemed to be a no-brainer. I know I am with thousands of ethical sportsmen who are disappointed in the news, but here is the latest status direct from Matt Lori’s (R-District 59) office based on my request for information:
Dear Mr. Wunderlich,
Thank you for your email to Representative Lori, which will be drawn to his attention.
At this late stage in the Legislative Session, it does not seem likely that the Senate is going to move the bill forward. The bill is not on the most recent agenda for the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism’s next meeting. Without that movement forward it is unlikely that the bill will be back to the House for a final vote during “lame duck”.
Representative Lori very much appreciates your support, and will likely re-introduce the bill next year.
Sincerely
Susan Martin Chief of Staff District 59
1-877-262-5959
Wolf or coyote? We report; you decide here…
A judge ordered a temporary restraining order and halted the trapping of wolverines in Montana. Of course the whacko groups are behind this one, as usual, but could they be right this time? The USFWS was conducting an evaluation relative to the Endangered Species List but ran out of money for the study – in no small part because of having to pay the whacko groups attorneys’ fees for so many frivolous suits. In any case, the season has been suspended and details of the wolverines’ plight are here…
“Clearly, there is, we believe, an overpopulation of wolves in an isolated area and the west end of the U.P. is suffering because of it,” declared Senator Tom Casperon of Escanaba. More here…