How did Michigan’s Au Sable River change the world?

The Michigan History Museum’s newest exhibition opens Sept. 30

In 1959, 16 fishermen, united by their love of trout and the Au Sable River, gathered at George Griffith’s home east of Grayling, in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula. The sportsmen were concerned about the need for long-term conservation of Michigan’s coldwater streams. They were convinced that better and more scientific habitat care would help the state’s trout population thrive, creating not only better fishing, but also a better environment. Nearly 60 years later, Trout Unlimited, the organization founded by those fishermen, has become a national champion of fish habitat conservation.

Trout Unlimited’s founding on the Au Sable is showcased in the Michigan History Museum’s newest exhibition, The River that Changed the World, opening Saturday, Sept. 30. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, visitors will get a first look at the new exhibition, and opportunities to engage with guest presenters and hands-on activities.

“The Au Sable River has influenced – and continues to influence – people around the world,” said Mark Harvey, Michigan’s state archivist and the exhibition’s curator. “The stories in the exhibition demonstrate the innovative and unprecedented ways private citizens and state government worked together to conserve and protect the river and sustainably manage its fish populations.”

The exhibition features George Griffith’s 24-foot-long Au Sable river boat, surrounded by river scenes. A re-creation of the Wanigas Rod Shop introduces fly fisherman and rod maker Art Neumann, another founding member of Trout Unlimited. Nearby, visitors of all ages can learn how to tie a fly and compare tied flies to real insects under a microscope. Read more

Fishing

APTUS® Weapon system Now Shipping

Dallas, GA— DRD Tactical is happy to announce that we have started shipping our new Aptus® Multi-Caliber Weapon System in 5.56Nato and 300BLK caliber Rifles and Pistols. Aptus® is a Semi-Automatic system designed using our patented quick change barrel and internal recoil system. It is a direct gas operated rifle with Magpul folding stock, left sided non-reciprocating charging handle and M-LOK on rail hand guards. Aptus® uses lots of AR15 interchangeable parts, lower parts kit, pistol grip, barrel, gas block, gas tube, bolt, firing pin & cotter pin.

Available in Hard coat anodize Type III Black or NiB Battle Worn finish as Rifle or Pistol with a folding SB Tactical pistol brace or without the folding pistol brace. Rifles come with 16″ barrels and Pistols available in 7.5″, 8.5″, 10.5″ or 11.5″ barrels.

More calibers coming in October 2017.

MSRP ranges from $1495 to $2075 depending on model. Read more

Firearms

D.C. Court of Appeals Denies En Banc Hearing on DC Concealed Carry Suit

HEARING ON WRENN, A MAJOR WIN FOR SAF

BELLEVUE, WA — The U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has turned down a request from the city for an en banc hearing on the concealed carry case of Wrenn v. District of Columbia, amounting to a strategic win for the Second Amendment Foundation.

According to the court, not a single judge on the court requested a hearing. Earlier, a three-judge panel had ruled in favor of plaintiffs Brian Wrenn and SAF. The case challenges the District’s carry permit policy that requires citizens to provide a “good reason” to be issued a permit. The Appeals Court struck down that requirement.

“Ten years ago, Washington D.C.’s political leadership tried to extinguish Second Amendment rights before the Supreme Court,” noted attorney Alan Gura, who represents the plaintiffs. “The result was D.C. v. Heller, a tremendous victory for the rights of all Americans. With the court of appeals again confirming the people’s right to bear arms, Washington, D.C.’s politicians must once again ask themselves whether it makes sense to keep resisting our fundamental rights.”

Gura successfully argued both the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller case and 2010 McDonald v. City of Chicago case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Both cases dealt directly with Second Amendment issues. Heller affirmed that the amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms, and McDonald incorporated the Second Amendment to the states via the 14thAmendment. Read more

Gun Control, Self Defense

Trijicon ACOG Rebate


Trijicon Celebrates Its Soon-to-be-Produced One Millionth ACOG with $150 Mail-In RebateWIXOM, MI – To celebrate the soon-to-be-produced one millionth ACOG® 4×32 riflescope with consumers and retailers, Trijicon is offering a $150 ACOG rebate during the month of October.

From October 1 to October 31, 2017, when consumers purchase any ACOG® model from a participating retailer, they are eligible for a $150 mail-in rebate. All they have to do is mail in their rebate form, dated receipt and UPC code from the ACOG packaging to the address on the form. In six to eight weeks, they will receive a Trijicon® MasterCard® prepaid card for $150.00 via mail.
This is the first-ever Trijicon ACOG rebate offered. Read more

Optics

HOWA Australian Precision Chassis Rifle

Howa from Legacy Sports International, Inc.
Designed for Long-Range Shooting
Backed by Lifetime Warranty and Sub-MOA Guarantee

RENO, NV – – Legacy Sports International, Inc., leading U.S. importer of firearms and shooting accessories, is excited to unveil the new HOWA APC (Australian Precision Chassis). Developed for long-range shooting, the APC is available with or without a Nikko Stirling optics package. The APC features the Legacy Sports International Lifetime Warranty and Sub-MOA Guarantee.

The HOWA Lifetime Warranty and Sub-MOA Guarantee are a testament to the confidence we have in our HOWA rifle lineup, and the commitment to our North American customers that they will enjoy their HOWA for years to come.

Take advantage of the accuracy and modularity of the Howa APC and configure the rifle to your specific needs. The APC is thoughtfully constructed to fulfill the demands of today’s most uncompromising precision long-range shooters and hunters.

The fully adjustable LUTH-AR MBA-4 stock has adjustable length of pull, and an adjustable comb height to compensate for scope height over bore. The flexibility of this rifle ensures quick and accurate shots every time. The Howa APC stock is mounted on an AR-style buffer tube system, and features a Hogue grip and 3-position safety. The rifle is offered in Howa 1500 20″, 24″ and 26″ heavy barreled options. They are equipped with a 2-stage, creep-free H.A.C.T. trigger, and each rifle comes with a 10-round magazine, and a 20 MOA EGW rail for optics (scoped package only). Read more

Firearms

The Pedersoli Howdah Now Available Through Italian Firearms Group

Devastating Firepower and a Fascinating History
AMARILLO, TX (September 28, 2017) – Imported exclusively by the Italian Firearms Group, Pedersoli’s Howdah 45/410 is a double-triggered, breech loading reproduction of the famous Auto & Burglar pistol produced by Ithaca in the 1920’s. Yet, Pedersoli’s version incorporates very different design features, making it completely legal for importation and purchase in the United States.

The Howdah 45/410 is chambered in 45 Colt, and features rifled, 10.25-inch barrels, with lengthened chambers to also handle three-inch .410 shotshells. The pistol is furnished with a ramp front sight and folding rear leaf sight. The rear grip fits snugly in the hand allowing easily controlled use. Read more

Firearms

Jack pine harvest in Brighton will provide seeds statewide


closeup view of Kirtland’s warbler in jack pine branches

The Kirtland’s warbler is one species that benefits from Michigan’s healthy jack pine forests.

About 33 acres of overgrown jack pine trees in Livingston County, Michigan, are being harvested to provide seeds for planting new trees across the state.

The trees are at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Tree Improvement Center near Brighton. The seed orchard is about 35 years old and the trees are too large to efficiently pick cones from, said Jason Hartman, silviculturist with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. Silviculture is the branch of forestry that focuses on the establishment, growth, composition, health and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values.

“There are some jack pine trees that we planted years ago for seed collection, and they’re overgrown,” Hartman said. “We couldn’t keep them pruned low enough where we could pick pine cones from the ground.”

Jack pine cones need heat to open. In natural conditions, that heat would come from a forest fire or sunlight. The DNR will pick pine cones from the cut trees and then heat them in kilns to release the seeds. The seeds will be used to plant seedlings and regenerate jack pine forests across the state. Timber from these felled trees also is being utilized by a local logger.

The DNR is looking for volunteers to help pick cones from the felled trees. Those interested in helping out should contact Jason Hartman at hartmanj@michigan.gov.

Hartman said the DNR plans to replant the blocks of harvested pines on a staggered schedule so that the future seed orchard will contain trees of differing ages.

The Tree Improvement Center site was used as a state forest tree nursery starting in 1957; it was designated as the Tree Improvement Center in 1985. Its priority purpose is to grow cones and extract seeds, and the jack pines that currently are being harvested were planted specifically to provide a steady supply of seeds.

A small part of the Tree Improvement Center property may be leased for a seedling nursery operation, which will utilize the seeds produced from adjacent orchards to grow seedlings that are planted throughout Michigan. The majority of the grounds will continue to be managed for cone and seed production by the DNR.

The DNR plants about 3 million jack pine seedlings across the state each year. Jack pines grow in dry, sandy soils and provide habitat for a variety of animals including the endangered Kirtland’s warbler, the spruce grouse, snowshoe hares and white-tailed deer. Read more

Wildlife

Vanguard Endeavor RS IV 5-20×50


New Riflescope Delivers Versatility, Innovation, Durability, Accuracy and Exceptional ValueWhitmore Lake, MI — To the benefit of hunters and shooters worldwide who are looking for quality and excellent value, Vanguard Outdoors introduces another NEW Endeavor RS IV riflescope. The Vanguard Endeavor RS IV 5-20×50 Riflescope offers precision and accuracy for the long-range target or varmint enthusiast. Endeavor RS IV delivers an impressive 4X Zoom factor with a lower scale 5X magnification for those closer applications, as well as an impressive 20X magnification for shot placement on longer distance targets. The 50MM Objective Lens delivers superb resolution, high performance and the capability to execute even in extreme low light. Read more
Optics

MI fisheries survey work paints clearer picture of Oakland County’s Paint Creek

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently concluded a mark and recapture fisheries survey on Paint Creek in Oakland County to better understand the waterbody’s brown trout population.

Get an inside look at the survey work in this brief video.

The DNR manages a portion of Paint Creek, downstream from Lake Orion, as a high-quality brown trout stream – as evidenced by its inclusion in the department’s Trout Trails online application. Read more

Fishing

Nosler 6.5 Creedmoor Hunting Ammunition

Bend, Ore. –– Nosler®, Inc. is currently shipping 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition specifically designed for big game hunting in the following configurations to major stores and online retailers.
Trophy Grade™ Long Range 129gr AccuBond® Long Range at 2850 fps

Ballistic Tip® Ammunition 120gr Ballistic Tip® at 2900 fps *New for 2017
Ballistic Tip® Ammunition 140gr Ballistic Tip® at 2650 fps
E-Tip® Ammunition 120gr E-Tip® at 2850 fps *New for 2017 Read more

Ammunition
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