Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
In the newest video on GrowingDeer.com the deer hunting prep is in full swing! They’re scouting for bucks, hanging treestands near a new food plot, and using a new technique for fall food plots. Watch to see some nice looking bucks, the strategy behind their stand placement, and this new technique that keeps food on the “table” for whitetails throughout the season. Read more
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is proud to announce the new AR-556® Multi-Purpose Rifle (“MPR”). This custom-built modern sporting rifle features an 18″ nitrided alloy barrel with rifle-length gas system, Ruger’s 15″ free-float handguard compatible with M-LOK® accessories, the Ruger® Elite 452™ AR-Trigger and ergonomic Magpul® furniture. The perfect rifle for a variety of uses, the AR-556 MPR is capable and versatile.
“We are very excited to add this model to our modern sporting rifle lineup,” said Ruger President and CEO Chris Killoy. “Our talented team of engineers worked carefully to develop the ideal custom package for the AR-556 platform that does it all, right out of the box. From plinking to competition shooting, the MPR is the perfect rifle for just about anything.”
The MPR’s cold-hammer forged 18″ alloy barrel with 5R rifling is salt bath nitrided for corrosion resistance and durability. The barrel is contoured to minimize weight without sacrificing rigidity, leaving a 0.75″ journal for the low-profile gas block. The soft-shooting, rifle-length gas system paired with a Ruger® muzzle brake provides smoother operation and softens recoil to keep every shot on target.
Ruger’s 15″ free-float handguard is light, stiff and versatile, with Magpul M-LOK accessory attachment slots along the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions. Additional slots on the angled surfaces near the muzzle are perfect for mounting a light, laser or QD sling cup. Compared to a typical quad-rail forend, the 1.50″ diameter handguard makes the MPR’s forend slim and controllable. M-LOK-compatible Picatinny rail sections can be easily added. The integral Picatinny rail at the 12:00 position is tightly controlled to the most current STANAG 4649 specification.
The crisp 4.5 pound trigger pull of the Elite 452 two-stage trigger is a great addition to the MPR. The lower receiver is fitted with Magpul’s MOE® grip and Mil-Spec MOE SL™ buttstock, making the rifle easy to handle, shoulder and shoot. The Mil-Spec compatible lower and upper receivers are CNC-machined from forgings and hard coat anodized. The MPR comes complete with dust cover, brass deflector and forward assist. Read more
Seats are free for MI CWD symposium
The Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development will host a chronic wasting disease symposium Oct. 3-4 in East Lansing, Michigan. The symposium will highlight CWD research and management from across the country.
“An impressive list of experts who are internationally known for their research of the disease will be speaking,” said Dr. Kelly Straka, DNR wildlife veterinarian. “There are representatives from multiple universities, including Georgia, Colorado State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Midwestern and Michigan State.”
In addition, the symposium will feature speakers from state agencies representing Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Wyoming, as well as nongovernmental organizations and government agencies, such as the Quality Deer Management Association, the North American Deer Farmers Association, the United States Geological Survey and the United States Department of Agriculture. Read more
PHOENIX — Arizona’s bald eagle population continues to soar as the number of breeding areas expanded statewide and a record 82 young hatched during the 2017 breeding season, according to an annual Arizona Game and Fish Department survey.
While the number of hatchlings rose from the previous high of 79 in 2016, the number of young that actually fledged dipped slightly to 63 birds that made the important milestone of their first flight. In Arizona, at least 95 eggs were laid, which was slightly less than the 97 laid in 2016, and a record 85 breeding areas were identified, including two new areas. Read more
HAP offers landowners the opportunity to make money, control wildlife damage, help boost hunter participation
Michigan is home to one of the nation’s largest and longest-running dedicated private-land public-access programs. Since 1977, the Hunting Access Program has enabled landowners to make the most of their property by allowing hunters to access private land for hunting.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources currently is accepting HAP applications from landowners in the northern Lower Peninsula with at least 40 acres and containing a minimum of 5 percent wildlife habitat. Read more
FORT SMITH, AR – New Big Blast Caps turn used plastic bottles into reactive targets with a boom! An innovation from Umarex USA, Inc., the Big Blast Target Inflator Cap is now available at various retail stores and ready to turn your trigger time into a big blast!
The Big Blast Cap Target Inflator is a fun way to turn your used plastic soda bottles into a non-explosive, boom-making reactive target that merely operates by air pressure. With a Big Blast Cap, you can pump air into a plastic bottle using a standard bicycle pump or 12-volt tire pump and an athletic ball needle. The amount of air pressure you can pile up inside depends on the weather and size of the bottle. Recommendations and tips can be found atBigBlastCaps.com. Then just place it down range at least 60 feet away and shoot it with a fast-moving projectile. The pressurized air immediately disperses to normalcy creating a “big blast” as the air molecules rush out into the normal atmospheric pressure.
They’re perfect as a fun target for the whole family. Fill with almost anything you want! Shimmering explosions with glitter, spectacular booms with colored liquids or simple air-only “detonations” are just a few examples of visually loud fun! There are many ways to shoot bottles with a Big Blast Cap Target Inflator – .22s, 9mms, bows, dart guns, and airguns to name a few. Read more
Browning has added new electronic and behind-the-ear muff models to their excellent line of hearing protection products.
The new Cadence Electronic Hearing Protector has an omnidirectional microphone with adjustable volume control to amplify ambient sound. Amplification shuts off when sound levels reach a harmful 82dB. This low-profile electronic hearing protector has a compact earcup design with a textured, soft cushioned headband. The Cadence provides 24dB NRR passive protection and meets ANSI S3.19 standards. Two AAA batteries (not included) are used to power the unit. Suggested retail is $64.99. Read more
The CompM5 is fully submersible up to 45 meters (150 feet), and is compatible with all generations of Night Vision Devices, as well as Aimpoint’s professional magnifier line. A military grade optical lens system gives the CompM5 exceptional light transmission and dot clarity, making the sight operationally parallax free, and providing a crisp, clear dot even under magnification. Read more
Since sporting clays became a popular clay target shooting sport over thirty years ago, Browning has been a leader in developing shotguns specifically for this sport. Continuing in the tradition, Browning is adding a new model to the line of shotguns tailored to the sporting clays shooter.
For 2017, the new Citori 725 Sporting Golden Clays Sporting Clays over and under shotgun has been introduced. The receiver features a silver nitride finish with handsome gold accented engraving. The stock and forearm are carved from grade V/VI walnut with close radius pistol grip and palm swell and features a gloss oil finish. The new Citori 725 Sporting Golden Clays will be offered with 30″ or 32″ barrel lengths with a suggested retail price of $5,349.99. Read more