MI DNR begins 47th annual Saginaw Bay fish community survey


R/V Tanner in motion on Lake Huron

The DNR’s research vessel Tanner, based out of Alpena, is helping to conduct the annual Saginaw Bay fish community survey this month. Survey results help fisheries managers better understand aquatic communities in the bay.

This month the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is conducting its 47th annual survey of the Saginaw Bay fish community. The survey, now under way, includes both trawling and gillnetting and will determine the abundance and health of fish populations in the bay.

“The timing of late summer or early fall allows us to assess how much reproduction has taken place for the year, as well as the overall abundance of older age groups,” said Dave Fielder, DNR fisheries research biologist. “The use of the same methods each year allows us to detect population changes in each species.” Read more

Fishing

AT Introduces Road Agent Shotgun


(Summerville, SC ) – American Tactical, US manufacturer and world-wide importer of firearms, ammunition and tactical equipment, has expanded its Cavalry shotgun line with the new Road Agent 12-gauge shotgun.The Road Agent’s design has an updated twist with the classic external hammers side by side. The Road Agent features our Patent-Pending De-cocker System, an industry first for an external hammer shotgun.

The Road Agent auto-cocks both hammers when you break the barrel to load it. The Patent-Pending De-cocker Lever automatically sets the gun to the “Safe” position. Just move the de-cocker lever to the de-cock position and both hammers will drop without striking the firing pins. When ready to shoot, simply break the barrel to re-cock the hammers.

The Road Agent features an 18.5″ carbon steel barrel with black aluminum finish, aluminum receiver, intricate scroll engraving and hand finished wooden stock and forearm. The Road Agent also features double triggers to match its classic external hammer design, so you can shoot both barrels at once! Read more

Firearms

Ruger Continues to Grow the Mark IV Line


Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to announce three new additions to the growing line of Mark IV™ pistols: the Mark IV Tactical and two Mark IV Standard models. Since the launch of the Mark IV in 2016, this family of rimfire pistols has expanded to include 13 offerings.The Mark IV Tactical features a 4.40″ barrel with a 1/2″-28 thread pattern – perfect for the addition of the Silent-SR®. The pistol also is equipped with fully adjustable sights and factory-installed upper and lower Picatinny rails to allow for mounting of lights, lasers and other tactical accessories.

Much like the popular Standard pistol that was the Company’s flagship offering in 1949, the new Mark IV Standard model features a tapered barrel and a natural pointing grip angle. The Standard model is offered in both 4.75″ and 6″ barrel lengths with fixed sights. Read more

Firearms

Outdoorsmen Support Texas in the Wake of Hurricane

Mossy Oak t-shirt sales go to support Hurricane Harvey Victims

WEST POINT, MS – Mossy Oak, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), B.A.S.S., Ducks Unlimited (DU), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) have come together to produce specially-designed “Rise Above” t-shirts with all proceeds going to support victims of Hurricane Harvey.

“Texas is a special place to the outdoors community, and seeing the devastation left from Hurricane Harvey and the many hurting people, we had to do something,” said Daniel Haas, New Media Coordinator for Mossy Oak. “We have joined conservation organizations, and with the help of Gildan that donated the t-shirts for screenprinting the ‘Rise Above’ design, to step up and help the people of Texas with 100% of the t-shirt purchase price going to help those affected by the hurricane.”

Share the link with your friends and family and help Harvey victims by buying your Hurricane Harvey Relief T-Shirt at the Mossy Oak online store. Read more

General

Lawsuits Over Yellowstone Area Grizzly Delisting Roll In

Sep 05, 2017
For the second time, anti-hunting and other groups have challenged the removal of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) population of grizzly bears from the ESA list of threatened species.  Indian tribal interests and anti-hunting groups have filed a total of four lawsuits challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s July 30, 2017 delisting of the GYE grizzlies – a move long supported by SCI.  In 2008, SCI intervened in lawsuits challenging the first attempt to delist the grizzlies.  The courts reversed that delisting based on alleged inadequate consideration of impacts concerning one of the bears’ main food sources.

Delisting the GYE distinct population segment of grizzlies, which covers portions of northwest Wyoming, southwest Montana and eastern Idaho, means that those states are primarily responsible for grizzly bear management.  SCI supports the return of management to the states in which the grizzlies exist.  The states are fully capable of responsibly managing the species, including authorizing well-regulated hunts when appropriate.

The various complaints make many claims, including that (1) FWS lacked authority to establish a GYE “distinct population segment” or DPS, and then delist that DPS; (2) the decision to delist the population ignored numerous (alleged) ongoing threats to grizzlies; (3) the FWS failed to rely on the best available science; (4) state management plans are inadequate; (5) the FWS failed to adequately consult with tribal interests prior to delisting; and (6) turning management over to the states, who may authorize hunts, violates the tribe members’ religious rights.

The lawsuits were all filed in U.S. District Court in Montana by the following groups: (1) Crow Indian Tribe and three other tribes, several tribal groups, and individual Indians; (2) WildEarth Guardians; (3) the National Parks Conservation Association, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club; and (4) the Humane Society of the United States and Fund for Animals.  It is likely the court will consolidate all the cases into a single proceeding.

SCI’s membership has already shown great interest in SCI defending the delisting and the states retaining management over the bears.

Animal Rights, Wildlife

Humane Society of the U.S. Spends Over Half of Donations on Fundraising

This from HumaneWatch.org

With the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) attempting to exploit Hurricane Harvey to fill its coffers, it’s a good time to take a look at its newest tax return to see how the group uses donor money. Spoiler alert: Poorly.

Last year HSUS spent a whopping $70 million on fundraising-related expenses—over half of its budget. For every dollar donated that people think is going to animals, more than 50 cents is going to pay for direct mail, TV ads, and telephone solicitations instead of providing animal care. (Speaking of care for animals—HSUS does not run a single pet shelter and is not affiliated with the similarly named humane societies that do care for animals.)

That’s not all. Along with high overhead costs, HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle earned over $400,000 in 2016. Additionally, 44 people at HSUS made over $100,000. The one animal HSUS execs like most, apparently, is the cash cow.

On top of that, HSUS reports having over $50 million stuffed in offshore accounts in the Caribbean.

No doubt when charity evaluators get wind of this, they will downgrade their ratings of HSUS. In the meantime, we suggest you give to your local shelter if you don’t want your money wasted on junk-mail solicitations and executive salaries. Many local shelters across the country are housing animals in the wake of Harvey, while the Houston Humane Society and San Antonio Humane Society are both dealing with the disaster up close.

Animal Rights

Prevent Slippage With Koola Buck’s Anti-Microbial Carcass Spray

BROOKVILLE, Pa. (September 5, 2017) — Slipping, slippage and hair shedding are terms that taxidermists use to describe hair loss on capes, hides and skins when the hair falls out of the hide. It is a term that you don’t want to hear. Epidermal slippage can occur before, during or after tanning and occurs due to bacteria getting into the hair follicles. The follicles begin to decay, and the hair falls out of the hide. Properly preparing the hide in the field by spraying it with the Koola Buck Anti- Microbial Spray will prevent this from happening.

Surface pH at the time of harvest is neutral at 7.0, but as heat, dirt and other debris begin to contaminate the surface, the pH begins to rise. By applying the Koola Buck Anti-Microbial Spray on the cape, the pH level is significantly lowered, which also greatly lowers the growth of bacteria thereby eliminating hair slippage. Simply put: avoid bacteria; avoid slippage.

The Koola Buck Anti-Microbial Spray is ideal for use on game meat as well. Game meat is a precious commodity and hard to come by, so why not give your meat all the care it deserves. Simply use the Koola Buck Anti-Microbial Spray directly on the meat to keep bacteria from growing. Read more

Hunting

ZEISS Announces 2017 “Fall Field Days” Consumer Promotion

ZEISS’ Annual “Fall Field Days” Instant At-The-Counter Rebate Consumer Promotion Takes Place September 1-18, 2017.

Zeiss Sports Optics “Fall Field Days” promotion makes the hunt for a good deal much easier. Save money – big time – on popular Zeiss riflescopes and binoculars.

Consumers will receive an instant rebate. There are no forms to fill out, no on-line submissions, just an easy way to save cash. Qualifying purchase includes any of the following optics listed below. All purchases must be made from an authorized Zeiss dealer during the promotional period.

• $75 instant rebate on Terra 3x Riflescopes
• $100 instant rebate on Conquest HD Binoculars Read more

Optics

SureFire RYDER 22-MINI Suppressor Now Shipping

SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of the world’s finest—and most innovative—illumination tools and tactical products, is proud to announce the launch of the all new SF RYDER™ 22-MINI suppressor. The RYDER 22-MINI offers the same great benefits to that of the RYDER 22-S only now in a more compact, shorter overall length with minimal increase in sound attenuation. The 22-MINI is optimized to strike the perfect balance between length, weight, and sound for rifles. The 22-MINI features heat-treated stainless steel baffles that offer increased durability and is capable of handling pressures of 17 HMR and .22 WMR ammunition—even full-auto fire. These simple-to-maintain suppressors are easy to disassemble and clean, thanks to individually numbered and indexed baffles that provide quick, easy reassembly. A fluted aluminum body helps reduce weight. The stainless steel back section utilizes a 1/2 X 28 single-point-cut stainless steel thread that quickly and securely attaches to the host weapon.

Learn More: http://www.surefire.com/sf-ryder-22-mini.html

Firearms

MI goose season begins today

Goose season begins Friday; hunters should be aware of new aggregate bag limits

It’s time to head to Michigan’s lakes, fields and marshes to hunt geese starting tomorrow. The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that big changes to regulations this year include a dark goose and light goose aggregate bag limit.

Canada geese, white-fronted geese (or specklebellies) and brant are now part of a dark goose aggregate daily bag limit. From Sept. 1-30, the dark goose aggregate daily bag limit for Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant is five, only one of which can be a brant. After Sept. 30, the daily limit for dark geese is five, only three of which can be Canada geese and only one of which can be a brant.

In simpler terms, hunters can harvest five dark geese per day in September, only one of which can be a brant. All five dark geese harvested could be Canada geese. After Sept. 30, hunters still can harvest five dark geese per day; however, only three of those can be Canada geese, and only one can be a brant. Three Canada geese can be harvested daily after Sept. 30, and the remainder of the aggregate daily bag limit can be filled with two white-fronted geese or a white-fronted goose and a brant.

An aggregate bag limit is also in place for light geese, including snow, blue and Ross’s geese. Hunters may harvest 20 light geese per day during goose seasons. Read more

Hunting
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