Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
SMYRNA, Ga. – GLOCK, Inc., a global leader in firearms manufacturing and innovation, invites you to start the .22 Long Rifle (LR) caliber journey with the introduction of the new GLOCK 44
The company debuted its first-ever .22 LR caliber pistol at a live product launch that included select media partners and distributors on site while GLOCK fans and brand loyalists tuned in to be a part of the experience from around the globe. Read more
RICHMOND, Va. — German Precision Optics (GPO) sweetens the deal for its popular 6-24×50 30 mm riflescope. This scope will now come standard with a GPO bubble level, a 3-inch sunshade and a customized KENTON turret. These upgrades have a suggested retail value of over $200.
The 6-24×50 riflescope is part of the premium line of 30mm riflescopes from GPO that offer higher magnification and low-light objective lenses. A high magnification riflescope with extended range of adjustment (70”), its generous 4” eye-relief, and a ballistic MOA reticle, the GPO 6-24×50 is the ideal scope for long-range shooting.
Featuring the proprietary GPObright™ high-transmission lens coating technology, PASSIONdrop™ hydrophobic exterior lens coatings and a double HD glass objective lens, the 6-24×50 riflescope provides enhanced clarity, exceptional brightness and true color from dawn to dusk. The easy-to-read ¼-MOA target turret with rotation markings, fast-focus rubberized ocular, and an extra-wide magnification adjustment ring make this scope ideal for any shooting situation. It comes standard with the GPO MOA ballistic reticle, which is calibrated at 24 power. Read more
On November 25, Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Tommy Gregory pre-filed legislation that would increase harassment protections for sportsmen and women and create a sales tax holiday for hunting and fishing supplies.
Specifically, House Bill 777 would augment the statute prohibiting harassment of hunters, anglers and trappers by extending protections to prohibit harassment on public lands and public waters.
The legislation would also establish an outdoor sporting goods tax holiday on September 5, 2020 for firearms, ammunition and fishing supplies. Read more
Michigan State Representative Steven Johnson has once again introduced the Michigan Knife Rights Act, Knife Rights’ signature knife law preemption a bill, HB 5286.
Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances, and prohibits new ordinances, more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.
We will let you know when it is time to contact your legislators in Michigan
In 2017 Knife Rights’ Michigan Switchblade Ban Repeal bill was enacted. HB 5286 would ensure that automatics are legal throughout Michigan.
Knife Rights passed the nation’s first Knife Law Preemption bill in Arizona in 2010 and has since passed preemption bills in Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah. and Wisconsin.
Doug Ritter
Chairman / Executive Director
Knife Rights, Inc.
Knife Rights Foundation, Inc.
Email:dritter@KnifeRights.org
Although numbers are continuing to come in, and bear hunting remains open through Saturday in some of the state’s Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), as of Monday morning, the 2019 preliminary bear harvest sat at 4,577.
The Commonwealth’s previous record bear harvest occurred in 2011, when hunters took 4,350 through a slate of bear seasons. Hunters also harvested 4,164 in 2005.
Expanded hunting opportunities provided by new special-firearms and muzzleloader bear seasons and an expanded archery bear season have helped push the 2019 bear harvest. Record bear license sales also have contributed: license sales currently exceed 200,000; previously they have held at highs between 170,000 and 175,000. And the statewide bear population at the start of the bear-hunting seasons was about 20,000 bears.
“Our goal was to offer more hunting opportunities and prevent Pennsylvania’s bear population from increasing,” noted Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “The response from hunters to the expanded seasons and the success they enjoyed afield were exciting to see.” Read more
COLUMBUS, GA– Some mornings in the turkey woods are cool, and these gloves are perfect for keeping your hands warm without losing dexterity. They sport comfortable Lycra cuffs and a Dynamax palm that creates a second-skin feel.
Features
MSRP: $29.99
Buy now: TNT Shooter Glove Read more
Contact: Patricia Allen, 202-838-3461 / Fax 202-350-9869, pallen@fishwildlife.org
Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap Now Available
Washington – The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is pleased to announce the release of the Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap. The roadmap is meant to be a practical guide that state, provincial and territorial fish and wildlife conservation agencies can use to overcome barriers to broader relevance, public engagement and support. The roadmap was adopted by the Association at its 2019 Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is the world’s most successful system of policies and laws to restore and safeguard fish and wildlife and their habitats through sound science and active management,” said Secretary Kelly Hepler of South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “We also recognize that as society is becoming more urban and diverse, fish and wildlife agencies need new approaches to help engage the public and promote an understanding of the importance of maintaining healthy fish and wildlife. This roadmap is a tool to assist us in achieving that goal.”
“The relevancy of fish and wildlife conservation is one of the most important challenges confronting natural resource agencies,” said Steve Williams, President of the Wildlife Management Institute and member of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Sustaining our diverse fish and wildlife resources in the future will require all constituents to join ranks with our traditional supporters.” Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
There I was, totally involved in the comfort of a portable blind with only a few days left in the regular firearms deer season. I had yet to tag either a buck or a doe, although both tags were in my pocket with numerous opportunities already behind me.
A silhouette deer decoy was positioned in the field about 80 yards from the blind in an effort to divert attention of any whitetails that may appear. As two groups of deer entered the field, none of them noticed my devious accomplice; they were too busy nibbling on the whitetail clover afoot.
The group of seven deer included at least two adults and one alert doe finally saw what appeared to her as a stranger in the vicinity. It was game on! The decoy was performing its magic and the matriarch pointed its long nose toward the unwelcome intruder. Step by step, with its neck stretched as far as possible, the group’s leader was on high alert. Soon, a second mature doe got the message and joined in the stare-down – both about 40 yards in front of me without a clue as to my existence or intention.
This wouldn’t have been a chip shot; rather it was a gimmie, plain and simple. The more inquisitive deer kept up their deliberate pace until they were within mere feet of the decoy, where I had placed a bit of scent to fool them, if they got too close. The strategy paid off. and as the curtain of darkness descended upon the scene, the entire group was there feeding alongside the great pretender.
Sometime afterward, I questioned myself as to why I held fire. After all, the deer had fully cooperated and were in my lap. The answer was simple: I did not want the excitement to end. And, that may be the difference between those that must bait or quit and me.
And, then I thought about the politicians that have voted in favor of House Bill 4687, which would bring back baiting in spite of years of research by wildlife biologists; the hasty maneuver would certainly contradict what we have come to know and believe. And, I thought of how we citizens bought into granting authority to experts by overwhelmingly voting to authorize the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to make decisions about hunting in year 1996 by a 2/3 majority.
I am not alone. Representative Gary Howell (R) of North Branch agrees: “We are now on the edge of violating the spirit of that proposal. The truth is we ought to let the proper authorities make these decisions. We as politicians really are not particularly qualified to make these scientific decisions.”
Governor Whitmer has indicated she will veto the bill that would not take effect this season anyway. This is not only a matter of principle but a matter of the future of deer hunting in Michigan. Yet, I’ve not heard from one politician, who has staked his or her position on the shifting sands of politics, as to why we were all so naïve back in 1996. Just how did the NRC become so stupid, while the politicians became so smart?
Looking for property? DNR public land auction starts Tuesday
Nearly 150 surplus parcels, up to 160 acres in size, are available
Lake views, river access, winding trails and more – in many prime locations throughout much of Michigan – are available starting Tuesday, Dec. 10. That’s when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources begins its winter auction of surplus public land, offering 147 individual parcels ranging in size from less than an acre to 160 acres.
The auction is part of the DNR’s strategy to efficiently manage public land while maximizing outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. Bids will be accepted through Jan. 8, 2020.
Land is available in counties mainly in central/northern Lower Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula. Counties include Allegan, Alpena, Bay, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Houghton, Iosco, Jackson, Kalkaska, Lake, Mackinac, Midland, Missaukee, Muskegon, Newaygo, Otsego, Saint Clair and Van Buren. Several of the largest parcels are in Alpena, Dickinson and Newaygo counties. Read more
Saturday, Dec. 21
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST
Porcupine Mountains Ski Area in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Michigan Highway 107, Ontonagon
Weave your own traditional wood-framed snowshoes during this all-day workshop for ages 16 and older.
The cost for the class is $200, which includes one pair of wood frames, tubular nylon lacing, boot bindings and step-by-step instruction. The style of snowshoe for this season’s class will be cross-country.
This class is part of the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy, which offers in-depth, expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of outdoor activities at locations around the state.