Aqua-Vu® introduces HDi Gen 2 Underwater Viewing Systems

Evolved HD optics, water-clearing video software and more upgrades highlight

Aqua-Vu® HDi Gen 2 Underwater Viewing Systems

Crosslake, MN (December 4, 2019) – At first ice, guide Brian “Bro” Brosdahl likes to go for a little swim. Call him crazy, but Bro chalks it up to research.

The most remarkable part of Brosdahl’s underwater exploration isn’t that he’s able to take the plunge without getting wet. Rather, it’s that this particular ‘trick’ reveals hidden fish and other enigmatic underwater details . . . right from the comforts of his ice shelter. In other words, Bro’s little trick puts him steps ahead of other anglers in a game defined by one’s ability to sniff out untapped pods of fish.

“That’s the genius of an Aqua-Vu,” says Brosdahl, a pioneering Northern Minnesota ice angler. “The optics of the new HDi Gen-2 cameras are so precise and tuned-in they can vividly display leaf colors on aquatic vegetation and the bugs living on them. My HD10i Pro shows me individual rocks so clearly that I should probably take up underwater agate hunting,” he laughs. Read more

Fishing

NSSF Releases Firearms Production Figures

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the firearms industry trade association, released the 2017 Firearms Production Report to members. The report compiles the most up to date information based on data sourced from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF’s) Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reports (AFMER). Key findings for public release showed:

  • The estimated total number of firearms in civilian possession from 1986-2018 is 422.9 million, according to data reported in the ATF’s Firearms Commerce Report in the United States 2019 report and including the preliminary 2018 Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) figures.
  • 17,740,000 Modern Sporting Rifles are in private ownership today.
  • More than half (54%) of all rifles produced in 2017 were modern sporting rifles.
  • In 2017, 7,901,218 total firearms were produced and imported. Of those, 4,411,923 were pistols and revolvers, 2,821,945 were rifles and 667,350 were shotguns.
  • An interim 2018 estimate showed a total 7,660,772 total firearms were produced and imported. Of those 4,277,971 were pistols and revolvers, 2,846,757 were rifles and 535,994 were shotguns. Those are interim reports and will be updated as complete information becomes available.
  • Firearms-ammunition manufacturing accounted for nearly 12,000 employees producing over $4.1 billion in goods shipped in 2017. An estimated 8.1 billion rounds, of all calibers and gauges, were produced in 2018 for the U.S. market.

“These figures show the industry that America has a strong desire to continue to purchase firearms for lawful purposes,” said Joe Bartozzi, President of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “The Modern Sporting Rifle continues to be the most popular centerfire rifle sold in America today and is clearly a commonly-owned firearm with more than 17 million in legal private ownership today. The continued popularity of handguns demonstrates a strong interest by Americans to protect themselves and their homes, and to participate in the recreational shooting sports.”

The report also shows that as lawful firearms ownership in America continues to grow, criminal and unintentional misuse of firearms is falling. During the 25-year period covered in this report (1993–2017) the violent crime rate has decreased by 48.6 percent and unintentional firearm-related fatalities have declined by 68 percent. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: extended deer season in metro Detroit

More hunting days could help local communities manage urban deer conflicts

Hunters still seeking to take deer this season can plan to bowhunt through the end of January in southeastern Michigan. This extended archery deer season in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties – an urban deer management zone – is available through the third and final year of a Department of Natural Resources pilot program announced in December 2017.

Chad Stewart, the DNR’s deer, elk and moose program leader, said that the extended hunt is both a chance for hunters to pursue some high-quality deer and an opportunity for local officials to manage urban deer conflicts in their communities.

“Archery hunters can take advantage of some excellent hunting in January,” Stewart said. “This longer season also is a fairly low-cost first attempt for municipalities to help reduce the conflicts that arise when deer numbers rise in more populated, urban areas.” Read more

Hunting

Christmas Bird Count engages everyone in conservation

LITTLE ROCK — The National Audubon Society recently announced the dates for the 120th annual Christmas Bird Count — Dec. 14 through Jan. 5.

The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running wildlife survey in the world, employing tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers to gather data on the number and type of bird species found during the peak of migration.

Individual counts take place in a 15-mile-wide circle and are led by a compiler responsible for organizing volunteers and submitting observations to Audubon. Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day — not just the species, but total numbers to provide a clear idea of the health of that particular population.

Data from Christmas Bird Counts have been used in more than 200 peer-reviewed, scientific articles, including Audubon’s landmark, “Birds and Climate Change Report.”

There is no fee to participate and the quarterly report, “American Birds,” is available online. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels and Audubon’s free Bird Guide app makes it even easier to chip in. For more information and to find a count near you, visit www.christmasbirdcount.org.

Wildlife

Michigan: winter storms impact state’s snowmobile trails

Michigan’s snowmobile season kicked off Dec. 1, but a series of significant winter storms has temporarily impacted the state’s snowmobile trails system.

Storms that began Wednesday, Nov. 27 have blocked trails with heavy snow and downed trees across the Upper Peninsula as well as in some parts of the northern Lower Peninsula, according to state trails specialists with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division.

In the wake of the storms, the DNR’s contracted snowmobile clubs have responded and are clearing downed trees and grooming trails to ready them for snowmobilers.

“These storms dumped heavy snow and freezing rain that turned to ice, which snapped tree limbs and utility lines and even uprooted trees,” said Jeff Kakuk, DNR western U.P. trails specialist.

A similar situation is being reported in the northern Lower Peninsula and across the eastern U.P.

Paul Gaberdiel, eastern U.P. trails specialist with the DNR, said a groomer even became stuck in the snow between Munising and Manistique.

Significant trail clearing and grooming will be needed in the affected areas.

“It will take time because some people are trying to dig themselves out and remove the downed trees and branches on the trails,” Gaberdiel said.

The trails are open, but snowmobilers are alerted to watch out for downed tree limbs and other hazards, as well as work crews clearing and grooming trails.

“If you are out on the trails, we ask that you use extreme caution,” Kakuk said.

Before venturing out to ride, review the latest updated trail closures information at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.

Michigan offers thousands of miles snowmobile trails, as well as available backcountry riding. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.

General

The New CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis

A Competition Ready-Tack Driver That’s Also…Affordable!

Kansas City, KS – CZ-USA debuts its very first chassis rifle; the CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis chambered in 22 LR.

Ready for competition right out of the box, the CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis is built on an aluminum chassis and weighs in at 7 pounds. The rifle is available in two different barrel lengths, with a 16.5-inch and a 24-inch version. The adjustable Luth-AR stock can be configured to fit nearly any shooter, comfortably. Likewise, the trigger is adjustable for weight, creep and over travel, so it can quickly and easily be fine-tuned for each shooter.

The CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis’ five-round magazine is detachable. The barrel is factory threaded 1/2×28 for a suppressor, and the two-position, push-to-fire safety system provides intuitive protection.

The bolt-on the CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis rotates just 60º, allowing plenty of room between bolt handle and scope for easier cycling of rounds. That generous space provided by the short rotation of the bolt also allows for rifle scopes with larger ocular bell diameters and lower ring heights.

The forend on the CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis provides an exceptional accessorizing capability with QD sling cockets and plenty of M-LOK slots. Since the rifle is sold without sights, the rifle’s receiver features CZ-USA’s 11mm dovetail milled right into the receiver for easy mounting of optics and rails. Read more

Firearms

New Electronic Predator Call from Lucky Duck

Introducing the Roughneck from Lucky Duck Predator Calls, a brand new call designed for the run and gun hunter. The Roughneck is the most recent release in Lucky Duck’s ground-breaking game call lineup. This remote controlled e-caller features extreme volume, one-of-a-kind sound library, and a brand new LD3X remote.

The Roughneck is extremely portable and compact without sacrificing loudness or clarity. The silicone cover adds a layer of protection, dampens accidental sounds from hard plastic housings, and increases speaker clarity. The new LD3X remote has an industry leading screen size, includes 10 levels of brightness, and backlit buttons for night hunters. This call comes with 150 preloaded exclusive sounds created by Rick Paillet and has a capacity of 2,000. The call runs on 10 AA batteries and the remote runs on 3 AA’s (not included). The Roughneck is compatible with Lucky Duck’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack.
MSRP for the Roughneck is $499.99 and it is available on luckyduck.com, or through a partnered retailer: http://www.luckyduck.com/dealers/.

Hunting

ArcticShield Boot Insulators

COLUMBUS, Georgia — Get cold feet? The Boot Insulators from ArcticShield might be the answer. Their heat-retention technology has been developed and honed over many years, so it’s of the highest quality. These sport a polyester outer shell and liner, and are windproof, water resistant, lightweight and packable. Simply roll them up and slide them into your pocket or backpack.

MSRP: $64.00

Buy Now: ArcticShield Boot Insulators Read more

Hunting
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