Night Optics Introduces SVTS Thermal Riflescope

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – – Night Optics USA, an industry leader in the production of innovative, professional quality night vision gear, will introduce the world’s first continuous calibration thermal riflescope line at the 2018 SHOT Show – the SVTS Thermal riflescope.

Available in three models, the Night Optics SVTS offers continuous calibration, allowing users to quickly identify targets without having the screen freeze at critical moments. The entry level model, the SVTS-80, features Fusion technology that provides enhanced night vision for identification with the added value of a thermal overlay for quick detection of targets at various ranges. Read more

Optics

Kahr Firearms Group – Outlaw Ordnance Limited Editions

Greeley, PA – At the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 23 – 26, Kahr Firearms Group will display firearms from a joint project with Outlaw Ordnance.

The highlight is the Desert Eagle 1911CSS – .45ACP with stainless steel frame and slide and 4.33” bull barrel.  This custom model features a deep laser engraving of “We The People” on the left side and a portion of the Second Amendment, “Our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” on the right side.

The firearm has a 2 color Cerakote finish in black and titanium, finished with a clear coat.  It also has titanium controls and a matte black frame.   The grips are engraved with approximately 40 signatures from the Constitution. Read more

Firearms

Kruger Quad Safe Laser Reflex Sight

Patented four-laser shotgun sight designed to increase accuracy and reduce risk of collateral damage</em>

The patented design features a standard red dot reticle, along with four lasers. The lasers project four dots onto the target that show the boundaries of the shotgun’s pattern.

“We’ve partnered with Ochoco Arms of Prineville, Oregon, to create the ultimate self-defense sight for a shotgun,” said Kruger President Mark Thomas. “Our sight gives the shooter the advantage of seeing a clear zone of where their pattern will go.”

The lasers can be calibrated to correspond with the gun’s choke setting, so they accurately indicate the size of the shot pattern. Each laser has its own power source and can be adjusted independently. Each laser is independent for maximum brightness and accuracy. Read more

Optics

FN Free Gear Promotion

Qualifying Purchases of Rifle and Select Pistol Models to Receive Free Rail-Mounted Light

(McLean, VA) FN America, LLC announces details on the FN Free Gear promotion for the first quarter of 2018. In partnership with weapon accessories manufacturer, INFORCE, qualifying purchases of any FN 15® rifle or carbine and select models of FN 509™, FNS™ Compact and FNX™ pistols will receive a free APLc, APL or WML White- Gen2 rail-mounted light. Offer is valid Feb. 1 through April 30, 2018.

Each lightweight accessory offers easy access controls, effortlessly integrates with MIL-STD 1913 rails and comes equipped with high efficiency LEDs to provide a tight, high-intensity beam, filling the view for close to midrange target identification for up to 1.5 hours. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price ranges between $150 to $175. Read more

Firearms

FERRO 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol from DRD Tactical

Dallas, GA: DRD Tactical announces the release of FERRO™ 9MM.  The FERRO™ is manufactured with stainless steel frame, slide & barrel. Comes with Apex tactical trigger, extended slide lock, magazine release & night sights.  Available with non-threaded 4.48”  barrel or threaded 4.88” barrel. Comes with 3 Magpul Pmag 17rd GL9 magazines.  Available finishes will be Black Nitride or NiB Battleworn. Read more

Firearms

HatsanUSA Introduces Elite PCP Airgun Line at Entry-Level Price

Bentonville, Ark— When it comes to PCP airguns, a barrier of entry tends to be associated with a daunting price tag. But in 2018, HatsanUSA will eviscerate the entry level barrier with its new Flash airgun line.

Weighing just under 6 pounds and delivering 40 foot-pounds of energy, the only thing “entry-level” about these airguns is the $299 price tag. In fact, the Flash features all of the hallmark standards expected from a Hatsan PCP airgun – including a Quattro two-stage adjustable trigger, a 22 and 11mm combination optics rail, built in pressure gauge and the patented QuietEnergy Sound Moderation System for noise reduction.

Unlike previous manual-loading Hatsan airguns, the all-new Flash features the Roto- Index magazine – previously only used in the company’s semi-automatic models. This spring-loaded rotary mag automatically indexes the next pellet each time the bolt is cycled, without the need for heavy external mechanisms. Another first found in the Flash is its removable single-shot tray, which allows users to load longer, more specialized pellets and precision hand-loads.

In addition to the synthetic stock rifle, the Flash will also be available in an elegant, bullpup, hardwood option with a $399.99 MSRP – the FlashPup. Read more

Firearms

Henry Repeating Arms Introduces First New Models of 2018

BAYONNE, NJ – – Henry Repeating Arms, one of the leading firearms manufacturers in the United States introduced over two dozen new models in 2017, including shotguns for the first time in the company’s 20-year history. The offerings are expanding again in early 2018 to include a new tribute edition, an additional finish option for the popular Big Boy line of lever action rifles, and an emergency preparedness kit that includes the U.S. Survival AR-7 rifle, among others. Read more

Firearms

Coyotes over Baitcicles

By Glen Wunderlich

While there is no way to estimate the number of coyotes that inhabit given areas of Michigan one thing is certain: They’re everywhere. Although our neighbors in the Upper Peninsula can point to wolves as their number one apex predator, coyotes, through sheer numbers, have become an omnipresent danger to game animals, livestock and family pets throughout the state. If ever hunters should be inclined to take matters into their own hands, it is now.

From late January through mid-March is coyote mating season and with it comes a bevy of adventurous males and certain vulnerability for them. Their drive to mate will have them traveling for miles on end in search for satisfaction and wise hunters can use this knowledge to their advantage. Although control strategies include trapping and myriad hunting techniques, one particular method of baiting is worth sharing: baitcicles.

The term “baitcicles” is a coined word used to describe a frozen concoction of table scraps and meat juices within a 5-gallon bucket. It is then released from the container and placed strategically as bait for a varmint hunter. Unlike typical bait, the frozen formula can withstand coyotes’ attempts to carry off or otherwise quickly devour the bait.

Here’s how it works. With temperatures below freezing, a bucket is placed outdoors and filled with aromatic meat products. As the bucket is filled, adding hot water to the mix will create juice that will solidify the contents into a block of delectable ice. When full, the bucket is placed at the site and the contents released by heating the exterior of the bucket. (I like to use a soil torch for this purpose.)

Once in place, it’s basically a hide-and-watch proposition best done from a comfortable hunting blind some 100 yards or so downwind of prevailing breezes. Once located by the targeted predators, they’ll return time after time – and, even after the last morsel is gobbled up.

Obviously, game cameras can provide valuable information as to visiting times, but typically most action will occur near dusk or dawn or at night. However, unlike using vocalizations to attract the demons and trying to scan surrounding areas for motion, the focal point will be wherever you want it to be. And, this is especially helpful when hunting in darkness.

While having a partner to operate a red or green light is helpful, it is not altogether necessary with the proper setup. Gun-mounted lights can be used, but I much prefer not waving a firearm all over creation to spot potential game. Without a partner, a light can be placed on a rest aimed directly at the baitcicle and turned on from time to time as a check.

Remember to check the game laws for allowable firearms, because the laws have changed recently for night hunting. Specifically, .269 or smaller diameter cartridges must be used below the shotgun line (Zone III) on private land only.
Above the shotgun line (Zones II and III) centerfires on state parks or recreational areas are not legal, but they are elsewhere in northern Michigan. It is also important to note that rifles are prohibited from elevated platforms after dark anywhere.

Nothing is easy about hunting coyotes, but adding baitcicles to your bag of tricks may be just the ticket to prey on predators.

Hunting

Michigan Sportsmen and Women to Support House Bill 5321

BAN STERILIZATION OF GAME SPECIES

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE NOW TO SUPPORT HB 5321

Around this time last year, the Michigan DNR gave the City of Ann Arbor the go-ahead to sterilize free-ranging whitetail deer in some parts of the city while culling deer in other parts of the city, all by White Buffalo, Inc., the same company behind the plan to give vasectomies to bucks on Staten Island, New York.

Introduced by Representative Triston Cole (R-Mancelona) at the beginning of December, HB 5321 would prohibit the Department from issuing permits that authorizes the sterilization of game.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has been pushing communities and state agencies around the country to adopt sterilization as a way to prevent urban bowhunting or future culling.

Sterilization as a wildlife management tool is not only impractical and expensive, it could even be considered less humane than a well-placed bullet (or arrow).

Next Wednesday, January 24, the House Natural Resources Committee will be taking up this important piece of legislation. Call your representatives today and support HB 5321!

Members of the House Natural Resources Committee can be contacted here, please urge them to support HB 5321:

Gary Howell (R) Committee Chair, 82nd District: (517) 373-1800

Beau LaFave (R) Majority Vice-Chair, 108th District: (517) 373-0156

David Maturen (R) 63rd District: (517) 373-1787

Joseph Bellino (R) 17th District: (517) 373-1530

Daire Rendon (R) 103rd District: (517) 373-3817

Curt VanderWall (R) 101st District: (517) 373-0825

William Sowerby (D) Minority Vice-Chair, 31st District: (517) 373-0159

Stephanie Chang (D) 6th District: (517) 373- 0823

Sara Cambensy (D) 109th District: (517) 373-0498

Also, find out who your representative is here and call them today!

Amy Trotter, Deputy Director
Michigan United Conservation Clubs
PO Box 30235
2101 Wood Street
Lansing, MI 48912
Ph: 517.346.6484
F: 517.371.1505
www.mucc.org

Wildlife

Celebrating 100 years of wild Michigan elk

By KATIE KEEN
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan’s native herd of elk – massive animals standing 4 to 5 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing more than 600 pounds – had disappeared from the state by about 1875.

What followed has been a pretty remarkable conservation story. This year marks the centennial of elk restoration efforts in Michigan, which represents the contributions of many led by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Today’s healthy and abundant elk population is found in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. During a January 2017 elk survey, approximately 1,100 elk were estimated to be in Michigan’s elk range, which includes the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Read more

Wildlife
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