Proper disposal of pets or aquarium items very important to protect Michigan’s waters


Each year the Michigan Department of Natural Resources receives numerous reports of unique species showing up in waterbodies throughout the state. While oftentimes these reports consist of a single animal being found, occasionally they point to large populations of non-native species where you wouldn’t expect to find them.Screenshot ofHow these species got into the water can be a mystery, but there is one method that’s often the culprit and it’s 100-percent preventable.

Pet and aquarium owners often face the dilemma where they no longer want to keep their various organisms, so they sometimes opt to release them into the wild. Read more

Fishing

MI DNR confirms virus involved in Lake St. Clair fish kill


The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Monday announced that test results on fish collected in the ongoing fish kill event on Lake St. Clair were confirmed to be positive for viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSv). Fish were collected during late March and early April and included gizzard shad, bluegill, and black and white crappie.”A total of 165 fish have been tested thus far using pooled samples of five fish, and of the 33 pooled samples, 31 of them have been positive for VHSv,” said Gary Whelan, research program manager for the DNR’s Fisheries Division. “Ten gizzard shad were tested individually and all were positive for the virus. These results confirm what we initially suspected, given the external signs on the fish, species involved, and timing of the fish kill, all strongly implicating VHSv as the cause of this fish kill.” Read more
Fishing

Browning’s New High Grade Hunter A5 Shotgun


The original Auto-5 shotgun, designed by John M. Browning, is a legend in the hunting and shooting industry. Although the original design is no longer produced, Browning’s introduction of the new A5 a few years ago filled the demand of shooters wanting a shotgun built in the classic design of the Auto-5.In 2016, Browning added to the A5 line with the introduction of the A5 Sweet Sixteen. The new gun brought back memories for many shooters and hunters of the days of shooting the original Sweet 16 Auto-5 in upland and small game fields. The new model was an instant success with many consumers.

New for 2017, Browning is expanding the line to include the A5 High Grade Hunter. This new 12-gauge model features special engraving that depicts pheasants on the left side and mallards on the right side, all surrounded by intricate scrollwork on a blued finish. The stock is Grade 2.5 walnut with sharp 22 lines-per-inch checkering and a rich gloss finish. Available in 26″ or 28″ barrel lengths, the suggested retail price is $1,859.99.

Other features: Read more

Firearms

Changing Wild Turkey Trends

By Glen Wunderlich

With a full month of Michigan’s turkey season remaining, many hunters look forward to the month of May to bag a bird.  As temperatures begin moderating to the delight of outdoorsmen and women, who prefer the late season, the birds seem more in the mood to strut their stuff.  Fruit trees have blossomed, perennial legume plots have greened up, and gangs of turkeys have established their territories and settled in to routines that a good scout can exploit. 

Over the past four decades, hunting the big-game birds has gotten easier.  First of all, birds are far more plentiful, even though the total populations have dropped somewhat from their modern-day pinnacles.  If one considers that a mere 50 turkeys were killed by Michigan hunters in 1969 compared to today’s totals of some 35,000, there is no argument. 

In addition, scouting has never been easier; trailcams have changed all that.  My first wild game camera used film to capture the action, which necessitated not only purchasing film, but then returning to some facility to get it developed.  I would even pay extra for the convenience of one-hour developing, so that I could see the images even faster.  This was only 20 years ago! 

I was so ahead of the curve – that is until digital cameras arrived on scene.  Today, close-out models sporting 12 megapixels, infrared detection, movie modes and battery life of up to one year can all be had for about $100 – a far cry from the inferior film versions costing over three times as much. 

Shoguns have been the tool of choice for most turkey hunters and special shells have also been engineered for turkeys, as well.  Patterning a given load for uniformity was always a pain in the…shoulder, but until recently, most shotshells used old technology.   

Now, we have Winchester’s Long Beard XR (extended range) ammo that lives up to its name.  A proprietary concoction of buffering and shot that produce results on target surpassing anything imaginable in days gone by.  As far as I’m concerned, there’s no need to experiment further. 

Although I haven’t splurged for a dedicated turkey shogun (imagine that 30 years ago!), I have opted for an extra-full turkey choke for my scattergun and a red dot sight for precise aiming at all ethical ranges. 

When it comes to advancements in equipment, no review would be complete without mentioning portable blinds – another convenience unheard of years ago.  They not only have the advantage of shelter from the elements, but they make a hunter invisible to the sharp eyes of turkeys.  Along with the advantage of being able to take a youngster along, they also provide a means to dodge the omnipresent existence of pestering black flies and mosquitoes so prevalent this wet spring. 

Through all the technological advancements in hunting gear and techniques over the years, however, one aspect of the hunt remains the same:  It is that moment when you know a gobbler is falling for your tricks, as it displays its tail feathers and struts toward its final destiny – the kitchen table.

Hunting

Steiner Releases the DBAL-RL and SBAL-RL

DBAL-RL

SBAL-RL

As a leader in laser aiming solutions for the soldier, Steiner eOptics is celebrating the release of its DBAL-RL® v2 and SBAL-RL v2 at the 2017 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Atlanta, Ga.

The advancements in the upgraded units demonstrate Steiner eOptics’ continued design, development and manufacturing of advanced Laser Aiming Solutions. Identical to the DBAL-PL® v2, the DBAL-RL® v2 combines a visible laser pointer, an infrared laser pointer, an infrared illuminator, and a white light illuminator into one integrated, all-aluminum package. However, the DBAL-RL® v2 has an end cap that enables the user to plug in and operate the unit with two remote paddle switches. Similarly, the SBAL-RL® v2 combines a visible laser and white light illuminator with a single receptacle end cap for remote switch operation. Both units, available with green or red visible lasers, were designed by Steiner eOptics’ engineering team in Vermont, and built in its new 50,000 square foot facility in Ohio.

The remote switching capability is Steiner eOptics response to the unique requirements presented in Close Quarter Battle (CQB) environments where the use of a shotgun or short-barrel rifle are mandatory. Read more

Optics

GLOCK Pistol Production for Summer

SMYRNA, GA. – GLOCK, Inc., manufacturer of the world’s most popular pistol, announces a special production run of pistols for the summer. Each GLOCK pistol included in the special production run was designed and engineered to respond directly to the needs of our customers. Some models have a specific purpose, while others serve a broader range of uses and interests. The special summer pistols feature models that are enhanced for consumer application and enthusiast appeal and will be available at dealers beginning June 1, 2017. Read more

Firearms

AGFD Considers Potential Impacts of Appellate Court Ruling on Mexican Gray Wolf

 

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is assessing potential impacts to Arizona’s endangered and threatened wildlife recovery program, following a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that lifts a preliminary injunction on releasing Mexican wolves in New Mexico.

The court decision issued Tuesday held that the State of New Mexico had not met the legal standard for a preliminary injunction because it did not demonstrate that releasing Mexican wolves without state permits will cause irreparable injury to the state. The ruling reverses a U.S. District Court decision last summer that prohibited the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from importing or releasing any Mexican wolves in New Mexico without first obtaining permits from the New Mexico Game and Fish Department.

“The Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department are evaluating the potential ramifications of the Appellate Court’s decision for Arizona’s wolf recovery program,” said Jim deVos, AZGFD assistant director for Wildlife Management. “Our agency remains committed to working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and our other partners to ensure Arizona has a voice in providing direction for the program, based on sound science and boots-on-the-ground research.”

The case now returns to U.S. District Court for a decision on whether New Mexico can require the USFWS to obtain state permits before releasing wolves. Read more

Animal Rights, Wildlife

Thompson/Center Arms Celebrates 50th Anniversary


Thompson/Center Arms Launches Sweepstakes to Highlight 50th AnniversarySPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Thompson/Center Arms announced today that 2017 marks fifty years since the creation of the brand and the company is celebrating this achievement with the launch of the “T/C® 50th Anniversary Sweepstakes.” To commemorate its golden year, Thompson/Center Arms will design and manufacture a small batch of an exciting new Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Firearm, one of which will be given away to the winner of the T/C 50th Anniversary Sweepstakes. Read more
Firearms

Garden Prep 2017

disk harrow pulled by 1948 Ford 8n

Keeping the garden site “clean” until we can trust Mother Nature not to turn a cold shoulder to us Mid-Michigan gardeners.  Lots of funs stuff planned this year – some of which is already flourishing indoors.  The list includes watermelon, pumpkin, cantaloupe, jalapeno pepper, onions, garlic and a variety of herbs.

 

Tractor operator, Mike Tepper, seems to be a bit chilly on this late-April afternoon.  But that’s not it:  It’s a dastardly swarm of black flies.  These pests have become particularly annoying as a result of huge doses of rain this spring.  Fortunately, the black flies tend to die off after a month or so.  Then it’s skeeters followed by the attack of the deer flies.

 

It’s headnets, potions, and lotions ’till fall.  Wind can equalize things better than any of that stuff, though.

 

General

Motorkote for Firearms

80 year old barrel protected by Motorkote

I’ve grown quite partial when it comes to lubricating and protecting firearms. I’ve had many oils and concoctions at my disposal but have found nothing better suited than Motorkote – the same product used to protect automobile and truck engines!

The above photo shows the muzzle end of a Marlin model 81 in .22 rimfire caliber circa 1937 protruding from the garage window on duty for small varmints.  A little rain is nothing to fear.

Check the product line out at Motorkote.com

And, in case you’re wondering, nobody’s paying me a thing for any of this.  Regardless, Motorkote’s been in my vintage tractors, autos, trucks, you name it for many years.

Here’s owner, Ed Gibbs, demonstrating the superior lubricating properties of Motorkote:

Firearms
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