Michigan to Move Muskellunge to Build Broodstock

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources continues to make advancements in the state’s Great Lakes muskellunge program, and activities this spring will add to those efforts.

Since 2011, the DNR’s Fisheries Division has collected spawning Great Lakes strain muskellunge in the Detroit River. The collected eggs are reared at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan and stocked throughout the state in fall. Although the Detroit River is a natural source of this native strain, it presents several challenges.

Water temperatures on the Detroit River typically do not reach optimal levels for spawning until late May or early June, much later than smaller inland waterbodies. This results in a short rearing period and fish not reaching maximum size for stocking each fall. Additionally, the Detroit River’s expansiveness makes it extremely difficult to efficiently find spawning fish.

To offset these issues, DNR fisheries staff have been working to establish inland broodstock lakes. Since 2011, Thornapple Lake in Barry County has been stocked with Great Lakes strain muskellunge to establish a population large enough to provide a spawning population. Starting in 2017, Lake Hudson, previously the long-standing broodsource for northern strain muskellunge, was selected as the department’s second broodstock lake. When the populations are large enough, spawning fish will be netted from these inland lakes rather than the Detroit River. Read more

Fishing

Buck Knives Announces Contest to Win Anniversary Knife

19 Weeks of the 119 Special

Post Falls, ID – – Buck Knives announces the “19 weeks of the 119 Special” photo contest.

The promotion, presented by Buck Knives, will include a weekly giveaway of the Buck 119 Special knife which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Photo submissions will be accepted March 14- July 18, 2017.

Through the duration of the contest, contestants are asked to submit their 119 or Buck Knives photos using #BuckKnives119 to Buck Knives’ Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter platforms. No purchase necessary. Each week, one winner will be chosen to receive a 119 Special 75th anniversary knife with black phenolic handle featuring the 75th anniversary medallion and aluminum pommel/guard. Genuine leather sheath included. The Grand Prize winner will receive a customized 119 Special and can choose from an available list of custom handle and blade materials to create their own custom knife valued at up to $400. Read more

Cutlery

Spring birding tours at Michigan’s Wetland Wonders


trumpeter swanNothing says spring like the “conk-a-ree” call of a red-winged blackbird or the raucous sounds of a sandhill crane. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts to celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s wetlands with a birding tour at one of the Wetland Wonders or Signature Wetlands around the state.

Highlights of the birding tours may include diving and dabbling ducks in full breeding plumage, trumpeter and tundra swans, osprey, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and many others. The tours – led by DNR Wildlife Division staff members, as well as volunteers from Ducks Unlimited and Audubon Clubs – may include a “sneak peek” driving tour into refuge areas that normally are closed. Read more

Wildlife

NRA Membership Drive at Hornady Manufacturing

(Grand Island, Nebr.) In support of the NRA and the great work they do to protect our Second Amendment rights, Hornady held a membership drive that resulted in 100% participation from many of the company’s departments, with hundreds of new NRA memberships throughout the entire company.

The NRA is widely known as one of the most effective issue advocacy organizations in the United States, and there’s a reason for that. With a membership of over 5 million, each time a citizen chooses to stand with the NRA, they’re no longer a lone voice—they’re part of a chorus too big to ever be ignored.

“It’s reassuring to know our employees understand the impact the NRA makes on behalf of our industry. They really stepped up to show their support,” says company president, Steve Hornady. Read more

Ammunition

MasterPiece Arms Introduces the MPA BA CZ-455 Chassis

After many requests from its customer base, MPA has answered the call by developing a BA Lite Chassis for the CZ-455.

Comer, GA – MasterPiece Arms (MPA), manufacturers of the MPA BA Rifles, Chassis Systems, Defender Pistols and Carbines, Suppressors and MPAR Rifles, is pleased to introduce the MPA BA CZ-455 Chassis. It was developed in response to many requests from MPA’s customers. The chassis is machined on MPA’s CNC Horizontal Machining Centers to exacting tolerances from 6061 aluminum. MPA’s unique pocketing system reduces weight and increases structural integrity of the chassis. At an astonishing 2.7 lbs. with no recoil pad, the BA CZ-455 Chassis will provide an excellent platform for the CZ-455 barreled action. Read more

Firearms

Aguila Ammunition Kicks Off Sweepstakes

CONROE, TX – Texas Armament & Technology (TxAT) and Aguila Ammunition are pleased to announce the Lucky Shooter Sweepstakes. They have teamed up with FN Firearms, Aimpoint® Inc., SureFire, SOG Knives, Otis Technology, Alien Gear Holsters, and Bigfoot Gun Belts to give one lucky shooter a free gun, a case of ammo and loads of gear from some of the best companies in the industry.

The Lucky Shooter Sweepstakes package includes a FN’s FNS™-40 striker-fired pistol, an Aimpoint® Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO), a case of Aguila Ammunition S&W 40 cal., a SureFire E2D LED Defender® Ultra Dual Output flashlight, the new SOG SYNC II multi-tool, the Otis Technology .40 cal DEFENDER cleaning system, Alien Gear Holster’s Cloak Tuck 3.0, and a Bigfoot Gun Belts Steel Reinforced Leather Gun Belt. It’s Christmas in March for one lucky winner.

Customers can enter the Lucky Shooter Sweepstakes by visiting the contest website at www.aguilaammo.com/promotions. A valid email address is required for entry and contestants can earn additional giveaway entries by sharing the promotion via social media. Additional contest rules apply. Read more

Ammunition

Liberty Safe Announces “Spring Cleaning” Safe Deals


Payson, UT – March 15, 2017 Liberty Safe today announced its annual “spring cleaning” sale on selected safes and accessories for up to 20% off retail price until April 5, 2017.”We love starting out the year with a good sale on our products,” said Kim Waddoups, CEO of Liberty Safe and Security Products. “It’s our way of helping thousands of our customers put away their treasured valuables under lock and key, perhaps the most important and satisfying part of any spring cleaning activity.”

This year’s sale includes Liberty’s top-selling Colonial 50. For “pick-up only” from the local dealer, this safe comes in Textured Black or Textured Granite. It includes a factory installed low-profile EMP e-lock or mechanical lock, an electronics outlet, and for easy self-install, a 6-wand light package. The $2,567.98 value is discounted to $1,999.00 until April 5, 2017. Read more

Firearms

Tactical Solution’s Sales on Takedown Rifle Continue to Soar

Boise, ID – At SHOT Show 2017, Tactical Solutions, a leading manufacturer and provider of innovative rimfire firearms, conversions and accessories released their X-Ring Takedown Rifle featuring the Magpul X-22 Backpacker Stock. With names like TacSol and Magpul, the consumer response has been overwhelming.

Tactical Solutions has built a name that people trust by producing innovative firearms that are lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and accurate. This rifle delivers with a lightweight aluminum .920″ barrel and billet aluminum receiver. It comes with an adjustable rear sight, fiber optic sight, and is suppressor ready with ½” X 28 threads. Designed for the hunter or outdoorsman, the X-Ring Takedown with the Magpul X-22 Backpacker stock easily separates into two pieces which can be quickly stored under the bed of a truck, in a backpack, or in a safe. The Backpacker offers magazine and ammo storage, solving the issue of transportation. Read more

Firearms

NRC Bans Chocolate in Bear Bait

This from MUCC…  Make sure to read all the proposals below, GW.  Very ambitious!

A little over a year ago, Michigan’s bear hunting organizations asked the Natural Resources Commission to consider banning chocolate in bear bait to reduce the risk of harming non-target wildlife. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be toxic to bears and other wildlife in sufficient quantities. Organizations including the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation and the U.P. Bear Houndsmen Association sponsored a resolution supporting a restriction on chocolate in bear bait through the Michigan United Conservation Clubs policy process. At the MUCC Annual Convention in June, MUCC’s member delegates approved the resolution, as well as another resolution asking MUCC to educate hunters about the dangers of chocolate in bear bait. On Thursday, the Natural Resources Commission approved a wildlife conservation order banning the use of chocolate in bear bait.

The ban was adopted as part of the bear regulation update, scheduled every three years. The NRC also adopted new quotas, including an overall 19% increase in Lower Peninsula unit quotas, both increases and decreases in Upper Peninsula unit quotas, raising the maximum number of dogs allowed for hunting or training from six to eight, and increasing the nonresident license cap from 2% to 5%. The DNR’s bear forum, consisting of multiple conservation groups including MUCC and those listed above, met during the year to discuss the changes before the DNR recommended and the NRC adopted them.

This past Saturday, Michigan United Conservation Clubs also held its final Conservation Policy Meeting before June’s Annual Convention in Owosso. The meeting was the last chance for clubs or members to introduce policy resolutions to be considered and voted upon at the Annual Convention. Any MUCC member or affiliate club can introduce a resolution, which if adopted, becomes the policy that MUCC’s professional staff advocates, such as restricting chocolate in bear bait.

Combined with the two earlier Conservation Policy Meetings in September and December, this year’s proposed resolutions will include:

  • Establish a sandhill crane hunting season
  • Designate mourning dove as a game species
  • Develop a short-term non-resident waterfowl license
  • Create a pheasant release program for hunter recruitment
  • Require hunters to wear a fall arrest system/full body harness when hunting from a treestand
  • Reintroduce cisco (lake herring) in Saginaw Bay
  • Establish a fisheries policy which includes angler input on research projects which would impact non-target species and angler access
  • Oppose the sale or transfer of state-owned public land over 80 acres or including riparian access unless designated as surplus land under a transparent and open public process
  • Oppose legislation which creates an unfunded mandate for the DNR resulting in a diversion of game and fish funds without a supplemental appropriation
  • Restrict importation of cervid carcasses from other states to deboned meat, clean skullcap, finished taxidermy, etc., and increase fines for violation
  • Reform captive cervid regulatory structure to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
  • Remove suppressors from regulation under the National Firearms Act of 1934 and allow purchase under same process as the National Instant Background Check System
  • Allow bear bait barrels on public land
  • Allow a crossbow to be carried afield simultaneously with a firearm during the December firearm deer seasons
  • Allow youth hunters on private land to hunt within 660 feet of a mentor hunter, provided there is uninterrupted electronic communication, the hunter is over 14 and has completed hunter safety and at least 20 hours of supervised hunting
  • Calls on the Michigan DNR to make it a priority to acquire severed minerals where the State owns the surface only to protect and control the commercial use of public land; particularly underground minerals in State Parks and lands purchased with PR and Game and Fish Funds
  • work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate the Public Resource Depredation Order on cormorants; and/or with our U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators to come up with a law to reinstate cormorant control

These are only proposed resolutions at this point; they will not become MUCC policy unless approved at the Annual Convention by a 2/3 majority of voting delegates representing affiliate clubs and members if the resolution would change a law or regulation, or a simple majority if it wouldn’t.

Support Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ grassroots process to conserve our natural resources for future generations by making a donation at www.mucc.org/donate! Or, stop by the MUCC booth at the Ultimate Sport Show in Grand Rapids March 16-19 and purchase a 50/50 Conservation Jackpot ticket!

Fishing, Hunting

Federal Legislation Would Ban Trapping on All Wildlife Refuges!

Take Action Today! Sportsmen’s Alliance members and all other outdoorsmen and woment should contact their Congressman or Congresswoman today and ask them to vote NO on HR 1438. HR 1438 has been assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Members can contact their legislator by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance’s Legislative Action Center.

New York Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a longtime opponent of hunting rights, has introduced legislation that would ban trapping on national wildlife refuge lands. House Resolution 1438 known as the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act, would ban body gripping, foothold and snare traps on more than 150 million acres of federal land.

In a statement released on her website, Lowey writes: “We must restore the true meaning of ‘refuge’ to the National Wildlife Refuge System.” Additionally, Lowey also quotes Born Free USA, a long-time anti-trapping organization. Their quote incorrectly states that “The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is clear: to be an inviolate sanctuary for our native wildlife.”

Despite the lofty rhetoric and misleading statements, the National Wildlife Refuge System was not designed to be sanctuary for animals; instead, it was specifically designed to include hunting, fishing and trapping. Moreover, in 1997 Congress approved the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act, which identified hunting, which includes trapping, as a priority use of refuge land. The law was signed by President Bill Clinton. In addition, trapping is an effective tool for controlling predators, which can negatively impact other wildlife on refuge lands.

“It’s clear from her statements that Representative Lowey does not have a firm handle on the purpose of these lands, or how the funds used to manage them for the benefit of all species are derived, ” said Evan Heusinkveld, president and CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “It’s not surprising that such a distorted view would lead to legislation like this. And it’s no surprise that Representative Lowey is rated a ‘Humane Champion’ by the Humane Society of America’s Legislative Fund.”

Trapping is utilized across the United States, by both federal and state wildlife managers. Refuge land is managed in cooperation with state fish and wildlife agencies. HR 1438 would put a one-size-fits-all federal ban in place for refuges rather than allow state biologists do what is best for individual refuge properties. The traps that would be banned by HR 1438 are the most common and effective devices used by trappers. HR 1438 is a first step to ban hunting on all federal land and should be rejected.

 About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research.  Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Animal Rights
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