Join the 20th Great Backyard Bird Count

Bird watchers from around the world enjoy counting their birds and entering the GBBC photo contest. Photo by Ann Foster, Florida, 2016 GBBC.

Bohemian Waxwing by A. Blomquist, 2016 GBBC.;

Join the 20th Great Backyard Bird Count
Bird watchers around the world take part, February 17-20

New York, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Port Rowan, ON—A lot has changed since the first Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was held in 1998. Each year brings unwavering enthusiasm from the growing number of participants in this now-global event. The 20th annual GBBC is taking place February 17-20 in backyards, parks, nature centers, on hiking trails, school grounds, balconies, and beaches—anywhere you find birds.

Bird watchers count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. All the data contribute to a snapshot of bird distribution and help scientists see changes over the past 20 years. Read more

Wildlife

Caldwell Shooting Supplies Mag Charger Universal Pistol Loader

The new Caldwell Mag Charger Universal Pistol Loader works on almost any style pistol magazines, including 1911 style mags, and loads a large variety of calibers. It works with both single-stack and double-stack magazines. The adjustable side shims align magazines of any width, and the lock knob keeps virtually any size magazine secure. The shims are labeled with numbers for quick and easy adjustment making it easy to switch between different types of magazines. The Universal Pistol Loader will load 9mm, 10mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .45 cal ammo, and some .380 magazines. The design is simple to use; simply drop a round in, squeeze the hand grip and repeat until the magazine is loaded. The Mag Charger Universal Pistol Loader removes the need to ever manually reload a pistol magazine again. Read more

Ammunition

Streamlight Launches Dual Fuel Tactical Lights

ProTac® HL-X, ProTac® 2L-X Feature High Lumens, Multiple Battery Options

EAGLEVILLE, PA – Streamlight® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting tools, announced it has expanded its ProTac® family of tactical lights to include enhanced versions of two of its models. The new lights, the ProTac® HL-X and ProTac® 2L-X, feature 1,000 and 500 lumens, respectively, as well as offer the versatility of a rechargeable battery option.

Both lights can be powered by either two 3-volt CR123 lithium batteries or one Streamlight rechargeable 18650 cell. This multi-battery option allows for use of primary disposable batteries if the rechargeable cell is out of power. Read more

Optics

Parker’s Tornado XXTremem Combines Technology and Lightweight High Performance

STAUNTON, VA- Parker Bows, the leading manufacturer of high quality Compound Bows and Crossbows as well as RED HOT Crossbow Accessories is proud to announce the all NEW Tornado XXTreme Crossbow for 2017. Parker’s Tornado XXT Crossbow combines new Xtreme Xbow Technology (XXT), Performance and Value into a Compact, Lightweight crossbow package.

The Tornado XXT incorporates radical new crossbow technology that breaks all the historical barriers of crossbow performance and design. Parker’s new patented Xtreme Xbow Technology (XXT) combines, 1) Inverted Cams, 2) Split Limb Array, 3) Cavity-Back Riser and 4) HP Synergy Cams to set a new performance standards for speed, quiet operation, and ease of cocking, all while being packaged in a light-weight, compact, maneuverable platform. The Tornado XXT shoots a deadly 365 FPS, and comes equipped with Parker’s exclusive factory installed Anti-Vibration and Shock (AVS) System and Split Limb Dampeners to reduce noise and vibration for ultimate concealment in the woods. Like its contemporaries, the Tornado XXT is equipped with arguably the best crossbow Trigger in the industry. It features an ambidextrous auto-engaging safety for right or left handed shooters and an anti-dry fire lock – A Parker Exclusive. Read more

Archery

MI DNR to answer questions about CWD in Mecosta County at Feb. 22 town hall meeting

The Michigan departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently announced the finding of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a Mecosta County deer farm facility.

There are two upcoming opportunities for interested landowners, hunters and deer farmers to get the latest information and ask questions about this finding:

For deer farmers – Wednesday, Feb. 1
MDARD will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. at the Big Rapids Holiday Inn, 1005 Perry Ave., Big Rapids.

For hunters and area landowners – Wednesday, Feb. 22
The DNR will host a town hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Morley Stanwood High School Cafetorium, 4700 Northland Drive, Morley. Read more

Wildlife

Blaser F16 and R8 Intuition Series

Expect the perfect design for the perfect shot. The right fit of the gun is everything when you want to be a successful hunter or shooter. With that in mind, Blaser introduces the Intuition Series, designed stocks specifically for the lady hunter – the new F16 shotgun and the well-established R8 rifle.

Now, instead of trying to adjust your shooting position to the rifle or shotgun, your gun will easily and consistently slip into your shoulder and rest there comfortably. Taking into account the different anatomy of women, Blaser has developed a Monte Carlo stock, which allows the hunter to effortlessly mount a gun without a second thought. It simply becomes second nature. The lower position of the butt plate allows you to mount the gun to your shoulder, giving you a firm grip on the gun and reducing the felt recoil at the same time, ultimately making the shot more comfortable. Recoil management has been addressed by making the original F16 Microcell recoil pad even softer, ensuring better absorption and steady placement in the shoulder.

For the F16 Intuition, the engineers at Blaser took it a step further and decided to go for a higher drop at the comb and additional cast. The benefits are clear so the shooter can obtain the optimal shooting position. Shoulders and neck will be relaxed allowing better movement from any shooting position and a swifter acquisition of the target.

Both Intuition stocks are shorter, reducing the distance between the pistol grip and trigger as well as the distance between the butt plate and trigger. The pistol grip now boasts finer features to easily accommodate a smaller hand reducing the risk of flinching. Suggested retail for the F16 begins at $4,195 and the R8 $4,385. Read more

Firearms

Important Michigan hunting and furbearer license changes to remember

Reminder: if you do not purchase your 2016 base license by Feb. 28, 2017, you will be unable to purchase a 2016 fur harvester license in the months of March or April.

All those who hunt and trap furbearing animals must have a valid base license and fur harvester license.

Feb. 28, 2017 is the last day to purchase a 2016 base license. A 2016 base license is required to purchase a 2016 fur harvester license. Read more

Hunting

Trump Nominates Gorsuch to Supreme Court

Last evening, President Donald Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch, 49, an appellate judge from Colorado to fill the United States Supreme Court seat left vacant since the unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia almost a year ago. President Trump called Gorsuch’s nomination his fulfillment of a promise to voters who told him a justice who would “interpret them (the laws) as they are written was the single most important issue for them when they voted for me as president.”

Selected from a list of 20 potential judges compiled during the campaign. Gorsuch’s opinions on religious liberty and his feelings on the separation of powers were seen as key in his selection over Judge Thomas Hardiman. With an Ivy League pedigree- Columbia and Harvard- and a doctorate in legal philosophy from Oxford, Gorsuch is young enough that he could carry on the Trump legacy long after the President leaves office, as well as restoring the conservative/liberal balance of the Supreme Court.

His confirmation, however, will be hotly contested, with Democrats stung over the Republican’s blocking of Obama nominee Merrick Garland, spoiling for a fight. No word -yet- on whether Senate Republicans will use the so-called “nuclear option” of reducing the vote on Grouch to a simple majority rather than a 60-vote threshold should Democrats mount a serious effort to stymie the confirmation process. Gorsuch photo from 10th Circuit Court of Appeals with permission.

Gun Control

Michigan: Success of Fishing License Restructuring

Just a few years ago, the state of Michigan, and along with it, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), had a big challenge on their hands. Around 200,000 people had left the state, where unemployment was peaking at 15% after nearly 800,000 jobs were lost over a 10-year period. Public perception of the agency was low, so the Michigan DNR went to work to gain public support and win back anglers. Read more

Fishing

Browning Ammunition Adds BXD Turkey Load

Arnold, Mo. – Browning Ammunition hit store shelves in 2016 and hunters were quick to put the company’s waterfowl and upland bird hunting loads to the test in fields and marshes across the country. In 2017, turkey hunters across the country will have much to celebrate as the brand introduces its new BXD Turkey load.

The loads will feature nickel-plated and buffered shot, loaded within an aerodynamically stabilized tight-patterning wad. BXD Turkey will come 10 rounds per box.

New offerings include:

12-gauge 3-inch 1-5/8 oz. at 1200 fps #4, 5, 6

12-gauge 3½-inch 1-7/8 oz. at 1200 fps #4, 5, 6

20-gauge 3-inch 1 ¼ oz. at 1200 fps #5 Read more

Ammunition
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