Michigan DNR wildfire fighters pitch in on western blazes

Surrounded by smoke, constantly watching the wind and trying to tamp down fast-moving flames, Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighters using two specially equipped fire trucks have been helping battle grass and forest wildfires in Montana since mid- July.

They may do what firefighters call “black lining” – purposely burning a strip of grass to deprive an approaching wildfire of fuel and stop it in its tracks.

Or they may “wet line” – dousing combustible materials in the path of a fire to keep a blaze from spreading.

Or they might, during a breather from work, do what any of us would: Whip out cell phones to shoot a quick video as a low-flying tanker plane releases a belly full of water over a hot spot of burning trees, brush or grass.

Check out this short video captured by a Michigan DNR firefighter.

“Statistically, it’s the grasses that are the most dangerous. They move fast and burn quick,” said Ben Osterland, who led one of two three-man teams that drove the Michigan fire engines to Montana. Read more

Wildlife

Manistee Marsh (MI) gets a makeover

After years of behind-the-scenes work, the Manistee Marsh wetland enhancement project at Manistee River State Game Area finally is seeing equipment on-site and in action.

“We’re excited to finally break ground on this project,” said Dane Cramer, regional biologist for Ducks Unlimited. “Between a project idea and a finished project, there are a lot of pieces that needed to come together and keep moving.”

The Manistee River State Game Area includes more than 6,000 acres just outside the city of Manistee, with its western border just shy of a mile from Lake Michigan. The Manistee River flows through this state game area and creates a unique environment used by wildlife, as well as wildlife enthusiasts like hikers, bird watchers, hunters and trappers. Historically, water levels were changed using pumps, boards and gates. Maintenance and structure updates require permitting, and in this instance, many players were involved. Read more

Wildlife

Diamondback Firearms Releases 6.5 Creedmoor AR-15 rifle

Diamondback Firearms, a top-tier, Florida based manufacturer of quality pistols and rifles, has introduced their new DB1065CB AR-15 rifle, chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, to market. 6.5 Creedmoor is growing rapidly in popularity because of its superior ballistic performance over .308 and other long-range calibers. 6.5 Creedmoor is the fastest growing caliber for tactical shooters and is a great selection for medium to long range (500 to 1,000 yds.) shooting. Ballistically speaking, when compared to the .308, the more aerodynamic 6.5 Creedmoor performs exceptionally well, with a very noticeable reduction in recoil. Read more

Firearms

Colt Custom Shop is Now Accepting 1911 Custom Work Orders

WEST HARTFORD, CT – The Colt Custom Shop, longtime purveyor of the world’s finest custom engraved and tuned firearms, is pleased to announce that it will again begin taking on new orders for 1911 custom work. In an effort to minimize the existing backlog of custom work and reduce future turnaround time, the Colt Custom Shop took a hiatus from accepting new orders late last year.

“We’re excited to start bringing in new projects again,” said Mark Redl, Pro Shooter for Colt and head of the Colt Custom Shop. “During the last few months we listened to our customers and refreshed our order options to focus on the types of services and packages that enthusiasts of truly custom firearms want. The master engraving and custom work we can do on Colt 1911 platform pistols produces one of the most sought after, heirloom quality investments available in the firearms industry today. The Colt Custom Shop has a long and storied legacy and we aim to build on that.”

The Colt Custom Shop will begin accepting customization orders for uncustomized Colt brand 1911 style pistols, or Colt 1911 pistols that have been customized by the Colt Custom Shop only, starting immediately. The Colt Custom Shop will also begin accepting engraving work for Colt brand 1911 style pistols as well as Colt brand revolvers. To learn more about the Colt Custom Shop or to download the Colt Custom Shop 1911 Customization Price List and order form, please visit www.colt.com. Read more

Firearms

Kahr Firearms Group Introduces the Thompson 9mm

Greeley, PA – History was made in 1915 when John T. Thompson introduced the first portable hand-held automatic weapon commonly referred to as the “Tommy Gun”, also coined the “Chicago Typewriter”. It has always been manufactured in .45 ACP, and now, Kahr Firearms Group is proud to introduce the Deluxe model Thompson in 9mm. This is the first time in over 100 years that the Thompson has been manufactured in the smaller caliber.

The Thompson 9mm model T5-9L20 features all the classic details that John Thompson so meticulously put into the original. The frame and receiver are machined from a solid billet of aluminum and the buttstock, grip and vertical fore grip are all made from American Walnut. The 9mm is offered with one 20-round stick. The finned barrel measures 16.5 inches and 18 inches with the compensator. Overall length is 41 inches. It features a front blade sight and an open rear adjustable. The MSRP is $1364. Read more

Firearms

Zinke Sends Monument Report to White House

Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
 Secretary Zinke Sends Monument Report to the White House
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke sent a draft report to the president which included his findings and recommendations on national monuments that were under review as a result of the April 26, 2017 executive order. The report summary can be read here.
The extensive 120-day review included more than 60 meetings with hundreds of advocates and opponents of monument designations, tours of monuments conducted over air, foot, car, and horseback (including a virtual tour of a marine monument), and a thorough review of more than 2.4 million public comments submitted to the Department onregulations.gov. Additionally, countless more meetings and conversations between senior Interior officials and local, state, Tribal, and non-government stakeholders including multiple Tribal listening sessions.

Read more

Wildlife

Michigan government, nonprofits and corporations collaborate to fight oak wilt disease

The Oak Wilt Coalition is a new partnership between private, nonprofit and governmental organizations to help increase awareness about the serious threat of oak wilt disease in Michigan.

Led by the Arboriculture Society of Michigan, the partnership also includes representatives from the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan State University, ReLeaf Michigan, and various electric utility companies and tree-care companies.

Oak wilt is a fungal disease that is spreading among trees in Michigan and many other states. It has been confirmed in much of the Lower Peninsula and in the western portion of the Upper Peninsula, as shown in this 2016 oak wilt map. Read more

Wildlife

Keep Your Optics Clean with the OutdoorPro Kit from LensPen

Keep your fine optics clean and images sharp when you head outdoors this fall with the OutdoorPro Kit from LensPen. It has everything you need to safely and effectively clean lenses and eyepieces on your cameras, binoculars and scopes.

“The OutdoorPro Kit is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts,” said Ryan Keating, Vice President of Sales for LensPen. “It has everything you need to clean your camera’s lenses, eyepieces and housings.” Read more

Optics

Bergara Rifles and the Creedmoor Revolution

Bergara Premier Series Long Range Rifle (offered in 6mm Creedmoor)

B-14 HMR (offered in 6.5 Creedmoor)

Lawrenceville, Ga. – There’s a new caliber on the block and it’s quickly taking over the rifle scene. In fact, in 2017 nearly every company that introduced a new long gun did so in 6.5 Creedmoor. And why not? It shoots flatter, has lighter recoil, cuts through the wind better and is just flat out more accurate than its predecessor, the venerable .308. It’s basically a do-anything cartridge that excels at hunting, long range shooting, in a bolt gun, an AR and a chassis rifle. Read more

Firearms

Michigan early teal hunting season begins Sept. 1

Michigan is in its fourth year of an experimental early teal hunting season; this year, that season runs Sept. 1-10, 2017. These small ducks, especially blue-winged teal, are some of the earliest duck species to migrate each fall.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted Michigan the opportunity for an additional year of experimental teal hunting. Michigan met the criteria for allowable non-target attempts and harvest and passed the experiment. The decision to operationalize the teal season was made in June 2017, and Michigan will have the opportunity for a regularly occurring early teal hunting season beginning in 2018. Read more

Hunting
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