How to decrease impacts to fish when fishing during a drought year

GW:  Some good tips no matter where you fish!

SALT LAKE CITY — After Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order in April, declaring a state of emergency for 17 counties in Utah due to drought conditions, low water levels are top of mind for many Utahns. Drought impacts many things, including fish and wildlife species. If you are planning some fishing trips this summer, here are a few things to consider before you head out.

How drought impacts fish species

Drought impacts fish by reducing the amount of water available in lakes, reservoirs and streams throughout the state. These are primary habitats for Utah’s fish, and having less water affects fish in multiple ways.

“This smaller amount of water heats more quickly and warms to higher temperatures than when there is more water available,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. “Warm water also holds less oxygen than colder water. The combination of high temperatures and low oxygen can stress many coldwater fish species — like trout — which causes poor growth and disease. Fish can also die when temperatures are too warm or the oxygen levels get too low.” Read more

Fishing

Michigan: After the Ice

Many people who live in northern Michigan are still cleaning up and dealing with the effects of a major ice storm that hit at the end of March, leaving large swaths of downed limbs and broken trees in its path.

Ice storms are a recurring challenge in the Midwest. Freezing rain can add substantial weight to limbs, causing even healthy trees to snap. And Michigan is currently in thunderstorm and tornado season, which can also wreak havoc in forests and across urban landscapes.

While utility and public works crews have worked quickly to restore power and clear roads, the damage to community trees will take longer to fully assess and manage. Ultimately, events like this also can offer opportunities to reassess our approach to tree management and build stronger, resilient urban forests.

1. Safety first: Addressing immediate priorities Read more

Wildlife

CZ Announces Auction of Exclusive CZ 75 Royal Air Force Limited Edition, Now Available to U.S. Buyers

CZ is proud to announce a one-of-a-kind opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts: the CZ 75 RAF Limited Edition, available exclusively through a limited-run online auction.

Crafted to honor the legacy of the Czechoslovak RAF squadrons that served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, the CZ 75 RAF edition features bespoke engravings, hand-finished details, and a limited production run of just 56 pistols worldwide.

“This limited-edition model blends heritage, craftsmanship, and historical tribute in a way few firearms can,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer at CZ-USA. “We are proud to offer U.S. collectors the opportunity to own one of these limited-edition pistols.”

Each CZ 75 RAF is chambered in 9mm and features a commemorative serial number, RAF squadron insignia, and a custom aluminum presentation case inspired by the Spitfire’s oil tank. The case’s lid resembles a cockpit windscreen, while the underside features an engraved instrument panel. These pistols are being offered via a sealed-bid auction system, which ends on June 20th, 2025

Interested bidders in the U.S. are encouraged to explore full details and participate by visiting the official CZ auction page: https://www.czfirearms.com/en-us/limited-editions/cz-75-raf Read more

Firearms

SAF Files Brief in Illinois Assault Weapons Ban Lawsuit

BELLEVUE, Wash. —— The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed their brief with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in SAF’s challenge to Illinois’ assault weapons and magazine capacity bans.

SAF is joined in Harrel v. Raoul by the Illinois State Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, C4 Gun Store, Marengo Guns and Dane Harrel, for whom the lawsuit is named.

The case challenges the constitutionality of the Illinois assault weapons and magazine capacity bans, on the grounds that both modern semiautomatic rifles, and the standard capacity magazines that feed them, are overwhelmingly in common use for lawful purposes, including self-defense. Twice now, the District Court has agreed and ruled in SAF’s favor, first in granting a preliminary injunction, and then on the merits on remand. With a full trial record now before it, the Seventh Circuit has a second opportunity to properly apply the Heller/Bruen test and leave these Illinois statutes in the wastebin of history. Read more

Gun Control

FPC: Appeals Court Should Uphold 2A Victory Over Illinois “Assault Weapon”, Magazine Bans

CHICAGO – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) asked the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold its critical victory over the Illinois “Protect Illinois Communities Act” (PICA) gun control regulations, which bans so-called “assault weapons” and “large capacity” magazines. FPC’s brief says that the “question presented by this case is whether the Second Amendment allows Illinois to ban the best-selling rifle in America and its standard magazine. The answer,” FPC argues, “is no.”

“We were glad but unsurprised that the district court ruled PICA unconstitutional after development and review of an extensive trial record. The Seventh Circuit should apply the Supreme Court’s straightforward test and uphold our victory in this case,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. Read more

Gun Control

Moultrie Celebrates Father’s Day with Exclusive Sale on Industry-Leading Trail Cameras

Moultrie, the leading innovator of feeders, trail cameras and game management tools, is excited to announce its special Father’s Day Sale, offering hunters an exclusive opportunity to upgrade to the industry-leading EDGE 2 and EDGE 2 PRO Cellular Trail Cameras at discounted prices. This limited-time offer is available on June 9-23, 2025.

“America’s hunting heritage is often passed down from generation to generation by our fathers. Most modern hunters are guilty of ‘borrowing’ their father’s gear over years,” said Moultrie’s Head of Community Marketing James Denhalter. “This Father’s Day, we’re giving you a chance to replace some of that borrowed gear. While your dad looks for that next target buck to mount on the wall, get him the scouting tools needed to make it happen.”

The EDGE 2 is now available for just $59.99, down from the regular price of $79.99. This advanced trail camera features a lightning-fast 0.40-second trigger speed, allowing users to capture stunning 36MP images and 1080p videos with sound. Read more

Hunting, Promotions

Steelhead Outdoors Introduces Fast Access Pistol Locker with Simplex Lock

Made in USA Handgun Storage Units For Home Use

Steelhead Outdoors has designed a secure, American-Made horizontal handgun locker featuring a push button Genuine Simplex lock for fast access without electronics, batteries or keys. Built to accommodate guns with accessories Steelhead Fast Access Lockers weigh over 15 pounds and comes in at 11.5” wide x 6.75” tall x 11” deep. Formed and welded from 14-gauge steel with a 12-gauge door, the Steelhead handgun locker features a durable black textured powder coat finish. The base features a layer of 3/8” foam to protect stowed firearms. The large size locker will fit 1-2 handguns and can accommodate large pistols with attachments. Steelhead’s fast access handgun lockers are perfect for home handgun storage or law enforcement use. The lockers can also double as an ammo lockbox inside or near a larger gun safe. Suggested retail $345 with free shipping.

“We understand handgun owners want to access securely stowed firearms quickly while at home,” explained Steelhead Outdoors Co-Founder Corey Meyer. “The Simplex lock used here offers fast, reliable access that’s not dependent on electronics, batteries or keys.”

Steelhead Outdoors proudly makes its Made-in-USA modular gun safes, lockboxes and oversized pistol lockers in Shakopee, MN. Custom weapon storage options are also available. Steelhead Outdoors offers modular gun safes and vault doors for residential use using the latest technology and construction methods.

Steelhead Outdoors also offers American-made pistol boxes that can easily transport 1-2 handguns or pistols and accommodate handguns with attachments. Read more

Firearms

New and Expanded Rimfire, Centerfire and Pistol Target Offerings from Birchwood Casey

Whether you shoot professionally or recreationally, few pastimes are quite as enjoyable as target shooting—especially when the targets come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and caliber ratings.

Shooting enthusiasts can now enjoy exactly that—improved excitement with every outing, thanks to an expanded lineup of Rimfire and Centerfire target kits, as well as Wild West-themed quick-draw splatter targets, recently released by Birchwood Casey. The premier provider of gear and accessories tailored for training with, cleaning and transporting firearms since 1948, today the brand boasts an extensive assortment of targets, cases, gun-maintenance tools and more.

Rimfire and Centerfire Target Kits Read more

Firearms

NRA-ILA Petitions SCOTUS to Hear Challenge to NFA Restrictions on Short-Barreled Rifles

Friday, the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) filed a Petition for Certiorari requesting that the U.S. Supreme Court hear a challenge to the National Firearms Act of 1934’s restrictions on short-barreled rifles in a case named Rush v. United States.

The NFA imposes tax and registration requirements on any rifle having a barrel shorter than 16 inches. A violation is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, in addition to the forfeiture of the rifle. The Petition requests that the Supreme Court hear the case and hold the regulations unconstitutional.

“The National Firearms Act imposes burdens on law-abiding gun owners that have no grounding in the text, history, or tradition of the Second Amendment,” said Doug Hamlin, NRA Executive Vice President & CEO. “The Second Amendment guarantees the right of Americans to own commonly used firearms—including short-barreled rifles—without government interference, and we’re hopeful that the Supreme Court will use this opportunity to reaffirm that right.” Read more

Gun Control

Famous Hunters in the Record Books

By PJ DelHomme 

We’ve got country music stars, inventors, entrepreneurs, race car drivers, and international dignitaries in the second installment of famous hunters in the Boone and Crockett records.

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The Boone and Crockett Club has more than 60,000 big game entries, with some dating back to the 1800s. Along the way, a few entries are tied to recognizable names. Other names aren’t quite as recognizable until you mention what those individuals accomplished in their lives. Here are a few more of those entries, some household names, others not so much. Read more

Hunting
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