Learn Arboriculture Basics at Tree Work 101

Jumpstart a career in arboriculture this spring with the Tree Work 101 course. Class dates will be offered at Lansing’s Fenner Nature Center April 11-May 3.

Experts from Michigan State University’s Forestry Department and the International Society of Arboriculture will lead a series of classes on climbing, chainsaw and chipper operation, tree identification, pruning and more. A limited number of scholarships are available. Learn more and register for Tree Work 101.

Wildlife

Timber Harvest Will Take Place Near DNR’s Customer Service Center in Cadillac

Timber harvest activities will begin Monday around the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ customer service center on Mackinaw Trail in Cadillac.

Here’s what’s local folks should know:

The DNR buildings are surrounded by about 26 acres of land that is part of Michigan’s state forest system. The harvest involves 15 acres and has been carefully planned to remove invasive trees such as Scotch pine and black locust as well as invasive shrubs like honeysuckle. These aggressive species can prevent native trees and shrubs from growing. Read more

Wildlife

Golden Algae-Caused Fish Kills Confirmed at Saguaro, Canyon Lakes

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has confirmed golden algae toxin blooms as the cause of recent fish kills at both Saguaro and Canyon lakes.

When golden algae is the cause of a fish kill at one of the Salt River chain lakes (Saguaro, Canyon and Apache), varying degrees of fish kills are typically observed at all three of the lakes. AZGFD staff recently collected water-quality samples at both Saguaro and Canyon, which confirmed golden algae as the cause of the fish kills.

At Saguaro Lake, AZGFD staff observed small numbers of dead and dying threadfin shad (less than 500), along with a handful of other species including largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. At Canyon Lake, about 1,000 dead threadfin shad were observed; no other species were affected at that time. Read more

Fishing

Proposed change would expand allowable e-bike operation in Michigan

Land use update would affect state park-managed nonmotorized trails open to bicycles

Biking at Van Buren State Park

Operation of Class 1 electric bicycles on state park-managed nonmotorized trails open to bicycles would expand under a proposed Michigan Department of Natural Resources land use change that could go into effect as early as this spring.

Under current Michigan law, only Class 1 e-bikes – e-bikes that are pedal-assisted and can go up to 20 miles per hour – are allowed on improved surface trails, which are trails that are paved or consist of gravel or asphalt. Current law also allows for local entities to expand or further regulate e-bike usage in their respective communities.

The proposed DNR land use change would expand allowable e-bike use to include Class 1 e-bikes on natural surface, nonmotorized trails on state park-managed land open to bicycles.

In addition, the proposed change would allow operation of Class 2 e-bikes Read more

Wildlife

SK Customs Introduces Luchando Tigre

HAYMARKET, Va. –– SK Guns®, the Nation’s only series-driven, limited edition manufacturer of custom firearms, is proud to announce the release of the third edition of the Untamed Series of the world’s deadliest predators: “Luchando Tigre.” This latest production in the series combines a native ritual and a deadly predator into one remarkable installment.

“Luchando Tigre” comes from the native Atsatsilisti ritual in the Mexican state of Guerrero to offer blood to the god Tláloc and the earth in exchange for the rain necessary for a good harvest. Dressed in a tiger personification and equipped with a rope bathed in mezcal, the tribute’s shed blood is the offering required by Tláloc to send the rain. A deadly tiger is depicted wrapping around the slide leaping toward its prey with teeth and claws bared, locked on tearing apart its prey.

“This year’s edition of the Untamed Series truly embodies the idea behind this line of custom guns,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “The tiger symbolism used in the Arsatslisti ritual for rain combined with the danger synonymous with the Bengal tiger that is depicted along the slide showcases the “tigris” subspecies century-old status as one of the most feared predators in the world.”

The tiger is covered in 24K gold and black-filled stripes with selective silver-plated eyes, teeth and claws. The Colt® logo decorates the rear left panel and the right is engraved with each gun’s unique issued series number. Read more

Firearms

NSSF Applauds Missouri Resolution Supporting Commercial Utilization of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, applauds Missouri state Rep. Aaron McMullen’s introduction of a concurrent resolution supporting the continued commercial utilization of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. The resolution would mark the Missouri General Assembly’s support for the commercial utilization and urges the U.S. government to reject calls to end to program that allows the Lake City ammunition facility to remain fully staffed and able to operate at a sustained peak capacity to meet the ammunition needs of the U.S. warfighter.

“Lake City Army Ammunition Plant is undeniably a critical asset to our nation’s military readiness. The capability to supply our nation’s warfighters with the essential ammunition is made possible because commercial utilization invests in the skilled personnel and equipment, maintenance and training,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. “Calls by certain politicians to end this program are incredibly short-sighted and dangerous. NSSF is grateful to Representative Aaron McMullen for his leadership to protect the critical role Lake City Army Ammunition Plant fulfills in our national defense.”

The U.S. Army began permitting commercial utilization over 20 years ago after officials realized during the ramp up to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that the facility did not have the trained workforce and production capacity to meet the military’s surge in demand for ammunition to support the U.S. warfighter. The Department of Defense (DoD) was forced to buy ammunition from foreign countries. The U.S. Army wisely adopted commercial utilization to ensure military readiness. Read more

Ammunition, Gun Control

Introducing the Barnett Hyper Raptor BCX

New for 2024, the Hyper Raptor BCX™ by Barnett® sets the industry standard in crossbow technology, blending premium features, cutting-edge innovation, and top-tier technology to deliver the smoothest, fastest, and most user-friendly shooting experience available! Rooted in over 60 years of unwavering commitment to quality, dependability, precision, and safety, Barnett stands as the original pioneer in the modern-day crossbow, earning the trust of hunters worldwide. Barnett combines everything hunters need in the hard-hitting, lightweight Hyper Raptor BCX.

Lightning-fast speed is one of the many stand-out features of the Hyper Raptor BCX. With a 14-in. power stroke and draw weight of 215 lbs., the crossbow launches a 380-grain HyperFlite™ arrow at 425 FPS. The arrow’s 21% increased FOC (front of center) and 61% greater ballistic coefficient reduces wind drift, making for a deadly combination of blistering speed, downrange accuracy, and deeper penetration. The BCX delivers an impressive 152 ft./lbs. of kinetic energy, this setup leaves nothing to chance. Read more

Archery

Developing a cost-effective technique to estimate wolf abundance in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

By JOHN PEPIN
Deputy public information officer
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

On a desolate two-track road, a man approaches on a snowmobile.

Watching the road ahead, he notices a line of tracks in the snow that lead from a dense stand of trees along a creek. The man stops the sled and as it idles, he leans over for a better view.

He’s found what he’s looking for – gray wolf tracks. Read more

Wildlife

Quick and effective actions save ice fisherman Lake Gogebic in Ontonagon County

Rescuers work to save a man fallen through the ice of Lake Gogebic.

Sixty-three-year-old Paul Boehm of Ontonagon is lucky to be alive after falling repeatedly through the weakening ice of Lake Gogebic  afternoon.

At about 4:30 p.m. CDT, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers Jennifer Hanson and Zach Painter were notified by Negaunee Regional Dispatch that a man had gone through the ice near Merriweather in Bergland Township.

At 13,380 acres, Lake Gogebic is the Upper Peninsula’s largest inland lake, spreading across portions of Ontonagon and Gogebic counties. The lake is popular with anglers for its jumbo perch and walleye fishing.  Local temperatures had reached the low 50s by  afternoon.

A lakefront homeowner, Sue Barrette, who lives along Old M-28 near the Hoop ‘N Holler Tavern, had called emergency dispatch after hearing Boehm yelling and seeing him crawling on the ice.

“She said she saw him sprawled out on the ice and a few moments later, saw him break through, and observed only his head above water,” Hanson said. Read more

Fishing

Steelhead Introduces A Smaller, Lighter Portable Pistol Lock Box With Fast Access Lock

Steelhead Outdoors designs innovative gun storage solutions. The latest innovation is the Small Fast Access Pistol Box that offers security for compact pistols like a Glock 19 in a smaller, lighter package. Steelhead pistol boxes are American-made with quality steel and are designed to be drill and pry-resistant. Weighing less than 15 pounds, these lockboxes can transport 1-2 handguns or pistols, and many can accommodate handguns with attachments. Each lock box has mounting holes to allow for secure mounting to a wall or floor or use the optional beefy security cable to tether the lock box to a vehicle.

electronics, batteries, features a push button Genuine Simplex lock for fast access without electronics, batteries, or keys. This pistol box was built for travel with easily going from nightstand to vehicle, to the hotel room. Formed and welded entirely from heavy duty 12-gauge steel, it’s engineered for security, usability and portability with the ability to secure the Fast Access Pistol Box with Steelhead’s signature 3’ long, 6,000 lb. rated, ¼” galvanized cable with 5/16” coating. No competitor offers a security cable this strong. The Fast Access Pistol Box measures 8.5” wide x 12.25” long x 3” tall and weighs just under 15 lbs. Suggested retail $300. Read more

Firearms
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