Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Rated as Parker’s #1 Crossbow, the Thunderhawk continues to redefine the crossbow industry in weight, performance, speed and value. The ThunderHawk features Parker’s proprietary Advanced Split Limb Technology with Micro-Lite Limb Pocket System, making it Ultra Compact while hurling arrows downrange at over 325 Feet Per Second (FPS). With the Bull-Pup trigger and ergonomic textured pistol grip, the ThunderHawk is easy to maneuver in a treestand or ground blind. At a mere 6.9 lbs, the ThunderHawk is also Ultra Lightweight and Optimally Balanced for a steadier aim on the target. The factory installed and tuned Anti-Vibration and Shock (AVS) System comes equipped on the ThunderHawk to reduce noise and vibration for ultimate concealment. Read more
“We experienced outstanding spring and summer stocking seasons that will bring significant benefits and fishing opportunities to Michigan anglers,” said DNR Fish Production Manager Ed Eisch. “With the hard work and dedication of our staff, fish were reared and delivered to stocking sites in excellent condition. The numbers produced and stocked were right on target for almost all areas.” Read more
The Department of Natural Resources is preparing to conduct its annual hydro-acoustic (sonar) and mid-water trawl survey of alewives and other prey fishes in Lake Michigan this month to determine the status of these key components of the Lake Michigan ecosystem.
The survey is conducted on board the DNR’s Survey Vessel (S/V) Steelhead, based out of Charlevoix, in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center’s R/V Arcticus. The survey is done at night starting in mid-August and usually takes about three weeks to complete.
Once completed, estimates of total prey fish abundance are used by fisheries managers in balancing predator-prey dynamics. Managers adjust fish-stocking rates to keep alewife abundance in balance with lake productivity levels.
Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
The push to minimize the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is under way. Much like a surgical process to remove suspected cancer, as stewards of our natural resources, we hunters are the “surgeons” of the woods.
“With the detection of CWD-positive deer in the southern part of Clinton County, we need to better understand the magnitude of the disease in those areas,” said Chad Stewart, Department of Natural Resources deer specialist. “Expanding our surveillance to include those areas is key at this point, and we need help from landowners and hunters within the expanded zone to help us with this effort.”
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission expanded the Core Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Area to include 17 townships. This area, which will continue to be referred to as Deer Management Unit (DMU) 333, now will consist of Lansing, Meridian, Williamstown, Delhi, Alaiedon and Wheatfield townships in Ingham County; DeWitt, Bath, Watertown, Eagle, Westphalia, Riley, Olive and Victor townships in Clinton County; Woodhull Township in Shiawassee County, and Oneida and Delta townships in Eaton County.
The CWD Management Zone also has expanded; it now will include the remainder of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties, as well as all of Ionia County. The expanded Management Zone will be referred to as DMU 419.
Other regulation changes include:
Continuing from last year, other regulation reminders include the following:
CWD affects members of the deer family, including elk and moose. It is caused by the transmission of infectious, self-multiplying proteins (prions) contained in saliva and other body fluids of infected animals.
Since the May 2015 discovery of chronic wasting disease in a free-ranging, Michigan white-tailed deer, 5,631 deer have been tested for CWD in order to gauge the extent of the disease across the landscape. Of those tested, seven deer were confirmed positive for the disease in Clinton and Ingham counties.
In an effort to induce hunters to kill more does and to have them tested, the DNR is discounting antlerless deer license fees to $12 for a resident antlerless deer license and $12 for the first antlerless deer license purchased by non-residents, for deer management units in the Core Area and Management Zone. DMU 333 has unlimited antlerless licenses that may be purchased without application beginning Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.
Finally, a few words are in order to clarify how sharpshooters are involved in the CWD management process. Through June, 2016, deer tested through sharpshooting efforts contributed to 17 percent of the total sample (769 out of 4,558) in the CWD Management Zone but interestingly, have contributed to 66 percent of the total positives.
Additionally, sharpshooters are not shooting deer in the entire CWD Management Zone but are operating entirely within two miles of known CWD-positive deer but only with approval from landowners including how many deer the sharpshooters may take.
The process will be a long ride, but it appears we are on the right road.
Last chance to see ‘Inventing the Outdoors’ in the Lower Peninsula
The story of Michigan’s famous inventor runs through Sept. 11
A hundred years ago everyone, including Theodore Roosevelt and Admiral Perry, knew the name of the Gladstone, Michigan, inventor who made exquisite knives, a box that kept matches dry, and countless other outdoor tools. Outdoors enthusiast today still know the Marble Arms name, though few know the whole story told in the special exhibit “Inventing the Outdoors” at the Michigan History Museum in downtown Lansing.
Running through Sept. 11, the exhibit explores the life and work of Webster Marble, who started the company that would become an outdoor powerhouse, outfitting legions of hunters, anglers, campers and hikers. Read more
(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – The Firefield Pistol Laser-Flashlight Combo delivers lightning quick target acquisition and expands your field of view when high-stress reactive or low-light conditions do their level-best to slow you down and keep victory out of sight. This lightweight, compact and versatile IPX4 weatherproof laser-light combo incorporates a precision 5mW green laser and an intense 180 lumen white LED to disorient your high-value objective. Read more
Fountain Valley, CA — SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of the world’s finest—and most innovative—illumination tools and tactical products, has launched their new M600IB Intellibeam ™ ScoutLight®. The revolutionary M600IB utilizes SureFire’s proprietary IntelliBeam™ Technology—an intelligent sensor and microprocessor-based system that continuously evaluates the environment where the beam is aimed—to automatically adjust the light output to the optimal level, anywhere between 100 and 600 lumens. So you always get just the right amount of light for the task at hand, based on your surroundings! Inside, in close quarters, you get less light, to eliminate light splashing back into your eyes. Outside, or with longer distances, you get maximum output. Read more
