Indiana: Avoid Planting Ornamental Pears

Ornamental pear trees, most commonly known as Bradford pears, have been a popular landscaping tree in Indiana for decades.

So popular that they are crowding out native Indiana trees.

For that reason, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources encourages homeowners and landscapers to avoid planting such trees and to replace them when possible.

“Over time different varieties of pear have cross pollinated in our urban areas, allowing them to rapidly spread into our natural resources,” said Megan Abraham, director of the DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology. Read more

General

Savage 110 Bear Hunter Delivers Stopping Power on the Toughest Game

WESTFIELD, MA– The new 110 Bear Hunter from Savage delivers steadfast performance and superior stopping power against tough game and even tougher conditions. Shipments of these firearms are currently being delivered to dealers.

The 110 Bear Hunter’s revolutionary AccuFit system lets shooters easily customize the length-of-pull and comb height for a personalized fit, while the user-adjustable AccuTrigger system offers a crisp, clean pull and prevents the firearm from discharging if jarred or dropped.

Together with the AccuStock, which cradles the action three-dimensionally along its entire length, the 110 Bear Hunter provides the fit and function of a custom rifle—right out of the box. Plus, its 23-inch stainless steel fluted barrel is button-rifled, fitted with an adjustable muzzle brake and cradled securely inside a Mossy Oak Break-Up Country synthetic stock.

Features & Benefits
• AccuFit system lets shooters quickly adjust comb height and length-of-pull
• User-adjustable AccuTrigger
• AccuStock rail system secures the action three-dimensionally along its entire length
• Mossy Oak Break-Up Country synthetic stock
• 23-inch, stainless steel barrel with straight fluting and button rifling
• Adjustable muzzle brake
• Hinged floorplate magazine
• Soft grip fore-end and pistol grip surfaces
• New Model 110 design and ergonomics

Part No. / Description / MSRP
57045 / 300 WSM, 23-inch barrel / $999
57046 / 338 Federal, 23-inch barrel / $999
57069 / 300 Win. Mag., 23-inch barrel / $999
57070 / 338 Win. Mag., 23-inch barrel / $999
57047 / 375 Ruger, 23-inch barrel / $999 Read more

Firearms

Meet Marcus the Leupold Llama

BEAVERTON, OR — Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is working with long-time partner and dedicated backcountry hunter, Randy Newberg, to provide a unique look at public land hunting opportunities in 2018 through the eyes of Randy’s new hunting partner, Marcus the llama.

Sharing a first name with Marcus Leupold – son of legendary co-founder Fred Leupold and the man who famously threw aside a riflescope that failed him and vowed to build something better more than 70 years ago – the llama will serve as Newberg’s lead pack animal on public land hunts throughout the western portion of the United States this fall.

Provided by Beau and Kristin Baty of Wilderness Ridge Trail Llamas, Marcus comes from a herd of Ccara Pack llamas. Ccara’s are representative of the traditional llama breed, and make for excellent pack animals, thanks to their athleticism, strength and trainability.

“I had the opportunity to borrow llamas from Beau earlier this year,” said Newberg. “I was impressed with how much weight they could carry, and how low-maintenance they are – horses are great pack animals, but the smaller body of a llama means they eat and drink much less in comparison. They’re an easier companion to care for, and you lose none of the benefits of a larger-bodied pack animal.” Read more

Hunting

Try Trulock Chokes for Predator Hunting

A growing segment of hunters are targeting predators with a different weapon of choice – shotguns. Why? Three reasons. Predators – and their prey, not coincidentally – often move in brushy habitats where lack of visibility prohibits long-range shooting. Secondly, as predators like coyotes have extended their range, they have moved into areas with higher human or livestock populations – areas where for safety reasons hunters may want to avoid long-range rounds.

Third, if your shotgun is properly set up, no weapon within its range is more effective on predators. A big part of that set-up for serious hunters focuses on Trulock Predator Choke Tubes. Trulock has long been an industry leader in designing, building and testing chokes to achieve maximum performance under challenging conditions, and that’s exactly what their Precision Hunter line of Predator Choke tubes do. Read more

Firearms

Ameristep Gives Brickhouse Blind the Silent Treatment

Plano, IL  – Hub-style ground blinds provide today’s hunters with effective and portable concealment. They set up and tear down fast, delivering the ability to hunt with confidence from nearly any location. It’s why just about every serious deer or turkey hunter has at least one of these magic makers in their arsenal – and chances are good, it bears the Ameristep name.

Known and admired for its rugged Spider Hub® frame, hardworking features and hunter-friendly price, the durable and dutiful Ameristep Brickhouse Blind has been a favorite among hunters since it was first introduced in 2010. And now, the gurus of ground blinds at Ameristep have taken everything great about the original Brickhouse and made it even better… by giving it the silent treatment.

Like the original, the new Silent Brickhouse™ provides ample room for up to three hunters, but improved features now cloak those hunters in silence. A patent-pending, hinged silent door system replaces the old zippered design, simplifying entry and exit with absolutely zero noise. Additionally, new silent mesh windows facilitate viewing and shooting adjustments without the alarming sounds of zippers or Velcro. Read more

Hunting

Charges Filed in Illinois Shooting of White Pelicans

NEWTON, IL – Thanks to information provided by the public, charges have been filed against two Newton, Illinois teenagers in connection with the illegal shooting of white pelicans at Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, discovered on April 3.

Charges were filed with the Jasper County States Attorney on April 14 following an investigation conducted by Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation Police and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Because juveniles are involved in the case, the names of the subjects are not being released at this time.

The two male subjects are charged with Unlawful Take of Migratory Waterfowl with a Rifle; Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm from a Public Roadway; Unlawful Firing of a Rifle over/into Waters of the State; and Unlawfully Disturbing/Harassing Wild Birds by the Use or Aid of a Motor Vehicle.

Five pelicans were found dead at Newton Lake on April 3 by IDNR site staff.  Another pelican found shot and wounded was taken to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine for treatment.

Poachers

NMMA Opposes Year-Round Sale of E-15 Gasoline

Last week, President Trump announced he would be making E15 available year-round. NMMA is urging EPA and the Trump Administration not to harm boaters and the recreational boating industry by allowing the sale of E15 year-round. NMMA has been working hard to ensure E15 stays out of the market, given its damaging effects on marine engines. Recently, NMMA issued a Boating United alert and is encouraging the industry to take action on this now more than ever given last week’s announcement. (CLICK HERE to access the alert).

Thom Dammrich, president of NMMA, issued the following statement after President Trump’s announcement:

“President Trump’s promise to expand E15 sales into the summer months will needlessly put 141 million American boaters in danger. Unfortunately, far too few boating enthusiasts are aware that boat engines cannot process higher blends of ethanol safely. In fact, 63 percent of consumers assume any gas sold at a retail gas station must be safe for their product.

This shift in policy is simply a political decision meant to appease American farmers who, like American marine manufactures, will be severely harmed by the Administration’s recent trade actions. Rather than negotiating smart policy that benefits all stakeholders, the Administration is trying to fix bad policy with more bad policy. Read more

Fishing

Volunteers Contribute More than $21 Million in Value to RMEF Conservation Mission

MISSOULA, Mont.— The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s volunteer force of 11,000-strong donated more than $21 million in labor during 2017.

“We have a profound gratitude for our volunteers who give so much of their time, talents and energy on behalf of RMEF,” said Nancy Holland, RMEF president and CEO. “They constantly go above and beyond in helping to further our shared conservation mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.”

The Independent Sector used data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the 2017 value of one volunteer hour as $24.14. RMEF volunteers average approximately 80 hours of service annually. If you do the math, that equates into $21,243,200 of total value for elk and elk country.

RMEF volunteers host fundraising banquets, membership drives and other events across more than 500 chapters from coast-to-coast. Those generated dollars are put back on the ground in their respective states and around the country to benefit elk, elk habitat, public access projects, hunting outreach events and scientific research. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan Supreme Court Hears School Preemption Cases

This past Wednesday, the Michigan Supreme Court heard oral arguments in MGO v. Ann Arbor and MOC v. Clio. At issue in the cases is whether schools, as local units of government, are subject preemption by the State of Michigan preventing them from creating and enforcing their own firearms restrictions. While MCL 28.425o prevents concealed carry in schools,  MCL 750.237a provides an exemption for concealed pistol license holders, allowing a CPL holder to openly carry. MCL 123.1102 prevents local units of government in Michigan from enacting their own firearms regulations, a law that has been supported by Michigan courts in past cases, most notably MCRGO v. Ferndale in 2003.

Chief Justice Stephen Markman dominated questioning and appears to be supportive of preemption. He repeatedly referenced the sentence in state law that says school gun prohibitions don’t apply to people who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon. “I don’t mean to be flippant about this, but I don’t understand why that isn’t perhaps the beginning, the middle and even perhaps conceivably the end of the argument,” Markman argued. Justice Richard Bernstein and Justice Bridget McCormack, who has a son at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, suggested there’s a need for schools to set restrictions, indicating the court may be divided on it opinion.

 

The Michigan Supreme Court will now meet privately to discuss the case and to agree on how the case is to be decided. A Justice will be selected to author an opinion of law, explaining the Court’s decision. Another Justice may write a dissenting opinion or an opinion expressing a separate point A decision on the case is expected to be decided by July 31 but could come much sooner.

Read more

Gun Control

Aztec Mode Software Available at Creedmoor Sports

Anniston, Ala.   – Creedmoor® Sports, the leader in precision rifle equipment and gear, is pleased to announce that Aztec Mode Software from Annealing Made Perfect is now available for purchase. This patent-pending, brand new software was debuted by Annealing Made Perfect at the 2018 SHOT Show and is considered a major upgrade in the way the annealer operates, allowing customers to calibrate their own annealing settings without sending samples to New Zealand. Read more

Ammunition
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