Standard Mfg. to Release AR Platform Rifles


Standard Manufacturing Co, LLC based in New Britain, CT proudly announces the release of their two latest Sporting Rifles the STD-15 Models A and B in July 2016. Due to the company’s prior sales success rate with the DP-12 Model, Standard Manufacturing introduced their STD-15 models geared towards left handed users, sporting enthusiasts and avid long distance hunters.The STD-15 was created by top of the line engineers using the most advanced machinery available. We took what people wanted — a perfect balance of weight, durability, and performance, and made the best firearm there is. – Lou Frutuoso, President of Standard Manufacturing

With both models offered in matte black finish and a lightweight resin, they weigh in at 6.0 lbs and 6.2 lbs respectively. The STD-15 models feature a 5.56 caliber and 16″ barrel length as well as a 1/9 Twist 4150 CMV, Government profile with M4 feed ramps and QPF Nitride Coating. Unlike other cases, the STD-15 makes them easier to stack and place in storage. While both feature Direct Gas Impingement, the Model A sports an A2 Flash Hider where the Model B features the Phantom. The models range in MSRP of $999 to $1,249.00 depending on the model. Read more

Michigan: Wolf Lake Fish Cam Offers Live View of Fish


CarbonTV has introduced a live webcam from the Show Pond at the Department of Natural Resources’ Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center.The Wolf Lake Fish Cam offers a real-time, round-the-clock view of Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, northern pike, northern muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, a variety of sunfish and two 6-foot lake sturgeon as they fend for food.

“This is a really cool opportunity to see and connect with the thousands of Michigan gamefish that live in our Show Pond anytime, from anywhere,” said Shana Ramsey, interpreter at Wolf Lake. “Get an up-close look at fish in their natural habitat, right from your own home!” Read more

Standard Mfg. DP-12


Standard Manufacturing Co, LLC based in New Britain, CT remains the first and exclusive company to offer the DP-12, a double barreled 12 gauge pump shotgun. A premium defense shotgun that was released in 2013 by Standard Manufacturing Co. holds 16 rounds and ergonomically designed to balance the weight for quick and efficient handling with minimal recoil, particularly important in defensive situations.The shotgun holds 16 rounds, two shots with each pump, synthetic stock and two Picatinny rails for accessories. Weighing in at 9 pounds, 12 ounces unloaded, the DP-12 is 29 ½ inches in overall length and offered in multiple finishes including matte black, green, gold and flat dark earth. The models range in MSRP of $1,395.00. Clients can review product video on our site exclusively on the company site here. Read more

CCI Ammunition Introduces Copper-22


LEWISTON, Idaho –– CCI Ammunition is proud to announce a new 22 Long Rifle offering with new Copper-22. Its non-lead bullet is suited for plinking, target-shooting and small game hunting. Shipments of this new product are now being delivered to dealers.The Copper-22 projectile is constructed from a unique mix of copper particles and polymer compressed into a potent, 21-grain hollow-point bullet. Combined with CCI’s reliable priming and propellant, Copper-22 loads achieve a muzzle velocity of 1,850 fps and provide superb accuracy. Read more

Follow These Tips for Better Soil Prep

WEST POINT, MS – The late summer/early fall planting season is quickly approaching, and for those that live in the far North, it’s here. Preparing a good seed bed is an important and often underappreciated step of the planting process. The following are tips for better soil preparation for planting seed this season.

It is really tough to prepare a good seed bed when trying to disc or till under massive amounts of green vegetation. A disc or tiller simply can’t work as it is supposed to with the tonnage of grass and weeds in the way. A properly timed, non-selective herbicide application can kill the unwanted weeds and dry them down so equipment can function much more efficiently, saving a lot of tractor/ATV time and fuel.

Many who are unfamiliar with herbicides are afraid of spraying a non-selective herbicide like Roundup® (glyphosate) in fear that it may affect their planting. Glyphosate is a contact only herbicide and has no soil or residual activity. In other words, if it doesn’t touch the green tissue of a living plant it is ineffective. This allows for spraying very close to planting time to help the plot get a jump start on any weeds. The ideal timing for mowing and spraying can take 2-4 weeks before planting to really get good results, so the time to act is now.

Read these tips for good pre-planting herbicide applications:

  1. Read the label. The information on the herbicide labels contain great information and will identify what weeds it kills and what the recommended rate is.
  2. Spray when grasses or broadleaf weeds are young and thriving. If the field is tall and overgrown, the results will often be less than desirable. If weeds are already tall and mature, mow first and return a few days later to spray the new re-growth, even if it is minimal.
  3. For optimal results, use AMS (ammonium sulfate). AMS will increase the effectiveness of the herbicide by helping the weeds readily trans-locate the herbicide to the roots for a good kill.
  4. Don’t skimp on water. Many times the correct amount of herbicide is used but not enough water is added to thoroughly spray the field. In a pre-plant burn down, always try and use 15-20 gallons of solution per acre.
  5. Know the size of the field so you can apply the appropriate amount of solution. To practice and calibrate the sprayer, find a field and measure it with a GPS or use a range finder to determine the acreage. Fill the spray tank with just water and take note of the speed you travel and the amount of water you apply over the known area. This will eliminate guesswork and yield better spray results.

These tips are courtesy of Mossy Oak GameKeepers. GameKeepers offers consumers the latest information and products for total land and wildlife management. We’ve learned our lessons the hard way and through www.gamekeeperclub.com, GameKeepers magazine and TV series on Pursuit Channel, we share and explore the way of the GameKeeper.

To have your planting questions answered, call 662-494-4326. Read more

Massachusett’s Attorney General Moves Against ARs

From Jim Shepherd…

Yesterday, surrounded by law enforcement and gun control advocates, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that she’d had enough of gun makers “deciding what was or was not compliant with state law” – declaring a ban on what she called copycat “assault-style weapons”.

Effective “immediately” AG Healey’s ban is designed to stop the sale of those modern sporting rifles (a/k/a “assault rifles”) that had been modified so as to pass the multi-point exam as to what actually constituted an “assault rifle” under Massachusetts state law.

“The gun industry doesn’t get to decide what’s compliant,” she said, “We do.”

“We” of course, meaning those who agree with her position.

Almost simultaneous with AG Healey’s announcement, Massachusetts gun rights groups like the Gun Owner’s Action League of Massachusetts, said her unilateral action, taken with “actually going through the process, then telling licensed retailers they’re not allowed to sell something” would “probably be a very interesting legal challenge at some point.”

Healey’s actions are, apparently, aimed at the myriad of changes that gun makers have made to the modern sporting rifle in order to make them “compliant” in states like California -and Massachusetts. Those changes have included non-removable, reduced-capacity magazines, fixed versus adjustable stocks and other largely cosmetic changes.

Operating systems, however, have remained essentially untouched because semi-automatic rifles or handguns operate on long-established mechanical principles, not eyewash legislation designed to ban the most popular long-gun in the country simply because of a resemblance to military-issued, fully automatic rifles.

According to Healey’s new interpretation of the law, a gun sharing the same basic operating system or having any interchangeable parts in common with a banned weapon is now verboten.

Healey used what has become standard operating language for opponents to modern sporting rifles, telling those present that those “deadly assault weapons were intended for military use” and “do not belong in civilian hands.”

If a dealer in Massachusetts has any of the now-banned guns in stock, they will be allowed to sell them to out-of-state dealers, but not individuals. If you’re a Massachusetts-resident and purchased on of the “copycat” rifles before Wednesday (July 20), you’ll be allowed to keep it.

But Healey warns that no Massachusetts resident will be able to possess an assault-style weapon purchased after Wednesday -even if they bought it elsewhere.

After announcing her sweeping change, Healey refused to categorize her action as an assault on legitimate businesses in Massachusetts, saying that her intent wasn’t to criminalize dealers.

Rather, she said her press conference was simply to “get the word out.”

Apparently, that’s not worked so well. Notices were reportedly mailed Tuesday, but none of the dealers we spoke with yesterday have yet received them. Many had, however, seen Healey’s Op-Ed in the Boston Globe where she accused the gun industry of “exploiting” a “loophole of potentially horrific proportions” -writing, “And it’s time we act.”

Does she expect a legal challenge? Definitely. In her Op-Ed, she writes that other states have banned assault weapons, and “Many of those bans have been challenged (unsuccessfully) by the gun industry, and we anticipate our directive may be too.”

“But,” she writes, “our job is to enforce state laws and to keep people safe. And this directive will do both.”

If it were only that simple.

Editor’s Note: You can read Attorney General Healey’s Boston Globe Op-Ed yourself at:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/07/20/the-loophole-mass-assault-weapons-ban/eEvOBklTriWcGznmXqSpYM/story.html

You can also read the Attorney General’s letter to Dealers Here:
http://www.mass.gov/ago/public-safety/awbe.html

 

Peregrine falcons in southeast Michigan banded for monitoring


Peregrine falcon chick with bands on legs

DNR bands peregrine chicks in Detroit, Mount Clemens, Warren, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Flint and Southfield…

The Department of Natural Resources recently banded 15 peregrine falcon chicks hatched in southeast Michigan this spring.

At about 3 weeks of age, and before they can fly, peregrine chicks are given two bands on their legs. One is a bicolored band with large numbers and letters that can be read from a distance, and the other is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band that bears a serial number specific to that bird. These bands are placed on young birds so that scientists can monitor and track the dispersal, migration, life span, reproductive success, behavior and population growth of the falcons.

Peregrine falcon chicks banded in previous years have turned up in nearby states and provinces, including Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and Ontario, and have even ventured as far as Florida.

Read more

Beretta Collaborates with McRee Precision on Limited Edition Tikka Rifle

GW:  Beretta’s selected a most skilled rifle builder, Scott McRee, and this combination of components and craftsmanship should be a bull’s eye in the market of higher-end firearms.  Best of luck with the venture, Scott!


(Accokeek, MD) — Beretta U.S.A. announces the launch of a new, limited edition, Precision Rifle. A joint project between Beretta U.S.A. and McRee Precision of McCarley, MS. The rifle, designated TSR-1, combines the segment leading barrel and action of the Tikka T3 Compact Tactical Rifle with a custom-built aluminum chassis from McRee Precision.Phillip Jones, Product Manager for Rifles at Beretta U.S.A. said “Working with Kathy and Scott McRee has been a great opportunity. Combining the best in class performance of the Tikka T3 Compact Tactical Rifle with McRee’s combat-tested chassis offers the long distance and precision shooting enthusiast an accurate and reliable rifle that is priced aggressively to be eligible for the Production Division of the PRS Series.”

This project combines the best of both worlds, the smooth running Tikka T3 and a lightweight version of the system that has served our military with distinction. Scott McRee, owner of McRee Precision, is very enthusiastic about how the market will respond to the collaboration stating, “I am confident that the sport shooting, tactical run and gun competitor, as well as the law enforcement community will enjoy this offering. It’s an honor to be working with Beretta U.S.A. and to be helping them provide another superb product to the American market.”

Built for the U.S. market, commercial production will be limited to 400 pieces and will be available immediately. The TSR-1 is available for purchase at authorized Beretta dealers and leading outdoor retailers.

To locate your nearest dealer visit http://www.beretta.com/en-us/dealer-locations/

Beretta, established in 1526, is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world tracing its roots through 15 generations of continuous family ownership. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost 500 years. Beretta USA Corp. was founded in 1977 and supplies the standard sidearm to the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, Beretta manufactures, distributes and markets a complete line of firearms, accessories and apparel. Beretta also owns and operates six retail Beretta Gallery stores worldwide. For additional information, visit www.Beretta.com.

Camping with Grandpa

By Glen Wunderlich

Landon, my 6 year-old great grandson, has been growing up in Michigan’s suburban Garden City and his connection to the outdoor world has been quite limited.  We haven’t seen much of each other over the years – mostly through visits during birthdays or holidays.   That was about to change, as he eagerly anticipated a visit to Shiawassee County with yours truly, his “Grandpa.”

As most anyone who’s ever spent any time with a youngster knows, kids are impressionable.  On a previous visit, we traveled to the nearby Looking Glass River and discovered a lone whitetail deer along the bank in clear sight; it watched us, as we watched it.  Landon never forgot that image and had asked me to take him back there so we could see “the” deer.   

He replayed that seemingly insignificant moment, so as part of an extended weekend, we planned a camping trip in the wild.  The setting was actually one of my more elaborate hunting shacks that has doubled as a stark 7×8-foot cabin. 

Landon in the shack

Landon in the shack

Nestled in the woods far enough from modern conveniences there would be no TV, video games, telephones, electricity or running water – a radical departure from Landon’s everyday-existence in suburbia.

Sleeping bags, lanterns, a hammock strung between two trees

Hammock Test

Hammock Test

, plus a campfire, hotdogs and marshmallows rounded out the scene on a ridge overlooking a swamp.  (Fortunately, the extra dry weather has kept the mosquito population in check, so the pestering bugs were not a factor in our adventure.)    

Before nightfall, Grandpa had other plans:  a coyote hunt at dusk.  I was compelled to explain why anyone would want to eliminate coyotes from the gene pool and Landon accepted my rationale.  So, off we went about an hour or so before dark to hide and watch – and, to do a bit of varmint calling before nightfall descended.

With plenty of available daylight, several deer appeared in the field we were observing.  One velvet-antlered buck and two does were feeding in front of us and provided a better show than can be found via any electrical gadget.  When the coyote calling began a bit before dark, the deer certainly took notice.  And, Landon observed that the deer were on high alert in search of trouble, although they never spooked.  We were not able to get any coyotes to respond, but the show intensified, as the whitetails came closer to us before we headed back to camp.

The nighttime temperature dipped into the 50s but we were comfy within the confines of the shack.  A candle lantern burned throughout the darkness and kept the scary factor at bay for the newly initiated outdoorsman.

We laughed and played together for another two days, as I relived my childhood vicariously through the good-natured child.  My guess is that we’ll do it again, too.

Study Recommends Whitetail Management…With Mountain Lions!

 From J.R. Absber…Today’s feature first appeared in The Archery Wire (www.archerywire.com

 

As wildlife managers in many whitetail-rich states struggle with sinking deer populations and expanding chronic wasting disease zones, an academic study released this week suggests that the escalating number of deer/vehicular accidents in selected Eastern states could be successfully reduced by introducing sustainable numbers of mountain lions to the region.

We swear we’re not making this up!

The study, published online this week in the journal Conservation Letters, ostensibly reflected an academic attempt to quantify the economic and social impact of reintroducing large carnivores into parts of the U.S. where they no longer exist. The student-led project was directed by the University of Washington’s Laura Prugh and initiated as part of a community ecology class she taught in 2014 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Utilizing the mountain lion (Puma concolor) as having value in reducing deer-vehicle collisions as a case study, the researchers concluded that within 30 years of the big cats recolonizing the Eastern U.S., the species could thin deer populations and reduce vehicle collisions by 22 percent — each year preventing five human fatalities, 680 injuries and avoiding costs of $50 million.

Again, Archery Wire readers, we swear we’re not making this up!

Forget about the ongoing the highly successful urban deer management efforts taking place through the efforts of bowhunters across much of the same area – not to mention professional game management and state agencies that use scientific data to set harvest numbers and limits to best manage whitetails. Evidently, Ms. Prugh and her associates didn’t take that into consideration.

Nor did the researchers factor-in any collateral mishaps or problems that could possibly occur in suburban and urban communities with high deer/vehicular accidents as part of a 30-year reintroduction of one of the country’s largest are most notorious predators (think pets and toddlers, for beginners).

Instead, the chief researcher painted a rosy picture of cougars roaming the parks and parkways of the Eastern U.S. Read more

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