T/C’s newest rifle

From Jim Shepherd…

If you get a rifle with an adjustable trigger, free-floated barrel, 5R rifling, pre-threaded barrel and a quick-throw 60-degree bolt that’s available in a variety of calibers, you’ve opened the proverbial floodgates for possible purchases. Most of those prices quickly move from affordable to “I’ve been saving a while for this one, so it better perform.”

Factor in a guaranteed minute-of-angle accuracy and you’ve done two things: narrowed the field (considerably) and pointed out that it’s a great time to be a shooter or hunter. Now, put the MSRP of that rifle – in that variety of calibers- at $399 and watch the field shrink.

For the past few days, I’ve been in South Dakota testing a new rifle that looks to be the next serious contender for the rifle you want- and can afford. It’s Thompson/Center’s new Compass, and I’ve been experimenting in prairie dog pastures with the rifle in a variety of calibers, from .204 Ruger through the proven varmint-busting 22-250.

There’s not much better way to prove a varmint rifle than shooting varmints. Above, fellow shooters Joe Ferronato and Tom McHale test T/C Compass’s in .204 Ruger and 22-250. As you can see (below), the rifle is not heavily decorated, but the poly stock has a good texture and sits comfortably in a shooting position.

In each instance, the rifle has performed. And performed at distances from normal to ridiculous. Normal, meaning ranges inside which virtually any hunter would be comfortable drawing a bead on an animal. Ridiculous is taking- and making- 403 yard shots at prairie dogs. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: Four Osprey Chicks Now Sporting GPS Satellite Backpacks

Biologists adjust GPS backpack on osprey chick

Osprey chick on nesting platform

Nearly absent from much of Michigan due to the effects of DDT, other pesticides and habitat loss, Michigan’s osprey population continues to rebound. In southern Michigan, monitoring efforts are in place to track the revitalization of this species.

This year, four osprey chicks from area nests were outfitted with “backpack” GPS telemetry units, funded by Huron Valley Audubon with donations from DTE Energy and a private donor. The GPS backpacks will help scientists track the young birds’ daily movements and seasonal migration patterns.

The chicks were hatched on platforms at Kensington Metropark, Pointe Mouillee State Game Area and the Strong Unit of the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge and on a cellular tower in Milford. Crews from MD Tower Services, Newkirk-Electric and Earthcom Inc. climbed the towers in order to access the chicks for both banding and transmitter deployment. Brad Pieczarka also assisted with climbing. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: Antlerless Deer License Applications on Sale Through August 15

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the application period for antlerless deer licenses is now open and runs through August 15.

Hunters may apply for one license in any open Deer Management Unit (DMU) statewide; a nonrefundable $5 fee is charged at the time of application. Hunters may choose to apply for either one private-land or one public-land license online at E-License or at any authorized license agent or DNR Customer Service Center.

Young hunters, ages 9-16, can purchase one junior antlerless deer license over the counter July 15-Aug. 15. No application is required. A 9-year-old must be 10 by Sept. 26 to purchase this license. Read more

Hunting

Firefield Lights Path to Victory with HD Laser Flashlight Foregrip


(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Adding a light and laser to your modern sporting rifle doesn’t have to mean filling up valuable rail space. Firefield is proud to introduce the Heavy Duty Laser Flashlight Foregrip.This innovative 2-in-1 HD Laser Flashlight Foregrip boasts an intense Cree® Q5 LED 230-lumen bulb, reflector, red filter and a built-in 5mW red laser for convenient dual mode versatility, full illumination or strobe. The rock-solid aluminum foregrip features rugged, slip-resistant knurled texturing with a push-button switch designed for comfort and ergonomic handling. Easily mounted to a picatinny rail system, Firefield’s multi-function tactical lighting system delivers big on rugged reliability for any mission.

The Firefield Heavy Duty Laser Flashlight Foregrip is powered by (2) CR123A batteries delivering a robust flashlight runtime of 2.5 hrs. and up to 16 hrs. of continuous laser use. A perfect match for the demanding shooter, the Firefield Heavy Duty Laser Flashlight Foregrip lights up your path to victory for the long haul. Read more

Firearms, Optics

Potterfields Donate Over $194,000 to Support Youth Shooting Sports


COLUMBIA, MO –

Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, recently donated $194,394 to the MidwayUSA Foundation to benefit youth shooting sports. This donation stems from a matching program offered by the MidwayUSA Foundation and is further proof of their commitment to provide sustainable financial support to youth shooting sports teams across America.

As a result of the Potterfields’ generous commitment to a 1:1 matching program administered by the MidwayUSA Foundation, a donation match is made for all funds returned to Team Endowment Accounts that teams generate from MidwayUSA Foundation promotions. A donation match is also made for all private donations and private donors are given the opportunity to designate a specific shooting team to benefit 100% from their donation. In 2015 the Potterfields’ commitment to the MidwayUSA Foundation match program and youth shooting sports resulted in their donation of over 7 million dollars. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms

Can-Am Introduces the 2017 Defender Mossy Oak Hunting Edition


DEFENDER MOSSY OAK HUNTING EDITION HD10The all-new Defender Mossy Oak Hunting Edition side-by-side vehicle has been purpose built with factory-installed extras to appease the needs of modern hunters and outdoorsmen. Dressed with its exclusive water-dipped Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo finish, the Mossy Oak Hunting Edition HD10 package is the direct result of joint effort from Can-Am and Mossy Oak Pro Staff. It starts with the regular Defender XT package items, yet receives its own unique functional, protective and rider-focused amenities to appeal to hunters. Essentials include Double Kolpin Stronghold gun boots, tool holders, Headache Rack with LinQ quick-attach system, half windshield, full hard roof, left-side mirror, unique wheels and more. Read more
General

Backcountry cabin and campsite closures announced for Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park


Officials at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park have announced the temporary closure for safety reasons of 10 backcountry campsites and three backcountry cabins in the wake of this week’s torrential rainstorms.A map graphic shows the area where the storm damage has occurred at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.The cabins and campsites are scheduled to reopen July 28. Read more
Wildlife

Winchester Adds Three New Calibers to Deer Season XP Lineup


EAST ALTON, Ill. – The number of hunters who pursue deer every season far exceeds the number of hunters for any other type of game. Last year, Winchester Ammunition stepped up to give these hunters a load built exclusively for the game they hunt. Deer Season XP was a huge hit as the deer-focused brand made ammunition selection simple and more affordable, while also delivering in-the-field performance. In 2016, Winchester is taking the line even further, adding three new calibers to the lineup.

Key features of Deer Season XP include:

Bigger Tip. Bigger Impact® – Radically new large-impact-diameter design expands immediately upon contact to deliver the energy needed for massive knockdown power
Accuracy – Deer Season XP flies straight thanks to the Extreme Point® polymer tip, tapered bullet jacket and precision swaged lead core
Price – Top shelf performance at a value price
“Due to the popularity of deer hunting and the number of deer hunters across the country, Deer Season XP was an instant hit in 2015,” said Brett Flaugher, Winchester Ammunition vice president of marketing, sales and strategy. “The new caliber offerings were selected to serve a broader spectrum of today’s deer hunter.”

Deer Season XP is available in the following calibers: Read more

Ammunition

Delta Waterfowl Forecasts a Reduced Fall Duck Flight


BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
Delta Waterfowl has analyzed and interpreted wetland conditions reports from the organization’s field researchers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pilots who conducted the annual survey of breeding ducks and habitat. Throughout many areas of the critical breeding habitat, spring pond conditions can be summarized by one word: dry.”A remarkably high number of returning ducks had to compete for a remarkably low number of wetlands,” said Dr. Frank Rohwer, Delta Waterfowl president and chief scientist. “That doesn’t mean good things for duck production.” Read more
Hunting, Wildlife
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