Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Competitors taking best shot at BASF’s 1,000-yard range
PHOENIX — More than 350 long-range competitive shooters from the U.S. and several foreign nations will be competing through Sunday at the 2017 Southwest Nationals Long Range at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix. Read more
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has issued a use permit to Orvana Resources U.S. Corp. – a subsidiary of Highland Copper – to conduct exploratory drilling on a 1-mile-square piece of property situated along the westernmost edge of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Gogebic County.
The exploratory drilling began Sunday and is scheduled to continue into early March, depending on weather conditions. Read more
The focal point of the Echo is the new Hyper Jaw™ technology, resulting in a never-before-seen release head configuration. The independent jaws operate in perfect synchronization with one another, removing any lateral torque produced by inconsistencies in shooting form. Read more
SUFFIELD, CT – Savage Arms recently announced two models of semi-automatic Modern Sporting Rifles to its popular lineup of high-performance firearms. On the AR-15 platform, the new MSR 15 Recon and MSR 15 Patrol are chambered in 223 Wylde, which enhances out-of-the-box accuracy and allows safe, reliable function with both 223 Rem. and 5.56x45mm ammunition. Both rifles redefine the category with the kind of tack-driving precision and seamless performance you’d expect from a Savage. Shipments are currently being delivered to dealers. Read more
For many decades, passing on the skills and knowledge of the hunting tradition from adults to youth has been a meaningful and vitally important part of our heritage in Michigan.
Today, the practice continues, often with the help and support of hunters’ groups and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
One fine example of seeing this process in action was a recent youth hunt at the Flat River State Game Area, which encompasses over 11,000 acres in Ionia and Montcalm counties.
The annual January youth hunting event started out five years ago as a rabbit hunt, but it’s morphed into a small game hunt. That proved to be a significant change this year as weather factors left rabbit hunters battling long odds, while squirrel hunters conducted business as usual. Read more
Rep. Jason Chaffetz announced decision to abandon H.R. 621, which would have seized millions of acres of public lands and waters
WASHINGTON – Following pressure from Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and numerous other sportsmen’s interests and businesses, Rep. Jason Chaffetz announced last night his decision to abandon H.R. 621, legislation that would have mandated the sale of more than 3 million acres of public lands in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming.
BHA President and CEO Land Tawney offered the following response to the decision by the congressman from Utah:
“Representative Chaffetz should never have introduced this ill-conceived bill, but the instant and overwhelming response by sportsmen and women forced him to listen and ultimately abandon H.R. 621, which would have seized millions of acres of public lands. His fellow lawmakers should take note of the ire and rapid response by hunters and anglers. We aren’t going away. Read more
ANOKA, Minnesota –– Federal Premium Ammunition is proud to announce its new Hunter Match 22 Long Rifle ammunition. The load raises the bar for high-performance rimfire hunting ammunition, providing true long-range accuracy and outstanding terminal effectiveness. Shipments are currently being delivered to dealers.
Serious small game and varmint hunters demand more than standard performance from their rimfire loads. The Hunter Match 22 LR hollow-point lead bullet has been tuned for optimum penetration and expansion out to 100 yards, and its high-velocity loading provides the flat trajectories and energy to take down any target. Its nickel-plated case ensures flawless extraction and inhibits corrosion. Read more
NEWTOWN, Conn. – The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industries, has praised the bipartisan introduction of H.R. 788, the Target and Marksmanship Training Support Act of 2017 in the U.S. House of Representatives, sponsored by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif).
“This legislation would provide state fish and game agencies more flexibility to use Pittman Robertson excise taxes dollars raised from the sale of firearms and ammunition to enhance existing public shooting ranges and to build new ones to meet the growing need for additional places for target shooters to participate in their sport,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “Public shooting ranges provide hunters a place to sight in rifles and shotguns before hunting seasons, for people to take firearm safety and hunter education courses and, for recreational target shooters to enjoy their sport.” Read more
Waterfowl hunters still have time to harvest geese in Michigan this season. The Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to pursue this delicious, locally sourced game and to pass the tradition of goose hunting on to a new generation of hunters.
The South Zone late Canada goose season continues through Feb. 11, with a couple of exceptions. The Muskegon County Wastewater System Goose Management Unit is not open for late season goose hunting. The Allegan County Goose Management Unit is open for late-season goose hunting through Feb. 12. The Fennville Farm Unit at Allegan State Game Area holds drawings for goose hunting zones on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Visit www.michigan.gov/waterfowl for additional information.
Join the 20th Great Backyard Bird Count
Bird watchers around the world take part, February 17-20
New York, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Port Rowan, ON—A lot has changed since the first Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was held in 1998. Each year brings unwavering enthusiasm from the growing number of participants in this now-global event. The 20th annual GBBC is taking place February 17-20 in backyards, parks, nature centers, on hiking trails, school grounds, balconies, and beaches—anywhere you find birds.
Bird watchers count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. All the data contribute to a snapshot of bird distribution and help scientists see changes over the past 20 years. Read more