Artists sought for residence program at Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

March 31 application deadline set; artists notified by April 21

Applications are being accepted for the Porcupine Mountains Artist-in-Residence Program for the 2017 spring, summer and fall and 2018 winter residencies.

The Artist-in-Residence Program is open to artists and artisans whose work can be influenced by the unique northern wilderness setting of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

The Presque Isle River flows through a wintry landscape toward its mouth at Lake Superior at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Michigan’s largest state park encompasses 25 miles of wave-washed shores, four inland lakes, entire river systems, countless waterfalls, enchanting wooded peaks, and an escarpment, which rises slowly from the edge of Lake Superior until it plummets abruptly into the Carp River valley.

Still, the park’s most impressive feature – and the reason for its creation – is the virgin forest of eastern hemlock and northern hardwoods and the variety of flora and fauna that it supports. Because of these attributes, the park is an ideal location to inspire creativity.

The Artist-in-Residence Program offers writers, composers and all visual and performing artists an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the park and to express it through their art form. Each year a number of artists will be selected for residencies lasting a minimum of two weeks. Read more

Wildlife

MI DNR says fish kills may be common during spring thaw

The Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that after the ice and snow cover melts on Michigan’s lakes this early spring, it may be common to discover dead fish or other aquatic creatures. Winter conditions often can cause fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish to die.

“Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill,” said DNR Fisheries Division Hatchery Manager and fish health expert Martha Wolgamood. “As the season changes it can be common in shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals. These kills are localized and typically do not affect the overall health of the fish populations or fishing quality.”

Shallow lakes with excess aquatic vegetation and soft bottoms are prone to this problem. Canals in urban areas also are quite susceptible due to the large inputs of nutrient run-off and pollution from roads and lawns and septic systems that flow into these areas, particularly from large storm events. Read more

Fishing, Wildlife

DC Court Rules in Favor of Wyoming Wolf Delisting

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Holyoak, RMEF, 406-523-3481 or mholyoak@rmef.org

 DC Court Rules in Favor of Wyoming Wolf Delisting

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Washington DC Court of Appeals issued a ruling in favor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), State of Wyoming, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and others regarding the delisting of wolves from the Endangered Species List in Wyoming. This case, originally filed in November of 2012, involved a challenge to the FWS delisting of wolves in Wyoming.

“It’s great news. It’s especially great news for the state of Wyoming,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “States should have the ability to manage all wildlife within their borders. This is a great day for the fundamental issue of state-based management of wildlife.”

The plaintiffs challenged the FWS determination that wolves are no longer endangered in Wyoming based on three main arguments: insufficient genetic connectivity, wolves have not inhabited a significant portion of their former range, and Wyoming’s wolf management plan was not a sufficient “regulatory mechanism” to protect wolves. In District Court, the judge determined that there was sufficient genetic connectivity, that the FWS correctly interpreted “significant portion of range” but that Wyoming’s management plan was not a “regulatory mechanism” and so the rule was vacated, putting wolves back on the Endangered Species List. Read more

Wildlife

Ritter & Stark GmbH Unveils the SLX Series Rifles

Built on Ritter & Stark’s successful SX-1 Modular Tactical Rifle platform, the new SLX Series multi-caliber, bolt-action rifle offers outstanding accuracy, on a lighter weight, short-action model.

Feistritz, Austria (March 2017) – Ritter & Stark GmbH, an Austrian-based firearms design and manufacturing company, as exhibitors at the IWA Outdoor Classics 2017, March 3 – 6, in Nuremberg, Germany will unveil the new SLX series multi-caliber, short-action precision rifle.

Based on Ritter & Stark’s first product offering, the SX-1, R&S next developed a short-action version, weighing less and shorter in length. The SLX series is first available in .308 Win./ 7.62×51 NATO (SLX-308). Additional calibers .260 Rem., and 6.5 Creedmoor will be available at a later date. Read more

Firearms

LandStar LS550 UTV in Realtree Xtra by American LandMaster

COLUMBUS, GA – Conquer the backcountry in the LandStar LS550 UTV by LandMaster. Available in Realtree Xtra, this heavy-duty 4-wheel drive UTV is loaded with industry-leading components. The LandStar features a powerful Vanguard Briggs & Stratton 479cc OHV pressure lubricated 4-stroke V-twin engine with a two-year warranty. The convenient CV Tech automatic transmission and Dana transaxle with locking differential provides maximum control and traction.

The durable powder-coated steel frame is paired with double A-Arm front suspension with adjustable shocks and articulated rear swing arm suspension with adjustable shocks that deliver up to 3″ of travel for a smooth ride.

The UTV can haul up to 400 lbs. in a 9.25 cu. ft. manual dump bed, and tow up to 1200 lbs. with a 2-inch rear receiver hitch. Extra large 25″ tires allow for ground clearance up to 14″ (8″ to gearbox) to handle any terrain. Switch between four-wheel and two-wheel drive modes to handle different projects on the go. Read more

General

Swarovski Optik dS Rifle Scope


SWAROVSKI OPTIK integrates digital intelligence into its new dS rifle scopeCranston, Rhode Island – SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA, a subsidiary of the Austrian based company, announces the dS, representing a completely new generation of rifle scope. This product will highlight the optical features of a conventional rifle scope and combine the technology of digital targeting to form an impressive, complete device. Delivery starts in Europe in July 2017. The launch in the US market will be Shot Show in January 2018.

The new dS shows not only the correct aiming point, but also the key ballistic data in the head-up display without any distraction and in real time. The key benefit for hunters is that the correct aiming point will be displayed automatically in the rifle scope. With the press of a button, the dS measures the exact distance to the target, having factored in the magnification setting, air pressure, temperature, and angle. This takes into account the personal ballistic data for your firearm/ammunition combination. The windage mark intervals are calculated based on the distance measured, the wind speeds set, and the ballistic data.

The display shows the distance information, bullet energy, and other features in a high-resolution head-up display that clearly provides you with all the hunting data that can contribute to a successful hunt. The design of the dS with its attractive silhouette will look great on any rifle.

The scope requires networking with a smartphone. Exchanging data is simple and straightforward via the Bluetooth® interface. The personal data supplied when sighting in the target are input directly into the app and transmitted immediately. Read more

Optics

Leupold® Offering Free Ammo to America’s Turkey Hunters

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., wants to help turkey hunters across America bag a bird this spring, and will even provide the ammo. Between March 1 and April 15, 2017, hunters will receive two boxes of Winchester® Long Beard XR Turkey Shotshells with every purchase of a Leupold® DeltaPoint Pro™ or VX®-1 riflescope with the Turkey Plex® reticle.

The VX-1 Shotgun/Muzzleloader riflescope is parallax adjusted for the closer ranges turkey hunters face, and delivers a bright, crisp image throughout the day. The Turkey Plex reticle features Duplex®-style crosshairs, with a circle at the center that equates to the size of an adult turkey’s head at 40 yards.

The Turkey Plex reticle is available on the VX-1 1-4x20mm and VX-1 2-7x33mm Shotgun/Muzzleloader riflescopes.

Leupold’s DeltaPoint Pro is a natural fit for any shotgun and provides near instantaneous aiming. Parallax-free, the DeltaPoint Pro delivers pinpoint accuracy no matter the body position. If you can see the dot, you can accurately make the shot. Read more

Optics

Mild Nebraska weather bringing more sandhill cranes

LINCOLN, Neb. – Numbers of sandhill cranes on the Central Platte River during the spring migration typically peak in the third week of March. That seems to be changing.

Close to 195,000 cranes are on the Central Platte as of Feb. 27, according to an aerial survey by the Crane Trust. That figure was around 66,000 just a week ago. Numbers should continue to build with continuing mild weather and viewing should be favorable going forward.

The aerial survey detected 213,000 sandhill cranes on the Central Platte during the same time a year ago, but in previous years, the number of cranes ranged from about 5,000 to 60,000 in late February. Last year, according to Crane Trust counts, the crane migration peaked at 413,000 birds on March 14, approximately a week to two weeks ahead of historically recorded peak migration numbers (generally between March 21 and March 28) observed in the Crane Trust Database (2002-2017). Read more

Wildlife

Jaguar photographed in southern Arizona’s Cochise County, AZ

PHOENIX — The third jaguar documented in southern Arizona since September 2012 was photographed by a Bureau of Land Management trail camera in Cochise County. The image was taken on Nov. 16, 2016, in the Dos Cabezas Mountains 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border; the camera data was only recently retrieved. This is the only jaguar photographed by this BLM-deployed camera since it was installed in August 2016. The camera remains on site.

Five Arizona Game and Fish Department scientists have independently completed an analysis of the photo, comparing the jaguar’s spot patterns to other jaguars sighted previously in Arizona. They concluded that this animal has not been previously identified. The sex of the jaguar cannot be determined by the photo.

“Since 2012, an increase in trail camera monitoring of mountainous habitat in southern Arizona has provided increased documentation and a better understanding of jaguar presence and habitat preferences,” said Steve Spangle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Arizona Field Supervisor. “This supports the phenomenon that jaguars seeking territories outside of competitive breeding areas in Mexico continue to occasion Arizona.” Read more

Wildlife

Winchester Introduces Super X4 Autoloading Shotgun Built 4 Speed

Winchester Repeating Arms Introduces The Super X4 Autoloading Shotgun That’s Built 4 Speed

Winchester Repeating Arms Super X® autoloading shotguns have been popular with both hunters and clay target shooters for a long time. Through the years, Super X shotguns have steadily improved with the addition of the Super X®2 and Super X®3 models. Now, for 2017, Winchester Repeating Arms introduces the Super X®4.

The new Super X4 is designed to be lighter, faster cycling, smoother swinging and more ergonomic than previous models. Key features of the Super X4 include a larger bolt handle, oversized bolt release button and a pistol grip that is slimmer and more ergonomic for both right and left-hand shooters. The total weight of the Super X4 is also less than previous models, making it quicker to swing and easier to carry.

The new Super X4 12 gauge will be offered in four models including the SX4, SX4 Waterfowl Hunter, SX4 Field and SX4 Field Compact. The composite-stocked SX4 and SX4 Waterfowl Hunter models will be offered in 3″ and 3½” versions. The SX4 3″ has a suggested retail of $799.99 and $939.99 for the 3½” chambering. The SX4 Waterfowl Hunter in 3″ chambering has a suggested retail of $939.99 and $1,069.99 in the 3½” chambering. The new SX4 Field and SX4 Field Compact are offered only in 3″ chambering with a suggested retail of $939.99. Read more

Firearms
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