2016 Michigan bear hunting season now complete

With more than half of Michigan’s counties open to bear hunting, bear harvest is an important management tool to maintain a healthy bear population that is in balance with its habitat.

Nearly 6,900 successful bear applicants received bear hunting licenses for staggered hunting seasons that started as early as Sept. 9 and ended as late as Oct. 26.

“Michigan’s black bear season is designed to provide a quality hunt,” said Department of Natural Resources bear specialist Kevin Swanson. “With many different hunting seasons kicking off in September, we spread out the effort of bear hunters and the end result is an impressive success rate.”

Bear seasons are set by bear management unit, with a quota of licenses available by area. Michigan has 10 bear management units, with the majority of bear licenses available in the Upper Peninsula, where the majority of the black bear population is found.

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Hunting

Reminders for those who hunt deer in areas of Michigan that also have wild elk

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds deer hunters hunting in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan that wild elk are also found in this area and cannot be harvested without an elk hunting license.

“Unfortunately, in the past we have had deer hunters who make the mistake of harvesting a young male or a calf elk thinking it’s a white-tailed deer,” said Shelby Hiestand, DNR wildlife biologist. “Although a mistake, this would be an illegal take of game, which is a serious wildlife offense.” Read more

Hunting

Anti-Trapping Ballot Initiative to go Before Montana Voters on Election Day

Washington – On Tuesday, November 8, Montanans will decide the future of trapping in the state when they go to the polls to vote on Initiative 177 (I-177), which would ban trapping on public lands in Montana, subverting the science-based fish and wildlife management model in the United States.

As written, I-177, “generally prohibits the use of traps and snares for animals on any public lands within Montana,” with very narrow exemptions given to state and federal wildlife managers in certain circumstances. Passage of I-177 would effectively decimate legally-allowed fur trapping in Montana and create significant hurdles for both municipalities and state fish and wildlife managers needing to utilize trapping to mitigate animal damage and/or excessive predation in certain instances. Read more

Hunting

Contest Spotlights Birds and People Who Watch Them


Male House Finch by Janet Lewis, MichiganIthaca, NY—Anyone who watches birds or takes photos of them can enter this year’s BirdSpotter contest run by Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This is the 30th season for the citizen-science project which collects observations about feeder birds from November through early April. This milestone season and the contest are being sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited. The photo contest is open to anyone, whether they participate in FeederWatch or not.

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Wildlife

Michigan: Important Changes for Fur Harvesters During 2016 Seasons

For those who hunt or trap furbearing animals in Michigan, there are some changes to 2016-2017 licenses and regulations that are important to be aware of. Changes were made to simplify and clarify regulations as well as increase opportunities for fur harvesters.

Important License Changes:

2016 fur harvester licenses are valid until April 30, 2017. However, those who have not yet purchased a 2016 license MUST first buy a 2016 BASE license prior to March 1, 2017, in order to purchase a 2016 fur harvester license in the months of March and April 2017. Fur harvesters do not need to buy a 2017 base license to continue to use the 2016 fur harvester license in April. Read more

Hunting

Speer LE Raises the Bar for Duty Handgun Ammunition with Gold Dot G2


LEWISTON, ID- For years, Speer Gold Dot has been the pinnacle of duty handgun ammunition performance. New Gold Dot G2 builds on this reputation with a next-generation duty bullet design. Shipments of this new product are now being delivered to Law Enforcement dealers.Instead of a large cavity in the nose, Gold Dot G2 has only a shallow dish filled with a high-performance elastomer. On impact, the material is forced into specially designed fissures to start the expansion process, as opposed to conventional bullet designs, which need target media to enter the hollow point and create expansion forces. The result is extremely uniform expansion, and more consistent penetration across barrier types, gun platforms and barrel lengths. Read more
Ammunition

Monday tip led conservation officers to waterfowl poachers in Oakland County

A mid-morning tip Oct. 31 led Michigan conservation officers to two men in possession of poached waterfowl and a Sandhill Crane in Oakland County’s Addison Township.

Oakland County Central Dispatch received a tip from a caller reporting unknown individuals shooting at Sandhill Cranes – a federally protected bird – near a private pond. At 9:50 a.m., a responding deputy from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department notified the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division and requested assistance.

Conservation Officers Bradley Silorey of Macomb County and Jacob Griffin of Oakland County immediately responded, arriving at the scene shortly before 10:45 a.m. and within minutes of each other.

“After arriving, the officers found two men who had been waterfowl hunting near a private pond,” said District 9 Acting Lt. Dan Bigger. “The men had 13 ducks already in their possession. Two more ducks were located while walking to the area where the subjects had been hunting.” Read more

Poachers

Rio Ammunition Announces Give Ducks the Blues Sweepstakes


Marshall, Texas – Rio Ammunition, a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of shotgun ammunition for the hunting and sport shooting markets, is excited to announce the launch of their Give Ducks the Blues Sweepstakes to celebrate the opening of waterfowl seasons across the country.Beginning October 27 and running through January 31, 2017, Rio Ammo is giving waterfowl enthusiasts the opportunity to win five (5) cases of Royal BlueSteel shotshells. Designed specifically for the avid waterfowler, Rio’s Royal BlueSteel combines high velocity and hard-hitting power with an affordable price. Read more
Ammunition

MEC Shooting Sports Launches Metallic Reloading Business


MEC Shooting Sports is pleased to introduce its latest new product offering, the all new MEC MarksmanTM to the metallic reloading enthusiast. As an industry-leading manufacturer of shotshell reloading equipment and clay target machines, MEC brings its knowledge and expertise to the metallic reloading marketplace. The MEC MarksmanTM single stage metallic reloader and accessory products are made in the USA in Mayville, WI.The MEC MarksmanTM is made from ductile cast iron for superior quality and durability. Our patent-pending self-centering shell holder provides metallic reloading users greater accuracy and consistency to every load compared to competing models. The MEC MarksmanTM is compatible with all 7/8-14 thread dies to change calibers quickly. Reload .22 Hornet to .416 Rigby all with one convenient machine. Read more
Ammunition
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