Sportsmen Prevail in Maine Bear Hunting Ban

In a ballot initiative with national repercussions, Maine voters once again sent an unmistakable message to animal-rights extremists: Stay out of our state!

For the second time in 10 years, Maine voters resoundingly rejected a ballot initiative backed and bankrolled by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Throughout the battle on Question 1, which would have banned the use of bait, dogs and traps when bear hunting, sportsmen and professional wildlife managers who opposed the initiative continually maintained a double-digit lead in the polls.

“This is a great victory for sportsmen. It shows that scientific wildlife management can withstand a direct attack from the well-funded anti-hunting movement,” said Evan Heusinkveld, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance’s (USSA) vice president of government affairs. “Despite pumping more than $2.5 million into this campaign, HSUS received a loud and clear message from Maine voters that their radical agenda is out of touch with modern wildlife management.” Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

Maine Deception: The Real Agenda of HSUS

By Nick Pinizzotto

I read with amusement Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) president and CEO Wayne Pacelle’s article in the Sept. 27 edition of the Bangor Daily News. The first thing that struck me was the photo of Pacelle clad in a flannel shirt knocking on doors in Bangor to ask for support of the HSUS-led initiative to ban the most effective means of controlling the bear population in Maine. The fact is, Mr. Pacelle’s organization and qualifications to comment on Maine’s bear issues are as genuine as his donning of a flannel shirt; they’re all a charade meant to sell residents on an agenda that will cost the state financially and environmentally.

Mr. Pacelle is a Yale-educated, suit-wearing resident of Washington D.C. who runs the world’s largest anti-hunting organization, and Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting is nothing more than an HSUS storefront. HSUS has contributed more than 97 percent of Question 1 funding. They are the ones who hired a California-based firm to gather signatures to get it on the ballot in the first place.

In other words, it’s not the people of Maine who are asking for bear management to change, rather, it’s a predictable HSUS strategy to further their radical agenda, one they’ve used in other states – including Maine in 2004. Having pumped more than $2.5 million into the campaign, Mr. Pacelle and HSUS believe they can buy Maine’s voters, and buy their way closer to stopping all forms of hunting across the country – their ultimate goal.

I was also amused by Mr. Pacelle’s quote in an August 11 Bangor Daily News article where he stated, “This time, we have seen some of the dirty tricks already, and I think we’ll be ready for them.” As the CEO of HSUS, Mr. Pacelle is certainly qualified to talk about “dirty tricks.” Deception has landed his organization in hot water during the last year; a few examples: Read more

Animal Rights

Videos: Michigan 2014 Deer Season Biologist Updates

Click here to view the 2014 deer season biologist updatesWith the 2014 archery deer season under way and the firearm opener right around the corner, everyone is curious about what’s happening out in the woods. Over the next several weeks, the DNR Wildlife Division will be releasing video updates from wildlife biologists around the state. These biologists will give their take on what they’re seeing, what they’re hearing from hunters in the area, what can be expected based on available food sources, and more. This week we hear from biologists Pete Kailing (Western Lower Peninsula) and Don Bonnette (Thumb Area) about what to expect in their part of the state. If you haven’t picked up your deer licenses yet, head to your local retailer or E-License so you don’t miss out on the hunt. Good luck this season!

Hunting

Single Deer Kill Tag Can Be Exchanged for Combo (With $)

Michigan’s new license structure requires hunters to choose at the time of purchase if they want the opportunity to harvest one or two antlered deer, and purchase either a single deer license (one kill tag) or a deer combo license (two kill tags).

Because this is the first year of the new structure, some hunters may have bought a single deer license without realizing they couldn’t buy another antlered deer license later.

Those who bought a single deer license and haven’t used it, and would like the deer combo license instead, may bring the unused license back to the store where they bought it – during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) – and ask the agent to call the DNR. The DNR will void the single deer license, the agent will keep the voided license and send it back to the DNR, and the hunter may then buy a deer combo license. Those who bought the single deer license online should call DNR Licensing at 517-284-6057 during business hours. Read more

Hunting

Threatened and Endangered Species Event in East Lansing

You won’t want to miss the first-ever Threatened and Endangered Species Gala, hosted by the DNR Wildlife Division! This year’s event will be a celebration dinner for the 40th anniversary of Michigan’s Threatened and Endangered Species Act. The gala will take place on Dec. 9 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.

The evening promises to be great fun, with keynote speaker Dr. Carol Boccetti, who will share her unique understanding of why Michigan’s Kirtland’s warbler program has been successful over the past 40 years. There will also be fabulous silent auction items, such as an all-inclusive trip to Beaver Island, winery stays, artwork, and tickets to various plays and sporting events. These silent auction items will provide contributions to the Nongame Wildlife Fund that supports threatened and endangered species across the state.

“The amount of money currently available through this fund continues to decline annually, and the DNR must find additional funds to continue this critical work,” said DNR Endangered Species Coordinator Dan Kennedy. “Most of the Nongame Wildlife Fund is used to leverage federal funds through competitive grants. So your $1 donation could turn into a $3 donation for wildlife!” Read more

Wildlife

Powderhook Gets Major Upgrade

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Powderhook, a website designed to help people hunt and fish more often, announced today a major overhaul to their platform.

Do you hunt and fish as often as you’d like? Neither do we.

The outdoor industry is filled with innovative new products. We’re a couple clicks from owning a camera that let’s us video under water, lifelike decoys, and camo patterns to hide from nearly any kind of terrain, yet we routinely find ourselves missing the most important part: a place to go and the time to go there.

According to Matthew Dunfee, a leading expert on hunter participation for the Wildlife Management Institute, the top reasons people don’t get out more often are 1) they don’t have time 2) they don’t have access to a spot and 3) they don’t have a person to go with.

That’s where Powderhook comes in.

In order to hunt or fish you have to have a place to go. With over 550,000 public and 3,500 private spots, thousands of outdoor events, and chapter information for several leading organizations including Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and National Wild Turkey Federation, Powderhook has a place for just about any pursuit. With a couple clicks on Powderhook, securing a spot has never been easier.

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Fishing, Hunting

Brownells Gives Thanks, Prizes Every Day in November

MONTEZUMA, Iowa – Brownells will offer thanks and celebrate its customers by giving away more than $15,000 in free merchandise from popular manufacturers throughout the month of November as a part of its “30 Days of Thanks” promotion.

Prizes valued up to $1400 will be up for grabs from companies like SilencerCo, Battle Arms, Apex Tactical, EOTech, Magpul and more. Brownells will announce that day’s prize each day at 9AM. Daily winners will also receive a Brownells 75th Anniversary hat, patch and a pocket knife.

To enter, customers, or Brownells newcomers, must first “Like” the Brownells Facebook page, then fill out the sweepstakes form. Customers without a Facebook account may enter through the “30 Days of Thanks” page at Brownells.com. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Hunting

Beretta Releases Limited Editions of Iconic 90 Series Pistols

(Accokeek, MD November 4, 2014) The Beretta M9 and 92FS are among the most widely recognized firearms in history, and the most notable models from Beretta’s iconic 90 Series. The Beretta 92 was submitted in 1980 for the XM9 program conducted by the U.S. Military to seek out a replacement for the M1911.

During a five-year testing period these pistols were subjected to the most extensive military pistol test program ever conducted. In 1985, the Beretta M9 – a model from the legendary 90 Series, was adopted as the official sidearm of the U.S. Military and has served there ever since.

Beretta has produced many variants of the 90 Series since then and today is very excited to announce it will manufacture a limited number of selected models from this iconic series.

“In 2015 Beretta celebrates the 100th anniversary of its semi-automatic pistols and the 30th anniversary of the M9, so this is a wonderful time to re-introduce some of our most popular and significant 90 Series models,” said Rafe Bennett, Vice President of Product Marketing for Beretta USA.

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Firearms, Self Defense
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