DNR offers tips for residents encountering snakes

This time of year, as snakes are out and about in the great outdoors, the Department of Natural Resources gets many questions about Michigan’s snakes. Michigan is home to 17 different species of snakes, 16 of which are completely harmless to humans.

 

There are two that are very similar and often cause a stir when people encounter them. Eastern hog-nosed snakes, when threatened, puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like “puff adder” or “hissing viper.”) If this act is unsuccessful, the snakes will writhe about, excrete a foul-smelling musk and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans.

 

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the only venomous species found in Michigan, is quite rare and protected as a species of special concern due to declining populations from habitat loss. As the name implies, the massasauga rattlesnake does have a segmented rattle on its tail. It should not be confused with the other harmless species of snake in Michigan that do not have segmented rattles but will also buzz their tails if approached or handled. Read more

Wildlife

Survivalists vs. Preppers Highlighted in Tonight’s “America Unplugged”

NEW BERLIN, WI- “I’m a survivalist, not a prepper. Prepping is replacing one dependent for another,” states Robert Allen, U.S. Army Combat Engineer, owner of Sigma 3 Survival School and featured on this week’s America Unplugged, exclusively on Sportsman Channel, Thurs., June 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Imagine a world where Americans no longer rely on local government for electricity, water, sanitation, heating, and cooling. This lifestyle of living “off the grid” is how more than 180,000 Americans choose to live every day. Hosted by former U.S. Navy SEAL/Sniper Cade Courtley, America Unplugged continues its ground-breaking journey into the homes of survivalists and those who have successfully “unplugged.” Read more

General, Self Defense

SAF Seeks Injunction Against Mass. Handgun Sales Regulations

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation, joined by Commonwealth Second Amendment, Inc., two commercial dealers and six private citizens, filed a lawsuit yesterday in federal court in Massachusetts, seeking an injunction against the State Attorney General’s enforcement of state consumer protection regulations that prevent the commercial sale of certain semiautomatic handguns.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, asserts that the regulation requiring a “load indicator” on a semiautomatic handgun is “unconstitutionally vague and ambiguous” because it does not define what this device is, or what it is intended to do.

“We’re asking the court to put a stop to what we believe is arbitrary enforcement of the regulation, because it deems 3rd and 4th generation Glock pistols lack an ‘effective load indicator’ device,” said SAF Founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “How can anyone design something when there is no description, or explanation of exactly what such a device is supposed to do and how it is supposed to do it?” Read more

Firearms, Gun Control, Self Defense

ThermaCELL..a Great Gift For Father’s Day

Got skeeters?  Make ’em go away!

Bedford, MA- It’s not too late to shop for a Father’s Day gift, so quit “bugging” your dad, and go out and buy him a ThermaCELL mosquito repellent appliance.

ThermaCELL has a variety of perfect gift ideas ranging from $25-$40 that has kept millions of satisfied customers depending on their products in order to enjoy the outdoors.

ThermaCELL’s line up of mosquito repellent lanterns, backyard torch or the repellent appliance is sure to be the perfect gift for your dad whether he’s in the field hunting, on the water fishing or in the comfort of a lawn chair in his own yard.

The repellent in ThermaCELL is a synthetic copy of a naturally occurring insecticide found in certain types of chrysanthemum flowers. The repellent is virtually odor free and does not spook game. Read more

Fishing, General, Hunting, Wildlife

Geneticists Banking DNA to Ensure Future of African Animals

DALLAS — Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is continuing its financial support of a Texas A&M University effort to build a DNA repository of African game species. The growing bank of DNA samples can be used to track the genetic heritage and health of wildlife. DSC has awarded grants for this effort since 2011. “Biologists say this program is an insurance policy for the future of wildlife,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “And it’s passionate, generous hunters, mainly from the U.S., who are making it go.” Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Poachers, Wildlife

When Rig Comes Crashing Down, Rental EPRIB Calls for Help

SOUTHPORT, NC — Last Saturday morning, the 36-foot catamaran “Cata-Tonic” was 80 miles southeast of Southport, NC in a 20-knot breeze when without warning, the boat’s mast and rig suddenly crashed down on deck, dangerously spilling sails, mast and rigging into the sea. While none of the three sailors aboard were injured, the tangled mess soon became more than a simple inconvenience when it began to drag underneath the boat, its sails catching the sea, threatening to capsize the boat or punch a hole in the hulls.

The loss of the mast also meant the loss of the boat’s VHF radio antenna. The captain then did what most sailors hope they never have to do: he activated the BoatUS Foundation rental Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), and grabbed a handheld VHF to call a mayday, knowing that the little radio may not have the power or range to be heard from so far out to sea. “Redundancy is essential for offshore passagemaking,” said owner Jon Rodnon. “But we didn’t see any vessels on the horizon, and we were 40 miles offshore and 80 miles to the nearest port.” Read more

Fishing, General

Developing the Single-Shot Mentality

By Glen Wunderlich

Many years ago, while in the third grade, my father decided I was going to play the violin.  I never showed any interest in music, but because he had played it, so would I.  At least I went through the motions during music class and even private lessons.

I recall being in my bedroom – probably in the first week of my short musical career – and sawing on those strings as fast as I could.  The sound emanating from the instrument resembled a combination of fingernails on the blackboard and that of a cat when its tail is stepped on.  Even I couldn’t stand it; it was obnoxious noise, pure and simple.

Similarly, during firearms deer season, it’s inevitable that some hunter with a case of buck fever, will flail away at a running deer until the gun runs dry.  My instinct is that such hunters are as skilled as this young violinist once was with the same result:  nothing but noise.

A simple solution to eliminating the fruitless, knee-jerk, firepower response is to develop the single-shot mentality.  My epiphany took place some 40 years ago, while afield with a single-shot pistol hunting squirrels.  An unsuspecting fox squirrel scampered across the trail no more than 50 feet in front of me and all I could do was smile.

Much like the violin, good shooting techniques must be developed.  Having a magazine stacked to capacity won’t do it, either.  In fact, it may lead to the very nature of missing by relying on backup shots. Read more

General

Brunswick Boat Group, Mercury Marine Lend Support to E15 Fight

FOND DU LAC, WI – Brunswick Boat Group and Mercury Marine are encouraging boaters and dealers to follow the lead of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) as they continue to advocate the “Look Before You Pump” campaign aimed at the prevention of E15 in marine engines. E15 is gasoline that contains 15 percent ethanol and is extremely harmful to marine engines. Read more

Fishing
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