Master Angler program evolves over time, continues celebration

The Department of Natural Resources’ popular Master Angler program, which recognizes those who catch fish that exceed certain minimum standards, has undergone a major change for 2015.

Originally, Master Angler status was determined by the weight of the fish. But with catch-and-release fishing growing in popularity, in 1992 the program began recognizing anglers who released specimens by the length of the fish they caught.

Master Angler flathead catfish entryNow, in a move to simplify the program in 2015, the DNR no longer will require weights for Master Angler consideration, even if the fish are kept. Weights, however, still will be used to determine state-record fish.

Michigan anglers submitted fewer trophy fish to the program in 2014 than they did in 2013, but they set five state records nonetheless. New state marks were established for black buffalo, brown bullhead, flathead catfish, quillback and white perch.

“Overall, the number of fish entered into the Master Angler program was down in 2014 from the previous year,” said Lynne Thoma, who runs the program for the DNR Fisheries Division. “It was down in both categories – catch-and-release and catch-and-keep. But we did have five new records. I think that’s the most new records ever.” Read more

Fishing

Beating the odds for a spring gobbler

by Joe Robison, DNR Wildlife Division

Brenen Twiss with liberator machineOpening day of the 2015 Michigan turkey season was about to begin. I drove north in the early morning darkness, to Bob Knoop’s 170-acre farm near Fenton, Michigan. With clouds, rain and high winds in the forecast, it looked like it would not be an ideal opening day for turkey hunting.

I would be hunting with Brenen Twiss, who has special needs. Six years ago, while Brenen was a junior in high school, he had an unfortunate accident on his way to school one morning. Brenen hit some black ice, totaled his vehicle, and was severely injured. He lost both of his legs and received traumatic brain injuries, limiting the mobility in his upper body. He’ll be in a wheelchair the remainder of his life.

For the hunt, Brenen would be using a liberator machine – a special machine that fires a weapon with the use of a joystick or a straw, depending upon the hunter’s capabilities. The liberator, invented by Pete Odland and named for the freedom it provides special-needs hunters, can be outfitted with a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader or crossbow. Read more

Hunting

Offers Instant Savings During Dads & Grads Promotion

GREELEY, CO — A brand new pair of Steiner binoculars is the perfect choice for Father’s Day and Graduation gifts. Starting today (May 15, 2015) Steiner is offering 10% instant savings on a wide selection of quality binoculars.

Whether your Dad or grad is a hunter, hiker, boater, traveler, or shooter, Steiner has the perfect optic for them. Take advantage of 10% savings on select models in the Nighthunter XP, Safari Ultrasharp, XC, Marine, Navigator Pro, and T-Series product lines. The instant savings are offered at authorized Steiner dealers, with no coupons or rebate forms to worry about. The “Dads & Grads” promotion runs through June 30th, 2015. Read more

Optics

Fire-Proof Tracer Ammunition from G2 Research

Winder, GA–G2 Research announces an absolutely revolutionary cold tracer round for handguns.

Through chemical research and applied ignition, G2 Research, the makers of the new R.I.P self-defense round and .300 Ripout Round, have invented a NO HEAT NO FLAME tracer round for the 9mm (.45 ACP coming later). Designed to emit a bright tracer effect for 50-100 yards, testing shows that the round stays visible in the dark up to 200 yards (for anyone who “wants” to shoot a handgun 200 yards in the dark).

But wait, there’s more!

Because the new G2 tracer round is a cold tracer that literally emits no heat or flame, shooters can now visually follow training or self-defense rounds in low light or dark conditions without worrying about burning down their range or neighborhood. Now “tracer” ammunition can even be safely fired at indoor ranges with no fear of fire from the tracer element. There is also no damage to the inside of the firearm from tracer component ignition during firing or while in the barrel. Read more

Ammunition

May 15 is Endangered Species Day

But if delisting is the hallmark of conservation success, then permanent listings are the hallmark of conservation failure.

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Boone and Crockett Club acknowledges Endangered Species Day, Friday, May 15, 2015, with both celebration and concern.

Endangered Species Day recognizes our nation’s efforts to protect critically rare species and their habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Federation and others are observing the day. As America’s first wildlife conservation and hunting organization, Boone and Crockett also enthusiastically holds up the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a significant piece of conservation legislation.

The ESA was signed by President Nixon in 1973. The plain intent of the law was to halt and reverse the trend toward species extinction, whatever the cost.

Achievements include the bald eagle, gray wolf, whooping crane, black-footed ferret and several other species whose populations benefited under the additional protections afforded by the ESA.

“We join in America’s applause of those hard-fought successes,” said Morrie Stevens, Boone and Crockett Club president.

Stevens added, “It’s also well to point out that the whitetail deer, elk, wild turkey, wood duck, bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and many other species also were once on the brink of extinction-but fully recovered thanks to voluntary conservation efforts and funding from hunters, long before there was an ESA.” Read more

Wildlife

First Wood Bison Calf Wild-Born In Alaska In At Least 100 Years

Washington, DC – Joseph Hosmer, President Safari Club International Foundation (SCI Foundation) announced recently that the first wild-born calves were spotted during an Alaska Department of Fish and Game aerial survey.

This marks the first time in 100 years that a bison calf was born in the Alaskan wild. This exciting milestone is part of a 20 year wood bison reintroduction project that sought to reestablish a wood bison population in the Innoko River region.

“It felt like having a baby shower or something. It’s just huge,” Cathie Harms, Alaska Department of Fish and Game regional program manager said. “It’s like the completion of the circle. We finally got animals into the wild and they are taking to it tremendously.”

SCI Foundation has aided the wood bison reintroduction effort for the past 10 years and is a member of the Wood Bison Restoration Advisory Group. Through its contributions, Safari Club has applied hunter dollars towards the maintenance of the bison holding facility, the care of the bison while in captivity, and the relocation of bison to the wild. Read more

Wildlife

Enjoy Michigan’s Summer Free Fishing Weekend June 13-14

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that the annual Summer Free Fishing Weekend is set for Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14. That weekend, residents and nonresidents can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.

Summer Free Fishing Weekend graphicMichigan has celebrated the Summer Free Fishing Weekend annually since 1986 as a way to highlight the state’s vast water resources and high-quality fisheries. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 11,000 inland lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, fishing and Michigan go hand in hand. Read more

Fishing

ABC: Proposed Legislation Could Prevent Millions of Bird Deaths

Painted Bunting, one of the bird species of national conservation concern that fall victim to collisions with buildings. Photo by Steve Byland/Shutterstock.

Washington – American Bird Conservancy (ABC), one of the nation’s leading bird conservation organizations, applauds U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) for introducing the Federal Bird-Safe Buildings Act (HR 2280).

The bill is designed to prevent the deaths of millions of birds by calling for each public building constructed, acquired, or significantly altered by the General Services Administration (GSA) to incorporate, to the maximum extent possible, bird-safe building materials and design features. Many buildings constructed by GSA are already, in fact, bird-friendly. The legislation would require GSA to take similar actions on existing buildings, where practicable. Read more

Wildlife

New Midland MXT100 Micromobile™ GMRS 2-way Radio

It’s compact. It’s powerful. It’s compatible. And, there’s nothing else like it. Midland Radio Corporation is proud to announce the arrival of its new MXT100 MICROMOBILE™ GMRS 2-Way Radio, an uber small mobile radio offering a bevy of great features – at an extremely reasonable price. Simply put, it is the new must-have for RVing, road trips, ATV/UTV activities and on and around the farm or ranch.

While small in size, the new MXT100 MICROMOBILE GMRS 2-Way Radio is big on innovation, making the radio highly functional, and built to perform for those who work and play outdoors. Offering a full 5-watts of transmitting power, the MXT100 MICROMOBILE GMRS 2-Way Radio includes an external magnetic mount antenna for extended range and reach, making it a great base for camping, hiking, caravaning, ATVing and other activities. Plus, the radio works with all other Midland and most other GMRS 2-way radios so everyone can keep in touch and communicate on the road, especially when cell service may not be reliable. Read more

General
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