Michigan confirms state’s first case of chronic wasting disease in

GW:  Here we go again!

The Michigan departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today confirmed that a free-ranging deer in Meridian Township (Ingham County) has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. This is the first time the disease has been found in Michigan’s free-ranging deer population. In 2008 a white-tailed deer from a privately owned cervid (POC) facility in Kent County tested positive for CWD.

The animal was observed last month wandering around a Meridian Township residence and showing signs of illness. The homeowner contacted the Meridian Township Police Department, who then sent an officer to euthanize the animal. The deer was collected by a DNR wildlife biologist and delivered for initial testing to the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health in Lansing, Michigan. After initial tests were positive, samples were forwarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for final confirmation. The Michigan DNR received that positive confirmation last week.

To date, there is no evidence that chronic wasting disease presents any risk to non-cervids, including humans, either through contact with an infected animal or from handling contaminated venison. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.

“This is the first case of chronic wasting disease to be confirmed in a free-ranging Michigan white-tailed deer,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh.

“While it is a disappointing day for Michigan, the good news is that we are armed with a thoughtfully crafted response plan,” Creagh said. “We are working with other wildlife experts at the local, regional, state and federal level, using every available resource, to determine the extent of this disease, respond appropriately to limit further transmission, and ultimately eradicate the disease in Michigan if possible.”

The confirmed positive finding triggers several actions in the state’s surveillance and response plan for chronic wasting disease. The plan was developed in 2002 through cooperation between the DNR and MDARD, and was updated in 2012. Actions the DNR will take include: Read more

Wildlife

Investment in Conservation Falls Short

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday released their top-line funding levels for each of twelve federal appropriations bills, cutting conservation funding to $160 million below the already spartan House allocation unveiled earlier this month.

Known as the 302 (b) allocations, the document released today divides the $1.016 trillion in federal discretionary spending for fiscal year 2016 amongst various departments and agencies. With less money allocated to conservation, the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will be forced to cut back on services and capital investments at our national parks, refuges, battlefields, and forests.

The Senate’s allocation will result in a $2-billion cut relative to 2010 funding levels. With the return of sequestration in fiscal year 2016, conservation groups are calling for a budget deal that can serve as a successor to the Murray-Ryan Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 to give the Appropriations Committee suitable resources for preserving America’s iconic landscapes and natural treasures for the next generation. Read more

Wildlife

Rhino Hunter Culls Problem Bull in Namibia

DALLAS – Seventeen months after DSC’s controversial black rhino auction, the actual hunt ended in Namibia this week when the hunter killed a bull that scientists had identified as an impediment to the survival of its own species.

The old, aggressive, non-breeding rhino was known to charge and kill breeding bulls, as well as cows and calves, decreasing productivity and increasing mortality of the herd.

Removing this specimen will benefit rhinos both biologically and financially.

The $350,000 paid for the permit will go to Namibia to help fund law enforcement efforts to curtail indiscriminate killing by rhino poachers. (Note: It’s unclear whether the funding could be stopped by a recent lawsuit filed by animal-rights group PETA.) Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

Walker’s New Ultimate Power Muff Quads Now Shipping

Walker’s® Game Ear®, the shooting and hunting industry pioneer in hearing protection, is now shipping all models of their new Ultimate Power Muff Quads Series with 9x hearing enhancement.

The new Ultimate series by Walkers Game Ear are set to take the electronic hearing protection industry by storm. Featuring a proprietary blend of sound dampening composite material, Walkers has effectively increased their noise reduction rating (NRR) up to 27dB making them the highest electronic hearing protection on the market while maintaining their slim “shooter” profile. Whether you’re an elite 3-gun competition shooter, or heading to the range for the first time, the Ultimate series muffs by Walkers are designed to fulfill all your needs.

The Ultimate Power Muffs feature a compact folding design, have low profile ear cups, and incorporate a new comfort headband with metal frame making them the most comfortable and durable muff Walkers has ever created. Available in black, Realtree® Xtra and Mossy Oak® Break-up Country and operate on two included “AAA” batteries. Read more

Firearms

Armalite National Match Rifles Available Now

Geneseo, IL – The countdown has begun for the 2015 National Matches at Camp Perry, OH, where only the best of the best compete in what is considered the “World Series of the Shooting Sports.” Competition at the highest level requires only the best equipment and Armalite is here to deliver!

For more than a decade, Armalite rifles in both the AR-10® and M-15™ platforms have decorated the firing line as the choice of some of the best shooters on the National Match circuit. Join them by ordering one of the following Armalite National Match rifles today! Read more

Firearms

Hogue Inc Announces Automatic Retention Carry Holsters

Henderson, NV – Hogue, Inc., America’s premier manufacturer of firearm grips, stocks, AR components, knives, holsters, gear and accessories is proud to announce their line of automatic retention carry holsters for a wide variety of handguns. “We’re designing and building first rate carry holsters from the ground up,” explained Hogue President Aaron Hogue. “We see a great opportunity to offer a superior product at an affordable price point to practically everyone who owns a handgun.” Read more

Firearms

Student Sues Texas College Over Gun Rights Sign

Houston, TX—Blinn College student Nicole Sanders filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the public institution near Houston on Wednesday after being told by an administrator last February that she would need “special permission” to display a gun rights sign and collect signatures for her student group on campus. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) assisted Sanders in filing the federal lawsuit, the tenth lawsuit filed as part of FIRE’s national Stand Up For Speech Litigation Project.

The lawsuit challenges Blinn’s policy of restricting speech to a tiny “Free Speech Area,” as well as the process that led the college to take over a month to approve a palm-sized card Sanders wanted to hand out to students explaining their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. Read more

Gun Control

Magnum Research® Introduces Exciting Animal Print Desert Eagles

Pomona, NY – In February of this year, Magnum Research introduced the first in a series of animal print Desert Eagles. Following in the success of the Cheetah print, which is now sold out, MRI is now introducing their latest two animal prints, the Kryptek Highlander and the Snakeskin, available in either .50 AE or .44 Mag.

“Our Desert Eagle in the Cheetah print was a huge success” stated Frank Harris, VP of Sales of Marketing. “We introduced it to our dealers early in the year, and it sold out very quickly shortly thereafter. It just proves that gun enthusiasts have a growing interest in something a little different from the norm to show off at the gun range.”

The two new designs, the Kryptek Highlander and the Snakeskin patterns utilize a water transfer method. It has been extensively tested for durability and has proven to be very tough; even cleaning solvents and acetone will not soften or damage the finish.

The Desert Eagle .50 AE is a gas-operated, semi-automatic pistol with a 7-round capacity in .50 AE and 8-round capacity in .44 Magnum. Both guns measure 10.75″ in length with a 6″ barrel. Slide width is 1.25″, height 6.25″ and the weight with an empty magazine is approximately 4 lbs. 5.8 oz. in .50 AE, and 4 lbs. 6.6 oz. in the .44 Mag. It has a trigger reach of 2.75″ and a sight radius of 8.5″ with the 6″ barrel. The construction of the Desert Eagle utilizes the latest CNC machine technology providing exacting specifications with tight tolerances creating a work of art in a precision firearm. The grip is anatomically formed and provides an ideal hand seating angle for two-handed shooting allowing for comfortable, rapid and accurate firing. The Weaver style accessory rail easily allows for aftermarket optics and scope rings. Read more

Firearms
1 … 1,538 1,539 1,540 1,541 1,542 … 2,074