Great Backyard Bird Count Sets New Species Record

Northern Flicker by Linda Izer, Arkansas, 2015 GBBC.

New York, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Port Rowan, ON–Participants from more than 100 countries submitted a record 147, 265 bird checklists for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count and broke the previous count record for the number of species identified. The 5,090 species reported represents nearly half the possible bird species in the world. The four-day count was held February 13-16, the 18th year for the event which is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada.

The information gathered by tens of thousands of volunteers helps track the health of bird populations at a scale made possible by using the eBird online checklist program. A sampling of species found by intrepid counters include Ibisbill in India, Bornean Bistlehead in Malaysia, and Magellanic Plover in Chile, complete with amazing photos. GBBC participants even reported two species, Millpo Tapaculo and Santa Marta Screech-Owl that have not yet been described in the official scientific literature. Read more

Wildlife

Winter weather adversely affecting Michigan’s waterfowl

Extreme cold conditions on Michigan’s waters are causing some trouble for Michigan’s waterfowl. The exceptionally cold winter weather of the past few weeks has caused the rivers and waters of the Great Lakes to freeze further into the center, similar to conditions experienced last year.

Large concentrations of ducks like canvasbacks, long-tailed ducks, redheads and scaup are gathering in the remaining areas of open water on the Great Lakes, including western Lake Erie, and on large rivers like the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. With so many ducks in a small area, and a fairly small amount of food, some of these ducks are becoming malnourished.

Many of the ducks congregating on these rivers and lakes are diving ducks, which rely on a diet of aquatic vegetation, mollusks and small fish. Much of the area on the water where these ducks are congregating is deep, and weed growth is minimal, so food for these ducks can be very scarce. The food that is available is depleted quickly by large concentrations of ducks.  Read more

Wildlife

New Millennium Marine Boat Seats

Few features in a boat are more appreciated after a long day on the lake than a fantastic seat. The new boat seats from Millennium Marine will make anglers and boaters wonder why they haven’t always had such comfortable seats with so many great features.

Exclusive to Millennium Marine boat seats is a patented ComfortMax

Few features in a boat are more appreciated after a long day on the lake than a fantastic seat. The new boat seats from Millennium Marine will make anglers and boaters wonder why they haven’t always had such comfortable seats with so many great features.Exclusive to Millennium Marine boat seats is a patented ComfortMax design. ComfortMax seats feature all aluminum construction that will last through years of rugged use. Millennium Marine boat seats are constructed with a breathable fabric that is UV-resistant for protection from all elements that take a toll on equipment, including the sun, wind and rain. Unlike other seats made of wet foam or rubber that will break down or rot, the ComfortMax seat holds up in all temperatures and weather conditions. The fabric design also prevents unwanted mold, mildew and dry rot that are such a source of frustration for boat owners. Read more

Fishing

ScentBlocker’s new BugBlocker

Cannon Falls, MN — ScentBlocker, the constant innovator of hunting and scent control technology, brings two specially formulated insect repellents developed to provide long lasting, multi-species protection. Both have been extensively tested, from the swamps of southern Florida to Alaska’s northern reaches. These two new sportsmen’s strength products contain no added fragrances or additional scents. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan Turkey Hunting Info

Video thumbnail, click to playTurkey hunting season will soon be underway and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to check their spring turkey drawing results and leftover licenses, available online now at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.

Leftover spring turkey licenses go on sale to unsuccessful license applicants at 10 a.m. Monday, March 9. Licenses go on sale to all other hunters, including those who did not participate in the application process, at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16. Leftover licenses will be sold until quotas are met.

“Hunters looking for the greatest flexibility may wish to purchase a Hunt 234 license, which will be available March 16 at 10 a.m.,” said DNR upland game bird specialist Al Stewart. “The Hunt 234 license is valid from May 4-31 and includes all open areas of the state except the public lands of southern Michigan. New this year, hunters may purchase Hunt 234 through May 31.”

Hunting licenses can be purchased online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. Hunters may purchase only one spring turkey license in a season. Read more

Hunting

DNR recommends charges in Otsego County elk-poaching case,

Michgian DNR conservation officer door shieldA Jackson County man has confessed to the illegal killing of a small bull elk during the firearm deer season in Otsego County, according to Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers who investigated the incident.

A passerby discovered elk parts dumped along a rural road Nov. 29, 2014.  A DNR conservation officer investigating the scene located a grocery store receipt among the entrails of an elk. A six-week investigation ensued, with a suspect being identified and interviewed. A confession was obtained, and charges are now being reviewed by the Otsego County prosecutor.

According to Lt. Jim Gorno, DNR law enforcement supervisor in Gaylord, conservation officers from the DNR’s Gaylord Customer Service Center were assisted in the investigation by officers from southern Michigan, a diligent Report All Poaching (RAP) Hotline dispatcher, and a detective from the department’s Special Investigations Unit.

“This case started with very limited clues and evidence, but through solid investigative follow-up, in conjunction with excellent teamwork being displayed by several of our officers around the state, it was brought to a successful conclusion,” said Gorno. “It shows diligence and tenacity in investigating cases involving our high-value fish and game species.” Read more

Poachers

Marval A. Hornady, 102, of Grand Island died Friday, February 20,

Mrs. Hornady was born Jan. 11, 1913, at Lorenz, Iowa, the daughter of LaRoy and Aleen (Tolbert) Steen.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joyce, who died on Jan. 15, 1981, and their son, Robert Hornady, who died Aug. 21, 2008.

Survivors include a daughter, Margaret (Hornady) David, and son-in-law, Donald David, of Grand Island; a son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Jill Hornady of Grand Island, and a daughter-in-law, Barbara Hornady of Pacific Grove Calif.; grandchildren and their spouses, Christopher and Vimala Steadman, Geoffrey Steadman and Danielle Maddon, Jason and Ellen Hornady, Meighan Hornady, Elizabeth and Will Ingham; and great-grandchildren, Sarah Steadman, Abigail and Alex Hornady and Eleanor and Julia Ingham. Also left to cherish her memory is Jocelina Calhoun, caregiver and dear friend.

Marval was raised in Lincoln, where she graduated from high school. She was united in marriage to Joyce Wright Hornady on April 21, 1934. They moved to Grand Island in 1942. She and her husband founded Hornady Manufacturing in 1949.

Marval raised three children and was content as an active volunteer for many organizations, as well as doing bookwork at home for their small but growing bullet manufacturing company. In 1972, she was persuaded by her husband to come back to work and assume a more formal role at the company, which by then was also manufacturing ammunition and reloading tools.

When Joyce was killed in a plane crash on Jan. 15, 1981, Marval took over as chairman of the board and secretary of the corporation. Along with her son, Steve, and daughter, Margaret, Hornady Manufacturing did not falter and has become the success story it is due to family values, American work ethic, and ingenuity. Read more

Ammunition

UTG’s New Keymod Compatible Sling Swivel Adaptors: The Best of Both Worlds

Leapers UTG has released two brand new sling swivel adapters to go hand in hand with their critically acclaimed high quality rail systems. The TL-SWPK01 is a unit designed for multi rail applications, and can easily be converted to fit Mil- STD -1913 rails as well as the increasingly popular Keymod system. In its base configuration, the adapter securely attaches to standard Picatinny rails via its robust low profile mounting deck that uses a Torx drive locking screw for ultimate stability. The adapter can then receive standard 0.37″ sling swivels and hold them securely in place. The top section of the adapter, which is also available separately (TL-SWKM01), can be removed and mounted directly to a Keymod rail which is what makes this design truly stand out. Changing rails from Picatinny to Keymod or mounting your sling on a different rifle will no longer require buying new accessories for each application. Read more

Firearms

Howa Introduces Mini Action, Short Action Rifles

Gene Lumsden, CEO of Legacy Sports International, Inc., is excited to announce the newest innovation from Howa Rifles, the new Howa Mini Action! Currently available in .204 and .223 calibers, other short action chamberings will be offered at a later time. The chamber and bolt of the new Mini Action are significantly shorter (approx. 12%) than regular short actions. This feature produces a shorter bolt throw for faster reloads and less weight for the overall gun. In fact, this rifle without scope weighs just over 5.5 lbs. It also comes with 20″ drawn barrel, three position safety and HACT two-stage trigger. A drawn barrel produces better accuracy than a forged barrel, because they are not extruded and stretched, and do not begin with billet stock. Rather, they begin as extrusion tubes that are swaged, drawn and then roll leveled before cutting. Drawn barrels are also heat treated. This method produces less stress on the metallurgy and leads to a straighter barrel, producing better accuracy.

The Howa Mini Action Rifles are factory equipped with ten round, synthetic, detachable magazines and utilize a lightweight composition stock, which also reduces weight. Scope packages are also available with the Howa Mini Action rifles, using the new, Nikko Stirling Panamax rifle scope. The Nikko Stirling Panamax scopes offer 20% greater field-of-view than average 1 inch scopes, and come with a half Mil Dot reticle with dual color red/green illuminated reticle and a lifetime warranty, among other great features.

Howa Mini Action rifles are available high tech stocks in OD Green, Black or camo dipped in Kryptek Highlander with lightweight, standard and heavy barrel options. Lightweight and heavy barrels measure 20 inches, and standard barrels are 22 inches in length. Lightweight barrels are a #1 contour, Heavy barrels are a #6 contour and Standard barrels are a #2 hunting contour. MSRP ranges from $608 to $782 depending on barrel and scope package option. Read more

Firearms

Streamlight Introduces TLR-2HL G with Green Laser

EAGLEVILLE, PA –Streamlight® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting equipment and weapon light/laser sighting devices, introduced the TLR-2 HL® G, a high lumen (HL) gun-mounted tactical light with green aiming laser. The new light is designed to provide maximum illumination with long-range targeting capability, making it an extremely versatile tool for tactical, outdoor and home defense users.

Using the latest in C4® LED technology, the new TLR-2 HL G gives users full situational awareness by flooding an area with 720 lumens of brightness in a wide beam pattern. It also features an integrated green laser, which appears brighter to the human eye than other colored lasers, particularly in daylight, to improve focusing on targets. The new model also is equipped with a strobe function. Read more

Optics
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