Leica Expands Ultravid HD-PLUS Binoculars Lineup with New 50mm Models

Binoculars Lineup with New 50mm Models

Setting the new standard for premium optical performance, the innovative Leica Ultravid HD-PLUS 50 mm binoculars are ideal for hunters seeking unparalleled brightness, power and clarity in a compact design. Coupled with Leica’s new HD/HT lens and prism elements and coatings, the Ultravid HD-Plus can peer deep into the early dawn or late dusk with brighter images than ever before possible.

The new Ultravid HD-PLUS 8×50, 10×50 and 12×50 models are the most compact binoculars in their class. In fact, they’re even more compact than some competitive 42 models. Read more

Optics

Winning bid for Montana moose license is three times the last record

HELENA, Mont. – A rare Shiras moose hunting license brought in a record $60,000 at a Ducks Unlimited auction last weekend by the Helena DU chapter during its annual dinner. Past moose licenses sold at auction for $15,000 to $20,000. Proceeds from the license sale will go to the moose conservation initiatives of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

“We are blown away by the success of this auction for Montana habitat work. It was basically over in three minutes,” said Steve Christian, an organizer of the event and member of Montana DU state councils. “Our thanks go out to the people who participated in this auction and to our buyer, who is making a major contribution to Montana wildlife.”

DU won the right to auction off the license from MFWP. The license is good for the 2015 season anywhere in the state where people can legally hunt moose. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

PA Game Commission Releases Deer Harvest Estimates

Harvests decreased statewide in 2014-15, report shows.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission yesterday reported that, in the state’s 2014-15 seasons, hunters harvested an estimated 303,973 deer – a decrease of about 14 percent compared to the 2013-14 harvest of 352,920.

Hunters took 119,260 antlered deer in the 2014-15 seasons – a decrease of about 11 percent compared to the previous license year, when an estimated 134,280 bucks were taken. Also, hunters harvested an estimated 184,713 antlerless deer in 2014-15, which represents an about 16 percent decrease compared to the 218,640 antlerless deer taken in 2013-14.

“We put these numbers out each year and, whether there’s an increase or decrease in the harvest, people want to know why,” said Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough. “While it’s impossible to provide explanations with certainty, there were a couple of factors over the 2014-15 deer seasons that seem to have contributed to a decreased harvest.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Obamas’ Vacations on Your Credit Card

The Washington Examiner has a story on the Obama vacations.

Golf vacation

2013, Feb. 16-18, President Obama flew to Palm Springs, Ca., for three days of golf.
2013, June 26–July 2, Michelle toured African nations with Sasha and Malia after meeting up with president.
2014, March 8-9, the president and first lady traveled to Key Largo, Fla., for a golfing vacation.
2015, Feb. 15-17, President Obama traveled again to Palm Springs for a boys weekend of golf.

How about the first lady taking exotic trips with just her and her children?

2010, August 4-8, Michelle Obama, daughter Sasha and an entourage travel to Spain. Judicial Watch pegged the cost at $467,000
2011, Feb. 19-21, Michelle, Sasha and Malia travel to Vail to ski and hit a restaurant that served pickled pumpkin salad and braised ancho-chile short rib.
2011, March 21-25, Obama, Michelle, Sasha and Malia, on spring break, on a working vacation to Latin America were the girls took in Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue.
2012, Feb. 17-19, Michelle and her daughters traveled to Aspen to ski.
2013, Feb. 15-18, Michelle Obama and her two daughters ski in Aspen, Co.
2014, Feb. 14-17, Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha and Malia for a ski vacation in Aspen, Co.
2014, March 19-26, Michelle Obama, her mom and daughter Sasha and Malia spend a spring break in China.

General

Bird Conservation Group Calls for Changes in Data Collection at Wind Developments

Washington — American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has called on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to institute a new system of pre-construction risk assessment and bird and bat mortality data collection in connection with hundreds of thousands of bird (and bat) deaths being caused by wind turbines and the likelihood that that number could substantially exceed one million deaths when the industry reaches its full build out capacity by 2030 or before.

The ABC proposal was made in a letter to Department of Interior and FWS pursuant to their request for comments on information collection in connection with their land-based wind energy guidelines. It follows the entering of a guilty plea on January 6 from PacifiCorp that will require the company to pay $2.5 million in fines, restitution and community service for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by killing 38 Golden Eagles and 336 other birds at two Wyoming wind farms.

ABC is asking FWS to institute a pre-construction risk assessment and bird mortality data collection that are based on:

  • studies conducted by independent, qualified expertsselected by the FWS or a trusted consulting company hired by FWS;
  • costs being borne by wind energy companies;
  • all reports sent directly to the FWS, and not through the wind energy company, which would then have no opportunity to edit or alter the reports to their advantage;
  • reports being made available to the public to add an additional layer of scrutiny; and
  • mandatory requirement to conduct independent Environmental Assessments (EA) and obtain incidental take permits under the Endangered Species Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act when protected species are present. Read more
Wildlife

Washington Wolf Population Grew 30% Last Year

OLYMPIA – Washington state’s wolf population grew by more than 30 percent and formed four new packs last year, according to an annual survey conducted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

The survey shows the presence of at least 68 gray wolves in the state through Dec. 31, 2014, up from a minimum of 52 wolves counted in 2013. It also documents 16 wolf packs and at least five successful breeding pairs last year. Read more

Wildlife

Coast Guard Rescues Man Walking on Frozen St. Clair Lake

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay, home-ported in Cleveland, rescued a 25-year-old man attempting to walk across Lake St. Clair, March 5, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Josh Zike)

CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard rescued a man attempting to walk across Lake St. Clair Thursday morning and transported him to Algonac, Michigan.

The man rescued is a 25-year-old American citizen, who stated he was attempting to walk from Detroit to Toronto.

At about 9:30 a.m., the lookout assigned to , a 140-foot ice-breaking tug home-ported in Cleveland, spotted a man walking in the middle of frozen Lake St. Clair, about one and a half miles from Seaway Island. The ice-rescue team aboard the cutter deployed on foot to check on the man. Upon reaching the man, the rescue team questioned the individual, treated the man for symptoms of hypothermia, and assisted him aboard the cutter.

The man was taken to the municipal pier in Algonac, where he was met by emergency medical service personnel and transferred to their care. Read more

Wildlife

Swarovski Announces New EL Range

Cranston, Rhode Island – SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA, a subsidiary of the Austrian-based company, announces their redesigned EL Range. Offering all the internal features of our EL Range introduced in 2011 but with new and improved ergonomics and accessories. The new EL Range 8×42 and 10×42 will be available in April 2015.

Improvements to the EL Range start with the development of the FieldPro package. The new easy to use rotating strap connector with a cord adapts perfectly to any movement using a bayonet catch that enables you to fit and switch the carrying strap and accessories quickly and silently. The redefined pressure point of the new, distinctive measurement button, helps measure the range accurately and comfortably even for extremely far away targets. The new Objective lens and eyepiece covers securely attach, while blending into the overall design of the body of the EL Range better. As a result of a more slip resistant design it allows easier use of the focusing wheel and diopter adjusting rings. Maximum stability is now achievable due to the rounded fins and additional thumb depressions, allowing longer observation time with less fatigue to the user. Read more

Optics

Swarovski Announces New X5(i) Rifle Scope

Cranston, Rhode Island – SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA, a subsidiary of the Austrian-based company is pleased to announce the introduction of the X5(i) Rifle Scope series. The X5(i) has been developed specifically with the long range shooter/hunter in mind. The X5(i) is a brand new design built for extreme precision on an exceptionally rugged platform.

The newly designed turrets allow for 20 MOA per revolution, have a viewing window to show the user what revolution he or she is on and the X5(i) has ¼ MOA point of impact adjustments.

At the heart of the X5(i) is a Spring Retention and Lever System that exerts the same pressure on both turrets from the inversion system regardless of positioning. This assures maximum accuracy and repeatability. There is up to 116 MOA of elevation adjustment inside of a 30 mm tube that yields a 5X zoom range. The elevation, windage, parallax turrets as well as inversion system are built from stainless steel components adding to the overall ruggedness of this scope for hunting or competitive purposes.

Read more

Optics

California Gun Dealers Fire Back at AG With First Amendment Lawsuit

SACRAMENTO, CA — A number of California firearm retailers are firing back in a federal civil rights lawsuit against Attorney General Kamala Harris and the State’s Department of Justice.

The case was filed last November after the DOJ cited a Tracy, California gun dealer for having pictures of handguns in his store’s windows in violation of Penal Code section 26820. Plaintiffs include Tracy Rifle and Pistol, Sacramento Black Rifle, Ten Percent Firearms, PRK Arms, and Imbert & Smithers.

The plaintiffs say that the law, passed in 1923, is a ban on constitutionally-protected speech — speech that the dealers believe is protected under the First Amendment. Read more

Gun Control
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