Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
In Michigan, the Upper Peninsula’s kill fell an estimated 15 to 20 percent, while the Lower Peninsula’s kill fell about 10 percent. The annual Mackinac Bridge Authority’s survey of deer on hunters’ vehicles showed a 34 percent decline, with 4,207 deer counted in November, down from 6,420 in 2012. Further, the bridge survey was 26 percent below 2011’s count, 5,731.
Weatherby’s popular Vanguard® Series 2 Synthetic rifle now comes chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, a cartridge that offers precision-based performance at extended ranges for big-game hunters and competitive shooters alike. The gun can be seen at Weatherby’s SHOT Show booth, #12729, starting Tuesday, January 14. Read more
Ann Arbor, MI (January 2014) – EOTech, the world leader in holographic optics, is pleased to announce the release of two new products in their thermal imaging line. The new X320 compact handheld thermal imager and the LWTS clip-on thermal weapon sight will be unveiled at the 2014 SHOT Show.
The X320 is a must see product for this year. This rugged ultra compact handheld thermal imager offers 320 x 240 resolution and features a 30 Hz frame refresh rate. The X320 also offers white hot, black hot and 3 color modes for temperature identification. The interface software included with the X320 allows the operator to customize the temperature measurements and cross hair options. The device is able to detect human activity up to 800 yards away and has a 2x, 3X or 4 X zoom. All of these features and benefits are available through a simple one-button operation menu with a suggested retail price of $3,799. Read more
COMER, GA (January 2014) – MasterPiece Arms, manufacturers of the MPA MAC Line of pistols, carbines, suppressors and MPAR Rifles, suppressors and MPAR Rifles, proudly announces the finest bolt-action .308: the MPA 308BA. Read more
ACCOKEEK, MD (January 14, 2014) – The Benelli designers have taken the tried and true features of that rugged, bird- and target-busting Vinci and incorporated them into a new version called the Vinci Tactical. A pistol grip stock, Picatinny rail and ghost-ring sights contribute to the attributes tactical shooters seek-superior balance, lightweight, reduced recoil and minimal muzzle climb. This is what Benelli calls Practical Speed Performance™ or “PSP™,” which is the real performance timeline of “speed,” and includes quickness of mount, immediate target acquisition, fast fire, instant recovery and rapid, reliable follow-up shots. Read more
Razor HD Gen II Riflescopes: Prepare to be deadly accurate with the all-new, feature-rich, Razor HD Gen II riflescopes from Vortex. Available in 4.5-27×56 and 3-18×50, these scopes will have serious shooters saying “finally.” Read more
GREELEY, CO – Burris® is proud to announce the creation of a precision riflescope worthy of the name Veracity®. Veracity represents truth, accuracy, and exactness – the characteristics every hunter demands of his gear. Whether pursuing big game or fast-moving predators, Veracity riflescopes deliver precise performance so every pursuit ends in success. Read more
DALLAS (Jan. 11, 2014)-A Dallas Safari Club (DSC) auction has raised $350,000 for rhino conservation efforts in Namibia.
All proceeds-100 percent-will go into a special fund used by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism for anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, research and other measures crucial for protecting populations of endangered black rhinos.
The auctioned item is a hunting permit for a black rhino in Namibia’s Mangetti National Park. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
Now that Michigan’s first wolf hunt is over, one thing is clear: hunters did not wipe out our wolf population. In fact, only about half of the kill quota was met, or more precisely, 23 of the maximum quota of 43. That won’t stop the anti-hunting-anything contingent from furthering its emotionally founded cause to prevent another wolf hunt. It also won’t stop wolf hunting advocates from squaring off all over again in the political arena this year.
Predictably, the protections afforded the gray wolf over the decades would end eventually based on the remarkable growth of the wolf population, which is far beyond recovery goals established under the Endangered Species Act.
The wolf hunt was the state’s first to feature online and call-in reporting of killed wolves and allowed hunters to get text alerts or to check a given hunt’s status via a state website. The system also ensured that no over-killing would take place. From a management standpoint, the system worked as planned.
But, groups like Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP), an arm of the world’s largest anti-hunting organization, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is still kicking and screaming. Read more
“At one time this was even understood by the Supreme Court. In United States v. Cruikshank (1876), the first case in which the Court had an opportunity to interpret the Second Amendment, it stated that the right confirmed by the Second Amendment “is not a right granted by the constitution. Neither is it in any manner dependent upon that instrument for its existence.” The repeal of the Second Amendment would no more render the outlawing of firearms legitimate than the repeal of the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment would authorize the government to imprison and kill people at will. A government that abrogates any of the Bill of Rights, with or without majoritarian approval, forever acts illegitimately, becomes tyrannical, and loses the moral right to govern.” — Jeffrey R. Snyder, A Nation of Cowards, 1993.