2015 Michigan Fishing Guide available at license dealers

The Department of Natural Resources has announced the release of the 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide, which includes rules and regulations effective April 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016. Copies of the guide can be obtained at any location where fishing licenses are sold.

cover of 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide featuring angler fishing Muskegon RiverThis year’s guide is the third year the DNR has implemented improvements geared toward the request of anglers. The 2015 guide is printed on higher-quality paper to better withstand the wear and tear of fishing in Michigan, is of a smaller physical size (better able to fit in anglers’ tackle boxes), and includes an easier-to-read font size.

This is the first year the DNR solicited photos from the public for potential use on the cover of the fishing guide. This year’s selected photo was of the Muskegon River and was submitted by Amber LeClear. The DNR will collect potential cover photos for the 2016 guide as well; interested individuals should send theirs to DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov. The DNR is looking for photos that focus on places to fish, not so much on people or fish species.

The 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide also is available in a user-friendly, electronic format online at michigan.gov/fishingguide.    Read more

Fishing

Legislation Would Eliminate Ethanol Mandate for Fuel

New Gretna, NJ – On Thursday, February 26, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Pat Toomey introduced the Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015. This bill, S.577, if passed and signed into law, would eliminate the corn ethanol mandate portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which while it falls short of capping the amount of ethanol required in motor fuels, is a step in the right direction.

“The RFA supports this bill,” said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), “because passage could lead to the elimination of the threat of E15 fuels being mandated for use in recreational boats and a rethinking of the entire Renewable Fuel Standard.”

The bill would gut the main driver of higher ethanol content in motor fuels, corn. The powerful corn lobby has been pushing for the increase, which threatens boat engines and marine fuel systems. Read more

Fishing

Mercury Marine Repower Revolution announces March bonus for qualified borrowers: No payments for 90 days

FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Mercury Marine announced today that credit-worthy borrowers who purchase a qualifying engine through the Mercury Repower Financing Program are eligible to defer their first loan payment for 90 days.

The Mercury Repower Financing Program, launched in September 2014, offers repower engine financing to credit-worthy consumers.

This optional deferred-payment promotion runs concurrent to the existing Repower Revolution promotion, which launched Jan. 1 and runs through April 30, and offers a promotional financing rate of 4.99% APR* for qualified applicants. This low rate provides customers the option of choosing a payment that fits their budget and allows customers to get the engine they want today. Consumers who choose the Repower Revolution rebate instead of financing can receive a rebate of up to $1,625 per qualifying repower engine. Read more

Fishing

SAF Launches National Media Effort To Battle Obama Gun Control

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation yesterday launched a nationwide television and radio effort to prevent President Barack Obama from using executive action to erode the right to keep and bear arms, which is the embodiment of a current plan by his Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to ban ammunition for the most popular firearm in America today.

“Last week,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb, “our general counsel warned in a letter to the BATFE that if it goes ahead with its plan to ban the popular M855 ammunition for modern sport-utility rifles, we would take court action.

“Today,” he added, “we’re firing up American gun owners at the grassroots level to send a message that should be loud and clear: Keep your hands off our guns, ammunition and our right to keep and bear arms.” Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

MI DNR conservation officers rescue three who fell through ice on Belle Isle

Department of Natural Resources conservation officers rescued three people early Sunday evening after they fell through thin ice on the east end of Detroit’s Belle Isle.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., conservation officers were called to the scene after learning three individuals had fallen through the ice near the marble lighthouse on the east end of the island. Sgts. Ron Kimmerly and Todd Szyska, along with Conservation Officers Michael Feagan and Mike Drexler, responded to the area and split up to conduct foot and vehicle patrols in an attempt to locate the victims.

After getting out of the water, one of the women communicated via cell phone with dispatchers for approximately an hour and attempted to give their location. After searching the entire east end of the island, CO Drexler located the victims on the canal between the golf course and water plant. Sgt. Szyska coordinated with the Detroit Fire Department Ladder 6 and United States Coast Guard personnel as well as EMS MEDIC 12. The conservation officers scaled the fence and rushed to assist the other two victims, who had gotten out of the water and were sitting on the snowbank. The second woman had lost her shoes and coat in the ordeal and was starting to experience hypothermia when the officers arrived.

The officers administered first aid and wrapped the subjects in emergency blankets, jackets, hats and gloves. Sgt. Szyska responded with the Detroit Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, EMS and a Michigan State Police trooper and carried back boards out to the victims after the lock to the gate had been cut. The responders placed the victims on the back boards and carried them through the 2-foot-deep snow to the EMS vehicle. The victims were showing signs of hypothermia and going in and out of consciousness while being carried out. After the subjects had been placed in the ambulance, they refused to be transported to the hospital. Read more

General

Legacy Sports International Releases New Yote Camo Pattern

Gene Lumsden, CEO of Legacy Sports International, Inc. is pleased to announce the arrival of their new YOTE camo, exclusively available through Legacy Sports in the Escort line of semi-auto shotguns as well as Howa Ranchland rifles. Yote is short for coyote. The Yote camo pattern looks like coyote fur and was developed, in part, by champion coyote caller and host of Predator Quest TV, Les Johnson. Les endorses Yote and uses it exclusively on his Escort shotguns for the show.

This camo pattern works extremely well in the field, blending amazingly well with many types of backgrounds and cover. Available in Standard and Youth models in the Escort semi-auto shotgun line. The Standard Magnum model is offered in 12 gauge chambering, while the Youth model is available in 20 gauge. Read more

Firearms

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
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