Michigan DNR Trail and State Park Volunteer Updates

A historic ice storm devastated northern Michigan last month, including the eastern Upper Peninsula, and triggered a state of emergency. Consequently, all Department of Natural Resources-managed motorized and nonmotorized trails are temporarily closed for safety, assessment, infrastructure repairs and cleanup. We anticipate a phased reopening over the coming weeks.

Similarly, several state parks, campgrounds and boating access sites are temporarily closed until safe access can be restored, including hazardous tree assessment and removal.

Volunteer action plan development Read more

Wildlife

Taurus Launches Exclusive Spring Rebates: “Locked or Loaded” and “Revolver Ready” Offers Available Now

Taurus®, a leader in innovative firearms manufacturing, is rolling out two limited-time spring rebate promotions designed to give customers added value on some of the most trusted firearms on the market.

Locked or Loaded Rebate – Now Through May 31, 2025

Customers who purchase any Taurus® 9mm G-Series pistol are eligible to receive two 25-round boxes of Hornady® Critical Defense 9mm 115 gr FTX ammunition—on us.

With a wide selection of performance-focused models ideal for everyday carry, home defense, and recreational shooting, the G-Series continues to be one of the most versatile and popular platforms on the market.

Eligible Models Include: Read more

Firearms

BUK OPS X-Factor Crossbow Range-Finding Scope

Buck Commander adds to its arsenal of innovative products with the BUK OPS® X-Factor Range-Finding Crossbow Scope. Measuring distance to the target has never been easier with its built-in angle-compensating laser rangefinder. And what’s more, the X-factor accounts for ballistic drop fine-tuned by arrow speed! Together, these X-Factor technologies ensure deadly accuracy holds out to 100 yards!

Buck Commander’s BUK OPS X-Factor scope eliminates the need for a separate rangefinder, which removes the risk of fumbling and spooking deer. Once located, hunters can visually lock on their target and track or shoot with pinpoint precision.

The X-Factor’s built-in angle-compensating laser rangefinder is button-operated. Pressing the range button once measures the distance to a fixed point while holding the button down enables Scan Mode, which actively tracks the range of a target as it moves. Whether navigating hilly terrain or taking a shot from an elevated position, the X-Factor calculates and compensates for angles, providing accurate ballistics.

Knowing the distance to the target and trusting the hold-over marks in the reticle is critical. The X-Factor Speed Dial precision reticle calibrates the scope to the crossbow’s user-dialed arrow speed. Fine-tuning the optic to the crossbow is a simple turn of a dial. By zeroing at 20 yards, drop marks are accurately set up to 100 yards! Depending on the lighting conditions and preference, hunters may also select red or green reticle illumination for optimal viewing and contrast.

The X-Factor Crossbow Range-Finding Scope is a crossbow optic for hunters seeking an all-in-one ranging and ballistic drop compensation solution that is accurate and reliable. Embrace the future of crossbow hunting and hit the mark with Buck Commander BUK OPS X-Factor Range-Finding Crossbow Scope.

X-Factor Crossbow Range-Finding Scope Features:

  • Speed Dial FPS (feet per second) reticle
  • Automatic angle compensation adjustment
  • Active scan mode follows moving targets
  • 100-yard target range
  • Up to 1200-yard reflective range
  • Easy mounting & adjustment bracket

For more information, please visit: https://bukops.com/.

Optics

Leupold Adds Suite of Archery Features to RX-5000 TBR/W Laser Rangefinder

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the leader in rugged, lightweight, and exceptionally clear sport optics, has announced the addition of a suite of archery-related features to the award-winning RX-5000 TBR/W laser rangefinder. Bow Mode, featuring both TRIG and Archer’s Advantage profiles can be downloaded to new and existing units, effective immediately.

Upon activating Bow Mode, owners are given two options: TRIG and Archer’s Advantage. TRIG mode works with the RX-5000 to provide the equivalent horizontal range for arrows. It allows the RX-5000 to provide ballistically equivalent horizontal distances out to 175 yards for archery shots and is ideal for tree stand hunting and spot and stalk shooting situations out to 70 yards with angles less than 20 degrees. Archer’s Advantage, meanwhile, takes customization to the next level–it uses your personal bow and arrow ballistics to deliver the most accurate archery shoot-to range possible enabling serious hunters to take advantage of high angle, long range shots typical in rugged mountainous conditions. Accounting for your bow’s velocity, peep height, arrow weight, and the angles of your shots, the ballistic software turns out deadly-accurate ranges that are customized to your setup. Read more

Optics

Avian Influenza: Safely Handling Wild Birds

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as “bird flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes sickness and sometimes death in birds and mammals. Since December 2024, there has been an uptick in HPAI wild bird mortality, primarily in Canada geese, trumpeter swans and scavenging birds. To date, we have not seen the disease spread among wild turkeys in Michigan.

Though the risk to people from HPAI is low, hunters should take the following precautions to avoid contracting or spreading bird flu:

  • Harvest only healthy-looking birds.
  • Cook all meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any viruses.
  • Process wild birds in the field. Remains from processed birds should be buried on-site or double-bagged and disposed of with household trash.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when handling wild birds.
  • Wear rubber or disposable gloves while handling and cleaning wild birds, and wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleanser, even if hands are not visibly soiled.
  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect all knives, equipment and surfaces that come into contact with wild birds.
  • Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling or cleaning wild birds.
  • Change clothing, including footwear, and wash hands before coming into contact with domestic animals. Read more
Hunting, Wildlife

Silencer Central BLACKOUT Giveaway

Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Silencer Central, America’s innovator in suppressor sales and to-your-door delivery, wants you to go into stealth mode with the BLACKOUT Giveaway. With the launch of the new BANISH 30-V2, we’ve added a stellar rifle from Wilson Combat, an amazing thermal riflescope from Pulsar, and a wide range of other prizes from our partners to create a package designed to be ready for action when the sun goes down.

“We have some outstanding partners who came together to create an amazing prize package for this project,” said Logan Hutchinson, Silencer Central Marketing Director. “The lucky winner will receive a versatile kit complete with rifle, optic, suppressor, and other essential gear that’s perfect for any firearms enthusiast. Whether you love low-light varmint hunting or just having a great time at the range, this is a really cool package capped off with the most versatile suppressor on the market.”

Here’s what the winner of the BLACKOUT Giveaway will receive: Read more

Fishing, Promotions

Hornady Dehumidifier Rod HD

Grand Island, NE – The Hornady® Dehumidifying Rod HD provides nearly double the protection of traditional dehumidifying rods. Powered by a standard 110V AC outlet, these rods utilize innovative heat-dispersing fins to maximize heat transfer without taking additional storage space or causing damage to nearby surfaces. This advanced design ensures consistent and efficient moisture reduction, keeping the interior of safes and cabinets dry.

Protecting firearms in a lockable safe or cabinet is a key step to guard against theft and ensure access is limited to trusted individuals. Even behind locked doors, the unseen threats of moisture, rust, rot, mildew, and mold jeopardize firearms security.

While regular cleaning and applying protective oils are important steps for maintaining firearms, these measures alone cannot prevent the harmful effects of humidity. Effective moisture control is essential to prolong the life of steel, wood, and other materials. Hornady developed the Dehumidifier Rod HD to protect valuables and firearms from the damaging effects of humidity.

Built to integrate with the Hornady Square Lok organizing system but easy to install in many other applications, the Dehumidifier Rod HD is offered in 18” for up to 200 cubic feet and 36” for up to 500 cubic feet.

Controlling humidity levels is critical for protecting valuables from moisture’s destructive effects. Hornady’s® Dehumidifier Rod HD lineup leads the industry with unmatched protection in a discrete form factor.

Hornady Dehumidifier Rod HD Features

    • Heat-dispersing fins for efficient heat transfer
    • Compact design to maximize storage space
    • Safe for nearby surfaces
    • Integrates with the Hornady Square Lok organizing system
    • Easy to install in a variety of safes and cabinets

Hornady Dehumidifier Rod HD Specs

      • 18” Rod – Protects spaces up to 200 cubic feet
      • 36” Rod – Protects spaces up to 500 cubic feet
      • Operates on standard 110V AC Power

        • Founded in 1949, Hornady® Manufacturing Company is a family-owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. Proudly manufacturing products that are made in the USA, Hornady® Manufacturing is a world leader in bullet, ammunition, reloading tool, accessory and security product design and manufacturing.

Firearms

Daniel Defense at NRAAM 2025 – New Products, Exclusive Savings, “Ultimate Adventure Giveaway”

This year, NRAAM is right in our backyard! Daniel Defense is thrilled to exhibit at this year’s NRAAM in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 24-27, 2025. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience everything we have to offer, including new product reveals, exclusive show savings, and a special guest appearance.

Win the Adventure of a Lifetime! As part of our exciting presence at NRAAM, we’re offering an unforgettable chance to win an exclusive SHERP all-terrain driving and riding experience. Plus, the winner will receive an all-inclusive range day and training session with Daniel Defense’s best experts. The giveaway runs from April 24, 2025, to June 5, 2025. Read more

General

Hummingbirds & Orioles are Migrating North

Attracting hummingbirds is easy, but be sure to keep your feeder(s) clean and well stocked with fresh sugar-water nectar throughout the season until freezing temperatures return (Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo by Paul Konrad).
At times this spring you may need to bolster your offerings of grape jelly and sliced oranges by adding another cup or bowl of jelly to feed the crowd (Baltimore Oriole photo by Paul Konrad).
Western birders will be delighted to see Bullock’s Orioles return to their yard and countryside. Beyond your feeding station, check flowering trees for orioles in your neighborhood (photo by Fernando Ortega).
Visiting an oriole nectar feeder with indented jelly bowls, this adult male Orchard Oriole shows 1 of the 3 different plumage types for the species. Watch for adult male, female, and yearling male plumages (photo by Paul Konrad).

Soon, sometime in the next month the migratory species of hummingbirds and orioles will arrive for all of us to enjoy and appreciate for days or weeks or months ahead. How can you entice them to stay longer while benefiting these birds in a big way during their long migration north? By providing much-needed high-calorie foods and fresh water, which should keep them in your yard and neighborhood a little longer. In fact, some orioles and hummingbirds may even be encouraged to stay and nest in your area if they find a trusted source of food and water at your feeding station. Read more

Wildlife

X-Vision Optics Launches Updated Mini-Viewer Night Vision

Red Wing, MN —– X-Vision Optics is proud to announce the launch of the updated Shadow 100 Mini Night Vision Viewer, now featuring an extended night vision range of 400 yards and an upgraded high-resolution IPS (In-Plane Switching) display. These enhancements provide users with superior visibility and image quality, reinforcing X-Vision Optics’ commitment to innovation in night vision technology.

Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, security professionals, and tactical users, the Shadow 100 Mini delivers powerful performance in a compact and lightweight design. The extended 400-yard infrared range offers improved long-range visibility in total darkness, making it ideal for wildlife observation, surveillance, and nighttime navigation. Additionally, transitioning from a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) to an IPS display provides sharper images, enhanced contrast, and wider viewing angles, ensuring a significantly improved user experience.

Key Upgrades of the Shadow 100 Mini: Read more

Optics
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