Ohio Deer Poaching Case Ends with Guilty Pleas

Two Mississippi men pleaded guilty to multiple wildlife violations after poaching white-tailed deer in southeast Ohio and were ordered to pay a combined $15,054.37 in restitution, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Dawson Brown, 25, of Poplarville, Miss., pleaded guilty to seven charges in Belmont County Court related to unlawfully taking white-tailed deer. The charges include hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, hunting deer with a firearm during the archery season, hunting outside of legal shooting hours, possessing untagged deer parts, hunting without a nonresident hunting license, hunting without a nonresident deer permit, and spotlighting. Two of the antler sets were analyzed for trophy restitution and scored 166-2/8 and 154-5/8. Brown was ordered to pay $13,169.37 in restitution and $865 in fines and court costs, serve three years of probation, and forfeit his hunting privileges in Ohio for three years.

Five firearms, a spotlight, venison, and four antlered deer skulls were forfeited to the Division of Wildlife. Brown was sentenced to 390 days in jail, with all but 30 days suspended.

Jase D. Smith, 24, of Poplarville, Miss., pleaded guilty to four charges in Muskingum County Court. The charges were hunting without permission, hunting without a nonresident deer permit, hunting without a nonresident hunting license, and failing to game check a deer after harvest. He was ordered to pay $1,885 in restitution and $249.25 in fines and court costs, serve 30 days in jail, and forfeit his hunting privileges in Ohio for three years. A crossbow, spotlights, and deer mount were forfeited to the Division of Wildlife. Read more

Poachers ,

Emergency lowering of water levels started on Trout Lake Dam, Gladwin County

April 11, 2025

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources began an emergency reduction of water levels at Trout Lake Dam in Gladwin County on April 10.The Michigan Department of Natural Resources began an emergency reduction of water levels at Trout Lake Dam in Gladwin County on April 10 to reduce risk of structural failure and an uncontrolled release of water from the impoundment.

A DNR media release on January 27 announced a recommendation to the department to remove the dam, as well as the DNR’s intent to initiate drawdown in 2025. The drawdown timeline has advanced to emergency status after spring runoff fully recharged the impoundment. The added pressure against the stop logs increased the likelihood for failure, particularly if a significant precipitation event occurs. Read more

Fishing

TALO Ruger SR1911 Blue PVD

TALO Distributors, Inc. is proud to announce a new exclusive from long-time partner Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

The Ruger® SR1911® with Cobalt Blue PVD parts is one of the newest TALO exclusives in partnership with Ruger. Model # 06799 is a limited production special edition that includes polished Cobalt Blue PVD parts to compliment the beautiful stainless finish from Ruger. Also included are special G10 grips to really set this edition apart. This version includes all the great features of the full-size SR1911® including low glare stainless finish, Novak® sights, an 8 round and 7 round magazine, skeletonized hammer and trigger, among others great features.

Chambered in 45 Auto, this Ruger® SR1911® is sure to attract eyes with its standout feature set. This product is currently in stock at TALO member distributors and ready to ship to dealers. This model would make a great addition to the retail shelf to show the variety and beauty of the SR1911® platform. Read more

Firearms

SK Customs Releases “SOLO LOBO”, Latest in Untamed Series

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – SK Guns®, the Nation’s only series-driven, limited-edition manufacturer of custom firearms, is proud to announce the release of “SOLO LOBO.” This fourth installment is the latest production in the series featuring the world’s deadliest predators.

SOLO LOBO translates to Lone Wolf, a symbol of strength and independence. A Lone Wolf is a wolf that has left its pack to roam independently. The Lone Wolf embodies resilience and solitude, often choosing to separate in search of a new territory, mate or better hunting opportunities.

“The Lone Wolf has become a powerful symbol in human culture,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “It is often associated with independence, mystery and self-reliance; it represents those who carve their own paths, unbound by societal norms.” Read more

Firearms

Hornady 3-in-1 Power Case Trimmer

The ultimate tool for high-volume hand loaders, the Hornady® 3-in-1 Power Case Trimmer offers maximum efficiency and unmatched consistency without sacrificing accuracy and precise control.

Hornady understands that reloading accuracy does not happen by accident. Handloaders demand precise control and repeatable results when prepping brass. The Hornady 3-in-1 High-Speed Power Case Trimmer was carefully designed to provide fast, consistent, and exacting case prep results.

The engineers at Hornady developed the ultimate automated power trimmer for reloaders. Brass cases are quickly trimmed, chamfered, and deburred, utilizing one easy step with the Power Case Trimmer thanks to the quiet 2,000 RPM+ electric motor. Capable of trimming brass from .22 – .30 calibers and case lengths from 1.450” – 3.5”, the Power Case Trimmer can make quick work of brass prep for various rifle chamberings.

The advanced ergonomics are evident in the meticulous design of the Hornady 3-in-1 Power Case Trimmer. The combination of macro and micro adjustment features provides quick and exacting adjustments down to .001”. The case length click adjustment micro-dial ensures settings are locked in and guarantees quick and consistent trimming, case after case, offering unsurpassed versatility on the reloading bench.

Hornady 3-in-1 Power Case Trimmer Specs Read more

Ammunition

Phoenix, AZ – Langdon Tactical Technology (LTT) known for their best-in-class custom gunsmithing, proudly unveils the Limited-Edition Mark 23 SOP—an exclusive collaboration with Field Ethos that blends elite performance with unapologetic attitude.

This partnership is a celebration of overbuilt engineering, bold storytelling, and legendary heritage. Originally developed for SOCOM, the Mark 23 is already an icon. With LTT’s precision refinements and Field Ethos’ no-compromise mindset, it evolves into the ultimate statement piece for those who live to push boundaries. Read more

Firearms

Smith & Wesson Collectors Set to be Auctioned at NRA Foundation Event

ATLANTA, GA — An extraordinary opportunity for firearm collectors and enthusiasts is live now: an exclusive Smith & Wesson Collector’s 1854 Rifle and Model 29 Revolver Set is up for auction, with all net proceeds benefiting The NRA Foundation—America’s leading charitable organization in support of the shooting sports.

This collector’s set (number 32 of 100) will be featured during the National NRA Foundation Banquet & Auction, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, during the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits. Both online and in-person bidders will have the chance to compete for this unique collector’s item, making it accessible to supporters across the country.

Online bidding is currently open and will remain live until April 25, 2025, at 9:00 PM EST. Final bidding will culminate during the live auction at the banquet. Top online bidders will be contacted in advance and will receive real-time updates from a GunBroker.com team member during the live auction, ensuring they stay competitive with in-person bids. Read more

Firearms

Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation Settles Lawsuit Against Colorado Wildlife Commissioners

Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and its partner Safari Club International have settled a lawsuit against two Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) commissioners and the commission itself for violating the state’s open-meetings law.

Colorado’s open-meeting law requires that all meetings between two or more public officials where public business is discussed must be open to the public after notice of such a meeting is provided. The law’s purpose is to promote open and informed discussions, which leads to better decision making.

This was not the case when two current Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioners, Jack Murphy and Jessica Beaulieu, and former commissioner James Pribyl, coauthored an Op-Ed titled “Current and Former CPW commissioners endorse Prop 127.” The Op-Ed was highly critical of mountain lion and bobcat hunting, declaring that it “in no way contributes to our bright future … in our great state of Colorado.”

The Op-Ed also contained several blatant errors about state hunting regulations. The commissioners claimed that hunters could use drones, which is prohibited by the commission’s own regulations. They claimed that mountain lion hunts guarantee “success at 100%,” when the success rate is closer to 20 percent. And it falsely claimed that wild cats are “not involved in any human conflict,” when Colorado Parks and Wildlife website has numerous press releases to the contrary. The irony is that all these false statements were made while simultaneously declaring that commissioners “are held to a higher standard … of science, not mere opinion and conjecture.”

CPW made the correct decision to settle instead of dragging this out and wasting time and resources. Read more

Hunting

Joint Statement of Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship and Representative Matt Simpson Concerning Jubilees

A jubilee is a naturally occurring phenomenon that happens in only two locations in the world, Mobile Bay and Tokyo Bay, during which large numbers of fish and crustaceans are forced into shallow water due to low dissolved oxygen in the water. Jubilees are not “fish kills” and the fish, shrimp, and other marine life generally return to normal behavior when the conditions change. However, the events bring sea life right to the shore where they can be seen and harvested.

These events are special times in the lives of coastal residents and visitors. It is impossible to predict the exact location, time, and duration of a jubilee which makes planning uncertain for participation in this uniquely Alabama event. Individuals must abide by creel limits, size regulations, and other laws and regulations that protect Alabama’s valuable marine resources from overharvest during these events.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has worked with Representative Matt Simpson, who represents parts of the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay where most jubilees occur, to provide information to residents and visitors alike to ensure they can participate in these events within the law and enjoy the bounty of Mobile Bay. Read more

Fishing

Spring steelhead egg collection on Little Manistee River begins Tuesday

April 10, 2025

DNR staff holding fish at the Little Manistee River weir during spring steelhead egg take.The annual collection of steelhead eggs at the Little Manistee River weir in Stronach (Manistee County), Michigan, is tentatively scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 15. The facility is open to the public for up-close viewing during egg-take operations.

Steelhead provide one of Michigan’s premier sport fishing opportunities for both open-water fishing on the Great Lakes and tributary stream fishing. Yearling steelhead produced through hatchery operations are stocked in select tributaries of all the Great Lakes.

Since 1968, the Little Manistee River weir has served as the sole source of winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan and the main source for Ohio and Indiana. This year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources plans to collect 4.5 million eggs. Thompson State Fish Hatchery and Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery will receive 3.7 million of those eggs, and Ohio and Indiana will each receive 400,000 eggs. Read more

Fishing
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