DNR advises caution to prevent spread of oak wilt disease

July 15 marks the end of the three-month window when oak wilt can be transmitted from diseased to healthy red oak trees. Although this time frame is coming to a close, the Department of Natural Resources reminds residents not to move wood from trees with oak wilt. Wood from oak wilt-killed trees can produce spores, which can infect healthy oaks if (the infected trees are) wounded between April 15 and July 15 the following year.

According to Dr. Robert Heyd, forest health management program manager for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division, oak wilt is a serious disease of oak trees. It mainly affects red oaks, including northern red oak, black oak and pin oak. Red oaks often die within a few weeks after becoming infected. Because white oaks are more resistant, the disease progresses more slowly.

“The normal time-tested advice is to prevent oak wilt by not pruning or otherwise ‘injuring’ oaks from April 15 to July 15,” Heyd said.Oak wilt symptoms

He added that the spread of oak wilt occurs during this time of year as beetles move spores from trees killed last year by oak wilt to wounds on healthy oaks.

Oak wilt has been detected in Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Cheboygan, Clinton, Crawford, Dickinson, Genesee, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iron, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Menominee, Midland, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Ottawa, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford counties.

Although oak wilt hasn’t been detected in every Michigan county, Heyd said the need for vigilance is present statewide. Read more

General

CMMG Adds One More Caliber To New AR Pistol Line-Up

Fayette, MO—CMMG has announced that it will add a 5.56mm version to its recently released line-up of AR pistols.

Aside from the caliber, the most notable difference in this new Mk4 K AR Pistol in 5.56mm is that it features a 12.5-inch barrel, compared to the 8.2-inch barrel found on the .300 AAC Blackout and 9mm versions.  The increased barrel length will allow shooters to attain greater accuracy and excellent reliability with the popular 5.56mm cartridge.

The Mk4 K AR Pistol comes with a Magpul MOE pistol grip and stock, an A2 muzzle compensator and features an ambidextrous rear sling mount. Read more

Firearms, Self Defense

Public opinion sought on proposed bass fishing regulations

boy holding a bass on Lake St. ClairIn order to get public input on proposed regulations to expand Michigan’s bass fishing seasons, the Department of Natural Resources has announced an online survey and public meetings throughout the state in July. For the past year the DNR’s Fisheries Division has been working with the Warmwater Resources Steering Committee (a public advisory group) to discuss possible expansion of bass seasons.

The regulation expansion options being discussed would increase fishing and harvest seasons. Under all options, bass populations would still be protected and include a winter no-harvest season, 14-inch minimum size limit and daily possession limit.

To gauge public opinion, both anglers and non-anglers (particularly lake property owners) are encouraged to complete the DNR’s bass regulations survey, available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BassRegs. The goal of this survey is to determine the level of support for increasing angling opportunities for largemouth and smallmouth bass through changes to existing fishing seasons.

Additional public input will be gathered via a series of public meetings. Dates, times and locations include: Read more

Fishing

BunkerHead LLC Introduces the No-TouchTM Hunting Face Mask Featuring Mossy Oak® Camo

ALGOA, TEXAS –BunkerHead LLC introduces the hunting industry to its one-of-a-kind, patent-pending No-TouchTM Face Mask System. It is “Comfortable, Versatile, and Simple.”

With all the incredible advancements that have been made in hunters’ clothing, from water-wicking outerwear to scent-blocking underwear, the face mask somehow fell through the cracks. BunkerHead’s No-Touch™ Hunting Face Mask is here to offer an innovative and new hunting option.

The BunkerHead Face Mask attaches to the brim of a cap instead of the hunter’s head. With its infinitely shapeable support structure, the light-weight mask can be custom-formed to fit any hunting situation. By attaching to the cap, hunters no longer have to worry about glasses fogging up, fabric sticking to their skin, or the “one size fits some” problem. Read more

Hunting

Browning Camping Introduces the Shadow Hunter Blind Chair

New Haven, MO – Browning Camping introduces the Shadow Hunter Blind Chair for 2014 offering the ultimate in adjustability and comfort for the blind this fall. This blind chair is perfect for hunting in a permanent blind or to be used in a pop-up hunting blind on the ground The Shadow Hunter blind chair features a silent 360° swivel seat that is equipped with a sturdy base and a TechMesh seat with a backrest for unmatched comfort. When hunting on uneven ground, the Shadow Hunter has independently adjustable legs and large swivel feet to help with positioning that prevents the feet from sinking in. The Shadow Hunter has an adjustable seat height from 17”-23”, and has a weight capacity of 275 pounds. The Shadow Hunter blind chair has an MSRP of $119.99 Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Ergo Grip Launches Radical New Grip For J-Frame Revolvers

Moriarty, NM – Ergo Grip® introduces the radical new Delta Grip for J-Frame revolvers. This innovative, injection moulded handgun grip is the first truly ergonomic grip engineered for the most important part of the revolver, the shooter. The unconventional shape gives the shooter a more natural point of aim, more gripping surface area and better control while maintaining the ability to conceal and carry the revolver. Read more

Firearms, Self Defense

SureFire Introduces Y300 Ultra LED Flashlight

Fountain Valley, CA – SureFire is pleased to announce the release of their new Y300 Ultra flashlight. This latest Ultra model-“Ultra” designating it features an ultra-high-output LED that generates a maximum output of 500 lumens-is also ultra-compact, at just 3.6 inches in length, and weighs only 5.5 ounces when loaded with the two 123A lithium batteries that power it. In addition to its 500-lumen max output, the dual-output Y300U also generates a useful 15-lumen beam on its lower setting. It also has a unique magnetic platform that allows attachment to a variety of metal surfaces-for hands-free use-making the Y300U one of the most versatile flashlights ever created by SureFire. Read more

General, Hunting

Missouri Corn Growers Push for More Ethanol at the Fuel Pump

GW:  A friend has a new boat motor and the owner’s manual states Seafoam fuel treatment must be added to counter-act the alcohol level in the fuel.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Are wise consumers of gasoline being pushed to use a fuel that doesn’t work in their boats, lawn equipment, and other small engines? A June 24 statement from the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) blames current high gasoline prices on volatile markets and calls for more ethanol at the gas pump to lower gas prices. However, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says that smart consumers have learned that corn-based ethanol has not lived up to its expectations as America’s green fuel and that higher ethanol blends – those being encouraged by the MCGA – are incompatible with outboard boat motors, generators, lawn mowers, motorcycles, and so many other engines. Read more
Fishing

The First Annual Concealed Carry Expo Offers Attendees Outstanding Entertainment, Shopping and Education

The 2015 USCCA Concealed Carry Expo is the first expo of its kind dedicated to the concealed carry lifestyle. The event is completely funded, promoted and supported by the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA). With more than 125,000 member/subscribers, the USCCA is the fastest-growing advocate for concealed carry and the industry leader in self-defense insurance.

The Concealed Carry Expo will host booths by a number of retailers and manufacturers including many featured in Concealed Carry Magazine, in addition to informative concealed carry, home and self-defense classes and other educational opportunities.

The Expo will also host a fun and informative Concealed Carry Fashion show on Saturday night, May 9th. Attendees will get the chance to see the newest designs in clothing and gear for the concealed carry lifestyle, with the opportunity to visit the manufacturers’ booths to purchase the items afterwards. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Self Defense

HSUS Fundraisers Reach $25 Million Settlement with Attorney General

QuadrigaHSUSThis from www.HumaneWatch.org

The Humane Society of the United States has long engaged in misleading and deceptive fundraising, using the pictures of needy cats and dogs to pull on Americans’ heartstrings while only giving 1% of its money to pet shelters. Now one of the top fundraising firms used by HSUS—if not the top fundraising firm—is being held to account in a major way for some of its other activities. Quadriga Art, a direct-mail firm that HSUS has paid over $20 million in the past few years, and a second firms have come to a $25 million settlement with the New York Attorney General over deceptive fundraising for veterans causes.

New York opened an inquiry into Quadriga after CNN reported that Quadriga was keeping the vast majority of the money raised on behalf of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. At that time, DVNF had reportedly raised $55.9 million since 2007, yet paid Quadriga more than $60 million between 2008 and 2010. Quadriga was able to (ab)use a contract that allowed it to assume the cost of a fundraising campaign and keep the money that came in.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman summed up the case: “Taking advantage of a popular cause and what was an unsophisticated start-up charity, these direct-mail companies used cleverly designed but misleading mailers to raise tens of millions of dollars in donations from generous Americans, nearly all of which went to the fundraisers and their agents, and left the charity nearly $14 million in debt.” Read more

Animal Rights
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