Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Yesterday, as the Michigan legislature works through the final weeks of its 2011-2012 session, the state Senate approved Senate Bill 59 by a vote of 27 to 11 (vote is on page 2307). This bill was sent to the House where it has been assigned to the Committee on Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation. Read more
San Diego, Calif. – Because of the enduring popularity of lever-action rifles, they are among the first rifles new shooters are introduced to. As a result, the latest online video from the “Roy’s Insider Tips” series tackles the subject of how to safely unload these popular rifles.
Produced by FMG Publications and hosted by American Handgunner Publisher Roy Huntington, this online video series offers an excellent how-to resource for those looking to introduce their friends and loved ones to safe gun-handling. Read more
FORT SMITH, Arkansas (November 29, 2012) – Walther Arms, Inc. today announced its U.S. operations will locate at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Walther Arms will share a campus and business resources with Umarex USA who today announced it will expand its manufacturing operations to include components of both airguns and firearms. Combined, the companies plan to invest more than $7 million toward expanding the facility and operations over the next five years. The expanding facility will serve as corporate headquarters for both Walther and Umarex in North America. Read more
Interested in avoiding crowded stores? Need a little help locating one-of-a-kind gifts? Like gifts that support Michigan’s wildlife, natural resources or history programs? 
If any of those scenarios sounds like you, consider turning to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for several gift-giving ideas sure to satisfy the outdoor/nature enthusiast or history buff on your shopping list. Read more
Three recent trail camera photos of cougars in the Upper Peninsula have been verified by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Two of the photos, both of a cougar with a radio collar, were taken in October in Menominee County – one near Cedar River and one near Menominee just north of the Wisconsin border.
U,P. Cougar
The third photo was taken in northern Marquette County in November. The cougar in the Marquette County photo is not wearing a radio collar.
The DNR does not place radio collars on cougars; North Dakota and South Dakota are the nearest states where wildlife researchers have placed radio collars on cougars to track their movement. The DNR has not yet been able to determine the origin of the radio-collared cougar that is in Michigan. Read more
A short video clip of a monster buck from Michigan’s Van Buren County is here.
To better understand predator-prey relationships, SCI Foundation helped fund studies on Whitetail deer in Michigan. In Michigan, Deer survival is influenced by many factors including disease, predation, weather, and hunter harvest. In the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, deer survival is especially influenced by winter food supply and cover. Predators also play a role in the survival of deer, particularly fawn survival during the spring and summer. Understanding deer survival and the factors that influence survival throughout the year is vitally important for proper management of the deer herd.
The Safari Club International Foundation has partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Mississippi State University, and the Michigan Involvement Committee of Safari Club International to better understand the impact of predation on deer, while also determining how predation is influenced by winter weather and deer habitat conditions. Learn more right here.
The Michigan Legislature returned yesterday for the last few weeks of their 2012 legislative session with several pro-gun bills still pending consideration. House Bill 5225 and its companion bills, legislation that would eliminate the state handgun “permit-to-purchase” and registration requirements in Michigan, have been languishing in the state Senate for months, so your state Senator and the Senate leadership need to hear from gun owners across Michigan today! Since the state House passed HB 5225 back in June, the Michigan Senate is the only remaining obstacle to getting this vital bill to the Governor. Read more
New Yorkers, who wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights by carrying concealed pistols, are out of luck, based on an Appeals Court decision. Requiring gun owners to obtain concealed-carry permits was in line with the state’s interest in protecting public safety and didn’t run afoul of the Second Amendment, the appeals court ruled. But, obtaining them is near impossible. The Supreme Court may get this case, which should settle the issue of whether the Heller decision in 2008 only addresses the right to bear arms only applies to inside one’s home. Crazy stuff is here…
Conditions are right for a heavy dose of lake-effects snow this season and the reasons are here…