Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the application period for antlerless deer licenses is now open through Aug. 15. Hunters may apply for one license in any open Deer Management Unit (DMU) statewide; a nonrefundable $5 fee is charged at the time of application. Drawing results and leftover license availability may be viewed at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings beginning Sept. 4. Read more
The Department of Natural Resources today announced that Sleepy Hollow State Park’s newest cabin, complete with plenty of features to offer a relaxing stay at this popular mid-Michigan park, is now available for reservations. The cabin is nestled atop a hill near the beach and offers a beautiful view of Lake Ovid. Read more
Hunter’s Specialties® new Speed Sling is a great way to easily transport your bow to your hunting stand. The sling features sturdy nylon straps in Realtree® camo with quick-release buckles for fast accessibility. It has a cushioned non-slip black neoprene shoulder pad to evenly distribute the weight of a hunter’s bow across their shoulder.
The Hunter’s Specialties Speed Sling sells for a suggested retail price of $12.99.
For more information about other Hunter’s Specialties products, log onto the Hunter’s Specialties website at www.hunterspec.com, write to 6000 Huntington Court NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402, or call a Consumer Service Specialist at 319-395-0321.
Houston, TX – RRR and Associates, LLC is proud to introduce the unique slip-on padded RRRTM Gun Rest.
Unlike sandbags that can fall out of a blind, the patented (U.S. Pat. No. 8,516,733; U.S. Pat. No. D673,237) RRR gun rest (or “triple R”) provides a steady, sure shot off any surface and helps to eliminate noise when shifting the gun to different shooting positions. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
When Michigan’s new hunting and fishing license structure was introduced, along with increases in license fees, reactions were predictably mixed. With jaundiced eyes, many of us took a wait-and-see attitude.
With the cost of food and fuel at all-time highs, who wants to pay more for anything? Nobody. Government, on the other hand, likes to employ code words and phrases, such as “investments in the future” to soothe our trepidation. “Grants” is another word which meets with widespread approval from those on the receiving end but raises suspicion from those funding them – and, in this instance, it’s the outdoors enthusiasts that pay to hunt and fish.
Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has expanded its efforts to do what it said it would do with our money through the issuance of wildlife habitat grants, specifically designed to enhance food and cover for deer on private land. Again, this is only one means cited in a dizzying array of grant programs available to applicants, but evidence of the new thinking has already materialized. Read more
At 99 yards, this woodchuck is struck with the tiny 25-grain bullet of the .17 Winchester Super Magnum fired from the Savage B-Mag traveling at 2600 fps.
116,000 Square-Foot Addition to its Eagle Pass-Based Operation
North Haven, CT – O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., America’s oldest family-owned and operated firearms manufacturer and the largest pump-action shotgun manufacturer in the world, proudly announces the completion of a major expansion at their Maverick Arms, Inc. facility in Eagle Pass, Texas. With the new 116,000 square-foot addition, Mossberg’s manufacturing and distribution capabilities have now increased significantly in Texas. Mossberg’s corporate headquarters and some manufacturing remain in North Haven, Connecticut, where the company has been located since 1919.
A recent statement from Texas Governor Rick Perry’s office recognized the efforts of the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) and the state’s low taxes, smart regulations, fair courts and skilled workforce as keys to Mossberg’s decision to invest in Texas. “This TEF investment in Maverick Arms will help create jobs and opportunity in Eagle Pass, while reaffirming Texas’ longstanding support of the Second Amendment,” stated Governor Perry. Read more
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.
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
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
In 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/
Additional public input will be gathered via a series of public meetings. Dates, times and locations include: Read more