DNR reminds ORV riders to ‘TREAD Lightly’ to encourage outdoor ethics

With the increasing use of off-road vehicles as a fun, summer activity in Michigan, conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources are encouraging riders to observe the “TREAD Lightly” program to promote responsible riding.
off-road vehicle heading down a Michigan trail
“The TREAD Lightly program promotes outdoor ethics for ORV riders,” said Lt. Andrew Turner, who leads the DNR’s recreation safety program. “Conservation officers are out on the trails on public land to enforce the ORV laws, and many of those laws and regulations are in place not only to protect the riders but to protect public land as well.”

The program encourages riders to:

Travel responsibly on roads and trails in permitted areas. Read more

General, Wildlife

Threatened and endangered species feature: trumpeter swan

 

ESA 40th anniversary logoJune 30, 2014

“To form a perfect conception of the beauty and elegance of these Swans, you must observe them when they are not aware of your proximity, and as they glide over the waters of some secluded inland pond. On such occasions, the neck, which at other times is held stiffly upright, moves in graceful curves, now bent forward, now inclined backwards over the body. Now with an extended scooping movement the head becomes immersed for a moment, and with a sudden effort a flood of water is thrown over the back and wings, when it is seen rolling off in sparkling globules, like so many large pearls. The bird then shakes its wings, beats the water, and as if giddy with delight shoots away, gliding over and beneath the surface of the liquid element with surprising agility and grace. Imagine, reader, that a flock of fifty Swans are thus sporting before you, as they have more than once been in my sight, and you will feel, as I have felt, more happy and void of care than I can describe.”

 

trumpeter swan (credit Steve Hillebrand)Over 150 years ago, John James Audubon wrote about the awe inspired by watching trumpeter swans as they go about their business, untroubled by the doings of humans. Thanks to the determined efforts of conservationists across North America, future generations will continue to be mesmerized by these impressive birds. Read more

Wildlife

HSUS Campaign Returns Negative 78 Percent

This from www.Humanewatch.org…

The Humane Society of the United States has gotten poor marks from charity watchdogs for its use of donor money, and one recent telemarketing campaign shows why. In a final accounting filed by HSUS telemarketing firm Donor Care Center, a fundraising campaign that raised over $200,000 from people who thought they were helping animals had a net return of negative 78 percent over the past year. Read more

Animal Rights

Garmin Tri-tronics Seminars

Rick & Ronnie Smith Join Rick and Ronnie Smith this season as they prepare a new generation of upland bird dogs, and allow you to build a better relationship with your canine companion. Take advantage of their 60-plus years of experience in guiding, trialing and training, by attending one of the seminars below. FOUNDATION SEMINARS

July 12-13 Rick Smith New Era, MI
August 9-10 Rick Smit Mount Brydges, Ontario, CA

INTERMEDIATE SEMINAR

August 14-17 Rick Smith Billings, MT

 

BUILD A BETTER DOG
Garmin Sporting Dogs
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Hunting

After Recreational Fishing Protests Feds Adjust Misleading Economic Information

Corrected figures show commercial sector shrank by $2.3 billion in 2012

Washington, D.C. – After significant objection from the recreational fishing and boating community, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has taken steps to correct a key fisheries economics report that misleadingly indicated that the domestic commercial fishing industry in the United States was significantly larger than the recreational fishing industry. When imported seafood, which is not regulated or managed by NMFS, is removed from the equation, the corrected data show that the recreational fishing industry is actually $7.9 billion dollars larger than the commercial fishing industry. Furthermore, the corrected data show that the domestic commercial fishing industry actually decreased by $2.3 billion in 2012. Read more

Fishing

NSSF Issues Report on Combined Spending by Hunters and Target Shooters

NEWTOWN, Conn. — National Shooting Sports Foundation’s “Hunting in America” and “Target Shooting in America” reports reveal the broad impact that spending by hunters and target shooters have on America’s economy. Now, responding to demand for a combined report, NSSF has issued “Economic Impact of Hunting and Target Shooting in America,” showing, among other significant statistics, that spending by America’s sportsmen and women results in a total impact of $110 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms
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