Tahquamenon Falls River Trail re-opens after high water damage

Tahquamenon Falls State Park announced today that the River Trail at the park has re-opened.

River Trail repair workOn May 21, the trail was closed due to water levels three times higher than the average for May (according to the U.S. Geological Survey). Rangers and other park staff members have been working to repair the damage, removing fallen trees and repurposing materials from the old boardwalks and bridges to build new ones. “Our staff is dedicated to maintaining the safety of our guests,” said park supervisor Craig Krepps, “They worked diligently to repair the trail in an expedient fashion, allowing park visitors the chance to enjoy this popular trail this summer. Read more

General, Wildlife

Michigan DNR graduates 23 new conservation officers

Twenty-three recruits successfully completed Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer training and graduated today, June 13. Ceremonies were held at the training academy in Lansing, involving the recruits’ families and academy staff.

conservation officer shieldThe 23 new officers now enter 18 weeks of field training partnered with more experienced conservation officers in the counties in which they have been assigned. The academy and ongoing support for the graduates is funded in the DNR budget through a General Fund appropriation approved by the Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder. Read more

General

HSUS “Rescued,” Dumped Off Dogs

This from www.Humanewatch.org

It’s been a little while since we checked in on the federal lawsuit facing the Humane Society of the United States. No, not the racketeering lawsuit accusing HSUS of illegal witness payments—HSUS settled that one with its co-defendants for almost $16 million last month. We’re referring to another lawsuit, this one filed by Daniel Christensen, a hunting dog breeder in South Dakota whom HSUS “raided” in 2009.

In that case, HSUS assisted in the seizure of dogs from Christensen’s property. KELO TV reported at the time of the seizure that “Many of their [the dogs’] new handlers are from the Humane Society of the United States.” Scotlund Haisley, then the head of HSUS’s “rescue” team, told the media that “Under the request of the local authorities, we will now continue to provide care and medical treatment for these animals awaiting the judicial system.”

The judicial system spoke—and it threw out the warrant that HSUS used to seize the dogs (which was obtained by a local animal control officer). Christensen then sued Haisley, HSUS, and others for allegedly violating his rights. Read more

Animal Rights

Take Scouting To A Whole New Level With The Bushnell Trophy Cam HD Series

Overland Park, Kan. – Bushnell, an industry leader in high performance sports optics for more than 65 years and a market leader in the trail camera industry, has introduced three new Trophy Cam HD trail cameras. Leading the industry with a one-year battery life and superior image clarity, the Bushnell Trophy Cam HD and HD Max offer a host of valuable features in an aggressive new design.

Featuring black no-glow LEDs, an 8MP camera and high definition video (720p for the HD and 1080p for the HD Max), the Trophy Cam HD is packed with features to help hunters more effectively monitor game activity around the clock, including hybrid capture mode, a hyper passive infrared sensor (PIR) and an extended detection range. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

DNR offers tips for residents encountering snakes

This time of year, as snakes are out and about in the great outdoors, the Department of Natural Resources gets many questions about Michigan’s snakes. Michigan is home to 17 different species of snakes, 16 of which are completely harmless to humans.

 

There are two that are very similar and often cause a stir when people encounter them. Eastern hog-nosed snakes, when threatened, puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like “puff adder” or “hissing viper.”) If this act is unsuccessful, the snakes will writhe about, excrete a foul-smelling musk and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans.

 

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the only venomous species found in Michigan, is quite rare and protected as a species of special concern due to declining populations from habitat loss. As the name implies, the massasauga rattlesnake does have a segmented rattle on its tail. It should not be confused with the other harmless species of snake in Michigan that do not have segmented rattles but will also buzz their tails if approached or handled. Read more

Wildlife

Survivalists vs. Preppers Highlighted in Tonight’s “America Unplugged”

NEW BERLIN, WI- “I’m a survivalist, not a prepper. Prepping is replacing one dependent for another,” states Robert Allen, U.S. Army Combat Engineer, owner of Sigma 3 Survival School and featured on this week’s America Unplugged, exclusively on Sportsman Channel, Thurs., June 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Imagine a world where Americans no longer rely on local government for electricity, water, sanitation, heating, and cooling. This lifestyle of living “off the grid” is how more than 180,000 Americans choose to live every day. Hosted by former U.S. Navy SEAL/Sniper Cade Courtley, America Unplugged continues its ground-breaking journey into the homes of survivalists and those who have successfully “unplugged.” Read more

General, Self Defense

SAF Seeks Injunction Against Mass. Handgun Sales Regulations

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation, joined by Commonwealth Second Amendment, Inc., two commercial dealers and six private citizens, filed a lawsuit yesterday in federal court in Massachusetts, seeking an injunction against the State Attorney General’s enforcement of state consumer protection regulations that prevent the commercial sale of certain semiautomatic handguns.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, asserts that the regulation requiring a “load indicator” on a semiautomatic handgun is “unconstitutionally vague and ambiguous” because it does not define what this device is, or what it is intended to do.

“We’re asking the court to put a stop to what we believe is arbitrary enforcement of the regulation, because it deems 3rd and 4th generation Glock pistols lack an ‘effective load indicator’ device,” said SAF Founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “How can anyone design something when there is no description, or explanation of exactly what such a device is supposed to do and how it is supposed to do it?” Read more

Firearms, Gun Control, Self Defense
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