Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the shooting of an immature bald eagle six miles south and two miles east of Strandburg, South Dakota. The eagle was shot on or before October 31, 2013. Read more
Contact your state Senator TODAY in support of Senate Bill 610
On Thursday, the Michigan Senate is expected to vote on Senate Bill 610, legislation that would lift Michigan’s ban on the private ownership of short-barreled rifles and shotguns. SB 610, sponsored by state Senator Mike Green (R-31), passed unanimously in the Senate Judiciary Committee last month. It is important that you contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to vote for Senate Bill 610. Read more
NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Blend in with Napier Enterprises’ 57 Series Sportz Camo Truck Tent featuring Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity.
Why camp in an ordinary ground tent or an expensive RV when you can camp right in the back of your truck? The Sportz Camo Truck Tent assembles in the back of your open-bed pickup truck, creating a comfortable, restful sleeping area for two people with over 5.6 feet of headroom. With its patented sewn in floor, you won’t’ have to worry about cleaning out your truck bed before using it. Read more
Construction of a new building for the Department of Natural Resources’ Roscommon-based Forest Fire Experiment Station (FFES) is under way. The new building will be better equipped to accommodate large vehicles and incorporate new technology to allow for continued work improving and creating equipment to fight wildfires.
“This building will be replacing an outdated facility and will allow DNR staff to better support our firefighters who protect public and private lands,” said Paul Kollmeyer, resource protection manager for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “The innovative work this team accomplishes benefits our state as well as cooperative efforts with other states, counties and even countries.” Read more
Legislation introduced in the House would allow youth in a camp-like setting to receive firearms instruction and safety training from professional instructors. House Bill 5085
La Grande, OR – (November 12, 2013) – As a follow up to his popular six-part Alaska Adventure Series that is currently airing on the Outdoor Channel, Steve West has announced he’s seeking applications from big game hunting enthusiasts to accompany him on his 2014 Alaskan hunt. West is a highly successful big game hunter, holding the Muzzleloader World Record grizzly bear at 26 2/16″ B&C. Read more
BEAVERTON, Ore. – Redfield® is making sure you have no excuses if you’re in the market for a new riflescope. For a limited time, you can receive a $45 rebate on any purchase of a Revenge® series riflescope with an Accu-Ranger® or Accu-Plex reticle. Any Revenge Battlezone riflescope (including the Tac.22) also receives a $45 rebate. Or you can get $25 back on any Revenge with a 4-Plex or Fine Plex reticle. Read more
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. (Nov. 12, 2013) – After a long wait for American consumers, Anschütz Sporting Arms has delivered a substantial shipment of its much sought after MSR RX22 small-bore tactical training rifles to Steyr Arms, the exclusive importer of the rifle. This shipment included the popular Desert and Black Hawk models, as well as the extremely rare Precision and Precision Black models-all of which are currently shipping to distributers and dealers around the country. Read more
Mona, UT – As the industry’s leading supplier of 300 AAC Blackout ammunition and bullets for reloaders, Barnes Bullets, LLC (“Barnes”) is proud to announce a new 120 grain offering in addition to the current 110 grain TAC-TX™ in VOR-TX™ Ammunition and component lines. The new products will be made available in February, 2014. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
As consumers, we are all connected to nature. In this age of specialization, however, we go about our daily lives – commuting, turning wrenches, or punching keyboards or time clocks – never giving it much thought. But, for hundreds of thousands of Michigan firearms deer hunters heading afield on Friday, November 15th, that connectivity is renewed and realized no matter how obscure it has become through modern societal evolution.
For humans never having been exposed to the realities of the circle of life – sacrificing the lives of plants and animals so that we may live – it can be downright incomprehensible.
As an illustration, I am reminded of a family gathering in celebration of our granddaughter’s seventh birthday many years ago. Our favorite meals were selected – mine being trout. Sitting beside me, my granddaughter was introduced to just how stark our relation to nature can be, when the waitress placed the plate in front of me, complete with a rainbow trout from head to tail. “Grandpa! Grandpa! It’s a real fish!” she shrieked. You see, to her, fish were physically configured as squares.
Certainly, such a reaction is understandable to a youngster never having taken part in the procurement of one’s own food. To the ignorant, food comes from a store, just like money comes from an ATM; they’ve seen it with their own eyes. Perception has become their reality.
Yet, there is hope, as evidenced by an engaging young lady who participated in Michigan’s Liberty Hunt in September. At the Perry Youth Hunt Extravaganza, I noticed a vehicle backing toward the buck pole, obviously preparing to hang a deer.
A small girl only 9 years old, orange hat still in place, stepped out, as her hunting mentor/partner began to hoist her first buck for the many spectators to see. Movie camera in hand, I began my interview, when I was abruptly interrupted. “I have the heart in my pocket”, she offered unabashedly. When I asked what she was going to do with it, she was almost incredulous when she replied, “Eat it.”
Mere hours before, the youngster had taken a life. Yet, she was mature enough to understand the connection to life itself. In fact, she even field dressed the animal she would eventually consume.
Given that she may not be able to grasp how modern hunters are able to remove game while sustaining it, there is still plenty of learning ahead for her. But, at the age of 9, she’s wise beyond her years. She may not be able to understand that true conservationists/hunters may take from nature, while at the same time work diligently to give even more back. It’s what hunters do.
We hunt. We kill. We give back.
We love nature. We understand the balance of nature. Why else would we spend countless hours and dollars to preserve and protect it?
Some of us hunt for the meat, while others hunt for the adventure. Some of us don’t hunt at all.
It matters not, because in the end, we are all connected to the circle of life.
Note: Here is the video interview of the young hunter mentioned above: