Michigan DNR fighting frog-bit – a new invasive species

The Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division is leading response efforts to control a new aquatic invasive plant, European frog-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae). Until recently, this free-floating plant had only been reported in a few localized sites in the southeastern Lower Peninsula. Through recent statewide monitoring efforts, this species has been detected in Saginaw Bay, Alpena and Munuscong Bay in Chippewa County.

 

European frog-bitThis new invasive species was detected as a result of an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) pilot project funded through a federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant. The project relies on collaboration with partners, including Michigan State University and Cooperative Weed Management Area groups. Read more

Wildlife

Hawke® Sport Optics Adds Long Range Rimfire Reticle

Hawke Sport Optics is expanding the Sport HD IR family with a scope specifically designed to improve downrange accuracy with your rimfire rifle.   Delivering out-of-the-box 200-yard accuracy, the Hawke Sport HD IR Rimfire scope marries the most popular rifle in the world with innovative yet simple reticle design.  When sighted in at 50 yards the Sport HD IR Rimfire provides 25-yard aim points from 50 to 200 yards, giving the user downrange accuracy never expected from a .22 rifle.  As a bonus, there is no need to memorize aim points, as the yardages are etched directly onto the glass of the reticle. Read more

Firearms, Hunting, Wildlife

Cabela’s to Honor Hometown Heroes

Springfield, Ore. – Cabela’s stores nationwide will honor the contributions of those who serve by offering employee pricing to all veterans and active duty military and reserve, law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel on Monday, November 11, and Tuesday, November 12. The Hometown Heroes event will recognize the sacrifice and dedication of those who protect and serve our country and communities every day.
To participate in the Hometown Heroes event, veterans and active duty military, reserve, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel should present their service identification to the Hometown Heroes cashier upon checkout at their local Cabela’s store during the event. Upon doing so, they will receive their Hometown Heroes discount on virtually everything in the store. Some restrictions apply; see store for complete details.

General

Think Ahead Before Going Afield

By Glen Wunderlich

As youngsters growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, we played organized baseball in the city leagues.  Typically, one of the team-member’s fathers would handle coaching duties, and fortunately for many of us, we had some good baseball minds teaching us how to think ahead of the play.

Outfielders had it easy, because the coaches made sure all throws came to second base.   Infielders, on the other hand, were required to decide what to do with a ground ball, as the opposing batter stepped to the plate.  And, the coaches would make sure each infielder had a plan by verbally testing the players, as they quizzed infielders aloud before the play would begin.

The coaches understood that once the ball was hit, it was too late to begin considering options.  Things happened too fast to form a committee or to take a survey.  It was each player’s responsibility to think ahead.

Similarly, sportsmen and women would do well to take a page from the sandlot coaches’ book, before they take to the outdoors in Michigan’s firearms deer hunting season opener November 15th.

There is no substitute for situational awareness.  Of course, experience is a good teacher and some mistakes of the past become lessons learned – albeit the hard way.

For example, taking the largest antlerless deer from among a group seems like a good strategy for those with an antlerless deer permit.  But, when that large “doe” turns out to be a button buck fawn, it’s too late to think ahead.  Hindsight and a tactical error become the high-priced lesson of the day.

But, there is a better way. Read more

Hunting

Osprey like football too!

Michigan residents aren’t the only ones enjoying football this fall. It turns out that osprey in northern Michigan like football, too – football lights, that is.

osprey platformMarion High School sits just outside of town, overlooking agricultural fields and Middle Branch River, which – with its many feeder streams – winds its way through the Osceola County countryside. A large mill pond near town holds a nice supply of fish.

“The osprey will drop fish right on the football field,” laughed Beth Robb, the Marion High School principal.

Marion High School had a historic problem with a pair of osprey nesting on its football stadium lights. Together, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Consumers Energy and Marion High School formed a plan to provide the osprey with a different location to call home. Read more

Wildlife

Anti-Wolf Hunting Group Recognized at NBA Opener

Posted on November 1, 2013

A group working to ban wolf hunting and trapping in Minnesota was labeled the “Non-profit of the Game” at the Minnesota Timberwolves season opener.

Howling for Wolves, the leading group opposing wolf management in Minnesota, paid $2,000 to the Timberwolves franchise for the non-profit designation and was allowed a booth at the game. As “Non-profit of the Game”, the group was also given a 30-second public service announcement to encourage fans to visit the booth where they could sign a petition to stop the upcoming wolf hunting season that begins November 9th.

Timberwolves spokesman Brad Ruiter says a wide variety of groups have signed up to do this over the years, and it does not constitute a team endorsement of their views, according to sctimes.com.  Sportsmen and others disagree.

“By giving this animal rights group a high profile platform, the Timberwolves are in fact endorsing the group to all those in attendance,” says Nick Pinizzotto, USSAF president and CEO. “It’s disappointing for such a high profile organization to allow this type of propaganda that is contrary to scientific fact.” Read more

Animal Rights

Simmons Launches $20 Toward Your Tag Instant Savings Promotion

Published on Thursday, 31 October 2013 11:49

Overland Park, Kan. — Simmons, a leader in high-quality, high-value sports optics for more than 25 years, helps hunters buy their tag with $20 instant savings on any Simmons riflescope or laser rangefinder. The instant savings is available from November 1 to December 25, 2013 on products with an original retail price of more than $49.95. Read more

Firearms
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