Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Van Wunderlich of Demorest, Georgia passed away Tuesday, October 8th with his son, Jon, at his side. He was my uncle and served in the Army Air Force during World War II as a ball turret gunner on the B-17. Born January 1924 he was the younger brother of my late father, Roy. Here is a short video of Van feeding wild trout in Georgia on my visit there some three years ago. Rest in peace, Uncle Van.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Two sessions: 4-5 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.
Lost Lake Woods Club pavilion
4243 Lost Lake Trail, Lincoln (Alcona County)
The Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Northeast Michigan Branch of the National Deer Association to hold a deer processing demonstration guided by NDA leader Kip Adams. Hunters will all levels of experience can attend and bring home tips from a pro on butchering your harvest to get venison from the field to your table or freezer.
Cost is $10 per person. Dinner will be available for all attendees between sessions.
RSVP by Oct. 11 by calling or texting Alleigh Pagels at 989-884-3870 to reserve your spot at one of these sessions.
A nearly two-year investigation by the Pennsylvania Game Commission has led to the filing of 71 charges against three Chester County residents – a father and his two adult sons – who are accused of poaching dozens upon dozens of trophy bucks in Chester and Delaware counties.
Charged in the incident are:
All three defendants are facing significant fines, court costs and restitution. They are also facing extensive hunting license revocation if convicted.
The Game Commission began investigating the case after receiving a tip concerning the unlawful taking of large whitetail bucks over a span of years. The charges filed involve deer that were taken out of season, at night and or over the limit of one buck per hunter per year.
Nearly 50 mounts and antler sets – most of them trophy class – were seized from the three, and this broad investigation remains open to determine whether additional people are involved. Read more
CenterPoint Optics, a leader in outdoor optics, unveiled the CPNV01, a powerful night vision monocular that sets a new standard for low-light visibility. Designed for hunters, boaters, security professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts, the CPNV01 offers unparalleled performance at an accessible price point.
“The CPNV01 is a versatile night vision monocular that offers exceptional performance and ease of use at a competitive price point,” said Jesse Newman, Director of Product Development. “With its superior optics, long battery life, and convenient features, the CPNV01 is the perfect tool for anyone who needs to see clearly in low-light conditions.”
The CenterPoint Optics CPNV01 boasts both day and night vision modes, ensuring clear visibility around the clock. With its 2.5k UHD AVI video resolution, users can capture high-quality footage for documentation or sharing their experiences. The device’s versatility makes it an indispensable tool for various applications, from wildlife observation to nighttime navigation and security surveillance.
Key features of the CenterPoint Optics CPNV01 Night Vision Monocular include: Read more
New for 2024, Buck Commander is proud to announce the launch of the BUK OPS® Cycloptic™ Series. This series features two industry-first optics: Cycloptic-X™ Prime Crossbow Scope and the Cycloptic™ Handheld Prime Viewer. Buck Commander has changed everything about hunting in low-light hunting situations with the BUK OPS Cycloptic Series.
The BUK OPS Cycloptic-X Prime Crossbow Scope features Primetime Color Vision™ to maximize time in the field. The Primetime Color Vision enhances visibility during critical low-light hunting conditions by augmenting natural light with an advanced high-definition conversion process. The vibrant color and clarity offer hunters a distinct advantage at dawn or dusk, making it easier to identify bucks and optimize chances of success.
With a click of a button, the Cycloptic-X can record in 4k high-resolution digital imaging, producing a bright, vivid sight picture that leaves traditional crossbow optics far behind. Hunters can finally have a high-definition, first-person view of their hunting experience. With the manual focus lens, fully adjustable red/green/blue/black crosshairs, and 1-5x zoom range, Buck Commander’s BUK OPS Cycloptic-X is the most versatile prime crossbow scope on the market. Included in the package is BUKSKIN, a premium neoprene protective skin in Veil Tac Black Camo to keep each Cycloptic-X in like-new condition.
Cycloptic-X™ Specs: Read more
FOR SUBCOMPACT HANDGUNS
Multi-Fuel TLR-7® HL-X sub USB Light Features 1,000 Lumens, 10,000 Candela
Eagleville, PA – Streamlight®, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, launched the TLR-7® HL-X sub USB weapon-mounted tactical light, adding an extreme level of brightness to its popular TLR-7® X sub light for subcompact handguns. Delivering up to 1,000 lumens and 10,000 candela, and featuring multi-fuel operation with USB or disposable battery options, the new light is designed to fit select GLOCK®, SIG SAUER®, Smith & Wesson®, Beretta®, Springfield Armory® and Heckler & Koch® railed subcompact handguns.
“We have taken the popular TLR-7 X sub light to a new level with a high-lumen light that offers versatility based on operational needs and user preferences,” said Streamlight President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Sharrah. “When using a Streamlight SL-B9® USB-C rechargeable battery pack, the TLR-7 HL-X sub USB will deliver an ultra-bright 1,000 lumens to maximize targeting capability in tactical situations. Users also can program the light to deliver 500 lumens when using the same USB rechargeable battery, or they can use a disposable lithium battery, depending on availability or user needs.” Read more
Hunter not injured
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff responded to a reported encounter between a hunter and a grizzly bear on Saturday.
The hunter was in the backcountry south of Hidden Lakes in the Gallatin Range when he saw a grizzly bear and two large cubs at close range. The hunter climbed a tree to avoid the bear, but the bear charged at the hunter. The hunter shot and injured the bear from the tree The hunter stayed in the tree while the injured bear remained nearby.
The hunter called 911 and reported his location. FWP grizzly bear specialists, game wardens and a pilot responded via helicopter. After they landed, FWP staff dispatched the injured bear and found the hunter, who was not injured. Read more
On Friday, September 27, a guest visiting Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park found a 2.30-carat white diamond in the park’s 37.5-acre diamond search area. This is the third diamond over two carats registered this year and the second-largest diamond registered in 2024.
Eager for the day, the finder arrived at the park when the doors opened at 8 a.m. They rented a basic kit from the park’s Diamond Discovery Center and started out wet sifting, a searching method that involves washing dirt from diamond-bearing gravel through screens of graduated sizes in water. After a few hours of no luck, the guest decided to try surface searching, stating, “If I find a diamond today, it will probably be right here on the surface.”
Many of the park’s largest diamonds are found on the surface. “We periodically plow the search area to loosen the diamond-bearing soil and promote natural erosion,” Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox said. “As rain falls on the field, it washes away the dirt and uncovers heavy rocks, minerals and diamonds near the surface.” Read more
The Cornwall Creek Flooding, located within the Pigeon River Country State Forest, is a popular northern Michigan location for fishing, paddling and other recreation. Over the last couple of months, the water level of the 161-acre lake was lowered by several feet to address safety concerns with the Cornwall Dam, which creates the impoundment, and to prepare for the planned renovation of the dam.
A series of safety inspections by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy — the state agency that regulates dams — determined that Cornwall Creek Dam and its water control infrastructure were in poor condition. A partial drawdown of the water level in the Cornwall Flooding impoundment was necessary to reduce the risks of dam failure, until problems with the dam are resolved. Read more
Franchi, a leader in precision firearms known for exceptional performance and Italian craftsmanship, announces a limited-time rebate offer for its Momentum rifle line. Now through December 31, 2024, customers can receive a $150 rebate on any Franchi Momentum Rifle.
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a shooting sports enthusiast, the Franchi Momentum Rifle is designed to deliver both accuracy and dependability in the field. This exceptional rifle boasts innovative features, including an ergonomic stock, adjustable trigger, and threaded barrel—all engineered for superior comfort and accuracy.
This rebate makes it easier than ever to own a high-quality rifle at an incredible value. The Franchi Momentum is already known for its premium build and affordability, but with this $150 savings, there’s never been a better time to purchase one. Read more