Tips for Michigan Handgun Hunters

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Back in the ‘70s, I became familiar with an expert in the art of handgun hunting, Bob Milek.  His skills intrigued me to the point that I purchased the ultimate handgun designed for hunting or target shooting:  the Thompson/Center Contender single-shot pistol.  Its interchangeable barrel configuration allows the firearm to be converted from the most diminutive rimfire cartridges to dangerous game calibers typically found only in big-game rifles.  Although the pistol is no longer produced, they are still widely available.

Below:   I shoot the Custom Contender with 500-grain Hornady round nose.

Although the Contender was designed for the hunter, Michigan initially excluded single-shot pistols from use afield in Zone III – the Southern zone.  Imagine the thinking, or lack thereof, behind the ban.   I couldn’t understand our lawmakers’ logic, but a year later they came to their senses and made them legal with straight-wall cartridges similar to today’s laws for long guns in Zone III.  Over the years, I’ve used pistols to take everything from small game to whitetail deer with various calibers from .22 long rifle to sledgehammer-like .45/70 caliber custom loads.

T/C Contender in .45/70 Custom JDJ Barrel and EOTech Optic

Here is the law relative to hunting with pistols in Michigan:  A conventional (smokeless powder) handgun must be .35-caliber or larger and loaded with straight-walled cartridges and may be single- or multiple-shot but cannot exceed a maximum capacity of nine rounds in the barrel and magazine combined.  Note that this rule differs from that of rifles in Zone III in that there are no cartridge case length restrictions.

If you decide to test your skills afield with a pistol, here are some tips to get the job done.

*  Eye and ear protection is highly recommended.  Electronic ear muffs are a good option.

*  Hunting from a tree stand or raised platform is legal with pistols.  To steady shots, treestand safety rails make for good shooting rests.  Make sure there is padding on the rail; any hard surface rest is to be avoided.

*  If hunting from an enclosed shooting blind, use of sandbags or a bipod is recommended.

*  If still hunting, look for trees as rests when pausing, using your off hand for support.  Another option is to employ commercial shooting sticks, but some folks fashion their own to save money.

*  Unless one hunts in confined areas where shots are within 50 yards or less, having a scoped handgun will increase accuracy.  Typically, long-eye relief scopes are used, but limit the magnification to a maximum of 6 power or less.  Anything greater can cause a hunter to fumble with locating targets in the heat of the moment.

*  Consider red dot optics without any magnifying lens for quick target acquisition.  Aimpoint and EOTech optics are some of the finest on the market and are worth a look, although pricey.

T/C Contender with EOTech Optic

*  Holsters are a must to keep both hands free to climb or otherwise traverse the landscape.

In summary, handgun hunting can be rewarding for those seeking a challenge.  However, the 9 out of 10 rule always applies:  You must be able to keep shots within a conservative bull’s eye of 6 inches in diameter 9 out of 10 shots.  If you can’t, get closer to the target until you meet the critical, self-imposed ethical standards.

Firearms, Hunting ,

Arkansas; GFC, EDC Offer $713,000 from Poaching Fine to Arkansas Schools

LITTLE ROCK – Nearly three-quarters of a million dollars is available for Arkansas schools this year, thanks to a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services to turn poaching violations into education opportunities.

All wildlife and fishing fine money collected in each Arkansas county last year has been set aside by the AGFC specifically for education grants teachers may use to increase conservation education efforts in their school. The money is available through grants administered by AEDC.

Teachers and administrators have until Oct. 25 to apply for a conservation education grant at www.arkansasedc.com/rural-services/division/grants/wildlife-education-grant. The amount of money available in each county is based upon the fines collected in that county and any unused funds from previous years. Any school or conservation district in Arkansas may apply for these grants regardless of size or population. Read more

Poachers

SAF Launches ‘Capture The Flag’ Effort to Challenge ‘Red Flag’ Laws

Two days after filing a federal lawsuit challenging a so-called “Red Flag” law in Maryland, the Second Amendment Foundation is announcing the launch of a new project to take subsequent legal actions against similar laws in several states.

This new initiative is called “Capture the Flag,” and it will focus on abuses and mis-application of “Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO)” statutes which have been adopted by 21 states and the District of Columbia.

“SAF’s ‘Capture the Flag’ initiative looks to challenge these laws that deprive individuals of their right to keep and bear arms, where appropriate, based on evidentiary standards that are constitutionally impermissible,” explained SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, who is a practicing civil rights attorney.

Kraut said the project will initially focus on “Red Flag” laws in six states: California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington.

“SAF has been concerned about these statutes since they first started showing up,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “We have already taken legal action against officials in Maryland for an egregious abuse of the law against a citizen in Dorchester County. But all of these laws should raise alarms because they prioritize citizen disarmament ahead of due process, and that can easily lead to deprivation of rights under color of law.” Read more

Gun Control

SnapSafe Trunk Safe II

The innovative SnapSafe® Trunk Safe II offers the ultimate storage solution for a variety of tools, firearms, equipment, documents, and more. The SnapSafe Trunk Safe II remains the unrivaled solution for theft protection in any car trunk, RV, or home. This exceptional safe ensures the utmost security for valuable possessions.

The SnapSafe Trunk Safe II boasts a heavy-duty 13-gauge steel exterior, reinforced by a rugged six-gauge door equipped with eight interior locking lugs. This formidable construction guarantees unparalleled strength and resilience, creating a fortified barrier against unauthorized access and potential theft.

This remarkable safe ensures seamless operation without compromising performance and is engineered with internal hinges and premium gas shocks. Users can effortlessly access stored items with smooth precision as the door glides open with ease, reflecting the superior craftsmanship of the SnapSafe Trunk Safe II. Read more

Firearms

SAF Files Appellate Brief in Challenge of ATF Rule on Frames, Receivers

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation and its partners in a challenge of the “Final Rule” issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives redefining frames and receivers as firearms, have filed an appellee’s brief in the case, known as VanDerStok v. Garland.

Joining SAF are Defense Distributed, and JSD Supply. They are represented by Houston, Texas attorney Chad Flores.

The brief explains how ATF redefined the term “firearm” without any Congressional action. Last year, the agency announced a Rule expanding the definition of firearm to include unfinished firearm components and kits used in the process of manufacturing a firearm. SAF and its partners are asserting ATF violated the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). A federal district court judge agreed and concluded that ATF had acted in excess of its statutory authority, and granted summary judgment.

SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb recently promised the organization will pursue this case “vigorously” as it winds through the court system.

“This case challenges the authority of the ATF to change rules and definitions of firearms without Congressional authority,” Gottlieb said. “We simply cannot allow any federal agency to make up its own rules as it goes along, without Congressional approval.” Read more

Gun Control

New Bushnell Bone Collector Laser Rangefinders Now Shipping

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. –– Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, is now shipping new laser rangefinder models right in time for deer season: the Bone Collector 1000 and Bone Collector 1800.

Designed in conjunction with Bone Collector’s Michael Waddell, Nick Mundt and Travis “T-Bone” Turner to meet their specifications and rigorous hunting demands, the newly available rangefinders feature everything hardcore hunters would expect and more. The new Bone Collector 1000 and 1800 rangefinders feature a sharp and bold new look while building off Bushnell’s 25 years of rangefinder legacy.

“Bushnell knocked it out of the park on these,” said Waddell. “We worked closely with the Bushnell team to make sure these latest and greatest Bone Collector rangefinders kept all the best features the crew loves from previous models, but also longer ranges and new tools like Applied Ballistics.”

The Bone Collector 1000 features a fully multi-coated, all-glass optical system that’s 2x brighter than other laser rangefinders for dim conditions at dawn and dusk. The rangefinder allows for quick measurements with the fast-focus eyepiece and Scan Mode, plus ARC technology and long distance ranging to 1,000 yards with +/- 1-yard accuracy. The 1000 series model is also standard with a one-button design for easy operation along with a new, ergonomic housing for added stability and comfort.

The Bone Collector 1800 builds on the features of the 1000 by not only extending its ranging capability (1,800 yards with +/- 1-yard accuracy) but also including a built-in Applied Ballistics Ultralight engine. The onboard ballistic software offers shooting solutions out to 800 yards and is easy to setup through the Bushnell Ballistic App powered by Bluetooth capabilities. The Bone Collector 1800 also features Brush and Bullseye modes for the most accurate readings possible. Read more

Firearms, Hunting

NEBO Rambler 100 Power Station

Ft. Worth, TX (August 23, 2023) – Is there a feeling worse than being on the go and suddenly realizing that a vital piece of equipment is low on power? Whether it be a mobile phone, tablet, or another needed device, being away from a power outlet when the batteries are low is inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst.

NEBO can help with their latest product, the Rambler 100 Portable Power Station. The Rambler 100 is your passport to work wherever you roam. The Rambler 100 can charge just about anything, anywhere. It is hand-held, powerful, and capable of various USB wired, wireless, as well as AC charging options. It bridges the gap between small hand-held power banks with USB ports and larger, heavier power stations with multiple USB and AC outlet ports. Read more

General

CMP Announces Western Fall Classic Event for October 2023

PHOENIX, Ariz. – If you missed this year’s Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Western Games and Highpower Matches in the spring, here’s your second chance to attend!

The CMP will be returning to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility Oct. 10-15, 2023, for the Western Fall Classic – a condensed version of the Western CMP Games, CMP Pistol & CMP Highpower (HP) Rifle Matches. Despite the shorter schedule, the event will still offer a wide variety of events for rifle and pistol competitors alike.

The Western Fall Classic will feature three days of popular CMP Games competitions like the Garand/Springfield/Vintage & Modern Military Matches, a Carbine Match, a Rimfire Sporter Match and the Vintage Sniper Match for rifle along with the CMP Match Pistol 2700, EIC Service Pistol, EIC Service Revolver, EIC .22 Rimfire Pistol, Military & Police Service Pistol and As-Issued Pistol matches. Read more

Firearms

Your Feeding Station as a Stopover Attraction

Keeping your hummingbird feeder filled with fresh nectar in a red feeder will attract dispersing and migrating hummingbirds.
Fresh water attracts the greatest variety of birds, including species that aren’t usually attracted to a feeder, like this Yellow Warbler (photos by Paul Konrad).

Rather than mixed seed blends, offer black oil sunflower seeds to provide the most nourishing seeds for small and large birds alike. You can also avoid the mess of seed hulls by providing shelled “sun seeds.” Read more

Wildlife
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