$23.3 million in Michigan’s outdoor recreation development and acquisition grants

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed legislation creating more opportunities for quality outdoor recreation by authorizing $23.3 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grants.

“From camping and kayaking to swimming and snowmobiling, Pure Michigan offers us world-class recreation right in our backyard,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Since 1976, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has helped us protect our precious natural places and invested in accessible outdoor public recreation. Today’s grants will fund 45 projects across the state, anchoring communities, spurring local economies and making our state a better place to live.”

House Bill 4437 approves funding for the 45 recreation development projects and land purchases recommended by the board. It is now Public Act 119 of 2023. Read more

Wildlife

Tour Black River sturgeon hatchery for free Aug. 26

Anyone wanting to get a close-up look at lake sturgeon or learn more about what goes into rearing this unique fish species is encouraged to take advantage of free hatchery tours at the Black River facility Saturday, Aug. 26. Tours will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the facility, located northwest of Onaway.

“Visitors will see 3-month-old lake sturgeon currently in the hatchery and learn about early life history, as well as how we can all play a role to keep this species healthy in our waters,” said Tim Cwalinski, Northern Lake Huron Unit supervisor with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Researchers from the DNR and Michigan State University will be on hand to talk about lake sturgeon biology, early life history and current research. Sturgeon for Tomorrow representatives will discuss restoration work to improve sturgeon spawning habitat, sturgeon conservation and outreach programming.

The hatchery is located in Cheboygan County on the Upper Black River adjacent to the Kleber Dam. From M-68 2 miles west of Onaway, take Black River Road (F-05) north to Twin School Road, then west a little over 3 miles to the hatchery which is on the north side of the road just before the dam. Read more

Fishing

Knife Rights Accepts Philadelphia Offer of Judgement

Gilbert, Arizona: In 2014 Knife Rights published a list of the Ten Worst Anti-Knife Cities in America. At that time, New York City was number one, but Knife Rights fixed New York City’s “gravity knife arrests” problem in 2019, moving Philadelphia up to the number one Worst Anti-Knife City spot. Now Knife Rights has accepted Philadelphia’s offer of judgment in Knife Rights, Inc. v. Outlaw, our federal lawsuit that sought to declare unconstitutional and enjoin Philadelphia’s laws that ban the possession and carry of any bladed arms (knives) in public. The City also agreed to pay $10,000 to cover Knife Rights’ legal expenses.

Knife Rights Chairman, Doug Ritter said, “we are excited that after the Supreme Court precedent in Bruen, Philadelphia has recognized that its ban on carry and use of knives in public could not pass constitutional muster. As the premier advocacy organization for the right to possess and carry knives, Knife Rights looks forward to striking down all unconstitutional knife bans throughout the United States.”

Bottom line is that with the court’s order in this case it is no longer illegal to possess or carry a knife in public in Philadelphia. That includes an automatic knife that is carried openly and not concealed — which also due to Knife Right’s efforts — became legal in Pennsylvania on January 2nd this year. Note that you still cannot carry any knife that that is still illegal in the state, including daggers and similar knives. Read more

Cutlery

Michigan Bear Forum and Furtaker User Group meetings set for August, September in St. Ignace

Hunting and trapping are an undeniable part of our state’s outdoor traditions. New and veteran hunters and trappers and anyone interested in how the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages wildlife populations are invited to two upcoming opportunities in St. Ignace: the Michigan Bear Forum (Aug. 19) and the Michigan Furtaker User Group meeting (Sept. 1). Read more

Hunting

Leupold BX-4 Range HD Rangefinding Binocular Now Available

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., provider of the world’s most rugged, lightweight, and clear sport optics, is pleased to announce that the BX-4 Range HD TBR/W rangefinding binocular is now available.

When speed is paramount, there’s no substitute for a rangefinding binocular. The BX-4 Range HD TBR/W 10x42mm fuses Leupold’s DNA engine and ballistics software with the optical performance diehard hunters and shooters demand.

“The BX-4 Range HD combines the industry’s fastest ranging solution with Leupold’s unparalleled optical performance,” said Product Line Manager Eric Overstreet. “It’s easy to use, it’s incredibly fast, and it offers a clearer display than anything else in its price class.”

A true hybrid of tech and optical performance, the BX-4 Range HD combines Leupold’s DNA laser engine and ballistics software with the company’s award-winning BX-4 binocular, allowing hunters and shooters to spot and range targets at the same time without wasting valuable seconds switching between gear. Its high contrast red OLED display delivers visible readouts in any light, and its edge-to-edge resolution makes glassing sessions easy on the eyes. Read more

Optics

Dorsey Covers the Risks of Defunding School Hunting and Archery Programs in Forbes

As America faces a storm of geopolitical threats, endures a flood of fentanyl streaming across a largely open southern border—now killing some 100,000 Americans annually, wrestles with soaring inflation, and experiences unmitigated crime in many of our largest cities, the Biden Administration’s recent move to defund schools that offer hunter safety and archery programs has many questioning President Biden’s priorities. The administration seems to be misfiring on many cylinders and, not surprisingly, Joe Biden’s approval rating continues to plummet. “It’s right up there with jock itch,” recently quipped Senator John Kennedy.

The administration is twisting the intent of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year—with the help of 15 Republican Senators voting in favor—and the Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, has moved to block funding from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to schools that offer hunter education and archery programs. BSCA prohibits ESEA funds from being used to provide training in the use of a, “dangerous weapon.”

To read the rest of this column click here. Read more

Hunting

Athlon Talos BTR Gen2 10×42 Riflescope

Olathe, Kansas – Athlon Optics continues to offer Ridiculously Good Optics at a Ridiculously Good Price. Their latest release is no exception. The Talos BTR GEN2 fixed-10x scope is a modern take on a classic design that is packed with features and still manages to maintain a weight of 24.6 ounces.

TALOS BTR GEN2 10X42 – $374.99 MSRP – Click here to find out more.

Athlon’s newest riflescope is a precision, mid-to-long-range optic with features normally found on much more expensive offerings. The simple design of the fixed 10x power magnification produces an incredibly robust optic suitable for standard and magnum calibers. A 10-yard minimum to infinity parallax adjustment and an extensive elevation adjustment range suit rimfire and airgun enthusiasts! Featuring a new turret design and a Precision Zero Stop system, the GEN2 provides sharper, more tactile clicks with a quick-hard stop when returning to zero.

The TALOS BTR GEN2 10X42 also features a 30mm aircraft-grade aluminum argon-purged tube, 3.6 inches of eye relief, a total length of 13.3 inches, and is available in MOA and MIL reticle versions. Read more

Optics

Athlon Tripod Saddle Mount

Athlon’s Saddle Mount adds a range of options to any tripod system that utilizes an Arca-style mount – especially Athlon’s new line of carbon fiber tripods. This tactical gun saddle vise features an extremely smooth adjustment dial, side and bottom pads for recoil reduction, a clamping range of 1.1 – 2.6 inches, and still manages to maintain a weight of 3.5 oz. The unique 7-degree inward-facing clamp design makes the saddle much more compatible with traditional rifle stocks than the designs of other manufacturers. Athlon’s new Saddle Mount is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and is covered by their Lifetime Warranty, so you can purchase and use it with absolute confidence. Click here to find out more. Read more

Firearms

Trijicon Introduces the New RMR HD – A Duty Grade Optic Ready for the Toughest Conditions

The Trijicon RMR® created the standard for what a miniature rugged reflex optic should be. Not coincidentally, the RMR immediately became a favorite duty optic, and Trijicon RMR optics have been proven in the most demanding environments on earth by U.S. Special Operations, law enforcement agencies, and individuals in personal defense situations.

Now, Trijicon once again sets the standard with the new RMR® HD, an optic specifically designed for the evolving needs of law enforcement and the armed forces.

Built on the foundation of the Trijicon RMR Adjustable LED model, the RMR HD features a large, clear lens made from tempered glass and has the same footprint as the RMR. The larger lens provides an unobstructed view of the target and aids in finding and tracking the reticle more easily.

The new RMR HD reticle allows the user to toggle between a 55 MOA segmented circle reticle with a center dot, or a crisp dot-only option, both of which include a new super bright setting and an additional night vision setting. Models are available with either a 1.0 MOA or 3.25 MOA center dot. Read more

Optics

ZEISS Expands Line-up with New Thermal Imaging Cameras

With the introduction of the DTI 1 and DTI 4, ZEISS is unveiling two new thermal imaging cameras for hunting. The ZEISS DTI 3 GEN 2 builds upon the DTI 3 thermal imaging camera which was first introduced in 2020. The ZEISS DTI family have several features in common including intuitive ergonomics and ease of use, an exceptional viewing experience, as well as sophisticated power management, and seamless connectivity with the ZEISS Hunting App. “With the new DTI 1, DTI 4, and the second generation of the successful DTI 3, we offer a complete line of thermal imaging cameras for all hunting applications and at a variety of price points,” reported Constantin Klug, Category Manager for Hunting at ZEISS.

Thermal imaging cameras are an essential piece of hunting gear that help make hunting safer and more successful. The entry level model, the ZEISS DTI 1, is a compact and lightweight thermal imaging camera with features such as Transition Zoom, which enables uninterrupted observation thanks to the continuous zoom effect, as well as personalized settings. The camera comes with a new detection mode and eight color modes for your customization. With 0.5 zoom increments, it offers the ideal combination of zoom and detail recognition for reliable identification. The new ZEISS DTI 1 is available in two different focal lengths: the DTI 1/19 with a field of view of 72 ft at 100 yds, and the DTI 1/25 with a field of view of 55 ft at 100 yds. Read more

Optics
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