Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
PARD Optics, a leader in digital Thermal & Night Vision (www.pard.com) is offering the entire line of TS and SA models at MASSIVE industry discounts. PARD is excited to announce 30%-50% cost reductions on the entire line of SA and TS products effective immediately. This is limited to stock on hand. TS and SA models will not carry any MAP pricing effective October 1, 2024. Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, released its 2024 Congressional Report Card, grading sitting U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators on key legislation that is of critical importance to the firearm industry, the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and America’s hunters and recreational target shooters. Five U.S. House of Representatives were not graded due to special elections to fill vacancies, resulting in the new Members having an insufficient voting and co-sponsorship record for grading.
“This report card will be critical for voters to do their research as we head into the final stretch towards the November elections just six weeks from now. NSSF’s 2024 Congressional Report Card tells voters exactly where their lawmakers stand on issues including defending the firearm industry’s ability to engage in the lawful commerce of firearms and ammunition and safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of customers, as well as promoting hunting and recreational target shooting – America’s greatest outdoor pastimes,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “This nonpartisan report card reflects the level of support of each lawmaker on firearm industry priority legislation during the 118th Congress, between 2023 and 2024. These grades indicate their public voting record as well as their sponsorship and co-sponsorship of key legislation, their work on committees, letters signed to support firearm industry issues and their overall leadership in championing our industry.”
NSSF awarded 29 U.S. Senators and 123 U.S. Representatives the rating of “A+.” Of those, 8 Senators and 24 House Members attained the new NSSF distinction of being named to the Dean’s List. To earn this special recognition, members needed to have a 100-percent voting and co-sponsorship record. Read more
Buck Commander proudly introduces the latest addition to its arsenal of innovative products with the BUK OPS® X-Factor Crossbow Range-Finding Scope™. Buck Commander has changed the way hunters maintain accurate yardage without losing sight of their trophy. This state-of-the-art scope is designed to redefine precision in crossbow hunting, offering hunters an unparalleled advantage in acquiring ranges quickly and accurately.
Buck Commander’s BUK OPS X-Factor scope eliminates the need for a separate rangefinder, providing hunters with convenience and efficiency. Unlike traditional methods, hunters can now obtain the yardage of a deer without the hassle of lowering or resetting the position of their crossbow. The X-Factor features a built-in angle-compensating laser rangefinder that is activated instantly with a simple press of a button. Holding the range button down enables Scan Mode, which actively tracks the range of a target as it is on the move. Whether navigating hilly terrain or taking a shot from an elevated position, the X-Factor adapts seamlessly to the environment. Read more
As hunting season kicks off, Pulsar is proud to introduce the Merger LRF XT50, a new addition to our premium HD thermal imaging binoculars line. Equipped with a 1280×1024 pixel resolution sensor and a built-in laser rangefinder, this device sets a new standard for top-quality observation. The Merger LRF XT50 offers the perfect balance between a wide field of view and high magnification, enabling you to spot the smallest details on high zoom levels while enjoying an expansive field of view— unmatched in its class.
Versatile and multi-functional
The Merger LRF XT50 excels in versatility. Whether you’re tracking small, fast-moving targets or larger game at long distances, these binoculars are designed to perform in any environment. Its wide field of view is particularly valuable in dense, forested areas where situational awareness is key.
But the Merger LRF XT50 isn’t just for hunting. It excels in various activities, including search and rescue, outdoor exploration, birdwatching, sailing, and personal security. Read more
Taurus, a leader in the firearms industry, proudly announces the launch of the Taurus 22TUC, a compact and reliable .22 LR pistol designed for everyday carry and personal defense. With its user-friendly tip-up barrel design, shooters can load effortlessly without the need to rack the slide, making the 22TUC an ideal choice for both new and experienced firearm owners. Coupled with its double-action (DA) trigger for dependable ignition and a 9-round capacity, the 22TUC strikes the perfect balance between classic design and modern innovation—offering a lightweight yet powerful solution for concealed carry or as a backup firearm.
Key Features of the Taurus 22TUC: Read more
Crosman Corporation, a global pioneer in airgun manufacturing, is excited to announce the latest addition to its product lineup: the Crosman Full Auto M1. This innovative BB gun combines the classic M1 Carbine design with cutting-edge technology, delivering an exhilarating full-auto shooting experience that airgun enthusiasts will love.
The Full Auto M1 is a CO2-powered carbine air rifle that can fire up to 1400 rounds per minute with a velocity of up to 430 feet per second. In Full Auto mode, shooters can unleash 25 rounds per second, making it perfect for thrilling target shooting sessions. The built-in 300-round reservoir, featuring a quick reload mechanism with a simple pull tab and shake, ensures speedy reloads and uninterrupted fun. Read more
If you’re on the water in late September to early October, be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel conducting nighttime walleye recruitment surveys. Fisheries managers use these surveys to determine whether walleye that hatched in the spring (known as young-of-year) were born in the wild or were stocked, as well as how many are present in an area. This information about the status of young walleye in lakes helps the DNR make well-informed management decisions.
Using electrofishing boats at night, crews will survey shallow areas near the shoreline of lakes with the goal of capturing juvenile walleye. Walleye prefer cooler, deeper areas of lakes during the day but move into shallow, nearshore areas at night, making nighttime surveys more efficient. On larger lakes, two or more electrofishing crews using separate boats may operate at the same time to cover more area. The crews will work on a subsample of Michigan lakes that have been stocked with walleye, as well as lakes that have not.
Biologists also collect and keep a sample of young-of-year walleye from stocked lakes to determine whether the fish are primarily reproducing naturally or if young-of-year are from stocking. All other walleye will be released unharmed. Walleye that are stocked in these lakes are marked with oxytetracycline, a chemical marker that can be observed within captured fish by using a microscope with an ultraviolet light source in a laboratory setting. Read more
As the weather cools and the days shorten, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources begins the process of removing swim buoys from many state park beaches.
Swim buoys help mark the boundaries of a swim area, which are established to help identify locations with shallower water (less than 5 feet) and lower risks of dangerous currents and waves. DNR staff inspects these areas approximately every two weeks and adjusts them as needed to maximize safety.
Once buoys are removed, the area is no longer considered a swim area. While the beach remains open to the public, swimming is not recommended. Read more
“…commissioners clearly show that sound scientific management was not a consideration in the decision-making process.”
On September 6, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association (MTPCA) filed legal briefs in their lawsuits against the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC).
MUCC’s brief, which can be read HERE, argues that the NRC illegally closed Michigan’s coyote season for a quarter of the year in March of 2024 by failing to use the best available science, and focusing instead on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception.
MUCC’s brief highlights the statements of the commissioners who voted in support of the closure, and those of the exceptionally few hunters who joined the commission in disregarding the principles of sound scientific management. The statements from the commissioners clearly show that sound scientific management was not a consideration in the decision-making process.
MUCC Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter says that the public record is clear: The commission’s decision failed to abide by their legal charge and responsibility to keep game management decisions based in science.
“The voters of Michigan were clear when they overwhelmingly passed Proposal G: scientific data needs to drive our game management decisions,” said Trotter. “After reviewing the public record, it is abundantly clear the commission failed in following their legal charge. By relying on social pressures, real or perceived, the commission set a dangerous precedent where our outdoor heritage is threatened based on the social and political winds of the day.”
MUCC is joined in the lawsuit by MTPCA who filed a separate brief, found HERE.
MTPCA’s brief highlights how commissioners trusted the instincts of one individual supporting the closure to appease anti-hunting interests, rather than the proven record of sound scientific management as dictated by Proposal G.
MTPCA President Joe Velchansky says this issue is larger than coyotes, and the future of Michigan’s outdoor heritage is at stake.
“This issue is so much bigger than coyotes, the very foundation of Michigan’s game management is at stake,” Velchansky said. “The minute we as conservationists compromise our principles is the minute we lose the whole thing, and that is not something we are prepared to do.”
The NRC will now file a response brief, due to the court in mid-October.
For more information on MUCC visit mucc.org.
Contact: jtomei@mucc.org
For more information on MTPCA visit mtpca.com
Contact: merlejones336@gmail.com
The recent stretch of unseasonably warm, dry weather is perfect for late-summer outdoor activities, but it also boosts wildfire risk. That means taking care to prevent wildfires when you work and play outside this week.
“Most importantly, if you are planning to burn yard debris, make sure weather conditions allow for burning,” said Jeff Vasher, fire specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Debris burns that escape are the top cause of wildfires in Michigan.”
If you intend to burn yard debris, go to Michigan.gov/BurnPermit to see if weather conditions allow for burning in your area. Read more