The Tradition of Opening Day Evolves

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

For the first two decades of my life, I was oblivious to the nature of opening day of deer season for so many aspiring hunters.  In fact, growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, I didn’t know of a single individual who participated in the excitement that came each year on November 15th.  My, how that has changed.

I had married into a family that had lived with the tradition of deer hunting back to 1935 in Gladwin County and I was about to enter their world.  At the head of my new family was a Finlander and former Yooper from Houghton Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.  Is it any wonder he routinely slept with the window open all year round?

He spoke of past hunts in which getting to camp was more of a battle than dragging a big buck out of the low-lying swampland.  The roads were poor and the vehicles of the period were not equipped with the “essentials” of 4-wheel drive and climate control, making for adventurous trips to the North country in freezing conditions.

I couldn’t understand everyone’s excitement, as a light snow began to fall on the road to my first tent deer camp with my new family.  Heck, snow meant it was cold and I didn’t particularly share in their glee.

There in that military tent was a kerosene heater – totally useless other than for the light it produced.  But, despite the crude, cold camp, everyone would venture out to some secret spot on state land in the darkness with high hopes.

It would be years before I would encounter my first buck afield.  But, that Winchester lever-action .30-30 brought down one of the largest bucks ever taken at the historic camp.  Once the animal was down, another hunter materialized on scene and claimed he had shot the deer first and had tracked it well into the swamp, where I had perched myself atop a blowdown.  (Actually, it was discovered that the other hunter had wounded the lower leg of the buck – certainly not a fatal shot!)  We settled the issue with a flip of a coin.  As the disgruntled stranger walked away, I field dressed an animal for the first time.

Like others, opening day conjures up a lifetime of events, many of which are not directly related to firing a shot.  All the planning and preparation that go into the next opening-day adventure evolve into another chapter of a movie that I am privileged to replay in my head anytime.

The hunts are a connection to my past, even though I’ve never known the individuals from a legion of predecessors.  It’s in our blood.  Yours and mine, whether it’s acknowledged or simply shrugged off.

Connecting to the past requires one to disconnect from the daily grind.  It requires one of the most challenging aspects of a successful hunt to be fully implemented:  slowing down.  The need to race anywhere is replaced with a desire to become a silent partner in nature’s wonderment.

Passing the merits of sportsmanship of hunting to another generation is an honor we hunters face proudly.  It is the common thread connecting us to days gone by.

Michigan Bear Hunting Info

The bear hunting season begins soon! Here’s what you need to know before heading into the field.

Season dates

Upper Peninsula

Season dates for Bergland, Baraga, Amasa, Carney, Gwinn, Newberry and Drummond Island bear management units:

      • Hunt period 1: Sept. 6 – Oct. 21.
      • Hunt period 2: Sept. 11 – Oct. 26.
      • Hunt period 3: Sept. 25 – Oct. 26.

Lower Peninsula

Season dates for Red Oak, Baldwin and Gladwin units are Sept. 9-19 and Oct. 6-12.

Bear registration

Within 72 hours of harvesting a bear, the hunter must take the unfrozen bear head and pelt, or the entire animal, to a bear registration station to be registered and sealed.

Bear registration locations

Bear hunting regulations Read more

New Springfield Model 2020 Redline Available through Sports South

The Model 2020 Redline by Springfield Armory® is a cutting-edge hunting rifle that seamlessly blends classic and modern elements to create a firearm optimized for the demands of the 21st-century hunter. Available in both .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor calibers, this rifle offers versatility to match different hunting scenarios. Boasting a minimalist Grayboe Trekker stock, it achieves a delicate balance between lightweight design and rugged durability, ensuring it stands up to the challenges of various hunting environments.

At the heart of the Model 2020 Redline is its carbon fiber barrel, offered in two lengths: 16” and 20”. This innovative barrel construction contributes to the rifle’s overall lightness and enhances accuracy through effective heat dissipation during prolonged shooting. Additionally, the suppressor-ready configuration underscores its adaptability, enabling hunters to minimize noise and muzzle flash for a more discreet and effective hunting experience. Read more

FN 502 MRD Pistol Now Available through Sports South

When great range days are what you shoot for, the FN 502™ is what you need in hand. The premier rimfire pistol is built with a target-quality trigger and a red dot-ready slide, turning a low-cost range day into a high-end experience. And with the all-new FN 502™ MRD, the hits just keep coming.

The FN 502™ MRD is more than just a firearm; it’s an experience waiting to be had. Designed with a clear focus on delivering the utmost fun at the range, this red-dot-ready rimfire pistol brings forth qualities reminiscent of its impressive big brother, the FN 509®. While it may be designed for fun, don’t be misled by the term – the FN 502™ MRD is also built to offer exceptional accuracy and enduring quality. Read more

Multiyear Study Underway to Research Ohio’s Wild Turkeys

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife and The Ohio State University are partnering to conduct a multiyear study on the survival and nest success of female wild turkeys.

Ohio’s wild turkey abundance is thought to have peaked around 2001 and has fluctuated since then. Adult hen survival, nest success rates, and poult survival play a role in population levels. From 2017 to 2019, below-average hatches of turkey poults resulted in a decrease in wild turkey abundance. Hatches in 2021 and 2022 were above average.

To learn more about the factors that impact Ohio’s turkey populations, the Division of Wildlife joined a research collaboration which aims to understand wild turkey hen survival and nesting activity. Researchers affixed GPS transmitters to 49 female (hen) turkeys in southeast Ohio in February and March of 2023. The transmitters provide biologists information on turkey movement, survival, and nesting activity. Gathering turkey survival and nest timing data is essential for the Division of Wildlife to structure science-based turkey hunting regulations. Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are performing similar studies in collaboration with the Division of Wildlife. Read more

InfiRay Outdoor RICO HD (RS75) Available for Special Promotional Price in September

InfiRay Outdoor, in partnership with iRayUSA, will allow all US dealers to temporarily discount the RICO HD (the world’s first commercial 1280 Thermal Weapon Sight) from $17,999 down to $15,999 during the month of September.

The RICO HD (RS75) is the world’s first commercially-available 1280 resolution thermal weapon sight. With a 75mm objective lens, large eyepiece, included rangefinder, recoil-isolating picatinny mount, and many other leading features, the RICO (Rugged Infrared Compact Optic) HD is the most advanced thermal weapon sight available on the civilian market. As with all technical industries, the most advanced technology in-class often comes with a larger price tag. For the first time since its introduction, the price of the RS75 will be temporarily reduced. “We’re excited to temporarily reduce the price of the RICO HD this month – ahead of predator hunting seasons, just in time for Labor Day deal hunters,” said Pliny Gale, iRayUSA Director of Marketing. “We have seen so many hunters and shooters amazed by the clarity and quality of this scope, but were waiting for a price promotion to get one — now’s the chance.”

This promotional pricing will be available through all authorized US dealers, September 1st through 30th, while inventory is available. On October 1st, pricing will return to $17,999. Read more

Taurus Introduces the TS9

Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc., a leading name in the world of firearms, is proud to announce the launch of its latest masterpiece, the TS9. This cutting-edge firearm is set to revolutionize the industry with a host of exceptional features, designed to elevate your shooting experience to new heights.

Previously available only to international military and law enforcement customers, the TS9 has passed the rigorous NATO testing protocols. It’s the pistol of choice for Brazil’s most elite special operations units and serves law enforcement and military units across the world. For the first time, thanks to a law enforcement sales overrun, the TS9 brings its rugged durability and reliability to the US market in limited quantities. Read more

New Steiner H6Xi Riflescope Series

Following last year’s release of the T6Xi series of tactical riflescopes, Steiner Optics, known for precision made riflescopes and binoculars with industry leading light transmission and clarity, releases a new lineup of premium optics designed with the modern big game hunter in mind—just in time for the 2023 hunting season.

Boasting similar military and law-enforcement DNA as the T6Xi tactical riflescope series, the all-new H6Xi series is designed for serious hunters who demand an optic that blends unfailing precision, versatility, and exceptional optical performance in a package capable of conquering the most extreme hunting environments. Read more

Burris Optics Adds 15×56 Model to Popular Signature HD Binocular Line

In 2017, Burris disrupted the hunting optics market with the robust Signature HD binocular lineup, capturing the attention of hunters across both western and eastern regions. Renowned for their resilience in the harshest hunting terrains, coupled with Burris’s focus on clarity and light transmission, the Signature HD series established new benchmarks in their class of observational optics.

Now, Burris ups the game with the release of the new Signature HD 15×56 binoculars.

The Signature HD 15×56 joins the original 8×42, 10×42, and 12×50 Signature HD models to provide outdoor enthusiasts with a full range of optics to meet every adventure. With its 15X magnification, the Signature HD 15×56 puts the farthest objects practically in your lap. Designed with everything a hunter needs for glassing distant game and precision shooters spotting impacts on targets, the newest Signature HD binocular delivers an expansive field of view and maximum low light visibility.

Featuring Bak-4 glass with Phase Correct, dielectric coating found on the prisms the Signature HD 15×56 delivers optimal resolution, color fidelity, and light transmission, and boasts the same precision manufacturing and quality offered in the 8x, 10x, and 12x binoculars. Precision-ground lenses follow the same “performance-first” construction and include Hi-Lume Index-matched multi-coating to further boost clarity, light transmission, and to eliminate glare. And to ensure the view is always clear, the binoculars are nitrogen-filled for reliable waterproof and fog-proof performance. Read more

Ryan Sponauer Named Lapua Rimfire Performance Center Manager

Sedalia, MO – Lapua, world-renowned for producing the highest quality rimfire ammunition, is pleased to announce Ryan Sponauer as the new Lapua Rimfire Performance Center Manager in Mesa, AZ.

Sponauer brings a long and accomplished competitive shooting background to Mesa’s Lapua Rimfire Performance center. He started with three-position and prone at the age of 14 under David and Deb Lyman at The Blue Trail range in Wallingford, CT, where he won numerous state and regional matches. Sponauer, who graduated from the University of North Georgia, shot for their NCAA 3-P and Air Rifle teams, served as multi-year team captain, and managed lot testing ammunition for the team. Sponauer and the team went on to win the 2021 Southern Conference Championship.

“I am very excited to give back to the shooting community with this position because the sport has given me so much,” commented Sponauer. “The lot testing we offer gives any shooter a significant competitive edge allowing them to compete to their maximum potential.”

Patterned after the world-renowned Lapua Test Center in Germany, both the Marengo, OH, and Mesa, AZ Lapua Rimfire Performance Centers provide shooters the opportunity to test multiple lots of ammunition under tightly controlled conditions. Each of the Lapua Rimfire Performance Centers offer the unique ability to test ammunition at both 50 and 100 meters, simultaneously. By comparing the results of various ammunition lots at both distances, the best performing lots will offer a distinct competitive advantage. This allows for higher scores and more hits on target for a customer’s chosen discipline. For more information on the Lapua Rimfire Performance Centers or to schedule an appointment, please visit rimfiretest.com. Read more

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