Lawsuit Filed to Protect Texas Wildlife, Habitat From SpaceX Rocket Launches

The SpaceX Starship explosion last month scattered debris across hundreds of acres of land near prime nesting habitat for shorebirds like the Snowy Plover. Photo by Justin LeClaire/Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program (CBBEP)

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Texas Wildlife Habitat, Beach Access From More Exploding Rockets

Following a massive rocket explosion in South Texas, national and local environmental groups and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, Inc. sued the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today for failing to fully analyze and mitigate the environmental harms resulting from the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy launch program at Boca Chica.

The launch site sits next to prime habitat for protected species and migratory birds, like the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle and the Piping Plover. The first rocket to be launched from the site as part of the program exploded on April 20, showering the surrounding area with particulate matter.

The agency permitted SpaceX to launch 20 Starship/Super Heavy rockets each year for the next five years. They are the largest rockets ever made, and they are being launched right next to crucial habitat, putting imperiled wildlife at great risk and harming community interests. Despite acknowledging the harm from SpaceX construction and launch activities, the FAA decided to forego a full environmental review, claiming the damages would not be “significant” due to proposed mitigation measures.

Today’s lawsuit argues that the proposed mitigation by the agency isn’t enough to prevent the launch program from causing significant environmental harm. The agency hasn’t explained how mitigation would address and prevent rocket explosions and fires that could wipe out neighboring habitat. The suit calls for a full environmental analysis to truly protect Threatened and Endangered species and ensure public beach access for all people. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: DNR Announces $100,000 Awarded in UP Deer Habitat Grants

Twelve grants awarded across 10 counties

Projects on private lands aimed at improvements for white-tailed deer

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has awarded a total of $100,000 in deer habitat improvement grant funding to a dozen entities for projects in the Upper Peninsula.

The Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative is a competitive grant program designed to enhance deer habitat on non-state lands.

This year, 12 grants were awarded from 18 applicants for projects across 10 of the U.P.’s 15 counties. The value of the projects awarded grants totaled $201,541.

“These grants will produce positive impacts in Marquette, Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Baraga, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Schoolcraft and Mackinac counties,” said Bill Scullon, DNR field operations manager and administrator for the grant initiative. “The planned match for the 12 grants is valued in excess of $79,000 (well in excess of the required 25%) further expanding the impact of the projects.”

Groups eligible for these grants include organizations with a formal mission to promote wildlife conservation and/or hunting, such as sportsmen’s clubs, conservation districts, land conservancies, industrial landowners with more than 10,000 acres, or private land affiliations where two or more unrelated persons jointly own 400 or more acres. Read more

Wildlife

GOA, GOF Secure Preliminary Injunction Against Illinois

Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) secured a preliminary injunction against the Illinois “Assault Weapons” Ban and the Standard-Capacity Magazine Ban.

In his order, Judge Stephen McGlynn slammed some of the gun control laws in question, stating they “seem to be written in spite of the clear directives in Bruen and Heller, not in conformity with them.”

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement:

“Governor Pritzker and his anti-gun cabal in the legislature thought they could steam roll the Second Amendment, and this ruling makes clear that they abused their authority and infringed on their citizens’ rights. We look forward to continuing this fight.” Read more

Gun Control

SAF Files Brief Supporting Summary Judgment In Gun Ban Case

The Second Amendment Foundation and its partners in a challenge of the ban on so-called “assault weapons” in Cook County, Illinois today filed a memorandum of law in support of their request for summary judgment in the case, which began in August 2021 and is known as Viramontes v. Cook County.

SAF is joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition and Cook County residents Christopher Khaya and Cutberto Viramontes, for whom the case is known. They are represented by attorneys David Sigale of Wheaton, Ill., and David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson and William V. Bergstrom, all with Cooper & Kirk in Washington, D.C.

“This case has been pending for more than 18 months and it is time for a judgment based on the guidelines set by the Supreme Court last year in the Bruen ruling,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “This past January, Illinois enacted a law making it illegal to manufacture, deliver, sell, import, purchase or possess a so-called ‘assault weapon,’ but that law is preliminary enjoined as of last month.

“The firearms banned under Cook County’s ordinance are in common use,” he added, “meaning they cannot be found dangerous and unusual, and neither can they be arbitrarily banned.” Read more

Gun Control

Michigan: DNR Rejects Proposed Camp Grayling Lease Expansion

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs had sought to lease 162,000 acres of state forest land for training

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has declined a proposed 20-year lease of approximately 162,000 acres of state forest land to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The DMVA had sought to lease the land, located around the National Guard training camp in Grayling, to accommodate low-impact military training activities.

“We appreciate the many comments we received on this proposal and the commitment people have to public lands,” said Acting DNR Director Shannon Lott. “Public concerns and feedback from Tribal governments, coupled with our own review of the proposal, led us to decide against a 20-year lease on such a significant portion of state-managed land.”

The decision was made after months of public input and after consultation with interested Michigan Tribal governments. Read more

Wildlife

GPO USA Summer Savings Rebate on All ED Binoculars

RICHMOND, Va. — GPO USA is pleased to announce the launch of its Summer Savings rebate program. Kicking off on May 1st and running through July 31, 2023, outdoor enthusiasts have the opportunity to purchase one of GPO’s popular ED binoculars and get $100 of their hard-earned cash back.

This popular line of binoculars is available in four sizes, 8×32, 8×42, 10×32 and 10×42, and in four rich colors of Deep Green, Desert Sand , Dark Brown Earth and Black. With its unique magnesium micro-bridge and body, the ED binoculars are compact and ultra-lightweight yet incredibly durable. They feature premium ED objective lenses, high-transmission GPObrightÔ lens coating technology and they are fog proof and waterproof. The cutting-edge field of view afforded on this line of binoculars makes them ideal for a variety of glassing situations. They are popular among all outdoor enthusiasts and some of the best-selling items in the GPO portfolio.

In order to take advantage of this great GPO savings opportunity consumers simply need to purchase one of the GPO ED binoculars through an authorized dealer or conveniently online at www.gpo-usa.com before the end of July, 2023, complete the rebate certificate available online at www.gpo-usa.com and either take a picture of the purchase receipt and the completed redemption form and email both photos to promotions@gpo-usa.com and insert “$100 VISA Gift Card” in the subject line or mail the redemption form along with the original copy of the sales receipt to: GPO USA Rebates, 711 Moorefield Park Drive, Ste C, North Chesterfield, VA 23236 or CLICK HERE and follow the instructions. Mail must be postmarked by September 30,2023 to be eligible for the rebate. A VISAâ gift card will be received from GPO in four to six weeks. Read more

General

Burris Introduces New Laser Rangefinding Binoculars

Greeley, CO – Experienced hunters and shooters know that a solid pair of binos is a must-have piece of equipment. Whether still-hunting or evaluating game at distance, quality binoculars significantly put the odds of success in your favor. Equally important is the ability to range game with a precision rangefinder— especially glassing from a mountainside, peering through the woods from a treestand or ground blind, to quickly ranging targets during a competition.

Now, Burris combines these two gear essentials into a single unit with the new Signature LRF 10×42 rangefinding binoculars and redefines fast and accurate ranging.

The integrated rangefinder in the Signature LRF 10×42 offers everything needed to range game in any environment and to provide essential data for ballistic management. Capable of delivering blazing fast results ranging to 2600 yards with a crystal-clear image, the Signature LRF 10×42 presents information in an easy-to-interpret heads-up display. Data points presented include five ranging options: line-of-sight (LOS) only, horizontal distance (HOR) only, LOS and HOR, LOS and angle (ANG) above and below horizontal, and HOR and ANG. This information allows long distance shooters to ensure their ranging and trajectory compensation will put projectiles on target. In fact, the Signature LRF 10×42 is accurate to within 1 yard at under 1,000 yards and ±2 yards at ranges over 1,000 yards.

Additionally, the Signature LRF 10×42 comes with five ranging modes:

    • Auto – displays the range of the target with the strongest return signal.
    • Sport – displays the range of the closes target in a group.
    • Hunt – displays the farthest range of a group of targets.
    • Scan – virtually instantaneous readings in range with the range button depressed.

Read more

Optics

Lone Wolf DUSK19 Pistol Now Available

Lone Wolf Arms, a company known as a leader of innovation in the Glock aftermarket, is proud to announce the arrival of the DUSK™19 pistol line. With more than two decades of experience providing aftermarket solutions to enhance both the performance and aesthetics of the Glock-pattern pistol, Lone Wolf Arms has implemented these years of development into the DUSK™19 which is now available online and at a dealer near you.

The new DUSK™19 includes a CCS Frame with a 19° grip angle for improved pointability, an enlarged trigger guard with ergonomic profile to reduce “Glock knuckle”, swappable backstraps with LWA Grip Texture, a new Gen 3/4 compatible dust cover, and a revolutionary proprietary trigger. Additionally, the DUSK™19 is light, with a non-threaded option weighing in at 19.8 oz without a magazine, and is the perfect EDC size at an overall length of 6.95”. Read more

Firearms

SAF Wins Preliminary Injunction Against Illinois Semi-Auto Ban

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation on Friday scored a significant victory in its campaign to “win firearms freedom, one lawsuit at a time,” when a federal judge in Illinois granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of that state’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “high-capacity magazines.”

The case is known as Harrel v. Raoul. Joining SAF in this case are the Illinois State Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition. Marengo Guns, the C4 Gun Store and Dane Harrel, for whom the case is known. They are represented by attorney David Sigale of Wheaton, Ill. The case is in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Judge Stephen P. McGlynn presiding. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the “Protect Illinois Communities Act” (PICA).

“While this may only be the end of ‘Round One’,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “it’s certainly a good start in putting an end to a law we are convinced is entirely unconstitutional.”

The Illinois ruling comes just three days after Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill banning so-called “assault weapons” in his state, for which SAF promptly filed a federal lawsuit in Seattle. The veteran gun rights advocate is hopeful the Illinois ruling is a “great omen.” Read more

Gun Control

Get Your Own Healthy Michigan Trout

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Inland trout season has begun, as well as another season of high hopes.  One year ago I was introduced to the majesty of the Rifle River State Recreation Area and its superb fishery.  The park is located on the upper reaches of the Rifle River within the Au Sable State Forest in Ogemaw County – a relatively short jaunt from Mid-Michigan.  The camper is packed, the reservation has been made, and hopefully the brown trout will find a way to the cast-iron skillet’s sizzling, melted butter.

Eating Like a King

Yeah, butter.  Over the years many of us have been led to believe that butter’s fat content is bad for one’s health.  However, if a person buys into the logic of the Ketogenic diet, it’s the kind of food that can be substituted for cooking oils – many of which are inherently detrimental to health.  Oh, and that wily and wild brown trout?  They are rich in healthy oils and B vitamins and are at the top of my list of tasty consumables.

Never have I seen brown trout alongside fish options at any local market.  There’s the phony crab meat engineered by mad scientists, and plenty of fish sourced from places untrusted for reasons of pollution and handling.  Reading and understanding labels are important and necessary, but the highly sought-after trout in our rivers and streams has no label.

Fresh Michigan Brown Trout

No doubt, Michigan has its own precautionary warnings about fish consumption.  The Au Sable River Watershed – downstream of the Foote Dam in Iosco County has a “Do Not Eat” advisory, for example.  To find out if there is risk from chemical contamination in fish, check out the Eat Safe Fish in Michigan brochure online for specifics.  Like most things in life, moderation is key.

*  A study conducted in year 2020 found that brown trout contained more healthy fish oils (EPA and DHA) than salmon – another Michigan fish rich in nutrients.  Brown trout also contains selenium, iron, iodine, calcium, vitamin A, D and B12, as well as high amounts of protein.

*  Omega-3 fatty acids present in fish are helpful for human development – particularly for brain and eye function.

Eliminating sugar in our diets is a difficult challenge, but worthy of any effort to minimize its detrimental effects on the body – especially when it’s a main source of energy in so many foods.  The Keto diet switches the burning of sugar to burning fat to sustain ourselves.

There’s always a struggle between what our tongues have to say about what we put in our mouths; in fact, it is “the” struggle so many of us face.  However, when we can find solace in good blood pressure readings that reflect dietary intake, it’s reason enough to carry on.  Plus, catching your own healthy food can be exciting, as well.

Fishing
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