Hummingbird Gems & More

Featuring 2 gem names, the Ruby Topaz Hummingbird is illustrated by Jillian Ditmar.
You can learn more about hummingbirds, like this White-necked Jacobin that was photographed by Rio Dante, at Birds of the World.

With their flashy colors, hovering acrobatics, and nectar-feeding behaviors, hummingbirds are attractive and it’s especially enjoyable to share our yards with them. Hummingbirds are often described as flying jewels, but did you know that more than 50 of the 363 species of hummingbirds in the Americas are named after gemstones? Yes, the words emerald, ruby, topaz, sapphire, turquoise, garnet, amethyst, and more are used to name both gems and species of hummingbirds.

Our own Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a prime example, but there are other exotically named hummingbirds like the Glimmering-throated Emerald, the Blue-chinned Sapphire, and the Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird. The specialized feathers of hummingbirds help them achieve their gleaming, glimmering colors. You can learn how their iridescent colors are created and enjoy the beauty of some of the gem-named hummingbirds in a gorgeous new poster – Gems of the Western Hemisphere – illustrated by Jillian Ditner, which you can download for Free at HummingbirdGemsPoster_Final_may 2023.pdf (hubspotusercontent-na1.net) Read more

Wildlife

Bear Creek Arsenal Rimfire Uppers and Rifles

Bear Creek Arsenal produces high-quality rimfire firearms that capture the AR market by storm, allowing the ultra-popular .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR to be fired from a mil-spec AR-15 lower. With an operative range of about 100-150 yards for the .22 LR and .22 WMR and around 230-250 yards for the .17 HMR, these rimfire options are perfect for plinking and varmint hunting. Whether you are a beginner or an avid shooter, you can train with the same platform as your other ARs. Read more

Firearms

Kahr Firearms Group Presents a Pair of Trump Custom Handguns

Greeley, PA: Magnum Research and Auto-Ordnance have partnered again to create the Trump Promise Desert Eagle and the Trump One 1911. The Trump Promise Desert Eagle is a finely engraved handgun that is decorated with images of President Trump, his signature, the Presidential Seal, and the phrases “Save America” and “Promises Made, Promises Kept.” It is finished with two Cerakote colors, Armor Black and Snow White. The gun is chambered in .50 AE and has a lightweight aluminum frame, a stainless steel slide, and a picatinny rail for mounting optics. It also has an accessory rail for lights and lasers, fixed combat-type sights, and weighs 3 lbs., 7 oz. The Trump Promise Desert Eagle is made in the United States and comes with one seven-round magazine. It is exclusively available from Davidson’s Gallery of Guns. https://galleryofguns.com/.

The Trump One 1911 is a 5” Auto-Ordnance Stainless 1911, chambered in .45 ACP. Its slide and frame are stainless steel, with custom flag engraved aluminum grips. The pistol features TruGlo day sights, full length guide rod, high sweep beavertail, skeletonized trigger, checkered front strap, serrated and ported slide, with a match grade barrel. Engraved on the right side is “Donald J. Trump” with the number 45, and the Seal of the President of the United States. On the left side is a picture of President Trump, the White House, and his slogan “Make America Great Again”. The United States flag is engraved on both sides of the dust cover. One seven round magazine is included. The “Trump One 1911” is available exclusively through Chattanooga Shooting Supplies, and Gallery of Guns. https://chattanoogashooting.com/, https://galleryofguns.com/. Read more

Firearms

Arizona: don’t wait until last minute to apply for 2023 fall hunts

Make sure to get ducks in order before June 6 deadline

PHOENIX — Only a few days remain to apply for 2023 fall hunt permit-tags, which means hopeful hunters now fall into one of two camps:

Those who are chronic putter-offers, telling themselves that they have plenty of time before the June 6 deadline, and those who jumped on their computers and filled out an application the moment that the draw opened three weeks ago.

Whether a person plans to apply in the coming days, or already has done so, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) offers the following tips: Read more

Hunting

WTU Grants $11,000 to Quest Ministries of Michigan

Whitetails Unlimited recently granted more than $11,000 to Quest Ministries of Michigan. The group focuses on providing hunting and fishing experiences for special needs youth and Purple Heart recipients. All of Quest Ministries events take place at Two Hats Ranch located in Big Rapids, Michigan. In addition to the hunting and fishing excursions, participates also partake in many other natural exploration activities.

Quest Ministries was founded in 2000 by Skipper Bettis. Bettis identified a need to provide outdoor activities for youth who otherwise would not have the opportunity. In 2003, the inaugural Billy Ray Parnell Memorial Purple Heart Hunt took place. The hunt was created in honor of Billy Ray Parnell, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Vietnam. The group has been offering hunts to Purple Heart veterans ever since.

To learn more about Quest Ministries, please visit their website at www.questofmichigan.com. Read more

Wildlife

Arizona: Mexican Wolf Pup Fostering Continues to Drive Recovery Progress

Biologists prepare to place captive-born wolf pups into a wild wolf den.

PHOENIX – Partners in Mexican wolf conservation are pleased to announce the successful fostering of 16 genetically valuable Mexican wolf pups this spring. The pups traveled from four captive facilities across the country and were placed into six wild dens in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico. This is the eighth year of fostering into the wild population of Mexican wolves, bringing the total number of fostered captive-born
pups to 99.

Fostering is a proven method used by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) to increase genetic diversity in the wild Mexican wolf population. It begins with selective breeding by the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program to produce genetically diverse pups within the captive population. Within 14 days of whelping (being born), the captive-born pups are transported to the wild and mixed with similarly aged wild pups in the dens of wild Mexican wolf packs, which have been identified and selected by the IFT to provide the greatest chance of survival of the captive-born pups in the wild.

“Fostering is like a relay race for conservation,” said Agapito Lopez, a wolf technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “These pups start at SAFE zoos and wolf centers, are handed off to be flown on donated private flights arranged by LightHawk, then given health checks and tube fed by our trained veterinarians, and finally are hiked into their new wild dens by IFT field staff. It’s a carefully orchestrated process involving dozens of dedicated individuals.” Read more

Wildlife

Deepwater Horizon Settlement Projects Surpass $1 Billion for Alabama

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Commissioner Chris Blankenship used last weekend’s Conservation Advisory Board meeting in Huntsville to update the Board on the numerous projects in the state under ADCNR oversight.

A milestone was surpassed this year when projects funded through the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement exceeded $1 billion, Commissioner Blankenship said. ADCNR’s Deepwater Horizon Restoration Coordinator, Amy Hunter, and her staff oversee the projects funded by the settlement.

“The big takeaway is we have $1 billion, $29 million in projects underway in Mobile and Baldwin counties that we are managing through our Deepwater Horizon Section,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “That is 176 individual projects. That’s a lot of money and a lot of work going on. We have six people in that section, and they’re doing a very good job of managing projects that will make generational changes on the Gulf Coast. Read more

Fishing, Wildlife

Armasight: Free Watchman IR Illuminator with Purchase

Northbrook IL – Trailblazer and Category Leader in Thermal and Night Vision, kicks off their free Watchman IR Illuminator with the purchase of select Armasight night vision products. Promotion is available through all authorized Armasight dealers.

The recently announced Armasight Watchman IR Illuminator is powered by 850nm, 600 mW Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) with three brightness settings and a 3-14 degree FOV allowing you to illuminate objects in excess of 500 yards. This makes the Watchman a perfect tool for use in Military and LE search and recovery, or to track and identify prey at distance while hunting. The Watchman maintains an IP67 waterproof rating and the aircraft-grade aluminum housing is built to last. The Watchman ships with a tape switch for weapon mounted applications, a single rechargeable 18650 battery and a 30mm picatinny mount.

Now through May, 31, 2023, get a free Watchman IR Illuminator with the purchase of eligible Armasight Night Vision products through authorized dealers. Read more

Optics

Cowboy Insurance Debuted on Burris Optics YouTube Channel

Greeley, CO – Cowboy Insurance is a Burris Optics original film that draws viewers into the Gateway Simmental Ranch, a fourth-generation cattle concern in Lewistown, Montana. Run by Jim Butcher and sons Logan and Brock, the film is an in-the-mud portrait of the ranching lifestyle and the never-ending challenges of livestock management. Spring, in particular, requires these ranchers to dig deep as they work the critical and often chaotic two-month calving season, combating unpredictable weather and predators to ensure their calves make it to the summer pastures.

From helping birth new calves to finding strays and keeping the herd safe from the always-present coyotes and mountain lions, Cowboy Insurance provides a seldom-seen glimpse into the austere life of the modern rancher. Making the Butchers’ job more efficient in both time and money has been the introduction of Burris thermal optics. Read more

Hunting

SAF Files Response in WA Semi-Auto Ban Challenge

BELLEVUE, WA – Attorneys for the Second Amendment Foundation and its partners in a federal lawsuit challenging Washington State’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” have filed a response brief in their effort to obtain a preliminary injunction. The case is known as Hartford v. Ferguson.

In their response brief, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, SAF and its partners argue the ban is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment and under Supreme Court guidelines set down in last year’s Bruen ruling.

SAF is joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition, Sporting Systems of Hazel Dell, and three private citizens, Brett Bass, Douglas Mitchell and Lawrence Hartford, for whom the case is named. They are represented by Seattle attorney Joel Ard. Read more

Gun Control
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