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.

Memorandum of Understanding

Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the DNR and the DMVA, the DMVA will be able to apply for limited land use permits to conduct exercises on up to 52,000 acres of eligible land. The permits would allow the Michigan National Guard to conduct low-impact training on specified areas of land, which would remain open to the public and Tribal members at all times. The MOU also provides that the permits will not allow military training to take place in any protected or sensitive habitat areas or within a certain distance of inland lakes and designated trout streams. Read more

Wildlife

First Case of SAR-CoV-2 Detected in California Wildlife

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected for the first time in free-ranging California wildlife.

One hunter-harvested mule deer, a buck from El Dorado County, was confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. The deer was harvested in 2021 and sampled by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance. It was negative for CWD and did not show any outward signs of illness.

In California, SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed in pets and zoo animals, but never in free-ranging wildlife. Following reports of SARS-CoV-2 detections in free-ranging white-tailed deer and mule deer in other states and Canadian provinces, CDFW tested archived deer samples for SARS-CoV-2. The samples consisted of lymph nodes collected as part of CDFW’s CWD surveillance efforts. CWD has never been detected in California’s deer or elk populations.

CDFW submitted archived samples from 170 black-tailed and mule deer collected in 2020 and 209 black-tailed and mule deer collected in 2021. Initial testing for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at UC Davis, and confirmatory testing was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Read more

Wildlife

Turkeys For Tomorrow Launches Chapters in Five States

AUBURN, Ala. — Turkeys For Tomorrow has launched seven chapters in five states, while momentum behind its mission continues to grow.

Turkeys For Tomorrow was founded two years ago to address the nationwide decline in wild turkey numbers. Its work supports academic research to precisely define the problem, and it helps hunters and land managers learn how they can be a key part of the solution. This two- pronged approach is giving land managers and policymakers the tools they need for the future, while applying common-sense tactics to help populations right away.

“Research and direct action are both needed,” said Dan Braman, co-chairman of the board for TFT. “While research takes time, there are common sense actions we can take today. If we do our part to improve turkey habitat and create a more balanced population of predators, turkeys’ survival numbers will go up.”

Hunters are responding to the need by joining TFT and taking part in events. Pete Daugherty, TFT’s Director of Outreach, has seen the group’s membership grow to represent nearly every state in the union. He has fielded serious inquiries from motivated hunters in 21 states seeking to launch chapters and host events. Deliberate, responsible growth of the organization is a key part of ensuring a bright future for wild turkeys, and TFT’s chapter program is being developed with caution and care.

“Hunters everywhere have already seen the problem for themselves,” Daugherty said. “They led the restoration of the wild turkey decades ago, and they’re ready to do it again. They know if they don’t do it, it won’t happen.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

2A March Draws Crowd

Indianapolis, IN

On opening day of the NRAAM 2023, the DC Project organized a march to the Indiana State Capitol, which was two blocks from the convention center, followed by a press conference in the North Atrium of the Capitol building.

The crowd participated in the march by carrying handmade signs with positive messaging like, “Guns save lives”, “Protect kids like politicians” and more.

Marchers chanted, smiled, and waved at passersby, giving the community a positive interaction with gun owners.

The group was joined by Indiana State Representative Peggy Mayfield and Congresswoman Victoria Spartz, both of whom expressed their unwavering support for the Second Amendment and for the DC Project.

Several ladies of the organization addressed the crowd by highlighting their stories and reasons for supporting firearms ownership.

“The world observes anti-gun activists marching on and swarming state capitols demanding more gun control. This was our opportunity to let the world see a counter-effort from our side, with pro-gun messaging,” said founder, Dianna Muller. Read more

Gun Control, Self Defense

Nebraska Constitutional Carry (Including Knives) Signed by Governor

Knife Rights supported Nebraska Constitutional Carry bill, LB 77 which covers knives and includes Knife Law Preemption, has been signed by Governor Jim Pillen. Gov. Pillen said, “this bill fulfills the promise I made to voters to uphold our Second Amendment rights and the ability of all law-abiding Nebraskans to defend themselves.”

NOTE: The new law does not take effect until 90 days after the legislature adjourns. With an expected June 9th adjournment, that is expected to be early in September, but will depend on the actual adjournment date. Knife Rights will let you know as the actual enactment date approaches.

All “weapons,” including knives, will be covered by Nebraska’s Constitutional Carry statute. The expanded “weapons” preemption statute will also cover Knife Law Preemption, one of Knife Rights signature legislative efforts. This will bring to 12 the number of states that have passed Knife Law Preemption since we started in 2010 with the nation’s first Knife Law Preemption bill in Arizona. Read more

Cutlery

Become A Detectorist with Minelab’s X-TERRA PRO

New X-TERRA PRO offers modern technology in a durable, waterproof, and affordable package

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIb2fxPud1g

Chicago, IL (April 26, 2023) – Its technical rugged good looks aren’t by accident. It’s that kind of detector – durable, full-of-features, and, yes, waterproof… If you’ve been intrigued by the burgeoning outdoor activity of treasure hunting, but haven’t yet stepped in the ring, now’s the time to join the growing crowd.

Minelab, the international leader in metal detection, proudly introduces the X-TERRA PRO. Priced to be a gateway into the sport, the X-TERRA PRO offers more for the money than any metal detector, ever. Read more

Wildlife

HatsanUSA’s JET Features Convertibility in a PCP Air Pistol

Rogers, AR – New for 2023, HatsanUSA is proud to showcase it’s all NEW, PCP air pistol/carbine rifle, the JET is more than just a pistol. Easily convert it to a rifle with its removable and adjustable buttstock. Available in 3 calibers: .177, .22, and .25, the JET is perfect for target practice, small game hunting, and just having fun.

This side-lever, multi-shot, repeating PCP comes with a removable black air cylinder with built-in pressure gauge. But guess what? You can get replacement air cylinders – in 4 different colors! Black, red, blue, or green. Want extra air capacity? We also have the JET II – which is built with dual 40 cc air cylinders. With replacement dual air cylinders available too – also in black, red, blue, and green. These cylinders easily swap** with just a few turns of some screws. Each single air cylinder holds 40 cc of air and fills to 250 BAR (3,625 PSI), which provides up to 24 shots (48 in JET II/dual air cylinders) at optimal velocity (.177 cal). Firing at up to 788 FPS (.177 cal) and 16.5 FPE (.25 cal) the JET does not lack in power. Read more

Firearms

Bushmaster Introduces .450 Bushmaster BOAR

Carson City, NV – April 27, 2023 — Introducing the .450 Bushmaster BOAR™, the ultimate hunting tool that provides the well-known, “Beast Of A Round™” ballistics of the .450 Bushmaster caliber. The .450 Bushmaster round provides the power to hunt all the big game throughout North America, making it a prime choice for hunters.

With the addition of a heavy buffer spring in the Magpul® UBR® GEN2 stock, the BOAR™ is designed to significantly reduce the felt recoil that the traditional .450 Bushmaster 20″ packs. The .450 Bushmaster BOAR™ is the hunting rifle you need for your next hunting adventure, packing a big punch to the game, not your shoulder.

Firearms

NSSF Files Challenge Against Washington Gun Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, filed a lawsuit against Washington’s Attorney General Robert Ferguson and John Batiste, Chief of Washington State Patrol, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief from state authorities enforcing HB 1240, the law that bans the sale and transfer of Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) and many other firearms. The lawsuit was filed within hours of Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature by Clement & Murphy, PLLC.

NSSF, along with other plaintiffs, is challenging Washington’s MSR ban, demonstrating that it violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court held in Heller that the Second Amendment protects the rights to keep and bear arms “typically possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes.” There are over 24.4 million MSRs in circulation today, more than there are Ford F-150s on America’s roads.

“NSSF will not stand idly by as politicians cleave away fundamental Constitutional rights from Americans,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. “The right to keep and bear arms that are commonly owned belongs to law-abiding citizens. Politicians in Washington exceed their authority when they usurp those rights to mollify radical special-interest groups. These politicians violate their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution and the rights of the citizens they represent.” Read more

Gun Control

NRA’s America’s 1st Freedom: Murder Zones

Now on A1F.com: New statistics show that when it comes to murder in America, the country’s millions of lawful gun owners are not the problem. Actually, about 2% of American counties experienced 56% of murders in 2020. Meanwhile, most counties in the U.S. experienced no murders. The real statistics on murder in the U.S. might surprise you, as much of the media isn’t going to tell you this. The thing is, finding the best policies to make America safer does take understanding these facts. Read more

Gun Control
1 … 345 346 347 348 349 … 1,919