Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — The Hillsdale College shotgun team will host a shotgun invitational at the John Anthony Halter Shooting Sports Education Center on March 4. Participants can choose any or all of the offered shooting disciplines and shoot against Hillsdale College team members. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
The recent ice storm has left many in Mid-Michigan with damage to trees and shrubs. For do-it-yourselfers, it’s time to break out some tools that have been stashed out of sight for just such an occasion. What follows are some tips to give your trees and landscape specimens a good chance of survival.
Safety has to be first when dealing with limbs that can fall onto one’s head, and tools that are sharp. Hard hats, leather gloves, and eye protection can prevent trips to emergency centers. Also, ladders can be downright dangerous, because falling limbs won’t give tree surgeons a place to run when they’re above ground. If you’d like to be amused by others’ bad choices involving falling tree work, YouTube can demonstrate the many ways stupidity is rewarded. If large limbs are broken or hanging, or if climbing or overhead chainsaw work is needed, hire a professional.
“Your life is more important than your trees or your property,” said Kevin Sayers, who leads the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry program. “Be aware of downed power lines or trees touching power lines and stay at least 25 feet away. Immediately report any downed lines to your local utility company. Never attempt to prune or remove trees near power lines.”
Manual pole pruners are often the best choice for pruning smaller or higher branches. Don’t go cheap here, because operating one of these rigs can be strenuous when sawing high-up limbs. A cheap saw will only make the work more difficult. I like to lube the blade before the work begins and when it is completed, clean it and lube it again. The pruning function is also handy with a pull of the rope for branches approximately one-inch in diameter or less.
For work closer to the ground hand pruners are a must. Lots of options exist in design and quality but I’ve found one that’s as good as its lifetime guarantee: EZ Kut. These one-hand wonders are all metal with replaceable carbon steel blades with built-in knuckle protectors. They are of ratchet design meaning more leverage for tough jobs.
Although the pruners are tough, I found a way to break them by over-doing it with a dead limb on hardwood that took both hands to put me out of business. When I contacted EZ Kut to test its lifetime warranty, I was pleasantly surprised when replacement parts arrived in the mail along with a brand new pruner! Plus, the pink colored handles are easy to find when they are among the camouflaged surroundings.
Fruit trees can be particularly susceptible to damage and the general idea when pruning is to leave the center of the tree open. That means eliminate any dead or damaged branches or those growing toward the center. Also, take out branches that touch each other or ones that will eventually rub on other branches. For bonus points, save those fruit tree branches for the rabbit population, because they find the tender bark irresistible.
Many homeowners in southern Michigan will be looking at ice-covered trees and broken branches this week. Wind and ice have swept through lower parts of the state with the potential for significant tree damage.
Taking proactive steps after a storm has damaged trees can make the difference between losing them or giving them a good chance of survival.
Keep it safe.
“Your life is more important than your trees or your property,” said Kevin Sayers, who leads the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry program. “Be aware of downed power lines or trees touching power lines and stay at least 25 feet away. Immediately report any downed lines to your local utility company. Never attempt to prune or remove trees near power lines.”
When trees are coated in ice, safety is the top priority. If you choose to work on your trees, always use proper tools. Don’t overestimate your abilities or use equipment inappropriately. Read more
Reno, NV – PARD is excited to announce the release of its Dual Spectra Imaging TD5 Thermal/Night Vision scope, available in May 2023.
The TD5 is the latest technological innovation from PARD. The Dual Spectra Imaging technology combines long distance Thermal detection, high definition Night Vision, a ballistics calculator AND a Laser Rangefinder into a single unit.
Featuring a 384×288 resolution IR thermal sensor, 35mm lens (providing 7.5°x5.6° FOV), 2.4x optical magnification, 2x digital magnification, 12µm pixel pitch and ?25mK Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD), users will enjoy rich contrast and bold resolution when acquiring (and accurately ranging) targets with the 1200 yard integrated laser range finder that seamlessly feeds the data into the on-board ballistics’ calculator.
The integrated CMOS 1920*1080 visible light sensor combines a 50mm lens, 4.5-9x magnification, 6.4°x3.6° FOV and visibility down to .001 lux. Available in either 850nm or 940nm versions, the VCSEL IR illuminator has 3 levels of intensity, and directional focus out to 350m. Read more
In NCLA Win, Fifth Circuit Tosses Back NMFS Rule Trying to Track Charter Boats Without a Warrant
Mexican Gulf Fishing Company, et al. v. U.S. Department of Commerce, et al.
Washington, DC – In a landmark win for charter boat fishermen across the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has set aside a controversial Final Rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which required 24-hour GPS tracking of recreational charter boat fishing vessels and reporting of confidential economic data. As Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod wrote, “in promulgating this regulation, the Government committed multiple independent Administrative Procedure Act violations, and very likely violated the Fourth Amendment.” The ruling is major for many reasons, including that the government tried to claim that charter boat fishing is a “closely-regulated industry” to which the Fourth Amendment does not apply.
NCLA represents more than 1,300 federally permitted charter boat owners in the class-action lawsuit, Mexican Gulf Fishing Company v. U.S. Department of Commerce. The Final Rule required each charter boat to be “equipped with NMFS-approved hardware and software with a minimum capability of archiving GPS locations.” The Rule would have required charter boats to install onboard an NMFS-approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) tracking device—an “anchor bracelet”—that continuously transmits the boat’s GPS location to NMFS, whether the boat is being used for a charter-fishing trip or for something else. Charter boat operators “are responsible for purchasing the VMS units,” which the Final Rule estimated would cost upwards of $3000 plus a monthly service fee of $40 to $75. NCLA argued this 24-hour GPS surveillance was not only unnecessary and unduly burdensome, but also that this requirement violated the Fourth Amendment by searching without probable cause or a warrant, exceeded the authority granted by the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), and was arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). NCLA also complained that the rule required reporting economic data that had nowhere been specified by the agencies in proposing the rule for comment. Read more
Hawke® Optics, a worldwide leader in quality sporting optics that perform outstanding in the field while maintaining optimum value for the consumer, boasts their range of LPVO offerings with three new 1-8×24 riflescope models.
All Hawke Vantage riflescopes feature our H2 optics. The new for 2023 1-8×24 models come with three reticle choices; L4A, Circle Dot, or Tactical BDC 5.56. Featuring precision glass etched reticles with multi-stage illumination in both red and green, these models are built on a 30mm monotube chassis with a Wide Angle FOV for maximum light transmission. The ½ MOA capped, resettable, fingertip turrets make for easy adjustments, while the 11 layers of Fully Multi Coated lenses provide a crisp, clear, bright viewing picture. Read more
Keeping track of, storing, and transporting Ruger 10/22 mags can be frustrating. They are small, tend to roll around, and can easily load up with dirt and debris that can impact operation. Now MTM Case-Gard, the first name in innovative polymer-based solutions for shooting and hunting enthusiasts, helps you take control of 10/22 rotary mag management with their new 10/22 Rotary Mag Case.
Made from a high-impact polymer, these hinged mag cases feature a clear lid for easy identification with a snap-closure to keep contents secure. Inside, the case is divided into six compartments to accept standard-size 10-round Ruger 10/22 rotary magazines. The case also fits .17 HMR and .22 WMR magazines.
The Rotary Mag Case is sized to fit in most range bags and boxes for safe transportation to the field or the shooting bench. At home, the cases easily stack for compact and organized storage.
To learn more about this and other innovative hunting and shooting equipment solutions, visit MTMCase-Gard.com.
ZeroTech Optics’ latest offering, the Thrive HD series, has raised the bar for performance in the binocular industry. These binoculars were designed to compete against the top-performing models at a fraction of the cost. At the core of the Thrive HD series is the latest generation of Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass, which provides a generous depth of field and superior low-light performance thanks to the Dielectrically Coated Bak 4 Prisms.
These cutting-edge features result in brilliant image quality and an unparalleled user experience. Additionally, this series boasts smoother and faster focus wheels and attractive textured grip panels covering a strong but lightweight full magnesium alloy construction that provides excellent control in all conditions. The optics remain protected from dust and debris with integrated rubber lens covers. For bird watchers and photographers, the Thrive HD series is the ideal companion on outdoor adventures. The inclusion of a flip-top bino caddy harness system ensures hands-free carry and storage of essential items. The series comes in four optical configurations: 8x25mm (compact), 10x25mm (compact), 8x42mm, and 10x42mm. Read more
West Valley City, UT — SilencerCo is excited to launch a new custom paint service to help customers step up their suppressor game. SilencerCo’s Cerakote-certified team can refinish suppressors in one of five different colors for the cost of $89.
This new service gives shooters the option to match their suppressor to a specific firearm or even just add a little color to their current collection. Those interested will need to contact the SilencerCo Customer Service team Monday – Thursday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM MST. The SilencerCo Customer Service contact information can be found here.
“Our intention with this project is to give shooters the ability to customize their suppressor,” said VP of Marketing, Customer Service & Warranty, Jessica Kallam. “Whether it’s Coyote Tan for long-range desert shooting or Sniper Grey for pairing with an AR-15, our paint team will do an impeccable job.” Read more
By Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com
“I’ll switch to an electric outboard when they pry my cold, dead fingers from the throttle of my Merc 250 . . . “
If that’s your attitude when it comes to opting for electric power for your boat—and it is for a lot of us—let’s remember that it was not all that long ago when we felt the same way about switching from two-stroke outboards to four-stroke outboards. (I know, you whippersnappers don’t even remember two-stroke outboards—trust me, it was not that long ago.)
We know the arguments against electric motors—starting with there are as of now ZERO fast charging stations at marinas and boat docks around the nation.
And that as of now, they are VERY expensive compared to equivalent gas outboards when you add in the astronomical cost of multiple high-output lithium-ion batteries. And you can’t get anything north of 180 horsepower right now—not a good option if you’re running twin 600 Merc’s at present.
That said, there is probably an electric outboard in your future. Read more