Discover Michigan’s Weird and Wonderful Winter Ducks

Winter brings a fascinating cast of characters to Michigan’s waterways—ducks! As colder temperatures and icy winds freeze Arctic and boreal waters, an array of waterfowl (over 30 species!) migrate south to find their winter haven in Michigan.

Here are just a few reasons to love these winter ducks:

  • They are beautiful. From the elegant northern pintail, with its dapper three-piece-suit plumage, to the playful surf scoter, which sports a striking orange bill, many winter ducks catch the eye of bird-watchers.
  • They have unique adaptations and behaviors, which are a delight to watch. Surf scoters can dive deep for food amid cresting waves, while the common goldeneye occasionally shows off its quirky mating displays in the winter.
  • They gather in awe-inspiring congregations. Up to tens of thousands of waterfowl can be seen on Great Lakes open waters! One species, the ruddy duck can often be found in large flocks, rarely mixing with other ducks, as they strut a punky tail and vibrant blue beak. Read more
Wildlife

December Feeding Station Review

The Squirrel Buster Legacy tube feeder provides 4 feeding perches and keeps squirrels from dominating the bird seeds.
Many birders like to add a separate peanut feeder to their feeding station, like this Red Arrow peanut feeder.

This Duncraft double hopper feeder with suet cages may be the ultimate combination feeder that allows you to provide 2 kinds of seeds and 2 flavors of suet. Read more

Wildlife

CCRKBA: Hunter Traitor Biden Pardon ‘Despicable’ Exercise of Double Standard

BELLEVUE, WA – The weekend pardon of convicted firearm felon Hunter Biden by his father, President Joe Biden—who had repeatedly vowed not to exercise this executive power—was a despicable exercise of the political double standard for which the Bidens and other political elitists are infamous, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said.

“This pardon is an affront to all the people who have been convicted and or served prison time for falsely filling out the same federal form that Hunter Biden did,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “Especially those who committed a non-violent crime as a young adult and were never told that they lost the right to own a gun and had no intention of lying.

“President Biden lied when he said he would not pardon his son Hunter,” Gottlieb added. “To use a famous quote from Biden himself, the President is ‘a lying dog face pony soldier.’” Read more

Firearms

Springfield Armory Compact Echelon 4.0C 9mm

GENESEO, ILL. – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the release of the Echelon™ 4.0C 9mm, a duty-grade compact pistol engineered for carry. At its launch in 2023, the full-size Echelon 4.5F set a new standard for modern, striker-fired duty pistols. The new Echelon 4.0C carries on this tradition, but with a shorter 4″ barrel and compact frame for enhanced concealability.

At the heart of the fully ambidextrous Echelon 4.0C lies the patent-pending Central Operating Group. Employing cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, it is made up of an entirely self-contained and serialized stainless steel chassis. The result is a system that is easily moved between available grip modules in seconds. The pistol comes standard with the small grip module and three interchangeable backstraps, while medium and large grip modules can be purchased separately.

Further adding to the pistol’s adaptability is its truly innovative Variable Interface System, which employs patent-pending self-locking pins that ensure consistent and reliable point of aim/point of impact. In addition, the pins can be positioned to fit the footprints of a wide range of popular optics. This allows for an unparalleled direct-mount fit between the pistol’s slide and optic.

The Echelon 4.0C comes standard with two magazines — a flush-fit, 15-round magazine; and an extended, 18-round variant. Both magazines feature a scratch- and wear-resistant blacked-out coating for rugged durability and hard use.

The Echelon 4.0C is offered in numerous variants, Read more

Firearms

NEXTORCH ND30B USB-C Rechargeable Electronic Distraction Device

NEXTORCH North America, the primary U.S. distributor of global manufacturer NEXTORCH Industries, is pleased to announce the NEXTORCH ND30B Civilian Electronic Distraction Device. The ND30B, a powerful distraction device, is designed to deliver intense light and sound for tactical applications. The ND30B provides a non-lethal means to create a tactical advantage. It’s an essential tool for training or real-world scenarios without the risks associated with pyrotechnic devices. It’s also ideal for tactical training, home security, and effectively disorienting intruders or personal threats.

“The NEXTORCH ND30B is the ultimate tool for tactical professionals seeking a reliable, powerful, and safe distraction device,” said Jordan Brothers, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, NEXTORCH. “With its advanced features and rugged design, the ND30B ensures you are always prepared for any situation.”

The NEXTORCH ND30B Distraction Device packs professional-grade power and capabilities into a civilian-friendly platform. Engineered to meet the demanding needs of law enforcement and military operations, the ND30B utilizes a blinding 360° 11,000-lumen strobe and piercing 130dB audio output to provide effective distraction and disorientation. Read more

Optics, Self Defense

NICS Checks Top 613,000 for ‘Black Friday’ Week

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, revealed that the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) completed 613,380 background checks related to firearms for the week leading up to, and including, “Black Friday,” one of the busiest shopping days of the year. That figure is down from 2023’s total of 680,671 for the same time period. The 2024 total is a 9.8 percent decrease from the 2023 figure.

FBI NICS completed 169,906 background checks on “Black Friday” alone. Read more

Firearms

So, Joe Biden is a Liar? And, This is News?

By Glen Wunderlich

After Biden’s pardon for his criminal son, Hunter, who under the sun condones this flaunting of power over justice?  I can’t count how many times the liar in chief exclaimed that nobody is above the law.

And, for 91 year-old Chuck Grassley…if you believed that traitor Joe wouldn’t pardon his treasonous son, it’s time to hang it up.  Get out now!

Any wonder why there’s a new wind blowing in DC?

 

General , ,

Act Fast! Silencer Central’s Buy-One-Get-One Suppressor Deal Won’t Last Long

Silencer Central, the nation’s leading retailer of suppressors and accessories, extends its exciting Black Friday offer through Cyber Monday, and beyond – but you need to act fast! These savings only last while supplies remain. For a limited time, when you purchase any BANISH suppressor priced at $849 or higher, you’ll receive a FREE BANISH 22K-V2 rimfire suppressor, valued at $465.

This is the best BOGO deal in the industry, and it’s disappearing fast! Don’t miss your chance to grab this incredible offer – once the BANISH 22K-V2 is gone, so is the deal!

“We have had a tremendous response to our BOGO event,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “It has been amazing to see how many people are taking advantage of the opportunity to get the suppressors they want. This promotion is all about our customers and we are thrilled at the response we’ve seen so far.”

Here’s how it works: Purchase any qualifying BANISH suppressor priced at $849 or more, including the all-new MeatEater by BANISH, and receive the BANISH 22K-V2 for free (a $465 value). The following BANISH suppressors qualify for the deal: Read more

Firearms, Promotions

Barrett Celebrates Marine Corps Full Operational Capability for MK 22 Advanced Sniper Rifle

Murfreesboro, TN — Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. is proud to announce that the Marine Corps Systems Command has achieved Fully Operational Capability (FOC) for the MRAD® MK 22 Mod 0 Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) a year ahead of schedule.

The MK 22 represents the culmination of Barrett’s dedication to innovation and collaboration with the Department of Defense. Originally developed through a Special Operations Command contract, the MK 22 transitioned to the Marine Corps via the “Special Operations Forces (SOF) to service” process, with contracting led by the U.S. Army. This seamless interservice cooperation enabled the Marine Corps to achieve FOC a full year ahead of schedule, delivering critical capability enhancements to warfighters sooner.

“The MK 22 isn’t just another rifle; it’s a modular, mission-adaptable system that empowers the warfighter with unmatched precision and flexibility,” said Bryan James, CEO of Barrett. “We’re honored to contribute to this pivotal modernization effort for the U.S. Military and Marine Corps, and to support our nation’s elite forces.” Read more

Firearms

Pickpocketing Ducks in Micro-Environments

There are times during waterfowl season when savvy hunters rely on special tactics to bag their birds. Hiking-in to remote areas or using small watercraft such as canoes to gain access to back bays, creeks and bayous where some of the smartest ducks live are a couple ways to improve your odds to bag a few ducks, albeit with a little more effort.

These scenarios call for traveling light, including cutting way back on decoys and other equipment. All the creature comforts hunters come to expect in blinds – forget about all that stuff. A gun, a reasonable amount of ammo, calls, and a few decoys are all that is needed.

When ducks become “stale” and the migration stalls during warmer patches of weather, smart ducks still go about their business in little nooks and crannies around the countryside where they are seldom seen. Oftentimes, ducks will be inactive during daylight hours and restrict movement to a nocturnal schedule.

Scouting morning and afternoon is critical. Observing a given spot’s full potential may require staying well past legal hunting hours. You may not be able to see birds very well, but you should be able to hear them. These lowlight observations help determine the number of ducks in the area. Also, by watching which direction ducks come from, you can derive where they’ve been. Confirmation is a simple matter of observing that other spot…so, the inverse of the evening scout in the morning. Share the burden by tag teaming assignments with a hunting buddy (or friendly confidant). Read more

Hunting
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