Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Hunting and trapping are an undeniable part of our state’s outdoor traditions. New and veteran hunters and trappers and anyone interested in how the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages wildlife populations are invited to two upcoming opportunities in St. Ignace: the Michigan Bear Forum (Aug. 19) and the Michigan Furtaker User Group meeting (Sept. 1). Read more
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., provider of the world’s most rugged, lightweight, and clear sport optics, is pleased to announce that the BX-4 Range HD TBR/W rangefinding binocular is now available.
When speed is paramount, there’s no substitute for a rangefinding binocular. The BX-4 Range HD TBR/W 10x42mm fuses Leupold’s DNA engine and ballistics software with the optical performance diehard hunters and shooters demand.
“The BX-4 Range HD combines the industry’s fastest ranging solution with Leupold’s unparalleled optical performance,” said Product Line Manager Eric Overstreet. “It’s easy to use, it’s incredibly fast, and it offers a clearer display than anything else in its price class.”
A true hybrid of tech and optical performance, the BX-4 Range HD combines Leupold’s DNA laser engine and ballistics software with the company’s award-winning BX-4 binocular, allowing hunters and shooters to spot and range targets at the same time without wasting valuable seconds switching between gear. Its high contrast red OLED display delivers visible readouts in any light, and its edge-to-edge resolution makes glassing sessions easy on the eyes. Read more
As America faces a storm of geopolitical threats, endures a flood of fentanyl streaming across a largely open southern border—now killing some 100,000 Americans annually, wrestles with soaring inflation, and experiences unmitigated crime in many of our largest cities, the Biden Administration’s recent move to defund schools that offer hunter safety and archery programs has many questioning President Biden’s priorities. The administration seems to be misfiring on many cylinders and, not surprisingly, Joe Biden’s approval rating continues to plummet. “It’s right up there with jock itch,” recently quipped Senator John Kennedy.
The administration is twisting the intent of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year—with the help of 15 Republican Senators voting in favor—and the Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, has moved to block funding from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to schools that offer hunter education and archery programs. BSCA prohibits ESEA funds from being used to provide training in the use of a, “dangerous weapon.”
To read the rest of this column click here. Read more
Olathe, Kansas – Athlon Optics continues to offer Ridiculously Good Optics at a Ridiculously Good Price. Their latest release is no exception. The Talos BTR GEN2 fixed-10x scope is a modern take on a classic design that is packed with features and still manages to maintain a weight of 24.6 ounces.
TALOS BTR GEN2 10X42 – $374.99 MSRP – Click here to find out more.
Athlon’s newest riflescope is a precision, mid-to-long-range optic with features normally found on much more expensive offerings. The simple design of the fixed 10x power magnification produces an incredibly robust optic suitable for standard and magnum calibers. A 10-yard minimum to infinity parallax adjustment and an extensive elevation adjustment range suit rimfire and airgun enthusiasts! Featuring a new turret design and a Precision Zero Stop system, the GEN2 provides sharper, more tactile clicks with a quick-hard stop when returning to zero.
The TALOS BTR GEN2 10X42 also features a 30mm aircraft-grade aluminum argon-purged tube, 3.6 inches of eye relief, a total length of 13.3 inches, and is available in MOA and MIL reticle versions. Read more
Athlon’s Saddle Mount adds a range of options to any tripod system that utilizes an Arca-style mount – especially Athlon’s new line of carbon fiber tripods. This tactical gun saddle vise features an extremely smooth adjustment dial, side and bottom pads for recoil reduction, a clamping range of 1.1 – 2.6 inches, and still manages to maintain a weight of 3.5 oz. The unique 7-degree inward-facing clamp design makes the saddle much more compatible with traditional rifle stocks than the designs of other manufacturers. Athlon’s new Saddle Mount is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and is covered by their Lifetime Warranty, so you can purchase and use it with absolute confidence. Click here to find out more. Read more
The Trijicon RMR® created the standard for what a miniature rugged reflex optic should be. Not coincidentally, the RMR immediately became a favorite duty optic, and Trijicon RMR optics have been proven in the most demanding environments on earth by U.S. Special Operations, law enforcement agencies, and individuals in personal defense situations.
Now, Trijicon once again sets the standard with the new RMR® HD, an optic specifically designed for the evolving needs of law enforcement and the armed forces.
Built on the foundation of the Trijicon RMR Adjustable LED model, the RMR HD features a large, clear lens made from tempered glass and has the same footprint as the RMR. The larger lens provides an unobstructed view of the target and aids in finding and tracking the reticle more easily.
The new RMR HD reticle allows the user to toggle between a 55 MOA segmented circle reticle with a center dot, or a crisp dot-only option, both of which include a new super bright setting and an additional night vision setting. Models are available with either a 1.0 MOA or 3.25 MOA center dot. Read more
With the introduction of the DTI 1 and DTI 4, ZEISS is unveiling two new thermal imaging cameras for hunting. The ZEISS DTI 3 GEN 2 builds upon the DTI 3 thermal imaging camera which was first introduced in 2020. The ZEISS DTI family have several features in common including intuitive ergonomics and ease of use, an exceptional viewing experience, as well as sophisticated power management, and seamless connectivity with the ZEISS Hunting App. “With the new DTI 1, DTI 4, and the second generation of the successful DTI 3, we offer a complete line of thermal imaging cameras for all hunting applications and at a variety of price points,” reported Constantin Klug, Category Manager for Hunting at ZEISS.
Thermal imaging cameras are an essential piece of hunting gear that help make hunting safer and more successful. The entry level model, the ZEISS DTI 1, is a compact and lightweight thermal imaging camera with features such as Transition Zoom, which enables uninterrupted observation thanks to the continuous zoom effect, as well as personalized settings. The camera comes with a new detection mode and eight color modes for your customization. With 0.5 zoom increments, it offers the ideal combination of zoom and detail recognition for reliable identification. The new ZEISS DTI 1 is available in two different focal lengths: the DTI 1/19 with a field of view of 72 ft at 100 yds, and the DTI 1/25 with a field of view of 55 ft at 100 yds. Read more
Choke tubes are the cheat codes for downing birds, whether they are clay pigeons on the sporting clays course or fast moving doves in a sunflower field. Choke tubes give you an advantage – when selected correctly – in delivering the best pattern in the right spot at the right time.
The right spot, right time part is actually your responsibility. Not the choke’s.
Choke tubes, for those not too familiar with this shotgun accessory, screw into the muzzle end of the shotgun’s barrel and the constriction of the choke determines the pattern, or spread of the lead shot, at distance. You would open up the constriction, maybe going to a Cylinder choke for fast moving, close in targets, or tighten the constriction with a Modified or Full choke to have your shot open up farther out for a distant target.
And there is a wide range of choke tubes available from aftermarket companies. From the factory your shotgun will come with chokes, usually three but sometimes more. This assumes your shotgun is cut for chokes. Some tactical shotguns are simply smooth all the way through and are what we’d consider Cylinder. Read more
WATCH NOW: https://www.highroadhunting.com/the-high-road/50bmg-vs-wildebeest-african-safari/
We kick off today’s episode bringing down a GIANT with a GIANT. Johnny grabs the 50BMG and sets his sights on a wildebeest. Then Keith sets out on a spot n stalk searching for a blesbok.
WATCH ALL EPISODES FREE: https://www.highroadhunting.com/full-episodes Read more
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) revised the state of Michigan’s interior hemlock woolly adelgid quarantine. The new quarantine is effective on August 1, 2023.
The updated quarantine now includes Benzie and Manistee counties as well as a portion of Washtenaw County in and around the Nichols Arboretum after the pest was identified in these areas. The previous interior hemlock woolly adelgid quarantine regulated movement of hemlock in Allegan, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties.
The quarantine regulates the movement of hemlock and tiger-tail spruce trees, forest products and nursery stock, with some exceptions, from the quarantine areas to other locations within the state. Read more