Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Preemption Effective Today

Gilbert, Arizona – September 13, 2022 – Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Preemption bill signed earlier this year by Gov. DeWine takes effect today. This is the culmination of years of Knife Rights’ efforts in Ohio.

Last year that resulted in the repeal of Ohio’s ban on manufacture and sale of switchblades. That bill also cleared up the vague, confusing, and too often abused, Ohio law regarding carry of any knife by defining a knife, razor or cutting instrument as a “deadly weapon” or “weapon” ONLY if it is used as a weapon. That change also allowed concealed carry of knives in the state.

Knife Law Preemption now makes those reforms applicable statewide. Numerous cities and towns in Ohio are no longer able to ban knives that are perfectly legal under Ohio’s statutes. It is a great feeling to be able to add another “green” state with which we are now finished to our map of accomplishments. Check it out at:KnifeRights.org/about/accomplishments

DNR proposes increase to Chinook salmon stocking in Lake Michigan

After decades of fish stocking decreases to balance the alewife and Chinook salmon populations, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeing good indicators that a modest stocking increase may be warranted in Lake Michigan.

To discuss this proposal and receive public feedback, the DNR will host a virtual meeting Monday, Sept. 19, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

“We have seen several years of good Chinook salmon growth and have a slight increase in the alewife biomass, or abundance of those fish,” said Jay Wesley, the DNR’s Lake Michigan basin coordinator. “Although the alewife biomass is a fraction of what it was historically, we have a good 2021-year class and have seen up to six-year classes of alewives in our fisheries surveys – that means there are up to six different age groups in the current population of alewife.”

A “year class” refers to all of the fish of any species hatched, either through natural reproduction or through fish-rearing efforts, during that year’s spawning period.

Wesley said that a recently run predator-prey model also suggests that Lake Michigan has a good ratio of Chinook to alewife biomass, which is one of many indicators used to inform stocking decisions.

“The proposed 54% increase from 650,000 to 1 million spring fingerlings is a modest increase compared to the estimated 4.5 million wild Chinook salmon in Lake Michigan,” said Wesley. “It will allow us to increase numbers at sites like Charlevoix that contribute to the entire lake fishery and reinstate stocking sites like Ludington State Park and Fairport.”

Meeting details Read more

Gun Control Behind Our Backs

From Jim Shepherd

On Friday, another shot was fired – quietly- at the gun industry. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), voted to create a “special code” for gun stores to use when processing credit and debit card transactions. Proponents of the move are quick to point out that other business categories already have these categories.

That may be true, but this isn’t being done as a simple business move. It’s a calculated move to circumvent regulations preventing federal tracking of gun sales.

As described by Priscilla Sims Brown, the president and CEO of Amalgamated Bank (the bank that requested the ISO category) in her statement of support, the new category will allow Amalgamated to “fully comply with our duty to report suspicious activity and illegal gun sales to authorities without blocking or impeding legal gun sales.”

She also said “we all have to do our part to prevent gun violence.”

A couple of important points spring to mind: 1) where are the definitions of “suspicious activities” on a credit card, and 2) if she has a “duty to report” those suspicious activities, to whom would that report be given? Read more

Tisas Announces 1911 Stingray Carry Pistol

Adding to their popular Carry line, Tisas introduces the Stingray Carry (B9BA).

The Stingray has a host of features at a price point anyone can afford:

  • Ed Brown Bobtail® Style Mainspring Housing
  • Forged Slide
  • 4.25” Hammer Forged Barrel
  • G-10 Sunburst Grips
  • Beavertail Grip Safety
  • Ambidextrous Safety
  • Stingray Gray Cerakote Aluminum Frame with Undercut Trigger Guard
  • Novak™ pattern 3 Dot Sights
  • One Flush Fit 9 rd. Magazine and One 10 rd. Magazine
  • Tisas Lifetime Service Plan

With an empty weight of less than 27 ounces, the Stingray Carry will fit your concealed carry needs.

M.S.R.P. is $579.95 and are shipping now. Read more

Green Top and Benelli USA Unveil Special Edition Super Black Eagle 3 Shotgun

A limited-edition shotgun produced for this special occasion is available exclusively at Green Top starting today

ASHLAND, VA — Today, Green Top unveils the new “Virginian,” a limited edition Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, commemorating 75 years of retail business. Benelli USA is an iconic firearms manufacturer known for creating one of the world’s largest selections of semi-automatic shotguns.

Today at 10 a.m., executives from both Green Top and Benelli USA will present the “Virginian. “This exclusive, limited-run touts unique serial
numbers beginning with 75GT, signifying Green Top’s 75th Anniversary (“GT” represents Green Top and “75” indicates the company’s 75 years
in business). Adding to the value of this unique Super Black Eagle 3, these limited shotguns have been produced specifically for this event. Read more

Norma Precision Introduces Tac-22 Subsonic Ammunition

Savannah, Ga. – Norma Precision Inc. is proud to introduce the newest addition to their rimfire product portfolio, the Norma Match-22. Precision meets velocity in this high performance competition round at a reasonable price. Optimized for rifle performance, Match-22 shoots with consistent precision and remarkable ballistic properties.

The 40-grain lead round nose bullet is designed for competition and training. With consistent performance and great velocity, Norma Match-22 is a carefully selected composition of premium components for perfect balance and great velocity development, from the bullet and selected powder to the highly precise load.

For more information on Norma Match-22, please visit the Norma Precision Inc. website.

Christensen Arms’ New Modern Hunting Rifle

Gunnison, Utah – (September 12th, 2022) Christensen Arms, manufacturer of state-of-the-art precision firearms and custom carbon fiber barrels, is proud to announce the launch of the new Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) with Flash Forged Technology (FFT). Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime hunt or ringing steel at the range, the MHR was created to meet the unique requirements of every shooting situation. Built on an aluminum mini chassis with V-block bedding, the MHR offers the accuracy of a chassis rifle while providing the ergonomics of a hunting rifle with complete modularity. The all-new FFT stock, forearm, and grips can all be customized to fit any shooter or shooting position.

“With conservation being at our forefront, Flash Forged Technology results in greater environmental sustainability by saving energy and eliminate waste,” said Jason Christensen, CEO of Christensen Arms. “Utilizing automated processes and virgin recyclable materials, FFT is truly 100% zero-waste manufacturing without producing harmful toxins or emissions. This new technology helps support our goal of wildlife conservation by reducing our environmental impact and protecting our lands and wildlife for future generations – all while creating a more superior product.”

The new MHR features include: Custom Machined Receiver, Black Nitride Finish Skeletonized Bolt Handle FFT Carbon Fiber Bolt Knob, Custom TriggerTech Trigger, 7075 Aluminum Billet Chassis, FFT Carbon Fiber Forearm with m-Lok, QD and Picatinny mounts, Interchangeable Grip Modules, Adjustable FFT Carbon Fiber Cheek Riser, Adjustable Length of Pull trigger, 416R Stainless Steel Aero-grade Carbon Fiber Wrapped Barrel, Stainless Steel Side Baffle Brake (Removable) and a 5/8 × 24 threaded Muzzle for optional suppressor. All backed by Christensen’s Sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. Read more

FPC Files for Injunction Against California Gun CNC Machine Ban

SAN DIEGO, CA (September 12, 2022) – Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that it has filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Renna v. Bonta, its lawsuit challenging California’s handgun “roster”, its ban on self-manufacturing handguns, and provisions in SB-1327 that are designed to suppress and chill legitimate challenges to firearms regulations. The motion, which seeks to enjoin the ban on CNC machines used to lawfully manufacture gun parts and the fee-shifting provision in SB-1327, can be viewed at FPCLegal.org.

“The CNC Ban cannot be defended under any historical understanding of the right to keep and bear arms—which is the controlling constitutional standard,” argues the motion. “Private gunsmithing and self-manufacture of arms were well accepted and affirmatively encouraged in colonial times and thereafter. Because the CNC Ban imminently will impose criminal liability for the mere possession of a CNC mill used for lawfully self-manufactured firearms, it should be immediately enjoined.” Read more

Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus Calls on U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to Rescind Waterfowl Import Ban

OTTAWA – Today, Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus Co-Chairs Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, and Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, sent a letter to the Honorable Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, expressing concerns with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s decision to ban the importation of hunter-harvested wild game birds from Canada into the United States and requesting that this ban be rescinded.

Read more

Michigan’s Deer Forecast 2022 Season

Chad Stewart, deer, elk and moose management specialist

Upper Peninsula

The fear throughout the winter was that the long winter with plentiful snow would have an impact on the U.P. deer herd. Based on days with total snow on the ground exceeding 12 inches, it was determined that the winter of 2021 was severe. Fortunately, the fears seemed to exceed reality, and the deer seemed to fare well. While deer numbers remain low in many locations, overall harvest in the U.P. was up a little bit last year, and there is optimism that another minor increase will happen again this year, with the deer currently being observed this summer. To not sugar-coat anything, there will be places in the U.P. where deer densities remain low, and hunting efforts in some of these locations will prove extremely challenging.

Mast production, especially acorns, seems down this year compared to last year. While last year showed good productions from oaks, this year’s drought, coupled with the recency of last year’s heavier crop, seems to be limiting production.

Some hunters expressed concern last year about recently expanded antlerless harvest opportunities throughout much of the southern U.P. and the potential impact on harvest. While we only have one year of data available, it appears that while antlerless harvest did increase in many units, it never increased more than one antlerless deer per square mile in any unit, with most units only increasing their antlerless harvest by about one antlerless deer for every 3 to 4 square miles. There was quite a bit of variability in how this regulation affected management units, but it doesn’t appear to have a limiting population-level effect that some had feared, given the early returns. The same regulation structure is in place for 2022. As a reminder, for Deer Management Units 351 and 352, hunters will need an access permit as well as an antlerless license to participate in firearm antlerless deer hunting in either of those units. Hunters pursuing antlerless deer in the extreme southern part of the U.P. can simply purchase antlerless licenses and go hunting. As always, it’s best to consult our Hunting Digest for more information.

Northern Lower Peninsula

2021 was quite a year for deer hunters in the northern Lower Peninsula. Despite about a 10% dip in hunter efforts from 2020, the buck harvest increased by about 16%. Hunting should remain in good shape heading into the 2022 season. Winter mortality hasn’t really impacted the herd in the northern Lower for quite some time, and that trend seemed to continue during the winter of 2021. Deer came out of winter in great condition due to the mild weather, and that great condition has led to plentiful reports of does being seen with twin fawns in many areas.

Production of soft mast like native apples is doing well this summer. Hard mast production is looking good in several spots, though it’s worth noting that there are places still experiencing spongy moths, which have a negative impact on acorn production. If hunters come across any oaks producing acorns in early season, it’s sure to be an area with high deer traffic that can pay off with a successful hunting encounter.

A common theme echoed from reports out of this region is the skewed buck-to-doe ratio many are seeing. Improving this ratio through additional antlerless harvest can improve the number of bucks hunters see each fall, the timing and intensity of the rut, and even the age structure of bucks as efforts are transferred to antlerless deer. It can also help alleviate conflicts associated with high numbers of deer. If you are hunting in an area with a lot of does this year, consider taking an extra antlerless deer to help manage your deer herd.  If you don’t have an immediate outlet for the venison, you can always share your harvest through Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger.  This program allows you to donate your deer to a participating processor, with the resulting venison being delivered to a local food pantry at no cost to the hunter.

Southern Lower Peninsula

Glen Wunderlich’s Archery Deer in Shiawassee County 2021

“Steady, As She Goes” by the Raconteurs is the song title that best describes the year-to-year trends in the southern Lower Peninsula. Abundant deer throughout much of the region, with little yearly variation, is what typically defines the deer population in lower Michigan. For yet another year, the winter of 2021 didn’t seem to negatively impact deer in this region. In fact, the southern Lower Peninsula deer herd rarely experiences any overwinter mortality due to the abundance of summer food and the relatively mild winters. The summer of 2022 saw drought-like conditions throughout much of June and July. Despite this weather, crops seem to have withstood the conditions and are in great shape, which means there will continue to be plentiful food for deer throughout the fall. One concern in the region, especially during summers with drought, is the potential experience of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), which is far more likely to show up in an impactful way under dry conditions. At the time of writing this report, no cases have been identified, though we are entering the peak time when reports are most likely to come in.

Deer numbers can vary depending on where you are in the region, but in many locations, numbers are plentiful and with time in the field, most hunters should have opportunities to be successful this year.

Joe Reynolds’ 2021 Archery Buck, Shiawassee County

Antler growth seems to be fairly average across the region compared to previous years, so while there are some great bucks to be had, if one doesn’t present itself while you are hunting, consider harvesting a doe this year and passing on younger bucks to try and help manage the herd. Your choices will pay off in the future.

The DNR is continuing to prioritize surveillance for chronic wasting disease in the southern Lower Peninsula. If you harvest a deer in a county where we are conducting surveillance, please consider dropping off your deer’s head at one of the collection stations in the link embedded in the message you receive when you report your harvest.

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