Auto-Ordnance Unveils the TAO50

Auto-Ordnance® proudly announces the launch of the TAO50 Thompson rifle in .50 BMG – a revolutionary bolt-action rifle designed to redefine long-range shooting power and precision. Engineered with cutting-edge technology, the TAO50 is built for shooters seeking total domination of the target at any distance.

With a patent-pending roller bearing bolt and advanced muzzle brake design, the TAO50 stands as a monument to American firearms engineering. Available in rugged black or FDE anodized finishes, this rifle pairs durability with high-caliber performance, and is ideal for serious marksmen.

At the heart of the TAO50 is a precision 29” barrel with a 1:15 twist rate and threaded 1”-14 at the muzzle, maximizing accuracy and optimizing recoil management using the revolutionary jet brake. Suppressor options from leading brands such as Innovative Arms®, Elite Iron®, B&T®, and HUXWRX® are compatible with the TAO50. For best results, the TAO50’s proprietary muzzle brake is recommended for reduced recoil. Read more

Firearms

FM Products Releases Innovative New VFM-9 Upper for 2025

Foxtrot Mike Products, a trusted innovator in the PCC market for over 8 years, has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable, and feature-rich products, supported by outstanding customer service. Recognizing the challenges faced by hard working blue-collar consumers with reduced discretionary income, Foxtrot Mike has introduced the VFM-9, a new line of 9mm Upper Receivers that combines the same superior quality, durability, and innovation customers expect, at a more accessible price point.

The VFM-9 is the clear choice for consumers seeking exceptional value without compromising performance. By eliminating the complex barrel nut and implementing a thermal fit between the barrel and the upper, Foxtrot Mike has reduced manufacturing costs while maintaining their commitment to excellence.

The VFM-9 features a robust 4140 steel barrel, offering impressive accuracy and a service life exceeding 10,000 rounds. While slightly different from the premium 41V50 steel used in the flagship MIKE-9, the 4140 steel still delivers outstanding performance for a PCC build. Additionally, if a consumer ever shoots out their barrel, Foxtrot Mike offers a replacement for just $99, further reinforcing their dedication to customer satisfaction. Read more

Firearms

Impressive Bulls Top Elk Harvest

Twenty elk were harvested during Arkansas’s 2024 season, including some impressive bulls, according to Wes Wright, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s elk program coordinator.

Of the 20, 14 were taken on private land and six from public land. Nine were bulls and 11 were antlerless. All nine bulls had racks of 5×5 (number of points on each antler) or greater, including a 7×7 and a 6×7. The hunts were Oct. 7-11 and Oct. 28-Nov. 1; youth hunts were Oct. 5-6 and Oct. 26-27.

James Wray, 32, experienced an amazing day of hunting on Richland Valley Elk Conservation Area, part of the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area. The cotton, corn, rice and soybean farmer from Jonesboro took an elk in Utah a few years back but had not had a chance to chase them in Arkansas until last fall.

He began his Arkansas elk quest by scouting with a friend, Mason Young, about a week before hunting. Read more

Hunting

The Alpha Buck

The Alpha Buck

This story begins about a year and a half ago when my wife and purchased a little piece of land not far from the center of Alpharetta, Georgia. Since then, I’ve continued to run trail cams on the property and seen nothing but does; honestly, it’s kind of crazy that not even one small buck has shown up in over a year. In early December, that all changed.

On Wednesday, December 4, an absolute bruiser that I now called the Alpha Buck decided to grace us with his presence. He showed up at midnight in my upper field and then daylighted at 7:15 a.m. that next morning. Naturally, the daylight photos instantly got me fired up… but what really got me going was when my security camera caught him walking down the driveway at noon. I knew then it was on.

That evening, I went over to the property for an afternoon sit. It’s now 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, and like clockwork he came right in to feed. I smoked him at 30 yards. Broadside, full pass through, a tad back and a little high but surely a fatal shot. Well… This is where the story gets interesting.

Knowing I made solid contact, I backed out and gave the deer a few hours. Read more

Hunting

Wild Sheep Foundation: EXPLORE Act Becomes Law

EXPLORE Act Passes Senate, Landmark Legislation to Enhance Public Lands Access for Sportsmen and Women

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) celebrates the United States Senate’s passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, sending the most comprehensive public lands package since 2019 to the President’s desk. This bipartisan legislation marks a pivotal moment for outdoor recreation and public lands access, advancing several critical priorities of the sporting community.

“The passage of the EXPLORE Act underscores the power of collaboration in advancing access to America’s public lands,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “From streamlining permitting for small film crews to enhancing recreational shooting opportunities, this bill delivers practical solutions to the challenges faced by federal land managers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It reflects a shared commitment to conserving and promoting our outdoor heritage.”

Key provisions of the EXPLORE Act include: Read more

Wildlife

More than $106,000 awarded across 28 Michigan communities

Jan. 2, 2025

Contact Kerry Gray (Michigan DNR), 734-691-1806 or Joelle Kruczek (DTE),

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, DTE Energy Foundation and ReLeaf Michigan today announced the 28 communities and organizations across the state that will receive a portion of $106,680 in grant funding to expand tree coverage.

This initiative is part of the trio’s 28-year collaboration. Through these grants, the organizations aim to have 1,377 trees planted along streets, in parks and in various public spaces in 2025.

“Trees provide essential benefits to our communities, from cooling neighborhoods to improving air quality and supporting biodiversity. This program helps to expand tree canopy while ensuring new trees are properly located to avoid utility conflicts and support long term-growth and sustainability,” said Kerry Gray, DNR Urban and Community Forestry grants specialist.

The statewide program is funded by the DTE Foundation and administered jointly by the DNR and ReLeaf Michigan to provide grant awards and tree-planting project assistance.

“Expanding and safeguarding Michigan’s tree population is a priority for the DTE Foundation, and this work cannot be done without partners like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and ReLeaf Michigan,” said Rodney Cole, foundation president. “By collaborating with these dedicated organizations, we can ensure that our efforts to enhance and protect Michigan’s natural beauty will have a lasting impact on our communities and the environment for years to come.”

Open full grantees list ?

The program seeks to support and engage communities, schools, nonprofits and other organizations in environmental stewardship, neighborhood beautification and the proper planting of trees away from utility infrastructure.

Project proposals are solicited annually from eligible partners around the state. The next opportunity to apply is summer 2025. Read more

Wildlife

2025 Black Lake sturgeon season begins Feb. 1

Contact: Neal Godby, 231-340-2621 or Tim Cwalinski, 231-340-0276

The 2025 lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake in Cheboygan County, Michigan, will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. All anglers must register online in advance to participate in the fishing season, and those age 17 or older must have a valid Michigan fishing license.

The harvest limit for the 2025 season on Black Lake is six lake sturgeon. Officials will close the season when one of two scenarios occurs:

The sixth fish is harvested.
Five fish have been harvested at the end of any fishing day.
Fishing hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day of the season. The season will end either at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, or when one of the above scenarios is met, at which point anglers will be notified via text message and on the ice by DNR personnel that they must immediately stop fishing for lake sturgeon.

Anyone who wants to participate this year must register online by Jan. 31. Get more registration and season information at Michigan.gov/Sturgeon. Read more

Fishing

USFWS Withdraws Proposed Biological Integrity, Diversity, And Environmental Health Rule

In a major win for sportsmen, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has officially withdrawn its proposed Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Rule (“BIDEH Rule”) that would have had sweeping impacts on National Wildlife Refuge management.

The Biden administration introduced the proposed BIDEH Rule in February 2024. To say the BIDEH Rule would have harmed sportsmen is an understatement. The rule plainly “prohibit[ed] predator control unless it is determined necessary to meet statutory requirements, fulfill refuge purposes, and ensure biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health.”

With this language, the service would only be able to authorize the taking of a predator if “all other feasible methods have been fully evaluated and such control is considered the only practical means of addressing a specific, significant conservation concern and ensuring biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health.”

Today, the Sportsmen’s Alliance is proud to announce the withdrawal of the rule and can rejoice that the service thought better of its major overstep and withdrew the rule.

“We are glad that the service agreed with our comments and withdrew the proposed BIDEH Rule,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel for Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “Sportsmen’s dollars have always been the primary source of funding for the refuge system, and the system was designed to increase recreational opportunities for families, including hunting and fishing. Any action that severely limits those opportunities like the BIDEH Rule did is inconsistent with the refuge system’s purposes and congressional mandates.”

Hunting, Wildlife

Christmas trees for fish habitat not as smart as many believe

Dec. 23, 2024

Learn more about what to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays

Each year, Michiganders purchase millions of live Christmas trees. When the holidays are over though, many people wonder if there are beneficial uses for their trees rather than sending them to a landfill. The answer is yes — there are many ways that your old Christmas trees can keep on giving as habitat, but it’s important to think carefully about the best way to do so.

Christmas trees for fish?

People often ask the Michigan Department of Natural Resources whether their Christmas trees would make good habitat for fish. This is a great question, as many of Michigan’s lakes once had woody habitat, such as a fallen tree, every 5 to 50 feet! This woody habitat is important for fish, turtles, frogs, herons and other animals, because it provides refuge from predators and opportunities to bask in the sun, reduces wave energy that erodes shorelines and encourages growth of aquatic plants. Harder-wood trees with an open branch structure provide high-quality habitat.

However, Christmas trees are classified as softwoods, and are typically species such as balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine. These softwoods break down relatively quickly in aquatic environments. The dense branches on Christmas trees that are perfect for holding ornaments are often too dense for many fish to use as habitat.

Additionally, pesticides applied to Christmas trees, leftover decorations and anchors used to sink trees may introduce unwanted materials into our waters. So, if you’re thinking about sinking that tree in your favorite lake for fish habitat, we urge you to consider an alternative. Read more

Fishing, Wildlife
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