A Tree Can Be a Bird Magnet

A variety of warblers and orioles, including this Blue-winged Warbler, were feeding at this blooming crabapple tree (photos by Paul Konrad).
Ripening mulberries attract many migrating birds in the southern half of the United States, such as a Scarlet Tanager (above) and a Cedar Waxwing (below). Everyone needs a “magnet tree” in their yard.

Planting a tree is a long-term proposition, but trees are key to attracting many birds to our yards, and the right trees can create a special attraction in the form of foods. Fruits or berries, flower nectar, small insects attracted to flowers, and small caterpillars among the foliage create a buffet for migrating birds and local nesting species. Each tree also provides cover, nesting sites, and shade – all so important in creating backyard habitat.

A single tree can make all the difference in your yard; one that flowers in the spring can attract orioles, tanagers, waxwings, hummingbirds, warblers, and other birds looking for flower nectar, small insects, and caterpillars they need during a migration stopover, or throughout the nesting season. The same tree may also produce fruit later in the year that benefits robins and other thrushes, waxwings, tanagers, and catbirds. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: Learn to Wing Shoot at June Classes in Clinton, Saginaw Counties

Have you ever wanted to learn to wing shoot? Then come join the fun at one of these upcoming classes!

You’ll learn the basic skills of holding and shooting a gun at a moving target in a safety-oriented, expert-guided environment. No shotgun experience is necessary. A shotgun and ammunition will be provided, or you can bring your own. Participants should bring their own eye and ear protection. You must be 18 or older to attend.

For questions, contact Bill Fischer at 989-395-5945 or FischerW@Charter.net. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: hemlock woolly adelgid found at a Washtenaw County arboretum

This makes the seventh MI county with an HWA detection

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently verified the detection of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid at Nichols Arboretum in Washtenaw County on May 9, 2023. This detection makes Washtenaw County the seventh county in Michigan to have a confirmed infestation.

“Our team of invasive species specialists is currently working with the arboretum to determine an appropriate treatment and response plan,” said Mike Philip, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “There isn’t a way to determine how long hemlock woolly adelgid has been there or how it got there, but it’s possible HWA has been there for a number of years.”

Previously HWA detections have been found in Allegan, Benzie, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties and have been within five miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline.

“Unlike western Michigan, where the other infestations are located, hemlock trees are not native to this region of the state,” added Philip. “Although the pest still poses a problem for homeowners who may have planted hemlock trees or where they may have been planted in other landscaping, this HWA detection does not pose a significant threat to Washtenaw’s natural resources and environment.”

Read more

Wildlife

Michigan DNR to Great Lakes beachgoers: Double red flags mean don’t go in the water

To help boost awareness of changing conditions at Great Lakes beaches and save lives, double red warning flags are now in place at state-designated swim beaches along the Great Lakes in Michigan state parks.

It’s a change to the Great Lakes flag warning system that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began integrating last year at several state parks, and for good reason.

“We actively reevaluate our safety measures and public education efforts, especially when it comes to Great Lakes safety,” said Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation chief. “Many people underestimate the power of the Great Lakes and don’t always understand how quickly even the most experienced swimmer can get into a life-threatening situation and swept away. That’s why the DNR is committed to making beach safety and public education a top priority.” Read more

General

Breakthrough Clean Technologies Introduces Suppressor Cleaner

Louisville, CO: Breakthrough Clean Technologies®, an innovator of firearm and outdoor gear cleaning products and a prominent part of the Allen® Company portfolio, has developed a premium suppressor cleaner to address the difficult task of keeping suppressors, muzzle brakes, compensators, and flash hiders clean and in proper working condition.

Breakthrough Clean Technologies® Suppressor Cleaner is a water-based, ammonia-free, and user-safe cleaner that uses a proprietary blend of detergents and surfactants to remove heavy carbon, lead, and copper build-up from your suppressor, muzzle brake, compensator, or flash hider.

Product Information

·Removes Carbon, Lead, and Copper Fouling

·User-Safe & Virtually Odorless

·100% Petroleum & Ammonia Free

·Aluminum, Stainless Steel and Titanium Safe

·For Best Results, Soak Suppressor in Cleaner for 8-24 Hours

·Also Works on Muzzle Brakes, Compensators, and Flash Hiders Read more

Firearms

Cabot Guns Presents Documentary on the Lost Art of Turning Dirt into Damascus

PITTSBURGH, PA — Cabot Guns, a renowned American gun company, is proud to announce the release of their latest documentary video, unveiling the ancient processes behind the creation of Damascus steel. This captivating film explores the secrets of Wootz and Damascus steel production, techniques used for crafting legendary weapons like Samurai swords, which have largely been lost to the trade. The documentary, titled “Unveiling the Secrets: Transforming Dirt into Magnificent Damascus Steel!,” sheds light on these age-old methods, offering a rare glimpse into a forgotten world. Read more

Cutlery, Firearms

SOTG Offers Discounted Training to Protest Vermont Legislation Banning “Paramilitary Training”

Vermont Govt Spits on Memory of the Green Mountain Boys: SOTGU Offers Precision Rifle Course for Citizens

Carbon County, Wyoming

The government of the State of Vermont became the very embodiment of the ruling class elitists that our Founding Fathers warned against when they passed a law outlawing “paramilitary training” within the state, thereby giving themselves the authority to censor your right to free speech. This flies in the face of Vermont history. If you listen closely you can hear the Green Mountain Boys turning over in their graves.

At Student of the Gun, we firmly believe that a firearm in the hands of a citizen should first and foremost be an Instrument of Liberty. We also hold to the founding principles of the United States to include the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights,

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”

To that end, we invite liberty loving citizens of the United States of America to join us for our High Elevation Precision Rifle training course held in the free State of Wyoming. We will put our money where our mouth is and offer a discount of 10% off the class tuition to each student who uses the promotional code: GreenMountainBoys or simply GMB.

For full course details, please go to www.studentofthegun.com/precision

—
Paul G. Markel

Host/Producer

Student of the Gun

Gun Control

Native American Participation in Hunting, Trapping and Target Shooting Research Available from Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation

Albuquerque, NM – Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) is proud to release a comprehensive research study that provides quality insights into Native Americans’ Participation In, and Perceptions Towards Hunting, Trapping and Target Shooting.

On Tuesday, May 23rd, OSCF’s Executive Director, Jim Curcuruto, presented key findings from the study to more than 200 attendees at the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports R3 Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

With more than 500 federally recognized tribes containing more than seven million members, Native Americans play a large role in outdoor activities. With limited data available on this segment, it was important to learn about barriers, understand traditions, and establish a baseline of current participation in hunting, trapping and target shooting among Native Americans. Read more

Hunting

Grand Island, NE – Hornady engineered the Lock-N-Load® Iron Press® to be the heaviest, most rigid press in its class. This single-stage unit, powered with a spring-assisted 1-1/8-inch solid steel ram, is perfect for anyone demanding precision and repeatability from their reloading press.

This 28-pound workhorse press is manufactured with exceptionally tight tolerances and a smooth operating system designed to deliver consistent precision year after year. The Iron Press features Hornady patented Lock-N-Load® Bushing System, which ensures dies and bushings are securely locked in place with a simple twist that engages six locking lugs.

Swapping out is straightforward when reloaders need to change to another cartridge size. Simply twist the die counterclockwise, remove it and insert your next preset Lock-N-Load® die and bushing. Dies locked in their Lock-N-Load® bushings remain as they are set, in perfect alignment and ready for their turn in the press. Read more

Ammunition

NSSF Challenges California’s Law Encouraging Frivolous Firearm Industry Lawsuits

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, filed a challenge to California’s unconstitutional firearm industry liability law, AB 1594, that was passed last year and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The law encourages civil suits against the firearm industry for the damages caused by the criminal actions of remote third parties. This law is an affront to the U.S. Constitution and abuses the judicial system in an attempt to circumvent the will of the U.S. Congress when it passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). The law goes into effect July 23.

NSSF filed NSSF v. Bonta in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. NSSF will seek a preliminary injunction to halt enforcement of the unconstitutional law as the challenge progresses through the courts.

“California’s General Assembly and Governor Newsom made a spectacle of defying the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision when this bill was passed and enacted,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “This law is openly hostile to the firearm industry and also defiant to Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court and the Constitution. Governor Newsom’s angst toward the foundations of America’s freedoms exceeds the borders of his state and his law attempts to exert California’s radical gun control agenda across the United States. NSSF will defend our Constitutionally-protected industry against the broadsides of this extremist agenda.” Read more

Gun Control
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