Michigan: Lightning Caused Blue Lakes Fire

Smoke from the Blue Lakes Fire over Silver Lake is visible in a spotter plane image.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighters and local partners are continuing efforts to contain the Blue Lakes Fire in Montmorency and Cheboygan counties. As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the fire covered an estimated 2,300 acres and is roughly 30% contained.

Evacuations have occurred at the Black River Ranch, where 12 structures are threatened.

Elsewhere in the fire area, an outbuilding, a shed, was reported a loss. One privately owned vehicle was also damaged.

DNR spokesperson Kerry Heckman said one department firefighter sustained a minor injury and has received medical treatment, and that a group of kayakers on the Black River within the fire area was escorted to safety by a DNR conservation officer. Firefighter safety and public safety are the DNR’s top priority on a wildfire.

“We are grateful to report no life-threatening injuries and no serious property damage, as everyone on the scene gives their best effort to suppress this fire,” Heckman said. “Thank you to everyone who has followed reports and steered clear of this area.”

The cause of the fire, detected Friday afternoon, has been determined to be a lightning strike, likely from a May 11 thunderstorm.

Road/river closures

Road closures remain in effect and have been expanded to protect public safety and accommodate fire suppression efforts. Read more

Wildlife

Fierce Firearms Announces Rival Long-Range Rifle Packages

Redmond, Utah | Fierce Firearms announces their Rival LR Packages

Fierce Firearms is now offering their top selling Rival (Carbon Rival & Twisted Rival) in a Long Range Dealer Package. You can now save time and maximize your profits by selling a Fierce rifle + Zeiss optics package. Each Rival LR package will feature a Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24X50 mounted at the Fierce Factory. Ballistic data will be gathered at our range out to 1000 yards using factory ammunition. Custom yardage turret will be cut specifically for each rifle and set at 100 yard zero. The Fierce Carbon Bi-pod and steel radial muzzlebrake is included.

MSRP $4295 – Twisted Rival Package (Steel Barrel)

MSRP $4675 – Carbon Rival Package (Carbon Barrel)

The Fierce Rival LR Packages feature:

  • CALIBERS: 6.5 CRED | 6.5 PRC | .300 PRC | .300 WIN | 7MM WIN MAG
  • SCOPE: Zeiss V4 6-24 X50 + RINGS & BASES
  • CUSTOM YARDAGE TURRET + DIAL-UP WORK (100 YD. ZERO)
  • BALLISTIC DATA GATHERED WITH 1000 YRD VERIFICATION
  • RADIAL MUZZLE BRAKE (STEEL) INCLUDED
  • FIERCE RIVAL BIPOD – REG. SIZE
  • (6) SIX CARBON STOCK COLOR OPTIONS. (4) FOUR CERAKOTE COLOR OPTIONS

http://fiercearms.com/rifles/bolt-rifles/rival/rival

Firearms

SIG SAUER Expands CROSS Rifle Series with CROSS-PRS

NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER is pleased to announce the first expansion of the CROSS rifle with the introduction of the CROSS-PRS that delivers match grade features fine-tuned for precision accuracy.

“This launch is an exciting series of firsts for SIG – this is the first expansion of our popular CROSS rifle and the first rifle we’ve built specifically for long range, precision rifle competition,” began Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “The CROSS-PRS is purpose built and feature rich. The heavy structured steel design delivers weight evenly for a balanced feel while reducing recoil to get you back on target faster. Combined with the extreme accuracy of the heavy contour 5R rifled barrel, and folding adjustable steel stock for easy movement, the CROSS-PRS delivers an extremely capable long-range shooting experience that scores big on the range, right out of the box.” Read more

Firearms

Student Sues School Officials in FPC-Back Lawsuit Over Pro-2A Speech

LANSING, MI – Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) today announced a new FPC-supported federal lawsuit against the superintendent of Durand (Michigan) Area Schools, the principal of Robert Kerr Elementary School, and a Robert Kerr school staff member for violating a third-grader’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights when they prevented her from wearing a hat bearing the text “Come and Take It” as well as an image of an AR-15 rifle to the school’s “hat day.” The complaint for C.S. v. McCrumb can be found at FPCLaw.org.

“The Supreme Court ruled 50 years ago that schoolchildren do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate,” said the student’s attorney, John R. Monroe. “That is still the law, and schools that teach our children civics and government should recognize that.”

The student, through her father, seeks a declaration that wearing the hat in question is constitutionally protected speech, a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting the school officials from restricting her speech and preventing her from wearing the hat, and nominal damages.

“Public schools may not violate the rights of pro-Second Amendment students because they don’t like guns or people who support the fundamental, individual human right to armed self-defense,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “We look forward to reminding these anti-rights authoritarian school defendants that the Constitution applies in public schools.”

Defending and restoring the right to speak in favor of other rights, including the right to keep and bear arms, has been a key part of FPC’s legal and research programs throughout the organization’s history. For example, FPC has previously engaged to protect other students’ speech against similarly unconstitutional speech restrictions, such as in the case of Guardanapo v. Washoe County [Nevada] School District. Based on input from attorneys and legal scholars, including UCLA law professor and First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh, FPC also publishes a helpful guide for parents and students, “K-12 Schools, Free Speech, And The Fundamental, Individual Right To Keep And Bear Arms: A Guide to How Students Can Use Their First Amendment Rights to Defend and Promote Second Amendment Rights,” that explains public school students’ free speech rights, provides answers to common and important questions, and even provides sample letters parents can send to schools to protect the rights of their children.

If a student (or parent of a student) believes they were discriminated against or disciplined for peacefully expressing their pro-Second Amendment views or not participating in some anti-rights event or speech, and would like to share your experience with us, or to report a possible civil rights violation, please feel free to email our FPC Legal Action Hotline at hotline@fpchq.org or call our toll-free Legal Action Hotline at (855) 252-4510.

The filing of this important lawsuit is made possible by FPC’s members and donors. Individuals who would like to join the FPC Grassroots Army can sign up at JoinFPC.org. Individuals and organizations wanting to support charitable efforts in support of the restoration of Second Amendment and other natural rights can also make a tax-deductible donation to the FPC Action Foundation. For more on FPC’s lawsuits and other pro-Second Amendment initiatives, visit FPCLegal.org and follow FPC on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube.

Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. FPC’s efforts are focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and adjacent issues including freedom of speech, due process, unlawful searches and seizures, separation of powers, asset forfeitures, privacy, encryption, and limited government. The FPC team are next-generation advocates working to achieve the Organization’s strategic objectives through litigation, research, scholarly publications, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory action, grassroots activism, education, outreach, and other programs. FPC Law (FPCLaw.org) is the nation’s largest public interest legal team focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and the leader in the Second Amendment litigation and research space.

Gun Control

Remington T-Shirt Sales Generate $100K Donation

Lonoke, Arkansas – May 16, 2022 – Remington Ammunition along with sister brand Federal Ammunition is proudly sending a check of $100,000 to support crisis relief efforts in the war-torn country of Ukraine. A t-shirt campaign to support Ukrainian refugees generated a great response, with proceeds from the sales reaching the $100K milestone in less than two months.

“This campaign and the tremendous response exceeded our expectations, forcing several re-orders of the t-shirts,” said Jason Vanderbrink, President of Remington, Federal, CCI, and Speer Ammunition. “I’m so proud of our loyal customers for being willing to pitch in and support the people of Ukraine who are suffering because of the horrors of war. Our ammo brands are proud to do our part.”

The t-shirts, available at www.remington.com/merchandise/apparel/ and www.federalpremium.com/merchandise/apparel/ features the call out from Ukraine’s president needing ammunition to assist in their country’s defense.

The t-shirts continue to receive a tremendous amount of support and are selling out quickly. If the desired shirt sells out, consumers can sign up to receive a notification of when the t-shirt has been restocked.

The $100,000 donation will go to support the humanitarian relief efforts through Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund – GlobalGiving. Remington, along with sister ammunition brands CCI, Speer, and Federal, also donated a total of one million rounds to the Ukraine armed forces. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms

Hunting License Sales Down in 2021, But Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Washington, D.C. – The 2022 National R3 Symposium wrapped up last week in Broken Arrow, OK. The 220 participants representing over 100 different organizations with a vested interest in hunting and shooting sports were the first to lay eyes on data released from the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sport (Council), documenting a slight decrease in hunting license sales in 2021.

HuntingLicense Sales 2020-2021“It’s important to note that a hunting license sale does not necessarily equal a participant, but we often use sales as an indicator of participation trends,” said the Council’s Director of Research and Partnerships, Charles ‘Swanny’ Evans, as he opened the session on hunting participation at the Symposium. Swanny went on to present the findings of the Hunting License Sales 2020-2021 report.

This study was the follow-up to the COVID-19 and Hunting License Sales report the Council released last year, documenting a 4.9% increase in hunting license sales from 2019 to 2020. To continue monitoring the pandemic’s impact, the Council revisited this study in early 2022 to identify ongoing changes and emerging trends in hunters’ rates of license purchases. Working with Southwick Associates, the Council collected monthly resident and nonresident hunting license sales data from 46 state wildlife agencies to quantify and compare 2021 to 2020 sales. Among the 46 reporting states: Read more

Hunting

Trijicon Quick Release Mounts with Q-Loc Technology

Wixom, MI – Trijicon® Inc., global provider of innovative aiming solutions for the hunting, shooting, military, and law enforcement markets, is proud to announce that quick release mounts with Trijicon® Q-LOC™ Technology are now available in a wide range of mounting solutions to fit nearly any optics platform.

Designed for the most discerning users, this line of premium specialty mounts features a proprietary design that offers both quick-release and return to zero. Trijicon’s mounts with
Q-LOC Technology are offered for Trijicon red dots, thermal optics, and a wide range of riflescopes.

Q-LOC Technology is a patented quick release optics mounting system, featuring multiple proprietary recoil lugs to ensure total rail engagement. Shooters can easily remove and re-attach an optic with a Q-LOC mount without the need to confirm zero. Heavy-duty springs enable one-handed operation while also ensuring secure retention under hard and repeated recoil. Q-LOC mounts feature compact, circular knob designs to minimize the hazards of gear snags while also facilitating one-handed mounting and removal.

All Trijicon mounts with Q-LOC Technology are manufactured in the U.S. from 6061-T6 aluminum with precision-cut dimensions to accommodate any platform and ensure optimal placement on MIL-STD 1913, NATO, non-mil spec, and even damaged rails.

“We are excited to bring a family of quick release mounts to shooters and hunters that are strong enough to match the durability of our optics,” said John Trull, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Trijicon. “We’ve applied the same precision in our manufacturing process for these mounts as we do our optics, as well as put them through the same rigorous Science of Brilliant testing, to make sure we’re delivering mounts that meet the standard of Trijicon quality.” Read more

Firearms, Optics

Wolves are Pawns in Political Football

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

The seemingly endless battle between anti-hunters and the greatest framework of wildlife management known to man continues.  District Court Judge Jeffery White of the Northern District of California ruled in favor of the usual anti-hunting groups, thus returning wolves to protections under the Endangered Species Act in the Lower 48 States.  The decision means that the federal government controls wolf management, rather than the individual states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.  States of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming – the only other states with wolves in the contiguous United States – were delisted by Congressional action and are thereby managed by the respective states.

Michigan’s wolf population increased steadily from the late 1980s to around 2010, and then leveled off. This leveling is most likely a result of wolves reaching the maximum population their food, resources and habitat can support, absent any specific human intervention. Biologists and ecologists refer to this concept as carrying capacity. Michigan can expect a relatively stable wolf population of 600 to 700 in the future.

However, stable does not necessarily mean it’s a good thing considering the goal was to reach a total of 200 wolves long ago.  Any controversy that uses human encounters with wolves, as reason to hunt them is missing the mark, because such happenstances are rare.  Wolf predation on livestock or domestic animals is somewhat more common; however, ranchers are paid with tax dollars to compensate them for cattle lost.  So, what’s the big deal?

Current figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows some of Michigan’s largest percentage population losses were in the state’s Upper Peninsula, where Yoopers have struggled through job losses tied to downturns in the manufacturing and mining industries.  And, with an economic recession staring us in the face, the resourcefulness of the human inhabitants is being pushed to the brink.

Having spent 8 seasons hunting deer in the far reaches of the U.P. and having met many Yoopers over the years, I’ve learned that these are proud people – many of which depend on wildlife to bolster their food intake and income from related activities.  Like so many hunters during these trying economic times, they – along with wolves – kill for food.  And, the whitetail numbers are so low now, that I will not make the trek north to take deer and exacerbate the problem.

Purchasing a deer hunting license for $20 and converting it into 50 pounds of unadulterated, low-fat, high-protein meat for the freezer is the best deal available anywhere!  Compare that to any other bargain in the meat department of your favorite supermarket, where even those costs are subsidized by us taxpayers.

The Mackinac Center sums up the issue this way:  “[While] a recent wolf hunt in Wisconsin was criticized for allowing hunters to take too many wolves, Michigan’s own experience also seems to support a managed wolf hunt. The last hunt in 2013 – cautiously hailed as a success by the DNR – was careful planning paired with a call-in reporting system to keep the hunt within a specified limit. Additionally, a reinstated wolf hunt could generate significant revenues for both government managers and local businesses from licensing, lodging, travel expenses and equipment. Those revenue numbers would likely be bolstered by out-of-state hunters and would help to improve funding for conservation efforts.”

The disaffected California judge’s ruling means that the total number of wolves now in existence – no matter how many – doesn’t mean they are recovered throughout the rest of the country.  This asinine perspective now threatens the innate resolve of Yoopers’ viability to sustain their chosen lifestyles.

Maybe it’s (almost) time for Congressional action to right this wrong, as has been done for our Western states.  Just don’t hold your breath.

Hunting, Wildlife

Blue Lakes Fire in Montmorency and Cheboygan counties has burned 2,000 acres

May 13, 2022
Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256

Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighters and local partners are working to contain a wildfire in Montmorency and Cheboygan counties estimated at 2,000 acres as of 9 p.m. Friday.

The Blue Lakes Fire has so far caused the evacuation of 13 people from the Black River Ranch, with no other evacuations and no structures lost as of Friday night, according to DNR spokesperson Kerry Heckman.

“The fire is fueled by a mix of jack pine, mixed pine and grasses, with a very large smoke plume visible from miles away,” she said. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: HPAI Confirmed in Red Fox Kits

Highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in three red fox kits from Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources received confirmation Wednesday evening that three red fox kits died from highly pathogenic avian influenza – the state’s first such confirmation of the HPAI virus in wild mammals. The fox kits, collected between April 1 and April 14, came from three separate dens in Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties.

The DNR had received a report from a wildlife rehabilitator in southeastern Michigan about the fox kits exhibiting neurologic signs of HPAI before death. The kits were observed circling, tremoring and seizing. Two of the three died within hours of intake, while one appeared to respond to supportive therapy but then died in care. Interestingly, an additional kit that was a sibling of the Macomb County kit did survive, but developed blindness, making her non-releasable. This kit will be housed at a local nature center. Read more

Wildlife
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