Fish stocking creates fishing opportunities throughout Michigan

Have you seen fish stocking trucks out on the road this spring? We’re in the midst of our spring fish stocking season. This time of year, you’ll find Michigan Department of Natural Resources fish stocking trucks releasing their prized recreational cargo at hundreds of lakes and streams throughout the state.

Fish stocking is a valuable tool used by fisheries managers for different reasons, including:

  • Restoring ecosystem balance.
  • Providing diverse fishing opportunities.
  • Rehabilitating low fish populations.
  • Reintroducing extirpated (locally extinct) species.

The DNR does not stock on top of wild populations when it can be avoided. Fish production staff take great pride in the quality of the fish they produce, but – when feasible – prefer relying on naturally reproducing fish that are adapted to their local ecosystem.

However, there are instances where the combination of angling pressure and habitat limitations keep wild fish from maintaining the desired population level on their own. In those instances, hatchery fish are stocked to supplement natural reproduction.

The DNR accomplishes this work by rearing fish at its six fish production facilities throughout the state; cooperatively managing up to 29 rearing ponds and six Great Lakes imprinting net pen/pond locations (which help developing fish return to spawning waters when mature); and by maintaining a fleet of 18 specialized fish stocking vehicles. Read more

Fishing

NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative Announces Inaugural Funding

Contact Pete Muller at (803) 637-7698 or pmuller@nwtf.net

EDGEFIELD, S.C.— The National Wild Turkey Federation launched its new Waterways for Wildlife Initiative by awarding 14 high-priority conservation projects with funds totaling $2,807,947 with partner match.

“We are extremely proud to begin delivering on-the-ground conservation within the first year of the Waterways for Wildlife Initiative,” said Jared McJunkin, NWTF director of conservation operations for the central region. “The fast-building momentum of this initiative is a result of our strong conservation partnerships and the all-encompassing work our Waterways for Wildlife seeks to accomplish. It was really easy to bring a diverse group of partners to the table for the common good.”
NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative was announced just last year in November and requested proposals for conservation projects that will enhance wildlife habitat along rivers and streams, while improving the critical water resources these areas provide, primarily in NWTF’s Great Open Spaces Region in the Big Six of Wildlife Conservation. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Mini 3-D Bear Shot Placement Model Available from National Bowhunter Education Foundation

The Mini 3-D Durable Foam Bear Model is an excellent tool for hunter education classes and hunter certification courses.

Mini 3-D Bear Shot Placement Model Available from National Bowhunter Education Foundation

Improve accuracy and reduce game recovery time

RAPID CITY, SD (April 12, 2022) – The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) offers educational items to increase success and safety for bowhunters. Bear hunters can refer to this effective tool to improve shot accuracy for a quick harvest and game recovery.

The Mini 3-D Durable Foam Bear Model is an excellent tool for hunter education classes and hunter certification courses. Made exclusively for the NBEF by Rinehart Targets, the realistic model is molded from high quality, durable foam. The reverse side is cut away to show vital organs and major bones. Use the included stick pin to demonstrate shot placement. The model is 12.5” long and 8.25” high. Suggested retail is $7,5 but the re-introductory sale price is $65. Read more

Archery, Hunting

NSSF Statement on White House ATF Nomination, Gun Control Orders

NEWTOWN, Conn. — NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, listened with keen interest to President Joe Biden’s nomination of Steve Dettelbach for Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). NSSF has long-advocated that the ATF needs a U.S. Senate-confirmed director, and that person must be an individual who will faithfully execute the duties of regulating the firearm industry in accordance with established laws and regulations. Any nominee for this position of public trust, that has direct oversight of how law-abiding Americans are able to exercise their Second Amendment rights, must be a person wedded to the rule of law, and one that will not politicize the ATF to advance a partisan gun control agenda that exceeds what is established in law by the U.S. Congress.

NSSF is committed to a thorough examination of Dettelbach’s record and qualifications and will listen carefully to his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. NSSF has significant concerns regarding Dettelbach’s previous public statements supporting bans on Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs), or AR-15 semiautomatic rifles, universal background checks, which are unworkable without a national firearm registry that is already forbidden by federal law, and extreme-risk protection orders, or so-called “red flag” laws, without protections for Due Process considerations. Dettelbach was also previously endorsed by the gun control group, Everytown for Gun Safety, for his support for policies restricting Second Amendment rights. Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

Norma Precision Ammo Relocates to Georgia

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Norma Precision Ammunition, a subsidiary of the leading European ammunition manufacturer RUAG Ammotec, has established its U.S. headquarters, manufacturing site, and warehousing and distribution operations in Chatham County. The company is currently hiring.

“With their facilities in close proximity to the Port of Savannah – the top port for U.S. exports – and our highly-skilled pool of talent, I’m confident that RUAG Ammotec will be very pleased with their decision to invest in the Peach State,” said Governor Kemp. “I’m grateful to Norma Precision Ammunition for their job-stimulating investments, and I look forward to seeing the opportunities this creates for hardworking Georgians in the region.”

With operations in 12 different countries, Swiss-based RUAG Ammotec develops and produces high-end ammunition for sports shooters, special operations forces, and peace officers worldwide, serving key markets in the military, law enforcement, hunting, and sporting goods sectors. In 2021, Norma Precision Ammunition imported over 400 containers of ammunition from RUAG Ammotec factories in Europe, while also delivering over 30 million cartridges of ammunition made in the U.S. Read more

Ammunition

ATF to Address “Definition of Frame or Receiver” Final Rule at FIC 2022

HARTFORD, CT – Yesterday, the Biden administration announced the final ruling for ATF 2021R-05, “Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms.” Among its provisions, the ruling will effectively eliminate the distribution of “80% kits” and require FFLs and gunsmiths to serialize such firearms upon acquisition. The rule will go into effect 120 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. The President also announced his nomination of Steve Dettelbach to serve as Director of ATF.

“This ruling will have significant regulatory and operational impacts on FFLs, gun owners and the entire firearms industry,” said Phil Milks, Orchid VP and Lead Attorney at FFL Law. “It’s imperative firearm manufacturers and retailers review the ruling in detail and evaluate their manufacturing, serialization and recordkeeping processes to ensure compliance when the new regulations go into effect. We urge FFLs to contact Orchid to learn more about this ruling and how it may affect their firearms business.”

Following the announcement, Orchid LLC and Williams Mullen’s Firearms Industry Group have organized a 90-minute discussion at the 2022 Firearms Industry Conference (FIC), to be held in Atlanta on April 26–27, in which ATF executives will review the new ruling and take moderated questions from conference attendees. Agency personnel will also be available during scheduled regulatory breakout sessions and private FFL/ATF meetings. Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

A Vessel Safety Check Will Keep Your Boat Up-to-Date with New Boating Safety Equipment Regulations

A no cost, no penalty vessel safety check ensures you’re in compliance

SPRINGFIELD, Va.– How do you know your boat is ready for a safe summer boating season and complies with new U.S. Coast Guard regulations? A no cost, no penalty vessel safety check from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons can help, and to get one all you have to do is go to cgaux.org/vsc. Appointments can be made for a vessel examiner to come to your boat or you can learn where scheduled inspections are taking place around your town.

Upon successful completion, the vessel is awarded a U.S. Coast Guard / Auxiliary / U.S. Power Squadrons decal that informs law enforcement and safety agencies that your boat was in full compliance with all federal and state boating laws during a safety check for that year. The program is sponsored by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.

“With the recent changes in regulations on engine cut-off switches as well as changes to fire extinguishers and new 12- year expiration date, a free vessel safety check can help ensure your vessel is in compliance,” said BoatUS Foundation president Chris Edmonston. “It also gives you peace of mind that your boat meets federal safety standards and that in an emergency you will have the necessary equipment to save lives and summon help.”

Boat clubs, marinas, boat yards and municipalities with launch ramps are also encouraged to reach out to their local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to schedule a vessel safety check day at their property.

Fishing

TenPoint’s Titan for Turkey Season

Mogadore, OH. The industry leader for over 28 years, TenPoint Crossbow Technologies recently introduced its NEW Titan De-Cock™ crossbow featuring the revolutionary ACUdraw De-Cock™. The first mid-priced TenPoint crossbow to offer de-cocking, the ultra-narrow, 9-inch-wide Titan De-Cock shoots up to 380 feet-per-second.

The NEW ACUdraw De-Cock silent cocking and safe de-cocking system features the company’s Auto-Brake Gear System that eliminates the potential of losing control which can lead to injury or costly bow damage during the de-cocking process. While de-cocking with the ACUdraw De-Cock, the user can remove their hand from the handle at any point and the handle will stop in place.

“With the unprecedented demand of our ACUslide™ system, we knew it was only a matter of time before we introduced a revolutionary silent cocking and safe de-cocking system to the middle of our crossbow lineup,” said TenPoint CEO Rick Bednar. “The ACUdraw De-Cock is just that and pairing safe de-cocking with our best-selling Titan model that delivers 380 FPS produces the best value in the crossbow industry.”

In addition, the easy-to-operate ACUdraw De-Cock reduces the effort required to cock the crossbow to just 5-pounds and is equipped with a 1,000-pound strength Nylon strap to reduce wear and abrasion. Read more

Archery

TenPoint’s New Nitro 505 Crossbow

Dominate Turkey Season with the Fastest Crossbow Ever. TenPoint’s NEW Nitro 505™.

Mogadore, OH— For 2022, TenPoint Crossbow Technologies recently launched the fastest, most powerful crossbow ever produced – the Nitro 505. This perfectly balanced reverse-draw crossbow delivers unheard of speeds of 505 FPS with a 400-grain arrow and features the revolutionary ACUslide™ silent cocking and safe de-cocking system. The industry’s fastest crossbow, the Nitro 505 measures an ultra-compact 6.5-inches wide and 30.7-inches long and delivers never before seen power of 227 foot-pounds of kinetic energy.

“The Nitro 505 is the fastest, most accurate, and most powerful crossbow ever manufactured.” said Rick Bednar, TenPoint CEO. “To exceed 500 feet-per-second and maintain the durability you’ve come to expect from TenPoint, our engineering team was denied no expense in the research, design and testing phase of this crossbow. All major components were designed to handle this level of power. The Nitro 505 is the most tested TenPoint crossbow ever – with over 25,000 shots put through the design.”

TenPoint’s patented reverse-draw bow assembly is the heart of the Nitro 505. This bow assembly is powered by the NEW RX8-Cam™ system that rotates an industry-leading 404-degrees. The new cam system features deeper cable grooves and improved cable spacing which allows for an increased strand count on string and cables for added strength and durability at these unprecedented speeds. Read more

Archery

USCCA Responds to Biden’s Gun Control Plan

The Administration Continues Down the Wrong Path Towards More Failed Gun Control Policies That do Little to Prevent Crime, Protect Families

West Bend, WI – The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), which is one of the fastest growing organizations in the country advocating for responsibly-armed Americans, released the following statement after President Biden unveiled a new regulation aimed at so-called “ghost guns” and nominated Steve Dettelbach as the next director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF):

“It is deeply troubling to see President Biden once again nominate someone with an anti-gun record to serve as the new ATF Director. This, along with the Administration’s proposals with respect to so-called ‘ghost guns’ are just the latest evidence that the Biden Administration is more focused on restricting Americans’ God-given right to self-protection than targeting criminals and reducing violent crime. Nothing that the President is proposing today will make Americans safer in the face of skyrocketing crime because criminals by definition do not abide by the law. It’s disappointing that the President is doubling down on ineffective policies instead of supporting law-abiding Americans who simply want to protect themselves and their families,” stated Tim Schmidt, president and founder, the U.S. Concealed Carry Association.

President Biden’s previous choice for ATF Director, David Chipman, was withdrawn seven months ago after receiving major criticism from Senate Republicans and some moderate Democrats. The USCCA was outspoken in their opposition, noting how Chipman’s leadership could lead to further restriction of Americans’ inalienable right to self-defense. As the last two years saw record numbers of first-time gun owners, it is more important than ever for leaders to stand up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

“We believe the President and Congress should turn their attention to the real threat facing our communities: the explosion of violent crime and increasingly emboldened criminals. We challenge this Administration to start enforcing the laws we already have instead of creating new regulations that cripple law-abiding gun owners. The USCCA will continue to stand with and advocate for policies that empower more responsibly-armed Americans to be their family’s first line of defense, such as national concealed carry reciprocity,” concluded Schmidt.

As record numbers of Americans are awakened to their Second Amendment right, the USCCA has seen a simultaneous increase in demand for firearm safety, education and training courses, reaching over 625,000 members and more than 10,000 instructors across the country in the last year alone.

To learn more about the USCCA, visit their website here. To understand more about what the term “ghost gun” means, check out the USCCA’s blog post.

About the USCCA. The US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) is an association of responsible, armed Americans whose members get exceptional self-defense education, lifesaving training, and self-defense liability insurance, preparing them for the before, during and after of a lawful act of self-defense. The USCCA is the largest, fastest-growing self-defense association dedicated to responsible gun owners.”

Gun Control
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