Michigan Deer with .450 Bushmaster

I held the camera, while my friend, Joe, made the perfect shot – perfect, because there was no meat loss. The doe ran about as far as the video shows (70 yards), and in fact, expired right on a lane for easy pick-up. The firearm was a Ruger American in .450 Bushmaster with Hornady Flex-Tip ammo. We didn’t want a shoulder shot because we could afford for the deer to run a bit without leaving the property.

Oh, and that young 10-point buck…hope he’s there next season, because Joe and I tagged out for bucks already.

Wildlife Caught on Camera – Winter 2021

Much of North America is currently in the depths of winter, but that doesn’t mean you have to dwell on it. After sifting through thousands of trail camera photos and videos from the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch from last spring and summer, Boone and Crockett Fellow Chris Hansen pulled the very best to share. From itchy grizzlies to locked and loaded skunks, we aim to entertain. So pull up a chair for a wild reminder that spring and summer will eventually come back around. Make sure your sound is on for the last video

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Ph.D. candidate and Boone and Crockett Fellow at the University of Montana Chris Hansen brings his girls (Maya and Tessa) along to help check the trail cameras. His research explores the conservation benefits of sustainable land use on mammal communities, specifically focusing on rangelands and urbanization. The map illustrates the sheer number of cameras placed around the TRM Ranch.

Want to see more wildlife in action? Six of the fifteen images have video available!

To see and hear these animals in action, register on B&C’s web site. It’s FREE and takes less than a minute to complete. If you already have an account, simply log in to gain access the videos.

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1 of 15—Grizzly bear (Ursos arctos horribilis) 

While grizzlies might have an itch from time to time, the real reason they rub against trees is to communicate with other bears. Most times, male bears are on the hunt for breeding females, and the same trees can be used for generations. This is the third year in a row for grizzlies on this tree.
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Crossbow Performance: Where Will It All End?

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

At a media event years ago, a representative from Horton was there to introduce outdoor professionals to the new Vision, reverse limb crossbow.  I stepped right up, followed the instructions, and gave it a try.  Never having shot a crossbow, it impressed me with its accuracy and compact design.

At that time, Michigan had made crossbows legal to use in its archery season, as long as they wouldn’t send an arrow/bolt downrange faster than 350 feet-per-second (fps).  The Vision fit the bill with an advertised velocity of 325 fps; I had to have one.

Testing the new bow, I learned that the aluminum arrows supplied with the bow, came off the string at a mere 292 fps.  From there, I upgraded to carbon shafts and picked up a bit of speed but still nowhere near the advertised figure.  Still, it was a vast improvement over my vertical bow in not only speed but the ability to reproduce accurate shots as far as I chose.  Even though Michigan dropped the speed limit – which was asinine from the beginning – I was happy with the new rig overall and have used it afield during archery season ever since.

Within a year, my pal, Joe, purchased a Parker crossbow that launched the arrows at exactly 352 fps.  When observing the flight of the arrows, it was remarkable how much faster some 50 fps was than my Horton.  I have often thought of upgrading my Horton, but have never justified the added expense to do so.

Since then, market demand has soared across the nation and crossbow manufacturers have upped their game immensely.  Until recently, the fastest crossbows hovered around 400-430 fps – one of which from Ravin has been shown to hit the target consistently at an amazing distance of 100 yards under ideal circumstances.

For 2022, industry leaders TenPoint Crossbow Technologies and Garmin® have teamed up to release the new pinnacle in long-range crossbow accuracy and performance – the new Nitro 505 XERO. Delivering unheard of speeds of 505 fps with a 400-grain arrow and featuring the revolutionary ACUslide™ silent cocking and safe de-cocking system, this perfectly balanced reverse-draw crossbow is equipped with the Garmin® XERO® X1i Rangefinding scope to deliver the fastest, most accurate long-range crossbow ever.

TenPoint Crossbow Technologies is 100% American owned, operated, and all of its crossbow models are manufactured in Mogadore, OH.  For those that have a notion to step up, it’s a giant step at $4599.99.  Said Rick Bednar, TenPoint CEO,  “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.”

The Garmin optic not only ranges the target, but it provides an aiming point, which compensates for up or downhill shooting.  But, what is not mentioned is one major obstacle to accuracy – especially at distances typically reserved for firearms:  wind.

Bows capable of such blinding speed could give inexperienced archers the notion that just about any shot is within range; however, unless shots can be held within a 6-inch circle at any given distance at least 9 out of 10 times in field-conditions, speed is irrelevant.

Heck, for all I know someone is probably working on integrating wind measurement and compensation into tomorrow’s optics.  Where it all is headed is anyone’s guess.

Rigging for a Kayak

Seaguar - Always the best

The growing popularity of fishing has been well documented in the last two years and one of the fastest growing segments, even before the pandemic, was kayak fishing. There are many reasons for the increased interest, including the lower cost versus purchasing a boat and motor as well as the chance to fish smaller waters and access areas that boats cannot get to.

Two kayak fanatics are the host of The Kayak Fishing Show with Jim Sammons, a show beginning its 13th season on television, and a YouTube personality with nearly 430,000 subscribers, Gene “Flukemaster” Jensen. Both have spent thousands of hours fishing from a kayak and have learned how to stay efficient on the water.

Seaguar

Jim Sammons Host of The Kayak Fishing Show

Accessible, But Out of the Way

Sammons has a long-running show dedicated to kayak fishing, but his love for fishing from a kayak spans decades. When he started his journey, the lifelong surfer began taking longboards off the coast of San Diego to fish for calico bass before adapting to the kayaks that were available in the early 1990s.

He’s seen the popularity of kayak fishing grow and the availability of accessories tailor made for the style advance—a significant improvement over the days when he and other kayak anglers had to custom make their own rod holders, mounts, and tackle storage. Even with the advances in gear and kayaks, Sammons has kept the same mantra for fishing gear storage.

“I want things to be accessible but out of the way and that’s something I preached when I was guiding kayak trips and still live it to this day,” he says. “The truth of the matter is kayak anglers are gear junkies and we tend to bring way too much stuff with us, and I’m no different. The key is to have everything organized and out of the way when you are casting, fighting fish, and landing them.”

Sammons has a place for everything on his kayak and has boxes made up for the target species he’s after, whether it is freshwater bass, inshore species like redfish, calico and spotted bay bass, or tuna further offshore. That includes line selection and ensuring he has everything he needs for a day on the water. Read more

Wolf council meets to discuss habitat, enforcement

The Wolf Management Advisory Council (WMAC) met December 7 to discuss habitat and enforcement efforts needed to sustain a robust wolf population.

New business included a review of sections 6.3 and 6.5 from the 2015 Wolf Management Plan. Old business included voting on recommendations to section 6.2 of the 2015 plan.

Council members first heard from Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Biologist Brian Roell regarding section 6.5 (maintain habitat necessary to sustain a viable wolf population ) of the 2015 Wolf Management Plan. He confirmed that wolves are habitat generalists and they are found in greater densities where there is greater availability of prey, which in Michigan is primarily white-tailed deer.

MUCC Executive Director Amy Trotter said Roell’s presentation highlighted the need for continued habitat management across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

“Writing and adhering to forest management plans with wildlife habitat at the forefront, including a goal of no net loss of aspen, will be helpful to both deer and wolves,” Trotter said. “Resiliency and growth of the deer population is best achieved with healthy habitat first and foremost.”

Lt. Dave Shaw, assistant chief of DNR Law Enforcement Division, then presented on section 6.3 (enact and enforce regulations necessary to maintain a viable wolf population) of the 2015 plan, building off of Roell’s presentation on the mortality factors of radio-collared wolves.

Roell said data shows that human-caused mortality on radio-collared wolves accounts for more than 60 percent of mortality; however, only 58 collared wolves were illegally killed since 2006. Shaw said less than 20 percent of illegal taking of wolves cases have been solved in the last five years. Read more

Florida Commissioners direct staff to move forward with draft rules allowing for the production and sale of largemouth bass

At its December meeting, Commissioners with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) directed staff to move forward with draft rules allowing for the production and sale of largemouth bass. Staff will bring final rule language before the Commission at its next meeting. Statutory changes made during the 2021 legislative session sanctioned the sale of Florida largemouth bass produced in aquaculture facilities for food.

Staff worked with the legislature to incorporate genetic authentication standards into rule to ensure the continued genetic conservation of Florida’s iconic freshwater game fish. At the October 2021 Commission meeting, the Commission directed staff to engage with affected stakeholders and develop rule language to allow for the culture of Florida largemouth bass as a food fish. Key points from the draft rule language include: Read more

TenPoint’s Viper S400 Oracle X- an Affordable Crossbow with Rangefinding Scope

Mogadore, OH — TenPoint Crossbow Technologies recently launched the NEW Viper S400 Oracle X. Featuring the Burris® Oracle X™ Rangefinding Crossbow Scope and the revolutionary ACUslide™ cocking and de-cocking system, the Viper S400 delivers speeds up to 400 feet-per-second and is one of TenPoint’s shortest forward draw crossbows at just 32-inches long.

“We are excited to team with Burris and their storied past of range finding optics to bring the market a more affordable range finding crossbow option,” said Rick Bednar, TenPoint CEO. “At 400 feet-per-second and safe de-cocking, the Viper S400 has been one of our most highly rated crossbows ever, and the addition of the Oracle X™ takes it to a new level of performance.”

The lightweight and robust Burris® Oracle X™ Rangefinding Crossbow Scope features a built-in laser rangefinder that is activated via the wireless remote or the range button on the scope. With the push of a single button, the Oracle X™ instantly ranges game up to 200-yards away and reflective targets up to 500-yards away.

Forget the days of “gap shooting” with multiple aim points and reticle patterns – the 2x-7x Oracle X™ displays the distance to your target and provides an exact aiming point factoring in the angle of your shot – leading to greater accuracy and more ethical shots. Read more

TenPoint Launches Affordable High-End Crossbow

Mogadore, OH — The leader in crossbow innovation, TenPoint Crossbow Technologies recently launched their NEW Turbo S1crossbow model. The most affordable high-end crossbow on the market, it features some of TenPoint’s latest innovations, including the revolutionary ACUslide™ cocking and de-cocking system, delivers speeds of 390 FPS (400-grain arrow) and is their shortest forward draw crossbow at just 31-inches long.

“The Turbo S1 is our lowest-priced crossbow with the ACUslide that everyone has come to recognize as a superior cocking and de-cocking system,” said Rick Bednar, TenPoint CEO. “When it comes to size, speed, weight, and the ability to safely de-cock your crossbow, the Turbo S1 will quickly outclass the competition at its price-point…it is the ideal compact crossbow.”

The ACUslide features the company’s groundbreaking Auto-Brake Gear System, which allows for silent cocking and safe and controlled de-cocking of the crossbow. The Auto-Brake Gear System eliminates the potential of losing control which can lead to injury or costly bow damage during the cocking or de-cocking process. While cocking and de-cocking with the ACUslide, the user can remove their hand from the handle at any point, with no other action required – and the handle will stop in place. The crank handle reduces cocking effort to 5-pounds and stores securely into the butt-stock. Read more

Potterfields Donate Building to Boy Scouts of America, Great Rivers Council

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COLUMBIA, MO – Wednesday December 15, 2021 marked the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Boy Scouts of America’s new Council office, programs, and activity center – a generous donation from MidwayUSA co-founders Larry and Brenda Potterfield.

Last year, during a Board Meeting of the Boy Scouts of America, Great Rivers Council, the Potterfields announced the donation of the Lincoln Building on their MidwayUSA campus to the scouting organization. MidwayUSA’s Customer Support operations, former occupants of the 13,000 square foot building, recently moved to the Company’s new distribution center.

“This building has served us well but is no longer a part of our future. We are fortunate and pleased to be able to donate it to one of our favorite organizations,” said Larry Potterfield, MidwayUSA Founder and Executive Chair of Board of Directors. Read more

SAF, CCRKBA Join in Call For SCOTUS Review of Maryland ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban

The Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for review of their challenge to Maryland’s ban on modern semiautomatic rifles.

Joining SAF and CCRKBA are Field Traders, LLC, the Firearms Policy Coalition and three private citizens, Micah Schaefer, David Snope and Dominic Banchi, for whom the case is named. The case is Bianchi v. Frosh. Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson and John D. Ohlendorf with Cooper & Kirk, PLLC in Washington, D.C., Raymond M. DiGuiseppe at the DiGuiseppe Law Firm, P.C. in Southport, N.C., and Adam Kraut, FPC in Sacramento, Calif. The brief may be read here.

As detailed in the 39-page brief, various circuits have upheld such bans by using what amounts to “a grab-bag of ad-hoc constitutional tests, varying from circuit to circuit,” with Maryland’s ban representing “perhaps the most extreme test contrived thus far.”

The brief goes on to explain, “Maryland’s ban…singles out for special disfavor not a recognized type of firearm, but certain features included on some firearms. That makes Maryland’s law particularly irrational, since most of the features it bans actually serve to make the firearms on which they are included safer.” A few lines later, the brief observes, “In truth, the odd assortment of firearms Maryland calls ‘assault weapons’ are mechanically identical to any other semiautomatic firearm—arms that, as no one disputes, are exceedingly common and fully protected by the Second Amendment.” Read more

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