Winter’s for the birds – bundle up for bird counts across Michigan

While the weather outside may, as the song goes, be frightful, winter is one of the most exciting times to go birding across Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

Many new visitors from the north arrive in the colder months, including snow buntings, horned larks and dark-eyed juncos. Snowy owls, great gray owls, northern hawk owls and boreal owls also make their way into the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. Winter is the perfect season for waterfowl birding, too, as hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese and swans descend on the Great Lakes.

Participating in bird counts is a fun and fruitful way to spend winter days.

“Tracking the birds you see helps scientists better understand how birds move throughout the winter and how healthy their populations are,” said Erin Ford, conservation manager for MI Birds, a public outreach and engagement partnership between Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. “This information can help guide meaningful, on-the-ground conservation action to protect birds and the places they need.” Read more

Wildlife

Gill Nets May Return to Michigan Waters

The proposed decree — given the stamp of approval for and negotiated by the Michigan DNR — places millions of feet of indiscriminate, lethal gill nets into waters that have not had them in decades. West Grand Traverse Bay saw its lake trout fishery collapse in 1979 due to overfishing from gill nets. The fishery took decades to recover.

Stay tuned to MUCC communications as MUCC reviews and provides more comments regarding the proposed decree. Our legal team is reviewing the proposed decree and will have more robust written comments in the next few weeks.

Please sign up at our Policy Action Center to ensure you receive up-to-date information on this issue.

Fishing

Mossberg Optic-Ready Turkey Shotguns

NORTH HAVEN, CT – Mossberg has added optic-ready versions of their venerable 500 and 835 Ulti-Mag® pump actions to their extensive line of turkey shotguns. These hard-working, tom-thumping shotguns feature receiver cuts for low-profile, direct mounting of microdot sights (Shield RMSc pattern) and are fully camouflaged in one of the hottest throwback patterns, Mossy Oak® Greenleaf™. The 500 Turkey Optic-Ready is available in 410 bore and 20 gauge and the 835 Ulti-Mag Turkey Optic-Ready is a 12 gauge, 3.5-inch platform.

Mossberg’s pump-action shotguns have set the standard for reliability, durability, and effectiveness in the field for over 50 years. Design features include non-binding twin action bars; dual extractors; a positive steel-to-steel lock-up; anti-jam elevator; anodized aluminum receiver; and universally recognized, ambidextrous top-mounted safety. These optic-ready turkey guns come standard with extended choke tubes; fiber optic front sight; drilled and tapped receiver for added versatility; sling swivel studs; 5+1 shell capacity; and installed cover plate for when a mounted optic is not used.

Mossy Oak camouflage is recognized by turkey hunters across the country for their superior patterns that blend in naturally with the terrain, regardless of where you are hunting. Their Greenleaf pattern offers silhouette concealment with its blend of dirt, bark, moss, and oak sapling elements for early season to late spring hunts.

Mossberg 500 Turkey Optic-Ready 410 Bore (50107) –This 410, 3-inch pump action features full Mossy Oak Greenleaf camo coverage and comes with a 24-inch vent rib, AccuChoke™- compatible barrel. An extended X-Full choke tube is included. Just add a microdot sight to this fun-to-shoot pump action via the receiver cut and turkeys beware! MSRP: $644 Read more

Firearms

SAF Attorneys Fight Stay Request in Challenge of NY Carry Restrictions

Attorneys for the Second Amendment Foundation have filed a response to a motion by the State of New York, asking for a stay in SAF’s challenge of New York’s revised concealed carry law which essentially prohibits carry on or in private property.

Joining SAF in this lawsuit on behalf of New York resident Brett Christian is the Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for Western District of New York.

U.S. District John L. Sinatra granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the “private property exclusion” tenet of the law, calling it “unconstitutional.”

“We see absolutely no reason why Judge Sinatra’s ruling should be stayed,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “Given the substantial likelihood we are going to prevail, the state’s request is unwarranted. The state is simply trying to delay the inevitable.”

In their response to New York’s plea, SAF attorneys note, “In addition to many location-specific restrictions, New York established a novel and unprecedented presumption that bans the possession of firearms by ordinary, law-abiding New Yorkers—such as Appellee Brett Christian—on all private property in all parts of the State unless and until the owner or lessee of the property puts up ‘clear and conspicuous signage’ allowing firearms ‘or has otherwise given express consent.’ This is a state-imposed default ban on exercising Second Amendment rights ‘outside the home.’” Read more

Gun Control

Macomb County man pleads no contest for shooting hawks when utility company refused to cut down tree

Arthur Anderson, 65, of Macomb Township pleaded no contest earlier this month in the Shelby Township District Court 41 A, after shooting three young Cooper’s hawks out of a tree earlier this year.

Anderson owes $4,500 ($1,500 per bird) in reimbursement to the state and $475 in fines and costs. He will be on probation for six months, and the shotgun he used to shoot the birds was confiscated.

“The Michigan Department of Natural Resources greatly appreciates the court system’s support in this case,” said Chief Dave Shaw, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “All birds of prey are protected at both the state and federal level and are an important and enjoyable part of Michigan’s natural environment.”

In June, Anderson hired a utility company to remove trees on his property. When the utility company refused to disturb the trees due to the birds’ habitat, Anderson retrieved a shotgun from his house and shot the nest at least five times; three dead hawks then fell to the ground.

Conservation Officer Brad Silorey received the anonymous tip that was reported to the DNR’s Report All Poaching Hotline (800-292-7800).

COs Sydney Griffor, Chris Knights and Sgt. Seth Rhodea met Silorey at Anderson’s Macomb Township home, where they interviewed him and collected evidence.

Anderson at first said he was shooting nuisance squirrels, but eventually confessed that he was angry the utility company wouldn’t remove the tree due to the nest. His firearm was seized at that time. Read more

Poachers

Montana: scientists use Infrastructure funding to reconnect historic waterway

by Tim Stauffer, Northern Region

December 8, 2022 – For the first time in more than 100 years, the Warm Springs Creek and Clark Fork River in west-central Montana will connect to create a passageway for native trout migration and improve the overall watershed health in the region.

This project is one of many ongoing restoration projects on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest that uses infrastructure funds to meet major goals to benefit native fish populations in the region.

Over the last 10 years, the Forest has worked closely with private, state and federal partners on stream improvement projects, and a major goal of that work is to reconnect Warm Springs Creek to the Upper Clark Fork River. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided the Forest Service with $5.5 billion and the authority to tackle the most pressing issues facing our natural resources and associated infrastructure, such as trails, roads and bridges. Read more

Fishing

The Rock River Arms 12 Days of Christmas Special is ON

Colona, IL – Rock River Arms, the industry’s most respected name in Modern Sporting Rifles and pistols, wants to help everyone celebrate the holiday season with their 12 Days of Christmas Special.

With the economic times being challenging for many this year, Rock River Arms is lending a hand with daily specials on assorted parts and accessories to mark the Christmas countdown. From now through December 16, be sure to check out the Rock River Arms 12 Days of Christmas page to learn about the daily specials.

The savings offered during the 12 Days of Christmas special are significant, with prices knocked down well below standard retail prices. Items change daily, so don’t miss out on those must-have items you’ve been waiting for.

Christmas is a treasured time at Rock River Arms, and we wish all our loyal customers, dealers, and industry friends a blessed holiday and a great New Year!

For more information on the complete line of production AR15 style rifles and accessories, contact: Rock River Arms, 1042 Cleveland Rd, Colona, IL 61241. Phone: (309) 792.5780 Fax: (309) 792.5781 www.rockriverarms.com

Firearms

CCRKBA Condemns ATF Plan to Destroy Fast and Furious Guns

BELLEVUE, WA – The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms today condemned a reported plan by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to destroy firearms associated with Operation Fast & Furious, the deadly Obama-Biden administration’s “gun walking’ scheme that turned into a national scandal.

Published reports say the ATF “is set to destroy” Fast & Furious guns, but Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) blasts the idea, asserting “Although the ATF apparently intends to forget its dangerous misconduct in Operation Fast and Furious, the scandal is still a matter of public concern. Given the potential for ongoing criminal and possible civil actions, it is not in the interest of justice for the ATF to destroy potential evidence associated with Operation Fast and Furious.”

CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb concurs with Jordan’s assessment, and took it another step.

“Operation Fast & Furious was only one of several scandals that erupted during the Obama-Biden administration,” Gottlieb observed, “but it’s the one that cost the life of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry, and untold numbers of lives in Mexico, along with crimes committed in the United States. It’s hardly surprising the ATF wants to erase the public memory of this debacle, especially now that Joe Biden is in the White House.” Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

Bushnell Launches Match Pro ED 5-30×56 FFP Riflescope

New Competition Scope Offers Class-Leading Optimal Performance

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, announces the introduction of the Match Pro ED 5-30×56 FFP riflescope. Building off the success of the original Match Pro, the new, enhanced version offers developing and experienced long-range shooters premium optical performance and features.

From hardcore rimfire shooters to precision long range, the Bushnell Match Pro ED offers best-in-class optical performance built around an ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Prime 56mm objective with EXO Barrier coating for protection against the elements. This glass wrings out every bit of sharpness and contrast without target blurring or color fringing. Read more

Optics

CVA Announces New Cascade XT Bolt Action Rifle

Lawrenceville, Georgia–BPI Outdoors/CVA is pleased to announce the Cascade XT bolt action riffle. CVA has been the longtime leader in both muzzleloading rifles and single shot centerfires. CVA is now adding to its popular Cascade line of bolt action riffles with the new Cascade XT.

The CVA Cascade XT (X-Treme) is CVA’s deluxe barreled Cascade, sporting weight-reducing flutes and a radial muzzle break as standard equipment, making the XT very comfortable to shoot both on the range and in the field, even in heavier calibers. The XT weight starts at a mere 7.15 lbs.

Jason Sebo, CVA Division Vice President of Sales/Brand Manager states, “CVA has applied it’s nearly 50 years of experience into making what CVA feels to be the best bolt action on the market under $800.” Read more

Firearms
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