Johnny Morris Announces Happy Fishin’ Contest for Kids

Prizes include 10 new Bass Tracker Classic XL boat, motor and trailer packages, and entry into a kids fishing tournament during the US Open National Championships

 

SPRINGFIELD, MO. – Nothing beats the smile on a kid’s face when they catch a fish!

That’s the inspiration behind the Johnny Morris Happy Fishin’ Contest, where 10 passionate youngsters ages 17 and under will win their very own boat and join in the fun at the US Open National Bass Fishing Championships on Table Rock Lake in November.

Noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris has spent a lifetime fishing and connecting more kids and families to nature. Now, he wants to celebrate kids who love to fish and attract even more families to put down their digital devices and pick up a fishing pole.

“We’re looking for some of the most passionate and enthusiastic youngsters out there to help inspire others to get out and enjoy the outdoors,” Johnny Morris said. “There is no better feeling than seeing the joy and excitement on a young angler’s face when they catch a fish. It’s what sparks a lifelong love of the outdoors. We hope every kid who loves to fish submits a video – let’s create some happy memories!”

Prize package

The 10 winners will enjoy the prize package of a lifetime:

  • Each winner will receive a new Bass Tracker Classic XL boat, motor and trailer
  • $500 Bass Pro Shops gift card for tackle and more
  • US Open jersey and amenity bag with exclusive gear
  • Full travel and lodging for the winner and one guardian to Big Cedar Lodge – America’s Premier Wilderness Lodge – on Table Rock Lake in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains
  • The chance to compete in a special kids fishing tournament during the US Open National Championships.

How to enter

Create a video of two minutes or less that shows a passion for fishing. Grownups can help film, but the kids need to tell their story and why they love to fish. Submit the videos and a completed entry form to www.basspro.com/KidsFishing by Sunday, October 24th, 2021, and a panel of celebrity anglers will review each video and select 10 winners. Winners will be announced on November 2nd, 2021.

Kids, be sure to wear your Bass Pro Shops cap! Read more

Fishing

First Time Out Michigan Buck

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

With a week of the ’21 archery deer season behind us, I had tinkered with projects around the home front long enough.  Temperatures in the mid-60s had been reason enough for most to wait another day and the overcast day with rain pushing up from the south cemented my decision:  I’m going out!

Of course, this may seem upside down, but I had a plan to thwart excuses.  In fact, part of year-long preparations could put me at an advantage afield.  First on the list is having options afield for various wind and rainy conditions.  The perfect location would have me facing east into a gentle breeze ahead of the pending precipitation.  Secondly, a large, comfortable ground blind would keep me dry during a sit that typically lasts for hours.

Of course, rain is problematic if a tracking procedure is necessitated, because it can dilute a blood trail to the point of total frustration.  At the same time, hunters know it is usually wise to wait 45 minutes after a deer has been shot to begin any tracking chores.  That’s the conundrum; here’s the solution:  a tracking dog.  And, my pal, Joe, has Junior – a blue tick hound with 3 perfect trackdowns last season – on standby.

Oh, yes, that warm weather can be defeated with ice, if necessitated.  Simple.

I had already scared some whitetails from their smorgasbord of fast food on the trek to the blind.  No worries, because the fresh food would call them back.  Within minutes, my hunch was confirmed.  Does and fawns filtered into the brassicas in front of me.  Closer and closer they came, as one daring buck fawn and its mother only 30 feet away had me hiding in a dark corner of the blind!

Having live decoys afield like this is welcome; however, there are times when there are too many eyes and they’re too dang close.  I took a photo and the flash went off.  A lone doe noticed and stared at the blind until she was comfortable nothing was amiss.  Meanwhile, the camera’s flash was shut off.

More does sauntered into the field, but one in particular was worth noting.  Accompanying it was the smallest, spotted fawn I’ve ever seen at this time of year.  It looked to be only weeks old, but was already chomping on the turnips with its mother.

Late Term Fawn

Because of mid-Michigan’s relatively mild winter weather, I would suspect such a tiny fawn will survive.

After 90 minutes of wildlife watching, a good buck had entered the dance floor – and, only 20 yards away walking slowly toward me to my right.

The buck already close

I’ve never been able to count points in a situation like this, but suffice it to say, it had a lot going on above its skull.  This spectator-turned archer was now on go with the safety quietly being switched off.  But, the angle was all wrong and I had to let it get even closer; any careless movement or sound had to be avoided.

At 10 yards I seized the moment with a flashback to a practice session when I learned this up-close shot.  I would hold on target using an estimated point above the multi-reticle scope’s crosshairs.  The light of the Luminock on the arrow told the story.  Bull’s eye!

Within seconds the adult buck had succumbed a scant 60 yards in front of me ending my season the first time out!

Adult Shiawassee County Buck

With help from my friends, the prize was on ice within the hour.  Being relegated to spectator status will be a justifiable reward for not sitting this one out.

Archery

RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme Accelerates Accurate Reloading

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. –– RCBS®, the leading manufacturer of ammunition reloading equipment for rifles and pistols, has announced the introduction of the new ChargeMaster™ Supreme powder dispenser. Taking reloading to the next level, the ChargeMaster Supreme combines RCBS precision with automatic adjustments and Bluetooth® compatibility to make reloading easier than ever.

The RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme features a Proprietary Learning Mode which uses a unique feedback loop and algorithms to automatically adjust dispensing speeds and stop points. This two-minute process allows the Supreme to learn the unique characteristics of the powder being dispensed. Once it has been ran, normal sized charges will typically dispense in less than 15 seconds.

“The Chargemaster Supreme is the next evolution in powder dispenser technology,” said Will Hemeyer, Sr. Product Manager for RCBS. “Our patent pending learn process is quick, efficient and easy to use. This function makes sure your powder throws are optimized to the powder you are using, plus the process only takes a few minutes to run and once it does your dispense times are significantly reduced. The Chargemaster Supreme is sure to be the only dispenser most handloaders will need on their bench.”

In addition, the ChargeMaster Supreme is Bluetooth compatible, which allows the user to dispense charges and operate the dispenser hands-free from their phone with the newly redesigned RCBS app. The updated app also offers a virtual reloading bench, a comprehensive load data log, and convenient access to the technical service team to help answer any technical questions a handloader might have.

The ChargeMaster Supreme boasts 0.1-grain accuracy and a 1500-grain load cell capacity. The unit can run on an external battery, meaning reloaders can operate it at home or in the field without being tied to power cords. Read more

Ammunition

Michigan: still time for timber harvesters, haulers to apply for federal COVID-19 assistance

Timber harvesters and haulers have until Friday, Oct. 15, to apply for a share of $200 million in federal aid for losses experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers program through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. For assistance, watch this recorded webinar on how to apply. Read more

Wildlife

Nightstick 1200-lumen TWM-30 Handgun Weapon Lights

TWM-30 and TWM-30F combine 1200 lumens with LE-adopted intuitive switches

Wylie, Texas – Nightstick, a global manufacturer of innovative, professional lighting products is pleased to announce two new full-size LED handgun weapon lights, model TWM-30 in black and model TWM-30F in olive drab green. Both weapon lights feature law enforcement-adopted intuitive single-motion switches for momentary and constant-on operation, leveraging the same tactile click actuation industry leading experts have come to know in popular Nightstick TCM-550XL Series compact weapon lights.

Both TWM-30 and TWM-30F feature a precision-machined reflector that focuses its intense, 1200-lumen beam to illuminate objects up to 194 meters (636 feet) away. In addition to optimal beam distance, the engineered reflector creates a precise hot spot of light with a clear and even corona for added illumination of peripheral objects. Read more

Firearms, Optics

Mantis announces all-new Blackbeard

Oswego, IL – Mantis Tech is stoked to announce the launch of the Mantis Blackbeard. Like all Mantis products, the Blackbeard helps every shooter improve.

Using electromechanical wizardry, Blackbeard allows you to take up to 10 dry fire shots per second, quickly resetting the hammer between each shot. A laser is also momentarily emitted from the barrel on every shot to give point of impact feedback, and can be adjusted and zeroed for any desired training scenario.

Installation takes less than a minute. Break open your AR-15 upper, remove the bolt carrier group, drop in Blackbeard, replace the pin, and put the Blackbeard magazine in place to provide the power. Nothing is modified in the trigger group, and it behaves exactly the same with an identical weight, break, and reset. Nothing else is modified on the AR-15, allowing shooters to train with their own gear.

“This incredible product has been the culmination of over two years of countless prototypes and creative engineering,” says Engineering Manager Christopher Glabrous. “Dealing with additional challenges with chip shortages and supply chain delays, the team has pulled off a remarkable feat.” Read more

Firearms

SAF in Federal Court Challenge of Calif. Gun Show Prohibition

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation and two California gun rights groups have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s restrictive regulatory scheme covering the sale of firearms and ammunition as it applies to gun show operations in the state.

Joining SAF are the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc., South Bay Rod and Gun Club, Inc., B&L Productions, Inc./Crossroads of the West, Captain Jon’s Lockers, LLC; L.A.X. Firing Range, Inc./LAX Ammo and six private citizens. The case is known as B&L Productions v. Newsom.

SAF is represented by noted civil rights attorney Donald Kilmer, who successfully represented SAF in overturning the ban on gun shows at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego County, where the defendants were ordered to pay plaintiffs over a half-million dollars.

Named as defendants in this case are California Gov. Gavin Newsom in his official and personal capacity, Attorney General Robert Bonta, California Department of Food & Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, San Diego County District Attorney Stephan Summer, San Diego County Counsel Thomas Montgomery, the 22nd District Agricultural Association and Does 1-50. The 57-page federal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

“Boiled down to the basics,” explained SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “the state has been regulating gun show operations almost out of existence, and more restrictive than brick-and-mortar retail gun shops or even internet sales. This amounts to deprivation of rights under color of local law, including the First Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of assembly, and the 14th Amendment’s equal protection under the law. Read more

Gun Control

Michigan: make safe firewood choices to protect the places you love

This October, support Firewood Month by choosing to buy firewood where you burn it to prevent the spread of tree pests and diseases. As natural resource managers across the state work to limit tree loss from oak wilt, hemlock woolly adelgid and other destructive invaders, you can do your part by making safe firewood choices.

Invasive species, those that are not native and cause harm to the environment, economy or human health, are often transported to new locations through human means. Most tree pests and diseases get to new destinations in contaminated plant material or infested wood products, including firewood.

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, there are 140 pests and diseases that can be moved with firewood. Some are already present in Michigan, while others, including Asian longhorned beetle, beech leaf disease and spotted lanternfly, are infesting nearby states.

Recreational lands in Michigan are showing the effects of invasive tree pests and diseases. For example, P.J. Hoffmaster State Park has lost over 1,000 trees from oak wilt, transforming once-shady campsites and healthy wildlife areas into barren, open space. Read more
Wildlife

Michigan: drop boxes available 24/7 to submit deer heads for bovine TB testing

Successful hunters who want to get their deer checked for bovine tuberculosis have a convenient option if their nearest Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer check station is not yet open. Twelve drop boxes across the northeast Lower Peninsula are now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for hunters to submit deer heads for bovine TB testing. Locations include Alanson, Alpena, Atlanta, Cheboygan, Gaylord, Grayling, Hillman, Indian River, Mio, Rogers City, Roscommon and Vienna Corners. Several sites are possible thanks to the cooperation of local businesses.

When heading to a drop box, hunters need to bring along two things: a smartphone and the head of their deer. Hunters should remove the head from their deer before arriving at the drop box, taking care to make the cut at least 3 inches behind the deer’s jaw to ensure a proper sample for the lab. To reduce potential exposure to disease, the DNR recommends always wearing latex or rubber gloves when field-dressing your deer, especially when removing the head.

Once at the drop box, hunters can follow the posted instructions for using their smartphone to enter contact and harvest information through an online form.

Detailed drop box location information is available at Michigan.gov/DeerCheck. Successful hunter patches are not available at drop boxes.

Contact DNR Wildlife Health Specialist Emily Sewell at 231-340-1821 with any questions.

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan Pumpout Grant applications due Nov. 5

Public and private marinas open to the public are encouraged to apply for Michigan Pumpout Grant Program funds this fall. Approximately $200,000 is available annually, though individual award amounts will vary based on project scope.

Applications with all required materials are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5.

Apply for the grant ?

Funds applied for during this round should be available for projects beginning in spring 2022. Marinas can use these grant dollars to fund up to 75% of eligible project costs, with the marina providing the remainder.

This grant program, administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Sea Grant, helps reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges by encouraging safe disposal of recreational boater sewage. Applicants can use the funding to build new pumpout and dump stations or upgrade existing facilities.

No more than a $5 fee can be charged to the public for use of these grant-funded facilities.

Questions? Please email MichiganPumpouts@umich.edu.

Fishing, General
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