Gamekeeper Podcast: The Degradation of Wild Mallard Genetics

EP:243 | The Degradation of Wild Mallard Genetics

On this week’s podcast Dr. Philip Lavretsky of UTEP and Dr. Brian Davis of Miss State University join us to explain the frightening scenario of the degradation of wild mallard genetics. Released “game farm” mallards were previously thought to not survive the winters, and certainly weren’t thought to be breeding with wild ducks. Turns out that’s not true as they are having an increasing genetic influence on the Atlantic flyway mallards and the phenomenon is moving west. All we have to do is look to Europe to see what could play out. This alarming story plus new information that Dr. Lavretsky explains has everyone worried about the future of our beloved greenheads. If you love wildlife, especially ducks, you’re going to want to pay attention to this one and share it. Listen and Learn.

Listen Links:
Website: https://mossyoakgamekeeper.com/podcasts/ep243-the-degradation-of-wild-mallard-genetics/

Wildlife ,

Smith & Wesson Adds 45 Colt to the Model 1854 Series

MARYVILLE, TN. – Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, announces today the release of the new Model 1854, chambered in 45 Colt.

At the time Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 1854 series, .44 Rem Mag was the caliber offering of choice. Now, starting today, you can own one of these smooth lever guns in the iconic 45 Colt cartridge. The Model 1854 series is designed to strategically blend the classic aesthetic of the American lever gun while incorporating modern enhancements. This past year, the series received the 2024 Editor’s Choice Best All-Around Rifle, from Outdoor Life. Models are offered in a paired synthetic black polymer and stainless-steel finish, as well as a walnut furniture combination with Armornite finish.

These rifles are designed with a 9+1 capacity, include a threaded 19 ¼-inch barrel, and boast a crisp and smooth action that is also tough enough to stand up to use in the field. The Model 1854 comes with additional features out of the box like a 4 ¾-inch Picatinny base for mounting optics, an adjustable XS Sights® ghost ring rear sight, a gold bead front sight, flat-face trigger design, and removable magazine tube that allows you to safely unload the rifle. Read more

Firearms

Bidding Begins on July Collection of Collector’s Elite Auctions

Bidding begins Thursday, July 4, on the July collection of Collector’s Elite Auctions. The auction runs for two weeks, closing on the evening of Thursday, July 18.

Just a few of the unique items in the July collection are customized handguns from the personal collection of long-time American Handgunner editor Roy Huntington’s; a WWII-era Winchester M1 Carbine set up with a Vietnam-era Starlight Scope; and a new in box Merkel Express .500 Nitro sidelock double rifle.

Bidding for these items kick off on Independence Day and closes the evening of July 20th. Items are expected to be added from now until the auction opens for bidding. Read more

Firearms

NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks for June 2024

The June 2024 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,059,037 is a decrease of 4.7 percent compared to the June 2023 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,110,696. For comparison, the unadjusted June 2024 FBI NICS figure of 1,958,447 reflects a 9.0 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,152,187 in June 2023.

June marks the 59th month in a row that has exceeded 1 million adjusted background checks in a single month. Read more

Firearms

Trout Creek Angler Lands State Record Largescale Sucker

Montana has a new state record largescale sucker.

Wade Merschat, 12, of Trout Creek, used a nightcrawler to land a 6.72-pound largescale sucker from Noxon Reservoir in Sanders County on June 19. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists verified the state record and issued Merschat his state record certificate on July 1. The fish measured 25.25 inches long.

The previous record was 6.16 pounds set in June 2008 from Woodland Park Pond in Kalispell. It measured 23.1 inches long. Read more

Fishing

Help Trout Keep Their Cool

“Once water warms too much (78 to 86 degrees, depending upon species) trout can perish from the hostile environment.”


Trout anglers looking to beat the heat may want to add a little more precaution than usual to their catch-and-release regimen during summer, particularly on The Little Red River, which has seen temperatures exceeding the comfort level for rainbow and brown trout.

Christy Graham, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Trout Management Program supervisor based in Mountain Home, has worked with the state’s trophy-class trout fisheries for nearly 15 years. During that time, temperature monitoring throughout Arkansas’s famous tailwater fisheries always takes top priority in summer.

“We conduct daily checks of water quality conditions and work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Southwestern Power Administration to address any concerns we have about the amount of water being released,” Graham said.

According to the American Fisheries Society’s “Trout and Char of the World,” most trout species grow best at temperatures between about 53 and 66 degrees. Once water warms too much (78 to 86 degrees, depending upon species) trout can perish from the hostile environment. But it’s not a hard-and-fast rule, as many variables come into play that can drop that critical temperature a bit lower.

Graham says it’s not just the heat but, more importantly, the amount of oxygen in the water that plays a critical role in fish health during summer. Read more

Fishing

Fish Kill Occurs at Nebraska’s Big Indian Lake

A substantial fish kill, affecting all species in the lake, has occurred at Big Indian Recreation Area south of Wymore in Gage County.

Angler reports prompted Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists on July 1 to visit the lake, where they observed numerous dead fish of all species. Dissolved oxygen was tested, confirming extremely low levels in the lake caused the fish kill.

“Unfortunately, many water bodies are susceptible to summertime fish kills given the right sequence of weather events,” said Tony Barada, a Game and Parks fisheries assistant administrator.

Extreme heat and sunshine earlier that week at Big Indian likely contributed to a large algal bloom that subsequently died back during the cooler temperatures and cloud cover that followed. When algae die, the bacteria that consumes it also consumes oxygen. When the algal die-off is excessive, it can cause fish kills. Read more

Fishing

NSSF Reacts to SCOTUS Denial of Illinois MSR Ban Challenge

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, is disappointed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of a writ of certiorari in Barnett v. Raoul, one of several challenges to Illinois’ bans on Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) and standard-capacity magazines. The decision not to review the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit’s decision at this early stage of the litigation, while disappointing, does not mean the Supreme Court will not review the matter later after final judgment.

The Supreme Court denied review now because the U.S. Court of Appeals has not yet issued a final judgment. Justice Samuel Alito, however, would have granted the petition now. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote, “This Court is rightly wary of taking cases in an interlocutory posture. But, I hope we will consider the important issue presented by these petitions after the cases reach final judgment.”

Justice Thomas concluded Illinois’ bans are “highly suspect,” finding it “difficult to see how the Seventh Circuit could have concluded that the most widely owned semiautomatic rifles are not ‘Arms’ protected by the Second Amendment.” Read more

Gun Control

SCOTUS Vacates Second Circuit Ruling in GOA Challenge to NY Carry Law

The United States Supreme Court vacated the Second Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling in a challenge to New York’s mistakenly named “Concealed Carry Improvement Act,” which was brought by Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF).

GOA and GOF filed a petition for certiorari in February of this year, after the Second Circuit Court failed to properly apply Supreme Court precedent established in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen and provide relief from the statute’s many unconstitutional provisions, including New York’s “good moral character” requirement to receive a concealed carry permit.

GOA quickly challenged the hastily passed statute, which was insubordinately passed by Governor Kathy Hochul and the General Assembly in Albany immediately following the Bruen decision in 2022.

Frustratingly, the new statute is more onerous and restrictive than the one held unconstitutional in the Bruen decision. GOA had previously secured a preliminary injunction in federal district court blocking several portions of the law, but it was largely undone by the Second Circuit.

The law’s provisions that were still in effect required applicants for a concealed carry license to:

  • Prove one’s “good moral character”
  • Have in-person interviews with law enforcement
  • Provide four “character references”
  • Undergo 18 hours of combined training – a tremendous increase from the existing 4-hour requirement

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement:

“New York’s anti-gun politicians were quick to double down after the Bruen decision, but today they’ve been smacked down again. With the High Court making clear the Second Circuit got it wrong and by remanding the case back to the lower court, the High Court is forcing New York’s politicians to eat a huge plate of humble pie. We look forward to continuing the fight for New Yorkers’ right to carry – without government pre-requisites.” Read more

Gun Control ,

International Wildlife Museum Taxidermy for Sale

The International Wildlife Museum of the Safari Club International Foundation permanently closed on December 31, 2023. The museum housed nearly 2,000 taxidermy mounts and skulls. In the wake of this closure, The SCIF Board has approved the sale of specimens not protected under the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, or Marine Mammal Protection Act. The proceeds from these sales will support SCIF’s Conservation and Education efforts.

Lolli Livestock Inc. will facilitate the sale of these items through their auctions and website. The first auction will take place on July 11, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. Read more

Wildlife
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