Michigan: Invasive New Zealand Mudsnails Found in Shanty Creek

Anglers urged to step up prevention efforts during salmon season

Invasive New Zealand mudsnails have been detected at the mouth of Shanty Creek, a tributary of the Grass River in Antrim County. The snails were found during routine monitoring in May by the Grass River Natural Area Stream Watch project and confirmed through DNA analysis by Oakland University in August.

New Zealand mudsnails were first discovered in the United States in Idaho’s Snake River in 1987. Since then, the snails have spread throughout the western states and into areas of the Great Lakes by attaching themselves to boats, waders and equipment.

The Grass River is now the sixth river system in Michigan known to be infested by the mudsnails. Their discovery in the Pere Marquette River in August 2015 signaled the first detection in a Michigan inland waterway. In 2016, populations were confirmed in the Boardman and Au Sable rivers. By 2017, the invasive snails were found in the Upper Manistee and Pine rivers.

Michigan’s salmon season, which peaks in September and October, draws thousands of anglers to Michigan’s premier rivers.

“This is a time when people are likely to visit multiple rivers and streams over a few days,” said Lucas Nathan, Michigan Department of Natural Resources aquatic invasive species coordinator. “If they are not cleaning equipment thoroughly each time, there is a potential to introduce New Zealand mudsnails into new waters.”

What harm can a snail do?

This brown to black, one-eighth-inch long mudsnail, a native of New Zealand, is considered invasive and is prohibited in Michigan due to the environmental harm it can cause to rivers, streams and lakes. Because the snail reproduces by cloning (females develop complete embryos without fertilization), a single snail can start an entire population.

One snail can produce over 200 young in a year. Since few natural predators or parasites of this species exist in North America, their numbers grow rapidly each year. In some locations in western states, researchers have documented snails reaching densities of 300,000 per square meter. With that many mudsnails, food for other stream invertebrate populations can become scarce. Read more
Fishing

Michigan: West Nile virus survey in ruffed grouse begins third study year

The study of West Nile virus in ruffed grouse will resume this fall in Michigan, after a one-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with Minnesota and Wisconsin natural resources departments, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began this multiyear study in 2018 to better understand the prevalence and distribution of the virus in ruffed grouse in the Upper Great Lakes region.

Results from previous study years suggest that while the virus is present in the Great Lakes region, grouse exposed to the virus can survive and develop antibodies as an immune response. In 2019, 20 of the 281 samples collected tested positive for exposure to the virus. Viral antibodies were confirmed in seven birds and likely in 13 additional birds. Only one juvenile male tested positive for the virus. In 2018, 28 of 213 samples were positive for exposure to the virus, with viral antibodies confirmed in nine birds and likely in 19. Four samples were positive for the virus.

“Though the virus can impact the ruffed grouse population, the impact appears to be minimal in Michigan,” said Julie Melotti, a laboratory technician at the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory. “In the Upper Peninsula, the overall health of the grouse population is more dependent on high-quality habitat, such as areas of regenerating aspen stands near stands of mature timber. In these areas, grouse are more likely to be healthier and have stronger immune responses to disease, inclement weather and other limiting factors.”

Sample kits have been distributed to grouse hunters in key West Nile virus surveillance areas to collect samples for viral analysis. The samples will be analyzed for antibodies, which indicate exposure to the virus, and heart tissue will be examined to screen for current presence of it. Sample kits were not distributed in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but recently have been distributed to Michigan hunters for data collection during the 2021 season. Hunters who have kits remaining from past seasons are welcome to use them and submit additional samples. Hunters who provide email contact information with their samples will be notified of their results next fall.

West Nile virus was first detected in ruffed grouse in Michigan in 2002. Transmitted by mosquitoes, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain, brain lining, and spinal cord and heart lesions in infected birds. Grouse that have contracted the virus may fly erratically, act abnormally, or appear sick, thin and in poor condition. However, these symptoms are not always present in infected grouse. If you find a bird that appears thin or sick, please report your observations to the Wildlife Disease Lab at 517-336-5030 or through the online reporting system Eyes in the Field. Read more

Wildlife

Pittsburgh Joins Lights Out Program to Protect Migratory Birds

Pittsburgh, PA – About one hundred thousand birds pass over the Pittsburgh region each year during migration, and a new initiative is encouraging businesses and residents to join in making birds’ journeys safer. A group of organizations that includes the Building Owners and Managers Association of Pittsburgh, BNY Mellon, BirdSafe Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and the National Aviary have joined forces to inspire participation in a movement to mitigate bird window collisions and disorientation of birds caused by bright artificial light in the city at night.

Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: developers seek land agreement modification for solar project in Marquette County

Developers seek land agreement modification for solar project in Marquette County

Superior Solar Project, LLC and the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. have submitted a land transaction application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, involving approximately 1,080 acres of land in Sands Township.

The property is owned by Cliffs and is part of a larger land exchange agreement dating to 1979 between the DNR and Cliffs. The original agreement requires that the land be open to the public for recreation uses, except for areas used for active mining operations or those which must be restricted for safety purposes.

Superior Solar Project and Cliffs are asking that the agreement be modified to allow solar energy development on the 1,080 acres and remove the public recreation use requirement because of its incompatibility with solar development. Read more

General, Wildlife

GunsAmerica launches Armory Life Giveaway

Springfield Armory and Primary Arms, together with GunsAmerica and Brand Avalanche Media, have created the ultimate Armory Life Giveaway. The Armory Life Giveaway is about envisioning, designing, and creating your very own armory—a fully stocked home-defense system built specifically to your needs, starring Springfield Armory’s most popular firearms.

The Armory Life Giveaway is so full of amazing guns and gear that we can’t give it away all at once. In fact, The Armory Life Giveaway isn’t really one giveaway at all—but five!

The Armory Life Giveaway features five prize packages, one for each stage of building your dream armory. Beginning Wednesday, September 1 at 12:01 a.m. (CT), and continuing each Wednesday in September, we’re giving away a weekly package perfectly suited to the four critical elements of the ultimate armory life. Finally, from 12:01 a.m. on September 29th through 11:59 p.m. on September 30, there will be a Grand Prize package for one very lucky winner.

1. Build Your Armory

2. Build Your Range

3. Fuel Your Armory

4. Gear Up Your Armory

5. Winner’s Choice – choose one gun and receive selected products from the previous four weeks.

Our sponsors include the most exciting and trusted brands in America. We’re proud to partner with Springfield Armory, Primary Arms, GunsAmerica, MantisX, Federal Premium Ammunition, AXIL Hearing Protection, and We Knife to bring you The Armory Life Giveaway. Read more

Firearms

Uncharted Supply Co. Partners with GOES, Providing 24/7 On-Call Medical Advice and More

PARK CITY, Utah- As National Preparedness Month kicks off, Uncharted Supply Co., the leader in emergency preparedness, announced today its partnership with Global Outdoor Emergency Support (GOES). This life-saving health app provides direct access to wilderness medicine experts and includes a step-by-step guide to self-diagnose when users are without service.

The collaboration between Uncharted and GOES supports the significant increase in outdoor adventuring among individuals and families by ensuring their safe return with critical features to defend against outdoor emergencies, including:

    • 24/7 access to 30+ doctors available via the app
    • In-app advice and guidance via artificial intelligence when a user is out of service
    • First aid and emergency products recommendations, education and discounts
    • Tips for planning and preparation before any adventure
    • Ability to text, call or send images to get instant emergency support and guidance from trusted experts
    • Integration of Uncharted products in profile, providing remote doctors a clear idea of resources at hand in time of emergency

Read more

General

CZ P-10 M CCW Pistol Now Available in the United States

Kansas City, KS – CZ-USA has announced a new era in concealed carry pistols with the much-anticipated micro-compact P-10 M pistol release. This gun has everything people love about CZ pistols while being engineered explicitly for flawless concealed carry.

The ultra-slick and affordable 9mm P-10 M is sized just right for easy concealability while retaining the famed ergonomics of the full-size P-10 pistol in the ever-expanding line of polymer-framed handguns.

The 3.19-inch barrel is cold hammer-forged and is almost two inches shorter than the largest pistol in the line, the new P-10 F Comp Ready. And while the barrel is only slightly shorter than the barrel on the P-10 C, the new P-10 M is both slimmer and more than 4oz’s lighter than our subcompact P-10S!

Weighing in at a featherweight 20.1 ounces, the P-10 M has a capacity of 7+1 rounds in a slim, metal staggered magazine, which contributes to the handgun’s narrow overall width of just one inch.

The first thing most people notice about the P-10 M is its completely smooth appearance. There are no controls or levers on either side of the gun other than the magazine release. Read more

Firearms

Heckler & Koch MP5/SP5 Rimfire Models

Columbus, Georgia — Heckler & Koch is pleased to announce the launch of the coolest rimfires on the market, full stop. HK has partnered with Umarex of Germany to bring you the only HK-authorized rimfire versions of the legendary MP5.

What could be cooler than two new MP5 .22 LRs in pistol and rifle configurations? These new guns have the look and feel of the MP5 submachine gun, which is easily the most famous of all HK gun designs. The rifle variant has a sleeved barrel that gives it the look of the legendary MP5SD, while the pistol variant is more like an MP5/SP5 with buttcap.

“If you like the SP5, you’re gonna love the MP5 22. It can be a trainer, a suppressor host, or just the coolest .22 LR fun gun on the range. And let’s not forget the fact that, as a semi-auto 22, it’s an MP5 that most of us can actually afford to own and shoot,” said Bill Dermody, HK USA’s Director of Marketing. Read more

Firearms

REVIC BR4 Ballistic Rangefinder

Cody, WY- REVIC, a division of Gunwerks, is pleased to announce the release of the new BR4 Ballistic Rangefinder. The REVIC BR4 features the REVIC solver with advanced wind and earth based effects to provide accurate, ultra-fast corrections in MOA, MILS, or the exclusive Shoot-To-Range Mode for use with BDC turrets. The data rich display simplifies the shooting process and the improved ranging tools feature target discrimination and a new long range mode. You can program your BR4 via a connected Bluetooth device, and with Over The Air Update protocols you will always have access to the latest software improvements.

Features of the BR4 Rangefinder include:

? Maximum Effective Range: Up to 4,000 yards

? On Board Ballistic Solver

? Magnification: 10x

? 10 On Board Profile Capacity

? Bluetooth Connectivity

? 4.85” x 1.65” x 3.25” (LxWxH)

? 10.0 oz (283.5 grams)

? Display Color: Red

? Battery: CR2

Interested dealers are encouraged to contact Chris Ashworth at c.ashworth@gunwerks.com or 307.296.7286. Read more

Hunting, Optics

Brownells Unveils Exclusive New Rifle During Labor Day Event

Brownells Unveils Exclusive New Rifle During Labor Day Event

GRINNELL, Iowa – Brownells is partnering with Foxtrot Mike Products for the Gen II FM-15 Zhukov, a new rifle design offered exclusively at Brownells and unveiled during the 2021 Labor Day event at Brownells.com

Chambered in 223 Wylde, the Gen II FM-15 Zhukov features an upper assembly with a self-contained recoil mechanism using nested springs, allowing the rifle to be fired with the stock folded.

The Gen II FM-15 also has a non-reciprocating charging handle located forward over the barrel, which can be changed to either side, and oriented either up or down depending on the shooter’s preference.

The Zhukov version of the Gen II FM-15 comes complete with AK-47-style Zhukov furniture from Magpul. The lower accepts most standard AR-15 magazines, parts and triggers. Read more

Firearms
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