Court filing could end Great Lakes fishing as we know it

 

 

 

 

Contact: Nick Green, MUCC Public Information Officerngreen@mucc.org; 517-346-6486

The 2000 Great Lakes Consent Decree is set to expire in August, and a court proceeding filed last week by one Upper Peninsula tribe could end sportfishing as we know it in much of the Great Lakes.

Since 1985, a large portion of Michigan’s Great Lakes fishery has been divided up under an agreement between five of Michigan’s sovereign Native American tribes and the state. This agreement was handed down by a federal court in a “consent decree” that applied to what is known as the 1836 Treaty Waters. The treaty waters extend from the mouth of the Grand River in Lake Michigan to Alpena in Lake Huron and from Sault Ste. Marie to almost Marquette on Lake Superior.

Each tribe, per the consent decree, was given its home waters, where it is free to fish and other tribes are not. Other areas of the Great Lakes were reserved for sportfishing, and some areas were shared between the tribes and the sport fishery.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the sport fishery under this decree, which includes how available stocks are measured and what methods of take may be used by fishers. The DNR also determines creel limits, fishing methods and fisheries management for recreational anglers — who pay, through license dollars and excise taxes, to manage the fishery.

The current consent decree, and the rules that have applied for the last 35 years, is set to expire on August 8. Current negotiations to reach a new agreement are floundering and COVID-19 has limited the parties’ ability to meet and wade through critical issues. It is clear that a new consent decree will not be negotiated by the deadline next month.

On June 24, four of the five tribes, the State of Michigan, and the United States asked a federal court to extend the current decree through the end of 2020.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians also filed a request with the federal court asking that the extension be granted only until November 8. The Sault Tribe asserted that after that date, however, it will be free to fish without geographical restrictions anywhere within the treaty waters even if later extensions to the consent decree are granted while negotiations continue. Though not explicitly stated, it can reasonably be assumed the Sault Tribe seeks to use any gear they deem necessary, such as gill nets, in zones that have not allowed such gear since 1985.

An amici group representing recreational anglers, of which Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is a member of, filed a response to the requests to illustrate important history and critical issues that are preventing a successor agreement being reached. Read more

Fishing

Trump Administration Launches Inaugural Meeting of the Task Force for Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes

Photo: Secretary Bernhardt at the inaugural meeting of the Task Force for Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes. Photo Credit: Department of the Interior Photographer.

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the Trump Administration hosted the first meeting of the Task Force for Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes (Task Force) at the United States Department of the Interior chaired by U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt.

“President Trump took bold action by signing the Executive Order on Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes to remind us of the exceptional individuals in our history who produced the greatest country in the world,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “The President recognizes that statues are silent teachers in the form of stone and metal. Yesterday’s inaugural Task Force meeting following the direction of the President was a great kickoff to an exciting undertaking that will recognize our greatest citizens and protect our history for the benefit of all Americans.”

Task Force members as established by President Trump’s Executive Order include the following: Administrator of General Services Emily Murphy, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Mary Anne Carter, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities Jon Parrish Peede, and Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Aimee Jorjani.

“GSA is honored to participate in the Task Force for Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes,” said Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration Emily Murphy. “Yesterday’s meeting was an important first step as we reinvigorate the essential role art has in civic architecture, expressing the values and identity of our Nation.” Read more

General

Michigan: 2020 antlerless deer applications on sale now

Apply for an antlerless deer hunting license now through Aug. 15

You may apply only once and must choose to apply for either a public-land OR private-land license (not both). Applications are $5.

Apply for a reserved deer hunt through Aug. 15.

  • Opportunities for individuals with disabilities are available at Sharonville State Game Area.
  • Opportunities in DMU 273 (Shiawassee) are available for any licensed hunter.
  • Limited opportunities for archery-only antlerless hunts in Humbug Marsh Unit of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
  • Apply online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or anywhere licenses are sold.

Drawing results will be posted Aug 31.

Hunting

Galco’s Hidden Open Carry Options

PHOENIX –

Effective concealment is difficult when hot weather arrives and we wear fewer
layers of clothing. One solution is holsters carried openly that don’t look like holsters – what we at Galco call “hidden open carry”. This category includes day planners, and Galco offers three distinct variations.

Masquerading as a day planner, the Defense Planner™ opens to reveal a handgun and spare ammunition. Galco’s smallest planner, it measures only 8 ¼” long by 6 ½” wide and fits compact defensive handguns, retailing at $97.

The Hidden Agenda™ hides a handgun and spare ammo while also being a fully
functional day planner. The separation of holster compartment and business tools offers complete discretion. It comes with a calendar and pad of ruled paper, measures 9 1/4 ” long by 7″ wide, and fits most full-size and compact defensive handguns. It retails at $172. Read more

Firearms, Self Defense

Lapua Launches $200 Consumer Rebate

Sedalia, MO – Lapua is excited to announce the 2020 Sizzling Summer Savings rebate, offering 10% cash back on qualifying Lapua Scenar bullets and rifle cartridge cases, up to $200 from July 15 through August 31, 2020.

Lapua is world-renowned for producing the finest bullets and cartridge cases. Starting with the highest quality raw materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, Lapua components are highly sought-after by competitive shooters, Mil/LE operators and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

– Lapua Scenar bullets have a proven record on the range and the battlefield. They’re a popular tangent ogive, hollow point boat tail design that is extremely accurate with excellent weight uniformity.

– Lapua cartridge cases are regarded as the finest cases available, without equal. Using superior annealing processes, each case is machined to exacting dimensions creating a longevity that is unmatched by all other case manufacturers.

Complete the online form at Capstonepg.com/LapuaRebate or fill out an order form from your favorite retails no later than September 30, 2020. Additional terms and conditions may apply, please see website for details. Read more

Ammunition

Millennium Introduces Buck Hut Shooting House

Pearl, MS (July 14, 2020) If you’ve spent much time hunting out of elevated shooting houses, you know that there always seems to be something missing. They’re not wide enough, tall enough, the windows are never “just right,” – one that works well for gun hunters isn’t configured for bowhunting. With Millennium Outdoors new-for-2020 Q200 Buck Hut Shooting House, the attention to detail is readily apparent the minute you climb aboard. Best of all, it is offered at a price that will make most hard-side, elevated blinds obsolete.

“We’ve built this shooting house the same way we build all of our treestands and accessories,” said Ed Welsh, President/CEO of Millennium Outdoors. “It’s designed by hunters, for hunters who are looking for a top-quality shooting house with features and details that make a big difference between success and failure.”

The Q200 Buck Hut itself is constructed from a heavy-duty, waterproof soft shell material that will last for many seasons. The roomy interior measures 7 feet, 4 inches wide x 4 feet deep x 7 feet tall – plenty big enough for both gun and bowhunters to shoot either sitting or standing. With an overall footprint of 11 feet, 9 inches by 8 feet, the interior easily allows for the use of Millennium’s 360 Revolution seats (not included). Read more

Hunting

80% Arms Introduces World’s First Modular Polymer 80% Pistol, GTS-9

Garden Grove, California – 80% ARMS is proud to announce the addition of the GST-9 to their aftermarket Glock® compatible product line. Engineered from the inside out to improve upon the original Glock® design, the GST-9 frame consolidates features not found anywhere else.

The complete GST-9 pistol kit contains everything needed to build a top-tier handgun at a production level price. The GST-9 capitalizes on all the strengths of the Generation 1-3 Glock® platform, while also incorporating the most popular aftermarket upgrades as standard features.

According to Jeff P., Operations Manager, “customers will be able to go from opening the mail to a competition or defense ready pistol in under 15 minutes.” Due to recent ATF regulations, the jig and frame rails for the GST-9 must be purchased separately from the GST-9 80% lower. Each jig includes one set of GST-9 frame rails. Frame rails are included with the jig, not with the 80% lower itself. Read more

Firearms

Savage Southpaw Precision Rifles

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts –– In keeping with its long tradition of supporting southpaw shooters, Savage is pleased to announce the debut of new left-handed models of their dynamic Precision Series rifles. New Model 110 Elite Precisions and 110 Precisions will be available this summer, making precision long range shooting accessible to any left-handed marksman.

“Savage has built an extensive catalog of left-handed firearms, quite possibly the largest in the industry.” said Beth Shimanski, Director of Marketing for Savage Arms. “Our customers come to expect it from us and these new Precision rifles once again demonstrate our commitment to serving all of our customers, equally.”

110 ELITE PRECISION LEFT HAND

The 110 Elite Precision has changed the way shooters think of off-the-shelf rifles. The Model 110 action rides in an Adjustable Core Competition chassis from Modular Driven Technologies (MDT). From its full-length ARCA rail to its nitride coatings, this is a rifle built for a lifetime of Elite Precision. Read more

Firearms

TrueTimber Announces “Diverge with Strata” Giveaway with Partner Bear Archery

INMAN, S.C. – July 15, 2020 – TrueTimber has teamed up with Bear Archery for the Diverge with Strata giveaway beginning today. One lucky winner will receive a Bear Divergent EKO in TrueTimber Strata Camo and a $500 gift card to the TrueTimber online store. The giveaway will run July 14 through July 24 and will be hosted through Instagram and Facebook on both TrueTimber and Bear Archery’s pages. This giveaway can be followed through the hashtag #DivergeWithStrata.

“We are really looking forward to this giveaway with our close partner, Bear Archery,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “The Bear Archery name is synonymous with the roots of archery hunting and they have been delivering superior bows for decades. We know without a doubt the winner of this competition is going to get a really great bow wrapped in our popular Strata camo pattern.”

Contestants can enter via Facebook, Instagram or both. On Facebook, entrants must like both the TrueTimber and Bear Archery pages and like any of the giveaway posts. On Instagram, entrants must follow both the TrueTimber and Bear Archery pages and like any of the giveaway posts. Entrants can enter on both platforms for multiple entries. One grand-prize winner will be chosen from all entries received on Facebook and Instagram. This giveaway is open to residents of the continental U.S. that are age 18 or older. Other restrictions apply. Read more

Archery

Arkansas: Two Visitors Find Large Diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park

One is the 12th- largest found there since 1972

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — Confirmation of two large diamonds found at Crater of Diamonds State Park made for a busy week last week at the park, one of the only places in the world where the public can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source.

“This unique park is one of our state’s most popular destinations,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “It’s always exciting for one of our guests to find a gem, and the staff is really great at working with them to confirm what they have found and hear each particular story of how they found it.”

Serendipity Diamond is 12th-largest found since 1972

Dr. Mindy Pomtree of Benton, Ark., was at the park in June and found her diamond near Beatty’s Hill when she spotted a glittering pebble on top of the ground. She put the stone in a zippered pocket and continued searching, not knowing what it was. “I kept feeling of my pocket throughout the day to make sure it was still there. I didn’t know if it was a diamond but thought it looked cool, and it was definitely shiny!” Read more

General
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