Michigan: public tours of Black River sturgeon hatchery

Hatchery-reared sturgeon fingerlings will be released into the Black River and Mullett Lake later that day

If you’re curious about lake sturgeon – one of the most unique and the biggest fish swimming the Great Lakes – plan a visit to the Black River hatchery northwest of Onaway, Michigan, Saturday, Aug. 21. The facility will host free public tours that day from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m..

The tours are offered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University, Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership and Sturgeon For Tomorrow. Researchers from the DNR and MSU will be on hand to talk about lake sturgeon biology, reproductive ecology and the current year’s research. Sturgeon For Tomorrow representatives will discuss restoration work to improve sturgeon spawning habitat, sturgeon conservation and outreach programming.

“While on the tours, visitors will see 3-month-old lake sturgeon currently in the hatchery and learn about early life history and how we can all play a role to keep healthy populations of this fish in our waters,” said Dave Borgeson, Northern Lake Huron Unit supervisor with the DNR.

The streamside rearing facility is an important component of lake sturgeon rehabilitation efforts in the Cheboygan River watershed. The facility conducts research to increase our understanding of lake sturgeon, thanks to DNR, federal, Great Lakes Fishery Trust and Sturgeon For Tomorrow funds. Results provide much-needed guidance for managers involved in lake sturgeon recovery efforts, while improving the effectiveness of lake sturgeon culture and stocking efforts.

The sturgeon fingerlings reared at the hatchery are scheduled to be released into the Black River and Mullett Lake Aug. 21 after the tours conclude. Read more

Fishing

Michigan: New State-Record Chinook Salmon Tops 47 Pounds

Using a Moonshine raspberry carbon spoon lure this past weekend, an angler from Ortonville, Michigan, turned in a new state-record fish!

Luis Ricardo Hernandez Martinez was troll fishing with Capt. Bobby Sullivan of Icebreaker Charters on Lake Michigan near Ludington early Saturday morning, Aug. 7, when he caught a Chinook salmon weighing in at 47.86 pounds and measuring 47.5 inches.

“I never expected a catch like this would happen,” Martinez said. “It’s possible for anyone if I can do it! I would like to extend a great ‘thank you’ to Capt. Bobby, as it was he who made this catch possible for me.”

Captain Sullivan added, “Luis did an amazing job, executing perfectly everything I asked him to do in order to bring this fish in.” Read more

Fishing

Boone and Crockett Club and Pope and Young Club Release Joint Official Measurers Manual

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Boone and Crockett Club and Pope and Young Club have just released a definitive 250-page scoring manual that will serve as the guide to the processes and procedures to correctly assign a Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young score to any Fair Chase® big game trophy.

The manual, How to Score North American Big Game, is an effort to simplify and streamline the big game scoring process. Members of both Clubs’ records committees spent years collaborating and refining the manual.

“Because Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young both have missions to maintain records of big game animals for use by wildlife managers and hunters alike, it just made sense that we work together to produce one, definitive scoring manual,” said Justin Spring, director of Big Game Records of the Boone and Crockett Club.

Measuring the antlers, horns and heads of big game animals and publishing those measurements began more than a century ago by members of the Boone and Crockett Club. These records originally were developed as a means of recording data on species thought to be going extinct from habitat loss and unregulated harvest. Today, Boone and Crockett Club records remain a way to gauge the success of conservation and wildlife management programs. In addition to its prestigious history and tradition, Boone and Crockett scoring is strongly associated with the highest tenets of fair chase and hunting ethics.

While the Boone and Crockett Club accepts entries taken with any legal weapon, the Pope and Young Club was founded in 1961 to maintain the records of animals taken with only bow and arrow. Read more

Hunting

Delta Waterfowl Forecasts a Reduced Fall Duck Flight

While populations remain strong, dry breeding conditions across the vast prairie pothole region likely led to poor duck production

“The prairie pothole region — the most important duck production area on the planet — is almost universally dry. There will be far fewer juveniles in the fall flight, and that’s unfortunate because the best seasons are those with an abundance of young ducks.” — Dr. Frank Rohwer, president and chief scientist of Delta Waterfowl

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — Delta Waterfowl forecasts that poor breeding conditions in the prairie pothole region will result in a smaller fall flight than waterfowl hunters have experienced for many seasons. The Duck Hunters Organization expects that while blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and gadwalls had average to below-average production, other key species fared worse, including mallards and, even more so, pintails, wigeon and canvasbacks. However, favorable conditions were available to eastern-breeding ducks — essential to the Atlantic Flyway — and to boreal-nesting species such as bluebills and ring-necked ducks.

“This is a unique year in that the prairie pothole region — the most important duck production area on the planet — is almost universally dry,” said Dr. Frank Rohwer, president and chief scientist of Delta Waterfowl. “A lot of the prairies were dry the past two springs as well, but at least there were pockets of areas with good wetland conditions. But this year we likely had poor duck production due to many birds overflying the prairies, and those that stayed showed reduced renesting effort and low brood survival. There will be far fewer juveniles in the fall flight, and that’s unfortunate because the best seasons are always those when you’ve got an abundance of young ducks winging south.” Read more

Hunting

Primary Arms Optics Releases Green-Illuminated Variant of ACSS Vulcan Reticle

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms Optics and Holosun Optics have released a new version of the co-branded HS507C-X2 ACSS, now featuring a green-illuminated ACSS Vulcan reticle.

Released earlier this year, the HS507C-X2 ACSS made waves in the miniature reflex market by introducing a revolutionary new reticle design that makes it easier to get on target. While most reticles are limited to a simple aiming dot, ACSS Vulcan changes the game by combining an infinitely precise center chevron with a large outer circle. When aimed correctly, this circle falls outside the optic window, leaving only the center chevron for fine precision. If the user’s aim is off target, the edge of the circle comes into view, guiding them back to center. It’s a novel approach to sight acquisition, eliminating many of the challenges associated with mini reflex optics.

Since its release, fans of the optic have been asking for a green-illuminated variant. Now, Primary Arms Optics is proud to announce that the units are now ready and available for purchase.

“The response to the original Primary Arms ACSS Vulcan reticle in Red illumination, has been nothing short of phenomenal,” says Terry Mears, Primary Arms Optics’ Director of Product Marketing. “Those who prefer a green reticle, especially anyone with color-recognition issues toward the red end of the color spectrum, will appreciate this option. The law enforcement community which we continuously interact with, specifically asked for this reticle option and we delivered.”

For more information on how to order the Holosun HS507C-X2 ACSS with Green-illuminated ACSS Vulcan, click here.

For other news on Primary Arms Optics, follow Primary Arms on social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Optics

X-Vision Optics RFP875 Rangefinder

Red Wing, MN. The new X-Vision Optics RFP875 Rangefinder is made for every outdoor enthusiast. Its high precision capabilities will give you confidence whether you’re in the tree, on the course or verifying the person next to you is six feet away. You have access to multiple modes (Standard, Rain, Golf, Hunting) for any situation. With its PDLC smart glass display, you can get clear readings even in low light environments up to 875 yards.

“The Rangefinder RFP875 is, without a doubt, one of the best rangefinders on the market for under $200.00 . . .lightweight and compact, and with four different modes, this easy-to-use rangefinder is capable of everything I need. Overall, you aren’t going to find a better-quality rangefinder for the price” Chris Shimek, X-Vision Optics Owner. Read more

Hunting, Optics

Carbon Express Adds More Weight to D-Stroyer Arrow Series

Deep Penetration from Carbon Express’s Heaviest Arrow

SUPERIOR, WI — ONE ARROW, TWO SPINES, TWICE THE ACCURACY AND PENETRATION The D-Stroyer PileDriver® is engineered for the hunter who wants ULTIMATE penetration.

Introduced in 2020 to deliver the ultimate selection of arrows the Carbon Express D-Stroyer series was an instant success. Adding some weight to the line, the D-Stroyer PileDriver is the heaviest arrow in the Carbon Express line and designed to create maximum kinetic energy and deliver greater knock-down power. The Dual Spine Weight Forward technology delivers enhanced, accuracy, and penetration vs a single spine shaft. With patented DualSpine weight Forward Technology this two-spine arrow shaft reduces the oscillation by half for twice the accuracy of a single spine shaft to deliver superior stabilization and exceptional broadhead flight. The K-360 patented outer layer construction integrates 100% high modulus carbon weave for consistent spine strength & durability throughout the shaft’s entire length for increased shaft-to-shaft consistency and enhanced performance and durability. With an internal diameter of .244 these shafts fit standard components and include CX’s premium inserts and Launchpad arrow nocks. Each matched set weights +/-1 grain and is available in 300, 350 and 400 spines.

Grains Per Inch:

300 – 12.8 grains per inch

350 – 11.0 grains per inch

400 – 10.1 grains per inch

MSRP: $119.99/ 12-pack shafts

$64.99/6-pack fletched arrows

For more information about Carbon Express D-Stroyer Pile Driver arrows or the entire line of Carbon Express products, visit https://feradyne.com/carbon-express/

Read more

Archery

LAPD Selects FN 509 MRD-LE for New Duty Pistol

FN AWARDED 5-YEAR AGENCY CONTRACT FOR FN 509 MRD-LE

(McLean, VA) Following a highly competitive and rigorous qualification, FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that the FN 509 MRD-LE has been chosen by the Los Angeles Police Department as their new duty pistol. The FN 509 is a capable and versatile handgun platform that delivers rapid, precision fire in any environment. Officers training on marksmanship, tactical maneuvers and precision target engagements now have a more accurate and reliable sidearm, proven by the LAPD to perform with a wide variety of duty-rated handgun optics and ammunition.

“The Los Angeles Police Department is one of the largest and most elite law enforcement agencies in the country, with roughly 10,000 uniformed officers, and we are proud that they have chosen the FN 509 MRD-LE as their next duty pistol,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO of FN America, LLC. “The FN 509 MRD-LE is the only choice for agencies seeking an extremely capable and versatile duty pistol platform with proven reliability, accuracy and optic interoperability. Serving the men and women of an outstanding law enforcement agency like the LAPD brings great pride to everyone at FN, we look forward to supporting their police force with a remarkable handgun platform their officers will rely on every day.”

During the LAPD handgun trials, FN competed against several contenders in a 20,000-round-count endurance qualification, which it surpassed with zero malfunctions. “Exceeding all of the requirements LAPD sought in their new duty pistol was a high-performance standard to meet,” said Chris Cole, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at FN America, LLC. “With over a million rounds fired in development, the FN 509’s reputation for durability is proven here again giving LAPD officers a superior handgun they can depend on in the most demanding policing environments.”

Superior accuracy of the FN 509 MRD-LE starts with the patented FN Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System™. Adapted from the original development for the U.S. Army’s handgun trials, it gives officers more precision and sighting versatility than all other handguns.

“LAPD needed the ability to quickly and securely mount a variety of duty-rated micro red dots to their service pistols to improve the accuracy potential of their handguns and their officers,” said Charles “Bucky” Mills, Sr. Director of Law Enforcement Sales for FN America, LLC. “FN pioneered the MRD mounting technology the LAPD required, enabling precision shot placement and immediate target engagement no matter the environment.”

Accuracy is further enhanced by the high-performance trigger assembly and cold-hammer forged barrel. The combination of accuracy, speed, longevity and versatility gives the FN 509 MRD-LE the edge that today’s officers need. Read more

Firearms, Optics

Davidson’s Adds Exothermic Technologies

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – Davidson’s, one of the nation’s top firearms wholesalers, is pleased to announce the addition of Exothermic Technologies to its product lines.

Founded in early 2019, Exothermic Technologies, LLC has taken the market by storm with cutting-edge product design and patent-pending technology.

Owned and operated by firearms and firefighting professionals, their combined experience, networking, and proven success across multiple industries has allowed them to forge a team like none other. They’re setting the standard and continuing to raise the bar.

The initial SKU being offered by Davidson’s is the Pulsefire LRT flamethrower. The patent-pending Pulsefire is the ultimate compact, lightweight, fully handheld flamethrower that sends a blast of fire 25 feet away with the press of a button. Fill it like any other outdoor tool. With the system off, unscrew the cap and pour in gasoline or a gas/diesel mixture. When the battery gets low, take it out and charge it or swap in a spare to keep bringing the heat.

Exothermic has spoken with, demonstrated, and sold to local firefighters, farmers, controlled burn prescribers and/or members of the U.S. Forestry Service, and they love the idea of an efficient, portable, long range torch for their work. The Exothermic Technologies Pulsefire is the safest and most effective way to apply fire at a distance. Read more

General, Wildlife

26 Michigan communities and organizations get grants to plant trees

From Iron Mountain in the western Upper Peninsula to the village of Dundee in the state’s southeast corner, 26 communities across Michigan will share $92,500 in grants this year to plant trees.

The trees, to be planted along streets and in parks and other public spaces, come courtesy of a program sponsored by the DTE Energy Foundation and administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and nonprofit ReLeaf Michigan. This year’s individual grants range in size from $1,800 to $4,000.

“The DTE Energy Foundation looks forward to seeing this year’s seedlings become catalysts for environmental change statewide,” said Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Energy Foundation. “That’s why our foundation continues to support tree plantings and other initiatives that protect our air, land and water in communities across the state.”

An annual request for proposals goes out each spring; the next opportunity to apply is in late April 2022. Read more

Wildlife
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