NSSF Denounces USFWS Codification of Traditional Ammo Bans

NEWTOWN, Conn. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, denounced the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Final Rule that offered hunters a “bait-and-switch” deal that banned the use of traditional ammunition for opening 18 national wildlife refuges for new hunting and fishing opportunities. USFWS claimed it “remains concerned that lead ammunition and fishing tackle have negative impacts on both human health and wildlife.” It also warned hunters that the future use on additional USFWS lands were open to evaluation.

Despite promises from President Joe Biden that his administration would “follow the science,” the USFWS offered no objective scientific evidence establishing that the use of traditional lead core ammunition poses a risk to human health or wildlife populations to support its decision to phase in a ban. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the issue of consumption of wild game harvested with traditional ammunition in 2008 and found no detrimental effects.

“The Biden administration is capitulating to pressure from radical environmentalists and antihunting groups. This ban will price out hunters from accessing public lands since the cost of alternative ammunition is significantly greater than that of traditional ammunition,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “The USFWS didn’t consider scientific data because none exists to justify this ban. This is a Faustian deal that attempts to placate outdoorsmen and women by offering more opportunities but limiting it to only those who will pay additional costs to participate in their recreational pastimes.” Read more

Ammunition

Michigan DNR begins fall walleye surveys in September

Beginning in late September through early October, anglers throughout the state are asked to be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel conducting walleye recruitment surveys – a tool that helps fisheries managers determine how many walleye either were produced naturally or survived stocking in 2022 (commonly referred to as a given year’s “young-of-year” fish).

Using electrofishing boats, crews will survey the shallow areas near the shoreline of lakes at night with the goal of capturing young-of-year walleye. On larger lakes, two or more electrofishing crews using separate boats may operate at the same time to cover more area.

The crews will work both on lakes that have been stocked with walleye and lakes that have not.

“Conducting surveys on both stocked and unstocked lakes can affect decisions about future walleye research and stocking efforts and give valuable insight into the status of the younger walleye in the system,” said Emily Martin, DNR Fisheries Division biologist.

Biologists also will collect and keep a sample of young-of-year walleye from stocked lakes to determine whether the primary source of reproduction is natural or stocked. Many walleye that are stocked are marked with oxytetracycline, a chemical marker that can be observed within captured fish by using a microscope with an ultraviolet light source in a laboratory setting. Read more

Fishing

Michigan: learn about night sky photography, gardening for pollinators, waterfowl hunting

There’s still time to sign up for Outdoor Skills Academy classes happening around the state in September. Check out the following offerings:

Night Sky Photography at the Porkies

Two sessions to choose from: 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, or Saturday, Sept. 17
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Visitor Center, Ontonagon

Join Marquette photographer Shawn Malone for an evening of night sky photography at the Porkies, at either the Lake of the Clouds overview to photograph the Milky Way over the ridgeline or along the Union Bay beach if the northern lights are present. Covering DSLR/mirrorless camera bodies, this class will include a one-hour classroom session that leads to a three-hour, hands-on learning session at an outdoor location. For ages 18 and older. Cost is $95 per person. Read more

Wildlife

Montana: grizzly bear euthanized near Choteau

Bear confirmed to have killed livestock

GREAT FALLS – After confirming that a collared grizzly bear killed livestock along the Rocky Mountain Front north of Choteau, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks assisted the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services in euthanizing the bear after obtaining the necessary approval from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The bear had first been captured and collared in 2021 in a trap set due to cattle depredation. It was unknown at the time if the trapped bear had killed the calf or was scavenging the carcass, so it was collared and released on-site. Later in 2021, the bear was documented to have visited two other livestock conflict sites (one calf and one sheep), confirmed by trail camera and collar data, but it evaded attempts to capture it at that time.

On Sept. 5, landowners reported another sheep had been killed, and FWP and Wildlife Services technicians responded and confirmed the sheep was killed by a bear. Collar data from the bear showed it was present at the kill site at the time of the conflict, and after obtaining USFWS approval to lethally remove the bear, the 4-year-old male bear weighing 386 pounds was shot and killed on Friday afternoon. Read more

Wildlife

Primary Arms Launches September Rifle Giveaway With Evolve Weapon System E-15 Enhanced Carbine

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms has revealed its September retail giveaway, which includes a E-15 Enhanced AR from Evolve Weapon Systems. Featuring parts from many of the industry’s top manufacturers, this giveaway package is valued at over $2,960 with open entry and no purchase necessary!

Every month, Primary Arms releases a new rifle giveaway to the public, allowing free entry to win thousands of dollars in top-quality firearms, accessories, and extras. No purchase is ever necessary to enter, and joining takes just a few minutes. To enter this month’s giveaway, click here.

This month’s rifle is an Evolve Weapon Systems E-15 Enhanced AR-15, complete with accessories from Primary Arms Optics, SureFire, Blue Force Gear, Expo Arms, and Lancer Systems. Renowned for quality and thoughtful craftsmanship, Evolve Weapon Systems built the E-15 Enhanced with many of the most popular upgrades right out of the box, including an upgraded trigger, B5 Systems furniture, a Sprinco USA Recoil Spring, and enhanced bolt carrier group for superior reliability.

Along with the rifle, Primary Arms included their SLx 3x MicroPrism with an offset RS-10 Mini Reflex Sight, a SureFire M640 Dual Fuel Scout Light, and a Blue Force Gear VCAS sling. The winner will also receive 5x Lancer L5AWM 30rd Smoke Magazines, a Primary Arms 36” Double Rifle Case, and additional apparel from Nine Line Tactical and Noveske.

“This month’s giveaway brings an exciting opportunity to win a top-of-the-line custom AR15 from us here at Primary Arms,” says Ken Ross, Director of Outbound Marketing at Primary Arms. “We hand-selected the rifle and its accessories to create an exceptional build, which one lucky winner will take home absolutely free.” Read more

Firearms

Michigan Trails Week, Sept. 18-25

In Michigan, four-season motorized and nonmotorized trail recreation is the name of the game.

Whether you’re into hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, off-roading or paddling, there are 13,400 miles of state-designated trails waiting for you. And, that number doesn’t account for the thousands of miles of local, county and federal trails in Michigan.

“Historically, trails have connected people to places they want or need to go. In fact, the state’s first roads were Native American trails,” said Tim Novak, state trails coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division. “Today, Michigan’s trails network connects people, communities and places of interest, while providing stellar outdoor recreation opportunities, health and wellness benefits and transportation options.”

Michigan Trails Week is an annual effort to shine a light on Michigan’s vast trails network and elevate the resources and opportunities that continue to build our reputation as the Trails State. This year, Michigan Trails Week runs Sept. 18-25.

Treat yourself to trails

The DNR encourages Michiganders to pay tribute to and enjoy Michigan’s extraordinary trails system during these eight days – and get some inspiration for trail treks all year long! Read more

Wildlife

CZ-USA Upland Upland Shotguns

Kansas City, KS (September 14, 2022) – Upland hunting and double shotguns go hand-in-hand. Discerning upland hunters want a light, reliable, lively shotgun—all of which add to the enjoyment in the field. CZ rises to the challenge, hand-picking three of their finest double shotguns for fur and feather. These fine shotguns come with a black chrome finish or a tough-as-nails Cerakote finish and magnetic chambers on the All-Terrain series. Whether a rising covey, flushing rooster, or scampering rabbit, CZ shotguns are a solid choice.

The CZ All-Terrain series is a twist on the classic shotgun features and finish. They are clad in a muted OD green Cerakote finish yet retain the traditional walnut stock. The finish makes them ideal for field work, making them nearly impervious to the elements.

All-Terrain upland over/under and side-by-sides include a set of rare earth magnets installed in the extractor or ejectors. With these magnets in place, most modern shells are retained in the gun even when turned upside down. All-Terrain shotguns come equipped with sling swivels and extended chokes for added versatility.

Upland Ultralight is a trim over/under shotgun, ideal for long days in the field. CZ coats the metal with a non-reflective, weather-resistant matte finish and features a sport-styled walnut stock.

The Upland Ultralight functions flawlessly, featuring a precision CNC-cut aluminum alloy frame. On the exterior, the most noticeable characteristic is the lack of a mid-rib between the barrels – this shaves precious ounces of the ultralight design and gives the shotgun a modern look. The Upland Ultralight is offered in 12 and 20-gauge with a standard finish or as part of the All-Terrain Series. Read more

Firearms

The Untold Story of How Mozambique’s Coutada 11 Went from Desolation to Wildlife Mecca

Bringing Back the Lions by author Mike Arnold tells it all.

WATKINSVILLE, GA (Sept. 15, 2022) – For most, Africa stirs up images of elephants, giraffes, lions and herds of wildebeests and impala. While that was once the case for Mozambique’s magnificent natural area known as Coutada 11 by the 1990’s, that once beautiful Zambeze Delta region was devoid of wildlife. Several factors contributed to the extreme change including a Civil War, poachers and a hungry local people that were taking extreme measures to survive.

After many visits to Coutada 11 and countless interviews, Mike Arnold recounts the incredible journey of how Mark Haldane and a select group of individuals restored wildlife and wildlife habitat in his new book, Bringing Back the Lions.

This is a fantastic true-life tale of modern conservation at its best that will keep you captivated from start-to-finish. Here is an excerpt from the book:

The Civil War in the southern African country of Mozambique lasted from 1977 – 1992. During this horrific conflict, particularly in the countryside, there was no food and no jobs. Children were suffering from chronic malnutrition and severe protein deficiency, or Kwashiorkor – a visible sign of which was their terribly bloated bellies. With no other options for survival, family units depended on poaching to bring in protein to keep themselves alive. Poaching drove game animals to near extinction. Many species of plants, birdlife, and mammals disappeared. The ecosystems within what is known as the Marromeu Complex of the Zambeze Delta deteriorated.

Shortly after the Civil War ended in 1992, people from the capital city of Maputo and neighboring South Africa arrived in the Marromeu Complex. They held meetings with the Sena people. They explained to them that they had a vision to improve not only the villagers’ lives, but also the ecosystems within which they lived. Their vision included the recovery of native plants, songbirds, small amphibians, insects, and, yes, all of the larger mammals that poachers coveted. They emphasized that for this resurrection to occur, the Sena people and the outsiders must work hand-in-hand. The newcomers described the first, critical action that must take place, without which, it would be impossible to achieve the seemingly unimaginable vision. Read more

Wildlife

RICO HD RS75 Now Available Through iRAY USA

Fort Worth, TX (September 15, 2022) – iRayUSA, a Texas-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of premium thermal night vision devices announces the release of the first commercially available 1280×1024 resolution thermal weapon sight: the Rugged Infrared Compact Optic (RICO) HD RS75. With four times the resolution of current 640×512 devices, a 12-degree horizontal field of view, and a detection range of 3,600 yards, the RICO HD is the ultimate thermal weapon sight for any distance with 1,310,720 pixels and ZERO COMPETITION.

“It’s taken more than 10 years for something to change night hunting like this” stated Angelo Brewer, Director of Operations, iRayUSA. “This jump to 1280 resolution allows for double the field of view, double the detection range, or a combination of both. InfiRay’s self-developed groundbreaking sensor technology has resulted in a thermal scope that can truly do it all” continued Brewer.

The RICO HD RS75 features a 1280×1024 12?m sensor, anultra-high resolution 1.03-inch 2560×2560 AMOLED display, Low-distortion orthoscopic eyepiece and a 75mm f/1.0 lens that results in the perfect blend of optical performance and sensor resolution, all in the same scope. The RICO HD also offers crystal clear onboard audio recording, Wi-Fi video streaming and 128 GB of storage so you can capture every hunt. Read more

Optics

EAA Corp. Announces Two New Variations of the Girsan MCP35 With The Match and OPS Models

(Cocoa, Florida) Florida based company, European American Amory Corporation, the world’s leading importer of European firearms has made it their mission to bring the U.S. consumer firearms that are on the leading edge of technology. The two newest iterations of the second generation MCP35 take accuracy and user experience to the next level.

Designed and engineered with a serious respect for the original John Browning pistol design, EAA’s MCP35 Match and MCP35 OPS by Girsan pay homage to one of the most widely used military handguns in the world. The all-steel construction, short recoil operated MCP35 Match & MCP35 OPS offer a wealth of features for both the average shooter and competitive shooter including an extended beavertail, fiber optic front sight, G10 grips, straight clean-break trigger, beveled magwell & windage/elevation adjustable rear sight. The MCP35 OPS has an integrated accessory rail for attaching your favorite light or laser.

“Girsan took an already phenomenal firearm and created two new models that not only raised the bar but set the standard for what other pistols in this class can do,” said Keith Bernkrant, CEO of EAA Corp. “you will only need to shoot either one of these handguns once to understand the attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into manufacturing each piece.” Read more

Firearms
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