Wildlife Forever Reminds Anglers to Trash Unused Bait

White Bear Lake, MN- Wildlife Forever’s coalition of partners and bait shops across the Midwest are reminding anglers how to properly handle live bait after a day on the water. Releasing leftover bait into the environment can pose risk of spreading diseases and aquatic invasive species, which can have devastating effects. New custom bait bags and posters with the message “Don’t Let it Loose” are now available for distribution. The bags give instructions about how to properly dispose of the bait in the trash or how to keep it if planning to reuse it on the next trip.

Parasites, bacteria and viruses are of top concern, especially, VHS (viral hermorrhagic septicemia), which is a deadly fish virus first detected in the U.S. in 1988. Another concern is the water used to transport live bait from one waterbody to another. Anglers need to replace the water in their bait buckets with bottle or tap water when changing waterbodies. This is crucial because invasive species like spiny waterfea and zebra mussel larvae are very small and can unknowingly be transported in bait buckets.

Earthworms are no exception. Many earthworms are non-native to the U.S. and are causing serious damage to our woodland habitats. Once invaded, they alter soils and create conditions suitable for invasive plants. Dispose of unused worms in the trash, not on land.

“As an angler, I was frustrated by the lack of communication teaching anglers about the bait issue,” said Dane Huinker, Conservation Program Manager of Wildlife Forever. “By working directly with local governments and bait dealers, we’re directly reaching anglers with conservation best practices, which is the first step in changing behavior,” Dane said. Read more

Fishing

Knife Rights’ MI Preemption Bill Passes House

Lansing, Michigan: Knife Rights’ Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, was passed today by the House with a bipartisan vote of 69-41. HB 4066 is Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law preemption bill. The bill will now move to the Senate.

Knife Rights will let you know when it is time to contact your legislators to support HB 4066.

Knife Law Preemption is a Knife Rights criminal justice reform effort that nullifies existing ordinances and prevents new local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere within a state.

Knife Rights authored and passed the nation’s first Knife Law Preemption bill in Arizona in 2010 and has since passed preemption bills in Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America’s grassroots knife owners’ organization; Rewriting Knife Law in America™ and forging a Sharper Future for all Americans™. Knife Rights efforts have resulted in 33 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 23 states and over 150 cities and towns since 2010, as well as numerous litigation victories Read more

Cutlery

NSSF Praises Texas Gov. Abbott for Signing FIND Act

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the firearm industry trade association, praised Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for signing SB 19, the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act into law. The law will now prevent “woke” corporations from profiting from Texas tax dollars and using those profits to fund efforts to deny those same taxpayers their Second Amendment rights.

Gov. Abbott held a signing ceremony at San Antonio’s Alamo for the FIND Act, and other gun-related laws, including state constitutional carry of firearms and the NSSF-supported legislation prohibiting the state government from closing firearm-related businesses during emergencies.

“Governor Abbott and the Texas legislature sent a clear message that Texas is not willing to sell out the Second Amendment rights of her citizens. Governor Abbott recognizes it is wrong to compel freedom-loving Texans to fund corporate gun control,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “This is what bold and decisive leadership looks like. This is what it means to put principle before profit and what it means to put an end to corporate boardroom activism that openly discriminates against the firearm industry. The National Shooting Sports Foundation is grateful for Texas leading the way on this model legislation to protect our rights and end corporate discrimination against lawful businesses.” Read more

Firearms

UrgeMedia Partners with ATV Silencer

UrgeMedia is proud to announce its renewed partnership with ATV Silencer, helping them to reach all varieties of outdoor enthusiast with television placements, influencer marketing, and other digital marketing efforts through UrgeMedia’s marketing platform.

The Silencer Rider is one of the most valuable ATV/UTV accessories a hunter can have. The Silent Rider® is an auxiliary muffler that when attached to your stock/OEM exhaust system quiets the popping noise of your ATV/UTV’s stock muffler alone. It is easy to install and remove, giving you the flexibility to stalk your target in stealth, or have fun being loud. With The Silent Rider® installed, you can ride closer and walk less. The low rumble that our muffler system changes your exhaust sound to travels a much shorter distance away from your ATV/UTV. Check out https://atvsilencer.com to learn more.

Wildlife

Michigan: streams and lakes statewide will benefit from 17 Fisheries Habitat Grant projects

Seventeen fish habitat conservation projects in streams and lakes across the state will share more than $2.1 million in Fisheries Habitat Grants administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The projects, supported by an additional $616,000 in matching partner contributions, will rehabilitate and protect valuable fish habitat that provides the foundation for Michigan’s world-class fisheries. Eleven of the funded projects are priority habitat conservation projects as identified by the DNR.

The Fisheries Habitat Grant program provides funding for a variety of activities including fish habitat conservation, dam removal and repair, resource assessment studies and access to recreation opportunities like fishing. Funding from fishing license sales, State of Michigan general funds and a settlement with Consumers Energy is distributed through three grant areas: aquatic habitat conservation, dam management, and aquatic habitat and recreation in the Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon river watersheds.

Joe Nohner, a resource analyst with the DNR Fisheries Division, said the funded projects will protect and rehabilitate fish habitats across the state, while in many cases improving public safety by removing dams.

“When completed, these projects will reconnect fish passage on over 250 miles of streams, including coldwater habitats that provide greater resilience to warming on some of the state’s premier trout and salmon rivers such as the Au Sable, Boardman, Pere Marquette and Muskegon,” Nohner said. “We’ll also be able to get valuable new information about inland lake aquatic vegetation, mussel populations and northern Michigan trout streams, which means even more effective resource management.”

Projects funded by the Fisheries Habitat Grant program include: Read more

Fishing

Michigan: Walleye Fishing Clinic  

There’s still time to sign up for the Outdoor Skills Academy Walleye Fishing Clinic, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 19 at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon.

Pro walleye tournament angler Dan Miller will cover walleye fishing from A to Z. Learn about seasonal activities, how to set up your boat and more. DNR staff will be on hand to answer any rules and regulations questions you may have. Plus, a master taxidermist will offer tips on how to care for your trophy fish when you catch it and want to have it mounted.

Cost for the class is $45, which includes lunch and instruction.

To register, go to Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses and click on the “Purchase a license” button. Sign in (using either a username and password or your ID and birthdate), and find the class under the Outdoor Skills Academy tab.

For more information, contact the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center at 231-779-1321.

If you would like to stay overnight, please contact the RAM Center at 989-821-6200 for reservations with meals included. Cost is $80 for an overnight stay with dinner and breakfast.

General

Michigan duck stamps and prints available now

The Michigan Duck Hunters Association, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, has introduced the 2021 collector’s-edition Michigan duck stamp and prints.

The Michigan Duck Stamp Program was established in 1976 and has become an icon for waterfowl hunters and wetland conservation enthusiasts. During the past 44 years, the program has gained popularity with collectors and conservation groups throughout the U.S.

The Michigan Duck Hunters Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to waterfowl and wetland conservation, coordinates the program in partnership with the DNR. Proceeds from stamp sales will be used to fund MDHA projects, with 10% used to match DNR funding for purchasing, restoring and enhancing wetlands.

Read more

Wildlife

Greater Chicago Campaign Targets Illegal Gun Purchases

Des Plaines, Ill. — As part of an ongoing national effort to help prevent illegal “straw” purchases of firearms, the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are reminding the Greater Chicago area public that stiff penalties are in place for individuals convicted of such unlawful purchases. The campaign is in its 21st year and is a cornerstone of the cooperative relationship of the firearm industry, law enforcement and retailers.

Billboard, radio, streaming audio and digital advertisements for the Don’t Lie For the Other Guy program have been purchased by NSSF in key locations throughout the region with the message: “Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 10 years in jail. Don’t Lie For the Other Guy.”

The month-long public awareness campaign was officially launched today with a short press conference program at Maxon Shooters Supplies and Indoor Range in Des Plaines, Ill. Present at the event were representatives of the ATF Chicago Field Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana and NSSF.

The Chicago area “Don’t Lie” includes more than 33 outdoor billboards, digital bulletin boards and posters. There are also more than 150 radio spots playing and more than 2 million digital streaming radio service impressions. On social media, “Don’t Lie” advertisements total nearly 2.5 million targeted geo-fenced online mobile advertisements and almost 1 million Facebook and Instagram impressions. Chicago was chosen for this special campaign by ATF. No taxpayer dollars are used. The program is funded in full by the firearm industry.

“The firearm industry has always been focused on keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not possess them. We are proud of our more than two-decade cooperative relationship with the ATF, the DOJ and the entire law enforcement community to assist them in their collective efforts to reduce criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. Read more

Firearms

Smith & Wesson M&P Spec Series Kit

Limited Edition M&P Spec Series Kit includes M&P9 M2.0™ OR pistol, M&P knife, and challenge coin

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Smith & Wesson announced today that it has released a new, M&P Spec Series Kit, complete with an exclusive M&P9 M2.0 OR Full Size Spec Series pistol and Crimson Trace optic. The limited edition M&P Spec Series kit also ships with an M&P fixed blade knife, a custom M&P Spec Series Challenge Coin, and custom fit plastic case. The new M&P9 M2.0 OR Spec Series pistol features a two-tone finish, threaded barrel, optics ready slide, suppressor height sights, and more.

Vince Perreault, Senior Brand Manager, said, “The M&P Spec Series is a limited edition offering with an exclusive pistol that features the best enhancements our M&P line has to offer – an optics ready slide, threaded barrel, two-tone color combination, and more. As an added bonus, the M&P Spec Series Kit includes an M&P fixed blade knife and a custom challenge coin that’s sure to excite enthusiasts.”

The new M&P9 M2.0 OR Spec Series full-size pistol is chambered in 9mm and features the full set of M&P M2.0 enhancements, as well as a 17+1 round capacity. Equipped with a 4.6” threaded barrel, this exclusive pistol features a two-tone finish with a black frame and a flat dark earth, optics- ready slide equipped with suppressor height night sights. The pistol also ships with a Crimson Trace® CTS-1500 red dot, providing the ultimate flexibility on configuration. Read more

Firearms

Bushnell® Releases New and Improved H2O™ Waterproof Binoculars

Image

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, has announced upgrades to its full lineup of H2O™ waterproof binoculars, with nine refreshed models now available.

The new and improved H2O line is built around an updated aluminum body which provides the binoculars with unmatched durability, as well as a lightweight, all-day carry design. Combine this with the H2O’s non-slip, aggressive texture rubber housing, and the results are purpose-built binoculars that can stand up to any conditions, whether camping in the woods, on a road trip, or at the beach.

Like previous models, the new H2O binoculars feature IPX7 waterproof and fogproof construction making them the ultimate on-the-water viewing companions. All H2O models are also standard with a fully multi-coated, all glass optical system. This combination of features, along with BAK-4 prisms, give these optics enhanced contrast, resolution, and light transmission – even in the worst conditions. Read more

Optics
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