Firminator: Best Cultipacker Makes Food Plots Healthier

It starts with the soil. Ensuring your soil has the proper chemical composition is critical to food plot success, but it doesn’t stop there. The physical condition of the soil is just as important. This is why components like the Firminator’s built-in cultipacker are so essential in allowing you to get the job done right, and more efficiently.

Before you can plan your food plot, you need to prepare the site by turning the soil. Shortening the top link on the Firminator’s main pitch adjustment leans the implement more heavily onto its disk assembly for a deeper cut into sod and stubborn soil. Switching to a mid-range setting gives varying degrees of disk depth, while simultaneously allowing the built-in cultipacker to maintain good ground contact. This helps break apart clods while leveling and firming the soil.

One of the most important, yet often overlooked steps in maximizing the productivity of your food plots is compacting, or “firming,” the soil. This improves seed-to-soil contact, which dramatically improves germination rates and plant growth. This also saves you time, money and effort that would otherwise be wasted on poorer growing crops. Proper firmination means better germination. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

National Safe Boating Week is May 22–28

The nation’s largest recreational boating safety event of the year, National Safe Boating Week, is May 22–28, serves as a reminder to boaters to keep safety front and center all season long. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers three tips for boaters to be safety heroes on the water.

  1. The best life jacket is the one you will wear, meaning one that’s comfortable. There are many lightweight inflatable life jackets that fit the bill. Check the jacket’s label to ensure it’s approved for your type of boating. If the kids are visiting, don’t be tempted to put a child in an ill-fitting adult life jacket.
  2. Boating safety reports indicate that operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents. Focus on eliminating these factors by putting down the cellphone, practicing using S.C.A.N. procedures to avoid distracted boating, taking a free boating safety course, slowing down, and driving more defensively, especially in congested boating areas. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, so save the celebration for after the boat is safely tied up for the night. Boat operators also need to recognize they are responsible for the safety of their guests, including inebriated ones.
  3. Remember to wear an engine cutoff switch if your boat is less than 26-feet, traveling on plane or above displacement speed. Engine cutoff switches can prevent boat strike injuries after an operator has been ejected from the vessel or displaced from the helm.

Sidebar: What Is SCAN? Read more

Fishing

NSSF Welcomes FFL Protection Act Introduction in U.S. House of Representatives

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the firearm industry trade association, welcomes and fully-supports U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb’s (D-Pa.) introduction of H.R. 3252, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act. The bipartisan bill would strengthen and enhance criminal penalties for thefts of firearms from federally licensed firearm retailers. It sends a strong message to those violent criminals engaging in these illicit activities and helps provide for safer communities, assists law enforcement and protects the livelihoods of firearm retailers.

“The bill sends the clear message that Congress will not tolerate criminals who victimize firearm retailers in order to further prey upon and threaten communities,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “The firearm industry is grateful to Congressman Lamb and the bipartisan cosponsors for reaching across the aisle to provide those firearm retailers who follow the law the protection they deserve. We are further grateful that this legislation properly assigns the blame where it is warranted and tells criminals that Congress and the firearm industry will hold those committing crime responsible for their reprehensible actions.”

The Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act builds on the efforts NSSF has taken to address robbery and burglary of firearms through the partnership with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on Operation Secure Store®. As part of Operation Secure Store, NSSF matches ATF reward offers for information regarding these crimes that leads to the arrest and conviction of the criminals responsible and recovery of the stolen firearms. Additionally, NSSF helps educate firearm retailers on steps they can take to reduce the chance guns will be stolen from them during a burglary or robbery, and in cooperation with ATF, conducts retailer store security seminars, assists retailers with store security audits of their premises and endorses and promotes the use of security products like smash resistant display cases. Read more

Firearms

Pope & Young Ultimate Dream Raffle

May 17, 2021- Pope and Young, America’s leading bowhunting organization announces the Ultimate Dream Raffle. The Ultimate Dream Raffle allows one lucky winner to select from one of four, once in a lifetime, hunting experiences:

If your ticket is drawn you will then be able to choose your hunt from the following truly remarkable opportunities:

This amazing opportunity represents the largest raffle Pope & Young has ever put on, and you won’t want to miss your opportunity to win! Tickets can be purchased in the following packages: (1) for $100, (4) for $300, or (15) for $1,000. Read more

Hunting

Springfield Armory Releases 15-Round Hellcat Magazine

GENESEO, ILL. – Springfield Armory® has taken its Hellcat® pistol — the smallest, highest capacity micro-compact 9mm handgun in the world — and increased its already impressive capacity with the new 15-round Hellcat magazine. The result is a micro-sized 9mm pistol with an astounding 15+1 capacity comparable to compact and duty-sized pistols, yet in a package that is smaller than similarly configured, lower-capacity competitors.

The new magazine, which is only slightly longer than the 13-round extended version, is currently available directly from Springfield Armory with an MSRP of $39.95 and will soon be available from Springfield retailers as well. It is offered in both black and Desert FDE.

The Hellcat is available in both standard and OSP™ (Optical Sight Pistol) versions, with the latter featuring slides cut to accept the smallest micro red dot sights on the market. The micro 9mm ships with a patented 11-round magazine as well as an extended 13-round magazine, and this newest magazine will allow users to have a full 15+1 rounds of 9mm ammo ready to go. Read more

Firearms

PROOF Research Tundra Rifle

PROOF Research®’s newest long-range hunting platform, the Tundra rifle, is designed to meet the toughest and most challenging hunting environments and won’t weigh you down getting there.

Columbia Falls, Mont. – PROOF Research®, an innovator in precision rifle technology, announces their latest model rifle to hit the market: the Tundra rifle. Combining the adjustability and performance of a tactical rifle, with the design necessary to meet the demands of high-country hunting, the Tundra rifle is an exceptional long-range, lightweight hunting rifle.

The Tundra bolt-action rifle is the next generation of PROOF Research’s popular hunting rifle, the Terminus. With a starting weight of only 7 lbs. 3 oz., the Tundra, and its carbon fiber stock and a Sendero contour carbon fiber barrel, keep weight to a minimum without sacrificing any of PROOF Research’s “Terminally” accurate sub ½ MOA accuracy. Read more

Firearms

New Hobie Mirage Lynx Blends Kayak into Low Profile Hybrid

Highly portable, lightweight kayak with MirageDrive 180 propulsion system is perfect for touring, exploring and fishing on the go.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (May 17, 2021) – Kayak fishing fans who like to travel light are going to love the latest addition to the ever-growing Hobie fleet. The all-new Mirage Lynx kayak is a sleek, lightweight and rugged platform designed specifically for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts who want the flexibility and versatility to load and launch their vessel with minimal effort on a moment’s notice.

Hobie, the leading manufacturer of premium kayaks and watersport products, looked to minimize weight and maximize fun with Lynx’s clever configuration. With a hull weight of just 45 pounds, the 11’ long by 36” wide Lynx boasts a 350-pound capacity yet is easy to transport, rugged, fast, and exceptionally stable. A hard-shell spin-off of Hobie’s proven inflatable 11 design, the Lynx features ACE TEC construction for rigidity and durability, a removeable rudder system for optimal steering control, and a premium MirageDrive 180 propulsion system with Kick-Up Fin technology that affords maximum control with forward and reverse pedaling, even in shallow water. A V-hull entry, wide bow, and innovative waterflow tunnel system combine to ensure ultimate maneuverability allowing kayakers to push back into lilies, stick-ups, reeds, mangroves and shallow pockets inaccessible to others, while keeping hands free to execute that perfect cast or frame up the ideal photograph.

“This really is a fun and practical kayak,” says Morgan Promnitz, Hobie’s Director of Fishing Development. “In addition to touring and exploring, it’s a great option for pursuing inshore species such as redfish, snook, sea trout, stripers, bluefish, summer flounder and other sporty or tasty fish species, especially in back bay waters. Freshwater anglers will also find it an ideal platform for chasing bass, trout, walleye, pike and panfish. It’s absolutely perfect for anglers who take a minimalist approach and bring along only a couple rods plus a tackle bag. Still, if you want to load it up with gear, it comes H-Crate-ready and has additional bow storage with Bungee tie downs. This boat also sports scupper holes for a live well or live bait tank and comes ready to install fishing electronics and a Power-Pole® anchor system. The Lynx is easy to transport and that is what makes it so exciting to me; you can slip it off your vehicle and carry it under an arm like a surfboard or use one of our kayak carts to get it to the water’s edge. Load one on top of another for transport because the flat profile allows you to stack several Lynxes on your roof racks!”

Intelligently designed for both user comfort and battling the elements, the new Mirage Lynx has a low profile for added stability but its elevated and breathable mono-mesh fabric seat improves visibility while keeping kayakers cool, comfortable and above the spray in a moderate chop. A seatback storage pouch makes it easy to keep important items like car keys, wallets and cell phones in a dry bag within reach.

The new Lynx platform also includes molded-in tracks for mounting accessories, an EVA standing pad, and ample cargo room that can be utilized for a variety of applications. The Hobie H-Bar standing support can easily be added for maximum stability. For the ultimate package, effortlessly add more accessories by upgrading to a Hobie H-Rail mounting platform with integrated, patented RAM® Hand-Track™. Hobie’s optional Sail Kit and Bimini Sunshade can also be added using the accessory mount. Aside from its feathery light weight, additional features like ergonomic handles and loading pads make transporting the Lynx hassle free. Read more

Fishing

Every Yard Counts!

Enjoy the birds that visit your yard, and watch for a new arrivals as they migrate north, and perhaps you will see a new species. Watch the low underbrush for a Mourning Warbler (above) if you are in the East – a MacGillivray’s Warbler if you’re in the West (photo by Paul Konrad).

For migrating birds, as well as nesting birds, every yard counts – every tree and scrub and flower garden counts – and the food in every feeder counts, every type of feeder food counts in a feeding station, and every bird bath or other water feature counts! Everything we do individually makes a difference, and all the things each of us does for birds combines with the efforts of other birders so it all adds up to provide millions of backyard habitats, office habitats, schoolyard habitats, churchyards, city parks, and more. Think of each one as an island, then think about how they interconnect to form tracts of habitat, and towns of habitat, and it all means so much to migrating and nesting birds – starting with your yard, and expanding across the country, the continent, and the hemisphere!

It’s that time of the year when all you have done for birds in your property really pays off in the form of the variety and number of birds that come to your yard. That includes new birds and rare birds that only stop by once or twice a year, or every couple years – but especially resident birds and nesting birds. Your yard is most important for birds that will stay for May, June, and July to nest nearby and visit daily; then bring their fledglings to your yard to benefit from all you provide.

That’s all very important! Providing for vulnerable migrants and nesting birds is highly commendable, so be sure to give yourself credit as you enjoy the birds you have attracted as a benefactor. Take time to enjoy the birds, watch for them, appreciate them when they appear, drink in their beauty and their nature, appreciate what you’ve done, take a few photos, and appreciate you are richer for the birds that surround you. These weeks of May could be the best of the year to appreciate the fruits of your landscaping, your choice of feeders, the variety of foods you provide along with the fresh water so necessary for birds – the best of backyard birding is providing a total package for birds.

Share your backyard birding experiences and photos at editorstbw2@gmail.com

Wildlife

Fire danger is high around Michigan; be careful with campfires, debris burning and other activities

Fire danger is high around the state; be careful with campfires, debris burning and other activities

Whether you plan to get in some early-season camping, hit the trail on an ORV or clean up dead wood around your property, keep in mind that fire danger is high in many parts of Michigan this weekend.

“Even though the landscape is green, our forests and grasses are very dry,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist with the Forest Resources Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “A fire can escape and move quickly due to the dry air and dry fuels.” Fuels includes things such as dry grass, brush and downed tree branches.

If you build a campfire or a bonfire, enjoy the dancing flames but never leave the fire unattended, even for a moment. Make sure you always have water on hand while the fire is burning. Douse your fire with water, stir the ashes and douse with water again before going to bed or leaving the site. Read more

Wildlife

Federal Ammunition Supports Boone and Crockett Club Poach & Pay Research

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Boone and Crockett Club announced today that Federal Ammunition will be supporting the Club’s Poach & Pay project as a Trailblazer in Conservation. The three-year sponsorship agreement will provide consistent support for this critical research and policy project and generally support the Club’s overall conservation mission. For over 130 years, the Boone and Crockett Club has led the way on hunting ethics and the Poach & Pay project continues this tradition in an effort to raise the stakes against wildlife crime. Trailblazer in Conservation is the highest, mission-focused partnership level available with the Club and many of the sponsors are directing their support toward this flagship anti-poaching effort.

“Federal and our other ammunition brands of CCI, Remington, and Hevi-SHOT greatly value the Boone and Crockett Club’s extensive history of fighting for conservation and hunter rights, and their latest leadership in initiating the Poach & Pay project continues this tradition,” commented Federal’s Conservation Manager, Jon Zinnel. “We believe this commitment to finding the real cost of wildlife crimes and helping develop policies that will deter future crimes are essential to clearly show the difference between law-abiding hunters and poachers.”

The Boone and Crockett Club’s Poach & Pay research will assess the barriers to prosecuting poachers, evaluate the detection rate and conservation impacts of wildlife crime, describe the motivational factors and potential deterrents that influence poachers, and provide solutions to improve prosecution and conviction rates, as well as a defensible framework for poaching penalties. In addition, the Poach & Pay outreach campaign will arm U.S. sportsmen and women with real poaching data that clearly separates poaching from hunting. Federal’s culture of innovation has guided their company since it was founded in 1922. The company has long supported conservation efforts both through the excise taxes it pays on the sale of ammunition through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration program, as well as through philanthropic support of conservation and advocacy organizations working to continue the future of hunting, shooting, and wildlife management. Read more

Poachers, Wildlife
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