Michigan DNR and MSU celebrate 20 years of lake sturgeon research and management

For the past 20 years, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University have focused on lake sturgeon management, hatchery production, research and outreach at Cheboygan County’s Black Lake.

To celebrate this milestone, the DNR and MSU invite the public to attend an event celebrating lake sturgeon restoration efforts on May 7 at the Black River spawning site at 11 a.m. before continuing at the Black River streamside research and hatchery facility at 1 p.m.

The event will showcase the restoration work of this iconic species, recognize the important contributions of partners and raise public awareness of lake sturgeon. Attendees will have a chance to observe fisheries staff collect data from spawning lake sturgeon as well as go on a hatchery tour. Additional activities will recognize the contributions of agency, academic, industry and citizen partners who have made sustained sturgeon renewal efforts possible.

Rehabilitation of lake sturgeon in the Cheboygan River watershed is a cooperative effort involving the DNR, the Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow, Michigan State University, Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership, the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Read more

Fishing

SK Customs Releases The MANA in Stainless

HAYMARKET, VA –– SK Customs® is proud to announce the second iteration of the MANA in a stainless design. This limited-edition firearm is part of a series of Polynesian warrior inspired handguns.

The MANA, like its predecessors, is presented on a full-size Colt Classic 1911 Series 70 .38 Super, now in a polished stainless-steel frame, slide and accents. The high polished silver national matched barrel has 24 karat gold plated and high polished selective hardware with etched motifs inspired by Polynesian Ethos. Complemented by a diamond-studded factory front staked sight, the MANA comes with a newly debuted super bright white ivory polymer engraved grip.

Each MANA comes accompanied with a custom knife from the French manufacturer Deejo(r). The knife is high polished in stainless steel, weighs 37g, is etched with the Polynesian motifs to match the art designed on the MANA and comes with a composite turtle shell handle engraved “SK Customs – The MANA.”

MANA is defined as the spiritual life’s forces of energy or healing power that permeates the universe. In the Polynesian culture, anyone can have MANA as it’s a cultivation or possession of energy and power. The quality of MANA is not limited to individuals, people, governments, and places. Inanimate objects may also possess MANA. Read more

Firearms

Antlers, furs of illegally killed wildlife in Utah to be sold at auction

SALT LAKE CITY — An auction will be held later this month to sell hundreds of antlers and furs that Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers have seized during poaching investigations or otherwise got possession of during the past six years.

A public preview for the auction will be held on Monday, April 25, from 2-6 p.m. at the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range at 6000 W. 2100 South in Salt Lake City. The public is invited to do a walk-through to see the hundreds of antlers, dozens of bobcat furs and various other items — including some forfeited bows and traps — that will be auctioned.

The auction will be held online through the TNT Auction website starting the afternoon of April 25 and will close April 26. Anyone interested in bidding on an item must pre-register on the TNT Auction website prior to the start of the auction. All items must be paid for and removed from the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range facility grounds, by 7 p.m. April 26.

These auctions have been happening for several decades, and are typically held every four years. However, this one was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. The last antler auction was held in 2016. Read more

Poachers, Wildlife

B&T USA Introduces 16-inch SPC9 Carbine

Tampa, FL – B&T USA is excited to introduce its 16-inch barreled model of its all-new SPC9-series. Born from a European tender requesting a 9mm carbine with the same handling characteristics and ergonomics as the AR platform; the all-new SPC9 incorporates many of the features found on the B&T APC9, MP5 and?AR platforms combined into one, very versatile platform. Lightweight and reliable, well balanced and accurate, safe and modular — the SPC9 checks all the boxes and is one of the lightest recoiling 9mm carbines available, thanks in part to B&T’s innovative and effective hydraulic buffer system.

“The new 16-inch barreled SPC9 is a PCC competitors dream — the carbine is incredibly flat shooting, handles like a race car and has minimal recoil thanks to B&T’s effective hydraulic buffer system” said Jon Scott, Vice President of Sales, B&T USA. “We expect the SPC9 16-inch to dominate both at home and on the competitive field, thanks to an ideal formula of features. Those in search of a premium home defense solution would be well served by this very lightweight, well balanced and incredibly easy to shoot well platform — flatteringly so. Most importantly the SPC9 has a proven record of reliability, produced by a company who has built its reputation on being dependable in the most austere conditions imaginable.”

Some of the features found on the SPC9 are time proven while others are state-of-the-art and modern. One of the unique features of SPC9-series is that it is equipped with two different charging handle systems. One of these is the handle found on AR platforms, while the other is a non-reciprocating, foldable charging handle located above the barrel. This gives the user the choice to use whatever manual of arms that is preferred; both systems are ambidextrous. Read more

Firearms

DC Project Message to Gun Control Groups

?We’re of Offense Now!

Indiana, PA – – The DC Project, Women for Gun Rights, a nationwide grassroots organization of women dedicated to safeguarding the Second Amendment, today released a new video titled, We’re on Offense Now. The educational video explains the truth about the demonization of gun owners and that misinformation about responsible gun ownership will no longer be tolerated.

“I have listened to their lies, and I have taken their punches, but I refuse to stay silent any longer,” declares Dianna Muller, Founder of the DC Project, at the beginning of the piece. “If we expect to preserve our Constitutional rights, we cannot continue to sit on the sidelines. We must speak up and have conversations today. The truth is powerful, so please share this video.”

We're On Offense Now

DC Project Advisory Board member Beth Walker discusses the organization’s reach and how it reflects every facet of women in America who own guns. “The individuals who are vocal gun control proponents have no idea what responsible firearms owners look like. They are surprised to learn that women own or even want guns. They simply cannot imagine that moms, daughters, and grandmas exercise their freedom to choose firearms as a way to defend themselves. Help us show them the truth with this video,” she asks.

We’re on Offense Now also features professional shooter and Venezuelan immigrant Gabby Franco. She saw first-hand what happened in her country when the right to bear arms was stripped from its citizens. “Anti-gun messaging drove the people of my homeland to accept the lies that convinced them to relinquish their freedoms. Their consent left my people unable to protect themselves from tyranny.” Read more

Gun Control

Georgia the 25th State to Enact Permitless Carry Legislation

Gov. Kemp continues the positive trend of pro-civil rights expansion by joining eight other state governors who chose individual liberty over tyranny during the past two years

ATLANTA – Firearms Policy Coalition issued the following statement in response to Governor Brian Kemp signing Senate Bill 319. Effective immediately, the law removes concealed carry permit requirements for adults 21 years of age or older who are not otherwise prohibited from owning a firearm. Under this new law, the existing system remains optional for residents who still want to have a permit.

While tyrants at the local, state, and federal levels regurgitate tired and disproven arguments in their efforts to eviscerate the Second Amendment, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has chosen to advance liberty by signing permitless carry legislation passed by state lawmakers of both houses earlier this month. The FPC-supported Senate Bill 319 rightfully eliminates the unconstitutional permit requirement for people to carry concealed or open, and codifies the inalienable, natural right to defend one’s life. Read more

Self Defense

Michigan: Inland Fishing Surveys Critical to Management

Contact: Jay Wesley, 616-490-5090

Collecting key data on Michigan’s world-class fisheries is critical for successful management of our diverse fisheries resources. Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries management units completed over 260 fisheries surveys across Michigan in 2021. Specifically, DNR fisheries staff surveyed 152 inland lakes and 115 streams.

Overall, the surveys revealed that most of our lakes and streams have healthy, self-sustaining populations of fish.

The surveys are useful for tracking inland fisheries populations, evaluating if stocking increases angler opportunities or addressing concerns from anglers throughout the year.

So, just what are crews looking for?

According to Jay Wesley, DNR Fisheries Division Lake Michigan basin coordinator, surveys fall into three categories:

  1. Evaluating management actions.
  2. Understanding status and trends.
  3. Finding answers to new questions or concerns.

“The management units stepped up last year and safely conducted these surveys to evaluate if management actions, like fish stocking or habitat improvement projects, had the desired effect,” Wesley said. “Surveys help us understand whether or not our management actions resulted in better recreational fishing in certain areas or improved a lake’s overall health.” Read more

Fishing

Fish stocking creates fishing opportunities throughout Michigan

Have you seen fish stocking trucks out on the road this spring? We’re in the midst of our spring fish stocking season. This time of year, you’ll find Michigan Department of Natural Resources fish stocking trucks releasing their prized recreational cargo at hundreds of lakes and streams throughout the state.

Fish stocking is a valuable tool used by fisheries managers for different reasons, including:

  • Restoring ecosystem balance.
  • Providing diverse fishing opportunities.
  • Rehabilitating low fish populations.
  • Reintroducing extirpated (locally extinct) species.

The DNR does not stock on top of wild populations when it can be avoided. Fish production staff take great pride in the quality of the fish they produce, but – when feasible – prefer relying on naturally reproducing fish that are adapted to their local ecosystem.

However, there are instances where the combination of angling pressure and habitat limitations keep wild fish from maintaining the desired population level on their own. In those instances, hatchery fish are stocked to supplement natural reproduction.

The DNR accomplishes this work by rearing fish at its six fish production facilities throughout the state; cooperatively managing up to 29 rearing ponds and six Great Lakes imprinting net pen/pond locations (which help developing fish return to spawning waters when mature); and by maintaining a fleet of 18 specialized fish stocking vehicles. Read more

Fishing

NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative Announces Inaugural Funding

Contact Pete Muller at (803) 637-7698 or pmuller@nwtf.net

EDGEFIELD, S.C.— The National Wild Turkey Federation launched its new Waterways for Wildlife Initiative by awarding 14 high-priority conservation projects with funds totaling $2,807,947 with partner match.

“We are extremely proud to begin delivering on-the-ground conservation within the first year of the Waterways for Wildlife Initiative,” said Jared McJunkin, NWTF director of conservation operations for the central region. “The fast-building momentum of this initiative is a result of our strong conservation partnerships and the all-encompassing work our Waterways for Wildlife seeks to accomplish. It was really easy to bring a diverse group of partners to the table for the common good.”
NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative was announced just last year in November and requested proposals for conservation projects that will enhance wildlife habitat along rivers and streams, while improving the critical water resources these areas provide, primarily in NWTF’s Great Open Spaces Region in the Big Six of Wildlife Conservation. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Mini 3-D Bear Shot Placement Model Available from National Bowhunter Education Foundation

The Mini 3-D Durable Foam Bear Model is an excellent tool for hunter education classes and hunter certification courses.

Mini 3-D Bear Shot Placement Model Available from National Bowhunter Education Foundation

Improve accuracy and reduce game recovery time

RAPID CITY, SD (April 12, 2022) – The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) offers educational items to increase success and safety for bowhunters. Bear hunters can refer to this effective tool to improve shot accuracy for a quick harvest and game recovery.

The Mini 3-D Durable Foam Bear Model is an excellent tool for hunter education classes and hunter certification courses. Made exclusively for the NBEF by Rinehart Targets, the realistic model is molded from high quality, durable foam. The reverse side is cut away to show vital organs and major bones. Use the included stick pin to demonstrate shot placement. The model is 12.5” long and 8.25” high. Suggested retail is $7,5 but the re-introductory sale price is $65. Read more

Archery, Hunting
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