Montana: Wolf Report Shows Stable Population Numbers Through 2021

HELENA – Wolf numbers and distribution continue to be stable across Montana, according to numbers released Monday in the 2021 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wolf Report.

“What the data shows us really isn’t surprising,” said FWP Director Hank Worsech. “Our management of wolves, including ample hunting and trapping opportunities, have kept numbers at a relatively stable level during the past several years.”

In understanding this report, people must keep in mind that population trends are monitored by the calendar year, in this case 2021, which is consistent with how FWP and other agencies have tracked wolf populations since the 1980s and how wolf populations are tracked in other areas. However, the wolf hunting and trapping season ended March 15, 2022. The harvest realized during this first three months of 2022 isn’t reflected in the 2021 wolf population estimate.

Another interesting aspect of the data is that wolf trapping efforts were down this license year from past years. This means fewer trappers were on the landscape. Potential reasons for this include unfavorable weather conditions during the trapping season. Read more

Wildlife

‘Lodge and Learn’ on Higgins Lake for a summer camp-like experience

Find your favorite people and come explore the great outdoors, learn new skills and make memories that will last a lifetime with Lodge and Learn at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, on the northern shore of Higgins Lake in Roscommon.

Designed for multiple generations to enjoy, this all-inclusive package for up to 12 people – offered Aug. 12-14, Aug. 19-21 and Aug. 29-31 – is like a private summer camp for your friends and family. Your group can lodge at the RAM Center and learn about local wildlife, Michigan ecosystems and outdoor skills.

The package includes three days filled with your choice of summer-camp style programs provided by your own nature educator, two nights of lodging for your group, an evening bonfire with s’mores, use of kayaks for those over 16, and all your meals for one rate of $2,200 for the stay!

Select your favorite Lodge and Learn programs when you register. Read more

Wildlife

Des Moines PD Adopts EOTECH BinoNV Night-Vision Goggles

Plymouth, MI (August 2, 2022) – EOTECH is pleased to announce the Des Moines Police Department has adopted the BinoNV night-vision goggle for use in SWAT and special operations. DMPD is the largest and most urban law enforcement agency in the state of Iowa with over 370 sworn officers.

In January of 2022, EOTECH launched a full line of customized, military-grade night vision devices and thermal imagers for distribution and service to US and select international markets.

“We are extremely honored that the Des Moines Police Department selected the BinoNV as their dedicated night-vision goggle solution,” said John Parra, Law Enforcement Manager for EOTECH. “This selection, along with other agencies across the country, validates the incredible quality, ruggedness and performance our new line of night-vision and thermal products provides.” Read more

Optics

National Bowhunter Education Foundation Invites You To R100 National Archery Tour In Saginaw MI

RAPID CITY, SD (August 1, 2022) – The R100 National Archery Tour heads to Saginaw MI, August 5-7, 2022. This event is hosted in partnership with Saginaw Field & Stream Club.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) sponsors the R100 – a family friendly 3D archery circuit that works with clubs to host R100 events across the United States. All events use the same format including two 50-target ranges (the Safari Range and North American Range). Specialty shoots are offered each day. NBEF is sponsoring the popular circuit’s Steel Forest specialty shoot. Participants will attempt to shoot 3D whitetail targets through a forest of steel tree obstacles to test their skill. A lucky and skilled participant who makes the shot will be rewarded with a Mini 3D Deer. The Mini 3D Deer durable foam model is made exclusively for NBEF by Rinehart Targets to show vital organs and demonstrate shot placement. Other specialty shoots include the Kid Zone with dinosaur targets and two NASP targets, the Badlands Iron Buck Shoot, and HHA USA Whitetails for Warriors Shoot.

NBEF is partnering with R100 to spread NBEF’s message about its safety and success-focused bowhunter ed classes, and informational materials and to enthusiastically support the industry.

“This is a fun way for NBEF to engage with archers and get them interested in bowhunting,” explained Marilyn Bentz, NBEF Executive Director. “We appreciate that these events appeal to youth and adults. The unique targets and shooting situations really take these events to the next level.”

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the National Bowhunter Education Foundation as a way to promote the sport of archery as well as ethical hunting practices,” explained R100 Co- owner Brittany Rinehart. “We look forward to educating shooters all over the country as well as providing them with a fun, enjoyable archery event,” added R100 Co-owner Brad Rinehart.

Enjoy the friendly competition at this or one of the other R100 events. Spectators are also welcome.

 

Upcoming 2022 R100 Events

August 5-7 – Saginaw MI in partnership with Saginaw Field & Stream Club Read more

Archery

Michigan DNR has Fall Employment Opportunities

Fall is a busy season for the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division.

We hire seasonal employees to work at various locations throughout the state, including DNR field offices, customer service centers and state game areas.

These positions involve duties like chronic wasting disease surveillance, conducting drawings for waterfowl hunting areas, entering database information, assisting the public with questions and more. The jobs are perfect for college students, those looking to reenter the workforce and seniors or retirees interested in getting more involved in the outdoors.

Get more details (including contact information) on these seasonal wildlife job opportunities by visiting Michigan.gov/DNRJobs and looking for the seasonal wildlife positions section.

The application period is open through Aug. 14. 

 

Wildlife

DNR to make Craig Lake State Park backcountry campsites reservation-only

All 22 designated backcountry campsites within Craig Lake State Park will transition to reservation-only sites beginning with the 2023 camping season to help combat park natural resource degradation and make it easier to locate campers in emergency situations.

The 2023 backcountry camping season will run from through Nov. 1, 2023. Reservations are available six months in advance, which means camping reservations will become available beginning Nov. 20, 2022. Reservations can be made at midnrreservations.com or by calling 1-800-44PARKS.

Annual visitation for Craig Lake State Park has continued to climb the last few years seeing just shy of 69,000 visitors in 2021.

“These changes will help to alleviate some of the natural resource degradation issues that are tied closely to unauthorized, dispersed camping,” said Craig Lake State Park Supervisor Debra Gill. “By visitors being able to reserve the campsites in advance, they can plan their trips and see what sites are, or are not, available. We are hopeful that this will help eliminate the unauthorized dispersed camping we are seeing when campsites are full.” Read more

General

Coons in Can

Found these guys in my feed can this morning.

Nice Place to Visit

They’re all young ones but ingenious enough to lift the lid on the feed can.  They sure didn’t want to leave but I convinced them they couldn’t stay there.

Wildlife

NSSF Denounces Unconstitutional Gun Ban Passed by U.S. House of Representatives

NEWTOWN, Conn. — NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, condemns the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, as amended. The legislation ignores the Constitutional right, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, for law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms that are in common use. NSSF estimates that there are over 24.4 million Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) in circulation in America between 1990 and 2020.

“This legislation is as dangerous as it is revealing of the contempt for which the House Democrats hold for the Constitution and the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Chairman Jerrold Nadler admitted during debate in his committee that he didn’t care the legislation was unconstitutional and defied Supreme Court precedent. Democratic representatives are not fulfilling the interest of ‘the People,’ instead representing special-interest gun control groups that seek to disarm law-abiding citizens and scapegoat them for crimes committed by others.” Read more

Gun Control

Springfield Armory Announces Exclusive Two-Tone Stainless Hellcat and Hellcat OSP Pistols

GENESEO, ILL. (08/01/22) – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the release of two-tone stainless steel Hellcat® and Hellcat® OSP™ micro 9mm pistols, exclusive variants developed specifically for sale by distributor Sports South.

The Hellcat and Hellcat OSP (which stands for “Optical Sight Pistol”) have proven themselves to be class-leading concealed carry options. The 3? barreled micro compact pistols feature an impressive capacity of 11+1 with their patented magazine, and 13+1 with the included extended mag. Both offerings ship with one 11-round magazine with pinky extension and optional flush-fitting floorplate as well as the 13-round extended magazine.

In addition, the OSP version features a removable cover plate that allows direct mounting of a micro red dot in the Springfield Micro™ footprint for the lowest possible profile. This allows for co-witnessing with the pistol’s U-Dot™ sight system, made up of a high visibility tritium and luminescent front sight paired with a tactical rack U-notch rear. The U-Dot sights are offered on both the OSP and standard model. Read more

Firearms

B&T USA Delivers Exclusive GHM9 SD Model to the Armories

Tampa, FL (August 1, 2022) – B&T USA is excited to announce it has teamed up with The Armories headquartered in Orlando, Florida to present its customers with a very special SD version of our popular GHM9 model. This package has been tuned to function as a system and is equipped with B&T’s state-of-the-art RBS suppressor system coupled with a cold hammer forged, ported barrel for long and effective service life, along with all of the other modern features that make the GHM9 the sub gun that it is.

“B&T USA is very excited to work with The Armories, a highly-respected B&T dealer, on this exclusive GHM9 SD pistol project,” said Jon Scott Vice President of Sales, B&T USA. “This soon to be coveted GHM9 SD pistol features our newest RBS suppressor technology coupled with clean lines and premium feature sets the GHM is known for, and we couldn’t be happier to create this model for The Armories dedicated customers base.”

“The Armories is proud to be able to provide B&T USA’s high-quality firearms and silencers to our customers for the last 4 years. The B&T brand has rapidly grown into one of the most coveted amongst our customers and gun lovers nationwide, so this opportunity to provide a product that is exclusive to The Armories is a true honor” said Robbie Motes, The Armories. Read more

Firearms
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