Michigan DNR pledges 50 million trees by 2030, invites residents to help ‘plant it forward’

When is the best time to plant a tree?

There’s an old proverb that says the answer is “20 years ago,” and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the second-best time is right now!

The DNR is encouraging people to grab a shovel and a tree and join in planting 50 million trees by 2030 as part of the 1T.org Trillion Trees campaign. Whether you have a family forest plot handed down through generations or a small city lot, a new tree (or trees!) can make a big difference to your quality of life.

“Trees provide cooling shade in towns and cities,” said Kevin Sayers, Urban and Community Forest program lead for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “Trees in any setting help provide clean air and water, prevent erosion and provide homes for wildlife.”

The Mi Trees campaign is part of a global effort to plant more trees to help communities adapt to the world’s changing climate. Michiganders do love the state’s forests, which cover 20 million acres, about half of the state’s entire area. Nearly 4 million acres of that total is state forest managed by the DNR.

In a 2016 survey conducted by the Forest Resources Division, more than nine out of 10 people agreed that forests are part of Michigan’s unique public heritage. Survey respondents also said they want to make sure that Michigan takes good care of its forests so they will be abundant, healthy and green far into the future.

That’s where you can lend a hand. Read more

General

Hawke Optics Adds Increased Magnification Riflescope with Exclusive .223/.308 Marksman Reticle

The New 4-12×42 Vantage 30 WA with .223/.308 Marksman Reticle Offers Impressive Features

at an Affordable Price

Hawke® Optics, a worldwide leader in precision tactical optics with outstanding performance in the field and optimum value for the consumer, continues to enhance its stellar Vantage 30 WA lineup. Hawke’s highly popular .223/.308 Marksman reticle is now available in a 4-12×42, bringing shooters an affordable, compact scope with increased magnification.

Hawke is leading the charge with caliber-specific reticles. The new 4-12×42 model in the Vantage 30 WA lineup is perfect for AR-platforms or any .223 or .308 chambered rifle. Featuring Hawke’s exclusive .223/.308 Marksman reticle, the new for 2022 riflescope offers impressive features packed into a compact size, all at an affordable price, MSRP $329. Read more

Optics

Vortex Drops New Laser Rangefinder Lineup

Three new options deliver increased speed and accuracy for hunters and shooters.

BARNEVELD, Wis. – Whether your perfect day consists of time at the range or on the mountain, three new laser rangefinders from Vortex® will help you do what you love and do it well.

The time-tested Vortex® Razor® HD 4000 is now joined by the new Viper® HD 3000, Diamondback™ HD 2000, and Crossfire™ HD 1400 laser rangefinders. Each unit comes equipped with a powerful HD optical system and soft carry case. Read more

Optics

ATF Addresses FFL Audience on Changes in ‘Frame or Receiver’ Final Ruling

HARTFORD, CT – On Tuesday, ATF executives discussed Final Rule 2021R-05, “Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms,” for the first time since being finalized earlier this month. A three-hour educational session was delivered by Marvin Richardson (ATF Deputy Director), Marianna Mitchem (Chief, Firearms & Explosives Industry Division), and James Vann (Associate Chief Counsel) at the 8th annual Firearms Industry Conference hosted by Orchid and Williams Mullen’s Firearms Industry Group.

“We appreciate the ATF’s willingness to address a large cross-section of FFLs on Final Rule 2021R-05,” said Orchid CEO, Jon Rydberg “The rule becomes effective in 120 days on August 24th and will have a significant impact on manufacturing and retail firearm operations. The ruling will likely impact everything relating to firearm manufacturing, serialization, marking applications, supply chain transactions, ERP routings, electronic A&D record keeping, retail and gunsmithing transactions, suppressor manufacturing and other activities involving GCA, NFA and privately made firearms.”

The significance of the ruling warrants many additional industry education sessions, including the first session of a webinar series being hosted by Jon Rydberg and Philip Milks of Orchid and attorneys Chuck James and Camden Webb of Williams Mullen on Friday, May 6. ATF also announced they will host several virtual sessions to educate the industry on the Final Rule. Read more

Firearms

Hornady Critical Duty Awarded FBI 9mm Full Size Service Ammunition Contract

Grand Island, NE — Hornady® has been awarded a Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its 9mm+P Luger 135 gr. Critical Duty ammunition.

“Having our 9mm+P 135 gr. Critical Duty selected for 2 consecutive 9mm FBI contracts showcases the hard work and dedication our team puts forward to provide the finest law enforcement ammunition available” said Scott Javins, Hornady LE/Military Product Manager.

Critical Duty is loaded with the tough Hornady FlexLock® bullet that delivers “barrier blind” performance when shot through common urban barriers. The patented FlexLock bullet incorporates two revolutionary Hornady features, delivering superior barrier penetration and consistent performance in FBI tactical handgun ammunition tests. Read more

Ammunition

Trulock Choke Tubes Shares How to Pattern Choke Tubes for Turkey Hunting

Whigham, GA (April 28, 2022) – Leave it to the choke tube specialists at Trulock® Choke Tubes providing simple steps to patterning shotguns for turkey hunting. The key, according to George Trulock, president of Trulock® Choke Tubes, is to have a very dense core with as many pellets as possible inside of a 10-inch circle. Plus, George recommends doing this from sitting and kneeling positions to better mimic a turkey hunting experience.

When is it time to pattern a shotgun? George Trulock responds, “You should pattern a shotgun when it is new to you, when you are using a different brand of ammo, or load, or size shot, and especially when using a different choke tube – even if it has the same exit diameter as a previously patterned choke.”

To pattern a shotgun for turkey hunting, the following are needed: several sheets of poster board of at least 3-4 feet wide; marking pen, up to five identical shot shells; tape measure to measure the distance from the shotgun muzzle to the target and a target stand to attach your poster board.

Next steps: Read more

Firearms, Hunting

NWTF Announces 2022 Photo Contest Winners

(Machanic’s “Where’d She Go?”)
(Dinnen’s “Strut into the Sunlight”)
(Linder’s “Strut into the Sunlight”)

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

EDGEFIELD, S.C.— The NWTF is proud to announce the winners of its Live Wild Turkey Photography Contest.

“Our 2022 contest saw over 700 live wild turkey photos submitted,” said Pete Muller, NWTF communications director. “We are incredibly thankful for everyone who participated, and we are thrilled to recognize this year’s winners.”

Winning recipients were awarded for first, second and third place, including a People’s Choice award selected by the voting public.

Judging for first place, with a grand prize of $1,000, through third place was performed by a panel of professional photographers, and the People’s Choice Award was determined by the most votes given to a photo on the contest’s website.

Brooke Dinnen won first place for her photo entitled “Spring Dream.” The Okeechobee, Florida, native donated her winnings back to the NWTF to support on-the-ground conservation work. Read more

Wildlife

Walther PDP F-Series: Engineered for Women’s Hands

OVER A CENTURY OF ENGINEERING PASSION & PRECISION WORKSMANSHIP SPECIFCIALLY DESIGNED FOR A WOMAN’S HAND. For female shooters who simply will not sacrifice on unmatched versatility, dependability and effectiveness in both concealed carry and conventional service situations, the Walther PDP F-Series is how you stay READY.

The same engineering passion, precision workmanship and innovation that made Walther’s PDP a groundbreaking achievement in firearms is now tailored specifically to Female shooters with the PDP F-Series pistol. The new F-Series elevates the next evolution in world class ingenuity for pistols to meet the demands of female shooters like never seen before. Accounting for precise structural differences, Walther has completely reengineered the ergonomics of the grip to be designed for the exact biomechanics of women’s hands. Featuring a new patented operating system resulting in a reduction in slide rack force paired with all the performance duty features of the PDP, the F-Series pistol is the elite choice for all women. Put Walther’s timeless legacy of unmatched performance in your hand today, because whether you are with your family or on your own – it is your duty to be READY!

Walther Shooting team member, Olympian and Firearms Instructor Gabby Franco had this to say about it, “The PDP F-series is the result of a revolutionary approach to creating a pistol with female shooters in mind. Walther Arms took the difficult task of developing a mid-sized frame handgun that offers high ammo capacity with a smaller grip, shorter trigger, and excellent ergonomics like no other. The F-series is the best tool in the market for self-defense, law enforcement, target shooting, and competitive shooting. It makes me proud to be part of a project to bring a pistol that contributes to many women’s quests to become better shooters!” Read more

Firearms

FPC Files Lawsuit Against San Jose’s Unconstitutional Gun Insurance Scheme

SAN JOSE, CA – Today, attorneys for Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a new lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California challenging the City of San Jose’s ordinance requiring gun owners to purchase liability insurance and pay a fee in order to exercise their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. FPC’s complaint argues that the mandate violates both the First and Second Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. A copy of the complaint in Glass v. City of San Jose can be found at FPCLegal.org.

“The government may not impose a fee on the choice to exercise a constitutional right. But that is exactly what the Ordinance does,” the lawsuit states. “The government also may not restrict firearm ownership in ways that are wholly unknown to the Nation’s history and that fail entirely to advance the government’s asserted goals. Novelty is not a virtue here, and neither are restrictions for restriction’s sake. But the Ordinance is concededly novel, and it will neither improve public safety nor reduce the costs of gun violence. It will only burden those who already follow all firearm laws. Even City officials admit that, ‘[o]f course, criminals won’t obey insurance or fee mandates.’”

“The fee provision also violates the First Amendment,” the complaint further argues. “The Ordinance directs the City Manager to designate a nonprofit organization that will spend firearm owners’ money on ‘programs and initiatives’ to ‘mitigate’ the supposed ‘risk’ of the ‘possession of firearms…’ The fee provision thus forces firearm owners to associate with an organization of the City’s choosing and subsidize expressive activities of the organization’s choosing, in violation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Janus v. American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees.” Read more

Gun Control

Benelli to Sponsor Outdoor Solutions Long Range Shooting School Program

Accokeek, MD – When world-class long-range shooting instruction pairs with a precision rifle foundation, marksmanship skill development, and hunting confidence are sure results. That is why Benelli is excited to announce its continued partnership with Outdoor Solutions’ Long Range Shooting School programs and, for 2022, sponsorship of the Utah Long Range School event. This program will take place June 10-13 at the Outdoor Solutions long-range facility near Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Long Range Shooting School is designed to reinforce practical marksmanship skills in hunters to be confident in making reliable, ethical shots on big game animals out to 400 yards. Presented by experienced long range shooters from competitive, military, and hunting backgrounds, the Long Range Shooting School curriculum instills proper shooting fundamentals. The school helps students develop techniques that ensure accurate shots at extended distances from various field shooting positions.

Reliable and accurate firearms work together with marksmanship development as they provide a constant in the training equation. Outdoor Solutions has utilized Benelli’s premium Lupo bolt action rifles for its long-range instruction, and Lupo will be the exclusive instructional firearm for this year’s Utah Long Range School event. Read more

Firearms
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