Fishing Tournament Information System a valuable tool for fisheries managers and the public

Bass fishing tournaments are very popular in Michigan, and for the past nine years the state Department of Natural Resources has been collecting and tracking data from them in its online Fishing Tournament Information System.

By law, fishing tournaments targeting bass and walleye – as well as any competitive fishing event, regardless of structure, that targets muskellunge – are required to register their events with the DNR and report results after the tournament has ended. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission put these requirements in place for bass tournaments in 2016, with walleye and muskie requirements added in 2019.

The idea was to gain a better understanding of how much fishing tournament activity occurs in Michigan annually. In particular, the commission sought to identify which bodies of water are used and how many anglers participate in tournament fishing, as well as collect catch and biological data on the fish that are caught to supplement the DNR’s own fish survey capabilities.

These requirements and the development of the Fishing Tournament Information System have resulted in a successful program and an information-gathering tool that have helped the DNR better understand a valuable angler group while providing large quantities of social and biological data for use in future fisheries management discussions.

Most fishing tournaments in Michigan follow the same basic setup and must comply with all state recreational fishing regulations, including licensing requirements, seasons, size limits and daily angler possession limits. Read more

Fishing

Precision Rifle Builder Launches New Approach to Online Store

Precision Rifle Builder is thrilled to announce its launch as an online store for those who need precision rifle components or want to build complete precision rifles. You can now go to the online store where you will find rifle actions, barrels, stocks, bottom metal and triggers ready to ship.

You will find our “New Approach” when you click on our Rifle Kit Builder.

Designed to make it easy to choose your components, those listed are compatible with the other choices you make. If you want to build a 7 PRC, you start by choosing that cartridge. The actions that show up the next page are all capable of shooting the 7 PRC. After you select the action, the stocks that are listed the next page have drop in ready inlets for the specific action you already selected. Read more

Firearms

Perfect Case Preparation with the Hornady Lineup of Case Prep Tools

Hornady® Reloading understands the importance of case prep in developing consistent reloads. Case prep includes trimming, resizing, cleaning, and deburring fired cases. Hornady offers a wide range of case prep tools available to produce high-quality brass consistently.

The Lock-N-Load® Power Case Prep Center is a one-stop solution to case prep. It features a micro-adjustable trimmer, powerful motor, metal shaving catch tray, and various case cleaning accessories. It takes up a minimal amount of bench space at a fraction of the size of other tools. In addition, the system is capable of handling a variety of cartridges with interchangeable shell holders. Included are large and small primer pocket cleaners, six-neck brushes, and an assortment of shell holders.

Hornady Digital Cases and Parts Dryer ensures brass and firearms parts are completely dry after sonic cleaning. It consists of four fixed trays and one tray with a removable mesh. There is plenty of room to dry cases and larger gun parts. Load the trays with cases, choose from one of the seven temperature settings, and select the desired time. Dry brass prevents oxidation from occurring and results in higher-quality reloads. Read more

Ammunition

The Rowdy XL from Bond Arms

GW:  Bond Arms represents true American quality.  And, these are not “belly” guns.  The 3-inch version will put those 000 buck rounds on target and that’s a fact!

So what would be better than taking Bond Arm’s popular Rough Series .45/410 Rowdy out to the range and firing off a few rounds? How about squeezing off a few rounds from Bond’s new Rowdy XL.

Bond Arms has taken all the things firearms enthusiasts love about the Rowdy, including its solid frame, quality engineered parts, and the power of the .45 Colt or .410 bore. But they didn’t stop there. They’ve improved it, enhancing the quality and comfort with the new Rowdy XL.

The Rowdy XL features a slightly larger 3.5″ barrel for better accuracy and B6 Grips with a smooth backstrap for a superior hold. Like its counterpart, the Rowdy XL also features a stainless steel double barrel and stainless steel frame, is compatible with all standard Bond Arms barrels, and an automatic spent casing extractor. Bond’s Rowdy XL also sports a patented rebounding hammer, retracting firing pins, cross-bolt safety, and a spring-loaded, cammed locking lever.

The Rowdy XL has substantially less recoil than the original Rowdy, mostly due to the new B6 Grips, which evenly distribute recoil while providing a full-hand feel. The Rowdy XL’s extra barrel length also adds a little bit of weight as opposed to the original Rowdy, which further helps with some of the recoil. The Rowdy XL can be fitted with any of the barrels that Bond features for their original hand cannons, except the Stinger and the Cyclops lines. Read more

Firearms

Defiance Machine Releases New Titanium Ti X Rifle Action

Defiance Machine is thrilled to announce it has done what some people said would never happen. Defiance is introducing its New Ti X action built on aircraft grade titanium. The Short Action length comes in at a mind blowing 16.8 ounces. The Long Action length weighs only 18.1 ounces.

Based on listed published weights, these are the lightest actions with an integral lug and scope rail made today. Those who live by the motto “ounces equal pounds” you will not find a lighter action on the market. If that is not impressive enough, The Defiance Ti X is made with the same premium process that has produced the highest quality actions in the world.

Every Defiance action is built with the precision processes that include such steps as using wire EDM machines to guarantee the action operates as smoothly as possible. Defiance CNC machines are among the most precise in the world rendering consistency that allows guarantee headspace on all models made on those machines.

The entire action is coated in DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) to further enhance the smoothness of our titanium actions. Ultimately, you have the lightest action on the market built by the most precise CNC machines in the world and coated with the slickest lubricant coating available.

Defiance Machine has been making actions since 2010. Their reputation for premium quality and customer service is undisputed. Contact the sales team at sales@defiancemachine.com to experience this for yourself.

Firearms

SAF Sues Pennsylvania Over CCW Prohibition for Young Adults

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s prohibition against allowing young adults aged 18 to 20 from acquiring a license to carry a firearm (LTCF) for personal protection. The case is known as Brown v. Paris.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. SAF is joined by three young adults, all who are SAF members. They are Taylor Brown, Shawn Palmer and Max Ness. They are represented by attorneys Joshua Prince at the Civil Rights Defense Firm in Bechtelsville, Pa., and Adam Kraut at the Second Amendment Foundation. Named as the sole defendant in the case is Col. Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, in his official capacity.

“Our individual plaintiffs have no criminal backgrounds and would like to procure a LTCF,” said Kraut, who also serves as SAF’s executive director. “However, the state law precludes them from carrying firearms, whether openly or concealed, in public for self-defense. Yet, a look back at history reveals young adults between 18 and 20 were fully protected by the Second Amendment at the time of its ratification. Indeed, at the time of the founding, young adults in this age group were actually required to keep and bear arms.” Read more

Gun Control

Biden Campaign’s Response to SAF Ad Signals ‘Truth Hurts’

The Biden re-election campaign has launched a 30-second television advertisement touting Joe Biden’s gun control crusade, which the Second Amendment Foundation says is the president’s desperate reaction to SAF’s own national television effort showing him admitting he wants to ban modern semi-auto rifles and 9mm handguns.

“Our 60-second ad cuts right to the heart of Joe Biden’s lifelong crusade to ban the most popular rifles and pistols in the country today,” SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb observed. “Our message features his infamous remarks during a CNN Townhall program in which he admitted he wants to stop the sale of those firearms. Our message finally and forcefully reveals the truth about the Democrats’ gun ban agenda, and it hurts. While others have claimed they do not want to take away anyone’s guns, Joe Biden is right there on live television acknowledging their true intentions.

“Obviously,” Gottlieb continued, “our message, which has been appearing on dozens of cable networks encouraging people to join our legal efforts to stop Biden’s unconstitutional gun bans, is having a devastating impact on the Biden campaign, otherwise they would not have spent the time and money to create a response ad. No matter how the Biden camp tries to portray Joe as a compassionate leader, the whole country knows he is a gun-grabbing zealot, thanks to our advertising.

“In the wake of recent events,” he added, “President Biden will eventually have to acknowledge the greatest failure of his half-century of gun control extremism, the conviction of his own son in a Delaware courtroom, for violating the federal laws Joe fondly claims he shepherded through Congress. His gun ban agenda has failed to keep the country safe, and more importantly, Joe Biden has failed to uphold his oath of office to protect and defend our Constitutional rights.

“Biden’s campaign ad is a desperate attempt to distract the public from the truth we’ve been sharing for weeks,” Gottlieb said. “It won’t work.” Read more

Gun Control

Elite Archery Unveils the New Flex Recurve Bow

Elite Archery is proud to announce the launch of the Elite Flex Recurve Bow, an innovative addition to their renowned line of high-performance archery equipment. Taking the traditional bow to new levels of innovation, the Elite Flex brings the well known Elite Shootability to traditional archers with an unprecedented level of customization to suit individual shooting styles and preferences, paired with the traditional recurve design for maximum adaptability and precision.

A New Standard in Versatility

At the heart of the Elite Flex Recurve Bow is the patent-pending Adjustable Riser Configuration (ARC) technology, which provides the most versatile setup on the market. Archers can choose to configure a single riser axle-to-axle (ATA) 19” or 17” length by adjusting the limb pocket position, allowing for total length options of 58”, 60”, 62”, or 64” with short, medium, or long limb choices. This flexibility ensures the bow can be perfectly tuned for any shooting scenario, whether for target practice or competition. Read more

Archery

Badlands Launches New UV Hoodie for Hot-Weather Adventures

Known for their high-quality packs, gear and innovative camouflage patterns, Badlands has announced the release of its new UV Hoodie just in time for summer.

Whether you’re taking the dog on a walk, spending a day out on the water, putting in time at the range or hunting in the early season heat, the UV Hoodie’s lightweight, moisture-wicking design will pull sweat away from your body to keep you cool and dry all day long.

The UV Hoodie features a UPF 50 UV protection rating to keep the worst of the sun’s rays off your body, as well as lightweight, moisture-wicking synthetic fabric construction to keep you cool and comfortable, especially in that 50- to 80-degree temperature range.

Available in two versatile colors, black and olive green, the UV Hoodie is sure to become a staple in your outdoor summer wardrobe.

Features: Read more

General

Help your trees beat the summer heat with a little water

If you planted any trees within the last couple of years, it may be time to bring out the garden hose. Hot summer conditions such as those Michigan is experiencing this week mean your newly planted trees will likely need a drink.

“If your trees are not getting at least 1 inch of rain per week, water them until regular rain returns,” said Kevin Sayers, Urban and Community Forestry Program manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Deciduous trees – those that lose their leaves in fall – show drought stress through curling or drooping leaves. Leaves may “scorch,” or turn brown at the edges, fall off early or exhibit early fall color. Evergreen needles may turn yellow, then red or brown.

Watering and care tips

It’s important to water trees correctly. When watering, prioritize newly planted or high-value trees. Here are some tips:

    • Sprinkler: Place an empty container or rain gauge nearby while watering; stop when it measures about 1 inch of water.
    • Hand watering via hose: Let water run slowly until the ground is saturated 10-12 inches deep and moist near the base of small trees or at various points under the canopy of large trees.
    • 5-gallon bucket: Most newly planted trees need 5 to 10 gallons of water each week, so give them a bucket or two.
    • Soaker or trickle hoses: These types of hoses provide slow watering. This is important to provide moisture deep into the soil, where roots need it most.
    • Don’t water during the middle of the day. Much of the water applied at the hottest or windiest time of day is immediately lost to evaporation.
    • Mist sprinklers aren’t effective for trees. As much as 70 percent of water may evaporate into the air.
    • Lay off the fertilizer. Fertilizer salts can injure tree roots when soil moisture is limited.
    • Try mulch. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and save water. Apply 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch under the tree canopy, around but not touching the base of the trunk. You want the finished mulch pile to look like a doughnut, not a volcano..

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Wildlife
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