Keep An Eye Out For Invasive Species

Summer is the busy season for most creatures, including invasive species like spongy moth, box tree moth and Japanese beetle, to name just a few. Many of these species are established in Michigan, meaning they’re here to stay, but if you know what to look out for, you can help contain their spread and mitigate further environmental damage. While these bugs are just following their natural instincts, their presence can affect the delicate balance of ecosystems, making it harder for native species to thrive. Read more

Wildlife

Federal’s New Line of Field & Range Gun Cases Now Available

Federal Ammunition recently added a Field & Range accessory lineup, including a shotgun and scoped rifle cases. Hunters and shooters can count on the Federal Field & Range product line for stylish, functional gun cases that provide up to 12 pounds of flotation. All feature quality zippers, robust padding, and rugged, waterproof 600 denier polyester construction promises years of use. This new product line of accessories is now available at select dealers and online.

“Designed by hunters and shooters for the range, field, and blind, we now offer three new product lines to fulfill the soft gun case needs of any shooter or hunter: Premium, Field & Range, and Top Gun,” said Federal’s Accessories Product Manager Jake Jacobs. “Our Field & Range firearms cases meet the mid-tier price level, and we offer either camouflaged or stylized gray gun cases in this new lineup.”

Features and benefits of Federal’s Field & Range product line include: Rugged, long-lasting fabric; protective foam padding that floats up to 12 pounds; durable fabric lining that lets gun slide in easily; easy-to-grab double zipper pull; padded web carry handle; easy-grab zippered accessory pocket with structured lid; detachable, adjustable sling with large EZ swivel clips; and a large, easy-to-grab hanging loop. Read more

Firearms

Angler Snags State Paddlefish Record

Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas has a strong reputation for clear water and excellent bass, crappie and striper fishing, but a string of state records for paddlefish is beginning to put Beaver on the big fish map in regard to another species. Garfield resident and striped bass angler Mike Schleeper inked his name in the record books Saturday morning with a 127-pound, 6-ounce behemoth, squashing the previous state record of 118 pounds, caught by James Johnson in 2020.

Schleeper was trolling brooder minnows around 30 feet deep near Point 6 with his good friend and fishing partner Tom Mayberry when the catch occurred.

“I’ve been fishing for stripers up here for about 13 years, and I’ve had the chance to catch some stripers over 30 pounds, but this was different,” Schleeper said. “It didn’t strip line and stop in surges like big stripers do, he just sort of pulled the rod down and kept going. I couldn’t turn him so we had to follow him with the trolling motor for about the first 20 minutes.”

Once Schleeper did manage to sway the fish in his direction, the fight ensued for nearly another half-hour.

“It was a 45-minute fight altogether,” Schleeper said. “I’d thought maybe it was a really big striper, but then we could finally see it a little bit. It looked like a giant catfish at first, but as we got it closer to the boat we realized what it was.” Read more

Fishing

Donate to Wildlife and Receive Crispi Boots

SCI Foundation and Crispi Boots have teamed up to raise funds for vital wildlife conservation efforts.

This spring, a donation of $500 or more to SCI Foundation will earn you a pair of Crispi Boots of your choice. These durable and comfortable boots are perfect for hiking, hunting, or everyday wear. With a variety of styles for men and women, you’re sure to find your perfect fit. Visit https://bit.ly/scifcrispi to claim this offer.

Your contribution not only get you a fantastic boot, but it will but it will help us to continue our ongoing effort to estimate leopard density in Africa, as well as support programs related to bears and other carnivores in North America, antipoaching efforts, research into management of wildlife diseases like chronic wasting disease, and the African Wildlife Consultative Forum.

Every act of generosity, regardless of size, truly aids our mission at the SCI Foundation. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to SCI Foundation this spring. Your unwavering backing of our wildlife and wild lands is deeply appreciated.

Visit https://bit.ly/scifcrispi to donate and receive a pair of Crispi boots. Read more

Wildlife

Rutted-Up’s Defender Is the Ultimate Hunting Blind

The Defender from Rutted-Up Blinds offers hunters a versatile solution to sitting out long hunts in the fiercest elements.

The Defender features eight large windows that lock out in any and all positions – wherever you turn the handle. The windows are 100% smoked but provide a clear view for filming or hunting in low-light conditions.

Built to withstand anything nature can throw at it, the airtight Defender’s roof measures approximately 2- 3 inches thick with rigid insulating foam, while the floor measures 4 inches thick with crossmember plywood and half-inch plywood above and below the rigid insulating foam. No plywood is exposed to the elements, it’s either covered with steel or fiberglass. Fork pockets are integrated into the base, which attach to the floor of every blind, for safe and easy setup. The Defender’s steel exterior is finished in Mossy Oak Bottomland with 20-year fade resistance. Read more

Hunting

Federal’s New Line of Premium Gun Cases, Pouches, and Bags

Federal Ammunition recently added a Premium® lineup of accessories, including shotgun and rifle cases, shell pouches, and range bags. All are built with the finest materials, including 18-ounce waxed canvas, top-quality zippers, leather accents, brass hardware, and embossed leather logo patches. This new product line of accessories is now available at select dealers and online.

“The world leader in ammunition is now your go-to source for accessories, too. We are excited and proud to bring a new lineup of All-New Premium gear to the marketplace,” said Dan Deeb, Federal’s Director of Shooting Accessories. “Any sportsman or woman can shoot in style with this new, great-looking gear. It showcases the outdoor lifestyle and hunting heritage we all must celebrate and take pride in.”

Features and benefits of Federal’s new line of Premium gear include: 18-ounce waxed canvas; durable leather-reinforced accents; leather-wrapped, heavy-duty cotton web handles; and brass hardware. Firearms cases feature quilted padding, durable easy-slide lining, a double zipper pull opening with leather tabs, an exterior accessory pocket, and an adjustable and removable carry sling.

The product line includes six pieces: a Shell Pouch, a Range Bag, a 48-inch Shotgun Case, a 52-inch Shotgun Case, a 44-inch Spotting Rifle Case, and a 48-inch Spotting Rifle Case. All are decorated in an attractive, traditional tan color and have an MSRP ranging from $54.99 to $159.99, depending on the item. Read more

Firearms

Cougar Hunting in Utah

In May 2023, new legislation went into effect that allows year-round hunting of cougars with just a hunting or combination license. The new legislation also allows trapping of cougars. Cougars are still designated as protected wildlife and must be checked in at a DWR office. Over the past year, biologists have monitored harvest rates to better determine the effects of the new hunting strategy.

“Most cougar harvest occurs during the winter months, and from the data we’ve received of cougar harvest, 511 cougars were harvested from May 2023 to May 2024,” DWR Game Mammals Coordinator Darren DeBloois said. “From May 2022 to May 2023 — prior to when the legislation went into effect — 512 cougars were harvested. This last year there has also been a decrease in the number of livestock preyed upon by cougars, as well as cougar incidents with people.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Wild Sheep Foundation: $1 Million for Stone’s Sheep

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Coming off another record-breaking Sheep Show®, and in celebration of our 16th chapter & affiliate summit held this year in Calgary, Alberta, the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) announced a commitment of $1 Million in Grant in Aid for Stone’s sheep conservation in northern British Columbia.

“Since our founding in 1977, a lot of emphasis has been placed on recovering and sustaining bighorn and desert bighorn sheep populations,” said WSF President and CEO Gray N. Thornton. “With dedicated efforts by our chapters and affiliates, alongside our agency and tribal partners, great successes have been achieved for bighorns. It is time for WSF to dedicate similar efforts to Stone’s Sheep. Our Board of Directors has put an exclamation mark on this need with this $1 million funding pledge.” Read more

Wildlife

Delta Waterfowl Awarded Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s $100,000 Grant

Grant will enhance efforts by The Duck Hunters Organization to conserve at-risk, vital duck-producing wetlands in the prairie pothole region

A generous grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund will advance efforts by Delta Waterfowl to conserve critical breeding duck habitat in the prairie pothole region. In bolstering Delta’s Habitat Conservation programs, the $100,000 grant will support the breeding efforts of multitudes of ducks by helping to maintain the PPR’s robust wetland base.

“We are grateful to stand alongside our customers to support the vital work being done by Delta Waterfowl to help protect and support the prairie pothole region,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder. “There’s no way to overstate the importance of these waterfowl breeding grounds, and the impact that these initiatives contribute will make a positive difference for future generations.” Read more

Wildlife

YHM ‘Bad Larry’ Rifle Suppressor Earns NTOA Gold Designation

The National Tactical Officer’s Association (NTOA) membership has tested and rated the ‘Bad Larry’ rifle suppressor from the Yankee Hill Machine Company (YHM) with Gold.

“We’re thrilled to receive this recognition so soon after introducing our new big-bore rifle suppressor at SHOT ’24 in January,” said Chris Graham, president of Yankee Hill Machine Company. “Based on marketplace feedback in recent years, we sensed a real need for a fairly priced, high-quality suppressor that met the needs of the larger-caliber and long-distance shooter. Bad Larry was our answer, and it’s extremely rewarding to learn of this designation from NTOA.”

The Bad Larry was evaluated by the NTOA members for factors including design, quality, durability, versatility and accuracy, and was rated an average 4.85 out of a possible 5.

Tester comments included, “It felt bomb-proof”; “Once dialed in, we were shooting cloverleafs”; and “You can’t go wrong with this addition to your weapon system.” Read more

Firearms
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