Washington —The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) is excited to announce the recent publication titled “Best Management Practices for Trapping Furbearers in the United States” in Wildlife Monographs. This new publication is a culmination of over two decades of scientific research – by far the largest trap testing study ever conducted. The article is a product of AFWA’s Furbearer Management and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Trapping Program, a program created to improve animal welfare in U.S. trapping programs by identifying traps that achieve internationally acceptable injury thresholds while remaining efficient and safe, and promoting their use among trappers, researchers, and managers who use traps to capture wildlife.
“We are excited to see the largest trap research ever conducted published in this prestigious journal,” said Sara Parker Pauley, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “The Association is also pleased to see the program’s continuing dedication to address societal concerns of modern regulated trapping and furbearer management.” Read more
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms Optics has announced the release of a new budget-friendly micro red dot: the SLx MD-20 (MPN: 810023). The SLx MD-20 improves on previous micro dots with an enhanced emitter, which provides an ultra-bright reticle with a 50,000-hour runtime on medium settings. Priced at $149.99, the SLx MD-20 Microdot is now available and shipping to customers.
Primary Arms Optics was founded on building better budget-friendly red dots, and the SLx MD-20 represents the latest technologies and innovations. The MD-20 is part of Primary Arms’ SLx product line, which built their reputation for innovation, reliability, and value. All SLx optics undergo rigorous field-testing during development to best serve customers in any environment, and the MD-20 goes one step further by integrating all new technologies like AutoLive™, Primary Arms’ motion-controlled illumination system. Combined with a durable aluminum body, 50,000-hour battery life, a zero-parallax lens, and an ultra-bright emitter with night vision (NV) compatibility, the SLx MD-20 brings premium performance to a budget-friendly price point. Read more
Gemtech Integra 15-22 offers the ultimate suppressed Smith & Wesson® M&P®15-22 experience
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Gemtech Suppressors announced today that it has released the Gemtech Integra 15-22, a new integrally-suppressed upper receiver designed for .22 LR. Built for use exclusively with Smith & Wesson’s M&P15-22 rifle, the Gemtech Integra 15-22 ships as a complete upper receiver group that offers an unbelievably quiet shooting experience in a compact package.
Anthony Proto, Product Manager for Gemtech, said, “Gemtech has designed a suppressed upper receiver to offer Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 owners the ultimate suppressed rimfire experience. A rimfire rifle is a great way to introduce someone to the shooting sports and is a great way to practice marksmanship skills and enjoy time at the range. The new Gemtech Integra 15-22 integrally-suppressed upper receiver can be quickly and easily mounted onto the Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 lower receiver to deliver an incredibly quiet shooting experience in a rimfire package that’s enjoyable for all ages.”
The Gemtech Integra 15-22 features a 17-4 stainless-steel G-Core® monocore permanently attached to a short, nine-inch barrel, resulting in a compact 17.5” over all barrel length. Both the core and barrel are enclosed in a 6061-aluminum outer tube with a durable matte black Cerakote® finish. The Gemtech Integra 15-22 functions reliably with a wide variety of .22 LR ammunition and comes standard as a complete upper receiver group that includes the bolt and charging handle assemblies. The Gemtech Integra 15-22 should be used with subsonic ammunition for ultimate sound suppression. Read more
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., provider of the world’s most rugged, lightweight, and clear sport optics, is pleased to announce the launch of the new DeltaPoint Micro, a fully enclosed, low-profile red dot sight designed specifically for concealed carry and personal defense firearms.
Featuring an incredibly compact and revolutionary new design that is easy to conceal, the DP-Micro mounts directly to the rear sight dovetail and sits at the same height as factory iron sights. The red dot aligns with the front sight, delivering rapid target acquisition and improved accuracy. Launch-day models will fit all non-MOS Glock® models and the Smith & Wesson® M&P® line of handguns. Read more
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The long, familiar walk to position myself for an opportunity at a whitetail deer was different this time. Typically, I’d wiggle my pack onto my shoulders followed with my loaded firearm over it. Also, a usually necessary part of the gear was a pair of hearing protectors that were wisely employed during the solitary march in the event my Ruger American rifle were to be employed on the way. The low-power variable scope would be dialed to 1.5 power to maximize its field of view. But, this time I needed no hearing protection, because the gun was unloaded for the short journey.
I had passed on numerous bucks during the archery, regular firearms, and most recently the muzzleloader seasons. All of the excitement and visions of taking an extraordinarily antlered deer were behind me now. It was our late antlerless season and there would be no quick, off-hand maneuvers to take one; I saw to it by carrying an unloaded gun to my hideout. I thought that I’d get one under more controlled circumstances and simply enjoyed the December trek.
No doubt that the combined seasons were special. In fact, I had seen more bucks – even a few good 8-point examples – than any previous hunting season. And, there with my pal, Joe, in a portable blind just weeks before, was a sizeable 8-point buck a mere 57 yards from the muzzle of my bolt gun. I’d guess probably 95 percent of Michigan deer hunters would have taken it, but I had seen this brute before and thought ahead to next year and its potential; I passed once again.
With no regrets I was now after some organic meat. In a matter-of-fact mindset, I waited for the inevitable. Several does entered the danger zone well before sunset. However, when a shot rang out nearby, I knew I was not alone and voices later confirmed why the deer scampered out of sight. When other deer appeared following a quiet spell, they never presented me with the perfect shot I wanted.
The west wind the following day found me in another blind set into a hill where I had a perfect rest for my firearm and the short, mounted bipod. A group of six bald whitetails materialized and I lined one up for a fatal blast. Off the group ran but the telltale rear-leg kick of my targeted animal told me I had done my job.
With about an hour of light remaining, I checked where the small group vanished and found fresh blood on the bare ground.
That’s all I needed to see and abruptly ended the search, because Joe’s blue tick hound, Junior, was ready and waiting with him. On the scene, the dog was leashed according to the regulations for tracking dogs and Joe led him to the trail. The roles became reversed, as the young hound roared by me and directly to the prize, tugging hard all the way.
It was a fitting end to what had become not only a most memorable year but what the prospects held for the future.
Joe Biden admitted he lacks “executive authority” to ban “assault weapons” when the subject was broached during a December 8, 2020, meeting with civil rights leaders.
An audio recording of the meeting was shared by The Intercept’s De-Constructed, and listeners can hear Biden respond to calls for aggressive executive action by assuring the leaders that where possible, he will use executive authority to “undo every damn thing [President Trump] has done by executive authority.”
Biden said, “But I’m not going to exercise executive authority where it’s questioned.” He then referenced doing away with “assault weapons” and said, “There’s no executive authority to do away with that.”
He added, “No one’s fought harder to get rid of ‘assault weapons’ than me, but you can’t do it by executive order. You do that and the next guy comes along and says, ‘Well, guess what, by executive order…everybody can own machine guns again.’”
Biden’s admissions about the limits of executive authority regarding firearms which Democrats label as “assault weapons” points to a scenario where he would have to rely on Senators and U.S. Representatives to pass a ban he could sign.
Breitbart News reported that Associated Press addressed this scenario, noting that Biden’s fight for gun control would be an uphill battle.
The “assault weapons” ban and other gun controls being sought by the left, with the exception of red flag laws, are basically the same controls Democrats have been pursuing since the early 1990s. “It will be a tall order to get a majority of lawmakers on board,” regardless of which party controls Congress.
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him at awrhawkins@breitbart.com. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange.
With winter settling in, going outside feels like it takes more work. It is important to get outside our homes and get some fresh air and exercise. There are plenty of outdoor activities your family can do during the holiday break. Here are a few tips from the National Wildlife Federation (MUCC’s parent affiliate) on how to have some fun when hunting and fishing are not an option. Remember it is important to keep getting kids outside year-round.
With the cold weather, it is important to dress appropriately. This will help your family stay out longer and have a more enjoyable time outdoors. No one likes being cold. Make sure you bundle the kids up in the proper snow attire, with hats, gloves and boots.
Photo by Christophe Maertens on Unsplash
Scenario #1: It is a chilly, gray day without a snowflake in sight. (current weather as I write this)
• Go for the gold: Create your own Wacky Winter Olympics, held in your yard or neighborhood park.
• Dog Sled Race: Competitors pull snow sleds loaded with toys, sticks, or rocks across the grass.
• Winter swim relay race: Give each child a tote bag of swim goggles, towel, an old adult swimsuit or oversized flippers. See how fast they can pull on the swim gear over their outdoor clothes, throw the towel around their neck, take a pretend “swim,” and run to a marker and back. Use a stopwatch to time which kid is the fastest.
• Award each participant with an “outdoorsy” Olympic medal—tie a pinecone to a string. Paint a rock into a trophy.
• Make ice sculptures: Fill a clear plastic container with a few inches of water. Add food coloring, stones, and sticks for decoration. Set outside for several hours or overnight to freeze. Add another layer of water and nature “stuff” dyed a different color and allow freezing. Repeat to create multiple layers.
• Take the earth’s temperature: You will need to make sure the ground isn’t frozen for this one. Buy a soil thermometer at a garden supply store and take it with you on a walk around the yard or park. Have your kids stick it in the ground in various locations to compare ground temperatures. Is the ground warmer or cooler than the air? Does the temperature change in different locations?
Scenario #2: It snowed, but not enough for sledding or building.
• Look for tracks. Light snowfall can reveal what animals are around looking for food.
• Go to the playground. You probably have not been there for a while, and kids may enjoy seeing their summer play place sprinkled with snow. Take pictures, so you can compare when spring arrives. Bring along a thermos of cider or hot chocolate.
• Zoom in on nature. Bring a magnifying glass outside to take a close-up look at the frozen leaves, twigs or ground.
PC: Kirill Sh on Unsplash
Scenario #3: The snow has finally arrived in all its winter glory. Read more
Congress passed a bipartisan bill late Monday night that would authorize the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) and the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project.
The WRDA authorization comes as part of a larger COVID-19 relief package aimed at stimulating the economy, providing economic aid to small businesses and shoring up unemployment benefits. President Trump is expected to sign the COVID-19 relief bill.
The Brandon Road Lock and Dam project — the last chokepoint for invasive Asian carp entering the Great Lakes — would install acoustic fish deterrents, an air bubble curtain, an electric fish barrier and other provisions to help stop the spread of invasive carp such as bighead and silver carp.
Invasive carp not only present a threat to Great Lakes’ ecosystems but also put in jeopardy Michigan’s robust outdoor industry which contributes $11.2 billion annually to Michigan’s economy, according to a study commissioned by Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
MUCC has worked within our state, with neighboring states, federal agencies and tribal stakeholders to ensure our Great Lakes’ watershed is protected from invasive carp, said MUCC Executive Director Amy Trotter.
“MUCC has worked fervently for more than a decade on invasive Asian carp,” Trotter said. “Finally, after years of advocacy work at the state and federal level, MUCC and its partners in conservation are pleased to see bipartisan federal support for an issue so close to Michiganders’ hearts.”
In the bill package, Congress agreed to cover 80 percent of the construction costs — a price tag of more than $858 million. As the non-federal sponsor of the package, Illinois will be responsible for 20 percent of the cost.
Trout Unlimited Great Lakes Organizer Taylor Ridderbusch said headway is being made, but work still needs to be done at the state level in Illinois.
“Project authorization and the local cost-share adjustments made through WRDA are major milestones in ensuring that the Great Lakes are protected from invasive Asian carp,” Ridderbusch said. “While this is not the final step, Congress has done their part. It is now up to Illinois and the US Army Corps of Engineers to finalize the design agreement and put Michigan’s investment in the project to work.”
Illinois, the non-federal sponsor of the project, has yet to sign the preconstruction engineering and design (PED) agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The non-federal cost share of the PED is $10 million, of which $8 million has been pledged for by the State of Michigan thanks to bipartisan efforts in the state legislature and advocacy from several conservation organizations.
Once again, 2020 has proven that conservation issues garner bipartisan support, said Marc Smith, policy director for the National Wildlife Federation.
“We applaud the bipartisan support to authorize the Brandon Road project to help stop Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes,” Smith said. “This project will help protect our fisheries, our outdoor economy and our way of life here in the Great Lakes.”
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is expected to see increases in funding through a separate bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Monday. Funding for GLRI would increase to $375 million in fiscal year 2022 and incrementally increase by $25 million until it reaches $475 million by fiscal year 2026. This bill now heads to President Trump’s desk.
If you have questions, comments or concerns, please email MUCC Public Information Officer Nick Green at ngreen@mucc.org.
Joe Reynold’s hangs onto his hunting dog, Junior, as he tracks the blood of a Michigan Whitetail deer I had shot less than an hour before. A good fresh track made it an easy chore.
Throughout the Northland, intrepid anglers are taking their first tentative steps onto the frozen surfaces of pine-studded lakes, welcoming another season of hardwater fishing. After weeks of organizing tackle, sharpening auger blades, charging batteries, and spooling reels, holes are being cut, bites are being triggered, and fish tails are slapping the ice. With most of a tumultuous, uncertainty-filled calendar year now in the rearview mirror, the action-packed first ice period is finally upon us.
“The first weeks of fishable ice represent one of the truly exceptional hardwater opportunities during the winter months,” states Troy Peterson, a.k.a. ‘Mr. Bluegill’ — a full-time guide and hardwater specialist from eastern Wisconsin. “After a fall of scouting new lakes, organizing gear, and watching last year’s videos on YouTube, I’m more ready than ever to get on the ice — and shallow water panfish and walleye are at the top of my agenda.”
Panfish beckon to ice anglers all season long, and the first weeks of walkable ice cover witness some enormous crappies and sumo bluegills being extracted from the depths. You’ll find first ice panfish in two general locations: along the outside edges of remnant green weedbeds and suspended over the main basin of the lake, frequently in 25-35 feet of water. As winter progresses, those weedline fish will trend toward the basin or scatter over deep mudflats, although many lakes host a low-light weedline bite throughout the season.
Peterson notes that, “all of my panfish rods are spooled with 2 lb. test Seaguar IceX™. One of the first things you’ll notice about IceX™ is its extremely low memory — even in freezing temperatures — which means that it comes off the reel nice and straight, without that “slinky effect” that can happen with stiff, coiled line. The abrasion resistance of 100% fluorocarbon IceX™ means that I won’t have to worry about breaking off a giant bluegill as he spirals around beneath the ice and rubs my line against the edge of the hole. And of course, remember that fluorocarbon is a very low-stretch line which enhances its sensitivity, so you’ll feel more bites and catch more fish.”
Captain Troy Peterson talks about Seaguar IceX™ Read more
