Endangered Species Protection Proposed for Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator snapping turtle. Photo by Gary Tucker, USFWS.

Largest Freshwater Turtle in North America Threatened by Habitat Destruction, Trapping Across Midwest, Southeast

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following a petition and legal victory from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monday proposed protecting the alligator snapping turtle under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species.

This prehistoric-looking freshwater turtle is known for its spiked shell, strong, beaked jaws and worm-like tongue for luring fish. The alligator snapper faces a predicted 95% decline in 50 years and may be doomed to extinction in as few as 30 years under even the most optimistic predictions.

“Alligator snappers are some of the fiercest, wildest creatures in the Southeast, but overexploitation and habitat destruction have put their lives on the line,” said Elise Bennett, a Center attorney. “These freshwater giants will get a real shot at survival and recovery with the help of the Endangered Species Act and its lifesaving protections.”

Habitat degradation, historical overharvest and ongoing capture have caused significant population declines in the once-abundant turtle. Early in the 20th century, alligator snapping turtles were plentiful in river systems draining into the Gulf of Mexico, from the waterways and lakes of the Midwest to the swamps and bayous of Florida, Louisiana and Texas. But the Service found that the species’ range has since contracted in Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and possibly in Oklahoma. Read more

Wildlife

SCI Takes A Stand Against Big Tech’s Censorship of Hunting

Tucson, AZ (November 8, 2021) – Unfortunately, censorship of hunting-related content on social media is everywhere—and Safari Club International thinks it’s time for hunters to stand up to this censorship by Big Tech!

Big Tech’s latest censorship attempt is occurring at YouTube, the world’s largest video content media mogul, which has added new guidelines to its “Ad-Friendly Content Guidelines.” New restrictions on any picture/video showing an animal in distress caused by human action will censor content from a hunting channel and limit views.

This move will demonetize hunters, as taking away views will remove any chance of making ad revenue, the only way to make money from YouTube. Furthermore, these new guidelines will limit videos used to educate new hunters on safety and conservation issues.

But SCI is fighting against Big Tech censorship on behalf of hunters across the country. If you haven’t already, now is the time to sign onto SCI’s “Petition to Stand Up to Big Tech” at safariclub.org/hunter-advocacy-action-center/. Hunter voices need to be heard!

Facebook continues to censor hunters, too. Scrolling through your News Feed on Facebook, you’ve no doubt discovered an innocent-looking photo posted from a hunter, guide or outfitter with the photo blurred out–or even removed–and the tag “sensitive content” added to the description.

Or, you may have been in a hunting-focused Facebook or group, only to log on one day to find out the group was deleted and banned by Facebook for violating their “community standards.”

“We’ve heard countless stories from hunters, guides, outfitters, and more, of their accounts being locked or even taken down entirely with little to no warning or justification–potentially impacting their business and livelihoods,” said Laird Hamberlin, CEO of SCI. Read more

Hunting

Smith & Wesson Releases M&P 15T II Engraved Limited-Edition Rifle

Commemorating Smith & Wesson’s move to Tennessee

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., (November 9, 2021) – Smith & Wesson Inc. broke ground for its new headquarters on November 5th in Maryville, Tennessee, and to celebrate this historic move from 2100 Roosevelt Ave, Smith & Wesson has released 2,100 limited edition M&P15T II engraved rifles. Engraved on the magazine well is an eagle, American flag, and the text “Since 1852 Protecting the 2nd”, representing the company’s commitment to the 2nd Amendment and its customers.

The M&P 15T II Engraved rifle features a free-float 16” barrel that features 5R rifling with a twist rate of 1:8 and is equipped with a mid-length gas system delivering reduced recoil and efficient cycling. A forged, oversized trigger guard provides maximum clearance when wearing gloves, and it’s equipped with a new flat face trigger for a crisp and consistent trigger pull. The M&P15T II comes standard with a Radian™ Raptor-LT™ charging handle, providing ambidextrous manipulation. Also included is a Magpul CTR carbine-length stock, and a 15” aluminum M-Lok handguard topped with Magpul MBUS® sights.

The MSRP on the new M&P15T II Engraved Limited-Edition rifle is $1,372. Read more

Firearms

Steiner Optics Introduces the Micro Pistol Sight Red Dot

GREELEY, Colo. – Steiner brings battle-proven durability and mil-spec ruggedness to pistol red dots with the new MPS (Micro Pistol Sight). Designed to endure the most rigorous needs of law enforcement and military operations, the MPS is a continuation of the efforts of Steiner to provide optics and imaging solutions for all defense and tactical applications.

All-metal construction, enhanced sidewalls, and a recessed window with a metal hood that blocks objects from reaching the front lens make this one of the toughest pistol sights ever created. The sight window is completely sealed and nitrogen filled protecting the roof-mounted 3.3 MOA emitter from weather and water down to 10 meters. The top-mounted battery compartment ensures quick and easy battery swaps without removing the optic and a low sight window close to the slide.

At 2.05 oz, the MPS is compact and lightweight offering a robust feature set including 6 day and 2 night vision brightness levels, user-selectable auto-off, and 13,000 hours of battery life on medium brightness. The true 1X magnification and Steiner quality glass offer an undistorted image for both eyes open operation and complete situational awareness. Read more

Optics

Remington Firearms to Locate Global Headquarters, Advanced Facility in LaGrange

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced Remington Firearms (RemArms), America’s oldest firearms manufacturer, will locate its global headquarters and open a new advanced manufacturing operation as well as a world-class research and development center in LaGrange, Georgia. Through these projects, RemArms will invest $100 million and create 856 jobs over a five-year period in Troup County.

“Georgia’s firearms industry is responsible for thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of investment in our communities,” said Governor Kemp. “I am a proud owner of some of Remington’s first-class product, and now, I am excited to welcome them to their new home in the Peach State. As yet another big manufacturing win for our state, I look forward to seeing the oldest firearms manufacturer in America thrive in Georgia’s pro-business environment.”

Founded in 1816, Remington Firearms is one of the United States’ largest domestic producers of shotguns and rifles. Several of the company’s strategic products will be manufactured in Georgia. The new headquarters will also become home to an innovative research and development center.

“We are very excited to come to Georgia, a state that not only welcomes business but enthusiastically supports and welcomes companies in the firearms industry,” said Ken D’Arcy, RemArms CEO. “Between the support we’ve received from the state and from Scott Malone and Kelley Bush of the City of LaGrange Economic Development Authority, we cannot wait to expand our company in Georgia. Everyone involved in this process has shown how important business is to the state and how welcoming they are to all business, including the firearms industry.” Read more

Firearms

Passing of Alan Mossberg

NORTH HAVEN, C.T. – On November 6, Alan Mossberg, Chairman of O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., passed away at his home in Tierra Verde, Florida, surrounded by close friends and family. Alan was 89 years old.

“On behalf of the Executive Team and over 500 US-based employees, we extend our deepest sympathies to Alan’s family during this difficult time,” said Doug Bell, Mossberg’s President and COO. “A great leader, visionary, and champion of bringing high quality, innovative firearms to the masses, Alan was a tireless advocate for gun rights and gun safety while always working to ensure that the American traditions of hunting and shooting sports live on for many years to come. More importantly, Alan was a devoted husband, father, and friend – He will be greatly missed”

Grandson of O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. founder, Oscar Mossberg, Alan started working for the Mossberg organization at a very young age. For the better part of the last 50 years, Alan became a major pillar of the global firearms industry by successfully leading Mossberg to grow into one of the world’s largest and most respected small arms manufacturers.

A staunch proponent of conservation and shooting sports throughout his career, Alan was heavily involved with organizations such as, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, North American Hunting Club, Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, and the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team. Under Alan’s guidance, Mossberg has been (and continues to be) a substantial contributor to these and other organizations that promote the safe and healthy future of hunting and shooting sports. Read more

Firearms

Big Daddy Unlimited to Host Fourth Annual ‘Epic Shoot’

An interactive showcase uniting enthusiasts, manufacturers, and influencers

Gainesville, FL –– Big Daddy Unlimited is excited to announce that the very popular range and media event, Epic Shoot, will return for its fourth straight year on November 11-12 in Fleming, Georgia. This interactive showcase brings together industry-leading manufacturers with media influencers and VIP guests against the setting of the newest and hottest products on the market.

Epic Shoot is like no other range and media event because it is 100-percent focused on building long-lasting relationships. The event attracts freedom-loving patriots and gun enthusiasts from all walks of life. You will have the opportunity to interact with individuals from different political affiliations, ages, religious beliefs, skin colors, genders, etc., who, above all, support and defend the Second Amendment. Our goal is to bring all people together for their love of America, freedom, and the right to bear arms.

“With the cancellation of the NRA’s annual 2021 Exhibition and Meetings last week, industry events have become even more rare than ever,” states Tony McKnight, Co-Founder, Big Daddy Unlimited. “BDU assures our attendees that Epic Shoot 2021 will not be cancelled. For firearms manufacturers and social media influencers who rely on these events to grow their businesses, showcase their newest and hottest products, and create awesome online content, Epic Shoot has become the must-attend industry event of the year.” Read more

Ammunition, Firearms

The Moose of Michigan

Editor’s Note: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is celebrating its centennial anniversary by releasing a series that recalls various accomplishments of the department over the past century. Happy anniversary, MDNR

Off the edge of a parking lot at Van Riper State Park, an interpretive display showcases information and artifacts resulting from one of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ most shining achievements.

The “moose lift,” as it was nicknamed, was a translocation project undertaken to restore the Upper Peninsula’s population of the large, roughly 1,000-pound browsing herbivores that today call the region’s mature forests, ponds and wetlands home.

The Michigan DNR traded moose provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for wild turkeys. Ontario wanted to help create a population of the gamebirds sustainable for hunting.

“Michigan’s moose reintroduction project was a monumental undertaking in terms of time, equipment, distance and costs,” according to one of the interpretive display panels detailing the effort. “In 1985 and 1987, with the help of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, sporting clubs, civic groups and other interested people, 59 moose were translocated from Algonquin Provincial Park.”

Helicopters were used to position biologists armed with tranquilizer dart rifles before moose on the surface of frozen Canadian lakes. The moose were drugged and blindfolded to calm and protect them, before being lifted in slings to a staging area.

From there, the moose were radio-collared, crated and loaded into waiting trucks for a 600-mile journey from the park situated north of Toronto to the woodlands of Marquette County, north of Michigamme and Van Riper State Park.

The goal of the project was to create a self-sustaining, free-ranging moose population. An optimistic objective of wildlife biologists back then was to achieve a population of 1,000 moose over the subsequent 15 years.

“We fully expect get a herd large enough to support a limited hunt,” then DNR wildlife biologist George Burgoyne told the Detroit Free Press for an Outdoors Page story in January 1985. “Maybe around the turn of the century.”

Moose were native to Michigan but declined after settlement of the area progressed, with unregulated hunting and with mature forests altered through logging and subsequent forest fires. Read more

Wildlife

Arizona: Sandhill Cranes Winging Their Way to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area

Live-streaming camera offers unique viewing experience

WILLCOX, Ariz. — Sandhill cranes by the thousands are once again returning to their wintering grounds at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in southeastern Arizona.

For the next few months, viewers can observe almost 20,000 of these fascinating birds on a live-streaming camera installed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The live stream can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/sandhillcranes.

Of the 47,000-plus sandhill cranes that migrated to Arizona in 2020, a record number — more than 25,000 — spent last winter at the wildlife area near Willcox.

“The sandhill cranes have once again sprung Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area back to life,” said Jeff Meyers, wildlife viewing program manager. “It’s truly a pleasure to offer this unfiltered view of our state’s wildlife directly to the public, giving them a chance to see the migration of this incredible species in action.”

The best time to view the cranes is 30 minutes before and after sunrise, just before they leave to feed for the morning. The leggy birds generally return to the wildlife area before noon, where they will remain for the rest of the day. With the camera being outfitted with infrared technology, viewers also can observe the cranes at night.

AZGFD will do its best to keep the camera focused on the cranes and other interesting wildlife subjects, but there will be times when that isn’t possible because of the unpredictability of wildlife. Viewers who don’t immediately see activity are encouraged to routinely check back. Read more

Wildlife

Big Daddy Unlimited Offers M781 40MM “Chalk” Rounds, Grenade Launchers

Citizens can legally purchase and own grenade launchers, 40mm “chalk rounds,” and specialty ammo.

Gainesville, FL – Big Daddy Unlimited is proud to announce it now sells grenade launchers, barrels, and 40mm rounds to private citizens through Big Daddy Ordnance (BDO).

The M781 “chalk round” is a 40x46mm round designed to mimic the flight path of the M433 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose round.

“Bringing the M781s to market through Big Daddy Ordnance represents a decisive change in how 40mm ammunition is distributed for the civilian market,” said Sean Lindley, Government & International Sales Director. “Previously, ammunition only arrived on the civilian market from military overruns.”

Despite supply-chain-related issues for .38 S&W blanks, Big Daddy Unlimited has been able to leverage its position to have new production rounds manufactured. The goal is for Big Daddy Unlimited to always have M781s and other specialty munitions including 37mm and 40mm in stock and ready to ship to customers. In addition to specialty rounds, Big Daddy Unlimited sells destructive devices including grenade launchers and barrels as well as “less-lethal” ammunition to civilians and law enforcement.

Big Daddy Unlimited (BDU) is revolutionizing the online gun, gear, and ammo-buying process with the largest selection of in-stock products at everyday industry-leading prices! Our mission is to help our members exercise their Second Amendment right at prices they can live with while giving them the VIP service they deserve! Our passion for the 2A is unyielding, and we patriotically defend the freedoms upon which our great country was founded.

Our sales and services teams are the greatest benefit of our membership program and truly what sets us apart from other companies in the firearms industry. A quick call into BDU is the fastest way to solve a problem or grab that hard-to-find item! Give us a call at (800) 915-7709 to become a member today!

Firearms
1 … 715 716 717 718 719 … 2,057