FL FWC seeks landowners to help with gopher tortoise conservation

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking landowners to help with gopher tortoise conservation efforts as part of the agency’s Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Program. The program benefits landowners and tortoises and is compatible with other land uses, such as hunting and wetland mitigation.

The Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Program provides landowners with an opportunity to generate additional revenue from their lands, as the landowner may charge a market-based fee for each tortoise received at the site.

There has never been a better time for landowners to participate in the recipient site program. The price landowners can charge per tortoise received at an approved site is not set by the FWC, so the landowner can adjust the fee based on their needs. Based on the current market for gopher tortoise recipient sites, landowners can generate more revenue from this program than ever before while contributing to the conservation of the species. Read more

Wildlife

Vessel Profile: Onne van der Wal’s Snow Goose

Acclaimed nautical photographer and mariner, Onne van der Wal, refits what may be the most beautiful Grand Banks 32 on Earth.

Born in the Netherlands and raised in South Africa, Onne van der Wal took to the seas at a young age. Early, indelible memories were forged sailing aboard his grandfather’s boat in Holland. Later, working as a commercial fisherman from the port of Hout Bay throughout his teenage years, van der Wal’s love for the ocean compounded. “I liked the vibe of being at sea and catching fish,” he recalls. “Growing up, there were always boats in the family and all our vacations revolved around boating, sailing and fishing.”

As van der Wal grew into a young man, his passions for the sea and for boats matured with him. He became an acclaimed sailor and entered the 1981 Whitbread Round the World Race on Flyer, leaving the competition in his wake. His artful photographs depicting scenes from his maritime adventures became widely published, paving the way for van der Wal to combine his two loves – boating and photography – into a vocation.

Today, Onne van der Wal lives in Jamestown, Rhode Island, where he and his wife, Tenley, own and operate a gallery showcasing his work, which has been published in boating and sailing magazines and other forms of media over the past 35 years. A machinist by trade, van der Wal also enjoys working with his hands. Boat restorations have allowed him to throw this skill into the mix of a life well lived. He completed a well-publicized restoration of a 1972 Pearson 36 sailboat named Snoek a few years ago and is currently wrapping up the refit of a 1986 Grand Banks 32 trawler, Snow Goose.

“I’ve been keen on trawlers since my teenage years in Cape Town,” van der Wal says. “We had a lot of fun with Snoek, but my wife isn’t a sailor at heart and we were ready for something different.” Van der Wal says he was fortunate to find the solid Grand Banks 32 under his nose in Jamestown before it was even listed for sale. “We bought it and put it on the hard, where I spent six months restoring it last winter. It’s simply much better for photography than a sailboat; it’s more comfortable with more room and more daylight. Tenley and I just love it.” Read more

Fishing

Michigan: gravel extraction planned for Genoa Township sites

Gravel extraction planned for Genoa Township sites is one step toward preparing land for DNR seed orchard

A planned seed orchard on two parcels of land near Brighton eventually could grow into a parklike setting with well-spaced, healthy trees and grassy areas.

But first, the hilly land owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources between Brighton Road and Cunningham Lake Road in Genoa Township, in southeast Livingston County, needs to be leveled to accommodate the orchard. The most cost-effective route to that is a short-term lease of the rights to mine sand and gravel on the properties.

“We’re not offering this lease to make money,” said Jason Hartman, silviculturist for the DNR. “It’s one step in a series of steps toward getting to our goal for state forest planning and for this land. It’s good for the state and good to have more green space in the community.”

Public information meeting in October

The DNR will schedule a public meeting in October to discuss the steps in the multiyear process and answer residents’ questions.

The properties, which are near several residential subdivisions, include a 50-acre parcel and a 77-acre parcel. Both were listed as surplus properties by the state and destined for auction. But they’re also near the DNR’s Tree Improvement Center, where seedlings are grown to help maintain healthy landscapes among more than 3.9 million acres of state forests.

The DNR has managed seed orchards to procure jack pine and red pine seeds at the Tree Improvement Center for about 50 years. Red pine seeds are especially difficult to collect in a natural setting, so orchards are used to provide large volumes of pine cones to help in DNR reforestation efforts. Seeds are extracted and nurtured under controlled conditions, then transplanted to forest land. Using seed orchards helps guarantee the health and success of future forests. Read more

Wildlife

Beretta USA Launches New 92X Performance Defensive Pistol

Accokeek, MD (September 22, 2021) – Beretta USA is excited to announce the launch of the new 92X Performance Defensive – the next evolution of the popular 92X Performance line of competition pistols. Specifically designed for those consumers who participate in IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) competitions, the 92X Performance Defensive maintains the same ergonomic design and controls as the popular 92X Performance Production platform with new enhanced features such as a lightened steel frame and slide, a red-dot optic ready slide, and aggressively textured 92X-style thin grips for instinctive control.

“Beretta USA is excited to finally present the new 92X Performance Defensive, a line extension specifically designed for IDPA competitions. The Performance Product Line has been expanding since the official launch at the 2019 IWA Outdoor Classics Show, and we are now proudly partnering with the top major sport shooting associations in the world to keep promoting Beretta products’ excellence. The Defensive represents the state-of-the-art design for SA/DA pistols to compete in SSP, ESP, and CO divisions. The feature set speaks for itself as it introduces the most innovative characteristics for a competition gun. I look forward to meeting the IDPA community at the 2021 IDPA Nationals in Colorado and enjoying the launch of this new model together,” Nicola Lorenzi, Business Development Manager – Pistols, said. Read more

Firearms

Faxon EXOS Pistol Compensators

(CINCINNATI, OH) – Faxon Firearms, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based manufacturer of quality rifle and pistol components, and complete firearms, is excited to announce their new line of EXOS Pistol Compensators.

The team at Faxon Firearms is continuing to expand their product offerings for handgun enthusiasts and consumers. So far this year, they have released barrels for M&P® Shield/Shield Plus, Glock® 43/43X, and SIG® P365 & P365 XL, as well as Modular Magazine Extensions for Glock® 19.

Faxon EXOS Pistol Compensators come in 3 models:

  • EXOS-513 – for Glock® and Faxon’s FX-19
  • EXOS-514 – for M&P®
  • EXOS-515 – for SIG® Read more
Firearms

FAB Defense Announces The RAPS-C Collapsible Stock

Modi’in, Israel. – F.A.B. Defense® is pleased to announce the collapsible Rapid Adjustment Precision Stock (RAPS-C) to the lineup of AR-15 style rifle stocks. The RAPS-C is in full production and is now available to dealers world wide.

The RAPS-C is designed for the precision minded shooter who wants a full featured adjustable precision rifle stock with carbine functionality. The RAPS-C was designed in a response to customer feedback that in turn gives added functionality to the already popular fixed rifle length RAPS stock. Shooters who prefer compact precision rifles will now enjoy an integrated cheek rest and adjustable length of pull (LOP) in a traditional carbine style collapsible stock.

The RAPS-C features a Patent-pending 1 latch system that locks both LOP and cheek rest height with one lever that can be configured for right or left-hand shooters. The RAPS-C also has a LOP memory feature that once set, the adjustable butt-pad will spring out to the same length every time. The RAPS-C also features a concealed Picatinny rail at the bottom of the stock for use with a monopod, a heavy-duty rubber butt-pad with height adjustability, and a retention bolt for determining optimal fit on MIL-Spec or Commercial-Spec Carbine buffer tubes.

Specifications: Read more

Firearms

Silencer Central Announces Appearance on Hickok45

Sioux Falls, South Dakota –– Silencer Central, America’s largest silencer dealer, is proud to announce that Brandon Maddox, President and CEO of Silencer Central, appeared as a guest on the legendary YouTube channel Hickok45. Maddox appeared with second amendment champion Greg Kinman to share his expertise on select-fire guns, suppressors, as well as trends in the industry. Silencer Central, as part of the interview, produced documentary footage of Maddox’s journey.

“Silencer Central is proud to be a sponsor of Hickok45,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “Greg Kinman is an asset for every American gun owner. It was a privilege to make the pilgrimage to Tennessee and shoot on what’s arguably the most well-known backyard gun range in the world. And I’d like to thank the team at Hickok45 for allowing Silencer Central the opportunity to add to the discussion of silencers.”

Silencer Central and Joe Sir of Rizen Media produced a behind-the-scenes look at the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T7wZJDQ6QU.

The Hickok45 interview with Maddox is live on the Hickok45 YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8dyuGiwOQU. Read more

Firearms

MKS Supply/Strassell’s Machine Offers Hydro Dip Service to Outdoors, Shooting Industry

Dayton, OH – MKS Supply, marketer and exclusive distributor for Barnaul Ammunition, Full Forge Gear, and well-known firearms brands Hi-Point Firearms and Inland Manufacturing, has teamed with Mid-Ohio Hydrographics (Mansfield, OH) to further expand its hydrographic decorating services to more hunting and shooting industry manufacturers.

Custom finishes—from the smallest accessories to firearms, bows, and larger outdoor gear—are increasingly employed to satisfy customer demands and to help distinguish brands in crowded product categories, and custom hydrographic coatings are one of the most durable, economical, and impactful way to add that special touch to any product.

Mid-Ohio Hydrographics currently provides custom and production-level hydrographic and custom-color coating services across the outdoor and shooting segments, including firearms, grips and stocks, game calls, and more. The company’s high-volume capacity and proprietary automated systems ensure fast turnaround and accommodation for the largest orders. Read more

Firearms

BOG DeathGrip Series Expands with Two Camo Options

Field-Proven BOG® DeathGrip® Series Expands with Two Camo Options www.boghunt.com

Engineered for the Unknown™, from the ground up and built for maximum stability, BOG® DeathGrip® tripods continue to punch more tags than any other rest on the market. Designed to be the most stable platform available, all DeathGrip® precision tripods offer a patented clamp that secures any firearm or crossbow, keeping hunters steady and freeing up their hands for glassing and calling until that moment of truth. With the release of the Mossy Oak® BOTTOMLAND™ and Realtree® EXCAPE™ camo models, BOG® is further establishing itself as the market leader in hunting equipment designed to solve existing pain points and make the obsessed hunter more successful.

BOG® has made it a mission to develop products that eliminate all pain points and frustrations hunters see in the field. “Good enough” is a phrase never uttered within the walls at BOG®, as they believe hunters shouldn’t have to settle for gear that fails to meet their demands. BOG® refuses to let them settle. These two latest additions to the DeathGrip® lineup are just another example of that.

BOG® has the Camo DeathGrip you need whether you are the obsessed whitetail and turkey hunter in wooded terrain or your obsession runs free in open territory, from pastures to the backcountry. The Camo DeathGrip features the same great qualities as the original DeathGrip, such as:

  • Tilt Adjustment Lever Provides Up to 25 Degrees of Cant Adjustment
  • 360 Degree Pan with Tension Adjustment
  • Patented Dual-Adjustment Clamping Head with Non-Marring Jaw Inserts
  • Integral Bubble Level
  • Lever Leg Locks
  • Retractable Steel Foot Spikes
  • Durable Aluminum Construction
  • 3-Postion Leg Angle Locks Provide Prone to Standing Shooting
  • Height Adjustment- 7″ – 59″ Read more
Hunting

DNR announces open house/tour events at Michigan’s Wetland Wonders

Hunters who have been wanting to hunt at one of Michigan’s managed waterfowl hunt areas, also known as Michigan’s Wetland Wonders, now have the chance to get to know the areas this fall. Open house events will be held at several Wetland Wonders locations in September and October.

The events will be held outdoors and will include a driving tour of the area. Participants will be able to tune their vehicle radios to hear an introduction and overview of the area before the driving tour begins. Various stops will be planned along the route to showcase improvements designed to provide great habitat for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. Masks are suggested for tour participants while outside vehicles.

The open house events, each beginning at 6 p.m., will be held at the following locations:

Michigan’s Wetland Wonders include the seven premier managed waterfowl hunt areas in the state. These areas, scattered across the southern Lower Peninsula, were created in the 1960s to provide exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities, and are still managed today to provide waterfowl habitat for nesting and migration and for the benefit of other wetland wildlife.

Contact: Joe Robison, 734-777-1066

Hunting
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