Emergency Forest Restoration Program can help private forest owners when disaster strikes

A family forest is an investment that can create an outdoor legacy for future generations, but wildfire, storms, drought and hungry insects all can threaten forest lands.

The Emergency Forest Restoration Program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is available for landowners in case of catastrophic damage to private, nonindustrial forests.

“This little-known resource available through our federal partners is one that Michigan forest owners should be aware of,” said Mike Smalligan, DNR Forest Stewardship Program coordinator.

The program is offered through the USDA Farm Service Agency and can cover up to 75% of the costs to restore lands after windstorms, wildfire or other damage. Read more

Wildlife

CCRKBA: VA Gun Owners Made Difference in State Races

BELLEVUE, WA – Virginia’s embattled gun owners were the margin of difference when it counted to take back the governor’s office, the Assembly and other key races, essentially setting the stage for “a return of common sense to the Commonwealth,” the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.

“Old Dominion gun owners were not about to allow anti-gun Democrats enjoy another two years of power after what happened in January 2020,” CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb observed. “They knew what Terry McAuliffe’s return to Richmond would mean for their Second Amendment rights. His party’s politics of attacking gun owners, and their outrageous record of eroding gun rights brought gun owners to the polls to say enough is enough.”

“What is most gratifying,” he continued, “was to see savvy gun rights voters ignore the despicable last-minute ad buy by desperate Democrats to suppress the gun vote by painting Republican Glenn Youngkin as an anti-gunner, when it is their own candidate who has a deplorable record on gun rights.” Read more

Gun Control

Colt’s Manufacturing Company Issues Voluntary MSR Recall

COLT’S MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC (“COLT”) has recently discovered a potential safety issue with certain Modern Sporting Rifles (“MSRs”). Colt is voluntarily initiating a recall to protect the safety of its customers because, under certain conditions, it is possible that some of these MSRs may discharge a second round when the trigger is released when there is a live round in the chamber.

Colt is committed to the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction. In keeping with that commitment, during routine quality testing, Colt discovered that hammers that do not meet Colt’s specifications were installed in certain MSRs that were manufactured beginning on March 5, 2021. The issue will be corrected by replacing the hammers in affected MSRs.

The recall only covers a portion of MSRs manufactured beginning on March 5, 2021, and includes the following models: AR15A4, CR6700A4, CR6920, CR6920-EPR, CR6920MPS-B, CR6921, CR6921-EPR, CR6933, CR6933-EPR, CR6960, LE6920-EPR, LE6920MPS-B, LE6920-OEM1, LE6920-OEM2, LE6920-R, LE6933-EPR, SP633784, LE6920SOCOM. Read more

Firearms

Whitetails Unlimited Offers Free Sight-In Targets

Rifle, shotgun, and muzzleloader deer seasons are fast approaching, but whatever firearm is used it is very important for the hunter to be confident with their abilities to hit a target accurately – every time. To help ensure that you and your firearm are shooting accurately, Whitetails Unlimited will ship a pad of 100-yard sight-in targets at no cost. The targets measure approximately 14 x 16 inches and has 1-inch grids with a 6-inch center highlight ring.

Whitetails Unlimited celebrates the American tradition of hunting deer, the most popular big-game animal in North America. WTU expects hunters to go afield on ethical, fair-chase hunts; part of that hunting ethic is to only take shots when the hunter is sure of the target, knows what is beyond the target, and is following all applicable hunting laws and regulations. For more information about hunting safely and legally, contact your state’s department of natural resources.

“These sight-in targets are a great way to confirm your firearm is accurate,” said Whitetails Unlimited Program Services Director Russ Austad. “An accurate firearm will ensure a clean, ethical kill.”

For individuals to receive their targets, just call Whitetails Unlimited National Headquarters at 1-800-274-5471. Read more

Hunting

German Precision Optics Adds The New 4.5-27x50i Riflescope

RICHMOND, VA — German Precision Optics (GPO) has entered the high magnification first focal plane scope market with its new premium tactical riflescope, the GPOTAC™ 4.5-27x50i FFP. Designed for professional use, as well as shooters and hunters who demand the very best in long distance and tactical shooting, the 4.5-27x50i FFP mates superior materials and meticulous manufacturing processes and tolerances to produce a riflescope on par with the world’s finest.

This scope’s optical features are superb, using a 50mm double HD objective lens system for enhanced resolution coupled with the GPObright™ high transmission lens coatings. A 34mm main tube maximizes optical performance while supporting incremental elevation adjustment capabilities. It is crafted from a solid, one-piece dust-proof, waterproof, nitrogen-filled body for ultimate strength and durability. An illuminated mil-spec LRpro magnifying reticle powered with the GPO iCONTROL™ illumination system will assist the shooter in placing the perfect shot in even the lowest light conditions. Custom designed turrets are mil-based and include a ZERO-STOP system for those shooters sure to be dialing for their distance. Also provided is an adapted magnification system throw lever for ease of use in every shooting situation.

The 4.5-27x50i GPOTAC FFP comes with a throw lever, cleaning cloth, see-through bikini ocular and objective lens scope covers, and an extra CR2032 battery. All GPO products purchased in the USA include the GPO, USA’s Spectacular Lifetime Warranty™. Full details on this industry-changing warranty can be found at www.gpo-usa.com. It’s currently available at both retailers nationwide and at www.gpo-usa.com. Read more

Optics

Don’t forget your Pure Michigan Hunt application when picking up your deer license

Buy your deer license over the counter at a DNR?license retailer or online at Michigan.gov/Deer.

Choose from a deer license or a deer combo license, which allows hunters the opportunity to harvest two bucks. Universal antlerless licenses are also available for purchase and can be used across deer management units in the Lower Peninsula and parts of the Upper Peninsula. Find season regulations and bag limits in the 2021 Hunting Digest.

Licenses purchased online will ship to you in seven to 10 business days.  You cannot hunt without a deer license in your possession. Read more

Hunting

NDA’s onX Hunt CWD Layer Now Shows Testing Sites, More Resources

The National Deer Association (NDA) has announced newly expanded information in the onX Hunt App CWD map layer will now make it even easier for deer and elk hunters to help fight chronic wasting disease (CWD). This new layer provides insights on CWD distribution, management zones, testing locations, carcass disposal sites and more for the entire country–all within the onX Hunt App.

CWD is a neurodegenerative disease of deer and elk that results in abnormal behavior, loss of body condition, and eventually death. CWD is 100% fatal and is found in most species of the deer family (cervids), including whitetail and mule deer, elk, and moose. onX and NDA worked together to provide the first nationwide database of CWD information for hunters in 2018. The new layer in the onX Hunt App could be used to visualize CWD distribution, but with the new update, the CWD layer now also shows testing locations, carcass disposal sites and regulations for each CWD management zone. This information, along with relevant links to all state CWD resources and regulations, will help empower you to fight CWD and become part of the solution. Read more

Wildlife

SnapSafe Under Bed Safes Protect Firearms and Valuables

Grand Island, NE – Some homeowners prefer a shotgun or carbine for a home defense weapon. These long guns provide extra peace of mind at night but also require bigger storage containers than pistols. SnapSafe offers the solution. Under Bed Safes keep larger firearms, ammunition and other valuables secure, allowing quick and convenient slide-out access when needed.

Three sizes of SnapSafe Under Bed Safes offer the right-sized secure storage and feature a slide-out draw for easy access to the safe’s contents. All models have a slim profile for mounting below a bed’s frame. Large and XXL models are wide enough to hold most defense shotguns and carbine rifles. The medium safe is best suited to pistols or other valuables like jewelry, documents, data backup hard drives and extra ammunition.

The digital lock, on all Under Bed Safes, uses a user-programmable three-to-eight-digit access code. Safes open with a push-button keypad or key backup. The ability to set multiple safes with the same code means there’s only one number to remember; this feature ensures quick access in a stressful situation! Read more

Firearms

Escort Shotgun’s Hard-Hitting SDX

Bentonville, AR – The Escort SD-X is part of Hatsan’s Versatile Tactical Shotgun series. Available in either 12 ga or .410 cal, this modern sporting shotgun is offered in all black or FDE Cerakote. A new gas piston design is mounted around the barrel itself, eliminating the secondary tube that is typically mounted below the barrel of a semi-automatic shotgun. This reduces the weight and bulk of the gun while minimizing felt recoil and muzzle rise. The synthetic polymer lower receiver features an alloy magazine well that ensures a smooth, durable product designed to last. Hatsan’s patented ThermoDefend forend absorbs and dissipates heat from the barrel while offering a comfortable, controlled grip on the weapon.

An active buffer tube absorbs recoil and sports a removable buttstock with elevation-adjustable cheek rest. The soft rubber ergonomic pistol grip is also removable and can be replaced with a wide variety of already available aftermarket options. The cocking bolt is reversible to suit a wide variety of shooter preferences. A carry-handle rear sight and fixed front sight come equipped on each gun, but the included flip-up sights can be installed for use with mounted optics. The forend also features 4 Picatinny rail locations to accommodate multiple accessory mounting options. Read more

Firearms

Firearms Sales Slowing Somewhat

In the meantime, the NSSF’s latest NICS numbers indicate the slowing trend in gun sales might finally be arriving. But it’s definitely not as slow as might be indicated by the percentage (19.3) decrease. Even with that drop, the adjusted-National Instant Criminal Background Check System numbers have 1,427,264 operations. That’s only a drop compared to 2020- and is still sufficient to make October 2021 the second-highest October on record.

Or as the NSSF’s Mark Oliva explains, “The annual total so far of nearly 15.2 million background checks is putting 2021 on the path to being the second strongest year on record. It is currently behind only the record shattering 21 million background checks witnessed in 2020 and the 15.7 million background checks conducted during 2016.”

“This continued and sustained pace of background checks for the sale of a firearm, that is climbing in the closing months of 2021, shows the resiliency of the firearm manufacturers to meet this sustained, high-level demand and the personal interest by the American public to participate in the exercise of their God-given Second Amendment rights.”

Firearms
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