Feathered friends may turn up in unusual spaces

Around Michigan this spring, some people may find a surprise in their gardens and flower boxes, or even in landscaping near office buildings. Bird nests can be found in some interesting locations.

Female mallard ducks often build nests in landscaping, gardens or other unlikely places. If you do come across a duck’s next, simply leave it alone. If the eggs hatch, the mother will lead her ducklings to the nearest body of water, often the day they hatch.

Canada geese sometimes build nests near houses or in parks, often near water. Like mallards, geese will lead their young to water soon after hatching. Because adult geese can be protective of nests and young, they may chase people or animals away by hissing and running or flying toward the intruder. If possible, avoid the nesting area. If you must go near the area, carry an umbrella and gently scare the bird away by opening and closing the umbrella.

Mute swans also can be plenty protective. As with Canada geese, give the swan family ample room. Try not to walk or boat near the family to avoid conflicts.

A bluebird perched near a nest built in a fence post, with a baby bird beak poking out of the nestNests built in your yard already may have baby birds just starting to outgrow them. It’s common to find birds on the ground after a first attempt at flight. If you find one, don’t touch it. The parents will continue to care for it, even on the ground. One exception: If you find a sparsely feathered chick on the ground, it may have accidentally fallen from the nest before it is ready to fly. If you know where the nest is, return the chick only if you can do so safely. Read more
Wildlife

A Side-By-Side for the Upland Hunter: The New CZ BOBWHITE G2

Kansas City, KS – Back by popular demand, and better than ever, the CZ Bobwhite G2 is still a traditional, double-trigger, side-by-side shotgun with an English-style grip. For 2019, CZ-USA has added a lighter CNC-ed receiver, has upgraded the internals, and given the receiver a hardier finish.

CZ-USA’s done all this at a price that’s hard to beat.

The Bobwhite G2’s straight stock makes busting brush easier, and the double triggers allow for quick choke decisions when that quail, grouse or pheasant busts at distance. The Bobwhite G2 has 28-inch. barrel and can be had in 12, 20 or 28 gauge. Also included are five different screw-in choke tubes to modify your pattern for any bird hunting adventure.

For 2019, CZ-USA added floating firing pins, coil-spring operated hammers and redesigned the sears.

Between the straight stock and the updated CNC-ed G2 receiver, the Bobwhite is downright dainty in the smaller gauges; in 28 gauge, it tips the scales at an easy-carrying 5.5 pounds. CZ-USA gave the Bobwhite’s barrels and receiver CZ’s own tough black chrome finish, making this handsome side-by-side less prone to rusting than a blued gun. Read more

Firearms

Beretta APX Carry Pistol

(Accokeek, MD) Beretta is excited to announce the launch of our brand-new pistol, the Beretta APX Carry. Specifically designed for concealed carry, the APX Carry pistol extends the proven Beretta APX series to now include a single stack, sub-compact profile offering.

Intended for personal protection, the Beretta APX Carry features a low bore axis that produces less felt recoil and a natural point of aim as well as dramatically improves follow-up shot acquisition. Read more

Firearms

Savage 110 APEX Hunter XP

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts – – Savage is proud to introduce the 110 Apex Hunter XP, which pairs a Model 110 rifle with a 3-9x40mm Vortex Crossfire II scope that comes mounted, bore-sighted and ready to hunt. Shipments of these firearms have been delivered to dealers.

The platform provides accuracy and adjustability like no other package rifle thanks to the Savage AccuTrigger, thread- in headspacing, floating bolt head and precision button-rifled barrel. Plus, its length-of-pull can be quickly adjusted to fit any hunter for better comfort and consistency. The Crossfire II Dead-Hold BDC reticle makes it easier to place accurate shots at extended range, and the optic is securely mounted to a one-piece EGW 0 MOA rail. Read more

Firearms

S&W M&P15-22 SPORT OR with M&P Optic

New for 2019: M&P®15-22 SPORT™ OR with M&P™ Optic

M&P15-22 SPORT rifle now available with factory-mounted red/green dot optic

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Smith & Wesson Corp. today announced that the company’s award-winning M&P15-22 SPORT rifle is now available with a factory-mounted MP-100 Red/Green Dot Optic. Chambered in .22LR, the M&P15-22 SPORT rifle in an optics ready configuration includes a red/green dot MP-100 optic that allows for a quick and easy sighting solution on the reliable M&P15-22 platform.

The M&P15-22 SPORT rifle is chambered in .22 LR and includes a six-position adjustable stock, fully functioning charging handle and twenty-five round capacity. Equipped with the MP-100 optic, the M&P15-22 SPORT OR features a variable intensity dot in both red and green that’s adjustable for both windage and elevation. Featuring a 10” M&P slim handguard with Magpul M-LOK®, the M&P15-22 SPORT OR is easily customizable with compatible M-LOK accessories and offers a great value at an MSRP of $469.00. The M&P15-22 SPORT OR with M&P optic is available in three configurations: a 25 round version, 10 round version, and state compliant model. Read more

Firearms

Hunting, Fishing Groups File Comments Strongly Opposing Clean Water Rollbacks

Today, dozens of national, regional, and local hunting and fishing groups submitted final comments on the EPA’s proposed rollback of Clean Water Act protections for 50 percent of wetlands and 18 percent of stream miles in the U.S. Their comments underscore the potential economic consequences for rural communities and outdoor recreation businesses and the species that stand to lose habitat if clean water standards are weakened.

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has also mobilized more than 3,500 individual sportsmen and women to submit comments opposing the rollback during the brief comment period. Read more

Wildlife

Arizona: Game and Fish Commission Considers Rule to Restrict Predator Hunting Contests

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is proposing to adopt a rule that would prohibit using any lethal method of take during a hunting contest for predatory and fur-bearing animals, as defined under Arizona Revised Statutes 17-101.

In a public meeting March 15, the commission unanimously approved a Notice of Rulemaking Docket Opening and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (also posted at www.azgfd.gov/rulemaking).

The Notice will be published in the Arizona Administrative Register tomorrow (April 12), opening a 30-day comment period for the public to provide feedback. All public comments received from April 12 to May 12 will become part of the official record for this proposed rulemaking. There are two ways to submit comments:

  • E-mail: rulemaking@azgfd.gov
  • U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Rules Section, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.

All public comments will be evaluated before a Notice of Final Rulemaking is taken to the commission for its consideration. If approved, the final rule would be reviewed by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRCC).

The commission’s intent in adopting this rule is to address social concerns associated with hunting contests that award prizes to participants who kill the largest number or variety of predatory or fur-bearing animals.

The proposed rule would not apply to lawful, regulated hunting of predatory and fur-bearing animals, which plays an important role in wildlife management.

Contact:

Tom Cadden, Public Information Officer

(623) 236-7392, tcadden@azgfd.gov

Hunting

Ruger PC Carbine Models

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to introduce six new PC Carbine™ configurations including three free-float handguard models chambered in the popular 9mm Luger and three standard models offered in the highly anticipated .40 S&W chambering. These new PC Carbine models are offered in varying magazine capacity and threaded barrel configurations to ensure multi-state availability.

With improved utility for home defense and competition, the 9mm free-float handguard models feature a hard-coat anodized aluminum handguard with Magpul® M-LOK® accessory attachment slots on all four sides for easy mounting of M-LOK-compatible accessories. The appeal of the popular PC Carbine is further broadened with new models designed to accept the powerful .40 S&W cartridge.

All of these new models boast the hallmark features of the original PC Carbine. Uniquely designed for use with a variety of magazines, the PC Carbine has an easily interchangeable magazine well system that allows the rifle to accept common Ruger® and newer Glock® magazines. The PC Carbine also features a dead blow action with a custom tungsten weight that shortens bolt travel and reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise. Read more

Firearms
1 … 742 743 744 745 746 … 1,761