Reports of EHD-Affected Deer Occurring Across Southwest Michigan

Most recent case of epizootic hemorrhagic disease confirmed in St. Joseph County

A common viral deer disease has made a return to St. Joseph County after a three-year hiatus, with additional counties likely to follow. Over the past several weeks, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has received reports of over 120 probable cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, primarily from counties in the southwestern Lower Peninsula.

The DNR Wildlife Health Section and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory recently confirmed the EHD virus in a free-ranging white-tailed deer from St. Joseph County. Several other counties are awaiting lab confirmation.

EHD is a viral, sometimes fatal disease found in wild ruminants such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk.

“Although early reports indicate 2024 could see a significant outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in pockets of Michigan’s deer population, this isn’t necessarily unusual,” said Chad Stewart, acting supervisor of the DNR Wildlife Division’s Sustainable Populations Section. Read more

Wildlife

WSF: New Desert Bighorn Sheep Source Herd in Texas

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) applauds the effort to restore desert bighorn sheep in the Lone Star State’s Franklin Mountains State Park.

Historically, desert bighorn sheep were native to Texas. With the settlement of the Trans-Pecos Region of Texas, native wild sheep populations declined rapidly, becoming extirpated by 1960. Through hard work and dedication, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Texas Bighorn Society (TBS), private landowners, and dedicated sportsmen and women collaborated to restore desert bighorns to many historic mountain ranges.

“Recently, wild sheep populations in Texas have declined dramatically because of health-related die-offs associated with pathogen transmission from non-native aoudad,” explained Kevin Hurley, WSF’s VP for Conservation. “Franklin Mountains State Park is one area identified by TPWD and TBS that is free of aoudad, making it the perfect location to re-introduce desert bighorn sheep safely.” Read more

Wildlife

Ninth Circuit Panel Hands Partial Win to SAF, Allies in ‘Sensitive Areas’ Lawsuit

BELLEVUE, Wash. —— A three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has handed a partial victory to the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its allies in a challenge of state laws prohibiting licensed concealed carry in so-called “sensitive places.”

The SAF case, known as May v. Bonta, was decided along with two other cases — one from California and the other from Hawaii — Friday. Circuit Judge Susan P. Graber, a Bill Clinton appointee, wrote the 71-page opinion for the court, which affirmed an injunction against California’s restrictions “with respect to hospitals and similar medical facilities, public transit, gatherings that require a permit, places of worship, financial institutions, parking areas and similar areas connected to those places, and the new default rule as to private property.”

The ruling reverses a preliminary injunction as it applied to “bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, playgrounds, youth centers, parks, athletic areas, athletic facilities, most real property under the control of the Department of Parks and Recreation or Department of Fish and Wildlife, casinos and similar gambling establishments, stadiums, arenas, public libraries, amusement parks, zoos, and museums; parking areas and similar areas connected to those places; and all parking areas connected to other sensitive places listed in the statute.”

“We are pleased that the 9th Circuit has affirmed part of the lower court’s injunction,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “However, we maintain that the areas as to which the Court reversed the injunction, and reinstated the carry ban, violate the Second Amendment. The State’s expansion of so called ‘sensitive places’ goes beyond what the Supreme Court contemplated when it mentioned them in Bruen and are designed to discourage individuals from bearing arms in public. SAF and its partners will continue to aggressively litigate this case to ensure Californians may exercise their Second Amendment rights in full.” Read more

Gun Control

NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks for August 2024

The August 2024 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,210,995 is an increase of 8.3 percent compared to the August 2023 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,117,821.

For comparison, the unadjusted August 2024 FBI NICS figure 2,163,540 reflects a 5.7% percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,047,512 in August 2023.

August 2024 marks the 61st consecutive month that has exceeded 1 million adjusted background checks in a single month. Read more

Firearms

Schumer Agrees with Trump on Illegal Immigrants

The desire for power and control has changed Chuck Shumer’s stance on illegal immigrants.

Today, the chameleon says this: SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: Now more than ever we’re short of workers. We have a population that is not reproducing on its own with the same level that it used to. The only way we’re going to have a great future in America is if we welcome and embrace immigrants — the DREAMers and all of them — because our ultimate goal is to help the DREAMers — but get a path to citizenship for all 11 million, or however many undocumented, there are here.

Why the flip-flop?  Answer:  Power.

General

TrueTimber Introduces New Tekari Vision 270 Hub Blind at Walmart

TrueTimber, the world’s best-selling camo brand, introduces the all-new Tekari Vision 270 Hub Blind available at Walmart. Designed with the modern hunter in mind, this innovative hunting blind offers a range of features that will revolutionize your hunting adventures.

The Tekari Vision 270 Hub Blind boasts a quick and effortless assembly and disassembly process, ensuring that users spend less time setting up and more time focusing on the hunt. With its silent entry and exit door, users can slip in and out of the blind without alerting game animals, giving hunters an added advantage.

Equipped with silent slide windows, the Tekari Vision 270 Hub Blind allows users to silently adjust their view, ensuring that they remain undetected by even the most cautious game. The blind also features three one-way see-through walls, providing hunters with a clear line of sight while remaining completely concealed.

In addition to its stealthy design, the Tekari Vision 270 Hub Blind offers practical features that enhance the hunting experience. The blind includes brush loops, allowing hunters to add natural foliage for added camouflage easily. Its water-resistant construction ensures users stay dry and comfortable, even in inclement weather conditions. Read more

Hunting

Barnett Demun Break-action Compact Crossbow Series

Tarpon Springs, FL – Barnett®, the first to pioneer break-action crossbows with the Commando crossbow, is back with the most innovative, game-changing models for 2024 with the new Demun™ Break-action Compact Crossbow Series. The series features three models: the Demun Tri Strike™, Demun Accu Strike™, and the Demun Accu Strike PRO™. The Demun series is characterized by its compact and lightweight design, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts seeking power and convenience.

Leading the Demun Series, the Demun Accu Strike PRO™ is a powerful crossbow designed to explore the fun of crossbow shooting and hunting. What distinguishes the Demun Accu Strike PRO apart from the rest of the series is its impressive speed of 210 FPS! The patented two-stage break-action reloading mechanism decreases draw weight by approximately 50%, allowing quick and effortless reloading for hunters. With its diamond knurl grip and Red/Green Illuminated Reflex Sight, the crossbow offers unparalleled control and feel, maintaining deadly accuracy. Shooters can rely on the Demun Accu Strike PRO to be highly accurate, user-friendly design, and deliver power with every shot!

Demun Accu Strike PRO™ Specs: Read more

Archery

Win a Rifle, JK Suppressor, and More in the Hunt Suppressed Raffle

Hammett, ID – For the first time since 1934, you have the chance to win a suppressor (plus a rifle and an optic!) and possibly have it in your hands before hunting season ends!

Thanks to ongoing advocacy and educational efforts, law-abiding citizens in 42 states can now own suppressors, and hunters in 41 states can use them to protect their hearing in the field. Through the determined efforts of the ASA, states like Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming have all legalized the use of suppressors while hunting.

Hunt Suppressed Raffle includes: Henry Big Boy X Model lever-action rifle in .357/38 Spl, JK Armament 155 PCX 9mm suppressor, and a Vortex Optics red dot!

Help the ASA continue their fight to legalize suppressors in all 50 states! Don’t miss your chance – enter now at www.asaraffle.com. Read more

Contests, Firearms, Optics
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