Michigan: be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly threatening agriculture, natural resources

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking the public to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect with the potential to seriously affect Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources. This insect could damage or kill more than 70 varieties of crops and plants including grapes, apples, hops, and hardwood trees. To date, spotted lanternfly has not been detected in Michigan.

First detected in the United States in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania, spotted lanternfly has been spreading rapidly across the northeastern states. There have been confirmed infestations in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Spotted lanternfly causes direct damage by sucking sap from host plants and secreting large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid called honeydew. This honeydew and the resulting black sooty mold can kill plants and foul surfaces. The honeydew often attracts other pests like yellow jackets, flies, and ants, affecting outdoor recreation and complicating crop harvests. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan Youth and Veterans/Active Duty U.S. Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Weekend

The Youth and Veterans/Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be Sept. 18-19. This statewide hunt is for properly licensed youth 16 years old and younger and eligible veterans and active-duty U. S. military personnel.

Ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and moorhens may be harvested. The daily limits and species restrictions are the same as those allowed in the regular waterfowl hunting season. Adults accompanying youth hunters are not permitted to harvest these species during the hunt unless hunting during the September portion of the Canada goose hunting season. Youth 16 years old also must possess a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp.

Participating veterans and active-duty U.S military personnel are required to possess documentation of verification afield and must present it upon request of a Michigan conservation officer, tribal conservation officer or any law enforcement officer. The following documentation along with a valid Michigan driver’s license or voter registration card will be accepted as proof of status: military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders, copy of DD Form 214, enhanced driver’s license or documentation from the Veterans Administration regarding disability status. Participating veterans and active-duty U.S. military personnel must possess a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp.

Hunting

Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s to Hire 5,000 More Team Members

National Hiring Event planned for September 22-23
with opportunities in retail, distribution and contact center divisions

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company, is looking to hire thousands of full-time and part-time Outfitters as outdoor recreation remains an extremely popular activity for millions of Americans.

During a National Hiring Event on Wednesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 23, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s retail locations across the U.S. will conduct on-site interviews for local retail, distribution and contact center positions from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Full-time and part-time positions are available in all of the company’s locations. Read more

General

Michigan DNR receives global award for investigation of illegal toxic chemical dumping by Flint company

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources was honored Monday for an environmental investigation led by conservation officers in the DNR Law Enforcement Division revealing that Flint-based Oil Chem illegally disposed of more than 47 million gallons of environmentally harmful liquid in the City of Flint’s sewer system over an eight-year period.

DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler, together with Lt. Vence Woods, accepted the 2021 Chief David Cameron Leadership in Environmental Crimes Award at the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual conference, held virtually this year.

“It is fantastic to see the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division and Environmental Investigations Section recognized with this prestigious IACP award,” said Hagler.

The DNR’s environmental investigation detectives are funded by, and conduct criminal investigations for, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

“Our partnership with EGLE is mutually beneficial and very productive for the residents of our state,” Hagler said. “This is an honor that law enforcement agencies around the world compete for.” Read more

Wildlife

SAF Invites Attendees to “Join Us Online” for Virtual 2021 GRPC

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation invites run rights activists across the country to participate in the 36th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference, which, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, will once again be a virtual event held online Sept. 25 and 26, hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Saving Freedom!” The event will appear on multiple platforms, including YouTube and Facebook.

Last year’s virtual conference had more than 6,500 pre-registered “attendees,” and SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb anticipates equally big participation. This year’s presentations will include a discussion about how COVID impacted Second Amendment supporters, plus a look at the situation in Illinois with FOID licenses. And, of course, there will an in-depth discussion of the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association case that will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in November. Read more

Gun Control

Beretta USA Launches New M9A4 Pistol

Accokeek, MD – Beretta USA is excited to announce the launch of the new M9A4, the newest model in the venerable M9 series of pistols. Built to exceed the standards of even the most demanding tactical shooters, the M9A4 blends the proven design of the M9 with modern features such as a red-dot optic compatible slide and dovetailed tritium night sights for optimal sight options, an enhanced short reset Xtreme Trigger System, an 18-round magazine, and a Beretta Vertec frame with included aggressively textured Vertec-style thin grips that ensure a more natural fit for all shooters.

“After several years of feedback, research, and development, we are proud to bring the latest version of the M9 series pistol to the market and show the ultimate evolution of the venerable M9 series. We are excited to bring the M9A4 to market incorporating the latest advancements in 90 series pistols to date with a red-dot ready slide, an enhanced short reset Xtreme Trigger System, and a higher capacity magazine offering,” Erik Stern, Tactical and Pro Shop Product Manager, said.

Proudly built in the USA, the new M9A4 is designed to be ideal for any tactical situation, including home and personal defense, tactical competitions, and duty carry in any condition.

The red-dot ready M9A4 features integral slide cuts to allow for the mounting of optional optic plate styles. Consumers can receive a free optic plate from Beretta upon the registration of their purchased firearm or purchase an additional one aftermarket. Shipping with blanking covers, the end-user is able to purchase one of five different plates that allow for mounting of all of the most popular optic variants on the market today. Read more

Firearms

NWTF Announces Conservation Week and Issues Outdoors Challenge

EDGEFIELD, S.C.—The National Wild Turkey Federation is proud to announce its upcoming Conservation Week and is challenging all to partake in conservation by getting outdoors.

The week will begin Sept. 19 with a message to join in on the greater conservation story by getting outdoors and will conclude on Sept. 25, which is National Hunting and Fishing Day. The celebratory day brings together sportsmen and women to celebrate rich traditions. The NWTF urges all outdoors enthusiasts to help promote our passions and educate others on the importance of this week.

“We want to highlight all of our own conservation and outreach work, while emphasizing the important role hunting plays in conservation,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “The connection between conservation and hunting is the essence of the NWTF’s mission, and we want to bring that relationship into focus during our Conservation Week.”

NWTF’s Conservation Week will bring awareness and emphasis to its conservation mission and the role of hunters in creating Healthy Habitats and Health Harvests by illustrating the organization’s milestones and ongoing initiatives to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage, specifically through the lens of the NWTF’s America’s Big Six of Wildlife Conservation.

America’s Big Six of Wildlife Conservation is a national strategic plan created by NWTF conservation experts. Six areas of concern were established to help identify the most urgent needs and better monitor conservation objectives: Read more

Wildlife

AGM Expands Rattler Thermal Scope Line

Springerville, AZ – AGM Global Vision has been listening to what customers have been asking for and are pleased to announce that new models featuring a Laser Range Finder (LRF) will be coming soon. These are the first LRF models to be added to the Rattler series and AGM will be offering multiple units in the LRF family. There will be 35mm and 50mm options in both 384×288 and 640×512 resolution, both with 12 micron displays and 50hz refresh rates. The Rattler series comes standard with on board recording, 16gb of storage, a wifi enabled app, picture in picture display, and an American Defense QD mount. This optic is powered by an 18650 battery or an external battery pack via the on board USBC plug. MSRP on these units ranges from $3,459 to $5,769 and it will be available in early November through authorized AGM retailers and distributors. Read more

Optics

Surge Outdoors Acquires Barnett Crossbows

Surge Outdoors, a leading supplier of hunting and outdoor related products announces its recent purchase of Barnett Crossbows.

Barnett innovates and supply’s a broad spectrum of high-performance and value-driven crossbows, vertical and youth bows and archery accessories popular with both hunting and recreational shooters. Barnett is also a leading provider of slingshots and accessories. The acquisition of Barnett demonstrates Surge’s commitment to the archery industry.

“Barnett is the first and longest-standing crossbow company with a storied heritage…I am thrilled to once again be a part of telling everyone that story and help write the next chapter. Barnett will continue to lead the crossbow industry through profound innovation and a heightened focus for the archery industry.” Ryan Busbice, CEO. Read more

Archery

Michigan: Autumn About to Fall

The predictions are in: fall colors are ahead of schedule and will move through Michigan by mid-October. The window is short and calendars are busy, so plan your road trip now and get ready for Michigan’s dazzling displays of red, gold and green.

From visiting historic state parks and museums, to sandhill crane and elk viewing, to watching huge freighters move down the St. Clair River, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season.

Want to get started? We’ve pulled together maps showing peak color progression, destination information and ideas for unique experiences all over the state. Hope to see you out there!

Take the fall color tour ?

Wildlife
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