Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
ANOKA, Minnesota –– Federal Ammunition has recently added three load options to its Premium® Hi-Bird Fiber Wad shotshells. These high-performance 12-gauge loads feature a cellulose-based fiber wad, reducing plastic waste in the field while delivering the same hard-hitting downrange energy as the original Hi-Bird loads. These new loads are currently being delivered to retailers nationwide. Read more
Oroville, CA – RCBS®, America’s PrecisioneeredTM reloading company, announces the expansion of its patented and popular X-Die™ Series of dies with the addition of a 6.5 Creedmoor full length sizer die.
Designed for reloaders who want maximum case life and minimum time spent trimming brass, RCBS’s X-Die series features a patented mechanism that eliminates the need for repeated trimming after initial case prep. Unlike standard full-length sizing dies, the X-Die uses a specialized mandrel system that precisely limits case growth during sizing—saving time while preserving critical dimensions for accurate shooting. Read more
Following the tours, enjoy the release of hatchery-reared sturgeon fingerlings into the Black River and Mullett Lake
If you’d like to get an up-close look at lake sturgeon and learn more about what goes into rearing this unique fish, you’re invited to take a free tour at the Black River hatchery Saturday, Aug. 23. Tours will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the facility, located northwest of Onaway.
“Visitors will see 3-month-old lake sturgeon currently in the hatchery and learn about early life history, as well as how we can all play a role to keep this species healthy in our waters,” said Tim Cwalinski, Northern Lake Huron Unit supervisor with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Read more
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking information about two separate poaching incidents in Game Management Unit 1 near Big Lake in the White Mountains.
GunBroker.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for firearms, is back with another thrilling giveaway – and this one’s built for the backcountry. The Taurus Expedition Backcountry Bounty Giveaway is live now, offering firearm enthusiasts the chance to win one of three rugged Taurus hunting platforms with a total prize value of more than $4,000.
The grand prize winner will receive a premium hunting combo:
· Taurus Raging Hunter .44 Magnum revolver with a 6.75-inch ported barrel
· Taurus Expedition .308 Winchester bolt-action rifle with an 18-inch barrel and rugged synthetic stock
Two additional winners will each receive a Taurus Expedition .308 Win. rifle, built for durability and accuracy in demanding terrain. Read more
Federal Ammunition has announced three new rebate promotions to help hunters save on a wide range of high-performance shotgun loads. The limited-time offers—Slug Some Bucks, Premium® Waterfowl Rebate, and Save on Steel—run from August 1 through December 31, 2025, and provide opportunities to earn up to $200 back on qualifying purchases.
“With these rebates, hunters can save big while stocking up on some of our most trusted and innovative shotgun loads,” said Federal’s Director of Trade Marketing, Jill Karolewski. “Whether you’re chasing waterfowl across the marsh or deer in the woods or fields, there’s a rebate here to help you gear up for success this season.”
The Slug Some Bucks rebate offers customers up to $60 back when they purchase at least two boxes of select Federal hunting slug ammunition and receive 20% of the purchase price. Eligible products include Freight Train Copper Sabot, Power-Shok Rifled, Power-Shok Sabot, Shorty Shells Rifled, Trophy Copper Sabot, TruBall Rifled, and TruBall Deep Penetrator Rifled.
The Premium Waterfowl rebate offers waterfowlers up to $200 back with a $5-per-box rebate on select Federal Premium shotshell products. Qualifying loads include: Black Cloud FS Steel, Black Cloud High Velocity, Black Cloud TSS, Ultra Steel, and Premium featuring HEVI-Bismuth. Read more
In preparation for fall hunting seasons, Remington Ammunition is launching five new limited-time rebates that give hunters big savings on popular centerfire rifle, handgun, shotgun slug, and waterfowl loads. These offers are valid on eligible purchases made from August 1 through December 31, 2025.
“This rebate lineup gives hunters across the country an easy way to save on the tried-and-true Remington ammunition they already rely on,” said Jill Karolewski, Director of Trade Marketing. “Whether you’re heading into the deer woods, the duck blind, or the uplands, Remington has a load for your pursuit—and a rebate to match.” Read more
New study shows impacts to native mushroom species
What started as a fun and tasty culinary trend – growing exotic mushrooms at home from a simple storebought or online kit – has become another threat to Michigan’s natural resources.
A recent article published in The Conversation describes U.S. Forest Service researchers’ findings regarding the impact of golden oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) on Wisconsin forests.
Native to Asian and Russian hardwood forests, these imported mushrooms are now growing in the wild in areas of the Midwest, including Michigan’s southern Lower Peninsula.
Golden oyster mushrooms, known for their bright yellow caps and nutty flavor, are featured on restaurant menus and in cooking videos. The mushrooms became popular among DIY enthusiasts with the introduction of grow kits in the early 2000s. By 2010, they began appearing in U.S. forests.
According to Aishwarya Veerabahu, a graduate student in the Department of Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, “No one knows exactly how golden oyster mushrooms escaped into the wild, whether from a grow kit, a commercial mushroom farm or outdoor logs inoculated with golden oysters – a home-cultivation technique.”
To assist with research efforts, Michiganders are encouraged to report any sightings of golden oyster mushrooms in the wild. Observations can be recorded at iNaturalist.org.
Why be concerned? Read more
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the DTE Foundation and ReLeaf Michigan, is offering $100,000 in grant funding through the DTE Foundation Tree Planting Grant Program. This initiative supports community tree planting efforts across Michigan.
The DNR is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 grant cycle. The program provides financial assistance to communities served by DTE Energy’s electric and natural gas services. Grants are available to support projects that plant trees away from utility lines along streets, in parks and near schools – all of which can help to mitigate climate change, enhance local beauty and engage residents in environmental stewardship. Read more
San Antonio, Texas – The Sauer 505 bolt-action rifle has been named Editor’s Choice by Petersen’s Hunting magazine. This prestigious honor designating the best centerfire hunting rifle of the year was announced in the magazine’s Annual Gear issue after months of rigorous testing.
Delivering timeless elegance, absolute accuracy, and exceptional versatility, this latest introduction by J.P. Sauer and Sohn is an engineering masterpiece. The modular design allows you to easily switch between Sauer’s cold hammer forged precision barrels depending on your preferred caliber. Four stock options include walnut (wood grade 5), traditional synthetic, synthetic thumbhole, or carbon fiber. The precision-machined steel action is robust and lightweight with silky smooth bolt cycling, and the adjustable trigger has four pre-set weight options from 0.77 lbs. to up to 2.75 lbs.
“It is an honor to receive the Petersen’s Hunting Editor’s Choice Award, and we appreciate their recognition of the innovation that went into the creation of this world-class hunting rifle,” said Jason Evans, CEO, Blaser Group. “In addition to the craftsmanship and engineering precision, the modularity of the 505 with numerous caliber options, barrel weights, and stocks make it an ideal choice whether you are hunting whitetails, mountain goats and sheep in steep terrain, or plains and dangerous game in Africa.”
The Sauer 505 also features an ergonomic manual cocking system that is safe, lightweight, quiet, and easy on the thumb. Once ready to shoot, simply apply slight forward pressure with your thumb to cock the rifle. Uncocking and unloading in the uncocked position are just as easy.
Sauer has adopted the proven Blaser saddle mount technology for easy and accurate optics mounting. This quick detach mount is designed to ensure the optic can be taken off the Sauer 505 and put back on while maintaining the precise point of aim without having to re-zero the scope. This is a significant advantage for those who travel frequently.
The flush mounted detachable magazine features an integrated MagLock safety which prevents unwanted triggering of the magazine button. Rifle weights range from around 6 lbs. with the ultralight carbon fiber stock to heavier weight field options with magnum barrels.
Available in the U.S. in the following calibers: .222 Rem., .223 Rem., .243 Rem., .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06 Spring., .270 Win., 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win. Mag, 6.5 PRC, .270 WSM, .375 H&H. For more information, visit: Sauer 505 and Sports South for dealer stock.
MSRP: Starting at $3,520.00
About Blaser Group
The Blaser Group is the official U.S. importer for iconic German firearms brands Blaser, Mauser and J.P. Sauer; English gunmaker John Rigby & Co.; Minox optics and Liemke Thermal Optics. Established in 2006, the company which is based in San Antonio, Texas works with distributors, wholesalers, and over 200 authorized Blaser Group dealers across all North American states, with this figure continually growing. Today the Blaser Group’s industry-leading product portfolio includes bolt-action, combination rifles and over-and-under shotguns designed specifically for game hunters and competitive target shooters. Its custom shop offers exclusive engravings, design work and custom finishing for bespoke guns. With recent innovations, Blaser Group has gone on to expand its product portfolio into cutting-edge optics and accessory lines. For more information about the company and product lines, visit: https://www.blaser-group.com/us/.