Kalkaska men arraigned, accused of torturing animals and illegal hunting

Nicholas Patnode, 19, and Zander Garrett, 20, were arraigned in Kalkaska County District Court in Kalkaska for multiple wildlife violations that took place throughout Kalkaska County during October–.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers began the complex investigation in 2022 after receiving a tip through the DNR Report All Poaching hotline.

Conservation officers discovered a group of individuals who had committed multiple wildlife crimes, including several counts of shooting deer from a motor vehicle, game-tagging violations and animal cruelty charges.

The Kalkaska men are believed to have illegally killed at least six deer, including a 9-point buck shot from the window of a truck. They are also accused of inhumanely killing a porcupine.

“When there’s this many violations, including torturing animals, education only goes so far. These crimes need to be addressed,” said Jason Haines, chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “Prosecution of these acts will hopefully deter not only these individuals but others from committing similar crimes in the future.”

Haines praised the work of his investigators.

“Our officers conducted a very thorough investigation to piece together many pieces of evidence from throughout the county,” he said.

Patnode’s 11 charges, include:

  • Two counts of killing, torturing animals, a third-degree felony punishable by up to four years in jail and/or $5,000 in fines.
  • Six counts of wildlife conservation violation – general violations. Each is a misdemeanor punishable of up to 90 days in jail per count and/or $500 each.
  • One count of hunting and fishing license violation – using another’s license, a misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $250 in fines.
  • One count of wildlife conservation violation – taking game from a vehicle; a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines.
  • One count of wildlife conservation violation – possessing a bow or crossbow in a vehicle operated on public land or roads. The offense is a misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines.

Garrett’s charges include:

  • One count of killing, torturing animals.
  • One count of wildlife conservation violation – taking game from a vehicle.
  • One count of wildlife conservation violation – possessing bow or crossbow in a vehicle operated on public land or roads.

Garrett and Patnode were arrested  on felony charges; their bond was paid, and they were released the next day. They are due back in court on .

A third man, who the DNR is not naming because of his age at the time the crime was committed, processed a plea agreement through the county’s juvenile court.

Anyone who witnesses a natural resource violation should immediately call or text the Report All Poaching Hotline at 800-292-7800. Information can be left anonymously. Monetary rewards may be offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of violators.

Contact: Lt. Mark DePew, (989) 275-5151

Poachers ,

Three Black Bears Euthanized After Repeated Conflicts in Missoula Neighborhoods

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks trapped and euthanized three black bears in Missoula that were responsible for repeated conflicts in Missoula neighborhoods. The conflicts began last fall and picked up again first thing this spring.

FWP wildlife specialists reported that the female and two subadults began getting into garbage, bird feeders, garages, and other attractants last fall in Missoula’s Rattlesnake neighborhood, as well as in some temporary camps and tents along the Clark Fork River in Missoula.

FWP and local residents worked to secure attractants last fall, but even after the winter, the family group of bears remained in neighborhoods and around homes and local businesses in the middle of town, exhibiting bold behavior that indicates they were conditioned to these food sources.

Once bears become conditioned to garbage and other attractants, it is a habit that is very hard to break and causes human safety concerns. Unfortunately, when bears start showing extreme food conditioned behavior, the only way to prevent further conflict is through euthanization. Read more

Wildlife

EAA Shipping Girsan MC1911 Influencer and Liberador Series in .38 Super

EAACorp Announces Shipping of the Girsan MC1911 Influencer™ & Liberador Series in .38 Super they import. The .38 Super caliber offers enhanced impact velocity compared to the standard 9mm while maintaining reduced recoil next to the 45ACP, an ideal caliber choice for both competition enthusiasts and discerning shooters seeking an edge in performance.

The Influencer™ models are offered in three striking Cerakote® finishes—Black, Tungsten, and Black Camo—across the 5” Government barrel size platform. The full-featured MC1911 Influencer™ excels in recoil management. With a 9+1 round capacity, it comes standard with an optic-ready slide compatible with RMS/RMSc footprints, a flared magazine well, accessory rail, and an enhanced trigger system, ensuring both versatility and precision.

The Liberador model elevates the aesthetic appeal of the MC1911 series with its chrome-polished slide and gold small parts. This is further complemented by custom-engraved grips designs, all while delivering the performance benefits of the .38 Super Caliber. Read more

Firearms

Silencer Central Now Carrying FN Suppressors

Silencer Central, the nation’s leader in silencer sales and accessories, announces the addition of FN silencer sales. FN’s two models of silencers, the FN Catch 22Ti and the Rush 9Ti will now be available to Silencer Central customers with an introductory bonus.

“Our goal is to be the ultimate one-stop source for silencers in the U.S.,” said Brandon Maddox, Silencer Central CEO. “We have a great relationship with FN and know the quality of the products they produce. It made it an easy decision to add FN’s silencers to the brands we offer our customers.”

“We are excited to have our line of FN suppressors now available through Silencer Central,” said Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FN America, LLC Chris Cole. “Purchasing a suppressor, whether it’s the first or third time, can be cumbersome and we are confident that our customers will appreciate the efficient and easy process, including the direct-to-your-door shipping, that Silencer Central offers.”

The FN Catch 22Ti is a lightweight, tough and quiet rimfire suppressor, reducing muzzle blast from all .22 LR firearms. It uses a direct thread ½” x 28 mount and has a user-serviceable blast baffle and baffle stack. The Catch 22Ti is rated for .22 LR, .22 MAG, .22 WMR and .17 HMR. It has a 1.1-in. diameter, and the titanium tube keeps the weight at 5 oz. The Catch 22Ti clears suppressor-height sights and comes with a limited lifetime warranty from FN. For a limited time, you can buy an FN Catch 22Ti silencer from Silencer Central and save an extra $100. Read more

Firearms

JK Armament Announces the G.O.A.T. High Flow Suppressor

JK Armament is proud to announce its most advanced, quietest suppressor ever – one of the very quietest in the industry! – the JK 155 G.O.A.T. HF. This hard-use silencer is rated for full auto use on 5.56 NATO with barrels as short as 7.5 inches. As you’d expect from JK, the G.O.A.T. is fully Mission Configurable and impressively lightweight.

JK Armament outperformed at the 2023 Silencer Summit, where our .30 caliber JK 155 SBRX brought home a 2nd place finish among stiff competition from all of the top suppressor brands. Not content to sit on our laurels, the new G.O.A.T. is a whopping 5 dB quieter on .223/5.56 platforms!

The JK 155 G.O.A.T. HF is: Read more

Firearms

Registration Open for Burris Optics Team Challenge

Burris Optics, a leading manufacturer of premium optics, is excited to announce the Burris Optics Team Challenge, a two-day shooting competition that will take place on June 20-23, 2024, at a private 17,000+ acre ranch in Douglas, Wyoming.

The Burris Optics Team Challenge is a unique event that allows two-person teams to compete against each other in a variety of shooting disciplines, including long-range rifle shooting, pistol shooting, and shotgun shooting. The competition is designed to test participants’ marksmanship skills, as well as their ability to work together as a team. In partnership with Competition Dynamics, this match offers athletes a world-class, cutting-edge competitive practical shooting experience with an unmatched level of professionalism and operational excellence.

Participants in the Burris Optics Team Challenge will have the chance to win a variety of prizes, including Burris Optics products, cash, and other shooting-related gear. In addition, the top-performing team will be crowned the Burris Optics Team Challenge Champions and awarded a grand prize. Watch this video to see this event in action. Read more

Firearms

‘Game Changer’ Plug & Play Trolling Motor Rigging System

Connect-Ease® RCE24VBCHK & RCE24VSCK Kit Systems Offer Anglers Plug & Play Solutions For Rigging 24V Trolling Motors and Batteries

One of the hassles of fishing is dealing with boat batteries, whether you use lead acid, AGM, gel, or lithium. Ultimately, we all want our electronics and trolling motor to work flawlessly on the water, providing enough power to see us through a long day filling the live well—or a couple days—without the need for recharging.

And anglers’ boats come in all sizes, shapes, and species-specific styles. From fishing kayaks to 14- and 16-foot all-purpose fishing boats, to dual “cast & blast” jon boats, to walleye and bass boats, center consoles, and big water rigs, anglers use all kinds of vessels to chase gamefish.

And here’s a fact: Most anglers in the U.S. do not run big, fancy boats requiring the latest in 36V trolling motors. Reality is, the majority of anglers fish from rigs with 12 or 24V trolling motors, which supply more than enough power, whether used on the bow or transom. Read more

Fishing

The Walther PPK/S in .32 ACP Returns

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Walther Arms, Inc. proudly reintroduces the PPK and PPK/S chambered in .32 ACP. Revamping a timeless classic, this vintage-inspired pistol pays homage to the iconic Walther PPK lineage, featuring a seamless union of sophistication and lethality.

Over 80 years ago, the Police Pistol Kriminal (PPK) broke the mold when it brought a more practical and reliable concealment option to officers with undercover assignments. Today, crafted with that same Walther precision and attention to detail, while incorporating modernized performance, the PPK/S in .32 ACP brings functionality and a nostalgic style.

“Few guns have withstood the test of time like the PPK,” said Jens Krogh, vice president of marketing and product development for Walther Arms, Inc. “To this day, it’s still one of the most sought after concealed carry pistols on the market, which serves as a true testament to Walther’s long-enduring legacy. We have no doubt bringing back the historic PPK/S in .32 ACP will make our consumers, plus overall fans of the world’s most renowned secret agent, extremely excited too.”

Chambered in .32 ACP, the PPK/S provides all the needed power in a self-defense pistol without sacrificing on critical functionalities.

PPK .32 ACP Features: Read more

Firearms

Kahr Firearms Group, Sinner Mass Fabrications Donates Border911 Pistols to “Border911 Gala”

Mar-a-Lago, FL: Kahr Firearms Group was proud to attend the Border911 Gala at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, held by President Trump to enlighten and educate the American public about the imperatives of border security. In support of the President’s efforts to protect the border and win re-election, Kahr Firearms Group partnered with Sinner Mass Fabrications to donate three “Border911” 1911 pistols for the fundraising auction.

The combined total fetched for all three pistols was nearly $40,000 for the cause. Sinner Mass Fabrications, led by decorated US Marine Veteran Scout Sniper Luke Hamilton, created these custom engraved Auto-Ordnance firearms. Only three “Border911” 1911s will ever be produced, making them a true collector’s item. Kahr CEO Justin Moon commented while attending the event that, “The challenges we face at our nation’s borders are not only issues of policy, but are deeply woven into the fabric of our national safety and well-being. As a nation we must work together to strengthen border security because it is necessary to protect our country’s values and its citizens.” Read more

Firearms

PARD Introduces New Landsat-C

PARD is excited to announce the introduction of our newest multi-spectral device, the Landsat-C. This is a compact version of the TD-32 that was introduced in 2023 as the industry’s only combination thermal AND night vision scope. The Landsat-C has modified control buttons, is 10% smaller and lighter and is available in either a 480×360 or 640×512 thermal sensor.

Both versions come with an industry leading 20mK NETD rating to detect even the most subtle thermal signature differences in the environment. They sport an 850nm IR light and a night vision sensor resolution of 2560×1440, along with a .001 lux rating, ensuring that images are clear and defined in even the lowest of light. The Landsat-C is also the only device in the industry to feature a true 800×800 IPS display that feels very familiar to looking through a traditional optical scope. Read more

Optics
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