Michigan: celebrate the holidays at Tawas Point Lighthouse on Nov. 30

Join the Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park at their free annual “Christmas at the Lighthouse” event on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The lighthouse will be decked out in holiday finery for self-guided tours. Take a special climb up the spiral steps to the tower’s lantern room for a unique winter perspective of Tawas, Tawas Bay, Lake Huron and the ever-changing Tawas Point.

The decorations include a tree adorned with ornaments like the ones used each year by the lighthouse keepers and their families, as well as a very special Santa Claus collection that will delight all ages.

Although there is no cost to tour the lighthouse this day, donations are welcomed to assist with special projects, such as the historical Oil House restoration, brick paver pathway project and native planting garden.

You can also support the Friends by purchasing unique holiday cards, note cards and prints that feature the lighthouse during the holidays and winter season.

Interior of Tawas Point lighthouse with decorated Christmas tree.

For members of the Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park, there will be a special candlelight “Christmas at the Light” event from 4 – 6 p.m., which includes tours of the second-floor lighthouse keeper quarters.

Not a Friends member yet? Members would love to share with you the benefits of being involved with their award-winning Friends organization. You can support the lighthouse and state park activities as it fits your time schedule and interests, with a variety of membership levels and prices to meet your needs. Friends can take advantage of members-only events, regular meetings and opportunities to care for and raise funds for the lighthouse museum and state park. Read more

General

Louisiana Gets 11 Young Whooping Cranes

– The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and partners took another step in re-establishing the state’s whooping crane population Tuesday (Nov. 12) when it received 11 juvenile whooping cranes.

The cranes were received Tuesday at the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WLWCA) near Gueydan. Once the new arrivals are released into the wild they will bring the Louisiana population to nearly 80 cranes.

Of the new arrivals, six juvenile whooping cranes came from the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin and four cranes were hatched and reared at the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center in New Orleans, part of the Audubon Nature Institute.

LDWF and Audubon Nature Institute have been longtime leaders in whooping crane conservation in Louisiana and are continuing to expand their partnership with the goal of developing a self-sustaining population of whooping cranes in Louisiana. Read more

Wildlife

Florida: More Red Tide Woes for Southwest Florida

A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. Additional details are provided below.

  • In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in Pinellas County, background concentrations in Manatee County, background to low concentrations in Sarasota County, very low to high concentrations in and/or offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and/or offshore of Lee County, and very low to high concentrations in and/or offshore of Collier County. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 K. brevis cells per liter) persist in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties, and high concentrations (>1 million cells per liter) were observed in 23 samples. These included coastal, inlet, and estuarine sites in Charlotte and Lee Counties, as well as samples collected as far as 7-10 miles offshore of Lee and Collier counties.
  • In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
  • Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, fish kill reports were received for Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties (please see https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline).

Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida at multiple beaches in Sarasota and Lee counties. Read more

Fishing

Bond Arms® Introduces Patriot™ Model

Granbury, TX – Veterans Day is one of America’s most hallowed celebrations as we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Patriotic pride is never more visible than at this special time of year. In celebration of those who have served, Bond Arms® offers a special Patriot™ model break-action handgun that is a favorite collector’s item among the company’s many fans.

The Patriot™ is rich in features, which makes it a perfect and reliable self-defense gun, and it’s a true show-piece item in any gun collection. The Patriot boasts a stainless-steel double-barrel and frame. With 3-inch barrels, the handgun is chambered to accommodate both .45 Colt and 2.5-inch .410 shot shells. Read more

Firearms

Kopfjäger K.I.L. Strap

Kopfjäger K.I.L. Strap: Precision Shooting, Even on Your Feet

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Precision shooters understand the importance of stillness just before the high-velocity storm. Some, like the two Dallas SWAT officers who brought the world Kopfjäger, understood this truth (and potential consequences) more than most. While this was the great motivator behind Reaper rest systems, the addition of a Kopfjäger K.I.L. Strap leaves little more than a heartbeat to deal with.

Much like loading a bipod, the Kopfjäger K.I.L. Strap is specifically designed to anchor your tripod to the ground and enhance your supported position, even through recoil impulse, for next-level precision shooting stability without getting dirty.

The K.I.L. Strap dramatically improves shooting stability, even under stress, by introducing loaded counter-tension simply by connecting the strap to your forward sling position and tripod and then anchoring the strap with your foot. The K.I.L. Strap is easily adjustable at both the adjustment buckle and by repositioning your foot.

While this versatile strap was designed with Kopfjäger tripod-mounted Reaper rest systems in mind, it is compatible with virtually any tripod and two-point sling. Although Kopfjäger’s K.I.L. Strap is large enough to help a sasquatch get on target, it’s also flexible, compact and light enough (at just 0.35 lbs.) to stuff in a cargo pocket.

Dealers interested in learning more about Kopfjäger products should email sales@Kopfjagerindustries.com

Firearms

Michigan firearm deer season starts Friday statewide

For a lot of residents, Nov. 15 ranks up there with major holidays. Gathering with family and friends for the firearm deer season opener is a time-honored tradition in many Michigan families, built around the excitement and fun of enjoying time in the state’s great outdoors.

Some hunters share their love of deer hunting by introducing someone new to the sport. Mentored youth hunting licenses are available to kids 9 and younger, while apprentice hunting licenses are available to those 10 and older who haven’t yet completed a hunter safety education course. Learn more about these options at Michigan.gov/MentoredHunting.

This tradition is economically important, too. More than 500,000 hunters pursued deer in Michigan during the 2018 hunting seasons, providing critical license revenue that supports wildlife conservation efforts. All of Michigan’s hunting seasons – from deer and elk to waterfowl and rabbit – contribute nearly $9 billion a year to the state’s economy.

play button thumbnail image from DNR video explaining baiting restrictionsAll hunters are encouraged to review the 2019 deer hunting regulations, found in the Hunting Digest or at Michigan.gov/Deer. Key changes this season include:

Hunters can take deer to a DNR deer check station to earn a successful hunter patch. Visit Michigan.gov/DeerCheck for locations of check stations and drop boxes. (Click an individual location to see if it offers deer check, drop box or both.)

Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.
Hunting

Mathews Introduces 2020 VXR

Sparta, Wisconsin – The all new 2020 VXR is the most stable, stealthy hunting bow Mathews has ever built. Featuring a new, extended six-bridge riser, the VXR shoots like a target bow, while maintaining the maneuverability of a compact hunting rig.

“After watching our shooters dominate the tournament scene the last couple years, we decided to apply the same extended bridged riser design to our hunting line,” explained Owner and CEO Matt McPherson. “By changing the geometry of the whole bow, we’re able to make the riser longer, while keeping it relatively compact. We’re offering it in both 28” and 31.5” ATA to meet the needs of two styles of hunters, but I must say that the axle-to-axle lengths do not correlate to the added stability these bows give at full draw.” Read more

Archery

Bushnell Announces Military VIP Program

Contact: Matt Rice
Senior Manager Media Relations
Outdoor Products
(913) 689-3713
Or Matt.Rice@VistaOutdoor.com

Military and Veteran Purchase Program Now Available on Bushnell.com

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Bushnell, an industry leader in high-performance optics, is pleased to announce that a new VIP Purchase Program is now available for all members of the U.S. Military.

The new Bushnell VIP Program, open to all military personnel from all branches of service – active, retired, and veterans – provides everyday discounts on any Bushnell product. Whether used for personal or duty use, the new program enables special VIP pricing for the men and women of the U.S. Military. Read more

Optics

Boker USA Introduces Specialist Series Multi-Tools

Lakewood, Colorado (November 8, 2019) – Boker USA is proud to introduce our new line of multi-tools, the Boker Plus Specialist series – consisting of three models:

BOKER PLUS SPECIALIST MINI

Features: Spring-supported pliers containing a reinforced wire cutter with the flat gripping surface of long-nosed pliers, burner hole for gripping external hex screws, cap nuts and pipes, a plain blade, a serrated blade, bottle opener, can opener, wire bender/stripper, file, Phillips head screwdriver, and a large and small flat head screwdriver. Lightweight aluminum handle. Comes with a high quality nylon belt holster. Blade length: 1.38″. Overall length: 4.33″. Weight: 4 oz.

Item No. 09BO820 | SRP: $ 37.95 Read more

Cutlery

Michigan Seeks Conservation Officers

Those interested in pursuing a career as a Michigan conservation officer are encouraged to submit an application for the DNR’s 10th conservation officer academy, which will begin July 12, 2020, in Lansing. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.

Conservation officers (COs) are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Stationed in nearly every county of the state, these fully licensed peace officers enforce laws related to fish and wildlife, state parks, trails and forests, and outdoor recreation activities such as off-road vehicle use, snowmobiling and boating. They are also first responders to a variety of natural disasters and emergencies.

Apply now for Recruit School #10

Duties Read more

General
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