Michigan Winter Wildlife Viewing

As winter hangs on for its final few weeks before spring, wildlife viewing opportunities abound for those who know where to look. Here are some tips for escaping cabin fever the next several weeks.

Waterfowl

Two bufflehead ducks on the water

During harsh winters, waterfowl get forced into smaller and smaller pockets of open water, so the trick to finding them is often locating that open water. During milder winters, like this one, birds can be more spread out. Check moving water bodies such as larger deep-water rivers and river outlets, as well as all open water pockets on the Great Lakes shore. These pockets may change location due to winds and underlying currents, so it often pays to search. We are already into March, which means many species that wintered in the south are already arriving, adding to the number of waterfowl present statewide. Ducks, swans and geese often forage in agricultural fields and feed on leftover grains by day, so when you’re within a few miles of large bodies of water be sure to watch local agricultural fields for waterfowl gatherings too.

Eagles

Bald eagle in a tree. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: DNR seeks information on Mecosta County bald eagle death

Anyone with a tip should call or text the Report All Poaching line

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are asking for citizen assistance with an investigation into the death of a bald eagle in Mecosta County.

Thursday, March 1, conservation officers were called to the vicinity of 20 Mile Road near Grant Center in Grant Township, where the mature bald eagle was discovered. The bird was lodged in the limbs of a large tree near the road. Read more

Poachers, Wildlife

Hatsan Break Barrel Repeater Shown at IWA

Bentonville, AR— Last year, Hatsan introduced the world’s first 14-shot under-lever with the release of its Proxima. But 2018 will usher in something else to the Hatsan line-up – a repeating break barrel duly named SpeedFire.

The SpeedFire is unique to Hatsan’s catalog with its multi-shot magazine and automatic loading mechanism.  With just a single motion, Hatsan’s EZ-Load Action System quickly cocks and loads the gun for up to 12 shots of rapid-fire. For those that prefer open sights, the magazine housing doubles as an adjustable rear sight, and the front sight folds up from its protected storage position – each equipped with TruGlo fibers.

The SpeedFire’s new lightweight barrel is completely shrouded, with an integrated sound moderator for downrange noise reduction. It also features an optics riser rail for both Picatinny and 11mm dovetail mount compatibility, with ample room to put your scope right where you want it. With just the push of a button, the Rapid Performance Mag (RPM) magazine’s spring-loaded receptacle pushes it up out of place, making it easy to remove and exchange with the next full magazine.  Equipped with Hatsan’s signature SAS (Shock Absorber System) and Quattro 2-stage adjustable trigger, it will be hard to beat at an MSRP of $199.99. Read more

Firearms

AZGFD: Applications accepted to adopt a desert tortoise

PHOENIX – Approximately 50 desert tortoises will soon awaken from their winter slumber and the Arizona Game and Fish Tortoise Adoption program will be once again be looking for good adoptive homes. There is no charge to adopt a tortoise.

The desert tortoises up for adoption are a wide range of ages and sizes. AZGFD is accepting applications for those willing to provide a special home. Adoption application packets and general information can be found atwww.azgfd.gov/tortoise.

Adopters need to have a securely enclosed yard or separate enclosure in their yard, free from potential hazards such as a dog, fire pit or unfenced pool. The enclosed area must include an appropriate shelter for the tortoise to escape Arizona’s extreme summer and winter temperatures.

All of the desert tortoises eligible for adoption will be given health checkups before going to their new homes. Tortoises are only available for adoption to residents living within the species’ native range, which includes the Phoenix, Bullhead City, Kingman, Prescott, Lake Havasu, Tucson and Yuma areas. Read more

Wildlife

Leupold Upgrades Thermal Line

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc. has upgraded its award-winning thermal imager line with the introduction of the LTO-Tracker™ HD and LTO-Quest™ HD.

Designed to be compact and light enough to take on even the farthest backcountry hunt, the LTO-Tracker shows hunters the heat signature of game, blood trails and more – day or night. The new LTO-Tracker HD takes things to another level: the second-generation thermal sensor detects heat out to 750 yards and a new 390×390 pixel full circle display offers improved resolution. The LTO-Tracker HD will feature new Copper and Range color palettes not previously offered. It is capable of detecting temperatures from -40°F to 572°F and will perform in temperatures from -4°F to 140°F.

The LTO-Quest delivers a powerful handheld thermal device, a camera and a dual-mode 300 lumen flashlight all in a single piece of gear. The LTO-Quest HD uses an advanced thermal sensor to extend its detection range out to 750 yards and provides storage space for up to 3,000 images. The 320×240 pixel display has been ruggedized with Gorilla® Glass. The unit features four hours of continuous use.

“When we launched the LTO-Tracker and LTO-Quest, we knew it was just the beginning,” said Tim Lesser, vice president of product development for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “The new LTO-Tracker HD and LTO-Quest HD represent the next step for the line – they offer superior detection distance and a bevy of other features that make them essential gear, akin to a binocular or rangefinder.”

For more information on Leupold® products, please visit us at Leupold.com. Read more

Optics

Sightmark Pinnacle 5-30×50

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Elite reviewers from the National Tactical Officers Association membership evaluation program have announced their findings on the Sightmark Pinnacle 5-30×50 riflescope. The Pinnacle took home an overall score of 4.4 with perfect scores from one reviewer in 8 categories including design, performance and accuracy. Read more

Optics

FLIR ThermoSight Pro PTS233

Thermal and night vision devices give would-be victims a clear advantage in defense of life and property
By Brent T. Wheat

It’s your worse nightmare. Something went “CRASH!” in the living room and now you’re lying in bed, shocked awake and quietly trying to hold your breath while straining for tendrils of sound. The sole focus of your existence at this moment is trying to classify the problem as routine or something far worse.

Is it the cat, a cat burglar or something more horrendous? Did one of the kids get up in the middle of the night and bump a table or is someone inside your home, preparing unthinkable horrors for you and, even worse, your family? As your feet silently hit the floor and you consider the options, your first wish is for some kind of superhuman vision that would give you a clear advantage in what could soon be a lethal-force encounter.

Fortunately, if you are among the growing group of truly prepared Americans, you have an extraordinary advantage that gives you the figurative high ground against any threat: thermal imaging and night vision devices (NVD). Read more

Optics

U.S. District Court Denies Mass. AG’s Motion to Dismiss Suit

U.S. District Court Denies Mass. A. G. Healey’s Motion to Dismiss Suit against Overreaching ‘Enforcement Notice’

NEWTOWN, Conn. – A U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts judge has denied state Attorney General Maura Healey’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by four federally-licensed Massachusetts firearms retailers and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, challenging the overreaching “Enforcement Notice” issued by her office in 2016 that deprived the retailers of their due process protections. The suit, which seeks declaratory relief and a permanent injunction enjoining enforcement, can now move forward.

The retailers, all NSSF members, are Pullman Arms Inc. of Worcester, Guns and Gear, LLC of Agawam, Paper City Firearms of Holyoke, and Grrr Gear of Orange.

“Attorney General Healy overstepped her authority when she issued the ‘enforcement notice’ banning certain firearms that have been lawfully sold in the state since at least 1998. Firearms retailers in Massachusetts were left to determine the meaning or scope of the Attorney General’s Enforcement Notice and subsequent explanations,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “Because criminal penalties can result due to Attorney General Healey’s unilateral reinterpretation of a state statute done without administrative process or input from affected parties, her office exceeded its lawful authority and retailers were deprived of their due process protections under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.” Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

NSSF Praises House Passage of STOP School Violence Act

NEWTOWN, Conn. – The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industries, praised today’s passage of H.R. 4909, the STOP School Violence Act of 2018, introduced by U.S. Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.). The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives in an overwhelming bipartisan majority. Identically–titled legislation, S. 2495, introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is being considered in the U.S. Senate.

“The passage of the STOP School Violence Act by the U.S. House of Representatives demonstrates that there are significant steps we can agree upon to make our schools and communities safer,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “This is just one of the key pieces of legislation called for in President Trump’s school safety initiative. We will continue to press our lawmakers to enact into law proposals that bolster school security and respect Constitutional rights including the right of due process and the rights of young adults to purchase firearms for hunting, sports shooting and their own self-defense.” Read more

Gun Control, Self Defense

Take Thermal on a Nature Walk


A nature walk with the latest thermal gear

I got to be a “Predator” for one night last month and it was really cool.

For those who don’t remember, Predator was a 1987 movie (and series of forgettable remakes) in which an alien creature hunted down various supporting actors for sport and killed them in gruesome fashion until Arnold Schwarzenegger saves the day. Among other assets, the Predator had thermal vision that allowed him to stalk the various players until the final battle wherein Arnold serves up a crushing defeat.

It was one of the first times that the general public saw the advantages of thermal imaging.

Fast-forward to our tree platform above the rolling sandhill prairie of a northern Indiana farm where I got to be a real-life version of The Predator. In a lifetime of incredible experiences, those few hours were some of the most memorable outdoor moments I’ve ever had. Read more

Optics
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