If you fish the Great Lakes and catch a marked and tagged fish, the DNR wants to know. Since the 1980s, the DNR has used the coded-wire tag program to mass mark various trout and salmon species in Michigan. Mass marking provides critical data as fisheries biologists assess the value of naturally reproduced versus stocked fish, as well as lakewide fish movement.
The program involves implanting a small, coded-wire tag, which is invisible to the naked eye, into the snout of a fish. A fish with a coded-wire tag can be identified because its adipose fin (the small, fleshy fin between the dorsal and tail fins) has been removed.
Anglers who catch these tagged fish can then record needed information (like where and when the fish was caught, details from the tag, and the species, length and weight of the fish), remove and freeze the fish’s snout and drop it off at designated locations. A statewide list of drop-off locations is available on the DNR website. Read more
(McLean, VA) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce the release of a limited-edition FN 509® flat dark earth (FDE) slide and olive drab green (ODG) frame pistol color combination available only through its distributor, Bill Hicks & Co., Ltd. This unique colorway unites two legendary military-designated colors onto the same pistol in two models.
The FDE and ODG FN 509 pistols will be configured in both Standard and Tactical variations. The FN 509 Standard features a four-inch slide and barrel, ambidextrous operating controls, fixed luminescent iron sights and 17-round standard capacity, while the FN 509 Tactical features a 4.5-inch barrel with four-inch slide, FN Low-Profile Optics Mounting System, fixed three-dot night sights, and 17rd standard and 24-round magazine. Ten-round versions are available for states with magazine capacity restrictions. Read more
If there’s one thing Boyds’ Gunstocks is good at, it’s making the highest quality wood gunstocks on the market. Boyds’ famous thumbhole gunstock continues to be the industry leader in aftermarket stock upgrades for sporting shooters and hunters alike. And with the introduction of the At-One model, Boyds’ forever changed the game for customizable wood gunstocks. That trend of innovation continued by combining the company’s two most popular stock features into the new At-One Thumbhole gunstock. This new revolutionary stock has quickly become the most successful gunstock in the company’s history. Read more
It was May 11 several decades ago and I was in northern Michigan hunting turkeys with my pal, Fast Frank. We hadn’t had any good luck back in the day when that was the norm. The reason I recall the date so well is that when we woke up and exited the tent in the morning, we were greeted with a present from Mother Nature: a couple of inches of wet snow. That was enough to send us packing.
However, May 11, 2019 would be completely different. It started out like most other hunts with a routine that includes a checklist and arriving on stand before the sun rises. A heavy frost had descended onto the clover field and the temperature had dipped to 36 degrees (F). After getting settled into the portable blind, the heat from the Buddy heater was much appreciated.
The blind has been a productive location over the years, although the drawback of facing east can make the rising sun unbearable. But, usually it can be overcome by shifting the seat a bit; other times, there’s nowhere to hide. I was about to pay the price.
From the roost I could hear a distant gobble being repeated well before sunup. Once I figured the birds were on the ground, I let out a few hen yelps scratched out from a custom slate call from Rodney Hairell of Grand Prairie, Texas. It wasn’t long before a lone, curious gobbler was spotted heading in my direction. A good beard was evident through my Burris binocular, as the seemingly tricked bird kept strolling toward me.
He began gobbling, as he closed the distance to some 90 yards in the openness of the field. Not being sure if he had seen my decoy, I sent some softer calls that solicited quick responses. I’d seen this movie before and all that was left was for him to take a few more steps.
At 72 yards he bellowed clearly visible steam enhanced by the bright sun at his back – and, yes in my face. Over and over that love sick Tom puffed out clouds like he was smoking a cigar! Trouble was, he had hung up and wouldn’t take another step. Oh, he kept up the display with his wings to the ground and tail fanned out. And, those gobbles just kept on coming. But, he had seen the reflection of the sun from my glasses.
I still thought I had a chance, because he was still there. But, when a mission-bound, traveling hen entered the dance floor, my only thought was that my chances for drumsticks would follow the female where ever she was headed. It didn’t happen, however, and she cleared the area, while the bearded beast stood his ground.
Soon, however, he began to move parallel to my position. This is the part of the movie where he comes right in for his final move. Instead, he high-stepped it even farther away and kept the show going from a safe distance. Eventually, he wouldn’t play anymore and departed.
Sorry, I didn’t get any still photos, but even better is a short video of the excitement on YouTube.
MISSOULA, Mont. — The recently released short film titled “Rain Deer – A Sitka Blacktail Story” by Randy Newberg and Tyler Johnerson – in partnership with the Boone and Crockett Club, Leupold & Stevens, and SITKA Gear – is a must-see according to B&C.
“In today’s world where ‘social concerns’ appear to be trumping the scientific management of wildlife, it’s refreshing to see a film that demonstrates the intersection of science, conservation, and wild grown, humanely harvested food,” said Keith Balfourd, director of Marketing for Boone and Crockett. “People and communities rely on wild natural resources in many ways. Sportsmen and rural communities have been standing guard over the resources they value and depend upon longer than anyone. It’s time more people appreciated this fact.”
“Rain Deer” was filmed in southeast Alaska and documents the importance of Sitka black-tailed deer to the rural communities of the region. The story is guided by the local knowledge of one of the deer’s biggest advocates. James Baichtal is a geologist who takes a wildlife ecologist from Idaho, Dr. Sophie Gilbert, with him to a place where she has the opportunity to add to her knowledge as a researcher, through the eyes of a hunter.
The film expertly portrays what sustainable use guided by science means and looks like, including the cultural significance of these deer to the peoples of Alaska.
“No optics company does more for sportsmen’s rights and conservation across the United States than Leupold & Stevens,” said Bruce Pettet, president and CEO for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “It’s incredibly important to our team members, our core consumers and the entire Leupold family. ‘Rain Deer’ is a story worth telling. We’re proud to have supported Randy’s work to bring this important conservation story to hunting and non-hunting audiences.”
Randy Newberg is a veteran television and film producer, and spokesperson for the hunter-conservationist community. He is most noted for his popular television series, Fresh Tracks and On Your Own Adventures, as well as his Hunt Talk podcasts. Tyler Johnerson is a videographer and producer who has spent his life capturing wildlife and hunting documentary footage. Both live in Bozeman, Montana.
Jonathan Hart, founder of SITKA Gear said, “‘Rain Deer’ celebrates the inspiring relationship between hunter and scientist, leveraging the deep knowledge that is embedded in the harvester and using it to bridge the gap that many times challenges scientists and academics in making sense of the realities of nature. The ability to connect these dots to maximize impact is an incredible example of ‘ecosystem thinking.’ The breathtaking landscape and remarkable story set the bar high.”
“Today, social concern over the use and management of wildlife by a handful of vocal absentee landlords is influencing a dangerous model of non-use and no active management for the future without offering any proven long-term alternatives,” Balfourd concluded. “It’s ironic because it was social concerns of sportsmen that launched the conservation movement in the first place that literally saved many species of wildlife from certain disaster. There will be a consequence to allowing the social concerns of a few to block what we know works for all wildlife and people.”
This spring, the DNR will begin collecting Great Lakes muskellunge from the Detroit River. These fish will be reared at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan and stocked in Michigan waters this fall.
“The DNR’s goal this year is to collect at least 400,000 eggs to meet our target of 30,000 fall fingerlings for stocking our state’s waters,” said Ed Eisch, Fish Production Program manager.
In 2018, approximately 460,000 eggs were collected from the Detroit River. Those eggs produced nearly 26,000 fall fingerlings that were stocked in 19 inland lakes and rivers and more than 46,000 spring fingerlings stocked in the Grand River and Lake Macatawa. No muskellunge are stocked in the Detroit River because the abundant muskellunge population in Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River is supported entirely by natural reproduction. Read more
LITTLE ROCK — For the first time in 12 years, eastern monarch populations are up significantly. The overwintering monarch population numbers, released by the World Wildlife Fund in Mexico, show the highest numbers since 2007.
Monarch numbers have been declining since the late 1990s, causing much concern and prompting many conservation groups to take action. This winter, the population saw a 144 percent increase from the previous winter. Researchers think favorable weather during spring and summer breeding season and fall migration period played a role in the increase. There has been a significant effort to conserve monarchs for the last five years in Arkansas and across the U.S., including planting milkweed and nectar plants and reducing the use of herbicides. Perhaps some of these efforts are starting to bear fruit.
The first monarchs began trickling into The Natural State around late March. These first-generation monarchs wore faded and tattered wings as they frantically searched for milkweed to lay their eggs on. First generation monarchs are slowly giving way to second generation monarchs, which will look much fresher and brighter. Some of these butterflies will stay and breed, while others will continue to migrate north. AGFC has been monitoring monarchs using citizen science for the last two years. Data collected are helping biologists understand the timing of migration and where exactly the monarchs are occurring in the state. If you would like to report your observations, the Arkansas Monarch Mapping project can be found on the iNaturalist webpage, https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/arkansas-monarch-mapping-project.
(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Turn your hunt into a high-tech adventure with the Pulsar Accolade laser rangefinding Thermal Binoculars with 384 and 640 core resolution and a detection range of up to 2,000 yards. Accolade thermal binoculars feature a dual eyepiece helping to reduce eye fatigue during long scanning and surveying periods.
Pulsar offers two laser range finding models; XQ38 LRF and XP50 LRF. Accolade XQ38 LRF models boast a 384×288 sensor with a 50hz refresh rate detecting detailed thermal images from up to 1,475 yards. XP50 LRF models feature a 640×480 sensor with a 50hz refresh rate for thermal ranges up to 2,000 yards and a 640×480 frost-resistant AMOLED display. Read more
BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms have been joined by four other rights groups in an amicus curiae brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a challenge to New York City’s restrictive handgun law that prohibits handguns licensed in the city to be taken outside the home.
Joining SAF and CCRKBA are Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, the Independence Institute, Millennial Policy Center and Professors of Second Amendment Law. They are supporting a lawsuit filed by the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association and three private citizens against the New York City law. The case has been accepted for review by the Supreme Court.
In their brief, prepared by attorneys Joseph Greenlee with the Millennial Policy Center and David Kopel from the Independence Institute, the amici organizations contend that strict scrutiny should apply to this case, which amounts to a ban on self-defense for law-abiding citizens. They also contend that the city’s ban on most travel by citizens with their own handguns is a severe burden on the exercise of their rights. Read more
