Michigan: Anglers Must Register Muskie, Lake Sturgeon Harvests

If you’re fishing for lake sturgeon and muskellunge this season, don’t forget to register your harvest within 24 hours — it’s required. You can register two ways: online at Michigan.gov/RegisterFish, or by calling the new number at 906-287-0816.

“Anglers who register their catch provide important information for resource managers, including details about where the fish was caught and how large it was,” said Cory Kovacs, DNR fisheries biologist. “That type of detail helps us appropriately manage these important species.”

Registering your harvest online or by phone should take only a few minutes. Please keep in mind that fish registrations are not accepted at any state fish hatcheries or DNR field offices. Registrations are currently not accepted at DNR customer service centers due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The harvest season for muskellunge opened June 6 and lake sturgeon opened July 16 this year. You can find season end dates and waters open for these two species in the 2020 Fishing Guide. For information on purchasing your 2020 Michigan fishing license, visit Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses.

Fishing

Escort Releases New .22LR Bolt-Action Rifle

Bentonville, AR – Somewhat atypical from Escort, who is well-known for their unique shotguns, is a new .22LR bolt-action rifle. Simply named the 22LR, this magazine-fed bolt-action rifle will make a great hunter, plinker, and/or trainer at an excellent price. This rifle is simple to operate and easy to maintain. The hard chrome-plated steel alloy receiver and barrel resist rust and corrosion while the smooth chrome plated bolt moves free-yet-precise. The safety mechanism is easy to operate, even for the most inexperienced shooters.

The rifle includes a 5-round and a 10-round magazine to suit a variety of hunting and plinking needs. The magazine bodies are made from a lightweight, durable polymer with a stainless-steel follower that is easy to load. The threaded barrel is fitted with a protective cap and is ready to accept a variety of popular muzzle accessories. Mounted studs are ready to accept a wide array of slings.

The Escort 22LR is available in two stock variants. The Turkish walnut stock offers fish-scale textured grip areas and a recessed magazine well. This stock also features Hatsan’s DuoTex buttpad for consistent, easy shouldering. The synthetic stock model features texturing of the grip areas and a Picatinny accessory rail under the forearm. The buttstock also has a storage slot for a spare 5- or 10-round magazine and is equipped with a soft ventilated buttpad.

22LR Features:

  • .22LR bolt action rimfire rifle
  • Oxidation proof hard chrome receiver
  • Precision rifled hard chrome-plated steel barrel
  • ½” threaded muzzle with fitted protective cap
  • Includes a 5-round and a 10-round detachable magazine
  • Manual safety with cocked bolt indicator
  • Ambidextrous grip
  • Soft rubber buttpad
  • Dovetail grooves on receiver for 11mm scope mounts
  • Mounted sling studs

22LR Specifications:

    • 1:16″ twist .22LR barrel
    • 24.8″ barrel
    • 43.1″ overall length
    • 6.1 lbs.
    • MSRP: $249.99 – 22LR SYN / $299.99 – 22LR Walnut

HatsanUSA Inc., provides U.S. customers the opportunity to experience the exceptional quality, craftsmanship and hard-hitting performance of Escort Shotguns, Hatsan Airguns, H&N Pellets, TactAir Fill Solutions, and Optima Optics.

WWW.HATSANUSA.COM

Firearms

Omega Sight from Lil Bow Peep

How many times have you wished that your sight had a built-in rangefinder? Well wish no more… Not only does this sight have this tremendous feature, but it also has an integrated Hi-Def 1080p video camera that will record all of the action and allow instant playback, all on its large LCD screen. We call it the Omega, the newest and most innovative accessory since the scope. The Omega boasts all three devices all-in-one…a mil-dot Sight, real-time Rangefinder up to 600 yards, and HD Video Camera. This lightweight, water-resistant innovation, provides technology that will provide better shooting accuracy, more humane shots, and memories you can share.

Whether your choice is a vertical bow, crossbow, shotgun, rifle, black powder, or even a handgun, the Omega comes with all of the hardware needed to mount to your shooting device. It also has a remote control feature that allows operation with little to no hand movement. You can shoot from any angle, even shoot without shouldering your shooting device.

Manufactured by Lil Bow Peep, LLC, of Medina, Ohio, the Omega retails for an amazingly affordable $399.99. To learn more about how you can get the new OMEGA SIGHT, go to: www.omegasights.com or contact Tim@OmegaSights.com.

Range it! Film it! Shoot it! Read more

Archery, Optics

PROOF Research Introduces the Conviction Ti Rifle

For the serious precision rifle shooter, PROOF® Research has again listened and significantly reduced rifle weight without compromising long-range accuracy.

Columbia Falls, Mont. – PROOF® Research, an innovator in precision rifle technology, is proud to announce the newest addition to their precision, long-range rifles with the Conviction Ti, a new standard in lightweight, tactical, long-range rifles.

PROOF Research combined a lightweight, titanium receiver with their match-grade, carbon-fiber barrel and laid carbon-fiber stock. With a starting weight of just 6 lbs. 6 oz., the Conviction Ti is backed by Proof Research’s SUB ½ MOA guarantee. The ergonomic design features an adjustable cheekpiece, a near-vertical grip, low-profile flush cups, integral rail and a wider forearm to accommodate an EFR mount. Also, the Conviction Ti is available with a right or left-handed titanium action, a TriggerTech trigger, and a Pachmayr recoil pad. Using PROOF Research’s Extreme-Accuracy bedding technique, the Conviction Ti long-range rifle will not disappoint competitors, hunters, or our nation’s peacekeepers for its uncompromising accuracy over extreme distances.

The Conviction Ti rifle excels in every-shot performance, even at exceptional distances. For the hunter, competitor, and military, where weight is an important consideration when carrying a fully kitted-out rifle, loaded backpack and other accessories, the Conviction Ti rifle is the clear winner. Even fully kitted with scope, suppressor and bipod, the Conviction Ti rifle comes in under 13 lbs., half the weight of traditional tactical rifles. Read more

Firearms

California Senate Committee Delays Hearing on Bill 3030, Including More Marine Protected Areas

Hearing on California’s AB3030 Rescheduled for August 12th, 2020

Sacramento, — The California Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee adjourned Thursday without hearing Assembly Bill 3030. The committee is now scheduled to take the matter up on August 12, 2020.

The committee’s agenda included hearings on nine different bills during its three-hour session today, and it was unable to cover all of them. AB 3030 is set to be the second bill heard by the committee when it reconvenes next week.

“We thank everyone who set aside time in anticipation of calling in to oppose AB 3030,” said Wayne Kotow, Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL), which is leading the sportfishing community’s charge in opposition to AB 3030.

“It has been delayed, but we cannot afford to let our guard down,” Kotow added. “We will need to muster our opposition forces once again next week when AB 3030 is scheduled to be heard by the committee.”

What started as an international environmental plan to restrict the use of 30 percent of all land and water is now being driven to the extreme here in California with an ocean focus on additional marine protected areas (MPAs) with AB 3030.

Aside from pushing for MPAs, AB3030 has several other problems including the following: Read more

Fishing

Sig Sauer Announces New Gearbox for National Shooting Sports Month

NEWTOWN, Conn. – NSSF®, the trade association for the firearm industry, is pleased to announce that SIG SAUER has agreed to sponsor a Gearbox Giveaway in support of 2020’s National Shooting Sports Month®.

SIG SAUER is a leading manufacturer of rifles, handguns, airguns, ammunition, electro-optics, suppressors and accessories for the military, law enforcement and civilian markets around the world. The company’s founding dates back to 1751 at J.P. Sauer & Suhl in Germany, and 1853 when it was a wagon factory in Rhine Falls, Switzerland. This company changed its name in 1864 to Swiss Industrial Group—SIG—before eventually evolving, in 2007, to be the SIG SAUER brand with which today’s consumers are familiar.

The 2020 National Shooting Sports Month SIG SAUER Gearbox Giveaway, valued at nearly $4,000, includes:

1 SIG SAUER CROSS rifle in .308 Winchester

1 SIERRA3 BDX scope and rangefinder kit

10 boxes (20-count each) of Elite Hunter Tipped ammunition

1 collection of SIG SAUER-branded apparel and gear Read more

Firearms

Bushnell Powerview 2 Binoculars

New ‘Do It All’ Binoculars Built for Durability with Modern Exterior Design

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, announced today that it has started shipping the Powerview™ 2, an evolution of their popular Powerview line of binoculars that have offered industry-leading value for over a decade.

A versatile, general-use binocular, Powerview 2 models feature an aircraft grade, aluminum alloy chassis built for durability without adding unnecessary weight and bulk. Each model sports high-quality, soft-touch black rubber armor and brushed metal texture finishes that give it an eye-catching modern exterior design and superior ergonomics.

Available now for purchase at prices ranging from $39.99 to $79.99, Powerview 2 fits within nearly everyone’s budget. The line offers compact, mid- and full-size options in roof or porro prism configurations ranging from 10x to 20x magnification. This wide assortment provides multiple options for any outdoor adventure.

Multi-coated optics provide a clear, vibrant image, even in low light. The focus wheel is designed for ultra-smooth performance, allowing the user to quickly focus on the subject and get exceptional definition. All Powerview 2 binoculars have an adjustable diopter, and come with soft-touch rubber armor that’s textured along the sides and on the bridge for easy handling and a confident grip. Read more

Optics

Hawke Optics Brings True Apochromatic Lenses to The Frontier Binocular

Stunning Photographic Clarity Comes to the New Frontier APO Binoculars

Hawke® Optics, the world leader in quality sporting optics that perform in the field at an amazing value to consumers, takes the premium Frontier binocular to an unbelievable level of clarity with apochromatic lenses and H7 optics for unsurpassed light transfer. They say what you see is what you get. With the Frontier APO, what you see will take your breath away.

Professional photographers know all about APO. Apochromatic lenses are designed to bring three light wavelengths (typically red, green, and blue) into focus in the same plane. This gives the image you see better correction of chromatic and spherical aberration from distances, which usually distorts the color and reducing the clarity of the images you see. APO lenses also correct for spherical aberration at two wavelengths, rather than one as in an achromatic lens. The result is a sharp increase in the definition of what you’re looking at and a wider, flat-field of view without distortion.

But Hawke didn’t just stop with adding APO lenses. Their new H7 optics have extra low dispersion glass that adds to the stunning highly defined viewing with even more color control and phase correction. H7 also adds new high performance lens coatings and dielectric-coated BAK-4 roof prisms which all combine to give you the highest level of light transmission for a bright, crystal-clear image.

There are two models of Frontier APO Binoculars. The 8×42 model has a field of view of 8.1 degrees and weighs in at 26.1 ounces thanks to the lightweight magnesium-alloy chassis. The 10×42 model has a 7.1-degree field of view and also weighs in at 26.1 ounces. Both models focus at 6.6 feet and have water-resistant lens coatings. They are water and fog proof and are fully nitrogen purged. Replaceable, twist-up eye cups with position stops let you tailor the fit to your needs. Stay-on lens covers protect the lenses. Like all Hawke Optics, the Frontier APO binoculars are covered by the Hawke No-Fault Lifetime Warranty, so go afield with confidence that you have the best value in extreme, high-performance binoculars. Read more

Optics

NWTF Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation supports and applauds the introduction of a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate to improve active forest management practices in the West and reduce catastrophic wildfire potential on national forests.

In response to growing threats of more intense and frequent catastrophic wildfires on the nation’s national forests and the communities that surround them, Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020.

Key elements of the bill that the NWTF supports include:

 

  • Directing the USDA Forest Service to identify three landscape-scale collaborative forest projects to restore forest health and reduce wildfire risk. The projects will benefit from streamlined environmental reviews, allowing for timelier project implementation, and a higher threshold to meet for a judge to impose an injunction if they are litigated.
  • Establishes a categorical exclusion in the National Environmental Policy Act for constructing fuel/fire breaks.
  • Creates grant programs to build biomass energy conversion facilities, help develop markets for biomass (plant-based waste from forestry practices) and support forestry workforce development, all important factors that typically limit large-scale forest management and fuels-reduction treatments.

“The National Wild Turkey Federation thanks Senator Daines and Senator Feinstein for introducing this important bipartisan legislation,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “Forest health and wildfire prevention are important to all Americans. It is also an issue of safety for wildland fire fighters and the numerous communities around and within these forests. We need well-thought-out solutions that everyone can support.” Read more

Wildlife

Hatsan Introduces Multi-Caliber PCP Rifle: The Hydra

Bentonville, AR – Yet another innovation from the Hatsan factory is their new Hydra QE. It features their patented Versi-Cal Technology interchangeable caliber system that allows one to trade calibers with a single thumb screw. The VCT system couples a caliber-specific receiver and barrel into a single interchangeable module that allows a scope to remain mounted and zeroed with each caliber used. A knurled screw located at the rear of the receiver locks the upper module onto the lower receiver, allowing caliber changes in just a few seconds. The Hydra QE utilizes Hatsan’s S/Roto-Index magazine system – a caliber specific self-indexing rotary magazine made from a lightweight-yet-durable synthetic polymer. Each module features Hatsan’s QuietEnergy shrouded barrel that reduces downrange noise by up to 50%.

A fourth module is also available that will allow shooters to use the rifle with commercially available crossbow arrows. This module features a hollow guide rod for the arrow to slide over. It accepts 20″ 2219 aluminum and carbon fiber arrows with a 0.30″ inside diameter. The same modular air rifle platform can now be used for target and small game hunting with pellets, then be swapped in seconds for larger game hunting without the need to buy another complete airgun.

A fine Turkish walnut stock is laser engraved with ample texturing on critical grip surfaces that enhances the feel and control of the rifle. A Monte Carlo style cheek rest rises up to just the right height for use with scopes. The rubber butt pad is both elevation and fit angle adjustable for a custom fit to each shooter. A fixed 165cc air cylinder fills to 2900 PSI and can provide up to 35 powerful shots. Weighing in at just 6.8 lbs, this modular platform airgun is easy to carry and shoot. The Hatsan Hydra is available in .177, .22, or .25 caliber – with additional barrel/receiver modules available separately. Read more

Firearms
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