Gypsy moth caterpillars are eating leaves; here’s what to do

Michigan Department of Natural Resources forest health experts are getting reports of oak, aspen and maple trees losing leaves to gypsy moths in the southwestern and northeastern parts of the Lower Peninsula.

The gypsy moth is an invasive species that caused widespread defoliation in the state from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. This year, defoliation is likely to become visible within the next few weeks in localized outbreak areas and persist through mid-July.

“Gypsy moths are a nuisance but rarely kill trees,” said Scott Lint, forest health expert with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division.

Keep defoliated trees healthy by making sure they get water; avoid damaging tree roots and bark. Trees should begin to develop new leaves in July to replace those that were eaten.

Check out this update from Michigan State University Extension about gypsy moth caterpillars this season; additional resources are below.

For additional questions, contact Scott Lint at LintS@Michigan.gov.

Wildlife

Grizzly Bear Trappings to Begin in Southern Madison Mountains, Montana

BOZEMAN – As part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, is working to inform the public that pre-baiting and scientific capture operations are once again about to begin within the Gravelly and Madison Ranges of Montana. Biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will begin work in southwest Montana beginning June 17th and will continue through July 17th. Capture operations can include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have primary access points marked with warning signs. It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs.

Monitoring of grizzly bear distribution and other activities are vital to ongoing recovery of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem. In order to attract bears, biologists use natural food sources such as fresh road–killed deer and elk. Potential capture sites are baited with these natural foods and if indications are that grizzly bears are in the area, culvert traps or foot snares will be used to capture the bears. Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols developed by the IGBST.

Whenever bear-capture activities are being conducted for scientific purposes, the area around the site will be posted with bright warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. These signs are posted along the major access points to the capture site. It is important that the public heed these signs and do not venture into an area that has been posted. For more information regarding grizzly bear capture efforts call the IGBST hotline at 406-994-6675. Information about the grizzly bear research and monitoring is available from the IGBST website: https://www.usgs.gov/science/interagency-grizzly-bear-study-team

Wildlife

CHILLZ Cooling Pad for Dogs in Realtree EDGE Camo

COLUMBUS, GA– ?The CHILLZ Cooling Pad for Dogs in Realtree EDGE Camo provides your canine companion with cool comfort all day long.

The cooling mat works without refrigeration, water or electricity. Pressure-activated gel automatically recharges so your pup can keep cool day or night.

Available in three sizes, the cooling pad is perfect for hot summer days and for senior pets or those recovering from surgery. The pad is easy to clean. Just wipe it with a damp cloth. It’s made from a non-toxic lightweight material that folds quickly. Use it in pet beds, crates or in the car. Read more

General

NSSF, Project Childsafe Emphasize Firearm Safety

NSSF, Project Childsafe Emphasize Firearm Safety as a Critical Part of Home Safety

June is National Safety Month; Preventing Home Accidents Helps First Responders and Health Care Workers Focus on Community-wide Priorities

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Project ChildSafe® and NSSF® are emphasizing gun safety as a critical part of home safety as National Safety Month kicks off, and as the nationwide surge in firearm sales continues and includes millions of first-time buyers. Read more

Firearms

Humminbird® MEGA 360 Imaging™ Now Available for Any Boat

RACINE, Wis. – Humminbird’s exclusive MEGA 360 Imaging™ technology, the winner of “Best of Electronics” at ICAST 2019, is now available to more anglers with the introduction of new MEGA 360 Imaging–Universal.

Humminbird’s MEGA 360 Imaging is now available as an independently-mounted model that no longer requires a trolling motor to get the very best sonar views on the water. When paired with a compatible Humminbird control head, anglers can surround their boat with incredible detail of fish and structure, up to 125’ in all directions. MEGA 360 Imaging is the only sonar technology that gives anglers a high-resolution, 360-degree view without needing to adjust or steer the transducer, which leaves anglers handsfree to catch fish. With ultra-clear underwater views, MEGA 360 Imaging makes it easy to mark and identify fish, so that every cast is productive.

“Humminbird’s MEGA 360 Imaging-Universal was born out of the necessity to not limit the MEGA 360 Imaging technology only to anglers using a trolling motor.” said Matt Cook, Humminbird brand manager. “We want any angler to be able to improve their fishing with this cutting-edge technology, regardless of how their boat is equipped. This new model does that by allowing more anglers to outfit their boat to with the unmatched detail and fish-finding clarity of MEGA 360 Imaging.” Read more

Fishing

Mobile (Underwater) Gaming for Your Boat

Upgrades, great value make Aqua-Vu® micro 4.3 Stealth™ the perfect Dad’s Day Gift

Crosslake, MN – You never know what’s living right beneath the planks of the dock, or hovering beneath the hull of the moored pontoon, or hiding within the limbs of the downed willow tree. You won’t know about some of the most fish-rich areas of the lake, that is, unless you deploy your underwater optics. To the fish themselves, artificial overhead cover provides the most obviously comfortable, appealing territory in any neighborhood, regardless of the lake. And in many lakes, given ample depth, these hotspots can harbor great numbers of bass, crappies and other fish across multiple seasons. The trick lies in identifying exactly where the fish are hiding and how they’re positioned relative to the cover. Read more
Fishing

Rossi Rio Bravo Now Shipping

Bainbridge, GA – Rossi®, manufacturer of specialty rimfire rifles, break-action shotguns, and straight-wall cartridge lever-action and revolver rifles, introduces a new .22 LR long gun called the Rio Bravo.

The Rossi Rio Bravo is based on the company’s popular line of R92 lever-action firearms. Featuring a rich German beechwood or rugged black polymer forearm and stock with polished black metal finish, the Rio Bravo brings the traditional rifle experience to the rimfire category.

The hammer-fired rifle is built with a smooth sliding lever action and incorporates a cross-bolt safety system. Up to 15 rounds of .22 LR can be fed into the magazine tube to deliver extended firing sessions between reloading. The Rio Bravo utilizes traditional buckhorn sights on the wood model while the synthetic model will have fiber optic sights and the rear sight can be adjusted for precise zero. For easy carrying in the field, the rifle includes a barrel band sling stud mounted ahead of the front sight and a rear sling stud in the stock.

The Rio Bravo is well-suited for small-game hunting, adventurous target shooting, around-the-farm pest control, and can be used for youth training.

Rossi Rio Bravo Specifications

    • Caliber: .22 LR
    • Capacity: 15 rounds
    • Finish: polished black
    • Furniture: German beechwood or black synthetic
    • Action: lever
    • Safety: cross-bolt
    • Barrel Length: 18 in.
    • Overall Length: 36 in.
    • Weight: 5.5 lbs.

Read more

Firearms

Michigan: Watch Thursday’s NRC Meeting Live Online

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission’s next regular meeting is Thursday, June 11. Due to COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines, the meeting will be hosted in an online format.

You can watch the meeting live online using this link. Those who want to provide public comment for the meeting should call 517-284-5808 or email NRC@Michigan.gov.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. with the Committee of the Whole, and the agenda includes updates on:

    • Mandatory elk hunt orientation changes.
    • The 2019 deer harvest survey report.
    • Deer hunting regulations.
    • Several land transactions.

Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Lapua’s Rimfire Performance Center Featured on “The Shooter’s Mindset”

Sedalia, MO – Lapua’s Rimfire Performance Center East Manger, Luke Johnson, visited The Shooter’s Mindset on Tuesday, June 9 to guide listeners into the world of rimfire ammunition performance testing.

In this hour-long podcast episode, “The Shooter’s Mindset” hosts, Anthony Cruz, Jennifer Seymour and Greg Cannon, covered all aspects of rimfire performance testing with Johnson. Johnson dove deep into the testing process, the importance of ammo testing, how to best identify good groups, and the benefit of having multiple lots of ammunition while shooting competitively.

“Many shooters are familiar with Lapua’s Rimfire Performance Centers, but have yet to take advantage of the service. Both of our facilities offer shooters the opportunity to test various styles and lots of Lapua ammunition under tightly controlled conditions,” stated Johnson. “Our goal is to help shooters match the perfect lot of ammunition with their rifle so they may hit the range with confidence knowing their ammunition will perform.”

For more information on The Shooter’s Mindset podcast, visit theshootersmindset.com. Read more

Ammunition

HOWA M1100 Rimfire Series Now Shipping

Reno, NV –

Legacy Sports Int’l is excited to announce that their NEW HOWA M1100 rimfire series is now shipping. Complete with the same Japanese precision and craftsmanship that all HOWA owners have come to know and love. The long awaited arrival of the HOWA rimfire series will be a hit with all rimfire enthusiasts. The HOWA rimfire bolt action comes with an oversized tactical bolt handle, an 18” thread capped barrel, 2 – 10 rd. detachable mags and is available in 3 calibers – .22 LR & .22 WMR and 17 HMR. All are housed into a tough synthetic Tactical / Varmint style stock with a beavertail forend with options of OD or Black finish. Overall Length 37”. A Nikko Stirling 3.5-10×44 Gamepro Scoped package option is available and a Lifetime Warranty is provided on all Howa and Nikko Stirling optics – a win win all around.

MSRP’s start at $478 to $589 depending on rifle only and scoped models along with the various color options. Read more

Firearms
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