The Times They Are a Changing (For Deer Hunters)

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Change is the law of life.  And, those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future…John F. Kennedy

At a May 14th meeting, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) put a bevy of proposals on the table for consideration by the Department of Natural Resources (Department).  Most of them are aimed at streamlining and clarifying practices and language across the state relative to deer hunting; others are attempts at making hunting safer.  All issues have been evaluated on social, biological, and economic impacts – both pro and con – and can be reviewed in their entirety online at www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/DeerRegulations_689593_7.pdf.  What follows are some of the highlights.

*  The Department recommends a statewide season purchase limit of up to 10 private land antlerless deer licenses.  There may be a perception that a purchase limit of 10 private land antlerless deer licenses will result in an overharvest of deer. However, data show that approximately 60 percent of hunters don’t purchase an antlerless license and approximately 30 percent purchase one.

*  The Department recommends removing Antler Point Restrictions (APRs) for all youth hunters (16 years of age and younger) and apprentice hunters.  The Department does not expect a biological impact.  Even if success rates increase, the Department does not anticipate the level of harvest to have a negative biological effect by impacting the age structure of male deer on the landscape.

*  The Department recommends that ground blinds placed on public or private lands must display hunter orange of at least 144 square inches so that it is visible from all directions while deer hunting during any deer season in which a hunter is already required to wear hunter orange.  This proposal has been on the table before and was shot down, even though a number of Midwestern states have similar rules for hunting blinds.  Currently, Michigan hunters have the option to use hunter orange on their blinds if they wish, but it is not mandatory.

*  The Department recommends removing the single-site bait regulation and allowing hunters with disabilities to use any legal type of bait during the Liberty and Independence Hunts provided that all other baiting regulations are followed.

*  The Department recommends opening opportunities to more hunters in the muzzleloader season in zone 3 (including the full counties of Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, and Bay counties) by allowing all firearms, that are legal during the firearms season for that respective zone, to be legal during the muzzleloader season.  Though it was only one year of data, from the 19 counties that had this option in 2018, a total of 10,081 deer were taken, representing an increase from 2017 where 8,146 deer were taken during the muzzleloader season.

With the diminishing amount of hunting licenses being sold, there are far fewer deer being taken compared to the past and that’s a concern because of issues with vehicle/deer collisions and other factors.  Obviously, many of the proposed changes are focused on herd balance and minimizing disease issues by taking more female deer.  Heck, maybe someday the cost of antlerless tags will be reduced to get the job done.

Hunting, Wildlife

Michgan: Silver Lake Park ORV Area Opening Postponed

After careful consideration, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will postpone the opening of Silver Lake State Park ORV Area in Oceana County until Saturday, June 13. The additional time allows for new operational functions associated with COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines to be integrated, as well as significant progress on construction of the new dune entrance ramp. In addition, the opening date coincides with the updated “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order, announced last Friday, which now ends June 12.

One of the department’s biggest challenges was the halting of nonessential work and the need to recruit, hire and train seasonal summer workers. Once the state’s executive order allowed such efforts, after May 15, the DNR began steps toward opening the ORV area. Many of the area’s recurring opening duties and tasks are near completion, but the bulk of construction on the new dune entrance ramp-widening project is still underway and would become more challenging with the number of visitors expected. Additionally, many of the new and evolving COVID-19 safety practices and protocols – building sneeze guards, establishing cash and voucher handling procedures, training new staff and instructing new and returning staff on new COVID-19 safety measures – are still being implemented. Read more

General

Michigan: Tagged Fish Could Net Anglers Cash Reward

People who regularly fish Michigan waters likely are familiar with the state’s marked and tagged fish program. Through assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Great Lakes states, including Michigan, are mass marking popular gamefish (like steelhead, Chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon, brown trout and lake trout) before those fish are stocked.

As more anglers get out on the water this summer, the DNR reminds them that catching a trout or salmon with an adipose fin clip could be worth a $100 reward. The adipose fin is the small, fleshy lobe on the fish’s back, just forward of the tail fin. Read more

Fishing

Primary Arms Father’s Day Giveaway

Includes 2 Custom-Built AR15s Chambered in .22LR

Comes with Primary Arms Optics, CCI Ammunition, and More

Complete Package Valued at Over $4000

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms has partnered with The Truth About Guns for a Father’s Day giveaway, which will run through the month of June. The giveaway includes two custom-built .22LR AR15s, making it the perfect way to spend a range day with family. These two rifles include top parts from names like 2A Armament, Battle Arms Development, Sionics Weapon Systems, and many more.

Each rifle starts with a 2A Armament Gen 2 Balios Lite Billet Receiver set and 22LR AR BCG/Barrel Kit, ensuring a match-grade fitment with flawless reliability. The Rise Armament Blitz Elite Performance AR-15 Trigger is supported by an enhanced Sionics Weapon Systems Lower Parts Kit, improving overall precision when plinking small targets. Ergonomically, these rifles are lightweight and quick to aim, featuring a Cross Machine Tool UHPR Mod 2 HDX Handguard and Magpul MOE furniture.

To complete each rifle, Primary Arms has included two different optics setups. The first rifle features their Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm SFP Gen III Riflescope with ACSS® 22LR reticle, which is mounted in an American Defense Recon QD 30mm Scope Mount with Titanium Levers. The second rifle features their SLx Advanced Rotary Knob Microdot Sight, which is mounted on an American Defense QD T1 Micro Mount at Absolute co-witness. Both rifles include 300rds of CCI .22lr Ammo and 5 25-round CMMG ARC Magazines.

This giveaway will continue on through the end of June, and interested participants are encouraged to enter through the giveaway landing page, found here on the TTAG website. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms

SAR USA Partners with On Target Magazine for Giveaway

Auburn, AL- – SAR USA by Sarsilmaz, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of firearms, is pleased to announce that they have partnered with On Target magazine for the ultimate “Gun & Gear Giveaway” promotion with a combined retail value of nearly $1,000. SAR USA has donated the SAR 9X Platinum 9mm, the flagship of the SAR USA line of premium pistols.

This promotion was announced in the “Best of Shot Show” May/June 2020 issue of the magazine and is also featured on the cover as well as a 2-page spread. The prize package includes: One SAR 9X Platinum 9mm pistol and 500 rounds of Black Hills 124 gr. JHP 9mm defensive ammunition. The promotion is free and only available in the USA. There are 6 digital ways to enter the giveaway. To do so, please visit: https://ontargetmagazine.com/best-of-shot-giveaway/ before July 10th, 2020 and register to win. Read more

Firearms

CMP, Sponsors Affiliate Discount Purchase Program

By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has teamed up with other marksmanship organizations to create an opportunity for Affiliated Clubs and individuals to receive third party rifle and pistols (many at discounted prices) to help jumpstart programs for schools, junior clubs, teams and camps.

The CMP Affiliate Purchase Program accommodates .177 caliber precision and sporter air rifles and .22 caliber smallbore rifles, along with a selection of air pistols. The products are intended for junior athletes in target training and competition preparation at beginning and intermediate levels.

Equipment now available includes:

  • .22 Target Rifles

Savage Arms offers .22 rifles at a significant discount:

  • Savage Mark I-FVT, single shot, in right and left hand for $257.00 each (regular price $480.00)
  • Savage Mark II-FVT, 5-round magazine, in right and left hand for $257.00 each (regular price $479.00)

(These rifles may be purchased by clubs only, not offered to individuals, but are an excellent deal.)

Additionally, Creedmoor offers the Anschutz 1903 right hand target rifle in .22 for $1595.00, though there is no discount for CMP clubs or individuals.

  • Air Pistols

Pyramyd Air offers two air pistols:

  • Alfa Proj Competition PCP Pistol, .177 for $749.99 (regular price $799.99)
  • Air Venturi V10 Match Air Pistol, .177 for $239.99 (regular price $264.99)
  • Sporter Air Rifles

Daisy offers three different rifles, one at regular price and two at significant discounts:

  • Daisy 599 10 meter competition air rifle, $595.00 (no club or individual discount)
  • Daisy M887 Gold Medalist CO2 air rifle – Club and individual price, $305.00 (regular price $499.99)
  • Daisy Elite 753W, wood stock, pump air rifle – Club and individual price $257.00 (regular price $449.99)
  • Daisy Elite 753S, black synthetic stock, pump air rifle – Club and individual price $194.00 (regular price 449.99)

Also, Pyramyd Air offers the Air Arms T200, .177 air rifle, for clubs and individuals for $525.00 (regular price $579.99).

  • Precision Air Rifles

Pyramyd Air offers three precision rifles, all available to both clubs and individuals at varying discounts.

  • FEINWERKBAU 500 10-meter air rifle, .177 – Club and individuals price $1275.00 (regular price $1295.95)
  • Air Arms MPR .177 Air Rifle – Club and individual price $850.00 (regular price $999.49)
  • Anschutz 9015 Club Rifle – Club and individual price $1895.95 (regular price $2199.99)

UMAREX/Hammerli

    • Hammerli AR20 Air Rifle – Restricted to club sales, only $840.00 (regular price $969.99)

Read more

Firearms

TenPoint Launches Fastest Forward Draw Crossbow

Mogadore, OH — TenPoint Crossbow Technologies NEW Vengent S440 is the fastest and narrowest forward draw crossbow ever, delivering lightning speeds up to 440 FPS and features the NEW revolutionary ACUslide™ cocking and de-cocking system. The ultra-fast crossbow is also our narrowest ever, measuring an incredible 5.8-inches wide, and weighs a half-pound less than previous TenPoint flagship models.

“We have always committed ourselves to building the best crossbows on the market and, while de-cocking is not a new concept to the crossbow market, the silent ACUslide is the first safe option to de-cock a crossbow with a crank,” said Rick Bednar, TenPoint CEO.

The NEW ACUslide features the company’s groundbreaking Auto-Brake Gear System, which allows for silent cocking and safe and controlled de-cocking of the crossbow. The Auto-Brake Gear System eliminates the potential of losing control which can lead to injury or costly bow damage during the de-cocking process. While de-cocking with the ACUslide, the user can remove their hand from the handle at any point, with no other action required – and the handle will stop in place.

The NEW 7 ½-inch XTEND Adjustable Crank Handle reduces cocking effort to 5-pounds and stores securely into the butt-stock. Read more

Archery

Pennsylvania Court Wraps Up Deer Abuse Case

A November incident where an immobile white-tailed deer was held down and repeatedly kicked as a smartphone video camera documented the attack has been resolved in court.

Alexander Brock Smith, 18, appeared May 6 in Jefferson County court and pleaded guilty to a second-degree misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals and summary counts of disturbance of game or wildlife, unlawful possession of game or wildlife, using unlawful devices or methods while hunting and failure to wear the required amount of fluorescent orange while hunting.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, Smith agreed to serve two years on probation, with his community service to be completed at an animal shelter and through presentations made to hunter-education classes and sportsmen’s clubs. He will be required to pay $1,650 in fines and his hunting license will be revoked for 15 years.

The rest of the charges Smith faced were dropped as part of the agreement.

Smith was charged alongside a 17-year-old juvenile whose case was resolved Thursday in Jefferson County juvenile court. Juvenile court records are not available for public view.

Videos Smith recorded of the Nov. 30 incident then shared through the messaging app Snapchat were seen by thousands of people worldwide, leading to significant public outrage over the incident. The Game Commission launched an investigation immediately after receiving a report and filed a host of charges against Smith and the juvenile. Among charges filed against each defendant were two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and two felony counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated animal cruelty.

Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans praised the law-enforcement work that led to charges, and stressed that the deplorable actions depicted in the video in no way are representative of the hunting community.

“From the start, some of the loudest voices calling for justice in this case were those of hunters, who care deeply about wildlife and have always stepped up to protect it,” Burhans said. “That mindset, passed down through the generations, might be the biggest reason we enjoy healthy and sustainable wildlife populations today.”

Poachers

Michigan: restoration continues at Copper Harbor Lighthouse in Keweenaw County

Standing as a silent guard at the very top of the Upper Peninsula, the Copper Harbor Lighthouse once guided vessels traveling in Lake Superior to safe harbor.

Originally built in 1848, the lighthouse site consisted of a 44-foot stone tower with a lantern room, a detached lightkeeper’s dwelling and landing dock.

By the 1860s, the Keweenaw Peninsula’s harsh winters and Lake Superior’s severe weather had taken their toll on the original buildings. The U.S. Lighthouse Service replaced the stone structures with a brick lighthouse and attached living quarters.

Beginning in 1866, the new lighthouse was manned by lightkeepers and their families until it was automated in 1919. By 1958, the lighthouse had become obsolete, and the U.S Coast Guard sold the property to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Today the lighthouse site, which is part of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, includes the original 1848 keeper’s quarters and the 1866 lighthouse. While time may have changed the lighthouse’s purpose, the need to protect the historic buildings from the elements is still pressing. Read more

General

SAR USA, Athlon Sponsor K-12 Sport Giveaway

Auburn, AL — SAR USA by Sarsilmaz, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of firearms, is pleased to announce that they have partnered with Athlon Outdoors for the Fully Loaded Giveaway promotion. SAR USA has donated the SAR K-12 Sport, the crown jewel of the SAR USA line of premium pistols for this promo.

This giveaway runs through Athlon’s Personal Defense World network. It was announced in the June/July issue of Combat Handguns and runs May 5th through June 29th, 2020, on PersonalDefenseWorld.com. The magazine has a photo of the K-12 Sport on the cover as an inset. Also, there is a 2-page spread that includes images and information about the SAR K-12 Sport.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with the great family of publications that Athlon Outdoors has to offer,” said Todd Person, COO of SAR USA. “Their commitment to the reader and consumer makes them the perfect partner to offer this premium pistol. I’m sure that the winner will not only be excited to win this fabulous gun, but will also be overwhelmed by the craftmanship of this SAR USA product.”

Want to enter and win the K-12 Sport, along with some gear? Head over to PersonalDefenseWorld.com and click the red banner at the top of the page. From there, you’ll be taken to the entry page where you can learn more about the SAR K-12 Sport and the other gear up for grabs. The actual entry form is at the bottom of the page. You can receive additional entries by completing simple tasks like following certain social media accounts. Don’t miss out!

To learn more about the K-12 Sport and the complete product line from SAR USA by Sarsilmaz, please visit: www.sarusa.com . For social, follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sarusaofficial/ or www.instagram.com/sarusabysarsilmaz/ . Read more

Firearms
1 … 916 917 918 919 920 … 2,055