Michigan: Add your help to winter bird counts!

If you’ve got cabin fever, MI Birds partners across Michigan are hosting some cool community science opportunities that may help you embrace the cold:

The Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 15-18), coordinated by Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology, invites people all over the world to record their bird observations for at least 15 minutes, in their own backyards.

  • All ages and birding skills welcome.
  • Join in any or all days.
  • Last year, over 190,000 people participated in this global bird count, and Michigan – with nearly 4,000 checklists submitted – was among the top 10 participating states.Project FeederWatch (various dates, November through April), organized by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada, is a winterlong survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas and other locales in North America.

    Erin Rowan, MI Birds program associate for Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR, suggests using tube, hopper or suet bird feeders, rather than putting seed directly on the ground or using platform feeders – these methods tend to attract deer and other unintended guests.

    “After Jan. 31, deer and elk feeding are not allowed in the Lower Peninsula,” Rowan said. “It’s part of an effort to prevent deer gathering around food sources, because that activity increases the potential spread of chronic wasting disease.” Rowan said, too, that people can get mess-free bird seed options (to keep the ground clean) at many stores and can surround feeders with fencing to limit deer access.

    MI Birds is a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. Birders and hunters share similar conservation values, but rarely cross paths. MI Birds aims to deepen all Michiganders’ engagement in the understanding, care and stewardship of the public lands that are important for birds and local communities.

    For more on the regulations going into effect Jan. 31, contact your local DNR Customer Service Center. Questions about the bird count events? Contact Erin Rowan, 313-820-0809.

Wildlife

Pope And Young Club Names New World Record Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep During Special Panel

Chatfield, MN – On Thursday, January 24th, the Pope and Young Club convened a Special Panel of Judges in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a potential P&Y World Record Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Clayton Miller’s massive ram is now the largest hunter-killed bighorn sheep with both Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett. The ram was shot in Pennington County, South Dakota on October 30th, 2018. Measurers present at the Special Panel were Ed Fanchin, Stan Rauch, Ricky Krueger, and Justin Spring. With a final score of 209 1/8″, Clayton’s ram was confirmed as the new P&Y World Record Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. This ram surpasses the previous World Record Rocky Mountain ram shot by Todd Kirk in 1998 by almost 10 inches.

“The Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep is such an American icon. To have the privilege to be part of a Special Panel of Judges to authenticate its final score was a special treat, said Ed Fanchin, Records Chair for the Pope and Young Club. “This ram exceeded the previous Pope and Young Club Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep World Record by almost 10″, a record that stood for the last 20 years. Congratulations to Clayton and the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks for practicing sound wildlife management. This ram will be on display at the Pope and Young Club Convention in Omaha, Nebraska in April 2019, it’s a must-see.” Read more

Hunting

Grant Funding Benefits Elk Habitat, Research, Public Access in South Dakota

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation provided nearly $114,000 in grant funding to improve elk habitat and scientific research in South Dakota as well as a wide range of hunting heritage and other outdoor-related activities.

“Water is at a premium across the lower portion of South Dakota. This funding is helping to establish a wide-ranging pipeline project to improve more than 15,400 acres of habitat,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “It also goes toward a multi-year research effort monitoring cow elk survival plus it assists various other projects designed to enhance habitat for elk and other wildlife.”

The 2018 grants helped pay for 25 projects across Aurora, Beadle, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Custer, Fall River, Jerauld, Lake, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Sanborn, Tripp and Yankton Counties.

South Dakota is home to more than 4,200 RMEF members and 18 chapters. Read more

Wildlife

Norma 17 HMR V-MAX

Norma® has expanded its rimfire line-up with the introduction of its new .17 HMR V-MAX. A great round for varmint hunters and small game hunters, the Norma .17 HMR V-MAX delivers tremendous accuracy and hard-hitting performance all the way out to 200 yards.

Norma’s .17 HMR V-MAX is engineered to deliver high energy upon impact and for exceptional accuracy at rimfire distances. It features a 17gr polymer tipped V-MAX bullet designed for rapid expansion and has a screaming fast 2560 feet per second muzzle velocity. The MSRP for a 50-round box is $12.78.

“The .17 HMR has a very loyal following among hunters and target shooters alike,” said Paul Lemke, General Manager for RUAG Ammotec USA. “With outstanding accuracy and excellent energy transfer, Norma’s new .17 HMR V-MAX lives up to the reputation of this blistering fast rimfire caliber.”

Norma is a registered trademark of RUAG Ammotec, a RUAG Group Company.

Established in 1902 and based out of Amotfors, Sweden, Norma has built a reputation world-wide for its dedication to quality, precision and reliability. Norma’s commitment to delivering trustworthy ammunition for hunters and shooters has been the driving

force in the continual growth and expansion of Norma’s product line-up and manufacturing capabilities. For more information on Norma ammunition and components, please visit Norma-ammunition.com.

Ammunition

Michigan: UP Trappers Association Offers Kids’ Workshop

Contact: Mike Lewis, 906-774-3592

Kids of all ages are invited to attend the U.P. Trappers Association’s 14th annual Midwinter Trappers Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Hermansville Community Center in Menominee County.

The workshop will begin at 8 a.m. CST, featuring trapping and fur handling demonstrations, supplies for young trappers, fur buying and more.

“Every kid that is the least bit interested in learning to trap should be at the Community Center in Hermansville,” said Mike Lewis, association contact for the event. “We are hoping that parents, grandparents, teachers, neighbors and friends will do what they can to get as many kids there as they can. Read more

Hunting

Rebates and Gear Offers on Select FN Products

(McLean, VA) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce the release of the company’s latest consumer offer, the FN Spring Rebate and Bonus Gear promotion, for eligible purchases of select FN products. The promotion will be active from February 1 through March 31, 2019.

Cash Rebate Offer – $30.00 or $75.00
Customers who purchase a new model of the FNS™-9 Compact will be eligible to receive a $30.00 cash rebate. Likewise, customers who purchase any new model FN 15® carbine or rifle will be eligible to receive a $75.00 cash rebate. Customers interested in this offer are encouraged to review the list of eligible models of FNS-9 Compact and FN 15 posted at fnamerica.com/promo. Read more

Firearms

Leupold Upgrades Handheld Thermal Line with LTO Tracker 2, LTO Tracker 2 HD

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc. has upgraded its handheld thermal imager line with the introduction of the LTO Tracker 2 and LTO Tracker 2 HD, which represent the most recent evolution in the company’s award-winning thermal imaging product line.

Designed to be compact and light enough to take on even the farthest backcountry hunt, the original LTO Tracker showed hunters the heat signature of game, blood trails and more. The new LTO Tracker 2 and LTO Tracker 2 HD deliver the same premier performance while providing a friendlier user interface and changing the game entirely with the introduction of the new Beacon Mode. Read more

Optics

Benelli Offers Fast Hunting Action with 828U Performance Shop Upland

ACCOKEEK, Md. – After several years of garnering praise for its acclaimed 828U, Benelli delivers a new over-and-under shotgun for upland hunters who enjoy fast action, tight shot patterns and superb control with the 828U Performance Shop Upland 12-gauge shotgun. Based upon the popular 828U, the Upland features premium upgrades from Benelli’s Performance Shop to produce a shorter, fast-swinging gun.

The 828U Upland retains the revolutionary breech design with a steel lock-plate opening system, eliminating wear and tear on the aluminum receiver. A shorter length-of-pull combined with a 24-inch barrel gives ultimate control, balance and a fast and smooth swing. Weighing 6.4 pounds, the shotgun is a joy to carry in the field. The removable trigger group makes for easy cleaning and eliminates complicated linkage between the forearm and trigger mechanism. Read more

Firearms

HatsanUSA, Inc. Releases Accurate Elegance

Bentonville, AR – The AirMax High shot count Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) rifle is a well-planned, tack-driving machine. Configured in an ultramodern, bullpup design – housed in a handsome ambidextrous wood stock, the AirMax is a sophisticated look into the future.

Like all Hatsan rifles, the AirMax is constructed with a precision-engineered, rifled and choked barrel. The revolutionary QuietEnergy fully-shrouded barrel and an integrated sound moderator is approximately 50% quieter without reducing accuracy. Avid shooters will appreciate the 2-stage fully-adjustable Quattro Trigger. This match-grade trigger allows shooters to adjust for their preferred trigger travel and load. The AirMax comes standard with a manual and automatic safety and is equipped with a metal trigger.

The AirMax platform marries cutting-edge design with purpose-driven performance. The Pre-Charged Pneumatic rifle is available in three calibers; .177, .22, and .25. Complete with a 200-bar fill pressure 400cc bottle and 90cc air-tube the AirMax produces up to 49 ft-lbs. of energy. A built-in pressure gauge allows shooters to monitor fill pressure while a patented anti-knock system prevents gas wastage when the rifle is knocked or bounced. The AirMax package also includes a quick-fill nozzle. Read more

Firearms

HatsanUSA, Inc. Powers Portable Precision

Bentonville, AR – The purveyors of precision and accuracy also provide the ultimate in portability and convenience. The Hatsan TactAir Systems Spark Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) compressor, 12V power supply, and two new carbon composite bottles give avid airgun shooters the freedom to shoot wherever, whenever.

The TactAir Spark PCP Compressor is in a class all its own. With the new TactAir Spark, shooters can direct fill their airgun faster and with much less effort than a traditional hand pump. Compact, rugged, and lightweight, this portable compressor is priced right and up to the task.

The TactAir Spark can be run directly off of a vehicle’s 12V battery source, or a 120V wall outlet using the optional power supply. It is simple to operate and designed to fill PCP airgun reservoirs up to 1 liter in volume. The Spark is outfitted with alligator clamps to fit a variety of battery types. This enables it to draw power wherever it’s available. Complete with two high-speed fans, the air-cooled Spark is neat and tidy, with no liquids to refill or spill. Its digital temperature gauge is accurate and easy to read. Read more

Firearms
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