Michigan: leftover spring turkey hunting licenses now available

While the DNR is working hard to protect public health and safety during the coronavirus outbreak, we also recognize the value in looking forward, in reminding us all that Michigan is home to amazing natural and cultural resources that can still be enjoyed.

Many have been asking about the status of Michigan’s spring turkey season, considering Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order. Spring turkey hunting seasons are open, and licenses are available. Read more

Hunting

Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Attempt to Attack the White House With Explosives

Hasher Jallal Taheb, 23, of Cumming, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to destroy, by fire or an explosive, a building owned by or leased to the United States. Taleb had planned an attack on the White House using weapons and explosives. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant and the government agreed that the defendant should receive a 15-year sentence of imprisonment.

“Taheb planned to conduct a terrorist attack on the White House as part of what he claimed was his obligation to engage in jihad,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “And that was just one of the iconic American landmarks he wanted to target. Thanks to a tip from a member of the community and the work of the agents, analysts, and prosecutors responsible for this case, the threat posed by the defendant was neutralized and the defendant has admitted his guilt and will now be held accountable for his crime.”

“Taheb hatched a dangerous plan that would have resulted in unimaginable injury,” said Byung J. “BJay” Pak, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. “We are grateful to community members who noticed his dangerous evolution and alerted law enforcement. Along with our federal, state and local partners, we will remain vigilant in order to disrupt these types of attacks before they happen.” Read more

General

NSSF-Adjusted NICS Checks Jump 80% for March 2020

The March 2020 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 2,375,525 is an increase of 80.4 percent compared to the March 2019 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,317,114. For comparison, the unadjusted March 2020 FBI NICS figure 3,709,562 reflects a 42.4 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,604,927 in March 2019.

The first quarter 2020 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 4,841,126 reflects an increase of 41.8 percent over the 3,414,361 figure for first quarter 2019.

Please note: Twenty-five states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit, which under the Brady Act allows the permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer. The number of NICS checks in these states does not include these legal transfers based on qualifying permits and NSSF does not adjust for these transfers. Recently, the states of Alabama and Michigan had law changes that affected their Brady Law standing which removed qualifying alternate permits usage for firearm transactions. These changes went into effect July 22, 2019 for Alabama, and March 3, 2020 for Michigan. In March 2020, Alabama state’s NSSF-adjusted NICS was 212.1 percent higher than March 2019, which accounts for an additional 41,348 checks over this time last year. March 2020 NICS numbers for Michigan were up 210.8% over March 2019 and account for an additional 57,599 checks. Read more

Firearms

Think Spring, Be Versatile with Your Feeding Station

Orioles and hummingbirds feed on flower nectar and insects, and can be attracted to your feeding station by offering sugar-water for hummingbirds and oranges and jelly for orioles (Baltimore Oriole photo by Paul Konrad).
The Duncraft Oriole Delight Feeder provides comfortable feeding ports for cut oranges and grape jelly – the orange feeder catches the eye of orioles from a distance.
The new Perky-Pet Maple Top-Fill Glass Hummingbird Feeder provides a unique addition to any feeding station.

After a winter of following a pretty static regimen of filling feeders – mostly seed and suet feeders north of the Sunbelt – the new spring reminds us to stay versatile as the birds that visit your yard begin to change with some species leaving for more northern climes, and others arriving from the south. This early changing of the guard is just the beginning of what will be a growing need to change of elements at your feeding station. Soon, orioles and hummingbirds will begin arriving, along with grosbeaks and other songbirds – it’s time to prepare for these exciting species and others.

Neotropical migrants like hummingbirds and orioles may not arrive in your neighborhood for a few more weeks, but just in case, it’s time to take a look at your feeders, clean them if necessary; check to see if you have plenty of sugar or nectar syrup; stock up on grape jelly, and put oranges back on your shopping list. Hummingbirds and orioles appreciate sugar-water nectar, which many people prefer to mix themselves, using the traditional one cup of sugar to four cups water. Some birders buy a prepared sugar-based syrup that they mix with water in similar fashion. Many birders provide two different nectar feeders – one for hummingbirds and one for orioles, and this is a good plan so there is less competition at the feeders, plus the oriole feeders provide more substantial perches than hummingbird feeders.

Actually, though, orioles haven’t shown much interest in our nectar feeders. Therefore, we emphasize providing sliced orange halves and, most important, grape jelly at our feeding station. You can simply place the orange halves and a small bowl of grape jelly on a platform feeder, but with so many attractive hanging oriole feeders on the market, consider buying a specially designed and orange-colored oriole feeder. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: crowded conditions close Tippy Dam Recreation Area; more closures likely

Crowded conditions close Tippy Dam Recreation Area; more closures likely

DNR encourages responsible recreation as it monitors COVID-19 risks at state parks and recreation areas

To help slow the spread of the coronavirus and carry out Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order, the Department of Natural Resources is closely monitoring visitor levels and adherence to social-distancing measures at Michigan state parks and recreation areas and other DNR-managed locations. Read more

Fishing

NRA Teams With Colorado’s Stop the Wolf Coalition

America’s largest pro-hunting organization joins local movement to educate citizens about the dangers of forced wolf introduction

Fairfax, Va. – Today, the non-profit Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition announced its latest coalition member, the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). With over 5 million NRA members nationwide, this is the latest sign that national pro-hunting groups are fully engaging in Colorado’s fight to oppose the forced introduction of non-native wolves.

“Fighting for the rights of hunters and every law-abiding citizen is what we are about. That’s why we’re proud to team with the Colorado Coalition to get the facts out about how forcing wolves on the public is such a bad idea,” said Erica Tergeson, director of hunting policy, NRA-ILA.

Also in opposition to forced wolf introduction are 39 Colorado County Commissioner Boards that have come out against the initiative from across our state. To view this list, please visit: https://www.stopthewolf.org/counties-opposed

Many will recall that Colorado Parks & Wildlife passed a resolution opposed to wolf introduction back in 2016. Then-Gov. John Hickenlooper also signed on to a letter with several other western state governors against wolf introduction in Colorado.

“With NRA-ILA on board, we are more encouraged than ever that once folks understand the issue fully, they will learn the facts about why forcing wolves in Colorado is not only bad for our people, pets, livestock, and wildlife, but also bad for the wolves themselves,” concluded Denny Behrens, co-chair of Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition, a 501c4 non-profit organization.

To support the Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition and sign their online petition for elected officials, please go to https://www.stopthewolf.org/sign-the-petition. Read more

Wildlife

Hawke® Optics Compact Endurance ED Spotting Scope

Perfect for Back-Country Hunts, the New Compact Endurance ED Spotting Scope Packs

Big Features Into a Small Space

Hawke® Optics is a trusted leader in quality sporting optics that perform outstanding in the field and provide optimum value to the consumer. For 2020, a new 13-39×50 Endurance ED compact spotting scope brings extreme optical clarity to your adventures. Whether you’re planning a serious back-country hunt, or want to take a closer look at that buck walking the fence line on the back 40, the Endurance ED is ready to go. Read more

Optics

Groups Seek ‘Show Cause’ Order in California Gun Case

BELLEVUE, WA – A coalition of gun rights groups including the Second Amendment Foundation is asking for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and an order to “show cause” in a motion for their federal case against California authorities who have ordered a shutdown of retail gun shops in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Joining SAF are plaintiffs Adam Brandy, Jonah Martinez, Daemion Garro, DG2A Enterprises Inc., d.b.a. Gun World, Jason Montes, Weyland-Yutani LLC d.b.a. Match Grade Gunsmiths, Alan Kushner, The Target Range, Tom Watt, A Place To Shoot, California Gun Rights Foundation, National Rifle Association and Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. They are represented by California attorneys George M. Lee, San Francisco and John W. Dillon of Carlsbad, and Raymond M. DiGuiseppe of Southport, N.C.

The case is known as Brandy, et.al. v. Villanueva, et.al. It was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Plaintiffs are asking the court to enjoin California authorities, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva from closing or compelling the closure of retail firearm and ammunition businesses on the grounds they are “non-essential businesses” under Executive Order N-33-20, the “Safer at Home Order for Control of COVID-19.” They are also requesting the Court to issue an Order to Show Cause why a preliminary injunction should not issue, granting Plaintiffs preliminary and permanent injunctive relief as sought herein.

The action comes after officials in other states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Wake County, N.C. backtracked on orders to close gun stores, and are now allowing those “essential businesses” to remain open. Over the weekend, the Department of Homeland Security and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released new guidelines that declare “Workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges” to be part of the essential workforce. Read more

Gun Control

SIG SAUER P220 LEGION 10mm SAO

SIG SAUER Expands LEGION Series with the Introduction of P220 LEGION 10mm SAO

NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the expansion of the LEGION series of pistols with the SIG SAUER P220 LEGION 10mm SAO.

“The P220 was the pistol that started it all for modern day SIG, and the introduction of the P220 LEGION 10mm SAO brings new features to a SIG classic,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales. “This is a single action only pistol giving it a lighter trigger pull, combined with the increased energy of the 10mm round, for more power and performance. On top of that, we’ve added the exclusive SIG SAUER LEGION series features and enhancements, which really takes it to the next level, putting a modern twist on this SIG classic.”

The SIG SAUER P220 LEGION 10mm SAO is a full-size, hammer fired pistol, featuring a Legion Gray stainless steel slide and frame, with X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights, and an ambidextrous manual safety. LEGION enhancements include a solid steel guide rod, enhanced checkering on the front strap and under the trigger guard, front cocking serrations for easy slide operations, black G-10 checkered grips with LEGION medallion inset on the grips, LEGION Chevron engraved on the slide, and includes three (3) 8-round magazines. Read more

Firearms

Benjamin Releasing 3 New PCPs

Rochester, NY… Benjamin Airguns is premiering three new PCP powered, multi-shot, side lever hunting air rifles into the lineup of already impressive Benjamin products. Cayden, Akela and Kratos, diversely designed into three different styles, are the newest additions for air rifle enthusiasts. Ideal for small game, varmint hunting, pest control or recreation, each of these uniquely designed PCPs will give you the confidence you need and have always expected from the Benjamin brand.

The new air rifles feature Turkish Walnut stocks with an adjustable cheek piece, a rifled steel barrel, and lead pellet velocities of up to 1,000 feet per second and up to 60 shots per fill. “Turkish walnut is one of the premium choices for a gun stock because of its dark mineral lines and exotic figuring. That is one of the things I love the most about these rifles and it really speaks to the Benjamin brand”, said Phillip Guadalupe, Product Manager. The Cayden and Akela will be available in .22 caliber while the Kratos will come in both .22 and .25 caliber. All three models will be shipping June 2020.

MSRP Cayden: $599.99 Read more

Firearms
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