Ameristep’s new Distorter™ Blind

Plano, IL – Today’s ground blind has a five-hub design that makes it efficient to build, transport, set-up and hunt from. Such efficiencies have their consequences – mainly a boxy

profile that often causes alarm when viewed by the inherently suspicious eyes of deer, turkeys and other game animals.

Ameristep’s all-new Distorter™ ground blind utilizes never-before-seen, kick-out technology to offer hunters a high performance hub blind with next-level benefits both inside and out. On the outside, it creates a unique silhouette that conceals better than typical square blinds by blending into the environment more effectively. Inside, Distorter™ opens up a whole new world of useful space for up to three hunters and their gear.

Inside the silent-hinge door, Distorter’s three unique floor kick-outs provide additional storage space for bulky equipment like packs and camera tripods. All three floor kick-outs have an attached floor and sewn-in shelves to keep critical gear dry and at the ready. Storing such items inside the kick-outs puts an end to tripping over gear while providing improved access to Distorter’s versatile, hunter-friendly windows. Up top, dual roof kick-outs add height where it’s needed most, creating a welcomed increase in headroom for standing and enhanced visibility. Even the blind’s wrap-style carrying sling delivers value-added utility, serving double duty as a handy, hanging storage system. Read more

Hunting

Interior Announces More Than $36 Million to Boost Wetlands, Waterfowl Conservation, Access to Public Lands

WASHINGTON – The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, chaired by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, today approved $23.8 million in grants for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners to conserve or restore almost 135,000 acres of wetland and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds and other birds in 17 states throughout the United States. The announcement was made by Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, who led today’s meeting on behalf of Secretary Zinke.

The grants, made through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), will be matched by over $60 million in partner funds. NAWCA grants ensure waterfowl and other birds are protected throughout their lifecycles.

“These projects provide tens of thousands of acres of hunting, fishing and recreational access, while strengthening important migration corridors and local economies,” said Deputy Secretary Bernhardt. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan’s Elk, Hunting Heritage Receive Boost from RMEF Grants

MISSOULA, Mont.—In continuing its long-term relationship in Michigan, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation awarded more than $30,000 in grant funding to benefit elk, elk habitat and hunting programs in the Wolverine State.

“We are excited to make this funding as Michigan is celebrating 100 years of elk on the ground,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “The grants will benefit elk and other wildlife by improving habitat across the elk range.”

Michigan is home to more than 6,000 RMEF members and 19 chapters. RMEF volunteers raised the funds by hosting banquets, membership drives and other events.

“We can’t say enough about our volunteers,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “They provide their time, talents and abilities to further our conservation mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. We simply cannot do it without them.”

Here are RMEF’s 2018 projects in Michigan, listed by county: Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan: new bear population estimates available; first season starts Sept. 10

Michigan’s bear hunting seasons are almost here, with the first opening Sept. 10 in the Upper Peninsula, the Lower Peninsula’s first season starting Sept. 14 in select areas, and Sept. 16 for remaining locations below the bridge. Bear seasons have staggered openers with various locations and hunt periods. For each of the 2017 and 2018 hunting seasons, 7,140 bear licenses were available.

“Over half of the state is open to regulated bear hunting,” said Kevin Swanson, wildlife management specialist with the DNR’s bear and wolf program. “Hunters are an important part of managing the number of bear and where they are located, and they have been part of bear management in Michigan since 1925.”

Regulations governing how and when bear can be harvested are in place to sustainably manage the bear populations. “Regulations are how we control the take of bear, ensuring Michigan has a heathy population within suitable habitat. They are adjusted, if needed, every two years.

“We have the ability to influence the growth of bear populations in remote areas of Michigan. Habitat is not a limiting factor, but social tolerance has been reached in portions of the Lower Peninsula,” Swanson said. “We are discussing another increase in harvest in the northern Lower Peninsula.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan: Adventure Paddling on Beaver Island Water Trail

With more than 1,000 miles of the national North Country Scenic Trail, continuing development along the Detroit-to-Ironwood Iron Belle Trail, and a 12,500-mile system of state-designated trails enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts of all types, Michigan is cementing its reputation as the nation’s Trails State.

We’re boosting our trails resumé on the water, too, as stand-up paddle boarding and other paddlesports, including kayaking, are among the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation. A newly opened water trail – the Beaver Island water trail in northern Michigan – offers the unique experience of paddling around an island. The water trail wraps 42 miles around the island in Lake Michigan, sitting about 30 miles off the coast near Charlevoix.

“The island contains an extensive system of hiking, biking and birding trails, making it a great destination for adventurous visitors,” said Jon Allan, Office of the Great Lakes director. Read more

Fishing

Barnett’s new Raptor Pro™ STR

Capable of delivering arrows to target at blazing speeds of 400 feet-per-second with a crushing 140 foot-pounds of energy, Barnett’s new Raptor Pro™ STR delivers the power necessary to take on any big game animal in the world.

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – True crossbow enthusiasts are a special breed. While some, more casual devotees view crossbows merely as tools to take advantage of extended local hunting seasons, others plan every big game hunting opportunity around this exciting, rewarding and deadly platform.

Barnett offers a made-in-the-USA crossbow for every hunter; for the adventurous spirit who favors the horizontal bow over any other weapon, they offer the new Raptor Pro™ STR.

Capable of delivering arrows to target at blazing speeds of 400 feet-per-second with a crushing 140 foot-pounds of energy, Barnett’s new Raptor Pro™ STR delivers the power necessary to take on any big game animal in the world. Thanks to its Step-Through Riser (STR) design, all that power comes with precision accuracy. The innovative design effectively transfers weight from the nose towards the center of the bow for rock-solid stability and enhanced, repeatable accuracy.

While the Raptor Pro™ STR is still considered a compact crossbow, its generous power stroke and slightly longer pro-composite stock make it ideal for full-framed shooters. Its STR design, custom composite laminated limbs, CNC machined aluminum flight track, string dampeners and precision three-pound TriggerTech trigger combine to make the sub-seven-pound Raptor Pro™ STR a true joy to shoulder and fire.

Other performance amenities on the Raptor Pro™ STR include Barnett’s self-adjusting Soft-Lok™ floating bristle arrow retainer, three picatinny rails and a 4×32 multi-reticle scope for clear and quick target acquisition. Raptor Pro™ STR comes complete and ready to hunt with a pair of 22-inch Headhunter™ arrows, inline side-mount quiver, rope cocking device and lubrication wax. Thanks to advanced and thoughtful Barnett engineering, proud owners can assemble their new Raptor Pro™ STR in just minutes with the simple installation of a single bolt. Read more

Archery

Yellowstone Grizzly Hunt Halted – Ruling Still Imminent

A federal judge in Missoula, Mont., has taken a cautious approach to ruling in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear delisting. While perhaps overly cautious, the first order in the contentious case is temporary.

U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting grizzly bear hunting that was scheduled to begin on Sept. 1 in Idaho and Wyoming.

While the order halts any hunting of recently delisted grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) in the two states, it is not a ruling on the merits of the case. The case itself is centered on whether the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2017 removal of grizzly bears in the GYE from the Endangered Species Act’s list of “threatened” species is lawful. In effect, the judge is taking more time to decide that question, and not allowing hunting to proceed while he makes that decision. At any point over the next two weeks, the judge could take several steps: make a ruling on the case, extend the temporary restraining order prohibiting hunting or terminate the order and reinstate the scheduled hunting seasons.

In issuing the temporary restraining order, Judge Christensen cites Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals precedent under which the irreparable harm necessary for issuance of temporary restraining order can be the death of a single member of the species, as opposed to harm at the population level.

“This is more red tape than it is scientific wildlife management. Every threshold for delisting has been met and surpassed, the distinct population clause of the Endangered Species Act has been upheld in court and the delisting and management of grizzly bears in Idaho and Wyoming won’t have any impact on separate and still-protected populations of grizzlies in northern Montana or Washington,” said Heusinkveld. “The bottom line is that Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzlies have recovered and are no longer in need of federal protections.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Sportsmen and Women Contribute Over $93 Billion to Fuel the Nation’s Economy

September 4, 2018 (Washington, DC) – With countless places to roam and enjoy the great outdoors, Americans are taking advantage of these opportunities, and as they go, spending significant dollars. New economic reports by Southwick Associates reveals more than 53 million Americans consider themselves sportsmen and women, spending more than $93.5 billion in 2016 on gear, licenses, travel, clothing, gas and more.

In a series of reports released today by the American Sportfishing Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), expenditures made for hunting, target shooting and sportfishing gear and services in 2016 supported 1.6 million jobs and provided $72 billion in salaries and wages. These monies also generated nearly $20 billion in local, state and federal taxes, much of which benefits vital conservation and educational programs that improve our outdoor areas for all who enjoy them and make hunting and shooting safer activities.

Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Beware: Poison Pot

Sep 4, 2018

Hunting seasons are kicking in all across the country, sending some 11 million men and women into the wildlands. Additionally, 29 million Americans gather wild nuts, berries and fruits.

Everyone who ventures into wildlands should be able to identify plants like poison ivy, poison oak, and thistles. They also should know where snakes might hide, where to step and not get wet or muddy, and how to carefully climb a tree-stand.

Unfortunately, another wildlands hazard has developed over the last 30 years or so – illegal cartel marijuana grows. California has the most, but trespass marijuana grows have been found in 23 states and on 72 national forests. Other states with significant cartel gardens on national forests, national and state parks, BLM lands and USFWS wildlife refuges include: Colorado, Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin and Kentucky —especially in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Almost four million plants are removed from illegal grows on public lands nation-wide every year, less than 20% of what’s actually out there. Read more

Hunting

Steyr Arms Extends Summer Sales Event Cash-Rebate Program

BESSEMER, Ala. (Sept. 4, 2018) — Due to overwhelming customer demand, Steyr Arms has announced that it is extending its Summer Sale Event 2018 consumer cash rebate program through the end of September. The program provides customers cash rebates of $125 for any Steyr Pro THB, Pro THB 6.5 Creedmoor or Scout Rifle purchased from any Authorized Steyr Dealer between July 9 and Sept. 30, 2018.

To receive the cash-back rebate once you have purchased a qualifying firearm, you have two options to submit your rebate. You can either go to http://steyrarms.rebateaccess.com to submit your rebate electronically, or you can download and fill out the rebate form—which can be found athttp://steyrarms.com/rebate/—and mail it along with with a copy of the original dated sales receipt to: Promotion #84315, Steyr Arms $125 MIR, P.O. Box 22092, Tempe, AZ 85285-2092. Mail-in forms must be postmarked by Sept. 30, 2018. To check the status of your rebate, visit http://steyrarms.rebateaccess.com or call 800-953-3098. A rebate check will be received within six to eight weeks of submission. Read more

Firearms
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