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

Styrka’s SH-BDC Reticle and BDC Calculator

Eagan, MN -Precision shots require a precision reticle and accurate ballistic data, and Styrka has hunters covered on both counts. Styrka’s SH-BDC reticle and BDC Calculator work hand-in-hand to put hunters on target, time and again, at the range and in the field.

Styrka’s SH-BDC reticle is a Ballistic Drop Compensation, MOA-style reticle designed for hunting from 100 yards out to approximately 600 yards and offers hold-over points for most centerfire rifle calibers. The SH-BDC reticle also incorporates windage lines so wind speed and distance can be factored in at the same time.

The BDC reticles are offered in Styrka’s budget-friendly S3 line of scopes, the mid-priced S5 scopes, and Styrka’s top-of-the-line S7 models. Read more

Optics

Trijicon RMR Type 2 Selected for USSOCOM

Wixom, MI – Trijicon®, Inc., global provider of innovative aiming solutions for the hunting, shooting, military and law enforcement markets is pleased to announce the selection of the Trijicon RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) Type 2 by NSWC Crane Division for the USSOCOM Miniature Aiming System – Day Optics Program. The contract is for a five-year period. Work will be performed in Wixom, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by August 2023.

“Trijicon is honored and extremely pleased to win this contract,” said John Rupp, Vice President of Business Development. “This selection is a testament to the rugged durability of Trijicon optics and the RMR Type 2 will provide outstanding performance to USSOCOM.”

The Trijicon RMR® Type 2 deploys a new electronics design that bolsters durability and performance in the most punishing environments and extends the functionality of the red dot sight. The updated electronics and battery contacts increase reliability under the harshest use and stiffest recoil. The CR2032 lithium battery lasts up to four years in the Adjustable LED model at mid-setting. Audible and tactile windage and elevation adjustments allow for quick and easy zeroing with no need for special tools or devices. The RMR Type 2 is compatible with existing RMR mounts and optics-ready pistols. Read more

Optics

Wyoming: grizzly bear hunting season suspended at this time

Cheyenne – In response to a federal judge’s ruling, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has suspended the grizzly bear hunting season pending further direction.

“This is unfortunate. Game and Fish has a robust grizzly bear management program with strong regulations, protections and population monitoring for grizzly bears. We believe in state-led management of wildlife and involving the public in decisions like the creation and implementation of a conservative hunting opportunity for those who want that experience,” said Scott Talbott, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “We will now await further information about whether the bears will remain under state management or if they go back to federal management.”

At this time, Game and Fish will continue to lead grizzly bear management, research, monitoring, conflict mitigation and education, but this judge’s ruling shuts down the planned 2018 grizzly bear hunting season scheduled to begin September 1. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

Fast Bows and Lighted Nocks

By Glen Wunderlich

The evolution of archery equipment continues in various forms with faster bows in both vertical and horizontal configuration.  Understandably, archers’ desires tend to gravitate to more velocity, which translates to flatter trajectories in the flight of arrows.  The concept allows aiming points to be stretched, thus minimizing range-estimating errors – especially at closer ranges, where deer are typically taken.  Speed kills and it sells, too.
 

However, in historical terms, today’s bows, including compound bows manufactured some 20 years or more ago, are relatively fast.  And, in one over-riding aspect of sheer velocity, today’s bows lessen the chance of a deer “jumping the string” – a term used when a deer hears an arrow being launched and crouches down to begin its flight from imminent danger.  Since the speed of sound is some 3 times more than the fastest bows of today, the longer it takes an arrow to reach its target, the more chance a deer will not be in the same position, as when the shot was taken. 
 

From an ethical perspective, it behooves an archer to reduce the distance to the target animal.  That’s the bottom line, whatever archery equipment one uses.  While some many refer to crossbows as “crossguns,” there simply is no comparison to any firearm that propels a trajectory at supersonic speed – some 2 to 3 times the speed of sound.  There is no such thing as “jumping the bullet”.
 

Upgrading a bow can cost upwards of $1,000.  While some may feel the need for speed, a relatively recent technological advancement in archery hardware has now become a “must have” and costs about $10:  the lighted arrow nock.
 

Gone are the string trackers of yesteryear, in which a problematic spool of visible line was affixed to a bow.  The archer would in theory follow the string to his or her prize.  Of course, what could go wrong, did.  Enter the electronic age.
 

By replacing the conventional arrow nock (the end of the arrow that engages the string) with a highly visible LED nock, the flight of the arrow can be traced.  Some states consider them to be an unfair advantage, but that thinking is ludicrous!  They only help a person locate and arrow.  Whether the arrow missed its target or passed through a deer or left the scene with the animal, it is a good thing.  Period.
 

The system I had been using turned on by means of a switch in the nock and a magnet mounted on the bow.  I never really trusted the seemingly complex system and have since abandoned it in favor of a Lumenok lighted nock.  (Other brands are available, but I have no experience with them.)  It is extremely bright and quite visible in broad daylight.  But, its simplicity in design and relatively low cost make it standard equipment for me – that is until something better comes along.
 

Instead of a magnet, the bow’s string pressure closes the electronic circuit when the arrow is released.  It’s easy to install and Lumenok has videos on its website to walk a person through the installation, if the printed instructions are not enough.  All anyone must do is to insure that the nocks are compatible with the inside diameter of the arrows being used, so that the fit is proper.
 
Retrieving expensive arrows, broadheads, and ultimately freezer-filling venison has never been easier.

 

Archery
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