Iowa’s pheasant population second highest in a decade

BOONE – Iowa’s pheasant hunters can expect to find more birds this fall when they head to the fields, predict state wildlife experts. That forecast is based on the recently completed statewide population survey of pheasants, quail, partridge, cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits.

Iowa’s pheasant population increased in every nine county region except northwest where it was similar to last year. The survey counted a state average of 21 birds per 30 mile route which translates to a statewide harvest estimate of 250,000 to 300,000 roosters this fall.

The August roadside survey is tool used by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to physically record the number of upland game seen while driving the survey routes. It’s a product of 218 30-mile routes across that state that are conducted Aug. 1-15 beginning at sunrise. The survey has used the same routes since 1962. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan teachers can get wildlife topics in the classroom

Registration is open for wildlife classroom curricula available to elementary through high school educators. Curricula fit current state educational standards and are free of charge.

K-5th grades

Go Wild for Michigan’s Wildlife introduces elementary students to a variety of species found throughout Michigan and their habitats. Included in the materials are sets of “critter cards” for each student to keep. Sets of the cards are limited and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis to Michigan educators who register.

6th-8th grades

Students can learn about Michigan black bears – from their life history to how the DNR manages populations – with A Year in the Life of a Michigan Black Bear. Students get to “follow” black bears’ movements by looking at actual location data from collared bears.

They also can get an introduction to wetland habitats and the ducks, geese and swans that call Michigan home with Michigan’s Wondrous Wetlands and Waterfowl.

9th-12th grades

One hundred years ago, wild elk were brought to Michigan to re-establish our state’s elk population. High school students are put in the role of a wildlife manager while learning about this conservation success story through Elk University. These lessons also include Michigan history, forest management and social considerations for wildlife management.

Register for wildlife classroom curricula and learn about additional opportunities the DNR has to offer educators by visiting michigan.gov/dnreducation.

Wildlife

Mossy Oak Bottomland Cerakote Finish Available from Rykan Industries

WEST POINT, MS – Mossy Oak has teamed up with Rykan Industries to offer custom Cerakote finishes in Mossy Oak Bottomland. Rykan Industries is an established, high-end Certified Cerakote facility with years of experience applying Cerakote, the coating that out-performs all other competitive gun coats in both laboratory settings and during real-world use.

Cerakote is a highly durable polymer-ceramic coating designed for application on metal, plastic, or wood. It does not adhere well to rubber surfaces such as Duratouch stocks. The application of Cerakote enhances multiple features including resistance to abrasions, corrosion, and overall wear. It also improves hardness. This means Cerakoting your firearm gives you the best of both worlds: an attractive appearance and a tougher exterior. Whether you’re a hard-core shooter or seasoned hunter there are numerous benefits to having your guns Cerakoted by Rykan Industries. Read more

Firearms

Ameristep’s new Deadwood Stump Blind

Ameristep’s new Deadwood Stump Blind makes great hunts happen… anywhere… anytime.

Plano, IL – Elite hunters know how important location is to hunting success. On any given day, the right location isn’t always the most convenient. Thankfully, ground blinds excel at delivering hunters flexible and portable concealment that makes it possible to set up and hunt from almost anywhere the circumstance requires.

Ameristep is constantly innovating new and better forms of ground-based concealment solutions for hunters. Their latest creation – the Deadwood™ Stump – is the most realistic and practical portable tree stump blind on the market. Read more

Hunting

Michigan: This year’s winning Deer Management Cooperator Patch revealed

More than 200 entries vied for the honor of being the DNR’s winning design in the 2018 Deer Management Cooperator Patch contest. See all of the submissions in this short video.

In the end, Matt MacDonald of Toronto, Ontario, submitted a design that captured DNR staff’s attention. Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s contest.

Cooperator patches are used as an incentive for successful hunters to bring their deer to DNR check stations. A deer head (antlers must still be attached on bucks) or an entire carcass must be presented to receive a patch. Patches are not available by mail. Hunters are urged to call ahead whenever possible to confirm hours and days of operation. Read more

Hunting

USCCA: Time For An Honest Debate About “Gun-Free” Zones

America’s Malls & Schools Remain Soft Targets Where Law-Abiding Americans Should Be Allowed to Protect Themselves & Others

oncealed Carry Association Pres President Tim Schmidt joins "Var rry Permit Holders Role In Ele

West Bend, WI – The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), which is the country’s largest and fastest growing association whose sole focus is the responsibly armed American, said today that in the wake of this latest attack in a so-called “gun-free zone” in Jacksonville, all Americans should have the right to defend themselves whether at home, at school or at mall:

“This was sadly another attack by a clearly deranged individual and we pray for the victims and their families. As we learn more about the individual who perpetrated this attack and the details surrounding it, our nation is once again having a conversation about gun violence and how we can stop future attacks, particularly as our schools re-open around the country for a new year. It’s my hope the critical role of concealed carry rights can play in incidents like this and the abject failure of so-called ‘gun-free zones’ will be part of that conversation.

“Like many other scenes of gun violence in the past, Jackson Landing was a ‘gun-free zone,’ which did nothing to stop an evildoer bent on violence, but which prevented law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves and others. We don’t know if an ordinary citizen with a concealed carry permit could have stopped this attack, but we do know that once again this feel-good policy did nothing to protect innocent lives. Read more

Self Defense

Trijicon’s Electro Optics Division Expands the REAP-IR® Thermal Riflescope Line

Wixom, Mich. — Trijicon® Inc, manufacturer of Brilliant Aiming Solutions™, is pleased to introduce the latest additions to the REAP-IR family of thermal imaging systems. The new and improved

REAP-IR models retain Trijicon’s leading image quality, ease of use, and durability while adding new, user friendly features.

Trijicon is now offering two additional magnification options with enhanced features to the 35mm effective focal length variants (2.5x base optical magnification). The REAP-IR will now be available in 60 mm EFL (4.5x base optical magnification) and 20 mm EFL (1.5x base optical magnification) models. The new and improved variants and the existing REAP-IR configurations will be available for purchase.

The new REAP-IR variants feature a simplified “Easy Zero Method” which makes sighting in the optic easier and more intuitive. Getting rounds on target is now a matter of aligning an on-screen digital icon with bullet impacts using provided MOA readouts. Read more

Optics

Hear the call? It’s elk season in northern Michigan

The first hunt period of the 2018 elk season starts Aug. 28, and 100 Michigan hunters will have 12 days to fill 30 any-elk and 70 antlerless-only licenses issued in the northern third of the Lower Peninsula.

“In general, elk hunters have a remarkable success rate during this first hunt period,” said Brian Mastenbrook, DNR wildlife field operations manager working out of the Gaylord office. “With only 100 hunters, we can really work closely with hunters and landowners to find elk.”

The first hunt – also known as Michigan’s early elk hunt – allows hunters to harvest an elk in any location in the elk management unitexcept within the core elk range; this approach helps to target animals that have moved outside the core elk range. Regulated hunting is a management tool used to influence how many elk are present and where they are located. The goal is to keep the majority of elk within the core elk range.

Michigan’s elk population has been hunted annually since 1984 and at this time has an estimated population of more than 1,200 animals – above the state’s current population goal of 500-900 elk. That goal was set by the Elk Management Advisory Team and outlined in the 2012 Elk Management Plan. Read more

Hunting

New Inflatable Sea Eagle FishSUP FS126

Fishing from a SUP will never be the same. The new Sea Eagle®super stable, inflatable FishSUP™ FS126 is for serious SUP anglers. Heavy duty .90 drop stitch material covers top, bottom and sides for superior protection against punctures. The 90”x18” thick camo EVA pad not only adds extra protection against sharp fins and hooks, it provides a non-slip, comfortable footbed. The SUP is a full 12’6” long and 40” wide making standing and casting stable and secure. There’s multiple d-rings and an elastic cord to keep gear in place and easily accessible. With the Sea Eagle Swivel Seat Fish Rig attached you get a high view of the water. There’s a large d-ring at the back for a leash and two small ones to tie down a battery box for your optional electric motor or other gear. Oh yes, this SUP includes a motormount that can take up to a 34-lb thrust electric motor but can be removed quickly if you want to use good, ol’ fashioned man power and paddle with either a SUP paddle or double ended kayak paddle. Getting to that secluded fishing spot will be easier than ever. The hunter green bottom & sides will blend into the surroundings and the grey top will stay cool even on the hottest days. Read more

Fishing
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