Michigan: More Deer Suspected Positive for CWD

Additional deer suspected to be positive for chronic wasting disease identified throughout the firearm season

30 deer from Clinton, Ingham, Kent and Montcalm counties have been identified either as CWD positive or CWD suspect since 2015

With the firearm deer season complete, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has now identified a total of 30 free-ranging white-tailed deer that are confirmed or suspected to have chronic wasting disease. Several thousand additional samples are awaiting testing by Michigan State University, so numbers for this deer season could still change. Read more

Wildlife

Boone and Crockett Club on Conservation and Preservation

MISSOULA, Mont. (December 6, 2017) – The Boone and Crockett Club today released a comprehensive essay on conservation and preservation, which was approved by its board of directors during the Club’s 130th annual meeting atSavannah, Georgia. Club members gather the first Saturday each December to commemorate the founding of the organization by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887.

“Even during Roosevelt’s time, there was a debate about the roles conservation and preservation should play in the use of natural resources and the recovery of decimated wildlife populations,” said Boone and Crockett Club President Ben Hollingsworth Jr. “Today, more people are engaging in and having a greater influence on natural resource issues than ever before. Unfortunately, it appears far too many people are confusing the terms or not understanding what they mean.  Most want to do what’s best, but many mistakenly believe they are supporting conservation when in fact they are supporting actions that stop conservation from happening. Having over a century’s worth of experience applying both conservation and preservation, the Club thought it was time to share what it has learned.”

The new essay explores the results preservation and conservation can produce and their relative effectiveness against inescapable forces such as climate change, invasive species, human population growth, and use of natural resource. It explains the important role of science and why the notion of “letting nature takes its course,” which is a phrase associated with preservation, will never result in the outcomes people really want in the vast majority of our landscapes, ecosystems, and economies.

Conservation and preservation are both concerned with protection of the environment, but they are based on different philosophies and management strategies that produce different results. Conservation is based on wise use and active management, and recognizes that people are part of nature and depend on natural resources; preservation views people as a negative influence on nature and seeks to eliminate their influence.
Despite their dissimilarities, however, the Club has never viewed conservation and preservation as opposing schools of thought. Conservation is the overarching concept with preservation being one of many management options within a broad conservation approach. Hollingsworth Jr. noted, “The Club has always believed preservation has value in the right place at the right time but not as a substitute for conservation in all instances. History proves this has been the correct approach.”

“If you read this essay, not only will you acquire a working knowledge of conservation and preservation, it will bring to light the widespread misuse of the terms conservation and conservationist by the media and some organizations,” Hollingsworth Jr. continued. “The challenges facing our wild places and wild things today are serious and complex. Whether it be intentional or out of ignorance, leading people to believe that locking up our natural resources is the only way to protect those resources and then calling it conservation is a major problem these resources cannot afford.

The Club is encouraging everyone, from journalists to educators to concerned citizens, to read this essay in order to develop a common understanding of conservation and preservation and what each can achieve.”What we need to be doing is advancing natural resource polices to achieve socially acceptable and ecologically beneficial results,” Hollingsworth Jr. concluded. “This has been made more difficult by the confusion and misinformation circulating today about historically proven best practices. We hope this essay will help clear up a few things so conservation can continue to thrive.”
The full essay can be read here. Read more
Wildlife

Introducing the Versatile Mini Shot M-Spec from Sightmark

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Joining an established line of reflex sights and red dots, the highly-anticipated Mini Shot M-Spec FMS (SM26043) from Sightmark is finally here. This all-purpose reflex sight is Sightmark’s most compact yet and utilizes an included low profile mount or AR riser mount to fit perfectly on a variety of firearms, including pistols, shotguns, ARs and AKs. Though it was designed specifically for law enforcement, the Mini Shot M-Spec is also ideal for competition shooting, hunting and home defense applications.

The Mini Shot M-Spec’s extremely low power consumption provides 300-30,000 hours of battery life, depending on power setting, from a single CR1632 battery. 100% waterproof, this compact reflex sight’s aluminum housing with steel protective shield makes it one of the most durable reflex sights on the market. But the M-Spec wasn’t just designed to be rugged, it is also incredibly user-friendly due to ambidextrous digital switch controls that allow both left and right handed shooters to turn on its 3 MOA reticle. Forget the special tools, as windage and elevation adjustments can be made at the click of a button. The Mini Shot’s versatility doesn’t end with the firearm it can be mounted to, either—10 brightness levels allow the sight to be used anywhere from extremely low light situations to bright sunny conditions.

Recoil rated up to .375 H&H, this unique sight boasts a 12 hour auto shut-off feature to help save battery. With a MSRP of $249.99, the Mini Shot is a no-brainer for shooters looking for a tough, small-sized reflex sight. The Mini Shot M-Spec FMS includes rubber cover, low profile fixed mount, AR riser fixed mount, battery and manual. Read more

Optics

Cam-AM Introduces Mud Focused Defender XMR


The aggressive Defender X mr HD10 side-by-side vehicle is factory built to tackle the nastiest of mud, where traction and torque are in high demand. An authentic mud monster, the muscular Defender not only reinforces the Can-Am brand’s leadership in the mud-riding spectrum, but it does so with unmatched styling and engineering ingenuity. The specialized Defender X mr HD10 vehicle – available in either a Carbon Black & Sunburst Yellow finish or premium Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo – includes all the Defender XT HD10 package features, but expands upon those conveniences with its own advancements for greater success in the mud.The state-of-the-art Smart-Lok lockable front differential and large 30-in. (76.2 cm) ITP Cryptid mud tires, when mated to the existing 72hp Rotax V-twin HD10 engine, durable PRO-TORQ Transmission supply unprecedented levels of grip and sure-footed control in the mud. The Smart-Lok differential includes dual modes (Trail and Mud) for added convenience and ingenious terrain adaptation. The factory-installed snorkeled CVT and engine intakes ensure flawless execution when tackling wet and muddy conditions. Read more
General

Heizer Defense Now Shipping the PKO-45

(Pevely, MO ) – Heizer Defense, known for their innovative line of powerful pocket pistols, is pleased to announce that the PKO-45 pistol is now shipping.

The PKO-45 or Pocket 45, is the slimmest semi-auto .45ACP on the market at just 0.8″ wide and approximately 25 ounces. The PKO-45 is made with 100% US Aerospace grade stainless steel. There are no plastic or mimed parts on the PKO-45. It boasts a revolutionary fixed-barrel-under-the-guide-rod configuration, resulting in less recoil felt by the operator. The PKO-45 also features a snag-free design, internal hammer/single action, and a front strap safety with an additional thumb ambi-safety. It has 5+1 capacity with a flush magazine, and 7+1 capacity with the extended magazine.

For more information on Heizer Defense, visit www.heizerdefense.com. For press inquires contact Monica Arnold at pr@blueaugust.com.

Firearms

House Passes Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill

By a 231-198 vote the United States House of Representatives has passed legislation that would enable holders of concealed carry licenses to legally carry in other states. The measure also contained an amendment designed to address reporting and other issues with the NICS system. The bill was a top priority of Second Amendment groups, including the National Rifle Association.

“This vote marks a watershed moment for Second Amendment rights,” said NRA executive director for legislative action Chris Cox. “The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is the culmination of a 30-year movement recognizing the right of all law-abiding Americans to defend themselves, and their loved ones, including when they cross state lines.”

Self Defense

Arizona: GFC Opposes Initiative to Ban Hunting of Wild Cats

“I like to describe it as ballot box wildlife management versus scientific management of wildlife,” said Commissioner Kurt Davis, of Phoenix.

PHOENIX – At its regular December meeting, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission passed a motion in opposition to a proposed ballot initiative that would ban the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats and restrict management of the state’s wild cats by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The proposed initiative has not yet qualified for the ballot, but the Commission regularly takes positions on federal and state legislation with potential impact on the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and the management of Arizona wildlife. The Commission voted 4-0 “in opposition to the initiative related to wild cats, and to affirm that the department has all the tools necessary to manage our state’s wildlife.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Sabatti Urban Sniper: Long Range Accuracy and Performance in A Compact Package


Imported exclusively by the Italian Firearms Group (IFG), Sabatti’s new Urban Sniper is designed for competition, precision and serious long-range shooters who want long distance capabilities in a shorter-length rifle. Shorter, thanks to a 20-inch long barrel designed with Sabatti’s revolutionary Multi-Radial Rifling (MMR)– the next generation in precision rifling.For the last 400 years, Sabatti has produced shotguns and rifles for the most discerning hunters and target shooters worldwide. Now, IFG brings the Sabatti Urban Sniper to the American market for the first time, offering the rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win., using the highest-quality materials and latest shooting science. Read more
Firearms

SB Tactical™ Introduces The SB-MINI™ and SBL™ -lightweight


Saint Petersburg, Fla. – SB Tactical™, inventors and manufacturers of the Pistol Stabilizing Brace™, has taken a minimalist approach with the introduction of the SB-MINI™ and SBL™. Small in size, the SBL and SB-MINI are the ideal choice when weight and total footprint are a consideration.Now shipping, the SB-MINI is the smallest and lightest interpretation of the Pistol Stabilizing Brace at a mere 4 ounces and only 3.5 inches in length. The SBL, which will ship before the end of the year, is the lowest-profile, full-cavity Pistol Stabilizing Brace, weighing in at 6.25 ounces and measuring 7.8 inches long. Both the SB-MINI and SBL are compatible with all platforms equipped with an AR-style pistol buffer tube and are available in black or FDE. Read more
Firearms
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