Weekly News Archives

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       New Product  Archives

Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas for Young and Small Framed Hunters

To accommodate smaller framed shooters and hunters, Browning has introduced a full line of firearms called the Micro Midas.  Included in the new line is an X-Bolt^� rifle. The X-Bolt Micro Midas has all the innovative features of the X-Bolt line, just in a more compact and lighter weight package.

The new rifle has a steel receiver with a low-luster blued finish.  The 20-inch barrel has the same blued finish.   The stock is a checkered walnut with a satin finish.  Like other X-Bolt models, the Micro Midas has a 60^◦ bolt lift,

adjustable Feather Trigger^�, detachable rotary magazine,

top tang safety and bolt unlock button. Each rifle also has sling swivel studs installed and an Inflex Technology recoil pad.

The X-Bolt Micro Midas has a length of pull of 12 � inches.  The overall length is 38 1/8 inches and it weighs just 6 lbs. 1 oz.  For 2011 the rifle is available in four popular calibers, 22.250 Rem., 243 Win, 7mm-08 Rem and 308 Win.  

About $799.99

www.browning.com

Winchester M-22 Rimfire Round for Modern Sporting Rifles

Winchester Ammunition continues to invest in its rimfire product line with the development of a new 22 LR round for use in Modern Sporting Rifles (MSR).

New for 2011, this bullet is designed and packaged specifically for use in the growing number of high-capacity MSR 22 LRs. The new M-22 features a 40-grain Plated Lead Round Nose bullet optimized for reliable feeding in high capacity magazines. In addition, the M-22 utilizes non-corrosive priming and clean burning powder that delivers an ultrafast 1255 fps velocity and exceptional accuracy.

 The M-22 is designed for the high capacity MSR and

provides a smooth functioning, affordable option with great accuracy.  Winchester made the M-22 available exclusively in a 1000-round bulk value pack to meet the demands of customers at an attractive price point.

The new M-22 LF Bullet features:

   � Velocity: 1255 fps

   � Grains: 40

   � Bullet Type: Plated Lead Round Nose

   � Cartridge: 22 LR

   � Availability: 2011

618-258-2000 

www.winchester.com/

House rejects proposal to close Chicago locks

CHICAGO (AP) � The U.S. House, on February 17 rejected a proposal to force the closure of Chicago-area shipping locks that could provide an opening to the Great Lakes for voracious Asian carp, a potential threat to native fish species and the region's economy.

By a vote of 292-137, lawmakers defeated a budget bill amendment offered by Republican Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan that would have denied funding to the Army Corps of Engineers to open the two navigational structures. Opponents argued successfully that the locks were vital to commerce and closing them wouldn't necessarily prevent the unwanted carp from reaching Lake Michigan.

Michigan and four other states � Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania � are suing in federal court to close the locks and permanently sever the man-made link between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds to prevent invasive species from migrating between them.

Camp and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, previously sponsored bills to close the locks, located on a network of rivers and canals near Chicago where bighead and silver carp have been found. Both are Asian species that escaped from Southern fish farms in the early 1970s and have migrated northward since then.

The carp can reach 4 feet in length and weigh more than 100 pounds. They are prolific and eat huge amounts of plankton, the microscopic plants and animals at the base of the aquatic food chain. Scientists say if they become established in the Great Lakes, they could crowd out native species and endanger a fishing industry valued at more than $7 billion.

During debate on his proposed amendment, Camp said closing the locks was "the single most important step we can take to prevent these species from entering the Great Lakes."  He accused opponents of exaggerating the potential damage to the Chicago economy, which he said would "pale in comparison to the multi-billion-dollar industries that would be wiped out by Asian carp."

"Every day of inaction puts the Great Lakes ecosystem, the largest body of fresh water in the world, and 800,000 jobs it sustains at risk," Camp said.

Rep. Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican, said electric barriers on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal had done a good job of blocking the carp's advance, even though scientists have reported finding DNA from the carp beyond the devices.  "This is a serious but manageable threat to the Great Lakes region," Pence said.

Harbor Maintenance Act of 2011

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., introduced a bipartisan bill this week designed to fund critical operations and maintenance of the nation's harbors, including significant needs in the Great Lakes System. The Harbor Maintenance Act of 2011 would require funds in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund be spent for their intended purpose rather than rerouted into the general tax fund.  Levin introduced the bill with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and a bipartisan group of 12 other senators.

"The harbors and ports in the Great Lakes and around the country are critical hubs for the transportation of massive amounts of goods, including food, energy, and manufacturing supplies. Their poor maintenance is a threat not only for shipping, but to every industry and family in America that consumes the goods flowing through them," Levin said. "The Harbor Maintenance Act of 2011 is a sensible proposal that simply requires that money collected for harbor and port maintenance is actually spent on those needs.

The Harbor Maintenance Act of 2011 would require that money in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund be used for maintenance and operations of federal ports, instead of being redirected to other uses.  The Army Corps of

Engineers estimates that the nation's 59 busiest ports are available less than 35 percent of the time because they are inadequately maintained.

The Great Lakes System has a dredging backlog of 18 million cubic yards and a variety of other operations and maintenance projects needed to ensure efficient shipping in the Great Lakes. The dredging backlog in the Great Lakes alone is estimated to cost about $200 million to address.  The Harbor Maintenance Tax and Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund were created in 1986 to fund operations and maintenance of federal ports and harbors. The tax is levied against the value of imports and domestic cargo arriving at U.S. ports that have federally maintained harbors and channels.

The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund currently has a balance of more than $5.7 billion. But the fund is not being fully used to address critical maintenance needs of harbors and ports around the country.  Similar problems once faced the Highway Trust Fund and the Airports and Airways Trust Fund, but Congress enacted similar legislation to correct them.

The bill is S. 412 and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

House-passed bill would block spending on E15

The House of Representatives has passed an amendment to federal spending legislation that prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from using funding from this fiscal year to implement its waiver on the introduction of fuels containing 15 percent ethanol, or E15, the National Marine Manufacturers Association reported.

The EPA has approved the use of E15 for cars from model years 2001 and newer. Last December, the NMMA and its

partners in the Engine Products Group filed suit against the agency for its decision.

The amendment's sponsor, Rep. John Sullivan, R-Okla., noted that the amendment "ensures consumer safety, plain and simple. The EPA has completely ignored calls from lawmakers, industry, environmental and consumer groups to address important safety issues raised by the 50 % increase in the ethanol mandate issued over the past year."

Cold Weather Boating Requires Caution, Preparation

While many boaters in colder parts of the country have winterized their boats or put them into storage until spring, many still use their vessels for hunting, fishing or transportation.  Unfortunately, the risk of a deadly accident is increased with cold weather.   Extra caution and preparation should be taken before heading out on the water in winter.

The importance of wearing a life jacket becomes even more critical when the danger for hypothermia is added to other concerns.  Sudden immersion in cold water can have severe physiological consequences, including cardiac arrest, quick loss of body heat (the body loses heat 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air) and involuntary inhalation of water (gasping) that results in drowning.  Wearing a life jacket can keep the boaters head above water, keep the person warm, and provide a chance for rescue.

Wearing the right clothing also contributes to more enjoyable and safer cold weather boating.  Consider

layering clothing, and including a wet suit or dry suit, to

help ward off hypothermia.

Here are some additional tips for safe winter boating:

--Assess the risks � think what can go wrong and be fully equipped and prepared.

--Leave a float plan with a responsible individual who knows your intentions, location, and who to call if you fail to return as scheduled. 

--Carry a VHF radio and an EPIRB, signal flares and other means to draw attention to your location.

--Be aware of and prepared for the shock of sudden immersion and incapacitating effects of cold water

--dress to get wet and carry a change of clothing in a waterproof container.

--Be aware of activity around your vessel and potential for fast-changing weather.

--Boat safe and sober � save the alcohol for when you�ve safely returned.

--Be sure your vessel is in good operating condition and has the necessary safety equipment on board

--Refresh your seamanship skills�take a boating safety course offered by your local  Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla.

Big Jump in Hunting License Sales

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week reported a total of 14,974,534 paid license holders for 2009, the largest figure since 2002 and an increase of 526,494 over 2008. The 3.6 percent rise in paid license holders represents the largest year-over-year increase since 1974. (A "paid license holder" is one individual regardless of the number of licenses purchased.)

Another positive sign for hunting is that contrary to claims

of a wholesale decline in hunting participation, paid license holders have increased in 24 states in the five-year period from 2005 to 2009.  According to an NSSF-funded study carried out by Southwick Associates, the pool of hunters in America is much larger than previously thought. The study, released last fall, estimated that 21.8 million people purchased a hunting license at least once in the last five years.

Record-setting Classic win for VanDam

Kevin VanDam is the greatest bass fisherman ever

He proved it once again in convincing fashion on February 20, by taking his fourth Bassmaster Classic in the Louisiana Delta out of New Orleans

VanDam, a native of Kalamazoo, MI shook up a stack of Classic records; besides tying Clunn at four, he shattered a five-year-old Classic weight record when he brought 69 pounds, 11 ounces of Louisiana Delta bass to the scales over three days. The previous three-day, five-bass-limit mark was 56-2 by Luke Clausen in the 2006 Classic on a Florida bass factory, Lake Toho.

VanDam also set a record with 20 career Bassmaster

tournament wins. He had been tied with Roland Martin. He

also surpassed $5 million in BASS winnings with his Classic check of $500,000 to solidify his standing as the circuit�s all-time leading money winner.

He also now shares Clunn's claim as the only angler to take back-to-back Classic wins; Clunn did it in 1976-1977, VanDam in 2010-2011. To top off the superlatives list, VanDam now has twice held the sport's top two titles concurrently: Classic champ while being the reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year

VanDam was using a Strike King KVD 1.5 crankbait, Quantum KVD Tour crankbait rod and 20-pound Bass Pro Shops brand fluorocarbon line.

Miami Boat Show Attendance Jumps 14 %

Attendance was up 14 % at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show, which closed February 21. The National Marine Manufacturers Association, which produces the show, reported 104,168 attendees this year, versus 91,415 in 2010. Strictly Sail Miami, however, was down 8 percent compared with 2009 - the last time it was held as a stand-

alone show. A total of 18,122 people attended Strictly Sail, versus 19,723 two years ago.

"The atmosphere throughout the five-day event was positive, and exhibitors from both shows reported strong buying crowds and increased sales," the NMMA said.

Public Comment Invited on Wildlife Issues
Open houses will be on first Saturday in March

COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio DNR is inviting the public to its annual open houses on Saturday, March 5, from noon until 3 p.m. Open houses are scheduled for the same day and time in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay and Xenia.

�Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is welcome,� said Vicki J. Mountz, acting chief of the Division of Wildlife. Mountz added that at each open house location, fish and wildlife biologists along with law enforcement officers will be on hand to answer questions.

This year�s topics include fishery management changes for the Ohio River. Season dates and bag limits of game species will be available, which will include Ohio�s most popular game animal, the white-tailed deer.   Public input gathered at these open houses will be forwarded to the division's central office in Columbus, and considered during the formulation of regulations.

For more information or directions go to: wildohio.com or call 1-800-WILDLIFE  (945-3543).  A statewide hearing on all of the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 10 at the Division of Wildlife�s District One office, at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. This hearing is open to the public and input is permitted within specific time limits.  After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during its April 6 meeting.

March 5 Open House Location Information

Central Ohio- Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd, Columbus, (614) 644-3925

Northwest Ohio- Wildlife District Two Office, 952 Lima Ave, Findlay, (419) 424-5000

Northeast Ohio- Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Dr, Akron, (330) 644-2293

Southeast Ohio- Wildlife District Four Office, 360 E. State St, Athens, (740) 589-9930

Southwest Ohio- Greene County Fish and Game Club, 1538 Union Rd, Xenia, (937) 372-9261

Early catch and release trout season opens March 5

MADISON - These are the good old days of fishing: anglers venturing out for the early catch-and-release trout season that opens March 5 should generally find more fish and more miles to fish than in the past 60 years.

"Trout abundance is at or near all-time highs on most waters in western Wisconsin," says Heath Benike, fish manager for Barron and Polk counties. "Several good year classes are recruiting into area trout fisheries and fishing should be good to excellent on many local waters."

Fish managers across the state are echoing his assessment, and now, a new UW-Stevens Point analysis backs that up: Trout populations have generally increased statewide, and the number of fish in all sizes examined have increased, since 1950.

And the state has more miles of trout streams to enjoy: 10,631 miles of trout streams, up from 9,562 in 1980, although not all of them are open for the early season.  "The biggest factor this early season will be anglers' ability to get to the streams with the large amount of snow present in western Wisconsin, but anglers should not get discouraged," Benike said.

Until the snow melts, anglers should focus their efforts during the warmest part of the day, usually around noon to 4 p.m. when water temperatures are higher and trout are most active. "After the snow has melted, trout activity will increase considerably and in mid-late April some of the biggest trout of the season are caught as the fish become more active and aggressive," he says.

Season details

The early catch-and-release trout season opens at 5 a.m.

on March 5 and runs until midnight May 1. Most trout

streams are open to early fishing with the exception of most Lake Superior tributaries and most streams in northeast Wisconsin; check the current trout fishing regulations pamphlet for specific waters. Anglers are required to use artificial lures and flies; barbless hooks are not required.

More trout waters to fish

Wisconsin's official list of classified trout streams was updated last year and contains 58 more streams that have been classified as trout waters since 2002. Most of those 260 miles are found in west central and southern Wisconsin counties and will be open for the early season.

Online maps and interactive maps will make all of the trout waters easier to find and provide other information to increase anglers� success. The maps, along with other information to help you find easy public access to trout waters and some new places to fish, are available on DNR's Early Trout Season web page: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/seasons/earlytrout.htm

Public lands provide easy access

To help provide easy access to trout streams and to protect critical trout habitat areas, the DNR has invested in acquiring property and securing permanent easements. Statewide, land acquisitions have protected more than 107,000 acres of sensitive fish habitat areas since 1960, the vast majority of them for trout. DNR also has secured permanent easements along nearly 13,000 acres, a cheap and effective way to protect critical habitat and provide fishing access because the property stays in private hands.

For more info: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/facilities/fisheryareas/county.html.