For Immediate Release

May 16, 2010

     The Up North Journal Team is pleased to announce a one on two interview with Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo from Archers Choice.  We had the opportunity to have a sit down with the both of them about how they got started in the industry along with how they manage time with the family while doing what they do!  We also get a few crazy questions in to give some insight into their personal sides.  Be sure to stop in and see what they’ve got to say about their newest Moose Hunting DVD and what they’ve got coming up in the near future!  Stop by our website at:  www.upnorthjournal.com and click on the audio player to take a listen 

     According to the Field & Stream blog article by Scott Bestul Montana’s Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has decided that trail cams or game cams as they are often called are subject to the following:

“It is illegal for a person to possess or use in the field any electronic or camera device who’s purpose is to scout the location of game animals or relay the information on a game animal’s location or movement during any Commission adopted hunting season.”

     What bothers me even more is the chatter that this has created on F&S’s comments below the article.  Once again we see an elitist faction criticizing anyone for using a camera.  If you don’t want to use one that is fine, but don’t slam someone for choosing to do so.  If it is legal then I have no problem with it.  What I do have a problem with is the groups of so called hunters attacking each other!  This serves no good what so ever.  Once again something as simple as a camera is coming between us and dividing us!  Instead of banding together for the common good we find it necessary to tear each other apart!  When is this bull going to stop?  Our outdoor heritage is slipping away right through our fingers and we are the ones to blame!  There is no one else to point the finger at!

     Back to the law at hand, how can the state tell someone on their own land that they cannot use a camera to catch a trespasser, keep an eye on predators that might be killing their livestock, tell biologists that they cannot use them to do studies, see if a deer you took a shot at and couldn’t find is still around the area, watching the progression of growth on a deer’s antlers, or simply taking photos to enjoy them, etc…..?  This stupid law has more far reaching ramifications that I feel no one has even given any consideration to see what ill affects this might have on good law abiding outdoors men!

   For more information on this law, NRAhuntersrights.org has their take on it as well!

April 27^th, 2010

     Be sure to tune into next week’s Up North Journal Podcast Episode 158 starting May 3^rd, 2010 for an exclusive interview with Chris Brackett of Brackett Outdoors and formerly of Arrow Affliction.  The Up North Journal Team turned fellow UNJ Pro Staffer Chico Lopez loose for the one on one with Chris.  Be sure to catch the inside scoop on Chris’ new show for the upcoming season as well as what it takes to make it in the outdoor industry!  Chico asks him everything from his beginnings in hunting to the quirky questions everyone wants to know!  Be sure to stop over to the website and check out the 45 minute interview with Chris Brackett starting Monday May 3^rd, 2010 at www.upnorthjournal.com.

Contact:

Mike Adams

michaeladams@upnorthjournal.com

Contacts: Jennifer Kleitch 989-785-4251, ext. 5430 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014 DNRE Asks for Help From Public to Detect Presence of Wolves in the Lower Peninsula The Department of Natural Resources and Environment today announced it will conduct a survey in the northern Lower Peninsula Feb. 16 through March 12 to detect the presence of gray wolves in this area of the state. Survey teams will be searching areas where the public reports observing a wolf or wolf tracks during the survey period. Priority will be placed on the most recent reports and reports with potential wolf evidence. “The purpose of the survey is to both verify the presence of wolves where we have previously confirmed animals and to detect new occurrences in other areas,” said DNRE Wildlife Biologist Jennifer Kleitch. “Given the low probability of observing a wolf or tracks in the Lower Peninsula it’s helpful to have as many eyes looking as possible. That’s why public reports are important.” The DNRE is asking the public to report wolf sightings that occur during the survey period to the Gaylord Operations Service Center at 989-732-3541, ext. 5901. Observation reports can also be submitted online year-round at www.michigan.gov/wolves. The Web site also contains identification information for wolves. “It’s imperative that observations are reported in a timely manner so we can work with fresh evidence. If the public finds what appear to be wolf tracks, they should preserve the physical evidence and disturb it as little as possible or take a photo of the tracks with a ruler,” Kleitch said. “If someone has a photo or video of a wolf in the Lower Peninsula, we’re interested in that as well.” Wolves began naturally returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula via Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Since that time populations have increased and continue to expand their range. Evidence of range expansion into the Lower Peninsula came when a gray wolf was accidentally killed in Presque Isle County in 2004. More recently, the DNRE verified two wolf observations in 2009 in the northern Lower Peninsula as a result of a video and trail camera photo taken by Michigan citizens. The DNRE is partnering in this survey effort with USDA Wildlife Services, the Little Traverse and Grand Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and Central Michigan University. The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations.