Reminder
Don't forget the application periods for the following:
2005 Michigan Elk- June 15 to July 15
2005 Michigan Antlerless deer- July 1 to August 1
2005 Michigan Wild Turkey Fall Season \July 1 to August 1
2004 Michigan Hunting Statistics
The 2004 Michigan firearm deer hunting season was the safest in five years.
2003 - 17 casualties 1 fatality
2002 - 18 casualties 1 fatality
2001 - 16 casualties 1 fatality
2000 - 18 casualties 5 fatalities
Total hunter casualties:
2004 - 33 w/ 2 fatalities
2003 - 32 w/ 2 fatalities
2002 - 35 w/ 2 fatalities
2001 - 45 w/ 2 fatalities
2002 - 35 w/ 7 fatalities
This is due in large part to the dedication of the Michigan DNR Hunter Safety program. The majority of the funds for this program come from dedicated hunters like you. One half of the 11% excise tax on handguns and archery equipment purchased is used for Hunter Education and target ranges throughout America. A sincere thanks to all hunters for this contribution to our heritage!
source: Michigan DNR Hunter Safety Manual, Michigan Hunter Education Newsline
(winter 2005)
1st Defense expands product line
Starting December 2003, 1st Defense, LLC will again expand our product line with the introduction of gun sales and Frontier safes. We also offer an expanding line of cleaning products. If you are interested in purchasing a new long gun, pistol, ammunition or gun safe contact 1st Defense for prices. We will strive to meet or beat any price.
Man is killed in hunting accident
November 17, 2004
A hunter died on the first day of Michigan's firearm deer season when he slipped from his tree stand and became entangled in his safety harness. Paul D. Crouch, 45, of Napoleon died about 7:00 pm Monday while hunting with a friend on property in Jackson County's Grass Lake Township, about 70 miles west of Detroit. Michigan State Police said Crouch was dead by the time the arrived.
Source: The Associated PressTree stand hunters, know your equipment and inspect it annually. Replace any parts when suspect to wear. Practice using your tree stand and your safety harness. Remember to USE your safety harness. Your life DEPENDS on it!
Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) has not been found in Michigan. Michigan is taking several steps to prevent the occurance of CWD in the state. See pages 21-22 of the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide for more information. Hunters importing a mule deer, white-tailed deer or elk from Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming or the province of Saskatchewan are restricted to bringing into Michigan only deboned meat, antlers, antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue, hides, upper canine teeth or a finished taxidermist mouth. In addition, if you are notified by another state or province that a deer or elk you brought into Michigan tested positive for CWD, you must contact the DNR Rose Lake Wildlife Disease lab within two (2) business days (8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 517-373-9358 and provide all information requested by the lab.
source: Michigan DNR
"Do Not Patronize" list
The following is a list of businesses that we know or have been told of that do not wish firearms to be carried on their premises. We will do our best to verify the information provided to us by individuals and we accept no responsibility for erroneous information. If you know of any business within the state of Michigan that will not allow legally carried firearms permitted on their premises, please send us an email so we can try to verify and add it to our list. Help us send the message that we are NOT the "bad guys".
LAFCU-Meridian Township Branch has removed their "No Guns" sign
2004 Hunting Season Tree Stand Accident
Occasionally an incident occurs that should be called attention to so that others can learn from it. It is very unfortunate that this tragic accident occured, but this is one that should be pointed out so that others do not make the same mistake in their efforts at being safe while hunting from a tree stand. During this past firearm deer season a man fell from his tree stand. The Michigan State Police in Jackson reports this as an accidental death due to a fall from a tree stand where the hunter became entangled in his safety harness. He died due to positional asphyxiation. It is important to note that the "safety" harness that this man was using was just a nylon strap tied around him. This was a home made safety strap and not a commercial one. The strap became positioned around his upper torso when he fell. The report stated that it appeared the strap was directly across the hunter's diaphragm causing asphyxiation.
source: Michigan DNR
Hunters please use a commercial full body harness
when hunting from a tree stand!
By the Numbers
- Number of state that offered hunter education programs in 1950: 4
- Number os states that offered hunter education programs in 1970: 32
- Number of states that now require hunter education: 49
- Number of people who currently attend hunter education classes per year: 670,000
- Number of hunting related injuries/fatalities in 1967: 2,591/400
- Number of hunting related injuries/fatalities in 1980: 2,400/290
- Number of hunting related injuries/fatalities in 2001: 723/75
- Number of recreational boating related fatalities in 2001: 681
- Number of horseshoe toss related injuries in 2001: 2,516
Credit: Dave Hurteau, Field & Stream
Some Major Hunting Regulation Changes for 2004
- Pheasant season has been extended in areas open to December hunting.
- Quail season has been extended.
- Archery and late firearm seasons have been extended to January 2, 2005.
- All Sunday hunting closures have been repealed.
BE SURE TO READ THE 2004 REGULATION GUIDE
Youth Pheasant Hunt
The Shiawassee county chapter of Pheasants Forever held their second annual youth hunt on October 12 at Sandy Pines Pheasant Farm in Perry. A great time was had by the 17 youths enrolled in the hunt. All participating youths started the day with a safety talk then proceeded to shoot clay pigeons. By mid morning they were in the field hunting pheasants. In the afternoon they were provided lunch and each youth got to take home a bird which was cleaned for them by volunteers. Many thanks to Pheasants Forever, Rich Hudson at Sandy Pines Pheasant Farm, and 1st Defense for their dedication and commitment to our future hunters. To see a few pictures go to the pictures page.
Michigan 2003 Firearms Deer Season
According to the Detroit News, (Detroit News) Michigan hunters pumped $1.2 billion (that's right, BILLION) into Michigan businesses this year with an estimated 775,000 hunters purchasing ammunition, guns, food, clothes and other supplies and cull an estimated 360,000 deer from the herd. But, according to the Michigan DNR Deer Hunting Prospects Report (Michgan DNR) Michigan hunters are expected to spend $500 million on hunting supplies and cull 460,000 deer from a herd of approximately 1.7 to 1.8 million. The full DNR report will be released after the deer season closes. The "Hunter Cooperation" patches are really quite nice this year. To get one take your tagged deer head in to a DNR check station. Contact DNR for checkstation locations and times.
Don't know where the Detroit News got their facts!
Firearm Key Findings
- Firearm-related fatalities in U.S. have been decreasing consistently since recordkeeping began in 1903, and dramatically in the last 10 years.
- Over the last 7 years, the number of unintentional fire-related fatalities for children (under the age of 14) has decreased by 60%.
- Firearms are involved in fewer than 2% of accidental fatalities among children under the age of 14.
- Firearms are involved in fewer than 1% (0.7) of all accidental fatalities in the U.S.
Michigan CCW Law changes take effect July 1, 2003
Effective July 1, 2003, Michigan CCW laws will reflect changes recently passed by the legislature. Some of those changes include the following:
- Licensees who are stopped by police must immediately inform the officer that he/she is carrying a firearm.
- Licenses are now good for 5 years instead of three years and they will be the same size as a drivers license.
- County clerks are authorized to charge a $10.00 fee for replacement licenses.
- County gun boards are authorized to have access to medical records and they must be kept confidential.
- The application and renewal fee is $105 and will cover all costs including fingerprinting.
- Local police agencies can fingerprint applicants.
- The time period for approval or dis-approval has been increased from 30 days to 45 days.
- Applicants are required to fire at least 30 rounds during the training program.
- Concealed pistols licensees will be allowed to carry in certain restaurants where they were previously not allowed (i.e. those serving alcohol). Establishments whose main income is derived from the sale of alcohol (i.e. taverns, bars, etc) are still considered "pistol free" zones. Bear in mind that an establishment is still "off limits" if it is posted as such.
- Parking lots of pistol free zones will not be considered part of the pistol free zone.
- Number of disqualifying misdemeanor convictions for an 8 year period following the conviction is increased.
- The 3 year disqualification period for a conviction of any misdemeanor has been removed and replaced with a specific list of disqualifying misdemeanors.
To get a copy of the law contact your State Senator or Representative or visit www.michiganlegislature.org.or the Michigan State Police web site at http://www.michigan.gov/msp
MAKE SURE YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE LAW!!
Firearms owners manuals
Do you have the manual for your firearm? Contact the manufacturer to get one. There is a lot of VERY IMPORTANT information in your manual. Many manufacturers allow you to download manuals from their website.
NRA memberships
Not an NRA member or need to re-new or upgrade your membership? Why not let 1st Defense, LLC help you out! We can sign you up, re-new or upgrade your membership at a discount off regular prices. Contact us for more information or to sign you up.
2003 State of the Union
Here are some great qoutes from George W. Bush's 2003 State of the Union Address:
...the course of this nation does not depend on the decisions of others.
…we will not permit the triumph of violence in the affairs of men -- free people will set the course of history.
Americans are a free people, who know that freedom is the right of every person and the future of every nation. The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world, it is God's gift to humanity.
America is a strong nation and honorable in the use of our strength. We exercise power without conquest and we sacrifice for the liberty of strangers.
Americans are a resolute people, who have risen to every test of our time. Adversity has revealed the character of our country, to the world, and to ourselves.
...I also have a message for the men and women who will keep the peace, members of the American Armed Forces: many of you are assembling in and near the Middle East, and some crucial hours may lie ahead. In those hours, the success of our cause will depend on you. Your training has prepared you. Your honor will guide you. You believe in America, and America believes in you.
George W. Bush, State of the Union Address 2003
Interesting Facts
DID YOU KNOW...
* Eight U.S. Presidents have been NRA members. They are Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George Bush.
* Accidental firearm deaths are at an all-time low, among the entire U.S. population and among children in particular. In 1998, there were 866 accidental firearm-related deaths, including 121 among children. (National Center for Health Statistics)
* Guns prevent an estimated 2.5 million crimes a year, or 6,849 every day. Often the gun
is never fired and no blood (including the criminal's) is shed.
* Washington D.C., has banned gun ownership and has a per capita murder rate of 56.9.
Across the river in Arlington, Virginia, gun ownership is not regulated, and the murder rate is a
mere 1.6 per capita.119.
1st Defense, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any news or information item on this page. When possible we will name sources. Always check with proper authorities concerning firearms laws as laws vary greatly from area to area and are constantly changing.
