Michigan Mixed Bag: Hillsdale’s Ava Downs wins Gold in Women’s Trap in 2025 Junior Pan American Games

Hillsdale, Mich. — Hillsdale College Student Ava Downs won a gold medal in women’s trap at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, on Aug. 11.

Downs qualified for the games at the USA Shooting Trap National Championship, held at Hillsdale’s John Anthony Halter Shooting Sports Education Center May 28 through June 1.

This season, Downs was named to the 2025 USA Shooting National Women’s Trap Team, Junior Women’s Trap Team, World Championships Trap Team, and Junior Pan American Games Trap Team. She also won gold in women’s trap in the 2025 USA Shooting Junior Olympic Trap National Championship. Other Hillsdale students named to 2025 USA Shooting teams were Jordan Sapp, who was named to the National Men’s Skeet Team; Davis Hay, who was named to the Junior Men’s Skeet Team; and Taylor Dale, who was named to the Junior Women’s Trap Team.

Sapp and Hay, along with Joshua Corbin, Madeline Corbin, and Luke Johnson were also named All-Americans for their individual performances at the ACUI/SCTP Collegiate Clay Target Championship in March.

MORE COVERAGE FROM MICHIGAN OUTDOOR NEWS:

Outdoor Observations: Isle Royale wolf euthanized after showing a reliance on human food sources

Michigan Natural Resources Commission resolves to manage problem coyotes

Michigan DNR’s statewide angling regulations under review

Sportsmen’s Alliance Features a Revamped, Updated Website

Columbus — The Sportsmen’s Alliance has an all-new revamped website that showcases the advocacy organization’s expansive work to protect hunting, fishing, trapping, and sport shooting in state legislatures nationwide.

Central to the site’s engagement process is a Legislative Action Center that allows users to quickly and easily track bills in state legislatures and take appropriate action to protect our passions. The Legislative Heat Map shows active legislation by state and segments within multiple categories (hunting, fishing, trapping, sporting dogs, fish and wildlife commissions) and the Current Legislative Campaigns allows users to voice opposition or support for a bill with just one click, while breaking news alerts and archives by state can be accessed as well. Users can easily find all their state and federal representatives, and sign up for news alerts pertaining to their state.

In addition to highlighting the extensive advocacy work of the Sportsmen’s Alliance, the new sportsmensalliance.org makes it easy for users to access the important research the organization has conducted, as well as its educational efforts in high schools across the country.

For more information, visit www.sportsmensalliance.org.

Free Family Fun at Great Outdoors Jamboree in Lenawee County

Clayton, Mich. — From pointing dog demonstrations, archery and BB gun shooting to outdoor crafts, kayaking, fishing, birding and many more hands-on activities, the Great Outdoors Jamboree offers a variety of opportunities for the whole family to learn about and sample outdoor recreation opportunities.

Taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Lake Hudson Recreation Area in Lenawee County, this free event is presented by Michigan Pheasants Forever and the National Wild Turkey Federation in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“This fun event will feature multiple vendors – all celebrating Michigan’s outdoors – to display, discuss and give hands-on instruction in archery, target shooting, bass fishing, campsite exploration, boating and many other nature-based activities for the entire family,” said Matt Lefler, Michigan education and outreach coordinator for Pheasants Forever. “There also will be opportunities to learn about habitat and conservation projects.”

A food truck will be available to purchase refreshments.

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to Lake Hudson Recreation Area, located at 5505 Morey Highway in Clayton.

Fish Art Contest Hooks a New Class of Students

White Bear Lake, Minn. — The 2025-26 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest is officially open for entries. This annual program invites youth from around the world to dive into science, art, and storytelling – while reeling in knowledge about fish and aquatic habitats.

Since 1997, more than 86,000 young artists from 46 countries have taken part, helping to fuel the next generation of outdoor stewards.

The free contest is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit www.FishArt.org

Wisconsin DNR: State Duck Numbers Stable

Madison — The WDNR’s annual spring survey of breeding waterfowl indicated stable population numbers and habitat conditions for migratory birds. The data from this survey is used as part of the overall survey of breeding waterfowl in North America, and the information helps the DNR make decisions about waterfowl in Wisconsin.

The survey has been conducted annually since 1973, except for 2020 (due to the pandemic). Results are best interpreted as trends over several years rather than year-to-year comparisons.

Surveyors estimated the state’s 2025 breeding duck population at 564,693 birds, a 7% increase from the 2024 estimate and 26.9% above the long-term average.

The 2025 mallard breeding population estimate is 149,568 birds, 2% higher than 2024 but lower than the long-term average. Wood duck populations decreased 1.8% from last year but remain 5.1% above the long-term average.