Michigan campers this summer might be packing more than just tents and marshmallows—untreated firewood could be smuggling tiny invaders that threaten everything from the state’s multi-billion-dollar timber industry to the very forests where sportsmen hunt, fish, and train with their firearms. The Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development along with the Department of Natural Resources are sounding the alarm: that convenient bundle of local firewood from the big box store or the suspicious stack from the roadside vendor can carry emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and other invasive pests capable of devastating vast tracts of woodland. For the 2A community that cherishes public lands for concealed carry practice, long-range rifle courses, bowhunting, and simply passing down outdoor traditions to the next generation, this isn’t some abstract environmental talking point. It’s a direct threat to the habitat that makes Michigan’s outdoor heritage possible.

The economic numbers should wake up every shooter and hunter in the Mitten State. Michigan’s food and agriculture sector rings in at $126 billion while the forest products industry adds another $26 billion to the economy. When invasive species wipe out ash, maple, and oak stands, they don’t just harm Bambi—they degrade the ecosystems that support wildlife populations, reduce mast crops critical for deer and turkey, and ultimately shrink the amount of public land available and suitable for responsible firearms use. Think about it: fewer healthy forests often translates to more restrictive land management policies, increased pressure on remaining areas, and potentially higher costs passed along to sportsmen through license fees and habitat improvement projects. Responsible gun owners already police their own behavior at the range and in the field; extending that same stewardship mindset to something as simple as where your campfire wood originates is a natural extension of that self-reliant culture.

Smart outdoorsmen already treat firewood like they treat ammunition—buy local, know the source, and don’t transport it across county lines if possible. Heat-treated and kiln-dried bundles might cost a few dollars more, but they represent an investment in preserving the very landscapes where we exercise our Second Amendment rights. The next time you’re loading up the truck for a weekend at the state forest range or a backcountry camping trip, remember that protecting Michigan’s woods is part of protecting our way of life. Bring certified firewood, burn it all before you leave, and leave the forest better than you found it. Our rights and our recreation depend on it.