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Week of February 7, 2011 |
World |
Misc New Fishing-Boating Products |
Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues |
Michigan |
Minnesota |
New York |
Ohio |
Other Breaking News Items |
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World
Misc New Fishing-Boating Products
Abu Garcia Launches New Website
Abu Garcia has launched an updated
www.abugarcia.com. The revamped site contains extensive information
for any level angler, which will enhance their online and angling
experience. The site features an improved Flash home page that reinforce Abu
Garcia precision engineering and cutting edge design. |
be able to interact with each other with an
integrated link to our facebook and twitter pages. They will also have
access to AbuGarciaTV � our YouTube channel, which features tips from
Additionally, the Abu Garcia site highlights the many technological advantages that make their products stand out on tournament waters around the country as well as the small ponds. Go to www.abugarcia.com for the complete online experience. |
Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues
Registration Open for 2011 Elk
Camp |
Elk Camp also includes Cabela�s-sponsored seminars led by authorities on
bowhunting and other hunting skills, horse packing, marksmanship, wild game
cooking, game calling strategies and more. Also included are displays of
record elk, attractions and activities for the whole family, plus a
450-booth expo hall filled with outfitted hunting and fishing opportunities,
art, gear, firearms and everything elk. For agendas and details, visit
www.rmef.org. |
Michigan
Enjoy Michigan�s Free Fishing Weekend Feb. 19-20 The Michigan DNR is reminding everyone that Winter Free Fishing Weekend is scheduled for Saturday, Feb 19, and Sunday, Feb. 20. On that weekend, everyone - residents and non-residents alike - can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations apply.
Michigan has been celebrating Winter Free Fishing Weekend annually since 2000 as a way to promote awareness of the state�s aquatic resources. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 36,000 miles of rivers and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a natural match.
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A number of activities at state parks have been scheduled to coincide with the weekend, while clubs, local communities and conservation organizations are also staging events. Many provide bait and free use of equipment. The events often include experienced anglers willing to introduce novices into the joy of fishing.
For a list of Free Fishing Events scheduled across the state, visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing.
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Third Annual �GO-Get Outdoors� Ice Fishing Derby on Feb. 19 at Seven Lakes State Park Seven Lakes State Park, in partnership with The Izaak Walton League of America, is hosting the Third Annual Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Michigan�s Free Fishing weekend is Feb. 19 -20. No fishing licenses are required to fish that weekend, but all other fishing regulations apply.
Prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish, most fish, smallest fish and even the ugliest fish. Participation in the ice fishing derby is free. For persons without fishing gear, there will be 75 fishing poles the park has available for use on a first come, first served basis.
Refreshments including coffee, hot chocolate, hotdogs and chips will be available at the concession table under the park shelter.
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Plan to dress warm and bring the whole family for a day filled with fun. This is a great way to �GO-Get Outdoors�, try your fishing skills, meet new friends and have a great winter fun day.
Seven Lakes State Park is located at 14390 Fish Lake Rd., in Holly. For more information on this event please e-mail The Izaak Walton League at [email protected] or contact Jim Case at 248-634-7271.
This event is made possible with donations from the following sponsors: D&B Fishing Custom Lures, Tri-City Trading Post, Skipper Bud�s Four Winns, Triple J Ductwork Heating and Cooling, Fish Bones Custom Lures, Lance Valentine�s Walleye101.com, Fishing Tackle Grab Bag, Innovative Tackle Solutions and Jim and Penny Schaale of the The Izaak Walton League of America. |
MI DNR seeks public comment for Muskie and Northern Pike Plans The Michigan DNR has released draft plans for managing muskellunge and northern pike statewide. The DNR is accepting public comment on the draft plans through March 3, 2011. The purpose of these plans is to provide a strategy for managing populations of muskellunge and northern pike throughout Michigan.
These plans build on a foundation of previous public review and incorporate the latest in research and management experience. The second drafts of the plans were developed with input from DNRE staff and angling interests, including three workshops, review by citizen committees and previous public comment through the DNRE�s website.
The desire by anglers to harvest medium and large northern pike often conflicts with improving the opportunities to catch |
large northern pike. Similarly, the desire by anglers to expand the number of waters managed for muskellunge conflicts with those who may oppose expansion. These plans include detailed information on the biology and management of these species, as well as specific goals, objectives, strategies and actions for managing muskellunge populations and their habitat, improving opportunities for large northern pike on select waters, and improving northern pike fishing statewide, while also maintaining opportunities for harvest and spearing of northern pike.
The DNRE is seeking public input regarding these plans, which are available on the DNRE website at www.michigan.gov/fishpublicinput. Comments may be sent to the department via the following e-mail address: [email protected] or by contacting Kregg Smith 269-685-6851 ext. 115.
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DNR offers Shooting Classes for Women Feb. 20 and March 8 The Michigan DNR is offering an Introduction to Handgun Shooting class and an Introduction to Rifle Shooting class through the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program. Each three-hour class is designed especially for women to learn basic shooting skills from certified instructors in a safe and comfortable environment. Both classes take place at the Detroit Sportsmen�s Congress located at 49800 Dequindre Rd. in Utica
The rifle class will take place on Feb. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. Instructors will discuss firearm safety, ammunition basics, shooting positions and firearms for recreational and sporting uses. Participants will handle unloaded firearms and become familiar with them. Participants can then practice live fire at the indoor range using a .22 rim-fire firearm under the supervision of certified instructors
Participants ages 10 and older are welcome to attend the rifle class; however, minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
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The handgun class will take place March 8 from 7 to10 p.m. Instructors will teach firearm safety, fundamentals of pistol shooting, ammunition basics and tips on purchasing a handgun. Several different firearms will be set up for handling under certified instructor supervision. This is a basic introductory to handgun shooting class and beginners are welcome. It is not the course required by law to obtain a concealed pistol license (CPL), but is a great class for those who are new to handgun shooting and may be interested in obtaining a CPL in the future. Participants will visit the on-site shooting range to practice shooting .22 caliber handguns.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age to attend the handgun class.
The registration deadlines are Feb. 17 and March 3 respectively. Register early; class sizes are limited to 24 participants. A $30 fee is due at the time of registration. Eye and ear protection will be provided. For registration forms and information on this and other BOW events, visit www.michigan.gov/bow, email [email protected] or call 517-241-2225. |
Sleepy Hollow Guided Snowshoe Hike Planned for Feb. 20 The DNR and others are partnering for an opportunity to �GO-Get Outdoors� and enjoy a guided snowshoe hike at Sleepy Hollow State Park on Sunday, Feb. 20. The hike will start at 10 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.
The one mile hike will begin at the East Picnic Pavilion with an introduction to Sleepy Hollow and a short talk on winter survival and equipment before heading through the new growth forest of pine and oak. Visitors will stop at deer beds and look for signs of deer and other animals as they travel quietly along the trails, beside the lake and across the meadows with many rest stops along the way.
After the invigorating hike, participants can warm up by the fireplace at the pavilion with the interpreters who will have a box of �natural treasures� from the area to share. A grill will be
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available for those who would like to cook lunch. It is advisable to dress warmly in layers and bring your own hot drinks and trail snacks. A limited number of snowshoes are available for rent for this event with the following sizes: Young Youth (under 80 pounds), Standard Youth (up to 125 pounds), Small Adult (up to 175 pounds), Medium Adult (up to 220 pounds), and Large Adult (over 220 pounds). There is a charge of $5 per person for the snowshoe hike and. snowshoe rental is available for an additional $5 per person.
Advance registration is required. Call Kathy Donahue at the Clinton County Department of Waste Management at 989-224-5177 or email: mailto:[email protected] for more information and to register. Sleepy Hollow State park is located at 7835 East Price Rd. near Laingsburg. For more information about the park, call 517-651-6217.
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Minnesota
Dave Schad named DNR deputy commissioner A veteran natural resource professional has been promoted to deputy commissioner of the Minnesota DNR by new DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr.
Dave Schad, 53, has served in the DNR since his student worker days in 1981, most recently as director of the agency�s Fish and Wildlife Division. Previously he was the agency�s Wildlife Section chief; he has also served as wildlife operations manager, regional wildlife manager, area wildlife supervisor, and statewide wetland wildlife coordinator and statewide forest wildlife program coordinator. Dave Schad |
Schad replaces Laurie Martinson, who was named deputy commissioner by former Commissioner Mark Holsten in 2007. Martinson�s role and responsibilities, as well as those of other commissioner�s office staff, will remain largely unchanged during an upcoming transition period, said Schad. Schad and his wife, Carol, live in White Bear Lake. Schad is an avid hunter, angler, camper and bicyclist.
There is no word yet on Schad�s replacement; however Deputy Fish and Wildlife Division Director Ed Boggess will serve as acting director during the interim.
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New York
DEC Warns Of Avalanche Danger in the Adirondacks Back Country Visitors Cautioned about Snow Conditions The New York Staten DEC warned Adirondack back country visitors to be aware of the danger of avalanches and take necessary precautions. Snows have accumulated to sufficient depths on Adirondack Mountain slopes to create conditions conducive to avalanches.
While avalanche danger increases during and immediately after major snowfalls, as well as during thaws, avalanches can occur in any situation where snow, slope and weather conditions combine to create the proper conditions. The majority of avalanches in the United States occur in the |
western mountains. However, avalanches do occur in New York and can have dire consequences.
DEC reminds back country winter recreationists to take the following precautions when traveling in avalanche prone terrain: ►know avalanche rescue techniques; ►practice safe route finding; ►carry safety equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel); ►never travel alone; ►know the terrain, weather and snow conditions; and ►inform someone where you plan to go and when you expect to return |
Ohio
ODNR offers deep discounts at Grand Lake St. Marys during 2011 COLUMBUS, OH�Camping, getaways, shelter house rentals and state dock fees will be discounted at 50 percent during the 2011 season at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
�ODNR will continue its unprecedented move to offer its visitors deep discounts for overnight and facility fees at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park this season,� said Ohio State Parks Chief David Payne. �State park visitors bring critical tourism dollars to local businesses and communities across Ohio; it is vital that we remain innovative in our ways to attract more visitors to Grand Lake St. Marys.�
The discounts, which begin immediately include: ●50 percent off camping; ●50 percent off shelter house rentals; ●50 percent off Getaway rentals (rent-a-camp, cabins, etc.); and ●50 percent off seasonal state dock fees.
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Camping, shelter house and Getaway rental fee discounts apply from February 1 to September 1, 2011; existing reservations will have the discount applied at check-in. The camping and Getaway rental discounts do not apply on Memorial Day (May 27-29) or July 4th (July 1-4) holiday weekends.
Reservations may be made by calling toll-free (866) OHIOPARKS (644-6727) or on-line at www.ohiostateparks.org. When making a reservation, please select the �Grand Lake Special� from the drop-down menu for discounts. No other discounts will apply to this special discount, which is being offered exclusively at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.
Grand Lake St. Marys State Park offers a variety of overnight and day-use activities including: 176 electric campsites and 28 non-electric sites; full service camp store; bike rentals; miniature golf; basketball and volleyball courts; playground equipment; dog park; and free WiFi.
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Ice Covered Trees Pose Safety Risks
Caution urged in dealing with unsafe conditions
�Ice can increase the weight of branches by 10 to 100 times, and coupled with windy conditions, can present added dangers,� cautioned Robert Boyles, Division of Forestry�s acting state forester and chief. �Homeowners and woodland owners should be very careful around their properties, not only during the current winter storm, but when later dealing with damaged trees.�
ODNR�s Division of Forestry suggests waiting until ice has melted off trees, whenever possible, before addressing tree damage. The stress of leaning trees and bent or broken |
branches can present unsafe conditions. Trees overhanging homes or around utility lines may cause problems as well.
�In addition to weathering storms better, well-maintained residential, city or woodland tree resources provide Ohioans with numerous environmental, social and economic benefits,� said Boyles. Trees with pre-existing conditions, such as weak branches and shallow roots, are the most prone to ice failure. A certified arborist can provide guidelines for dealing with damaged residential trees, and insured and bonded tree care companies have experience and proper equipment for cutting and disposing of hazard trees and branches.
Woodland owners can check with a certified forester or their Division of Forestry service forester for advice on dealing with heavily impacted areas. The Ohio Forestry Association maintains a list of Ohio Master Logging companies who may be able to assist woodland owners with damaged woodlands. Visit the association�s Web site at www.ohioforest.org or call the office at (614) 497-9580. |
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Michigan plan to revive muskie stocking in Great Lakes returns LANSING -- A plan to revive Great Lakes muskie populations throughout the state will begin this year following a series of delays because of fish health issues at state hatcheries. DNR officials plan to collect native Great Lakes muskie eggs from Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River in coming months
Clemson Prof named U.S. co-chair of Science Advisory Board William Bowerman, professor of environmental toxicology and wildlife ecology at Clemson University, has been appointed United States co-chairman of the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board for the United States-Canada International Joint Commission.
Niagara County (NY) lawmakers oppose Power Authority windmill
project
Wind power not worth the cost to Algoma?
Who owns the beach? Court to decide |
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