• Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for August 1, 2008

• Sportfishing Industry Awards 2008 �Best of Show� Honors

• Marinades may decrease cancer forming compounds on grilled meats

• Bass Pro Shops to Offer Boone & Crockett Scoring

       Weekly News Archives

                         or

       New Product  Archives

President signs 2008 Clean Boating Act into law

President Bush signed into law The Clean Boating Act of 2008, protecting more than 17 million recreational boats throughout the U.S. from unprecedented federal regulations. The signing took place on Air Force One as the President was en route from Ohio to Washington, D.C.  Both houses of Congress passed the Clean Boating Act July 22.

This is welcome news for the boating & and angling community and we are thrilled that the bill was able to move (fairly) quickly through Congress on a bipartisan course and that the President moved so quickly to sign it, two days before the public comment period closes on what would have been a truly awful new EPA regulation.

For more than a year and half, you and your organizations played a critical role in moving this legislation through Congress by educating members and mobilizing grassroots, meeting with congressional staff, and signing onto correspondence that went to the Hill at pivotal moments.  Overall, with everyone�s help, more than 156,000 messages were sent to Capitol Hill in 2008 in support of the Clean

Boating Act.  We�re glad Congress got the message.      

�This is welcome news for all recreational marine manufacturers across the country,� said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. �NMMA raised the alarm on this misguided court decision nearly two years ago, and we are thrilled that Congress and the President have prevented the bureaucratic nightmare that was set to become law.�

Officials from the NMMA praised the efforts by so many in the industry that led to the passage of this bill. �The beauty of this year-plus effort is that everybody came together toward this common goal,� said one NMMA.  ï¿½The industry, marinas, equipment manufacturers, equipment sellers and the boaters themselves all played a major role.�

�Passage of this legislation is a testament to what is possible when our community joins forces and speaks with one voice before key decision-makers,� said Scott Gudes, NMMA vice president for government relations.

FWS reports on �07 duck harvest, �08 availability

More than 14.5 million ducks were harvested in the United States during the 2007-2008 waterfowl hunting season, according to preliminary estimates by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  This is up from 13.8 million ducks harvested the previous season.  Hunters harvested almost 3.7 million geese, similar to the 2006-7 estimate.  These figures come from a report called Migratory bird hunting activity and harvest during the 2007 and 2008 hunting seasons.  The Service generates the estimates contained in this report based on surveys of selected waterfowl hunters   through the cooperative State-Federal Harvest Information Program.

 Almost one million duck hunters spent nearly seven million days in the field, up slightly from the previous season�s nearly 6.8 million days.  More than 700,000 hunters spent approximately four million days hunting geese, which is similar to the 2006-2007 season.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed continuation of liberal hunting season lengths for the upcoming 2008-2009 late waterfowl seasons.  Duck hunting season lengths would be 60 days in both the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway. However, in three flyways, the Service Regulations Committee recommends closing the canvasback season due to low populations and restricting scaup harvest due to long-term population declines.  Given increasing wood duck

populations, the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways would get an extra wood duck in the daily bag limit.

As has been in the past, mallards were the most prevalent duck bagged by hunters in the United States, with approximately 4.9 million birds harvested. Other dominant species this year were green-winged teal, with almost two million birds harvested, and gadwall, with nearly 1.5 million harvested. Wood ducks and blue-wing/cinnamon teal rounded out the top five hunted waterfowl with more than one million of each species harvested during the 2007-8 season.

Canada geese were the most prevalent geese harvested with almost 2.7 million birds taken.  Snow geese were the second most popular goose species harvested, with an estimated 560,000 taken nationally.

The Service compiles this report each year to estimate waterfowl hunting activity, success and harvest by species. These surveys are used by the Service and State wildlife agencies, in part, to develop estimates of the number of all migratory birds harvested throughout the country, as well as to establish season lengths and bag limits designed to maintain healthy sustainable waterfowl populations. The report is available at: http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/reports.html  or www.flyways.us.

Kayaking/canoeing represent more than 15% of all recreational boating fatalities in US

In a year where overall recreational boating fatalities decreased from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007 the number of fatalities associated with the use of canoes/kayaks increased to 107 in 2007 as compared with 99 in 2006. This is according to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard�s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety. This figure represents about 15.6 percent of the total of all recreational fatalities in the U.S. in 2007.

Of the 107 fatalities associated with kayaking/canoeing 97

were from drowning (66 canoe/ 31 kayak.) The 2007 Recreational Boating Statistics are at www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm.  

A recent study by the Outdoor Industry Foundation has shown a dramatic increase in the number of Americans participating in kayaking, a 23% increase in 2005 alone. As the number of people turning to kayaking/canoeing (especially with rising fuel cost), so does the risk for kayak and canoe operators getting themselves into trouble.

Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for August 1, 2008

Weather Conditions

Temperatures were moderate throughout the entire Great Lakes region this past week.  In addition, most of the region experienced insignificant precipitation.   Near average temperatures will continue throughout the weekend and into early next week.  There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday for most of the Great Lakes basin.

 Lake Level Conditions

All of the Great Lakes were higher than they were at this time last year.  Lake Superior is 17 inches above last year's level while lake Michigan-Huron is 8 inches higher than it was a year ago.  Lakes St. Clair and Erie are 7 inches higher than they were last year while Lake Ontario is 13 inches above last year's level.  Lake Superior is projected to rise 1 inch over the next 30 days, while Lake Michigan-Huron is predicted to fall 1 inch.  Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are forecasted to fall 5 to 8 inches during the next month.  All of the Great Lakes are expected to remain above their water levels of a year ago over the next few months. 

Current Outflows/Channel Conditions

In July, outflow through the St. Mary's River was slightly below average, and outflows through the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers

were also below average. The Niagara River's outflow was slightly above average, while outflow from the St. Lawrence River was also above average.

Alerts

Users of the Great Lakes, connecting channels and St. Lawrence River should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities that could be affected by changing water levels.  Mariners should utilize navigation charts and refer to current water level readings

Sportfishing Industry Awards 2008 �Best of Show� Honors

14 companies take top honors during world�s largest sportfishing trade show

Las Vegas, Nev. � The Curado E Series, from Shimano American, was voted by buyers and media as the most innovative product in the ICAST 2008 New Product Showcase in both the Freshwater Reel category and the overall �Best of Show.�

In 2008, ICAST�s 51st year, the New Product Showcase was more competitive than ever. Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, 190 companies entered 695 tackle products and accessories into the New Product Showcase. The showcase is the flagship feature of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the sportfishing industry�s premier trade event produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). The 51st annual show was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, July 16-18, 2008.

This year�s New Product Showcase winner�s included three first-time ICAST exhibitors. The Stonze System from Pallatrax won best terminal tackle, the Bio Pulse Lure from Mystic Tackleworks, Inc., won best hard lure and the Zip Vac Jumbo Vacuum Storage Bags from CTI Industries Corp., won best fishing accessory. 

�It�s a real privilege to be named a winner after all the hard work we put into our product. To receive a Best of Show honor during our first year of exhibiting at ICAST is an honor,� said Ric Ice, president, Mystic Tackleworks, Inc.

Making up a special section of ICAST�s 350,000-sq ft show floor, the New Product Showcase gives the industry�s latest innovations in gear and accessories special visibility during the show. There are more than 7,000 representatives of the global sportfishing community in attendance with nearly 2,000 buyers and over 400 media representatives in Las Vegas for the world�s largest sportfishing trade show.

Bert�s Custom Tackle, E21 Fishing, Old Harbor Outfitters, Pure Fishing, Shakespeare and Shimano American are all repeat winners.

�Each year, the competition for top honors in the New Product 

Showcase gets more intense and the products get more innovative,� said Mike Nussman, ASA�s president and CEO.

�My congratulations go to all of the winners for being judged as best of show by the buyers and media attending ICAST. I also want to thank everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase who worked hard to develop these new innovations in gear and accessories.�

Buyers and media representatives judged the products based on their levels of innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality to select �Best of Show� honors in 17 categories, as well as the overall �Best of Show� winner.

Marinades may decrease cancer forming compounds on grilled meats

Chicago, IL � Outdoor cooking season is at its peak, and now there�s even more reasons to marinade meats before grilling. New research published in the Journal of Food Science shows that marinating meats may decrease the cancer forming compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCA), which are produced during grilling, by over 70 %.

Researchers from Kansas State University tested three commercial spice- containing marinade blends (Caribbean, southwest, and herb) on round beef steaks. The steaks were marinated for one hour and then grilled at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Food scientists found that steaks marinated in the Caribbean blend produced the highest decrease in HCA content (88 %), followed by the herb blend (72 %) then the southwest blend (57 %).  �Commercial marinades offer spices and herbs which have antioxidants that help decrease the HCAs formed during grilling,� says Dr. J.S. Smith, principal researcher at Kansas State University. �The results from our study have a direct application since more consumers are interested in healthier cooking.�

To view this article: www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120775665/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Bass Pro Shops to Offer Boone and Crockett Scoring

Beginning in August, all 50 Bass Pro Shops stores will have a Boone and Crockett Club associate measurer on staff. Scoring on whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, bear and cougar will be offered as a free customer service.  To find the store nearest you, go to www.basspro.com  and click on �Store Locations.�

�This partnership provides millions of hunters with easy access to a certified measurer. It�s a new convenience spawned by demand�we�re seeing all-time high interest in our records program, which speaks to the success of modern conservation,� said Keith Balfourd of the Boone and Crockett Club.

Hunters can �score� their own trophies from guidelines at the Boone/Crockett site, www.booneandcrockettclub.com. If

unofficial measurements are close to or above minimum scores, and the hunter would like to enter their trophy into the

Boone and Crockett Club Awards Program ($40 entry fee), it must be scored by a trained measurer like those at Bass Pro Shops.  Click or call Boone and Crockett Club for a complete list of measurers in your area.

The Boone and Crockett Club accepts trophies taken in fair chase by all legal methods (i.e. firearm, archery, muzzleloader, etc.) including found, or �pick up,� trophies that meet or exceed minimum entry scores per species.

Maintaining records of native North American big game is a valuable tool for measuring the success of wildlife management programs. For over 120 years, Boone and Crockett Club has been a leader in records keeping, conservation, fair-chase hunting ethics and education.

IL welcomes back the ATA Grand American Trapshooting Championship

Thousands of competitors and spectators expected in Sparta, IL August 6-16

SPARTA, IL�The Illinois DNR welcomes the return of the Amateur Trapshooting Association�s (ATA) Grand American event to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) August 6-16. The 1,600-acre facility provides some of the best shooting in the nation and the world and has played host to the Grand American since August 2006.

More than 7,000 shooters and tens of thousands of visitors are expected to attend the 11-day event in southwestern Illinois. The WSRC has a 1,000-unit campground to accommodate guests.  �Every year I look forward to this exciting event returning to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex and southwestern Illinois,� said Acting IDNR Director Sam Flood. �The ATA Grand American is a huge

annual economic driver for Sparta and the entire region and we�re glad to have everyone back.�

The Grand American continues to evolve in Sparta. This year�s competition features newer events including the Budweiser Handicap, which returns for the second year to include more than $20,000 in added prize money as well as a special shoot off for cash prizes. More than 1,700 awards will be presented at this year�s Grand American.

�It�s been a great three years here in Sparta and we are really starting to see the tournament grow at the WSRC. The Grand continues to be a tournament the ATA is very proud of,� said Mike Hampton, Grand American Tournament Director. For the second consecutive year, the ATA will present the Mega Target Award which is given to the top 10 shooting facilities in the U.S.

Rule would classify prohibited and restricted invasive species

Public hearings will be held around state in August

MADISON � A proposed rule aimed at slowing the spread of invasive species into Wisconsin by restricting the sale, planting or release of the most troublesome invaders will be the topic of public hearings statewide in August.  The rule would establish two categories of invasive species of plants, animals and nonagricultural plant pests: �prohibited� and �restricted,� and make it illegal to import, transport, buy, sell, plant or release the listed species in Wisconsin.

Public hearings on the proposed rule will be held on the

following dates at the locations listed:

Aug 14, Madison - 10 a.m.DNR South Central Region Hdqtrs, 3911 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg

Aug 14, Milwaukee - 3 p.m.; 141, DNR Southeast Region Hdqtrs, 2300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr

Aug 15, Green Bay - 1 p.m., DNR Northeast Region Hdqtrs, 2984 Shawano Ave

Aug 19, La Crosse - 1 p.m., Rm B19 &B20, State Office Bldg, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road

Aug 20, Spooner - 2:30 p.m., DNR Northern Region Hdqtrs, 810 W. Maple St

Aug 26, Wausau - 1 p.m., DNR Wausau City Hall, 407 Grant St

Ontario and Manitoba establish Interprovincial wilderness area

Announcement strengthens Boreal Forest protection

Ontario and Manitoba last week signed a memorandum of understanding to establish and manage a protected Interprovincial Wilderness Area in the boreal forest along the Ontario-Manitoba border.  The new wilderness area covers more than 9,400 square kilometres, including Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and the Eagle-Snowshoe Conservation Reserve in Ontario and Atikaki Provincial Park and parts of Nopiming Provincial Park in Manitoba.

The area is of national ecological and cultural importance.  It

protects a wide variety of species and habitats in Canada's central boreal forest, including important habitat for woodland caribou. The creation of the Interprovincial Wilderness Area is a significant step towards the success of Pimachiowin Aki, a partnership of four First Nations and the governments of Manitoba and Ontario that is working to have 40,000 square kilometres of boreal forest in the two provinces declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It also strengthens Premier Dalton McGuinty's mid-July announcement that Ontario will permanently protect 225,000 square kilometres of Ontario's Far North boreal region.

Lake Superior commercial fisher banned from fishing for 10 year

Two Thunder Bay men have been fined $8,000 for commercial fishing offences, with one man receiving a ten-year ban from participating in the commercial fishing industry. 

Daniel Sameluk, 34, pleaded guilty to two over-quota charges and was fined $4,000.  Jarvis Sameluk, 64, was convicted in court of two over-quota charges and was fined $4,000.  He also received a ban from any involvement in the commercial fishing industry for the next 10 years.  The commercial fishing ban was imposed as a result of a range of convictions over more than 25 years.

Commercial fishing licence holders are responsible for taking the appropriate steps to ensure that they do not exceed their

quota. The over quota fish seized by the ministry were sold for more than $3,800 which was redirected to the Special Purpose Account for funding fish and wildlife work across the province.

Justice of the Peace John Guthrie heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on November 29-30, 2006, and March 10-12, 2007.  On June 24, 2008, the Justice of the Peace John Guthrie rejected the abuse of process application and convicted Jarvis Sameluk on both counts.

 To report a natural resources violation, please call 1-877-TIPS-MNR toll free, any time, or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours.  You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).