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President Signs Order to Protect Striped Bass,

Red Drum

Executive order for gamefish status creates legacy of conservation

Alexandria, VA � With the vast expanse of the Chesapeake Bay as his backdrop, on October 20, 2007, President Bush signed an Executive Order establishing gamefish status for striped bass and red drum in federal waters, moving another step forward in conserving two of the most popular game fish in the United States.

�This Executive Order has the full support of the sportfishing industry. By signing the order, the President sends the right message about the need to ensure that striped bass and red drum endure as a species and as sport fish to be enjoyed by anglers now and for generations to come,� said Mike Nussman, American Sportfishing Association (ASA) president and CEO. �We have been working with a number of organizations for years to see that this critical conservation measure came to be, and we applaud the President for his action.�

In his remarks, the President highlighted the economic importance that America�s 40 million anglers have on the nation�s economy and acknowledged the recreational, economic and environmental benefits that conserving these two species will have now and on future generations of

Americans.

This Executive Order directs the Commerce and Interior Departments to put regulations in place to establish gamefish status for red drum and striped bass in federal waters. In his remarks, the President made it clear that he also supports improving the quality of data available for managing our fish stocks. The President said, �We�re going to count on the people who really care about the fish stocks to get good, solid, sound information so we can do a better job not only today, but tomorrow, in making sure our fisheries are strong.�

Due to intense overfishing, both striped bass and red drum were nearly decimated in the 1970s and into the 1980s. This decline led to a drive by recreational anglers to curtail the harvest of these species by imposing federal moratoriums on commercial and recreational striped bass and red drum fishing in federal waters. The President�s Executive Order would ban the commercial sale of red drum and striped bass in federal waters. A number of states already prohibit the sale of these fish caught in state waters.

Nussman further said, �Recreational anglers are among this nation�s most ardent conservationists. By supporting this Executive Order, we show our commitment to conserving our nation�s resources and protecting our heritage.�

Black Carp Banned

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week added black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) to the list of injurious fish under the Lacey Act. This action will prohibit live black carp, gametes, viable eggs and hybrids from being imported into or transported between the continental United States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States.

�This is an attempt to head off a potential problem,� said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. �Black carp have the potential to cause major damage to America�s native mussel populations, and we want to get out in front of the issue now. Stopping the transport of these fish is crucial to the future of our native aquatic species.�

Black carp, also known as snail carp, black amur, or Chinese roach, is a freshwater fish that inhabits lakes and lower reaches of large, fast moving rivers and associated backwaters, including canals and reservoirs. Black carp can grow to more than three feet in length, weigh 33 pounds and individuals are known to live to at least 15 years of age. Adult black carp are bottom feeders that almost exclusively eat mollusks (mussels and snails) when available, but can eat insects, shrimp, commercial fish feeds and aquatic plants.

Powerful teeth permit the black carp to crush the thick shells of large mollusks, and one fish can consume a few pounds of mussels each day. The mouth of an adult black carp is much larger than most native mollusk-eating fish � presenting a new threat to native mussel species.

Black carp originally entered the United States in 1973 as a �contaminant� in imported shipments of grass carp or other

Chinese carp stocks. The second introduction of black carp took place in the early 1980s when it was used in fish production ponds in southeastern U.S. for biological control of a parasite, and as a potential food fish. Since that time black carp have become more commonly used and transported, particularly during the late 1990�s to control another species of snail-borne parasite at primarily catfish and hybrid striped bass farms.

The Service received a petition from the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resources Association (MICRA) to list the black carp under the injurious wildlife provision of the Lacey Act. The document outlined potential impacts of black carp on native freshwater mussels and snails in the Mississippi River basin. A second petition containing the same request was received by the Service and signed by 25 members of Congress representing the Great Lakes region. A follow-up letter indicated seven additional legislators supported the petition.

Live black carp, gametes, viable eggs and hybrids can now be imported only under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes, or without a permit by Federal agencies solely for their own use; permits will also be required for the interstate transportation of live black carp or viable eggs currently held in the United States, for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes.

A listing does not prohibit intrastate transport or possession of live fish within States, where not prohibited by the State.  Any regulation pertaining to the use of these species within States continues to be the responsibility of each State.  This injurious wildlife listing does not prohibit the importation or transport of dead black carp.

Congress recognizes Hunting and Fishing

First Ever Congressional Sportsmen�s Week Highlights the Importance of Hunting and Fishing in America 

September 26th through October 3rd, marked the first ever Congressional Sportsmen�s Week in the U.S. Congress, serving as a reminder to legislators of the vital importance of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation have on  America�s economy, environment, health, and way of life. 

The week included passing Congressional resolutions recognizing hunting and fishing and its contributions. Activities included the CSF Annual Banquet and Auction, a briefing on 

the economic impact of hunting and fishing, the signing of an MOU aimed at strengthening a longstanding partnership for the future of conservation, hunting, shooting and angling in America and a CSF briefing on the National Archery in the Schools Program.

�Congressional Sportsmen�s Week showed that the impacts of the sportsmen�s community are too great to be ignored by policymakers in Washington, DC.  My hope is that this week helped to convince more of my colleagues in the House and Senate to make sportsmen�s issues a priority,� commented Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)

No Eurasian Ruffe Captured During Fall Netting Survey

No Eurasian Ruffe were captured during a netting survey conducted in the Thunder Bay River and surrounding areas of Thunder Bay near Alpena, Michigan in late September. Small-mesh gillnets were used during the annual survey which targeted Ruffe in areas where the invasive was once found. Biologists McClain, Koproski, Ania, and Bowen participated in the survey. This is the fourth consecutive year that Ruffe have not been captured.

The Eurasian Ruffe is a perch-like invasive fish species that was first found in the Great Lakes in western Lake Superior during the 1980's. They are believed to have been accidentally transported to the Great Lakes in the ballast water of an ocean-going ship.

In 1995 Ruffe were discovered in Lake Huron in the Thunder Bay River. The abundance of Ruffe in the Thunder Bay River 

slowly increased and peaked in 1999, when they were the most abundant bottom dwelling fish captured during fall trawling surveys. Efforts were initiated to remove spawning adult Ruffe in the spring to prevent reproduction and to remove young-of-the-year Ruffe captured in the fall. Their abundance declined and they were last captured in the spring of 2003.

It is believed that Eurasian Ruffe may have become extirpated from the Thunder Bay area and Lake Huron based on survey findings from 2003 to present. We are unsure why Ruffe have disappeared from the area but believe it may be related to the subsequent invasion of the round goby, another aggressive bottom dwelling invasive, and/or our removal efforts. The possible extirpation of Ruffe is a remarkable outcome considering established invasive species generally become a part of the fish community into the future. Ruffe continue to persist in Lake Superior and in the Green Bay area of Lake Michigan.

BoatU.S. offers tips on ethanol fuel, winterizing

What You Need To Know about E-10 Ethanol Fuel and Winter Boat layup

Last year recreational boaters in most parts of the country were introduced to gasoline containing higher concentrations of ethanol, a corn-based additive that replaced a known carcinogen, MTBE. The new fuel, dubbed "E-10" for its 10% ethanol content, unfortunately has the ability to attract greater amounts of water and "phase separate," or form two separate solutions in the gas tank, usually over a long period of time. Once this happens, the engine may not run and internal damage can occur.

With the lengthy winter lay up period again upon us, many boaters and anglers are asking how they can avoid winter fuel problems. BoatUS has these recommendations, some of which were gleaned from Midwestern marina owners where E-10 has been in use for over a decade:

 ●The best practical recommendation is to continue to top off a boat's fuel tanks to about 95% full, leaving room for expansion. A tank that is almost full limits the flow of air into and out of the vent, which reduces the chance of condensation adding water to the fuel. Anglers who fish over the winter should also top off their boat's gasoline tanks between outings to prevent condensation.

Note that some mechanics mistakenly advise that leaving a tank partially filled allows you to "freshen" the old fuel by

topping off the tank in the spring. Leaving a tank partially filled with E-10 invites phase separation, which cannot be remedied

by adding fresh gasoline. Once E-10 phase separates, the water will remain at the bottom of the tank. Midwest marina owners report that phase separation typically occurs when boats were stored with tanks only one-quarter to one-half full.

 ●Draining fuel tanks of E-10 gas, while completely eliminating any chances of phase separation, is potentially dangerous and not recommended.

●Once phase separation occurs in E-10 gasoline, additives and water separators can't help. The only remedy is to have the gas and ethanol/water professionally removed from the tank.

 ●Ethanol is known to chemically react with fiberglass fuel tanks, which can cause them to deteriorate and potentially fail. This is most common with tanks built before the mid-1980s. Unless your boat's manufacturer can confirm that your tank was built to withstand ethanol, the only remedy is to not use E-10 gas (which may not be possible) or to replace the tank with a non-reactive material such as aluminum.

 ●While ethanol does attract moisture; never try to plug up a fuel tank vent to prevent moist air from entering a tank. Without room to expand, the additional pressure could rupture fuel system components.

 ●With any fuel that sits in a tank for a long time, it's important to add a stabilizer. But understand that stabilizers do not prevent phase separation.

Deer activity on the rise with fall season underway

IDOT and IDNR urge motorists to be alert

Car vs. Deer injury and property damage crashes increase in 2006, fatalities drop

SPRINGFIELD * The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources want to remind motorists that deer are more active during the fall, and as cooler weather approaches, the likelihood of vehicle crashes involving deer increases.

Fall is the busiest season for these crashes as deer seek mates and food sources. Statistics show that in 2006, there were 25,491 deer-vehicle crashes reported in Illinois up 5% from 24,248 reported the previous year.  The number of people injured in these crashes also increased slightly, from 901 in 2005 to 939 in 2006.  Only one person was killed in Illinois in 2006, due to a vehicle crash involving a deer.  That number dropped sharply from the 11 fatalities reported in 2005.

"Deer crashes occur throughout the year, but it is important to point out that deer are most active in the fall and motorists need to be alert," said IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees.  "Drivers should always buckle up and motorcyclists should wear helmets and always be aware of their surroundings."

Following standard safety practices can save lives, in the event of crashes involving deer.  A nationwide study of vehicle-animal crashes conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that 60% of people killed riding in vehicles were not wearing seat belts, and 65% of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets.

"Motorists need to be cautious every fall when deer are mating and

are most active.  Drivers need to be on the lookout for these animals on country roads, interstates and even urban streets," said Sam Flood, Acting Director of IDNR.  "Be especially cautious where deer are likely to be present, such as wooded areas, stream and creek beds, farm field edges, and parks or forest preserves."

Suggestions for motorists to avoid deer-vehicle accidents include:

●Be particularly cautious at dusk and dawn, when deer are most active

●Reduce speed and be prepared to stop on roads where deer may be present

●Deer may cross the roadway and double back across the road surface.  Make sure deer have moved away, before proceeding

●Be mindful that several others may follow a single deer near or across a road

●Keep track of locations where deer have been seen in the past, to avoid being surprised by deer crossing roads

Avoid swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road if deer are on the roadway.  Instead, slow to a stop and wait for the deer to move along

●Drivers encountering deer on the roadway should try flashing their headlights from bright to dim or honking their horn to encourage the deer to move on

●Drivers can alert other motorists to the presence of deer by tapping their brakes

If a deer-vehicle accident does occur, drivers and passengers involved should provide assistance to anyone injured.  Contact local, county or state law enforcement.  Do not attempt to remove a dead or injured deer from a busy roadway.  Illinois law requires all accidents resulting in damage of $500 or more to be reported and an accident report to be filed with police.

Law cracks down on child support violators

Law penalizes law-biding sportsmen with possible identity theft

New technology allows IDNR to identify parents who have outstanding child support payments when they apply for Illinois hunting and fishing permits. However, the law in an attempt to catch deadbeat parents is actually penalizing 98.2 % of law-abiding residents to effect a change on .078 % of the �deadbeat dads.�  The law also infringes on their right to privacy and real threats to identify theft. The Dept of Healthcare and Family Services identified nearly 6,000 parents who owe more than $60 million in child support through new point-of-sale system.

With over 761,800 fishing licenses and 255,000 hunting licenses sold annually, it doesn�t take a rocket scientist to recognize the fact that the law is punishing the greater preponderance of Illinois residents. Actually, the law comes from federal regulations authorizing states to require a social security number given when applying for either a hunting or fishing license. The law is flawed because it penalizes the greater preponderance of law-abiding citizens � well over 99%

Illinois had announced new technology could bring an

additional $60 million in unpaid child support to the state, never mind the fact that it places law-abiding sportsmen at risk with identity theft.  The point-of-sale technology administered through at the Illinois DNR allows the Illinois Department of Healthcare Family Services Division of Child Support Enforcement (HFSDCSE) to crosscheck names of child support violators with everyone who applies for a hunting or fishing license in the state.  If the applicant owes more than $1,000 in child support payments, they will not be issued a license.  When HFS and DNR matched records of delinquent parents with 2006 applicants for hunting and fishing licenses they found nearly 6,000 matches with outstanding payments of more than $60 million.

HFS is federally required to deny recreational licenses (including hunting and fishing licenses) to anyone delinquent on child support payments but in the past this has been a process heavy in paperwork. The new automation allows the two agencies to work together to identify violators immediately and bring much needed support to these families. This part of the federal law must be rewritten to avoid penalizing law-abiding sportsmen.

DNR issues annual safety reminder to hunters

Thirty reported hunting accidents last year reaffirm importance of hunter safety courses

SPRINGFIELD, IL - With the firearm hunting season just under a month away, the Illinois DNR issued its annual safety reminder to hunters and encouraged individuals who are planning to hunt to enroll in a hunting safety course.

"Enrolling in a hunter safety course and understanding proper hunting technique is essential to being successful in the field," said IDNR Acting Director Sam Flood.  "When hunters take the step to become certified, they're renewing their commitment to be responsible sportsmen, and serve as a positive role model for young hunters who are following in their footsteps."

The IDNR offers free hunting safety courses to the public.  The courses are taught by volunteer safety instructors and include instruction on hunting regulations, hunter ethics and responsibility, archery, firearms, ammunition, first aid, wildlife identification and conservation.  A minimum of 10 hours of instruction is involved.

Illinois law requires that anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 must successfully complete a hunter safety course before a regular Illinois hunting license is issued.  Those who complete the course and pass the final exam receive a

certificate of competency.  Last year, nearly 17,000 students completed the course.

"Most hunting accidents can be prevented if hunters act smart and responsibly- that includes completing a hunting safety course and having a good understanding of the hunting regulations," said Rafael Gutierrez, director, IDNR Office of Law Enforcement. "With nearly 300,000 hunters planning to be in the field this season, following these simple steps can help ensure this hunting season is a safe and enjoyable one.

n 2006, there were 30 hunting-related accidents, two being fatal.  Of those, 14 were Class A accidents involving the discharge of a hunting device.  In the 16 remaining accidents reported last year, hunters were injured by either falling out of a tree stand or climbing a tree to get into or out of a tree stand.

The 30 hunting-related accidents last year compares with 31 accidents and two fatalities reported in Illinois in 2005 and 33 accidents reported in 2004.  The IDNR issued nearly 300,000 hunting licenses last year.

For more information on hunter safety education courses and the complete schedule of IDNR safety education programs, call 1-800/832-2599 or check the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/safety/index.htm