Weekly News Archives

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Four New Invasive Species ID'd in San Francisco Bay

Four new non-native aquatic species have taken up residence in San Francisco Bay, according to a new report published by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). The 2011 Invasive Species Report includes the first records of the appearance in the San Francisco Bay of four species previously found only in other parts of the coast.

These organisms include:

� Caprella simia, a Caprellid, or "skeleton" shrimp,

� Grateloupia lanceolata, a red alga native to Japan and Korea,

� Nicolea sp. A Harris, a polychaete worm,

� Amphibalanus eburneus (ivory barnacle), a North Atlantic native

For more info: "2011 Triennial Report on The California Department Of Fish And Game�s Marine Invasive Species Program"

https://nrmsecure.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=40420

Rebel Lures Celebrates 50 Years in 2012

Fort Smith, AR � Fifty years and millions of lures ago, Fort Smith, Ark., angler George Perrin established a lure company that would lead the industry in innovation. In 1962, demand for Perrin�s Floating Minnow prompted him to create Rebel Lures and shift his company�s manufacture of plastic parts for refrigerators and air conditioners to creating some of the most dependable and popular fishing lures in history.

Several years earlier Perrin grew frustrated with the wooden minnow lures on the market. They were inconsistent, dove to different depths and ran to the left or right, and with use they took on water, which killed the action. He reasoned that he could make a better one out of plastic. He knew if he got it right, each lure would be identical, run correctly at the right depth, and most importantly, catch more fish.

After experimenting and testing the prototypes at Arkansas� Lake Ouachita, he hit on that right design and established Rebel Lures, named after the mascot of the high school his daughter attended. That lure is still available, and still catches fish. It�s the Rebel F10 Minnow.

It wasn�t long before anglers everywhere began asking for other sizes and styles�models that would sink, or run deep, topwater poppers, and later, new shapes and crankbait designs. A host of Rebel Lures are legendary�lures like the Broken Back (jointed) Minnow, the Super-R, the Pop-R, Wee-R, the Critter Series and the Rebel Crawfish crankbaits.

Rebel wasn�t limited to lure making, though. In 1970 the 

company entered the bass boat market, and furnished the boats for the very first Bassmaster Classic. Bobby Murray won that tournament, and the gentleman angler still works for the company as a seminar speaker and fishing instructor. Rebel branched out further, producing the first tackle boxes to depart from the basic metal boxes of the day. Rebel produced the first double-sided tackle box (lids and storage areas on both the top and the bottom). Designed by anglers, these boxes led the industry with adjustable storage areas, spinnerbait holders and molded areas for pork frog jars.

Even while producing boats and tackle boxes � and even trolling motors � Rebel always kept lure-making the main staple of production. Literally millions of lures were manufactured. Some remain in the line today and are joined by new lures sure to set the standard once again. One thing that is certain is that Rebel Lures has never been afraid to be the innovator in fishing tackle.

�It was nothing to make 10,000 lures a day,� said Danny Stoner, a longtime Rebel employee. �We made enough Rebel Lures in the 1980s to outfit every man, woman and child in the United States. Perrin was very innovative in production � we were the first to use pad printing and a heat-transfer process of decoration.�

Rebel continues in the tradition of innovation even today with the new Frog-R, Rebel Raider and Crappie Crank-R trolling crankbaits. With constant input from professional anglers and a dedication to providing high-quality fishing lures at a reasonable cost, Rebel Lures continues to earn the reputation as America�s Favorite Fishing Lures.

Ruger SR22 Pistol

Sturm, Ruger has introduced the new Ruger SR22 pistol, the do-it-all .22 pistol for the shooter who appreciates style and demands reliability. The SR22 is a rugged, scaled-down version of a full-sized pistol, perfect for plinking, target shooting and small game hunting. The lightweight SR22 has modern styling and is fun to shoot while using inexpensive rimfire ammunition.

"Ruger has built a solid reputation for excellence in rimfire pistols with the Mark III� and 22/45� product families, and the new SR22 will contribute positively to that reputation," said Chris Killoy, Ruger Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "This pistol is feature-packed and an incredible value - consumers won't find a similar product with everything the SR22 offers at a comparable price. It functions with all types of .22 LR ammunition; once rimfire enthusiasts pick it up, they won't want to put it down," he concluded.

The SR22 has light double-action and crisp single-action trigger pulls. Its external hammer is designed with a rounded spur for easy cocking and single-action shooting. The SR22 features a polymer frame and two interchangeable (no tools required) rubberized grips with angled serrations, allowing shooters to select either a slim or wider palm swell option. The aerospace-grade aluminum slide has serrations on both front and rear for better grip and slide manipulation. The easy-to-use underside Picatinny rail features multiple cross slots for variable

mounting of most popular accessories.

The 3-dot sight system has a fixed front sight and a rear sight that is adjustable for both windage and elevation. A reversible blade allows shooters to select two white dots or a solid black blade. Other SR22 features include a stainless steel replaceable barrel, an ambidextrous manual thumb safety/decocking lever, ambidextrous magazine release, plus a visual inspection port to determine the load status of the pistol. The SR22 includes two finger grip extension floorplates that can be added to the magazine for comfort and grip. Each SR22 is also shipped with two 10-round magazines and a soft case.

Specs include:

Slide Material: aluminum

Slide finish: Black Anodize

Grip frame: Black Polymer

Barrel: 3.50"

Weight: 17.50 oz

Sights: Adjustable 3-dot

Overall length: 6.40"

Twist: 1:16" RH

Groves: 6

Capacity: 10

About $399.00

www.Ruger.com

Firearm Sales soared through holidays

NSSF-Adjusted NICS checks Up 24.5% In December
According to the FBI, more than 1.5 million background check requests were made to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System by gun dealers in the month of December. About 500,000 of those requests came in the six days before Christmas.

According to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), December 2011 set a new record for the most background checks in a single month. The December 2011 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,410,937 is an increase of 24.5 % over the NSSF-adjusted NICS

figure of 1,133,371 in December 2010. For comparison, the unadjusted December 2011 NICS figure of 1,854,400 reflects a 22.6 % increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,512,265 in December 2010. This marks the nineteenth straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year.

Additional historical comparisons for NSSF-adjusted NICS 2011 annual figure of 10,791,275 show a 14.4 % increase over 2010, a 33.5 % increase over 2007 (5-year) and a 54.1 % increase over 2002 (10-year).

US Forest Service approves Vermont wind power facility

RUTLAND, Vt. -- The U.S. Forest Service has approved the construction of a 15-turbine wind energy facility on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont today, which will provide enough electricity to power about 13,000 homes annually.

The announcement on Tuesday, January 3 marks the culmination of an environmental analysis and record of decision for the proposal to construct and operate a commercially viable, utility-scale wind energy facility on the national forest in the towns of Searsburg, and Readsboro next to the Searsburg Wind Facility operated by Green Mountain Power Company on private land. Green Mountain Forest Supervisor Colleen Madrid decided to approve �Alternative 2� (reduced west).

�This permit will bring more jobs and renewable power to the people of Vermont,� said US Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. �The project�s selection on the White House Dashboard brought newfound efficiencies to our review process, enabling us to complete our environmental impact statement more expeditiously. We also were given a great opportunity to learn valuable lessons for future wind energy facilities on other National Forest lands around the country."

The facility will consist of 15 state-of-the-art 2.0 megawatt turbines that will stand 389 feet tall, from the ground to blade tip. The turbines are expected to produce approximately 92,506 MWh with a nameplate capacity of 30 megawatts.

The Green Mountain National Forest accepted the formal application from Deerfield Wind, LLC, owned by Iberdrola Renewables, in November 2004. For projects of this magnitude, the Forest Service is required to conduct a National Environmental Policy Act review process, which includes in-depth analysis, scientific studies, and public participation. The environmental impact statement and record of decision � which address various impacts and public concerns that have been raised -- can be viewed at: http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/fs-usda-pop.php?project=7838

The Forest Service began the NEPA process for the proposal in July 2005. A similarly required state review process conducted by the Vermont Public Service Board formally began in 2007. The board concluded its review in July 2009, with a decision to approve construction and operation of a 15-turbine configuration, subject to specific conditions. Three other alternatives were considered through the federal NEPA process including:

►The original proposal presented by the applicant, known as the Proposed Action, was to construct 17 state-of-the-art 2.0 megawatts turbines. Ten turbines would have been constructed on the west ridge and seven would have been constructed on the east ridge, adjacent to the existing Searsburg Wind Facility. The anticipated annual electricity generation for this alternative would have been approximately 99,776 MWh, with a total nameplate capacity of 34 megawatts, enough to meet the annual needs of 14,000 average homes.
 

►The other alternative, known as Alternative 3, would have built 7 turbines on the east ridge and no turbines on the west ridge. This alternative would produce approximately 41,084 MWh, with a nameplate capacity of 14 megawatts, enough to meet the annual needs of about 5,800 average homes.
 

►A �No Action� alternative, which is required by law and federal regulation.  The U.S. Forest Service is authorized to issue special use permits to individuals and businesses for certain uses and activities. The Agency intends to allow the project to proceed by issuing one special use permit to Deerfield Wind, LLC to use up to 80 acres of National Forest System land. A second special use permit will be issued to Central Vermont Public Service to facilitate the distribution of the power generated by the project over the transmission lines that it currently owns.

A public notice of availability for the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision will appear in the Federal Register in early January. A legal notice announcing the documents and decision will be published shortly after in the Rutland Herald, which is the forest�s official newspaper of record. Once the legal notice has been published, a mandatory 45-day administrative appeal period will begin.

2012 Illinois Licenses Available Jan. 16

 Illinois fishing, hunting and sportsman�s combination licenses for 2012 will be available starting Jan. 16 from DNR Direct license and permit vendors, online through the IDNR website 

www.dnr.illinois.gov/online/Pages/default.aspx or by calling 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648). The system is available 24 hours a day. The 2012 licenses purchased beginning Jan. 16 will be valid through Mar. 31, 2013 unless otherwise noted.

Youth Turkey Hunting

IDNR will offer expanded youth hunting opportunities during the 2012 Spring Wild Turkey Season through the new federally-funded Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP). Interested youth turkey hunters should download an application for an IRAP Youth Turkey Hunting permit through the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/conservation/IRAP. Hunters will need

to choose the county in which they wish to hunt and a

random drawing may be held for each county/site. Youth hunters can request up to two turkey IRAP permits for the upcoming spring season. Check the IDNR website to see which counties have IRAP youth turkey hunting available. For more information on IRAP, contact Tammy Miller at [email protected] or go to IRAP website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/conservation/IRAP.

Camping Reservations

Campsite and shelter reservations for many IDNR sites for 2012 can be made online through the ReserveAmerica website at www.reserveamerica.com using a Visa or MasterCard.   For more information, check the IDNR

website at: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/programs/camping/

camprsvp.htm

Snowmobile Reminders

Sowmobile owners are reminded that changes to the Illinois Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act approved in 2010 have taken effect.  Fees for all new snowmobile registrations, transfer renewals, and renewals are $30 (old registration application forms will be accepted as long as the new fee is remitted).  The amended Act also requires that non-residents purchase a snowmobile trail use sticker if the snowmobile is not registered in Illinois.  The fee for a

yearly snowmobile trail use sticker is $25 for a person who is not a resident of Illinois and who operates a snowmobile within Illinois if the snowmobile is not registered in Illinois.

Trail passes are available at DNR Direct license vendors throughout the state. The law also includes a mandatory liability insurance provision.  For more info:  www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/snowmobile/Pages/

Information.aspx

Late-Winter and CWD Deer County Permits

2011-2012 Late-Winter Firearm Antlerless-only Deer county permits and county permits for the CWD Deer Season are available over the counter (OTC) through DNR Direct license and permit vendors.  The final segment of the Late-Winter and CWD seasons is Jan. 13-15.  For detailed information sheets including lists of open counties and public land open sites for these seasons:

www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/Late-WinterSHAHuntingPermitInformation.pdf

Archery deer and archery fall turkey permits are also available OTC through the end of those seasons on Jan. 15.

Spring Turkey Applications

Resident and non-resident hunters may apply for 2012 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Season permits online. The link for online applications:  www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turkey/Pages/SpringTurkey

Hunting.aspx. The application deadline for the second

lottery for 2012 spring turkey permits is Jan. 11.  Youth Spring Turkey Special Hunt Area online permit applications will be accepted from Jan. 17-Feb. 20.  For more information on 2012 spring turkey hunting: www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turkey/Pages/SpringTurkey

Hunting.aspx.

Passport to Fishing Instructor Training Available

Participants encouraged to attend free workshop 

Columbus, OH -- Any adult, group, or conservation club who has a sincere interest in taking kids fishing should consider becoming a certified Passport to Fishing instructor, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. A free workshop is available on Saturday, February 4th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will take place at Wildlife District One, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus Ohio.

Passport to Fishing is a one-day instructor training program that qualifies individuals to become Division of Wildlife certified fishing instructors, similar to a hunter education instructor.

The next workshops are:

Monday, January 28

Wildlife Central Office

Building G- 1st Floor

2045 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH  43229

Monday, February 4

Wildlife Central Office

Building E � Assembly Ctr

2045 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH  43229

Tuesday, February 19

Wildlife District One

1500 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215

Passport to Fishing was developed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and adopted by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Workshops teach volunteers the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program with a fishing event. These instructors then go back to their communities, with a written curriculum and training aids, to teach youngsters and beginning anglers the basics of fishing.

By becoming a certified instructor, you will not only be able to help in reconnecting students with the outdoors, but you will also have the skills and resources to help you do it in a more successful way. Resources available include grants, equipment, brochures, and training.

To register for a workshop, cal Jennifer McCray � 1-800-Wildlife or 614-644-3925. For additional class information - Click here