Week of February 20 , 2012 |
Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues |
National |
Lake Michigan |
Lake Erie |
Lake Ontaio |
Michigan |
Ohio |
Wisconsin |
Other Breaking News Items |
or |
Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues
Bushnell Reintroduces its Popular H20 Design Bushnell Outdoor Products, has redesigned its popular H20 binocular line. After 10 successful years on the market, Bushnell has refreshed key features, making the H2O one of the best waterproof binoculars for the money.
The H2O series binoculars are O-ringed sealed and nitrogen purged, offering outdoor enthusiasts 100 percent waterproof and fog-proof performance. The durable, rubber-coated chassis has been enhanced with a new soft-texture grip that provides added reassurance in inclement weather.
In addition, BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics deliver |
maximum light transmission and bright, optimal clarity at any distance. Featuring a large center-focus knob for quick focus and twist-up eyecups that provide expanded eye relief, the Bushnell H2O is a well-rounded binocular.
Adventure tested, the H2O product line includes 24 models with designs that range from compact to full size. The H2O binocular is available in porro and roof prism models, with an MSRP that ranges from $69.95 to $173.95.
For more information about the Bushnell H2O binocular line, visit the product section online.
800-423-3537 www.bushnell.com |
Nikon Riflescope For AR Rimfire Platform � The P-22 |
turret.
Available in Winter 2012, the P-22 will retail for $179.95.
Like all Nikon riflescopes, the P-22 is optimized for use with Nikon Spot
On� Ballistic Match Technology. The Spot On program provides users with
exact aiming points on the BDC reticle for any load or ammunition at a
specified range. Spot On can be purchased for iPhone and Android or tried
out for free at
nikonhunting.com/spoton.
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National
Proposed $1.3 Billion Budget for USFWS for 2013 The United States Fish and Wildlife Service will likely receive a net total of $1.3 billion in the 2013 fiscal year. The money will help to support the Fish and Wildlife Service�s two main initiatives � cooperative species recovery and the America�s Great Outdoors program which aims to approach conservation from the perspective of local communities.
According to a FWS representative, the organization�s |
second biggest priority is cooperative species recovery, which is �an innovative new program to recover endangered species that have habitat on national wildlife refuges and their surrounding ecosystems. It will be a proposal-driven, targeted effort using all our authorities and resources from the Endangered Species, Migratory Birds, Fisheries and Science programs, together with Refuges.�
This year�s funding sees an uptick of $70 million more than fiscal year 2012, but only $42 million more than fiscal year 2011. |
Sportfishing Industry Lauds EPA Dismissal of Second Lead
Ban Petition
Alexandria, VA
� February 15, 2011 -The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) commends
the February 14, 2012,
decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPA
Administrator Lisa Jackson to reject a second sweeping petition to ban lead
in all fishing tackle. The petition, which was submitted on November 16,
2011, by the Center for Biological Diversity and two other groups, requested
that the EPA study and ultimately ban lead in fishing tackle on all U.S.
waters under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). |
�Unfortunately, this does not mean the end for these unwarranted attempts to ban lead fishing tackle,� concluded Robertson. �With anti-fishing organizations trying to stop recreational fishing using whatever means they can, legislation is necessary to protect our sport from overregulation. Legislation currently pending before Congress, the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act, will put a stop to these onerous petitions and protect these cherished pastimes.�
The Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act (S.
838/H.R.
1558) seeks to prevent a federal ban on lead in recreational fishing
tackle and ammunition and helps to ensure that any future regulations on
fishing tackle are established based on scientific fact instead of
unjustified petitions. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by the
co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen�s Caucus.
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Lake Ontario
DEC Announces �State Of Lake Ontario� Meetings Biologists to Update Status of Lake's Fisheries The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced three upcoming public meetings to discuss Lake Ontario fisheries. The annual �State of Lake Ontario� public meetings will be held in Niagara, Monroe and Oswego counties during February and March.
�DEC is committed to science-based management of Lake Ontario fisheries to maintain high-quality angling opportunities and associated economic benefits,� DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. �The State of Lake Ontario meetings provide an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in the lake to interact with the scientists who study its fisheries.�
Lake Ontario and its embayments and tributaries support thriving populations of fish, including a variety of trout and salmon, bass, walleye, yellow perch and panfish. New York�s Lake Ontario waters comprise more than 2.7 million acres. A 2007 statewide angler survey estimated more than 2.6 million angler days were spent on Lake Ontario and major tributaries. The estimated value of these fisheries exceeded $112 million to the local New York economy.
The meeting dates are as follows: Wednesday, February 22, 2012: 7 � 9:30 p.m. at the |
Oswego County BOCES, 179 County Route 64, Mexico (Oswego County). The meeting is co-hosted by the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012: 7 � 9:30 p.m. at the Ingel Auditorium, in Building 4 (Student Union) on the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus, Rochester (Monroe County). The meeting is co-hosted by RIT and the Monroe County Fishery Advisory Board.
Thursday, March 1, 2012: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport (Niagara County) The meeting is co-hosted by Niagara County Cooperative Extension and the Niagara County Sportfishery Development Board.
DEC, United States Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources biologists will make a number of presentations, including updates on the status of trout and salmon fisheries, forage fish, stocking programs, and fisheries management plans. Ample time will be provided at the end of the scheduled program for the audience to interact with the presenters. Information summaries for a host of Lake Ontario fisheries assessment programs will be posted at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html prior to the public meetings. Previous annual reports can also be found at this site.
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Lake Erie
Lake Erie Harmful Algal Blooms Workshops March 16 in Toledo, March 30 in Columbus Best practices and legal tools to combat harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie will be the focus of two workshops, on March 16 in Toledo and March 30 in Columbus, sponsored by the University of Toledo College of Law and Ohio Sea Grant. The half-day workshops are free and open to the public.
Harmful algal blooms, toxin-producing algae that form during the summer, are an increasingly severe problem in Lake Erie. Triggered primarily by excess phosphorus, they adversely impact aquatic life and human health as |
well as recreation, tourism, fishing and property values. These workshops will feature experts from law, science and government addressing ways to reduce phosphorus loading to Lake Erie and its tributaries from key Ohio sources.
The workshops will be held March 16 at the University of Toledo College of Law and March 30 at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Assembly Center. More information about the workshops is available at http://law.utoledo.edu/ligl/habs_workshops.htm. Contact [email protected] or 419-530-2851 to register.
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Lake Michigan
Researchers work on projects to restore lake Michigan
MUSKEGON, Mich. � Two Grand Valley State University researchers are working
together on a pair of projects that are designed to help restore habitat in
the area of Muskegon Lake, and assist in getting Muskegon Lake de-listed as
an Area of Concern in the Great Lakes. |
Muskegon Lake Mill Debris site, a shallow 40-acre area
The second project will involve reconnecting a 43-acre wetland site that
used to be a celery farm to the Bear Creek and Bear Lake system. The goal is
to help improve habitat for fish and wildlife. Another part of the project
will be to monitor the phosphorus concentrations that could flow into the
creek and lake from the wetland area after being reconnected. This
phosphorus helps stimulate algal blooms, so it is critical to design the
restoration to improve habitat without degrading water quality.
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Michigan
2012 Black Lake Sturgeon Season Harvest Results The 2012 Black Lake sturgeon harvest season ended on opening day Saturday, Feb. 4 with an announced harvest level of two fish being attained, according to Michigan DNR fisheries officials. The fishing season, which included spearing or hook-and-line fishing, was scheduled to run Feb. 4-8, or until the harvest of two fish had been reached.
�Water
clarity and lake ice conditions were decent on opening day, and the
weather was good,� said Tim Cwalinski, DNR fisheries biologist. �We had
197 registered anglers on the ice, a decrease from 330 the year before.
Most anglers registered at the pre-registration held on Feb. 3, which
allowed for a much more streamlined process.�
Both harvested fish were males at 53.5 inches and 59 inches long respectively. Each fish had been captured |
several times before by Michigan State University and DNR sturgeon researchers.
�The 2012 sturgeon season on Black Lake was a complete success,� said Dave Borgeson, northern Lake Huron management unit supervisor. �The cooperation among sturgeon anglers, Sturgeon For Tomorrow volunteers and DNR personnel was outstanding, and hitting our target harvest level ensures the continuation of this popular fishery into the future.�
The DNR,
after consultation with Tribal biologists, established a voluntary
shut-down for the fishery to occur when two fish were harvested during
this year�s Black Lake fishing season. The DNR, the Tribes and Sturgeon
For Tomorrow will continue to collaborate in the future to try to
optimize participation in the fishery while keeping harvest rates at
acceptable levels.
Rehabilitation of lake sturgeon in the Cheboygan River watershed is a cooperative effort involving the Department of Natural Resources, the Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow, Michigan State University and Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership. |
Learn about Michigan�s ever-changing lakes at two events featured during ANR Week Learn about Michigan�s ever-changing lakes at two events featured during ANR Week EAST LANSING, Mich. � Two conferences focusing on adapting to change in our lakes and on the shorelines will take place at this year�s Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Week at Michigan State University (MSU).
The Dynamic Great Lakes: Anticipating and Adapting to Change conference will cover topics such as exotic species introduction, water level fluctuations and climate change. Those interested in learning about some of the latest research and management efforts being developed to assess critical issues facing the Great Lakes should attend.
The conference will take place on March 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lincoln Room of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested by March 2.
To register, call 517-353-3742, or visit www.iwr.msu.edu/events/ANRWeek. For more information, contact Lois Wolfson, MSU�s Institute of Water Research and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, at [email protected], or Emily Finnell, Office of the Great Lakes, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), at [email protected].
The Shoreline and Shallows Conference: Climate Change |
and Lakeshore Landscaping will highlight current shoreline landscaping and lakeshore restoration research and case studies.
The conference will focus on softshore engineering, a method of using native plants and other natural materials to help reduce surface water runoff, stabilize eroding soils, deter geese, improve fish and wildlife habitat and revitalize the lakeshore. The educational event welcomes both the public and professionals in the field.
The conference takes place March 7 9:30 to 4 p.m. in the Lincoln Room of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. The $35 cost to attend includes lunch. Please register in advance. Walk-ins are limited, and lunch may not be available to those who do not register.
To find out more details or to register, visit www.mishorelinepartnership.org. For further information, contact John Skubinna, Michigan DEQ, at [email protected], or Wolfson at [email protected].
ANR Week, formerly Farmers� Week, is in its 97th year. MSU�s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, MSU Extension and MSU AgBioResearch sponsor the weeklong event that features a wide variety of workshops, conferences and seminars in areas such as agriculture, horticulture and natural resources. Learn more at www.anrweek.canr.msu.edu.
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DNR Reminds Anglers about Bait Restrictions Prior to Free Fishing Weekend As the 2012 Winter Free Fishing Weekend approaches, the Michigan DNR reminds anglers that the use of salmon eggs or minnows for bait is restricted in some waters as part of a continuing strategy to slow the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS).
Anglers who purchase minnows for bait should make sure they are certified as VHS-free. Certified disease-free bait is widely available and may be used anywhere for 14 days after purchase. Anglers are reminded to keep their bait receipts with them while they are using purchased bait.
The use of uncertified bait is restricted on where it can be used and can only be used for three days after purchase or collection. Uncertified bait from the VHSv Free Management Areas can be used anywhere in the state. Uncertified bait from VHSv Surveillance Areas can be only used in VHSv Surveillance or Positive Areas. Uncertified |
bait from VHSv Positive Areas can only be used in VHSv Positive Areas and are those waters where VHS has been detected and confirmed. All bait collected by anglers is considered uncertified bait. Information on what waters are in which VHSv Management Areas is in the fishing guide and online at www.michigan.gov/vhs.
VHS is a viral disease that causes fish to die from internal bleeding and has caused mortalities among a number of species of fish in Michigan waters. The disease has been found in the Michigan waters of lakes Erie, Huron and Superior and has been detected in Lake Michigan, though not in Michigan waters. It has been found in at least two inland lakes � Budd Lake in Clare County and Baseline Lake in Washtenaw County.
"There is no known treatment for VHS," said DNR Fish Production Manager Gary Whelan, who monitors fish diseases for the department. "Our best defense against it is trying to prevent its spread." |
Ohio
Ohio Licenses available March 1 COLUMBUS, OH � Ohio�s 2012-13 fishing, hunting and trapping licenses and permits will be on sale starting March 1, according to the Ohio DNR.
Licenses purchased online or at retail outlets will be printed on paper that can be folded down to credit card size, but will not be waterproof and must be protected. Licenses and permits will be printed along with additional information relevant to the license or permit purchased. Each license buyer must have a Social Security Number (SSN) recorded in the system. People who purchased licenses last year can now use their customer ID number and will not have to supply their SSN again. SSNs are required to purchase a recreational license, |
regardless of age, for the purpose of child support collection enforcement under Federal Statute 42. As a recreational license provider, the Division of Wildlife is obligated to comply with this law and cannot issue a license or permit without the SSN of the purchaser. The division will see that a proper security system is in place to protect SSNs and any databases that contain them.
The license will be valid March 1 through Feb. 28, 2013. The 2011-12 licenses will expire on Feb. 29. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at wildohio.com and at hundreds of agent outlets throughout the state. A complete list of participating license sales agents can be found at www.wildohio.com
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Open houses will be held March 3 in Columbus, OH The Ohio DNR is holding open house meetings in all five districts to discuss season dates and bag limits of game species, which will include Ohio�s most popular game animal, the white-tailed deer. The meetings will be Saturday, March 3, from 12 � 3 p.m. and are open to the public.
�Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is welcome to attend,� said Scott Zody, chief of the Division of Wildlife. �Each open house location will have a fish and wildlife biologist as well as law enforcement officers available to answer questions.�
Public input gathered at these open houses will be forwarded to the division's central office and considered during the formulation of regulations. For more information or directions to the open houses, visit the Division of Wildlife�s website at www.wildohio.com or call 800- |
WILDLIFE(945-3543).
Open House Location Information for March 3: � Central Ohio - Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, 614- 644-3925 � Northwest Ohio - Wildlife District Two Office, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, 419-424-5000 � Northeast Ohio - Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, 330-644-2293 � Southeast Ohio - Wildlife District Four Office, 360 E. State Street, Athens, 740-589-9930 � Southwest Ohio - Greene County Fish and Game Club, 1538 Union Road, Xenia, 937-372-9261 A statewide hearing on all proposed rules will be held on Thursday, March 8, at 9 a.m. at the Division of Wildlife�s District One office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. This hearing is open to the public and input is permitted. After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during the April 4 meeting. |
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Leads Nation in Trophy Whitetail Bucks The number of trophy bucks taken in Wisconsin has risen by 857 percent in 30 years, with a record-breaking 383 entries during the five years ending in 2010, according to historical records kept by the venerable Boone and Crockett Club.
That makes Wisconsin the number one state or Canadian province in North America for trophy whitetail production, muscling up from its earlier position of third. |
The records show the number of trophy white-tailed deer in North America shot up by 400 percent during the past 30 years. During the period from 1980 to 1985, North American hunters entered 617 trophy whitetails, every one of those antlers scored by a certified Boone and Crocket �measurer,� a designation that can take years to earn.
For the period 2005-2010, that number jumped to 3,090 trophy deer, dramatic evidence that North America�s whitetail deer herd has grown by leaps and bounds.
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(Click on title or URL to read full article)
Chicago No. 1 � in political sleaze
Chicago is the corruption capital of
America, and Illinois is the third most-corrupt state, according
to a new academic study on the science of sleaze,
Secret Service wants boats away from summitCraft will be cleared out of Burnham Harbor for G8 meetings at nearby McCormick Place. The lakefront and near shore, from McCormick Place to Navy Pier will be off limits to boats while the worlds� leaders meet for the conference
Congress deals major blow to wind power industryThe wind industry is predicting massive layoffs and stalled or abandoned projects after a deal to renew a tax credit for wind production failed Thursday in Washington. The move is expected to have major ramifications in states such as Illinois, where 13,892 megawatts of wind projects wait to be connected to
Tragedy unfolding in Europe - Is U.S. media
trying to ignore it?
Grand Valley researchers work on projects to
restore lake
Obama seeks $31 million for Great Lakes
dredging
Losing land to Lake Ontario
4,200 acres along Lake Huron announced as
Michigan's newest state park; features harbor
DEC announces "State of Lake Ontario" meetings
Coast Guard orders 40 boats from Marinette Marine Marinette Marine Corp. has received an $89.6 million order from the Coast Guard for 40 boats. The order was part of a multiyear contract, awarded three years ago, that could be worth up to $600 million. Thus far, the Coast Guard has ordered 166 of the 45-foot boats, used for � |
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