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Week of September 21, 2009 |
| Fishing beyond the Great Lakes |
| Misc New Products |
| Memorable quote: |
| National |
| General |
| Hunting/Shooting Issuse |
| Indiana |
| New York |
| Wisconsin |
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Beyond the Great Lakes
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IGFA receives
more info on pending World record bass |
current record held for over 77 years by George Perry long considered the "Holy Grail" of bass fishing - caught on Georgia�s Montgomery Lake, June 2, 1932, near Jacksonville, Georgia.
Kurita was using a blue gill as live bait trolling through a canal. A decision by the IGFA of whether Kurita�s fish will tie Perry�s record may take up to a month.
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Misc New Products
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Patent Pending �� Wave Technology� creating a lot of BUZZ on the ice! Specially engineered HEXI FLY� is truly the first �sonar-friendly� fly that �Bugs �Em to Bite!�
Bemidji, MN �
Zzzt, PING! Fish on! Fishermen beware! The
Unlike other small ice lures whose flasher signal fades and weakens with depth and amidst vegetation, the HEXI FLY� uses exclusive patent pending �� Wave Technology,� engineered to pick up twice the sonar signal of similar sized bugs. This flat horizontally balanced SlabTorso� design works like an antenna to receive sonar waves and bounce them back. The bug shaped head and flat belly design allow the bug to fly, dart, and scoot when jigged or dropped on the free-fall like a live water bug, flea, or fly. This deadly combination, along with Northland�s exclusive BugBait-Image� patterns, has truly created the �total package� proven |
to increase fishing success by a staggering 4-to-1 ratio!
�When your jig returns a consistently solid flasher signal, you stay intimately connected to what�s happening below,� expresses TEAM NORTHLAND� Brand Manager and ice pro, John Crane. �I can easily track my HEXI FLY� at any depth, even in dense weeds. That�s huge! This lets me dial down my flasher�s gain, which yields enhanced target separation for clearly discerning bottom hugging fish, as well as fish that nose up close to my bait. It also means improved IR button performance, so your buddies can fish closer together on the ice, because there�s less signal interference. It�s hard to believe this is due to one perfectly designed jig, but I�m not about to argue with the engineers. Besides, this thing�s a fish catching machine for crappie, perch, �gills, walleye and all fish that eat!�
The HEXI FLY� is molded around a premium Mustad� Ultra-Point� fine wire hook, and available in four sizes ranging from the small #12 size for �gills, to the #10, #8 and #6 sizes for perch, crappies, trout and walleye. Seven innovative �holographic� BugBait-Image� insect colors patterns �match-the-hatch�, and reflect light to lure fish from wide radius. The hot new HEXI-FLY � . . . it bounces back twice the sonar signal for four times the catch rate! It bugs �em to bite and fools �em! Zzzt, PING! FISH ON!
For more info, a 2010 catalog, contact Northland Fishing Tackle Inc, 218-751-6723 or [email protected], www.northlandtackle.com. |
National
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Massive Global Warming Tax Revealed in Treasury Dept Documents Made Public by CEI Cap-and-Trade = Mega-Billion Tax, No Matter How It's Sliced Washington, D.C., September 17, 2009-- Internal Treasury Department documents released this week confirm the Obama administration�s expectations for a nationwide global warming �cap and trade� plan. The documents were obtained by CEI Senior Fellow Christopher Horner through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Internally, Treasury indicates it expects that the sort of plan that the president is calling for � a plan that either immediately auctions off carbon dioxide emission permits or sells nearly all after a few years of giving industry most of its permits for |
free � would bring from $100-200 billion per year in revenue for the government.
That is money taken either directly from household and business energy consumers, according to the Congressional Budget Office when it was headed by Obama's budget director, Peter Orszag. (See Orszag statement.) Those billions translate into between one and two thousand dollars per year for the average household.
To read the whole article click on Massive Global Warming Tax Revealed in Treasury Dept Documents Made Public by CEI |
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3 Reasons for Americans to Respect Hunters, Anglers SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 26, 2009. Congress formalized the annual celebration 37 years ago but organizers say hunters and anglers deserve America's respect now more than ever. "Recent-year surveys show nearly 8 in 10 Americans approve of hunting and more than 9 in 10 approve of fishing. That's strong support. But, when viewed in the context of a recession and other modern headlines, our sporting traditions look even better today," said Denise Wagner of Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo., the official home of NHF Day. She added, "On NHF Day, I hope people will pause to reflect on hunter and angler contributions to society. And for those of us who've long understood and enjoyed these passions, share the pride by introducing someone new to hunting, fishing or shooting." Here are three reasons for the American public to value hunting and fishing today:
Economic Impact No bailouts needed here. Hunting and angling together are an economic force worth $76 billion a year. In 2010, America's economic stimulus package will generate its highest level of federal spending at $236 billion�but hunters and anglers will spend almost a third of that amount all by themselves. A Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation report shows if hunters and anglers were a nation, their Gross Domestic Product would rank 57 out of 181 countries. About 1.6 million jobs depend on hunters and anglers. Gas stations, stores, restaurants, hotels and other businesses benefit, especially in rural America. And these recreations are comparatively recession proof. In the first half of 2009, hunting and fishing license sales actually gained 7.6 and 5.4 percent, respectively, over 2008, say the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.
Wildlife Management |
Rabies, crop damages, nuisances. Hunting helps control these wildlife issues and many others�none more dramatic than highway accidents involving deer. White-tailed deer once were on the verge of extinction but rebounded behind historic conservation efforts. Today, deer numbers are skyrocketing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates 1.5 million deer collisions occur each year. Over 200 people are killed annually. According to a Western Transportation Institute calculation that includes costs of emergency response, injuries to driver and passengers, damages to vehicle and more, the 2009 average cost of hitting a deer is $6,600. Total public cost: $9.9 billion a year. Now consider that, nationwide, for every deer hit by a motorist, hunters take six. Imagine the human casualties and costs if hunting ended.
Conservation Funding What f Congress announced a tax increase to cover $2 billion in annual expenses for conservation programs? Don't worry. Hunters and anglers are already paying that tab. For the privilege of consuming surplus, renewable game and fish resources, hunters and anglers purchase licenses. They also pay special excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, bows, arrows, rods and reels. Combined, these fees generate $100,000 every 30 minutes, more than $1.75 billion per year, for wildlife, fisheries and habitat programs. Hunters and anglers also contribute another $300 million a year to nonprofit organizations that extend conservation benefits even further. Results have brought many species�turkey, elk pronghorn, Canada goose, wood duck and others�and their habitats from vanishing to flourishing. These efforts enabled restoration of other species such as wolves. America's living landscape is a precious asset for all citizens who enjoy wildlife and wild places.
Country music star Luke Bryan is serving as honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day 2009. |
Regional
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USGS Great Lakes Diet Study update
Late last month
we processed our 1000th predator stomach. We have many more still to
process, but Ed and I wanted you to know that the data you are collecting
for us are not sitting in a freezer. One thousand stomachs sounds like a
lot, but don't think for a minute that we have more than we need. Lake Huron
is one of the largest lakes in the world, and we are trying to cover May
through October from Detour to Port Huron, plus Saginaw Bay. And not every
stomach contained prey. We expected this, and that is why we need large
numbers of stomachs to characterize seasonal and regional diets. |
ones we get from that place at that time. This study has succeeded our greatest expectation; all we need to ice the cake is to sustain this effort for another few weeks.
What's next? Well, we want to analyze the data this fall so that results are
ready to present at the winter agency meetings and spring workshops. |
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Captain's License Course in Chicago Area, Oct 16 Interested in becoming a US Coast Guard licensed Charter Captain? A Captain�s License Course is being offered in Chicago, IL - Starting on October 16, 2009. The 8-day OUPV (6-Pak) Course & Test, starts at noon 8:00 am daily, $799 per |
person.
Call Toll Free: 866-249-2135, www.wegivethetest.com e-mail: [email protected] |
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Student applications being accepted for the 2009 Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award Up to 25 outstanding students majoring in fisheries or wildlife management will be selected, formally recognized for their achievements, and invited to attend an exclusive breakfast held during the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Springfield, Illinois on December 7, 2009. The application deadline is October 30. Please see the attached announcement for detailed information.
This award is made possible through collaborative efforts of |
the North Central Division and Illinois and Michigan chapters of the American Fisheries Society; the North Central Section and Illinois and Michigan chapters of The Wildlife Society; and the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Steering Committee.
Jessica Mistak, Senior Fisheries Biologist DNR Marquette Fisheries Station, 906-249-1611 ext. 308, [email protected]
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The fall salmon run is here, but anglers need to check their bait before heading to the river Each year the Cheboygan River fills with salmon making their way from the Great Lakes to their spawning grounds, and each year anglers crowd the river banks in hopes of landing one of these trophies. To ensure and enjoyable experience, anglers need to be sure the bait they use is legal for the portion of river they fish.
�Generally speaking, if you don�t take any spawn out of the watershed it came from and you fish below the first upstream barrier from the lake, you are fine,� said DNR Fisheries Biologist Gary Whelan. �But remember, you can�t use that roe upstream from the first dam.�
Whelan added, the only way anglers can be sure their bait is |
approved for use in all state waters is to buy certified Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia-disinfected spawn. This is the second year these bait regulations have been in place. After a smooth fall run last year, DNR officials aren�t expecting anything different this fall.
The regulations were implemented to help stop the spread of VHS, a fish disease that causes internal bleeding, has killed several species of fish in Michigan.
The disease has been found in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie and Lake Huron. VHS has been found in Lake Michigan, but not in the Michigan waters. It has not been found in Lake Superior. �There is no known treatment for VHS,� Whelan said. �Our best defense against it is trying to prevent its spread.� |
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Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for Sept. 18, 2009 Weather Conditions This week the Great Lakes basin experienced dry conditions, mostly sunny skies, and seasonable temperatures. Similar conditions are expected through Sunday. The next chance for measureable precipitation will arrive late Sunday and into Monday. Cooler than average temperatures are also expected and should persist into the middle of next week. Lake Level Conditions Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, and Erie are 2, 7, 2 and 4 inches, respectively, higher than their levels of a year ago. Lake Ontario is 1 inch below its level of year ago. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are expected to decline 1, 2, 6, 4 and 6 inches, respectively, over the next 30 days. Over the next several months, Lake Superior is predicted to be near its level of a year ago. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, and Erie are forecasted to remain at or above last years levels over the same time period. Lake Ontario is forecasted to be near or below its levels of a year ago over the next six months. Current Outflows/Channel Conditions In August, the outflow from Lake Superior through the St. Mary's River and the outflow from Lake Michigan-Huron through the St. Clair River were below average. The Detroit |
River carried near average flows during August. The flow in the Niagara River and the outflow from Lake Ontario through the St. Lawrence River were above average in August. 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.
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General
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Power Plants Don't Have to Suck (Literally) The Huffington Post For decades, electric power plants have quietly preyed on America's waterways and devoured our fisheries, but their actions have largely escaped government accountability. Now - after years of successful litigation brought by environmental groups - the federal Environmental Protection Agency and many states like California have the opportunity to do something meaningful to prevent this senseless slaughter.
Experts have long known that cooling water intake structures operated by the electric utility industry are "the single largest predators of our Nation's waters." Collectively, the power industry sucks in approximately 80 trillion gallons of water annually to cool their equipment - a number so staggering it is equivalent to four times the amount of water in all of the Chesapeake Bay.
In the process of using this water for cooling, power plants kill on a massive scale fish, larvae and other aquatic organisms - and often do so in sensitive or important spawning areas. These organisms are mangled on grates or superheated inside the power plants. And while a fisher might pay $40 or more a year for a local fishing license that limits with exacting specificity what kind and how much of a species he or she can catch, the power industry has an unbridled license-to-kill unlike anything seen in a summer action movie.
In New Jersey, the Salem Nuclear Plant - the nation's largest user of cooling water - withdraws more than 3 billion gallons of water per day from Delaware Bay, killing an estimated 845 million fish a year.
Combined, the 19 California plants using antiquated, once-through cooling technology are allowed to suck in 16 billion gallons of sea water every day and kill an estimated 79 billion fish, larvae and other marine life - including two dozen sea lions and a dozen seals - annually.
The Bay Shore power plant in Ohio kills 46 million Lake Erie fish and sucks in another 2 billion larvae a year. This killing surpasses many types of commercial and recreational fishing in some areas, and is completely unnecessary. Widely available and affordable technologies reuse and recycle cooling water, preventing fish kills almost entirely.
Most new power plants use closed-cycle cooling, which recirculates water and can reduce fish mortality by 95% or more. Even better, dry cooling technology is currently used at dozens of power plants in the U.S. and hundreds worldwide. According to the environmental group Riverkeeper, which for |
years has led the environmental effort to modernize the nation's power plants, for every 10,000 fish killed by a once-through cooling plant, about 9,996 can be saved by dry cooling.
The costs can also be reasonably borne by industry. In Massachusetts, for example, the Brayton Point power plant, which provides approximately 6% of New England's electricity and fought improvements for years, is currently upgrading its plant at the modest expense to ratepayers of 6 to 18 cents a month. This revelation prompted one EPA official to note that the cost of compliance when added to other upgrades at the plant was less than the price of the postage stamp needed to mail the monthly electric bill.
But nearly 40 years after Congress first sought to solve this problem, the power industry continues its massive ecological destruction. Nationally, hundreds of outdated once-through cooling power plants remain on both fresh waterways and along our coasts.
It is time for EPA and the states to act and to do so definitively.
The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year set the stage for new rules from EPA on the issue, and those rules should be forthcoming during President Obama's tenure. Ahead of these new rules, California stands poised to be a leader on this issue like it has on so many other environmental initiatives. A recent proposal by the California State Water Resources Control Board to phase out once-through cooling has a chance to end this pointless destruction along the state's entire coast. But while the intentions of the proposal are laudable and should be supported, the current draft still suffers from loopholes big enough to swallow a whale.
California should seize this opportunity and set a strong example by making clear the need to upgrade all power plants to the best technology available. No more excuses. No more delay. The federal government then should follow that lead and require modern technologies such as closed-cycle and dry cooling that drastically reduce the impact on our waterways.
If our current national situation has taught us anything it is that we can no longer take the seemingly endless wealth of this great country for granted. Our national assets include the bounty of our fisheries, and EPA and the states need to put a stop to this appalling and illegal waste. www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-fleischli/power-plants-dont-have-to_b_284611.html |
Memorable quote:
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All eyes are on the media. We are judging them by the |
standard they taught us during Watergate: "The cover-up is worse than the crime." |
Hunting/Shooting Issues
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PA Hunters Await Fall Archery Deer Season HARRISBURG � With Pennsylvania�s fall archery deer seasons set to open, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe reminded those participating in the season that they may choose to use a crossbow during all archery deer seasons, as well as the archery bear season.
�As it stands for the 2009-10 seasons, information contained in the 2009-10 Digest regarding the legal use crossbows is correct,� said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. �Crossbows may be used by hunters participating in the archery deer seasons, Oct. 3-Nov. 14, and Dec. 26-Jan. 9, and the archery bear season, Nov. 18-19.
Crossbows must have a minimum drawn weight of at least 125 pounds, and a bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inches with at least two cutting edges on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and shall not exceed three inches in length.
Hunters participating in the October muzzleloader antlerless deer season or late flintlock muzzleloader season are not permitted to use the crossbow in place of their muzzleloader, but hunters participating in the overlapping archery deer seasons may use a crossbow. |
Roe noted that a sunset date for this expanded crossbow use requires a future Board of Game Commissioners to vote on the regulation before June 30, 2012.
�There are some who believe that the full inclusion of crossbows in archery seasons may cause an increase in deer harvests, while others � including our biologists � believe that we can regulate harvests through the antlerless license allocation process,� Roe said. �Regardless of which camp a person is in, all will know that the Game Commission staff and Board of Game Commissioners will revisit this new opportunity each year when considering seasons and bag limits and deer harvest estimates.
�And, the sunset requirement will mandate whoever is on the Board in 2012 to take another vote on the issue with at least three year�s worth of data on which to base the decision.�
Roe noted that the start of our archery deer seasons also represents the beginning of relief for some landowners who are sustaining crop and property damage from deer. This is especially true for people who live in Pennsylvania�s developed areas around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where deer populations remain exceedingly high.
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PA Game Commission Offers Online Treestand Safety Course A treestand use is a popular part of archery deer seasons, as well as other deer seasons, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is offering hunters the opportunity to take a free, voluntary online treestand safety course.
To take the course, go to the agency�s website www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on �Education� in the left-hand column of the homepage, then click on �Treestand Safety Course� in the �Education� box in the upper right-hand corner of the page. �Treestand safety has evolved over the years as new research and statistics become available,� said Keith Snyder, Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Education Division chief. �What were once considered to be 'safe' treestand safety practices 10 years ago are simply not considered 'safe' today.
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Stay away! - Avoid permanent stands; they weaken with age, damage trees and are eyesores. Smart choice! - Used stands certified by the Treestand Manufacturers Association (TMA). They are commercially designed and tested to meet high standards. Read the directions! - Read and follow manufacture's guidelines. Practice with stands before hunting. Look carefully! - Inspect all stands and climbing equipment before each use. Choose wisely! - Select only suitable trees. Avoid dead trees or those with loose bark. Buckle up! - Use a fall-restraint device, preferably a full-body harness, any time your feet leave the ground. This includes climbing up and down the tree. Choose a harness that will keep you upright and will not restrict your breathing. Keep it short! - Make sure there is no slack in the fall-restraint tether when you are in a sitting position. Hold on tight! - Maintain three points of contact � at least two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot � with the climbing system, ladder or tree at all times while climbing. And remember to use a fall restraint system, preferably a full-body harness, anytime your feet leave the ground. Climb safely! - Use a haul line to pull up gear. If hunting with a firearm, make sure it is unloaded and the muzzle is covered! Never attach the line near the trigger or trigger guard. Ask a friend! - Use 3 persons to set-up any ladder-type treestand. Hunt with a plan! - In the event of a fall, be prepared to help yourself. Have someone contact authorities if you don't return at an established time. |
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PA Game Commission Offers Advice to Hunters Headed Out Of State Important changes made to Pennsylvania�s parts ban HARRISBURG � With thousands of Pennsylvania hunters heading off to hunt big game in other states and Canadian provinces, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe reminds hunters that, in an effort to prevent the introduction of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) into the Commonwealth, the agency prohibits hunters from importing specific carcass parts from members of the deer family � including mule deer, elk and moose � from 14 states and two Canadian provinces.
Roe noted that this importation ban is a revised executive order signed into effect in May, and affects hunters heading to: Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York (only from CWD containment area), Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia (only from Hampshire County), Wisconsin and Wyoming; as well as the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Roe emphasized that the new executive order prohibits hunters from bringing back the tissue described below from any cervid from these states or provinces, whether the animal was taken from the wild or from a captive, high-fence operation.
The specific carcass parts, where the CWD prions (the causative agent) concentrates in cervids, that cannot be brought back to Pennsylvania by hunters are: the head (including brain, tonsils, eyes and lymph nodes); spinal cord/backbone; spleen; skull plate with attached antlers, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; cape, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; upper canine teeth, if root structure or other soft tissue is present; any object or article containing visible brain or spinal cord tissue; unfinished taxidermy mounts; and brain-tanned hides.
Roe noted that the prohibition does not limit the importation of: meat, without the backbone; cleaned skull plate with |
attached antlers, if no visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; tanned hide or raw hide with no visible brain or spinal cord tissue present; cape, if no visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; upper canine teeth, if no root structure or other soft tissue is present; and finished taxidermy mounts.
Pennsylvania hunters heading to a state with a history of CWD should become familiar with that state�s wildlife regulations and guidelines for the transportation of harvested game animals. Wildlife officials have suggested hunters in areas where CWD is known to exist follow these recommendations to prevent the possible spread of the disease: - Do not shoot, handle or consume any animal that appears sick; contact the state wildlife agency if you see or harvest an animal that appears sick. - Wear rubber or latex gloves when field-dressing carcasses. - Bone out the meat from your animal. - Minimize the handling of brain and spinal tissues. - Wash hands and instruments thoroughly after field-dressing is completed. - Request that your animal is processed individually, without meat from other animals being added to meat from your animal, or process your own meat if you have the tools and ability to do so. - Have your animal processed in the endemic area of the state where it was harvested, so that high-risk body parts can be properly disposed of there. Only bring permitted materials back to Pennsylvania. - Don�t consume the brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, tonsils or lymph nodes of harvested animals. (Normal field-dressing, coupled with boning out a carcass, will remove most, if not all, of these body parts. Cutting away all fatty tissue will help remove remaining lymph nodes.) - Consider not consuming the meat from any animal that tests positive for the disease.
Websites for all 50 state wildlife agencies can be accessed via the Game Commission�s website www.pgc.state.pa.us. Click on the �Related Links� section at the bottom of the homepage, then select �Wildlife Agencies,� and then choose the state of interest from the map. |
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Streamlight Introduces Pink Nano Light Streamlight to donate $1 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for Each Pink Nano Light Sold Eagleville, PA, September 17, 2009 � Streamlight Inc. a leading provider of high-performance flashlights, announced it has introduced the pink key-chain Nano Light, designed to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Streamlight will donate $1 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for each pink Nano Light sold.
�Breast cancer claims tens of thousands of lives each year just in the United States,� said Streamlight President Brad Penney. �We are committed to supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in its mission to find a cure for breast cancer.�
Penney noted the American Cancer Society reported estimates that more than 192,000 women will contract breast cancer this year and that 40,170 will die as a result.
The pink Nano Light measures 1.47" in length and boasts a white LED that delivers 10 lumens with a 100,000-hour lifetime. The light�s parabolic LED area optimizes beam |
performance. The light is made with machined aircraft aluminum. It runs up to eight hours, powered by four IEC-LR41 coin cells. It features a rotating on/off head switch.
The pink Nano Light has a non-rotating snap hook for easy one-handed operation and a double-sided Fob that features the Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon on one side and the Streamlight logo on the other side.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, founded in 1993, is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and genetic research as well as increasing public awareness about good breast health. A minimum of 86% of all funds raised goes to breast cancer research grants and awareness programs.
Headquartered in Eagleville, PA, Streamlight, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-performance lighting equipment for professional automotive, fire fighting, law enforcement, military, industrial and outdoor applications. Streamlight is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company. For additional information, please call (800) 523-7488 or visit www.streamlight.com. |
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Las Vegas' shooting park dedicated Nevada�s $60 million Clark County Shooting Park in northwest Las Vegas was recently dedicated on August 25, 2009. The park is located at 11357 N. Decatur Blvd., about five miles north of the 215 Beltway. The $61 million facility, paid for by money made available by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, sits on 2,900 acres of land that is devoted entirely to the shooting sports. The park was created by an Act of Congress that transferred land to Clark County from the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The first phase of the 148-acre public shooting facility will be opening to the general public over the next few months, and will include a Shotgun Center, a Public Rifle/Pistol Center, Hunter Education Center, and an Archery Center.
The facility features: ►24 combination trap and skeet fields with a pro shop and cafeteria; ►An archery range and building with a 30-seat classroom and restrooms; |
►A public rifle and pistol range with a pro shop and convenience store; ►A hunter education center with a 90-seat classroom ►Archery, rifle, pistol and shotgun ranges and a simulated hunting course; and A shotgun center with 80 spaces for recreational vehicles that will house safety officers on-site
The park also features night lighting, a 100-meter archery range with 10 positions, a 100-yard range with positions and a 50-yard range with 20 positions. The center contains a shotgun range and two walking field courses. Meanwhile, the Archery Center houses a known-distance archery range, covered firing points, classroom area, restrooms and shade ramadas.
�When the idea was hatched to build the largest shooting park in the nation, we also wanted to have a hunter education center as part of the shooting park,� said Ken Mayer, Nevada Department of Wildlife Director. |
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Marlin Offers Limited Deluxe Lever-Action Rifles Orders Taken through September 30th North Haven, CT � Marlin Firearms is pleased to announce the production of two Deluxe lever-action rifles based on the popular 1894 and 336 models, available for a limited time through select Marlin dealers.
These Deluxe rifles feature Number 1 Grade American Black Walnut stocks and fore-ends that have 30 to 50 % figure on each side; polished deep blue metal finish; and are packaged in a padded, molded case with a decorative color sleeve depicting a fall hunting scene. Hand-assembled and tuned by one of our senior craftsmen, these limited production Model 1894 and 336 rifles have unique serial numbers and a certificate of authenticity accompanies each rifle.
The Marlin 1894 has been favored by generations of American hunters for its infallible reliability and accuracy. This elegant rifle in 44 Magnum features a 20" barrel with Ballard-type rifling, a straight grip stock with cut checkering and a rubber recoil pad. Sights include an adjustable semi-buckhorn folding rear and a ramp front sight with brass bead and Wide-Scan� hood. The solid-top receiver is tapped for a scope mount, and the rifle comes complete with an offset hammer spur for scope use.
Marlin�s 336 rifle, known for its rugged styling, pinpoint |
accuracy, and incredible dependability, features a pistol grip stock with classic cut checkering, a hammer block safety and a flat, solid-top receiver which is drilled and tapped for mounting optics. Chambered in 30/30 Win, the 336 features a 20� barrel with a semi-buckhorn folding rear sight and ramp front sight with a brass bead and Wide-Scan hood.
Deluxe Lever-Action Rifle Features: ►Model 1894 in 44 Remington Magnum ►Model 336 in 30/30 Winchester ►Number 1 Grade Full Fancy American Black Walnut Stock and Fore-end ►30 to 50 Percent Figure on Both Sides ►Polished Deep Blue Metal Finish ►Certificate of Authenticity ►Unique Serial Number Range ►Padded Doskocil Case with Decorative Sleeve
Marlin 1894 and 336 Deluxe lever-action rifles can be ordered through direct Marlin Firearms dealers and Marlin Custom Shop dealers until September 30, 2009. After that date, availability of these special rifles will be limited to inventory on hand at participating dealers. For more info and a list of dealers: www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/deluxe_models.asp .
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Scent Control, Stealth and Versatility Highlight Rocky's Tri-Season Apparel NELSONVILLE, OH -Stealthily quiet from fall to spring, Rocky's Tri-Season apparel is a great investment for the passionate, multi-season outdoorsman.
The soft, SilentHunter micro-suede fabric allows for complete silence in the woods while accelerating moisture away from skin, keeping the wearer warm and dry. Tri-Season apparel takes its styling cue from extreme sports, providing versatility and extensive range-of-motion while remaining comfortable and durable.
The Tri-Season line carries Rocky's ScentIQ Atomic technology, which eliminates odor-causing bacteria and keeps hunters concealed while in the woods. Best of all, this |
feature comes with the benefit of no special detergent, sprays, or other care required.
"Tri-Season apparel is a great key investment for all outdoorsmen because of its extreme adaptability," said Sam Coalson, Rocky's outdoor marketing manager. "This gear can be worn alone or as layers depending on the weather. It doesn't need any special laundering to protect the ScentIQ� technology, and it has numerous styling features that were made with the hunter-on-the-move in mind."
A full line of shirts, jackets, pants, headwear and gloves are available ranging in price from $9.99 to $89.99. Featured camo patterns include Mossy Oak Treestand, Brush, and Break-Up. |
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Wingmaster HD Ammunition is now at a Lower Price Remington Wingmaster HD has set the industry standard for waterfowl, turkey and predator hunting ammunition since its |
introduction. Hunters seeking the ultimate in performance from their shotshell ammunition have one more reason to choose it - a new lower price. Find a Retailer |
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Winchester branded gear-now available online! Winchester Ammunition recently launched its new and improved online store at www.winchestergear.com, exclusively providing customers with the latest Winchester branded gear and seasonal products. Now, Winchester enthusiasts will be able to find apparel for men, women and youth, select hunting accessories and gift items like classic Winchester memorabilia.
"People all over the world have a strong affinity and high awareness of the legendary Winchester brand; and the online store is an excellent opportunity for us to get more quality Winchester items in the hands of our loyal customers," said |
Brett Flaugher VP of Sales and Marketing for Winchester Ammunition.
In addition, Winchester is also offering a special fall waterfowl promotion by providing customers with a $25 Winchester Gear Card when they purchase 10 boxes of Winchester Super-X, Supreme, or Supreme Elite waterfowl loads. Customers can mix and match the ammunition lines to equal 10 boxes for the special offer.
For more information about the Winchester Ammunition online store, the 2009 waterfowl promotion and its complete line of products visit www.winchester.com. |
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Winchester Ballistics Calculator Live On Winchester.Com The new Winchester Ammunition Ballistics Calculator is the most innovative program on the market, using cutting-edge technology to offer ballistics information for shooters and hunters. The Winchester Ballistics Calculator allows users to choose their type of ammunition and compare up to five |
different Winchester products with easy-to-read, high-tech ballistic charts and graphs. You can customize shooting conditions by entering wind speed and outside temperature, adjust zero marks for sighting in-then print the ballistics for later reference on the range or in the field. The calculator is now live at www.winchester.com/ballistics. |
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Remington � Bushmaster Rifle Team Shoots Down Old Adage Team Claims Trophy after Providing Free Rifle Clinic Madison, NC � It was once said that �He who can, does, He who cannot, teaches.� This is apparently not true of the Remington � Bushmaster Rifle Team members who hosted the Advanced Adult High Power Rifle Clinic during the recent 2009 National Matches held at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio. The team clinic instructors then joined their teammates to win their category in the National Trophy Rifle Match.
During the rifle clinic, thirty-one participants enjoyed time on the range as well as classroom instruction on topics such as shooting positions; zeroing; aiming and trigger control; effects of weather/wind reading; proper range etiquette; and care and maintenance of rifles. At the conclusion of the clinic, the team |
instructors presented each student with a certificate of completion and empowered the participants with seasoned knowledge and proper skills they can pass on to their local clubs and fellow shooters.
About the Remington � Bushmaster Rifle Team Instructors � Amanda Elsenboss is one of the top junior shooters in the country and has a string of National Junior titles. � Ken Roxburgh, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant, has instructed military and civilian high power shooters for more than three decades. Roxburgh is a firing member, team coach and team captain. � Lance Hopper is a 20-year U.S. Army Marksmanship veteran and National Service Rifle champion. � Matt LaBonte is a former U.S. Marine Corps Service Rifle champion and armorer. |
Indiana
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Become an archer at Hoosier Outdoor Experience Sept. 26�27 Hit the bulls eye by participating in the Hoosier Outdoor Experience Archery is for more than hunting. In fact, archery is an Olympic sport that is practiced and enjoyed across the world. Many archers hunt; many others never shoot anything but targets.
Volunteers from the Indiana Bowhunter Association, as well as DNR employees, will teach participants the basics of field archery at the Hoosier Outdoor Experience. Participants will have the opportunity to shoot a compound bow under the guidance of an experienced archer.
"The Indiana Bowhunter Association is extremely excited to be part of the Hoosier Outdoor Experience. New shooters secure the future of our sport, and this event will allow us to reach a large audience of potential archers," said Tim Labbe, president of the IBA.
Many hunters enjoy pursuing game with archery equipment over hunting with firearms.
�Hunting with archery equipment is about honing skill and |
challenging yourself. It makes the reward that much sweeter,� said Mark Reiter, DNR public lands program manager and an avid bow hunter.
The Hoosier Outdoor Experience is a family-friendly event that is the first of its kind in Indiana. Unlike traditional trade shows, visitors will be able to enjoy hands-on experiences in a wide range of outdoor activities, such as fly fishing, target shooting, archery, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, camping and much more.
The Hoosier Outdoor Experience is presented by the Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, with sponsorship support from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust; Ball Brothers Foundation; WXIN-Fox 59, Indianapolis; and numerous other sponsors.
Parking, admission, activities, demonstrations and seminars are free to the public, but online registration is required. To register, go to hoosieroutdoorexperience.IN.gov and click on the yellow registration icon. Event updates can be found at hoosieroutdoorexperience.IN.gov |
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Reiter to lead DNR Fish & Wildlife division Mark Reiter, who spent most of the last 32 years in various jobs with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, has been named director of the agency�s Division of Fish and |
Wildlife. He succeeds previous division director Glen Salmon, who took a position with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in June. |
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Invasive plant battle appears won at one lake The invasive Brazilian elodea, a plant commonly used in home aquariums, appears to have been eradicated from Griffy Lake, a 109-acre impoundment near Bloomington, after a multi-year battle waged by the Department of Natural Resources, pointing to chance for success elsewhere in the state.
"The last Brazilian elodea observed at the lake was at the beginning of the 2007 treatment season," said Doug Keller, aquatic invasive species coordinator with DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife. "We've performed extensive searches on numerous occasions each year since the plant was last seen, and we have not been able to locate any sign of it again. "With all the work and money put into this project to eradicate an invasive plant species new to Indiana, it is exciting to be able to claim a victory."
The suspected source of Brazilian elodea establishment in Griffy Lake was an aquarium dump likely done in the early 2000s. Cost of the project was approximately $150,000 ($1,400 per acre), including herbicide and its application, and intensive monitoring and surveys.
The DNR applied whole-lake herbicide treatments in 2006 and 2007, an aggressive plan that initially depressed the entire plant community of the lake, and that some feared might cause permanent damage to both native plant life and the fishery. Signs are that plant and fish communities are now as healthy as before the invasive plant's proliferation.
"Fortunately there is a native plant seed bank in the sediment that was just waiting to explode once the controls ceased," Keller said. "Prior to the eradication project there were typically six to seven native aquatic plant species in the lake. In the three plant surveys performed this year there were six and seven plant species again observed and they were well spread through the available habitat."
Water clarity has also improved dramatically, from 8 feet of |
visibility before the eradication to 13 feet this year. Reducing aquatic vegetation, often using herbicides, is a fisheries management tool commonly employed to improve growth of panfish as a result of increased predation by bass. Dave Kittaka, DNR fisheries biologist, recently surveyed the fish community at the lake and found positive signs.
"Bluegill and redear sunfish growth and size structure increased dramatically compared to an earlier survey performed in 2004," Kittaka said. "The likely reason for the improvement was the reduction in vegetation coverage in 2006 and 2007."
The DNR will do occasional monitoring of Griffy to detect if the plant returns or other undesirable species are introduced and continue the fight elsewhere, as needed, both with treatment and education. DNR has also eliminated Brazilian elodea from a number of smaller bodies of water, mostly in Southern Indiana, where the plant was introduced before DNR implemented regulations banning outdoor use of the plant.
"There remain a few bodies of water with Brazilian elodea we have yet to tackle but fortunately we have found tools that appear to successfully put an end to this very aggressive plant," Keller said. The plant remains a popular species for indoor aquarium use, and that's where it needs to stay in order to prevent future costly eradication projects.
"Aquarium owners must realize the damage they can cause as a result of a seemingly innocent act such as releasing plants and fish that they have nurtured for so long," Keller said. "When no longer wanted, aquarium plants should be disposed of in household trash and unwanted fish should either be given to others who have the ability to care for them or else euthanized.
"They should never be dumped in any body of water." Otherwise, an apparently successful, but long and expensive process may have to be redone at Griffy Lake or started at another body of water. |
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Sylvan Lake restoration a success story ROME CITY � Armed with backpack sprayers, pumps, boats, and even a commercial crop-dusting airplane, the Department of Natural Resources conducted one of its most successful fishing restoration projects 25 years ago this week at Sylvan Lake, a 669-acre impoundment in northern Noble County.
On Sept. 19, 1984, fisheries biologists with the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife began applying 4,000 gallons of rotenone, a chemical fish toxicant, to Sylvan Lake, its inlet ditches, and several lakes upstream, including Barr, Beck, Hall and Wible.
The purpose of the project was to remove an excessive population of carp, a non-native invasive fish species that had roiled the lakebed, muddied the water, destroyed fish habitat, and displaced sport fish. Ironically, carp were first brought to Indiana 100 years earlier in 1884 to stock in ponds in hopes of boosting meat production.
Once treated, Sylvan Lake was restocked with largemouth bass, bluegills, channel catfish, and walleyes.
Total cost of the Sylvan Lake project in 1984 dollars was about $125,000 and was funded by fishing license sales and the federal Sport Fish Restoration program. Since then, the turnaround in water quality, fish habitat, fishing, and the overall economic value of the lake community has far exceeded that initial investment. |
As a result, Sylvan Lake today is one of the most popular fishing lakes in northern Indiana. Anglers flock to the lake each year to catch bass and bluegills, progeny of those released back in 1984.
A 14" minimum size limit on bass, imposed at the time of the renovation, has helped protect small bass from overharvest. Walleyes are still stocked in the lake each fall by the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. As recently as 2007, estimates are that anglers fished nearly 60,000 hours and took home more than 46,000 bluegills.
�The Sylvan Lake Restoration Project is a true success story and a great example of what professional fisheries managers can accomplish,� said Bill James, Indiana�s Fish Chief. James credited the teamwork of his field biologists, hatchery managers, lake residents and town leaders for success of the project. Local residents coordinated a cleanup effort that sent over a million pounds of carp to a fertilizer plant.
�If anyone wants an example of what the DNR and Hoosier citizens can accomplish together, or how state investment in local communities and outdoor recreation opportunities can pay big dividends, I�ll mention Sylvan Lake every time,� he said.
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New York
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NY DEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery plans Kids' Day, Sept 26 ALTMAR, NY - A full day of children's activities, fishing seminars and outdoor programs are planned for this year's open house on National Hunting and Fishing Day, Saturday, Sept. 26, at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Salmon River Fish Hatchery.
This is the 14th annual open house at the hatchery, located at 2133 county Route 22 in Altmar. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. There is no admission charge.
"This is the one opportunity during the year where the public is able to access the working parts of the hatchery with a personal tour," said Fran Verdoliva, Salmon River Program coordinator. "The underwater video camera will be installed in the fish ladder for an up-close look at the migrating salmon and trout. Visitors can watch migrating salmon, see an exhibit on rare and endangered fish, and learn about the many opportunities for fishing and outdoor recreation along the Salmon River."
A special carp fishing seminar with guide Mike McGrath will be held Friday evening, Sept. 25 in the hatchery auditorium. McGrath will share carp angling techniques and his experiences on the Lake Ontario tributaries at 7:30 p.m. Space is limited to 75 people and pre-registration is required. Call 315-298-7605 or stop by the hatchery and register at the lobby desk.
On Saturday, visitors can learn how to cast, tie flies, and fly fish. There are several activities for children, including fish identification, the popular "Backyard Bass" and "Hook and Ladders" fishing programs. The very popular Oswego County Cooperative Extension 4-H Shooting Sports lazer shooting range (a simulation hunting/trapshooting game) will be on site. |
Tours of the hatchery will be given every 30 minutes starting at 10:30 a.m.
Along with the special presentations, many conservation organizations and agencies will provide exhibits and information about outdoor recreation and conservation in the Salmon River ecosystem.
Members of the Sea Grant Salmon River Stewards Program will conduct tours of the nearby Salmon River Falls. The 110-foot waterfall offers trails and viewing areas with spectacular scenery. A new trail stairway to the top of the falls was completed this summer. To register for a scheduled tour, e-mail [email protected] or sign up at the hatchery open house at the Sea Grant table.
There will be demonstrations of float-rod fishing and fly fishing techniques in stream fishing workshops at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Class size is limited to 10 persons. To pre-register, call Verdoliva at 315-298-7605 or sign up at the desk in the hatchery lobby.
Also on Saturday, the Greater Pulaski Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the nearby International Sportfishing Museum. Author and noted angler Dr. Bob Rock will demonstrate fly-tying. Refreshments will be available. The museum features the former "South Bend Gladding Collection" of fishing gear, artwork and literature about the history of the sportfishing industry. The museum is located in the Salmon River Visitor Center, 3044 state Route 13, about two miles west of the fish hatchery.
For more information contact the Salmon River Hatchery at (315) 298-7605.
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A new boating law has gone into effect in the state of New York.
No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than twenty-one feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November first and May first, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely |
fastened US Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway.
"Under way" shall mean that the vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground. This means that a drifting boat, moving or not, is under way, and a pfd is required. |
Wisconsin
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Caution areas added following wolf depredation on hunting dogs MADISON � Wildlife authorities have identified three new bear hunting caution areas after confirming the killing of five hunting dogs and injury of a hunting dog by wolves since opening of the bear hunting season on Sept 9.
The dogs killed were a 6-year-old male redbone/Plott mix on Sept. 16 by the South Averill Creek pack in Lincoln County, a 3-year-old female Walker Hound killed by the Nebagamon pack in Douglas County on Sept. 13, a 5-year-old female July Hound killed on Sept. 10 and a 3-year-old male Redbone Hound on Sept. 14 by the Shanagolden pack in Ashland County , and a 3-year-old female Redtick Hound was killed by the Log Creek Pack in Ashland County on Sept. 10.
The Log Creek pack also injured a 9-year-old female Bluetick Hound on Sept. 10.
Adrian Wydeven, DNR mammalian ecologist, said wolves still have pups in rendezvous sites at this time of the year. It is probable the wolves were protecting their young.
�We advise all citizens to exercise caution in areas of recently confirmed wolf depredations on dogs. Hunters should be familiar with caution area maps on the DNR wolf web site,� Wydeven said. He further indicated that, "the locations of attack sites are shown as circles on the maps and these often |
represent rendezvous sites where attacks are most likely to occur. But once a pack starts attacking dogs, hunting hounds are probably at some risk anywhere in the pack territory shown in the caution areas."
While the gray wolf population in Wisconsin has recovered, the animal remains a federally endangered species due to pending lawsuits. The Wisconsin DNR continues to work with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a federal rule to delist wolves and allow Wisconsin to address the issue of wolf depredation.
�Its clear wolves have recovered in Wisconsin and we need the flexibility to properly manage the population and address problem wolves preying on livestock and pets,� said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. �We will continue to work toward delisting with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.�
The gray wolf currently is listed as a federal endangered species. This is despite efforts by Wisconsin and other upper Midwest states to demonstrate that the Western Great Lakes population segment of the gray wolf population has sufficiently recovered to be removed from the federal endangered list and that states be allowed to manage their wolf populations
As a federally endangered species persons convicted of killing a wolf are subject to possible jail time and fines. |
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