Weekly News Archives

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Atlanta Flooding Sets New Records

The USGS reports the flooding around Atlanta the week of September 21 is one for the record books. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the rivers and streams had magnitudes so great that the odds of it happening were less than 0.2 % in any given year. In other words, there was less than a 1 in 500 chance that parts of Cobb and Douglas counties were going to be hit with such an event.

�The USGS can reliably say just how bad these floods were.   

They were epic!� said Brian McCallum, Assistant Director for the USGS Water Science Center in Georgia. �We have all witnessed the devastation caused by these floods, but now we can quantify it.� The data are gathered from the USGS real-time streamgaging network.  

On Sept. 22, USGS crews measured the greatest flow ever recorded (28,000 cubic feet per second) on Sweetwater Creek near Austell, Ga.

Bass Pro Shops Introduces Revolutionary Fishing Game

New Fishing Game Combines Authentic Gameplay with Innovative Fishing Pole Controller  

Springfield, MO � September 28, 2009 � Psyclone, XS Games, and the #1 outdoor retailer in America, Bass Pro Shops, has announced that Bass Pro Shops: The Strike is now available for the Microsoft Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, the Nintendo Wii and PC platforms at retailers nationwide.

�We are very excited to deliver a revolutionary fishing experience to consumers with the release of The Strike,� said Chip Pedersen, Director of Gaming at Psyclone.  �The Strike combines authentic environments based on real lakes, engaging gameplay with accurate fish and lure behaviors, and a highly interactive fishing pole controller that allows players an immersive fishing adventure.�

Players can enjoy 3 different game-play modes including

Quick Fish, Career and Bass Pro Shops Invitational Tournament, or compete with friends in mini games like boat races and casting challenges.  The lifelike fishing pole peripheral lets the player cast, jig, set the hook, and fight as if a real fish were on the other end of the line.

The game takes players to some of North America�s most famous fishing hot spots and features eleven types of game fish including Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Striped Bass as well as Northern Pike and Muskie.  In addition, realistic lake bottom topography, real-time time�of-day light effects, advanced graphics, and authentic fishing gear from the Bass Pro Shops stores, all combine to offer virtual anglers the most comprehensive fishing game experience to-date.

The Strike is now available at major retailers nationwide including Target, Best Buy, Game Stop, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart and Bass Pro Shops.  For a full listing of retailers or to experience videos, screenshots, player forum, and more: www.TheStrikeGame.com

Evinrude Announces Fall Retail Sales Promotion

Sturtevant, WI -- Consumers who purchase an eligible Evinrude E-TEC outboard engine, 40-hp and above, will have the opportunity to take advantage of the "Best Deal on the Water" retail promotion launched September 15, 2009. The Evinrude E-TEC promotion delivers the added peace of mind from a BRP Factory Backed Limited Warranty when purchasing a new boat and motor package or repowering with a new Evinrude engine.

The sales promotion, which runs throughout the fall season, ending Dec 22, 2009, offers the consumer a 5-year BRP factory-backed  limited warranty (3-year factory warranty PLUS an additional 2-year B.E.S.T. coverage). Consumers must purchase and take delivery of an eligible Evinrude E-TEC engine from a participating Evinrude dealer during the promotion period to qualify.

"We continue to provide our dealers with traffic-driving promotions in an effort to boost retail sales," stated Roch Lambert, vice president - general manager, Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Evinrude division. "BRP has been very successful with providing our selling networks, across all our brands, effective programs to help reduce dealer inventory levels as well as drive consumer traffic into stores. The 'Best Deal on the Water' will provide Evinrude dealers an additional push on retail

leading into the heavier boat show selling season," Lambert concluded.

The "Best Deal on the Water" promotion is supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign designed to boost exposure for the program.  The event is supported by an online and consumer email campaign which will reach more than 500,000 potential consumers. Dealers will be provided with a complete point-of-purchase kit including customized promotional standee, display rack cards and promotional clings.

Evinrude engines' reputation for dependability, quality and reliability coupled with the fact that Evinrude E-TEC is the only outboard with no dealer scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 300 hours makes the decision to power with Evinrude E-TEC an easy one. Having the lowest operating costs of any outboard engine means that powering with an Evinrude E-TEC can save consumers up to $1,600 per year in fuel and maintenance costs.

BRP's Evinrude E-TEC engine line-up now includes 110 engine models from 25- to 300- horsepower. All engines are available at Evinrude dealerships worldwide. Visit www.evinrude.com or www.repowerwithevinrude.com  for more information.  www.brp.com

RedHead Sonic Weld Clothing

Premium Camo Wear for hunters 

Conventional needle-and-thread seaming techniques allow numerous points of access for the elements to get through.  Sonic Weld seams, offered here by Bass Pro Shops on their premium camo wear, on the other hand, eliminate bulk creating a smooth, sleek, ultra-tight bond that is incredibly strong and resistant to wind and water. 

By sandwiching a breathable waterproof membrane between the revolutionary 100% polyester microfiber fleece (soft and noiseless) and the 100% polyester mesh, you�re ensured that you�re completely dry and comfortable at all times.  Machine wash, Imported. Color: Realtree AP

Jacket features:

 ►Soft, noiseless, and completely waterproof system

 ►Low-profile hood that rolls up and tucks away in a zip-closed collar pocket

 ►Hood is made from Black waterproof stretch fabric

 ► S, M, L, XL, 2XL and 3XL

 ► Color: Realtree AP HD

 ► Machine Wash

About $119.99 - 129.99

Pants features:

 ► Soft, noiseless, completely waterproof system

 ► Rubberized heel patches protect from boot abrasion

 ► 15" waterproof zippered leg openings - easy on/off

 ► 2 thigh, 2 front pockets w/waterproof YKK zippers

 ► Fly with YKK zipper and storm flap

 ► Adjustable elastic waist band

 ► S, M, L, XL and 2XL

 ► Color: Realtree AP HD

 ► Machine Wash

About $119.99 - 129.99

www.basspro.com

Ruger Announces the SR-22 Rifle

Southport, CT-- Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. announces the introduction of the Ruger SR-22TM Rifle, an autoloading, rimfire rifle that combines the legendary reliability of the Ruger 10/22 with the ergonomics and configurability of the new AR-style Ruger SR-556. The new SR-22 Rifle allows shooters to use economical .22 LR ammunition, while still enjoying the look and feel of an "AR" and experiencing the reliability they have come to appreciate from Ruger.

Because it utilizes the unique rotary magazine supplied with the Ruger 10/22, the SR-22 Rifle offers the same gold standard for reliability in autoloading rimfire rifles. Like the 10/22, the AR-style SR-22 Rifle also has an extensive array of accessories available, allowing shooters to select a custom configuration that best suits their tastes and needs.

The SR-22 Rifle uses a standard 10/22 action inside a top-quality, all-aluminum chassis that faithfully replicates the AR-

platform dimensions between the sighting plane, buttstock height, and grip. The SR-22 Rifle provides a Picatinny rail optic mount, and includes a six-position, telescoping M4-style buttstock (on a Mil-Spec diameter tube), plus a Hogue Monogrip pistol grip. Buttstocks and grips may be swapped out for any AR-style compatible option.

The SR-22 Rifle also features a round, mid-length handguard mounted on a standard-thread AR-style barrel nut. Picatinny rails, specifically designed for this handguard, are available from Ruger, allowing the handguard to be configured to accept any number of rail-mounted sights or accessories. A barrel support block is installed in the handguard, ensuring accuracy and allowing the standard 10/22 V-block barrel attachment system to be used.

The SR-22 Rifle is equipped with a precision-rifled, cold hammer forged alloy steel barrel. The 16-1/8" barrel is capped with an SR-556/Mini-14 flash suppressor mounted with a �"-28 thread.

For more information on the SR-22 Rifle: www.ruger.com.

Bushnell Sport 600 laser Rangefinder

Overland Park, KS - The new Sport 600 laser rangefinder from Bushnell offers performance and value for hunters and shooters. With an operational range of 5 to 800 yards, it's perfect for bow or rifle hunters.  It offers versatility and ease of operation in a vertical format and provides accurate distance readings in both yards and meters.

The Sport 600 provides lightning fast measurements, a 20mm objective, fully-coated optics and a 4x magnification. As the

smallest and lightest weight unit on the market the Sport 600 boasts a 430 feet wide field of view.  The 17mm eye relief provides a distinct advantage for those who wear ophthalmic or shooting glasses. The surface provides a sure grip and it is also rainproof. Power is supplied by a 3-volt battery that is included with the product.

At 5.8 ounces the Sport 600 is compact, fitting easily in a pack or pocket, and can be operated with just one hand. It comes with premium carry case with magnetic closure.

About $199

www.bushnell.com

Zeiss offers new NV 5.6x62T Night Vision Scope

CHESTER, VIRGINIA- Carl Zeiss announces the new Victory NV 5.6x62 T* Night Vision Scope. This high-performance night vision scope features a 2+ generation image amplifier tube with 20,000x light amplification making it an ideal device for observation at night. This easy-to-use, extremely powerful night vision scope delivers exceptionally high image quality and also features a reticule that can be used for range estimation.

The Night Vision Scope performs well during moonless nights and, during a full moon, the increased brightness of the image increases the viewing range significantly. Whether you are hunting predators at night, scouting, working to spot poachers or simply observing nocturnal life, the state-of-the-art optoelectronics in the ZEISS Victory NV 5.6x62 T* Scope far surpass the nighttime performance of even the best traditional binoculars.

Additional Infrared Illumination

Even with the best night vision devices, it is impossible to see into the shadows of trees. In situations like this, or in absolute darkness, the Victory NV is still very useful since the integrated infrared LED illumination enables you to brighten the immediate area. If long-distance observations are to be made under these conditions, a 1" flashlight equipped with an infrared filter can be attached to the night vision device using an adapter.

LotuTec�

Visual impairments caused by raindrops, dust, streaks or fingerprints are a thing of the past thanks to LotuTec. This innovative coating on the Victory NV Scope lenses works like a

protective shield for the lens and raindrops literally roll right off the glass. At the same time, the LotuTec coating is very durable and resistant to abrasion so the lens surface can be easily wiped clean of dust and fingerprints without damaging the optics. The light transmission of the lenses is not affected by the additional protective coating.

Range Estimation Reticule

A simple to use range-estimation reticule is provided in the Victory NV Scope. It is designed for metric units of measurement. Assuming you know the specific size of a target, you would simply bracket it between the lines in the reticule to determine the distance to the target. Reticule subtensions are shown below as well as an example of range estimation on a wild boar. Subtentions are provided at a value of meters @ 100 meters. Of course, the smaller the target appears in relation to the reticule, the further away it is.

Accessories Include:

► 1" flashlight holder, Cat. # 52306-9006)

► Camera adapter for SLR cameras for connection to the lens via M 55 x 0.75 filter thread

► Adapter for mini Maglite (cat. no. 523006-9008).

Equipment Supplied:

The Victory NV 5.6x62 T* comes with a complete, high-quality set of accessories:

► High-quality cordura bag

► Wrist strap

► Eyepiece cap

► Objective lens cover

► Two AA batteries

About: $5,556.00

www.zeiss.com

Remington Model 870 Shotgun production Tops 10 Million

Remington celebrates with the "10 Millionth Model 870 Shotgun" sweepstakes

Madison, NC - Remington Arms, Inc. acknowledged a milestone of an American classic, the Model 870 pump-action, in the September 24, 2009, edition of USA Today with a full-page ad thanking America and the millions of Model 870 owners for making it possible to reach the 10,000,000 production mark. In honor of this historic achievement, Remington is also sponsoring the "10 Millionth Model 870 Shotgun" Sweepstakes.

With its beginnings 193 years ago, Remington is America�s oldest gunmaker and has proudly manufactured the Model 870 since its introduction in 1950 and every year since then. Although Remington introduced many variations of the Model 870 throughout the years to suit the specific needs of a wide variety of users including hunters, trap shooters, left-handers and youth as well as platforms designed for use by law

enforcement agencies and military worldwide; the Model 870 has remained true to its original design. Gun owners everywhere appreciate the value and quality of the Model 870, making it the shotgun of choice in gun cabinets across the country.

To enter the "10 Millionth Model 870 Shotgun" Sweepstakes and view entry guidelines, log on at www.remington.com/10milu.  Entries will be accepted online from 9/24/09 - 12/31/09 with ten eligible adult winners selected to receive a commemorative Model 870 pump-action shotgun recognizing this milestone.

Legendary for its reliability, durability and smooth pump action, the Model 870 is the shotgun of choice for many hunters, target shooters, law enforcement personnel, conservationists and our armed forces. And today, thanks to the millions of Model 870 owners across America, it�s the best-selling shotgun of all time.

Enter the Remington Tall Tale-Athon Contest

Win a Hunt with Haley Heath

Madison, NC - If you�ve ever made up a story to get out of something so you could go hunting now you can benefit from that creativity. Capture your own �Tall Tales� on video and enter Remington�s online contest by October 31, 2009, to qualify for a chance to win great prizes, including a hunt with acclaimed television show host and accomplished hunter, Haley Heath.  Complete details and contest rules are available at www.remington.com/tale-athon.   

One lucky winner of the Remington Tall Tale-Athon Contest will win an all-expenses-paid deer hunt with the star of the TV show Family Traditions with Haley Heath, which airs on the Sportsman Channel.  Plus, five runners-up will win a Model 870 Express shotgun and 15 honorable mentions will receive prizes from the Remington Country Store.

Family Traditions with Haley Heath features Haley and her husband, G.O., hunting around the world and often features their children, Gunner and Dakota. Heath is the first woman ever to be recognized with the Viewer Favorite Personality award, which she received during the 2008 Annual Sportsman Channel Awards. In addition, she placed second on ESPN�s Ultimate Outdoorsman Search in 2006 and was highlighted in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and on ABC Nightly World News for her work as an industry ambassador and TV show host.

So, here is your chance to tell a �Tall Tale�. However, Remington reminds you that while your video might win the contest, you should hold your best �Tall Tale� in reserve�you might just have to use it to sneak away for the Grand Prize hunt with Haley! 

Ohio issues record 17,000+ concealed handgun licenses

Ohio's Attorney General reports that state has just concluded its ninth consecutive quarterly increase in requests for concealed handgun licenses (CHLs). Only six years into their program, the state issued a record 17,921 regular licenses in the last quarter. And sixty-eight percent of the licenses expiring were renewed. That, in itself, says that the idea wasn't a curiosity for most people, but a conscious decision to take a  

hand in their own self-defense. To date, nearly seventy percent

of all licenses have been renewed.

At the end of June, according to the Buckeye Firearms Association, over 158,000 Ohio citizens are licensed to carry handguns. According to the BFA, if you're older or more affluent, odds are even greater that you have a license. To give that number some proportion, it's equal to one-in-sixty residents.

Changes to Wisconsin 'open water' hunting rules effective Oct. 1

MADISON -- An update to Wisconsin's open water hunting rule on concealment requirements that apply to waterfowl hunters who use boats or blinds on waters of the state, goes into effect Oct. 1. Duck hunting in the southern duck management zone runs from 9 a.m. Oct. 3 through Oct. 11 and 9 a.m. Oct. 17 through Dec. 6. Northern duck zone hunting started Sept. 26 and runs through Nov. 24.

The old rule required that hunters remain within natural emergent vegetation rooted to the bottom that provided whole or partial concealment of the hunter, boat and blind. While conservation wardens have long subscribed to a rule-of-thumb that partial meant at least 50 percent, the new rule formally establishes that 50 percent concealment is required. The new rule also clarifies that the hunter, boat and blind only need to be concealed when viewed horizontally from at least one direction.

The rule update does not change the preexisting rules that allowed hunting waterfowl from open water on portions of the Mississippi River, Big Green Lake, Lakes Michigan, Superior, Winnebago, Petenwell Flowage or Green Bay.

On all other waters, just as in the past, hunter�s boats and blinds still need to be concealed by emergent vegetation that is rooted to the bottom. Under the new rule, the amount of concealment that is required is 50 percent and the vegetation needs to rise to the gunwales of a boat used as a blind or to hunt waterfowl from. Also under the new rule, hunters do not need to be �within� the vegetation they are using for concealment, they only need to be within 3 feet of the cattails, bulrushes, rice, or other emergent natural vegetation.

Hunters will not find this information in a regulations pamphlet because the migratory bird hunting regulations were printed prior to knowing the outcome of the rule making process.

Wisconsin�s open water hunting rule dates back many years and was designed to keep hunters out of open water habitat that is used for staging and resting by migrating ducks or geese.

The new rule also eases requirements for waterfowl hunters while still preventing hunting in open water areas. It does this by no longer requiring that boats and blinds be concealed within the emergent vegetation. Hunters� boats and blinds can now be located beyond the vegetation provided part of the boat or blind is within 3 feet of vegetation that is providing the concealment. Even if the vegetation is behind the hunter, as long as it is emergent vegetation that is rooted to the bottom and it provides 50 percent concealment, then the hunting situation is not considered to be open water hunting.

Hunters hunting on the water with the aid of a boat or blind who are in compliance with all three of the following conditions, will not be considered hunting in open water:

1 Any part of the boat or blind is within 3' of naturally occurring vegetation rooted to the bottom

2 This vegetation provides at least 50 % concealment of the hunter, boat and blind when viewed from at least 1 direction horizontally

3 Some of this vegetation extends above the water�s surface to a height at or above the sides of any boat, if a boat is used

Dead stumps and dead trees in the water do not constitute a natural growth of vegetation for the purpose of this rule.

WI considers extending November Deer Hunting Season! 

The Wisconsin DNR is proposing to extend the 9-day deer rifle season in November by seven days and wants the public to weigh-in.  A

number of public hearings have been scheduled across the Badger State and it is imperative that you attend and make your voices heard.

Hearings will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an informational presentation and overview of the proposed rule.  Public comments and statements

will be accepted beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Scheduled hearing dates and locations:

Crivitz - Wed, Oct 14, Crivitz Village Hall, 800 Henriette Ave

Onalaska - Thurs, Oct 15, Onalaska High School, 700

Hilltopper Place

Madison - Wed, Oct 21, Lussier Family Heritage Center, 3101 Lake Farm Rd

Rhinelander - Wed, Oct 21, James Williams Middle School, 915 Acacia Lane

Ashland - Wed Oct 21, Ashland AmericInn Conference Ctr, 3009 Lakeshore Drive E

Appleton - Mon, Oct 26, Fox Valley Tech College, Appleton, Room C190, 1825 North Bluemound Dr

Eau Claire - Mon, Oct 26, Chippewa Valley Tech College, Room M103, 620 W. Clairemont Ave

Pewaukee - Wed, Oct 28, Waukesha Cty Tech College, Room C051/C057, 800 Main St

Spooner - Wed, Oct 28, Spooner High School, 801 Cty A

Stevens Point - Tues, Nov 3, Portage Cty Courthouse Annex, Conference Room 1, 1462 Strongs Ave

OH Providing many Youth hunting opportunities

COLUMBUS -- Ohio's youth hunters will again have several added opportunities to learn and practice their hunting skills this fall. The Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife offers several ways for families to hunt together and create lasting  traditions in the state's outdoors.

►WATERFOWL: Youngsters age 15 and younger wanting to pursue waterfowl may do so, statewide, on Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4.

►SMALL GAME: Hunters age 17 and younger may hunt statewide for rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two designated  weekends, October 24-25 and October 31 and November 1. Quail also may be taken in 16 designated open counties.

Pheasant releases for young hunters will occur prior to these dates on the following state wildlife areas: Resthaven, Oxbow, Berlin, Killdeer  Plains, Camp Belden, Grand River, Spencer, Wellington, Delaware, Dillon, Caesar Creek, Rush Run, Fallsville and Darke, as well as Charlemont  Metropark in Lorain County.

►WHITE-TAILED DEER: A youth deer-gun season will be 

open statewide, November 21- 22. Young hunters age 17 and younger who are  accompanied by a non-hunting adult may take one deer of either sex during this season, in accordance with existing bag and deer zone limits.

►WILD TURKEY: It is not too early to be planning to participate in the spring youth wild turkey hunting for 2010. A statewide spring youth wild  turkey season will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18. This hunt is open to youths age 17 and younger.

To participate in the upcoming youth hunts, all young hunters must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, and must abide by all regular  hunting hours and bag limits. A valid 2009-2010 youth hunting license, along with the appropriate permits, are required. For complete details on  all of Ohio's youth hunting seasons, refer to 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet, call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543)  or go online to www.wildohio.com.

The 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the  elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

WI sets hearing dates for Earn-a-buck alternatives proposal

MADISON � The state Natural Resources Board approved hearing dates and locations for proposed changes to Wisconsin�s 2010 and 2011 deer hunting season structures. The changes are based on recommendations developed by a public panel created by the Natural

Resources Board and charged with finding effective and hunter-supported alternatives to earn-a-buck. The proposed changes can be found in the Natural Resources Board meeting agenda available on the DNR Web site.

The public panel included representatives of hunting and conservation groups, agriculture, county forests, university, and woodland owners.

The panel�s complete report is available on the advisory committee Web site at [deerherd.editme.com] (exit DNR).

The public hearings will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an informational presentation and overview of the proposed rule. Public comments and

statements will be accepted beginning at 7 p.m. The following hearing locations and dates are scheduled:

� Oct 14, Crivitz - Crivitz Village Hall, 800 Henriette Ave

� Oct 15, Onalaska - Onalaska High School, 700 Hilltopper Place

� Oct 21, Madison - Lussier Family Heritage Center, 3101 Lake Farm Road

� Oct 21, Rhinelander - James Williams Middle School, 915 Acacia Lane

� Oct 21, Ashland - Ashland AmericInn Conference Ctr, 3009 Lakeshore Drive E

� Oct 26, Appleton - Fox Valley Tech College, Appleton, Room C190, 1825 North Bluemound Drive

� Oct 26, Eau Claire - Chippewa Valley Tech College, Room M103, 620 W. Clairemont Ave

� Oct 28, Pewaukee - Waukesha County Tech College, Room C051/C057, 800 Main St

� Oct 28, Spooner - Spooner High School, 801 County A

� Nov 3, Stevens Point - Portage Cty Courthouse, 1462 Strongs Ave

The board requested an additional hearing location in the Milwaukee/Racine/Kenosha area. Details on the additional hearing will be added to

the above list and published on the DNR Web site once arrangements can be finalized.

The public will also be able to comment online. The department will publish details for submitting online comments shortly.

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week in Your State October 12-18, 2009

What�s the most natural place to marvel at autumn�s show? A National Wildlife Refuge is hard to beat � and you can see for yourself during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12-18, 2009.

Whether you prefer to admire the fall colors, thrill to a skyful of migratory birds, explore a mountain trail or learn about the cultural resources that are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service�s conservation mission, you can find what you like at a National Wildlife Refuge. National Wildlife Refuge Week celebrates the richness of the 550 units that make up America�s National Wildlife Refuge System. And it�s a great opportunity to find an outdoor family event near where you live.

President Teddy Roosevelt established tiny Pelican Island in Florida in 1903 as the first National Wildlife Refuge. Roosevelt�s mission was clear: protect Pelican Island�s birds from poachers and plume hunters. And with that simple promise of wildlife protection, the National Wildlife Refuge System was born.

National Wildlife Refuges are dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. They also offer a wide range of wildlife-dependent recreation � from fishing, boating, hunting and hiking � to wildlife observation and photography, 

nature interpretation and environmental education. The Refuge System includes more than 2,500 miles of land and water trails. There is at least one National Wildlife Refuge in every state and one within an hour�s drive of most major cities.

This long-distance aspect is being joined by amateur radio enthusiasts who are also supporting Refuge Week by operating special event stations on a number of refuges. They will be communicating with other stations operating from other refuges as well as stations across the United States promoting refuges. Amateur radio operators must obtain permission from the refuge manager to operate within the boundaries of a national wildlife refuge. Interested licensed operators can find a registration form and more information at: www.nwrweek-radio.info .

Many events are planned in celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week. Here is a sample:

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, MN Saturday, September 26, Fall Festival: Enjoy educational programs and family activities. Photo contest winners will be displayed. 10 - 4 p.m. For more info: www.fws.gov/midwest/tamarac,  or  218-847-2641 .

For more National Wildlife Refuge Week events: www.fws.gov/refuges/SpecialEvents/FWS_SpecialEvents_Search.cfm. 

Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for Sept. 25, 2009

Weather Conditions

Warm and humid conditions were experienced across much of the Great Lakes basin this week.  Daytime high temperatures ranged from 5 to 10 degrees above average in some locations.   A few areas did see some heavy downpours during the week, but September precipitation is well below average across most of the region.  Unsettled weather is expected for the weekend, with showers possible each day.   More seasonable temperatures are also expected by Monday.

Lake Level Conditions

Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, and Erie are 2, 7, 5 and 4", respectively, higher than their levels of a year ago.  Lake Ontario is 1" below its level of year ago.  Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are expected to decline 1, 2, 4, 4 and 6", 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. 

Field & stream magazine names 2009 heroes of conservation

Each hero set to receive $5,000, conservation grant;

Toyota Tundra awarded to conservation hero of the year

New York �Field & Stream, announced the 2009 Heroes of Conservation.  The six recipients of the award are featured in the October issue of the magazine, on newsstands now, and are also featured in episodes of  Field & Stream�s HOC TV, available now at www.FieldandStream.com/heroes. Field & Stream�s Heroes of Conservation Awards recognize  sportsmen dedicated to the grassroots protection of fish, wildlife, and habitat.

The six heroes will be celebrated at the fourth annual Heroes of Conservation Awards Gala, sponsored by Toyota, at the Ronald Reagan  Building and International Trace Center in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 2009. Toyota will honor the six heroes at the event, presenting  them each with a $5,000 grant toward their conservation projects. One honoree will be named the Field & Stream Conservation Hero of the Year  and win a new Toyota Tundra.

The outstanding conservation efforts of these Heroes can be seen in action on Field & Stream�s HOC TV. Each week the program will highlight  a different honoree�s project, demonstrating their commitment and dedication to the preservation of natural resources. For a complete  schedule, or to catch the latest episode, please visit www.FieldandStream.com/heroes .

The Heroes of Conservation Awards are open to individuals involved in a hunting- and/or fishing-related conservation project that is well  under way or completed. Selections are based on a number of factors, including leadership, commitment, project growth, and results. One  grand prize winner will receive a new Toyota Tundra, and a cash prize of $5,000 will be awarded to each finalist. For complete details, including  rules, regulations, and nomination instructions for 2010, please visit www.FieldandStream.com/heroes .

Field & Stream�s 2009 Heroes Of Conservation:

William Edwards II, Oden, Ark.

William Edwards has spent his life practicing and teaching conservation through Oden High School�s Woods and Waters Club. As Oden�s  principal, he is the club�s leader, and under his watch more than one-fourth of the school�s students have joined. Members maintain a stretch  of highway and the local rifle range, build bird boxes for the public, and raise catfish for a local derby, where they help young contestants bait  hooks and handle fish. �We�re a school of natural conservationists,� Edwards says. �Our best fisherman is like our star athlete.�

Mark Taylor, Everett, Wash.

�The Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon will be extinct within a decade if we don�t help,� says Taylor, president of the Washington Council of  Trout Unlimited. He�s devoted his life to saving those fish by restoring habitat and counting fry with the aid of students and Boy Scouts. He  also places acoustic tags on adult salmon. To pay for it, he�s started the �Adopt-a-

Kokanee� program in which a $100 donation buys a picture  of a tagged kokanee and updates of its movements, and $300 buys a trip to help catch and tag the fish in person. His hope is to get the fish  classified as a distinct subspecies in need of protection.

Derek Fong, Santa Clarita, Calif.

Fong, vice chairman for the Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited, has raised over $12 million for habitat restoration projects in the  Los Padres and Angeles National Forests. These include erecting concrete guzzlers to ensure that animals have water to drink and planting  trees in areas destroyed by fire. �I beat on the doors and ask for money,� he says. �I�m the whip.� During his tenure, turkeys and quail in the  area have flourished. He also raises funds for the Boy Scouts and has been nominated for president of the Hunter Education Instructor  Association of Southern California.

Howard Kern, Westlake Village, Calif.

Freeze-dried food first drove Howard Kern to fish on backpacking trips with his father. �That stuff wasn�t too good in the �70s and I thought,  �There�s a lake full of fresh fish to eat,�� Kern says. He is now making sure those fish are there for future generations. Kern spends up to 40  hours per month as the volunteer coordinator for the Golden Trout Restoration Project. Besides organizing projects and raising funds, he helps  maintain cattle-exclusion fences and repair stream banks. A former Boy Scout and avid fly fisherman, Kern helped the Scouts create a flyfishing  merit badge in 2002.

Billy Sandifer, Corpus Christi, Texas

For decades, converging currents in the Gulf of Mexico amassed tons upon tons of trash on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS). �The  most trash in Texas,� says Sandifer. �It had been there since I was a kid. In 1994, I didn�t find it acceptable any longer.� Since then, he�s led an  annual grassroots project called the Big Shell Beach Cleanup, which has removed 1.83 million

pounds of trash from the area, including some 800,000 pounds in the wake of Hurricane Ike. He also started a group called Friends of Padre to  ensure the cleanups continue after he�s gone. He has raised over $38,000 for the PINS.

Jon Hillmer, Baraboo, Wis.

Hillmer, the president of an equipment rental company and vice president of the local Pheasants Forever chapter, helped start KAMO (Kids  and Mentors Outdoors), whose slogan is �Tradition Forward� (KAMOkids.org). Background-checked volunteers from the four KAMO  chapters, all in Wisconsin, hunt and fish with children who might not do so otherwise, and teach them about preserving the land�similar to  what Hillmer�s father, Bud, did with him and other kids during his 43 years as a hunter-safety instructor. Hillmer teaches youths to make such  things as duck calls from scratch, and on the conservation side, they have planted hundreds of trees and created a pond on his land (which is  stocked for the kids). Hillmer, 50, doesn�t have children of his own. �Maybe that�s why I do this,� he says. �The simplest things can mean the  most to them.�

Ohio Offering Grant Assistance for Community Boating Programs

COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Ohio DNR is accepting grant applications for community boating programs that contribute to the safety and enjoyment of boating throughout Ohio. Deadlines for the grant proposals are drawing near.

The ODNR Division of Watercraft administers grants including the Clean Vessel Act Grant, Boating Safety Education Grant, Navigational Aids Grant Program and Marine Patrol grants. The grants encourage public use and access to Ohio waterways by providing financial assistance that enhances waterway quality, supports local boating education and safety programs and ensures law enforcement capabilities for local marine patrols.

Proposals are being accepted for the following grants:

►October 1, Clean Vessel Act Grant - The ODNR Division of Watercraft administers the Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant program on the state level and provides funding to local communities to acquire and place marine pumpout facilities for recreational boaters to help enhance waterway quality.

►October 23, Boating Safety Education Grant - Applicants may apply to receive funding support of local boating safety education programs. ODNR provides a total of approximately $365,000 yearly with individual grants ranging between $1,000

and $30,000. Among eligible applicants are political subdivisions at all levels of government, conservancy districts, nonprofits, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons.

►November 1, Navigational Aids Grant Program - The Division of Watercraft provides nearly $50,000 yearly to political subdivisions to mark Ohio waterways with navigational signage designed to assist recreational boaters.

►December 31, Marine Patrol Grants - Local law enforcement agencies can now apply for a 2010 Marine Patrol Assistance Grant that will help support local marine patrol activities. The Division of Watercraft annually provides more than $500,000 in total grant awards.

More than $5 million in grant program funding is provided through the Waterways Safety Fund, which is comprised of a share of the state motor fuel tax, watercraft registration and titling fees, and funding through the U.S. Coast Guard. Additional information on the grant programs is available online at www.ohiodnr.com.

Recreational boating in Ohio helps support 26,000 jobs and generates a statewide economic impact estimated at $3.5 billion annually, according to a 2007 Great Lakes Commission study.    www.ohiodnr.com

New tool helps identify musky spawning habitat

MADISON � Protecting spawning habitat is critical to Wisconsin�s musky populations and biologists now have a new, less expensive, less labor intensive way to identify where the elusive fish spawn.

Results from a two-year study that analyzed spawning habitat on 24 lakes in northern Wisconsin have been used to create a computer model that soon will help fisheries biologists identify where musky spawn on 500 more lakes throughout the state, says Paul Cunningham, Department of Natural Resources fisheries policy ecologist.

�Once we�ve identified the spawning grounds on each lake, we�ll be able to uncover which areas are in pristine condition and needing vigilant protection versus other areas that are in need of rehabilitation,� he says

To build the model, research teams comprised of University of Michigan researchers, Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin members, and Wisconsin DNR fish crews used handheld spotlights to search the entire shoreline of each lake for mating muskies. Each time a musky was seen, the location was marked and its position recorded using digital mapping software. The researchers then collected data about and described the ecological conditions they found at those spots. Researchers returned to the site the next day to verify that spawning occurred by searching for eggs on the bottom.

�We took the preferred spawning habitat characteristics, such as rushes, under-water vegetation, groundwater flow, woody habitat, and moderate slopes, and created a Geographic

Information System (GIS) model that, when applied to other lakes in Wisconsin, can predict the most likely spawning habitat,� says Joe Nohner, the University of Michigan researcher who led the study.

�Before, there were no efficient ways to determine the locations where musky actually spawn in a lake,� says Nohner. �Using the GIS model, DNR will be able to quickly identify these locations without performing costly and time-intensive surveys on each lake.�

Using these data, fisheries staff will be able to concentrate their efforts on high-priority areas.

Previous research conducted by the University of Michigan and the DNR showed that lakes with self-sustaining musky populations are mostly surrounded by forest, whereas lakes that require stocking often have less natural shoreline and more human development.

�Stocking cannot fully offset losses in natural reproduction, and it�s very expensive,� explains Cunningham. �The most effective long-term approach for musky is to preserve natural reproduction by protecting spawning and nursery habitat � it�s our state�s largest fish hatchery!�

The 2007-2008 study that served as the foundation for this model was funded by the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin, University of Michigan and the DNR.  Visit the musky page of the DNR Web site for more information on musky management.