Tuesday, May 13, 2008

SCI and NRA Will Defend Rocky Mountain Wolf Delisting

SCI and NRA will defend Rocky Mountain Wolf delisting A Montana federal district court has granted SCI's request to intervene in litigation and defend the delisting of gray wolves of the Northern Rocky Mountains. The effort of anti-hunting plaintiffs to list the wolf again would strip management of the species from the States, and return it to the federal government. It would also prevent state-managed sustainable hunts of the wolves.

The Plaintiffs have asked the Court to return the species to the endangered species list. Together with the federal government, the States of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, and other conservation groups, SCI will present arguments demonstrating why the delisting should remain in effect. A hearing on the Plaintiffs' request for emergency relief is scheduled for May 29th in Missoula, Montana.

SCI is joined in the intervention by the National Rifle Association of America.

SCI President Dennis Anderson said, “SCI is pleased that the court has allowed us to participate in the battle to keep recovered wolf populations of the Northern Rocky Mountains off the endangered species list. SCI has developed a track record and expertise second to none in litigation related to sustainable use management and conservation. We will use our special experience in this area of the law to make sure that the decision to delist this viable, healthy predator species is defended as strongly as possible.”

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:00 AM 0 COMMENTREAD MORE »

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Tall Timbers Researcher Leading Florida's Second Quail Forever Chapter

Sebring, Fla. – May 12, 2008 – Bobwhite quail conservationists have formed Florida's second Quail Forever chapter (QF), the Kissimmee River Valley Chapter of QF. The chapter has focused its attention on quail habitat efforts in Polk, Highlands, Osceola, Hardee and Okeechobee Counties in south-central Florida.

Leading the new Kissimmee River Valley chapter is James Martin of Kenansville, a graduate student and PhD candidate at the University of Georgia who is part of the game bird research team for the Tall Timbers Research Station. Tall Timbers conducts a wide variety of research projects to develop the best management practices for bobwhites, and manages over 3,500 acres of upland habitat for bobwhites in the southeast United States.

"What a lot of people don’t realize is how remote and rural south-central Florida can be – almost like South Dakota," Martin said, "This new chapter gives the area a centrally located group that has the capability to find solutions for the challenges this great game bird faces." Martin said the chapter's main goals include maintaining hunter access, promoting the use of prescribed fire on public and private lands and stimulating youth interest in quail hunting and outdoor sports.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:53 AM 0 COMMENTREAD MORE »

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Pheasants Forever's Farm Bill Biologist Program Lands in North Dakota

Jamestown, N.D. – May 12, 2008 – Pheasants Forever (PF) announces Steve Stensgard is the organization's first-ever Farm Bill Biologist in the state of North Dakota. Stensgard joins PF after serving as a wildlife biologist technician with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The position was created through a partnership with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Stensgard will work out of the Jamestown NRCS office.

The Farm Bill Biologist program is designed to educate farmers and landowners about the benefits of conservation programs, as well as assist those farmers and landowners after programs have been implemented. Pheasants Forever first began employing Farm Bill Biologists in 2005, and now has 33 Farm Bill Biologists working in seven states – Ohio, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and now North Dakota. Last year, Farm Bill Biologists contacted and consulted 5,400 landowners, resulting in the improvement of 310,000 acres of land for wildlife.

"This gives North Dakotans another resource for conservation information," said Jim Inglis, PF's Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator, "Like all our Farm Bill Biologists, Stensgard possesses knowledge of federal, state, and local programs that will assist landowners in finding the right program and funding to meet their personal habitat and land use goals."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:49 AM 0 COMMENTREAD MORE »

Monday, May 12, 2008

Paulson Named PF/QF Regional Wildlife Biologist in Washington and Oregon

Longview, Wash. – May 12, 2008 – Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever announce that Kraig Paulson of Crane, Montana, has been named the organization's new regional wildlife biologist in Washington State and Oregon. Paulson assumes the position after spending two years as a Pheasants Forever habitat specialist in Montana. Paulson's primary duties with Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) include starting and servicing chapters, raising and expending mission funds and building partnerships that expand habitat conservation efforts on behalf of all PF/QF chapters.

"I'm very excited to help grow Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's conservation mission in the Northwest," Paulson said, "The region is home to serious hunters and conservationists, and we have the unique opportunity to improve habitat for pheasants, California quail and mountain quail across two states."

"Kraig brings a great deal of wildlife habitat experience to this new position, which is welcome news to the upland birds and other wildlife that call Washington and Oregon home," said Matt Holland, PF/QF Senior Field Coordinator, "We expect Kraig to be a driving force in working with partners and volunteers to impact our habitat mission."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 12:04 AM 1 COMMENTREAD MORE »

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