TULSA, Oklahoma - Ducks Unlimited (DU) and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) dedicated the Cottonwood Creek Wetland Units on Keystone Wildlife Management Area in memory of Mr. Robert J. "Bob" Hawkins last week. Mr. Hawkins was a long-time DU supporter and funds raised in his honor were used towards this project.

After his passing in 2003, Sam Powell described Hawkins in a Tulsa World Article. "Hawkins was, truly, for almost 40 years, Ducks Unlimited in Oklahoma. He helped get DU started with the first ever fund raiser in Tulsa and went on to serve the organization he loved on almost every level. From a local chapter President to a national Vice-President, he was a tireless, enthusiastic worker. There is no telling how many thousands of people he convinced to get involved in DU over the years."

The Hawkins family- (front lf.-rt.) Jaque-Hawkins Noble (widow), Teal (granddaughter) and Patti Williams (sister). (back lf.-rt.) Jeanne Sommer (daughter) and Bob Hawkins, III (son).

Bob Hawkins was represented at the dedication by his widow Jacque, son, daughter, granddaughter and sister. Jacque said Bob's focus in his later years was the Greenwing program. "He believed that passing the love of conservation and waterfowling to the next generation was his duty," Jacque said.

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Are you excited for hunting season to start but it isn't coming fast enough?  I know that's how I get!  It just never seems like it comes fast enough.  I was fortunate enough to test a product that can remedy this problem.

Atari's Deer Hunter Tournament is the most realistic hunting games on the market.  Whether you are in the mood for deer hunting or turkey hunting, this game has it all.  It offers many ten different areas to hunt with many different game animals.  There is a scouting mode that allows you to set up treestands and blinds and find the spots where the animals are.  You can see anything from animals fighting to animals running at you to attack you!  With the technology that Atari put into this game, it makes each animal act just like they would in real life!  It gave me an adrenaline rush every time I saw something!  In this game, you actually have tags to fill and you need to be sure you hunt ethically because you can void all kills if you do something illegal.  As a hunter, you couldn't ask for anything more realistic than this.

Not only is it realistic, but it is easy to learn.  It took me only a couple hunts to get the controls down.  The game also offers online multiplayer.  You can go on and brag about your trophies or just have a good time with other people playing the game at the same time you are and gain points for your player during the online tournaments.

The graphics are unbelievable as long as you have the right system for the game.  Make sure you know your systems specifications before purchasing any PC games because the game will not work properly without a good enough system.

You can purchase this game for $19.99 at: http://www.atari.com/us/games/deer_hunter_tournament/dvd_rom .

You won't be disappointed! 

Washington, D.C. - November 18, 2008 - Today at the Wildlife Habitat Council's 20th Annual Symposium, Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) recognized DTE Energy with the first Prairies for Tomorrow Award.  DTE Energy earned the award for habitat improvements made to 800 acres of its Monroe, Michigan Power Plant.  

The project began as a partnership between DTE Energy, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Monroe Public Schools, and the Monroe County Chapter of Pheasants Forever in 2006.  Together, the group has restored wetlands, re-established native prairie grass stands, and monitored wildlife habitat population increases.  In addition, Monroe area schools have utilized the site for class field trips and wildlife observation. 

The Prairies for Tomorrow award was created to encourage the completion of corporate wildlife habitat projects, specifically prairie restoration projects.  Prairies are home to a myriad of wildlife species, including pheasants, quail and a variety of endangered species. Prairies also remove and store carbon from the atmosphere, conserve soil resources, and filter run-off. Unfortunately, prairies are the fastest disappearing ecosystem on the planet.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Thirty hunters with disabilities from across the Southeast enjoyed two days of sharing stories, lots of laughs and some white-tailed deer hunting during the eighth annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF Ultimate Team-Up, held Nov. 12 to Nov. 13, 2008, at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s headquarters in Edgefield.

The event paired veterans with disabilities with experienced hunting mentors and gave all participants an opportunity to forge new friendships and enjoy time afield.

Since its founding in 1973, the NWTF has made continual advancements in its mission of wild turkey conservation and protecting America's hunting traditions.  Its Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF outreach program provides people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing and archery.

Other partners in the event included the Disabled American Veterans, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbia, S.C., Primos Hunting Calls and Ameristep Hunting Blinds.

GREAT  IDEA!!  Submitted by Dennis Brauchle

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address.  If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.  If you feel inclined, send a small gift card to thank them for their wonderful service to our country.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical  Center

6900 Georgia Avenue,NW

Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Charles County, MD – The field staff members of Huntonly.com - a website created and managed by hunters as a resource for the hunting community - have donated 15 deer to Maryland’s Farmers and Hunters Feeding The Hungry (FHFH) program. The deer were harvested throughout Southern Maryland during Maryland’s deer hunting season.

Through the FHFH program, farmers and hunters deliver their legally harvested deer or other big game to a participating meat processor. The meat is processed, packaged and frozen and made available to local food banks at no charge. According to FHFH, one deer can provide 200 meals. “When we learned about this program, the field staff at Huntonly.com and two other area businesses – Fred’s Sporting Goods and Creative Whitetails Taxidermy - decided to get involved.

With today’s economy, we can only imagine there is more of a need this year than ever before. We felt inclined to lend a hand to our community, and what better way to do that than through a sport we enjoy?” said Steve Johnson of Huntonly.com. The 15 deer donated to FHFH by Huntonly.com will provide over 3,000 meals to people in the local community.

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(Columbus, Ohio) - The United States Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) emphatically opposes the anti-hunters' recent call for a nationwide ban on lead ammunition. Such a statement is an extreme policy proposal that is not supported by the facts.

On November 10, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) issued its call for the lead ammunition ban after the release of a report from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that had been conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It reported on the possible dangers of consuming wild game harvested by lead ammunition.

The report found that while the levels of lead in the blood of those tested who were frequent consumers of wild game taken with traditional, lead ammunition appeared to be somewhat higher than those not consuming wild game; none had levels approaching those that would be of concern to the CDC. In fact, in its own press releases, NDDoH indicated food pantries could continue accepting venison, provided the meat was appropriately processed.

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PINEDALE, Wyo. – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) recently pledged $50,000 for the Green River Valley Land Trust’s (GRVLT) Corridor Conservation Campaign (CCC). Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Foundation works to restore, improve and protect mule deer habitat, all of which result in self-sustaining, healthy, free-ranging and huntable mule deer populations.
“One of MDF’s main goals is to encourage and support responsible wildlife management with private landowners,” said Miles Moretti, President/CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. Moretti continued, “Because of that, we’re looking forward to supporting a project that will benefit Sublette County’s unparalleled mule deer population and recognizes the critical role that private lands play in their migration from summer to winter range. It’s also important that the project lets landowners choose whether they want to take advantage of the available resources.”

GRVLT’s CCC seeks to connect the working lands and wildlife habitat that makes Sublette County—and Wyoming—unique. The grant will be used to assist the GRVLT in providing the cost-free wildlife-friendly fencing modifications to local landowners in a portion of the pronghorn migration route between the Forest Service boundary and Trapper’s Point. Fencing work is already underway in the Upper Green River Valley.

GRVLT’s Executive Director, Lara Ryan, is excited about how the CCC has developed thus far. “In less than five months we’ve moved from conception to on the ground results,” said Ryan, adding “The support we’ve received from the community, our partners, and a broad range of organizations has really kept the momentum going.”

Frankfort, Kentucky - A shift to online-only applications for Kentucky elk quota hunts will solve problems with notifying people drawn for a hunt. The new system takes effect December 1, when the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources begins its application sales for the 2009-10 elk hunt.

Other licenses and permits will not be affected by the change.

Under the old system, the department faced difficulties obtaining the names and addresses of youth hunters and those without a Kentucky driver's license. This delayed notifications to all hunters and mailings of elk hunt information to all those drawn for the hunt.

Under the new system, hunters will provide their names and addresses when they register online at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website, fw.ky.gov . The new system speeds up the notification process and increases its efficiency.

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Saint Paul, Minn. – November 13, 2008 – The results are in from Minnesota's most highly-anticipated autumn event, and we're not talking about the U.S. Senate race. The first-ever Pheasants Forever (PF) special mentored youth hunt, co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Resources (DNR), allowed 200 youth the opportunity to experience a safe, high-quality outdoor experience.

The mentored youth hunt took place on October 25th. The DNR set up the structure for the hunt and promoted it, while PF chapter members served as mentors and organized the individual events. Forty Minnesota PF chapters participated in the event. Youth with valid firearms safety certificates, ages 12-17, applied and were selected through an earlier drawing. Mentors from PF chapters throughout Minnesota were paired with youth hunters and their guardians. After scouting places to hunt and securing landowner permission when necessary, mentors and participants took to the field.

Jake Anderson, who hunted with the Dodge County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, echoed the comments of many youths saying, "Pheasants are big and look slow, but they are really, really fast." He added, "I had a great time!"