MISSOULA, Mont.—A new television show, Elk Chronicles, from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is set to premiere July 3 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Outdoor Channel. Elk Chronicles will feature outdoor adventures including hunting, recreation, wildlife and conservation in North America.

The show will carry the Elk Foundation brand and message into 31 million homes three times a week: Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
 
“Bugling bulls, spectacular landscapes, packhorses and wall tents. It’s the stuff that every hunter dreams about and we’re pleased to bring it to Outdoor Channel viewers,” said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation. “We hope Elk Chronicles conveys both the excitement of the hunt as well as the urgent need to conserve elk habitat.”
 
Founded in 1984, the nonprofit Elk Foundation has led a massive conservation movement that has helped conserve or enhance over 5.2 million acres, a land area larger than Connecticut, Delaware and District of Columbia combined. More than 500,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation.  
 
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,” said Tom Hornish, chief operating officer for Outdoor Channel, America’s Leader in Outdoor TV. “Elk Chronicles is a special show, capturing the excitement of hunting and showcasing best practices in conservation. Adding Elk Chronicles to our programming lineup is just another part of Outdoor Channel’s commitment to conservation, our outdoor heritage and the highest caliber programming in the outdoor genre.”
 

SCI "In the Crosshairs" e-Newsletter 4-24-08

California Approves Non-lead Ammunition Certification Regulations

The California Fish and Game Commission recently approved regulations for certifying ammunition as “non-lead” for use in hunting big game and non-game in the area designated as  “condor range.”  A map of condor range is on page 5 of the document found at:  http://www.dfg.ca.gov.  Although SCI opposed the adoption of statutory and regulatory bans on lead ammunition in condor range, it supported the adoption of these implementing regulations.  Now that the bans are in place, hunters hunting in the defined condor range can only use ammunition certified as “non-lead” by the California Department of Fish and Game.  Without certification of the ammunition, no hunting could occur in condor range.  Four ammunition manufacturers have submitted applications for certification and the hope is that many more will do the same.  The bans go into effect on July 1, 2008.  SCI will keep you posted. 

SCI Helps Stop Anti-Hunting Legislation

SCI, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the NRA successfully banded together this week to oppose H.R. 5534, the so called “Bear Protection Act.” SCI and other sportsmen’s groups have worked hard to educate Congressmen and staffers about the realities of this “Bear Protection Act.”  Though H.R. 5534 sounds noble in purpose, it contained broad language that plays right into the hand of anti-hunting groups.

The truth is that H.R. 5534 will do nothing to increase conservation efforts for the North American bear, which have healthy and robust populations throughout their ranges as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated in its congressional testimony on this bill. The North American bear is already protected from poaching for its viscera (internal body parts) by state wildlife agency regulations, and protected from illegal interstate commerce by the Federal Lacey Act.  Furthermore, the bill would set the precedent of federal interference in successful state-based wildlife management and conservation.

For many years, some hunters have wrongfully blamed wild turkeys for devastating quail populations by eating quail eggs and chicks. This idea may sound ridiculous, but, once again, the accusations against turkeys are flying.

Quail populations in some regions have declined over the last two decades while wild turkey populations have dramatically increased at the same time, but there is no scientific data that points to turkeys as the culprits.

According to Jim Dietsch, president of Quail Forever's Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter, a lack of quality quail habitat - not turkey predation - is to blame.

"Habitat is one link between the rise of turkey populations and the fall of quail populations in Oklahoma and across the nation," Dietsch said. "Predation will always occur in nature, but we can help quail by improving their habitat. Quality quail habitat and proper nesting cover allows for more successful nesting with less interference from predators and bad weather."

MISSOULA, Mont.—Elk hunting in America is big business. The average elk hunter spends $1,201 a year pursuing the species—the second-highest amount of any game animal—and contributes to an economic engine worth nearly $1 billion annually.
 
Elk hunters outspend all others on guides, food, lodging, private transportation, licenses and tags, but trail deer hunters in overall per capita spending by $37. Duck hunters are third at $1,182 a year.
 
Within the data, one spending category is for dues, such as membership dues to conservation organizations. In this category, elk hunters fall behind several other groups.
 
David Allen, president and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, said, “In reviewing the data, we were struck by the fact that for $35—less than 3 percent of the average outlay for elk hunting—you can join the Elk Foundation and invest in conserving and enhancing the habitat that makes good hunting possible.”

TEXAS - The National Wild Turkey Federation and its project partners have united to complete projects that will potentially improve more than 550,000 acres of Texas National Forests and Grasslands and Wildlife Management Areas through the Master Challenge Cost Share Agreement.

Together with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the U.S. Forest Service, the NWTF's Texas State Chapter and national headquarters signed the Master Challenge Cost Share Agreement. Throughout the five-year agreement, each partner committed $125,000 to create a shared biologist position and oversee the completion of projects that will improve habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife.

Made possible by the recent agreement, a project on the Pat Mayse Wildlife Management Area in Paris, Texas, will improve more than 1,000 acres of prairie lands, home to native warm season grasses that provide much-needed nesting and brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys and other ground-nesting birds.

MISSISSIPPI — Ask any wildlife biologist what it takes to keep wildlife healthy, happy and close to home, and they'll tell you it's all about having good habitat.

Learn how to improve wildlife habitat on your property by attending the National Wild Turkey Federation's Wildlife Habitat Management Workshop Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at the Fluker Property in Winona, Miss.

During the workshop, participants will learn about the benefits of prescribed fire for wildlife and timber management. Landowners and managers also will spend time with experts learning how to thin pine plantations to improve wildlife habitat, manage hardwood stands for wildlife and timber, manage food plots to attract wildlife, maintain road systems, take advantage of cost-share programs available to private landowners and more.

The cost of the workshop is $10, and the program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participation is limited to the first 50 people registered. The registration deadline is May 20. Registration forms should be mailed to the NWTF, Attn. Sally Faust, P.O. Box 530, Edgefield, SC, 29824.

Did you know that the NWTF started in Fredericksburg, Virginia? Close to 35 years ago the NWTF was started by a small group of men concerned about the plight of the wild turkey.  This last Saturday Fredericksburg hosted their annual banquet to raise funds for the National Wild Turkey Foundation.  The event was quite a success and the committee did a wonderful job.

I am on this committee and I am proud to be a part of this team. We raised thousands of dollars which will be used both locally and nationally to protect the wild turkey, educate youth and improve habitat for all species.  Bill Newman the President of our chapter is a great leader and the banquet went off without a hitch.  Kevin Grubbs our local Regional Director for Virginia is a class act and I have had the pleasure of hunting with him in Idaho for Elk and Mule Deer.

Next year our banquet will be on April 4th, 2009 and we look forward to doing it all again.  We will be hosting a Jakes Event this year as well as putting some of these funds on the ground for conservation and habitat improvement.

1st Lt. Kyle Burns with Jodi and Weston Clark after Burns received a three-day dream turkey hunting trip during the NWTF's annual Convention and Sport Show.

After beginning his recovery from wounds received during Operation Enduring Freedom, 1st Lt. Kyle Burns of Ft. Benning, Ga., became determined to one day walk through the woods and hunt with his father again. Recently, Burns did just that.

With guides Weston and Jodi Clark, owners of Higher Ground Outfitters and hosts of Outdoor Channel's "Higher Ground Outdoors (Pursuing the Heart of America) and Harold Knight and David Hale of Knight & Hale Game Calls, Burns hunted with his father just outside of Nashville, Tenn., and harvested his fourth gobbler, a large Eastern.

Burns received the three-day, all-expenses-paid dream turkey-hunting trip during a patriotic breakfast sponsored by Federal Premium Ammunition at the National Wild Turkey Federation's annual Convention and Sport Show in Atlanta. A member of the NWTF's River City Gobblers Chapter in Columbus, Ga., Burns attended the national convention to help pass out commemorative pins to Purple Heart recipients who attended the NWTF's Veteran's breakfast.

OLATHE, Kan. — The Buffalo Gals of Olathe Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is holding its second annual Women's Outdoor Skills Workshop — a fun-filled weekend for women — April 25 to April 26, 2008.

Co-hosted by Bass Pro Shops of Olathe, the event will take place at the historic Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farmstead in Olathe, and will offer more than 25 classes on archery, canoeing, shooting, fishing, turkey calling, Dutch oven cooking, blacksmithing, jewelry making and more. Experienced instructors will be present to provide hands-on experience during the classes.

The Buffalo Gals of Olathe Chapter's inaugural event was recognized during the NWTF's annual Convention and Sport Show as the overall best new event, had the best new event membership achievement and best new event highest dollars out of all Women in the Outdoors events held nationwide in 2007.

2008 IDAHO BIGHORN SHEEP RAFFLE

TICKET ORDERS MUSTBE RECEIVED BY:    July 28, 2008

Idaho Chapter FNAWS
P. O. Box 8224
Boise, ID 83707

No tickets are sent to buyer. We make out and submit tickets for you.

Idaho Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. Funds from the Idaho
Bighorn Sheep Raffle are used for the benefit and enhancement of bighorn sheep in Idaho.

1 ticket ($ 10)

6 tickets ($ 50)

13 tickets ($100)

25 tickets ($174.50)

No limit to number of tickets purchased per individual.

Winner will be able to hunt in any unit open to sheep hunting
for Rocky Mountain or California bighorn in 2008,
pursuant to Fish & Game regulations.

Idaho's 2008 Raffle tag includes Unit 11--Hells Canyon
of the Snake River. Hells Canyon has produced
many tremendous rams.

Hunting license and permit will be provided to winner.

Applicant must be eligible to apply for a hunting license
in Idaho in order to purchase these special
tickets.

This permit is non-transferrable. No purchase
necessary, void where prohibited.

Applicant must be 18 years of age to purchase a ticket
and 18 years of age to win the sheep permit.

Drawing will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2008,
at 2:00 p.m. MDT at IF&G Headquarters, 600 S.
Walnut, Boise, Idaho.

Once-in-a-lifetime rule is waived for this raffle tag.

Need not be present to win.