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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

You do not need a calendar to tell you when spring arrives here in Virginia.  Just like clockwork everywhere around you things start happening. Spring brings the promise of renewal and the circle of life. Temperatures warm, toms start gobbling, the dogwoods begin to bloom and the shad arrive in the James River.

Each year I get so anxious for spring to finally get here. Deer calls have long been put away and my decoys have been sitting wadded up in a ball of maddening tangles for weeks. The cobwebs of February are brushed off and cabin fever finally slips away as the outdoors open up again with some of my favorite activities.

The shad/herring run starts around the end of March here in Richmond. You can tell that they are here when you drive over the I95 bridge and it looks like we are being invaded by some foreign navy. There will be anywhere from twenty to over fifty boats all vying for a relatively small patch of water. Navigating the crowds can get interesting and proper boating etiquette should be used to avoid a coarse word or two. If you like jetskies then more power to you but I would advise you to head down river unless you are some sort of water born ninja capable of matrix like reflexes as the shad darts start flying.

POSTED BY CHRISTOPHER WOODS AT 11:51 PM | 2 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Hunters and anglers laud measures beneficial to fish and wildlife populations, sporting opportunities in most significant conservation legislation enacted in decades
 

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama today signed into law a broad-based public lands bill and ensured the conservation of millions of acres of public lands and hunting and fishing opportunities, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today.

TRCP President and CEO George Cooper attended the White House signing ceremony for the legislation and invoked the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt in assessing the president’s actions.

“Theodore Roosevelt once said, ‘We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune,’” said Cooper. “With today’s events, Roosevelt’s words take on a new and deeper meaning. Ratification of this historic measure represents an important victory for sportsmen, as well as for our natural resources and activities that rely on our nation’s public lands.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:21 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Truck giveaway benefits Pheasants Forever's wildlife habitat conservation mission

Saint Paul, Minn. – March 30, 2009 – Pheasants Forever (PF) announces Danielle Hotchkin of Le Grand, Iowa, as the winner of the 2009 Pheasants Forever/Chevy Truck Giveaway. Hotchkin won a 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD Extended Cab with a suggested retail value of nearly $35,000 after her Dad purchased her ticket to the Jasper County (Iowa) Chapter PF banquet.

Giveaway tickets for the Chevy truck were available at PF chapter events in Chevrolet's North Central Region. Hotchkin attended the annual Jasper County event with her father Dave Kaisand, and then picked up her winning truck at Clemons Chevy in Marshalltown, Iowa.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:13 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 30, 2009

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING TREVOR SIMMONS, OUR Newest Pro Staff Member!!!!!!!

Here is his newest article:

In the few years I’ve been turkey hunting on more than one occasion I’ve found myself wondering “Where did I go wrong”. I know I’m not alone on this either, if you’re a hunter you’ve asked yourself this question too. So when things didn’t really work out I learned to correct my mistakes. Here are some of the things I learned I was doing wrong.

I learned movement is a big one in the turkey woods. Turkey’s can see about 10 times better than a human so they pick up on movement really quickly. Even if you think that you’re far enough away that they won’t spoke, they will trust me. Those last little call switches and head net adjustments when it’s starting to get just a little daylight will catch their eye too, because they are starting look for predators and other turkeys that are in that area. It’s just like when you where a little kid and you thought your parents weren’t looking and they caught you; turkeys are the same way. My biggest problem was gun movement. When the turkey is moving then you can move your gun, but only as fast as the turkey is moving.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:59 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 30, 2009

Article Republished by permission of Kip Adams, QDMA Director of Education and Outreach, Northern Region

Herd monitoring is an important but often overlooked QDM Cornerstone.  Some managers neglect to collect the appropriate data because they‚re not sure how to use it for management purposes.  With a little help in analysis and interpretation, managers can use the data they collect to assess the status of their management program within their respective state, as well as compare how well they stack up to other states and/or regions.  To provide a comparison among states, QDMA surveyed state agencies and collected information from 1998 and 2008 on four important management program indices.  This article focuses solely on one of those indices, fawn recruitment rates, and future articles will cover the others.  With respect to our survey, all states didn‚t provide the requested information, but most did and the data provided for meaningful comparisons among states and between years. 

Fawn recruitment rate is a measure of the number of fawns per adult doe (1.5 years and older) alive in the fall pre-hunt population.  Basically, this index records the number of fawns that survive to approximately six months of age and expresses that number in relation to the number of adult does in the population.  The fawn recruitment rate is lower than the number of fetuses per doe and the number of fawns born in the spring, since not all fetuses survive to become fawns and not all fawns survive until fall.  This rate is a good measure of a deer herd‚s productivity, and it is an important factor when determining the biologically appropriate number of does to harvest.  Monitoring the fawn recruitment rate also provides insight into herd health, and it alerts managers to potential problems such as high fawn predation rates.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:39 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 30, 2009

House vote follows Senate approval of legislation, which would have significant  positive repercussions for public-lands hunting and fishing 

WASHINGTON – In a move lauded by hunters and anglers, the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a sweeping public-lands bill that will safeguard millions of acres of fish and wildlife habitat and sporting opportunities, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today. With this afternoon’s 285-140 vote, the Omnibus Public Lands Act moves on to consideration by President Barack Obama, who is expected to ratify the legislation.

A package of more than 150 public lands, water and resources bills, the omnibus bill features numerous measures of importance to sportsmen, such as the Wyoming Range Legacy Act and National Landscape Conservation System. The legislation also includes the Altmire amendment, which would maintain access for hunters and anglers in areas currently open to those activities and uphold the ability of states to manage fish and wildlife populations.

“This landmark legislation will enable citizens’ continued enjoyment of public-lands sporting activities by safeguarding crucial fish and wildlife habitat and upholding access to sportsmen’s traditional mountains, plains and waters,” said TRCP Senior Vice President Tom Franklin. “Today’s House vote has enormous positive implications for the future of hunting and fishing in America. Our nation’s sportsmen have reason to celebrate.” 

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:25 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 30, 2009

MISSOULA, Mont.—U.S. Forest Service employees in California, Colorado and Oregon are earning special recognition for their work enhancing and conserving habitat for elk and other wildlife. Each has received a 2009 Elk Country Award presented by the Forest Service and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“This year’s awards honor some of the finest conservationists and conservation efforts anywhere in North America. We’re proud to call these professionals our partners,” said Jack Blackwell, vice president of lands and conservation for the Elk Foundation.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:19 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 30, 2009

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- In support of a new youth target shooting initiative, the National Shooting Sports Foundation will contribute $50,000 to the Scholastic Steel Challenge program of the United States Practical Shooting Association and Steel Challenge Shooting Association.

"Developing new target shooters through programs that teach safe and responsible handling of firearms is a priority of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and we're proud to help a program get off the ground that holds so much potential for introducing new shooters to a lifetime sport," said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, trade association for the firearms and shooting sports industry.

The Scholastic Steel Challenge program is being modeled after the NSSF-developed Scholastic Clay Target Program that in addition to safety emphasizes building character and citizenship through teamwork.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:12 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Josh Morrissey Interviews Greg Miller

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 07:45 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Saturday, March 28, 2009

The Central Wyoming Chapter, Safari Club International will be raffling a complimentary big game license for the 2009 Wyoming big game hunting season. The license will be valid for one specific species (either antelope, deer or elk) and for one specific region or hunt area to be designated by the raffle winner. Holders of complimentary licenses are exempt from the provisions of Wyoming State Law limiting the number of licenses an individual can possess in any one calendar year. Please note that complimentary elk licenses are not valid for elk hunt areas 75, 76 and 79 which are located within Grand Teton National Park. The winner will be responsible for applicable license fees. For more information and license particulars, please contact: Robert M. Anderson at 307-473-1268 or Click here for Entry Form . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Drawing will be held on April 18th, 2009.

1 Ticket: $20

6 Tickets: $100

13 Tickets: $200

Check, Mastercard or Visa accepted.

This is your chance to get a coveted Wyoming Commissioners Tag and help a great friend to Hunters, the Safari Club International. Tickets for the fundraising dinner are also available.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:33 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, March 27, 2009

At the recent 25th annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Convention held in Fort Worth, Texas, David and Carman Forbes, co-owners of Hunter's Specialties, were honored as the Conservationists of the Year.

"The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Conservationist of the Year Award recognizes individuals who we believe have made a difference for wildlife on a national scale - people who are making the world a better place for future generations," said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

"We couldn't be more honored and excited," said the Forbes' upon hearing the news. "Supporting conservation and hunting is simply the right thing to do. Without industry support and the tireless efforts of organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, sportsmen will find fewer and fewer opportunities to hunt. We must all work together to protect our heritage."

David and Carman's personal and corporate support for RMEF and other conservation organizations and efforts include donating over $250,000 to the Elk Foundation through their sponsorships of the annual 'Volunteer Appreciation Night' at Elk Camp, 'Great Elk Tour,' and a co-marketing elk call royalty program as a licensee of the Elk Foundation. They have achieved the Platinum Medallion recognition status in the Business Partners in Conservation program and are a consistent advertiser in BUGLE magazine.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:08 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, March 26, 2009

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation has stepped up in a big way to help save a portion of the nation's most important waterfowl breeding grounds by contributing $285,200 to Ducks Unlimited's "Rescue the Duck Factory" campaign.

Approved by the NSSF's Board of Governors at its annual meeting, the grant will help stop native prairie grassland from being turned into cropland, a process that destroys habitat that ducks and other wildlife depend on to breed and thrive. These grasslands are being threatened because of record-high commodity prices driven by the global demand for food and corn-based ethanol production.

"Ducks Unlimited and the National Shooting Sports Foundation are natural partners -- after all, hunters are the original conservationists," said Don Young, executive vice president for Ducks Unlimited. "This grant to 'Rescue the Duck Factory' will go a long way to protecting the most important waterfowl breeding area in the world, and will continue the proud waterfowling and conservation traditions that our organizations embody."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:48 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Al Morris, a member of the Hunter's Specialties Pro Staff, emerged from a pack of professional callers at the 25th Anniversary Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation World Elk Calling Championships with the first place crown in the Professional Division.

"This is an awesome feeling," said Morris. "I have had several second and third place finishes at the World Championships over the years, so to finally win first place is a dream come true. As always, there was another tough field of competitors this year. All my years of hunting, guiding and entering calling contests have really paid off."

Contestants in the professional division are required to make specific calls such as cow and calf calls, barks, whistles, growls and screaming bugles before a panel of judges. Each contestant is then given 60 seconds for free-style cow and bull calls.

"The new Infinity Latex that we're using in our Wayne Carlton's Calls has really helped me to make quality elk sounds," said Morris. "It's so consistent and durable that I don't have to worry about the sound of my calls changing in the middle of a competition."  

"We're excited for Al," said Hunter's Specialties co-owners David and Carman Forbes. "We've been a big supporter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation over the years and the great conservation work they do. It's special to see one of our own do so well in the competition."

The World Elk Calling Championships are held to help raise awareness of elk habitat and conservation initiatives of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. To date, the RMEF has helped to protect or enhance more than 5.5 million acres. Winners receive prizes ranging from $500.00 up to $2500.00 for first place.

For more information, log onto the Hunter's Specialties website at www.hunterspec.com.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:08 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

By: Taylor Rather

It was February 28th and we were headed to the Fisherville Sportsmen Show. A friend of ours went last year and said it was an EXCELLENT show. We packed the gear for our upcoming interviews and headed out the door early that day.

While driving down the road, we saw many turkeys in the fields. In one field, there were at least 15 turkeys and the majority were Jakes and gobbler’s. I can’t wait for spring gobbler season!

Finally, after a few hours, we arrived to find a HUGE line of waiting people. After waiting, we finally got in and we quickly located the Hunters Helping Kids booth. While talking to Dennis Campbell, a very special person walked by that I had been dying to meet. It was Ronnie "Cuz" Strickland! Dennis quickly approached him, introduced me, and we asked if I could interview him for HuntingLife.com. He was excited to hear that I was involved with HuntingLife.com and Hunters Helping Kids and he delightfully replied yes.

We setup in front=2 0of the Hunters Helping Kids booth and prepared for the interview. It was the first interview that day and I was pretty nervous! He told me that I should just be myself and pretend that the camera is not there. During the interview he told me about  when his father took him hunting and that some of his most memorable hunts were when his children took their first turkeys.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:31 PM | 3 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Saint Paul, Minn. – The Mississippi Longtails Chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF)  will host the 2nd Annual Randall L. Johnson Memorial Build a Wildlife Area Sporting Clays Shoot on Saturday, March 28th at the South St Paul Rod & Gun Club. The event is open to all interested shooters, and all proceeds will go to Minnesota's Build a Wildlife Area campaign, which helps acquire land for public hunting and outdoor recreation activities.

This year, the Mississippi Longtails chapter will make its Build a Wildlife Area campaign contribution in honor of Mike "The Admiral" Kennedy, chapter member and a champion of conservation who passed away last year. The Randall L. Johnson Memorial Build a Wildlife Area Sporting Clays Shoot is named after Randall Johnson, a longtime PF supporter who passed away in 2007.

The Build a Wildlife Area campaign is unique in that all donations are tripled through matching grants from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Once matched, those dollars will be used by Pheasants Forever to acquire land critical as wildlife habitat. The land will then be turned over to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for management, and opened to the public.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:27 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Lincoln, Kan. – Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) announce Devon Walter of Lincoln, Kansas, as the organization's new regional representative for western Kansas. Walter's primary duties with PF/QF will include starting and servicing chapters and members in the region to enhance the organization's wildlife habitat mission.

Walter will advise chapters in raising and expending funds on wildlife habitat and conservation education. He will also work with local, state, and federal natural resource agencies on behalf of PF/QF chapters in western Kansas. "You won't have to be around Devon for very long to realize that his passion for wildlife and the mission of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever runs very deep," said Rick Young, PF/QF VP of Field Operations, "That passion will help engage more people in our mission in an area where there is a great deal of potential for habitat projects, particularly those that benefit quail."

Walter joins PF/QF after most recently serving as the Academic Dean at the St. John's Military School in Salina, Kansas. In addition to his career in education and his leadership experience in coaching and capital fundraising, Walter's diverse background includes involvement in his family's farm near Lincoln. He also recently worked for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks assisting with fish and wildlife habitat work.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:15 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Jim Moss, the man who developed the new Hunter's Specialties Ring Zone call, was recently interviewed  about how the call was developed.
 
Q: "Jim, I understand there is some solid scientific research behind the development of the Ring Zone call. What gave you the idea to look into how a turkey hears?"
 
A: "I'm a surgeon by trade and a turkey hunter at heart", said Moss. "I guess it's natural for me to want to know how things work. I was hunting in south-central Missouri a few years ago, when I had to quickly set up to try and call in a bird that popped over a hill in front of me. The turkey got away, and afterwards I realized I had a real "death grip" on the slate call I was using because I was so excited. That got me started looking at how pressure on a call influences the sound, as well as how changes in the call itself could effect the quality of the sounds being produced."
 
Q: "How did you go about gathering your information?"
 
A: "I looked at the actual sound a hen makes in a couple of ways. The first is with oscilloscope and the other was using a technique called frequency spectrum analysis. Both methods produce a graph of the sound that you can see. The research shows that turkeys hear best in the 750-2100 Hz range. At the high frequencies produced by some calls in the 15,000 Hz range, turkeys are virtually deaf. Once I had this data, it was a matter of finding a way to make the call closely match the frequency produced by the real hen turkey."
 
Q: "What were some of the things you tried?"
 
A: "I experimented with different friction surfaces, the sounding board, wall thickness and the sound holes. It seemed thin walls produced a truer sound, but I was still not where I wanted to be. It was apparent that the pressure of holding the call in your hand was having a bad effect on the sound. When I came up with the idea of adding a ring around the call, the quality increased dramatically."
 
Q: "Once you had the call tuned to your satisfaction, what did you do?"
 
A: "I had several prototypes produced for my friends to try and the response was overwhelmingly positive. I decided to apply for a patent and look for someone to produce the call. After making several inquiries, the advice I heard the most was to take it to Hunter's Specialties. They were able to fine tune the design and produce the call in a slate, ceramic and Starfire Crystal version. The Hunter's Specialties Pro Staff used the calls all last year during the spring turkey season and the results proved we had a winner."  
 
For more information, log onto the Hunter's Specialties website at www.hunterspec.com, write to 6000 Huntington Court NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402, or call a Consumer Service Specialist at 319-395-0321

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:21 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Loudoun County, Virginia- A joint illegal hunting investigation between the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries has led to two more arrests. Items seized in the investigation include: numerous deer carcasses, 78 sets of deer antlers, 72 turkey beards, three firearms and the claws of two federally protected birds.  

Jason Andrew Austin, 28, and Josh Dean Pratt, 23, both of Leesburg, were charged this month in connection with a suspected poaching ring. Austin ischarged with three counts of unlawful possession of a wild animal, four counts of unlawfully killing a deer, three counts of discharging a weapon in or across a road, two counts of taking game during the closed season, and hunting deer with sights after dark. Austin also faces federal game violations for possession of hawk claws. Pratt is charged with three counts of unlawfully killing a deer, three counts of unlawful possession of wildlife, conspiracy to kill wild game, and two counts of discharging a weapon in or across a road, and taking game during the closed season.     

Back on November 29, 2008, Loudoun Deputies responded to a hunting complaint in the area of Rosefinch Circle in the Lucketts, VA area around 9:50 p.m. A resident reported several subjects were shooting deer. The resident confronted the men who left the scene in a dark colored truck.   

Shortly before 11 p.m. a Sheriff's Deputy located a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle in the hunting complaint. A traffic stop was initiated in the area of Loyalty Road and Hannah Drive. Inside the cab and the bed of the vehicle were signs of recent hunting activity. The driver of the vehicle, Joseph A. Hobbie, 35, of Martinsburg, WV, was charged with DUI,unlawful possession of wildlife, and obtaining a hunting license under false pretenses (held a VA resident license).  

A Virginia Conservation Police Officer was called to assist in the investigation. During the course of the investigation nine deer carcasses possibly connected to the case were located at a residence in the 41800 block of Stumptown Road in Leesburg. The deer were all in the process of being prepared. 

The investigation continued and in December 2008 a search warrant was conducted on a home on Barnhouse Place in Leesburg, VA. Items located in the home included 78 sets of deer antlers, 71 turkey beards, two firearms, pictures and documents, three hawk claws and four partially-white deer hides. A second search warrant was conducted on a home on Spinks Ferry Road.Items located in the home included packaged venison and other deer parts from at least seven different deer, pictures and documents and two picturecell phones.  

The venison recovered from the homes on Stumptown Road and Spinks Ferry Roadwere taken to a private butcher shop and turned over to Hunters for theHungry.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:54 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, March 20, 2009

Following House’s failure to pass bill, Senate vote furthers conservation of landscapes treasured by sportsmen and crucial to fish and wildlife

WASHINGTON – The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership today welcomed a U.S. Senate vote meant to ensure final passage of a public-lands bill that includes numerous measures of importance to fish and wildlife habitat and hunting and fishing. The Senate this afternoon voted 77-20 in favor of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, a package of more than 150 public lands, water and resources bills.

Initially passed by the Senate in January in a 74-21 vote following months of wrangling, the omnibus bill was rejected by the U.S. House last week in a closely contested vote. Senate Democrats subsequently reintroduced the measure in an effort to facilitate its passage and streamline the House approval process. Today’s Senate vote enables the House to approve the legislation with only a simple majority vote. The House could reconsider it as early as next week.

Measures in the bill of particular significance to hunters and anglers include the Wyoming Range Legacy Act and National Landscape Conservation System, both of which enable citizens’ continued enjoyment of sporting opportunities on public lands in the American West. Passage of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act would prohibit further energy leasing on 1.2 million acres of prime big-game habitat and native trout waters and permit conservation groups to buy and retire existing energy leases.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:58 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, March 20, 2009

The Men's Journal did an amazing job of covering the Bristol Bay and Pebble Mine situation...

Endangered Alaska, by Daniel Duane

If you want to contribute to this amazing cause to protect Bristol Bay and have a chance to go to Bristol Bay on a 10 day Moose Hunt please support the Sportsman's Alliance for Alaska.

Bristol Bay Hunt Promotion

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:15 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, March 19, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—Conservationists from California, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas have been named to new positions on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation board of directors.

Included are:

Lou “Shark” Prusinovski, Redding, Calif., director

Bill Alexander, Hillsboro, N.M., director

Joe Treadway, Ashville, N.C., chairman of the board

Mark Tolar, Woodville, Texas, director

All are longtime volunteers for the Elk Foundation. They began their new terms of service during the organization’s 25th annual convention, held March 5-8 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Each will help guide policy and governance for one of America’s premier wildlife conservation organizations. The Elk Foundation’s mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. Headquartered in Missoula, Mont., RMEF boasts more than 150,000 members and 10,000 volunteers who coordinate over 550 fundraisers annually.

Together with corporate partners, individual donors and other revenue streams, the Elk Foundation has funded more than 6,100 different conservation and education projects.

Habitat enhancement projects include prescribed burns, weed treatments, forest thinning, water developments and more. Land protection work, such as brokering a 2008 land swap that added 61,578 acres of elk habitat to the state forest system in Washington’s central Cascades, preclude development and subdivision. Combined, these efforts have topped 5.7 million acres.

Another major success is the Elk Foundation’s help restoring elk to long-vacant parts of their historic range. Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin are home to wild elk today, thanks to RMEF funding, expertise or facilitation.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:56 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, March 19, 2009

NEW MEXICO Time is running out to place bids on a very rare New Mexico Gould's wild turkey tag. The National Wild Turkey Federation's online auction will close March 23 at 8:00 p.m Eastern Daylight Time.

The lucky winner will have the option of arranging to hunt with members of the NWTF's New Mexico State Chapter for five consecutive days. The hunting arrangement includes lodging in a comfortable tent camp, meals during the hunt and ground transportation to and from El Paso International Airport in El Paso, Texas. The winner will be responsible for travel to El Paso. The tent camp will be set up within minutes of gobbling Gould's wild turkeys.

"This tag represents an incredible opportunity," said NWTF Vice President of Conservation Programs Administration Scott Vance. "Not only will the auction winner get to take part in a significant milestone in turkey hunting history, but the entire proceeds from the tag will help benefit Gould's wild turkey restoration and conservation work in southwestern New Mexico. Contributing to the successful comeback of these majestic birds is something to take pride in."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:09 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

 
ARLINGTON, Va. – March 17, 2009 – Today, the North American Grouse Partnership joined with Pheasants Forever, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and the Mule Deer Foundation to launch the Prairie Grouse Partners, a new conservation partnership with an aggressive goal of restoring 20 percent of North America's native grasslands. This effort would result in 60 million acres of improved habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including three species of prairie grouse. The announcement was made at the 74th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, a gathering of the nation’s top state, federal, and nonprofit wildlife and natural resource professionals.
 
Only 10 percent of North America’s 585 million acres of native grasslands remain today, and its associated wildlife species are in a state of rapid decline. The conservation work of the Prairie Grouse Partners will be guided by the Grassland Conservation Plan for Prairie Grouse, a landscape-scale, ecologically based plan developed in cooperation with state natural resource agencies and adopted by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. The plan is centered on three major grouse species (sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chicken and lesser prairie chicken), considered primary indicators of healthy grassland ecosystems.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:31 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—Honored for their volunteer work to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat, conservationists from New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have received a 2009 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Chairman’s Award.

Honorees include:

• John Hoffman, Albuquerque, N.M.
• Stan Kunzman, Bend, Ore.
• John & Linda Geissler, Erie, Pa.
• Jerry Stout, Lafollette, Tenn.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:04 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 16, 2009

WASHINGTON - The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) announces the addition of four new members to its board of directors: Mike Fitzgerald, Jr., of Wexford, Penn.; Kirk Otey, of Charlotte, N.C.; Mills Schenck, of Chicago; and Eric Washburn, of Washington, D.C.

"The new members of the TRCP board have distinguished themselves not only by their professional accomplishments, but through their personal dedication to advancing the cause of fish and wildlife conservation," said interim board chairman Dr. Rollin Sparrowe. "Adding their combined experience and perspective to our board provides an infusion of new ideas and a wellspring of passion."

"The remarkable growth of the TRCP follows from a number of sources, including the absolute need for our mission and the tenacity of our recently deceased co-founder and board chairman Jim Range," said TRCP President and CEO George Cooper. "But the contributions of the entire board cannot be understated. Every time it assembles, I am struck by the breadth of business acumen and conservation knowledge they bring to the table. I also find myself wondering how much quarry they have brought to hand collectively. These guys flat-out know the intricacies of fish and game - they are a tremendous resource."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:55 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 16, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—Dave and Carman Forbes of Hunter’s Specialties have received Conservationist of the Year honors from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The Forbes were honored during the Elk Foundation’s 25th annual convention, which concluded March 8 in Fort Worth, Texas.

“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Conservationist of the Year Award recognizes individuals who we believe have made a difference for wildlife on a national scale— people who are making the world a better place for future generations,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

A summary of the Forbes’ contributions to conservation and other causes:

• •    In 2008, Hunter’s Specialties reached the $250,000 plateau in contributions to RMEF, and the Platinum Medallion level in the RMEF Business Partners in Conservation program. Donates $5,000 per year in product to RMEF fundraising events. Licenses 37 different products and accessories to RMEF. Contributed $10,000 to the RMEF capital campaign. Hunter’s Specialties has been a major player in helping the Elk Foundation reach 5.7 million acres of habitat enhanced or protected for elk and other wildlife.

• •    Heavily involved with International Hunter Education Association. Passionate about youth, hunter education, hunter recruitment and retention.

• •    Co-sponsors an annual youth turkey hunt with Cabela’s, and are avid supporters of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Jakes program, donating thousands to help get and keep kids involved in the outdoors.

• •    Member and sponsor of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.

• •    Supporters of Aiming for a Cure Celebrity Shoot & Auction to help fund youth cancer research. Also support breast cancer awareness by promoting the sale of special caps on their website and at trade shows (100 percent of profit goes to Susan G. Komen Foundation)

• •    Company aggressively works to reduce paper usage, recycle and conduct more business electronically to conserve natural resources.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:47 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 16, 2009

NEWTOWN, Conn.—The National Shooting Sports Foundation strongly encourages the National Park Service to reconsider its policy banning the use of traditional ammunition made with lead components on park lands and points out that neither humans, wildlife populations nor the environment are harmed by the use of such ammunition.

“The National Park Service's decision is arbitrary, over-reactive and not based on science,” said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry. “Studies show that traditional ammunition does not pose a health risk to humans, or wildlife populations as a whole.”

The park service appears to have made its decision without requesting input from wildlife management and conservation groups, or ammunition manufacturers. “There is no evidence of traditional ammunition harming humans or wildlife populations that would warrant this kind of drastic policy change,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:07 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 16, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—Two disabled veterans of the Iraq War last weekend received a hero’s welcome and tribute from grateful members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

RMEF President and CEO David Allen, outdoor writer and devotee to severely injured servicemen Jim Zumbo, NASCAR’s Richard Childress, Realtree’s Bill Jordan and Dallas Cowboys legend Walt Garrison made special presentations during the Elk Foundation’s 25th annual convention, which concluded March 8 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Recipients included:

•     U.S. Marine First Lieutenant Andrew Kinard, Spartanburg, S.C./Washington D.C.
•     U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chad Kueser, Garland, Texas/San Antonio, Texas

Both soldiers lost their legs while serving in Iraq. Kinard and three others on foot patrol in western Iraq were wounded in a blast from a buried improvised explosive device. Kueser fell to an enemy mortar round that hit the building where he worked in Tikrit.

Both endured 18 months of surgery and rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Both continue to serve the U.S. military today.

And both are hunters and conservationists.

“We at the Elk Foundation often use the word ‘passion’ to describe our drive and sacrifice to protect what we love, but these guys—and thousands more like them—take the definition of that word to a level that most of us cannot comprehend,” said Allen.

He added, “Whenever we exercise our freedom to hunt, venture into wild country, share the outdoors with our families and friends, or host banquets and fundraisers to raise dollars for things we believe in, let’s remember that none of our passions would be possible without the passion of our servicemen and women.”

The veterans were presented with RMEF life memberships, commemorative rifles and elk head mounts. Both veterans took bulls last fall while hunting from their wheelchairs.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:

Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.7 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:03 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 16, 2009

Roseville, Minn. – Quail hunters and conservationists have banded together in Minnesota's largest metropolitan area to form the state's second Quail Forever (QF) chapter, known as the Metro Chapter of QF. The chapter has set out to create, restore and enhance wildlife habitat areas in southeastern Minnesota, which is home to the state's last remaining native bobwhite quail population – estimated at approximately 1,000 birds. Through wildlife habitat projects and other events, the chapter also wants to connect the next generation to wildlife habitat conservation.

"We need Quail Forever in this area to build quail numbers and to reconnect youth to the outdoors," said Jonathan Lueck of Chaska, the chapter's newly-elected president, "After talking with the Southeast Minnesota Chapter of Quail Forever - Minnesota's first QF chapter based out of Caledonia - it became pretty apparent that the best thing we could do was start a Quail Forever chapter here in the metro area and work together on common goals."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:35 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, March 15, 2009

 By: Trevor Simmons

Spring is right around the corner so that means spring turkey season is closing in. With three weeks left to prepare here is the top six tips I’m using to get ready for this majestic part of the year.

• 1.    Practice- I’m getting out those old stiff mouth calls and just walking around the house making some calls to get loosened up and sounding good. I can’t leave the box calls and slate calls so dig around in your turkey vest and find that chalk and sandpaper and warm them up to.
• 2.    Scout- As I’m driving around the house and property that we hunt on I’m keeping my eyes pealed for turkeys especially those ones with nice long beards. If you have some trail cameras put those out too so you can watch for those birds 24/7.
• 3.    Listen- As I’m out walking around the house or waiting on the bus in the morning I’m starting to listen for some faint gobbles just to see where the birds might be roosting. So if you’re out early in the morning just keep your ears open for a little gobbling.
• 4.    Pattern- Putting those two together (Scouting/Listening) I’m beginning to pattern the birds. Like where are they feeding, roosting, and strutting during the day. Also, look for where they go during high winds, rain, and cooler temperatures; as we all know not every spring morning is perfect.
• 5.    Watching- I’m also starting to watch the turkey hunting TV shows and DVD’s to learn about new products and tactics the pros are using in the woods. Plus, their very entertaining when it’s raining or when there’s nothing to do.
• 6.    Dressing- We are starting to dig through the closets and drawers to find our clothes, facemasks, gloves, and boots. It’s a good idea to find these thing a couple weeks before season opens to make sure you have them and that their prepared for the upcoming season.

There are my top six tips to prepare and I’d love to hear your top six tips if you have any. Good luck this spring and enjoy God’s great outdoors.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:16 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Sometimes people need to take a step back form their hectic lives and appreciate the good memories they have acquired over the years. Good memories are accumulated in many different ways. It could be a trip, a nice dinner or just an evening out with those people that mean a lot to you. When I think back over my life I am fortunate to have a pretty solid bank of good memories to draw from.

Each hunting season is an opportunity to fill your bank with experiences and memories to reflect on throughout the next year and beyond. It is up to you to make the most of your season and this can vary greatly from individual to individual. People have responsibilities and commitments that can and often do mess up a day in the field. So make the most of your time and savor the experience.

Driving to my farm today I found myself thinking about Steve Vranch a very good friend of my father and mine who passed away last year. Now Steve was very good to my family. He was someone to look up to, to learn from and to watch very closely especially at turkey camp.

You see, Steve never rested on last years prank and quite frankly you expected nothing but the best in the way. One of his most memorable pranks was the ghost of ideclare. The back story of ideclare was when Steve was a boy and misbehaved his grandmother would sigh “I declare” and would tell him that ideclare was a ghost that would get little boys that misbehaved. When my brother had picked on the last nerve of nearly every grownup at camp Steve decided to take matters into his own hands and teach him a lesson after he went to bed. After a determined amount of bourbon out to the barn he went and soon returned with a long heavy length of chain. Steve cautiously slipped up the stairwell past my brother’s room and crept up into the attic. At first a low moaning aided by the help of a wail or two ever so softly began to emanate from the attic and then came the chains. Screams, wails, moans and chains. You get the picture and so did my brother who after that experience had a decidedly different outlook on things and straightened right up. In fact it scared him so badly that my mother banned Steve from even mentioning the ghost of ideclare within earshot of Pat.

Every time I think of that story it makes me smile. Not because my brother was tormented by a fictitious ghost, well maybe a little, but because that story is told often at camp and allows everyone to think back and smile at a friend that enriched our lives and many others.

So this year when you head to the field or duck blind savor the experience and put it in your bank. Next time you find yourself driving on a long trip all you have to do is think back to your friends at hunt camp and smile. You’ll be surprised how much shorter the trip is. Good gunning.

POSTED BY CHRISTOPHER WOODS AT 09:59 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, March 15, 2009

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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) has initiated a new “Q&A with Industry Icons” interview series featuring Ron Coburn, Chairman and CEO of Savage Sports Corporation.  The series will be regularly published on the YSSA website www.youthshootingsa.com and will feature some of the most respected leaders in the shooting sports industry.  These prominent industry leaders convey their opinions on the state of the industry and what their respective companies or organizations are doing to improve it for the next generation of shooters and hunters.

Ron Coburn joined Savage in 1987 as Senior Vice President and was challenged with delivering the company from bankruptcy, which was successfully completed in 1989, at which time he became President and CEO.  In November, 1995, he purchased the company from the owners.  Savage Sports Corporation is a privately-held company that has three subsidiaries -- firearms, shooting ranges and archery.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:34 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s announcement on Friday that wolves would again be delisted in Idaho and Montana drew a roar of approval from a banquet crowd attending the annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

It also produced groans from Wyomingites whose state was omitted from the decision.

“Overall, it’s good news because two of the three states in the northern Rockies that are most affected are a step closer to the state-regulated hunting seasons they need to manage wolves in concert with other resident wildlife,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

Allen relayed Salazar’s news to Elk Foundation members and supporters at the organization’s annual Elk Camp in Fort Worth, Texas, adding, “We all must continue to work together to see that Wyoming gets the wolf management authority it needs.”

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:26 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has generated $1.5 million from its first-ever convention in Texas.

Proceeds from the organization’s 25th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo, which ended March 8 in Fort Worth, will help support initiatives to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation recently topped 5.7 million acres conserved or enhanced.

“Elk Camp is a showcase for our mission, accomplishments and the amazing spirit of our volunteers—and it’s also our largest annual fundraiser. This year our auctions grossed $1.1 million while new memberships, raffles, merchandise sales and public admission fees added another $400,000. We’re pleased considering the new site and economy,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:50 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) urges hunters to get ready for the busy big game draw season now by ensuring their hunter education requirement is met. Hunters can pre-register their hunter education information with the Nevada Wildlife Administrative Services Office (WASO) or take a hunter education class before the rush to apply for big game tags begins.

Nevada law requires anyone born after January 1, 1960 to show proof of having successfully completed a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. Acceptable proof is defined as either a hunter education certificate or previous year's hunting license that bears proof of hunter education. Certificates and licenses from all states or Canadian provinces are accepted. Every year it is this hunter education proof requirement that can stand in the way of hunters submitting their big game applications.

Hunters who have already completed a hunter education course and/or previously applied for a Nevada tag can quickly confirm their hunter education information is on file with WASO by going to www.huntnevada.com. Simply click on "Hunter Education Confirmation Lookup" and follow the instructions to make sure their record is on file. If the search doesn't produce the record, download the form and follow instructions to pre-register.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:45 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—Honored for their volunteer work to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat, conservationists from New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have received a 2009 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Chairman’s Award.

Honorees include:

• John Hoffman, Albuquerque, N.M.
• Stan Kunzman, Bend, Ore.
• John & Linda Geissler, Erie, Pa.
• Jerry Stout, Lafollette, Tenn.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:41 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—Amateur and professional elk callers from four states—Arizona, California, Oregon and Utah—have been crowned new world champions.

The Leupold/Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation World Elk Calling Championships concluded March 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. The event was held as part of the Elk Foundation’s 25th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo.

Results:

Professional Division
1. Al Morris, Payson, Utah
2. Rockie Jacobsen, Kamiah, Ida.
3. Joel Turner, Eatonville, Wash.

Men’s Division
1. Bryan Langley, McMinnville, Ore.
2. Patrick Whitaker, Lebanon, Ore.
3. Cody Rich, Dallas, Ore.

Women’s Division
1. Audrey McQueen, Eagar, Ariz.
2. Misty Waggener, Priest River, Ida.
3. Crystal Hulsey, Luna, N.M.

Natural Voice Division
1. Greg Hubbell Jr., Belmont, Calif.
2. Samuel Valentine, Springer, N.M.
3. Michael Hatten, Elko, Nev.

Youth Division
1. Ross LeValley, Hotchkiss, Ore.
2. Morgan Love, Salida, Colo.
3. Jared Hansen, New Harmony, Utah

Pee Wee Division
1. Brayden Langley, McMinnville, Ore.
2. Wyatt Schearer, Great Falls, Mont.
3. Cole Burford, Fort Worth, Texas

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:36 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas—Conservationists from California, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas have been named to new positions on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation board of directors.

Included are:

• Lou “Shark” Prusinovski, Redding, Calif., director
• Bill Alexander, Hillsboro, N.M., director
• Joe Treadway, Ashville, N.C., chairman of the board
• Mark Tolar, Woodville, Texas, director

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:32 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

WASHINGTON - While promoting responsibly planned energy projects that sustain a range of public-lands uses, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has formally protested leases on more than 86,000 acres of federal lands in Utah, where development as proposed could negatively affect vast expanses of important habitat for game species, as well as hunting and fishing opportunities. A laundry list of fish and wildlife species jeopardized in the March 24 lease sale includes mule deer, elk, pronghorn, waterfowl, sage grouse and Gunnison grouse.

The massive sale constitutes close to 160,000 acres of Utah public lands and encompasses 15,000 acres overseen by the Bureau of Land Management's Fillmore Field Office, where the agency's proposal to forgo detailed environmental analysis in opening the region to energy development has drawn criticism from a range of diverse interests. The TRCP recently led a consortium of sportsmen's groups in objecting to BLM plans to permit leases on more than 4 million acres following only a bare-bones environment assessment that fails to adequately analyze the impacts of drilling on the area's trout and big-game populations.

"Utah's federal public lands and their abundant fish and wildlife and hunting and fishing opportunities draw sportsmen from across the country," said Joel Webster, TRCP's associate director of campaigns. "Certainly, oil and gas development is an important use of these lands. But any development must be pursued carefully and be subjected to rigorous upfront planning if we're to continue enjoying our shared natural resources. The leases slated for sale to the energy industry in March currently do not include these critical checks and balances."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 07:58 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 9, 2009

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Safari Club International and Swarovski Optik announce a three-year corporate partnership to help protect the freedom to hunt and promote conservation worldwide. Swarovski Optik has identified SCI's leadership role in the U.S. and internationally and has committed resources to support SCI's efforts on behalf of all hunters.

"SCI will continue to increase its hunter advocacy, conservation and education success, thanks to the on-going support of corporate sponsors like Swarovski Optik," said SCI President Merle Shepard.

According to Albert Wannenmacher, CEO of Swarovski Optik NA, "We are excited to renew our partnership with SCI. We truly appreciate supporting SCI and the values that the organization and its members stand for. This partnership has been one of our cornerstones for many years to provide avid hunters with the finest optics while supporting the freedom to hunt and the conservation of wildlife."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:07 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 9, 2009

The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) has introduced their new “Donated Firearms Program” to generate funds to purchase equipment and supplies needed by priority youth shooting sports programs nationwide.

“The Donated Firearms Program provides an opportunity for sportsmen and women to donate their old guns and help the YSSA build the next generation of shooters” said David Baron, President of Baron Technology, Inc. and President of YSSA.  Baron added “It may be just your old gun, but put in the right hands, it can help sustain the sport of shooting while strengthening the core values of the next generation of shooters and hunters.”

The Donated Firearms program, featured on YSSA’s website www.youthshootingsa.com, encourages the donation of firearms which, in turn, will be sold on GunBroker.com – the web’s largest hunting and sport shooting auction.  Firearms will be listed without a reserve bid and will be awarded to the highest bidder.  The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance, a 501(c)(3) private foundation, will provide the donor with a tax deductible receipt upon the sale of each firearm.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:00 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 9, 2009

Saint Paul, Minn. – The Scott County Chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF) is inviting Minnesota military personnel who have returned from actively serving abroad within the past two years to participate in "Operation: Upland Pheasant Hunt." Up to 50 veterans will receive an all-expense-paid morning of pheasant hunting, lunch and an afternoon of sporting clays at the Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club in Prior Lake on Saturday, March 28th.

"Minnesota troops have put their pheasant hunting trips on hold while serving our country abroad," said Stacy Dvorak, Scott County PF Public Relations and Outreach Chair and "Operation: Upland Pheasant Hunt" coordinator, "We want to recognize the sacrifices these men and women have made and welcome them home with a well-deserved day afield."

"Operation: Upland Pheasant Hunt" is limited to the first 50 registrants. To register and for more information, please contact Stacy Dvorak at (612) 202-6119. A tax deductible "free-will" donation to sponsor a serviceman and/or woman can be sent to: Pheasants Forever Charity Fund, 1065 Miller Street S., Shakopee, MN 55379.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:50 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 9, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) today announced a new partnership with Chevrolet that will support hunter and angler access, raise funds for conservation and add additional value to membership in the TRCP Union Sportsmen's Alliance.

A long-standing advocate for conservation, Chevrolet found a way to help ensure a bright future for hunting, fishing and the outdoors in these difficult economic times, adding the TRCP and USA to its list of partner organizations, which includes TRCP partners Quail Unlimited and Quality Deer Management Association, among others.

"In working with all of our outdoor partners, one of the common concerns we hear is that it's getting harder and harder to find a place to hunt and fish," said Kevin Messmer, Chevrolet Assistant Regional Marketing Manager. "Our interest in the TRCP began with its mission to guarantee all Americans a place to hunt and fish, and we've been working with the TRCP over the last year to find ways to bring information about public access to the consumer."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:30 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 9, 2009

WASHINGTON - Sportsmen advocated for federal management practices that sustain fish and wildlife populations in the face of global climate change at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing today, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced. The sportsmen's testimony, submitted jointly by the TRCP and American Wildlands, emphasizes the need to safeguard migration corridors and other crucial public-lands habits in addressing the landscape-level effects of climate change, which is subject to increased funding under the proposed budget for 2010.

A growing body of evidence demonstrates how climate change can fundamentally alter American landscapes, economies and recreational traditions, particularly those that rely on federal public lands. As fish and wildlife habitat, abundance and distribution shift in response to a changing climate, patterns of hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities likewise could follow suit. The Tuesday oversight hearing convened by the House Committee on Natural Resources' National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee evaluated the role public lands can play in mitigating the effects of climate change and weighed the distribution of millions of dollars to federal agencies to address threats to natural resources on these lands.

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Monday, March 9, 2009

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Saturday, March 7, 2009

Washington, DC – Safari Club International (SCI) today commended the decision by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to affirm the delisting of the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Salazar’s announcement affirmed a decision reached by the U.S. Fish and Wildife Service, based in a extensive review of the best available science, to remove gray wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species in the western Great Lakes and the northern Rocky Mountain states of Idaho and Montana and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah.

SCI President Merle Shepard hailed the announcement, saying “This decision is the right one and we commend Secretary Salazar for reaching it so quickly. Delisting the gray wolf came about as a result of years of effort involving the states, tribes, landowners, academic researchers, sportsmen and other conservation groups, the Canadian government and many other partners. All of these stakeholders can breathe a sigh of relief today that our years of effort have not gone down the drain.”

In making the announcement, Secretary Salazar reviewed the numbers behind the decision. “When it was listed as endangered in 1974, the wolf had almost disappeared from the continental United States. Today, we have more than 5,500 wolves, including more than 1,600 in the Rockies,” Salazar said.

Gray wolves were previously listed as endangered in the lower 48 states, except in Minnesota where they were listed as threatened. The Service oversees three separate recovery programs for the gray wolf; each has its own recovery plan and recovery goals based on the unique characteristics of wolf populations in each geographic area.   Wolves in other parts of the 48 states, including the Southwest wolf population, remain endangered and are not affected by the actions taken today.

“SCI’s nearly 50,000 members have been waiting for an indicator of how this Administration will handle controversial conservation issues, and we are encouraged by this announcement,” SCI President Shepard said. “We look forward to working with Secretary Salazar and the Interior Department on other conservation issues in the future,” Shepard concluded.

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

MISSOULA, Mont.—Gray wolf populations in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming need to be managed through state-regulated hunting—now.

That’s the upshot of a new Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation policy statement approved by its board of directors on March 4, 2009. The official action headlined a regular board meeting held in conjunction with the RMEF annual convention in Fort Worth, Texas.

“Wolf populations are well above recovery goals and federal protection is no longer justified. It’s clear to us that wolves now can be sustainably managed like bears, cougars and other restored predators,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO.

Allen said wolves are an organizational concern because of their impacts to local elk herds, elk hunting success and participation, livestock and landowners, rural economies and the Elk Foundation’s own ability to facilitate collaborative conservation successes in the future.

To date, RMEF has helped protect or enhance over 5.5 million acres of habitat for elk and other wildlife.

Here’s the new policy statement in its entirety:


Official Policy Statement on Gray Wolf Restoration
March 2009

Background
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) decision to remove gray wolves from protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). In the case of the subject of gray wolf populations, ESA protection is no longer legally required or necessary. The recovery plan biological goals for wolves in the Rocky Mountains were attained in 2002. Both population size and breeding pair estimates now exceed recovery goals by 500 percent and 333 percent, respectively. The western Great Lakes population has also exceeded its population goals for several years.

The RMEF supports sound, science-based wildlife management that maintains a sustainable balance between predator and big-game species. We encourage the use of the best available science to finalize this delisting. Biologists, hunters, land managers, private landowners, and other citizens across the nation have worked hard and made sacrifices to achieve recovery for wolves.

Policy
RMEF and its primary support base, hunters and anglers, have always supported the legal protection of fish and wildlife species that require protection to survive and flourish.

We believe the following:

When wolf populations meet scientific viability criteria for recovery, they no longer require federal protection under ESA. They should be de-listed if recovery plan goals are met and where regulatory mechanisms are in place to adequately manage the species.

After the wolf is de-listed, scientifically sound wolf management programs administered by state wildlife agencies should maintain sustainable wolf populations to preclude the need to re-list under the ESA.

Reflecting the success of other historic hunter/conservationist-led species recovery programs based on the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation, the management of wolves as game animals should occur in areas designated for wolf occupancy, and wolf seasons should be regulated by the states.

Where and when hunting is deemed appropriate under state regulations, methods used by hunters must conform to Fair Chase principles.

When classified as game animals, wolf populations should be maintained in accordance with the biological and cultural carrying capacities of the habitats they occupy.

Also, management of individual wolves and wolf populations should recognize the need to balance management objectives with respect for private property and human safety.


About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.5 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 06:40 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Barack Obama today restored the Endangered Species Act to: "help restore the scientific process to its rightful place at the heart of the Endangered Species Act."  This act undid years of work on the wolf situation throughout the west and brought everything back to a full review further prolonging the situation for the Western states. 

Scientific processes are a good thing but the delay on the wolf situation is devastating to the elk and deer herds in the West.  The grizzly situation is just as serious and both of these animals need to be restored to a game status to be managed by the states where these animals reside.  Mr. Obama needs to understand that there has already been tons of scientific reports on these two species and that the states must be allowed to manage their wildlife.

Full Text of Barack Obama's Memorandum included in the post... Read more...

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:36 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

One of the greatest things about working in the hunting industry is the getting to meet wonderful people and getting the opportunity to talk with these individuals who share the same passion that you do.  At the Safari Club International Hunter’s Convention, I had the pleasure of meeting Olivia Nalos.  Olivia has been involved in the hunting industry for many years and yet most people are going to recognize her as Mrs. Nebraska.  There is no question that Olivia is a very beautiful woman and a tremendously accomplished hunter.  Olivia is also a spokesperson for all of us in the hunting industry.

Before her reign as Mrs. Nebraska, Olivia had the opportunity to work with Cabelas as a hunt facilitator for their team and then work for Dick and Mary Cabela directly(it was during this time that Olivia ran for Mrs. Nebraska).  She also had the opportunity to hunt in many different places around the world. On her trips to abroad Olivia carries with her a blue bag from Safari Club International to bring humanitarian aid to hospitals further spreading the message of the great work being done by hunters.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:50 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Go forth and read the Barnes Bullets March Newsletter

http://www.barnesbullets.com/resources/newsletters/march-2009-barnes-bullet-n/

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:43 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Wild Sheep Foundation has been authorized to offer five permits for desert bighorn sheep for the November, 2009 through March, 2010 hunting season. Four have been sold thus far averaging $80,000 per permit for desert sheep conservation and Seri Indian community development programs. Sheep taken during the 2008-2009 season have ranged from the mid 170s and included three 180+ rams with one green scoring 185+.

Minnesota-Wisconsin FNAWS received the fifth Tiburon Island desert sheep permit from WSF to help celebrate their 30th Anniversary Convention! MN-WI FNAWS will auction this premier permit during their Saturday Gala Banquet & Auction March 14, 2009 in Bloomington, Minnesota.

For more information or to bid on the permit contact John Coulter at 507-829-2304 or email on coulterj@iw.net or Gray Thornton at WSF headquarters.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:40 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 2, 2009

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- When a target shooter purchases a box of ammunition or a hunter a new deer rifle, wildlife in America benefits.Every sportsman and woman contributes to a system that has been responsible for supporting healthy wildlife populations of both game and non-game species for the last 70 years.
State-By-State Apportionment

The contributions, in the form excise taxes paid on sporting firearms, ammunition and archery equipment, benefit every state and have generated approximately $5.6 billion for wildlife conservation since 1939. The contribution for 2009 is a record -- nearly $336 million, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which recently announced the Wildlife Restoration apportionment.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:27 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, March 2, 2009

Saint Paul, Minn. – February 25, 2009 – Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) recently announced the recipients of the second annual No Child Left Indoors® National Awards. The distinction is presented to one PF chapter and one QF chapter for their efforts in introducing youth to the outdoors and bringing along the next generation of hunters and conservationists. Chapters honored were the Sioux Prairie Chapter of PF based out of Sioux County, Iowa, and the Mid-MO Young Guns Chapter of QF, based out of Macon, Missouri.

Created to increase youth participation and interest in the outdoors, PF/QF's No Child Left Indoors® initiative looks to extricate today's youth from an overwhelming presence of electronics while engaging them in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and camping. "Both these chapters epitomize what Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are trying to do with the No Child Left Indoors® initiative," said Cheryl Riley, PF/QF Vice President of Education and Outreach, "They have both shown a strong commitment to promoting youth activities and getting kids involved in the outdoors."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:07 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST