WASHINGTON – In a resounding vote for conservation of the nation’s natural resources, more than 90,000 Americans have signed a petition supporting restoration of federal protections for wetlands and clean water and affirming the crucial role wetland ecosystems play in our lives. The We Are Wetlands petition, launched by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, far exceeded its goal of 80,000 names – one for each acre of natural wetlands that our country loses each year – and calls for a legislative fix that restores the integrity of the Clean Water Act.

“American sportsmen have a keen appreciation of the importance of wetlands to our outdoor traditions, our fish and wildlife populations and our lives,” said Tom Franklin, TRCP director of policy and government relations, “and so hunters and anglers gladly lead the charge in urging our government to act promptly and decisively in ensuring that these invaluable ecosystems receive sufficient protection under federal law.”

Two recent Supreme Court decisions along with subsequent federal agency guidance have dramatically weakened the Clean Water Act, the federal law that protects our nation’s water quality. The TRCP Working Group on Wetlands, which includes representatives from TRCP partner groups the Izaak Walton League of America, the National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited, has spoken loudly in support of legislation that restores the law’s original scope.

Louisville, KY - This July, QDMA will host its tenth annual National Convention and Whitetail Expo. The event will return to the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, July 9-11.

The Convention, sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, will kick off Friday with the Whitetail Rambling, a new addition to the festivities that will give early arrivers the chance to engage with industry professionals in an open mic setting. The Whitetail Wisdom Speaker Series will follow and continue throughout the weekend, enabling attendees to take advantage of three days of expert advice that they can implement on their own property. The Series features some of the most renowned whitetail experts, land experts, biologists, and celebrity hunters in the country.

Sponsored by Whitetail Properties, the Whitetail Expo on Saturday and Sunday presents an opportunity for attendees to shop thousands of square feet of merchandise from nationally recognized companies. Among the exhibitors are companies representing every facet of deer management and hunting, including trail cameras, food plot seed, ATVs, hunting apparel, taxidermy, management products, and much more.

Bogart, Georgia - QDMA is proud to announce the addition of Leon Hank to its Board of Directors. Mr. Hank, a resident of Lansing, Michigan, has been involved with QDMA for over a decade, serving as a past QDMA Michigan State Branch President and a long-time devoted QDMA member.

Hank is filling the position previously held by Ed Spinazzola who is retiring after serving ten years on the Board. He shares Mr. Spinazzola's passion for membership and local Branches and will chair the Event Strategy/Branch Development Committee and serve on the Fiduciary Oversight Committee.

Mr. Hank is the Michigan Department of Transportation's Chief Administrative Officer. In this role, he oversees the Bureaus of Finance and Administration, Transportation Planning, Aeronautics and Freight Services, and the operations of the International Bridge. He is also responsible for MDOT's annual budget. Hank is a licensed CPA and has had an extraordinary 33-year career with the state of Michigan that has earned him numerous notable awards and positions on various boards.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) Game Specialist Jim Heffelfinger received the inaugural Professional of the Year award from Miles Moretti, resident and chief executive officer of the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF), recognizing a working wildlife professional from a state or federal agency who has made important contributions to mule deer conservation.

The award was presented at the MDF Annual Convention on Feb. 12, 2010. Heffelfinger serves as chair of the Mule Deer Working Group sponsored by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. In addition, he has led the publication of the North American Mule Deer Conservation Plan, Mule Deer Habitat Guidelines for seven North American eco-regions, as well as guidelines for mule deer population monitoring and also energy development throughout the West.

Heffelfinger is the author of the books Deer of the Southwest, and the recently revised and reprinted Age Criteria for Southwestern Game Animals. Heffelfinger earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point in 1986, and a master’s degree in range and wildlife from Texas A&M University in 1989.

MISSOULA, Mont.—Wildlife conservation projects in 11 Montana counties have been selected to receive grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in 2010.

The new RMEF funding, totaling $221,725, will affect Beaverhead, Broadwater, Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Madison, Meagher, Missoula, Park, Powder River, Powell and Rosebud counties.

“These grants are possible because of the successful banquets and fundraisers staged over the past year by our Montana volunteers—most of whom are elk hunters as well as devoted conservationists,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Since 1984, our annual grants have helped complete 656 different projects in Montana with a combined value of more than $114 million.”

Springfield XDM (9mm)

So I’ve had an itch to buy the Springfield XDM for a while now and finally did. I went out and gave her a few rounds to give it a good chance to impress me and here is what I found.

• The two 19 round magazines that come standard are very durable and have a strong springs.
• It feels great in the hand and is extremely easy to use.
• It has three different grip configurations that can be changed in an out depending on what feels best in the shooters hand.
• It also comes with a speed loader which is necessary because the spring in the clip gets a little tough by about the 13th round you load.
• The cleaning kit it comes with is pretty simple, but then again so is the gun so I cant complain about it.
• The case fits all the accessories, looks great, and is very durable.

I'm a first time handgun owner and when I looked for an easy to use handgun, that was in the $600-$1000 range every gun shop I went to told me that the Springfield XDM was the gun to buy. So I took their advice, and after about a 1000 rounds without a jam or malfunction with different kinds of ammo I think they were right. Not to mention the XDM received the 2009 pistol of the year.

In March, we had the pleasure and honor of getting to cover the World Elk Calling Championships at the Annual Elk Camp for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and all of our readers and viewers.  Getting to watch competitors from as young as four years old to as old as 60, mew, calf talk, bellow, scream and bugle was a blast and we are proud to bring you the entirety of the Finals here on the HuntingLife Podcast

Amatuer Divisions included Pee Wee, Youth, Voice Callers, Men and Women and one Professional Division.  We hope you enjoy coverage and we hope it will inspire you to break out your elk calls and use this video to start practicing for your appearance at Elk Camp, March 3-6, 2011.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska– Trout Unlimited (TU) today applauded the Alaska Board of Fisheries for adopting a statewide phase-out of felt sole wading products, effective Jan. 1, 2012. The move is aimed at guarding against the spread of aquatic invasive species.
 
The board on Friday passed the proposal unanimously after hearing testimony earlier in the week from anglers, lodge owners and others who warned that unless Alaska takes action to protect its freshwater rivers, lakes and streams, they risk becoming infected as in other parts of the world.
 
“The board should be commended for taking this proactive step to end the use of felt sole boots and waders in Alaska which are a significant source of transmission of invasive species. Usually it takes a crisis for people to wake up and act. In this case, the board followed the lead of science, vetted the issue thoroughly, and made the right decision for the future health of Alaska fisheries,” said Mark Kaelke, TU Southeast Alaska Project Director.

MISSOULA, Mont.—Walker S. “Buddy” Smith, Jr. and wife Tammie Lynne Smith of Great Falls, Mont., have received the highest honor given by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The Wallace Fennell Pate Wildlife Conservation Award honors contributions of lasting significance to the benefit of elk, other wildlife and their habitat across North America. The award was presented to the Smiths during 26th annual RMEF convention, which concluded March 7 in Reno, Nev.

The Smiths have been avid RMEF supporters since the organization was founded in 1984. In fact, Buddy Smith is member No. 104. In 1988, he founded the first chapter in his home state of Virginia. From there he went on to become state chair, regional chair and ultimately served seven years on the board of directors, including two as its chairman. In 2007, Smith also served on staff as interim president.

Tammie Lynne Smith has been an RMEF member for 24 years and Life Member for 10 years. She is active on the organization’s Habitat Council. She has helped restore RMEF chapters, taught seminars at Elk Camp and remains a sparkplug in RMEF fundraisers

Lafayette, Lousianna–Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority announced the selection of projects to receive funds from the Conservation and Restoration Partnership at their March 17 meeting. Ducks Unlimited received $1.78 million for the Calcasieu-Sabine Watershed Project.

Marsh terraces like the ones being built here improve water quality and reduce erosion in area marsh.

“The CPRA is familiar with Ducks Unlimited and our efforts to conserve coastal habitats in Louisiana,” Ducks Unlimited Manager of Conservation Programs Bob Dew said. “We have partnered with many organizations to conserve over 90,000 acres along the Louisiana coast. This is the most important wintering area for waterfowl in the country, and Ducks Unlimited will continue to work to ensure it remains for future generations of waterfowl and waterfowl hunters.”

The CPRA divided $3.3 million among six projects selected from 21 applications. Projects were selected based on several criteria including consistency with the objectives of the State Master Plan, acreage conserved, and matching funds. Ducks Unlimited and partners will provide $195,000 in cash and in-kind services in addition to leveraging all non-federal funds to secure at least $1 million in North American Wetland Conservation Act funds.