Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is making some significant changes to its 2014 annual convention known as Elk Camp. The RMEF Elk Camp will be held Wed., Dec. 3 through Sun., Dec. 7, 2014, in Las Vegas.

“This is not the traditional time of year for a conservation organization like ours to conduct an annual convention,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We saw an opportunity to do something different and exciting, and feel that after 28 years it is time to mix things up a bit.”

In the first weekend in December, Las Vegas also plays host to the beginning of one of the largest western lifestyle events in the country, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

“With literally tens of thousands western lifestyle enthusiasts in town we feel this is an opportunity to introduce the RMEF and our mission to a whole new audience that values many of the same things our organization works to protect,” said Allen.

RMEF also announced it will reassume management of its exhibition hall held in conjunction with Elk Camp. The new show will be called Hunter Christmas and will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). For many years, Las Vegas Events conducted the very successful Cowboy Christmas exposition in the North Halls of LVCC. In 2014, RMEF, working with Las Vegas Events, will conduct the new Hunter Christmas in the Central Halls of LVCC adjacent to Cowboy Christmas and the NFR Fan Fest.

“We know NFR fans enjoy hunting and the outdoors, we are extremely excited to bring Hunter Christmas, an exhibit hall focused on all things hunting and outdoors, to the NFR fans,” said Allen. “With Cowboy Christmas, NFR Fan Fest and Hunter Christmas all under the LVCC roof in December of 2014, NFR fans and RMEF members are going to have countless opportunities to see and shop a vast array of products they value.”

The RMEF board of directors met in May, and following extensive discussion the board unanimously supported moving Elk Camp to December of 2014.

“RMEF has been very fortunate to see significant growth in membership, mission and fundraising over the past several years,” said Lee Swanson, chairman of the RMEF board of directors. “Our board is pleased to see our staff taking initiative to bring that same pattern of growth to our annual Elk Camp. There is little doubt when looking at the whole of these changes Elk Camp is going to reach new levels of success and reach more members with the opportunity to attend.”

The Mirage Hotel and Casino will again serve as the headquarter property for RMEF Elk Camp evening events.

“The Mirage is an outstanding property with first class staff. We are proud to partner with them once again,” said Allen. “The Mirage showed its commitment to RMEF by offering Elk Camp attendees extremely favorable Mirage room rates for the 2014 event at just $72 on weeknights and only $119 on Friday and Saturday nights.”

RMEF will be releasing more details on the newly formatted 2014 Elk Camp and Hunter Christmas Exposition in the coming months.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that protected or enhanced habitat on more than 6.3 million acres–an area larger than Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

If you no longer wish to receive releases from “Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation” please reply to this email address with “remove.”

Get Out and Stay Out

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

TRENTON, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- Recently, I sent an email with an announcement of an animal rights extremist group’s support of a New Jersey state senator. While the endorsement may seem harmless, New Jersey conservationists need to be aware of the insidious campaign being waged in our state to ban fishing, hunting, and trapping.

The people advancing the campaign are changing their tactics and their image. They are the wrapping their animal rights activism under a cover made of environmentalism, just like the wolf that wraps itself under the cover made of sheepskin. They are creating bills that appear reasonable upon initial inspection, but contain vague wording and specific terms that do not alarm the average reader.

But this is a purposeful act, and is meant to be exploited at future dates to claim meanings that were not thinkable during a bill’s passage.

Make no mistake; these are the same people that have been reported as supporting those committing eco-terrorist acts. These are the same people that have been arrested, or are associated with those arrested, for making terrorist threats towards conservationists, for hunter harassment and resisting arrest, and for obstructing the administration of law. They have shackled themselves to block roads, locked themselves in bear traps, and have a list of other misguided actions attached to their names.

These same people are being allowed in NJ schools and public forums to advance their animal rights philosophy under the guise of bear or deer population management. But, these people have no professional biologists, scientists, or wildlife management experts on their staff. They are promoting information that has not been peer reviewed by the science community. They are collecting bits and pieces of unrelated facts and developing imaginative theories, and are using them as a means to teach school children, the public, and even state legislators.

Below is an article unrelated to the above. But, it is a perspective that sheds light on tactics being used by animal rights groups around the world, and especially in the United States. This group is Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). HSUS is dumping money into New Jersey to advance their animal rights agenda. They are working at the township level to ban deer hunting and bear hunting as a means of population management, and they have a number of our state legislators writing bills that would seem to protect pets, but have latent mechanisms to restrict and deter pet ownership, and ultimately stop both hunting and fishing.

The following article is not endorsed by the NJOA CF. It is one person’s perspective. But it includes valuable insights, some that people are learning the hard way.

—————————————————————————————-

MICHIGAN TELLS HSUS TO GET OUT
Published by Tony Hansen | May 10, 2013

http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/brow-tines-and-back-strap/michigan-tells-hsus-to-get-out

This is a tale that began in 1996. That was the year when a fairly unknown organization called the Humane Society of the United States came into my home state of Michigan. Their intentions were simple: Eliminate bear hunting.

HSUS spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on polls and surveys to determine exactly which types of hunting people seemed most opposed to. The end game? Pick off the low-hanging fruit of the hunting world before moving onto the next in a systematic effort to bring all hunting to an end. They were and remain anti-hunters. Rabid, manic, immensely ignorant people who believe animals have the same rights as humans and that anyone who dares hunt animals is on the same level as a serial killer.

Their polling had shown that non-hunters were uncomfortable with the idea of using dogs and bait to hunt bears. So that’s what they attempted to stop. They paid several hundred thousand dollars to collect enough signatures to put bear hunting to a vote. In response, conservation and sportsmen groups in Michigan rallied together and not only soundly defeated HSUS efforts but also launched a counter-measure known as Proposal G mandating wildlife management decisions be based in sound science. The measure passed with overwhelming support. It was believed HSUS had been defeated. It wasn’t.

In 2006, HSUS returned to Michigan, spending several million dollars to overturn a science-based decision by Michigan’s legislature to allow dove hunting. Michigan’s hunters failed to step up and turn HSUS away. Without a strong history of dove hunting in the state, hunters simply didn’t think they should weigh in. They weren’t dove hunters after all, so they didn’t think they needed to fight for something that didn’t impact them. It was a massively selfish mistake.

HSUS won overwhelmingly. With the victory under its belt and arrogance on its mind, HSUS vowed to return to take away more of Michigan’s hunting rights.

In 2012, nearly 15 years after meeting the recovery goals set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wolves were finally removed from the endangered species list in Michigan. As part of that delisting process, Michigan was required to design and implement a science-based wildlife management plan to ensure the wolf population did not fall below levels that would again require federal protection.

Michigan’s plan included active, science-based management including a hunting season when and if necessary. The plan is based on the North American Model of Conservation, a model which has enjoyed 100 percent success in every instance it’s been applied over the past century. With some 700 wolves living in Michigan and population trends indicating a continued rate of population growth (Yes, the 2012 survey shows a moderate decline. That’s normal and does not mean the population is declining. To state otherwise shows that you know nothing about population dynamics and proves that you should remain on the sidelines while the adults are talking), the Michigan legislature voted to add wolves to the list of Michigan game species and allow Proposal G to go into effect.

HSUS, as you may have guessed, didn’t like that. Once again, the group came into Michigan and paid more than $300,000 to a California group to buy signatures to overturn the legislation with a statewide vote and once again paid for polls to determine which words and phrases it could use to trick the public. The lies they told were outrageous. Their level of arrogance appalling. And it bit them squarely in the ass.

Michigan’s hunters and residents had finally had enough of out-of-state radicals throwing money around to force their views on others. A group led by Michigan United Conservation Clubs (whom I do communications work for), the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, U.P. Bear Houndsmen and others began working on a bill with Sen. Tom Casperson and Rep. Jon Bumstead that would fully implement Proposal G by allowing the Natural Resources Commission to designate game species and to ensure wildlife management decisions are made by biologists instead of bankers. It was called the Scientific Wildlife Management Package.

HSUS, apparently, was more concerned with parading around its spray-tanned leader Wayne Pacelle and crowing over how many signatures they’d paid for than they were about a group of “wildlife terrorists and murdering rednecks.” They were cocky, arrogant and confident they’d spent enough to get their way.

What happened wasn’t what they expected. In fact, they were completely and systematically dismantled. They were outclassed, outthought, outmatched.

The Scientific Wildlife Management package moved through the state legislature and was signed into law by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday. The package also states that Michigan residents have a right to hunt, fish and trap. Best read that again, HSUS fans.

HSUS reaction has been both predictable and pathetic. They’ve vowed to continue with their ballot initiative even though it has absolutely no meaning. They’ve also threatened to spend millions of dollars to smear Gov. Snyder over his decision to sign the bills. They intend, again, to spend money not to protect the wildlife they claim to love but to “punish” those who don’t share their views.

HSUS doesn’t like to lose and doesn’t believe in freedom or the democratic process. It has absolutely no interest in saving wildlife. It wants only to stop hunting, no matter how many species it hurts along the way. Pacelle is like that spoiled brat that used to kick and scream on the playground when she didn’t get her way. If they can’t win fair and square, it’s time to change the rules. Lie, cheat, pout.

Wayne-O, you didn’t get your way. And if you decide to come back to Michigan, you won’t get your way that time either. Michigan’s hunting community has shown that it’s willing to stand together to stop your efforts. Every time that you come back, we intend to kick you squarely in your proverbial ***. Repeatedly.

JOIN NJOA: http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html

About:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earths resources. Visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON --(Ammoland.com)- An updated rule regulating hydraulic fracturing practices on federal public lands was welcomed by the Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development coalition, which commended the Bureau of Land Management for moving forward with regulations that will improve transparency and the management of all fluids in the drilling process.

The Department of the Interior’s rule establishes safety standards for hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” and would update current regulations, which are more than 30 years old. The current regulations are outdated and do not address modern fracking activities, including their impacts on water quality and quantity.

“New technologies for extracting oil and gas pose new challenges for conservation of other resources on our public lands,” said Kate Zimmerman, public lands policy director for the National Wildlife Federation. “Fracking fluid waste must be properly contained and water quality must be monitored to avoid negatively impacting fish and wildlife, as well as our water supplies.”

The National Wildlife Federation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Trout Unlimited are lead partners in the SFRED coalition. SFRED has remained actively involved in establishing reasonable safeguards for fish and wildlife and their habitats during public lands energy development activities. To that end the coalition supports requiring companies to disclose the chemicals in fracking fluids both before and after drilling.

“The new rule represents an important step forward for developing energy responsibly on America’s public lands,” said Brad Powell, senior policy director for Trout Unlimited’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project.

“Disclosure of the chemicals used on public lands is essential. We also believe that providing this information before the wells are developed is a common-sense change that needs to occur to further strengthen the draft regulations.”

Sportsmen For Responsible Energy

Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development is a coalition of more than 500 businesses, organizations and individuals dedicated to conserving irreplaceable habitats so future generations can hunt and fish on public lands.

About:
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the tradition of hunting and fishing. Visit: www.trcp.org

Historically, herds of elk roamed across most of the United States and Canada, but the Eastern elk – the only subspecies found east of the Mississippi River – was extirpated in the 19th century.

Responsive Management

Maryland --(Ammoland.com)- Historically, herds of elk roamed across most of the United States and Canada, but the Eastern elk – the only subspecies found east of the Mississippi River – was extirpated in the 19th century.

The first efforts to restore a sustainable population in the east occurred in 1913 when Rocky Mountain elk from Yellowstone National Park were released into 10 counties in Pennsylvania. More recently, successful reintroduction efforts of Rocky Mountain elk to eastern habitats have occurred in Kentucky (1996), Tennessee (2000), North Carolina (2001), and Virginia (2012), and additional reintroduction efforts in the U.S. have occurred in Wisconsin (1995) and Missouri (2012).

Similar reintroduction efforts are now being considered in Maryland.

In 2011, the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation (MLSF) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) partnered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to explore the potential for elk reintroduction in three western counties of Maryland (Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties). RMEF provided the funding and the MLSF contracted with Responsive Management to assess the economic and social impacts of the proposed elk reintroduction. The study entailed a scientific survey, which reflected widespread support for the elk reintroduction proposal among Maryland residents as well as among residents in the three proposed elk restoration counties. The study also addressed the likely socioeconomic outcomes of the project, particularly in terms of new recreational opportunities and economic incentives made possible through the presence of elk in the western part of the state.

“As with all of our ecological programs, science and informed public input will be our guide. Consensus from our experts and all impacted stakeholders will be a prerequisite to the decision to reintroduce elk in Maryland.” ~ John Griffin, Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Methodology
For this study, Responsive Management obtained a total of 809 completed telephone interviews with Maryland residents ages 18 years and older and included more than 200 interviews with residents in the three proposed elk restoration counties (see map below). For the statewide analysis, results were weighted by geographic location to obtain accurate proportions and to ensure representative results statewide. The results are representative of all Maryland residents and are reported at a 95% confidence interval. The sampling error is at most plus or minus 3.45 percentage points. Telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the almost universal ownership of telephones among Maryland residents.

MD Elk Map: Proposed Elk Reintroduction Counties in Western Maryland (shown in green)

Public Awareness of and Opinion on the Reintroduction of Elk in Western Maryland
The study found broad support for the proposed elk reintroduction. Despite low overall awareness about the reintroduction proposal, nearly three out of four Maryland residents (72%), and two-thirds of western Maryland residents (68%) specifically, support the reintroduction of elk into the western part of the state (see graph below). In fact, support for the reintroduction of elk was measured at both the beginning and end of the survey and remained largely unchanged even after respondents were asked to consider potential problems such as vehicle collisions, property/crop damage, disease risks, and the expense of the reintroduction, showing that 70% of Maryland residents remain in support of elk restoration.

MD Elk Support
The most common reason among Maryland residents for supporting elk reintroduction was that elk have a right to live in Maryland and belong there as a native species (38% of those who support reintroduction gave this reason), followed by the support for biodiversity and healthy animal populations in general (17%), enjoyment of seeing animals and having different types of wildlife around (13%), no particular reason to oppose the reintroduction (12%), and new hunting opportunities afforded through the reintroduction (11%) (see graph below).

MD Elk Reasons
Among the 14% of Maryland residents who oppose reintroduction, the most common reasons include the opinion that the state is overpopulated with deer and/or does not have enough habitat to support elk (28% of those who oppose reintroduction gave this reason); concern about the potential for car accidents, property damage, or damage to crops from elk (26%); and the opinion that reintroduction of elk is unnecessary (26%).

Respondents were also asked about their level of concern regarding six issues related to elk reintroduction. Although support for reintroduction is high, more than a third of Maryland residents are concerned that they could have a vehicle collision with an elk (38% said they were very concerned about this) and that elk could carry disease, which could impact other wildlife like white-tailed deer (37%). Other items about which at least a fifth of respondents said they were very concerned included the expense of reintroducing elk into western Maryland (31%), that elk might damage agricultural crops (26%), and that reintroducing elk might limit the resources available to manage other wildlife in Maryland (22%). Finally, only a small percentage of residents (12%) said they were very concerned about encountering an elk in the wild. (See graph below.)

MD Elk Concern
Most Garrett, Allegany, and Washington County landowners (69%) said they were not concerned at all about elk being a nuisance or causing problems on their property in western Maryland; otherwise, 27% said they were concerned, with 11% being very concerned. About a third of landowners in potential reintroduction counties (34%) believed that, as property owners, there would be benefits to having elk in western Maryland; the most commonly named benefits are the ability to hunt and/or eat elk (69% of landowners who believe there would be benefits cited this as a potential benefit), the potential to view elk (23%), and a general positive influence on property values (9%).

Finally, 75% of residents indicate that the economic benefits of having elk in western Maryland are very or somewhat important in the decison-making process regarding elk reintroduction (see graph below). Related to the economic benefits, slightly more than half of the residents surveyed statewide said they would be likely to take a trip to view elk in Maryland, and about the same proportion of hunters in the sample said they were likely to hunt elk given a healthy enough population.

MD Elk Economic

Economic Impact Study
The study also included an independent economic impact study provided by Responsive Management. Researchers utilized related data from states that have restored elk populations such as Pennsylvania and Kentucky, as well as data analyzed by Southwick Associates. The likely economic impacts of reintroducing elk to western Maryland are significant: elk-related outings and tourism expenditures could generate $3,088,184 in tourism dollars annually from Maryland residents. Based on wildlife-viewing economic impact data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, out-of-state visitors could spend an additional $1,111,746 in tourism dollars to view elk in western Maryland. As in other rural counties where elk have been reintroduced, the potential gain in tourism revenue, tax dollars, and employment opportunities suggests a substantial localized economic impact.

In Maryland, tourism is currently a vital industry. In 2011, visitors to the state spent a total of $14.3 billion, a figure that includes expenditures in several major categories that would be associated with elk-related outings, including transportation, food and beverage, and lodging. Furthermore, tourism visitation is also responsible for 131,686 full-time jobs and $4.7 billion in wages and salaries. The potential to attract elk-viewing tourists among both residents and non-residents could be enhanced with targeted marketing and promotions, as well as developed facilities, such as an elk-related visitor center, elk viewing platforms, and developed tour routes.

In addition to a full economic impact study report, a fact sheet summarizing the economic impact study was also developed for public informational use.

Sharing the Results and Providing Information
Survey results were publicized initially through a press release, which drew coverage from local media and hunting-related websites, as well as newspapers and national television station affiliates in metropolitan areas several hundred miles away. Although a majority of Maryland residents support elk reintroduction, public forums and stakeholder meetings have demonstrated the proliferation of misinformation regarding elk reintroduction.

Circulation of misinformation among affected stakeholders during the exploratory process is not atypical, according to Dave Ragantesi, RMEF Senior Regional Director. In areas like Maryland, where elk haven’t been present in living memory, education becomes a more vital component. “You’re working with people who haven’t had experience with [elk],” Ragantesi said. “Many people have never seen elk. A big part of this is letting people know what the advantages are and what the disadvantages are.”

“Many people have never seen elk. A big part of this is letting people know what the advantages are and what the disadvantages are.” ~ Dave Ragantesi, Senior Regional Director, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

One common misconception, Ragantesi says, is that “elk are large deer, because that’s all people have to compare them with.” Elk do not behave like deer, nor do they compete with deer for habitat, he explained.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is using the results of this study in conjunction with its own biological assessment and additional public input to determine whether to proceed with elk restoration at this time in Maryland. To help facilitate dissemination of information, the results of the survey of Maryland residents conducted by Responsive Management, as well as the economic impact study, continue to be publicized on the Maryland DNR website. The full report on the opinions of Maryland residents, including discussion of the survey results statewide and by region, nonparametric analyses, and crosstabulated survey responses, can also be accessed here.

Public Awareness of and Opinion on the Reintroduction of Elk in Western Maryland

About:
Responsive Management is an internationally recognized public opinion and attitude survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. Our mission is to help natural resource and outdoor recreation agencies and organizations better understand and work with their constituents, customers, and the public. For more information about Responsive Management, visit www.responsivemanagement.com.

Poaching has reached unprecedented levels in Africa. In 2012, 668 rhinos were killed in South Africa alone.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The sentencing yesterday of two California businessmen in Los Angeles for trafficking in rhino horn will send both to prison and ensure that $800,000 of their illegally acquired “profits” end up helping protect rhinos in Africa.

Vinh Chung “Jimmy” Kha and Felix Kha [ http://www.fws.gov/le/pdf/rhino-horns-news-release-09172012.pdf ], who pleaded guilty in September 2012 to federal felony charges brought as a result of *Operation Crash* (an ongoing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigation of rhino horn trafficking), were ordered to spend 42 and 46 months in prison; pay $20,000 in criminal fines (plus $100,000 from Jimmy Kha’s company) and $185,000 in tax fraud penalties and assessments; and forfeit seized rhino horns and other assets to the Government. These assets include $800,000 in cash, gold, jewelry and precious stones that will be turned over to the Service-managed Multinational Species Conservation Fund to support on-the-ground rhino conservation efforts in Africa.

“Rhinos in Africa are being poached to the brink of extinction because of the demand for rhino horn,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “It’s only fitting that the ill-gotten gains of rhino horn traffickers be used to protect those animals that remain in the wild.”

A number of U.S. wildlife protection laws funnel criminal fine money into accounts that support the enforcement of those statutes, and federal judges in wildlife cases sometimes direct “community service” or restitution payments be made to conservation organizations. But money and other cash assets forfeited as a result of federal criminal investigations typically end up in the General Treasury, supporting overall government operations.

“The special agents and federal prosecutors supporting Operation Crash worked hard not only to bring these defendants to justice, but also to make sure the international effort to conserve rhinos received this extra financial boost,” Ashe said. “The money from this investigation more than doubles the amount typically distributed from the Multinational Species Fund in grants each year to support efforts by African nations to protect rhinos.”

The Khas, whose Federal rap sheets now include conspiracy, smuggling, money laundering and tax evasion, as well as felony Lacey Act violations, are among 14 defendants across the country arrested to date in Operation Crash, which has exposed large-scale trafficking in rhino horn in the United States to feed markets in Vietnam and other Asian countries. With rhino horn reportedly selling for as much as $60,000 to $65,000 per kilogram in Asia (approximately $29,500 per pound), poaching has reached unprecedented levels in Africa. In 2012, 668 rhinos were killed in South Africa alone (home to the largest remaining populations of the species), a number that stood at fewer than 20 per year just five years ago.

The Multinational Species Conservation Fund was created by Congress to provide grant money to support conservation of rhinos, tigers and other highly endangered species in the wild. Specifically, grants for rhino conservation in Africa have been used over the years to strengthen protections for rhinos, conduct surveys of populations and habitat, develop management capacity, carry out environmental education and awareness campaigns, involve local communities in conservation activities, and develop alternative livelihoods to discourage poaching as an “economic” activity. The Fund now provides about $700,000 each year for rhino conservation efforts in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa, much of them targeting anti-poaching efforts.

*The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit ** www.fws.gov* . Connect with our Facebook page at ** www.facebook.com/usfws* *, follow our tweets at **www.twitter.com/usfwshq* , watch our YouTube Channel at **http://www.youtube.com/usfws* and download photos from our Flickr page at ** http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq*

The EPA Snake Pit

Column by Alan Caruba

New Jersey --(Ammoland.com)- Under President Obama, two women have been the director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Carol Browner, who served in the Clinton administration and was one of the “czars” Obama appointed; her acolyte Lisa Jackson, and up for the post is Gina McCarthy.

Browner and Jackson went out of their way to conceal their internal communications from Congress and McCarthy lied to the committee considering her nomination.

How bad is the EPA? The Society of Environmental Journalists, on the occasion of the April 11 2013 hearing on McCarthy’s nomination, released a statement that said:

“The Obama administration has been anything but transparent in its dealings with reporters seeking information, interviews and clarification on a host of environmental, health and public lands issues.” The SEJ accused the EPA of being “one of the most closed, opaque agencies to the press.”

Apparently, the primary consideration for the job of EPA Director is an intense desire to destroy the use of hydrocarbons, oil, coal and natural gas, for transportation and all other forms of energy on which our economy depends. Obama, when campaigning in 2008, made it clear he wanted end the use of coal to generate electricity. At the time, fifty percent of all electricity was produced by coal and now that figure is in decline as coal-fired plants are being forced to close thanks to EPA regulations.

If Ms. McCarthy has her way, the cost of driving cars and trucks will go up in the name of protecting the health of Americans. As Paul Driessen, a senior policy advisor for the Committee For a Constructive Tomorrow, recently noted, “Since 1970, America’s cars have eliminated 99% of pollutants that once came out of tailpipes.” Joel Schwartz, co-author of “Air Quality in America”, points out, “Today’s cars are essentially zero-emission vehicles, compared to 1970 models.” The EPA’s latest attack on drivers is the implementation of “Tier 3 rules” intended to reduce sulfur levels to achieve zero air quality or health benefits.

Suffice to say that the air and water in America is clean, very clean. Whatever health hazards existed in the 1970s no longer exist. Like all bureaucracies, the EPA now exists to expand its budget and its control over our lives. The Heritage Foundation has calculated that Obama’s EPA’s twenty “major” regulations—those that cost $100 million or more annually—could cost the U.S. more than $36 billion per year. Obama’s EPA has generated 1,920 new regulations.

Don’t think of the EPA as a government agency. It is a weapon of economic destruction.

This has not gone unnoticed. A recent Wall Street Journal opinion by John Barrasso, a Republican Senator from Wyoming, noted that “During President Obama’s first term, EPA policies discouraged energy exploration, buried job creators under red tape, and deliberately hid information from the public.”

“Many EPA regulations,” said Sen. Barrasso, “chased microscopic benefits at maximum cost,” noting for example that “The EPA has proposed dropping the acceptable amount of ozone in the air from the 75 parts per billion allowed today to 60 or 70 parts per billion. The agency concedes that the rule would have a minimal effect on American’s health, but says it would cost as much as $90 billion a year. A study by the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation estimated it would eliminate up to 7.3 million jobs in a wide variety of industries, including refining.”

The other sector in the EPA’s bull’s eye is agriculture. Not content with laying siege to auto manufacturers, oil refineries, coal-fired plants, and all other energy users that might generate carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse gases, Barrasso noted that the EPA “has gathered personal information about tens of thousands of livestock farmers and the locations of their operations” which it then shared with environmental groups.

Writing in The Daily Caller, Henry Miller, a physician and molecular biologist and currently the Robert Wesson Fellow in Scientific Philosophy and Public Policy at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, characterized the EPA as “a miasma populated by the most radical, disaffected and anti-industry discards from other agencies,” adding that there was “entrenched institutional paranoia and an oppositional world view.”

“Unscientific policies and regulatory grandiosity and excess,” wrote Dr. Miller, “are not EPA’s only failings; neglecting to weigh costs and benefits is shockingly common, noting that “The EPA’s repeated failures should not come as a surprise because the agency has long been a haven for scientifically insupportable policies perpetrated by anti-technology ideologues.”

Marlo Lewis, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, writing in Forbes magazine, pointed out Gina McCarthy, the nominee to direct the EPA, “has a history of misleading Congress and the public about her agency’s greenhouse gas regulations. “At a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in October 2011, McCarthy denied motor vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards are “related to” fuel economy standards. In doing so,” said Lewis, “she denied plain facts she must know to be true. She did so under oath.”

“The EPA has no statutory authority to regulate fuel economy. More importantly, the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act prohibits states from adopting laws or regulations ‘related to’ fuel economy.”

The point of this exercise is demonstrate that the EPA is the very definition of a “rogue agency” for which neither laws, nor science, are of any consequence as it pursues policies that do incalculable harm at a time when the nation is deep in debt and in need of economic growth, not regulatory strangulation.

c Alan Caruba

About:
Alan Caruba’s commentaries are posted daily at “Warning Signs” his popular blog and thereafter on dozens of other websites and blogs. If you love to read, visit his monthly report on new books at Bookviews.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Starts: First Loggerhead Nest Found On Wassaw

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

BRUNSWICK, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- The sea turtle nesting season in Georgia has begun.

Kris Williams of the Caretta Research Project and a group of volunteers were patrolling the beach on Wassaw Island at 11 Monday night when they discovered the year’s first loggerhead sea turtle nest.

Other Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative members found loggerhead nests on St. Catherines and Ossabaw islands Wednesday morning, confirmation that the state’s primary sea turtle species is beach-bound.

These massive reptiles federally listed as threatened crawl ashore on Georgia’s barrier island beaches, dig a hole at the base of the dunes and lay their eggs – usually at night.

They did that a lot last year. Georgia had 2,241 loggerhead nests in 2012, the most in the 24 years the state’s coastline has been closely surveyed for sea turtle nesting. The new high capped three consecutive summers of record totals, including 1,760 nests in 2010 and 1,992 in 2011.

Analysis by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has also shown that those highs aren’t an anomaly. Statistically, loggerhead nesting is increasing in the state.

Nesting is off to a slower start this year. The first loggerhead nest in 2012 was almost three weeks earlier – April 25 on Cumberland Island. The average arrival is May 5.

But DNR Sea Turtle Program Coordinator Mark Dodd cautioned that nesting onset is no predictor of how the season will go.

“There’s not a correlation between when nesting starts and how high nesting numbers will be,” said Dodd, who works with DNR’s Nongame Conservation Section.

As an example, he points to 2010, when seven nests had been documented as of May 15 and 1,760 by the end of the season, a total that is significantly more than the 24-year average of 1,156 nests a year.

In Dodd’s words: “No need to panic.”

Sea turtle nests are found, marked, monitored and protected by the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative. Coordinated by the DNR, the cooperative is made up of volunteers, researchers and agency employees who patrol barrier island beaches daily during the nesting season.

The health of loggerheads effects coastal environments and economies, particularly in a state where more than 30 percent of residents 16 and older take part in wildlife-watching activities.

DNR’s Nongame Conservation Section works to conserve sea turtles and other rare wildlife not legally fished for or hunted in the state, as well as rare plants and natural habitats. The agency does this without using state appropriations, depending instead on fundraisers, grants and direct contributions. Fundraisers include the eagle and hummingbird license plates. A portion of each sale and renewal of the wildlife plates helps restore species such as loggerheads.

Learn more at www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/support. Details on the Nongame Conservation Section’s work are in the agency’s annual report, www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/annualreport.

ON THE NET

• Georgia nesting updates by beach – www.seaturtle.org/nestdb/?view=3
• Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative – www.georgiawildlife.com/SeaTurtleCooperative
• Loggerhead profile – www.georgiawildlife.com/rare_species_profiles (click “Reptiles”)

Conservation Reserve Program

Pheasants Forever

Sheboygan, Wis. --(Ammoland.com)- The Sheboygan/Manitowoc Pheasants Forever chapter is offering a signing bonus for landowners enrolling in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Sign-up 45, which runs May 20 through June 14 2013.

The chapter will pay landowners $50 per acre for up to 10 acres, and for those enrolling more than 10 acres, $75 per acre.

“This is our way of helping get more grassland habitat for pheasants and other wildlife in our community,” said Craig Lukasavitz, chapter president. “The lack of grasslands is a major cause for low pheasant populations in our area, and we hope the bonus will get landowners who are on the fence about signing up for CRP to enroll in the program.”

Active in upland restoration, the chapter annually provides no-cost food plot seed to landowners who want to plant winter food plots for pheasants and other wildlife. The program is coordinated by chapter volunteer Dan Renzelman who noted, “This year the chapter ordered 40 bags of corn, 10 bags of soybean and 15 bags of sorghum. To date, all but one bag of corn and sorghum were given to cooperating landowners.”

In accordance with Pheasants Forever’s local chapter model, the Sheboygan/Manitowoc Chapter uses funds raised by its annual banquet to provide for programs throughout its community. The banquet is held each February and is open to those volunteers who want to be involved in local wild habitat projects and reintroducing youth to the outdoors.

Landowners willing to take part in the chapter’s CRP signing bonus program will have to sign an agreement with the Sheboygan/Manitowoc Pheasants Forever chapter to keep the land in CRP for 10 years. Funds for this chapter program are limited and are on a first come, first served basis.

Wisconsin is home to 33 Pheasants Forever chapters and over 9,000 members. For more information about the chapter program, please contact Craig at 920-892-2511 / email Craig or Dan at 920-627-6665 / email Dan. For all other questions, please contact Doug Fendry, Pheasants Forever regional wildlife biologist, at (608) 843-7999 / email Doug.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 135,000 members and 720 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.

Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. http://www.pheasantsforever.org/

Michigan Governor Signs Bill Protecting Wildlife Management from Politics

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- On May 8th 2013, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill 288 into law.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), gives the state’s Natural Resources Committee the authority to designate animals as game species.

Previously, only the state’s legislature had that authority. Senate Bill 88 in effect removes the threat of referendum from game species designations and allows science and not anti-hunting politics to be used when making game species decisions.

In effect, game species designations made by Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission can be done through administrative rules. This means that those rules would not be subject to referendum, unlike designations made by the state’s legislature.

Anti-hunting groups have a history of spending significant sums of money in Michigan and elsewhere to run emotionally driven campaigns aimed at stopping hunting at the ballot box. These campaigns often ignore science and wildlife conservation to push their anti-hunting agendas.

For example, the Michigan legislature recently listed wolves as a game species allowing the state to use hunting as a wolf management tool. This prompted the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to collect signatures for a referendum seeking to overturn the designation of wolves as game species. Senate Bill 288 eliminates this type of action, instead keeping wildlife management in the hands of the professionals.

“Governor Snyder and the members of the Michigan legislature deserve a big thank you from the sportsmen and women of Michigan,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Director of Government Affairs. “Most of all, we are proud of the hard work Michigan sportsmen and groups like the Michigan United Conservation Clubs did to support hunting and scientific wildlife management.”

Take Action! Michigan sportsmen should contact Governor Snyder’s office to thank him for signing Senate Bill 288 into law. His office can be reached at (517) 373-3400.

About:The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

American Technologies Network

South San Francisco, CA – American Technologies Network Corp., makers of military, law enforcement, security and outdoor night vision and thermal applications, introduce the Night Scout VX; ATN’s newest addition to affordable, quality night vision devices for camping, hiking, birding, boating or home defense.

The Night Scout VX night vision binocular is compact and lightweight and features ATN’s proprietary Total Darkness IR System.

Even if the user is in total darkness, with the aid of the infrared illuminator, the Night Scout VX cuts through the darkness providing a bright clear image.

Using a dual image tube system that provides for depth perception, the user experiences the visual world around them just as they would by using a pair of binoculars. Several image tube configurations are available for any budget or performance demand.

Features:

• 5x magnification
  

  ATN Night Scout VX Night Vision Binocular

• Easy-to-use digital controls
• Multi-coated, all-glass optics
• Long-range Infrared Illuminator
• Water and fog resistant
• Gen 1
• Fl.2, 90mm lens system
• IR indicator
• Low battery indicator
• 60 hours battery life on 1×3 V CR123A battery
• 9” x 6” x 3” in size
• 3.3 lbs.
• Limited 2 year warranty
• MSRP: $519.00

Order your ATN Night Scout VX online: http://tiny.cc/k4m6ww

For more information on American Technologies Network Corp, visit www.atncorp.com. Visit Facebook to stay up to date on new products, images and promotions.

Texas Deer Association

SAN ANTONIO —-(Ammoland.com)- The Texas Deer Association (TDA) is pleased to welcome the passage of the ‘Due Process Bill’, which has been approved by the 83rd Texas Legislature.

Once signed into law, the new legislation will provide a more objective appeal system for deer breeder permit holders that is more in keeping with fundamental due process protections.

Under the Due Process Bill provisions, any deer breeder charged with a violation is afforded a thorough and fair review by a district judge. The bill also requires Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) to provide written notice in the event the department seeks to depopulate some or all of a breeder’s deer herd so that the breeder has the opportunity to seek legal counsel prior to the depopulation.

“Due process is a fundamental right guaranteed by the 5th and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution as well as the Constitution of the State of Texas, so it’s been troubling to see some deer breeders charged with violations and then be unable to have their cases heard by an impartial judge and further denied an appeal process,” says Karl Kinsel, executive director of the Texas Deer Association. “Access to justice should never be predetermined by a person’s occupation or avocation, and the passage of this bill will help ensure the deer industry remains a strong and positive contributor to the Texas economy for years to come.”

The approved bill also allows for the creation of one-, three- and five-year deer breeder permits, instead of the current annual permit. TPWD still retains the authority to revoke breeder permits due to violations, however, permit holders now have much greater assurance they will receive due process in the event of a permit revocation. Longer permit durations is also beneficial to TPWD, allowing the department to save time and money in processing permits.

The Due Process Bill was supported by the Texas Deer Association and originally introduced in the House by Rep. Larry Phillips and in the Senate by Sen. Tommy Williams.

“The legislative process is always a collaborative effort,“ adds Kinsel. “and we would like to offer our sincere thanks to all the Legislators, TDA members and valued supporters who worked so hard to ensure justice for all Texas deer breeders.”

The TDA is the only non-profit organization solely committed to improving the quality of Texas deer herds through better habitat practices, modern harvest strategies and use of superior deer to enhance the deer herds. As a part of its public education efforts, the TDA produces a full-color bimonthly publication, Tracks Magazine, which updates TDA members on current industry news, deer genetics and game management issues.

For more information on the Texas Deer Association, call 210.767.8300 or visit www.texasdeerassociation.com.

Headquartered in San Antonio, the Texas Deer Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of Texas deer herds, and to developing ways to improve deer quality in Texas. For more information on the Texas Deer Association, call 210.767.8300 or visit www.TexasDeerAssociation.com.

RMEF Receives Intervenor Status in Wyoming Wolf Lawsuit, Seeks Same in Another

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- A U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. granted the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s request to intervene in a lawsuit by animal rights groups seeking to return federal protection to Wyoming’s wolf population.

That means the judge will consider RMEF’s arguments in the case.

RMEF also filed to intervene in a similar lawsuit regarding Wyoming wolves based in a Cheyenne, Wyo., U.S District Court.

“This matter is no different than the current case in the Great Lakes or past legal cases in the northern Rocky Mountains,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

“Individual states need to be given the opportunity to manage the wildlife species within their borders. These Wyoming lawsuits seek to frustrate the science-based management plan already laid out and approved by the federal government.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed Wyoming wolves from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in August 2012 with a minimum population estimate at that time of 328 wolves, including 48 packs and 27 breeding pairs. That total included 224 wolves, 36 packs and 19 breeding pairs outside Yellowstone National Park.

A subsequent hunting season led to the harvesting of 42 wolves in the trophy-hunting zone bordering Yellowstone with 26 taken as unprotected predators elsewhere in the state. Wyoming Game and Fish since proposed reducing wolf hunt quotas by half for the 2013 fall season. Wildlife managers must maintain at least 100 wolves, including 10 breeding pair, outside of the Wind River Reservation and Yellowstone.

Addressing the situation, a spokesman for Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, Renny MacKay, stated, “Wolves in Wyoming are clearly recovered. Our management plan is based on the best available science, committing to the sustainability of the wolf population and genetic connectivity in the Northern Rockies. More importantly, our wolf management since delisting has proven the state’s ability and commitment to responsibly manage wolves.”

RMEF has a rich heritage of 26 years of work in Wyoming that includes 514 projects that enhanced or protected more than one million acres. RMEF also made contributions of more than $3.7 million to protect and enhance habitat, manage wildlife, and support conservation and hunting heritage outreach programs in Wyoming.

“RMEF invested nearly $7 million in wildlife research efforts around the country to better understand elk habitat use, population dynamics, predation, habitat management and other such issues. We need to strongly consider and abide by these findings and not frustrate science-based management by allowing these lawsuits to go through. They could affect Wyoming’s elk, deer, moose, wild sheep and other big game species from here on out,” added Allen.

RMEF joins a combination of government and sportsmen organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Wyoming, Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association as defendants. RMEF recently received intervenor status in the Great Lakes region wolf lawsuit.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that protected or enhanced habitat on more than 6.3 million acres–an area larger than Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

NJ Sporting Clays Shoot Triples Attendance & Raises 8X as Many Dollars to Support Union Sportsmen’s Alliance

Union Sportsmen’s Alliance

Nashville, TN – -(Ammoland.com)- Attendance for the 2013 Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s SMART New Jersey Sporting Clays Shoot tripled from 2012.

On May 4 2012 in Port Republic, NJ, more than 90 union members, shooting enthusiasts, corporate partners and other guests from across the state gathered in support of their unions and the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s conservation efforts.

Through the support of Helmets to Hardhats and the Freedom Alliance, 34 shooter spots were donated by our sponsors and filled by veterans and active duty service men and women.

Thanks, in large part, to the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) International and its leadership for hosting the event, the shoot also set a financial record. This year, participants raised eight times as many dollars as the 2012 event, for a total of $60,905.

“The support SMART General President Joe Nigro, Secretary-Treasurer Joe Sellers and Assistant to the General President Marc Norberg have continued to give is immeasurable. The obvious success of this event can be can be directly tied to their title sponsorship this year and unwavering dedication to the USA conservation mission,” said USA Executive Director Fred Myers. Myers displayed his own dedication to the USA cause by driving to the New Jersey shoot from Nashville.

The USA’s robust, 26-city sporting clays and trap shoot tour will travel to 25 cities across 19 states in 2013. Raising imperative funding to support the USA’s conservation mission, the national tour also introduces skilled union volunteers to the impact they can make on conservation projects in the communities where they live work and play. For more information or to find out how you can get involved, visit www.unionsportsmen.org/events.

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is a union-dedicated outdoor organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community to expand and improve hunting and fishing access and wildlife habitat while passing on our national outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or www.facebook.com/unionsportsmen.

2012 Arizona IDA Grassland Project Volunteers

Arizona Elk Society

Arizona - -(Ammoland.com)- The Arizona Elk Society is regarded as a leader in habitat preservation and projects which greatly benefit wildlife in Arizona. They are effective fundraisers and masters at organizing work projects. Now they need some help.

From fixing fences to repairing water tanks to removal of invasive species, the Arizona Elk Society have made a huge difference in helping Arizona’s wildlife. Their laundry list of projects has gotten so lengthy that now they could use some help. AES Projects are some of the best-kept secrets in Arizona. What better opportunity to get out of the Phoenix heat, do some great work in the fresh air, and make an immediate, measurable impact in helping Arizona wildlife.

You don’t even need to be a member of the Elk Society to participate. Old or young, city or country, hunter, hiker or bird-watcher; everyone is welcome to participate!

There are three big projects coming up and the AES would love to get some new volunteers to step up and assist with these projects. These are the Big Three Annual Arizona Elk Society Wildlife Habitat Work Projects. During the year they have other smaller projects for the volunteers but these are the three that typically utilize 75-180 volunteers apiece. All three of these are coordinated with the Arizona Game and Fish and the U.S. Forest Service, and other agencies and organizations, as well as area ranchers.

• IDA Grassland Restoration, May 18-19, 2013
• Annual Burro Creek/26 Bar Work Project June 8-9, 2013
• Annual Buck Springs Work Project July 13-14

We asked AES President Steve Clark how success is measured in projects like these.

“IDA Grassland is a project where success is quantified by the number of acres that we are able to restore. The original plan is to work in an area that has clearance for up to 50,000 acres of mechanical treatment. By providing volunteer labor we can hand cut trees on about 250-350 acres on a weekend and save up to $45,000 of the cost of using machinery to do the work. By using volunteers we are able to find and cut many very small trees that the machines miss or can’t get to.

Burro Creek/26 Bar is a different type of project. Here we have been removing old fence and repairing riparian fences, to quantify this we usually remove up to 10 miles of old, unneeded fence in a weekend and repair up to 10 miles of fence, all with volunteers. By using 135 volunteers we do in one weekend what would have taken a two man crew or range riders many weeks to do. We also install and maintain drinkers at springs and wildlife waters, and maintain fence including the installation of elk jumps, at the same time as part of our 26 Bar Adopt-a-Ranch part of the project.

Buck Springs is similar to Burro Creek as far as quantifying results. Here we do a variety of work. The volunteers remove old fence, which is easy to quantify, in miles of fence. In the past we have removed up to 9 miles on one weekend. We are also hand cutting small trees from riparian draws and meadows to restore the water needed for the riparian areas to function, this we quantify by acres, the number of trees cut, or the fact that that particular riparian area is restored. Now we just need rain. The other part of Buck Springs is the restoration of the creek channels that feed water to the sponge meadows. Many of the channels have eroded with headcuts and other problems. With volunteers we rebuild the channels and restore the functionality of them to slow and control the water to let it have time to dissipate into the ground. Here to quantify we could say that we fixed the channels and now need rain and snowpack to see the results of our labor.”

These projects aren’t just spur-of-the-moment, thrown together affairs. They are highly organized, cleared through the appropriate agency and carefully planned, studied and prioritized. “The Burro Creek and Buck Springs projects were chosen and designed as part of the Arizona Elk Society commitments in a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the U.S. Forest Service. Both of these areas were part of a large project whereby the Arizona Elk Society facilitated and funded the retirement of these grazing allotments. There were many reasons for taking this action and all of the areas were valuable elk habitat as well and habitat for a multitude of wildlife including threatened and endangered species. Since we were able to remove cattle and now use these areas for wildlife the AES started these work weekends to restore and improve the habitat that in the long run would allow more elk on the ground. While we are working on our issues in these areas we are also partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to do work in the area including thinning and controlled burns that the AES is funding. More water, better habitat, better feed translates into healthy herds and more elk.

IDA Grassland Restoration which we also call Slates Lakes Grassland Restoration started with a partnership with the Babbitt Ranches in Northern Arizona. The Babbitts have a master plan to restore hundreds of thousands of acres of grasslands that includes helping Elk, Antelope and cattle grazing. The Arizona Elk Society met with the Babbitts and the U.S. Forest Service to provide volunteer labor to help in their venture. We also help fund much of the work that is being done in these areas. The first couple of years we worked on the Coconino National Forest, then the Kaibab National Forest approached the AES and showed us a plan for major grassland restoration on their forest. Since then we have been working on both Forests doing grassland restoration work. The overall plan for these areas encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres.”

As mentioned, you don’t have to be a member of the Arizona Elk Society to volunteer or join in the work projects. As a matter of fact, the Elk Society loves having new volunteers come out – Clark says “Many of the volunteers come and help because they feel we are doing important work for the benefit of the land and the wildlife. We welcome everybody including groups of kids from schools, scouts and clubs. Many of the volunteers are from local groups in the areas that enjoy doing community projects. Of course we always hope that the volunteers will become members and support or efforts by joining.”

We asked Steve what one might expect if they have never volunteered on such a project before.

“Some of the things to expect at an Arizona Elk Society work project besides the hard work you will need to perform include camaraderie with like-minded volunteers that enjoy hunting, nature, wildlife, the outdoors and giving back. Many friendships have been made at our camps. We make sure that all the volunteers are well fed with all meals being supplied by the AES. Our kitchen staff has received many positive comments for many years about the food. We try to stop early enough so that people can have time to socialize and learn about the AES and meet others. We take a little time talking about why we are there and the short and long term goals of our projects. Hopefully if we didn’t work you hard enough you will have some time to sit around a fire and make friends.”

As projects get more plentiful and more complex, needs begin to change. Clark points out “This year 14 volunteers took a 5 day training course with the U.S. Forest Service to get certified as volunteer Sawyers. The dedication of our volunteers never ends and by these individual getting certifies the Arizona Elk Society will become much more effective on some of the large landscape projects were sawyers have been needed in the past and future. In the past we needed to hire sawyer crews and it was very expensive. With our own trained sawyers we will save money and be much more effective.” He adds “Thank you to all the new AES Sawyers, your dedication is very much appreciated”.

The above projects are the three large landscape volunteer projects that are all lined up and the Arizona Elk Society is working hard to get a fresh influx of volunteers for these projects. They also have many smaller projects throughout the year that include repairing water catchments, installing new water drinkers for wildlife, repairing pipelines that provide water, fixing fences that are a threat to wildlife, installing elk jumps, restoring small meadows in the forest and many other projects. They are very busy in the spring and summer with projects and always have a need for not only volunteers but also funding. The biggest things needed to keep these projects flowing and effective are manpower and money.

Elk Society Seeks Volunteers for Habitat Projects

Elk Society Seeks Volunteers for Habitat Projects

Elk Society Seeks Volunteers for Habitat Projects

So? Interested? Here is how you get involved:

You can learn more about the Arizona Elk Society visit our website, http://www.arizonaelksociety.org. Read all about the direction of the organization, projects and events. Look for the Email Newsletter tab on the right and sign up for our email newsletter, or go to our Facebook page and LIKE us! Pick a date, and attend an event. If you have fun, pick another one! Of course, you can always become a member and enjoy all of our member benefits while still supporting our conservation efforts.

Texas Trophy Hunters Association

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - One of the state’s strongest and most respected voices for Texas hunters, the Texas Trophy Hunters Association questions the merits of two bills currently proposed in the Texas Legislature.

The two bills — HB 2433 and SB 1412 — would enact new deer management regulations that could be harmful to deer and reduce hunting opportunities throughout the state.

As written, the bills would change the long-standing ‘10-Day Rule’ regulation for releasing breeder deer to an extended 60-day period. Many whitetail experts, including TTHA Founder Jerry Johnston, and wildlife biologists such as Dr. James Kroll and Macy Ledbetter have denounced the bills for their potential risk factors. These experts explain the release dates proposed in the bills mean moving deer in the hottest month of the year which would result in the needless death of thousands of deer and ultimately reduce hunting opportunities for Texans.

“White-tailed deer living in the wild in Texas undergo their worst stress period of the year in August,” said Horace Gore, wildlife biologist and editor of the Journal of Texas Trophy Hunters. “After working for Texas Parks and Wildlife for over three decades and dealing closely with deer, I can’t imagine anyone being compelled to release a deer from a pen situation into the wild during the month of August.”

“For more than 35 years, the Texas Trophy Hunters Association has worked to defend hunting in all its forms and to bring together sportsmen so we can better preserve our hunting heritage for future generations. The freedom to choose how to hunt and where to hunt is a core principle of hunting in Texas, and we do not favor any legislation that would intentionally or unintentionally reduce hunting opportunities,” says Hal Gahm, senior vice president of sales and operations of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association.

The Texas Trophy Hunters Association was founded in 1975 with the goal of bringing together the most serious and passionate deer hunters, so they could learn from one another, share hunting stories and skills, improve the wildlife and habitat, and work together to protect and promote our hunting heritage for future generations. Today TTHA continues to unite all segments of the hunting community for the dissemination of information and joining of energies to promote and protect our hunting heritage. Through its nationally distributed Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters publication, nationally-syndicated TV show, and annual Hunter Extravaganza events hosted in San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth, the TTHA has a well-earned reputation for being the most prestigious and respected deer hunting organization in the world.

To learn more about the Texas Trophy Hunters Association, visit www.TTHA.com or call 800.800.3207 or 210.523.8500.

Headquartered in San Antonio, the Texas Trophy Hunters Association is a membership-based organization, dedicated to the promotion of the sport, science and heritage of hunting. For more information on the Texas Trophy Hunters Association, call 800.800.3207 or 210.523.8500 or visit www.TTHA.com.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- A 40 acre parcel of Montana forestland is now open to public access after the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation donated it to the U.S. Forest Service.

“We maintained this property for the greater part of 18 years with an agreement that the Forest Service would manage it.

Though small in size, and even though it took a while, it was always on our radar to transfer it into public ownership,” said Blake Henning, RMEF vice president of Lands and Conservation. “It turned out the best way to do that was to make an outright donation.”

Located approximately 10 miles north of Missoula, the Marent Gulch property was originally gifted to RMEF in 1995. It now falls under full ownership of the Lolo National Forest, which already owns the land on its east, west and north sides.

“This generous donation from RMEF protects the open space value and scenic character visible from both the Missoula and Evaro valleys and places 40 acres of critical elk winter range into public ownership,” said Paul Matter, district ranger of the Missoula Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest. “Consolidating Forest Service ownership in this area will protect this critical habitat and provide for improved management of forest lands. In addition, this donation helps establish another entry point for members of the public to access many of the recreation activities available on our public lands here in Montana.”

The parcel is located in forestland that includes forage and rugged hillsides. It provides habitat for various native Montana wildlife including wintering elk, mule deer, mountain lion, black bear, migrating or ranging grizzly bear, and various other critters and songbirds.

The transaction also eliminates what was a potential trespassing issue.

“Eliminating corner crossing situations protects private lands from trespass and enhances access to public lands. This is a win-win situation that everyone benefits from,” added Matter.

To date, RMEF conducted more than 8,100 projects that conserved or enhanced more than 6.3 million acres nationwide.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that protected or enhanced habitat on more than 6.3 million acres–an area larger than Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Endangered Species Day

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The 8th annual national Endangered Species Day will be celebrated on May 17, 2013, with special events and other programs throughout the country to recognize conservation efforts underway across the nation aimed at helping America’s imperiled species.

This year also commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

“America is doing an amazing thing. We’ve made a promise to keep species from going extinct,” said Leda Huta, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition, primary sponsor of Endangered Species Day. “We’ve been incredibly successful. Endangered Species Day is an ideal opportunity to celebrate our nation’s success stories.”

“For 40 years, the Endangered Species Act has helped our nation protect the wild things and wild places, ensuring that our children’s children and future generations can see species such as the bald eagle, the black-footed ferret and the American alligator,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “Endangered Species Day offers us an opportunity to recognize the Act’s good works and the work of all those committed to it.”

Endangered Species Day honors the importance of protecting America’s threatened, endangered and at-risk species; highlights success stories of species recovery; and demonstrates everyday actions people can take to protect our disappearing wildlife and last remaining open spaces. For more information, including a list of events occurring throughout the country, visit www.endangeredspeciesday.org.**

National wildlife refuges, parks, botanical gardens, schools, libraries, museums, community groups and conservation organizations will hold tours, exhibits, restoration projects, children’s programs, field trips and other activities on Endangered Species Day and throughout the month. Additionally, 100 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos and aquariums throughout the country will celebrate Endangered Species Day by hosting special events ranging from the Kansas City Zoo’s “Learning Fest” to an endangered species scavenger hunt at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

“AZA is pleased to be a partner in Endangered Species Day helping to raise awareness about the threats that endangered species face in their natural range,” said AZA President & CEO Jim Maddy. “In addition to providing exceptional care to the animals at their facilities, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums support more than 2,640 conservation projects in 130 countries, contributing more than $160 million to these wildlife conservation projects. As poaching, deforestation and other factors continue to threaten these species, it is more important than ever for us to continue to collaboratively spread the message of conservation through educational programs and events like Endangered Species Day to help make a positive impact on the future of these species.”

Other notable events include the Endangered Species Day open house at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., habitat restoration projects in San Diego and many other special programs planned by the Service’s field and regional offices.

Started in 2006 by the United States Senate, Endangered Species Day is a celebration of our nation’s imperiled plants and wildlife and wild places, with an emphasis on success stories of species recovery. The Endangered Species Act has prevented hundreds of listed species from going extinct. Co-administered by the Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the purpose of the Act is to conserve imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

To connect with the Endangered Species Program throughout the year via social media, please join us on

• Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/USFWSEndangeredSpecies
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/USFWSEndsp
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• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/usfws#p/c/7E8264DA432377C9

America’s fish, wildlife and plant resources belong to all of us, and ensuring the health of imperiled species is a shared responsibility. Learn more about the Service’s Endangered Species program, and explore what endangered species are near you, please visit www.fws.gov/endangered.

*The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit **www.fws.gov*

Polar Bear Kali

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that Kali, the polar bear cub rescued in March from the Point Lay area of Alaska, will leave the Alaska Zoo on May 14, arriving at New York’s Buffalo Zoo on May 15 2013.

Kali (pronounced Cully, the Inupiat name for Point Lay), a 65-pound cub, will join young female cub Luna where both cubs will benefit from each other’s company.

Under the care of Alaska Zoo staff Kali has adjusted well to his surroundings, more than tripling in size and weight.

“The Alaska Zoo has done a tremendous job of providing excellent, temporary care for Kali,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “I would like to personally thank the zoo for stepping up – at moment’s notice – to care for this cub. Now, as Kali leaves Alaska for his next short-term home, we are confident that the Buffalo Zoo will provide the best of care for Kali as the Service makes a final determination on a permanent home for the cub.”

On March 12 2013, the Service received word that a female polar bear had been shot near Point Lay, Alaska. The adult female was accompanied by a cub, which was transferred first to the community of Point Lay, and then to the North Slope Borough’s Department of Wildlife Management in Barrow, Alaska. After the cub was examined and observed to be in good condition, the Service asked the Alaska Zoo to temporarily care for it. Alaska Airlines flew the cub to Anchorage where it was met by Service and Alaska Zoo staff.

“The Alaska Zoo is proud of its long history of partnering with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to provide a home for orphaned and abandoned wildlife,” said Alaska Zoo Director Pat Lampi. “The zoo’s staff has more than 100 years of direct staff experience in raising rescued polar bear cubs.”

Dubbed “Operation Kali,” Kali’s trip from Anchorage to Buffalo has been arranged and funded by M&T Bank, one of the Buffalo Zoo’s long-standing corporate sponsors. Kali will be accompanied by Alaska Zoo Executive Director Patrick Lampi and Zoo Curator Shannon Jensen along with Dr. Kurt Volle, a veterinarian with the Buffalo Zoo. Kali and crew will take off from Anchorage for Buffalo, New York, on a UPS 747- 400 jet on May 14 at 3:09 pm and will arrive in Buffalo on May 15 at 5:16 am after a short layover and plane change at Worldport, UPS’s international air hub in Louisville, Kentucky. On the Louisville to Buffalo leg, Kali will fly aboard a UPS 767, newly fitted with fuel-saving winglets. The 4,400-mile door-to-door time from the Alaska Zoo to the Buffalo Zoo is estimated at 14 hours. Kali’s crate will be the last item loaded on the plane and the first item unloaded. The veterinarian will check on the cub during the flight. Dr. Donna Fernandes, president of the Buffalo Zoo, will greet the Alaskan contingent upon arrival in Buffalo. The cubs will be exhibited together at the zoo once Kali reaches Buffalo.

“We are thrilled to receive Kali,” said Fernandes. “Recovery of orphaned cubs is one of the reasons we are building our new polar bear habitat, Arctic Edge. Both cubs will benefit immensely from the opportunity to play with one another to ensure that they learn to be bears and not become too attached to human caretakers.”

“As the Buffalo Zoo moves forward with its plans for a new world-class polar bear exhibit, we’re excited to help bring Kali to Buffalo to join Luna, allowing our neighbors to enjoy learning more about these amazing animals,” said M&T Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Michele Trolli.

Kali’s journey from the Arctic coastal plain to the Alaska Zoo to the Buffalo Zoo is the result of collaboration among the people of Point Lay, the North Slope Borough, the North Slope Borough Police Department, the Alaska Zoo, Alaska Airlines, the Buffalo Zoo, M&T Bank, United Parcel Service, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Polar Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP) management group and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Service will make a final determination on a permanent home for the polar bear cub based on consideration of multiple criteria, including staff experience and expertise, quality of facilities, and the age, sex and temperament of bears currently in the zoo’s collection. Zoos have been an important partner for the conservation of many species, and as climate change continues to threaten polar bear habitat the Service will work closely with the AZA, the Polar Bear SSP and zoos across the country to ensure the proper placement and care of any additional polar bear cubs that may need future care.

For more information about polar bear conservation, visit http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/pbmain.htm <http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/pbmain.htm>

*About the Alaska Zoo*

*The mission of the Alaska Zoo is to promote the conservation of Arctic, sub-Arctic and like climate species through education, research and community enrichment. The Zoo opened its doors in 1969 and for forty-four years has provided or found homes for the orphaned, injured and abandoned wildlife of Alaska. The zoo is open daily, year-round. We are proud of our long history of service to the wildlife and people of our State. The Alaska Zoo is a private, self-sustaining nonprofit. Visit us at: www.alaskazoo.org*

*About the Buffalo Zoo*

*Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes approximately 450,000 visitors and is the second largest tourist attraction in Western New York, second only to Niagara Falls. Located on 23.5 acres of Frederick Law Olmsted’s beautiful Delaware Park, the Zoo provides interactive and educational family entertainment throughout the year. With a diverse collection of wild and exotic animals and more than 320 different species of plants, visitors are introduced to and engulfed by nature each time they visit. For more information, photos and to follow Kali as he gets settled, visit www.buffalozoo.org*

*About M&T Bank*

*M&T Bank was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1856, and is one of the top 20 independent commercial bank holding companies in the U.S. M&T serves customers at more than 725 branch offices in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.*

*About UPS*

*UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com and its corporate blog can be found at blog.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.*

*About the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service*

*The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.*

Quail Forever

Charleston, S.C. --(Ammoland.com)- Quail enthusiasts in South Carolina have formed Quail Forever’s (QF) newest chapter, Lowcountry Quail Forever.

The chapter, based in Mount Pleasant, will focus efforts on improving public use land for bobwhite quail in the state’s Francis Marion National Forest.

The chapter is led by President Tim Long of Mount Pleasant. Long, a Tennessee native, moved to South Carolina in 1996 and became involved with community quail conservation efforts. “Quail habitat restoration is not just beneficial for quail, but for all upland wildlife including songbirds, turkey, rabbits and the threatened red-cockaded woodpecker,” said Long.

Chapter conservation work is to be completed on Francis Marion National Forest. The 258,000 acre national forest is located 20 miles north of Charleston, and has been managed by the Forest Service since 1936; however, human occupation can be traced back 10,000 years. The chapter works to create brood rearing habitat on approximately 80 wildlife openings, each consisting of 2-3 acres, throughout the forest. These brood rearing areas are critical for bumblebee size quail chicks to navigate through while foraging.

“Our chapter feels that it is critical to have land open to everyone, which will benefit the community as a whole and the upland habitat wildlife depend on so heavily,” noted Long.

“Quail Forever’s locally empowering model was important to this group of motivated volunteers,” reports Shon Robbins, Quail Forever regional wildlife biologist. “With the members’ history of quail conservation efforts, I know the positive impacts made by the Lowcountry Quail Forever chapter will be felt by the whole community.”

The chapter’s first meeting meeting is Wednesday, May 15, 6:30pm at Zeus Restaurant in Mount Pleasant. The chapter is actively looking for volunteers. Those interested are encouraged to contact Tim Long at (843) 324-8734 or email Tim.

South Carolina Habitat Reports: Unlike states further north, winter mortality from weather conditions is not a big issue in South Carolina. Winter rains following several years of drought could lead to good soil moisture conditions, which may result in improved nesting and brood habitat conditions, according to Billy Dukes, small game project supervisor for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Overwinter cover held up well due to the mild conditions and no frozen precipitation; however land managers interested in managing for quail should pay close attention to size of burn blocks during prescribed burning operations and make sure to leave adequate escape cover.

For more information on “The Habitat Organization” or to start a chapter, please contact Shon Robbins at (570) 204-5761 or email Shon.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 135,000 members and 720 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.

Quail Forever is dedicated to the conservation of quail, pheasants and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.

Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited

MCCLUSKY, N.D. --(Ammoland.com)- As the Agriculture Committees in the House and Senate turn their attention to considering and reporting out a five-year farm bill this month, it’s important to consider how many Americans have felt the negative impact of not having a comprehensive bill.

Every U.S. citizen is affected by the farm bill. That includes farmers and ranchers, of course, but also the majority of Americans who enjoy clean water, affordable food and the great outdoors.

In the midst of an extreme drought hitting the United States, the House of Representatives allowed the farm bill, which ensured drought funding, to expire during the last session of Congress.

Farmers and ranchers can’t make long-term plans for their crops or lands without knowing which programs will be funded or eliminated. Outdoor enthusiasts are losing recreation opportunities due to lost or degraded wildlife habitat. The wetlands and grasslands that conserve soil and keep our rivers and lakes clean are being converted to marginally productive agriculture land.

Habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife is being lost at a rate not seen since the Dust Bowl. A South Dakota State University study found that more than 1.3 million acres of grasslands have been converted to crop agriculture since 2006.

That’s more grassland converted than the state of Delaware.

The study also concluded that crop insurance policies in the current farm bill could encourage farmers to take greater risks in where to plant crops, putting in jeopardy native prairies and wetlands that provide habitat and also many societal benefits, including clean water.

Ducks Unlimited joins the many conservation, commodity, agriculture and forestry groups asking both houses of Congress to pass a five-year farm bill before the extension expires in September. However, we are also asking for the farm bill to maintain and, in some cases, strengthen conservation programs:

Re-couple conservation compliance to crop insurance. Farmers need a safety net against catastrophic weather events and volatile markets, but taxpayer resources should not be used to incentivize wetland drainage and habitat destruction. Re-coupling conservation compliance with crop insurance will conserve wetlands and highly erodible soils, while fulfilling the contract between the public and the farmer and rancher.

Protect native prairie with a national Sodsaver program. More than 70 percent of the nation’s original grasslands have already been lost. Loss of native prairie reduces available grazing lands, increases soil erosion and destroys critical habitat for waterfowl, pheasants and many other wildlife. Farmers can still plow up native prairie, but a Sodsaver program would reduce the amount taxpayers subsidize crop insurance coverage on ground that has never been farmed.

Ducks Unlimited

Preserve conservation programs. A five-year bill is necessary to provide for the continuation of vital conservation programs. Once conservation programs are eliminated, it will be much more difficult to renew funding for them.

Ducks Unlimited encourages anyone who enjoys the outdoors to contact your member of Congress. Tell them the conservation programs are an integral part of this year’s five-year farm bill.

Dale Hall was the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is currently CEO of Ducks Unlimited, the world’s leader in wetlands conservation. Established in 1937, DU has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than 1 million supporters across the continent.

About:
Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. Visit www.ducks.org

Anti gun NJ State Senator Raymond Lesniak gets endorsement from state Animals Rights and Anti Hunting Lobby…

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

TRENTON, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- The animal rights lobby, League of Humane Voters of New Jersey, recently announced support for Senator Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) in his upcoming primary campaign.

The group claims, “One of the best ways to help animals in New Jersey is to help Raymond Lesniak’ s (D-Union) primary campaign.”

Some members of the lobby group are key members of the animal extremist group, Animal Protection League of NJ (formerly New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance), a group that has unsuccessfully sued the state of New Jersey to stop black bear hunting as a means of population management.

Key members of the group have also been arrested on multiple occasions related to interfering with legal hunting activities, including charges of hunter harassment, disorderly conduct, obstructing the administration of law and resisting arrest.

It has been reported that one member stated, “The only thing that should be hunted is hunters”.

In their email (below) the lobby group claims, “Senator Lesniak is one of the leading humane legislators in the United States. His laws and legislation relieve animal suffering statewide and create precedents for federal legislation. Senator Lesniak has more than earned the support and gratitude of animal lovers throughout New Jersey. Raymond Lesniak is the embodiment of the League of Humane Voters of New Jersey’s stated purpose: a legislator who fights for laws against cruelty and abuse”.

————————————————————-
Animal rights lobby email:

May 7, 2013

Dear LOHV-NJ Member,

One of the best ways to help animals in New Jersey is to help Raymond Lesniak’ s (D-Union) primary campaign. The Senator is facing an aggressive primary challenge in his district.

Regardless of where you live in New Jersey, please consider aiding this critical campaign. This is not something we can put off until next week; the primary is June 4.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1) If you are financially able to make a contribution to Senator Lesniak’ s campaign, please pledge online today. Any amount will be appreciated. To make a donation, please visit: raymondlesniak. com/contribute/

2) If contributing by check, please send and make it out to:

Election Fund of Raymond Lesniak
530 Irvington Avenue
Elizabeth, NJ 07208

NOTE: Please denote LOHV-NJ in the memo section of the check.

3) Volunteer, a few hours, a day, to work on the campaign. The leaders of LOHV-NJ are actively working on this important campaign. Political work, especially for a legislator so essential to animal protection, is fun. It is also what LOHV-NJ is all about – getting involved and making change happen. Visit: www.raymondlesniak. com/get-involved

4) To maximize the effect of our support, please forward this email to animal loving friends, family, and colleagues. Use the handy “Forward this email” at the bottom of this email.

The League of Humane Voters of New Jersey is a non-partisan organization. Our sole purpose is to support legislators of either party who promote, sponsor, and obtain animal protective legislation. By that measure, Senator Lesniak is especially important to the core goals of this organization. And to the animals who rely on Senator Lesniak’ s untiring efforts on their behalf.

For the animals,

Susan Russell, Co-Director Angi Metler, Co-Director

FOR THIS SENATOR, ANIMAL PROTECTION IS A PRIORITY

Senator Lesniak is one of the leading humane legislators in the United States. His laws and legislation relieve animal suffering statewide and create precedents for federal legislation. Senator Lesniak has more than earned the support and gratitude of animal lovers throughout New Jersey.

Raymond Lesniak is the embodiment of the League of Humane Voters of New Jersey’s stated purpose: a legislator who fights for laws against cruelty and abuse. An excerpt from the Senator’ s website:

Championing animal rights became a focus of Senator Lesniak when he experienced the final weeks of his beloved Brittany, a mixed breed Spaniel he adopted. After 19 years of companionship, Brittany’ s health failed. Sparing no expense, Senator Lesniak took Brittany to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, but the best care couldn’t save Brittany. While visiting, Senator Lesniak noticed a flier describing Save U.S. Pets, a foundation which helps pay for life saving treatment for pets of families who can’t afford the cost. Senator Lesniak sponsored a fundraiser for Save U.S. Pets and received its award for his efforts. This experience propelled Senator Lesniak into the forefront of animal rights protection.

ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS AND BILLS

Horses in chute for slaughter in the United States.

Horse Slaughter – S1976. American horses – healthy horses, formerly used for riding, pulling carriages, and racing; wild, untamed horses, and ponies that patiently bore a procession of young children, are inhumanely transported and slaughtered for human consumption in France, Italy and Japan. The noble animals suffer mightily, not only during transport in trailers without food or water, but on the slaughterhouse floor. Senator Raymond Lesniak sponsored legislation now law, to ban horse slaughter in New Jersey.* New Jersey’s action affected federal protection efforts.

Tiger in captivity. Often, body parts end up in trade.

Trade in Endangered Tigers – S1945. An increased demand for endangered tiger parts exists throughout the world. China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Great Britain are involved in the tiger trade. Senator Lesniak introduced and fought for legislation to tighten controls and prevent trafficking in tiger parts. Governor Christie conditionally vetoed the legislation.

Sows in gestation crates.

Gestation Crates – S1921. Female breeding pigs are confined in small, metal crates during the whole of their four-month pregnancies. The sow can barely move; she cannot even turn around. These remarkably intelligent animals are deprived of any remotely natural behavior. Following the birth of her piglets, the sow is again confined, sentenced to endure this cycle of misery and deprivation for four years, until she is slaughtered. Senator Lesniak’ s legislation, which phases out the worse of these inhumane confinement practices has passed both houses. The bill now heads to the Senate for concurrence before going on to Governor Chris Christie’ s desk.

Shark fins drying in the sun.

Shark fins – S1922. To meet market demand for soup and other trifles, traffickers hack off the fins of sharks, often while they are still alive, and then toss the dismembered fish back into the water to die a prolonged death. The trade is decimating shark populations, including those which cannot sustain it. Senator Lesniak’ s legislation bans the sale and possession of shark fins.

Family of bears at Mark T. Hall bait site, New Jersey, Nov 26, 2011. http://www.newjerse yhunter.com/ article116356. htm

Bear Smart Legislation – S2369. The most important factor in co-existing with the black bear is the removal of human-derived foods (unsecured trash containers and bait for bear and deer.) Trash and bait condition bears to associate humans with food. (The experts also agree that the black bear is a shy animal who poses no real threat to humans). The Division of Fish and Wildlife, partnered with gun and ammunition industries, exploits easily avoidable conflicts – a bear moseying around a garbage can – to justify the annual bait-and-shoot for the division’ s paying customers. Senator Raymond has introduced the first, statewide Bear Smart bill in the nation. The bill requires towns in bear habitat to implement and enforce bear resistant trash containers, and disallows baiting for bear and deer in bear habitat.

Patrick after rescue.

Patrick’ s Law – S1303. When a pit bull named Patrick was starved, thrown down a garbage chute and left for dead in Newark last year, Senator Lesniak co-sponsored a bill to increase the penalty for starvation and severe physical cruelty. The bill passed the Senate and awaits a full Assembly vote.

*Tragically, the Bravo horse slaughterhouse in Carney’s Point, New Jersey, is not affected by New Jersey’s ban on horse slaughter. That ban applies to horses slaughtered for human consumption. And so Bravo continues to operate as usual. The owner of New Jersey’s only horse slaughterhouse admitted on tape to using horses for target practice, starving animals nearly to death, and skinning the equines alive during the slaughter process. The owner also acknowledged that he bashed a blind draft horse in the animal’s only good eye with a baseball bat: “The draft made his last mistake when he ran away from me … but he learned his lesson fast when his eye met my baseball bat … Let’s call a spade a spade.” This is not acceptable. LOHV-NJ and other organizations will address this plant, and what can be done about it, in forthcoming alerts.

League of Humane Voters – New Jersey
PO Box 17
Manalapan, NJ 07726
info@lohvnj. org
www.lohvnj.org

CO-DIRECTORS
Angi Metler
Susan Russell

REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DIRECTORS
Merrilee Cichy
Julie O’Connor
Laurie Perla
Carol Rivielle

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DIRECTORS
Joyce Allington
Elaine Dunn
Leslie Farer
Jacqueline Klosek
Janine Motta
Barb Spector
Tina Wilson

LEGAL AFFAIRS
Doris Lin, Esq.

SPECIAL EVENTS & RESEARCH
Barbara Metzler

————————————————————-

AmmoLand Editor: It should be noted that Senator Raymond Lesniak is on the NJ Law and Public Safety Committee and consistently has vote against the rights of New Jersey Gun Owners as well as his support for anti hunting legislation.

JOIN NJOA: http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html

About:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earths resources. Visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org

Wolves

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and other members of the Hunter Conservation Coalition have been cleared by a federal judge to intervene in a lawsuit filed by anti-hunting organizations seeking to overturn the delisting of wolves in the Western Great Lakes region.

Wolves in the Western Great Lakes region, which consists primarily of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, were removed from Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection in January of 2012 after exceeding population recovery goals.  U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell’s ruling will allow USSAF and the Hunter Conservation Coalition to represent the interests of hunters before the court.

The Hunter Conservation Coalition is a partnership effort of national and regional hunting and conservation organizations working together in the case.  At the National level, the Coalition includes the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), Safari Club International (SCI), and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF).  At the regional level, Coalition members include organizations the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, and the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association.  Collectively these organizations have joined forces to fight for sportsmen and women who hunt wolves, deer, moose, elk, and other game species.  These groups have intervened in the case to ensure that hunting remains part of sustainable management and conservation strategies for all wildlife.

“This is just the latest in a series of collaborations between the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, Safari Club International, and the National Rifle Association to defend against legal challenges to the delisting of the Western Great Lakes wolves and to wolf harvests in individual states,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSAF president and CEO.  “USSAF, SCI, and the NRA are pleased to be joined by so many other hunting organizations in defense of the long awaited recognition of wolf recovery.  We also welcome the states of Michigan and Wisconsin to the litigation.”

The lawsuit, filed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Born Free USA, Help Our Wolves Live, and Friends of Animals and their Environment, aims to return wolves in the region to federal protection under the ESA.  If successful, the lawsuit would prohibit state wildlife agencies from managing recovered and growing wolf populations.

About:The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON --(Ammoland.com)- A new study provides a revealing look at America’s economic stake in conservation, totaling the total public and private investments in fish, wildlife and natural resources conservation at $38.8 billion per year – monies that, once spent, circulate through the economy and stimulate an impressive $93.2 billion in economic activity.

“The Conservation Economy in America,” commissioned by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and conducted by Southwick Associates, reports the economic impacts of direct investments into conservation: the jobs, tax revenues and other dividends produced by state, federal and private conservation funding.

The study’s implications regarding the role of natural resource conservation in the broader U.S. economy are considerable. For example, Outdoor Industry Association, the trade association for companies in the outdoor recreation business, has commissioned a number of groundbreaking studies that examine consumer spending in the pursuit of outdoor recreation activities.

When these new conservation-focused figures are combined with OIA data, as well as with similar data for historic preservation, the relationship is clear: Our $38.8 billion investment in conservation forms the underpinnings of an economic boon for the US through subsequent spending related to outdoor recreation and historic preservation, which are largely dependent on sound natural resources stewardship.

The study has commanded the attention of America’s Voice for Conservation, Recreation and Preservation, a coalition of more than 1,200 organizations representing tens of millions of citizens with diverse political backgrounds who have united in support of conservation, recreation and historic preservation programs as a way to create jobs and improve the economy.

The AVCRP coalition drew data from the new study and combined existing information to showcase some noteworthy findings:

• $1.7 trillion = total economic impact attributed to natural resource conservation, outdoor recreation and historic preservation in the United States, $1.6 trillion of which is derived from consumer dollars spent on outdoor recreation activities as it circulates through the economy as quantified by OIA. These rounds of spending also create additional impacts:
• $211 billion = federal, state and local tax revenue generated annually from this sustainable economy;
• $12.8 million = number of jobs supported by these three sectors;
• $877 billion = combined contribution to the United State Gross Domestic Product from these three sectors; and,
• $33.3 billion = total annual federal spending on natural resource conservation, outdoor recreation and historic preservation that helps generate this $1.7 trillion economy.

The Conservation Economy In America: Direct Investments And Economic Contributions

“Conservation-focused investments impact our nation’s economy in ways that cannot be ignored,” said Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “If the government wishes to prioritize spending on areas that provide substantial return on investment, conservation, outdoor recreation and historic preservation should be at the top of their lists.”

“Conservation has always been a strong economic driver, and this new data reinforces that fact,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall. “When Americans pursue their favorite outdoor pastimes each year, they support wildlife conservation but also are strengthening our economy to a much greater degree than they may realize. Investing in conservation is a great deal for the American taxpayer.”

“The benefits of wild places in America are clear from both the economic and environmental perspective,” said The Wilderness Society Counselor and AVCRP co-chair Bill Meadows. “Federal investments made in conservation are returned to all Americans, supporting millions of jobs, improving our infrastructure, encouraging economic investment in local communities, and keeping our air breathable, our water clean and our wildlife and outdoor spaces protected – all of which make our nation unique and prosperous.”

“Investments in nature produce a great return, and the bottom line is clear – America’s natural resources are a critical part of our national economy,” said Mark R. Tercek, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy. “Our environmental health is directly related to our economic well-being, among other benefits. As a result, even in this time of budget austerity, the federal government can and should address the federal deficit while still investing in critical conservation programs.”

Read TRCP’s 2013 Sportsmen’s Conservation Priorities.

Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing.

HSUS Pushes for Deer Birth Control in Place of Hunting

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has recently offered their suggestion on how to cut an increased deer population in Washington D.C.- birth control.

Deer populations in Rock Creek Park in D.C. have increased to 3-5 times more than what the National Park Service (NPS) deems sufficient, causing the NPS to take action. Controlled hunting has been successfully used as a means to limit the population – something hunters are willing to do and even to pay for the opportunity.  But HSUS sees this as a “wasteful killing program.”

HSUS is pushing the NPS to administer a form of birth control known as porcine zona pellucida (PZP) that causes antibodies to bind to a deer’s eggs to block fertilization. Administering PZP is expected to cost taxpayers $340,000 for just the Rock Creek Park alone according to humanewatch.org.  HSUS has offered to pay for half of the program, leaving taxpayers “holding the bag” for the rest of the cost.

Hunting has proven to be a successful means of population control, while also providing vital dollars to state wildlife agencies to maintain wildlife populations.  HSUS ignores this fact, and instead is asking taxpayers to use their hard earned money to pay for their unproven “birth control agenda.”

In addition, the NPS has set criteria for birth control vaccines to follow in order to be administered, and luckily, PZP does not meet the full criteria.

This is just one case of many where HSUS has pushed for a no-hunting agenda, including recent anti-bear hunting and bear trapping legislation introduced in Maine. HSUS fills the number one spot on USSA’s Dirty Dozen list of anti-hunting organizations.

About:The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

Safari Club International

Washington, D.C. –-(Ammoland.com)- Melissa Simpson, Safari Club International’s Director of Government Affairs, will be testifying before the House of Representatives’ Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee on Thursday May 9, 2013.

Simpson’s testimony will support H.R. 1825, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act — introduced by Congressman Dan Benishek of Michigan and nine original co-sponsors.

“As a hunter and longtime advocate for multiple-use of public lands, it is encouraging to see that Congress is willing to address the vital issue of hunting access to public land,” said Simpson. “SCI would like to thank Congressman Dan Benishek and his staff for championing legislation that affirms the rightful place of hunting on public lands, rather than sitting back and watching as hunting opportunities are eliminated by costly and unnecessary litigation.”

A recent poll conducted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Responsive Management shows that over 79% of Americans support hunting. Additionally, hunters generated an enormous economic impact with nearly $40 billion in spending in 2011, the vast majority of which benefited community economies in rural America. That is more than the total national revenues of Comcast in 2011, according to a recent Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation report.

The May 9th hearing on H.R. 1825 is being held on the same day as Safari Club International’s annual lobbying day, during which more than 200 Congressional meetings will be attended by SCI’s membership. SCI is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt, and this annual exercise of “boots on the ground” grassroots involvement from SCI members multiplies the effectiveness of SCI’s Washington, D.C. office which is led by a team of attorneys, policy experts, and dedicated hunters.

Becoming an SCI Member:

Joining Safari Club International is the best way to be an advocate for continuing our hunting heritage and supporting worldwide sustainable use conservation, wildlife education and humanitarian services. JOIN NOW: www.safariclub.org/Join.

Safari Club International – First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s approximately 200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home page www.safariclub.org or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.

Montana Tenderfoot Creek

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation teamed up with a collaboration of groups to acquire an additional 2,360 acres of land within Montana’s Tenderfoot Creek drainage to protect wildlife habitat and ensure public access.

This purchase brings the total acquired land to 5,760 acres of what is now part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest (LCNF).

The groups working to conserve these lands include the Bair Ranch Foundation, RMEF, Tenderfoot Trust and U.S. Forest Service.

“This is a true conservation success story. We applaud our partners for diligently working together to conserve this vital habitat,” said Blake Henning, RMEF vice president of Lands and Conservation. “Not only does this cooperative work greatly benefit elk, other wildlife and trout, but it opens the door for the public to hunt, fish, hike, camp and otherwise enjoy a diverse and beautiful part of Montana’s backcountry.”

The Bair Ranch Foundation originally offered 8,220 acres of private land for sale along the tributary of the Smith River system with a desire that it become publicly owned in order to both conserve the area’s natural resources and to guarantee permanent public access to thousands of acres of intermingled national forest land.

“This phase of the Tenderfoot project was made possible due to the persistence and vision of the Bair Ranch Foundation and a total team effort,” said Henning. “The funding came from the Land and Water Conservation Fund through support from Senators Max Baucus, Jon Tester and our partners.”

The Tenderfoot lands span 3,200 feet in elevation from sub-alpine mountains to grass meadows and riparian areas. The property provides high quality water and fisheries habitat including west slope cutthroat trout, habitat for elk, moose, deer and a multitude of other species, scenic views, and opportunities for many forms of recreation including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, managed ATV use, snowmobiling and other uses.

“Future generations will camp, fish, hunt and recreate in this area because of the goodwill and foresight of the Bair Ranch Foundation and the hard work of the other partners who worked in concert to make this acquisition a reality,” said District Ranger Carol Hatfield of the White Sulphur Ranger District on the LCNF.

“We started this project more than seven years ago, primarily because it was a checkerboard ownership in a large block of relatively pristine wildlife habitat,” said Butch Marita, chairman of the board for the Tenderfoot Trust. “Completing this project will block the ownership into a solid tract of publicly owned land, thereby conserving the area’s fish and wildlife values. We hope to finish acquiring the rest of the land with one additional phase.”

An additional 2,460 acres of Bair Ranch Foundation lands remain to be acquired to fully complete the Tenderfoot project. Through early 2013, Tenderfoot partners completed five phased purchases, consolidating 5,760 acres of land into the LCNF.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that protected or enhanced habitat on more than 6.3 million acres–an area larger than Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Native Warm-Season Grasses

National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative

Tennessee - -(Ammoland.com)- The 25 state wildlife management agencies, various conservation groups and research institutes that together comprise the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) are expressing hope that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) newly-announced research on native grasses as part of drought risk management will lead to changes in the agency’s forage subsidy policies.

USDA announced 13 Conservation Innovation Grants for 2013 in April, and two of the grants link native, warm-season grasses to drought management solutions for livestock producers. NBCI Director Don McKenzie says that could be significant because for decades USDA subsidies on millions of acres of private pasturelands have emphasized aggressive, non-native grasses that offer little habitat for wildlife and are vulnerable to drought.

Convincing USDA to adopt native, warm-season grasses as a replacement for up to a third of those subsidized acres is a major NBCI objective because of the positive impact on bobwhite quail and other wildlife, as well as producers — and consumers who end up paying higher prices for beef.

“USDA’s forage subsidy policies are one of the main causes of bobwhite quail decline rangewide,” said NBCI Director Don McKenzie, “as well as the decline of an entire suite of grassland songbirds. NBCI is working with USDA and a range of wildlife and conservation organizations to promote policies that benefit both producers and wildlife.”

The issue came into sharper focus in 2011-2012 as the drought left livestock producers across the country’s midsection with pastures full of drought-stricken cool-season exotics and no way to feed their herds. NBCI responded with a coalition of 30 conservation groups urging the USDA to shift a portion of their subsidies toward replanting drought-stricken pastures in drought-tolerant native forage grasses instead of the traditional exotics.

“If native grasses had been a substantial part of the agricultural mix we wouldn’t have seen so many producers in so much trouble during the drought,” said McKenzie, “… and we would have seen more quail and grassland songbirds. And taxpayers would not have to foot such a large bill for re-planting the same pastures that will again die during the next drought.”

One USDA grant of $398,714 went to a team of researchers at the University of Tennessee that included the Center for Native Grasslands Management and animal and plant scientists to study the integration of native, warm-season grasses in the “cow-calf production area” of Tennessee/Arkansas/Kentucky. The objective is to deliver “a comprehensive and transformative approach to forage production,” … (and to) “make a substantial impact on their ability to respond to droughts over the long-term.” Grazing demonstrations will include a variety of native, warm-season grasses.

A second USDA grant of $400,153 went to Mississippi State University to demonstrate the drought mitigation impacts of native grasses utilized in both grazing systems and confined feeding operations for beef cattle compared with cool season forages.

Meanwhile, studies have already shown that native, warm-season forage grasses produce competitive amounts of hay per acre compared with the exotics, cost far less per acre to grow once established because of reduced fertilizer requirements, are longer-lived (lasting 15-20 years or more with proper management), that livestock actually prefer the native grasses over the exotics, and that the natives are extremely drought resistant.

Recently, the Arkansas Farm Bureau recently advised its membership to consider incorporating native, warm-season grasses as forage in the cover story of a recent issue of Arkansas Agriculture magazine. In addition, the Texas AgriLife Extension has published several works on establishing and managing native grasses in the Lone Star State, and several state wildlife agencies, including the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency have pages on their websites devoted to the subject.

Earlier this month, even the New York Times touched on the subject when reporting on Texas ranchers’ struggle with drought impacts. However, one interviewee was Texas rancher Gary Price … who has continued his profitability through the 2011-2012 drought as his cows grazed on the native grasses he restored on his ranch after seeing how resilient they were.

“Integrating native, warm-season grasses into livestock operations is simply a commonsense approach that’s good for producers, good for wildlife, good for consumers and good for taxpayers,” said McKenzie.

Headquartered at the University of Tennessee, NBCI is a project of the National Bobwhite Technical Committee (NBTC) to elevate bobwhite quail recovery from an individual state-by-state proposition to a range-wide, policy-level leadership endeavor. The committee is comprised of representatives of state fish and wildlife agencies, academic research institutions and private conservation organizations. NBCI is funded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, two dozen state wildlife management agencies, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Southern Company. For more information, please visit www.bringbackbobwhites.org

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is in the process of developing strategic plans for managing wildfire hazard area within the state..

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

TRENTON, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- From the President’s Wooden Desk
The Governor and the State of Our Wilderness by Richard M. Conley, President – New Jersey Forestry Association

I was fortunate enough to be one of fifty representatives of outdoor groups who met with Governor Chris Christie in late March at the State’s Drumthwacket mansion in Princeton to discuss public policy.

The Governor invited Chairman Anthony P. Mauro, Sr. and the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance to organize the meeting. Our own New Jersey Forestry Association was one of the organizations which affiliated with the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation when it formed a number of years ago. As a result, the NJFA became one of the established conservation organizations in this outstanding grassroots outdoor movement. We participate along with lots of distinct but similar groups, such as the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Trout Unlimited, Jersey Coast Angler Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ruffed Grouse Society, New Jersey Trappers Association, the New Jersey Quail Project, the Society of American Foresters and many others.

Anthony Mauro has done a masterful job of tying existing outdoor groups into the Outdoor Alliance, which now can count on the experience and enthusiasm of literally hundreds of thousands of active members. This collection of fishermen, hunters, trappers, foresters and landowners demonstrate a real passion about how public policy can help to conserve this State’s wildlife, forests, open space and other natural resources. This can all be done while its citizens appreciate and sustain these natural treasures. We all want to help preserve and protect our ecosystems so they will outlive our own limited time on earth.

The person who won the last gubernatorial election is clearly aware of and interested in this outdoor coalition.

I have worked for prior governors in my legal career before. I do not think the impressive grounds and wooden paneling at Drumthwacket made me feel unduly beholden to the office, but this was the first time I was able to see this particular national figure up close. I can say that Governor Christie impressed me. He was genuine. After the fifty guests consumed their breakfasts in the mansion’s dining room, the Governor visited with us as if he actually wanted to be there. He said this was the public’s house and we should be able to enjoy it. Apparently the Governor does this regularly with different members of his constituency. He treated the Outdoor Alliance with a respect that demonstrated he has not forgotten that the voice of the people still counts, and that the responsibility of those holding public office is to work with those people so our political leaders will be able to understand their views.

The Governor started with his observations about his role as the first executive of New Jersey. Hurricane Sandy consumed almost 100% of his time when it slammed us last fall. He offered details about the resulting destruction and human drama which continue to affect this State. After talking to us without notes for about half an hour, the Governor asked for questions and comments from the group. There was no hesitancy from those in attendance about talking to the Governor. DEP Commissioner Bob Martin and our friend Deputy Commissioner Amy Cradic helped to provide more details for some of the many issues raised by the audience.

The members of the Outdoor Alliance were anxious to show their involvement in outdoor events and their commitment to the conservation of the State’s wildlife and natural resources.

The Governor volunteered that New Jersey’s forests need more management. He said other groups had other ideas, but the Christie Administration has studied this issue and feels this is the appropriate way to deal with our forests. As NJFA likes to point out, 43% of New Jersey’s land is covered by forests. We have long advocated for better management of our forests. It is one thing to accumulate and preserve our wild acres, which New Jersey had done for many years; it is quite another project to work with and manage these lands to guarantee their health and survival. This position has now been accepted by the Governor. Both the Governor and Commissioner Martin emphasized they have much more to do on the subject of the health of our forests. Our group made it clear that its members are available to help with this mission if the State needs extra assistance.

The breakfast meeting with Governor Christie renewed my belief that our political leaders can understand and protect our environment. My impression was that other guests were also impressed. It was good to participate in this policy exchange without the interruption of smart phones and electronic media. The morning produced a good “crackle barrel” discussion among active people who want to conserve New Jersey’s natural resources. It was an excellent way to start the day.

JOIN NJOA: http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html

About:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earths resources. Visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org

Glen Wunderlich

Lansing, Michigan - -(Ammoland.com)- When it comes to wildlife management, common sense dictates that such matters are best left to states’ control as opposed to that of federal agencies.

But, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) doesn’t agree and will stop at nothing to further its agenda against hunting and has filed a federal lawsuit to drag us all into the mud, once again.

This time around, its focus is on Michigan’s wolves.

Wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan were removed from the Endangered Species List because they had far exceeded their recovery goals in the region and, by definition, are no longer “endangered.” Gray wolves number more than 4,000 in the Great Lakes prior to delisting in January 2012. Minnesota had an estimated population of 3,000, while Wisconsin and Michigan had about 850 and 700 respectively. The removal of wolves from federal protection followed several years of litigation and returned responsibility for managing wolf populations to the states.

However, Jonathan Lovvorn, chief counsel for animal protection litigation at HSUS, said the decision to turn management over to the states, “…paves the way for the same state-sponsored eradication policies that pushed this species to the brink of extinction in the first place.”

Really? Then why did Michigan abolish its bounty system in 1960 and grant wolves protection in 1965, well before the enactment of the Endangered Species Act of 1973? In fact, the only type of hunt even being considered now is a regulated management hunt with a quota of 47 wolves commensurate with the level of nuisance complaints and depredation events – a far cry from eradication.

To counter legal maneuvering by HSUS, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) has filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit, and if granted, its positions will be given consideration in a Washington, U.S. District Court.

David Allen, RMEF president and CEO states“There is no science that supports these claims [that wolves should remain protected] and wolf experts like Dr. David Mech, founder of the International Wolf Center, have already stated that regulated hunting by states will not negatively affect the states’ wolf populations.”

Allen went on to say that “In fact there is very recent credible evidence in both Idaho and Montana that regulated hunting and trapping of gray wolves is not harming the overall wolf population, as both states have the autonomy to manage their wolf populations and they are using best science practices.”

Back on the home front, the Michigan Senate has passed SB 288 and SB 289 which uphold the will of the people through 1996’s Proposal G to manage wildlife using sound science. In 1996, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal G, a referendum on Public Act 377 of 1996, which amended the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to grant the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game in the State, and require the NRC to use principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game.

Accordingly, legislation in Michigan was enacted in 2012 to declare wolves a game species, allow the Legislature to authorize the establishment of the first open season for the animal, and permit the NRC to issue orders establishing annual wolf hunting seasons throughout the State. Wolf hunting opponents then launched a petition drive to compel a statewide referendum on the legislation.

An analysis, as reported by committee, warns that the situation has raised concerns about the extent to which electors should be directly involved in natural resource decisions; the appropriate use of the referendum; and the potential influence of money and out-of-state interests in Michigan’s affairs – all of which flies in the faces of those that thought such tactics would end in 1996 with Proposal G.

So, the challenge remains: Science versus emotion.

About Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA). Outdoor writer and columnist for The Argus-Press (www.argus-press.com) and blog site at www.thinkingafield.org  Member National Rifle Association (NRA), Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), member U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), Commemorative Bucks of Michigan (CBM). Adjutant of Perry, Michigan Sons of Amvets Post 4064 and Chairman Perry (MI) Youth Hunt Extravaganza, a sanctioned event of Perry Sons of Amvets held the fourth weekend of September each year.

Read more at Ammoland.com: http://www.ammoland.com/2013/04/beating-the-ongoing-ammunition-shortage/#ixzz2SKR06b3h

Nick Pinizzotto

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) are pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Pinizzotto as president and CEO.

He will begin in early July 2013.

Pinizzotto, most recently of Bismarck, ND, comes to the USSA/USSAF with nearly two decades of work in the conservation field—in both the private and non-profit sectors. Most recently, he was the CEO of Delta Waterfowl Foundation. Pinizzotto will succeed Walter “Bud” Pidgeon Jr. who announced that he would be stepping down as CEO after more than 16 years of distinguished service.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead an organization that has fought coast to coast for sportsmen’s rights for more than 35 years,” said Pinizzotto. “Although our community still faces great challenges, I am confident that I can help continue and build upon USSA’s tremendous record of success.”

Before Delta Waterfowl Foundation, Pinizzotto was an executive with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, overseeing award-winning conservation programs and crafting plans to creatively increase fundraising for the organization.

An avid outdoorsman, and originally from Indiana, PA, Pinizzotto and his wife Angela are relocating to the central Ohio area.

Pidgeon oversaw numerous successful campaigns to protect and defend hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting and to ensure the future of outdoor sports during his tenure with the organizations.

“It was a privilege to have served as President and CEO of the USSA and USSAF,” he said. “Together we accomplished so much. I wish all the best to Nick as he assumes the CEO role.”

About the USSA and USSAF:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation are national associations of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of American hunters, anglers and trappers. The organizations do this in the courts, state legislatures, at the ballot box, in the halls of Congress, and through public education programs. USSA and USSAF are the nation’s only organizations exclusively devoted to combating the attacks made on America’s sporting traditions by anti-hunting and animal rights extremists.

For more information about the organizations call (614) 888-4868 or visit www.ussportsmen.org.

Pennsylvania Whitetail Deer

Responsive Management

Harrisonburg, VA – -(Ammoland.com)-  A recent study conducted by Responsive Management for the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) found very positive attitudes toward deer and deer-related recreation.

A large majority of Pennsylvania residents (77%) enjoy having deer around, although a portion of those may worry about the problems deer cause; only 6% regard deer as a nuisance.

More than half of Pennsylvanians (56%) had spent time viewing or watching deer around their home in the previous 12 months, while 22% had taken a trip of at least 1 mile to view deer during that same time period. Finally, a large majority of Pennsylvania residents (85%) support legal, regulated hunting of deer.

The PGC is using the results of this study to help fulfill its mission to manage wildlife populations for all residents and visitors.

“This study was important because it didn’t just look at hunters but at the residents of the Commonwealth as a whole, and it let us know what they think,” said Coren Jagnow, Chief Human Dimensions Specialist, PGC Research and Education Division.

The study measured public opinions on deer management efforts and goals, methods for managing deer, the size and health of the deer herd, concerns about deer and deer nuisance problems, and participation in viewing, feeding, and hunting deer, as well as the best way to provide information on deer.

Methodology
Responsive Management obtained a total of 9,212 completed interviews by telephone with Pennsylvania residents 18 years old and older, with at least 400 completed interviews in each PGC Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). The results are representative of Pennsylvania residents statewide, with a sampling error of +/- 1.02 percentage points, and representative for each of the 22 WMUs. Because the WMU boundaries cross county lines and zip code boundary lines, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was utilized to properly categorize each sample telephone number into its proper WMU for both landlines and cell phones.

Opinions on Deer Management Efforts and Goals
A large majority of residents agree with each of the three deer management goals that were asked about in the survey: 91% agree with managing for healthy and sustainable deer populations, 89% agree with managing the deer for a healthy and sustainable forest habitat, and 84% agree with managing for safe, acceptable levels of deer-human conflicts. The ecological goals are both slightly higher than the human-centered goal.

Participation in Deer-Related Activities and Feeding Deer
As mentioned previously, 56% of Pennsylvania residents have spent time viewing or watching deer around home and 22% have taken a trip to view deer. However, only 8% have fed deer or put out attractants.

“We are encouraged by a lot of the results, such as high levels of support for deer hunting and satisfaction with the size of the deer herd.” ~ Coren Jagnow, Chief Human Dimensions Specialist, PGC Research and Education Division

Opinions on Deer In General and the Size of the Deer Herd
In general, Pennsylvania residents’ feelings about deer are positive: 77% of Pennsylvania residents statewide enjoy having deer around (49% gave this response without caveats and another 28% say they like having deer around even though they worry about the problems that the deer may cause). Furthermore, slightly more than half of residents (54%) say the deer population in their area is just right; otherwise, opinions are split on whether the population is too high or too low.

PA Deer Size

“Our decision-making for whether to adjust deer populations or keep them the same concerns three areas: the health of the forest, the health of the deer herd, and the social aspect, meaning what the residents in a particular WMU want. We knew it was important to have a representative sample in each of the Wildlife Management Units.” ~ Coren Jagnow, Chief Human Dimensions Specialist, PGC Research and Education Division

Deer-related issues are not necessarily a top priority among residents: when asked to compare the importance of deer-related issues to other issues in their lives, the average rating was a 4.09 on a 10-point scale, with 0 representing “not at all important” and 10 being “extremely important.”

Respondents were also asked to rate their concern regarding seven specific issues associated with deer. For each issue, respondents rated their level of concern using a 10-point scale, with 10 being the most concerned. The most concern was for tick-borne diseases (mean rating of 7.4) and deer-vehicle accidents (7.0), followed by two more whose means are just under those top two: the health of the deer population and the quality of deer habitat. At the bottom are concern about deer impacts on habitat and other wildlife (3.9) and the two impacts to residents’ landscaping: deer damage to plants and landscaping (2.5) and deer droppings in the yard (1.7).

PA Deer Issues

Opinions on Methods for Managing Deer
Just under two-thirds of Pennsylvania residents (63%) support lethal methods to manage deer populations in Pennsylvania (38% strongly support, and 25% moderately support); nonetheless, 29% oppose (20% strongly oppose, and 9% moderately oppose).

The survey asked about four methods of controlling deer populations (three of them lethal). The most support is for legal, regulated hunting (85% of respondents support this method, while 12% oppose), distantly followed by fertility/birth control (46% support, 45% oppose), professionals or sharpshooters (39% support, 54% oppose), and trapping and killing (24% support, 72% oppose).

PA Deer Methods
The full report for the Pennsylvania deer study, including discussion of the survey results statewide and by WMU, nonparametric analyses, and crosstabulated survey responses, can be accessed here.

Responsive Management is an internationally recognized public opinion and attitude survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. Our mission is to help natural resource and outdoor recreation agencies and organizations better understand and work with their constituents, customers, and the public. For more information about Responsive Management, visit www.responsivemanagement.com.

Tawney to Direct Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

MISSOULA --(Ammoland.com)- The national sportsmen’s group Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today announced the hiring of longtime Western conservation leader Land Tawney to be the organization’s new Executive Director.

“We are very excited to have a sportsman of Land’s caliber and experience to take the helm of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and lead this growing and influential organization forward,” said Ben Long, the group’s co-chairman. “Land exemplifies the hunting and fishing lifestyle and boots-on-the-ground conservation ethic that makes Backcountry Hunters & Anglers special.”

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers bills itself as “the sportsmen’s voice for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.” Born around an Oregon campfire in 2004 the organization now boasts members in nearly all 50 states and chapters in nearly all Western States.

“As someone who was raised hunting and fishing the backcountry of Montana, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a great fit for me personally and professionally,” said Tawney. “I’m excited to help this group of passionate public land sportsmen reach its full potential.”

Tawney, 38, is leaving his post as Senior Manager for Sportsmen’s Leadership for the National Wildlife Federation. There, he played a key role in organizing sportsmen at a national level on a host of issues benefiting hunter and angler access, habitat protection and restoration. Most recently, his efforts helped make sure that $15-20 billion in damages from the Deep Horizon oil spill disaster went to restore wetlands vital for the nation’s migrating waterfowl.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has a growing reputation for conserving the public lands and waters important for millions of American sportsmen. Long said the organization intends to shift its operations from Joseph, Ore., to Missoula.

“Missoula and Western Montana are home to some of the finest public lands hunting and fishing destinations in America,” said Long, of Kalispell. “That’s a great reminder of all the American values we are working so hard to pass on to our kids and grandkids.”

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters.

• www.backcountryhunters.org
• www.facebook.com/backcountryhabitat
• https://twitter.com/Backcountry_H_A

Scholastic Shooting Trust Foundation

Columbia, MO – -(Ammoland.com)- The MidwayUSA Foundation and Scholastic Shooting Trust, a public charity established by MidwayUSA founders Larry and Brenda Potterfield, has received a donation from Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever in the amount of $680,000, providing $5,000 to the endowment account of each of the 136 youth shooting teams attending the 2013 Pheasant Fest in Minneapolis, MN.

“Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever has generously partnered with our Foundation as long time participants in our “Adopt-A-Team” program,” says Dick Leeper, Executive Director of The MidwayUSA Foundation.  “The creativity and hard work this group demonstrated in hosting this many youth teams at their national convention, coupled with their generous donation to those teams, speaks to their determination in helping local high school and college shooting teams in their area build a permanent endowment to fund their shooting programs”

The MidwayUSA Foundation works with shooting teams,conservation groups and the shooting industry to raise funds in support of high school and collegiate shooting programs.Each donation, such as the money received from Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, brings SST another step closer to achieving sustainable support for youth shooting programs.

“Conservation chapters want to get involved in youth shooting education,” says Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO, MidwayUSA.  “Working together increases the likelihood of continued financial success for these teams, and the conservation chapter gets the opportunity to get even more involved with the kids.”

For more information about The MidwayUSA Foundation and Scholastic Shooting Trust, please visit www.midwayusafoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.

For more information regarding Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever , please visit www.pheasantsforever.com

Dead Bigfoot Sketch

AmmoLand Gun News

USA --(Ammoland.com)- With just nine days [release date is April 30th 2013] to go before the the premier of “Shooting Bigfoot”, I would like to post another statement of my position on Rick Dyer, Minnow Films and the creature, “Hank“.

A few things that need to be said in support of Rick Dyer. In all the years of viewing Bigfoot/Sasquatch videos including the Patterson/Gimlin film, the Tent/Camper videos were by far the most compelling to me. Not only did Rick Dyer capture this Sasquatch on a cell phone video, but a professional film crew also filmed multiple minutes of this SAME creature.

Can that be said for any other Bigfoot video known to man? The same creature filmed by two separate individuals with different cameras, i don’t think so!!!

Furthermore, not only is this creature caught on camera, I went to great lengths [more than anyone for the record] to verify Rick’s story. Rick Dyer shot and killed a Sasquatch, I saw it first hand at a very professional facility with a great deal of security and legal agreements just to gain access. It’s real people, you will soon see for yourselves, believe me when i tell you this.

It is important for you to know I can also 100% tell you this Sasquatch met it’s death by a gun shot wound exactly the way Rick Dyer explained.…i cant talk more about that, but for the record I DON’T condone any further harvesting/killing of these amazing creatures. In a few short days Minnow Films, “Shooting Bigfoot” WILL show a real Sasquatch, yes, the same one Rick Dyer killed, which may put a personal connection or emotional attachment to ‘Hank‘, watching [the film of him] him harmlessly going about his daily survival, sad but true.

Remember folks, let’s hope something lost is something gained with this, for science and Humanity!

AmmoLand Gun News

New Jersey --(Ammoland.com)- Monday, April 22 2013, is Earth Day.

Begun in 1970, it led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. It is the global platform for the Big Lie that carbon dioxide (CO2) is causing the Earth to warm and the basis of the environmental movement’s ceaseless efforts to reduce the use of energy for any reason.

Carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere has been increasing, but the Earth has been cooling due to reduced solar radiation. CO2 has virtually no relationship to the climate except to show up well after a significant change has occurred.

On April 18 2013, the Wall Street Journal reported that the International Energy Agency had announced that, despite spending “more than $2 trillion in investment into renewable-energy projects…the world had made almost no progress over the past 20 years in reducing the carbon content of its energy supplies.” It has never needed reduction. How many hospitals, schools, bridges, and other useful things that could have been built instead?

According to Wikipedia: “Carbon is the 15th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. It is present in all known life forms, and in the human body carbon is the second most abundant element by mass (about 18.5%) after oxygen.] This abundance, together with the unique diversity of organic compounds and their unusual polymer-forming ability at the temperatures commonly encountered on Earth, make this element the chemical basis of all known life.” (Emphasis added)

Not one single piece of vegetation can exist without CO2. Without vegetation all animals and all humans would die. The Earth would look like Mars. One of the pillars of environmentalism is that humans are the greatest threat to the existence of the 4.5 billion-year-old Earth.

The essence of Earth Day is that you are the enemy, primarily for your use of energy (coal, oil, and natural gas).

A global propaganda campaign will glorify Earth Day and its message is that you must change your life to accommodate the lies that sustain the environmental movement and permit government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency to strangle the economic life of the nation.

On Earth day there will be thousands of events to promote its anti-energy, anti-technology, and anti-humanity message.

There are thousands, of environmental organizations. Here, for example, are some Earth Day recommendations from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

• # Wash clothing in cold water. According to the NRDC, “this saves a great deal of money as the bulk of the energy tied to clothes washing is used to heat water.”
• # Cut clothes dryer energy by 20 to 40 percent. “It is more efficient to spin water out of clothing than bake it out in the dryer.”
• # Select the ‘normal’ or ‘standard’ picture setting on your TV.

An environmental group called the Food Tank recommends the following:

• # “Get in touch with agriculture. “This time of year, many people are starting to plan vacations.” Forget Disney Land; instead choose a “farm-stay” in which participants spend a few days or weeks living with a host family…helping around the farm in exchange for free food and lodging.”
• # “Buy food with less packaging.” This ignores the fact that modern packaging ensures the safety of the foods you purchase. Even ancient civilizations either burned refuse or created landfills.
• # Do-it-Yourself projects such as “turning old t-shirts into produce bags to save plastic, starting seeds in eggshells…”

Behind the many Earth Day suggestions is the environmentalists’ insistence on a general return to an era when household tasks were undertaken without machines that used electricity, before the ubiquitous benefits of plastic, and less cars were on the roads. In the 1940s my late mother had to wash clothes by hand and hang them in the back yard or basement to dry. Food was kept cool in an ice box before the invention of refrigerators. This is Earth Day’s idea of saving the Earth.

Everyone wants clean air and clean water. We have it. The Clean Air and Clean Water Acts of the 1970s have achieved their goals. Substituting “clean energy” such as solar and wind power has proven to be expensive and impractical as neither of these produce sufficient energy (about 3% at present) to power America. Taxpayers have lost billions in the government loans made to solar and wind power companies while traditional sources of power contribute billions to the economy.

The Earth is not endangered, nor should it be worshipped as a pagan religion.

Behind environmentalism is panoply of schemes intended to enrich those who advocate “global warming” and/or “climate change.” Governments around the world are abandoning “clean energy” programs and returning to traditional and abundant forms of energy.

The “science” behind climate change and the claim of a “consensus” among the world’s scientists is a lie. Computer models have been rigged to produce “warming” data while the planet has been in a natural cooling cycle for the last seventeen years!

On Earth Day, you will be assailed by these and countless other claims, but you will do yourself and the Earth a big favor if you ignore them.

c Alan Caruba

About:
Alan Caruba’s commentaries are posted daily at “Warning Signs” his popular blog and thereafter on dozens of other websites and blogs. If you love to read, visit his monthly report on new books at Bookviews.

Quail Forever

Ashland, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- Virginia quail enthusiasts have formed the state’s newest Quail Forever (QF) chapter.

Known as Central Virginia Quail Forever, the chapter is based in Ashland and will focus its efforts on habitat development in an effort to increase the state’s quail population.

The chapter is led by Jim Jones of Ashland. Jones, who has hunted across the country for quail, still prefers running his two English setters and two Brittanys in his native Virginia. Jones noted this spring the chapter has public land improvements planned, working in conjunction with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. In addition, the chapter will hold a banquet this October to raise awareness and funds for quail restoration efforts.

Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. QF chapters promote local, state, and federal conservation programs which help landowners protect environmentally sensitive acres for quail and other wildlife. Quail Forever also employs Pheasants Forever’s unique model of empowering local chapters with 100 percent control of the chapters’ locally-raised funds to complete habitat and youth education projects in the chapters’ own communities.

“When it comes to creating quail habitat, there are challenges, but this chapter is ready to meet them,” said Charlie Payne, QF regional wildlife biologist in Virginia. “People across the state are starting to recognize the benefits of having bobwhite quail, and how it just takes a little elbow grease to get birds back. Here in Virginia, we have over 1,400 acres enrolled in Federal Conservation Practice 33 (CP-33), also called bobwhite buffers, which are greatly helping. Virginia is heavily involved with organizations like Quail Forever and plays an active role in the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI). This chapter is another vital brick, working to build the foundation of a healthier, more robust bobwhite quail population both in Virginia and nationwide.”

Central Virginia Quail Forever

• The Central Virginia Quail Forever chapter also elected Wade McClintock of Midlothian as treasurer and Steve Capel of Midlothian as secretary.
• The chapter’s annual banquet will be held this October.
• The chapter is actively looking for volunteers to help with Virginia’s quail restoration efforts. To be a part of the chapter, please contact Jim Jones at (804) 363-5186 or email Jim.

Virginia Winter Habitat Conditions: Marc Puckett of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, notes that the state had a relatively good hatch based on weather conditions, and a mild 2011/12 winter, leading to a good breeding population last summer.

As winter set in, weather started off mild and stayed mild through mid-January, but since then, the state has had a moderate winter. Most recently a heavy snowfall occurred in the northern part of the state, but the weather turned warm shortly after and conditions quickly improved. Puckett does not believe the winter has been severe enough to impact quail numbers, and “unless we see something unexpected in early spring, I think the winter moisture is actually setting us up for a good breeding season.” For more, please see Quail Forever Winter Habitat Conditions Report.

For more information on “The Habitat Organization” or to start a chapter, please contact Charlie Payne at (614) 632-8393 or email Charlie.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 135,000 members and 720 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.

Quail Forever is dedicated to the conservation of quail, pheasants and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. www.quailforever.org