AmmoLand Gun News

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- President Obama “is focused like a laser on putting people back to work,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) assured us last fall – echoing repeated statements by President Obama and Administration officials who “can’t wait” for Congress or others to take action and create jobs.

The jobs thing didn’t last long, however. The President soon vetoed TransCanada’s application for permits to build the Keystone XL pipeline. Approving them “would not be in the national interest,” he declared.

It is hard for most Americans to understand how it is contrary to the national interest to create 20,000 construction and manufacturing jobs, increase US gross domestic product by an estimated $350 billion, and bring 830,000 barrels of oil per day via pipeline from friend and neighbor Canada to Texas refineries.

It’s hard for us to grasp how pipelining Canadian oil is worse than importing oil in much riskier tankers from unstable, unfriendly places like Venezuela and the Middle East – or how it’s better for the global environment to transport Canadian oil by tanker to China, where it will be burned under far less rigorous pollution laws and controls.

It’s equally hard for average citizens to comprehend how more than three years of careful environmental studies are insufficient, especially after the State Department had issued several reports concluding that the pipeline would have only “limited adverse environmental impacts” in areas that are already dotted with oil wells and crisscrossed with oil and gas pipelines.

To suppose, as the President insisted, that Keystone would generate “a lot fewer jobs than would be created by extending the payroll tax cut and extending unemployment insurance” is simply baffling.

In view of White House intransigence, what should Congress and TransCanada do now?
The 1,660-mile-long Keystone XL pipeline would begin in southeastern Alberta, Canada and end in Port Arthur, Texas. Although it would incorporate the existing Keystone Cushing pipeline through Kansas and part of Oklahoma, most of the US portion (from Canada through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska, and from Cushing, Oklahoma to Port Arthur) would be new.

Keystone XL would create 20,000 jobs manufacturing and installing 36-inch pipe, valves and other components to build that addition.

Environmentalists predictably went ballistic. Surface mining Alberta’s oil sands damages lands and habitats, they railed. Never mind that this technique is being replaced by in situ “steam-assisted gravity drain” processes, that mined lands are being restored to forest and grass habitats, or that blocking Keystone XL will neither end oil extraction nor prevent crude or refined product shipments to China.

Mining, processing and using this oil will increase greenhouse gas levels and global warming, activists vented. Never mind that total “greenhouse gas” emissions would amount to an almost undetectable portion of annual global GHG emissions. That “dangerous manmade global warming” is an exaggerated scare that has little basis in truly peer-reviewed science. Or that there has been no warming for a decade, UN IPCC “science” is crumbling at its foundation, and increasing numbers of climate experts are publicly dissenting from IPCC orthodoxy.

Mr. Obama needs environmentalists in his camp, if he expects to be reelected. Radical greens have made Keystone XL the latest symbol of their intense hatred of anything hydrocarbon – and a centerpiece for fundraising. Like the President, they are intent on ending our “addiction to oil” and “fundamentally transforming” the energy, economic and social fabric of America.

Jobs, GDP, tax revenues and national security will therefore have to take a backseat.
As he suggested in his State of the Union speech, President Obama seems willing to generate expensive electricity for three million homes by blanketing a million acres of public lands with taxpayer-subsidized, bird-killing wind turbines, habitat-smothering solar panels, high-voltage transmission lines, and gas-fired backup units. Anti-Keystone “environmentalists” seem to have few objections to such “eco-friendly” energy. But for them a pipeline is intolerable.

Faced with these facts, TransCanada could do as Mr. Obama suggested – and reapply for permits, after the fall elections and after changing its intended pipeline route to avoid allegedly sensitive areas. In the meantime, it could continue trying to win friends and influence people.

Yes, it could. But doing so has significant pitfalls.
It would drag the process out, leave the company in the “kill zone” of media and environmentalist attacks, in a political no man’s land, amid deadly crossfire from savvy and well-funded activists, journalists and bureaucrats. It would also set the stage for anti-pipeline lawsuits in courts of their choosing – perhaps in “friendly” lawsuits between “green” plaintiffs and EPA or State – when and if permits finally are granted.

A further drawback is that focusing on the State Department and White House ignores the Interior Department, Fish & Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency and many other federal and state regulatory and judicial agencies and processes that will still stand in the way of final project approval, and will likely take years to navigate.

There is a better way.
TransCanada could and should work closely and cooperatively with farmers and farm bureaus, state governors, agencies and legislators, mayors and other affected parties, to address concerns and compensate landowners for the use of their property, unavoidable impacts and damages in the unlikely event of an accident. The company should emphasize that Keystone XL will create thousands of jobs; generate billions of dollars in private, local, state and national revenue; use the best and safest pipeline technology; and bring oil from a friendly country to American refineries, motorists, farmers and manufacturers.

TransCanada should also take legal action, in state and/or federal courts of its choosing, over causes of action of its choosing. The company’s permit application has been rejected – for specious environmental and overtly political reasons. The Administration’s decision is clearly “ripe” for litigation.

The company may be reluctant to sue. Litigation over such matters is not as common in Canada as in the lawsuit-happy USA; the judicial territory may be unfamiliar; and the outcome is not certain.

However, in the United States environmentalists often win in the courts of media and public opinion, especially in an election year, especially with hundred-million-dollar anti-oil campaigns, laden with emotional rhetoric.

On the other hand, companies frequently win in US courts of law, where they are able to compile complete judicial records with solid scientific facts supporting their projects – something that is virtually impossible to do in a sound-bite-driven (and often biased) news media. The factually bankrupt rhetoric of environmentalist campaigns is no match for sound science, when claims and arguments are scrutinized at the trial and appellate level. Faced with defeat, the green wolf packs often go off in search of easier prey.

The anti-pipeline, anti-oil sands groups will not disappear. They will most assuredly sue TransCanada and multiple government agencies if permits are ultimately issued. They will also do all they can to shut down any Pacific Gateway pipeline, any exports to Asia, and ultimately all oil sands operations.

This better way forward has strong probabilities for success. It is clearly in the national interest of both Canada and the United States that it be taken, and that it succeed.

About:
AmmoLand contributor, Paul Driessen, is senior policy adviser for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow and Congress of Racial Equality and author of Eco-Imperialism: Green power – Black death.

Central Texas Gun Works is Austin’s First Solar Business Sign

Central Texas Gun Works

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Recently, Texas has experienced difficulty in producing electricity, resulting in electrical shortages.

To offset the challenges, Off Grid Signs, LLC developed a sign that generates energy from solar-powered panels. Central Texas Gun Works (Centex Guns), owned by Michael Cargill, is the first business to adopt a solar-powered sign in Texas.

Austin’s first solar-energy-powered sign lit up on the evening of November 28, 2011 at Centex Guns, located at 321 W. Ben White Blvd, Suite 203, Austin, Texas 78704. Because the sign is independent from an electrical grid, it uses only sunlight during the daytime to charge the solar power source, which continues to illuminate the sign throughout the night. Thus, the solar-powered energy panels assist in eliminating the electrical load on Texas’ overburdened power supply.

Being off the electrical grid not only reduces operating costs for business owners like Cargill by eliminating the need to pay for electricity to light their business location’s sign, but it also enables companies to become more eco-friendly. Additionally, the adoption of green practices rewards business owners with government tax rebates and refunds.

Event Details

• Who: Off Grid Signs LLC and Central Texas Gun Works (Centex Guns) LLC
• What: Gun Store Goes Green
• Where: Central Texas Gun Works; 321 W. Ben White Blvd, Suite 203, Austin, Texas
• When: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 – 3:00PM-5:00PM

ABOUT OFF GRID SIGNS, LLC
Off Grid Signs, created by Dave Isaacs and Nick Raymond, pioneered the first “plug and play” solar power system for signs. They have 5 standard sizes that will handle most sign needs. They will also gladly build you a custom unit if one of their 5 standard sizes will not work for you. A sign in a necessity for every company, but paying to light it is not! Let them take your sign Off Grid so you can stop paying to light it. For more information on Off Grid Signs, LLC, visit http://www.offgridsigns.com.

ABOUT CENTRAL TEXAS GUN WORKS
Michael Cargill has served a Texas DPS-certified concealed handgun license (CHL) instructor for over six years and has over 20 years of firearms experience. He is also a NRA-certified Range Instructor and Chief Range Safety Officer. As of 2012, Michael has taught 1,426 applicants the required material to obtain a Texas CHL, and has a 99% success rate. In addition to his regular CHL classes, Michael holds several private classes for groups, including home owner associations, church groups, attorneys, judges, and the students, staff, and faculty of Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Austin. Michael also teaches an informal education class at The University of Texas at Austin every semester. For more information about Central Texas Gun Works, visit www.centraltexasgunworks.com.

Bluebird Nest Boxes Help Pennsylvanians Connect With Wildlife

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- If you are interested in connecting with wildlife in your own backyard, beginning Monday, Jan. 23, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will be selling bluebird nesting boxes at its Harrisburg headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue.

The boxes sell for $9.54 (includes sales tax), and customers can select from assembled boxes or kits that can be assembled as a wood-working project.

“Bluebirds are early nesters, so now is the time to put up new nest boxes, as well as to clean and repair existing boxes,” said Dan Brauning, Game Commission Wildlife Diversity Division chief. “These bluebird boxes enable Pennsylvanians to help wildlife in a natural way.

“Also, building nesting boxes is a great project for individuals, families or civic organizations interested in connecting with wildlife. These box designs are proven to attract bluebirds and other native species, such as tree swallows and house wrens.”

Bluebirds live in open country, and are a beautiful songbird native to Pennsylvania. Bluebirds are cavity nesters and have become less common due to a lack of suitable nest sites. Many nest sites have been lost through changing land-use practices, as well as to urban and suburban sprawl. But the introductions of house sparrows and starlings in 1851 and 1890 have been the primary reasons for the bluebirds’ decline, as these non-native species took over native bluebird nesting cavities.

The bluebird boxes offered by the Game Commission include an opening that is the prescribed one-and-one-half inches in diameter. This precludes starlings from being able to enter. However, house sparrows still may be able to enter the boxes. If this occurs, the house sparrow nests should be removed immediately.

Boxes should be erected on a free-standing pole three to five feet above the ground – facing south, if possible – and facing a nearby tree or fence where young birds can safely land on their initial flights from the box. To reduce predation and competition from other species, no perch should be placed on the box; bluebirds do not need one. Boxes placed in pairs, about 20 feet apart, may help reduce competition from swallows.

The Game Commission’s Howard Nursery has been manufacturing bluebird nest boxes and box kits for more than a quarter century. Each year, about 9,000 boxes are manufactured there and sold or provided to Pennsylvanians to help bluebirds. That annual influx of new nest boxes helps ensure Pennsylvania remains a “keystone state” in bluebird conservation.

Sales will continue while supplies last, and office hours are Monday-Friday from 7:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Game Commission’s headquarters is at 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81 in Harrisburg. To order by phone, call the Game Commission’s Harrisburg office at 1-888-888-3459. If ordering by phone, shipping and handling costs will apply depending on how many boxes are ordered.

For more information on bluebirds, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Wildlife” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, and then select “Bluebird” in the “Wild Birds and Birding” section of the page. Also, information about additional wildlife nesting structures can be found by putting your cursor on “Self-Help” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, then clicking on “Download Forms and Brochures” in the drop-down menu listing, and then clicking on “Wildlife Homes Order Form” in the “Agency Programs” section.

Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation

Buffalo, Missouri- -(Ammoland.com)- “There are days when you can really understand what wildlife habitat is all about because you can see it happening.

When you can link it to community service and support, well, it’s a home run” proclaims Craig Alderman, Executive Director of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF).

“Like all our involved landowners we have a long term habitat plan to establish a model display area here at our national headquarters which includes the establishment of a 50 acre Oak Savannah.

That is not easily done as the stem count, number of trees per acre is very high so it is a massive undertaking. Because of the high volume of oaks to be removed, we completed phase 1 with about 10 acres and had 80 to 85 % of all trees thinned out. It left a significant amount of good wood on the ground and a true task of immediate cleanup” explains Alderman.

On New Year’s Eve morning at 7 AM, in a joint effort with the Dallas County Emergency Recovery Unit, church volunteers, QUWF members and Louisburg Firefighters, 55 total, with 30 chain saws, a logging truck, 6 each 16 foot trailers, 4 splitters, a dozer and loader nearly 40 cords of donated firewood was removed for a total of approximately 60 cords of prime oak wood from phase 1.

“Because of QUWF, we are able to provide firewood to needy families in the area, cut split and delivered” stated Kyle Schwanke, Coordinator of the Unit.

“This is a huge benefit to our community and thanks to the planned fire roads the donated firewood is easily accessible, which is very good for our volunteers. Further, we are helping create a wonderful wildlife showcase area. With the quail all ready back on this property now we are helping address a ruff grouse opportunity as well” points out Kyle.

“We will assist QUWF in the subsequent phases to remove firewood, help clean up limbs and branches and burn the brush piles, this is a huge win-win for all of us and great for our volunteers to see” observes Kyle “Now we took it up a notch as we help neighbors and generations of wildlife through habitat”.

5 loads of firewood were delivered that day to families who had run out of wood through a local Ministry managing the program. Several trailer loads of logs had previously been taken by local farmers needing firewood as well.

“None of this would be possible without the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive program, Robert Ziehmer, Director working through the local Buffalo Bob Chapter which provides cost share to get the trees cut mechanically. Because of the huge volume manual removal is nearly unthinkable, but with a tree sheer, dedicated volunteers and a dedication not only to wildlife but to the community, a wonderful result came to pass on New Year’s Eve 2011″ states Craig.

Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc., a tax exempt 501(c)(3) conservation organization, serves its members and chapters nationwide, providing a strong local source of habitat focus on quail and upland wildlife and population recovery. Millions of dollars of habitat work have been completed by its members over the years on thousands of acres of both private and public lands, now that work continues with a renewed vitality. Our chapters from coast to coast, provide the grass roots, local habitat work that is making a difference each and every day. For more information or to join QUWF please visit our website at www.quwf.net.

Sage Grouse

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cheyenne, Wy --(Ammoland.com)- Secretary Of The Interior Ken Salazar And Wyoming Governor Matt Mead Today Convened A Meeting With Representatives From Eight Western States To Discuss Ongoing Efforts To Conserve The Greater Sage-Grouse And Identify Next Steps In Implementing A Landscape Level Strategy That Will Benefit The Species While Maintaining A Robust Economy In The West.

Participants Discussed Current Strategies, Challenges, And Areas Of Collaboration For Local, State, And Federal Governments To Proactively Address The Needs Of The Species To Ensure Its Long-Term Health And Stability.

During The Meeting, The Attendees Discussed Developing A New Working Agreement That Puts In Place Conservation Actions And Commitments To Meaningfully Address Both The Threats To The Survival Of The Greater Sage-Grouse And The Need Of Westerners To Enjoy Multiple Uses Of Their Land And Have Reasonable Predictability Regarding Regulatory Requirements.

“Sagebrush Habitat, With Its Open Spaces, Wildlife, And Heritage, Is Iconic To The West And Is At The Root Of Many Of Our Proud Traditions,” Salazar Said. “Protecting The Health Of This Land And Its Wildlife, While Also Facilitating Energy And Other Development In The Right Ways And The Right Places, Is Going To Take Strong, Well-Coordinated, Comprehensive Action By Leaders At All Levels. Today’S Meeting Is A Milestone In Our Efforts To Accelerate And Expand The Smart, Ladscape-Scale Approaches That Are Already Underway In Many Places.”

From Wyoming’S Sage Grouse Initiative Developed Under The Leadership Of Governor Mead To The Bureau Of Land Management’S National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy ( Http://Www.Blm.Gov/Wo/St/En/Prog/More/Sagegrouse.Html), To The Ongoing Implementation Of The Western Association Of Fish And Wildlife Agencies Comprehensive Strategy, Progress Is Being Made To Protect The Species While Ensuring That Energy Production, Recreational Access And Other Uses Of Federal Lands Continue.

“The Goal Of The Endangered Species Act Is Not To Add To The List, But To Protect The Species So They Never Make It To The Endangered Species List,” Governor Mead Said. “Partnering With Private Industry, Agriculture And The Federal Government Has Allowed Us To Balance Conservation Of The Sage-Grouse With Development And Job Creation While Keeping The Bird From Being Listed.”

A Large Ground-Dwelling Bird Predominantly Found In The West, The Decline Of The Sage-Grouse Population Has Been A Result Of Primary Threats Such As Habitat Loss And Fragmentation Due To Energy Development, Wildfire, And Invasive Plant Species. Based On A 12-Month Status Review Pursuant To The Endangered Species Act, The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Determined That The Listing Of The Species Was Warranted, But Precluded By Higher Priorities. For A Fws Fact Sheet On The Greater Sage-Grouse, Please Click Here: Http://Www.Fws.Gov/Mountain-Prairie/Species/Birds/Sagegrouse/Greatersagegrousefactsheet2011.Pdf .

Meeting Participants Included: Bob Abbey, Bureau Of Land Management Director; Dan Ashe, U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Director; Marlene Finley, U.S. Forest Service Deputy Regional Forester; Dave White, Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, As Well As Senior Representatives From The States Of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, And Wyoming.

Click Here Http://Www.Doi.Gov/News/Photos/Photo-Of-The-Week-December-2011.Cfm For A Picture From Today’S Meeting.

About:
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.

Lop and Scatter Project, L-R: Jeremy Anderson, AJ Smith, Brooks Greenwood, Justin Whittier and Darren West.

Mule Deer Foundation

Salt Lake City, UTAH --(Ammoland.com)- Darren West, Project Coordinator for the Mule Deer Foundation’s (MDF) Utah County Chapter, was recently honored by the Utah Division of Wildlife (UDOW).

West was recognized for his relentless work for the benefit of wildlife and habitat.

Covy Jones, the UDOW Biologist who nominated West, said he is impressed with the difficult projects Darren and the other MDF volunteers are willing to tackle. He also commended West and MDF for being enthusiastic and proactive working partners.

Over the last several years, West has worked on behalf of MDF to coordinate relevant habitat projects in partnership with UDOW. He and other MDF volunteers completed “Lop and Scatter” projects on Wildlife Management Areas near Mount Pleasant and Spanish Fork, Utah. Lop and Scatter is a labor-intensive method of removing branches from felled trees to increase the rate of decomposition and lower fire hazard. It also includes clearing areas of over-grown pinion and juniper to promote the re-growth of vegetation, and is a vital part of restoring mule deer winter range.

Jones said this habitat work has produced immediate results and is proving very beneficial for Utah’s deer herds. To date, the Utah County MDF Chapter has cleared 78 acres, with a combined total of 176 hours on the saws. At least 40 additional hours have been spent in planning and training sessions.

West, who was out of state when nominated, said he is driven by his passion and love for hunting.

He declared, “The deer in Utah are in rapid decline, and it feels good to actually do something.”

Justin Whittier, who has worked alongside West on a number of MDF projects, attended the UDOW Awards Luncheon on Dec. 7, 2011, and accepted the award on West’s behalf.

He said, “There were some 50 state employees in attendance, from conservation officers, dedicated hunter people, conservation directors … as a group, they had nominated ten honorees, and Darren West, as a volunteer for the Mule Deer Foundation, was one of them.”

Whittier continued, “Other recipients included Rod Hess with the Utah Dept. of Transportation, recognized for his work on the I-15 core project restoring wetlands and building deer fences, and Boyd McAffee, a Director with Clear Creek Outdoor Education Camp, was recognized for his 30+ years of service introducing youth to the outdoors. Darren was in good company!”

MDF’s Utah County Chapter Chair Jeremy Anderson concluded, “Our chapter is still growing, but we are gaining momentum with hard work and determination. We already have three new projects slated for 2012. When Darren West came on board we took a large step in the right direction.”

About MDF:
The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Corvallis, Ore. --(Ammoland.com)- Greenbelt Land Trust announced today the acquisition of conservation easements on more than 300 acres of Willamette River frontage property in Benton County that will benefit a number of species including chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, Oregon chub, Pacific lampreys, western pond turtles and red-legged frogs.

This project will permanently protect important habitat for fish and wildlife identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy.

These purchases were made possible through a strong partnership with the existing landowners, the land trust, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and funding from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the Bonneville Power Administration and the Meyer Memorial Trust.

Conservation easements allow for some traditional uses of the land, such as farming, by the landowner but permanently protect important wildlife habitat. They also allow conversion of farmland to restoration and conservation purposes as this project does.

They are particularly effective in the Willamette Valley where 96 percent of the land is privately owned. The 319-acre parcel includes Harkens Lake, a significant historic side-channel of the Willamette River that is critical habitat for native fish populations.

“This project is an integral part of creating opportunities for broad-scale floodplain habitat restoration on the Willamette River,” states Ken Bierly, Deputy Director of Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

The conservation of Harkens Lake is made possible through a partnership with landowners Gary, Jenny and Steve Horning and Mark and Sherie Adams, a collaboration that will continue as the partners prepare to restore the property’s floodplain forests and riparian areas to their historic conditions. Restoration of these forests decreases erosion and flood damage from seasonal inundation throughout the 100-year floodplain.

“Our family has worked and lived on the Willamette River for five generations, which is why we take such pride in showing we can work around the river sustainably. We know the health of our crops depends on the health of the river system. Our goal for restoration is to utilize important floodplain areas to improve water quality and protect the valuable farm land that our family farm depends on,” said landowner Gary Horning.

“This important work can only be accomplished through partnerships with private landowners, non-profits, foundations and state and federal agencies,” said Michael Pope, GLT Executive Director. “We’re facing a monumental task in fish recovery and riparian restoration in the Willamette Valley, and we must all work together. We are extremely pleased to be able to complete this transaction, and grateful to all our partners who work with us to protect and restore environmentally sensitive lands.”

Funding from this project was dedicated through:

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board through its Willamette Special Investment Partnership (SIP). The goal of the Willamette SIP is to identify and implement high-priority land conservation, fish passage, and habitat flow restoration projects that contribute to the enhancement of resident and migratory fish populations in the mainstem and tributaries of the Willamette River.
• The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program which was created to manage the funds dedicated to the State of Oregon by the Bonneville Power Administration for wildlife habitat mitigation in the Willamette Valley. The agreement requires a substantial investment in wildlife and fish habitat restoration over the next 15 years.
• Bonneville Power Administration funding helps fulfill an agreement that the State of Oregon made in 2010 to protect nearly 20,000 acres of Willamette Basin wildlife habitat. The agreement dedicates stable funding from electric ratepayers for 15 years to safeguard Willamette habitat for native species, supporting state efforts to protect the Willamette Basin and fulfilling BPA’s responsibility under the Northwest Power Act to offset the impacts of federal flood control and hydropower dams.

Bob Schuh (L) presents a completed wood duck box to Eric Johnson of the Packerland Chapter.

Delta Waterfowl

Bismarck, ND --(Ammoland.com)- BOB SCHUH ANSWERS his door with a broad smile and greets his visitor with his right hand fully extended.

“Welcome,” he says, his handshake as firm as a Vise-Grip.

Schuh’s kitchen and living room are dark. The only ambient light in his house washes through a picture window — particularly bright as the sun refracts off the newly fallen snow.

“Let’s go out to my shop,” says Schuh, referring to his 30-by-32-foot heated woodworking oasis, which smells unmistakably of the pine sawdust of newly constructed wood duck boxes.

Schuh is no ordinary woodworker. When he was 18 years old, he was hunting rabbits along a railroad grade, like he had many times before. The foot-high ganglia of brush, perfect cottontail habitat, made walking extremely difficult. In a split-second, Schuh lost his footing and, just as quickly, his 12-gauge shotgun accidently fired. Pellets grazed his face.

“It happened pretty early in the morning, and that’s about all the details I can recall,” says Schuh, of Whitelaw, Wis., about 25 miles south of Green Bay. “The only thing I really remember for certain was waking up two days later in the hospital.”

Doctors tried to save his vision, but Schuh’s eyes swelled up badly, detaching his retinas. Schuh, now 53, may have permanently lost his vision, but he never lost his love for the outdoors — or for giving back to it.

Last year, Schuh teamed up with the Green Bay-based Packerland Chapter of Delta Waterfowl to cut out, assemble and erect as many wood duck boxes as possible in a 50-mile area from Green Bay to Marinette.

“Quite frankly, if it weren’t for Bob, I don’t think any of this would be possible,” said Eric Johnson, chairman of the Packerland Chapter. “He’s an amazing guy, that’s for sure.”

Schuh’s love of woodworking began in high school. After his accident, he was forced to learn his life anew. He attended what is now the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Janesville, Wis., as well as Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, Wis., where he learned independent-living skills.

“They get you ready to live life on your own,” Schuh said. “I learned how to cook safely, basic mobility and cane travel and Braille, among other skills.”

In four months, Schuh was living independently again, embracing life with a champagne effervescence obvious to anyone who meets him.

“I don’t have a lot of patience for a woe-is-me attitude,” he said. “I have a pretty short fuse for people who don’t want to try. I am limited, but I find ways around it. You’re only blind if you choose to be blind.”

Bob Schuh cuts wood on a table saw.

Schuh’s blindness didn’t stop him for rekindling his woodworking hobby, either. Over the years, he has spent a tidy sum on saws, drill presses, lathes and other equipment. He developed — and honed — a system for cutting out wood duck boxes and bluebird houses that’s beyond assembly line efficient and precise. Safe too.

“When I initially reached out to Bob and told him what I was thinking and wanted to do, he didn’t hesitate,” Johnson said. “He said, ‘OK, no problem. I’ll do it.’ He even put our chapter project in front of the line.”

In a matter of weeks, Schuh had cut the boards for 200 wood duck boxes, after which Packerland Chapter members came to his shop and assembled the pieces. The boxes were erected last winter on Wisconsin Department of Transportation land, a partnership brokered by the chapter. Funding for the wood came from various grants and the chapter’s Waterfowl Heritage Fund, which allows Delta chapters to keep 25 percent of their fundraising proceeds for local projects and other conservation and hunting-related initiatives. The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association also helped with the project.

“We put the boxes in some prime habitat areas for wood ducks, and we’re hoping to really bolster the local population,” Johnson said. “This is a project we are going to continue this year. Thanks to Bob and the efforts of a lot of people in our chapter and out, it has worked out very well.”

The local Delta project wasn’t Schuh’s first public service woodworking. Far from it. Since 1990, Schuh has helped build 2,723 wood duck boxes and 7,394 bluebird houses, all of which he’s given away.

Among his many talents and interests, Schuh writes a Sunday outdoors column for a local newspaper, which can be a great asset when he has wood duck boxes available.

“I just write it in my column, and people come out to my farm to get them,” he said. “I get a lot of people coming here when the column first appears.”

Schuh says the act of building artificial nesting structures is his way of giving back to nature and the public. What began as a hobby has become something of a calling.

“I really enjoy doing something for the species and for hunting,” said Schuh, an avid big-game hunter who credits his friends for helping him rediscover hunting many years after his accident. “I don’t hunt waterfowl because I don’t like the meat, and I won’t kill something I won’t eat, but I love to hear and feel their wing beats. I have some ponds on my farm and I really enjoy knowing the ducks are there for everyone to enjoy. It makes me feel pretty good.”

Tori McCormick is associate editor of Delta Waterfowl.

About:Delta Waterfowl provides knowledge, leaders and science-based solutions that efficiently conserve waterfowl and secure the future for waterfowl hunting. Visit: www.deltawaterfowl.org

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, is now accepting proposals from state and regional wildlife agencies for Hunting Heritage Partnership (HHP) grants.

In its tenth year of helping agencies fund projects that create new and expanded opportunities for hunting, NSSF has awarded 109 grants to 38 state agencies and one regional association. For this new 2012-2013 grant period, the Hunting Heritage Partnership program will make up to $500,000 available to agencies for qualifying projects, bringing the grand total of awards to approximately $4.8 million since HHP was started in 2003.

All proposals for consideration are due to NSSF by February 1, 2012. Projects must begin by March 1, 2012. See complete application guidelines for HHP grants. In response to applicants’ suggestions, an additional month has been provided for completing awarded grant proposals.

New to the HHP grant program are features designed to help applicants develop their best ideas into on-the-ground, results-oriented initiatives. The HHP website now displays a new map featuring descriptions of all funded projects since the inception of the program. The projects map complements case studies that have been available on the website and that explain the successes, shortfalls and status of various projects. Together the interactive map and case studies serve as an idea-factory for applicants looking to develop new and creative programs.

“Hunting Heritage Partnership grants have helped states develop projects vital to increasing hunter participation,” said Melissa Schilling, NSSF’s manager of recruitment and retention. “This funding has helped many creative projects get off the ground that may not have because of state budget cutbacks.”

Schilling pointed out that some state agencies have never applied for grants and are missing a valuable funding source for efforts that could potentially bring recognition to the department. “This grant period we’d like to particularly challenge those states that haven’t applied for grants to do so,” she said.

Three recent HHP-funded projects demonstrate the type of programs that are working to benefit the future of hunting:

• Oregon launched an integrated online database and map resource to help both new and experienced hunters plan their trips, allowing for searches by species, unit and distances; displaying property boundaries and harvest statistics; and interfacing with Google search to assist hunters in finding lodging, camp sites and restaurants. The website is generating high traffic and many map downloads. The state estimated this project’s benefit to its economy as $1,473,000, with 662 new hunters and fish and wildlife agency revenue of $52,488.
• Wyoming’s project is designed to enhance its Private Lands Public Access Program for hunting by enrolling private landowners into either a walk-in hunting or hunter management area. The project has enrolled 2.9 million acres since its inception.
• Alabama’s project focuses on mentored youth dove hunting. With 43 percent of youth in the program being first-time shooters, the program has been recognized by experts as one of the most successful new hunter recruitment programs in the nation.

As these projects illustrate, Hunting Heritage Partnership-funded programs work to ensure the future of hunting by increasing hunter access to public and private lands, keeping current hunters hunting, recruiting next generation hunters, creating more opportunities to hunt and funding communications programs geared toward recruiting and retaining hunters.

NSSF encourages state agencies to apply for a Hunting Heritage Partnership grant today at www.nssf.org/hhp.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- This holiday season honor friends or loved ones by making a donation to the Michigan Nongame Fish & Wildlife Fund in their name.

The recipient will be notified of the donation by receiving a beautiful certificate and a Living Resources patch featuring one of Michigan’s unique nongame species.

A donation of $20 or more makes a difference for nongame fish and wildlife species in Michigan. Species that are endangered, threatened or considered rare in the state benefit from donations to this fund. A tax-deductible gift will help to restore rare species populations and also to keep common species common.

Since the Michigan Nongame Fish & Wildlife Fund was established in 1983, the program has had three main goals:

• To restore populations of endangered and threatened species through management and protection.
• To maintain present populations of animals and plants.
• To promote appreciation and awareness of Michigan’s nongame wildlife and endangered species through education and first-hand opportunities to experience wildlife.

Peregrine falcons, trumpeter swans, piping plovers, Kirtland’s warblers, Mitchell’s satyr butterflies, lake sturgeon and common terns are just a few of the hundreds of wildlife species that have benefited from projects supported through the Michigan Nongame Fish & Wildlife Fund. For more information on projects that have been supported by the Nongame Wildlife Fund visit www.michigan.gov/dnr.

The Michigan Nongame Fish & Wildlife Fund supports a network of more than 100 watchable wildlife sites throughout the state. These sites provide a variety of opportunities to view some of Michigan’s most popular wildlife species. The watchable wildlife program also promotes teaching people how to responsibly photograph and view all forms of wildlife and plants.

Since its inception, the Michigan Nongame Fish & Wildlife Fund has raised more than $9.5 million in support of critical projects for nongame species, but the Michigan Nongame Fish & Wildlife Fund will not continue without donations.

To make a donation in someone’s honor, please make your check or money order out to: State of Michigan, Nongame Wildlife Fund and send it, along with the person of honor’s name and address, to: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, PO Box 30451, Lansing, MI 48909.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. To learn more, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Nebraska Harlan County Lake Area Benefits from Focus on Pheasants Initiative

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- In response to declining pheasant populations statewide, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Harlan County Lake and Pheasants Forever have been working to reverse the trend through the Focus on Pheasants habitat improvement initiative.

The Focus on Pheasants initiative was designed in 2003 to restore high-quality pheasant habitat that benefits hunters. The program also educates landowners and other stakeholders about pheasant habitat needs.

Harlan County Lake property managed by the Corps was included in the program because of its potential for intensive pheasant management based on the size of the area, its high use by pheasant hunters and its history of good pheasant populations.

The lack of high-quality habitat, such as diverse nesting and brood rearing cover, is one of the factors limiting pheasants, quail and other grassland birds. Management activities such as prescribed burning, grassland disking, chemical treatment, grassland interseeding and tree removal are used to address those factors. These practices increase the quality and diversity of grassland plants and benefit many wildlife species.

While an area may be seen as unusable to wildlife due to haying, disking or prescribed burning, this disturbance is temporary. The benefits from resulting increase in diversity will last for many years. By rotating disturbances on a multiyear schedule, resource managers assure that the environment provides the optimal mix of cover types to enhance habitat quality, which should result in an increase of grassland bird populations.

Contact Focus on Pheasants Coordinator Jake Holt at 402-471-5413 to learn more about the program and to learn how landowners can implement these practices.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- Do you own at least 12 acres of connected forest land?

Have you always wanted to better understand how to manage that land for timber, wildlife values, recreational activities or maybe a combination of all three?

Here is your opportunity to receive cost share assistance to develop a certified management plan for your private forest land.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Stewardship Program provides financial and technical assistance on Michigan’s nonindustrial private forestlands. The program helps private landowners offset the initial costs of developing a management plan for their forested property. The landowner selects and hires a private consultant forester to aid in developing management goals and objectives, evaluate the property, and prepare a Forest Stewardship Plan. Landowners in the program pay approximately 50 percent of the cost of the plan development. The remaining 50 percent of the costs will be paid by the State directly to the contractor.

“Forest stewardship is the act of managing a forest so that it sustains health, vigor and ecosystem function for the future,” says Shawna Meyer, DNR Forest Stewardship coordinator. “With over 8.4 million acres of privately owned forestland in Michigan, there is a lot we can do to ensure that our private forestlands are both profitable for the owners and managed for long-term sustainability. Once a landowner has a Stewardship Plan that opens the doors to other funding available to help implement the plan by cost-sharing management practices including planting trees or altering the land to benefit wildlife.”

The process for having a Forest Stewardship Plan written is as follows:

• Landowner selects a certified plan writer. A list can be found for your county at www.michigan.gov/foreststewardship.
• Together the landowner and certified plan writer complete the appropriate forms and application.
• Certified plan writer submits the application to DNR service forester for project eligibility approval.
• Certified plan writer writes plan. The plan must include all information required by DNR.
• Landowner reviews, signs and accepts plan.
• Landowner pays certified plan writer (minimum of 50 percent of plan costs).
• Certified plan writer submits plan to DNR service forester for review and approval.
• DNR service forester reviews, approves or disapproves (note: plans will not be approved for payment if there are outstanding omissions of required components).
• If approved, DNR service forester forwards to the DNR stewardship coordinator for reimbursement to consultant forester.
• If the plan is not approved, the consultant and the landowner are advised so that corrections can be made to qualify the plan.
• Certified plan writer is reimbursed in accordance with guidelines.

“This program is a win-win-win for everyone – our forestlands, the landowners and future generations,” added Meyer.

For more information on connecting with a consultant forester and learning more about the program please contact Shawna Meyer, DNR Forest Stewardship coordinator, at 517-335-3355 or by email at meyers6@michigan.gov.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON --(Ammoland.com)- The establishment of a U.S. Department of Agriculture plan to improve fish and wildlife habitat and water quality in the Gulf of Mexico watershed drew praise from American sportsmen, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today.

The Gulf of Mexico Initiative will direct up to $50 million over three years toward conservation assistance to landowners in priority areas along major rivers that drain into the Gulf. Launched via the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the initiative is among the efforts being undertaken by the administration’s Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.

“Sportsmen are encouraged to see this important part of the Gulf restoration equation being addressed by the administration,” said Geoff Mullins, TRCP senior director of policy initiatives and communications.

“A comprehensive approach to conservation and land use for the region – one that focuses not only on the coastal and marine habitats but the lands upstream as well – is the best way to restore the unique Gulf coast ecosystems. What’s at stake is healthy habitat for the coastal fish and wildlife species that are critical to supporting the strong economic engine of hunting and sport fishing throughout the region.”

The Gulf of Mexico Initiative comprises five Gulf Coast states – Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas – and focuses funds restoring water supplies, wildlife populations and fisheries associated with riverside communities and cities in these states. Sixteen priority watersheds are targeted for participation in the Gulf of Mexico Initiative.

“Like so many of our most identifiable waters, the Gulf of Mexico has water quality challenges that get their start hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away from the Gulf itself,” said Steve Kline, director of the TRCP Center for Agricultural and Private Lands. “Hunters and anglers across the country – not just on the Gulf Coast – applaud the administration’s support of these outdoors-dependent economies.

“A clean Gulf of Mexico begins in a flooded Texas rice field, a Mississippi cotton field, an Alabama pine stand and a citrus grove in Florida,” Kline continued. “Sound upstream conservation efforts like the USDA Gulf of Mexico Initiative underline the importance of a holistic, watershed-based approach that invests money wisely in places where real impacts can be made and benefit the public for generations to come.”

“Nationally, activities related to fishing support more than 1 million jobs and contribute almost $125 billion annually to the economy, with the Gulf region alone supporting more than 82,000 jobs and $8 billion in economic output” said American Sportfishing Association President and CEO Mike Nussman. “If we want to improve our financial situation we should continue to invest in our open spaces. The Gulf of Mexico Initiative takes steps in this direction, and we appreciate the government’s investments in the Gulf’s natural resources, citizens and economy.”

• Learn more about the TRCP’s work in support of responsible marine fisheries management.
• Learn about the TRCP’s efforts to conserve America’s agricultural and privately owned 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

Ducks Unlimited And Partners Rededicate Wetlands Restoration Project

Ducks Unlimited

MONTICELLO, Fl --(Ammoland.com)- Ducks Unlimited and partners from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and Jefferson County recently gathered to install a new sign and rededicate a wetlands enhancement project at Lake Miccosukee in celebration of DU’s 75th anniversary.

Lake Miccosukee, a 6,312-acre Jefferson County lake west of Monticello, is managed by the FWC and the Northwest Florida Water Management District to maintain high-quality wetland habitat for waterfowl while also providing public hunting opportunities.

A project replacing a non-functional water-control structure was completed in 1998 to enhance management capabilities in the area, and was chosen for special recognition leading up to DU’s 75th-anniversary year due to its continued successful operation and importance to waterfowl in northern Florida.

“Lake Miccosukee is an important wintering area for ring-necked ducks in the Atlantic Flyway,” said Craig LeSchack, DU director of conservation programs. “The area also provides brood-rearing habitat for wood ducks and some of the finest duck hunting opportunities in northern Florida.”

The Lake Miccosukee project is one of several projects being recognized across the country to celebrate DU’s upcoming 75th-anniversary year.

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

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The Montrose and Luckenbach Trustee Councils and the Government of Mexico have announced a $4 million dollar award to a U.S-Mexico partnership that will implement a comprehensive five-year program focused on restoring seabird populations on seven islands off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Improvement of nesting grounds in Mexico will create more stable and viable populations of seabirds in California and the Mexican islands off the Baja California peninsula.

With support from the Trustee Councils, a partnership comprised of the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas (GECI), and the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature will implement the seabird restoration program. This partnership will strengthen an ongoing successful conservation program conducted by GECI on these islands over the past 15 years.

The Montrose and Luckenbach Trustee Councils manage funds received in settlements from pollution releases involving the Montrose Chemical Corporation and the SS Jacob Luckenbach. The Trustees of natural resources act on behalf of the public to recover and direct funds to projects that will provide for restoration of natural resources that were injured by the releases. The natural resource trustees for these councils include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), California State Lands Commission, and California Department of Parks and Recreation. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will provide administrative support of the program.

“The Trustee Councils are thrilled to support this partnership between leading conservation organizations in both Mexico and the U.S.” said Dan Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Seabirds cross freely over international boundaries and so must our restoration efforts. This bi-national project on the Baja California Pacific Islands will benefit seabird populations in both countries for years to come.”

The partnership will begin work in January 2012 on Coronado, Todos Santos, San Martín, San Jerónimo, Natividad, Asunción, and San Roque Islands, targeting seabird species such as the California Brown Pelican, Cassin’s Auklet, Ashy Storm-Petrel, and Xantus’s Murrelet. These populations face threats from non-native species; nest and burrow destruction in high use areas; and disturbances from lights and other man-made structures.

Restoration projects will use decoys, mirrors, and broadcast calls and songs to increase social interactions and construct artificial nests to improve nesting opportunities. The partners will also conduct habitat restoration, reduce human disturbance and artificial light, and support environmental education in surrounding communities.

The target islands are located in the northwestern portion of Mexico, off of the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula.

These islands support a diverse group of breeding seabirds and are known for high levels of biological diversity. Seventeen species of seabirds breed on the islands, ten of which also breed on the California Channel Islands in the U.S. Most of the seabird colonies in Mexico form part of a larger population that breeds, forages, and disperses into California.

About:
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.

Sage-Grouse Implementation Team Meetings Set

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

BEND, Ore. --(Ammoland.com)- The Hines, Prineville and Baker Sage-Grouse Conservation Strategy Implementation teams will meet on Dec. 6, Dec. 8 and Dec. 13, respectively, to discuss the Core Area approach to sage-grouse conservation, to identify threats and potential habitat improvements for each Core Area and to hear team updates.

The Hines meeting will be held Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Blue Room of the Bureau of Land Management office, 28910 Hwy. 20 West, Hines.

The Prineville meeting will be held Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bureau of Land Management office, 3050 NE 3rd Street, Prineville.

The Baker City meeting will be held Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ODFW office, 2995 Hughes Lane, Baker City.

The meetings are open to the public, and there will be a public comment period.

About the Sage-Grouse Conservation Strategy Implementation Teams
There are five Sage-Grouse Conservation Strategy Implementation teams, one for each Bureau of Land Management District within the current distribution of sage-grouse in Oregon as well as one in the Baker Resource Area in the Vale district. Public meetings will be held in each of the Implementation Team areas. The Lakeview and Vale meetings were held on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, respectively. A second meeting of the Vale district team will be scheduled in Jordan Valley in December.

Teams have been meeting since 2005. In May 2011, they reviewed and recommended changes to the Core Area maps as defined in the April 2011 revision of the updated Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy for Oregon.

TheGreater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy for Oregon, is available on ODFW’s website.
Sage-grouse photos are available on ODFW’s Flickr site.

Mule Deer Foundation Invests Over $375,000 for Utah Conservation Projects in 2011

Mule Deer Foundation

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah --(Ammoland.com)- The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) recently gave $376,889 to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to pay for completed habitat projects in the state during 2011.

There are some $60,000 worth of projects still pending. MDF raised this money through the sale of Utah Conservation Permits throughout the year.

The Utah Conservation Permit Program has successfully brought in millions of dollars since its inception.

Through the sale of coveted hunting tags, conservation groups such as MDF are able to raise money for their own projects, Utah state ventures, and literally hundreds of habitat enhancements in conjunction with partners such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Utah Dept. of Wildlife Resources, and other conservation groups.

A sampling of the 46 projects completed this year include:

• Black Ridge Fuels Reduction and Vegetative Restoration
• Sawmill Canyon Fire Rehab
• Black Hill WMA Habitat Restoration and Access Management Project
• Twin Springs Aerial Seeding and Vegetation Treatment
• North Book Cliffs Wildlife Guzzler Project
• Research for Wildlife Crossings in Utah, What Works and Determining Best Structure Designs

The Mule Deer Foundation looks forward to participating in the Utah Conservation Permit Program again in 2012. A listing of available tags is posted online at www.muledeer.org, under Hunting, Tags and Permits.

Some of the projects slated for 2012 include:

• Logan Ranger District Aspen Treatment
• Henefer-Echo WMA Fencing
• Browns Canyon Guzzler
• Moon Ridge Bullhog
• Grimes Wash Pinyon/Juniper Removal
• Fivemile Sagebrush Restoration, Kimball Valley

For more information about the Utah Conservation Permit Program or tags available for 2012, contact the Mule Deer Foundation at 1-888-375-DEER (3337).

Contact: Miles Moretti Tel.: 801-230-2207 E-mail: miles@muledeer.org (photo available)

About
MDF The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON --(Ammoland.com)- Sportsmen-conservationists today condemned a federal decision to defund a keystone land conservation program, the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, also known as Open Fields, that facilitates responsive private lands management practices and public access for activities such as hunting and angling, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced.

“While the necessity of reducing federal spending is inarguable, the truth is that Farm Bill conservation programs like VPA-HIP are critical to the more than $95 billion in economic activity annually contributed by hunting and angling,” said Jennifer Mock Schaeffer, Farm Bill coordinator for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.

“We are deeply disappointed by the shortsighted decision to completely eliminate fiscal year 2012 funding for VPA-HIP, which can help stabilize an economy already taxed to the point of collapse.”

The fiscal year 2012 “minibus” conference report, unveiled on Monday by House and Senate appropriators, would fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture along with a range of other federal entities.

In addition to VPA-HIP, numerous Farm Bill conservation programs face drastic cuts:

• · Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program cut by $35 million;
• · Wetlands Reserve Program cut by approximately $200 million;
• · Grasslands Reserve Program cut by approximately $30 million;
• · Environmental Quality Incentives Program cut by $350 million.

“Dedicated and ongoing work by the sportsman-conservation community has been instrumental in bolstering Farm Bill programs that play a key role in conserving privately owned lands and waters,” said Steve Moyer, vice president of government relations for Trout Unlimited.

“Programs such as Open Fields, which address the paramount issue of public access to these areas, help perpetuate our outdoor traditions, along with the significant economic boost they provide rural communities all across the country.”

A vital part of U.S. private-lands conservation, the Farm Bill has helped conserve and enhance millions of acres of fish and wildlife habitat and the hunting and fishing opportunities they provide. VPA-HIP, which incentivizes owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch and forest lands to provide public access to their lands for wildlife-dependent activities such as hunting and fishing, was included in the 2008 Farm Bill for the first time in large part due to the efforts of the TRCP and its partner groups.

“Loss of access is the No. 1 reason hunters and anglers stop pursuing the traditions we enjoy,” said Steve Kline, director of the TRCP Center for Agricultural and Private Lands.

“For a program like VPA-HIP to be eliminated in the rush to cut spending means Congress will be turning ‘Open for Hunting’ signs into ‘Posted: No Trespassing’ signs all across the country, with real impacts on local economies.”

The TRCP’s farm policy work is guided by the Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group, composed of representatives from the nation’s leading sportsmen’s groups and formed by the TRCP to provide recommendations to Congress and the administration on Farm Bill conservation programs critical to private lands conservation and hunting and angling.

Learn more about the TRCP’s agricultural and private lands conservation work.

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.

Drew County Arkansas Wetland Restoration Project Completed

Ducks Unlimited

MONTICELLO, Ark.--(Ammoland.com)- Just in time for waterfowl season, Ducks Unlimited and its partners recently completed a wetlands restoration project on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area.

“Southeast Arkansas is known for its incredible waterfowling tradition,” DU Manager of Conservation Programs Craig Hilburn said. “And DU is proud to help the AGFC continue to provide quality public hunting opportunities through projects like this one.”

In a proactive effort to improve management capabilities and to ensure the continued availability of public waterfowl hunting habitat on the Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area in Drew County, DU designed and constructed a new water-control structure that replaced several older water-control structures in service since the early 1990s.

“The new water-control structure and associated spillway provide the Region III Wildlife Management staff the ability to more efficiently manage more than 2,500 acres of bottomland hardwood forest habitat for waterfowl and waterfowl hunters,” AGFC Regional Wildlife Management Supervisor Mark Hooks said. “DU and AGFC have a well-established partnership, and this project is just one more tangible result of our mutual long-term commitment to improving wetland habitat throughout Arkansas.”

“Like all of our projects, the partners involved in the Cut-Off Creek restoration project made it possible,” Hilburn said. Partners on the project include DU, AGFC, War Eagle Boats, Wetlands America Trust, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council and numerous DU volunteers and supporters.

“War Eagle Boats is pleased to invest in important wetlands conservation work in ‘The Natural State,’” War Eagle Boats President Mike Ward said. “As the leader in wetlands conservation, Ducks Unlimited has a long-standing history of improving and providing habitat for waterfowl and opportunities for waterfowl hunters on public lands, and we’re happy to do our part to support that mission.”

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest nonprofit 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.

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

Mule Deer Foundation US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project

Mule Deer Foundation

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah --(Ammoland.com)- In early November the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) took decisive steps to protect wildlife, while working across state lines and collaborating with state agencies and other groups.

MDF has ranked the US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project as a top priority for receiving funds from the Arizona Special Big Game License Program for Mule Deer.

MDF has committed funds from this Program – $25,000 per year, for the next four years – to help pay for materials and installation of fencing and wildlife crossings on US-89 between the Arizona border to Kanab, Utah.

The Paunsaugunt deer herd, one of the premier mule deer herds in the Southwest, summers in Utah and winters in northern Arizona on the renowned Arizona Strip deer herd unit. The herd must cross US-89 twice each year during the spring and fall migration, and a significant number of deer are killed by vehicle collisions.

Good solutions for the long stretch of highway seemed impractical. However, a recent review of accident data showed that constructing fencing along an 11.5 mile section would be a major help to reducing accidents.

The goal of the US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project is to provide safe passage for mule deer and improve safety for motorists and wildlife on Highway 89. The plan is to fence the highest accident area, between MP 36.8 to 48.2. The ends of the fencing will tie into existing large bridges at each end, where animals can cross under the highway. Because of the limited distance deer are willing to travel to look for crossing opportunities, four wildlife passages will also be constructed.

MDF President and CEO Miles Moretti commented, “What’s unusual, and also special, about this project is that MDF volunteers and Utah dedicated hunters will help build escape ramps for deer that might still end up on the highway. These efforts will help save more deer, as well as $150,000 in construction costs.”

MDF is partnering on this $2.4 million endeavor with state agencies and other conservation groups. The Utah Dept. of Transportation has allotted Enhancement Funding dollars from both federal and state funds. Additional monies include up to $50,000 from Utah’s Conservation Permit Program and $15,000 per year for the first two years through the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Big Game Donation funds.

Ground work should begin on the US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project next year. Contact: Marty Holmes Tel.: 719-221-0732 E-mail: marty@muledeer.org

About MDF:
The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

Ducks Unlimited

ANN ARBOR, Mich. --(Ammoland.com)- Stakeholders in the Saginaw Bay watershed are seeing positive environmental impacts this fall thanks to work completed by Ducks Unlimited and others.

DU and its partners recently celebrated the completion of the first-ever Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) habitat conservation project, which restored 141 acres of wetlands in the Flint River floodplain at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.

The project was made possible by a $99,750 grant awarded to DU through GLRI, a federal program designed to target the most significant problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem, including habitat conservation, invasive aquatic species, non-point source pollution and contaminated sediment.

The celebratory crowd gathered at Shiawassee Flats in blustery weather to hear speakers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan’s Office of the Great Lakes, representatives from U.S. Sens. Stabenow and Levin, representatives from Michigan Reps. Camp and Kildee and the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative network.

“This restoration has two important impacts,” said Dane Cramer, regional biologist at DU’s Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office. “The restored floodplain itself will provide migration habitat for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species, and it will also improve water quality in the Flint River as it moves downstream, eventually to the Saginaw Bay.”

DU partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network to complete this wetland restoration. The grant was awarded through the Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes Region Joint Venture, the conservation-coordinating body that delivers strategies and tools for protecting all bird species to implementation partners. This year, additional grant funding was provided through the GLRI.

“We talk about it all of the time, but wetlands really are incredibly beneficial habitats,” said Gildo Tori, Ducks Unlimited director of public policy. “Besides the support for wildlife, this project will provide flood control and filter water that goes into Saginaw Bay, and the restoration itself provided jobs for local contractors. It’s a real win-win.”

The project lies within the Shiawassee Flats (Flats), a 40,000-acre floodplain wetland complex formed by the confluence of the Bad, Cass, Flint, Shiawassee and Tittabawassee rivers. The Flats include a diverse mix of natural and managed wetlands that historically have been a critical waterfowl and waterbird stopover area in the Great Lakes region. The Flats provide many additional ecological and societal benefits, including habitat for other wetland-dependent fish and wildlife, flood control and abatement, water quality improvement and areas for outdoor recreation and education.

Cameron Davis, Great Lakes senior advisor to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, addressed the crowd. He urged attendees to note that progress in small increments adds up “acre by acre, gallon by gallon, mile by mile.”

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.

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

Attending the Nov. 1 dedication of the recently completed coastal restoration project at Pointe Aux Chenes WMA are (left to right): Jimmy Anthony, LDWF Office of Wildlife asst. secretary; Kell McInnis, LA Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation; Lee Hobbs, TransCanada Corporation; Dan Thiel, DU executive secretary; Jackie and Ron Bartels; Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne; and LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.(photo provided by Ducks Unlimited)

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Louisiana --(Ammoland.com)- Representatives of Ducks Unlimited and several partner organizations gathered Tuesday at Pointe-Aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area to celebrate the completion of a $1.2 million coastal restoration project in southeast Louisiana and to dedicate it to Ron and Jackie Bartels of Schriever. More than 100 people attended the dedication event.

“Ducks Unlimited is pleased to recognize the Bartels’ unyielding commitment to conservation by dedicating the Grand Bayou Unit project to them,” said DU Executive Secretary Dan Thiel. “Pointe-Aux-Chenes WMA is one of the most popular public lands for waterfowl hunting in the state, and it is only fitting that Ron and Jackie’s conservation legacy be tied to it.”

The Bartels are well-known in the conservation arena for their pursuit of an impressive list of international game species as well as for their dedication to conservation organizations such as the Safari Club International and Ducks Unlimited. Ron has been an active DU volunteer for many years and currently serves as the Advisory Senior Vice President for Membership.

“If you’re going to harvest game, you absolutely must give back to the resource,” said Ron, manager at Eagle Consulting, LLC and Facilities, Inc.

Ron and Jackie have impressed upon their children and grandchildren the importance of a strong conservation ethic. At last count, 35 members from four generations of the Bartels family are carrying forward a passion for conservation through active support and involvement in organizations like Ducks Unlimited. “It makes me feel great that everybody is involved,” Jackie said.

The Grand Bayou project restored hydrology on approximately 3,255 acres of coastal marsh habitat through the installation of water control structures and levee work. In addition to enhancing public hunting opportunities on one of the most popular areas in the state, the work enables Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) managers to restore and maintain coastal marsh vegetation and salinity levels that support migratory waterfowl, shorebird and neo-tropical songbird populations, resident mottled ducks and myriad other marsh-dwelling species.

“This project is a premier example of Ducks Unlimited’s work to restore vital Gulf Coast marshes,” LDWF Secretary Robert Barham said. “The efforts of all partners involved greatly assist Wildlife and Fisheries’ efforts to efficiently and effectively manage the area for waterfowl and a wide variety of fish and other wildlife.”

“Anytime we are able to advance coastal restoration projects and mesh them with increased opportunities for wildlife management, it’s a win-win situation. And this project accomplishes both objectives,” Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne said.

The project, led by Ducks Unlimited, is a cooperative effort among 17 partners including: the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, Abita Brewing Company, Irene W. & C.B. Pennington Foundation, TransCanada Corporation, ExxonMobil Foundation, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation, Go-Devil Manufacturers of Louisiana – Warren Coco, Safari Club International – Louisiana Chapter, Trapp Cadillac-Chevrolet, Inc. – Heinke Trapp, Songy’s Sporting Goods – Barry Songy, Matthew Hagen, Dr. Ted Price, Pierre Olivier, and Bobby and Linda Burguieres.

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest nonprofit 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.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/

• Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ldwffb
• Follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

FORSYTH, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Grampus. Lasagna lizard. Mud devil. Snot otter.

Hellbenders may have more unflattering nicknames than a cross-county football rival, but these big salamanders with the jelly-slick skin are attracting some positive, and needed, conservation attention.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources began a long-term monitoring and survey effort focused on eastern hellbenders this year. Goals include learning more about hellbender population trends, finding new sites, and monitoring hellbenders to evaluate abundance and track changes in Georgia, according to project leader Thomas Floyd.

“One of the healthiest populations in North America is in the North Georgia mountains,” said Floyd, a wildlife biologist with the DNR Wildlife Resources Division’s Nongame Conservation Section. “… It’s really important for us to get baseline data so we know in the future how this salamander is doing.”

Hellbenders are North America’s largest salamander. They can grow longer than 2 feet. They live in cool, clear streams - the same habitat trout need - from New York to North Georgia and as far west as Missouri. Their dependence on pristine streams makes hellbenders, which breathe entirely through their skin, harbingers of poor water quality.

Yet, both hellbender subspecies - the eastern and the Ozark, found in the White River system in Missouri and Arkansas - have experienced widespread declines, largely because of declines in habitat suitability. The primary threat is the influx of sand and other sediments, most of which are washed into streams from farmland and roads. The sediment embeds large rocks, clogging the open spaces hellbenders use for shelter, nesting and ambush sites when hunting prey such as crayfish.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated Ozark hellbenders as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. The agency also finalized its decision to add Ozark and eastern hellbenders to the list of rare wildlife regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The hope is to curb unauthorized international trade.

Eastern hellbenders are a candidate for federal listing. In Georgia, they are already state-listed as threatened and no longer found in at least eight streams they once inhabited. Eastern hellbenders also are a high-priority species in the State Wildlife Action Plan, the comprehensive strategy that guides DNR efforts to conserve biological diversity.

During this year’s sampling season, Thomas and others surveyed stream stretches in the Toccoa, Nottely, Cartecay and Upper Little Tennessee River drainages, catching 36 hellbenders. They documented hellbenders in part of the Nottely that had not been sampled. But none were found in the Cartecay and Upper Little Tennessee reaches, where the large salamanders had been recorded before.

Surveys will begin again in the spring. The information will build on a 2005 Georgia survey and research in other states.

It will also help ensure the future of a seldom-seen salamander with a list of hard-to-forget nicknames.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Anglers and others who see a hellbender are encouraged to report the occurrence and location to Thomas Floyd, at thomas.floyd@dnr.state.ga.us or (478) 994-1438.
• Help conserve rare, endangered and other nongame wildlife in Georgia. Buy or renew a bald eagle or hummingbird license plate, contribute to the Wildlife Conservation Fund state income tax checkoff or donate directly to the fund. All support the DNR Nongame Conservation Section, which receives no state general funds for its mission to conserve wildlife not legally hunted, fished for or trapped, as well as Georgia’s rare plants and natural habitats in the state. Details: www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation.

SURVEY SNAPSHOT

• In late August, Floyd led a small crew on the last survey of the monitoring season, which ends when hellbenders begin nesting. (Project video at www.youtube.com/GeorgiaWildlife, under “Conservation” tab.)
• Searchers ran their hands into gaps under large rocks in a Chattahoochee National Forest stream. They lifted some rocks and worked the suddenly turbid water underneath with nets. Floyd snorkeled deeper runs, trying to spot the almost-formless amphibians whose mottled brown and gray coloration blends with the streambed.
• On this trip, the group caught three hellbenders. Each was weighed, measured, swabbed to check for amphibian diseases, sampled for DNA and tagged with a Passive Integrated Transponder, or PIT, for future identification.
• During the entire 2011 monitoring season, 36 hellbenders were caught.

HELLBENDERS ARE …

• Fully aquatic salamanders, spending their entire lives in streams and rivers.
• Found in at least 20 Georgia trout streams. (Georgia is a top state in amphibian diversity.)
• Kin to Chinese and Japanese giant salamanders, which can top 100 pounds and 6 feet in length.
• Equipped with internal gills, yet they breathe almost exclusively through their skin.
• Usually docile when handled. But they can bite. Skin secretions make them difficult to handle.
• Death on crayfish, which make up most of their diet. They also eat small fish, snails, frogs, snakes, small mammals, and hellbender eggs and larvae.
• Long-lived. One reached 29 years in captivity.
• Threatened also by stream impoundment and pollution from agricultural and industrial runoff.

LEARN MORE

• Hellbender monitoring project video above or www.youtube.com/GeorgiaWildlife (under “Conservation” tab).
• Georgia DNR’s rare species profiles, www.georgiawildlife.com/rare_species_profiles.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- By tracking radio-collared elk, researchers in Michigan hope to better understand the animals’ habitat preferences, movement patterns and responses to human recreation such as hiking, biking and hunting.

The study tops a list of Michigan projects slated to receive 2011 grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

RMEF grants also will help sponsor a variety of events designed to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.

All together, the grants total $27,601 and affect 11 counties: Allegan, Cheboygan, Delta, Genesee, Iosco, Kent, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Otsego, Ottawa and Presque Isle.

“The research project is being led by Michigan State University and is focused on the Pigeon River Country State Forest in northern lower Michigan,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “This project will help us understand more about the existing and potential elk habitat in Michigan, as well as how public recreation might influence elk behavior throughout the year.”

Allen thanked RMEF volunteers and fundraiser attendees for building the organization’s conservation impact in Michigan and across elk country.

“Because of their amazing passion and generous support, we’re doing some great things locally and a national conservation milestone is within reach–our organization this year expects to reach 6 million acres of habitat protection and improvement,” he said.

RMEF grants will help fund the following 2011 projects in Michigan, listed by county:

• Cheboygan County–Quantify elk range and habitat potential in the core regions of the Pigeon River Country State Forest, the number, relative frequence and geographic scope of recreational users, temporal elk movement and habitat selection patterns (also affects Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle counties).
• Delta County–Provide sponsorship for Great Lakes Sports Club 2011 Youth Shooting Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Genesee County–Provide sponsorship for Passing Along the Heritage Foundation 2011 initiatives to offer hunting opportunities to physically challenged individuals, at-risk youth and disabled veterans.
• Iosco County–Provide sponsorship for Iosco County 4-H Youth Sharp Shooters Club to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Ogemaw County).
• Ottawa County–Provide sponsorship for Macatawa River Greenway Outdoor Naturalist Program to introduce youth to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Allegan County); sponsor Michigan Mobile Marksmanship Training Unit, an archery program of the Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway (also affects Allegan and Kent counties).

Projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities.

Partners for 2011 projects in Michigan include Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University and many conservation and sporting organizations.

Since 1984, RMEF and its partners have completed 90 different conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Michigan with a combined value of more than $4.9 million.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres–a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- Restoring and protecting habitat for foraging elk and other wildlife headline a list of 2011 grants for Nevada from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The RMEF grants total $42,700 and affect Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Lyon, Nye, Washoe and White Pine counties.

One project has statewide interest, affecting teachers and students across Nevada.

“Like much of the West, Nevada is seeing elk-grazing areas slowly disappear beneath encroaching pinyon and juniper. Our grants this year will help restore some of that habitat to a more natural condition,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Our grants also are supporting a conservation easement that will permanently protect a piece of habitat crucial to the elk herd northeast of Wells.”

He added, “All together, the habitat improvement projects that RMEF is funding this year could add at least 2,649 acres to the 275,870 acres that we’ve previously helped to conserve or enhance for wildlife in Nevada.”

Nationally, RMEF hopes to impact about 100,000 acres in 2011 to reach the 6 million acre lifetime mark in lands conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife.

Allen thanked RMEF volunteers and fundraiser attendees for building the organization’s grant coffers in Nevada, saying, “Because of their amazing passion and generous support, a major conservation milestone is within reach.”

RMEF grants will help fund the following 2011 projects, listed by county:

• Carson City–Provide sponsorship for Western Nevada Youth Calf Camp event to introduce families to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Washoe, Lyon, Douglas and Churchill counties).
• Elko County–Secure conservation easement on 645 acres of habitat northeast of Wells. Property contains forage and water crucial to the region’s elk herd. Property also is home to mule deer, antelope, sage grouse and other wildlife.
• Nye County–Remove entanglement threat to elk and other wildlife by taking down dilapidated interior fencing and repairing perimeter fencing on 651-acre Warner Ranch area of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
• Statewide–Provide sponsorship for the 2011 Great Basin Teachers Workshop to help elementary, middle and high school educators reach more than 5,000 students with more effective lessons on renewable resources, wildlife and conservation.
• White Pine County–Remove encroaching pinyon/juniper from 1,400 acres of elk foraging areas in Duck Creek Basin within the Schell Creek Mountain Range of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Conservation projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies. RMEF staff and volunteers select education projects to receive grants.

Partners for 2011 projects in Nevada include Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and other organizations.

Since 1984, RMEF and its partners have completed 190 different conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Nevada with a combined value of more than $15.1 million.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres–a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation

Buffalo, Missouri --(Ammoland.com)- The active hunting season in Missouri for the native ruffed grouse was closed this year due to declining populations state wide, a call to action by sportsman is now needed.

“We are dealing with a critical point for the population of wild ruffed grouse in Missouri. A plan is being put together working with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the MO Grouse Chapter of QUWF as well as our National Office to restock the majestic upland bird before it is too late” states Craig Alderman, Director of QUWF.

“To date our Missouri grouse chapter has placed nearly a decade of active preparatory on-the-ground habitat work and over $250,000 of donated dollars into getting the ruffed grouse restocked on quality habitat, believed now to be very suitable by leading grouse biologists” explains Alderman.

“QUWF and its landowner and general members are battling on several fronts to restore habitat for all upland game but the wild ruffed grouse in Missouri has to have special consideration now or it will not be here in a very short time”, states Craig, “and we can measure that in short years”.

Many chapters of QUWF are working habitat for the wild quail, doves, turkey or deer but none are as dedicated than the QUWF grouse chapter who has made the commitment to cover the majority of costs of restocking to the MDC.

“We are making a HUGE financial commitment to the state and all conservationists to save the ruffed grouse. Most members, qualified biologists in their own right, have made many personal and financial commitments to see this through. We cannot allow the drumming of the ruffed grouse to disappear from our Missouri lands”, emphasizes Tom Westhoff, chairman of the Grouse Chapter and lead contact with the chapter.

“We hope this final study, they are requiring now, will be expedited and let’s get to the work at hand. With most states cost would be the factor but we are raising funds across the mid-west and will cover most of the restocking efforts. Missourians are not known for letting their resources just die away so we are really fighting for the grouse, it is that serious” states Westhoff.

QUWF National, the MO grouse chapter and MDC Director Robert Ziehmer and his staff have met numerous times to formulate an action plan “We are all in this together” , Ziehmer said in the latest meeting in Hermann, MO.

QUWF will follow the project through its newsletter, the “Whistle Call” available to all members on line at www.quwf.net. Ruffed Grouse numbers have declined across its range so a positive plan is needed now.

Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc.™, a tax exempt 501(c)(3) conservation organization, was formed to serve its members and chapters nationwide, providing a strong local source of habitat focus on quail and upland wildlife and population recovery. Millions of dollars of habitat work have been completed by its members over the years on thousands of acres of both private and public lands, now that work continues with a renewed vitality. Our chapters from coast to coast, provide the grass roots, local habitat work that is making a difference each and every day. For more information or to join QUWF please visit our website at www.quwf.net.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- A 10-year conservation project has concluded in the Black Hills of South Dakota with 2,400 acres of wildlife habitat now permanently protected and opened for public hunting. The effort was led by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

It is the largest land acquisition to date in the Black Hills by a conservation organization in partnership with the Black Hills National Forest.

The project’s seventh and final acquisition phase on Sept. 15, 2011, moved the final 285 acres of Bill and Deena Whitlow’s former Lady C Ranch into public ownership as part of the national forest.

“The Whitlows could have sold their ranch to real estate developers for more money and a lot less time, but it was the family’s dream to save this historic landscape for its rich wildlife diversity and scenic beauty. We’re grateful to the Whitlows for their amazing patience, vision and selflessness,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

Allen thanked the U.S. Forest Service and its many dedicated staff who worked on this project over the years. RMEF volunteers, donors, members and staff also were instrumental.

Allen credited South Dakota senators Tim Johnson and John Thune, and former representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, for their longtime support in securing vital funding for the project through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The fund utilizes no taxpayer dollars, but rather permit fees from offshore energy development.

The former Lady C Ranch shares boundaries with the Black Hills National Forest and Wind Cave National Park. Its rolling terrain features ponderosa pine forests mixed with grasslands. There are deep ravines with oak, green ash, shrubs and many water sources including several springs. The Whitlows were outstanding stewards and worked hard to improve habitat. During their 19-year ownership, the property enjoyed significant increases in numbers of elk and other wildlife.

The new public acreage will be an asset to agencies working to manage and maintain elk populations in the region.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres–a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp Funding

Wisconsin DNR

Wisconsin --(Ammoland.com)- Thirty-six projects around the state are scheduled in the coming year to receive funds generated by the sale of Wisconsin waterfowl stamps.

While one-third of this stamp money is statutorily required  to be sent to Canada for habitat work, the remaining two-thirds, around $360,000 annually, is available for Wisconsin projects.

The process of selecting new projects begins the spring prior to the start of the state’s biennium, when DNR biologists and partner conservation organizations are invited to submit applications for funds.

Projects must benefit Wisconsin waterfowl, and priority is given to projects in targeted areas.

The projects are reviewed and funding recommendations made by the DNR Migratory Game Bird Committee, which is made up of researchers and biologists from each of the DNR districts and representatives from federal and private organizations involved in wetland restoration and management.

Final approval of projects to receive funding comes from the Wildlife Policy Team.

Facts regarding the 36 waterfowl stamp funded habitat projects:

• Twenty-one are new projects and 15 are projects that began in previous years and are ongoing (wetland projects are some of the most difficult projects to undertake and occasionally take years to complete).
• Seven of the funded projects are being cost-shared with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
• Another 6 projects are being cost-shared by or have engineering support from Ducks Unlimited. Leveraging our money in this manner allows more projects to be funded.
• Five of the projects are planned for use as match for North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants and another 4 are projects that could be used as match for future NAWCA grants. Again, more leveraging of the stamp dollars to get more bang for the buck.

Twenty-three of the 36 projects are for major maintenance at wetlands. The need for maintenance and renovation of our wetlands is an increasing concern.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- Fighting invasive, encroaching vegetation and restoring native forage for elk and other wildlife are the main themes in a list of 2011 grants for Utah from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Combined, the new RMEF funding totals $174,700 and affects 16 counties: Beaver, Cache, Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah and Utah.

An additional RMEF-funded conservation project–researching best designs for wildlife road crossings–has statewide interest.

“Fire suppression has slowly allowed pinyon and juniper to overtake many areas where elk once grazed, and non-native plants like cheatgrass are further reducing both the size and nutritional value of grasslands across Utah,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Our grants this year are focused on restoring Utah elk country to a more natural and pristine condition.”

He added, “All together, the habitat improvement projects that RMEF is funding this year could add at least 18,000 acres to the 891,256 acres that we’ve previously helped to conserve or enhance for wildlife in Utah.”

Nationally, RMEF hopes to impact about 100,000 acres in 2011 to reach the 6 million acre lifetime mark in lands conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife.

Allen thanked RMEF volunteers and fundraiser attendees for building the organization’s grant coffers in Utah, saying, “Because of their amazing passion and generous support, a major conservation milestone is within reach.”

RMEF grants will help fund the following 2011 projects, listed by county:

• Beaver County–Improve water availability for elk and other wildlife by increasing storage capacity of an existing guzzler in the Woods Reservoir area of the Wah Wah Mountain Range.
• Cache County–Prescribe burn 1,392 acres to restore aspen and improve forage for elk in the Right Hand Fork area of Logan Canyon in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
• Carbon County–Prescribe burn 603 acres to improve forage for elk and reduce hazardous fuels in the Price Canyon Recreation Area of BLM lands northwest of Helper Utah; clear pinyon-juniper encroachment from 745 acres in Fish Creek and Dugout Creek areas of BLM lands.
• Duchesne County–Thin 657 acres of ponderosa pine to improve understory shrubs, grasses and forbs for elk, moose, mule deer, turkey and other wildlife in the Petty Mountain area of Ashley National Forest.
• Emery County–Aerially seed native grass and forbs and remove pinyon-juniper encroachment to improve 541 acres of elk habitat on BLM lands in the Grimes Wash area of Manti Mountains.
• Garfield County–Install a 10,000-gallon guzzler to provide water for elk, turkey and other species in the Dry Hollow area of Dixie National Forest.
• Grand County–Thin encroaching pinyon-juniper from 900 acres of sagebrush flats used by elk and other wildlife in the Book Cliffs area between Cedar Camp Ridge and Willow Flats; aerially seed native grass, forbs and shrubs on 324 acres in Moon Ridge area of Book Cliffs; prescribe burn and seed 1,100 acres on the San Arroyo Burn Pasture in the Cisco Desert of BLM lands near the Colorado/Utah border.
• Iron County–Mulch and hand-thin encroaching pinyon-juniper on 1,700 acres of sagebrush-steppe habitat used as winter range by elk on BLM land southeast of Beaver, Utah. This is the sixth year of an ongoing project to improve habitat on over 9,000 acres in the area (also affects Beaver County).
• Millard County–Aerially apply herbicide to reduce and control cheatgrass invasion on 645 acres of elk habitat northeast of Holden, Utah.
• Piute County–Thin pinyon-juniper to improve 1,000 acres of sagebrush-steppe habitat used by elk and mule deer in the City Creek area of Fishlake National Forest; install exclosure fencing to prevent overbrowsing in five aspen stands in the Box Creek area of Monroe Mountain in Fishlake National Forest (also affects Sevier County).
• San Juan County–Thin encroaching pinyon-juniper from 800 acres of elk winter range in the Dry Wash, Johnson Creek and Recapture drainages of Manti La-Sal National Forest; re-seed native vegetation on 1,311 acres as the first phase of a larger project to improve habitat in the Peters Canyon area of BLM lands north of Monticello, Utah.
• Sanpete County–Remove encroaching pinyon-juniper from 607 acres of ponderosa pine, sagebrush and cottonwood habitat used by elk and other wildlife in the southern portion of the Ferron Ranger District of Manti La-Sal National Forest (also affects Emery County).
• Sevier County–Improve elk and deer transitional habitat on 268 acres by mechanically treating pinyon-juniper and aerially seeding native grass and forbs in the Old Woman Plateau area east of Salina, Utah; remove pinyon-juniper, treat cheatgrass and re-seed native vegetation on 966 acres south of Glenwood, Utah.
• Statewide–Continue research on the effectiveness of different sizes, types and locations of wildlife road crossings across Utah. Results will help determine most effective designs to allow elk and other wildlife to move safely under and over roads.
• Tooele County–Remove pinyon-juniper encroachment on 150 acres of sagebrush-steppe habitat used by elk on the west side of Deep Creek Mountains on BLM lands; remove pinyon-juniper and reclaim areas damaged by illegal OHV use to improve forage on 1,561 acres in the foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains of BLM lands.
• Uintah County–Construct temporary exclosure fencing to prevent over-browsing by elk on 14 young aspen stands covering 60 acres in Book Cliffs area; mechanically thin 392 acres of pinyon-juniper encroachment to restore sagebrush habitat in the Boulevard Ridge area of Book Cliffs.
• Utah County–Improve forage for elk and mule deer by removing pinyon-juniper on 242 acres in Spanish Fork Canyon of Manti La-Sal National Forest.

Projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities.

Partners for 2011 projects in Utah include Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, other agencies, organizations and landowners.

Since 1985, RMEF and its partners have completed 315 different conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Utah with a combined value of more than $30.4 million.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres–a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

Ducks Unlimited

Ann Arbor, Mich. --(Ammoland.com)- A $1.5 million grant will make an impressive impact on conservation in the Saginaw Bay region of Michigan with the help of Ducks Unlimited.

DU has been awarded funds to restore emergent wetlands to 940 acres of land currently in agricultural use at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.

The $1.5 million grant was formally awarded by Sustain Our Great Lakes at a ceremony that took place at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton, Mich. on Friday. SOGL awarded the funds through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the federal program designed to target the most significant problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem, including habitat conservation, invasive aquatic species, non-point source pollution and contaminated sediment.

The project lies within the Shiawassee Flats, a 40,000-acre floodplain wetland complex formed by the confluence of the Bad, Cass, Flint, Shiawassee, and Tittabawassee Rivers. The Flats include a diversity of natural and managed wetlands that have historically been a critical waterfowl and waterbird stopover area in the Great Lakes region. The Flats also provide many additional ecological and societal benefits, including habitat for other wetland-dependent fish and wildlife, flood control and abatement, water quality improvement, and areas for outdoor-based recreation and education.

This restoration has two important impacts. The restored wetlands will provide a key connection between other restored wetlands and the Shiawassee River, providing valuable habitat for fish, waterfowl, and other wetland-dependant species. It will also improve water quality as it moves downstream towards the Saginaw Bay.

Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network and Dow Chemical Company provided financial support. DU also received letters of support from several sources including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Geological Survey, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Saginaw Bay WIN, and the Shiawassee Flats Citizens and Hunters Association. The grant was awarded through the Sustain Our Great Lakes, whose mission is to sustain, restore, and protect fish, wildlife, and habitat in the Great Lakes basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues.

“Restorations of this magnitude are difficult to come by not only in the Saginaw Bay watershed, but anywhere in the Great Lakes basin,” said Dane Cramer, regional biologist at DU’s Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office. “This project will make appreciable impacts to the thousands of waterfowl that migrate through Saginaw Bay and the Shiawassee Flats area every spring and autumn as well as important fish species and other wetland denizens.”

With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with more than 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands − nature’s most productive ecosystem − and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- Relocating elk and improving habitat in the Clam Lake area, plus sponsoring numerous youth education initiatives across Wisconsin, are the main themes in a list of 2011 grants for Wisconsin from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

All together, the new RMEF grants total $ $52,111 and affect 24 counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Fond du Lac, Forest, Green Lake, Iowa, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marathon, Milwaukee, Portage, Price, Sawyer, St. Croix, Washburn, Waukesha and Wood counties.

“The ‘assisted dispersal’ of the Clam Lake elk herd is making news in Wisconsin, and we’re pleased to help with that relocation project. We expect it to help the herd grow by moving elk to new areas with good habitat and reducing elk mortality from wolves and highway accidents,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

Allen said about 120 acres of habitat will be enhanced with 2011 grants in Wisconsin.

Nationally, RMEF hopes to impact about 100,000 acres in 2011 to reach the 6 million-acre lifetime mark in lands conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife.

Allen thanked RMEF volunteers and fundraiser attendees for building the organization’s conservation impact in Wisconsin and across elk country, saying, “Because of their amazing passion and generous support, we’re doing some great things locally and a national conservation milestone is within reach.”

RMEF grants will help fund the following 2011 projects, listed by county:

• Ashland County–Improve forage for elk on the decommissioned Navy ELF corridor by applying herbicide on 20 acres and bio-controls (insects) on 2 acres, mowing 58 acres, hand-cutting trees and shrubs on 30 acres and prescribe burning 12 acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (also affects Sawyer County); provide funding for radio telemetry equipment operated by students from Glidden High School to research elk habitat use and movement patterns in the Clam Lake area (also affects Price County); sponsor Clam Lake Elk Visitor Center costs associated with an informational kiosk.
• Barron County–Provide sponsorship for Coyland Creek 2011 Youth in the Outdoors Day to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Polk, Burnett and Washburn counties).
• Columbia County–Provide sponsorship for Fall River School District National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Dane County–Provide sponsorship for Blackhawk Bowhunters Archery Club programs to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor Lake Marion 2011 Family Fishing Day.
• Dodge County–Provide sponsorship for Wisconsin Outdoor Alliance Foundation 2011 Outdoor Education Expo to introduce youths from across the state to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Douglas County–Provide sponsorship for Superior High School National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Forest County–Provide sponsorship for Laona School District National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Green Lake County–Provide sponsorship for the Berlin Conservation Club’s 2011 Youth Outdoor Skills Day to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Fond du Lac County).
• Iowa County–Provide sponsorship for Friends of West Park 2011 Youth Fishing Day to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Kewaunee County–Provide sponsorship for St. Paul’s Lutheran School National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor education and conservation.
• La Crosse County–Provide sponsorship for La Crosse Rifle Club hunter safety program to educate youths on proper use of firearms and archery equipment; sponsor West Salem Rod and Gun Club 2011 youth event.
• Lafayette County–Provide sponsorship for Lafayette County 4-H Club archery program to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Marathon County–Provide sponsorship for Marathon County 2011 Sporting Heritage Day to introduce youth to outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor Wausau West High School National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP); sponsor Rib Mountain Bowmen Club House NASP; sponsor Weston Hunter Safety Group hunter safety classes; sponsor Stratford Sharp Shooters and Stratford Public Schools NASP.
• Portage County–Provide sponsorship for Antler Archers 2011 Youth Archery Program to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Price County–Provide sponsorship for the Phillips School District Outdoor Activity Group which works to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor Phillips Sportsman’s Club 2011 Youth Field Day to introduce Phillips area youth to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Sawyer County–Relocate 12-15 elk from the Clam Lake herd to unoccupied habitat expected to enhance elk survival and expansion rates (also affects Ashland, Bayfield and Price counties); provide sponsorship for Hayward RMEF 2011 Outdoor Youth Day to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Statewide–Provide sponsorship for Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) production of a hunting regulations informational packet; sponsor WDNR Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center 2011 Learn to Hunt Workshops; sponsor WDNR biologist attendance at Eastern Elk Management Workshop in preparation for Wisconsin’s first elk hunt in 2012.
• St. Croix County–Provide sponsorship for Baldwin Christian School National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
• Waukesha County–Provide sponsorship for Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen hunter education programs to instruct students on hunting and firearms (also affects Milwaukee County).
• Wood County–Provide sponsorship for Wisconsin Rapids Kiwanis Club 2011 Youth Outdoor Day to introduce youths from across the state to outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor West Central Wisconsin 2011 Intro to the Outdoors Youth Education Day.

Conservation projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities. RMEF staff and volunteers select education projects to receive grants.

Partners for 2011 projects in Wisconsin include U.S. Forest Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, sportsmen clubs and many other organizations.

Since 1985, RMEF and its partners have completed 211 different conservation and education projects in Wisconsin with a combined value of more than $5.9 million.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres–a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host the First Day of Sale for the 2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp on June 24 at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World retail store at the Katy Mills Mall in Katy, Texas. Doors open at 9:00 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The 2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp features two white-fronted geese painted by artist James Hautman of Chaska, Minn. Last October, five judges chose his art to grace the new Duck Stamp from among 235 paintings at the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, held in Berkeley, Calif.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry a current Federal Duck Stamp, but conservationists, birders, stamp collectors and others also buy the stamp as an investment in conservation.

Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports wetlands acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales have raised more than $750 million to protect more than 5.3 million acres of wetlands on hundreds of the 551 national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

The 2011-2012 Junior Duck Stamp was created by Abraham Hunter, 17, of Vienna, Ill. In April, Hunter’s painting of a pair of ring-necked ducks was chosen from among 51 Best-of-Show winners from every state and the U.S. Virgin Islands at the National Junior Duck Stamp Competition. The Service sells the Junior Duck Stamp for $5 to stamp collectors, conservationists and the general public. Proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales support environmental education efforts and awards for contest winners.

• WHAT: First Day of Sale for the 2011-2012 Federal and Junior Duck Stamps
• WHEN: Friday, June 24, 2011 Doors open at 9 a.m., ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Autograph session and stamp sales immediately following the ceremony
• WHERE: Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World 5000 Katy Mills Circle Katy, Texas 77494

About:
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.

Cows To Help Improve Marsh Habitat At Brandywine Creek State Park

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware --(Ammoland.com)- In an effort to restore the Freshwater Marsh Nature Preserve within Brandywine Creek State Park, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation will borrow two cows from a Delaware farm to graze the area and help reduce the number of invasive plants.

The two Belted Galloway cows, from Belted Galloway Cows of Centerville, will be on loan for seven to eight weeks beginning later this month. They will graze a five-acre fenced area in the park’s nature preserve.

“The cows are being used for prescribed grazing, or restoration,” said Rob Line, Environmental Stewardship program manager, with the Division of Parks and Recreation. “The Belted Galloways are an ancient Scottish breed used to eating coarse grasses, which is why they will work so well on a site like this,” Line said.

The project is a partnership among Delaware State Parks, which owns the land, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage program scientists, who will help monitor vegetation changes at the site, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which provided the $23,500 funding to build the fence.

“This is new for Delaware, but not new for marsh restoration projects throughout the Northeast,” continued Line. “Very often, sheep, goats and other cow breeds are utilized for prescribed grazing.” Historic records show that dairy cows grazed the area during the 1940s.

The cows will suppress invasive plants – especially reed canary grass among others - by eating and crushing them since the weight of the cows breaks up the root mat. The black and white cows weigh approximately 1,200 pounds each.

“Their grazing will be beneficial to Delaware’s native plants and animals, including rare species that are currently being compromised by the invasives,” Line said.

The cows will arrive after the fence is completed, expected by the end of June. Plans are for the cows to be used for seven to eight weeks during spring and summer months for the next few years. DNREC will monitor the marsh to determine how much grazing will be needed from year to year.

Wisconsin DNR Needs Your Help With Game Bird Brood Observations

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI --(Ammoland.com)- The Wisconsin DNR is asking for your help in measuring the brood production of some of the state’s upland game bird species.

We are looking for observations of broods of pheasant, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chicken, gray partridge, and bobwhite quail.

Wisconsinites spend many days outdoors during the summer months, and see a variety of our state’s abundant wildlife. This makes you a good source of information on the reproductive status of some of our wildlife species.

No special effort is required! Just go about your normal summertime activities, and when you see a brood of young pheasants, turkey, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chicken, gray partridge, or bobwhite quail, please report your sightings. Instructions on how to perform the survey, a link to the survey form, and a tally sheet for your use can be found here.

Also report any sightings of turkey and pheasant hens that do not have broods.

During the summer of 2010, Wisconsinites reported 950 observations of game broods of wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, prairie chicken, sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge and bobwhite quail. The most frequently observed game bird species were wild turkey (765 observations) and ruffed grouse (117 observations).

Results from your observations will be used to monitor the reproductive status of these birds and to help make fall hunting forecasts. If you have any questions about the survey, or if you have any issues accessing the survey website please contact Brian Dhuey.

Thank you for your interest in Wisconsin’s wildlife.

Ben Coates, this year's recipient of the NWTF's national scholarship, proudly displays his winning checks. Click image for print quality version.

National Wild Turkey Federation

EDGEFIELD, S.C. --(Ammoland.com)- EDGEFIELD, S.C. --(Ammoland.com)- On any given weekend, Ben Coates can be found serving meals to the needy or studying for his classes. Or he could be found hunting wild turkeys or planting food plots for wildlife management.

Though Coates shares many similarities with other high school seniors, his talents and accomplishments recently made him stand out among his peers.

For his hard work and dedication in the classroom, his community and the conservation field, Coates has earned NWTF’s 2011 national scholarship, sponsored by Mossy Oak.

“Hunting has helped me to grow into a young man who continues to learn about the greatness of God’s creation,” said Coates. “My family and I strive to provide habitats that will nurture the growth and development of all game species. I am dedicated to providing an investment for future generations to enjoy the outdoors as much as I do.”

Coates, of Concord, Va., attends Rustburg High School. He was selected from a group of 44 state scholarship recipients to be named the national winner. The combination of NWTF local, state and national funds awarded to Coates totaled $13,000.

To help the next generation of conservation leaders pursue their education, the NWTF makes more than $500,000 in scholarships available to high school seniors each year. NWTF chapters have awarded more than $3.3 million in scholarship money to deserving high school students across the country since 1999.

“The future conservation work of outstanding students like Ben ensures we can continue to enjoy the outdoors and the longstanding traditions we hold dear,” said Christine Rolka, NWTF director of education. “We are pleased to support Ben as he furthers his education and look forward to hearing about his many successes.”

An exceptional performer in academics, Coates has served on his student council and been a member of the National Honor Society and the National FFA Organization. He also has earned the coveted Boy Scout of America (BSA) Eagle Scout rank and membership in BSA’s Order of the Arrow.

Coates’ dedication to community service is evident through his hours spent delivering firewood to families in need of heating assistance, helping with roadside cleanup programs, participating in community food drives and cleaning yards for elderly residents. He even raises money to help provide food for two children in Third World countries.

Coates received the surprise announcement that he won the NWTF national scholarship while at his school’s year-end awards ceremony.

“When I saw that big check with my name on it, I was blown away,” Coates said. “I have a strong desire to help maintain land through conservation and provide years of future outdoor enjoyment for generations to come. This scholarship is another step toward having a career that will ultimately help me dedicate my time to achieving those goals.”

Coates’ strong work ethic helped him maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 4.25 for all of his classes throughout his high school career. He plans to begin his studies at Central Virginia Community College and then transfer to Virginia Tech to pursue a major in veterinary medicine and a minor in wildlife biology and conservation.

Coates and his family also will receive a trip to the 2012 NWTF National Convention and Sport Show, Feb. 9-12, in Nashville, Tenn., where he will be recognized for his achievement.

For more information on the NWTF scholarship program, call (800) THE-NWTF, email scholarshipinfo@nwtf.net or visit www.nwtf.org/education.

About the NWTF: The National Wild Turkey Federation is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. A nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage, the NWTF and its volunteers work closely with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies and other partners.

Through these dynamic partnerships, the NWTF and its members helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million acres of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer, grouse, pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this improved habitat.

The NWTF also brings new conservationists and hunters into the fold through outdoor education events and its Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES youth outreach programs. Dedicated NWTF volunteers introduce about 100,000 people to the outdoors through these programs every year.

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state and Canada. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America’s wildlife history.

To become a member of the NWTF, join a committee or start a chapter, visit www.nwtf.org or call 800-THE-NWTF. The NWTF is also at www.facebook.com/theNWTF.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

PRATT, KS --(Ammoland.com)- The State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program has provided funding for wildlife conservation programs for more than 10 years.

In Kansas, this has meant nearly $10 million for many kinds of projects designed to keep species off threatened and endangered lists.

Notable projects funded through this program include the Prairie Window Project by Dyck Arboretum at Hesston, which helped landowners restore and maintain native prairies; the compilation of a substantial amount of new information on the status and distributions of sensitive species; and a project that assessed natural areas of northeast Kansas.

The use of these funds has been guided by the Kansas Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan (CWCP), entitled “A Future for Kansas Wildlife.” Found on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us (Other Services/Kansas CWCP/Kansas CWCP), this plan was approved in 2005 as a requirement before Kansas could obtain and apply additional SWG funds.

Now KDWP is in the process of revising this dynamic plan, with the revision scheduled for completion in 2013.

The first step in this process is a review of the basic native species list. This is the list of all vertebrate species as well as many invertebrate animals to be considered for potential changes on the Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) list. There are currently 316 species on this list, and this plan update will consider all needed changes — those to be added to the list, deleted from it, or name changes according to the latest information.

“A Future for Kansas Wildlife” on the KDWP website also includes Appendix II, which describes the process by which any native species will be evaluated for possible listing as a SGCN. Top ranked species on this list are given priority in projects funded through the SWG program. This an opportunity for the public to look over the native species list and recommend any needed changes. Find the list under “Kansas CWCP Updates and Revisions” under “Other Services,” as well as further instructions for this process.

July 1 is the deadline for recommending changes to the Native Species List. Then work will begin on re-evaluating the Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Use the contact portal on the website to submit any recommendations.

For more information, contact Ken Brunson at 620-672-0792 or email him at ken.brunson@ksoutdoors.com .

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- Restoring grasslands by managing encroaching trees, shrubs and weeds is the main theme in a list of 2011 grants for Colorado from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Along with improving wildlife foraging areas, RMEF funding also will help Colorado with a new research project to map elk and deer movements and habitat use. Data will help biologists maximize hunting as a management tool in Delores, Montezuma and San Miguel counties.

All together, the new RMEF grants total $144,150 and affect 12 counties: Dolores, Eagle, Fremont, Grand, Gunnison, La Plata, Mesa, Mineral, Montezuma, Park, Saguache and San Miguel.

“Across Colorado, the native grasslands that elk use for forage are shrinking. Forests are slowly overgrowing and noxious weeds are infesting landscapes,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “The habitat projects that we’re funding this year will help manage these lands, and could add at least 6,500 acres to the 388,203 acres that we’ve previously helped to conserve or enhance for wildlife in Colorado.”

Nationally, RMEF hopes to impact about 100,000 acres in 2011 to reach the 6 million-acre lifetime mark in lands conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife.

Allen thanked RMEF volunteers and fundraiser attendees for building the organization’s grant coffers in Colorado, saying, “Because of their amazing passion and generous support, a major conservation milestone is within reach.”

RMEF grants will help fund the following 2011 projects, listed by county:

• Dolores County–Begin research project to capture and radio-collar 20 cow elk and 20 doe deer in the Dove Creek area. Locations will be recorded three times a day for two years. Collected info will help biologists address seasonal habitat use and migration patterns, and how best to provide hunting opportunities to help control crop depredation in the area (also affects Montezuma and San Miguel counties).
• Eagle County–Remove encroaching pinyon-juniper from 567 acres, prescribe burn 450 acres, mow 250 acres and re-seed native grasses on 150 acres to improve elk winter range in the Berry Creek, Cottonwood Mesa, High Trail Gulch, Red Dirt, Ute Trail, Muddy Creek and Derby Mesa areas of White River National Forest.
• Fremont County–Improve winter range for elk by mechanically treating 500 acres of pinyon-juniper encroaching into native grasslands in the McCoy and Racepath Gulch areas of BLM lands.
• Grand County–Enhance forage for elk by treating 185 acres of Canadian thistle, yellow toadflax, oxeye daisy, musk thistle and other noxious weeds in the Sulphur Ranger District of Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest.
• Gunnison County–Prescribe burn 450 acres in Taylor Creek area below Taylor Park Reservoir to improve habitat for elk, bighorn sheep and other species.
• La Plata County–Treat 100 acres of noxious weeds such as yellow toadflax, spotted knapweed, houndstongue, oxeye daisy, musk thistle and Canada thistle to improve forage for elk and other wildlife in Cherry Creek area of San Juan National Forest.
• Mesa County–Improve forage for elk, mule deer and other species by prescribe burning 1,912 acres in Nick Mountain area; provide sponsorship for annual Outdoor Heritage Day in Grand Junction to educate youths about outdoor resources, wildlife, conservation and recreation.
• Mineral County–Thin 40 acres with hydro axe and prescribe burn 300 acres to remove encroaching conifer and reinvigorate native grasses, forbs and shrubs for elk in Blue Creek and Pool Table Mountain areas of Rio Grande National Forest.
• Park County–Improve meadows and aspen stands used by elk and deer in winter months by removing conifer with a hydro axe and prescribe burning 2,167 acres in the Reinecker Ridge area of James Mark Jones State Wildlife Area.
• Saguache County–Aerially apply herbicide to remove cheatgrass from 1,000 acres of steep elk habitat in Cochetopa Canyon area of BLM lands.

Projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities.

Partners for 2011 projects in Colorado include Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado Division of Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, organizations and landowners.

Since 1985, RMEF and its partners have completed 530 different conservation and education projects in Colorado with a combined value of more than $119.1 million.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres–a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) awarded over $13.6 million in Multinational Species Conservation grant funding for 216 projects in 2010 through its Wildlife Without Borders program to provide support for conservation efforts for Asian and African elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles around the globe.

In recognition of an unprecedented international decline of certain flagship species, the U.S. Congress established the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which are dedicated to saving some of the world’s fastest disappearing and most treasured animals in their natural habitats.

The Service administers these funds through the Wildlife Without Borders Species Programs, awarding grants to efforts aimed at conserving globally-valued endangered species found outside U.S. borders.

“These grants provide vital support for the conservation of some of the world’s most endangered and charismatic animals.” said Service’s acting Director Rowan Gould.

The funds help support community conservation efforts, anti-poaching and law enforcement initiatives, mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts and capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, outreach and education, promoting wildlife health, partnership building and protected area management, along with a wide variety of other essential conservation activities.

In 2010, the multinational species conservation funds were used to leverage over $18 million in matching funds resulting in over $33 million being provided to help to conserve African and Asian elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes and marine turtles throughout the world.

Examples of these projects include: providing emergency protection to African elephants in Gabon by implementing training programs and supplies for anti-poaching missions; translocating rhinos from an area of high human-wildlife conflict to Manas National Park in India; mitigating the impacts of roads on tigers and their prey to reduce casualties in Malaysia; improving law enforcement and monitoring of Asian elephants to reduce poaching in Thailand; protecting and safeguarding the largest known population of eastern chimpanzees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and protecting hawksbill marine turtle nesting populations in Nicaragua through beach patrols and nest monitoring.

To learn more about the grants provided through the Wildlife Without Borders Species Programs, go to: http://www.fws.gov/international/DIC/species/species.html

Follow us on Twitter @USFWSInternatl and on Facebook, USFWS_International Affairs.

About:
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.

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware --(Ammoland.com)- The deadline to submit nominations for DNREC’s 2011 Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards has been extended to Wednesday, June 15.

Nominations must be based on actions or projects that have taken place or are in progress and will be completed between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

“If you are a teacher, youth group leader, advisor, classmate, parent or friend of a Delaware student who is involved in a project that benefits our environment, we want to hear about that student from you so we can recognize them for their efforts,” said Joanna Wilson, awards program coordinator.

Nominations will be accepted between Sunday, May 1 and Wednesday, June 15, 2011. A winner will be chosen from each of the following categories:

• Elementary for students in grades 1-4
• Middle School for students in grades 5-8
• High School for students in grades 9-12

The Young Environmentalist program honors Delaware students whose actions have resulted in the protection, restoration or enhancement of Delaware’s natural resources. Judges will look for innovative projects that increase public awareness and demonstrate environmental ethics and stewardship.

Past honorees have included students who have organized tree plantings, a household hazardous waste community collection day and school recycling programs; students who volunteered their time with the Delaware Nature Society, DNREC’s Piping Plover Monitoring Program, the DuPont Nature Center, the Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs program, and the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute, among other organizations; and a prolific poster artist, who worked to raise public awareness on a variety of environmental issues.

This is the 18th year for the award, which was established by DNREC colleagues and friends in honor of Dr. Edwin H. Clark II, who served as Secretary of DNREC from 1989 until 1993.

A $100 U.S. savings bond and a Delaware State Parks gift certificate will be awarded to each category winner in recognition of his or her contribution to the community. Winners will be honored in a special ceremony.

Nominations may be mailed to DNREC Public Affairs, attention Joanna Wilson/Jennifer Fitzsimmons, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, dropped off in person at that address or emailed to Joanna.wilson@state.de.us.

Nomination forms are available on the DNREC website, www.dnrec.delaware.gov, by emailing the address above or by contacting the DNREC Public Affairs at 302-739-9902.

Mexican Bighorn Sheep Join Herd At Red Rock Wildlife Area

New Mexico Game and Fish

LORDSBURG , NM--(Ammoland.com)- After months of quarantine, desert bighorn sheep from Mexico were successfully released to join the existing herd at the Red Rock Wildlife Area.

The 10 rams will supply new genes to a herd that began at Red Rock in the 1970s.

The newly introduced rams appear to be in good shape and the Department of Game and Fish is excited to see the outcome of years of collaborative efforts and wildlife roundups come to fruition with the release of these young sheep.

“It’s nice to see that they all survived and they’re doing really well,” bighorn sheep biologist Elise Goldstein said.

“They’re feisty and I think they’re going to be some good sturdy rams to add to the stock.”

The state of New Mexico received the rams in exchange for pronghorn antelope that were moved to three wildlife management areas in Mexico over the last two years.

Desert bighorn sheep propagation began with just five ewes from Mexico and one ram from the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge on the White Sands Missile Range in 1972.

The Red Rock herd’s offspring has helped restore desert bighorns across New Mexico’s desert mountain ranges. Over the next decade, offspring from the Mexican rams will be used to augment desert bighorn populations across the state.

In 1980, desert bighorn sheep were listed as a state endangered species when the population was estimated at fewer than 70. Today, through management efforts including releases, selective predator control and support from numerous wildlife conservation groups, the population estimate is more than 565. This number exceeds delisting criteria as defined by the recovery plan for the species and desert bighorns are currently being reviewed as candidates for delisting.

The Department will conduct public hearings Sept. 6 regarding the recommendation to delist desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) from the New Mexico threatened and endangered species list, pursuant to the Wildlife Conservation Act, Sections 17-2-37 through 17-2-46, NMSA 1978. The meetings:

• 6 p.m. Sept. 6, Truth or Consequences, Civic Center Chambers, 400 W. 4th St.
• 6 p.m. Sept. 6, Deming, Special Events Center, 2300 E. Pine St.