COLUMBUS, OHIO - -(OutDoorWire.com)- Ohio hunters may again have the opportunity to use reduced-cost deer permits if a proposed regulation is accepted by the Ohio Wildlife Council in April, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Under the proposal, hunters could again buy antlerless deer permits at reduced prices for hunting in an urban zone, participating in a Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunt or hunting during the September 27 to November 30 portion of the deer season. The Division is again proposing the deadline for using the antlerless permit be extended to December 6 for those hunting in Zone C. Cost of the antlerless deer permit remains $15.

“For the second year in a row, the effectiveness of the reduced-cost antlerless deer permit can be seen,” said Dave Risley, who oversees wildlife management and research for the division. “The reduced-cost permit provided an incentive for hunters to take more does during the early portion of the deer season and during the deer gun week in Zone C. This has helped our deer population management plan to reduce the overall deer population.”

As was the requirement last year, hunters must purchase a regular deer permit before purchasing antlerless deer permits. The sale of these permits would cease after November 30, so hunters need to commit early to buying and using the extra reduced-cost opportunity.

The proposed regulations maintain the same deer zones as the last four years. Zone C would cover 38 central, southern, southeastern and southwestern counties. There would be 30 counties of Zone B and 20 northwestern counties in Zone A.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Zone A is two. Prior to November 30, hunters may take up to two deer in Zone A, one of which may be on a $15 antlerless deer permit. Beginning November 30, hunters may take only one deer in Zone A and antlerless permits may not be used.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Zone B is four. Prior to November 30, hunters may take up to four deer in Zone B, two of which may be on a $15 antlerless deer permit. Beginning November 30, hunters may take only two deer in Zone B and antlerless permits may not be used.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Zone C is six. Prior to December 7, hunters may take up to six deer in Zone C, three of which may be on a $15 antlerless deer permit. Beginning December 7, hunters may take only three deer in Zone C and antlerless permits may not be used.

Another proposed change for deer hunters includes those hunting in urban zones and at Division of Wildlife’s authorized controlled hunts would have a six deer bag limit, and those deer would not count against the hunter’s zone bag limit.

A valid hunting license and proper deer permits are required to hunt deer in Ohio. A hunter may take only one buck in Ohio, regardless of zone, hunting method or season.

Archery season would run from Saturday, September 26 through Sunday, February 7, 2010. The popular youth deer-gun season is proposed for Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22. Regular deer-gun season would run Monday, November 30 through Sunday, December 6 and Saturday and Sunday, December 19 -20. Statewide muzzleloader season would run Saturday, January 9 through Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Special area muzzleloader hunts would be open Monday, October 19 through Saturday, October 24 at Salt Fork, Shawneeand Wildcat Hollow. Muzzleloader hunts at these areas will no longer require a special permit. Hunters may use either a deer permit or an antlerless deer permit for this hunt. The bag limit remains at one deer of either sex with any antlered deer harvested counting toward the one-buck yearly limit for the year.

During the youth deer-gun season, zone bag limits would apply to young hunters. Any deer taken would be part of the young hunter’s total season limit.

During the 2008-2009 season, which concluded February 1, hunters bagged a preliminary total of 248,515 deer. Approximately 475,000 people hunted white-tailed deer in Ohio this year.

Open houses will be held on Sunday, March 1 in each of the state’s five wildlife districts to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. Directions to the open houses can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or visiting wildohio.com on the Internet.

A statewide hearing on all the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m., Thursday, March 5 at the wildlife division’s District One Office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during its April 2 meeting.

Proposed Deer Hunting Zones
(FOR THE 2009-10 SEASON:)

Zone A — The zone includes 20 counties: Allen, Auglaize, Darke, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Ottawa, Paulding, Preble, Putnam, Sandusky, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams, and Wood.

Zone B — The zone includes 30 counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Fayette, Geauga, Greene, Hancock, Hardin, Huron, Lake, Logan, Lorain, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Portage, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Union, Warren, Wayne, and Wyandot.

Zone C — The zone includes 38 counties: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site atwww.ohiodnr.com.

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Ohio Wildlife Council Hears 2009-2010 Deer Hunting Regulations Proposal

Mule Deer Foundation

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Western Hunting and Conservation Expo (WHCE) Grand Finale Banquet and Auction held Saturday night at the Salt Palace was another record-breaking event this year. Some 1,200 friends of conservation attended the gala hosted by Jeff Foxworthy.

During the live auction, the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) sold its 2009 Utah Statewide Deer tag for an all-time record amount of $205,000. The 2009 Utah Henry Mountain Deer tag raised another $90,000 for conservation.

MDF’s President and CEO Miles Moretti said, “The state of Utah has produced some of the largest deer in the country, as evidenced by the competitive bidding on these tags. This has been a great event for the Mule Deer Foundation, and we could not be more pleased.”

Moretti concluded, “Once again we are breaking records at the WHCE, both in attendance and in dollars raised to benefit wildlife. We’re looking forward to next year’s event scheduled for Feb. 11-14, 2010, and will have some exciting announcements coming soon.”

About:
MDF The Mule Deer Foundation is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with over 12,000 members. MDF’s mission is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitats. MDF is dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free ranging and huntable deer populations; encouraging and supporting responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations and landowners; promoting public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management; supporting and encouraging responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer; and acknowledging regulated hunting as a viable component of mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation.

For information about the Mule Deer Foundation please call 888-375-DEER (3337).

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Sale of Utah Statewide Deer Tag Raises Record Amount for Conservation

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG – -(AmmoLand.com)- For the third consecutive year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is hitting the road to bring deer management open houses to communities throughout the Commonwealth.

Open houses are used by the agency as an interactive public outreach tool that employs multimedia presentations, exhibits and wildlife managers to bring both the nuts-and-bolts and finer details of deer management to hunters, farmers and others whose lives are influenced by deer. The effort emphasizes bringing this powerful communications and educational tool to residents as a means to further the general public’s understanding of deer and deer management. The approach is bolstered by having agency employees on hand to engage participants who attend the open houses.

Open houses provide a means to cover wide-ranging topics through specialized stations set-up in a large hall. Stations are spaced out so participants who have questions and/or comments for station attendants can communicate in a one-on-one exchange without interruptions and with the expectation of getting answers immediately.
“Here’s your chance to interact with a deer biologist, or State Game Land manager, or forester,” explained Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. “And hopefully, one of the open houses will be close to your home. The goal here is to reach out to Pennsylvanians, both figuratively and literally. We hope that every person who attends an open house can better identify with our deer management program upon leaving.”

Six open houses are currently scheduled to be held in Pennsylvania. They will all have the same presentation: displays manned by agency staff. The displays are:

• - Goals that Direct the Deer Program – Outlining the five goals of the deer management program;
• - Management Goals are a Product of Public Input – Focuses on the participating stakeholders who were involved in developing the current deer plan goals;
• - Where do you hunt? – Helps hunters take a critical look at the characteristics of habitat through visual representation;
• - Deer Necessities – Identifies the preferences that guide deer in selecting habitat;
• - Habitat Variability – Focuses on how habitat health is rated differently from one Wildlife Management Unit to another;
• - Telemetry Study – Sheds light on the dispersal of young male deer;
• - Deer Aging – Allows participants to learn how deer are aged through tooth wear;
• - Deer Management DVD – Nonstop presentation of the agency’s recently-produced deer management DVD, free copies of which will be available to open house visitors

Open houses will be held in six different locations from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a Saturday to maximize the opportunity for those interested in attending, and are being held in different locations than the two previous rounds to afford residents in other areas of the state to attend.

The schedule for the open houses is as follows:

Northwest Region: Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club, East Butler, Butler County.  Directions:  Take Exit 99 off I-79 onto Route 422 East.  Travel East 18.5 miles on Route 422.  At the traffic light turn left onto Bonniebrook Road.  Travel about 200 yards and go across over the railroad tracks.  Turn left onto Grant Avenue and travel about one-half mile.  Turn right onto Second Street and look for a large stone monument with the club name on it.  Travel on Second Street until it ends at the club building.

Northeast Region: March 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Towanda Rod and Gun Club, near Wysox, Bradford County.  Directions:  Traveling from either East or West on Route 6, in the borough of Wysox turn onto Route 187 South.  Proceed for about three miles and watch for the sign for Towanda Rod and Gun Club on the left, leading into the club driveway.

Southwest Region: March 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at South Strabane Township Fire Station #2, located at 172 Oak Springs Road, Washington, Washington County.  Directions:  From I-70, take the Murtland Avenue Exit and go south on Route 19 to the first light.  Turn right onto Oak Springs Road, and look for the fire station on the left.

Southcentral Region: March 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Quality Inn, 13015 Ferguson Valley Road, Burnham, Mifflin County.  Directions: Route 322 to Burnham Exit (about two miles east of Lewistown).  Large Quality Inn sign is immediately off the exit.

Northcentral Region: March 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ives Run Area Visitor Center (Hammond Dam Facility), Tioga, Tioga County.  Directions:  From Route 15 – From Route 15 Exit go south 6.3 miles on Route 287 (through the borough of Tioga).  Turn left onto Ives Run Lane just past the Hammond Lake into the Ives Run Army Corps of Engineers Facility.  Cross bridge and take right onto Stephenhouse Lane and travel back to the Ives Run Visitor’s Center.  From Route 6: Take Route 6 to Wellsboro Junction and turn North onto Route 287.  Go about 10 miles and turn left onto Ives Run Lane into the Ives Run Army Corps of Engineers Facility.  Go across the bridge and take right onto Stephenhouse Lane, and travel back to the Ives Run Visitors Center.

Southeast Region: April 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Delaware Valley College, James Work Gymnasium, 700 E. Butler Ave., Doylestown, Bucks County.  Delaware Valley College is located near Doylestown, Bucks County near the intersection of Rt. 611 and Rt. 202.   From Rt. 611, take the exit for Rt. 202.  Turn north, the college entrance is three-tenths of a mile on the left at the traffic signal.  After turning at the traffic signal, the parking lot is on the right.

These deer management open houses and the outreach information available at them were developed by a Deer Communications Working Group, which was created in 2007 to improve the agency’s efforts to explain deer management – and the need for it – to Pennsylvanians.

“This group has made tremendous progress in bringing the public up to speed on how and why we manage deer,” Roe explained. “They meet regularly and have developed displays, brochures, a new video and whitetail website, employee training and many other tools to help in the never-ending effort of explaining deer management to both the public and fellow employees. But despite all that has been accomplished in recent years, there is still much, much more to do.”

For more information about the agency’s deer management program, including a complete selection of the brochures being distributed at the open houses, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on “White-Tailed Deer” in the center of the homepage.  This website features links to all of the brochures used in the open houses, all issues of the agency’s “Deer Chronicle,” many top-notch references to agency research and general information, deer photos and even an “Ask The Deer Biologist” section.

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Pa Game Commission To Launch Third Round Of Deer Management Open Houses

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arizona - -(AmmoLand.com)- The Arizona Game and Fish Department would like to clarify some misinformation that has circulated in Web discussion forums and by word-of-mouth regarding the recently enacted off-highway vehicle laws and OHV Decal program.

Recent media stories discussed the Governor’s temporary freeze on proposed rules from Arizona state agencies. A paragraph near the bottom of the article states that a fee on off-highway vehicles will be one of the proposed rules that will come to a temporary halt under the Governor’s order.

This has led to some incorrect assertions that the new OHV laws (including the OHV Decal program and associated $25 annual fee) have been suspended. This is not true.

The fee that is being referenced in the article is the cap, or maximum amount, that a provider may charge to conduct an approved educational course in off-highway vehicle safety and environmental ethics. This fee cap is part of new rules that would establish the minimum standards for an approved OHV safety course, the course approval procedure, the cap on what a provider of the course can charge, and enforcement actions related to off-highway vehicle sound requirements. All of these items fall under the Governor’s freeze on new rules.

This is different from the new OHV laws and decal program, which became part of state law on Jan. 1 and are unaffected by the rules freeze.

The new OHV laws will provide resources to help better manage Arizona’s rapidly growing OHV use, protect natural resources, and help maintain wildlife recreation access to public lands. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/ohv, or contact Game and Fish Department OHV Public Information Officer Jim Harken at (623) 236-7223.

About:

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

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Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Laws And Decal Program Still In Effect

West Virginia – -(AmmoLand.com)- Wildlife biologists counted 2,033 ducks and 3,275 geese during the annual mid-winter waterfowl survey in early January, according to Steve Wilson, Waterfowl Biologist for the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

“Duck numbers were up and goose numbers were down compared to last year, but were similar to recent years,” Wilson said. “The real value of this survey is the long term trend over broad areas, so it is important that we do not try to read too much into these numbers.” West Virginia’s data will be combined with other states’ data to produce regional and continental trend data. Waterfowl are very mobile and weather strongly influences their movements. The highest counts occur in West Virginia when everything north of the state is frozen and snow covered and there is enough snow and ice here to force birds to congregate on the larger lakes and rivers. These ideal conditions occurred in 2001 in West Virginia when more than 20,000 ducks and 10,000 geese were observed during the mid-winter survey.

Canada geese, mallards and black ducks were, as always, the most commonly observed species in the 2009 survey. Other species observed include: canvasback, redhead, pintail, gadwall, mergansers, bufflehead, and ruddy ducks. Several bald and golden eagles were also observed.

The survey was conducted on January 9, 14, and 15, 2009, and included the Kanawha, Ohio, Potomac and Shenandoah rivers as well as Tygart and Bluestone lakes.

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West Virginia’s Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey Completed

Pennsylvania Game Commission

Pennsylvania Game - -(AmmoLand.com)- Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced Liberty Press Publications, publisher of the Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations, has set April 1, as the deadline for advertising copy in the 2009-10 Digest.

“To offset costs, the Game Commission went to a magazine-sized Digest and began accepting paid advertising,” Roe said.  “Ad revenues have saved the agency hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past seven years.  In addition to improving Digest content by going to a larger, full-color format, the ad revenues also enabled the agency to begin including in the Digest a ‘Hunting Annual’ insert filled with valuable information on wildlife and its management.”

Each year, the Game Commission prints more than one million copies of the Digest to distribute to every license buyer and Hunter-Trapper Education course participants.  A copy of the current Digest (2008-09) is posted on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) in the “Quick Clicks” box in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage.  The 2009-10 Digest will be posted on the website prior to July 1.

Liberty Press serves as publisher and handles all advertising accounts for the digest. Ad rates range from more than $10,000 for a full-color page to around $500 for a classified box ad. Promotional advertising does not constitute endorsement by the Game Commission or Liberty Press.

For additional advertising information concerning the Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations, contact Guy Van Dyke at Liberty Press Publications. The toll-free telephone number is 1-800-296-6402.

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Pa Game Commission Announces Deadline For Ads In Digest

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG – With the 2008-09 deer seasons closed, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe is reminding hunters who harvested an antlered or antlerless deer to submit their postage-paid harvest report card that they received when they purchased their license.  For those who may have lost their harvest report cards, replacement report cards can be found on page 33 of the 2008-09 Hunting & Trapping Digest, that they received when they purchased their license, or by going to the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), clicking on “Forms & Programs” in the left-hand column of the homepage, and then selecting “Big Game Harvest Report Card” in the “Forms” box.
Additionally, Roe noted that those who participated in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) must complete and submit their report cards either by mail or through the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by Feb. 9.  Under DMAP, all hunters are required to submit a report card, even if the hunter did not take a deer.  This is being done so individual landowners can measure the effectiveness of the program.
If registering the report through the website, just click on “DMAP” in the “Quick Clicks” box in the right-hand column of the homepage and follow the instructions.  Hunters will need to provide: their application number, DMAP unit number, coupon number, and birth date; the date of the harvest; the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU), county and township of the harvest; and what type of sporting arm they used.  Although DMAP permits only may be used to take antlerless deer, hunters still need to identify whether the deer was male or female.  Hunters also can report that they did not harvest a deer simply by checking a box at this website.

“When the agency fully transitions to our electronic license sale system for the 2009-10 seasons, all hunters will have the option of submitting a harvest report through the agency’s website,” Roe said.  “The electronic license system will provide us with the necessary database that will enable us to validate harvest reporting information, and we hope to see an improvement in the harvest reporting rates.”

Roe noted that deer harvest numbers for the 2008-09 seasons won’t be available until mid-March, as in the past. In addition to hunters still submitting harvest report cards, which must be sent out for data entry, the agency’s Deer Management Section is compiling the data collected in the field by the deer aging teams.

While the late flintlock muzzleloader and archery seasons closed on Jan. 10, antlerless deer seasons in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D closed on Jan. 24.
During the 2007-08 hunting seasons, 801 properties enrolled in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), and were issued 32,379 DMAP coupons, of which 22,148 were redeemed for DMAP permits. Hunters using DMAP reported harvesting 5,006 antlerless deer, and 79 percent of DMAP permit holders submitted their mandatory report card.

Harvest reporting rates from the 2007-08 seasons were less than 40 percent for both antlered and antlerless deer.

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PA Deer Hunters Reminded To Submit Report Cards

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida - -(OutDoorWire.com)- At its meeting in Destin, the seven members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted in favor of proposed recommended changes to its Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Quota Hunt Permit Program. An amendment to the new rules provides that the changes will no longer be in effect after 2012, unless the Commission reauthorizes these changes or approves an extension.

For more than a year, a Quota Hunt Stakeholder Working Group, consisting of FWC staff and members of the hunting public, worked on developing a new set of rules to improve the state’s regulation of hunting on WMAs. Public meetings also were held throughout the state and much input was received on how to make the quota permit system better.

The changes are needed to improve hunter recruitment and retention and more fairly distribute public hunting opportunities.

Under these new rules, which become effective for the 2009-10 hunting season, all quota permits will now be nontransferable, including those for mobility-impaired hunters. The only exceptions are on Holton Creek WMA and deer dog hunts on Blackwater WMA, where there will be no changes.

Florida was the only state in the country that previously allowed its big-game quota permits to be transferred from one person to another.

“It is time to improve the system and become consistent with other states,” said Chairman Rodney Barreto. “We are looking forward to working with our stakeholders on continued improvements of our system.”

Besides making quota permits nontransferable, the rules give hunters more choices for more types of public hunts. For hunters who like to use bows and muzzleloaders, they will now be able to put in for five archery hunts and five muzzleloading gun hunts, as opposed to only five archery or muzzleloading gun hunts. And with the increase in people wanting to hunt wild hogs, the rules allow hunters five choices for hog hunts, and they still have the ability to apply for five general gun hunts (for deer and wild hogs) as well.

The rules also establish a new guest permit, whereby a quota permit holder can take someone hunting with him, if that person applies under the quota permit holder’s customer ID number.

Stipulations of the guest permit require that the quota permit holder and his guest enter and exit the WMA together, share the same vehicle and share a single bag limit. In addition, the quota permit holder must be on the area when the guest is hunting, and in cases where a WMA has zone tags, both people must hunt in the same zone.

Because of the current number of hunters permitted on certain hunts and to allow for the addition of the new guest permit, the rules reduce some of the established quotas on only eight of the 105 WMAs with quotas. Those WMAs are Croom, KICCO, Hickory Hammock, Upper Hillsborough River, Andrews, Twin Rivers, Joe Budd and Dexter/Mary Farms.

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FWC Makes Changes To WMA Quota Hunt Permit System

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, AZ – -(AmmoLand.com)- Thanks to modern video conferencing techniques, those living in rural areas of Arizona will no longer have to travel long distances to participate in regularly scheduled Arizona Game and Fish Commission meetings.

Starting Feb. 6-7, the Game and Fish Department is initiating a pilot program to provide video feeds of the commission meetings to all of its regional offices (except Mesa), allowing it to reduce costs while increasing the opportunity for public involvement at the same time.

The regional offices are located in Tucson, Flagstaff, Kingman, Yuma and Pinetop. The Mesa Regional office will not be included, mostly because the conferencing system only allows six feeds at one time, but also because those living in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area can readily attend the meeting without having to travel extreme distances. For a list of office addresses, visit www.azgfd.gov/offices.

This pilot program will not only give constituents and news media from different parts of the state an opportunity to view the meetings via video-conference at the regional offices, but also to submit “blue slips” to present oral comment on the call for comment portions of the agenda, just as if they were attending the meeting in person.

The commission announced in December that it will hold its 2009 meetings at the Phoenix headquarters complex to reduce travel and other costs associated with holding such meetings in different regions of the state as it has in the past.

But the commission also wanted to keep constituents from various parts of the state engaged in the public meeting process.  “This pilot program is one way of doing that,” said Harry Seck, assistant director for special services. “Our constituents can save money by not having to travel long distances to participate in the process, and we can save much-needed revenues by not having to conduct meetings around the state.”

The department already has the technology and equipment on hand, so there are no additional fiscal outlays. It will require having personnel available to open up the regional offices for the Saturday portions of the meetings.

A test on the video system was conducted this week. “With these advanced technologies, there will likely be unanticipated technical issues to iron out, but it looks very promising so far,” Seck said.

However, he said, viewers at the regional offices may have a more limited view of the proceedings than they would in person. “We’ll work on those issues as they arise,” Seck said.

To view a copy of the agenda for this week, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the “commission agenda” link.

About:
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed

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Public Will Be Able To Watch Arizona Game And Fish Commission At The Department’s Regional Department Offices

LINCOLN, Nebraska — -(OutDoorWire.com)- A conservation action to help reduce the number of light geese will begin February 7 and continue through April 12. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset and there are no bag or possession limits.

White and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese may be taken
statewide during the conservation action, but different regulations apply in each zone.

In Zones 1 and 2, hunting is allowed four days a week (Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday). Beginning March 24 hunting will be allowed seven days a week.

In Zone 1 it is illegal to hunt within one-half mile of the outer channel of the Platte River between U.S. Highway 281 and Nebraska Highway 14. It is illegal to hunt on federal or state sanctuaries and refuges, unless authorized, and on the following lands owned or managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): Massie Waterfowl Production Area (WPA); Springer WPA; Hultline WPA; Wilkins WPA; Pintail Wildlife Management Area (WMA); Verona WPA; Bluebill WMA; Eckhardt WPA; Nelson WPA; Kirkpatrick Basin North WMA; and Swan Creek WMA.

In Zone 2 it is illegal to hunt light geese within one-half mile of the outer channel of the Platte River between Feb. 8 and March 10. The no-hunt zone expands to 5 miles between March 11 and April 12 to provide protection for endangered whooping cranes. The lands owned or managed by the Commission or USFWS and closed to hunting in Zone 2 are: Funk WPA, Prairie Dog WPA, Bluestem WPA, Lindau WPA and Clark WPA.

In Zone 3 the conservation action will be open seven days a week, except light goose hunting will be unlawful on federal or state sanctuaries and refuges unless otherwise authorized. By federal regulation, it is illegal to take light geese within 5 miles of the outside channel of the Platte River between U.S. 283 and U.S. 281 between March 11 and April 12.

The use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns is permitted during the conservation action. Only shotguns 10 gauge or smaller can be used to take game birds. Rifles and crossbows cannot be used to take migratory game birds.

Nebraska resident hunters age 16 or older, and all nonresident hunters, regardless of age, are reminded that they must have a 2009 Nebraska Hunting Permit and a current Habitat Stamp which can be obtained at Commission offices, from permit agents, or online at the Commission’s Web site, www.OutdoorNebraska.org. Also required is a current harvest information program (HIP) number, which can be obtained at the Commission’s Web site. However, hunters who registered in Nebraska for fall and winter seasons in 2008 do not need to reregister. All hunters age 16 years and older must also have Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (Duck Stamp) to hunt light geese during the conservation action.

A copy of the 2008 Nebraska Waterfowl Seasons Brochure which contains information and maps pertaining to the light goose conservation action and other valuable information may be obtained from any Commission permitting office or from any of some 900 permit agents across the state.

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Light Goose Conservation Action to be February 7-April 12 in Nebraska

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG – -(AmmoLand.com)- Results of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s 2008 Big Game Scoring Program are featured in the February issue of the agency’s monthly magazine, Pennsylvania Game News, which also includes stories of how most of the top deer, bear and elk trophies were taken.

In 1965, the Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association (POWA) started the big game measuring program to showcase the outstanding big game hunting opportunities available in Pennsylvania. There have been 14 measuring sessions since, and the top entries from the 2008 scoring sessions and the hunters who harvested the animals were honored at the September POWA conference.

“Scoring and keeping track of big game animals is important because harvesting a record book animal brings to attention the excellence of habitat and wildlife management practices that produce healthy wildlife populations,” said Bob D’Angelo, associate editor of Pennsylvania Game News, coordinator of the agency’s big game scoring program and certified measurer for both Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young.  “The scoring program also stresses hunter and conservation ethics, and is another tool that promotes recreational hunting and supports Pennsylvania’s strong hunting heritage.”

With this latest scoring session, recognizing trophies scored from 2002-2008, 454 new deer and bear and, for the first time, elk, have been added to the Game Commission’s official big game records list. More specifically, these consist of 91 typical white-tailed deer taken with a firearm; 13 nontypical white-tailed deer taken with a firearm, including the new number two all-time rack in that category, which scores 230-2, taken by Michael Ambrosia in 2001(see story on page 16 of the February issue); 207 typical white-tailed deer taken with a bow, including the new number 1 all-time rack, which scores 178-2, taken by Michael Nicola Sr. in 2004 (see story on page 4); 14 nontypical white-tailed deer taken with a bow, including the new number 1 all-time rack that scores 209-1, taken by Gerald Simkonis in 2007 (The story of this impressive buck was featured in the September 2008 Game News); and 116 black bears taken with a firearm, including the new number 1 all-time skull that scores 23-03, taken by Andrew Seman Jr. in 2005 (This bear will tie for number three in the world in the Boone & Crockett Club’s records, and the story of this magnificent trophy was featured in the June 2006 issue of Game News).

In the new elk categories, John Shirk took the number one nontypical elk taken with a firearm, with a bull taken in 2006 that scores 425-2 (see story on page 20); Edward Polashenski took the number one typical elk taken with a firearm with a bull taken in 2003 that scores 364-5; and Todd Yoder holds the number 1 typical elk taken with a bow with a bull taken in 2001 that scores 319-1 (see story on page 14).

“One thing that really stood out from our recent scoring session was the quality of our bears,” D’Angelo said. “A whopping 37 percent of those measured not only made our records, but also made Boone & Crockett’s all-time record book. In fact, Boone & Crockett Club officials have told me that they expect the new world record black bear to come out of Pennsylvania.”

In addition to being available on many newsstands, subscriptions to Pennsylvania Game News can be ordered via “The Outdoor Shop” on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).  Just click on “Subscribe” and you can order a new subscription, renew a subscription, order a gift subscription or change your mailing address.  One-year subscriptions are $18; three-year subscriptions are $45.  Orders also may be taken via a toll-free number (1-888-888-1019) and placed on Visa, Discover, MasterCard or American Express.  Mail orders should be sent to: Pennsylvania Game News, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

For a complete list of Pennsylvania big game records, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Hunting” in the left-hand column of the homepage, and select “Pennsylvania Big Game Records.”

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Results Of Pennsylvania Big Game Scoring Program

WATERBURY, VERMONT – -(OutDoorWire.com)- Vermont moose hunting permit applications are available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and at license agents statewide.

On Fish & Wildlife’s website, look under “Hunting and Trapping,” and then click on Lottery Applications.

Lottery applications are $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. The deadline to apply is June 2.

Winners of the permit lottery will purchase resident hunting permits for $100 and nonresident hunting permits for $350. Hunters also will have the option to bid on five moose hunting permits in an auction to be announced later.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will propose a regulation including permit numbers for the hunting season at a February 18th meeting of the Fish & Wildlife Board. Vermont issued 1,251 permits in 2008, and hunters took 605 moose in the 2008 hunting season. Proposed 2009 hunting season dates are October 17-22, or October 24 through November 1.

“We expect to recommend a number of permits similar to last year,” said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche, “but permit allocations will not be finalized until a regulation is adopted in early summer. We are making the applications available now for hunters’ convenience. If you are concerned about making Wildlife Management Unit choices before permit numbers are set, you may want to wait to apply.”

“We are managing Vermont’s moose population to keep it in balance with available habitat,” said Cedric Alexander, Vermont’s lead biologist on moose. “Carefully constructed hunting regulations enable us once again to enjoy having moose in Vermont on a sustained basis, while their numbers are maintained at levels that fit habitat capacity and the needs of people.”

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Vermont Moose Hunting Applications Are Available

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Okaloosa County – -(OutDoorWire.com)- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering its free hunter safety course in Okaloosa County.

The course will be at the Okaloosa County Extension Office, 5479 Old Bethel Rd. in Crestview. Instruction will take place 6-9 p.m. Feb. 16-19, and the range portion of the class will be Feb. 21.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Students should take a pencil and paper with them to take notes.

Successful completion of an approved hunter safety course is required for anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 to purchase a Florida hunting license. The FWC course satisfies hunter safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.

People interested in attending this course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/huntered or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.

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Hunter Safety Course Offered In Okaloosa County Fl

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG – -(AmmoLand.com)- Under a new law, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that he has selected the National Wild Turkey Federation to auction off a special antlered elk license at its upcoming national convention Feb. 19-22 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Since its creation, the National Wild Turkey Federation, as well as its Pennsylvania and local chapters, have been important wildlife conservation and management partners with the Game Commission,” Roe said. “The members of this organization have invested millions of dollars in Pennsylvania for wildlife habitat improvements, acquisitions of State Game Lands and input into wild turkey management and research.  Additionally, NWTF live auctions are proven money raisers when it comes to auctioning off such hunts.”

Noting that Pennsylvania’s modern-day elk hunt, which began in 2001, has produced several Boone & Crockett book entries, George Thornton, NWTF CEO, said this tag represents an incredible opportunity to harvest a trophy elk while doing great things for wildlife conservation.

“The NWTF has had a great relationship with Game Commission throughout the years,” Thornton said.  “We’ve worked together to help restore wild turkey populations, improve wildlife habitat and strengthen the state’s hunting heritage. When this tag goes up on the auction block, bidders can expect a lot of action and know that the winner is doing great things for conservation.”

National Wild Turkey Federation

Pennsylvania Chapter NWTF and its 88 local chapters expect to join the nearly 40,000 attendees from all 50 states, as well as Canada and Mexico, at the NWTF’s national convention, said Jon Pries, Pennsylvania Chapter NWTF president.

“It is an honor for NWTF to be selected to receive this first-ever elk tag,” Pries said.  “We look forward to raising important dollars for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the elk management program, as well as habitat improvement for all wildlife on the elk range of northcentral Pennsylvania.”

On Feb. 20, as part of is live auction, NWTF will put up for bid the antlered elk license, which would be good for use in any management zone open for Pennsylvania’s upcoming elk hunt, Nov. 2-7.  The winning bidder will be awarded the license once he or she purchases the required resident or nonresident general hunting license.  The winning bidder also will be provided all of the information normally given to those who receive an elk license through the agency’s annual public drawing, including a listing of permitted guides available should they choose to use a guide.
In September, the agency will conduct its annual public drawing to award 59 elk licenses to those who submit an application, along with a $10 nonrefundable fee.  The exact breakdown of antlered and antlerless elk licenses, as well as the elk management zones each license will be assigned to, will be announced later.  The application period will open in May.

In 2001, a recommendation to provide one special elk license for wildlife conservation organizations to auction was originally included in the Game Commission Elk Hunt Advisory Committee Report as one of the concepts for promoting elk hunting.  However, the recommendation was set aside at that time because it was determined that legislative authority was necessary to do so.

Rep. Marc J. Gergely (D-Allegheny) introduced House Bill 747 to grant the Game Commission authority to provide one antlered elk license to a wildlife conservation organization to auction.  Of the auction proceeds, up to 20 percent may be retained by the wildlife conservation organization and the rest turned over to the Game Commission for elk management.  Signed into law on Oct. 9, Act 101 of 2008 (previously House Bill 747) was unanimously approved by the House and Senate.

The new law sunsets on July 1, 2013, and would require the General Assembly to re-authorize the authority to allow for the auction of one antlered elk license per license year.

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Game Commission Awards NWTF With Pennsylvania’s First-Ever Elk Tag For Auction

Buckeye Hills complex and range renamed after local World War II heroes.

Joe Foss Shooting Complex

Buckeye, Ariz - -(AmmoLand.com)- On Friday, Jan. 16, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department hosted the grand opening of the Joe Foss Shooting Complex, formerly known as the Buckeye Hills Shooting Range, located in Buckeye, Ariz. The facility is a self-sufficient “green” complex operated by on-site solar power with battery backup for lighting, cooling and heating, and running on its own well water for restrooms and potable drinking water.

The new facility consists of a 200-yard main range and a 50-yard pistol range, both with 40 stations and covered awnings. The range is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. The winter hours are 8 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. The daily range fee is $7 and youth shooters under the age of 18 are free. The Buckeye Sportsman’s Club is in charge of range operations.

“We are very excited to see this new range in this key growth corridor of the state,” said Anthony Chavez, shooting sports coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The facility is incredible and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with the Buckeye Sportsman’s Club and the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department to make it a big success.”

Experienced personnel from the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Ben Avery Shooting Facility provided the Buckeye Sportsman’s Club with consultation, training and guidance on range safety, operations, management, and the many other elements required to run a successful and safe shooting facility. Clubs or organizations operate most of the shooting ranges owned by the department, and this has proven to be a successful model.

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New Range Offers Great Opportunities For West Valley Shooters

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arizona - -(AmmoLand.com)- If you have visions of elk steaks on the grill or sending those trophy horns of a 70-class pronghorn to the taxidermist, don’t forget the most important step – applying for a hunt permit-tag before the deadline.

The final deadline to submit paper-only applications for a 2009 hunt permit-tag for pronghorn antelope and elk hunts through the draw process is Tuesday, Feb. 10 by 7 p.m. (MST). Applications must be received by mail or hand delivered to a department office before the deadline; postmarks don’t count. Remember, there is NO online application process for the draw.

To help hunters navigate the application process, the Arizona Game and Fish Department offers these tips:

Buy your 2009 hunting license before applying. If you need your license before the draw is completed (April 24), buying your license now will eliminate the wait and long lines at department offices. (Note: This is a great year for a combo hunt and fish license – the fishing should be fantastic this year.)

Use the new editable PDF application. By using a computer to fill out the application, many errors are eliminated, including legibility issues. Just fill it out, print it out, sign it, include your payment, and deliver it to the department. Remember, there is no online application process for the draw.

Consult the 2008 Hunt Arizona booklet. Research draw odds, hunt success, tag allotment and more with this valuable resource available online in PDF, or purchase a hard copy for only $6 at any department office.

Pay by check, money order or cashier’s check. The department doesn’t accept cash or credit/debit card payments with the hunt permit-tag application. (Note: You may pre-purchase a license at the front counter with cash or credit/debit card.)

Include the correct payment amount. Be certain to double-check your math when making out your payment. There is a worksheet on the second page of the application. Also, make certain you don’t transpose any numbers when writing out your check, money order or cashier’s check (it’s more common than you may think).

Use a separate application for each species. If you are applying for both elk and antelope, you must use two separate applications, envelopes and payments.

Use the “Hunt No.” in the first through fifth choice fields. This is the four-digit number in the far left column under each Commission Order. Don’t use Game Management Unit numbers (which are typically alphanumeric).

Consider what type of hunter you are. When looking over the Hunt Arizona information, keep in mind what type of hunt you are after. Do you just want elk meat, or are you dead set on harvesting a trophy? Do you have flexibility in your travel time, or is it limited? All these play a key role in your odds of being drawn. It could take time to draw that rutting bull tag compared to a late-season muzzleloader cow hunt.

Include your social security number – it’s a federal law. Even if you use a department-assigned identification number, you are still required to include your social security number. If you only use one number, it must be your social security number.

Only use one choice when applying for a bonus point. If you are just applying for a bonus point, use the first Hunt No. listed under each Commission Order in the first choice field and include the $7.50 application fee (leave the second through fifth choices blank).

For some other great tips and additional insights on how to get drawn, check out the article in the Arizona Wildlife Views Magazine at www.azgfd.gov/i_e/pubs/ElkHunting.shtml. The award-winning bi-monthly publication is a great resource for wildlife enthusiasts and a steal at $8.50 for a one-year subscription.

Staff will be on hand at each department office on deadline day to assist hunters with the application process. If this is your first-time applying, or you are new to the process, feel free to stop by and ask for assistance. However, license sales at department offices end at 5 p.m.

The 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information regulations booklet, application forms and the 2008 Hunt Arizona are all available online for downloading from the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Hard copies of the 2008 Hunt Arizona publication are also available for sale at all department offices.

To learn more about big game hunting, wildlife management and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

About:
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

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Ten Tips When Applying For Elk Or Antelope Hunting Permits

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG Pa – -(AmmoLand.com)- Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today presented the agency’s annual report to the General Assembly, and delivered testimony before the House Game and Fisheries Committee. To view a copy of the agency’s annual report, please visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Reports/Minutes” in the left-hand column of the homepage, and select “2008” in the “Annual Legislative Reports” box at the bottom of the page.

Following is Roe’s testimony before the House Game and Fisheries Committee:

“It is a great pleasure to appear before the committee to present our annual report. We are proud of our accomplishments over the past fiscal year and we took a very frugal approach to our spending as we strive to fulfill our mission of managing all wild birds and mammals and their habitats for current and future generations.

“We submitted our annual report a few days early in order that you would have it for this hearing. It updates the legislated report requirements of public accountability, program accountability, financial accountability, and law enforcement accountability. Once again, in the program accountability section, we used the strategic plan as the vehicle to organize the information and to display some measurement data. Additionally, we are complying with the reporting requirements of Growing Greener II, as they are also included in the annual report. We continue to conduct many programs, but are restricted by resources available to do what needs to be done.

“There are many requirements to manage the 467 species of birds and mammals with which we are entrusted, including the 22 that are threatened and endangered. An important key to all species conservation is habitat in particular the protection and management of habitat. I reported last year on various efforts such as Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, private lands habitat planning program, and our integrated state game lands planning effort. Although habitat continues to be a primary focus for the Commission, I would like to address several other programs in this year’s report.

“The first program is wind energy. Of the 24 wind energy developers competing in Pennsylvania, 20 of them have signed the PGC Wind Energy Voluntary Cooperative Agreement. The Agreements have greatly improved the Commission’s awareness of project proposals within Pennsylvania, allowing preliminary wildlife resource information to be taken into account before project development. The Agreement between the PGC and cooperators requires a minimum of one year of preconstruction surveys and two years of post-construction monitoring at wind sites. Effort level for surveys is determined by assigned risk levels designated by the PGC using criteria outlined in the Agreement. Pre-construction survey results at proposed wind sites in 2007 – 2008 have provided both cooperators and PGC with valuable information that is being used to help site wind projects throughout Pennsylvania by avoiding and minimizing impacts to local and regional wildlife resources. Highlights of pre-construction monitoring during the past year were the discovery of the second largest Indiana bat maternity colony and the discovery of a female lactating silver-haired bat and maternity colony.

“Post-construction monitoring by the cooperators’ has been recently initiated and monitoring information is limited, thus few discernable trends or analysis can be noted at this time. The Commission’s commitment to safeguard wildlife resources that may be impacted by wind energy development has compelled the Commission to examine post construction monitoring on non-cooperator wind projects sites as well. Future data from post construction surveys will be paramount in assessing potential adverse impacts from wind development projects and guide our future mitigation efforts.

“The main achievements thus far have included the new bat discoveries previously mentioned, the abandonment and avoidance of some high potential risk areas by wind developers, and the fact that wind developers are starting to get the PGC involved early in the planning stages which is helping developers make better decisions in regards to siting wind facilities. The primary challenges that remain include encouraging non-cooperators to sign the Agreement, improving communication between the PGC, developers, and consultants, and making sure survey protocols are being adhered to. The format and apparent success of the PGC Wind Energy Voluntary Cooperative Agreement has been praised as a clear example of the ability of wind energy developers and natural resource agencies to partner both on a national and state level. A copy of the complete report is included in your packet and can be found on our web site.

“Last year, I mentioned a new program that was initiated for wildlife education and that is our Seedling for Schools Program. I am pleased to say it was very successful and recently received the endorsement of the Pocono Record editorial writers. This program provides seedlings from our Howard Nursery to schools for development of habitat on school grounds and at students’ homes. It is integrated into the teachers’ environmental curriculum. Over 55,000 seedlings were given to three hundred schools. This year we anticipate the program to grow considerably. The Seedling in the Schools Program was possible due to a grant from the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation with monies provided by Waste Management.

“After many years of effort and quite a bit of consternation for us, we will have a Point of Sale System in place and it will be fully automated for the new license year on June 15, 2009. A new company Active Network, purchased Automated License Systems and provided additional resources to insure our system was operational. We ran a pilot in September and with some minor glitches that were corrected, we moved forward with final system development. We are currently deploying the rest of our agents and look forward to being fully operational for this license year.

“One area that has really improved is our Turn-In a Poacher program. We automated that program on our website and it allows individuals to provide information on illegal taking of wildlife, both game and non-game. We increased the publicity of this program including cards and flyers on the program. Last year, we had 451 TIPS and over 50% were on the new electronic forum. These tips resulted in several prosecutions including one that was completed in less than 24 hours from the time we received the report as the information was that precise and timely. We believe the electronic means provides more anonymity for the callers and allows us to get information to the regions in a more timely manner.

“A new area of concern is white nosed syndrome in our bat populations. Last year there was considerable bat mortality in New York and other Northeastern States. Mortality estimates from the USFWS are as high as 500,000. We had our first confirmation of white nosed syndrome in Mifflin County and we have two other hibernacula where we suspect white nosed syndrome to be. To date we have not had a large mortality event, but we are monitoring this situation closely.

“We had a pretty good hunting season last year. Our hunters spent many hours afield, and Pennsylvania continues to be a national leader in hunting participation. There were mixed results for species, but overall there was considerable success. Harvests were up for fall turkey, rabbits, pheasants, quail, doves and geese. Harvests were slightly down for squirrel, woodcock, bear and ducks. Spring turkey and ruffed grouse were about the same.

“We continue to emphasize small game hunting in our habitat efforts and programs. Our pheasant reintroduction program is well under way in the Montour County area and initial flushing counts this year are very positive. I am pleased to report that we are initiating our third pheasant reintroduction effort in the Somerset County area. We have an excellent working relationship with Pheasants Forever and local land owners who are really making this program possible. The first transfer pheasants in this area will occur this year.

“Our buck harvest was down in 2007-2008 due primarily to bad weather the first day of the 2007 firearms deer season. The rain and miserable weather across the state resulted in 50 percent lower buck harvest the first day. Although some of that lower harvest was made up during the following two weeks, it did not meet previous harvest levels. For this year’s deer season we had quite a variety of management differences in our Wildlife Management Units. We continue to decrease the herd in three WMUs, we are increasing the herd in three WMUs and are continuing to stabilize the herd in the other 16 WMUs. However, we do have different seasons in those WMUs. There are four WMUs that have a five day buck only season followed by a seven day concurrent season. We are looking forward to seeing the results of those study areas. We are also continuing with antler restrictions that have received many positive comments. The results are evident as we are seeing an older class of bucks in the population. Citizen Advisory Committees continue to play an important role in deer management decision making. We have completed CACs in 10 WMUs with 5 more scheduled for this winter. By March we will have completed CACs for nearly 70 percent of the WMUs. As can plainly be seen, we are not using a one-size fits all approach to managing deer in our WMUs.

To move to our fiscal situation, at the end of June 2008 we had a Game Fund balance of $35,590,000 on a cost accounting basis. This was an increase in the anticipated balance of $32 million. Part of the increase was due to marginal increases in revenue, but the greatest impact was a conservative approach to spending that allowed us to lapse almost $8 million forward into this fiscal year in anticipation of lower revenues this year due to the collapse of the timber industry. If our projected revenues come to fruition, we anticipate this year’s balance to be below $34 million. Although a balance of $34 million sounds like a lot it does not cover anticipated expenses over the next few years. As you well know since we receive no appropriation from the general fund, our revenues as in the private sector are based on earnings. We need approximately $23 million in the game fund to cover expenses for the first three months of the fiscal year. That leaves a difference of $11 million. Our increase in personnel costs for the next two years is almost $6 million. This leaves a minimal balance to cover decreased revenues from the downturn in timber and interest revenues.

“We face many challenges with increased costs and fewer personnel to get the job done. We are not limited by the will to serve our hunters, trappers and other conservationists. We are only limited by resources that we have available. I do not know of any business or any other state agency that is still functional today that is operating on a1999 revenue stream. Presently, 52 percent of our revenues comes from hunting licenses. Over half our revenue has lost more than 30 percent buying power over the last 10 years due to inflationary effect. Revenues this year are even more difficult. Although there is a modest increase in gas revenues, our timber revenue from habitat improvement cuts is down by almost 50 percent. We anticipated almost $12 million in revenue and it looks like we will receive under $6 million. As an example, we had one operator walk away from an approximately $311,000 cut. The rebid came in at $111,000, a loss of 65 percent. We have been working with operators to extend their contracts with no penalty in order to keep them in business, but it does not help our bottom line. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly the failure of operators to cut timber reduces the amount of habitat work we need to get done on game lands particularly in creating early successional forest habitat.

“Another decrease in revenues is the investment account. We generally predict about $2 million in interest on our accounts that are managed by the State Treasury. This year, as of the end of December, that account lost almost $1,021,175. That basically is a $3 million dollar negative swing in the Game Fund.

“For the past three years, we have been experiencing what the rest of the state is currently going through. For example, we have had a hiring freeze for over four years except for critical positions. We already have 81 vacancies. We have reduced spending considerably. Any additional cuts of personnel and spending will severely damage our wildlife efforts.

“There is always the belief that as an independent agency that there is little oversight of our activities. That is hardly the case. I would like to review some of the audits that we had and are facing; an annual audit by the Auditor General on license revenue and sales; a triennial Audit on our Strategic Plan by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee; an audit on our timber and oil, gas minerals program by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee; a Civil Rights audit by the US Fish and Wildlife Agency; and an audit of Pittman Robertson Funds by the US Fish and Wildlife Agency. This will all occur within one year. This does not include the pending deer audit that we are looking forward to. As you can see, we are probably the most audited agency in state government.

“From a legislative perspective we anticipate a busy session for Title 34 issues. Obviously, our number one priority is a license increase. Within that bill we would like to offer an adult combination license that would include hunting, furtaking, archery and muzzleloader. The cost would be $5 less than the total of the individual fees. With the concurrent reduction in vendor fees and point of sale fees, we believe this would be a good bargain for those who purchase all the privileges. Although a license increase is always a point of contention for the Assembly, it is a marginal increase. A recent study by Responsive Management on the Future of Hunting and Shooting Sports stated that “costs and expenses related to hunting are not a major dissatisfaction or constraint on participation.” The modest proposed increase in license fees that support a $3 billion industry and provides $214 million in state and local taxes seems like a simple task to me.

“Another major piece of legislation is the increase penalty bill for multiple big game offenses. We believe that poaching has been increasing due to the scarcity of deer in some places as well as the more mature bucks that are now in the population. We truly believe this will increase the deterrent aspect of the law that at the present time does not serve to dissuade poachers who take multiple animals. Another bill we would like to see go forward is the ability to transfer an antlerless license to a mentored youth. In this situation an adult mentor would be able to transfer their tag to a mentored youth to allow the youth to take an antlerless deer. We have several other issues that need to be addressed and will require legislation. We look forward to working with you on those bills.

“Another important issue we would like to address is the retirement program for the Wildlife Conservation Officers. Currently, they are the only officers with law enforcement authority that do not receive the fifty years of age and twenty years of service retirement option. This was passed by the Assembly previously and we would like to see it go through again.

“One of our favorite programs is the mentored youth. We continuously receive positive letters and pictures from young hunters. It is a most popular program. To help monitor the program we are going to initiate a mentored youth permit available in our POS system. There will be a $1 fee plus vendor fees for the permit that will print out the permit and the big game tags for the mentored youth. This will also provide us a database of future hunters so we can better plan for Hunter Trapper Education classes to meet the needs of a specific area. Thanks to the legislation passed a few years ago, we believe we have one of the best programs in the nation, and we will continue to improve it.

“In closing, the Game Commission’s team of employees is ready and willing to do what is necessary to protect and conserve our wildlife, to improve and enhance wildlife habitat and to strengthen our rich hunting and trapping heritage. Accomplishing these tasks it is not a matter of will; it is not a matter of trying to figure out where best to direct our resources, as the focus is based on our Strategic Plan. The issue boils down to a matter of having the necessary resources to empower our dedicated workforce to put those plans into action. Thanks you for the opportunity to make our presentation and I will be glad to answer any questions.

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PA Game Commission Delivers Annual Report To Legislature

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON – -(AmmoLand.com)- Spurred by concerns over the effects of energy development on valuable fish and wildlife habitat, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership today filed an official protest of an upcoming Bureau of Land Management lease sale in Colorado. The sportsmen’s group objected to approximately 83,000 of the nearly 100,000 acres being offered in the Feb. 12 sale, which includes vital sage grouse habitat, big-game winter range and migration routes, and Colorado River cutthroat trout waters.

The TRCP protest of the Colorado leases follows the group’s objection, filed on Jan. 20, to Wyoming leases offered by the BLM in areas of wildlife habitat important to hunters and anglers. Protests like these are the only means for the public to participate in the leasing process. The TRCP has urged the incoming administration to prioritize review and revision of federal mineral leasing practices and management of the nation’s public lands.

Close to 60,000 of the protested acres are located within Colorado River cutthroat trout habitat, where energy development could degrade key waterways and result in this native fish’s further decline. Initially petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1999, the Colorado River cutthroat twice received a “not warranted” decision regarding its threatened or endangered status, yet it was designated a “sensitive species” by the U.S. Forest Service and is subject to special state-level management guidelines. By leasing areas of designated habitat for the species, the BLM would violate a multi-agency conservation agreement pledging to “expedite implementation of conservation measures for Colorado River cutthroat trout.”

“A threatened or endangered listing for Colorado River cutthroat trout would give rise to an entirely new set of problems,” said TRCP Field Representative Ross Tuckwiller, “particularly for anglers and businesses that depend on them.

“The loss of a fishery to anglers could hurt communities that depend on sportsmen’s revenue and an industry that provides thousands of jobs and millions of dollars to support fisheries management – not to mention to the funds that state game agencies receive through angler licenses and fees,” continued Tuckwiller, who lives in Durango.

Mule deer habitat also was a factor in the TRCP’s decision to protest. Proposed leases encompass winter range and migration routes, habitat that the Colorado Division of Wildlife has specified as “vital” to the species’ survival and that, in the case of migration routes, was identified by the Western Governors Association as important in maintaining “significant, reliable wildlife populations.” Recent scientific studies demonstrate that energy projects established near migration routes can result in population declines in species such as mule deer.

“Sportsmen’s memories are not so short that they could forget about last spring, when the Colorado Division of Wildlife was forced to commence emergency feeding for mule deer in crucial winter range near Gunnison,” said TRCP Field Representative Dwayne Meadows. “Sportsmen agree that public-lands energy resources can be developed responsibly, but we maintain that certain habitats – such as big-game winter range and migration routes – should be better conserved to avoid unnecessary population losses.”

The TRCP protest follows the BLM’s decision to defer more than 16,000 acres originally slated for inclusion in the sale after local residents and La Plata County criticized specific leases in western Colorado and the timetable for their sale to industry.

“The fact that citizens are worried about the impacts that energy development could have on the value of their homes, their water quality and the public lands that form their backyards should surprise no one,” said TRCP Energy Initiative Manager Steve Belinda. “Apparently, however, this is a revelation to the Bureau of Land Management, whose disregard of the interests of the American public is cause for alarm.

“This lease sale forms the latest in a string of questionable decisions by the agency regarding its administration of our shared natural resources,” concluded Belinda, “and it reinforces our belief that America’s new leaders must prioritize review and revision of the mineral leasing process governing our public lands.”

The TRCP believes that to better balance the concerns of fish and wildlife in the face of accelerating energy development, federal land management agencies must follow the conservation tenets outlined in the FACTS for Fish and Wildlife.

About:
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.

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Colorado Energy Leases in Critical Habitat Draw Protests

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arizona - -(AmmoLand.com)- The Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Friday unanimously voted to oppose Arizona House Bill 2235, proposed legislation that would amend an existing law concerning the qualifications and appointment process for Game and Fish commission membership.

If the Arizona Legislature were to pass HB 2235 as written, all future commission members would be required to have a continuous recorded registration with the same political party or as an independent for at least 5 years immediately preceding the appointment, must have also held a valid hunting or combination hunting and fishing license for at least 5 years immediately preceding the appointment, and must have been an Arizona resident for at least 10 years. The legislation would also require that all applications for appointment to the Commission be public records and that those records be available for public inspection not later than the second week in December.

The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 17, Section 201.

“Although our vote was unanimous, our decision took some soul searching,” said Game and Fish Commissioner Robert Woodhouse. “Each commissioner understands the critical role sportsmen play in funding wildlife conservation. We also believe that Arizona’s wildlife belongs to all its citizens, each of whom has a responsibility to help fund conservation. However, as written, this piece of proposed legislation would eliminate more than 90 percent of Arizona citizens from eligibility to serve as a commissioner. This standard would be more restrictive than currently exists for any other public office in Arizona – including that of governor.”

The commission’s concern with the bill includes:

As written, the bill would prevent an individual from being an eligible applicant who had been a long time-purchaser of a hunting license but, for any reason, missed purchasing a license during the five years prior to becoming a candidate. This would prevent anyone serving as a commissioner who was unable to purchase a license due to economic or health reasons, family circumstances, or being out of state for a period of time such as a member of the U.S. military who might be deployed overseas.

The draft legislation would prevent the governor from making an appointment except from candidates that submitted applications prior to the second week in December. If the governor didn’t call for applications until after the second week in December, or if a current commissioner was unable to continue serving their term and resigned, the governor would be unable to appoint a new commissioner until the following December.

No specific skills, knowledge or qualifications are required of an individual who has purchased a hunting or combination hunting and fishing license that aren’t already required by the existing statute. The current law states that commission members be “well informed on the subjects of wildlife and requirements for its conservation”.

Click here to read the introduced version of House Bill 2235.

About:
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

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Arizona Game and Fish Commission votes to oppose House Bill 2235

Annapolis, Md. — -(AmmoLand.com)- Today the Board of Public Works (BPW) unanimously approved the acquisition of 4,478 acres of ecologically and historically significant land stretching across Cecil, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties.

The unique features of the Maryland Province Property include more than 19 miles of Potomac River waterfront, extensive wildlife habitat, and historic ties to the State’s first colonial settlement.

“This transaction underscores our unwavering commitment to using dedicated Program Open space funds to protect our most important landscapes, said Governor O’Malley. “Despite this challenging fiscal climate, it remains our responsibility to preserve the natural treasures we hold in trust for our future generations.”

Preservation of the Province property offers a unique opportunity to preserve diverse natural habitats, safeguard wildlife habitats, protect the water quality of Chesapeake Bay and conserve sustainable forest lands.

This acquisition will provide extraordinary opportunities for environmental interpretation, education and recreational access, via nearly 20 miles of shoreline and an exciting direct connection to the State’s earliest colonial settlements.

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, joined Governor O’Malley in December for the Governor’s announcement of the State’s intention to acquire these ecologically and historically significant forests and shorelines.

“The acquisition of properties within the Lands of the Maryland Province is a significant achievement both in terms of land conservation and in preventing encroachment at two adjacent military facilities,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “This unprecedented opportunity to safeguard the wildlife habitat, forestlands and water quality on and near these lands will preserve the environmental and cultural integrity of this space for generations to come. I applaud the Governor for making this a priority.”

Under the new Program Open Space Targeting System, preservation of the Province Property achieved an ecological ranking of 92 establishing the property as an excellent ecological project.

Local conservation leaders voiced their support for the acquisition of the property.

“Protecting these lands now ensures that the citizens of Maryland will enjoy the recreational, economic, and environmental benefits for generations to come,” said Kelly Carneal, Director of Partners for Open Space.

Citing the multiple environmental and cultural merits of the property, Bill Crouch, Maryland representative of The Conservation Fund said, “This is a once in forever opportunity to protect these lands — not for us — but for future generations.

Preserving the Province property also meets goals established by Maryland’s Smart, Green and Growing initiative.

Introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley in October 2008, Smart, Green & Growing was created to strengthen the state’s leadership role in fostering smarter, more sustainable growth and inspire action among all Marylanders to achieve a more sustainable future. The Initiative brings together state agencies, local governments, businesses and citizens to create more livable communities, improve transportation options, reduce the state’s carbon footprint, support resource based industry, invest in green technologies, preserve valuable resource lands and restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the BPW have preserved more than 20,752 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland through Program Open Space. Since its inception in 1969, the program has provided funding for acquisition of 340,463 acres of Maryland’s landscape.  Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by POS.

The three-member Board of Public Works, chaired by Governor O’Malley, is comprised of Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The BPW is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

About:
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland’s forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state’s number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.DNR.Maryland.gov.

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Governor O’Malley Announces Preservation of More Than 4,400 Acres of Significant Maryland Landscape

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, Pa - -(OutDoorWire.com)- The Board of Game Commissioners today elected new officers during its annual reorganization for 2009.

Game Commissioner Gregory J. Isabella, of Philadelphia, was elected president. First appointed to a full eight-year term on the Board in 2003, Isabella was elected vice-president in 2008. He also was elected to serve as board secretary in 2006, and re-elected to this post in 2007.

Game Commissioner James “Jay” Delaney Jr., of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, was elected vice-president. First appointed to the Board in 2007, Delaney was elected secretary in 2008.

Game Commissioner Ronald Weaner, of Biglerville, Adams County, was elected secretary. Weaner was first appointed to the Board in 2008.

Other Game Commissioners are: Russell E. Schleiden, Centre Hall, Centre County; Roxane S. Palone, of Waynesburg, Greene County; Thomas E. Boop, Sunbury, Northumberland County; and David W. Schreffler, Everett, Bedford County.

Game Commissioners are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate to serve an eight-year term. They receive no salary, but are reimbursed for expenses to attend Game Commission quarterly meetings and other functions.

BOARD TAKES STEPS TO PROTECT WILDLIFE
The Board of Game Commissioners today took a preliminary step to establish replacement costs that may be assessed on those convicted of illegally killing wildlife in Pennsylvania. If approved by the Board at its April meeting, regulations would specify replacement values for certain species illegally killed.

Under the proposal, a judge would be able to assess anyone convicted of illegally killing the following species a replacement cost of: $5,000 for any endangered or threatened species; $1,500 for an elk or bear; $800 for a deer; $500 for a bobcat or river otter; $300 for a wild turkey or beaver; and $200 for any other wildlife.

Additionally, if the following big game species were a “trophy class animal,” judges would be able to require a replacement cost of $5,000 for an elk with a minimum Boone & Crockett green score of 200 points; a deer with a minimum Boone & Crockett green score of 115; or a bear with a field-dressed weight of more than 350 pounds.

“These replacement costs would be on top of those fines and penalties already specified in the Game and Wildlife Code, which may only be changed by the state Legislature,” said Rich Palmer, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Protection director. “In addition to this action by the Board, we are, once again, asking the General Assembly to consider legislation that would increase the fines and penalties for poaching.”

Palmer noted that increasing penalties for serious violations is one of the operational objectives in the Game Commission’s Strategic Plan.

For more information on the Game Commission’s previous testimony on legislation to increase fines and penalties, please see News Release #015-08 in the “News Release” archives on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

BOARD TAKES STEPS TO PREPARE FOR ELECTRONIC LICENSE SALES
To make the agency’s license sales system more customer friendly, the Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a slate of regulatory changes to pave the way for a point-of-sale (POS) electronic license sales system beginning with the 2009-10 license year.

The package had received preliminary approval by the Board at its meeting on Jan. 29, 2008. However, as a result of delays with implementing the point-of-sale system, final approval of the package was postponed until this meeting. Last week, the agency announced that the agency was taking final steps this week to fully implement its electronic license sale system, commonly referred to as “point-of-sale.” (For more information, please see “News Release #008-09″ in the “News Release” section of the agency’s homepage www.pgc.state.pa.us.)

The Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have been working to replace their respective paper-based licensing systems with a common computer-based automated licensing system.

“Implementing this computerized POS licensing system within Pennsylvania will significantly streamline the application and purchase process for customers, virtually eliminate manual auditing and reporting for agents, and provide opportunities for the Game Commission to monitor license administration,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “In addition, the data from the POS licensing system will enable the agency to monitor license sales, create strategic business plans based on trend analysis and, most importantly, create marketing plans based on more accurate customer demographics.

“To move the process to the next level, there are various regulatory provisions that must be amended to accommodate the POS licensing system prior to it becoming operational.”

One of the key benefits of POS will be the issuing of a permanent, unique customer identification number. Once implemented, this provision will eliminate the need for license buyers to provide their Social Security number beyond the first year of the individual purchasing a license.

License buyers will swipe their driver’s license through a magnetic reader – similar to an automatic teller machine at a bank – that will insert into the online application all current personal data, such as name, address and date of birth. The customer will then choose the licenses desired. Once payment is made, all purchased licenses, as well as big game harvest tags, will be printed on a waterproof, tear-resistant material.

By state law, antlerless deer licenses will continue to be sold only by county treasurers, so hunters will need to prepare and mail separate applications for antlerless deer licenses. However, under POS, the system will be modified to the benefit of hunters and county treasurers.

As county treasurers will be set up with POS, hunters will be able to submit an application to any county treasurer, and the application will list the hunter’s first three choices, in order of preference, for a specific Wildlife Management Unit antlerless deer license. If an applicant’s first choice of WMU has exhausted its allocation of antlerless deer licenses, the county treasurer will move to the second preference – and third, if necessary.

“This new process will nearly eliminate the chance that a hunter will not be able to receive at least one antlerless deer license during the processing of regular antlerless deer licenses,” Roe said. “Also, we have proposed to move up the beginning of the application period, which will ensure that county treasurers will have mailed back to hunters all antlerless deer licenses prior to the opening of the archery season.”

Under the new timeline, residents will apply for regular antlerless deer licenses on the second Monday in July (rather than the first Monday in August); nonresidents will apply for regular antlerless deer licenses on the last Monday in July (rather than the third Monday in August); residents and nonresidents will apply for the first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses on the first Monday in August (rather than the fourth Monday in August); and residents and nonresidents will apply for the second round of unsold antlerless deer licenses on the third Monday in August (rather than the second Monday in September).

County treasurers will have to mail regular and first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses no later than the second Monday in September, and second round of unsold antlerless deer licenses no later than the fourth Monday in September.

Beginning the fourth Monday in August, county treasurers will begin accepting applications over the counter for designated WMUs (2B, 5C and 5D), and may immediately issue antlerless deer licenses.

Other benefits from the implementation of POS are:

• Hunters who attempt to submit more than one antlerless deer license application per round will be prevented from doing so as the electronic license system will catch multiple applications being processed;
• Those interested in submitting an application for the bobcat permit and elk license drawing may do this when they purchase their licenses rather than having to submit separate applications via the mail;
• Hunters can process their Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) antlerless deer coupons for permits rather than having to wait for permits to be mailed. DMAP antlerless deer permit replacements will cost $6;
• Those interested in purchasing a second spring gobbler license can do so at the time of purchase rather than waiting until after January 1; and
• Hunters will be able to submit big game harvest reports via the Internet, as the agency will finally have a method in place to validate harvest report submissions with license sales information.

Each issuing agent will receive one POS system, and be able to lease a second if necessary. Other benefits to issuing agents include reduced time to maintain security of licenses and sales books; streamlined reporting of license sales; and a self-auditing system.

All license sales information will be reported directly via the POS, and all license fees will be electronically transferred into the Game Fund on a weekly basis.

AGENCY TO GATHER DATA ON MENTORED YOUTH HUNTING PROGRAM
The Mentored Youth Hunting Program, first implemented by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners in 2006, will continue for the 2009-10 seasons and, thanks to the agency’s launch of its electronic license sale system, will begin gathering data about the level of participation in the program.

For 2009-10, the list of eligible game for those youth under the age of 12 participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program is squirrel, woodchuck (groundhog), coyote, spring gobbler and antlered deer. Mentored youth can participate in both the junior-only seasons for squirrels and spring gobbler, as well as the general seasons for all five species.

New this year, however, is the requirement that mentors will need to first obtain a permit for each youth they plan to take under their wing. The permit, which can be obtained from any issuing agent, will include official big game tags for antlered deer and spring gobblers. The permit will cost $1, which goes to the Game Commission, plus any issuing agent or vendor fees.

“When we first started the MYHP, we didn’t require a permit because there was no method available to issue a permit without creating an enormous obstacle for participants,” said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. “With the full roll-out of our electronic license sale system ready for the 2009-10 license year, we can provide a method for adult mentors to enable youth to obtain a permit without too many difficulties.

“By implementing the permit for the MYHP, we will be able to start gathering data about the level of participation in this program, which can be used to assist in better planning and scheduling our basic Hunter-Trapper Education courses. This database of MYHP participants will let us know how many young hunters are approaching 11 years of age, and where they live, so that we can make sure the number of courses we are offering will meet the expected demand.”

Currently, the agency has used its annual Game-Take Survey to estimate the level of participation in the MYHP. According to the agency’s annual Game-Take Surveys, participation in the MYHP has increased in terms of adult mentors and youths. In 2006, the first year of the program, 43,780 youths were mentored by 32,913 adults. That year, the mentored youths harvested 52,788 squirrels and 36,351 woodchucks. In 2007, the number of mentored youth grew to 58,883, and there were 51,141 adult mentors. That year, mentored youths harvested 61,160 squirrels, 52,114 groundhogs, 5,199 antlered deer and 3,496 spring gobblers.

Youths participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program are required to follow the same antler restrictions as a junior license holder, which is two or more points on one antler or one antler three or more inches in length. Mentored youth may only pursue antlered deer, and may only participate in seasons in which antlered deer are legal and must follow appropriate sporting arm restrictions.

The program also requires that both the mentor and the youth abide by any fluorescent orange regulations, and that the mentored youth must tag and report any antlered deer or wild turkey taken. Mentored youth also must follow the sporting arm restrictions for the season they are participating in, as well. For example, if the mentor and mentored youth are participating in the late flintlock season for antlered deer, they must use a flintlock muzzleloader.

Under the program, a mentor is defined as a properly licensed individual at least 21 years of age, who serves as a guide to a mentored youth while engaged in hunting or related activities, such as scouting, learning firearm and hunter safety and wildlife identification. A mentored youth is defined as an unlicensed individual less than 12 years of age who is accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or related activities.

The mentor to mentored youth ratio may not exceed one mentor to one youth, and the pair may possess only one sporting arm while hunting. While moving, the sporting arm must be carried by the mentor. When the pair reaches a stationary hunting location, the mentor may turn over possession of the sporting arm to the youth and must keep the youth within arm’s length at all times.

BOARD FINALIZES CHANGE FOR SPECIAL SNOW GOOSE SEASON
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a regulatory change to permit the use of electronic calls during the “Snow Goose Conservation Hunt,” which will be held March 11-April 1. Calls will continue to be illegal for the regular snow goose season, which ends on March 10.

At its meeting in January of 2008, the Board approved a “Snow Goose Conservation Hunt Permit” to help stem the growth of continental snow goose populations, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently approved the hunt.

Additionally, hunting hours for the special snow goose conservation hunt will be one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

“Snow goose populations have reached levels that are causing extensive, and possibly irreversible damage to their, as well as other nesting birds’ arctic and sub-arctic breeding grounds,” pointed out John Dunn, Game Commission waterfowl biologist. “For some populations of snow geese their nesting habitats can no longer support these large numbers. What’s more, these geese are beginning to impact habitat and crops in Mid-Atlantic states and Quebec.

“It’s likely that North America has never had as many snow geese as it does now. They have become a huge and unexpected problem for themselves and other wildlife that shares the wintering and breeding grounds these waterfowl occupy.”

The quickest and probably most effective way for wildlife managers to respond to the problem is to allow additional hunting – and relax hunting regulations – to reduce and stabilize snow goose populations. That’s why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized states to use hunters to take snow geese at a time when all other waterfowl seasons are closed. This will include an option to allow hunting hours for this special snow goose season to extend one-half hour after sunset. Currently, all waterfowl shooting hours close at sundown, except for the September Canada goose season.

“More hunting days will provide hunters additional opportunity to harvest snow geese,” Dunn said. “We hope hunters participate in the special hunt. Their involvement can help to make a huge difference for snow geese and many other wildlife species.”

Hunters must obtain a free snow goose conservation hunt permit and report cards from the agency to participate in the season, which will be held from March 11 through April 1. To do so, hunters can access the “Snow Goose Conservation Hunt” page by clicking on the appropriate icon in the center of the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and then following the instructions. By completing the application online, hunters will be able to print off the permit and report cards and will not have to wait for the package to be mailed.

For those individuals with no online access, permits and the required report cards can be obtained by calling the Game Commission at the Harrisburg headquarters (717-787-4250) and asking for the Bureau of Wildlife Management. However, this process will require mailing the permit and report cards to the applicant, so allow a minimum of one week for processing and mail delivery to obtain a permit.

BOARD SETS FUTURE MEETING DATES
In other action today, the Board of Game Commissioners announced the rest of the 2009 quarterly meetings of the Board will be held Monday and Tuesday, April 20-21 and July 8-9, which will be held in the auditorium of the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave. On Oct. 5-6, the Board will meet in Philadelphia, at a site to be determined later. Also, the January 2010 meeting has been set for Jan. 24, 25 and 26, and will be held at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters.

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Pa., Board of Game Commissioners Elects Isabella President

LINCOLN, Nebraska — -(OutDoorWire.com)- William J. Bailey Jr., 81, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who served as assistant director for fish and wildlife of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for nearly 22 years, died in Lincoln on January 25.

Bailey was first employed by the Commission in 1954 as a land manager in western Nebraska. From 1962 to 1964 he served as assistant chief of the Game and Management Division with the Utah Department of Fish and Game. In 1964 he returned to Nebraska and held several positions within the Commission’s Wildlife Division prior to being promoted to assistant director for fish and wildlife in July, 1971. He retired from the Commission in March, 1993.

“Bill is an icon in wildlife management in Nebraska and North America. His work with deer, wild turkey and antelope management set Nebraska on course for providing our sportsmen and women with the outstanding hunting opportunities we enjoy today,” said Commission Director Rex Amack. “His legacy in the Commission’s wildlife management programs will continue in perpetuity,” Amack continued.

Former Commissioner Charles E. Wright of Lincoln said, “Bill was a consummate gentleman, who was totally committed to Nebraska’s wildlife resources. He served the Commission and the State of Nebraska to the utmost of his ability.”

Along with his work in wildlife restoration, Bailey was instrumental in establishing needs and obtaining legislation for instream flow appropriations, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing for the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID) and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) facilities, and development of the Nebraska Habitat Program.

Bailey, a native of West Virginia, was a graduate of West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in wildlife management, before earning a Master of Sciences degree in zoology and wildlife science from Pennsylvania State University.

Among Bailey’s survivors are a wife and two children. Services are pending.

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Bill Bailey Former Nebraska Game and Parks Assistant Commission Director Dies

Annapolis, Md. — -(AmmoLand.com)- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service congratulates 2008 Maryland Hunter Contest grand prize winner Ben Taylor of Salisbury, Md. and 40 other contestants, receiving complimentary 2009-2010 Maryland Hunting Licenses, for their participation in this year’s contest. Taylor entered the contest at Off the Neck, Inc. in Mardela Springs and will receive a $500 gift certificate courtesy of the Maryland Sportsmen’s Association to use at a participating vendor.

“The contest encourages hunters to visit local businesses who have served as long-standing hunting and wildlife management partners with DNR,” said Bob Beyer, Associate Director of the Wildlife and Heritage Service. “We appreciate local outdoor retailers and hunters for their long-standing support of wildlife management programs in Maryland.”

Wendy Donahoo, President of the Maryland Sportsmen’s Association, randomly drew the name of the grand prize winner and announced that he would also receive a complementary one year membership to the statewide sportsman’s group.

“The Maryland Sportsmen’s Association is proud to sponsor the grand prize for this contest as we aim to attract and retain hunters in Maryland,” said Donahoo. “This is our way to help support local businesses that contribute to the hunting community in our State.”

Junior hunters are reminded to continue to visit one of the participating agents through spring turkey season to receive a personalized junior hunter certificate and have their picture posted on DNR’s website. For more information about the junior hunter certificate program, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/Junior_Hunter_Agents.pdf

For a complete list of 2008 Maryland Hunter Contest winners, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife.

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Wicomico County Hunter Wins Grand Prize in 2008 Maryland Hunter Contest

HARRISBURG - -(OutDoorWire.com)- Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that he was reinstating protection on feral swine in Bradford, Bedford, Fulton, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties in an effort to facilitate trapping by individuals permitted by the agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Under the executive order, issued in May of 2008, protection remains lifted on feral swine in the remaining 64 counties.

“Trapping is the most effective way to remove feral swine from the wild, because it limits their dispersal into new areas,” Roe said. “If funding is not available for trapping, we may consider lifting protection in these counties as well.

“The Game Commission has determined that the eradication of feral swine from Pennsylvania is necessary to prevent further harm to public and private property, threats to native wildlife and disease risks for wildlife and the state’s pork industry. We are not seeking to establish a hunting season, but we are committed to rid Pennsylvania of this invasive species.”

Roe noted that the Game Commission has launched a “Feral Swine” section on its website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), and includes links to the executive order and a map delineating the counties in which feral swine may be taken incidental to other hunting seasons.

Licensed hunters, including those who qualify for license and fee exemptions, are eligible to participate in the unlimited incidental taking of feral swine in those 64 counties where feral swine are not protected. They may use manually-operated rifles, revolvers or shotguns, as well as and muzzleloaders, bows and crossbows. All other methods and devices legal for taking feral swine must be conducted and/or used in compliance with the provisions of Section 2308 of Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code), which can be viewed on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) in the “Laws & Regulations” section in the left-hand column of the homepage.

Additionally, the agency may issue permits to authorize individuals to engage in feral swine trapping operations, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services. Feral swine trapping, by permitted individuals, will only be allowed from the close of the flintlock muzzleloading season in mid-January to the beginning of spring gobbler season, and from the end of spring gobbler season until the beginning of archery deer season.

Any person who kills a feral swine must report it to the Game Commission Region Office that serves the county in which the harvest took place within 24 hours. Agency personnel will gather samples to monitor for the presence of disease.

Roe encouraged residents who witness feral swine to also contact the Region Office that serves their county. For contact information, as well as list of counties that each region office serves, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on the “Contact Us” link in the left-hand column of the homepage and scroll down to “Region Offices.”

Nearly 25 states across the nation have persistent and possibly permanent populations of feral swine established in the wild, and Pennsylvania is one of 16 new states where introduction is more recent and may still be countered through decisive eradication efforts.

Feral swine have been declared to be an injurious, non-native, invasive species of concern in Pennsylvania that are suspected to have been introduced into the wilds of this Commonwealth through a variety of means, including both intentional and unintentional releases. Feral swine also have been determined to pose a significant, imminent and unacceptable threat to this Commonwealth’s natural resources, including wildlife and its habitats; the agricultural industry, including crop and livestock production; the forest products industry; and human health and safety.

The Game and Wildlife Code (Title 34) and agency regulations (Title 58) provide broad authority to the Game Commission to regulate activities relating to the protection, preservation and management of all game and wildlife. However, the agency was only declared to have jurisdiction over matters relating to feral swine by the state Supreme Court in Seeton v. PGC. In its decision, handed down on Dec. 27, 2007, the Supreme Court decision declared feral swine to be “protected mammals,” and, as a consequence, feral swine could only be taken as authorized by the agency.

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Game Commission Restricts Take Of Feral Swine In Five Counties

WATERBURY, VERMONT – Richard Lamos of St. Albans, Vermont was announced at the Yankee Classic Sportsman’s Show Saturday, January 17th as the first prize winner of the Governor’s Gun in the “Hunting Heritage Collector’s Series Raffle.”

The raffle was held for the first time with collectible products owned and donated by Governor Jim Douglas and made by Vermont businesses for the Hunter Heritage Collector’s Series. Go to the “Store” section of VT Fish & Wildlife’s website (vtfishand wildlife.com) to learn more about the series.

Richard won a Special Edition MDM QuicShooter muzzleloader rifle produced by MDM Muzzleloaders in Maidstone, VT.

Second Prize, won by Jed West of Bellows Falls, VT, is a Special Edition Kingdom Knives “Palmer” fixed blade knife with sheath, made by Kingdom Knives in St. Johnsbury, VT.

Third Prize, a Beagle Outdoor Wear Hunter Heritage Collector’s Series Utility Bag was won by Kendra Wilson of Rupert, VT.

Fourth Prize is a Hunter Heritage Collector’s Series Camouflage Hat won by Jeff Laurie of West Rupert, VT.

“Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Vermont youth by being split evenly between UVM’s 4-H Shooting Sports Program and the Green Mountain Conservation Camps at Lake Bomoseen and Buck Lake,” said Mark Scott, Fish & Wildlife’s education manager. “Both programs are designed to help young people learn about Vermont’s traditional outdoor activities.”

For more information on Green Mountain Conservation Camps, go to www.vtfishandwildlife.com, and for 4-H Shooting Sports www.uvm.edu/extension or contact Lisa Muzzey at 802-885-8386;

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VT Hunting Heritage Raffle Winners Announced

West Virginia - -(OutDoorWire.com)- Hunters harvested a record 2,064 black bears during the combined 2008 archery and firearms seasons, according to Chris Ryan, Black Bear Project Leader for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The preliminary harvest data for the combined seasons in 2008 was 14 percent higher than the previous record of 1,804 established in 2007.

“Numerous factors contributed to this record bear harvest,” said Ryan. “West Virginia has a tremendous bear population that allows for a variety of different hunting opportunities. The expansion and increase in the bear population has led to the extension of hunting seasons designed to keep counties in line with their management objectives. With the cooperation of hunters, wildlife managers can maintain and/or adjust bear populations to desired management levels by implementing appropriate hunting regulations.”

Hunters took 477 bears during the 2008 archery season. The top five counties were Randolph (56), Nicholas (37), Preston (36), Webster (32), and McDowell (24).

Firearms hunters took a record harvest of 1,587 bears during 2008. Hunters took 670 bears during the September season. Top five counties were Pendleton (72), Randolph (66), Hardy (62), Pocahontas (60) and Greenbrier (52). Hunters took 109 bears during the concurrent buck gun season. Top five counties were Kanawha (32), Raleigh (27), Boone (25), Fayette (24) and Monongalia (1). Hunters took 808 during the traditional December season. The top five counties were Pocahontas (128), Greenbrier (105), Pendleton (102), Randolph (76), and Webster (68).

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West Virginia Hunters Harvest Record 2,064 Black Bears in 2008

West Virginia - -(OutDoorWire.com)- The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reminds trappers that the trapping season for fisher will end on January 31, 2009. This will be followed a month later, on February 28, 2009, by the closing of hunting and trapping seasons for fox, raccoon and bobcat. Hunters and trappers are required to tag all fisher pelts and unskinned bobcats at an official game checking station within 30 days of the close of their respective seasons. Fox and raccoon pelts are not required to be checked at a game checking station.

Trappers, hunters and fur dealers are reminded that furs shipped out of West Virginia must have a fur shipping tag that is available at West Virginia Division of Natural Resources District Offices and most checking stations.

Bobcat hunters and trappers should also obtain a CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) seal for each pelt they plan to sell outside of the State of West Virginia. All bobcat pelts usually exported from the United States by licensed fur buyers must have a CITES seal from the state where the animal was trapped. These seals may be obtained from theElkins Operations Center and any West Virginia DNR District Office. Calling ahead is advised to ensure that personnel authorized to seal bobcat pelts will be available.

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West Virginia Closing Dates for Fisher, Fox, Raccoon, and Bobcat Seasons

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON – -(TheOutdoorWire.com)- Hunters may now purchase and submit applications for a 2009 spring black bear hunting permit, applicable to specific areas of western and eastern Washington.

To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase and submit an application to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) by midnight March 13.

A drawing will be held in mid-March for 295 permits in western Washington and 225 permits for hunts east of the Cascades. Permit winners will receive notification in the mail by March 31.

To apply for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2009 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ , by calling (866) 246-9453, or at any license vendor in the state.

Special permit applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492.

Hunters interested in hunting on the Kapowsin Tree Farm should contact the tree farm before submitting an application to find out what areas are open. Those selected for the Kapowsin Tree Farm hunt must then purchase an access permit from Hancock Forest Management by calling (800) 782-1493.

Hunters selected for the Copalis hunt must obtain a Recreational Use Permit and should contact Rayonier at (360) 533-7000 during regular business hours.

More information on hunts scheduled on both sides of the state is available on page 58 in the 2008 Big Game Hunting Rules pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm .

Any legal weapon used during the modern firearm, archery or muzzleloader seasons can be used for spring black bear hunts. Bait or hounds are not allowed for bear hunting.

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Washington Spring Black Bear Hunt Applications Deadline Nears

Waldo, Ohio - For the third consecutive year, Ohio’s Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) chapters have surpassed the $1 million mark in expenditures, spending $1,066,731 on the organization’s wildlife habitat mission in 2008. Ohio PF/QF will celebrate these accomplishments at the Annual Ohio PF/QF State Meeting on Saturday, January 24th, at the All Occasions in Waldo.

During the year, Ohio chapters completed 949 habitat projects impacting 6,001 acres; planted 18,685 trees and shrubs for winter cover; engaged 1,224 youth in mentor hunts, 487 youth in target shooting, 194 youth in conservation camp and 2,563 youth in other related outdoor events; issued $1,510 in sponsoring educational workshops and offered 18 scholarships for $4,550. Additionally, a 90-acre property in Union County became the second property in the nation donated to PF/QF’s Forever Land Trust, and a pilot program in northwest Ohio called the Ohio Upland Habitat Initiative (OUHI) was launched to focus habitat funding in a specific focus area.

The State Meeting will include a Friday Night Social, and meetings and presenters from wildlife experts from Ohio and across the nation. Howard Vincent, PF/QF National President and CEO will also be attending the State Meeting. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with the 6th Annual Shoot at Blackwing Shooting Center.

“Ohio’s Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters have come a long way since the first chapter formed in 1989 and have much to be proud of,” said Doug Bensman, PF/QF Regional Wildlife Biologist in the state, “The evolution of the organization here in Ohio has been impressive. The credit goes to the dedicated and passionate chapters and members. The State Meeting is a great opportunity to come together and celebrate the accomplishments but also to look at the challenges ahead.”

For information about the Ohio PF/QF State Meeting, please contact Doug Bensman at (937)597-3737 or via email at dbensman@pheasantsforever.org

Ohio has 36 PF/QF chapters accounting for 6,100 members statewide. Those chapters have spent more than $7.5 million to complete over 15,000 habitat projects. Those projects have benefited 123,000 acres for wildlife.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org

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Ohio Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Announce 2008 Habitat Accomplishments

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA – Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are set to offer hunters the opportunity to participate in a snow goose conservation hunt designed to help stem the growth of continental snow goose populations.

Hunters must obtain a free snow goose conservation hunt permit and report cards from the agency to participate in the season, which will be held from March 11 through April 1. To do so, hunters can access the “Snow Goose Conservation Hunt” page by clicking on the appropriate icon in the center of the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and then following the instructions. By completing the application online, hunters will be able to print off the permit and report cards and will not have to wait for the package to be mailed.

For those individuals with no online access, permits and the required report cards can be obtained by calling the Game Commission at the Harrisburg headquarters (717-787-4250) and asking for the Bureau of Wildlife Management. However, this process will require mailing the permit and report cards to the applicant, so allow a minimum of one week for processing and mail delivery to obtain a permit.

“Snow goose populations have reached levels that are causing extensive and possibly irreversible damage to their, as well as other nesting birds’, arctic and sub-arctic breeding grounds,” pointed out John Dunn, Game Commission waterfowl biologist. “For some populations of snow geese their nesting habitats can no longer support these large numbers. What’s more, these geese are beginning to impact fragile coastal marsh habitats and crops in Mid-Atlantic States and Quebec.

“It’s likely that North America has never had as many snow geese as it does now. The current population of greater snow geese that inhabits the Atlantic Flyway is estimated at more than one million birds, more than double the management goal of 500,000. They have become a huge and unexpected problem for themselves and other wildlife that shares the wintering and breeding grounds these waterfowl occupy.”

The quickest and probably most effective way for wildlife managers to respond to the problem is to allow additional hunting days – and new hunting methods – to reduce and stabilize snow goose populations. That’s why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first offered states the opportunity to allow hunters to take snow geese at a time when all other waterfowl seasons are closed. This will include an option to allow hunting hours for this special snow goose season to extend one-half hour after sunset. Currently, all waterfowl shooting hours close at sundown, except for the September Canada goose season. Also, the Board of Game Commissioners recently gave preliminary approval to allow the use of electronic calls during this conservation hunt. The daily bag limit during the conservation hunt will be 15 daily with no possession limit.

“Currently, the regular snow goose season runs from Nov. 6 through March 10, with a daily limit of 15 birds,” Dunn said. “The additional hunting days offered after March 10 will provide hunters additional opportunity to harvest snow geese.”

Participating states are required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor and assess hunting activity and harvest. That is why the Game Commission has created the free Snow Goose Conservation Hunt Permit.

“Along with this new permit, hunters must possess a general hunting license, migratory game bird license and a federal duck stamp (for those 16 or older),” Dunn said. “The permit holder will be required to maintain records specifying hunting activity and daily harvest. All permit holders must submit a report, even if they did not hunt or harvest any birds, to the Game Commission no later than April 15. Failure to report by April 15 may result in loss of eligibility to participate in next year’s snow goose conservation hunt.”

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PA Game Commission Prepares For Special Snow Goose Season

Kentucky Afield

Frankfort, Kentucky - -(TheOutdoorWire.com)- In half a century, Kentucky’s white-tailed deer herd grew from 1,000 animals to a million today. Wild turkeys increased from about 800 birds to a quarter-million, and we are now home to 10,000 free-ranging elk, the largest elk population east of the Rocky Mountains. All are now hunted in Kentucky.

A new big game species came closer to joining that list this week when legislators approved a pending regulatory amendment that will create Kentucky’s first black bear season in more than 100 years.

“Sportsmen and sportswomen of Kentucky should be very excited,” said Steven Dobey, black bear biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Bears are now well established in eastern Kentucky and research shows that population growth has risen steadily over the last 20 years.”

Historically, the range of black bears throughout much of the eastern U.S. was diminished significantly by habitat loss due to wholesale logging and unregulated harvest. Today, however, black bears are more abundant than at any point since the mid-1900s, and Kentucky is no exception. Once logged forests have naturally matured and now offer excellent bear habitat throughout much of the southern Appalachian region of the Commonwealth.

“The 2009 hunt quota is a conservative one of 10 bears, or 5 females, whichever limit is reached first,” said Dobey. “The 2-day season will occur on the third weekend in December and bears may only be hunted within a 3-county bear zone of Harlan, Letcher, and Pike counties. Research clearly shows that Kentucky’s bear population can sustain a hunt.”

The League of Kentucky Sportsmen and others have pushed for a Kentucky black bear hunt for several years. League President Rick Allen recently testified before a legislative committee in support of creating the state’s first bear season. A decade-long University of Kentucky black bear population study is supportive as well.

The timing of this hunt is critical, as ongoing tracking of radiocollared bears shows that most females enter dens during the first week in December. As such, the hunt will concentrate efforts on male bears. The bear zone was identified based on a decade of population monitoring and research that indicates this area of the Pine, Cumberland and Black Mountain region has the highest bear densities.

The 6,000-acre Hensley-Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Letcher County will be closed to all bear hunting and serve as a sanctuary for denning females. On an additional 12,421 acres surrounding this wildlife management area, bear hunting will be limited to landowners, their spouses and dependent children hunting on their own property.

Collectively, the bear sanctuary will stretch from the town of Cumberland to the northern end of the wildlife management area, bounded by KY 160 and U.S. 119 along either side of Pine Mountain.

“Since 2006, 77 percent of all radiocollared female bears have denned on Pine Mountain,” Dobey continued. “Minimizing hunting pressure in this area will protect critical denning habitat for females and greatly assist in our ongoing management efforts.”

The purchase of a $30 black bear permit will be available only to Kentucky residents. All bears harvested must be Telechecked and taken to a department-operated check station. All bear hunters will be required to call an automated telephone number by 9 p.m. after the first day of the hunt to learn whether the quota has been reached. If the quota is met on day one, then the season will be closed. Baiting for bears and the use of hounds will be prohibited.

About:
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.5 billion annually. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.

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Kentucky Black Bear Hunt Approved For The 2009 Season

Pheasants Forever

Gratiot County, Michigan - -(TheOutdoorWire.com)-  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will partner with Pheasants Forever (PF) to acquire 140 acres of land in Gratiot County that is adjacent to the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area. DNR Director Rebecca Humphries authorized the transaction at a recent Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.

The land, which is split in two parcels, a 120-acre parcel and a 20-acre one, is located in Hamilton Township in Gratiot County. Humphries authorized the transaction up to $370,000, with the purchase being paid for by the Turkey Habitat Acquisition Fund, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and a $10,000 gift from Pheasants Forever.

“This acquisition is significant because of the upland bird habitat on the property,” said Humphries. “This will help us consolidate ownership, prevent land fractionalization, increase public recreational opportunities and secure additional wildlife habitat. This is an important wildlife corridor connecting existing state ownership at the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area.”

“The DNR especially wishes to recognize the contribution of $10,000 from our conservation partner, Pheasants Forever,” said DNR Wildlife Chief Russ Mason. “A significant portion of the land being acquired contains the habitat necessary for this special game bird, and by its actions, Pheasants Forever has helped to create more hunting opportunities for Michigan citizens.”

The Gratiot-Saginaw State Game area is 15,892 acres in both Saginaw and Gratiot counties. For more information online, go to the www.michigan.gov/dnr.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 129,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org

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Michigan DNR, PF to Acquire 140 Acres near Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - -(TheOutdoorWire.com)- Permits for the 2009 spring turkey hunting seasons now may be purchased, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Hunters will have more opportunity to use them, too. The seasons have been extended by a combined 10 days.

The 2009 hunting seasons are: archery and youth archery, March 25-May 31; youth shotgun, April 11-May 31; and shotgun, April 18-May 31.

Spring turkey hunting permits, which are valid statewide, may be purchased through May 31. Each hunter may purchase up to three permits for the spring seasons. The three-permit limit may be any combination of shotgun and archery tags.

Resident permits are $24 and nonresident permits $91. Permits may be purchased online at OutdoorNebraska.org. The bag limit is one male or bearded female turkey per permit.

There is no minimum age requirement for hunting turkeys. Those hunters under the age of 12, when hunting with a shotgun permit, must be accompanied by a person 19 years of age or older who has a valid Nebraska hunting permit.

According to a spring 2008 rural mail carriers’ survey, the state’s turkey population has increased 500 percent since 2002. The turkey population and extended seasons provide a good opportunity for all hunters, including youth and first-time hunters.

Hunters in Nebraska harvested a record 19,896 turkeys last spring.

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Permits Available for Nebraska 2009 Spring Turkey Hunting

Kentucky Afield

Frankfort, Kentuckyy - -(TheOutdoorWire.com)- This weekend, January 17 and 18, “Kentucky Afield” television looks at hunting methods that pair man with dogs, raptors and success.

We’re reminded in this episode that animals hunt, too. Predator/prey relationships exist in every corner of the wilderness. In Jefferson County, Dave Campbell, who works with elephants at the Louisville Zoo, is an expert falconer. With his Harris’ hawk, we head to the field to pursue rabbit and squirrel. It’s teamwork that works when we rely on instincts apart from our own.

While on the subject of hunter helpers, host Tim Farmer participates in a more traditional hunt with the help of beagles. In Shelby County, Clinton Cook and crew help bag a delightful day.

Elsewhere, with January temperatures, few are thinking of boating. Jason Russell, fisheries biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, says it’s time for boat trailer maintenance. Russell logs hundreds of miles each year with a boat in his rear view mirror. He points out a few winter tips that won’t leave you on the side of the road.

“Kentucky Afield” is a production of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It is the longest continuously-running outdoor television show in the nation. The program airs Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern /7:30 p.m. Central and is repeated Sunday at 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Central on KET 1. Segments can also be accessed on the Internet at fw.ky.gov. To see the latest news about “Kentucky Afield” television and view your favorite show segments from the past, sign up today for the electronic newsletter. Visit fw.ky.gov on the Internet and click the Kentucky Afield Newsletter icon.

About:
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.5 billion annually. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.

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Hunters Have A Little Help This Weekend On Kentucky Afield TV

West Virgina – The Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) will host an Archery in the Schools (AIS) Program training on March 3 and 4, 2009, at North Bend State Park in Cairo (Ritchie County), West Virginia, according to Jerry Westfall, WVDNR’s AIS Program Coordinator.

“This is the first time the WVDNR has provided training in Ritchie County and we would like to invite all schools – especially ones located in central and northernW.Va., to take advantage of it,” said Westfall. “Because many teachers will be traveling from other areas of the state, North Bend State Park has reduced room rates to make their stay as convenient and affordable as possible.”

The AIS Program is the WVDNR’s largest and fastest growing educational program. Since its inception in 2004, more than 30,000 students have been introduced to archery as part of their physical education (PE) classes in 150 W.Va. schools. The program teaches Olympic-style target archery in both public and private school grade 4-12 PE classes. “In order for a school to have the AIS Program, it must first have a certified instructor – preferably a PE instructor or a coach who will introduce as many kids as possible to the joys of target archery,” said Westfall. “The WVDNR only has about four trainings per year and, because class size is limited to 25 individuals, these slots are highly sought after. As an added incentive, teachers taking this training may be eligible to receive Continuing Education Hours.”

Please note this training will cost $25 for all school employees and $50 for non-school employees. This fee will be paid to WVDNR – Archery in the Schools Program (via check, money order, or exact currency only) during the first morning of the training.

To register for the AIS training at North Bend State Park please call Billie Shearer at (304) 558-2771; email billieshearer@wvdnr.gov. For more information on the AIS Program, you can visit the WVDNR’s AIS Web site at www.wvdnr.gov/archery or call WVDNR’s AIS Program Coordinator Jerry Westfall at (304) 558-2771; email jerrywestfall@wvdnr.gov. For reservations and information about North Bend State Park, please call (304) 643-2931

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Training for Archery in the Schools Program to be held at North Bend State Park

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX — The 2009 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklets are now available at all Arizona Game and Fish Department offices and license dealers statewide. Applications are now being accepted by mail only.

Apply before Jan. 22, and if there is an error in your application, the department will make three attempts, within a 24-hour period, to notify you by telephone (if a phone number is provided) to get the application to be corrected. Errors can cause your application to be rejected from the draw process.

A 2009 hunting license is required to apply. Department officials encourage hunters to get their license before applying for an elk or antelope hunt permit-tag if they wish to do any other hunting in early 2009. Licenses purchased through the draw process will not be mailed out until April 24, 2009, regardless of application success.

Hunters are reminded there is no online application process. The final deadline to submit paper applications for a 2009 hunt permit-tag for antelope and elk hunts through the draw process is Tuesday, Feb. 10 by 7 p.m. (MST). Applications must be received by mail or by hand delivery to department offices before the deadline; postmarks don’t count.

To assist customers and reduce errors, a PDF application form can be filled out using a computer and keyboard, but must be printed, signed and submitted by mail (along with the correct fees by check or money order), or by delivery to any department office. The form can also be printed and then filled out using an ink pen.

The PDF application and the 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet can be downloaded at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

The elk over-the-counter nonpermit-tags (for limited areas) are also available in 2009. These tags are akin to a “limited opportunity” hunt in areas with very low elk populations. Hunters interested should thoroughly review the regulations and visit www.azgfd.gov/otc to download the “2009 Elk OTC Informational Handout” PDF for frequently asked questions, hunt area boundary descriptions and area maps before purchasing.

For those hunters looking to get into the field before the fall, there are many spring javelina hunt permit-tags available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Javelina over-the-counter archery-only nonpermit-tags for metro Game Management Units are also available at any department office or license dealer. For a list of available spring javelina hunts, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw under “List of Leftover Permits for Spring 2009 hunts (PDF, 45kb).”

Note: The big game draw is a lottery-style process for allocating the limited number of Arizona big game hunting permits to applicants. The department typically receives far more applications than there are available permits for the elk and antelope draw. Wildlife conservation and management of game animals by the Arizona Game and Fish Department is made possible by funding generated from the sale of hunting licenses, hunt permit-tags, and matching funds from federal excise taxes hunters pay on guns, ammunition and related equipment.

About:
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

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Arizona Elk And Antelope Hunting Permit Applications Due By Feb. 10

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – Sportsmen’s organizations with approved propagation facilities can augment local ring-necked pheasant stockings and increase localized recreational hunting opportunities by raising day?old pheasant chicks supplied free-of-charge by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Applications to participate can be downloaded from the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), by clicking on “Forms & Programs” and then selecting “Pheasant Chick & Egg Program.” In order for Game Farm superintendents to plan and set hatches to accommodate requests, the Bureau of Wildlife Management must receive completed applications by March 31.

“To restore self-sustaining and huntable pheasant populations, the Game Commission is committed to creating Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, as outlined in our pheasant management plan,” said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. “While we strive to create these areas, we continue to urge interested clubs to participate in our pheasant chick and egg programs, which provide wonderful opportunities to get young people involved in raising birds. In addition to learning about the food and habitat requirements of pheasants, they’ll have the chance to see the chicks mature into adult game birds, and to help augment local pheasant populations and increase hunting opportunities.”

In 1929, the Game Commission began the propagation of pheasants on an extensive scale with the establishment of two game farms. Over the next six decades, to off?set the increasing demand for pheasants from hunters, three other farms were placed into operation, and the day?old pheasant chick program was implemented and made available to sportsmen’s organizations, 4?H clubs, farmers, and other cooperators for rearing and releasing on areas open to public hunting.

In 1959, the number of pheasant chicks distributed to cooperators reached 229,685, an all-time high, in addition to the more than 88,500 pheasants raised and released by the agency at its four game farms. Unfortunately, cooperator participation has dwindled significantly over the last few decades. In recent years, only a dozen or so clubs have participated; raising and releasing 3,000-4,000 birds.

Because of budgetary constraints, the Game Commission was forced, in 2005, to reduce its annual pheasant stocking allocation from 200,000 to 100,000. The Game Commission released 100,000 adult birds again this past season, and expects to keep pheasant production at 100,000 until additional financial resources are made available. However, as part of the agency’s pheasant management plan, the agency intends to increase that stocking effort to 250,000 birds, should increased funding become available.

DuBrock said that the agency provides, free of charge, day-old pheasant chicks to clubs entering into an agreement with the Game Commission to raise birds and promote recreational hunting on lands open to public hunting. Gender is not determined as the chicks are boxed for distribution, but are generally at a one-to-one male/female ratio. The number of chicks received depends on the size of the club’s facility. The agency will provide enrolled clubs with plans for a brooder building, covered pen, and guidelines for rearing pheasants.

“The agency also offers enrolled organizations technical assistance and advice at the club’s facility, and a training session and overview of agency game farm operations can be scheduled during the off?season from January through March to assist in development of the club’s program,” DuBrock said.

To be eligible to receive pheasant chicks, a sportsmen’s club is required to have a minimum of 25 square feet of covered pen space available per bird. In addition, 72 square inches of floor space per chick is recommended in the brooder building. All feed and expenses incurred in the work of constructing covered pens and raising pheasants will be the responsibility of the club. All pheasants propagated by organizations must be released on lands open to public hunting.

Pheasant chicks can be raised at the cooperator’s facility or by a designated caretaker with the proper facilities.

“Youth who participate in raising birds can help release hen pheasants in early September in areas where hens are protected from hunting and where habitat is sufficient to provide food and cover,” DuBrock said. “These birds can provide good dog training opportunities and releasing hens early also provides additional room in the pen to finish growing out the males for the hunting season.

“Maximum recreational opportunities can be attained by releasing male pheasants as close to the opening of small game season as possible, and no later than the end of the second week of the season.”

Game Commission pheasant hatches come off once a week during the month of May, and the chicks for clubs will be scheduled into those hatches. Game farm superintendents will send notification to approved organizations when chicks will be ready for pick?up.

The Game Commission requires a complete report of the production and release results. Renewal applications will not be processed unless a complete report has been filed for the prior year.

In addition to the cooperating sportsmen’s club program, the agency also sells surplus day-old hen pheasant chicks and eggs in lots of 100 chicks for $60, or 300 eggs for $180. Early requests receive top priority and orders are processed until the last scheduled hatch, which usually is the first week of June. While day-old hen pheasant chicks may be purchased by anyone, pheasant eggs will be sold only to licensed game propagators. Both eggs and chicks must be picked up at the supplying Game Commission game farm.

Applications to purchase surplus day-old hen pheasant chicks or pheasant eggs can be downloaded from the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), by clicking on “Forms & Programs” and then selecting “Pheasant Chick & Egg Program.”

The pheasant is native to Asia. Recorded attempts to establish pheasants in North America date back to the mid 1700s. These early attempts were unsuccessful; it wasn’t until 1881, in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, that pheasants first became established.

During the early 1890s, Pennsylvania citizens purchased pheasants from English gamekeepers and released them in Lehigh and Northampton counties. For several decades, many other small releases were made across the Commonwealth to establish pheasants for sport hunting.

In the early 1900s, the Game Commission set aside a special appropriation of funds to purchase and propagate game. Pheasant eggs were purchased and given to agency refuge keepers, sportsmen’s organizations and private individuals interested in raising pheasants. The first stocking of pheasants by the Game Commission occurred by 1915.

For more information on pheasants and the history of the agency’s pheasant management plan and propagation program, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), select “Hunting” then click on the photograph of the pheasant.

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Clubs Urged To Participate In Pheasant Chick And Egg Program

OLYMPIA , Wa- -(OutDoorWire.com)- A brant goose hunt in Skagit County will proceed as scheduled after an aerial survey tallied about 16,200 brant in the area, the largest count in 14 years, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Brant hunting is scheduled Jan. 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25 with a daily bag limit of two geese.

The 16,200 brant counted during today’s aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays represent the highest total number of birds observed in those areas since 1995, when nearly 17,000 brant were counted, said Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager for WDFW. At least 6,000 brant must be counted in Skagit County before hunting is allowed.

“The high count is likely due to another season of good production at the birds’ breeding grounds in the Canadian arctic, and severe cold up north pushing more birds south into the area,” Kraege said.

Last year, WDFW wildlife biologists counted about 9,200 brant – slightly above the long-term average. About 6,100 brant were counted during aerial surveys in 2007 and about 9,500 the previous year.

Hunters participating in the brant season must have prior written authorization and a harvest information card from WDFW. Hunters need to record their harvest information immediately after taking a brant, and return the completed harvest report to WDFW by Feb. 15. Hunters who fail to return the report by Feb. 15 will be ineligible to hunt brant in the 2009-2010 season.

Hunters who harvest a brant implanted with a radio transmitter should call Kraege at (360) 902-2522. WDFW biologists would like to retrieve the transmitters, which are used to track the migration pattern of the birds.

Hunters who harvest a brant fitted with a colored leg band should also report the leg band’s numbers and color to WDFW. Birds fitted with metal leg bands can be reported by calling 1-800-327-BAND or at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl . The leg bands help biologists identify and track the birds.

More information on brant-hunting requirements is available in WDFW’s Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons hunting pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm .

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High Brant Count Clears Way For Skagit County Wa Hunt

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont.- -(AmmoLand.com)- Conservation and education in Michigan are seven steps ahead of last year thanks to grants totaling $39,226 from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Seven projects received funding in Allegan, Cheboygan, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Montmorency, Osceola, Otsego, Ottawa and Presque Isles counties.

“This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in Michigan,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fundraising banquets and other events in Michigan, as well as worthy project proposals.”

The Elk Foundation grants helped fund the following 2008 projects in Michigan, listed by county:

Allegan County—Refurbish a boardwalk, trail and interpretive signs at Outdoor Discovery Center Wetland Forest Trail.

Ingham County—Provide funding for Michigan National Archery in the Schools Program to teach basic archery to students (also affects Eaton and Clinton counties).

Montmorency County—Renovate an educational elk display for City of Atlanta.

Osceola County—Sponsor Children’s Charters hunting and fishing trips for disadvantaged youth, senior and physically challenged citizens.

Otsego County—Fertilize forage openings and remove encroaching trees to improve elk forage in Pigeon River Country State Forest; provide support for habitat enhancement projects and development of forest management plans covering over 700 acres as part of the Pigeon River Habitat Initiative (also affects Cheboygan, Montmorency and Presque Isles counties).

Ottawa County—Sponsorship of youth hunter safety clinics.

Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed 75 conservation and education projects in Michigan with a value of more than $2 million. Partners for 2008 projects in Michigan included Huron Pines, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Outdoor Discovery Center, other agencies, corporations, landowners and organizations.

About:
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 5.4 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.

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Michigan Conservation Projects Draw Elk Foundation Funds

West Virginia - -(OutDoorWire.com)- Preliminary counts of game checking tags indicate West Virginia hunters harvested a total of 162,371 white-tailed deer during the recently completed bucks-only, antlerless, muzzleloader, bow and youth/Class Q deer seasons, according to Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro. This year’s total harvest was 11 percent above the 2007 deer harvest of 145,937 and ranks as the 15th highest total on record. Hunters killed 68,540 bucks, 54,704 antlerless season deer, 30,749 archery season deer and 8,378 muzzleloader season deer during the 2008 season.
Antlerless Deer Season

The 2008 antlerless deer season, which includes the youth/Class Q deer hunts, was 25 percent above 2007, due in part to the increase in hunter opportunities to take antlerless deer. “It is important to note that part of the deer management strategy is to regulate the harvest of antlerless deer in individual counties to raise or lower the deer population,” said Jezioro. The top 10 counties were: Preston (2,843), Jackson (2,173), Mason (2,155), Wood (2,118), Lewis (2,051), Harrison (1,921), Wetzel (1,866), Ritchie (1,792), Barbour (1,728) and Monongalia (1,676).

“Continued doe harvests are the key to healthier, heavier, and more productive deer herds. Guided by our deer harvest management plan, we will continue to recommend appropriate antlerless harvests for the benefit of not only the deer herd, but also all wildlife dependent on our state’s woodland habitat,” said Jezioro.
Muzzleloader Deer Season

The 2008 muzzleloader harvest of 8,378 was nine percent above the 2007 harvest and ranks as the 16th highest total on record. The increase in harvest is attributed in part to the increased number of counties open to either sex muzzleloader hunting. Generally, antlerless deer make up 80 percent of the muzzleloader season harvest. The top 10 counties were: Braxton (538), Lewis (392), Preston (320), Mason (299), Ritchie (297), Jackson (279), Roane (270), Gilmer (267), Wood (264) and Barbour (245).
Archery Deer Season

The bow hunters take of 30,749 deer was12 percent above the 2007 harvest of 27,440 and ranks as the 6th highest on record. The top 10 counties were: Preston (1,434), Randolph (1,268), Kanawha (878), Nicholas (870), Monongalia (854), Mason (825), Greenbrier (788), Wyoming (746), McDowell (741), and Jackson(733).

(Note: If your e-mail viewer does not properly display the deer harvest chart below, you can see it on the WVDNR Web site athttp://www.wvdnr.gov/news.shtm )

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West Virginia Hunters Harvest 162,371 Deer in 2008