Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- For hunters who do not have access to privately-owned land, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is providing low cost access to nearly a million acres of department-managed lands for hunting, including most wildlife management areas, some state parks and many leased properties under the Annual Public Hunting permit program.

The Annual Public Hunting Permit is a $48 permit, valid from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 of the following year. The permit allows an adult access to designated public hunting lands in the TPWD public hunting lands program. Hunting is allowed during legal hunting seasons for squirrel, rabbits and hares, white-tailed deer, feral hogs, spring eastern turkey, predators, furbearers, and fishing without having to pay daily permit fees and in most instances, without having to be selected in a drawing.

The North and South Zone Duck Season re-opened December 10 and while TPWD WMAs have strong hunter numbers taking advantage of hunting on weekend hunt dates, the weekday hunt dates leave plenty of available hunting areas and quality hunting for those hunters who might have hunting time during the week.

According to Jim Sutherlin, Upper Coast Wetland Ecosystem project Leader, duck hunting is quite good on public hunting lands and reservoirs where fresher water conditions and waterfowl food resources can still be found.

“Puddle ducks prefer shallow water, and we have an abundance (record numbers of several species) of ducks on the continent this year,” Sutherlin said. “Specifically, check out the duck hunts on the Big Hill Unit of the J D Murphree WMA where the hunter daily duck bag was close to 4 birds per man per day during the first waterfowl season split.”

Waterfowl hunting isn’t the only game available. There is still plenty of feral hog hunting to be found. According to survey results compiled by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service 74 percent of Texas’ 254 counties contain feral hog populations and there is a good chance TPWD offers feral hog hunting opportunities in those counties on public hunting lands.

“Right now is as good a time as any to hit the woods hard for ol’ pig sooie,” said Bill Adams, Pineywoods Ecosystem Project Leader. “In East Texas there are several WMAs that offer year-round hog hunting, but staff recommend keying in on those areas associated with rivers such as Alabama Creek, Alazan Bayou, Angelina Neches/Dam B, North Toledo Bend, and Blue Elbow Swamp Wildlife Management Areas. “

Along with the appropriate Texas hunting licenses and stamps, permit holders may take youth under age 17 hunting free of charge on these public hunting lands. Youth hunting on departmental public hunting lands must be accompanied by a supervising adult 18 years of age or older who possesses the required Annual Public Hunting Permit, a valid hunting license and any required stamps and permits.

A new online map feature allows for “virtual scouting” of public hunting areas. By clicking on the locator points, you can follow links to detailed aerial maps with highlighted boundaries and links to information pages from the APH information map booklet. A downloadable Google Earth file (.kml) is also available that contains all the boundary information along with links to the corresponding APH map booklet pages.

Permits are available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, online through the TPWD Web site (tpwd.state.tx.us) or by calling 1-800-TX-LIC-4U and paying by major credit card. There is a $5 convenience fee for online and phone purchases. If the permit is purchased at a TPWD office, the public hunting lands map booklet and supplement will be provided immediately at the time of purchase; otherwise, the publications will be mailed to the purchaser within two weeks of purchase.

National Park Service Pushing Land Grab

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- The National Park Service (NPS) is eying important hunting lands for inclusion in a large new West Virginia park unit.

Apparently the agency is looking at establishing this new unit – the High Allegheny National Park — in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia.

Most of the land under review is presently part of the Monongahela National Forest and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge – both of which have long hunting traditions.

I have hunted ruffed grouse, woodcock, and turkeys in these areas for years, and just last year I wrote an article in The Pointing Dog Journal about the rich hunting history of this area.

Hunters and anglers need to watch this park study, and NPS, like a hawk. The agency is historically hostile to hunters, becoming increasingly hostile to anglers, and is flat out opposed to wildlife and habitat management (both activities are important on Forest and Refuge lands). Plus, almost all NPS units are “parks” where hunting is prohibited.

Having NPS take over management of wonderful hunting areas within the Forest, like Spruce Knob and Dolly Sods, sends shivers down this hunter’s spine.

Some park proponents are already trying to assure hunters that hunting will be protected in the new park. I’m not buying it. We have seen the value of similar promises in the Big Cypress National Preserve (a NPS unit) in Florida where hunters have been harassed and systematically restricted for years. Even when the agency isn’t doing the restricting, anti-hunting activists are in federal court every other year pushing new limitations in the name of endangered species, wilderness “solitude”, protection of vegetation, and adverse impact on the tender aesthetic sensibilities of non-hunting visitors (of whom there are few).

Even stronger legal protections for hunting on Refuge lands have barely been adequate to protect hunting. Antis tried to shut down hunting in the Canaan Valley Refuge via a federal lawsuit filed in Washington, DC. U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance helped fight off that suit, but it revealed that saving hunting on federal land units remains a challenge. Similar problems impacting hunting and wildlife management on Forest lands has prompted USSA and others in the hunting community to push for the enactment of new a bill – HR 2834 – that keeps hunting (and fishing and shooting) open on the National Forest system.

Recently, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee favorably reported the bill which should be on the House of Representatives floor in January. If we can barely protect hunting on the Canaan unit, where a 1997 law makes hunting (and fishing) “priority public uses”, and need new statutory protections for hunting on Forest lands (like the Monongahela), how are we going to ensure continued hunting and access on a new High Allegheny National Park?

None of this makes on-the-ground sense. The thousands of acres of public land within the Monongahela National Forest, and the Canaan Refuge, are committed to conservation (and open to hunting). The lands are subject to professional habitat management by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.

You can kiss bona fide conservation management, and habitat projects, goodbye if NPS takes over.

It treats lands like “biospheres under glass” where management to help fish and wildlife is considered a sin against nature and hunters are surely not welcome. As far as hunters and anglers are concerned, bringing in NPS adds absolutely nothing and guarantees nothing but protracted fighting to retain the hunting heritage in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains.

USSA will be monitoring this closely because of its broad consequences for hunters and anglers (and because I don’t want some of the East’s favorite grouse hunting woods under NPS control).

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

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

OLYMPIA, Washington --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will accept public comments through Dec. 15 on a $1 million federal grant designed to provide incentives for more private landowners to open their lands to hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation in eastern Washington.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) was one of 11 agencies nationwide to qualify for funding in the second round of the USDA’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, established under the 2008 federal Farm Bill.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, USDA’s Farm Service Agency recently determined that the department’s plans for the grant money would not have a significant effect on the environment.

The federal findings are posted at http://bit.ly/mpufNQ . Public comments on those findings may also be submitted on that site.

Nate Pamplin, assistant director of the WDFW wildlife program, said the state agency has also raised $400,000 to expand hunter access to private lands through additional fees paid by hunters who apply for new permit-only hunts.

“Hunters consistently rank access to suitable hunting areas as one of their top concerns,” Pamplin said. “With the additional federal funding, we’ll be able to build on current state efforts to expand hunting opportunities for years to come.”

WDFW also received a three-year $1.5 million grant to expand access to hunting and fishing on private lands throughout the state during the first round of the program. The department is currently using that funding to establish contracts with landowners to open their lands to outdoor recreation.

Pamplin said the new $993,231 grant will be used to expand hunting and fishing opportunities in eastern Washington in several ways:

• Provide incentives to private landowners to allow hunting on forested properties in Kittitas, Klickitat, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties.
• Work with landowners in Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Walla Walla and Whitman counties to improve habitat enrolled in both the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and WDFW access programs.
• Initiate a “Feel Free to Fish” program in southeast Washington, paying private landowners for shoreline access to river fisheries.

AmmoLand Gun News

U.S. SENATE --(Ammoland.com)- On the eve of big-game hunting season in Montana, Senator Jon Tester is pushing to improve voluntary access to land for Montana’s hunters and anglers.

Tester this week introduced an amendment that will restore the Open Fields initiative. Open Fields encourages owners and operators of private lands to voluntarily make their property accessible to the public for hunting or fishing.

Tester, chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, says that the loss of access to private land is the main reason Montana sportsmen and women stop hunting and fishing.

“Montana is world famous for our hunting and fishing, but we’re also known for our good neighbors who value the traditions of access to land and water,” Tester said. “This measure keeps Montanans working together to access some of the state’s best places to hunt, benefiting Montana’s outdoor heritage and our economy.”

Currently, 26 states have voluntary public access initiatives, but funding for Open Fields was removed from a recent Senate appropriations bill.

Tester’s amendment is supported by numerous sportsmen’s organizations, including the National Rifle Association, the Montana Wildlife Federation, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and Ducks Unlimited.

“Diminishing access to hunting land is the primary reason many Americans are forced to give up hunting,” said Christopher Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Reinstatement of the Open Fields program will encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch and forestland to voluntarily make those lands accessible to hunters and sportsmen. This will help increase hunter retention and help preserve America’s hunting heritage.”

“Keeping the dialogue open between Montana’s private landowners and sportsmen and women is vital,” said Gayle Joslin of the Helena Hunters and Anglers. “We appreciate Senator Tester going to bat for Open Fields in order to maintain our conservation legacy and our commitment to accessible lands for our hunters and anglers.”

Open Fields – formally known as the Voluntary Public Lands Access and Habitat Incentive – is run by the U.S. Farm Service Agency along with state and tribal governments. It offers competitive grants to states and tribal governments to expand private land access through easements.

Outdoor recreation represents a $2.5 billion-per-year industry in Montana. Tester recently held a public hearing in Bozeman on the value of public lands where he heard from Montana’s sportsmen and women.

Tester’s amendment is available online HERE.

Ohio Department Natural Resources

ATHENS, OH --(Ammoland.com)- American Electric Power (AEP) is a long-standing partner in the effort to provide hunters with more access to lands on which they can pursue their pastime.

While approximately 90,000 acres of land are currently open to sportsmen and women, not all AEP properties are open to the public, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

“The name AEP has become synonymous with public land in southeastern Ohio, but not all the land they own is open for public hunting,” stated District Four Law Enforcement Supervisor Tom Donnelly. “Hunters need to confirm that the AEP property they plan to hunt is open. Hunting without permission on AEP’s private properties has rarely been enforced, but that will change this year.”

Many hunters have been using the private AEP properties for years with no repercussions, but that will no longer be the case. As a result of increased illegal activity on these private properties, AEP’s land management section has asked the Division of Wildlife to begin enforcing hunting without permission. Many of these private properties are in lease agreements with private hunting clubs, or with farmers for agricultural practices.

“AEP requires their lease holders to purchase liability insurance and enter into a written contract,” stated Brian Cox, a forester with AEP’s land management section. “This is a relatively new process, and local sportsmen who have accessed these properties in the past should consider them equivalent to any other piece of privately-owned property.”

None of the public AEP properties are affected by this increase in enforcement, and sportsmen and women who have been legally hunting these areas will not see any change. All persons interested in recreational activities on any public AEP properties must still obtain a free lifetime permit which can be found at various locations including the ODNR Division of Wildlife District 4 Office in Athens, or at www.aep.com/environmental/recreation. The AEP permit is valid at the following areas: The ReCreation Lands, Poston Plant lands, Avondale Wildlife Area, Gavin Wildlife Area, and Conesville Coal Lands. These properties total approximately 90,000 acres and spread through Athens, Coshocton, Gallia, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and Perry Counties. ATV’s are not allowed on the areas, and many of the same rules apply as when hunting on ODNR owned lands.

In Ohio, hunting without permission is a misdemeanor of the third degree on the first offense, with a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Any subsequent hunting without permission offenses would be charged as misdemeanors of the second degree with a maximum penalty of a $750 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

Anyone observing or suspecting that wildlife violations are occurring may report illegal activity by calling the Turn-In-A-Poacher (TIP) hotline toll free at 1-800-POACHER.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Ruffed Grouse Society

Coraopolis, PA --(Ammoland.com)- The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) applauds the Pennsylvania Game Commission for opening an additional 10,400 acres in Centre and Clearfield counties to hunters and trappers.

“With thousands of acres being lost annually through development and private landowner posting, it’s important that more access be made available to sportsmen and sportswomen; not only here in Pennsylvania, but in every state across this great nation of ours,” said Mike Zagata, RGS President and CEO, noting that is was hunters that laid the cornerstone for today’s conservation movement.

“In may sound paradoxical, but in order for grouse, woodcock, deer, duck, turkey or the thousands of songbirds and other non-hunted species to survive, it is imperative that the outdoor traditions we inherited from our forefathers continue, and the only way that can happen is by making more land available and maintaining it so that all wildlife will prosper,” Zagata said.

Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Information on RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

Tread Lightly

OGDEN, Utah --(Ammoland.com)- RIDE ON Designated Routes is a new statewide campaign that has united land management agencies to educate outdoor recreationists who use motorized vehicles on Utah’s public lands.

The campaign, created by Tread Lightly, unites the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Utah Division of State Parks, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration together in an effort to spread a consistent message throughout the state. Tread Lightly! also brings funding and support from the private sector, such as Yamaha’s OHV Access Initiative and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, making this a public/private partnership promoting conservation and sustainable outdoor recreation.

The outreach effort is centered on the slogan RIDE ON Designated Routes, originally created for national application but now being customized with Utah-specific images and messages. Since 1998, the number of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) registered in Utah has nearly tripled, putting additional pressure on Utah’s public lands, especially in popular riding areas. RIDE ON reinforces that responsible recreation is the key to preserving and protecting Utah’s many great motorized recreation opportunities. The initiative will also expand to address issues like safety and resource damage– today’s most pressing recreation issues in Utah.

“The collaboration among agencies regarding the implementation of this campaign will be unprecedented,” says Juan Palma, BLM Utah State Director. “Whether you’re recreating at a State Park or on BLM land, in the north or south, there will be continuity across boundaries and consistency in messaging throughout the state.”

“Utah State Parks is a strong advocate of education and this campaign promotes safe operation on designated routes for the OHV enthusiasts. It also allows OHV riders to receive the same consistent statewide messaging,” Mary Tullius, Director, Utah State Parks and Recreation.

The first print public service announcements are being designed and will be placed in popular recreation areas throughout the state. In addition to print public service announcements, other materials and mechanisms used to raise awareness and motivate responsible behaviors will include radio public service announcements, trailhead kiosks, billboards, posters, web technology, social media and educational brochures.

“People come from all over the world to hunt, fish, camp or simply recreate in Utah,” says Rob MacWhorter, Forest Supervisor, Dixie National Forest. “The majority of all recreationists are very responsible, but these messages are designed to help improve some of the behaviors of the few who don’t know how to tread lightly or don’t have a strong outdoor ethic yet.”

“The Trust Lands Administration fully supports the Ride On Designated Routes message and is excited to be a part of this effort,” says Kevin Carter, Director, Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration.

Notably, the public agencies and Tread Lightly! plan to evaluate the impact of the messaging and their outreach efforts over the next few years through comprehensive research. “Because of the wide variety of recreation it provides, Utah is the perfect location for project evaluation,” said Lori McCullough, Tread Lightly!’s executive director. The organization will also implement and evaluate other Tread Lightly! educational messages, such as its comprehensive Respected Access is Open Access campaign. “Utah will become a site specific laboratory where we will research the efficacy of Tread Lightly!’s current and future messages,” says McCullough.

More information about the RIDE ON Designated Routes campaign can be found at www.treadlightly.org.

Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through ethics education and stewardship programs.

Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment. Tread Lightly! offers unique programs and services to help remedy current recreation issues.

West Virginia DNR

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – -(Ammoland.com)- The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program is designed to conserve and manage high quality habitats for a variety of wildlife on 1.4 million acres of public lands, including State WMAs, State Forests, National Forest lands and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer projects.

In addition to conserving and managing wildlife habitat, development projects aimed at improving public access and recreational opportunities are an important component of the state’s WMA program.

“Using hunting and fishing license monies, the DNR continues to expand and develop WMAs throughout the state,” said District Wildlife Biologist Rob Silvester, who is based in the DNR District 3 office in French Creek.

“These land acquisition efforts have greatly enhanced our ability to provide wildlife-associated recreation opportunities to the citizens of West Virginia.

These areas are used by outdoor enthusiasts for fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, trapping, birding, or just a relaxing evening walk.”

WMAs support and offer a variety of development projects, including access roads and trails, parking areas, boat launch ramps, courtesy docks, public shooting ranges and campgrounds. Many areas have ponds stocked with fish, and some offer fishing piers and/or trails that provide access for physically-challenged sportsmen and women. In addition, WMAs provide a diversity of wildlife habitat and associated hunting opportunities.

“These areas are for your use and enjoyment, but please respect others and use them wisely,” said Silvester.

For more information concerning West Virginia’s WMAs, obtain a copy of Wildlife Management Areas — A Guide to Their Facilities, Fish and Wildlife available at all WVDNR district offices, or visit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ website at www.wvdnr.gov.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Pennsylvania Game Commission officials urge hunters and trappers to place a greater emphasis on pre-season scouting this year, as there have been a number of dramatic changes in the landscape, some of which is manmade while others are the result of nature’s fury.

“Annual changes in the availability of fall food sources require hunters and trappers to study how wildlife behavior and movement patterns are altered as the seasons approach,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “Those who take the time to scout for these food sources and trails before the seasons open greatly increase their chance of harvesting game.

“However, this year, dramatic changes on the landscape will be just as important – if not more important – as looking for the highly nutritious acorns and other natural foods sought by game animals.”

Specifically, Roe cited Marcellus Shale-related drilling and recent Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee damages as examples of larger impacts on the landscape that may alter what hunters and trappers find in the forests and fields of Pennsylvania.

“The ‘Big Woods’ area of northcentral Pennsylvania, home to many of the traditional hunting camps, lies within the area being explored for Marcellus Shale natural gas, and has seen a dramatic increase in drilling,” Roe said. “Northeastern Pennsylvania also has seen a large volume of Marcellus Shale activity. Both of these regions experienced more disruption in traditional hunting and trapping areas from drilling activity.”

Roe said decisions about when drilling activities on State Game Lands occurs is largely dictated by who owns the oil and gas rights. In many instances, the Game Commission owns only the surface rights, and a separate party owns the oil and gas rights under State Game Lands.

“According to state law, mineral and oil/gas estate rights exceed surface estate rights, meaning the mineral and oil/gas owners have the right to use the surface in a reasonable manner to access these natural resources. Simply put, the Game Commission can’t just say ‘no’ to those seeking to tap into the gas reserve they own. However, the Game Commission strives to work proactively with the subsurface rights owners to minimize the surface impacts of the drilling operations.”

When the Game Commission owns the oil and gas rights, Roe said the agency exercises much greater control and oversight of drilling operations.

“All drilling operations are regulated by state court rulings, state law and the state Department of Environmental Protection,” Roe said. “That being said, the Game Commission does weigh many factors when considering a lease on State Game Lands, and much attention is paid to areas with critical or unique habitats. When the Game Commission owns the rights to the subsurface resource, we have the ability to stipulate that no drilling-related activities occur during peak hunting seasons.”

Roe said the standard language in all agreements in which the Game Commission owns the rights to the oil and gas under State Game Lands states that drilling-related activities are not permitted for the following: opening day of archery deer season; opening day of any youth or special-use hunting season; opening day of early fall muzzleloader deer season; opening day of early small game season; opening day of general small game season; the first three days of the antlered and antlerless or concurrent antler/antlerless firearms deer season; opening day of fall turkey season; all Saturdays of firearms deer season; opening day of spring turkey season; and opening day of bear season.

Unfortunately, in situations where the Game Commission does not own the oil/gas and mineral rights, Roe said the agency cannot prevent an operator from exercising his or her rights in a reasonable manner.

“We strive for voluntary agreement to our standard hunting season restrictions with those companies,” Roe said. “When the agency doesn’t own the rights to oil and gas deposits under State Game Lands, the Game Commission’s ability to restrict drilling activities during hunting seasons is limited.”

Roe also noted that there have been significant impacts on wildlife and the environment from weather beyond gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale layer.

“Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee wrecked havoc on thousands of Pennsylvanians,” Roe said. “At the same time, access to certain areas of State Game Lands and other hunting and trapping locations may require hunters and trappers to use alternative plans or routes to reach their intended destinations.”

As an example, Luzerne County Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Gerald Kapral said the recent hurricane and heavy storms that passed through the Northeastern United States caused a tremendous amount of damage to roadways and bridges, making many areas impassable.

“While major roads will be on the priority list for repairs, many back roads and those in more remote areas could be closed for an extended period of time,” WCO Kapral said. “With another season on the way, hunters and trappers should check access to their favorite spots as soon as possible to avoid any last minute surprises that could keep them away from areas they plan to be this fall and winter.”

Lebanon County WCO Michael Reeder reports that several access points to SGLs in Lebanon County have been affected by flooding.

“The Food and Cover Corps crews are busy trying to repair the damage, but hunters should plan on possible limited access points and parking during the upcoming season,” he said.

Roe noted damages caused the agency to cancel three of its popular public tours for State Game Lands. Those cancelled were for SGL 211 in Dauphin/Lebanon counties; SGL 57 in Luzerne/Wyoming counties; and SGLs 12 and 36 in Bradford County.

“The cancellation of these tours should alter hunters and trappers who use these roads to access interior portions of State Game Lands to the fact that they may want to consider alternative access points,” Roe said. “The bottom line is that scouting this year will need to include how you plan to get to where you’re hunting or trapping.”

AmmoLand Gun News

U.S. SENATE --(Ammoland.com)- U.S. Senator Jon Tester introduced a bipartisan bill to strengthen gun rights by allowing law-abiding Americans to possess loaded firearms on lands owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Tester supported similar legislation in 2009 that permitted law-abiding citizens to carry loaded guns in National Parks.

Tester’s bill, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act of 2011, would put an end to the patchwork of regulations that govern different lands managed by various federal agencies.

Tester, Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, said gun owners need to be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights when they are legally camping, hunting, and fishing on land and water managed by the Army Corps.

“This is just one more way that I’m strengthening our Second Amendment rights,” Tester said. “This bill is pretty cut and dry: law-abiding folks shouldn’t have to give up their right to keep and bear arms in order to use the land and water we all own.”

Tester’s legislation is strongly endorsed by the National Rifle Association.

The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for nearly 12 million acres of land and water in the U.S.

• Tester’s Army Corps bill is online HERE.
• His bill to allow combat veterans to register trophy firearms is online HERE.

West Virginia DNR

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – -(Ammoland.com)- Hunters need to obtain landowner permission for their outings before they begin heading to the fields and woods this fall, according to Frank Jezioro, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Asking permission to hunt is not always an easy thing to do, especially if the landowner is a total stranger.

The recent issue of the Ducks Unlimited magazine (July/August 2011) published several tips on getting permission to hunt.

• Don’t wait until the day you want to hunt to ask for permission. Ask landowners well enough in advance to give them time to consider your request so they can make an informed decision without undue pressure.
• Show up at an appropriate time of the day to ask for permission. Don’t inconvenience them because it was convenient for you. Take into consideration their work day and schedules.
• Ask them while they are outside. People are typically more comfortable talking to others they don’t know outside their homes.
• Give the landowner as much detail as you can; for example: what you would like to hunt, where you would like to hunt and when you plan on hunting. Ask the landowner if they would like a phone call the day before you plan to hunt.
• Ask permission only for yourself. If your group wants permission to hunt, everyone should meet the landowner and get permission together. If the group cannot all get together, make sure the landowner knows exactly how many hunters you are asking permission for. Make sure you tell the landowner how many vehicles to expect and ask where to park.
• If the landowner gives you permission, make sure you know the property boundaries and if there are any restrictions and places you shouldn’t be. Take a map of the area so the landowner can point these areas out.
• Show your appreciation to the landowner for allowing you to hunt and show respect for them and their land. Remember, hunting on private land is a privilege.
• Keep in contact with the landowner throughout the year, especially if it is a place you would like to keep hunting. Send a thank you card and even a Christmas card. Little gestures of appreciation go a long way.
• If a landowner says “No,” be polite and thank them for their time and consideration.

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Newly introduced H.R. 2834 (the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act) is being supported by a “who’s who” of hunting groups for good reason: it is a necessary piece of legislation with a great upside for conservation.

Unfortunately, the Obama administration is opposing the bill and is joined by several groups with a history of opposing sound wildlife management and other conservation principles.

House Resolution 2834, a U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance backed bill, was introduced recently in Congress. Those testifying in favor of the Act included Bill Horn, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Director of Federal Affairs.

His testimony revealed numerous benefits for anglers, trappers and hunters. And while there was no mention of roads, jeep, or anything else to do with travel by sportsmen on federal public lands included in H.R. 2834, there was the mention of wilderness. That word quickly triggered opposition from the government in concert with the Wilderness Society.

“The government and the Wilderness Society have publicly claimed this Act will open Wilderness areas to motorized vehicle use,” stated Horn. “A Society spokesman states if hunters are retrieving game on Wilderness lands, you could ride your off-road jeep anywhere you choose. Nothing could be further from the truth. The bill is not about road construction, jeep trails or motor vehicle access. The absurd comments could be to grab attention, or to simply oppose hunting.”

During the hearing, U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop admitted to being opposed to the bill without fully reading or understanding it.

“H.R. 2834 was only formally introduced three days before this hearing and the Department has not had sufficient time to conduct an in-depth analysis of the legislation as introduced,” he stated.

Predictably, environmental extremists are already misrepresenting the bill that’s specifically worded and designed to ensure continued fishing, hunting, and shooting on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands. These lands total more than 400 million acres in the U.S. and provide critical opportunities for public fishing, hunting, and shooting activities. One feature of the bill declares that fishing, hunting, and shooting are “necessary” to fulfill the purposes of those public land areas designated as Wilderness per the 1964 Wilderness Act.

The provision is needed to counter recent federal court rulings from San Francisco that reinterpreted the meaning of “necessary” while creating precedents that fishing and hunting might be found to not be “necessary” in these areas and be prohibited. The “necessary” section of the bill restores the legal status for hunters and anglers that existed from 1964 until the recent San Francisco rulings.

The jeeps and off-road comments by the Wilderness Society in particular are clouding the real issue and will only confuse the public.

“This statement (about jeeps) is utter nonsense,” continues Horn. “H.R. 2834 specifies that hunting is “necessary” so that hunters (and anglers) cannot be run off Wilderness areas by federal judges deciding that these traditional activities are not necessary. The bill makes no reference to motorized vehicles and will not change existing limitations on motorized access on Wilderness lands.”

Environmental groups and the Obama administration through their opposition are distracting anglers and hunters from the potentially devastating consequences of the San Francisco court decisions along with the need to shield sportsmen from those bad rulings.

“And what’s really ironic is that while the Wilderness Society is complaining about vehicles on public lands, the group is staging a bus tour of a national wildlife refuge in Montana on October 1,” said Horn. “Nothing will make those elk flee, especially the bugling elk that are being targeted, like a busload of tourists filing off and gathering around or chasing to take a photo. The group should also take note that public lands roads and access make this “event” possible.”

Take Action! Sportsmen and sportswomen should call their Congressman today and urge them to support H.R. 2834. Tell them that this Act will protect the integrity of federal public lands for future generations and deserves their support. To find your Congressman visit the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/lac.

To voice your opinion of H.R 2834 to the administration, contact U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop’s office at 202-205-1523.

Following is a list of national organizations supporting H.R. 2834:

• American Sportfishing Association
• B.A.S.S. LLC.
• Catch-A-Dream Foundation
• Campfire Club of America
• Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
• Conservation Force
• Delta Waterfowl Foundation
• Houston Safari Club
• Mule Deer Foundation
• National Rifle Association
• National Shooting Sports Foundation
• National Trappers Association
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• Orion – The Hunters’ Institute
• Pope & Young Club
• Quail Unlimited
• Quality Deer Management Association
• Ruffed Grouse Society
• Safari Club International
• Texas Wildlife Association
• U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
• Wildlife Forever
• Wildlife Management Institute

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

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- – NRA and several other groups (U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Safari Club International, Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, and the American Sportfishing Association, among others) are supporting new legislation that is critical to securing the future of hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on Federal public lands.

H.R. 2834, the “Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act,” was introduced by Reps. Dan Benishek (R-Mich.) and Dan Boren (D-Okla.). Co-sponsors include Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.).

Under current land management policies, federal land open to hunting and recreational shooting is not protected from being closed arbitrarily. The ill-defined policy of “open until closed” provides no requirements for an agency to issue public notice, hold a public comment period, or show sound science as the basis for a closure. Moreover, there is no provision that requires land managers, such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land management, to even consider hunting, fishing, or target shooting in land use planning.

H.R. 2834 safeguards hunting, fishing and recreational shooting from prejudicial and discriminatory treatment and requires the Federal land manager to be proactive in managing these activities through the land management planning process.

Specifically, the bill accomplishes six major objectives:

• It recognizes the rightful place of hunting, fishing and recreational shooting on Federal public lands.
• It ensures that these historic and traditional public uses are responsibly provided for in land management plans, as are other popular recreational activities like hiking and camping.
• It applies this policy across the board in our Federal land systems.
• It supports an Executive Order issued by President Bush (“Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation”), which directs relevant Federal agencies to “facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitat.”
• It removes barriers to providing safe and responsible public use of Federal lands.
• It restores Congressional intent in laws that court rulings have misconstrued that will cause deleterious effects on hunting and other recreational pursuits, as well as on sound wildlife management practices.

Susan Recce, NRA’s Director of Conservation, Wildlife and Natural Resources, provided Congressional testimony on the bill. She commented, “This bill is in the best interests of American sportsmen and women, who find it increasingly difficult to find a place to hunt or target shoot. Current policies harbor too many hidden pitfalls–land is simply open until such time as it is closed by administrative fiat. This bill protects and improves access to federal lands and removes the administrative and judicial roadblocks that obstruct sound and responsible management of recreation and wildlife resources.”

Already the bill is being mischaracterized by some who oppose it.

Paul Spitler, senior regional conservation representative for the Wilderness Society, told Energy and Environmental Daily, “It creates an exception to wilderness for any hunting access. If you’re retrieving game, you could ride your off-road jeep anywhere you choose.”

The bill creates no such exception. Wilderness designation prohibits mechanized and motorized vehicles of all types, from “off-road jeeps” to mountain bikes. Both the Forest Service and the BLM have been developing Travel Management Plans that designate routes and trails for motorized vehicle use. Some plans make an exception that allows limited use of a vehicle to retrieve legally downed big game some distance off a designated route. Other plans make no exception. But none of them apply to Wilderness areas.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Boone and Crockett Club

MISSOULA, Mont.--(Ammoland.com)- The Boone and Crockett Club today recognized Montana Senator Jon Tester for his leadership in improving access for hunters nationwide.

Rarely in the Club’s 123-year history has Boone and Crockett formally honored an individual outside the Club for efforts to improve America’s hunting heritage or wildlife conservation. But Club officials say Tester stands out among his peers for his persistent and remarkable work on behalf of sportsmen and women.

In a ceremony held at the national headquarters of the conservation organization founded by Theodore Roosevelt, Boone and Crockett Club president emeritus Lowell E. Baier presented Tester with a plaque and words of gratitude specifically for the senator’s leadership in the Making Public Lands Public Act (S. 901).

Tester’s legislation would provide funding for improving public access to existing federal lands. The secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior would be required to utilize 1.5 percent, or a minimum of $10 million annually, of their Land and Water Conservation Fund budgets to acquire public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers. If passed, the bill has the potential to open hundreds of thousands of acres of federal public land to hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities each year.

Nearly half of all hunters use public lands. But a report to Congress shows more than 35 million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service have inadequate hunter access. Lack of access to hunting grounds is cited as the No. 1 reason why hunters drop out and cease contributing to conservation.

Baier said, “Roosevelt was adamant that Americans should have the opportunity to hunt, fish and enjoy the hardy life of the outdoors. Hunting is vital to conservation. Proper access is vital to hunting. Senator Tester understands this heritage and why it’s even more important now than it was in Roosevelt’s time.”

Tester said, America’s public lands are some of the best in the world, and they’re where we pass on our outdoor traditions to our kids and grandkids. But we’re seeing too much of this land blocked, surrounded by private land with closed gates.

Boone and Crockett Club is among many hunting, fishing and conservation organizations strongly supporting the Making Public Lands Public Act (S. 901).

Baier added, Senator Tester is one of the real champions in Washington D.C. for hunting and conservation and our way of life. I know the Club speaks for the entire sporting community when we say thank you for being our voice in so many important issues, from managing wolves to conserving habitat to protecting traditional ammunition—as well as improving hunting access.

About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

Senator Jon Tester to be honored in Missoula by Boone & Crockett Club

Boone and Crockett Club

MISSOULA, Mont.--(Ammoland.com)- WHAT: Tester will be recognized by the Boone and Crockett Club for his work to improve access for hunters nationwide.

Club president emeritus Lowell E. Baier will present a plaque and remarks.

Rarely in the Club’s 123-year history has Boone and Crockett formally honored an individual outside the Club for efforts to improve America’s hunting heritage or wildlife conservation. But Club officials say Tester stands out among his peers for his persistent and remarkable work on behalf of sportsmen and women.

WHEN: A short outdoor ceremony will begin promptly at 11:15 a.m., Friday, Sept. 2

WHERE: Boone and Crockett Club headquarters, 250 Station Drive, Missoula, 59801

WHY: Tester’s legislation, the Making Public Lands Public Act (S. 901), would provide funding for improving public access to existing federal lands. The secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior would be required to utilize 1.5 percent, or a minimum of $10 million annually, of their Land and Water Conservation Fund budgets to acquire public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers. If passed, the bill has the potential to open hundreds of thousands of acres of federal public land to hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities each year.

Nearly half of all hunters use public lands, but a report to Congress shows more than 35 million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service have inadequate hunter access. Lack of access to hunting grounds is cited as the No. 1 reason why hunters drop out and cease contributing to conservation.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, AZ – -(Ammoland.com)- Here is some updated information for hunters and other outdoor recreationists regarding public access to areas within the Wallow Fire burn perimeter, including a Frequently Asked Questions section (below) and a link to an updated map.

Arizona Game and Fish Department (Department) personnel in Region I have been coordinating with Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (Forest) staff to finalize the Forest’s decisions related to public access to those areas within the Wallow Fire burn perimeter.

With fall hunting seasons rapidly approaching, this is a process of significant priority for the Department.

The following information encompasses the key elements and framework the Forest has announced and will utilize in opening the area of the Forest (those portions of Game Management Units 1 and 27) impacted by the Wallow Fire. In reviewing this information, please be advised of the following key points:

• Many areas within the Wallow Fire perimeter continue to present significant public safety hazards, primarily associated with dead (falling) trees and flash flood impacts. The amount and level of public access provided is largely dictated by these public safety concerns and liabilities.
• A prerequisite to reopening the Forest within the Wallow Fire burn perimeter has been clearing and preparing designated, priority roadways for safe public travel. Roads are being evaluated in an ongoing process for consideration of opening, with open roads for motorized travel being designated with white arrows. Roads and trails not having white arrows are closed to all motorized travel. As a result, vehicular access will be limited to white-arrow roads for a certain time, but foot and nonmotorized access will be available to all areas that are not designated as closed by the Forest.
• Forest users are responsible for their own safety and are encouraged to use caution as they utilize their Forest, and to do so in a responsible manner to ensure the protection of life, property and natural resources. Be aware of your surroundings – “Look up, look down and look around.”

WALLOW FIRE BURN AREA ACCESS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Developed Aug. 15, 2011

Where can I drive within the Wallow Fire perimeter?
Motorized use within the fire perimeter will only be allowed on roads designated as open, indicated on the ground with a white arrow. With certain exceptions for motorized big game retrieval and fuelwood collection, cross-country motorized use is not allowed.

When will you open more roads?
Forest managers are evaluating conditions on a weekly basis to determine if additional roads or areas are safe for reentry. Typically, we’ll know by Wednesdays if any changes will be made for the weekend. Alternately, all currently open areas are subject to be closed again if safety conditions change. Be sure to Know Before You Go – double check conditions with your local Apache-Sitgreaves office or the website before you venture out.

Why do portions of the Forest need to remain closed after the fire is out?
Our number one priority is human safety. We’re dedicated to avoiding accidents and injuries as much as possible. After the fire is out, many hazards still exist, including stump holes, falling dead trees, and the potential for flash flooding. We’ll continue to work hard mitigating some of these hazards so we can begin opening certain areas for public reentry.

How long until all the areas within the fire perimeter are open?
The length of closure is dependent upon many criteria, including public safety, protection of property, and protection of forest resources (i.e., soils, vegetation, water quality, wildlife, fisheries, recreation, heritage, etc.). We’re working diligently to remove hazards and restore the forest to safer conditions for public use. We’ll be able to open some areas over the next several weeks. Other areas with severe damage will have to remain closed for some time.

If I encounter a road that is not shown on the map, but is posted with a white arrow on the ground, can I use it?
Yes. Postings with a white arrow on the ground supersede the map; however crews are in the process of signing some roads that are not yet open. Gates, barricades, and other closure signs supersede white arrows.

What hazards should I be aware of in burned areas?
Stump holes, flooding potential, washed out roads, falling trees/branches. Any time you enter the forest, you should be aware of your environment and changing weather conditions. The environment you are entering is highly susceptible to rainstorms and wind events. As always, Look Up, Look Down, and Look All Around.

Can I go hunting within the perimeter of the Wallow Fire?
Yes, with a valid hunting license, and as long as you’re driving only on roads designated as open with the posting of a white arrow, or entering via non-motorized means into off-road areas designated as open. Remember that hazards such as falling trees, stump holes, and potential flooding continue to exist in the area. You’re responsible for your own safety — Look Up, Look Down, and Look All Around.

Can I retrieve my legally harvested big game animal with a motorized vehicle within the Fire perimeter?
Yes. You may retrieve legally harvested animals by motorized means, so long as you do not cause resource damage. You may not enter areas designated as closed for either motorized or non-motorized game retrieval without additional authorization by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests or the Arizona Game and Fish Department. You may not drive off-road to scout for game.

Can I pursue an animal that I wounded during hunting season into a closed area?
In certain circumstances, Apache-Sitgreaves or Arizona Game and Fish officials may consider limited entry into a closed area in pursuit of mortally wounded or deceased game animals. If you experience this situation, you must contact either the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline (24-hour, 7-day/week) at-1-800-352-0700 or the local Forest Service office (Alpine Ranger District Office at (928) 339-5000, or the Springerville District office at (928) 333-6200) during normal business hours to make a request of this nature.

I am a CHAMP hunter, am I allowed motorized use off designated roads and trails, or in areas designated as closed?
No. With the exception of retrieving legally harvested big game animals by motorized means, you are not allowed to use motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

Can I go fishing within the Wallow Fire perimeter?
Yes, with a valid fishing license, and as long as you remain in areas and along routes designated as open with a white arrow. Remember that hazards such as falling trees, stump holes, and potential flooding continue to exist in the area. You’re responsible for your own safety — Look Up, Look Down, and Look All Around.

Can I go camping in the campgrounds associated with the Wallow Fire?
Camping will continue within certain developed campgrounds deemed safe. Please keep in mind that certain campgrounds have been closed for an indeterminant length of time until hazards can be mitigated, and flooding potential subsides.

Can I camp in dispersed areas, outside of campgrounds, within the perimeter?
Yes. Dispersed camping is allowed within 30 feet of any motorized or non-motorized routes designated and posted on the ground with a white arrow. Please keep in mind that certain areas remain closed to dispersed camping in order to limit potential exposure to hazards by forest users, mitigate erosion potential, and minimize impacts to vegetation.

Can I camp further than 30 feet away from an open road if I walk in?
Yes. If you walk in, you may camp in any area designated as open. Vehicles must remain within 30 feet from an open road. Bear in mind that these areas have not been mitigated for hazards and pose a higher risk to your safety. Hazards such as falling trees, stump holes, and potential flooding continue to exist in the area. You’re responsible for your own safety — Look Up, Look Down, and Look All Around.

When can I collect firewood within the fire perimeter?
Fuelwood permits are anticipated to be available beginning Tuesday, Aug. 23 from the Springerville and Alpine Ranger District offices. The cost will be $5 per cord with a minimum purchase of $20. The cost and regulations apply only to areas within the Wallow fire perimeter. All other areas are $10 per cord; regulations vary by district.

Where will I be able to collect firewood within the fire perimeter?
With a valid fuelwood permit, you may collect fuelwood within 150 feet from any Forest Service numbered road, except in closure areas and areas where fuelwood collection is normally restricted (campgrounds, wilderness, etc.). Remember that hazards such as falling trees, stump holes, and potential flooding continue to exist in the area. You’re responsible for your own safety — Look Up, Look Down, and Look All Around.

Can I drive off road to collect firewood within the perimeter of the Wallow Fire?
With a valid permit, you may retrieve your fuelwood by motorized means as far as 150 feet off the road, so long as you do not cause resource damage. You may not enter areas designated as closed. Remember that hazards such as falling trees, stump holes, and potential flooding continue to exist in the area. You’re responsible for your own safety — Look Up, Look Down, and Look All Around.

Why can fuelwood collectors drive on any numbered road and drive 150 feet off the road while hunters must remain within 30 feet of roads signed with a white arrow?
Fuelwood collection is a permitted activity administered by the Forest Service, not a licensed activity from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. By signing the permit, the collector agrees to the specific liability clauses within that permit, clauses that do not exist in hunting licenses.

In addition, collecting fuelwood from the burn area is helping to remove fuels that could lead to tree infestation and disease, as well as severe behavior of future fires. We want to encourage the public to help reduce that risk as much as possible while putting the wood to good use. Safety conditions still apply to all visitors within the fire perimeter: Hazards such as falling trees, stump holes, and potential flooding continue to exist in the area. Each individual is responsible for his or her own safety.

Can I use routes not designated with an arrow for non-motorized activities?
Yes, so long as the routes are not within a designated closure area, you may use routes for non-motorized activities. Please keep in mind that any area affected by the wildfire can be prone to hazards such as falling trees, flooding and burned out stump holes. Any time you enter the forest, you should be aware of your environment and changing weather conditions. The environment you are entering is highly susceptible to rainstorms and wind events. As always, Look Up, Look Down, and Look All Around.

Can I hike on trails within the fire perimeter?
While the trails within the open areas can be used, they have not been mitigated for hazards and pose a higher threat to your safety. We recommend that you try to find other locations across the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Remember that you’re responsible for your own safety. While you’re hiking, continue to Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around.

What is the penalty for going into areas or on routes that are designated as closed?
Any violation of closure order is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals, and $10,000 for organizations and/or imprisonment up to than six (6) months.

Does the white arrow program pre-empt the Travel Management Rule?
No. The White Arrow designation of motorized routes within the Wallow Fire perimeter is being used as an interim measure for the protection of public safety, property and forest resources. Further assessments will occur later in the year that will help Travel Management planners determine the next steps for moving forward in that process.

Where can I get a map of the routes designated as open to motorized use?
As motorized routes are assessed and opened for motorized entry, they will be depicted on a map, which is available to the public. This map will be updated on a periodic basis to accurately reflect conditions as they appear on the ground. The map is available from the link toward the bottom of this information, or can be obtained at any Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ office, or at www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf.

How often will the map be updated?
The map will be periodically updated to reflect changes. Be sure to either check this web page, or call one of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ offices, or check the Forests’ website prior to venturing into the forest to ensure you have the most recent information.

OTHER KEY INFORMATION

• You are responsible for your own safety!
• Check in with a friend or family member; tell them where you are going, when you’re leaving, and when you plan to return.
• Whenever possible, travel in pairs.
• When parking your vehicle, look up for overhead hazards within 1 ½ times the length of the tallest tree surrounding your vehicle.
• Don’t camp in areas that have dead trees within 1 ½ tree lengths.
• Carry a communication device and check-in at regular intervals.
• Don’t cross washes when water is present.
• Flash flooding almost always follows large, intense wildfires. Locations in, near, and downstream of recently burned areas are now much more susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows.
• Remember…it does not take a heavy downpour to result in flash flooding on a burn scar.
• Even a short period of moderate rainfall on a severely burned watershed can lead to flash floods or debris flows. After soils and vegetation have been charred, rainfall that would normally be absorbed will run off extremely quickly. Severely burned soils can be as water repellent as pavement.
• Rapidly moving flood waters can pick up large amounts of debris that can damage or destroy culverts, bridges, roadways, and buildings, potentially causing injury or death. Flash floods in and near burn scars can be life threatening.

MAP and LIST OF FOREST ROADS CURRENTLY OPEN

• Click here to view the latest burn area access map. (Note: This map was posted Aug. 15 and will be updated as changes occur.)
• Click here for a list of Forest Roads currently open within the Wallow Fire perimeter.

To view Wallow Fire burn area information on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests web site, click here or visit www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.

The above information is also posted on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website at www.azgfd.gov/wildfires.

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 Director’s Office, 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 Director’s Office as listed above.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

FRANKLIN, Venango County, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced the beginning of a three-year, 700-acre habitat improvement project on State Game Land 314 in the western portion of Erie County to provide “early successional” habitat for species such as the American woodcock and the blue-winged warbler.

“Young forests with dense seedlings and shrubs are needed to benefit early successional dependent species such as the American woodcock and blue-winged warbler,” said Howard Wurzbacher, Game Commission Northwest Region Forestry Supervisor.

“These species, as well as other early successional species have exhibited dramatic declines related to habitat loss in recent decades. Over the next three years, the habitat project will involve timber harvesting on about 700 acres, or around 20 percent of the State Game Land.”

Formerly known as the USX Property, U.S. Steel Property or Conneaut Farms, SGL 314 is in the extreme northwest corner of the state and borders Lake Erie and the Ohio state line. This property was acquired by the Game Commission in 1991, and contains about 3,400 acres. Many farms on the property were abandoned in the 1940s and 1950s. Through succession over the last 60 to 70 years, many old farm fields have reverted into red maple, aspen and shrubs. A variety of hardwood tree species, such as white ash, red oak, hickory and sugar maple are found in areas that were not previously farmed. They are forest stands that contain large trees with a dense shrub understory.

“To benefit wildlife, we conducted commercial timber harvesting, along with ‘cut and drop’ non-commercial cutting, and there has also been mechanical mowing of shrub and sapling areas treated in the past,” Wurzbacher said. “All past cutting has regenerated very successfully.

“As part of the contract, the Game Commission will realize nearly $177,000 to be used for other wildlife management programs and habitat improvement projects throughout the State Game Lands system.”

The goal is to create a large amount of early succession habitat for species dependent on this habitat type. American woodcock and the blue-winged warbler are currently recognized as priority species in numerous management plans including the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, and Partners in Flight.

Additionally, the Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society have identified woodcock as a crucial species of management concern because it is an important species to the public.

“Hunters enjoy pursuing woodcock with dogs, and non-hunters are awed each spring by the courtship displays of males,” Wurzbacher said. “They are a cryptic bird, preferring young forests and other early successional habitats for cover.

“This preferred habitat also is shared by other important animal species, and, subsequently, managing habitat for woodcock benefits a plethora of birds, mammals and reptiles, including popular species such as deer and wild turkey.”

American woodcock are habitat specialists, preferring early forest stages, they regularly seek scrub/shrub or seedling/sapling habitat, comprised of dense cover. This range of cover on proper soils provides the habitat needs for woodcock, and it is the quality and availability of these habitats that determine population densities. Research has indicated that creating early successional forest habitat on suitable soils is beneficial in increasing populations of woodcock.

Timber harvesting is expected to begin on the area in the late summer of 2011. This will involve cutting of trees within 17 blocks, which are areas marked and designated for cutting. Logging will be done using a whole-tree harvest and chipping method. The cut trees will be moved to areas near the roadside, where they will be sorted by size and species. Sawlogs, good quality large logs of desirable species, will be moved from the site to provide raw material to sawmills for the production of hardwood lumber.

All other trees will be chipped on site, and the chips will be loaded onto trucks and transported to facilities for use in papermaking and manufactured panels. Harvesting is to occur during dry or frozen conditions, so work on the State Game Land can be expected during the summer and winter seasons, with the possibility of activity during periods of the spring or fall if conditions are appropriate.

“It is important to note that the Game Commission has inserted restrictions into the timbering contract to prohibit timbering-related activity on SGL 314 on all Saturdays from October through January, and all Saturdays during spring gobbler seasons,” Wurzbacher said. “This was done to avoid conflicts with the peak hunting seasons.

“Other days that timbering activities will not be permitted are the first two days of regular firearms deer season, and Saturdays of all deer seasons, including muzzleloader and late archery, as well as junior hunting days.”

Wurzbacher said visitors to this area may, at first, be concerned about the initial visual impact to the area. However, he urged visitors to remember that re-vegetation and growth on the sites is expected to occur quickly after cutting.

“The use of whole-tree harvesting for the project is designed to maximize the use and removal of woody material such as logs, trees and limbs from the site,” Wurzbacher said. “This will enable land mangers to have easier access to treat areas with equipment so that the desired seedling, sapling, and shrub habitat conditions can be re-cut at 10- to 15-year intervals to maintain early successional habitats.

“Also, we plan to avoid cutting in many sensitive areas, such as streamside corridors, the Lake Erie shoreline north of Lake Road, and locations of unique habitat features.”

Wurzbacher also emphasized that this project is unique from a number of perspectives: first, it is occurring on a State Game Lands identified as a critical habitat area for American woodcock, blue-winged warbler and other early successional dependent birds and animals; second, it is ambitious, and planned to impact a large landscape scale; and third, the use of whole-tree harvesting should allow for the maintenance of this important habitat type on a perpetual basis.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

OLYMPIA, Washington --(Ammoland.com)- More private landowners in eastern Washington will have an incentive to open their lands to fishing and hunting, thanks to a new federal grant of nearly $1 million to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

The new grant, authorized by the federal Farm Bill, is the second awarded to WDFW in as many years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Last year, WDFW received $1.5 million to increase recreational access to private lands around the state.

“Hunters and fishers consistently rank access to the land and water as one of their top concerns,” said Nate Pamplin, assistant director of the WDFW wildlife program. “This new funding will bolster current state efforts to expand recreational opportunities in our state for years to come.”

Don Larsen, WDFW private lands coordinator, said the new $993,231 grant will be used in three ways:

• Provide incentives to private landowners to allow hunting on forested properties in Kittitas, Klickitat, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties.
• Work with landowners in Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Walla Walla and Whitman counties to improve habitat enrolled in both the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and WDFW access programs.
• Initiate a “Feel Free to Fish” program in southeast Washington, paying private landowners for shoreline access to river fisheries.

Washington was one of 11 states to receive grant funding in this second year of the Farm Bill’s Voluntary Public Access (VPA) and Habitat Incentive Program (HIP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“This federal and state partnership with private landowners creates recreational opportunities for the public that might not exist otherwise,” said Judy Olson, state executive director for the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers the federal grants. “This access program is one of the ways the Farm Bill benefits more than just farmers.”

Through July 21, the USDA is accepting public comments on its finding that WDFW’s plan for using the $1.5 million awarded last year would not have a significant effect on the environment. The federal findings, consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act, are posted on the Internet at http://bit.ly/mpufNQ , along with information on submitting public comments.

“We look forward to working cooperatively with private landowners to expand fishing, hunting and wildlife-viewing opportunities on private lands,” Pamplin said. “Once we get final approval from USDA, we plan to sign up as many suitable properties as possible in time for the fall hunting season.”

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- H.R. 1997, the Making Public Lands Public Act, introduced in the U.S House of Representatives yesterday and S. 901, introduced earlier this month in the U.S. Senate, could potentially open hundreds of thousands of acres of Federal public land to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities.

The House version, introduced by the leadership of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC): Co-Chair Rep. Jeff Miller, Co-Chair Rep. Mike Ross, and Vice-Chairs Rep. Bob Latta and Rep. Heath Shuler, and the Senate version introduced by Co-Chair Sen. Jon Tester and Vice-Chair Sen. James Risch, would require the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to utilize 1.5% or a minimum of $10 million annually of their Land and Water Conservation Fund budgets for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers.

“Coupled with bipartisan congressional support and the support of over 40 hunting, fishing, and conservation groups, this bill is a win for all – the sportsman, the land management agencies, and the willing private land owner,” said Rep. Miller. “At no additional cost to the taxpayer, this legislation, which would provide increased land access, will afford the hunters, anglers, recreational shooters and all in the sportsmen community the opportunity to continue to enjoy the great outdoors.”

“The public should be able to enjoy public lands,” said Rep. Ross. “This bill will help ensure the proper balance between conserving our public lands, promoting wildlife management and providing more Americans access to enjoy some of our nation’s most beautiful places. This is a win-win, commonsense piece of legislation.”

“Unlocking public lands is vital to our great American traditions of hunting and fishing; that’s why this legislation is an important step in improving and opening access to restricted federal lands,” said Rep. Latta.

Last August, similar language passed the U.S. House of Representatives, as an amendment by CSC Member and former Co-Chair, Rep. Ron Kind, overwhelmingly 404-1 as part of H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act.

Federal public lands are an important destination for millions American hunters, anglers, trappers, recreational shooters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Nearly half of all hunters, for example, conduct a portion of their hunting activity on these lands. In addition, lack of access is cited as a primary reason that hunters and anglers stop participating in these traditional sports. A 2004 report to the House Appropriations Committee, stimulated by a Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) report, concluded that more than 35 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S Forest Service (USFS) land have inadequate access.

“This legislation would improve sportsmen’s access to hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land annually that is currently blocked or restricted,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane. “The CSC is working diligently alongside the sportsmen’s community to open more public land to hunting and fishing, thereby providing more opportunities for Americans to enjoy the great outdoors.”

CSF, in cooperation with allies in the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), a group of over 40 non-governmental organizations representing millions of hunter conservationists, launched the “Making Public Lands Public: Enhancing Hunter & Other Recreational Access to Federal Public Lands” initiative two years ago and subsequently requested that BLM and USFS utilize funds to improve hunter and other recreational access to Federal land and have identified opportunities in its list of funding priorities. Such opportunities have been identified as important projects by the Congress as expressed in the U.S. House Report to the FY 2010 Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

In a letter to Congress in support of the Making Public Lands Public Act earlier this month, the AWCP partners urged members to sign-on and support the legislation. The letter states that “Allowing federal agencies to identify and prioritize smaller parcels on the boundaries of federal lands that provide public access for hunting and other nature-based recreation is common sense policy. Directing a modest portion of LWCF funds to secure those parcels would help the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior maximize the value of their existing federal land holdings.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Boone and Crockett Club

MISSOULA, Mont.--(Ammoland.com)- MISSOULA, Mont.–Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, today introduced legislation –the “Making Public Lands Public Access Act of 2011″– that guarantees funding for improving hunter access to existing public lands.

This bipartisan legislation is supported by the Boone and Crockett Club, the National Rifle Association and other hunting organizations.

The bill directs the U.S. Forest Service and BLM to acquire rights of way and other land interests from willing-seller landowners to open access to existing public lands where public access for hunting and fishing is closed.

“Sportsmen and women want the Forest Service and BLM to provide better access to our national forests and BLM lands for hunting and fishing. Senator Jon Tester and Senator Jim Risch are tackling this problem head on with this bill,” said Ben Wallace, president of the Boone and Crockett Club.

Additionally, Wallace praised Tester and Risch for “their deep commitment to enhancing hunting opportunities on our public lands.” Tester is the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus within the U.S. Senate. Risch is the vice co-chair of the same caucus.

For the 32 million American hunters, anglers and recreational shooters, federal public lands are an increasingly vital to their participation in outdoor sports. Nearly half of all hunters, for example, conduct a portion of their hunting activity on public lands. Reduced access is cited as a primary reason that hunters, anglers and target shooters stop participating in these traditional sports. A 2004 report to the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations concluded that more than 35 million acres of U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land have inadequate access.

Specifically, nearly 2 million acres (or 10 percent) of USFS lands in Montana and 8.4 million acres (or 29 percent) of BLM lands in the Montana/Dakota’s region were identified as having inadequate access.

Sportsmen and women make important contributions to both wildlife conservation and the nation’s economy. The hunting and shooting sports industries create over 160,000 full-time jobs nationwide, generating an economic benefit of over $20 billion annually.

About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

Treadlightly.Org

Ogden, UT --(Ammoland.com)- The nonprofit organization Tread Lightly! has announced a new small grant program to support volunteer stewardship projects across the country.

The program is designed to help individuals and clubs organize clean-ups, trail maintenance work days, and other small stewardship projects. The maximum grant amount is $500, and those funds can be used to purchase supplies like seedlings, tools, garbage bags, water for volunteers, or to rent equipment.

To be eligible for a Tread Lightly! Stewardship Grant, applicants must be either a Club Member or an Individual 3-Year Member of Tread Lightly!.

Tread Lightly! Launches Stewardship Grant Program

The first grant cycle is now open with a deadline of May 18, 2011. The simple online application process requires a letter of support from a representative of the land management agency or land owner and, if applicable, any additional documentation including photos of the area. Projects can start anytime after June 1, 2011. All projects or events must be completed and final reports submitted by September 30, 2011.

Application deadlines will follow a quarterly schedule to encourage the ongoing efforts of volunteers in revitalizing their favorite recreation areas throughout the year. The second grant cycle will have a deadline of August 18, 2011.

The program is funded through a partnership with Quadratec, which donates a portion of the proceeds from several off-road vehicle products such as floor liners and grab bars to Tread Lightly!’s Restoration for Recreation program.

“Stewardship of our public and private lands and waters by outdoor enthusiasts is an essential component of treading lightly,” said Lori McCullough, executive director of Tread Lightly!. “When we head outdoors we should always pack it in, pack it out and leave an area better than we found it, but sadly that is not enough. We also need the collective efforts of volunteers for clean-ups and trail maintenance to mitigate the damage caused by a few irresponsible recreationists—and this is where the new Tread Lightly! Stewardship Grants can assist.”

To apply for a grant or for more information, visit www.treadlightly.org

Arizona Game And Fish Commission Eliminates Pronghorn Hunts Because Of Private Property Concerns

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, AZ – -(Ammoland.com)- Faced with the loss of public access to a vast area of Game Management Unit 19B north of Prescott, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission on March 23 decided to cancel the pronghorn antelope hunt there prior to the big game draw for the 2011 season.

The commission’s decision affects the hunting prospects for 65 hunters who would have received allocated tags.

Commission Chairman Robert Woodhouse said, “There have been closures of other hunt units for a season or more based on biological reasons such as severe winter die offs, loss of habitat due to fires, etc. … but this was the first time a decision was made to eliminate hunt tags due to public access closures. This was a difficult decision made only after extensive staff input and a long discussion by the commission.”

During the discussion, commissioners pointed out that this was a “no-win situation” for the commission, the department, and for the hunters who applied for the general and archery pronghorn antelope hunts in Unit 19B this fall, but the commission was compelled to do what was most fair to all concerned.

Late last week, the property manager for the Chino Grande Ranch, which is a checkerboard of private and state trust land parcels, verbally notified the department that the ranch is now closed to public access, due to a proposed renewable energy project. Access to other portions of the unit has also become restricted, with some private lands being closed entirely and other ranches allowing access by payment of “trespass” fees.

The Chino Grande Ranch contains a significant portion of the available pronghorn habitat in 19B, and its lands also hold the greatest density of pronghorn numbers in the unit.

The deadline to apply for the upcoming draw was Feb. 8 and the draw results are pending, giving the commission only days to modify the affected hunts without affecting thousands of other hunters.

There are 4,780 people who applied for the 65 pronghorn antelope hunt permits in the two hunts (one general hunt and one archery hunt) scheduled for 19B. Game Branch Chief Brian Wakeling said “the antelope hunts in 19B are some of the most coveted in the state.”

The commission also considered reducing the number of permits in the hunt but after significant discussion, the members felt that option would do a disservice to those who applied, as the area left open for 2011 would differ substantially from that available when hunters applied in February.

With the elimination of these two hunts, the draw program will treat any choice where these hunts were selected as if all tags had been issued and move to the applicant’s next choice. The draw examines first and second choices primarily and then third, fourth, and fifth choices secondarily. The majority of the commissioners felt that to be the most equitable approach.

The commission also expressed its desire to open up a dialogue on the whole land access and wildlife availability issue with land management agencies, county governments and stakeholders to include hunters, anglers and other recreationists. At issue is access to public lands and state trust lands and the management of public resources, such as wildlife and fish.

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 Director’s Office, 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 Director’s Office as listed above.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) has introduced Assembly Bill 606, to encourage greater private landowner participation in voluntary, incentive-based conservation easement and wildlife habitat conservation programs administered by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG).

“COHA is pleased to partner with Assemblyman Gatto to fight to protect important wildlife habitat,” stated Jason Rhine with the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). “Without willing private landowners, programs such as the Permanent Wetlands Easement Program or the California Waterfowl Habitat Program will cease to exist and hundreds of wetland dependent species will greatly suffer from a lack of available habitat.”

AB 606 seeks to clarify that private landowners participating in a DFG-managed conservation easement or wildlife habitat conservation program, such as the Permanent Wetlands Easement Program, the California Waterfowl Habitat Program, and the Landowner Incentive Program, can continue to engage in hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreational activities on their property, unless expressly prohibited.

“The future of maintaining fish and wildlife populations is making sure we preserve and manage their habitats,” said George C. Thornton, National Wild Turkey Federation CEO. “Private landowners are a critical player because of their direct tie to the water and land.”

With nearly 50% of California land in private ownership, farmers, ranchers, and other landowners play an extremely important role in protecting and maintaining wildlife habitat. Often, the incentive for landowners to maintain their property for the benefit of wildlife stems from their passion to pursue our outdoor traditions.

“Voluntary wildlife habitat conservation programs preserve thousands of acres of land a year,” said Assemblyman Gatto. “If we can encourage more private landowners to participate in these programs by ensuring that they will maintain the right to recreate on their land, we could save countless more acres of disappearing wetland and riparian habitat across the state.”

“Acknowledging the role of hunting associated with conservation easements helps ensure that future generations of Californians will have the same opportunities afield as we currently enjoy. This bill is an important step in clarifying that easements are intended to maintain the habitat values associated with these special lands, not to restrict their recreational benefits,” stated John Devney, Senior Vice President Delta Waterfowl.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting hunting and promoting wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org/

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON --(Ammoland.com)- WASHINGTON – -(Ammoland.com)- The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership today welcomed a U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement regarding continued funding for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, popularly known as “Open Fields,” which is dedicated to expanding public access and conserving valuable fish and wildlife habitat on privately owned lands.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated that public access programs in 2011 will receive additional grants totaling $8 million toward the total of $50 million that is available for three years through Open Fields. Many of the grants funded in 2010, the first year of the program’s implementation, were for multiple years and will receive continued funding in 2011.

One of the signature issues of the TRCP, Open Fields was successfully included in the 2008 Farm Bill following the efforts of the TRCP and many TRCP partner organizations. Open Fields can open millions of additional acres of private lands to hunters and anglers by augmenting existing state access programs and encouraging new walk-in programs. The increased funding facilitates the creation or expansion of existing public-access programs or provides landowner incentives to increase sportsmen’s access and improve fish and wildlife habitat on newly enrolled lands.

“By allocating these millions of dollars to Open Fields, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is showing its support of practices that benefit fish and wildlife and public access to the nation’s private lands,” said Jennifer Mock Schaeffer, Farm Bill coordinator for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and chair of the TRCP Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group. “Without the USDA’s vote of confidence, these important conservation programs would not otherwise be funded.”

The $8 million to be made available in 2011 is in addition to the initial VPA-HIP monies approval for the program in 2010; approximately $11.75 million was awarded to 17 states last year following approval of these funds.

“Our nation’s hunting and fishing traditions are inextricably tied to the health of America’s privately owned farm, ranch and forest lands,” said Dave Nomsen, vice president of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever and member of the TRCP Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group. “We appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s commitment to American sportsmen and our shared natural resources through his support of continued funding of Open Fields.”

Twenty-six states currently have public access programs for hunting, fishing and other related activities. Sportsmen are encouraging states and tribal governments to submit VPA-HIP applications for 2011 funding through the federal government’s grants portal to the Farm Service Agency for consideration.

“America’s sportsmen-conservationists already have demonstrated overwhelming support of the Open Fields program – and of similar private-lands conservation programs included in the 2008 Farm Bill,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh. “We offer the USDA our thanks for continuing to see that public access and fish and wildlife conservation remain priorities of the federal government, and we look forward to working to sustain funding for these crucial programs as the 2012 Farm Bill is deliberated in the months to come.”

• Learn more about Open Fields and other Farm Bill programs.
• Read more about the TRCP’s work on the Farm Bill.

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

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

MALTA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- With big game animals continuing to be abundant in many areas, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff will again direct hunters to farms and ranches in Region 6 this coming season through referral lists kept at FWP offices in Glasgow and Havre.

“Landowners call and say they’re experiencing game-damage problems or too many deer, and they don’t have anyone stopping to hunt,” said FWP Region 6 Supervisor Pat Gunderson.

“By maintaining lists of landowners who contact us and making those details available to hunters, FWP can help get the parties connected. This has worked very well in the past, and we’re encouraging landowners to use this service even more this year.”

Gunderson said special focus is again being put on connecting hunters with farmers and ranchers in the Milk River Valley between Havre and Harlem and in the Glasgow and Nashua areas. That’s generally where the highest concentrations of white-tailed deer are found in Region 6.

“This year we’re again selling a total of 5,000 of the 699-00 antlerless white-tailed deer licenses, which can be used in any Region 6 hunting district, and that’s on top of all the other whitetail and mule deer licenses and permits that are available,” Gunderson said.

“We also have a strong Block Management program that this year includes more than 300 cooperators on more than 1 million acres of private land in Region 6. Our Block Management program and the landowner listing program both help address the issue of hunter access. And they’re also a benefit to farmers and ranchers.”

With the general archery season already underway, Gunderson said it’s not too early for landowners who are seeking hunters to get on the FWP lists. The quickest way is by calling the Region 6 office in Glasgow at (406) 228-3700 or the Havre Area Resource Office at (406) 265-6177 or stopping by with the contact information.

Boone and Crockett Club

MISSOULA, Mont.--(Ammoland.com)- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., today introduced legislation that guarantees funding for improving hunter access to existing public lands.

Included within the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Spill Accountability Act is a provision supported by the Boone and Crockett Club and other hunting organizations which directs the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work with volunteering landowners to enhance access to existing public lands for the purposes of hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.

“Sportsmen and women want better access to their national forests and BLM lands for hunting and fishing. Sen. Harry Reid and Sen. Max Baucus are tackling this problem, head on, with this bill,” said Lowell Baier, President of the Boone and Crockett Club.

Additionally, Baier praised Reid and Baucus for “their deep commitment to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities on our public lands.”

For the 32 million American hunters, anglers and recreational shooters, federal public lands are an increasingly vital to their participation in outdoor sports. Nearly half of all hunters, for example, conduct a portion of their hunting activity on these lands.

In addition, lack of access is cited as a primary reason that hunters, anglers and target shooters stop participating in these traditional sports. However, numerous reports verify that access to federal lands is problematic in many places. In fact, a 2004 report to the U.S. House Committee On Appropriations concluded that more than 35 million acres of U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service land have inadequate access. Specifically, nearly 2 million acres (or 10 percent) of USFS lands in Montana and 8.4 million acres (or 29 percent) of BLM lands in the Montana/Dakota’s region were identified as having inadequate access.

Sportsmen and women make important contributions to both wildlife conservation and the nation’s economy. The hunting and shooting sports industries create over 160,000 full-time jobs nationwide, generating an economic benefit of over $20 billion annually.

About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

Deer Management Assistance Program Map

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- Landowners looking to enroll in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), which is designed to help landowners manage deer on their properties, have until June 12 to mail an application to the appropriate Game Commission Region Office.

Applications will be accepted by U.S. mail only, as postmarks will be required to establish processing priorities.

In addition, a map delineating the property boundaries must be enclosed with the application. Landowners may obtain DMAP applications from the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on “D.M.A.P.” in the “Quick Clicks” box in the right-hand column of the homepage. Applications also can be obtained from any Game Commission Region Office or the Harrisburg headquarters.

Eligible lands for DMAP are: public lands; private lands where no fee is charged for hunting; and hunting club lands owned in fee title so long as the club was established prior to Jan. 1, 2000, and it provides a club charter and list of current members to the agency.

Coupons for DMAP antlerless deer harvest permits are issued to landowners at a rate of one coupon for every five acres in agricultural operations or one coupon for every 50 acres for all other land uses. Management plans are required when an applicant for DMAP requests more than the standard rate for issuance of DMAP harvest permits, or when the property acreage falls below the minimum for the standard issuance rate.

Landowners must designate their boundaries in a manner approved by the Game Commission. Landowners will be allotted one coupon for each DMAP permit allocated for their property, and they may provide up to two DMAP coupons per DMAP area to a licensed hunter. Landowners may not charge or accept any remuneration for a DMAP coupon.

The cost of DMAP permits is $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.

Based on a regulatory change approved by the Board of Game Commissioners at its April meeting, each WMU antlerless allocation has been reduced by the number of DMAP antlerless deer permits issued in each WMU during the 2009-10 seasons. The Board’s action also prohibits the issuance of more DMAP permits for the 2010-11 seasons than were issued for the 2009-10 seasons for each WMU.

With the amendment in place, the maximum number of DMAP antlerless deer permits available for public and private landowners in each WMU is as follows: WMU 1A, 295; WMU 2A, 656; WMU 2A, 121; WMU 2B, zero; WMU 2C, 793; WMU 2D, 277; WMU 2E, 593; WMU 2F, 3,052; WMU 2G, 10,790; WMU 3A, 753; WMU 3B, 1,239; WMU 3C, 642; WMU 3D, 1,678; WMU 4A, 1,479; WMU 4B, 852; WMU 4C, 649; WMU 4D, 1,948; WMU 4E, 101; WMU 5A, 731; WMU 5B, 188; WMU 5C, 40; and WMU 5D, zero.

The application process and deadline have been revised this year. There is an accelerated schedule, and applications will be accepted and processed in priority tiers on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be based on postmarks by the U.S. Postal Service. Top priority will be given to properties enrolled in one the Game Commission’s three public access programs (Forest-Game, Farm-Game or Safety Zone) allowing public deer hunting, followed by publicly-owned lands then private lands not in one of the Game Commission’s public access programs. Applications will be processed until quotas for each WMU (see above) are exhausted. Those applications remaining after quotas are exhausted will be denied DMAP permits.

A significant change that took effect last year for landowners and hunters participating in DMAP is that DMAP coupon redemption can be done at any license issuing agent or the Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS) website – https://www1.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php – rather than through the mail, thanks to the implementation of the agency’s new point-of-sale electronic license system. The PALS website

Landowners have the option of receiving DMAP coupons and directly distributing them to hunters of their choice, or they can choose the “no coupon” option and allow any hunter to directly purchase a DMAP permit from the license issuing agent to hunt on their property.

The first option on the landowner application is “Yes, I want to distribute coupons directly to hunters that I choose.” With this option, the landowner will receive the coupons and distribute them to specific hunters. The hunters will then take coupons to any license issuing agent or go on the PALs website to acquire the antlerless deer harvest permits.

The second option on the landowner application is “No, any hunter can get a permit to hunt my property through the electronic licensing system without a coupon.” With this option, no coupons will be sent to the landowner. Any hunter will be able to go to any license issuing agent or the PALS website to get an antlerless deer permit for this DMAP property. If landowners choose this second option, they also will be asked whether they want to advertise the location of the property on the Game Commission’s website so that their DMAP information can be made available to the public.

Hunters with DMAP antlerless deer permits may use them only on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season. Also, in WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E, which have a split season structure of Nov. 29-Dec. 3 for antlered deer only and Dec. 4-11 for antlered and antlerless deer, hunters will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer with DMAP permits on DMAP properties from Nov. 29-Dec. 11.

Hunters can purchase DMAP antlerless harvest permits as soon as coupons are available. Hunters without access to the Internet can obtain listings of eligible DMAP properties by mailing a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with a letter indicating their county of interest, to the Game Commission Region Office responsible for that particular county. Region Office contact information, and a listing of counties in its jurisdiction, is as follows:

Northwest Region Office, P.O. Box 31, Franklin, PA 16323. 814-432-3188. Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties.

Southwest Region Office, 4820 Route 711, Bolivar, PA 15923. 724-238-9523. Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Northcentral Region Office, P.O. Box 5038, Jersey Shore, PA 17740. 570-398-4744. Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties.

Southcentral Region Office, 8627 William Penn Highway, Huntingdon, PA 16652. 814-643-1831. Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder and York counties.

Northeast Region Office, P.O. Box 220, Dallas, PA 18612. 570-675-1143. Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Southeast Region Office, 448 Snyder Rd., Reading, PA 19605. 610-926-3136. Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Schuylkill counties.

Respected Access Campaign

Treadlightly.Org

Ogden, UT – -(AmmoLand.com)- The nonprofit organization Tread Lightly!, in partnership with some of the nation’s most influential shooting sports organizations, has released nine tips to help shooters minimize their impact on the environment.

The tips are part of a recent public awareness campaign developed to help shooters and hunters keep their access open by encouraging proper environmental and social behaviors. The multifaceted campaign is called Respected Access is Open Access.

1. Target shoot only on lands open to shooting.
2. Use only appropriate targets. Shooting at trees and other natural objects is illegal and leaves a negative image about shooters.
3. Only shoot where there is a good backstop to stop your bullets.
4. Shooting at signs, kiosks, trash containers, buildings and other property is vandalism and illegal.
5. Be sure to pack out your trash including food wrappings, shotgun shells, brass or steel cases, fragmented clay pigeons, and other targets. Be a thoughtful shooter and pick up litter and target trash left by others.
6. Do not shoot household appliances or other objects dumped in shooting areas. It is misconstrued that shooters are the dumpers.
7. Shooting across roads, trails, waterways or into caves or rocky areas is unsafe. Be sure you see your target clearly and you know what lies between you, the target, and beyond.
8. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
9. Shoot away from developed recreation sites such as campgrounds, trailheads, parking areas and boat ramps.
10. Travel on designated routes. Avoid traveling in sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams.

“The message of the campaign is simple—responsible behavior leads to continued access,” said Lori McCullough, executive director of the nonprofit Tread Lightly!. “Outdoor opportunities in America are dwindling at a rate so serious it demands our immediate action. Damage caused by a few uninformed or uncaring recreationists is contributing to the loss of access for everyone. This campaign will help change that.”

Funding for the campaign has come through grants from Yamaha Motor Corporation’s OHV Access Initiative, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Safari Club International, National Wild Turkey Federation, Boone and Crockett Club, US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Tread Lightly! created Respected Access is Open Access at the request of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable.

Public service announcements, web banners, decals, brochures, and more quick tips can be found at the campaign’s website: www.respectedaccess.org.

Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through ethics education and stewardship. Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment. Tread Lightly! offers unique programs and services to help remedy current recreation issues.

In 2006, a consortium of fish and wildlife conservation organizations and three federal land management agencies signed the Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing & Shooting Sports Memorandum of Understanding. As a result of this agreement, the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable was created to focus on improving access and opportunities for hunters and recreational shooters across America. The Respected Access education campaign is one of the Roundtable’s top initiatives.

The organizations and agencies signed on to the Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing & Shooting Sports MOU are: USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, American Sportfishing Association, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Bear Trust International, Boone & Crockett Club of America, Bow Hunting Preservation Alliance, Campfire Club of America, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Conservation Force, Dallas Safari Club, Delta Waterfowl Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Wild Sheep Foundation, Houston Safari Club, Izaak Walton League of America, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, National Rifle Association of America, National Shooting Sport Foundation, National Trapper’s Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, North American Bear Foundation, North American Grouse Partnership, Orion – The Hunter’s Institute, Pheasants Forever, Pope & Young Club, Public Lands Foundation, Quail Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Safari Club International, Sand County Foundation, Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Texas Wildlife Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Whitetails Unlimited, Wildlife Forever and the Wildlife Management Institute.

Letters to the AmmoLand Editor: Got something on your mind? Let us know and you can see it here.

New York – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Adirondack Park Agency has destroyed the natural resources, ecology, and history of the Adirondacks.

It is a dictatorship of criminals, pornographers, and terrorist supporters. This has been exposed to daylight with the criminal actions of Stiles, the illegal collusion with the eco-terrorist groups and the staffs’ tactics of blackmail, harassment, extortion, and intimidation.

Since 1971 the Adirondack Park Agency has proceeded on an agenda to destroy the natural resources and people of the Adirondacks. They started by banning snowmobiles hauling lime into remote waters, thus murdering our brook trout into near extinction. They have destroyed fire towers and our history. The Adirondack Park Agency has destroyed family dreams, building projects, etc; even when there was no threat to the environment, or no law or regulation preventing these projects. These Adirondack Park Agency criminals, driven by their personal agendas and ties to eco-terrorist groups, continue to strive for genocide of the local people; to eliminate private property ownership throughout the Adirondacks.

All Adirondack Park Agency decisions have been baseless and punitive subject to the whim or fancy of an idiot employee and eco-terrorist supporting commissioners. One has only to remember Tony D’Elia, Dr. Vincent Vaccaro, Tim Jones, Shania Twain, Sandy Lewis, Leroy Douglas, John Maye, Arthur Spiegel, Keith Altarac and dozens of others to see the corruption, extortion, harassment, and intimidation these Adirondack Park Agency scum have perpetrated.

The APA has discriminated against the handicapped and disabled, especially our disabled veterans, since 1971. The APA has continued to violate the Americans with Disabilities Law and deny veterans and others access to state lands and waters. One has only to mention Lows Lake, banning of float planes, banning of ATV’s, banning of motorboats, closing of roads to motorized vehicles, etc. to see their contempt for disabled Americans.

Recent events have called attention to the illegal activities and collusion of APA members with these eco-terrorist groups. E-mails, letters, etc. have come to light. State law forbids agency members involved in a hearing to communicate about a case. Yet Cecil Wray and others appear to have done this with the Adirondack destroying Adirondack Council Officials. Other former members of the Adirondack Council Curt Stiles and Dick Booth actions are also questionable. Recent lawsuits by these eco-terrorist groups also bring questions of illegal actions by the Adirondack Park Agency members.

How is it that not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations can be given standing and bring lawsuits while the Local Government Review Board, Local Government Administrations, Property Rights, and others are not? Why has AG Cuomo and Gov. Patterson not taken action to strip the Adirondack Council, Adirondack Mountain Club, Resident Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, and Protect the Adirondacks of their tax-exempt status, not-for-profit status, and demand full payment of all taxes back to the date they filed papers with the state?

Their actions clearly violate the conditions of their 501 tax exempt status. Time to demand AG Cuomo and Gov. Patterson investigate these groups and their APA confederates.

The State Land Master Plan violates the State Constitution. Article XIV clearly states all forest preserve lands shall be forever kept as “Wild Forest.” All other classifications (wilderness, etc.) and their restrictions are in violation of Article XIV. The Forest Preserve Law guarantees free use of all roads and waters on forest preserve lands. All closing and restrictions are in violation of this law. Adirondack Park Agency decisions are all contrary to State Statutes and cannot be justified. The APA is in violation of State Law. The APA is further in violation by trying to create and enforce laws of its own.

Every Adirondack Park Agency Commissioner, past and present, should be arrested and jailed for their actions. The criminal actions of Stiles by trespassing through a gate, driving 5 miles down a closed private road to a closed campgrounds, and illegally camping on state land cannot be overlooked. Nor can Stiles’ illegal boathouse. Where is Cuomo’s and Patterson’s ethic committees and police officials, and why has Stiles not been arrested and jailed. Is this another Spitzer, Cuomo, Patterson example of being above the law?

The Adirondack Park Agency has done nothing for the local people and local government except harm them. It has destroyed the Adirondack history, ecology, and economy. Local government can do their own planning, zoning, and environmental control better; and without these APA criminals, pornographers and terrorists.

ABOLISH THE APA NOW!
Give local government jurisdiction over all private property; and the DEC over all state property. ABOLISH THE APA NOW!

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Alabama --(AmmoLand.com)- The Alabama Senate recently passed legislation that will require the state to maintain at least the current acreage of hunting land that is available today.

The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Bob Riley (R).

House Bill 330, introduced by State Representative Craig Ford (D- Etowah), requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to open new hunting land if a department owned property currently open to hunting is closed.

The bill also directs the department to make every effort to open the replacement hunting land in the same region of the state as the property that was closed. The bill is similar to previous efforts in other states that were promoted by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA). The USSA has also developed and supported “no-net loss” legislative language at the national level including two current bills pending in Congress collectively known as the Hunting Heritage Protection Act.

HB 330 cleared both the House and Senate unanimously and the Governor’s office has indicated that he plans to sign the bill early next week.

“No net loss bills like House Bill 330 are very important in a time where access to hunting land is increasingly becoming difficult for sportsmen,” said Rob Sexton USSA vice president for government affairs. “We appreciate the efforts of all Alabama sportsmen who made this bill possible.”

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Washington, DC --(AmmoLand.com)- A leaked memo from the U.S. Department of the Interior reveals plans to set aside millions of acres of federal lands, currently open to a multitude of users, as new “National Monuments.” Basically, these designations could be established by a stroke of President Obama’s pen with no oversight.

The memo identifies approximately 13 million acres in nine western states for “National Monument” designation under the 1906 Antiquities Act. The Act allows the President to make these designations without Congressional approval or local input.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) is deeply concerned as prior Monument designations have caused trouble for hunters and wildlife conservation.

For example, President Carter created millions of acres of National Park Service Monuments in Alaska which immediately closed the areas to sport hunting. It took a subsequent act of Congress to undo many of these hunting closures. President Clinton also created Monuments at the end of his term. Wilderness activists have since blocked wildlife management projects in these areas arguing that conservation efforts are inconsistent with Monument purposes.

Monument designation does not automatically limit hunting or other uses, but experience has shown that this designation can have a negative impact on access and conservation efforts. USSA holds that any change in public land use should only occur after open discussion with stakeholders allowing them to voice their concerns, if any.

“President Obama campaigned on keeping government decisions transparent to the public and we ask that he honor that pledge by not making a decision on Monument designations without first hearing the opinion of America’s sportsmen and other concerned citizens,” said Rob Sexton, USSA vice president for government affairs. “The USSA will be watching closely and respond immediately if sportsmen and others are kept in the dark.”

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

Colorado State

Colorado --(AmmoLand.com)- I wanted to let your readers know that the Colorado Springs Utilities Company is looking for public input on their watershed access plan until Feb. 26.

These properties provide some excellent habitat for deer, elk and bighorn sheep on Pike’s Peak. Below is the link to Colorado Spring’s Utilities Watershed Access Plan. You can click on the top-right part of the page to look at the plan, and download a comment form:

http://tiny.cc/hunteraccess

The plan (as currently written) will prohibit hunting on their properties, in any capacity. As an advocate for sportsmen at the DOW, we’ve publicly maintained throughout this process that we feel hunting is an acceptable and safe use of this area.

To maintain quality of the experience, also think that hunting could be implemented on a limited basis.similar to other areas in the state. It is surrounded by USFS land that already allows public hunting (GMU 59).

Springs Utilities told me that they heard my comments loud and clear, but simply have not heard from enough sportsmen in Colorado to make this a consideration. Any comments you can provide with respect to allowing hunting would be beneficial to sportsmen.

Responsive Management

Harrisonburg, VA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Research indicates that difficulty gaining access to lands for hunting has become a constraint to recruiting and retaining sportsmen.

Adequate access to land is one of the fundamental issues that affect the future of hunting, but it is also an issue over which agencies and organizations have some influence.

To gain a better understanding of the specific problems that affect hunter access to both public and private lands, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and Responsive Management recently completed a nationwide scientific survey and project on issues related to hunting access in which more than 14,000 hunters nationwide were asked their opinions on a variety of access-related topics.

The study, which was conducted under a Multi-State Conservation Grant awarded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and administered by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, included (1) analyzing qualitative data obtained from focus groups conducted in 2008 (which were also used in developing the survey instrument), (2) conducting a nationwide telephone survey with an oversampling in 17 states where a variety of access programs are currently under way, (3) producing 17 state reports for those oversampled states, (4) developing a cumulative national report of the results, and (5) producing a final report with recommendations for implementing effective access programs. The national results are discussed in this article.

The extensive telephone questionnaire was developed cooperatively by Responsive Management, the NSSF, and the participating state agencies and was reviewed by numerous university professors, staff, and fish and wildlife agency personnel with knowledge regarding survey methods and hunting access issues. Respondents consisted of individuals ages 18 and older who had hunted at least once in the five years that preceded the study. The sample was carefully constructed to reflect the proportion of hunters in each state. Responsive Management worked with each state fish and wildlife agency over a 12-month period to achieve a meticulously constructed and randomly selected sample of hunters. The sample was obtained from each state’s agency; for the states where this was not possible, the sample was obtained from a research firm that had valid samples of hunters for those states.

Because access problems differ depending on the species hunted, the survey asked respondents to answer select questions about the species they primarily hunt. As a result, many questions, such as ratings of access, are specific to a particular species rather than to hunting overall.

Interviews were conducted Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time, from April through November 2009. Responsive Management obtained a total of 14,317 completed interviews throughout the United States.

Species Hunted, Avidity, and Participation Trends

Hunters were asked about the single species that they primarily hunted in the past 12 months. This does not mean that these hunters only hunted the species that they indicated, but that the species they indicated was the species they primarily hunted. The majority of licensed hunters nationwide primarily hunted white-tailed deer (57%) in the 12 months that preceded the survey, distantly followed in popularity by waterfowl (9%), upland game birds (8%), wild turkey (5%), elk (5%), and mule deer (3%). The remainder hunted for other species or had not hunted in the past 12 months.

The median number of days that hunters hunt annually in their state is 20. Hunters in the survey have participated in hunting for a mean of 36.2 years. Hunters most commonly say that their hunting participation has stayed the same in the past 5 years (45%); otherwise, those who say it has decreased (31%) exceed those who say it has increased (23%).

When making decisions about where to hunt their primary species, one factor stands out as markedly more important to hunters than the rest: that the land is not crowded.

Hunting Locations
Hunters nationwide more often hunt their primary species on private land (54% hunt on private land mostly) than public land (23% hunt on public land mostly); 23% of hunters hunt their primary species on public land and private land about equally. Those who hunt their primary species at least half the time on private land (77% of hunters overall) indicate that they hunt mostly on land owned by a friend or family member (35%) or hunt on their own land (19%); the rest hunt on different combinations of private land at varying rates. Hunters typically travel a median distance of 30 miles from home to hunt their primary species.

Those who hunt their primary species mostly on private land tend to travel shorter distances to hunt than those who hunt their primary species mostly on public land. The majority of hunters (62%) who hunt their primary species mostly on private land travel 30 miles or less from home to do so; only 16% of those who hunt their primary species mostly on public land travel the same distance. These differences are statistically significant.

Choosing Lands on Which to Hunt The survey asked 11 questions about the importance of various factors in hunters’ decisions regarding where to hunt their primary species. For each factor, they were asked if it is very important, somewhat important, or not at all important. One factor stands out as markedly more important than the rest: that the land is not crowded with other sportsmen (82% say this is very important). This is followed by a middle tier: that they are familiar with the land (58%), that the land is easy to access by foot (51%), and that the land is owned by somebody they personally know (47%). Of interest in these findings is that the land being private (43%) ranks above the land being public (29%).

Constraints to Hunting Participation

A direct question asked hunters whether lack of hunting access had caused them to not hunt a particular species as much as they would have liked in the previous 5 years. Almost half of them (46%) agreed that it had done so. Among that 46%, the top-named access problems were private land being posted (40%) and no land to hunt on (30%). These two reasons were more distantly followed by the land being leased to others (13%), public land being closed (10%), development closing lands (8%), and the cost of access (8%).

The most common reason for giving a fair or poor rating to private land access is land being posted — the top reason by far.

The survey asked a series of 25 questions about possible hunting access constraints. For each possible constraint, the survey asked hunters if it had been, over the previous 5 years, a major problem, a moderate problem, a minor problem, or not at all a problem. The top potential constraints that were a major, moderate, or minor problem were constraints related to land use changes, development, or changes in ownership (each of these constraints was cited by 43-51% of hunters); the cost of gas (47%); being denied permission to hunt on somebody else’s land (41%); and finding previously open private land closed because a club has now leased it (41%).

Rating Access to Hunting Lands A basic question asked hunters to rate access to hunting land in their state overall. They are more positive than negative: 56% give a rating of excellent or good, while 42% give a rating of fair or poor.

Top reasons for rating public land access as fair or poor are a simple lack of land on which to hunt, road closures, land being too crowded with other hunters, public land being blocked by private land, lack of quality land or land with plenty of game, and access problems in general to public land.

The most common reason for giving a fair or poor rating to private land access is land being posted — the top reason by far. This is followed by land being leased to others, the cost of access, and/or a simple lack of land on which to hunt.

Factors That May Positively Affect Access

The survey asked 15 questions about things that would potentially make hunting access easier. For each item, the survey asked hunters if it would be very effective, somewhat effective, or not at all effective at making it easier to access land on which to hunt. In looking at the ranking by the percentage saying that the items would be very effective at making access easier, 6 of the 15 items stand out — each with a majority saying it would be very effective: having signs that clearly mark boundaries of huntable land (71%), having a list of landowners with telephone numbers where the respondent could call to ask to hunt on their land (62%), having up-to-date information on a website showing lands where hunting is allowed (58%), having paper maps of hunting lands for their primary species (55%), having their state agency acquire more land for hunting (55%), and having maps of hunting lands for their primary species on a website (54%).

Landowners and Access Issues The survey asked eight questions about possible reasons that landowners may close their land to public hunting. For each possible reason, the survey asked hunters if they think it is a very important reason, a somewhat important reason, or a not at all important reason that landowners close their land to the public for hunting. Five items stand out above the rest in the ranking by the percentage saying the reasons are very important, the top three of which relate to misuse of the land: irresponsible shooting, alcohol use, or other bad behavior by hunters (72% say this is a very important reason that landowners close their land); property damage caused by hunters (excluding litter) (67%); litter (64%); the landowner wanting to allow only personal/family use of the land (64%); and liability concerns (58%).

The overwhelming majority of hunters (90%) are not aware of any laws in their state that reduce the liability of landowners who open their lands to the public for hunting; meanwhile, 9% are aware of such laws (the remainder say they do not know).

The overwhelming majority of hunters (82%) support laws to reduce landowner liability for landowners who open their lands to the public for hunting; only 7% oppose (the remainder give neutral answers).

Use of Programs and Resources The survey asked about six national programs/resources that pertain to hunting access: the Open Fields program; the Conservation Reserve Program; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Waterfowl Production Areas, or WPAs; the wheretohunt.org website; the huntinfo.org website; and the huntandshoot.org website. In addition,16 of the oversampled states had additional programs about which the survey asked. Specific state programs were asked about only in the applicable state.

A basic line of questioning asked hunters about their awareness of the six national programs/resources, and two of the six had awareness levels near the halfway mark: the Conservation Reserve Program (45% are very or somewhat aware of it) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Waterfowl Production Areas or WPAs (45%). The other national programs/resources have awareness levels of 10% or lower.

Another series of questions asked hunters about their use of or participation in the six access programs/resources. Those programs/resources with the highest rates of use/participation are the Conservation Reserve Program (18%) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Waterfowl Production Areas, or WPAs (13%).

Sources of Information
In the broadest question about sources of information, hunters were asked in an open-ended question where they received information on places to hunt and hunting access in their state. The most popular source is friends/family/word of mouth (53%), by far the top answer. Other notable answers include a state agency other than its website (9%), a specific site on the Internet (8%), the Internet in general/a search engine (6%), magazines (6%), and pamphlets/brochures (5%).

The survey asked hunters if they had visited the websites of four agencies (their state’s fish and wildlife agency, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management). The survey questions were tailored to individual states to identify each state agency by name. About a third of hunters had visited their state agency site (35%). Lower amounts (from 11% to 17%) had visited the other sites.

The national report is available here (484KB PDF). The focus group report, which assisted in the development of the survey instrument, is available here (164KB PDF). Reports for each of the oversampled states are available in the column on the left. A final report will be released later this month. A printable version of this article is available here (996KB PDF).

About:
Responsive Management is a public opinion survey research firm specializing in natural resource, wildlife, environmental, and outdoor recreation issues. Visit: www.responsivemanagement.com

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont.—-(AmmoLand.com)- A nine-year land conservation project has been completed near La Grande, Ore., permanently protecting habitat and securing public access on nearly 850 acres. The parcel, now part of Ladd Marsh Wildlife Management Area, has been transferred to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The area, known locally as the Glass Hill winter range, is prime elk habitat. An estimated 120 elk use the area throughout the year. In winter the herd can swell to more than 500. Upland birds, deer and several sensitive species also inhabit the area.

“Back in the late 1990s, RMEF and ODFW identified this tract as important habitat threatened by future recreational and residential development. That prediction held true. Today realtors are marketing subdivided properties on neighboring lands and no doubt the same thing would have happened here,” said Bill Richardson, RMEF lands program manager for Oregon and Washington.

RMEF purchased the 848.98-acre parcel in 2000. The goal was to hold the property while ODFW gathered funding for a conveyance.

In the meantime, the two partners signed an MOU committing the agency to manage the property for wildlife and public access, including hunting. Over the years, ODFW expended more than $150,000 and RMEF volunteers donated countless hours of labor on restoration and habitat activities, perimeter fence maintenance, interior fence removal, planting trees, spraying weeds, reseeding and more.

“In the past nine years, and through four different agency directors, we made several attempts to put a purchase package together and close this transaction. This year we got it done. It’s great to see a long-term commitment come to fruition,” said Craig Ely, ODFW’s Northeast Region manager.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the transfer at its October meeting. RMEF sold the property to ODFW at a bargain price and donated the balance of the appraised value to ODFW to match federal grants that funded the transaction. The donation will result in $420,000 in matching funds being available for future land projects benefiting elk and other wildlife.

RMEF paid property taxes to Union County annually and ODFW will continue to do so.

Richardson said, “This project took longer than expected but RMEF is in this for the long haul. We understand that it can take years or even decades to conserve an important piece of habitat. The complexities of administrative changes and strained budgets will always be surmounted by dedicated partners who never give up.”

He added that stewardship never totally concludes. Successful projects always lead to more collaboration, partnership and efforts to expand the conservation footprint, he said.

Since 1986, RMEF and its partners have completed 611 projects in Oregon, conserving or enhancing about 675,000 acres, including more than 38,000 acres of permanent land protection.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.6 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.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- A survey of hunters revealed 32 percent of the total Nebraska pheasant harvest during the 2008-09 season took place on Conservation Reserve Program-Management Access Program (CRP-MAP) lands.

The recent survey by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission shows the impact CRP-MAP has on hunting opportunities. CRP-MAP gives the public access to private walk-in hunting sites, focusing on grassland and upland game habitats.

CRP-MAP also accounted for 25 percent of the quail harvest and 13 percent of the grouse harvest.

The survey randomly chose 8,000 residents and 2,000 nonresidents who purchased either a Nebraska hunt permit – often referred to as a “small game” permit – or a Nebraska combination hunt/fish permit. There were 2,367 respondents.

Another finding from the survey is the increase in success for dove hunters. Those hunters harvested 4.3 doves per each day spent hunting. That figure has been trending upward since the mid-1990s.

The following are other facts from the survey:

• In 2008, 98,308 people purchased Nebraska hunt permits, a 0.43-percent decrease from 2007. The decrease was fueled by reductions in nonresident permit sales. Resident sales rose 1.5 percent.
• The online purchase of hunt permits rose 6.1 in 2008.
• Nonresidents who purchased hunt permits came from 49 states, the District of Columbia and five Canadian provinces.
• Coloradoans made up the largest group of nonresident permit buyers at 27.5 percent, followed by Iowans (7.5) and Missourians (5.3).
• Estimated small game harvest during the 2008-09 season was: 322,798 pheasants, 320,139 doves, 93,251 quail, 38,144 grouse, 43,970 cottontail rabbits, and 17,996 squirrels.

South Dakota Fish, Game & Parks

PIERRE, S.D. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Snowmobile trails in the Black Hills officially open Dec. 15, but a South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks spokesman says more snow is needed to cover bare spots.

“Even though the trails open on Tuesday, there are still some areas without snow cover,” says Ryan Raynor, trail program specialist in the GFP Division of Parks and Recreation. “Snowmobilers should be cautious when they hit the trails.”

The Black Hills trails will be open Dec. 15 through March 31.

Trails in eastern South Dakota have been open since Dec. 1, but those trails have yet to be groomed.

“Most of eastern South Dakota is still waiting for enough snow to get the trails going,” Raynor says.

He also reminds riders that the Aberdeen trails will not open this season due to flood conditions.

New this year: Snowmobilers can check trail conditions daily via Twitter. Follow the eastern trail conditions at www.twitter.com/SDsnowEast and the Black Hills conditions at www.twitter.com/SDsnowBHills.

Raynor says Twitter will be useful to many snowmobilers because it provides updates on cell phones using text messaging. Trail conditions are also available at the Game, Fish and Parks’ Web site or by calling 1-800-445-3474.

Snowmobile trail maps for the entire state can be obtained from most Game, Fish and Parks offices or by calling 605-773-3391. The maps outline the nationally-recognized Black Hill trails (350 miles) and 13 trails in eastern South Dakota (1,260 miles). The maps also include locations for food and fuel, as well as additional information about snowmobiling in South Dakota.

For more information about snowmobiling in South Dakota, contact Ryan Raynor at 605-773-3391.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- The Open Fields and Waters program began offering hunting and fishing access opportunities this fall, and Nebraskans have responded. Hunters have begun taking advantage of the new program.

“Our first big spike in use was especially noticeable during the November firearm deer season,” said Kirk Nelson, an assistant director with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “It seemed like there were always people using the sites.”

Enrollment is open to landowners who wish to enroll for 2010. “We expect a lot more interest this year since landowners have had a chance to talk about the merits of the program,” Nelson said. “These kinds of programs always seem to gain traction in the second year.”

Open Fields and Waters pays landowners who allow walk-in hunting and fishing access to their enrolled property. The program complements Conservation Reserve Program-Management Access Program (CRP-MAP). While the focus of CRP-MAP is upland game, Open Fields and Waters targets habitat for deer and turkey hunting and also opens streams, ponds and lakes to public fishing access.

Open Fields and Waters began as a two-year pilot program this fall, with contracts providing access on enrolled acres from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31. There are 37,242 acres available for public hunting and fishing access, including 371 acres of ponds and lakes and 38 miles of stream. Enrolled acres are published in the Nebraska Public Access Atlas, which also includes other public areas, including CRP-MAP. Enrollment in CRP-MAP is also open at this time through Commission district offices.

Landowners interested in the program should contact their nearest Commission district office at their earliest convenience to ensure a place in the program.

Grass Roots North Carolina for Firearms Education

North Carolina - -(AmmoLand.com)- As we were alerted by members in the Blowing Rock area months ago, the Town of Blowing Rock plans to turn over town-owned land that local hunters have hunted on for generations to the National Park Service.

The issue started nearly a decade ago when the North Carolina Land Trust purchased a 192 acre tract of land from a local hunting club outside the city limits of Blowing Rock. Local hunters, believing they were protecting a treasured hunting area, generously donated to the Land Trust for purchase of the tract. As testament to the past use of hunting on the land, the Land Trust wrote language into their deed which designated hunting as an allowable activity on the land for perpetuity.

A few years later however, the Town of Blowing Rock, unbeknownst to the general public, purchased the 192 acre tract from the land trust for potential trade to the National Park Service. In late 2005 the purchase revealed itself to sportsmen when police tried to close the area, including the NC Gamelands portion, to hunting.

Hunters and GRNC members, concerned with suddenly being told they were not allowed to hunt public lands, began questioning recalcitrant town officials. It was then that the questionable land trade was uncovered. Further investigation revealed that an influential town councilwoman’s expensive home overlooks the land, as well as the fact this very same councilwoman is an outspoken anti-hunting, anti-logging activist. Some grassroots members are even beginning to question the Town of Blowing Rock’s role in the Land Trust’s original purchase of the tract. Letters written to Mayor J.B. Lawrence regarding these and other questions have not been answered. The town maintains the trade is necessary to gain full control of the town reservoir located on Park lands between Boone and Blowing Rock. This does not seem plausible given the fact Blowing Rock already has water interconnection permits with Boone as well as an unused intake permit at the! confluence of Payne Branch and Middle Fork.

As a new twist, Mayor Lawrence recently declared the 190 acres as closed to hunting via a vague town code prohibiting loaded guns on town property (i.e. town hall). Coinciding with the Mayor’s announcement, National Park Service spokeswomen Shelia Dixon indicated that if NPS acquires the land, all hunting, trapping, and shooting will be prohibited as per NPS policy. This deal will cut in half the last public lands that Blowing Rock hunters, shooters and trappers can easily access. Hunters attempted to voice concerns with Mayor Lawrence during a March 10, 2009 town meeting, however the Mayor decided to convene an illegal closed meeting to discuss the issue. No recordings or minutes exist of this meeting.

Now it seems that Senator Richard Burr and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx are on board with this deal as well. Burr’s and Foxx’s offices purport that their support stems from the dubious water issue. Locals are skeptical about this and again point to the councilwoman’s home which overlooks this land. Several times GRNC members have requested from both Burr and Foxx to have a voice in the questionable land deal, but that has not happened.

What Sen. Burr has not addressed is if this is part of a larger bill. If so, he can introduce a floor amendment to remove the land grab and protect the rights of hunters in this area. Remember, this could be your county where this happens next.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
* Call Senator Burr and ask him to remove the Blowing Rock land grab: (202) 224-3154

About:
Grass Roots North Carolina/Forum for Firearms Education is a non-profit, all volunteer organization devoted to educating the public about trends which abridge the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, and engaging in grass roots activism to preserve those freedoms. Formed in 1994 to conduct a highly successful rally for the Second Amendment, GRNC has gone on to conduct projects like “Remember in November: A Gun Owner’s Guide to Voting,” bringing concealed carry to North Carolina.

OMAHA, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Wildlife tend to migrate and feed along the edges of freshly harvested fields making these areas prime hunting spots. With many fields adjacent to Union Pacific Railroad tracks, hunters find it very tempting to hunt on or near the tracks. Union Pacific urges hunters to resist that temptation, and for their safety, avoid railroad property this hunting season.

“As hunters head outdoors this year, we want to remind them that walking on or near railroad tracks is extremely dangerous because you never know when a train will come along,” said Dennis Jenson, assistant vice president-chief of police.

“It can take a mile or more to stop a train and by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it would be too late,” said Dale Bray, director – public safety. “Locomotives and rail cars overhang the tracks by at least three feet on either side of the rail and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are next to the tracks, you can be hit by the locomotive, a rail car or anything that may be hanging loose from the car,” added Bray.

Hunters are not the only ones drawn to railroad tracks – hikers, bikers, fishermen and snowmobilers are as well. To ensure an enjoyable hunting season this fall, COHA urges the hunting community to heed this safety warning of our close partners at Union Pacific.

Through September of this year, more than 32,000 people have been caught trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property. Trespassers on railroad property can be arrested for violating trespassing laws. If they are caught, they could serve jail time and/or have to pay a fine. Anyone choosing to walk on or near railroad tracks could face more dire consequences. Last year, 458 people died and 426 were injured while trespassing on the property of railroads throughout the United States.

In an effort to educate the public about pedestrian and grade crossing safety, Union Pacific works closely with Operation Lifesaver. Operation Lifesaver is a national, nonprofit education and awareness program dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad tracks. To accomplish its mission, Operation Lifesaver promotes education, enforcement and engineering. More information about Operation Lifesaver can be found at www.oli.org.

Do not become a railroad statistic; stay away from railroad tracks.

About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and provides Americans with a fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly and safe mode of freight transportation. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad emphasizes excellent customer service and offers competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico.

For additional information, contact Mark Davis at (402) 544-5459 or via email at mwdavis@up.com Editor’s Note: Audio clips of Dale Bray, UP’s director – public safety and Bob Resch, UP’s manger – public safety, regarding the dangers of hunting on railroad tracks are available from Union Pacific Railroad’s Web site at www.up.com attached to this news release under Media and News Releases.