U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The New Jersey Fish and Game Council (FGC) is putting the finishing touches on a new bear management policy that would include black bear hunting.

The new management plan is to be heard at the February 9 meeting of the FGC being held at the Central Region Office in the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Robbinsville. According to one of its main authors, Council Member Len Wolgast, the plan would allow for a bear hunt to take place this fall.

New Jersey Black Bears

If passed, the plan must then go to the acting Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for final approval.

In 2006, former DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson, an appointee of then Gov. John Corzine, arbitrarily canceled the state’s bear hunt. In response, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF), along with Safari Club International and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs filed a lawsuit against the state to challenge the former Commissioner’s decision to stop the bear hunt. That November, the state Supreme Court refused to consider an emergency injunction that would have compelled the Commissioner to proceed with the 2006 hunt.

In subsequent years, the DEP continued refusing to authorize a bear hunt despite mounting evidence of increased human-bear interactions and multiple calls by state legislators to bring it back.

“We firmly believe that science should be the foundation of New Jersey’s bear management policy and that’s why we’ve fought so hard to protect the hunt in the past,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSAF president and CEO. “We hope that the Fish and Game Council will recognize the importance of bear hunting as a management tool and reinstate the bear hunt.”

The USSAF recently reported on Assembly Bill 181, which will prohibit the DEP Commissioner from blocking a bear hunt that has been approved by the Council. This bill would help ensure that sound wildlife management principles, not politics, dictate the state’s bear management policy.

Take Action! New Jersey sportsmen are encouraged to attend the Fish and Game Council meeting on February 9th to voice their support for the bear management policy. Those unable to attend Tuesday’s hearing can submit written comments to the FGC at P.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) work nationwide, representing over 1.5 million sportsmen through member clubs and individual constituents.  The organizations provide legislative, legal defense and public education services to defend and advance sportsmen’s rights in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 states. Visit: www.ussportsmen.org

Snow Goose Migration Routes

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJ DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife plans to implement a Conservation Order (CO) for light geese in 2010.

This will be the second consecutive year that a CO has been authorized in New Jersey.

The CO time frame is February 16 through April 10, 2010. Under the CO, light geese can be taken with no bag limits outside of the traditional hunting period, while also allowing the use of electronic calls and shotguns loaded with up to seven shells.

A Conservation Order is a special management action authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that is needed to control certain wildlife populations when traditional management programs are unsuccessful in preventing overabundance of that population. This action is granted under the authority of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The intent of the CO is to reduce and/or stabilize North American “light” (greater and lesser snow geese as well as Ross’s geese are collectively referred to as “light” geese) goose populations that are above population objectives. In the Atlantic Flyway, greater snow geese are the most abundant light goose population.

Why we need a Second Special Snow Goose Season!

For more information on the Conservation Order, including license, permit and reporting requirements, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2010/snowgeese10.htm on the division’s website.

Garden State Deer Classic Display of record deer

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- Dozens of outstanding white-tailed deer taken during New Jersey’s 2008-09 hunting seasons will be available for viewing at the upcoming Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show and Deer Classic.

This years show will be held from January 14 – 17 at Raritan Center in Edison. This year’s top entries will be recognized at the Deer Classic Awards Program on Sunday, January 17 at 2:30 p.m.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife will have a large display area at the show, where hunting and fishing licenses will be available for purchase and visitors will have the opportunity to speak with biologists representing different areas of expertise. Division biologists will also be presenting programs on Bass Fishing and Deer Hunting in New Jersey during the show.

A bow and arrow range staffed by certified Hunter Education instructors will be set up again this year, too. New this year is the opportunity for participants to try their hand at shooting a crossbow. The range is free and open to anyone aged 10 years and up.

The Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show and Deer Classic is a great way for families to enjoy a day together learning about the great hunting and fishing opportunities in New Jersey as well as all of North America, and to see the latest in hunting, fishing and outdoor gear.

The Garden State Deer Classic is sponsored by the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, United Bowhunters of New Jersey, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation and the Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show.

For more information on the Deer Classic visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/deerclassic.htm. Information on the Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show, including directions and seminar schedules can be viewed at www.gsoss.com.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJDEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has canceled the scheduled stocking of pheasants for Tuesday, December 22, 2009 on all Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in the central and southern region of the State due to excessive snow cover from the weekend storm.

The pheasant stocking scheduled for northern WMAs for December 22 will not be affected.

Division personnel are working to clear parking lots and roads on the central and southern WMAs to provide hunter access for the next scheduled stocking of pheasants for December 24. A decision to stock pheasants for December 24 will be made on Wednesday, December 23 and will be based on the progress of the snow clearing work. Updated pheasant stocking information will be posted on the Division’s website at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/smgame_info.htm on December 23.

If birds are stocked for December 24, the pheasants from the canceled stocking will be added to the December 24 allocations for all affected WMAs. If stocking for December 24 is canceled, the pheasants from both canceled stockings will be added to the two scheduled stockings for December 29 and 31.

Due to the inability of stocked quail to endure the effects of this record snowfall, quail stocking for both December 22 and 24 have been canceled. The decision on stocking quail for December 29 and December 31 will be based on snow depths prior to the scheduled stockings.

Updated quail stocking information for December 29 and 31 will be posted on the Division’s website at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/smgame_info.htm . If snow depths decrease enough next week for quail to be stocked, the birds from the canceled stockings will be added to the December 29 and 31 allocations for Greenwood and Peaslee.

Hunters are advised that the ability of personnel to clear roads within the WMAs may affect the location of stockings.

Affected Wildlife Management Areas are:

• Central Region: Assunpink, Colliers Mills, Fort Dix, Howardsville, Manahawkin, Manasquan, Medford and Stafford Ford.
• Southern Region: Dix, Glassboro, Heislerville, Mad Horse, Millville, Nantuxent, Port Republic, Tuckahoe and Winslow
• Quail stocking: Greenwood and Peaslee.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- Do you have a friend or colleague in wildlife conservation whose dedication makes her stand out from the rest?

Is her passion for wildlife contagious? Does she inspire other young women in her field and take the time to encourage them?

You can help her receive the recognition she deserves by nominating her for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s 2010 Women & Wildlife Awards.

In March, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey will honor two dedicated women for their roles in wildlife and natural resource conservation. Two Women & Wildlife Awards will be presented: one for Leadership and another for Inspiration.

Award candidates must be women engaged in the fields of wildlife science or natural resource conservation in New Jersey. The nomination deadline is January 22, 2010. The nomination forms are posted on the Conserve Wildlife Foundation website: www.conservewildlifenj.org/ .

If you know someone who deserves this honor, please take this opportunity to let her shine!

For more information, contact Patricia Shapella at patricia.shapella@conservewildlifenj.org or 609-292-3707.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The 2009 reports for three raptor species actively managed by the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program are now available online.

The reports for Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Osprey summarize management efforts, species status and results of this year’s nesting season.

This year, there was a record number of 84 Bald Eagle pairs, which resulted in 69 active nests producing 99 eagle fledglings.

The number of Osprey nesting pairs recorded was 485; a 14% increase since the 2006 survey. Peregrine Falcons increased also to 24 nesting pairs in 2009.

Visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/raptor_info.htm on the division’s website for more information on these species and to view the 2009 reports .

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)-

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is conducting a habitat improvement project to create three small patches of early successional forest totaling 25 acres on the Flatbrook Wildlife Management Area.

The work is being conducted under a forest management plan funded by the Ruffed Grouse Society and administered by the New Jersey DEP Forest Service

Ruffed Grouse Society

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

New Jersey Brandt Duck Stamp

National Duck Stamp Collectors Society

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The state Division of Fish and Wildlife has discontinued the sale of paper waterfowl stamps and prints, a decision that makes former state Division of Fish and Game Director George Howard is just a little melancholy.

Howard, currently the conservation director for the state Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, said selling the beautiful paper stamps and prints helped the division preserve a lot of waterfowl habitat during the past quarter century.

“I own quite a few myself,” said Howard. “It was a very good program.”

The stamps and artwork were hugely popular for many years but recently sales declined. This year, waterfowl hunters are required to buy “certifications” instead of paper stamps. The certifications, available from hunting license agents or on the division’s website, cost the same as did the duck stamps: $5 for residents and $10 for nonresidents. “The artwork and the paper stamp were discontinued as cost saving measures,” explained the division in a statement announcing the change.

The division is still selling prints of the 2008 duck stamp featuring canvasback ducks painted by Rob Leslie Duck stamps and collectible prints depicted ducks, hunting dogs and other waterfowl-related images painted by the nation’s best outdoors artists. They were first sold in New Jersey in 1984 and their sales combined raised about $4.2 million. The money was used to preserve more than 13,000 acres of prime waterfowl habitat, according to the division.

Howard noted that money from the sale of the waterfowl certifications will still be earmarked for habitat preservation. As for the future value of the collector prints, Howard is optimistic but uncertain.

“They still have value,” he said, noting that one print of particular interest depicts an American brant but has “brant” mistakenly spelled “brandt.”

For more information on the state waterfowl stamps, including how to purchase the final collector stamps and prints, visit njfishandwildlife.com/prod_stamps.htm.  Orders must be postmarked by December 31, 2009.

Editors note: And why does our headline read “foolishly?” Because New Jersey has chosen to throw away the collector dollar. Each duck stamp collector who purchased a set of New Jersey stamps contributed an additional $15 to the waterfowl fund that the state will now not receive. Collectors who also collect hunter-type stamps doubled that number, contributing $30 to the fund without ever setting foot in a marsh.

If you wish to comment to the state, you can send an email to: njfishandwildlife@dep.state.nj.us.

About:
National Duck Stamp Collectors Society: The primary purpose of the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society (NDSCS) is to promote and encourage the collecting and study of migratory waterfowl hunting and conservation stamps. The NDSCS is the only stamp collecting society devoted exclusively to duck stamps

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that the small game seasons for pheasant, quail, fox and coyote open 8:00 AM on Saturday, November 7.

The seasons for rabbit, hares and squirrel, ruffed grouse and woodcock north of Rt. 70 and raccoon/opossum remain open with an 8:00 AM start on November 7.

Firearm hunting is prohibited November 6 on state Wildlife Management Areas designated as Pheasant and Quail Stamp Areas to allow for stocking (except in tidal marshes open to an on-going waterfowl season).

For detailed information on hunting for all legal species, including a link to the pheasant/quail stocking schedules, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/smgame09.htm on the division’s website.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)-The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that eleven (11) Dog Training Areas will be stocked with quail prior to the November 7 opening of the small game season. The quail are stocked for dog training purposes only.

The dog training areas are located within the following WMAs (listed north to south) and will be stocked the afternoons of October 2, 9, 16 and 23: Whittingham, Pequest, Black River, Clinton, Assunpink, Manasquan, Colliers Mills, Stafford Forge, Glassboro, Millville and Tuckahoe.

All dogs must be properly licensed. Hunters should note that they may exercise or train dogs on any WMA from September 1 to April 30, however, the exercising or training of dogs is prohibited on any WMA on November 6, 2009.

For more information on division dog training areas, including regulations, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/dogtrain.htm on the division’s website.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- New Jersey’s 2009 Wild Turkey Fall Hunting Season begins Monday, October 26 and continues through Saturday, October 31. Great turkey hunting opportunities, fabulous weather and spectacular foliage all combine to make fall turkey hunting a wonderful autumn experience. Don’t miss out this year. Leftover permits will be available over the counter for all of the turkey zones open for the fall season.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife continually monitors the state’s wild turkey population. This year’s monitoring of productivity indicates production of young birds (poults) was fair to good, which bodes well for fall turkey hunters. Hunters should expect a decent density of juvenile birds in the forests and fields this fall.

A permit is required to hunt during the fall turkey season. Leftover Fall Turkey permits will be available beginning 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13 for the following Turkey Hunting Areas (THAs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, , 8, 9 10, 11, 20. 21 and 22.

These leftover and unclaimed permits will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Permits can be purchased via the on-line licensing system or at a license agent. The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is the only Division facility that sells permits. Permits cost $21.00 for each adult permit and $12.00 for each youth permit.

For more information on over-the-counter turkey permit sales call the 24-hour computerized permit hotline at 609-292-9192 or visit the Permit Information page at www.njfishandwildlife.com/permit_info.htm on the division’s website. For information on wild turkeys in New Jersey visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/turkey_info.htm , also on the division’s site.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that New Jersey’s regular Fall Bow deer hunting season opens October 3 (some zones opened September 12).

This year there are some very important changes for Garden State bow hunters. Major changes include the use of crossbows for all archery seasons, and bow and arrow deer hunting is legal on Sundays on Wildlife Management Areas and private properties.

The early season continues until October 2 and during this time the first deer taken MUST be antlerless. The regular Fall Bow season begins statewide on October 3 and runs through October 30. The statewide permit bow season begins on October 31.

Crossbows can be used in any hunting season and for all species where the use of a compound, recurve or longbow is allowed. No special permits are required. Crossbows must however, have minimum draw weights of 75 pounds.

Sunday bow and arrow hunting is allowed on Wildlife Management Areas and on private property ONLY. There are no exceptions to this rule. It is extremely important all hunters know the boundary lines of the property (s) they are hunting. A list of lands open or closed to Sunday bow hunting can be found at: www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/sundayhunt.htm.

More information about the fall season, including additional information on crossbow use, Sunday hunting and hunter education can be found at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/fallbow09.htm on the division’s website.

Extensive information regarding deer hunting in New Jersey can be found in the August 2009 Hunting and Trapping Issue of the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest, and at www.njfishandwildlife.com/deer.htm. All hunters should be completely familiar with the rules and regulations pertaining to the areas they wish to hunt.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s popular Take a Kid Hunting Program has several exciting youth hunting opportunities scheduled for this fall.

Special Youth Hunts for deer, pheasant, upland birds and waterfowl are held prior to the usual statewide opening days of those seasons.

The days afford young hunters the opportunity for a quality hunting experience in a setting that encourages responsible, ethical and safe hunting practices.

All hunts require that the hunter possess a valid youth license, and be under the direct supervision of a properly licensed, non-hunting adult 21 years of age or older.

For more information about this fall’s youth hunts, including dates and guided hunts, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/youthhunts09.htm on the division’s website.

Watchable Wildlife Conference

Avalon, New Jersey --(AmmoLand.com)- You are cordially invited to attend the 18th Annual Watchable Wildlife Conference at the Golden Inn in Avalon, New Jersey, October 6-8, 2009. The conference is sponsored by Watchable Wildlife, Inc., New Jersey DEP’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism, New Jersey Audubon Society, Conserve Wildlife Foundation, and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.

The Watchable Wildlife Conference is the premier meeting of wildlife and tourism professionals in North America. Holding the conference in New Jersey this year provides a great opportunity to participate in detailed sessions , which demonstrate how local communities and businesses can capitalize on the wildlife tourism trend. This conference is a rare chance to meet and talk with national and New Jersey’s leading wildlife managers, business owners, authors and tourism marketing professionals in the field of wildlife/nature tourism.

This year’s focus will be Nature Tourism as an Economic Stimulus: Keeping it Local. Speakers at this year’s conference include Peter Dunne, Author and Director of the Cape May Bird Observatory, Michael G. Ensch, Chief of Operations & Regulatory for the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Steve Atzert, US Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Manager, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR.

Recent reports show people are traveling to their National Parks, State Parks and local natural areas more than ever. Now is the time to learn how to benefit from your community’s natural capital. Please join us in Avalon for the Watchable Wildlife Conference and pass the word along about this special event in New Jersey!

The Golden Inn Hotel & Conference Center will be the host site. Reduced conference rates including government per diems have been arranged. For more information visit the Golden Inn site at http://www.goldeninn.com/ . Conference registration is $350 and includes most meals. A special one-day rate of $125 for professionals and $90 for students is available.

Visit the conference website at http://www.watchablewildlife.org/conference/ for more information and to register.

About:
Watchable Wildlife, Inc., is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in Minnesota and governed by a board of directors. Watchable Wildlife, Inc. advances wildlife viewing as a viable economic and conservation enterprise for communities throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is reminding hunters that the ‘paper’ state waterfowl (duck) stamp has been discontinued. Waterfowl hunters 16 years and older are still required to purchase a state waterfowl stamp, which is now a “certification” rather than a paper stamp.

The certifications are available from license agents or from the Division’s online license page at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/als/websalesintro.htm where they can be printed on a home computer. The price of the certification remains $5 for residents and $10 for nonresidents.

The artwork and the paper stamp were discontinued as cost saving measures. Artwork and paper stamps have been discontinued in nearly half of the states that require duck stamps. Waterfowl stamp fees paid by hunters are dedicated for the acquisition, protection and improvement of waterfowl habitat. Since 1984, the sale of New Jersey waterfowl stamps and prints has raised more than $4,250,000. To date, over 13,000 acres have been secured for waterfowl though donations of land and funds from waterfowl stamp fees.

The Waterfowl Advisory Committee ( http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/councils.htm#waterfowl ) oversees the New Jersey duck stamp program. This 9-member committee was established by the Waterfowl Stamp Act of 1984.

For more information on the state waterfowl stamps, including how to purchase the final (2008) Collector Stamps and Prints, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/prod_stamps.htm on the division’s website. Orders must be postmarked by December 31, 2009.

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has issued a Special Wildlife Management Permit to control feral hogs in Deer Management Zone 25. Hunters do not need a special permit to pursue hogs in this zone. They need only have their regular hunting licenses and deer permits necessary to hunt deer during the applicable seasons. Feral hogs compete with wildlife for available food sources, prey upon ground-nesting birds and small mammals and may carry disease. For these reasons, feral hogs are classified as a potentially dangerous exotic animal. The increase in the population of feral hogs has also resulted in damage to lawns, golf courses, farm crops and forests in Gloucester County.

Feral hogs may be pursued during the season dates prescribed for Deer Management Zone 25 and may be harvested anywhere in Zone 25. Sportsmen and sportswomen will be permitted to shoot free-ranging feral hogs of either sex and any age while deer hunting during the Fall Bow, Permit Bow, Six-day Firearm, Permit Muzzleloader, Permit Shotgun and Winter Bow seasons, provided they have not reached the season bag limit for deer. The bag limit for feral hogs is unlimited and no hog permit is required. Shooting is permitted only Monday through Saturday during legal deer hunting hours. Only weapons authorized for deer hunting may be used to take feral hogs. Written permission must be obtained from the landowner to pursue feral hogs on private property.

Feral hogs must be checked at the Sportsmen’s Outpost on Fries Mill Road in Williamstown or at Ted’s Taxidermy, 713 Rt. 40, in Buena. Personnel from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture may be at the deer check station on key days of the hunting season to take samples. Harvested feral hogs may be retained for personal consumption. Sportsmen are responsible for the butchering and disposal of the carcass.

Deer hunters are advised that people can contract diseases, such as brucellosis from infected feral hogs. Plastic or rubber gloves should be worn while field-dressing feral hogs. Unwanted entrails should be burned, buried or disposed of to prevent access by animals. Work surfaces and utensils used to field-dress and butcher hogs should be cleaned and disinfected to prevent the spread of disease. Feral hog meat should be thoroughly cooked before it is eaten.

The special blanket permit offers sportsmen and sportswomen a unique opportunity to assist the Division of Fish and Wildlife in protecting New Jersey’s natural resources and species biodiversity. Though the known population of feral hogs in New Jersey is currently small, hunters can help eradicate them before they become well established and negatively affect the state’s natural heritage.

Video Game Takes Kids Outside

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is launching a new online video game aimed to encourage kids to go outside and learn about the environment. Designed for children ages 8 to 11 years old, Neighborhood Explorers is accessed through the Service’s Let’s Go Outside! website at http://www.fws.gov/letsgooutside/.

The journey through the game begins when you meet three children – Mia, Lucy and Steve – who gather in a tree house as the school year begins and talk about all the fun outdoor environmental activities they did over the summer. They form a Neighborhood Explorers Club, called the NX Club, and share information about planting gardens with native plants, backyard bird watching and urban wildlife. By exploring the tree house with your cursor, you can learn about endangered species, conservation heroes and threats to our natural world. Then you can play a fun jeopardy-style trivia game that tests your newly acquired environmental information in an entertaining and interactive venue.

Other activities include recording nature sightings in your own back yard, a race against time to find a missing praying mantis in the midst of an urban neighborhood, and identifying birds in a variety of habitats. When you finish a game, you can receive a gold, silver, or bronze patch, depending on how many points you score. Every game is a fun challenge as well as a valuable educational experience. You can also receive patches for documenting environmental projects and local wildlife, thus reinforcing the connection between the virtual and natural worlds.

When you’ve earned all five patches, you can receive a free tree from the Arbor Day Foundation! (A free membership to the NX Club is required so a record of your earned patches can be saved). After earning all five patches, you will be directed to the Arbor Day Foundation web site, where you can provide your name and address to get a free tree with directions for planting. There are only 450 trees available, so you should get started winning your patches right away!

Neighborhood Explorers provides an excellent educational opportunity for children and parents. By participating in this game, kids learn about nature and are encouraged to spend more time outside. Steve’s summer activity, for example, is simply exploring and observing nature. Children can also learn about problems that the environment is facing, such as pollution and invasive species, and discover ways to help solve these problems.

Unstructured play and discovery outside is an important part of childhood, and Neighborhood Explorers reinforces this through a medium that kids are familiar with: a video game. This is a great opportunity to show kids how caring about conservation and the environment can make a real-life difference in the world.

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

New Jersey Fish and Game

Pequest Trout Hatchery, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold its popular Wildlife Heritage Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center. The festival is free and will be held rain or shine.

The festival is held on National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration of hunter and angler heritage and its contributions to fish and wildlife conservation.

Hunters and anglers were the first to recognize that rapid development and unregulated use of wildlife was a serious threat to the future of many species. They called for the first laws restricting the commercial slaughter of wildlife.

They urged sustainable use of fish and game, created hunting and fishing licenses, and lobbied for taxes on sporting equipment to provide funds for state conservation agencies. These actions were the foundation of the North American wildlife conservation model, a science-based, user-pay system that would foster the most dramatic conservation successes of all time.

The festival is an invitation to the public to experience and learn about activities associated with the hunter and angler heritage and the protection, management and wise use of our fish and wildlife resource.

This year’s event will feature fish and wildlife research and management exhibits and presentations, wildlife artists, taxidermists, conservation organization exhibits, archery and shotgun ranges, a Sportsmen’s Flea market and the opportunity for children to fish at the Pequest fishing education pond. An Introduction to Kayaking course will also be offered this year, as will a Hunter Education course for prospective hunters.

For more information about the festival and to see the entire schedule of events visit the Fish and Wildlife web site at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/festival09.htm .  Some of the activities require pre-registration, so be sure to check the schedule of events closely for sign up dates.

For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day visit http://www.nhfday.org/ .

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located on Route 46 approximately nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County.

WILD About..Monarch Butterflies Teachers Workshop

New Jersey Fish and Game

Pequest Trout Hatchery, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is sponsoring a 6-hour hands on workshop using the monarch butterfly as a context for learning.

The monarch butterfly is ideal for teaching life cycles, metamorphosis, plant / animal connections and the importance of habitat diversity to Kindergarten through eighth grade students.

The workshop will provide educators content knowledge in life science and natural systems. Participants will learn to identify monarch butterflies in the field, explore their life cycle and habitat requirements, and learn to raise and care for caterpillars in the classroom.

Registration is required, and there is a $15 fee payable to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. The deadline for registration is July 31. Participants should bring lunch and dress appropriately, as much of the workshop will be held outside.

Contact Liz Jackson at (908)-637-4125 or by e-mail at ejackson@dep.state.nj.us for more information and to register. For a program flyer go to http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2009/monarchs8-09.pdf on the division’s website.