Arizona: Comments Sought on Reptile, Raptor, Amphibian and Mollusk Regulations

PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comments on draft 2009-2010 regulations for reptiles, raptors, crustaceans and mollusks, and amphibians.

Public comment will be accepted until August 22. If warranted, public meetings on the proposed changes to these commission orders may be held in Phoenix, Tucson and/or Flagstaff. Most of the proposed changes being considered for the 2009-2010 commission orders involve raptor regulations. Highlights include: 

• Removing western screech owls from the list of legal raptors harvested due to low demand, and the inability of the species to take game animals.
• Removing adult capture of American kestrel and great horned owls to adhere to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act during the spring when these species may have young in the nest.
• Increasing season dates for raptor capture pending final publishing of the Federal falconry regulations.
• Combining the four gender-specific peregrine falcon hunts into two hunts due to the inability to accurately sex nestlings.
• Adding limitations to the harvest of nestling to adhere to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

To see the draft commission orders, visit the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/comments.

For more information, call (623) 236-7500. To provide written comments, send correspondences to: Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona 85086, or by e-mail to: CommOrd25@azgfd.gov (Raptors); CommOrd41&43@azgfd.gov (Amphibians and Reptiles); and CommOrd42@azgfd.gov (Crustaceans and Mollusks).

Washington: WDFW to Enforce Law Requiring Removal of Aquatic Plants from Boats and Gear

OLYMPIA, Washington - With summer in full swing, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is reminding recreational boaters that they are legally required to remove all aquatic plants from their boats and trailers before driving away from the launch ramp.

Those that fail to do so could face a $378 fine.

Washington state law makes it illegal to transport aquatic plants that may be dispersed unintentionally along roads and highways. The law, which is being enforced as of July 4 to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, especially applies to recreational boaters whose vessels and gear get entangled with plants while in the water, said Bruce Bjork, chief of WDFW’s enforcement program.

“If boaters don’t remove all plants before they leave the ramp, they can easily spread into other bodies of water when the boat is launched again or if they’re dislodged when traveling,” Bjork said. “Noxious weeds such as milfoil are typically spread to lakes on boat trailers and fishing gear. Controlling the extensive spread of milfoil alone has cost the state millions of dollars.”

Several other aquatic invasive plants such as hydrilla and Brazilian elodea are also showing up in Washington, which could cause further problems for native species and habitat, Bjork said.

“Enforcing the law is an important preventative measure in stopping their spread,” Bjork said.

To inform the boating public before the new enforcement action went into effect, WDFW officers conducted several educational patrols over the past year at boat launches throughout the state.

Gorilla Treestands Introduces the Pro-Series King Kong

 

FLUSHING, Michigan - Gorilla Treestands Inc. introduces the Pro-Series King Kong, a powerful performer designed for quiet comfort and optimal concealment. With its Mossy OakTreestand camouflage and advanced comfort seating, Gorilla has taken its best-selling stand and made it even better.

The combination of the Timberscape2 metal finish, and Mossy Oak Treestand camo make the Pro-Series King Kong virtually undetectable when hanging on a tree. The Zero-G seat is innovatively designed for “weightless comfort.” This flexible, padded sling seat system completely eliminates pressure points to facilitate long-duration hunts.

The new Treestand pattern utilizes the same silhouette-altering technology found in all the Mossy Oak patterns. It was designed specifically for hunting from an elevated position, effectively erasing the outline of an elevated hunter among the bare limbs of a late fall tree.

The King Kong features padded arm rests, a padded backrest, and a welded toe-through footrest for comfort. In addition it features a generous 24″ x 30″ platform size.

Gorilla Inc. is an award-winning manufacturer of high performance treestands and accessories for hunters who demand comfort, strength and stealth. For more information on the Pro-Series King Kong, visit www.gorillatreestands.com.

Gorilla Treestands, Inc. produces official licensed products of Mossy Oak/Haas Outdoors Inc. Haas Outdoors Inc., headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, Mossy Oak Interactive, LLC and Mossy Oak Properties.

Southern Outdoor Technologies Introduces Archer’s Caddie

WEST POINT, Mississippi- Southern Outdoor Technologies, makers of the Sportsman’s Condo hunting blinds introduces the Archer’s Caddie. Designed for all style bows, the Archer’s Caddie is a free standing bow and equipment holder.

“The Archer’s Caddie is a must have for anyone who owns a bow”, said Mark Bernegger, of Southern Outdoor Technologies. Features include a built in gear box, cup holder, and arrow compartments. Constructed from indestructible polyethylene, it weighs just 6 pounds.

“We are pleased to offer the Hunter, 3-D Shooter, and Competitive Professional a handy, compact, and fully assembled product. Archer’s really like the padded rest to protect their bow” added Bernegger.

“The Archer’s Caddie allows us to continue expansion into the bow hunting market. Having just introduced our Stand Caddy and our new Sportsman’s Condo “Bow Condo” we are excited to offer the archery enthusiast an ever expanding line of quality products, said Lee Blair, vice president of product development.

For more information visit the company’s website at www.sportsmanscondo.com

Southern Outdoor Technologies was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in West Point, MS. The company offers the hunter an expanding line of products to help them enjoy the outdoor experience.

Proposed $14 Million Budget Cut for Illinois DNR Threatens Conservation Efforts

Springfield Illinois - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich recently unveiled a proposal to cut the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) budget by $14 million. Illinois Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) fear the cuts could severely hamper the IDNR’s conservation efforts and their ability to partner with conservation organizations.

The dissipation of funds would result in a loss of 20% of the general fund budget for the IDNR, an agency that has already been stripped of 25% of its staff due to budget cuts and hiring freezes since 2001. “The IDNR is an absolute key player in a lot of the work we do here in Illinois,” said Aaron Kuehl, Illinois Conservation Director for PF/QF, “We are very aware and extremely concerned with how this cut could adversely impact this agency’s ability to continue its outstanding work in the area of habitat and wildlife conservation.”

Just as recently as July 17th, PF and the IDNR partnered to close on the 377-acre Finfrock habitat area acquisition in De Witt County. However, the governor’s proposed cutback could drastically impact the state’s ability to effectively help conserve and protect its natural resources in the future.

Illinois’s 45 PF chapters account for over 8,100 members statewide. Those chapters have spent more than $9.3 million to complete over 27,900 habitat projects since the first Illinois PF chapter was formed in 1985. Those projects have benefited more than 261,000 acres for wildlife. There are also 17 QF chapters and 1,000 QF members in Illinois.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever empower chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent - the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.

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

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Briefs Congressmen on Introduced FAET Legislation

 

Washington, DC - The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted a Capitol Hill briefing, sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), where members of Congress, leaders of conservation organizations and industry representatives were informed about the inequity that exists in the excise tax payment schedule for firearms and ammunition manufacturers.

Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), Paul Ryan (R-WI), Dan Boren (D-OK) and Steve Pearce (R-NM), leadership of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), have introduced legislation, H.R. 6310, seeking to rectify a longstanding inequity in the collection of the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET). The FAET flows from the IRS through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to the state wildlife agencies and is the major source of conservation funding for the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund.

HR 6310 will allow the firearms and ammunition industry to pay the FAET on a quarterly basis; the same payment schedule as every other industry that supports conservation. Currently firearms and ammunition manufacturers must pay the FAET bi-weekly. This payment schedule forces many manufacturers to borrow money to ensure on-time payment, and industry members spend thousands of man-hours administering the necessary paperwork to successfully complete the bi-weekly payments - monies that are due long before manufacturers are paid by their customers. Changing the schedules could free as much as $22 million annually for manufacturers to invest and contribute to industry growth, which in turn, would expand the FAET base.

One component of the schedule change would affect funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 (NAWCA) to provide matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects North America to benefit migratory birds and other wildlife. One of several sources of funding is from interest accrued on the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund.

According to estimates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), a ‘cost’ to make the FAET payment schedule change would be a loss of not more than $2.6 million over 20 years in interest payments to the NAWCA account.

A proposal from NSSF to help rectify the shortfall in NAWCA funding is supported by North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC). The proposal asserts that the NSSF and its allies will supply monetary contributions to fund certain NAWCA projects and provide educational outreach about NAWCA.

At the briefing, the CSC co-chairs, Reps. Kind and Ryan, as outdoorsmen, stressed the importance of explaining the role that sportsmen and the firearms industry plays in wildlife conservation to their Congressional colleagues so that there was a clear understanding of how the FAET schedule affected state wildlife conservation programs.

NSSF President and CEO, Steve Sanetti said, “The firearms industry is not trying to get a tax break or avoid taxes; we just want parity with the other industries that support conservation.” Sanetti explained that the bi-weekly schedule places an administrative burden on the industry, costing manufactures millions that could be better spent reinvesting in their businesses. And, Sanetti repeated the NSSF pledge for funding NAWCA programs.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director H. Dale Hall detailed a brief history of the conservation ethic, the North American Model of Conservation and the funding mechanisms that began in the 1930s. He pointed out that the industry voluntarily stepped forward to pay for wildlife conservation efforts through the establishment of the Pittman-Robertson Fund.

About the proposed legislation, Director Hall said, “We cannot overestimate the importance of the funds paid by the firearms and ammunitions industry. I believe we need fairness across the board and support these efforts to make it fair.”

Gary L. Taylor, Legislative Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) stated that ‘on the ground’ state wildlife conservation programs have received $5.6 billion in funding since 1937. Each year, state wildlife agencies use $75 million to manage the 30 million acres of public lands purchased with Pittman-Robertson funding, spend $50 million on research and $25 million to fund Hunter Education programs which have, so far, served 24 million students. According to Taylor, state fish and wildlife managers support the legislation.

“It is critical that we continue to nurture and enhance the relationship between hunters and anglers, industry, and the state and federal fish and wildlife agencies in order to ensure the vitality and sustainability of the North American Model through the coming decades,” said Taylor.

Jay McAninch, President and CEO of the Archery Trade Association spoke about the 2004 change in the excise tax collection schedule for the archery manufacturers. He noted that the
change resulted in an increase in revenue from the archery industry to the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund of nearly $15-million; an increase of more than 50 percent.

CSF President Jeff Crane spoke about how the American system of wildlife conservation funding was the envy of the world. He said “The highly successful American system of funding wildlife conservation can benefit from the remedy this legislation would afford. It would be a big win for the firearms industry that would ultimately provide a bigger win for wildlife conservation and the sportsmen’s community.”

Quick facts: In 2007, the firearms and ammunition industry contributed a total of $303.2 million in excise taxes, up 21.2 percent from the $250.1 million in 2006. Earlier this year, the industry marked an important milestone in its longstanding support of wildlife conservation. Since 1991 manufacturers have contributed more than $3 billion dollars to the Pittman-Robertson Trust Fund.

About the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF)
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is the most respected and trusted proponent for hunters and fishermen in the political arena. With support from every major hunting and fishing organization, CSF is the leader in promoting sportsmen’s issues with elected officials. CSF works directly with the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in the U.S. Congress, as well as affiliated state sportsmen’s caucuses in state legislatures around the country. For additional information, visit www.sportsmenslink.org or call 202-543-6850.

Grand Slam Club/Ovis to Involve Youth Hunters in Pursuit of Sheep and Goats

According to a recent study by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, there are at least 20.6 million active hunters in the U.S. alone. But of those millions, less than ½ of 1% have attempted to hunt the mountains for wild sheep. There are many possible explanations for this small percentage - limited permit opportunities, physically demanding terrain - but invariably the biggest hurdle facing most hunters is the increasingly high prices. Since 1998, the cost of a Dall sheep hunt has more than doubled, leading most hunters to consider sheep hunting as a pastime of the wealthy. However, many have found ways around the “wealth and privilege” stereotype, and pursued rams relentlessly without breaking the bank.

Savings With A Purpose
In 1986, Russell “Rusty” Schultz traveled to Alaska for his first sheep hunt. “I had dreamed of hunting sheep since I was a boy,” said Rusty. “I was making about $12/hour at the time and had been saving for more than a year to afford that hunt, but the weather didn’t cooperate and I came home empty handed.” However, by then sheep hunting had gotten under the 28-year old’s skin. Rusty successfully hunted another Dall sheep in Canada’s Northwest Territories six years later, but by then the price had more than doubled. “I try to save enough money to take one hunting trip each year. It’s an expensive hobby, but now that my kids are grown, my wife and I can afford to spend some of the money we’ve been saving.” Rusty has traveled outside the United States on 10 different hunts, including New Zealand and Mongolia, and is planning a second trip to Africa this summer.

Drawing A State Tag
However, as hunt prices continue to climb, many hunters see their savings as insufficient. Thousands upon thousands of hunters apply annually for state big game tags, but their odds of winning can be 1 in 1,000 or as high as 1 in 100,000.

Mychal Murray of Houston, TX was still in graduate school when he was drawn for a public Texas desert sheep tag. “I hunted the Sierra Diablo WMA north of Van Horn for my Texas desert ram,” said Mychal. “It was the toughest hunt I had ever been on. It was the cheapest one as well: a $10 application fee and the gas to get out there! I am proof that it pays to apply even when the odds are tough.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife does not offer a public hunt for desert sheep every year, and the odds of being drawn may be 1 in several thousand. Many others have found better odds of winning with hunt raffles from conservation organizations.

Still, the age/money relationship remains a predicament for almost all sheep hunters. “The mountains can be very unforgiving, and you need to be in excellent physical condition for the hunt,” says Dennis Campbell, executive director for Grand Slam Club/Ovis, a sheep conservation organization. “It seems that by the time many hunters are financially able to hunt sheep, age is catching up with them. When we were young and in the best shape of our lives, we either didn’t have the money or we spent all of our time earning a living and raising a family.”

Increasing Your Odds
With more than 2/3 of its members over the age of 45, Grand Slam Club/Ovis is seeking ways to involve younger hunters in the pursuit of wild sheep and goats. “The idea actually came from one of our members. As part of the summer Members-Only Raffle, GSCO will award a guided Dall sheep hunt - designated as a SlamQuest™ hunt - to one of our under-40 members,” said Campbell. “By limiting ticket purchases per member and requiring the winner to be between 21 and 39 on the day of the drawing, we feel the odds of winning will be phenomenal.” Although membership is required in order to purchase tickets, the cost of a one-year membership is only $60. The summer drawing will take place on September 2, 2008.

Campbell stated that another under-40 SlamQuest hunt would also be featured February 20, 2009 during the 5th Annual Hunter & Outfitter Convention in Las Vegas, NV. If successful, the two raffles could become an annual event.

For complete details on the 2008 Members-Only Raffle SlamQuest Dall sheep hunt, visit www.wildsheep.org.

Grand Slam Club/Ovis is a 501(C)(3) organization of hunter/conservationists dedicated to improving and perpetuating wild sheep and wild goat populations worldwide. Founded in 1956, GSCO is the official documentation and records-keeping organization for Grand Slams of North American Wild Sheep®, Ovis World Slams®, Capra World Slams® and Triple Slams™.

Washington: Results Available for Special Hunt Drawing

OLYMPIA, Washington - Hunters who submitted applications for a 2008 special-hunt permit can check the results of this year’s drawing on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.

The results of the random, computerized drawing were verified July 11 and are now available for viewing at http://198.238.33.69/.

More than 60,000 hunters submitted 134,000 applications for this year’s special hunts for species including turkey, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, deer and elk. Holders of the special permits can hunt at times and locations beyond those authorized by a general hunting license.

In addition to posting results of the drawing on its website, WDFW will notify successful applicants by mail. Those with hunts beginning in August will also be contacted by phone.

For more information on special hunt permits, see the WDFW Big Game Hunting rules pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm

Arizona: Fall Draw Results Now Available for Big Game Hunters

PHOENIX - The 2008 fall big game draw process is complete and applicants can now find out if they’ve been drawn by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

Applicants can obtain draw results for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo and bear hunt tags by providing a department ID Number (usually the applicant’s Social Security number) and date of birth. Draw results are also available by telephone at (602) 942-3000.

Game and Fish officials said that hunt permit-tags will be mailed out to successful applicants no later than Aug. 22 (archery deer tags will be mailed out earlier).

For those individuals who were unsuccessful in the draw or didn’t submit an application, don’t despair - there are leftover tags for deer, turkey, and juniors-only javelina. Applications for more than 3,000 deer tags, more than 350 turkey tags, and more than 2,000 tags for juniors-only javelina hunts will be accepted by mail only on or after 8 a.m. (MST) on Aug. 11, 2008. For a detailed listing of leftover permits, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw or call (623) 236-7702. For those who qualify, there are military hunts available for Fort Huachuca. Call (520) 533-2549 for additional information.

Hunters are also reminded that fall turkey tags for juniors-only can be purchased over-the-counter at any department office or license dealer. Also, predictions are good to excellent for the dove season that begins Sept. 1. Dove hunting is a great way to introduce young and new people to hunting. Other dates to remember include Oct. 3 for the opening day for quail and squirrel seasons, and Tuesday, Oct. 14 for the anticipated deadline to submit applications for the spring draw for javelina, turkey, bear and buffalo.

Hunting and fishing continues to be the cornerstone and a primary source of funding for wildlife management and conservation in North American. In Arizona alone, more than 418,000 hunters and anglers spend $3.8 million a day, or $1.3 billion per year participating in these activities to the benefit of local economies. Regardless of whether one chooses to actively participate in hunting or angling, people interested in wildlife and its future should understand the role sportsmen play in conservation.
Note to media: The big game draw is a lottery-style process for allocating the limited number of Arizona big game hunting permits to applicants. The first-come permit system allows individuals to apply for any leftover big game hunt permit-tags not issued during the normal drawing process.

Nevada Habitat Acquired, Conserved by Elk Foundation

Ely, Nevada - The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has acquired nearly 200 acres of private inholdings in Nevada’s spectacular Goshute Canyon Wilderness. The acquisition prevents development, keeps intact a large sweep of wildlife habitat and opens public access.

The land eventually will be conveyed to the Bureau of Land Management, which administers Goshute Canyon Wilderness.

“This area is classic summer range for elk with perennial streams and aspen forests, ranging in elevation from 6,400 feet up to a dramatic 10,200 feet. It’s also home to deer, raptors, mountain lions, chukars and grouse,” said Bob Hammond, lands program manager for the Elk Foundation.

The inholdings, some 20 miles north of Ely, were part of Indian Valley Ranch owned by Michael and Dorothy Hastie.

“The Hasties approached us for help with this project. Thanks to their conservation spirit and lots of hard work, elk will always roam this special place in Nevada’s high country,” said Hammond.

The Elk Foundation obtained funding from a private donor, and White Pine County commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the acquisition.

In the 1990s, the Elk Foundation led a collaborative effort to re-establish elk in the area.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced over 5.2 million acres, a land area larger than Connecticut, Delaware and District of Columbia combined. More than 500,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation. To help protect wild elk country or learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL-ELK.

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