The AuCoin Report
News Briefs from the Great Outdoors
March 2010
Block St. Lawrence Seaway to Protect Great Lakes?
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is suing to shut the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal so invasive Asian carp cannot get into Lake Michigan. Now, Eric Sharp, outdoors writer for the Detroit Free Press, blogs that it is also time to close off the Great Lakes from ocean going vessels using the St. Lawrence Seaway. (Freep.com)
VanDam Wins 2010 Bassmaster Classic
Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., won the 2010 Bassmaster Classic on Birmingham’s Lay Lake, weighing-in largemouth bass totaling 51 pounds, 6 ounces in three days of cold weather and water fishing. (Montgomery Advertiser)
Wolves-Elk Argument Escalates
Conservation organizations are going to verbal war on the wolf-elk
battleground. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, in a letter to legislators and editors, accused Defenders of Wildlife and Western Wildlife Conservancy of cherry-picking its data to claim, wrongly, that restored wolf populations have helped increase elk herds in the northern Rocky Mountains. (ESPN)
Exotic Snakes in Hunters’ Sights
Licensed hunters with special permits will be taking aim on Burmese python snakes and other exotics reptiles in the Everglades March 8 through April 17. They are authorized to use pistols, shoguns and traditional rimfire rifles to shoot the snakes, which have been crowding out and feeding on native animal species. (Miami Herald)
Successful Wisconsin Sturgeon Spearing Season
Ice anglers speared 1820 sturgeons on Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago and its system lakes in the 2010 six-day season which ended Feb. 18. One sturgeon speared on opening day weighed 212.2 pounds, a new state record. Biologists will analyze the harvest but preliminary indications are that the fish stock remains healthy. (Wisconsin DNR, (JS online)
Outdoor Recreation Sales Dip
Retail sales of outdoor recreation gear and garments dropped two percent in 2009 compared to the previous year, according to a report released by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA). Sales totaled $5.075 billion. Best categories included camping items, climbing gear, and hiking boots. Paddle sports stores were down seven percent. (OIA)
Boating Biz Restart in 2010?
The National Marine Manufacturers Association is predicting recreational boat sales will remain flat in 2010 at 140,000 to 150,000 units, essentially the same as 2009 which showed a significant decline from the year before. (Wall Street Journal)
Gone Fishing…back in ? years.
The number of people buying fishing licenses increased in the U.S. in 2009. The 12-state index managed by the American Sportfishing Association showed a 4.7 percent increase. (New York Post)
Migrating Robins Get Drunk
Robins migrating north along Florida’s Atlantic Coast are eating over-ripe berries and many are exhibiting signs of drunkenness. Ken Gieli with the Cooperative Extensive in Fort Pierce said the birds are eating the berries of an invasive plant, Brazilian Pepper, which are toxic to humans. (Tampabay.com)
Orphaned Eaglet Has New Home
Dunedin, Florida -- Hoover the eaglet, orphaned at three ounces, now has a new home with a mother and daddy, plus two younger siblings who are also very hungry, as baby bald eagles are supposed to be. On Monday, Feb. 15, members of Audubon’s birds of prey center placed Hoover in his new nest, situated near the top of a slash pine tree in Dunedin. So far, the parents seem to be okay with the family addition. Hoover’s natural parents abandoned him when their nest, built on rotten limbs, fell to the ground. (St. Petersburg Times)
Outdoor gear and destination spotlight
Bifocal sunglasses for narrow faces
Ono’s Trading Company, the pioneer of polarized sunglasses with bifocal magnification, introduced three models styled for narrow faces or small facial features. The new ophthalmic-quality sunglasses have low profile bifocal magnifiers for reading and other close up tasks. The upper portion of the lens is for normal distance vision or for distance vision corrected by bifocals. The new models have reader powers of 1.5, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, and 2.50. New models are Ocracoke™ with tortoise frames/amber lens, Grand Lagoon™ with black frames/grey lens, and Tuscadero™ with pink frames/grey lens. Visit www.onostradingcompany.com or phone 866-865-4695. (Ono's Trading Company, Media contact: Bill AuCoin, wmaucoin@verizon.net. 727-522-2371)
Visit Galapagos Islands without Leaving Home
Renowned nature photographer Tui De Roy has produced the tenth anniversary edition of Galapagos: Islands Born of Fire. Published by Princeton University Press, the dramatic table-top collection has 245 of her most stunning scenes and images of the diversity of animals, birds and sea-life. Nature is endlessly fascinating and often cruel, as De Roy’s essays and images attest. Iguanas, seeking warmth from volcanic flows, explode in the advancing lava. Pelicans die feeding on scalded fish. But the real threats, she points out, are man-made. (Princeton University Press)
How to be an Outdoor Writer
Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) will host its first Goldenrod Writing Workshop Aug. 1-7 at the University of Montana in Missoula. The $995 fee includes tuition and room and board at the university. (OWAA.org)
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February 2010
No Snow for Winter Olympics The Winter Olympics opened in Vancouver but there was a problem: no snow except on the highest slopes. One way or another, there will be snow, officials said. Convoys are trucking it in from mountains across British Columbia. (ABC News)
America’s Cup Racing. Finally Valencia, Spain—Races for the 33rd America’s Cup races between two super –fast, high tech sailing vessels were re-scheduled to start Feb. 10 after too-light winds postponed the Feb. 8 start. Veteran America’s Cup journalist Eric Sharp calls it for the U.S. entry, BMW-Oracle, over the Swiss entry, Alinghi. (Examiner, Detroit Free Press, AP, Sail-World)
Is Bad Corn Killing Quail? Are whitetail deer hunters accidentally killing quail with bad feed corn? Quail hunters in Texas, disappointed in a succession of poor quail seasons, are asking for a study. Deer hunters put out many millions of pounds of corn for the deer, but quail and other birds eat it, too. The suspicious substance is aflatoxin, which is produced by fungus. (Dallas Morning News, outdoorpressroom.com)
Interior Strikes Back at Pythons
The U.S. Interior Department proposes an import ban on Burmese python and other constrictor snakes that are overwhelming the Everglades ecosystem. (DOI)
Manatee Count Up. St. Petersburg, Florida – A Sunshine State cold snap early in 2010 took a toll on the manatees but the cold snap, which sent manatees to places with warmer water, also helped produce a record manatee population count, 5000+. That’s at least 1,200 more than ever. Cold stress in early January was blamed for 77 manatee deaths. (St. Petersburg Times)
Whooping Cranes Now in Florida It took 89 days but the whooping crane “Class of 2009” has landed, safely, in Florida for the winter. Following an ultra light aircraft, they learned the route from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Central Wisconsin. Ten whooping cranes will winter at St. Marks NWR in north Florida and ten will winter at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in West Central Florida. (FWS)
Boating Biz Recovery? Reeling from the recession, the boating industry looks to the Miami International Boat Show for signs of a recovery. Meanwhile “Bail Out” and “On the Rocks” make the top ten list of popular boat names. (Miami Boat Show, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Who’s the best bass angler? Birmingham, Alabama – Fifty-one bass anglers compete Feb. 19-21 in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake near Birmingham. The field includes female angler Pam Martin-Wells who earned a berth by winning the 2009 Women’s Bassmaster Tour. (ESPN)
College Bass Tournament Registration Registration started Feb. 1 for college anglers to register to compete in the 2010 tournament season. Registration closes May 1. The final field for the 2010 BoatU. S. National Colleague Bass Fishing Championship will be announced May 3. (Collegiate Bass Championship)
Next High School Sport? Bass Fishing The Alabama High School Bass Fishing Club Tournament Series starts March 6. About 20 high schools are expected to enter angler teams for the event on Wheeler Lake near Florence. Backers are asking the Alabama High School Athletic Association to make bass tournaments an official high school sport. (Florence Times Daily, OutdoorPressroom.com)
Illegal Traps Removed from State Capitol They had a mole problem on the grounds of Washington state’s capitol, so the lawn maintenance people put out traps. The problem was, the traps were illegal. They’ve since removed the traps, but the moles are still in place. Wildlife officers said they would not issue a citation. “The irony is if I’ve got coyotes killing my sheep, I can’t put a trap out. But if you’ve got a mole on the Capitol Campus, you can,’’ said Joel Kretz, a Republican legislator. (The Olympian, outdoorpressroom.com)
How to Skydive from 120,000 Feet If skydiving is an extreme sport, then what do you call it when you leap into the thin air of`120,000 feet, break the sound barrier and, hopefully, remember to pull the ripcord before you hit earth. Felix Baumgartner calls it The Red Bull Stratos.” (Popular Science)
Frozen Iguanas? Oh, Good Cold weather takes a toll on many wild birds and animals. And sometimes it’s a good thing. In south Florida, people rather prefer it when Mother Nature takes aim at iguanas (Biscayne Times)
OUTDOOR GEAR AND DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT
Awkward Outdoor Scenes Few things look as awkward as a person wearing two pairs of glasses at the same time. But this is not an uncommon sight in the great outdoors as people with poor close up vision wear sunglasses and “drug store readers” at the same time. To eliminate such awkward scenes, Ono’s Trading Company has pioneered polarized sunglasses with built-in bifocals for close-up vision needs. No prescription is necessary. Ono's sunglasses are sold over the counter, in catalogs, and online. One just needs to know his or her reader number such as 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5. Visit www.onostradingcompany.com or phone 866-865-4695. (Ono's Trading Company, Media contact: Bill AuCoin, wmaucoin@verizon.net. 727-522-2371)
When binoculars are too heavy… Optics manufacturers are noting an uptick in monocular sales. Monoculars are light and easy to carry. They are your everyday optics on duty anytime you don’t want binoculars around your neck. Retailers report that monoculars are increasingly popular with hikers, birders, fly anglers, hunters and cyclists. (Alpen Optics)
Paul Brown’s Lures Go National Paul Brown’s lure revolution is going national. After years of producing his successful Original series of lures for Texas anglers in his Houston “Shop,” Brown has turned over manufacturing and national marketing to the company that has made Mirrolure into a national success. Mirrolure’s Eric Bachnik said Fishing Tackle Unlimited, Academy and other stores will carry the “Original” series -- Paul Brown’s Original, Paul Brown’s Floating Original, Paul Brown’s Fat Boy, Paul Brown’s Floating Fat Boy, and Paul Brown’s Devil. (MirrOlure.com)
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January 2010
Michigan et al Versus Asian Carp
Michigan is suing to make Illinois close the locks from Lake Michigan to shipping canals so Asian carp, a voracious, invasive species, will not get into Lake Michigan and crowd out native species. Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana are backing Michigan's suit. (NY Times)
America's Cup Races Start Feb. 8. Maybe
America’s Cup sailing competition between America’s BMW-Oracle, the challenger and Europe’s Alinghi is supposed to start Feb. 8 in Spain. But will it? The U.S. team may file a protest claiming the European boat has sails made in the U.S.A., which is against the rules. (Detroit Free-Press)
Japan Shares World Record Bass Record
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) ruled that a largemouth bass caught in Japan this year ties the 77-year old record of a 22 pound, 4-ounce bass caught by Georgia'a George Perry. The new co-record holder is Manabu Kurita who caught his bass on Lake Biwa, a reservoir northeast of Kyoto. (IGFA)
World Bass Angler Championship
The 2010 Bassmaster's Classic to determine the bass angler in the world will be held on Lay Lake near Birmingham Feb. 19-20 with 51 anglers competing for top honors and big bucks. BASS has dropped the Women's Bassmaster Tour, citing a drop in participation. (latimesblogs)
Hunters killed 200 Gray Wolves
With wolves no longer on the endangered species list, hunters stalked and killed more than 200 gray wolves in the Northern Rockies in 2009. Another 300 were killed by government agents, ranchers defending their livestock, and poachers. Biologists will now evaluate the impact of hunting season on gray wolf populations in the region. (AP)
SHOT Show expects 45,000
The 2010 SHOT Show for the shooting and hunting trades starts a four-day run Jan 19 in Las Vegas, attracting more than 45,000 buyers, media and exhibitors from all U.S. states and 75 foreign countries. The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference is owned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. (Shot Show)
Ambitious lion study planned
Safari Club International Foundation said it help raise money and provide data to support one of the most ambitious African lion conservation projects ever undertaken. The project will include collecting data in Tanzania and helping produce a new lion management plan based on science. (Safari Club Foundation)
Why skiers die
Skiers absorb more than their share of bumps and bruises, not to mention loads of knee injuries. Deaths are few but, when they occur, a new study shows, the reasons are speed, poor visibility, old snow, new equipment, and alcohol consumption. (Montreal Gazette)
Census report: 17 million boat owners
The U.S. Census Bureau reports there are almost 17 million boat owners who spend $37 billion a year on boats. (Trade Only Today)
Angler protest Feb. 24 at US Capitol
Organizations representing recreational and commercial fishers have organized a "United We Fish" march on the U.S. Capitol Feb. 24 to protest new bans on fishing for red snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass and other saltwater fishes. Jim Donofrio of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, one of he leaders, said fishery science is weak and management is broken. Organizers want legislators to address the unintended, negative impact of the Maghuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act, the federal fisheries law. (Recreational Fishing Alliance)
Feds Want to Contact Salt Anglers
U.S. fishery managers are building a contact list of saltwater anglers so they can ask them what and how many fish they are catching. The goal of the National Saltwater Angler Registry is to help get angler information so fishery managers can better assess fish stocks, measure economic impact, and write regulations. Saltwater anglers in Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia or the U.S. Virgin Islands need to register by phone, 888-674-7411, or online by clicking on Angler Registry at countmyfish.noaa.gov (Houma Daily Planet)
OUTDOOR GEAR AND DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT
Farsighted eyewear for the great outdoors
Mobile, Alabama – "Drug store readers" are a presbyopic's best friend…indoors. But outdoors few things look as awkward as a person trying to wear drug store readers and sunglasses at the same time. Ono's Trading Company has a solution, sunglasses with built-in bifocal magnifiers. No prescription is necessary; you just need to know your magnification number such as 1.5, 2.0, 2.5. Ono's sunglasses are sold over the counter, in catalogs, and online. The latest model, Longitude, features titanium frames, 100 percent polarized protection, and grey lenses. Visit www.onostradingcompany.com or phone 866-865-4695. Prices range from approximately $60 to $160, depending on the model. (Ono's Trading Company, Media contact: Bill AuCoin, wmaucoin@verizon.net. 727-522-2371)
Top Peacock Bass Rivers
For some anglers – and Larry Larson is exhibit one -- the peacock bass makes for angling’s pound-for-pound best rod and reel battle. It's even better than the tarpon, he reports. Alas, one has to travel to South America to pick a fight. Larson polled members of the Peacock Bass Association. They have voted their top peacock bass rivers. Brazil's Negro, Agua Boa, Xeriuini, Tapera, Unini, Jufari, Matupiri/Igapo Acu, Madeira, Uniueixi, Cuini, Caures, Preta, Preto, Urabaxi and Araca rank highest, as do the Pasimoni and Paciba in Venezuela. Destinations and guides are listed in PBA's World Peacock Bass Directory. (Peacock Bass Association)
Fishing lure with colored tail snaps
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Aquatic science suggests that color contrast, more than other factors, is what helps a bass see a lure. Now, a Tulsa company is marketing a plastic worm with a slot in the tail that accepts a two colored snaps. Snap Tail Lure's Robb Line says the extra color or colors – the angler can pair up snaps of six different colors – increases the chances that bass will see and strike the lure. (Snap Tail Lures)
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Will Asian Carp overwhelm the Great Lakes?
Invasive Asian carp are probably in the Great Lakes already, authorities say, but only a few and not enough to cause problems. However, to try to prevent more from entering Lake Michigan the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is electro-stunning native fish and temporarily removing them from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Then they'll poison the water and kill the carp, if any. If carp populations increase in Lake Michigan from the existing population they are ready to go to the next step, poison, using tiny "biobullet" pills that will kill only carp. (Detroit Free Press)
Important whooping crane shot and killed
Number 217 is dead. The female whooping crane, perhaps the most important bird in the endangered population of Eastern migrating whooping cranes, was shot to death during its fall migration from Wisconsin to Florida's Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. The carcass of the seven-year-old crane was found in Vermillion County, Ind. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service posted a reward of at least $2,500 for information leading to a conviction. (St. Petersburg Times)
Boating biz trending up
Signs of life in the U.S. boating industry: sales of boats in most categories have been trending up slightly since July on the heels of one of the industry's worst downturns, according to the Bellwether Report. On a year-to-year basis October powerboat sales were down about 30 percent from the previous year. But October sales figures show fishing boats, a major category, were up. (Boating Industry)
Anglers spend $45 billion annually
Want to help the economy? Go fishing. A new report by the American Sportfishing Association shows that in 2006 U.S. recreational anglers – that's 40 million people -- purchased almost $45 billion worth of goods and services. Florida got the most, $4.4 billion, followed by Texas, $3.4 billion, Minnesota, $2.8 billion, California, $2.7 billion, and Michigan, $2.1 billion. Altogether, according to the data, sportfishing created a million jobs which generated more than $38 billion in wages and $16.6 billion in taxes paid.(American Sportfishing Association)
Are bass more feminine than they used to be?
About half of the male population of the number one gamefish in America, the black bass, is "intersex;" that is, their male sex organs are producing immature female eggs. It may be caused by farm runoff and/or discharges from water treatment facilities. A nine-year study by the U.S. Geological Survey shows problems in 34 of 111 sites involving eight of nine major river basins. The Southeastern states are said to be hardest hit. (PopSci.com)
Federal campgrounds ending seniors discount
The public is invited to weigh in on a plan by the U.S. Forest Service to eliminate the half-off discount for seniors and disabled people at federal campgrounds operated by private concessionaires. Operators say eliminating the discount for seniors and disabled people will allow them to offer other incentives to promote camping in less popular areas and take the pressure off of the more popular campgrounds. (Outdoorpressroom.com, Oregonian)
Hiking deaths preventable. Usually.
How do hikers die? From falls, often, but also from preventable causes like dehydration and heat exposure. And then there is the case of Stine Rossel, a Danish citizen married just two months. She and her husband sat on a deteriorating log while hiking in the White Mountains. The log broke spilling them to the ground and then the log rolled over her. (Outdoors-411, Southeastern Outdoors)
New generation of topo maps online
The next generation of digital topographic maps have been released by the U.S. Geological Survey and downloads are free for hikers, campers, anglers and other land lovers. Each map includes elevation contours, hydrographic features, roads and geographic names. Users can turn geographic features on and off and zoom in and out. A set of analytical tools can also be downloaded. (Dept. of Interior, National Map USGS)
Iditarod mushers may be drug-tested
Alaska's Iditarod dog sled race will drug-test mushers before the March competition this year. Race officials said mushers will not be informed in advance of when and where they will be tested but testing may be random or involve certain mushers at a specific checkpoint. Lance Mackey complained. The three-time winner who holds a medical marijuana card said it was a "dog race, not a human race" and that using drugs did not affect the outcome. (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
Studying bird sex and survival
Why do ducks bob their heads? Why do some birds fake a broken wing? These and other interesting bird behaviors are explained in a new five week Internet course by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The course helps birders take their hobby to the next level, explaining some of the ways bird behavior relates to sex and survival. (Womens Outdoor Wire, Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Visit Machu Picchu for free
Is visiting Peru's Machu Picchu on your to do list? Or, perhaps, you’d like to see what it’s like at a Mount Everest base camp in Nepal? How about going on a South African safari? Take your pick, and take a companion, if you submit the winning video of why you deserve an adventure of a lifetime to a new website, myadventures.com. (My Adventures.Com)
Leon Wilson’s secret to long life
The secret to a long life? Go to church and shoot deer. Thus spake Leon Wilson, soon to be 101 years old and a Minnesota deer hunter since he was 10. Deer, church, and, yes, not to be forgotten, playing pinochle with daughter Judi at the senior center in Baudette on Mondays and Wednesdays. (Star Tribune)
Madrid, Spain—The location of the next America's Cup races is still up in the air. The Gulf emirate of Ras al-Khamah has been ruled out for the winter sailing competition because it is not in the southern Hemisphere. Other venues being discussed between champion Alinghi and U.S. challenger Oracle reportedly include eastern Australia and Valencia, Spain. (AFP, Detroit Free Press)
Anglers Sue Commercial Fishers
Hampton Road, Virginia -- Recreational anglers, always competing with commercial fishers for their share, are suing the Feds, claiming that fishery managers have closed seabass fishing to recreation for six months based on data known to be inaccurate. The Recreational Fishing Alliance sued the National Marine Fisheries Service in federal court on behalf of party boats, tackle stores and related businesses. (Hamptonroads.com)
Suing for Florida Panther Habitat?
Naples, Florida –Three organizations have filed a petition with the Interior Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service saying they will sue if the government agencies do not designate 3.1 million acres as critical habitat for the Florida panther, which has been on the endangered list since 1967. There are only about120 Florida panthers in the wild, mostly in southwest Florida. (Naples News)
Juvenile Whooping Cranes in Flight School
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin – A new class of 20 juvenile whooping cranes are in flight school, learning the route south for the winter behind an ultralight airplane. They left Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Central Wisconsin Oct. 23. Their destination is Central Florida's Chassahowitzka and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuges on the Gulf Coast. (Fond du Lac Reporter)
Maryland,Wisconsin Announce Successful Bear Seasons
Baltimore, Maryland – Hunters bagged 68 black bears in Maryland's sixth black bear hunting season. Permits were awarded to 552 hunters from a record 3,608 applications. Wisconsin hunters registered 3,800 bears, the highest ever. (OutdoorPressroom.com, Baltimore Sun, Wisconsin Rapids Tribune)
Fastest Growing College Sport: Bass Fishing
Alexandria, Virginia – College sports newest competition – bass fishing – announced its 2010 schedule, including five events on TV. Started just four years ago, college bass fishing now has more than 200 participating schools. Major venues and dates in the 2010 schedule include Sam Rayburn Lake, TX, Dc. 18-19; Lake Dardanelle, AR, March 25-26; Wheeler Lake, AL, April 2-3; Lake Lewisville, TX, May 24-25; and Kentucky Lake, TN, June 21-25. (BoatU.S.)
Florida Orders Super-Sized Bass
Tarpon Springs, Florida – Florida-strain black bass grow into the biggest largemouth freshwater bass in the world, but managers say in Florida they don't grow as big as they used to. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking for a public buy-in to an intiative to collect big bass DNA to put a growth spurt on hatchery fish. They want anglers to catch more fish like the 19.6-pounder caught in Lake Tarpon near Clearwater, Florida by Riley Witt in the 1960's. (Miami Herald)
Sunglasses for "bird nests"
Roland Martin, nine time BASS angler of the year, has a new fishing tool that is catching on with anglers with "aging eyes" – presbyopia – The new tool is polarized sunglasses with bifocal magnifying lenses to help anglers tie knots and untangle those "bird nest" backlashes. Models of the new Roland Martin Signature Series sell for less than $40. They are offered with grey or amber lens and with bifocal magnification of 1.50, 2.00 or 2.50. Visit www.sunmagplus.com (Media contact: Bill AuCoin, wmaucoin@verizon.net. 727-522-2371)
Injured Vets Fish, Hunt
Washington, DC— A new therapy program to help injured veterans return to their hunting, shooting and fishing roots has been launched by the Paralyzed Veterans of America's Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund. The PVA, which was established in 1946, wants "100,000 Patriots" to donate $20 each to fund a permanent endowment that will pay for therapeutic programs in the outdoors. (PVAheritagefund.org, ProBass.com)
Jogger Shows Teeth; Puma Flees
Bountiful, Utah – A mountain lion charged Steve Newman as he jogged up a mountain trail. Newman won the face off. He said he screamed loudly, beat a tree branch on the ground, and even showed "my teeth." (Outdoorpressroom.com, KSL.com)
Holiday Gift for Birders
Princeton University Press has released two new birding guides, described as "stunning" by experts, in time for the holidays. Acclaimed wildlife author Paul Sterry and photographer Brian Small collaborated on Birds of Western North America and Birds of Eastern North America. (NY Post, Birdfreak.com)
Chicago, Illinois – The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a Second Amendment challenge to a 1982 Chicago gun-control law established to combat urban violence. Opponents say not only is the ordinance against the U.S. Constitution, it gives criminals with illegal guns an advantage over law-abiders. . (Chicago Tribune
New World Record Bass?
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Officials of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) have received an application from Japan for a new world record largemouth bass weighing 22 pounds, 4.92 ounces. That's almost an ounce more than the existing record bass caught in Georgia in 1932 by George W. Perry. IGFA requires records to be broken by two or more ounces so, if certified, it would be a tie only on the record books.(Fort Myers News Press, IGFA)
Deer-Collision Leader is West Virginia
West Virginia leads the nation in the chances of a motorist hitting a deer, according to State Farm Insurance. West Virginia drivers have a one in 39 chance of hitting a deer during the next 12 months, up from one in 45 the previous year. Michigan is second followed by Pennsylvania, Iowa, Montana, Arkansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Virginia.. (Slugs &Plugs blog)
British Boy Scouts Turn in their Pocketknives
London, England – Boy Scouts in Britain can no longer carry pocketknives on camping trips and to other events. A growing knife culture and high profile knife attacks in England are to blame, say some observers, lamenting the new policy issued by the Scout Association. A possible exception is made for special occasions in which the scout leaders would carry the knives and hand them to individual scouts as appropriate. (Telegraph)
More Car and RV Camping
Boulder, Colorado – The Coleman Company and The Outdoor Foundation have produced a research report showing that camping increased significantly in 2008. Data show that 33.7 million Americans aged 6 and older went car and backyard camping in 2008. An additional 16.5 million participated in RV camping. There were 597 million separate camping trips. (Outdoor Industry Association)
Presbyopes Demand Parity in the Outdoors
Mobile, Alabama – You might be a presbyope if you've ever worn a pair of sunglasses and a pair of drug store readers at the same time. Now Ono's Trading Company has introduced sunglasses with bifocal readers to eliminate awkward presbyopic fumbling. The upper part of the lens are not corrected but the bifocals let people see close up to read a trail map, the menu at an outdoor café, a book at the beach, and much more. To learn more go to www.onostradingcompany.com or phone 1-866-865-4695. (Media, contact Bill AuCoin, wmaucoin@verizon.net)
America’s Cup: Catamaran vs. Trimaran
Madrid, Spain – A catamaran faces a trimaran in February for the coveted America's Cup race for the oldest trophy in international sport. Or will they? Alinghi, the cat and the reigning America's Cup champion, has been moved to the Gulf emirate of Ras al Khamah for its February final showdown with America's BMW-Oracle. But either team, court-hardened and lawsuit happy, could present another legal challenge that would delay the thirty-third contest. (AFP)
Mountain Lions in New Hampshire?
Barnstead, New Hampshire – Mountain Lions are moving east, establishing new territories in addition to their traditional western habitats and some observers say they will eventually make it to New Jersey. Sightings are not uncommon in the Midwest. But have they now reached New Hampshire? State Fish and Game officials say a mountain lion was spotted in a rural area in mid-September but believe it was an illegally released pet, not a wild cougar. . (Boston.Com)
50 Foot Whale Found Dead in Tampa Bay
Tampa, Florida – A 50-foot whale was found dead, floating in the Port of Tampa turning basin in Tampa Bay. Whales are rarely seen in Tampa Bay. Officials speculated that this whale was struck by and became attached to a ship making its way from the Gulf of Mexico into the Port of Tampa.(Tampabay.com)
Five-Year-Old Bags 12-foot Texas Gator
Lake Livingston, Texas – Simon Hughes, 5, and his father joined a team of hunters that successfully landed and killed a 12-foot, 6-inch alligator weighing 800 pounds. Young Hughes was chosen by the team to shoot the animal, which he did with his first real gun, a junior-sized .410 gauge shotgun. “My friends were proud of me and I was proud of myself,” said the first grader. (Outdoorpressroom.com, Houston Chronicle)
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Anchorage, Alaska –Alaska Fish and Game officials say a bill introduced by California's Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. George Miller outlawing shooting wolves from the air would make it impossible for Alaska to manage wolf populations responsibly. "We finally have a program that works and to end it because of emotional feelings of uninformed people is just not a good idea," said Pat Valkenburg, deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Anchorage Daily News)
Florida Panthers in Georgia
Social Circle, Georgia – A mature panther shot by a hunter in rural Georgia last year was a Florida panther that had migrated north. This was confirmed by genetic testing by the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, a branch of the National Cancer institute. (Examiner.com)
World record largemouth bass?
A Japanese angler, Manabu Kurita, caught a largemouth bass in Japan that if certified could tie the world record of 22-lb, 5-oz, the weight of the bass caught by Georgian George Perry 77 years ago. However, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) reports that the catch has not yet been submitted for world record status. (South Coast Today)
Boating Recovery? Not yet.
Some boating industry analysts say the turnaround is still a year away and that there will be many more bankruptcies. Tim Condor with Wachovia Capital Markets predicts more summer bankruptcies as family enterprises are denied family-wealth rescues. Rochdale Research analyst Hayley Wolff said most boats being sold now were those taken back by floor-plan lenders. She predicts more repossessed boats flooding the marketplace. (Trade Only Today)
Outdoor recreation outlook gloomy
A survey by the Outdoor Industry Association shows continued concern among outdoor recreation retailers and vendors about an economic recovery in 2009. More than 90 percent believe a recovery will be no sooner than the first half of 2010 and almost 25 percent expect the recovery to come after 2010. (Outdoor Industry Assn.)
A father-son fishing epic
Jeff Turner and his college-bound son Taylor, 17, have completed their epic Father-Son Adventure, returning home to Warrenton, Virginia after fishing 50 trophy waters in all 50 states in 50 days. Turner said he hoped their expedition, sponsored by Wrangler Rugged Wear, would encourage others to rediscover their desire for adventure and "rekindle the most important things in life – your relationships."(Fish5050.com)
Craig Luebben, mountaineer, dies in accident
Craig Luebben, a well-known mountaineer and author, was killed and his climbing partner Willie Benegas was injured when they were struck by falling ice while climbing Mount Torment in the Cascade range. (Examiner.com)
Roland Martin: You can fish clearly now
Mobile, Alabama – Serious anglers need two pairs of polarized sunglasses, says Roland Martin, nine-time BASS Angler of the Year. Amber lens sunglasses help anglers see through the surface of the water and should be worn when working weedlines, jigging submerged timber, or fishing other underwater structure. Grey lens sunglasses are best when the angler is cruising a body of water and looking for a certain water color in a pattern-fishing system. Martin recently introduced the Roland Martin Signature Series of polarized sunglasses with bifocal magnifiers to help anglers tie knots, unhook fish, and read lake charts. (Sun-Mag Plus)
What's your favorite plastic worm color?
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Watermelon Red leads Green Pumpkin and June Bug in online polling by Snap Tail Lures. Bringing up the rear are Watermelon Seed, Watermelon Candy, Black Neon, Red Shad, White, Bubble Gum and Tomato Orange. Snap Tail Lures' Robb Line said the national vote percentages help his company decide on new product colors and also help tackle stores know which items to order and put on shelves. Vote at www.snaptaillures.com.
England's 64-pound carp is dead
Tansor, England – Benson the giant carp is dead. Caught and released more than 60 times, the body of the 64 lb., 2 oz carp was found on the bank of its home lake in Cambridgeshire. She was about 25 years old. In 2005 readers of Angler's Mail voted her "Britain's Favourite Carp." (Times Online)
Boating advice for Romeo's Juliet
Boating columnist Barb Hansen tells Juliet she can tell a lot about a man by the name on his boat. She tells her not to share cockpit air with the men of Beeracuda or Sir Osis of the River. If she cruises aboard Sin or Swim, she should know how to swim. Which men are okay to date? Juliet gets the green light to cruise with the skippers on Say Maybe, Ahoy Vey, A One Anna Tuna, Oh Buoy - Oh Buoy, Snap Shackle & Pop, and Sea Weedy Pie.(Southwest Florida Yachts)
July 2009
Governor calls for python posse
Clewiston, Florida--The Florida Everglades is now home to thousands of unwelcome Burmese pythons, descendants of unwanted pets. Florida Governor Charlie Crist has called for a posse of python hunters, snake experts rewarded by a bounty, to kill the large snakes. Recently in Florida a pet Burmese python escaped from its cage and killed a two-year-old girl. Fear, if not snakes, is expanding northward. Researchers at the Savannah River Ecology Lab in South Carolina are studying pythons to determine if the exotic, dangerous creatures will eventually conquer wild areas in Southeastern U.S. states. (Redorbit.com, TCPalm.com, outdoorpressroom.com)
It's a father-son thing
Do you know where your son is? Jeff Turner does. He's with his son Taylor, 17, driving and flying all across the U.S. to fish all 50 states in 50 days. The father-son expedition, sponsored by Wrangler Rugged Wear, concludes July 30. (Fish5050.com)
Tennessee Elk Hunt
Memphis, Tennessee--Tennessee's wild elk herd has expanded and now the state will have its first elk hunt in almost 150 years. The names of four lucky hunters were drawn for the hunt. Someone with the highest bid on Ebay (Got $40,000?) will join them on the hunt October 19-23 in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. (Memphis Commercial Appeal)
Guidelines for adventure travel
Seattle, Washington--The adventure travel industry and archaeology interests are creating a manual of good practices to encourage tourism and revenue for sensitive sites while discouraging human behavior that hurts the sites. (Adventure Travel News)
America's Cup yacht is dangerous?
The Swiss yacht Alinghi, which will compete against America's BMW Oracle in February, is unsafe. That's according to its designers who say it could break apart unless it races in very light winds. (Telegraph)
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Peaceful coexistence for Klamath River fishers and farmers?
Washington, DC--Fishing and agricultural businesses will co-exist and thrive, says the Department of Interior, under a new agreement still under discussion on the restoration of the Klamath River basin in Oregon and California. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the deadline for the final agreement has been extended to September 2009. (DOI)
Wolves thrive in the UP
Marquette, Michigan--A new wolf survey indicates 600 wolves now live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This is about 70 more wolves than the previous year and the gain is consistent with earlier surveys. Since 2003 officials have killed 51 wolves that were too bold around humans or pets, were sick, or were habitual livestock predators. (Michigan Outdoor News)
<!--[endif]-->
Mobile, Alabama--They say that 60 is the new 40. There are only two problems with that. Aging eyes. People with aging eyes are the people you see reading the paper with drug store readers perched on their nose. Now, when they go outside, they can ditch the drug store readers and instead wear a new pair of sunglasses that let them read the paper in a lounge chair, a book at the beach, a trail map on the trail, and the menu at an outdoor cafe. Sunglasses by Ono's Trading Company have bifocals that can be purchased with the same magnifications as their drug store counterparts. Visit onostradingcompany.com or phone 1-866-865-4695. (www.onostradingcompany.com)
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Stimulating college pistol, rifle, shotgun competition
The National Shooting Sports Foundation announced a plan to help colleges and universities start teams to compete in intercollegiate pistol, rifle and shotgun target shooting. The program supports the NSSF's goal of increasing the number of shooters and hunters by 20 percent in the next five years. (Texashuntfish.com)
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> Color contrast is key to catching bass
Tulsa, Oklahoma--Aquatic science suggests that more than any other factor color contrast is what helps a bass see a lure. Taking advantage of this scientific insight, a Tulsa company is marketing a soft plastic worm with a spot in the tail to attach a pair of colored snaps. Robb Line of Snap Tail Lures reports that the extra colors the snaps bring to the presentation multiply the ways the lure contrast with surrounding vegetation and structure and thus will be seen by more bass in the area. (Snap Tail Lures)<!--[endif]-->
84-pound girl defeats 193-pound catfish
Ebro River, Spain--In this corner, Jessica Wanstall 11, weighing 84 pounds and standing 4-feet, 10-inches. In that corner, one ugly catfish, 9-feet long, weighing 193 pounds. The winner? Little Jessica of Sittingbourne, England, who landed the catfish on the Ebro River in Spain while fishing with her dad. They released the fish alive.(Daily Mail)
British Columbia, Canada--The new feel of camping is a comfy bed with a goose down duvet. The big white roomy tent has a temperature thermostat and it is adorned with antique rugs. Meals, prepared by chefs, are gourmet. It's called Glamping, short for glamorous camping. There is a price to pay, like $8,500 for three days at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in British Columbia. Have a wonderful day. (Happynews.com)
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June 2009
Is Florida hiding the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker?
Lakeland, Florida – Prominent ornithologists have not stopped believing that the Ivory-billed woodpecker exists. The current wisdom, though, is that the Lord God Bird will be found not in Arkansas, but Florida. Auburn University researchers are focused on the Choctawhatchee River bottomlands in the Florida Panhandle. (Lakeland Ledger)
Skipper, 70, Dies During Gulf Race. Daughter Wins it For Him
St. Petersburg, Florida – In the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, halfway to the Regatta del Sol finish line at Isla Mujeres, Mexico, skipper Robert Parker, 70, collapsed and died on the deck of his 72-foot sailboat, Enigma. Seas were rough. Gulfstream currents were taking Enigma off course. The captain was dead. What do you do? Knowing her dad wanted his "damn trophy" back, daughter Robin Tomita became the skipper. She took the wheel and directed the crew to continue racing. Enigma won, crossing the finish line in front of 27 other sailboats. (St. Petersburg Times)
Most Bass Want to be Caught
Charleston, Illinois -- A 20-year experiment by University of Illinois researchers concludes that most freshwater black bass want to be caught. The study showed that one-tagged bass was caught 16 times in one year. But some still played hard to get. Out of 1,600 bass in the experimental lake, only 200 were never caught. (Science Daily)
Swiss Team Must Race Against America's 100-foot Trimaran
New York, New York -- Justice Shirley Werner Kornreich of the New York Supreme Court ruled that the Swiss Alinghi team's must race America's BMW-Oracle team for America's Cup. Larry Ellison's BMW-Oracle vessel is a high-tech 100-foot trimaran capable of speeds of 50 miles per hour or more. More court challenges are possible. (Detroit Free Press)
Father, son will fish 50 states in 50 days
Warrenton, Virginia -- Jeff Turner and his son Taylor, 17, will be criss-crossing the U.S. this summer on a nationwide expedition to fish 50 trophy waters in 50 states in 50 days. The father-and-son journey covers 15,000 overland miles in a motorhome plus 6,000 miles by air to Alaska and Hawaii. Wrangler Rugged Wear, the National Fatherhood Initiative and other partners and outfitters have volunteered support for the project. (www.fish5050.com)
Squinting in the outdoors
Mobile, Alabama – It isn't the sun that makes some people squint in the outdoors. It's their aging eyes. These are the people you see taking off their sunglasses and fumbling for their drug store readers. Now Ono's Trading Company has been credited with a brilliant no-fumbling, two-for-one solution -- fashionable sunglasses with bifocal readers. Wearing Ono's sunglasses people with aging eyes, called presbyopia, can read a trail map, the menu at an outdoor café, a book at the beach, and a whole lot more. Go to onostradingcompany.com or phone 1-866-865-4695. (Media contact: Bill AuCoin, wmaucoin@verizon.net. 727-522-2371)
Color contrast is key for bass
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Aquatic science suggests that color contrast, perhaps more than other factors, is what helps a bass see a lure or bait. Now, a Tulsa company has created a plastic worm and snap system to double the chances that the lure contrasts with the underwater background. Lure packs from Snap Tail Lures include tail snaps in six additional colors to give the lure more contrast. (Snap Tail Lures)
Loon Family Stars on Live Cam
Minneapolis, Minnesota – Live Cams are hot and, in the land of 10,000 lakes, a family of nesting Loons is starring in a broadband Live Coon Cam. The Loon Cam appears on Ron Schara's Minnesota Bound Web site with nearby blogging commentary by Loon expert Larry Backlund. Backlund was featured in a Minnesota Bound TV special three years ago. (Mnbound.com)
Busted: White Trash Bash
Panama City, Florida – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officers wrote 63 citations, 63 written warnings, and arrested two people during the annual "White Trash Bash" on Memorial Day Weekend on Dog Island about 60 miles east of Panama City. (Outdoorpressroom.com, Panama City News Herald.)
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April 2009
Court rules in America's Cup
New York, New York -- The New York State Supreme Court ruled that BMW-Oracle is the official challenger for the next America's Cup. Now, the question is, can the two billionaire owners who each crave to win this famous cup -- America's Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli of Europe -- agree on terms for the next competition? (Detroit Free Press)
Claim: Ethanol in gas wrecking boat motors
Annapolis, Maryland -- Ethanol mixed with gasoline is wrecking outboard and inboard boat motors, say boaters. But, lobbyists for the farm lobby want EPA to bump ethanol's content from 10 to 15 percent. Enough already, says the marine industry. (The Capital)
Madoff won’t sail into the sunset
Cap d'Antibes, France - France seized Bernard Madoff's $7 million yacht -- Bull -- after a Paris investment group took legal action on behalf of its customers. American authorities seized other Madoff vessels and homes in Florida and New York City. The seizures come on orders from legal actions brought by customers who were defrauded of billions. (Times Online)
Research: fitness at low cost
Washington, D.C. – Sports and activities with the most significant growth from 2007 to 2008 fell into one of two categories -- fitness and family/social -- according to new research by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. The guiding theme, the research suggests, was getting exercise without spending too much money. Family social activities with the most significant growth included ultimate Frisbee, backpacking and surfing. Outdoor sports with the most participants continue to be freshwater fishing (40.3 million), bicycling (38.1 million), camping (33.7 million) and day hiking (32.5 million). (SGMA)
Father, son will fish 50 states in 50 days
Warrenton, Virginia -- On June 13 Jeff Turner and his son Taylor, 17, embark on a nationwide expedition to fish 50 trophy waters in 50 states in 50 days. The journey covers 15,000 overland miles in a motorhome plus 6,000 miles by air to Alaska and Hawaii. Wrangler Rugged Wear, the National Fatherhood Initiative, and other partners and outfitters have volunteered support for the father-and-son project, scheduled for the summer before Taylor Turner leaves for university. (www.fish5050.com)
Do fish see colors?
Tulsa, Okalahoma – Fisheries biologists say that most fish see and respond to colors. They just don't if fish see the same colors the fisherman sees. Not to worry. Snap Tail Lures has introduced a soft plastic worm that comes in six colors. But, not only that, it also comes with interchangeable tail snaps in six additional colors, so anglers can customize their plastic worms and cast any one of dozens of color combinations to bass, walleye and other species. (Snap Tail Lures)
When the warblers come back to Fort DeSoto
Fort DeSoto Park, Florida – For U.S. taxpayers, April 15 is tax day. For birders, it's the traditional date tropical migrant songbirds start coming back to Fort DeSoto Park on the Gulf of Mexico near St. Petersburg. Thirsty, hungry, and close to death after flights of up to 5,000 miles, warblers, orioles, grosbeaks and others gorge on berries and insects at this park's increasingly famous Mulberry Tree. Restored, they take off again for their favorite backyard bird feeders and other spring and summer habitats across America. (Photomigrations)
Bird count leaders: Texas, California, Florida
Ithaca, New York – Northern cardinal, mourning dove and dark-eyed juno were the top tree birds reported by observers in February's Great Backyard Bird Count. The best participation came from the states of Texas, California and Florida. The most birds reported came from St. Petersburg, Florida; Mound City, Missouri and Yakima, Washington. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology-Audubon)
California's illegal wildlife market $100 million
Among the victims of the California cost-cutting cleaver are game wardens. And wildlife. TV producer James Swan reports that in California, which has the worst wardens-per-capita ratio of any state or province, organized crime has sent the black market for illegal wildlife soaring to $100 million. Swan has produced a 66-minute TV documentary about the poaching and the lack of law enforcement in the Golden State. It's called "Endangered Species: California Fish and Game Wardens," narrated by actor Jameson Parker. (Snow Goose Productions)
Let the best lure win
Largo, Florida – Some anglers argue that hard lures out-fish soft plastic lures. Others insist soft plastics are better. Now there's more fuel on the fire. Mirrolure, known for 70 years as a hard-lure brand, has introduced soft plastic baits, too. Recently the company unveiled two soft paddle-tail models, Soft Sardine and Soft Shad, which were well received. Now it is bringing out two more soft plastic lures. The Mirrolure Soft Minnow is a four-inch split tail available in 10 colors. Soft Mullet is a five-inch twitch bait in 12 colors. "Let the best lure win," said Mirrolure's Eric Bachnik. Visit www.mirrolure.com or phone 727-584-7691. (Media contact: Eric Bachnik, ebachnik@tampabay.rr.com)
ICAST Switches to Orlando
The tackle industry's largest trade show – ICAST – is July 15-17 at the Orlando Convention Center. It will rotate back to the Las Vegas Convention Center in
2010.(American Sportfishing Association)
Power Boating for Dummies
Hoboken, New Jersey—The popular reference books known for their similar-sounding titles has a new one in the series – Power Boating For Dummies. Written by Randy Vance, editor-in-chief of Boating Life magazine, the newest book in the For Dummies series is a straightforward guide to buying, operating, maintaining and, especially, enjoying a powerboat. (dummies.com)
Sunglasses for "bird nests"
Fishing reel backlashes –jokingly called "birds nests" or "professional overruns" -- are the curse of anglers, and especially hard to untangle if you're a middle-aged angler with poor close-up vision. Roland Martin to the rescue. The nine time BASS angler of the year has endorsed a new fishing tool – polarized sunglasses with bifocal magnifiers – to help anglers see better to clear out those backlashes, tie better fishing knots, and more. Roland Martin Signature Series – models sell for less than $40 -- are offered with grey or amber lens and with bifocal magnification of 1.50, 2.00 or 2.50. Visit www.sunmagplus.com . (Media contact: Bill AuCoin, wmaucoin@verizon.net. 727-522-2371)
Skeet Reese wins Bassmaster Classic
Shreveport, Louisiana – Skeet Reese of Auburn, California won the 2009 Bassmaster Classic on Louisiana's Red River. Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Alabama, the first woman to fish the Bassmaster Classic, finished in 47th place. (The Fishing Wire)
Meet Montana's Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters – Abby and Daisy – their bird dog tails swishing the closet floor, help their owner select his garments this day. Author Thomas McGuane writes a special tribute to his hunting dogs in the Wall Street Journal. (Wall Street Journal, Outdoor Pressroom)
Obit: Alysheba, 1987 Kentucky Derby Winner
Lexington, Kentucky – Alysheba, a Kentucky Derby winner, Preakness Winner and 1988 Horse of the year, was euthanized after injuring his right hind leg in a fall. In recent years he was in stud for King Abdulla in Saudi Arabia. Alysheba was 25. (Newsday)
Coyote. Cut. It. Out
Sarnia, Ontario – City hall staffers set up two cardboard cutouts of coyotes in a park, hoping they would scare off Canada geese and reduce goose droppings. Alas, the cutouts were removed by the police after a jogger called 911, complaining that one of the coyotes had “barked” at her. (www.outdoorpressroom.com)
Hoaks, Michigan, April 1, 2009 – Blasted Critters Hunting Preserve near Hoaks, Michigan is advertising “Holiday Hunts” so hunters can hunt animals that match the season. Hunting options include reindeer and donkeys at Christmas, baby chicks and rabbits for Easter, and bald eagles on Independence Day. (Detroit Free Press)
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February 2009
Ice fishermen rescued
Oak Harbor, Ohio – The U.S. Coast Guard used ships and helicopters to rescue 134 people, most of them ice fishermen, who were stranded on a slab of ice that broke away from the Ohio shore of Lake Erie February 7. (CTV)
Empire State taxing outdoors
New York City -- Outdoors enthusiasts in New York State are complaining they are being unfairly targeted to pay more in fees and taxes in the state’s new budget. New budget revenue items include fees for saltwater fishing license, a luxury tax on boats, taxes for boat slips, an increase in state park fees, and higher fuel taxes. (New York Post)
Backyard bird count weekend
Ithaca, New York – The 12th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is scheduled February 13-16. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Nationa Audubon Society asks North Americans to count birds and report their sightings to www.birdcount.org. (Audubon)
51 bass anglers. 1 woman
Shreveport, Louisiana – Fifty men and one woman compete Feb. 20-22 in the Bassmaster Classic, the world championship of bass fishing. The field includes Kim Bain-Moore, Alabaster, Alabama, the 2008 Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year. (Greeneville Sun)
Sunglasses for "bird nests"
Fishing reel backlashes –jokingly called "birds nests" or "professional overruns" -- are the curse of anglers, and especially hard to untangle if you're a middle-aged angler with poor close-up vision. Roland Martin to the rescue. The nine time BASS angler of the year has endorsed a new fishing tool – polarized sunglasses with bifocal magnifiers – to help anglers see better to clear out those backlashes, tie better fishing knots, and more. Roland Martin Signature Series – models sell for less than '$40 -- are offered with grey or amber lens and with bifocal magnification of 1.50, 2.00 or 2.50. Visit www.sunmagplus.com . (Media contact: Bill AuCoin, wmaucoin@verizon.net. 727-522-2371)
Wisconsin to Florida or bust. Whoopie.
Homosassa, Florida – Six out of seven young whooping cranes fluttered safely down to the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, their new winter home north of Clearwater, Florida, after a 1,285 migratory learning experience behind ultralight aircraft. The seventh crane refused to land so pilots led it to another landing area, then took it to the refuge to rejoin its brothers and sisters. (Citrus Daily)
Biggest, baddest day racer
San Diego, California – Larry Ellison’s $10 million trimaran with the 16-story mainsail mast flies across the waves at 40 knots. It’s the “biggest, baddest day racer ever built," says Ed Baird, the winning skipper of Alinghi, the reigning America’s Cup champion. "But the question is, will it race?" A better question might be, will the New York Supreme Court let it race? (St. Petersburg Times)
Boat sales dismal in 08
Miami, Florida – U.S. boat sales, trending down since 2004, dropped 28 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. Outboard sportfishing boat sales were down 40 percent, according to the Bellweather Report from Info-Link Technologies. (Boating Industry Magazine)
Manatee population increasing
St. Petersburg, Florida – Florida’s manatee population is higher now than at any time since aerial surveys began according to Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Institute (FWRI). In January a team of 21 observers counted 3,807 manatees, more than 500 higher than the previous survey high in 2001. (FWRI)
Male mountain lions moving through Nebraska
Columbus, Nebraska – Young male mountain lions, chased out of the Black Hills and other areas by dominant males, are roaming east through Nebraska’s river bottomlands in search of females. Since 1991 the Game and Parks Department has documented 70 confirmed sightings. Two of the most recent sightings were near Columbus, Nebraska. (Omaha World Herald)
Yin/Yang of artificial lures
Largo, Florida – Mirrolure, known by anglers for its successful line of "hard" artificial lures, has added "soft" to its collection of lures for catching salt and freshwater gamefish. Mirrolure spokesman Eric Bachnik said the company has told fishing tackle retailers that for 2009 it will ship two soft paddle tail models, the four-inch Soft Shad available in 14 colors and the three-inch Soft Sardine available in 10 colors. Bachnik said the company is testing other soft plastic shapes and colors and soon will announce more models. To learn more visit www.mirrolure.com or phone 727-584-7691. (Media contact: Eric Bachnik, ebachnik@tampabay.rr.com)
The mother of multitools
Swiss Army Knives has introduced the mother of all multitools – 87 tools that do everything from point a laser beam at your big presentation to cut your cigar at the post-sale celebration. Just $1,200. (Popular Mechanics)
Wolves descended from dogs?
Palo Alto, California – Dogs are descended from wolves, of course, but now it appears that some wolves are descended from dogs. Stanford University researchers have determined that black wolves inherited their coat color from domesticated dogs. And that’s a good thing in so far as it helps promote genetic diversity, boosts the immune system and may even help camouflage wolves in wooded areas. (Sciencenews.org)
Hunting Dog Hall of Fame
Birmingham, Alabama – Waterfowl hunters are invited to honor their most special dog, hunting companion and friend, with a remembrance brick in the International Hunting Dog Hall of Fame. The donation helps fund research for hunting-dog related illnesses. (Waterfowl & Retriever Magazine)
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