2007 Northeastern Minnesota moose hunt results

2007 Northeastern Minnesota moose hunt results (October 18, 2007)Tough
hunting at first Camp Ripley bow hunt (October 23, 2007)Deer feeding ban in
northwestern Minnesota remains in effect (October 23, 2007)Deer hunters
encouraged to buy license early (Oct

With more than 475,000 firearms deer hunters in the state, the DNR is
encouraging hunters to purchase their licenses early to avoid long lines and
any system issues associated with the high sales volume. The 2007 Minnesota
firearms deer season begins Saturday, Nov. 3. For more info go to;
http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2007/10/23/deer-hunters-encouraged-to-
buy-license-early/#more-42075

Deer donated to food shelves will be processed at no cost to hunters this
fall, thanks to a new program coordinated by the Minnesota departments of
Natural Resources (DNR) and Agriculture. For more info go
to;http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2007/10/23/new-venison-donation-pro
gram-in-place-for-deer-hunters/#more-42076

The feeding of deer and elk continues to be prohibited throughout much of
northwestern Minnesota as the state remains vigilant about ensuring the
health of these herds and agricultural livestock. For more info go
to;http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2007/10/23/deer-feeding-ban-in-nort
hwestern-minnesota-remains-in-effect/#more-42080

Archers took 231 deer during the first two-day bow hunt held Oct. 18-19, at
Camp Ripley Military Reservation near Little Falls. For more info go to;
http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2007/10/23/tough-hunting-at-first-camp
-ripley-bow-hunt/#more-42081

The 2007 bulls-only moose-hunting season in northeastern Minnesota ended
Sunday Oct. 14. Hunters registered 115 bull moose at nine registration
stations scattered across Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties over the 16-day
season. This compares with 159 moose (bulls and cows) harvested in
northeastern Minnesota in 2006, 163 in 2005, and 149 in 2004. for more info
go
to;http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2007/10/18/2007-northeast-minnesota
-moose-hunt-results/#more-42072

GAME COMMISSION ANNOUNCES EHD CONFIRMED IN LAWRENCE COUNTY

Dr. Walter Cottrell, Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife veterinarian, today announced that the test result from an adult male deer has confirmed that epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been found in Lawrence County.

 

"Our Wildlife Conservation Officers, Land Managers and other field staff have been on the look out for evidence of EHD in wild deer," said Keith Harbaugh, Game Commission Northwest Region director.  "We urge anyone finding dead deer or sick deer to contact our office with specific information.

 

"Fortunately, the weather has begun to cool, and we hopefully will soon have our first good frost, which is expected to kill the insects that are spreading the EHD virus."

 

The Northwest Region Office phone number is 814-432-3188, and serves the following counties: Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren.

 

President Signs Order to Protect Striped Bass and Red Drum

President Signs Order to Protect Striped Bass and Red Drum

Executive order for gamefish status creates legacy of conservation

 

Alexandria, VA – October 22, 2007 – With the vast expanse of the Chesapeake Bay as his backdrop, on October 20, 2007, President Bush signed an Executive Order establishing gamefish status for striped bass and red drum in federal waters, moving another step forward in conserving two of the most popular game fish in the United States.

 

“This Executive Order has the full support of the sportfishing industry. By signing the order, the President sends the right message about the need to ensure that striped bass and red drum endure as a species and as sport fish to be enjoyed by anglers now and for generations to come,” said Mike Nussman, American Sportfishing Association (ASA) president and CEO. “We have been working with a number of organizations for years to see that this critical conservation measure came to be, and we applaud the President for his action.”

 

In his remarks, the President highlighted the economic importance that America’s 40 million anglers have on the nation’s economy and acknowledged the recreational, economic and environmental benefits that conserving these two species will have now and on future generations of Americans.

 

This Executive Order directs the Commerce and Interior Departments to put regulations in place to establish gamefish status for red drum and striped bass in federal waters. In his remarks, the President made it clear that he also supports improving the quality of data available for managing our fish stocks. The President said, “We’re going to count on the people who really care about the fish stocks to get good, solid, sound information so we can do a better job not only today, but tomorrow, in making sure our fisheries are strong.”

 

Due to intense overfishing, both striped bass and red drum were nearly decimated in the 1970s and into the 1980s. This decline led to a drive by recreational anglers to curtail the harvest of these species by imposing federal moratoriums on commercial and recreational striped bass and red drum fishing in federal waters. The President’s Executive Order would ban the commercial sale of red drum and striped bass in federal waters. A number of states already prohibit the sale of these fish caught in state waters.

 

Nussman further said, “Recreational anglers are among this nation’s most ardent conservationists. By supporting this Executive Order, we show our commitment to conserving our nation’s resources and protecting our heritage.”

 

Along with representatives from a number of conservation organizations, ASA members who attended the ceremony for the signing of this landmark Executive Order were: Peter Foley, president, Boone Bait Company; Jim Lebson, director of Sales and Marketing, G. Loomis, Inc.; Darrell Lowrance, Board of Directors, Navico; Ben Moore, vice president, Boater’s World; Dave Pfeiffer, president, Shimano American Corporation; and Gary Zurn, senior vice president, Big Rock Sports along with Nussman and Gordon Robertson, ASA vice president.

 

On October 20, 2007, President George W. Bush signed an Executive Order to protect and conserve the striped bass and red drum fish populations. Joining him at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., for the signing were, from left, Mike Nussman, president and CEO, American Sportfishing Association; Brad Burns, president, Stripers Forever; Dave Pfeiffer, president, Shimano America Corp.; Walter Fondren, chairman, Coastal Conservation Association; U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez; U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R – MD); and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. White House photo by Eric Draper.

 

 

Witnesses Asked to Report Violations

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages hunters, anglers and landowners who have witnessed a fish or wildlife violation to file a report with the Report All Poachers program.

RAP is a cooperative project between the Game and Fish Department, State Radio Communications and the North Dakota Wildlife Federation. The RAP line offers rewards – from $100 to $1,000 depending on the nature and seriousness of the crime – for information that leads to conviction of fish and wildlife law violators. Reports can also go directly to game wardens or other law enforcement agencies. Callers can remain anonymous.

Witnesses should note vehicle description, including make, color, license plate number and state issued. Description of the violator should also be considered.

In 2007, state radio has sent 161 incident reports to game wardens, with approximately 20 percent of those RAP calls. Robert Timian, chief of enforcement for the Game and Fish Department, said even though some citizens are not interested in the reward, it is still important to play a role in landing potential violators.

“A typical call received through RAP is from someone saying ‘I want to report someone shooting too many ducks’, or ‘someone didn’t tag a buck.’ A violation of any type can be reported,” Timian said.

Reporting a violation is extremely important, Timian said, because each warden covers a large district. “With a staff of 34 wardens covering the entire state we can’t be everywhere,” he said.

Witnesses should report a violation by calling the RAP telephone number at 800-472-2121. RAP will then contact the local game warden immediately. If the witness gives the RAP operator a phone number, the witness will be contacted right away.

 

Salmon Spawning Efforts Complete

Fisheries crews have completed their annual salmon spawning operation at Lake Sakakawea, reports Dave Fryda, Missouri River System supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Riverdale.

Nearly 500,000 eggs were collected from Sakakawea and the Garrison Dam Tailrace. “We surpassed our goal of 350,000 eggs,” Fryda said. “Montana just sent us a request for 150,000 eggs, so we will be able to meet their needs.”

Average size of female salmon was about 6 pounds, slightly bigger than last year. In addition, fish condition was better, and the number of eggs per female increased.

Current plans are to stock approximately 75,000 salmon in Lake Sakakawea and 50,000 in the Missouri River.

Fryda said fisheries crews won’t spawn anymore fish unless South Dakota sends a request. “If they need additional eggs, we will get them more,” he said.

Chinook salmon begin their spawning run in October. Since salmon cannot naturally reproduce in North Dakota, state Game and Fish Department and Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery personnel collect and fertilize eggs and transport them to the hatchery.

Once the eggs hatch, young salmon spend several months in the hatchery before being stocked in Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River.

 

Public Access Ensured to 51,163 Acres in MN's Northwoods

Agreement Will Protect Jobs, Wildlife Habitat and Outdoor Recreational Opportunities Project Web site

 

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that more than 51,000 acres of forest - almost 80 square miles - in Itasca and Koochiching counties have been conserved. State and private money totaling $12 million has been used to purchase a working forest conservation easement that precludes development of the property.

 

ASA Continues Work on California MLPA Issue

ASA staff traveled to southern California and meet with Susan Golding, Chairman of the Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon Task Force, to discuss industry actions and views on the MLPA process, as well as to acquaint Ms. Golding with the investments this industry has made in conservation over the years. Staff also met with Blue Ribbon Task Force member Bill Anderson. While in California, ASA staff and California partners met with a public relations firm that has been selected to assist ASA and its CA partners to reach the goal of maximizing the conservation benefit of marine resources while minimizing unwarranted closures in that state.

 

Join the Online Outdoors Industry Professionals

Understanding that our industry is very niche and in an effort for us all to excel on the internet, we have started the Online Outdoors Industry Professionals Group. The ultimate networking resource for outdoor companies that have or are planning on having an internet presence.

This group is designed for outdoor (fishing, hunting, and outdoor sports) related companies like (internet and brick and mortar); Manufacturers, Retailers, Distributors, Rep Agencies, Advertising Agencies, Organizations, Government Agencies, outdoors website communities, and Charter and Guide Services, etc…

This group will focus on the important aspects of ensuring our marketplaces continue to grow and that we are positioned to maximize the internet’s ability to promote our initiatives, grow our customer bases, promote our product lines and develop solid online infrastructures.

Further we will review Industry events, political impacts, search engine placement strategies, internet niche advertising, website marketing tools, demographic information, website development tips, quality outside vendors and much more.

Did you Attend the ASA Sport Fishing Summit?

This year, the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) annual Sportfishing Summit was held October 10-12, 2007, at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Sanibel, Fla. Highlights and pictures from the Summit are coming soon. Keep an eye out for the October/November 2007 issue of American Sportfishing, ASA’s newsletter, for a full report on all Summit activities.

ARE YOU READY FOR ICE FISHING?

Is everyone gearing up for ice fishing? We had our first snow today.