Spirit of the Sportsman

Obama’s campaign promises gave some anglers hope regarding habitat conservation and defense of fishermen’s rights. As ‘Field And Stream’ magazine has discovered, it was these anglers that were hooked.

“Field & Stream, the world’s leading outdoor magazine, issued a conservation report card for President Barack Obama’s first year in office—and the results don’t place the administration on the honor roll. The magazine graded the President and his administration on four conservation issues critical to sportsmen and the most common mark was an I for Incomplete. The report card appears in the March 2010 issue of the publication which hits newsstands this week.

“Obama’s campaign made many promises to sportsmen, and a year later we’re still waiting for him to deliver,” says Bob Marshall, conservation editor for Field & Stream. “Hopes were high for Obama’s team in part because the bar on conservation had been pushed so low during the Bush administration. While there’s been some good news on the energy front in 2010, most in the conservation community fear this administration is taking hunters and anglers for a familiar ride of all talk and no action.”

The four conservation issues Obama and his administration were graded on by Field & Stream were: Clean Water Restoration Act; Conservation Reserve Program; Energy Policy Reform; and Mining Reform.”

We would like to remind President Obama that should he lose sporstmen, he will feel the heat when he runs for re-election.

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I lived in Siberia for four months in 1989.  It was a remarkable experience with only one regret.  I didn’t take my fishing gear.  I’ll kick myself for the rest of my life.  That is until I get back to tackle the “Russian river wolf.”

The Russian water tiger or river wolf

Fish Mongolia

Russian Hunting Agency

Sweetwater Travel

Nat Geo article

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What was once the sport of kings is now practiced in ways unheard of even a decade ago.

From ultralights

Harris Hawk

From cars

Merlin

Traditional

Gyr falcon dark phase

Gyr falcon in foreground. Peregrine in background

Requiring dedication, patience, and knowledge, falconry is one of the most demanding and intimate of sports.

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The Asian Carp is an invasive species and is spreading inside of US waterways threatening some of the largest American sport-fishing habitat.

We have evidence this species has breached an electronic fence designed to contain them.

“A monster is loose. It eats 40 times its body weight per day, can grow up to 4 feet long, weighs up to 100 pounds and is known to launch itself out of the water at high velocity like a missile, frequently striking boaters and PWC operators who happen to be passing by.

Silver carp have the ability to jump high into the air and often hit boaters on the Missouri River. These fish were filmed in action as they seemingly mounted an attack on University of Missouri television producer Kent Faddis, filming them from aboard a U.S. Geological Survey research boat.

This hungry invasive species — the Asian carp — is believed to have breached a shock-producing electric barrier designed to prevent the giant invader from upsetting the ecosystem in the Great Lakes and jeopardizing a $7 billion sport fishery, officials said.”

Monster fish

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Outdoors activity are now offered as academic disciplines available over the web.

Outdoor Adventure University: Hunting, Fishing, and Survival Training for the Professional Sportsman

“Outdoor Adventure University is the first to bring together renowned field experts and sportsmen, industry leaders, respected outdoor educators, prolific outdoor life writers, and outdoor media personalities to create this ground-breaking curriculum of the highest academic standard. Program tracks include: Hunting, Fishing, Wilderness Survival, and Wilderness First Aid. Over 100 courses are in development right now, many of these courses will be available in January 2010.

This revolutionary distance learning program develops new courses regularly, using up-to-date information and technology. OAU allows students to tailor their distance learning education to their personal recreational interests to help them achieve their goals. And every course is certified by the U.S. Outdoor Council.”

Outdoor education video.

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It appears the wolf hunt in Idaho is a success. An orderly, organized culling of wolves to decrease predator pressure and properly manage the species which they prey upon.

“In what may be an effort to assure quotas are reached, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has decided to extend the wolf-hunting season through March 31 in all zones.

This will lengthen the season in seven areas which previously had a Dec. 31 closure. Hunting was already set to end March 31 in two other zones.

Of course, if a zone limit is reached prior to March 31 that area will close to further wolf hunting.

As of this morning, the number of wolves reported killed in Idaho was 111 — just over half of the statewide quota of 220.
Three areas have already reached the limit and have closed, and three are nearing theirs.

All other rules remain unchanged, and hunters are required to report a wolf kill within 24 hours, and must present the skull and hide to a regional office or a Fish and Game conservation officer within five days.

Also, those planning to hunt wolves after Dec. 31 must purchase a 2010 license and wolf tag.”

Predator

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Ducks Unlimited is raising money to secure habitat for Duck Hunting. To this end, DU has established the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Challenge:

“Across North America, waterfowl are finding fewer places to breed, migrate and winter. Sportsmen are having to hunt for land. In every flyway, at nearly every turn, we’re losing wetlands and grasslands at a rampant rate.

Threats continue to bear down on waterfowl breeding grounds. Last year, Ducks Unlimited supporters stood up and helped us protect more than 67,000 acres of the duck factory, but the losses continue. In North Dakota, Ducks Unlimited is facing outdated laws that prevent critical habitat conservation, Donate Today!even by willing private landowners. Along the Louisiana and Texas coast, marshes and wintering grounds are eroding every hour.

However, the good news is that Ducks Unlimited has answers to these problems and we’re taking action.

Ducks Unlimited supporters make gifts during the fall because they recognize that disappearing habitat, the prospect of empty skies and the end of our hunting tradition are losses we can’t afford.

That’s why we are excited to announce the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Challenge! Our goal is to raise $500,000 online for our conservation mission by Dec. 31″

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Reviewed by Cornell University professor Glenn C. Altschuler reviews The Wilderness Warrior, a new biography that focuses on Theodore Roosevelt’s push to preserve America’s wilderness.

“Roosevelt was able to persuade congressmen, bureaucrats in the departments of Agriculture and Interior, and millions of Americans that saving “natural wonders, wildlife species, timberlands, and diverse habitats was a patriotic endeavor.” When he couldn’t, he went beyond his legal authority (to preserve The Grand Canyon as a public park) or issued “I So Declare It” executive orders.”

Some question the constitutionality behind government-enforced conservation. I believe many of these arguments are valid. Wherever you stand on the issue, one point is clear: for better or for worse, much of the USA’s most amazing wilderness preservation can be traced-back to Teddy Roosevelt.

Rough rider

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Ducks Unlimited Television: 2009 Season Begins July 2

“We will be kicking off the 2009 DU TV season in Alberta and then will be following the migration south. Travel along with hosts Wade Bourne, Jared Brown and Mike Checkett as they hunt DU priority areas and freelance opportunities across North America.”

Watch full episodes here.

Duck

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Let’s be good stewards, folks. Here is some advice on what to do if you come across a fawn:

“If you find a deer fawn or an elk calf, the best thing to do is keep your distance and leave the animal right where you found it.

“We receive calls every year from people who found an ‘abandoned’ baby bird or mammal and would like us to take care of it,” says Ron Stewart, regional conservation outreach manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

“While we appreciate and share the caller’s concern, the best thing to do with a baby deer or elk is to leave it right where you found it.”

‘…this actually has upset me to the most.’

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