Northeast Fishing & Hunting Expo comes to Hartford, Connecticut
January 14, 2008
There will be hundreds of booths lining the aisles containing the latest products for both fishing and hunting enthusiasts. Learn about the newest equipment from some of the top manufacturers and reps, retail vendors, public service exhibits, charter boat captains, plus fishing boats and more!
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ARKANSAS SPORTSMAN : Big Buck Classic might crown state-record whitetail
January 14, 2008
By: BRYAN HENDRICKS – Arkansas Democrat Gazette
If you like big white-tailed deer, the biggest bucks killed in Arkansas this season all will be under one roof Jan. 25-27 at the 18 th annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic.
As in recent years, the Big Buck Classic will be held at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds and will feature plenty of attractions for hunters of all ages. The South Texas Rattlesnake Handlers will be there with their large collection of rattlesnakes, as will Jackie Bibee, who holds the record for sharing a bathtub with the largest number of rattlers. Tommy Murchison, co-promoter of the Big Buck Classic, said Bibbee will climb into an acrylic bathtub with a mess of snakes.
There will be a chili cookoff Saturday, and a survivor cookoff Sunday.
Of course, giant white-tailed deer racks are the main draw. Murchison said the show averages about 400 entries a year, but there’s an extra incentive to attend this year’s show.
“I can’t confirm it, but I’ve heard there’s a new state-record typical on the wall,” Murchison said. If so, it would eclipse the buck killed by Thomas Sparks in 1975, which scored 198.
Established in 1990, the Arkansas Big Buck Classic is much more than a display of deer heads. It is a full-blown celebration of Arkansas deer hunting and our deer hunting heritage.
“It brings the fellowship of hunters together in one place once a year to see our state’s biggest bucks, to swap stories and share their version of the hunting season with other hunters from across the state,” said Catherine Helm, co-promoter of the Arkansas Big Buck Classic.
Many states have their own big buck festivals, like North Carolina’s Dixie Deer Classic, but the Arkansas Big Buck Classic is one of the best. It’s a lot of things to a lot of people, but one of its most important functions is to serve as sort of a central meeting point where hunters can hear firsthand how the finest bucks of the season were taken.
“Before the Big Buck Classic, there was not one place where deer hunters could come together to see the deer that were killed in Arkansas,” Helm said. “They just heard about them. The Big Buck Classic gave hunters an opportunity to tell their stories in person, to meet fellow deer hunters and hear stories from across state. Delta hunters could swap stories with mountain hunters, and hunters from the eastern part of the state could swap stories with hunters from the western part. There’s big deer all across the state, but no one knew that because before the Big Buck Classic, you only heard rumors. Big bucks were never seen because they ended up on the side of somebody’s barn.” One result of the Big Buck Classic, Helm said, was a greater desire among Arkansas deer hunters to improve the quality of our state’s deer herd, particularly its bucks.
“It brought an awareness to big deer in Arkansas,” Helm said, “and it brought a focus to quality deer management, that big deer are out there if you let the little ones grow. It brought an awareness to the potential quality of deer that Arkansas could produce. Before the Big Buck Classic, we had gone 10 or 20 years without registering a buck with Boone and Crockett. Since the Big Buck Classic, there have been many Boone and Crockett deer registered.” Typically, the Boone and Crockett Awards Program honors bucks taken with firearms, including muzzleloaders. The Pope & Young Club honors the nation’s best bucks taken with archery equipment.
For hunters who want to score their racks, certified scorers from the Boone and Crockett and Pope & Young organizations will be on hand. Categories include bucks taken by modern gun, muzzleloader and bow. There are also separate categories for ladies and youth hunters. Deer are judged on the basis of either typical or nontypical racks, and prizes are awarded for each. Also, the largest grossscoring deer from each county will be honored.
In addition, many vendors and exhibitors will be on hand, including a large live animal display featuring an African lion. Murchison said there are more vendors and exhibitors than ever, enough to fill Barton Coliseum, the Hall of Industry and the arts and crafts building. Some will even be outdoors. Among them will be more than 20 hunting outfitters from around the country.
Admission will be $ 10 for adults, and $ 5 for children ages 5-12. Admission is free for children younger than 5. Parking is plentiful and free. On Friday, children under 12 can get general concessions, including hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, etc., for $ 1.
Hikers Speak Out Against Hunting At FDR State Park
January 13, 2008
PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga (WTVM) – For over 30 years, the peaceful trails of Pine Mountain have drawn hikers from all over the South.
But soon the calm could be interrupted by sounds of gunfire, if Franklin D. Roosevelt Park is opened up to hunters.
The Department of Natural Resources say there is a deer problem, but members of the Pine Mountain Trail Association see things differently.
“We’ve spent many work days, many trail days leading public hikes, and I see more deer at my subdivision in Midland than I do working here,” said Sam Burke, president of the Pine Mountain Trail Association.
Over 50,000 people each year hike the 40 miles of trails on Pine Mountain, and many of them drive hundreds of miles to get there.
Trail volunteers say shutting down the park will affect the flow of adventure tourists to the area.
“People do travel a great distance, and if they aren’t aware of shutdowns until they arrive, it’s rather disappointing,” said Carl Carlson, the Pine Mountain Trail Supervisor.
Biologists insist their studies are accurate, and too many deer in the park will hurt the ecosystem.
They say a couple of days of hunting a year will help in the long run.
“People come to parks because they are special and unique environments…would it not be better for tourism, would it not be better for people who come to these parks to enjoy even a healthier ecosystem that has a diversity of plants and animals?” said Chuck Gregory of the Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR will hold a public meeting on the issue, to educate people on why they think deer hunting is needed in FDR State Park.
It will be held on January 17th at Harris County Middle School.
By: Laurie Bernstein – WTVM News
Sixteen State Park Lifeguards and Six Park Rangers Receive Honors for Heroic Actions
January 12, 2008
DEP Water Safety Task Force and CT YMCA’s
Recognized for Commitment to Improving Water Safety
At a ceremony today in Hartford, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Gina McCarthy and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Susan Hamilton honored the heroic actions of 22 Connecticut State Park Lifeguards and Park Rangers and recognized contributions made to water safety in Connecticut during 2007 by DCF, numerous YMCAs, and DEP’s Water Safety Task Force.
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Las Vegas Nevada to hold 2008 Shot Show
January 11, 2008
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New Product Seminar
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| Shooting Seminar and Luncheon (The day before the SHOT Show) 7:30 a.m. Buses pick up writers at the Las Vegas Hilton East Tower 8:00 a.m. Depart for Desert Sportsman’s Club 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Hands-on Shooting 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch Served 12:30 p.m. Transportation on to other afternoon shooting events or back to the Las Vegas HiltonSponsored By: Browning, Winchester Repeating Arms, Winchester Ammunition, Bushnell Outdoor Products, Springfield Armory USA, Polaris Industries, Birchwood Casey, Crimson Trace. Reply is required by January 11, 2008 |
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Here is some good news about Illinois wildlife populations
January 10, 2008
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently conducted aerial waterfowl counts and found that goose populations are at record highs.
That wouldn’t surprise anyone who’s been along the river during the pre-dawn. The river is black with birds. The numbers of geese is not the only positive statistic regarding our natural resources.
There are more whitetail deer in Illinois than at any other time in history and the size of our deer is amazing because of the incredible gene pool and the abundance of food.
Wild turkeys were almost extinct during the early 1900s but a remarkable program that aimed to reestablish the bird was so successful that wild turkeys are now found in every county throughout the state.
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Family Pet Injured By Coyote
January 10, 2008
GRISWOLD, Conn. — A coyote dragged a Griswold family’s pet dog into a wooded area over the weekend, prompting a warning from officials. Coyotes are on the prowl in neighborhoods statewide, according to state wildlife officials.
Video: coyotes exist state wide, DEP saysChannel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin Hogan reported Steve Hill let his 8-year-old Maltese dog, Pokey, outside on Saturday night. Hill said Pokey ran off into the woods barking at something, which turned out to be a coyote.
Since then, Pokey has remained under 24-hour veterinarian care at an animal hospital. The Hill family wants people to know their experience has been expensive: The surgery and three-day veterinarian stay has cost them about $5,000.The Hills live on a residential neighborhood on Norman Road, which is rural and densely wooded.”I have a little dog, so I have to put fences around all my stuff, this way, nothing happens to them,” said Allan Boulanger, a neighbor.Chris Vann, a wildlife biologist and resident crow expert with the state Department of Environmental Protection, said coyotes are territorial and live in every town and city in the state.”If they migrate into an area, they’ll protect that area against other animals, including your dog. So, coyotes will seek out and attack pets,” Vann said.
The DEP suggests property owners fence yards, avoid feeding coyotes, keep a leash on pets and keep an eye on children
Clark takes trophy, with dad/mentor nearby
January 9, 2008
Daughter’s buck exceeds 176 inches gross
Allison Kincaid Clark started hunting when she was 7 so she could spend time with her dad.
So it was appropriate then on Dec. 17 that Clark, now married and living and selling women’s health supplies in Memphis, was sitting in a stand not far from her dad, Robert Kincaid, when she killed what he called a buck of a lifetime.
Upstate Mobility Impaired Deer Hunts Provide Special Days for Hunters
January 8, 2008
UPSTATE, SC – Two special mobility impaired deer hunts were held in South Carolina’s Upstate during 2007, and more than 100 hunters took part in these hunts.
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DEP Announces Second Annual “Winter Festival”
January 7, 2008
Event keeps “No Child Left Inside” alive in winter
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) “No Child Left Inside” initiative continues even during the winter cold with the second annual “Winter Festival” at Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth, that showcases outdoor winter activities for the whole family.
The Winter Festival will take place Saturday, February 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a full range of winter outdoor activities.
The Festival is free and there is no registration or sign-up. Everyone is welcome to attend. Last year’s “Winter Festival” at Black Rock State Park in Watertown drew more than 500 adults and children.
Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “Connecticut’s ‘No Child Left Inside’ initiative has gained national attention over the past two years and we encourage children and their parents to make their New Year’s resolution now to experience the outdoors together over the coming months. Don’t get discouraged by the cooler temperatures, winter is a great time to get outside, breathe some fresh air and enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing or bird watching in Connecticut’s scenic 137 state parks and forests.”
“In addition to benefiting the physical health and spirit of adults and youngsters,” Commissioner McCarthy said, “there is no greater gift you can give a young person than teaching them to appreciate nature and the outdoors, especially in the wintertime in New England.”
No Child Left Inside is a statewide initiative launched by Governor Rell in 2006 to reconnect youngsters with the outdoors, showcase Connecticut’s state parks and forests and encourage a new generation of environmental stewards. The Great Park Pursuit family contest is a centerpiece of the initiative. Connecticut families follow clues as they tour seven different state parks and forests over a seven-week period. At each location they compete for prizes as they complete a variety of activities that may include hiking, fishing, canoeing, arts and crafts and more. The third annual Great Park Pursuit is scheduled to begin in spring, 2008.
For more information about the Great Park Pursuit or No Child Left Inside, contact the DEP Office of Communications at 
(860) 424-4100
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Details on Great Park Pursuit “Winter Festival” Events
The “Winter Festival” takes place Saturday, February 2, 2008 at Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth. Come anytime between 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for a day full of outdoor adventure. Activities will include all sorts of winter related activities and depending on the weather, may include snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoe races, hiking, wildlife tracking, ice fishing, letterboxing, demonstrations on winter camping, cooking demonstrations and a large bonfire with hot chocolate and a marshmallow roast.
Tips on Dressing for Cold Weather
As you prepare to be outside in severe cold weather, please remember the following:
* Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
* Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
* Dress in warm layers so you can remove items if you get too warm.
* Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
* Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
* Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
* Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.
