Deer hides recycled in Billings, shipped to China
January 6, 2008
Some of us have a brand new trophy mount on the wall, or some fresh meat filling the freezer after the hunting season. But what happens to all those deer hides at the end of the season?
Since the close of hunting season, Pacific Recycling in Billings has trimmed, salted, and packed more than 3,000 deer hides. It’s all part of an effort to recycle the hides that otherwise would have gone to landfills.
State of Missouri plans changes in deer hunting.
January 5, 2008
Springfield meeting on deer hunting scheduled Tuesday at Bass Pro.
A booming whitetail deer population in Missouri could prompt major changes in deer hunting rules to give hunters more opportunities to bag deer.While data on deer biology will play a role in any changes to the regulations, opinions voiced by hunters in a series of meetings starting next week in Springfield also will also be considered, department staffers say. The changes could go into effect during the 2009 hunting season.
Save a Button Buck
January 5, 2008
courtesy of Buckmasters:
Deer hunters are becoming more aware of the need to keep buck-to-doe ratios in proper balance. In many areas of the country, that means targeting does for harvest. Many states are extending seasons for does or even creating new hunting opportunities for antlerless deer. With the goal being increased doe harvests, how can we as hunters be sure we’re taking a doe and not a button buck?
While it is just about impossible to be 100 percent sure, there are some simple things you can do that will tip the odds dramatically in your favor.
The first and most simple thing is to take a good look at a deer before you pull the trigger. That is the safe, smart and ethical thing to do anyway. Take a good look at a deer’s head and check for those tell-tale bumps.
Next, avoid taking lone deer. Even veteran hunters can’t always judge the size of a solitary deer at distances more than 30 yards. Wait until you see several deer together and pick out a mature doe.
Lastly, take a look at the deer’s face. A mature doe has a long face and snout; younger deer will most often have a pudgy, short look to their faces.
2008 Archery Trade Show coming to Indianapolis Indiana
January 4, 2008
You Are Invited!
Please plan to drop by the Mossy Oak booth at the upcoming Archery Trade Show.
January 10-12, 2008
9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
See the new Treestand camoflauge pattern from Mossy Oak designed for the hunter who hunts from an elevated stand.
Products from several companies featuring the Treestand pattern will be on display at the Mossy Oak booth.
Media members be sure to drop your business card in the box at the Mossy Oak booth to have a chance of winning one of several products including a new bow from PSE.
IT’S NOT A PASSION. IT’S AN OBSESSION.
If you would like to set up an appointment to discuss new products from Mossy Oak at the Archery Trade Association Show,
please contact Kevin Howard at:
Howard Communications Contact:
Office: 
573-898-3422
Cell Phone: 314-406-6501
Email:
khoward@howardcommunications.com
Mossy Oak Contact:
Tack Robinson
Direct Dial: 662-495-9260
Cell: 662-549-1820
Email:
trobinson@mossyoak.com
Just Passion
January 4, 2008
– My passion for deer hunting is something that most kids will never experience. Most kids today find it more exciting to sit in front of a television or computer. Many kids think hunting is a waste of time or is too much of a physical challenge. But they just don’t know what they are missing. Hunting is a wonderful way to get out and enjoy what has nature has to offer. There is nothing like sitting in a ground blind and watching wildlife. The fresh air and the sounds of animals are invigorating. Even the packrat that made its way into my blind creates a story to tell when I get home. It’s just so amazing how much you can learn by just sitting, watching, and listening.
Whitetail Rack workshop and contest to be held at Bass Pro Shops
January 3, 2008
Bass Pro Shops will host a Rack Scoring Workshop and Contest on Jan. 19-20 at its store in the Finger Lakes Mall in Auburn.
Hunters can have their 2007 whitetail racks scored for free by an official New York Big Buck scorer. Two official NYS Big Buck Club and Boone & Crockett scorers will be there each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Racks will be scored on a first-come, first-serve basis and must have a New York license tag attached. Previous years’ racks may be scored depending on time frame available but they will not count in the contest. Pre-registration is not required, but scoring could take a few hours depending on interest.A Bass Pro $50 gift card and hunting goody bag will be awarded for the top scoring 2007 racks in bow and gun categories.
Read more
A girl, a deer, a memory of a first hunt
January 3, 2008
Cedar Park youngster’s first buck could be a lifetime memory
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
PALUXY — It’s 20 degrees outside, so cold that spit — if you dare allow any to pass your lips — freezes the moment it hits the ground.
Twelve-year-old Jessica Flippen wouldn’t spit herself, but she shudders, and the wooden tower blind shudders with her. She wraps her arms around her, trying to hold in some body heat.
Jessica Flippen, 12, of Cedar Park, shows off her first-ever buck. She has been enjoying the outdoors with her family and decided she wanted to try hunting. The buck was killed on the J-Bar-F Ranch.
Read more
NRA to address pressing issues at show
January 2, 2008
By Gene Mueller “Washungton Times”
Most people who will visit the Nation’s Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show on Friday through Sunday at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly expect to see the latest deer stands, hunting supplies, fishing gear, etc., and they will get it.
But hunters concerned about the steady onslaught on their sport by animal rights groups and sometimes poorly informed judges and public officials should stop by the National Rifle Association booth, where NRA staff will talk about their efforts to preserve our right to hunt.
The NRA is among only a few national organizations that actively work to safeguard an activity frequently tied up by red tape in various state legislatures, not to mention unfounded lawsuits and judicial opinions that do nothing to protect public hunting lands and/or provide needed ranges to practice safe shooting.
“Hunting is under attack in ways it has never been attacked before,” said Kayne Robinson, the executive director of NRA General Operations. “Stifling regulations are overly complex and too often have nothing to do with game management. Anti-hunting groups with well-financed coffers and celebrity spokespersons grab every headline they can get. Nit-picking laws that turn inadvertent mistakes into criminal offenses are becoming common horror stories. Shrinking lands, dwindling numbers of hunters and other factors are combining to threaten hunting more and more.”
Through intensive lobbying, the NRA says it will work with legislators to stop anti-hunting measures. It will continue to recruit new hunters and provide instruction programs, as well as underwrite conservation and range improvement projects.
By the way, at the show the NRA also will have a display of world-record whitetailed deer mounts from the Great American Hunters Tour.
For women who hunt — Besides protecting Americans’ right to hunt, the NRA’s Women On Target program provides hunting adventures designed for ladies.
In 2008, there will be an archery hunt for whitetail deer and turkey in Missouri and a gamebird/fly-fishing combination deal in Maine. There also will be a Sportsmen All-weather, All-terrain Marksmanship (SAAM) training held in conjunction with a wild boar and bobcat hunt in Texas. Then there is pheasant and chukar partridge shooting in the Midwest, elk hunting in the Rocky Mountains and outsmarting wild turkeys in Kansas.The Women On Target program promises safe, stress-free hunting for novice and experienced hunters. Pre-registration is required. For a brochure, call 800/861-1166 or e-mail womenontarget@nrahq.org.
Don’t forget bass & boat show — The annual Fishing Expo & Boat Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium runs Jan. 10 through Jan. 13. Everything from freshwater to saltwater tackle, boats and electronics will be on display or for sale. Fishing experts provide constant seminars. Go to www.fishingexpo.com for detailed information.
Changes in firearms industry — The Outdoor Wire’s Jim Shepherd reports that Remington Arms of Madison, N.C., has acquired one of America’s longest-operating firearms companies, Marlin Firearms of North Haven, Conn. With the acquisition, Remington now owns the parent company of two of the longest-manufactured firearms in the world. Marlin first produced its models 1891 and 1893 in those years, and they were quality firearms for the period.
“They had no reason to imagine they would become the oldest shoulder arm designs in the world,” Shepherd said.
The purchase also adds H&R 1871 Inc., the Massachusetts-based manufacturer of single-shot arms and L.C. Smith shotguns, to the Remington line. H&R 1871 was acquired by Marlin eight years ago.
•Look for Gene Mueller’s Outdoors column Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, only in The Washington Times. E-mail: gmueller@washingtontimes.com.
A New Year’s Resolution that you should go through with.
January 1, 2008
December 31, 2007
Governor Rell Urges Residents to
Make New Year’s Resolution
to Spend More Time Outdoors,
Buy State Park Season Pass
2008 passes now available from DEP
Governor M. Jodi Rell said today that Connecticut residents can take the first step in fulfilling their New Year’s resolution to get outside and be more active by purchasing a 2008 state park season pass.
Governor Rell said, “The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now selling a 2008 season pass that provides free parking at all state parks that charge a parking fee. If you want to get more exercise and experience the beauty of Connecticut’s 105 state parks and 32 state forests in 2008, the season pass is the perfect purchase for you to make right now.”
The state park season pass can be purchased from DEP either online, by mail or in person.
Valid for the entire 2008 calendar year, passes cost $50 for state residents and $75 for out-of-state residents. Passes provide free parking at all state parks that charge a parking fee. The cost of museum entrance fees is not covered.
Governor Rell said, “Connecticut has made a major commitment to getting families and children back outside. We want to reconnect them with something even better than the Internet – nature. That’s the driving force behind our nationally recognized initiative known as ‘No Child Left Inside.’ You can easily become part of this movement by purchasing a state park pass and spending more time hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming, boating or simply enjoying the beauty that is so readily available in our tremendous state park system.
DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “Make your New Year’s resolution to spend more time in the great outdoors as a family, and more specifically, plan to spend time in Connecticut’s beautiful state parks and forests. Season park passes make it easy and convenient to enjoy quality family time together in the great outdoors. You’ll have fun and get healthy together. There is no greater gift you can give a young person than teaching them to appreciate nature and the outdoors and the state park pass makes it easy to do that.”
There are several convenient ways to purchase a state park pass:
Shop online at www.ct.gov/dep & select “DEP Store” Purchase with a Visa or MasterCard. A $3.75 shipping fee will be charged. Your pass will be shipped to you by UPS.
Visit the DEP Store at DEP Headquarters, 79 Elm Street, Hartford. Store hours are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The store is closed on Friday. Purchase with Visa or MasterCard, cash or check.
Visit other DEP locations (Cash or check only)
Call for schedule and hours
DEP Eastern District Headquarters
209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
(860) 295-9523
DEP Western District Headquarters
230 Plymouth Road, Harwinton
(860) 485-0226
Sherwood Island Boating Office
Exit 18 off I-95, Westport
(203) 226-6983
DEP Office of Boating
333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
(860) 434-8638
Mail a check made out to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut” to DEP Store, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Include an additional $3.75 shipping fee. Your pass will be shipped to you by UPS.
For further information, call the DEP store in Hartford at (860) 424-3555.
