Leupold Sweepstakes

I would enter via the 3 by 5 card! One Entry per person and there are several prizes besides just the bike! GOOD LUCK


www.leupold.com





Leupold(one entry per person)
Name ____________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________
City ______________________________________________________
State _____________________ Zip ___________________________
Email ____________________________________________________
Telephone ________________________________ Age __________
I want to receive future promotional information from Leupold.

Entry also available via 3x5 card with name, address, phone number and age.
MAIL ALL ENTRIES TO: Leupold Century Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 698, Dana Point, CA 92629-0698

Mule Deer Fanatic

Mike Carter is truly a mule deer fanatic. Please check out his site at www.muledeerfanatic.com.

Montana Decoy

If you are looking for a great set of easy to use decoys... Check out www.montanadecoy.com!

Steep Mountain Photography

Becky Blankenship takes photographs like I wish I could take and dream of being able to take. Becky's work at Steep Mountain Photography speaks to so many facets of my life it is a bit scary.

A great set of links

I am dropping these up online because I want to remember them as much as I would like you all to see the people I have been meeting and go out there and check them out.

www.crookedhorn.com
Some of the best gear on the market for hard hunting. I give away their horn wrap to everyone I know!

www.silverthreadsouterwear.com
My mom loves her vest she bought from them.

www.sportear.com
The best of the best when it comes to hearing enhancement and protection

www.westernshadesart.com
I loved some of these prints.. great work

www.irpinc.com
Some amazing coolers for hauling meat!

www.accuratearmsva.com
Great rifles worth checking out!

www.jrb-hunts.com
Johnny R. Buck is a great guy and very honest... check out his operation!

www.needlegraphic.com
These guys did my vest and it was a wonderful job!


www.ranchhousefurniture.com
I absolutely love this furniture

www.randhats.com
I bought another one of these at the Bull Run Banquet and am really excited to finally get a great black hat that fits well and is what I want.

Hope you all enjoy these!!! I know these are all great companies and people!

QDMA Rockinham County Branch Banquet

Doubleclick on the picture and print it out and get yourselves out to the QDMA banquet in Rockingham, VA on May 12th! This looks to be a fun event and I am planning on attending after a morning turkey hunt with one of the members. Quality Deer Management is a great organization and is teaching people around the country how to responsibly care for their land and the animals that frequent it! Go here to learn more:Quality Deer Management Association


I will film the turkey hunt and if we have any luck, I will drop it up and place the video on the website! Thank you to Larry Smallwood on the committee for arranging a turkey hunt for me and getting me the information for this fantastic event! I look forward to being there!

Give Keith Wilt a call at 540-433-2482 to get yourselves some tickets!

Staunton RMEF Banquet

The Staunton banquet for the RMEF in Staunton, VA is one of my favorites! A real class team of volunteers and a great group of attendees. The food is excellent and the night is a ton of fun!


Little Torrie Smallwood started off the night with a big bugle from this wonderful little girl. I hope she keeps it up and gets out there during elk season soon. I would love to see her call in her first big bull!

I got a blog of the day award!

Well that is kind of cool! Not really sure if it means much but you never know!

Blog of the Day

I am off tomorrow to my last RMEF banquet in Virginia with the great folks in Staunton, VA of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter! I am bringing my camera and will come home with tons of pictures. The good news is that I have a couple of rifles I am finally going to get worked on as well and tuned up and cleaned. Not really sure what I am going to do with them yet but I am going to be open to the suggestions of the gunsmith. I have a browning A-Bolt in .25 wsm that needs to be sighted in and set up, and a 300 win mag that needs to be cleaned up, and set up with at least a new limbsaver recoil pad and I may have the barrel dipped as it has been mistreated a bit in Montana and Idaho.

Community Suggest Gun Possession is Ilegal for Residents

ANTIOCH, Tenn.- Some people in a Nashville neighborhood are furious over a new rule that makes it illegal to own a gun.

Residents in Nashboro Village said it's unconstitutional and leaves them defenseless.

Two weeks ago, residents received a letter from their homeowners' association indicating that guns are not allowed on the property.

Read the rest of the story here.

OK, those of you that know me, know that I truly cant stand Home Owners Associations. They are usually run by boring busy bodies who think they are entitled to control the destiny of those around them. Now it has gone too far. I hope these residents go ballistic and begin wearing pistols every day while they are out mowing their lawns, walking the dogs, whatever it takes. Personally I would be patrolling my yard perimeter with the shotgun just to be spiteful until it was repealed with a big number 2 on my shirt. I usually don't get to worked up over gun issues but this one combined with the stupidity of HOA rules has me all up in arms.

This truly is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard happen in any HOA.

Wolf numbers continue to grow

Billings Gazette Tuesday, March 20, 2007
BILLINGS, Mont. -- There are now at least 1,300 wolves prowling Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, far more than anyone imagined when the species was reintroduced in the Northern Rockies 12 years ago.

The wolf population has, on average, grown by about 26 percent a year for the past decade. The latest estimates, which summarize counts completed at the end of 2006, show they aren't slowing down.

"I keep thinking we're at the top end of the bubble," said Ed Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "I can't see that there's room for any more, but we'll see."

Read the rest of the story here.

Maybe by 2008 we will be able to apply for tags for this animal in all three of these states. Idaho is going to offer the biggest opportunity and this is not going to be an easy animal to hunt, regardless of what anyone thinks. Wolves are very intelligent and will prove to be one of the hardest animals in North America to kill once they begin getting hunted.

Looking for Sponsorships

The original idea of this blog was to focus on Outdoors, News, Hunting, Kids, Conservation and the story of building this website! I don't think there has been more then one post on the process of building the website. The majority of the development has been in my head and taken directly to some of the best geeks I could find. The majority of the advertising dollars to pay for this development will come from outfitters looking to advertise their hunts in every state, Province and country in the world. We are going to cap the amount of advertisers from each state at 14 total with 10 of them being big game outfitters(Deer, Elk, bear, moose, sheep, goats and such) and 4 of them being waterfowl and upland bird resources.

We are also looking for a select group of sponsors of high end gear(the best of the best) to work with on a regular basis and for the long term plan to bring you a television show Hunting Life Adventures. For the short term we will be sponsoring some other TV shows and spending the majority of our money on conservation, Search Engine Marketing and growth for the next year. Our Television show will absolutely not be coming out anytime before the year 2009, as I am going to focus on quality versus quantity. What I can say about the TV show is that we will focus 75 of our hunts on big western game(elk, mule deer, moose, sheep and goats) and the rest on traditional Whitetail and bird hunts(turkey, upland game and ducks, geese). We will show missed opportunities, missed shots, and 100% fair chase hunts! We will always talk about conservation and we will do whatever it takes to get kids out hunting.

So if you work in the outdoor industry, lets talk about what I am creating and see if we can work together. I am selective and I will only talk about a product that I truly believe in!

Kevin

Bull Run Banquet 3/17/07 RMEF

There are a lot of happy kids here with some brand new binoculars! Now these dads and moms wont have to share their own binoculars and the kids are going to be that much happier when they are out there in the woods. Pretty soon these kids will be spotting animals before their parents!

These binoculars are a donation from this website! My commitment is that 10% of gross revenue is going to be donated to conservation in some way! So far it has all been donations and no revenue but I know that will change here in the near future! July 4th, 2007 this website will change dramatically and it will become a full time job for me getting everyone the best information I can find, conservation news, outfitters and equipment reviews and a nationwide online calender of conservation and hunting events! More content then you can shake a stick at! Thank you to Bull Run Banquet for an excellent banquet and the entire committee for a great day and a great banquet! What a great way to spend a day!

Curtis Lewis getting ready to buy some raffle tickets and winning another gun!

Friends of NRA

The Culpeper, VA chapter of the Friends of NRA is holding its 9th annual Fund Raising Banquet on Saturday, March 24th, 2007. Tickets are $35.00 per person and $200.00 for sponsorship. If you are interested in attending this fantastic event please call Johna Inskeep at 540-825-6761 or Bill Marsh at 540-825-9335.

I talked with the guys last night and they promised me that this was going to be a fantastic event. I have already committed to being at another banquet that night but they promised me some great pictures for the blog! Please try and make it out to attend this event!

The 2007 Friends of NRA Gun of the Year is a Smith & Wesson XVR .460! That sounds like a raffle I should get in on. Might make one heck of a bear gun!

Report: Valles Caldera National Preserve gains visitors, funds

Jared Lusk with a 391 Bull

John & Chrissy Jackson

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 15, 2007

VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVE, N.M. (AP) - The number of visitors to northern New Mexico's Valles Caldera National Preserve has risen 33 percent in three years to nearly 10,000 last year, and revenues are up by 50 percent.

The Valles Caldera Trust on Tuesday posted its fiscal year 2006 report to Congress, showing progress in the two key categories.

When Congress bought the former Baca Ranch in 2000 and formed the 89,000-acre preserve, it mandated that the preserve remain a working ranch and become financially self-sustaining by 2015.

"We are moving in that direction. We've got a ways to go," said Jeffrey Cross, the trust's executive director since last April.

The trust now has 10 full-time employees, down from 15 in 2005.

Among the milestones for the preserve for the year: a successful elk-hunting season that generated the highest revenues so far, $317,365, and a fishing program that attracted 1,686 anglers and earned more than $60,000.

Read the complete article at: Free New Mexican

MY COMMENTS:

I love to see great articles like this. It truly highlights that the dollars raised from hunters are doing something good for all of mankind. The Valles Caldera is one of the most amazing places on this earth for elk. The trophy animals that come out of this preserve and the land that it is on is being supported by hunters! This hunt is a lottery and you must get drawn to hunt in this national preserve. The odds are not the greatest in the country but you can rest assured that the money you spend to apply(25.00 per chance, up to 20 chances per hunt) will be spent protecting the habitat and the wildlife of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Lets think about this for a moment.... You could buy a lottery ticket and have a one in 30 million chance of winning the lottery, or you could buy a lottery ticket to win an elk hunt for some of the biggest bulls in the country and have a one in thousands chance at getting the tag of the year! Sounds like a great opportunity to invest $25.00!

April 7th, 2007 is the last date you can apply for a 2007 hunt so if you are interested, jump on the chance now!

The Valles Caldera

How to apply for an elk hunt in the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Rules to Enter Iowa!!!

Rules to Enter Iowa:
Applies to each person as they enter Iowa.
(Unknown Author) Remember this is comedy have a sense of humor!!!!!!!

Learn & remember:

East Coast and California-types pay particular attention!
Pull your droopy pants up.
You look like an idiot.
Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road."
I drive a pickup truck because I want to.
No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

They are cattle & feed lots.
That's what they smell like to you.
They smell like money to us.
Get over it.
Don't like it?
I-80 goes east and west, I-35 goes north and south.
Pick one.

So you have a $60,000 car.
We're not impressed.
We have $200,000 combines that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

So every person in every pickup waves.
It's called being friendly.
Try to understand the concept.

If that cell phone rings while a bunch of pheasants are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand.
You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

Yeah, we eat catfish.
You really want sushi & caviar?
It's available at the corner bait shop.

The "Opener" refers to the first day of pheasant season.
It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

We open doors for women.
That is applied to all women, regardless of age.

No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu.
Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and Picante Sauce.

Oh, yeah.... We don't care what you folks in Malibu call that stuff you eat... It AINT REAL Maid-Rites !! Maid-Rites were born and bred in Iowa .... and real Maid-Rites never met ground turkey!

You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

The "Hawkeyes", "Cyclones" and "Panthers" and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

Yeah, we have golf courses.
But don't hit the water hazards - it spooks the fish.

Colleges? Try Iowa City, Ames, Des Moines, Cedar Falls, or a bunch of others. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at passing pickups when they come for the holidays.

Our state is home to "The Big Three, " so if you feel inclined to flip the bird to one of us in the state of Iowa, you'll get your happy, eastern or Californian fat ass whipped by the best

"Mud" is a paint color for trucks in Iowa.

Those people you see waving to eachother in trucks? They know what 2wd, 4-hi, and 4-lo stand for. And they know how to use it.

Beer and a bonfire is more fun than your frat party, pretty boy.

We grow corn, not potatoes, get it straight.

Vacation means driving through the Amanas or going to Adventureland

Your from Iowa if:

Down South to you means Missouri
You have no problem spelling or pronouncing "Des Moines"
You know the answer to the question, :"Is this Heaven?"
You know where all the Yoders live (or Andersons, or Van den Bergs)
You know what "hawks" and "clones" are
All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit or vegetable
You can locate Iowa on the map
You've ever been on a "Geode Hunt"
Your idea of a really great tenderloin is when the meat is twice as big as the bun and is accompanied only by ketchup and a dill pickle slice
You say "catty-wampus" instead of "kitty-corner"
You've never taken public transportation
You have boiled fish in lye for Christmas
You know what "uff-da" means and how to use it properly
You know what "Amish Country" is
The only reason you go to Wisconsin or Missouri is to get fireworks
You know exactly where "Field of Dreams" was filmed
When someone says they are going out for dinner or supper, you know which meal they are talking about.
You listen to "Paul Harvey" every day at noon.
You think of the major food groups as deer meat, beer, corn, and soy nuts.
You're pulled over and asked by the cop, "Had a little to much to drink, (your first name here)?
You own the complete "Dukes of Hazzard" video collection.
"Hick" is a style of clothing.
You can use the words, 'crik', 'holler', and 'skunk weed' in the same sentence.
Your Christmas gift, when you were ten years old was a shotgun (a BB gun if you were a 'townie').
You know someone personally who is involved in meth trade or manufacture.
Your idea of a party is throwing cans of WD40 in a campfire while you're drunk.
You've been to a rave in a barn.
You've had sex in the back of a truck ... amid cows.
You know that cows don't sleep standing up.
You're concerned about the rates of corn growth in Illinois as compared to that of Iowa's.
You listen to Ag Day at 6AM ... two hours after you get up in the morning.
You believe that trees in Iowa lean towards Nebraska ... because Nebraska sucks!
You know several people who still refer to Japanese cars as "rice-burners."
"Styx" plays a concert at the county fair, and people actually show up.
You don't get nervous when you walk into a biker bar (unless you're an Iowa City cop).
If your town has an equal number of bars and churches
You know several people who have hit a deer - more than once.
You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching.
You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings).
You see people wear bib overalls to funerals.
You carry jumper cables in your car... and your girlfriend knows how to use them.
You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
You know all 5 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, road construction & DAMN HOT!
Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce.
You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age.
Down South to you means Missouri.
East to you means Illinois.
A brat is something you eat.
Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed.
You go out to a tail gate party every Saturday.
Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors because your fire works melted.
You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
You find -20 degrees F "a little chilly."
You've never met any celebrities.
Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway.
You've seen all the biggest bands... ten years after they were popular.
Your school classes were canceled because of cold.
Your school classes were canceled because of heat.
You've ridden the school bus for an hour each way.
You think ethanol makes your truck "run a lot better."
You know what's knee-high by the Fourth of July.
Stores don't have bags; they have sacks.
You install security lights on your house and garage - and leave both unlocked.
You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one in it no matter what time of the year.
You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example: "Where's my coat at?"
All festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, or animal.
You think of the major four food groups as beef, pork, Mt. Dew, and Jell-O with marshmallows.
You know what "cow tipping" and "snipe hunting" is.
You own only three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.
You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.
You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightie.
The local paper covers national and international headlines on one page but requires 6 pages for sports.
You think deer season is a national holiday.
When u walk in to a bar in iowa, u better be ordering beer, and not some fruit trypical drink.
We chew, big deal, u better just hope ur not in our spitting line when we do spit

Funny take on the History of the World

History of the World
BY THE WAY THIS IS COMEDY... IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR DON'T CONTINUE READING
(UNKNOWN AUTHOR)

Humans originally existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in the winter.

The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups:

1. Liberals; and
2. Conservatives.

Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed.

Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to B-B-Q at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative movement.

Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly B-B-Q's and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement.

Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as girliemen.

Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs, and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided.

Over the years conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass.

Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare.

Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't fair to make the pitcher also bat.

Conservatives drink domestic beer. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, athletes, Marines, and generally anyone who works productively. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.

Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tamed and created a business of trying to get more for nothing.

Here ends today's lesson in world history: It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to angrily respond to the above before forwarding it. A Conservative will simply laugh and be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other true believers and to more liberals just to piss them off.

Off to the Bull Run Banquet tomorrow in Burke, VA.

I am off to the Bull Run RMEF banquet tomorrow. I am really excited to attend this banquet because www.huntinglife.com is giving away Bushnell Binoculars to all of the kids in attendance at this banquet. I love doing things like this for kids.

This is kind of my home banquet as it is the very first one that I attended several years ago. I have been hooked on conservation banquets and auctions ever since. I get to eat some pretty good food, I get to talk hunting and conservation, I get to donate some money to charities I love and I get to see friends that all believe in the same thing.

Next week I am off to Staunton, VA for another banquet and then I have a week off to spend at home and working on huntinglife.com and then I have an NWTF banquet here in Fredericksburg, VA on April 7th, 2007. A bit of history is that the NWTF started here in Fredericksburg, VA but there is no recognition of that fact at this banquet. I will have pictures up on Sunday from the banquet and I will catch up on some reviews of some great sites I have found online.

SCI - In the Crosshairs 3/16/2007

SCI - First For Hunters
In the Crosshairs -- e-news from SCI 's Washington Office
The latest and hottest news on federal, state, and international
political and conservation events
March 16, 2007


Predator / Prey Meeting Sponsored by SCI/SCIF

On Tuesday, March 20th, SCI/SCIF will be co-hosting an all day workshop entitled Predators and Prey: Integrating Management to Achieve Conservation Objectives at the 72nd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. Key sessions will include Integrating Mountain Lion and Ungulate Management; Integrating Wolf and Big Game Management: Case Studies; and Predator Management Implications for Waterfowl and Upland Birds. Each session will cover societal, scientific and policy issues. This all day event will take place at the Hilton Hotel in Portland, Oregon. The workshop is primarily intended for wildlife managers but anyone is invited to attend. The Wildlife Management Institute, the sponsor of the conference, is also co-hosting the event. You will need to register for the conference. Additional information can be found at http://www.fishwildlife.org/nawnrc.html.



SCI will also be hosting a breakfast at the meeting. We will give a litigation overview and then introduce Arlen Lancaster, the new Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service who oversees the conservation title of the Farm Bill.





D.C. Gun Ban Overturned

“Late last week, a federal appeals court overturned the District of Columbia’s longstanding handgun ban, issuing a decision that will allow the city’s residents to keep handguns in their homes. In the ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected arguments from city officials who claimed the Second Amendment right to bear arms applied only to state militias. However, in a 2-1 decision, the judges held that the firearms rights protected by the Second Amendment ‘are not limited to militia service, nor is an individual’s enjoyment of the right contingent upon his or her continued intermittent enrollment in the militia.’ Immediately after the ruling, District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty issued a statement saying the District will appeal the court’s decision.” (Source: NAHC)





Decision on Lead Ammo Ban in Condor Range in California Delayed

Regarding an issue that SCI has been following from its inception, the California Fish and Game Commission recently delayed a decision on whether to ban lead ammunition in Condor range. The Commission decided that the lead ammunition ban issue is too complex, controversial and time consuming to be considered as part of its normal process for adopting Mammal Hunting Regulations, which must be completed by April 25, 2007. The Commission will, however, continue to take testimony from the public at its April 13, 2007 meeting. One reason for the delay is that the Commission directed the Department of Fish and Game to further review the existing research and literature on the subject and to report to the Commission at a later date. In a related development, the Department has recalled its draft environmental report on this issue and will work on it further before re-releasing it for public comment. Finally, the State legislature again has introduced a bill that would ban lead ammunition in Condor range. SCI will continue to monitor this situation.



Alternative Farm Bill Introduced

“Reps. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced their alternative to the farm bill, entitled the ‘Healthy Farms Food and Fuels Act of 2007.’ The bill would favor conservation programs, renewable energy and specialty crops over some of the traditional price supports for commodities, according to hill aides. Environmentalists following the legislation said it would "dramatically increase" support for conservation programs. The bill also includes a climate change program with incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a Kind aide said. The proposal is unlikely to see any play in committee, since the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture panels will take up their own farm bill rewrites. But it could set the stage for the sort of debate and amendments the farm bill can expect to see on the House and Senate floor.” SCI will keep you posted. (Source: E&E Daily)

Wind Turbines Wildlife Committee Announced

“Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced the formation of a Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee. The Secretary is currently seeking nominations for the group which will advise him on effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife [primarily birds and bats] and their habitats related to land-based wind energy facilities. Members of the Committee will be expected to effectively represent the varied interests associated with wind energy development and the management of wildlife species and their habitats. They will represent stakeholders, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes; be senior representatives of their respective constituent groups; and have knowledge of wind energy facility location, design, operation, transmission requirements, wildlife species potentially affected, wildlife survey techniques, applicable laws and regulations, and wind/wildlife interactions. The Committee may also include independent experts in wind energy/wildlife interactions, appointed as special government employees, to provide technical advice. Interested parties should send resumes and explanations of interest by April 12, 2007, to Susan L. Goodwin, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 500, Washington DC 20006; by e-mail to susan_goodwin@ios.doi.gov; or by fax to 202/327-5390.” (Source: USFWS)

SCI Announces Virtual Record Book

SCI Trophy Records Committee has launched an exciting new tool for SCI members and hunters. The SCI Record Book of Trophy Animals is now live through a web based subscription. Hunters can log in and get the most current information on the more than 133,000 entries world wide. You may search species by species name, the location you are considering hunting, search by guide and outfitter to see who SCI members depend on the most. Hunters have to ability to manipulate the information and study the score sheet of each species entered. Every night the SCI Record Book of Trophy Animals ranks the record book updating any changes made during that day. This is real data in real time, watch the SCI record Book grow and change. The annual subscription for the SCI Virtual to SCI members is $69.95 compared to $149.85 plus shipping and handling for a complete set of soft cover record books. Click on this link to see a free demo of the Virtual Record Book http://www.scirecordbook.org/demo

Backpack Hunting for Sheep

Backpack Hunting For Sheep

Backpack hunting for sheep is a serious hunt. It’s physically and mentally demanding. You need to be able to pack at least 40-50 pounds on your back going in. And If you are lucky enough to take a sheep you are coming back out with closer to 100+ pounds worth of Gear, Meat, Horns & Cape. So you don’t want to be packing a lot of excess or heavy gear.

Read More at: BC HUNTING BLOG

I read this blog with some great interest. Someday I want to get out and go sheep hunting and this post was fascinating to me. I am jealous that I am no longer 25 and out of shape at 37. I am jealous that it is going to take me years of saving to afford the possibility of sheep hunting. I know the reality is that I will be well into my 40's before I get drawn but I will get to experience the thrill of chasing rams. Either way I think it is about time I start looking for a better pack and finding a way to make time to work out!

Please vote for huntinglife and rate this blog!

Please head on over to blogger fusion and rate my site for me! They have a good site and are helping to get the word out for blogs like this one.

Vote here: Blogging Fusion

GO WEBER STATE!!!!!!!

A quick break for a cheer song for my beloved WEBER STATE Wildcats!!!!!

GO wildcats GO WILDCATS!!!!!!

ITS MARCH MADNESS TIME!!!!!

Next year I want to run a March Madness Pool for about 250 people at $50.00 a pop and the winner gets to go hunting for Moose and Caribou in Newfoundland!!! Whatever we raise over the price of the trip goes to conservation!!!!

Now we will go back to our regular programming of great hunting content! Unless I win my office pool at which time I will be gloating on this blog incessantly for about a day or if Weber wins... Expect more of the same!

Pictures from The Old Dominion Chapter Richmond, Virginia RMEF!

Elk Up Close

I have been up that close and every hair on your entire body is standing at attention! Great clip!

Recent Outdoor Articles

Wildlife director prefers hunters cull elk herd

March 10, 2007

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado's top wildlife officer would rather not see the burgeoning elk herd in Rocky Mountain National Park thinned by park employees hunting at night with rifles and silencers.

Read more here: Washington Times Article

Biologists work to confirm sighting of wolf

The Associated Press

TROY, Ore. - Biologists have not confirmed that any wolves live an Oregon, but one might have been spotted this winter in Eastern Oregon.

Read more here: The Olympian

Bear hunt battle ready to resume!

Sunday, March 11, 2007 By RICHARD COWEN STAFF WRITER

New Jersey's black bears will soon awaken from their winter slumber, and many of them will head for the nearest trash can.

With spring also comes the reawakening of two foes on the issue of controlling nuisance bears: the state Department of Environmental Protection and the state Fish and Game Council. They remain bitterly divided over whether a hunt is necessary to reduce the estimated 3,200 bruins living in the state -- and ready to resume years of battling over the issue.

Read More here: www.northjersey.com


WHOA...... I am a BLOGGING FOOL TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deer Camp Blog: It's A Hunting Life For Me!

Deer Camp Blog: It's A Hunting Life For Me!

Some wonderful Recognition from Rex! Thank you so much for the wonderful comments and the support! I really appreciate the link and the opportunity to share my writing with as many as I can. Rex has some great writing over at the Deer Camp Blog! His writing is prolific and funny! Please go check out his blog and enjoy his writing as I do! Maybe we should create a blogging conference for all of the hunting, fishing and outdoor writers and trade ideas and tips!

Great Post on Conservation in Zamibia

Zambia Ministry of Tourism lobbies USA to allow elephant hunting

Zambia lobbies US over elephant trophy hunting
From BWALYA NONDO, Nevada, USA
The Daily Mail 27 January 2007

Read More here:

http://zambiaconservation.blogspot.com

Mule Deer Foundation Chapters Offer State Tags in Raffles and Auctions in Utah, New Mexico and Colorado

Please Join the Mule Deer Foundation. I am personally a member and I think this organization is doing great work. The money raised for these tags will go directly to conservation within those specific states. Please support these raffles and auctions and tell them you heard about it at www.huntinglife.com

MULE DEER FOUNDATION

2007 Colorado Raffle Tags

Below are listed the tags that will be available for sale (or in a drawing) at Colorado-area banquets this year, SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Please contact Scott Hampel at 303-659-2088 or e-mail shampel@muledeer.org for final confirmation.

• Pass the Buck Chapter, Rifle, CO
  Contact: Jon Nestor, jjnestor1@msn.com, 970-876-2036
  RD: Scott Hampel, shampel@muledeer.org
  2007 Colorado Statewide Pronghorn Antelope License
  The drawing will be held on July 7, 2007 at 10:00 am at Tim’s Tools located at 810 Main Street in Silt, CO
  Download the Raffle Ticket Order Form NOW!
• Mile High Chapter, Denver, CO
  Contact: Stan Grebe, stangrebe@careerforum.com, 303-478-8161
  RD: Scott Hampel, shampel@muledeer.org
  2007 Colorado Statewide Deer License
  The drawing will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Fort Collins, CO on July 2, 2007 at 11:45 am
  Download the Raffle Ticket Order Form NOW!

2007 New Mexico Lt. Governor’s
Statewide Mule Deer Lottery License

For the fourth year in a row the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is assisting the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish with the auction and raffle of the New Mexico Lt. Governor’s Deer Enhancement Licenses. We recently conducted the auction for a license at our annual convention in Salt Lake City, UT where the license brought $50,000.

The Riudoso, NM chapter of MDF is assisting with the raffle of a license. Raffle tickets cost $20 each. The drawing for the lucky winner will take place at the Game and Fish Commission meeting in July. Now it is your chance to get one of these special licenses for as little as $20. The more you buy the better the chances of winning.

Proceeds from the auction and raffle will be used for deer management and propagation in New Mexico. The licenses will be authorized for use from September 1 through January 31 with any legal sporting arm. These licenses will be valid statewide only on public land where hunting is allowed, including Department owned WMAs and private land with prior written permission. The bag limit for these hunts is one antler-point restricted deer.

Print out the form and mail it in today!

2007 Utah Tags

Below are listed the Utah Conservation Permits/Tags that will be available for sale (or in a drawing) at Utah-area banquets this year, SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Please contact Tony Abbott or Mike Laughter for final confirmation.

Please address Permit Questions to: TONY ABBOTT, 2178 South Bridger Drive, Springville, UT 84663, Phone: 801-885-1274 , E-mail: tabbott@muledeer.org.

Please address Banquet Questions to: MIKE LAUGHTER, 5322 W. 4325 S., Hooper, UT 84315, Phone: 801-391-0567, E-mail: mlaughter@muledeer.org.

Listed by Banquet Date, City, Chapter,
then Species, Unit and Condition:

03/24/07, Wayne County

• Bull Elk, Monroe, Archery
• Bull Elk, Mt. Dutton, Archery
• Bull Elk, Plateau, Fish Lake, Archery
• Bull Elk, Panquitch Lake, Archery
• Buck Pronghorn, Plateau, Late, Any Weapon
• Antlerless Elk, Southeastern, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Southern, Open

03/30/07, Davis County

• Bull Elk, Oquirrh-Stansbury, Premium
• Buck Deer, South Slope, Diamond, Season Choice
• Buck Pronghorn, Plateau, Early, Any Weapon
• Bear, South Slope, Vernal/ Diamond/ Bonanza, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Northern, Open
• Turkey, East Canyon, Open
• Turkey, East Canyon, Open

03/31/07, Salt Lake

Please Note: The Wasatch West bear tag was moved from N. Utah County to Salt Lake because the hunt starts prior to the new N. Utah County banquet date.

• Bear, Wasatch Mountains, West, Open
• Bull Elk, Plateau, Boulder, Any Weapon
• Bull Elk, Filmore, Oak Creek, Premium
• Buck Deer, Filmore, Oak Creek, Muzzleloader
• Buck Pronghorn, Plateau, Early, Any Weapon
• Bear, South Slope, Yellowstone, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Northern, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Central, Open

04/14/07, Logan BOC

• Bull Elk, Cache, North, Any Weapon
• Bull Moose, Cache, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Northern, Open
• Turkey, Cache, Open

04/21/07, Heber City, Wasatch Chapter

• Bull Elk, South Slope, Diamond, Any Weapon
• Bull Elk, North Slope, 3 Corners, Any Weapon
• Buck Deer, South Slope, Diamond, Muzzleloader
• Antlerless Elk, Northeastern, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Central, Open

04/20/07, S. Utah County

• Bull Elk, Wasatch Mountains, Any Weapon
• Bull Elk, Central Mountains, Nebo, Muzzleloader
• Buck Deer, Book Cliffs, Archery
• Cougar, Central, Open

04/28/07, Ogden

• Bull Elk, Filmore, Pahvant, Premium
• Buck Deer, Paunsaugunt, Muzzleloader
• Bull Moose, Ogden, Open
• Rocky Mountain Goat, Ogden, Willard Peak, Female Only
• Cougar, Northern, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Northern, Open
• Turkey, Ogden, South, Open
• Turkey, Ogden, South, Open

05/05/07, Box Elder County

• Bull Elk, Book Cliffs, Bitter Creek, Muzzleloader
• Buck Deer, San Juan, Elk Ridge, Season Choice
• Buck Pronghorn, Box Elder, Promotory, Any Weapon
• Antlerless Elk, Northern, Open

05/11/07, N. Utah County

Please Note: The Wasatch West bear tag was moved from N. Utah County to Salt Lake because the hunt starts prior to the new N. Utah County banquet date.

• Bull Elk, Wasatch Mountains, Any Weapon
• Buck Deer, Paunsaugunt, Archery
• Antlerless Elk, Central, Open

05/12/07, Uintah Basin-Vernal

• Bull Elk, North Slope, 3 Corners, Premium
• Bull Elk, South Slope, Diamond, Premium
• Buck Deer, Book Cliffs, Season Choice
• Buck Deer, South Slope, Diamond, Season Choice
• Buck Pronghorn, South Slope, Bonanza-Diamond, Any Weapon
• Buck Pronghorn, North Slope, West Daggett, Any Weapon
• Cougar, Northeastern, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Northeastern, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Northeastern, Open
• Turkey, Northeastern Region, Pubic Lands, Open
• Turkey, Northeastern Region, Pubic Lands, Open

05/19/07, Tooele County

• Bull Elk, Oquirrh-Stansbury, Any Weapon
• Buck Deer, West Desert, Vernon, Any Weapon
• Buck Deer, West Desert, Vernon, Archery
• Buck Pronghorn, West Desert, Riverbed, Any Weapon
• Antlerless Elk, Central, Open

06/02/07, St. George, Red Rock Chapter

• Bull Elk, South West Desert, Premium
• Buck Deer, Paunsaugunt, Season Choice
• Cougar, Southern, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Southern, Open

TBA, Kanab

• Buck Deer, Paunsaugunt, Season Choice
• Buck Pronghorn, Mt. Dutton, Paunsaugunt, Any Weapon
• Antlerless Elk, Southern, Open
• Turkey, Paunsaugunt, Open

Spring 2007, San Pete-Manti

• Bull Elk, Central Mountains, Manti, Any Weapon
• Bull Elk, Central Mountains, Manti, Muzzleloader
• Bull Elk, Central Mountains, Manti, Archery
• Cougar, Central, Open
• Cougar, Southeastern, Open
• Cougar, Southern, Open
• Bear, Central Mountains, South, Open
• Bear, Central Mountains, North, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Central, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Southeastern, Open

---

The following events have been successfully completed:

02/17/07, Logan, UT, Bear River Chapter

• Bull Elk, Cache, South, Any Weapon
• Antlerless Elk, Northern, Open
• Turkey, Cache, Open

02/24/07, Cedar City, Cedar Breaks Chapter

• Bull Elk, Beaver, Any Weapon
• Bull Elk, Panquitch Lake, Any Weapon
• Buck Deer, Book Cliffs, Muzzleloader
• Buck Pronghorn, Plateau, Late, Any Weapon
• Cougar, Southern, Open
• Antlerless Elk, Southern , Open
• Turkey, Filmore, Pahvant, Open
• Turkey, Filmore, Pahvant, Open
• Bull Elk, Monroe, Premium
• Mule Deer, Lasal Delores Triangle, Season Choice

Elk Hunting in Virginia

For the last several years this has really bothered me and I have kept my mouth shut about this issue! By all means I believe that each state has the right to make their own choices in regards to game management! That being said as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am entitled to my own private opinion about those decisions that are made! I personally think that this decision stinks! Elk once roamed the mountains of Virginia as a wild and free species and I believe that if we allow the herd to grow it will provide tourism dollars to the counties in the area where the elk are, hunting opportunities when the herd is strong enough to support it, and opportunities for revenue for Virginia to support the management of that herd. We should embrace these animals and allow them continue to grow and develop. If you are a Virginia sportsman or Sportswoman please contact the VDGIF and let them know how you feel and contact your Virginia state representatives as well.

Apparently Others feel the same way!
Commentary in the Fredericksburg, VA Free Lance Star

Elk Hunting in Virginia

Where are the elk in Virginia?

Most free-roaming elk in Virginia emigrated from eastern Kentucky, where Kentucky DNR has released them since 1998. There are only a few elk in Virginia, so your chances of seeing elk are not high. However, the closer you are to Kentucky, the greater the probability of encountering elk. All known elk harvests in recent years have been in Wise County.

How many elk did Virginia hunters take last hunting season?

Hunters harvested two elk in Virginia during the 2004-2005 hunting season and eight elk during the 2003-2004 hunting season. Total harvests by county since the 2000-2001 hunting season are:

County	Elk Harvested
Buchanan	2
Bland	0
Dickenson	0
Lee	0
Russell	3
Scott	3
Smyth	0
Tazewell	0
Washington	1
Wise	16

What is the best place to hunt elk in Virginia?

Most elk occur in the Kentucky border area. Much of southwestern Virginia is privately owned and if you have friends or relatives near Kentucky, you may want to check with them about opportunities for elk hunting on private land.

There are two public hunting areas on the Kentucky border. The first of these is the Clinch Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest (276-328-2931). Clinch Ranger District is mostly in Wise County, with portions in Scott, Lee, and Dickenson counties. The second public hunting area is the Flanagan Reservoir in Dickenson County, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (276-835-9544). Call these land management offices for maps and recommendations on accommodations in the respective communities.

Can antlerless elk be taken in areas where hunters are allowed to take only antlered white-tailed deer?

Yes!

Do harvested elk have to be checked-in?
What tags do I use?
Can I quarter the elk before moving it from the kill location?

Yes, a successful hunter must check an elk, just as you must check-in a white-tailed deer. You validate a deer tag on your Big Game before moving the carcass from the kill location. Elk must be checked in at a check station and cannot be checked by phone. You may dismember an elk to get it out of the woods, but do not destroy the sexual identity of the animal.

Why does Virginia allow elk hunting?

For the past several years, the state of Kentucky has undertaken an ambitious elk restoration program in southeastern Kentucky, which has resulted in a population of over 4,000 animals in Kentucky. The Kentucky elk restoration area borders Virginia in Buchanan, Dickenson, Wise, and Lee counties. Over the past several years, several of these elk have moved into Virginia, and capturing and returning these elk to Kentucky has not proved to be a practical management option. Therefore, as a proactive management option designed to keep these elk from becoming established in Virginia at this time, the VDGIF has established a full season either-sex elk hunt to run concurrent with all open deer seasons.

Why does Virginia want to keep elk from being established at this time?

One of the primary reasons the Department has been opposed to elk restoration is the potential for transmission of diseases to our valuable white-tailed deer herd. A serious disease that could be introduced by elk is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). To date, the disease has only been found in cervids (members of the deer family) in North America. CWD is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer and elk. It causes a characteristic spongy degeneration of the brains of infected animals resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death.

The movement of live animals is one of the greatest risk factors in spreading CWD into new areas. Natural movements of wild deer and elk contribute to the spread of the disease, and human-aided transportation of both captive and wild animals greatly exacerbates this risk factor. There are several potential routes for CWD infection of Virginia's white-tailed deer herd. One possible route is the movement of CWD-infected elk through state-sponsored elk restoration projects. Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky have all released elk recently. Another possible route for CWD infection is through movement of elk and deer between deer farms in neighboring states. While Virginia has very restrictive regulations governing the possession and movement of captive cervids, several of our border states have many deer farms.

VDGIF is working to protect Virginia's hunting economy by taking every precaution to prevent CWD infection of our deer herd. Visit our Chronic Wasting Disease page for more information on VDGIF's effort to keep CWD out of Virginia.

Chronic Wasting Disease Not Detected In Virginia White-tailed Deer

Chronic Wasting Disease Not Detected In Virginia White-tailed Deer

Richmond, VA — After extensive testing, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has not found any evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Virginia's white-tailed deer population. In 2006, over 800 samples were collected from white-tailed deer throughout the state. Approximately 500 samples were collected from the active surveillance area, which includes the western and northern parts of Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Loudoun Counties, the area of Virginia closest to where CWD has been detected in West Virginia.

VDGIF Wildlife Division Director Bob Duncan said of the test results, "This is clearly good news, and we could not have achieved this without the hard work of the field biologists, and the cooperation and support of our partners. In particular, we owe a debt of gratitude to the staff of the Virginia Department of Transportation for their assistance with collecting road-killed deer, and to local meat processors, and above all, to the hunters who allowed us to test their deer."

Dr. Jonathan Sleeman, wildlife veterinarian for the Department added, "While we can never say that Virginia is entirely free of the disease without testing every deer, this sample size gives us a very high confidence that if CWD is present in Virginia, then it is at very low levels." The Department will continue its CWD surveillance into 2007.

CWD is a progressive neurological (brain and nervous system) disease found in deer and elk, and belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). The disease ultimately results in the death of the animal. Species known to be susceptible include elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer and moose.

All hunters and members of the public are asked to keep a look out for any deer showing symptoms consistent with the disease. These clinical suspects are defined as adult (16 months or older) deer or elk that have poor body condition with neurological signs such as abnormal behavior, tremors, stumbling, incoordination, poor posture including droopy ears and a lowered head, drooling, and excessive thirst, and urination. Anyone who sees a CWD suspect deer should not attempt to contact, disturb or kill the animal. Instead, accurately document the location and immediately contact the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries by calling 1-804-367-1258. Arrangements will be made to investigate the report.

More information about CWD and the Department's management actions can be found on the VDGIF Web site www.dgif.virginia.gov/cwd.

It is the mission of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating, and related outdoor recreation; and to promote safety for persons and property in connection with these outdoor activities.

Virginia Outdoor Report

Subscribe to the VIRGINIA OUTDOOR REPORT at: http://enews.vi.virginia.gov/dgif/eoptinform.cfm

You will receive great articles and information enclosed in a handy email just like the information below. Please sign up and stay informed!




Kid's Day Trout Fishing in Madison This Weekend!

The annual Kid's Day Trout Fishing event is this Saturday, March 17th on the Robinson River in Madison County where Routes 600 and 643 cross, near the village of Syria. The event is exclusively for children age 12 and under and will start at 9:00 a.m. This is a joint effort of Graves Mountain Lodge, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and the Rapidan Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Contact Graves Mountain Lodge at (540) 923-4231 for information. This is a great way to celebrate spring with family and friends - take the kids fishing!

Hunters for the Hungry Receives Record Breaking Donations - Tops the Three Million Pound Mark

The generous hunters of Virginia donated 356,054 pounds of venison in 2006, exceeding last year’s record-breaking total by 16,000 pounds. Since the founding of the program in 1991, by the late David Horne, total distribution now exceeds three million pounds of donated venison. Over 12 million servings of nutritious venison have now reached the plates of the less fortunate.

Current Hunters for the Hungry director and long-time employee Laura Newell-Furniss noted, "I think all of us are impressed and pleased with the generosity of Virginia hunters and the financial contributors which have allowed this program to grow into such a success." She continued, "Founder, David Horne, was a caring and intelligent man who, through his work with a nationwide produce salvage program, recognized the need food banks had for lean protein. Being a hunter himself, he also knew that the hunters of Virginia needed to harvest more deer than their families could use to keep the deer herd in proper balance. Being an excellent problem solver, David put these two facts together – the need for the meat, and a vast renewable natural resource and created a charity, which, at the time of his death in 2002, had grown into the largest effort of its kind in the country. We can all be thankful that this wonderful man put his caring and skills together to benefit those in need throughout the Commonwealth." Donations of funds are still needed to pay the costs for processing deer harvested during the extended deer season.

Please consider contributing to Hunters for the Hungry through the $2 check-off when purchasing a license, or at any time through our online Outdoor Catalog.

To learn how you can help, visit www.h4hungry.org or call toll free (800) 352-4868.

Spring Gobbler Forecast Varies Across Regions

Turkey population levels are near record highs for Virginia. Last year 17,195 gobblers were taken in the spring season. Youth hunters took 341 birds on the special youth season hunt. Due to cold rainy springs, reproduction has been down over the past two years. Wildlife biologists do not expect a significant change in the spring gobbler harvest this year. VDGIF Wild Turkey Project Leader Gary Norman noted, "Weather always plays an important role in the spring harvest as good gobbling generally requires good weather conditions. The Department encourages hunters to be safe and identify your target during the spring gobbler season." Only bearded turkeys are legal during the spring season. Hunters can take advantage of all-day hunting during the last two weeks of the season. Afternoon hunting is timed to minimize the incidental kill of female turkeys, which should be nesting at this time. VDGIF annually conducts a survey of spring gobbler hunters. Interested hunters are encouraged to contact Gary Norman at Gary.Norman@dgif.virginia.gov to participate in the survey or call (540) 248-9389.

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Population Threatened by BLM Management Actions

http://www.azgfd.gov/artman/publish/article_713.shtml

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Population Threatened by BLM Management Actions
News Media
Mar 7, 2007

By Michael M. Golightly
Chairman, Arizona Game and Fish Commission

One of the nation’s most significant and contiguous desert bighorn sheep habitat is located in the Black Mountains between Kingman, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. This mountain range supports a significant bighorn sheep population that serves as one of the last remaining source populations for transplant efforts in Arizona and other western states in re-establishing new populations into historic habitats. The habitat within the Black Mountains is being jeopardized because the Bureau of Land Management is proposing continued and expanded livestock grazing in this area without current rangeland evaluations. Instead, the BLM is relying on outdated information to justify expanding livestock grazing into bighorn sheep habitat despite repeated objections by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

After 25 years since the last rangeland data analysis was completed (1982 Allotment Management Plan), livestock grazing on the Big Ranch ‘A’ Allotment was reinitiated in 2003 on the heels of Arizona’s worst recorded drought during which three separate wildland fires occurred. Year-round livestock grazing has continued since that time, despite documented bighorn sheep declines and repeated objections from the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

The Big Ranch ‘A’ includes a 54,000-acre pasture that is extremely arid and lies below 3,000 feet in elevation. This area receives an average of only 6 to 8 inches of annual rainfall so available forage, as one may assume, is very limited. The year’s available forage must be shared between livestock, wild burros, bighorn sheep and other wildlife species, while maintaining enough residual plant material to support next year’s growing cycle.

Since expiration of the 10-year public land grazing permit in 2001, the BLM has relied on the 2001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT to renew this permit on an annual basis while NEPA and rangeland analysis is being completed. This 2001Congressional rider allows BLM and other federal agencies to delay required NEPA analysis during that current year until the federal agency makes time to complete the analysis. The reality is that the BLM seems to never have time to complete the analysis and they simply reinstate the grazing permit under the rider each year without regard for habitat conditions. Meanwhile, livestock grazing and the drought continue. In September 2003, the BLM completed an environmental impact analysis related to livestock grazing on the allotment and issued a proposed decision that included expansion of livestock grazing into prime sheep habitat. This decision was based on ocular reconnaissance data that was collected in 1976.

Since BLM failed to address concerns over the expansion of livestock grazing into sheep habitat, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission was forced to file an administrative protest in November 2003. The protest was based on the concerns that the evaluation did not adequately describe the newly proposed grazing system nor provide rationale for abandoning established systems. Three and a half years have past since the Arizona Game and Fish Department filed the protest. After numerous meetings between agency personnel, discussions between the respective agency directors, and commitments made to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, no progress has been made on this issue.

Inappropriate numbers of livestock coupled with drought, recent wildfire activity, highway expansion and human development continue to pose significant problems for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission in managing the area’s bighorn sheep. Survey results for desert bighorn sheep, which is an animal well adapted to arid environments, were 30-percent of normal since grazing was initiated. As a result, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission has undertaken numerous activities to prevent further declines.

Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists have employed population and disease monitoring protocols, and conducted controversial predator management actions in an attempt at arresting alarming population-level declines in this important bighorn sheep herd. Department biologists estimate desert sheep numbers have been experiencing significant declines since the mid 1990’s. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission made significant comments to the BLM’s recent 10 year evaluation of The Black Mountain Ecosystem Management Plan (August 2006) regarding habitat issues for desert sheep. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has not received any feedback other than the BLM is analyzing the comments and will meet with agency personnel at some point regarding the plan.

Despite all these concerns, the BLM’s response to this protest remains unresolved and grazing is allowed to continue under the Congressional rider. Even if the BLM does make a decision in the near future, there is no guarantee that it will be in the best interest of wildlife. With that said, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission is forced to seek other remedies. Filing an appeal on a BLM decision only sends the matter to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, which is averaging better than five years before rendering decisions. Meanwhile, livestock grazing continues with no resolution in sight.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be considering what further options are available to resolve this continuing impasse.

2007 Colorado Mountain Goat and Bighorn Sheep Raffles

The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society is raffling off a 2007 Colorado Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep permit, and a 2007 Mountain Goat Permit! This permit will be picked on April 28th, 2007 and you must act quickly if you want to purchase raffle tickets! The tickets are 25.00 a piece for each species and you are limited to 25 tickets for each species! They also have some other raffles online at their site and all of them are well worth the effort. If you are a draw junkie or raffle junkie like myself, you cannot really pass up these kinds of raffles and the chance to win a true hunt of a lifetime! While you are out there buying a raffle ticket, please join this great organization and learn more about conservation in Colorado!

I heard this at an RMEF function not too long ago:

Expect Nothing, Blame No One, DO SOMETHING!

Get out there and do something for wildlife!

Proud Winner of the 2005 Permit










2005 COLORADO RAFFLE WINNER!
Danny Meyring, RMBS Member

OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

RMEF order page for OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

I just finished watching this DVD and I will absolutely be sharing it with everyone I know! Please rush out and spend the $11.99 plus shipping and order your own copy and watch it once or twice and then send it to your friends! The story of the North American Conservation Model for Wildlife Conservation told by one of the masters of conservation and one of North Americas Greatest Orators!



Join renowned biologist, hunter and author
Shane Mahoney as he brings to life the revolutionary rescue
of wildlife in North America.



The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Shane Mahoney created
Opportunity for All to spread the remarkable story that is the basis
for our conservation ethic. With stunning wildlife footage, vintage
photos and Shane’s gift for storytelling, this video takes us back
100 years to a time when we nearly lost many cherished wildlife
species—a time when hunters and non-hunters alike rallied to
protect our wildlife legacy. It is a story every Elk Foundation
member should know, and one you play a role in today.

Arizona Big Game Super Raffle

The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle is Back for 2007! Your chance to win the hunt-of-a-lifetime during the 2007-2008 hunting season is now available. The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle will draw one tag for each of the species listed below: Antelope Black Bear Buffalo Coues Whitetail Desert Bighorn Sheep Elk Javelina Mule Deer Turkey (Goulds or Merriams) Paul Queneau Why These Tags are Special The season dates for each hunt is 365 days starting August 1. There are very few limitations on hunting areas and the prices for each ticket have been set to give every hunter in the world an opportunity to win a true hunt-of-a-lifetime. Arizona offers some of the best trophy opportunities in North America for each of the listed species. A quick review of both the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young record books confirm this. If you are after a truly huge mule deer, elk, antelope, Coues deer, desert bighorn sheep, or buffalo, then Arizona is the place to hunt. The only huntable population of Gould's turkeys in the United States exists in Southern Arizona and can be hunted with this tag. Optics Raffle In addition to the hunt tags is a raffle for an optics package donated by Swarovski. This package includes 15x56 ER binoculars, 10x42 El binoculars, ST-80 spotting scope with a 20-60x eyepiece, Swarovski Laser Rangefinder and 4-12x50 rifle scope. An Outdoorsmans tripod with all the appropriate tripod adapters is included as well. Caribou Hunt Package Bonus Each person that purchases one of each species hunt raffle tickets and the Swarovski optics raffle ticket ($150 total) will be entered for a chance to win a six-day caribou hunt for two (2) animals in Quebec with Safari Nordik, a scoped firearm, air travel from any city in the Continental US to Quebec, and $500 cash for trip incidentals. The trip includes fishing at no additional charge and the opportunity to add a bear hunt at the outfitter's standard rates. Sportsman's Warehouse has generously donated this package valued at $6500! Stay tuned for more details. All entries must be received by June 25, 2007. The drawing will be held July 2007. For more information, go to arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com