New bill introduced in Congress supports hunting

© By Othmar Vohringer

Between all the news about anti hunting lobbyist trying to stop hunting it is refreshing to learn about new legislation introduced in the Congress that supports hunting. From the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance I received the following press release.

Congress Introduces Legislation to Protect Hunting on Federal Lands

Hunting’s Importance Reaffirmed

(Columbus)-Companion bills, introduced yesterday in Congress, protect the rights of sportsmen to hunt on federal land while also recognizing hunting’s importance to all conservation.

The Hunting Heritage Protection Act, is made up of Senate bill 1348, sponsored by Senator Saxby Chambliss (R- GA) and H.R. 3046, sponsored by Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT).
Both pieces of legislation require that federal land be managed in a way that supports, promotes, and enhances access for hunting and mandates that an annual report be submitted to Congress detailing any limitations that are imposed on hunting federal lands. It also will require a written notification be given to Congress prior to any agency action that limits hunting on large parcels of federal land consisting of 5,000 or more acres.

“Sportsmen across America owe Senator Chambliss, Representative Rehberg, and other member of Congress many thanks for the steps they are taking to preserve our hunting rights,” stated USSA President and CEO Bud Pidgeon. “In a time where access to suitable hunting land is becoming increasingly difficult, this legislation goes a long way towards curtailing that trend and guaranteeing current or increased hunting opportunities are available today and tomorrow.”

Sportsmen should contact their Congressional elected officials and ask them to support the Hunting Heritage Protection Act. Inform them that hunters and other sportsmen and sportswomen are great stewards of federal lands and should have full access to those lands whenever and wherever possible. To find your Congressional officials, go to the Legislative Action Center.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: Hunting Legislation, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Hunting Heritage Protection Act

Saying goodbye…

© By Othmar Vohringer

…Is never easy. This is no different with a company, especially if that company manufactured and sold a product that had a good purpose and made hunting from treestands with a rifle safer. It came a bit of a shock to me when I learned that Gun Safety Innovations had to close its doors as another victim of the current economic situation. There have been rumors for a while that the company is considering calling it a day but somehow I hoped they would pull through.

I first became aware of Gun Safety Innovations around the middle of June in 2006 when I was surfing the Internet, as I often do, looking for hunting news. I somehow ended up on the Gun Safety Innovation blog Hunt Smart, Think Safety written by Kristine Shreve, Marketing Director of the company. After reading about the product called “Gunslinger” and later renamed to the much catchier and descriptive name “GunTriever” I knew that this was a winner of a product. You can read all about the GunTriever in my product review that I wrote after I field-tested the product.

Shortly after my review Gun Safety Innovation became one of my sponsors and I became one of their pro-staff members. I like to work with companies that manufacture useful quality products because it is such products that I can fully endorse and promote with confidence and still be able to look in the mirror at the end of the day. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It always has been my policy that I only promote products that I am convinced about. The GunTriever had been one of these products and I was sure that it would become a hot seller. But it seems with the economy faltering gun safety in a treestand seemed not to be first and foremost on the minds of rifle hunters.

Besides helping to promote the GunTriever I had the privilege to gain Kristine Shreve as a valued friend and supporter of my blogs and work. From a business point of view I learned a lot about promotion and marketing from Kristine. It was this friendship that ultimately led, together with a handful of other serious outdoor bloggers, to the founding of the Outdoor Blogger Summit (OBS). I think I speak for all founding members here if I say that it is in large part thanks to Kristine’s drive, determination and vision that the OBS today is the largest outdoor blogger organization.

I am sad to see Gun Safety Innovations closing but the friendships I made thanks to the company are continuing. Of course as the hopeless optimist that I am I have not given up hope that one day Gun Safety Innovations will be back again.

Thanks for everything! I wish all the employees and owners of Gun Safety Innovations nothing but the best of luck in the future.


Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Health update

© By Othmar Vohringer

Since my post About fishing, bleeding and surgery I received many comments on this blog, by email, on twitter and facebook with get well soon wishes, tips and general concern. I therefore think it is only right to update you on my health and thank you all for the outpouring of concern you have shown.

A few days ago my doctor phoned up to tell me that the results from the blood and urine tests are in and that he would like to speak to me about a concern he had. At my age you start to worry when you hear the word “concern” and so I didn't look forward to the next appointment.

As it turned out there where more good than bad news waiting for me. The good news is that all my inner organs and systems are in very good shape and working order. This, according to my doctor is better then above average for people in my age group. The blood and urine tests also showed that all the other things associated with age such as cholesterol and high blood pressure among a few other things are very good. In short to use the doctors words. “You’re an exceptionally healthy person.”

So what’s the concern then? My hemoglobin is in the basement, which according to the doctor is an indicator of how much blood I lost when I had the nosebleed. The doctor said that I lost just over a third of my blood and he was surprised that I didn’t get a blood transfusion. “Normally” the doc said, “people that loose that much blood go into shock and can slip into a coma.” Wow, that would explain why I still get dizzy spells and feel tired all the time. On the short walk with my dog to the post office, less than a mile, I have to rest three times to catch my breath.

“Yes” the doctor said, “and I advice you to take it very easy, as soon you feel dizzy or tired lay down and have a rest. If you’re not resting you still could send your body into shock. You have very little blood left in your body and it will take about a month to build up to normal. During that time don’t do anything that puts strain on you.”

The good thing is that I now get to eat more of the stuff that I like to eat and that makes most people go “yewww “. In order to build up my blood I have to eat iron rich foods, things like liver and spinach. Yummiii!

Food contains iron in two forms; heme and non-heme. Heme iron is better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron. Heme iron is found in meat, eggs, fish and poultry. Non-heme iron is found in beans, whole grains, nuts and some fruits and vegetables like spinach and string beans. To help the body to absorb the richer heme iron I will eat foods rich on vitamin C such as citrus fruits, cantaloupe, strawberries, broccoli ( I love broccoli it’s my favorite vegetable next to potatoes and spinach), sweet peppers and tomatoes.

To this end the doctor gave me a long list of foods I should eat more of in the coming weeks and he also prescribed iron pills for me. One aspect I like about my doctor is that he is not a pill pusher. I absolutely detest taking medicine. So much so that I rather ride my severe migraine attacks out than resorting to heavy painkillers that leave me nauseous and with upset stomach for days.

Now I am happy again knowing that I am not plagued by some old age ailment that needs non-stop medical attention, as I feared first when I realized that my strength has left and my heart pounded like a sledgehammer. I am looking confident into the future knowing that all is good.

Now I am tired and need a rest. I just happen to know the perfect place to rest. There is a beautiful lake near our house and that is where I will spend the rest of the day with the fishing rod.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

In North Dakota hunters come first

© By Othmar Vohringer

In a press release from June 1, 2009 the North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced changes to the use of Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) effective immediately.

The changes involve treestands, painballing and geocaching. The deadline to remove treestands has been extended by three weeks to Jan. 31. Scott Peterson, wildlife resource section supervisor, said extending the archery season has allowed bowhunters to hunt WMA’s later into January than previous years. “This left very little time for archers to remove tree stands,” Peterson said. “We thought it was prudent to give hunters more time to remove tree stands.”

Paintballers and geocachers do not fare as well. The Game and Fish Department announced that these activities are now prohibited on all WMA’s in North Dakota. “While these types of activities may not always create a significant impact to an individual WMA, they do create a considerable amount of unnecessary disturbance to both wildlife and wildlife habitat,” Peterson said. “They also have the potential to create competition with hunters and anglers who help pay for managing WMAs.” said Peterson.

The lion’s share of funding to purchase and maintain Wildlife Management Areas comes directly from hunters through the special excise taxes generated by the sale of firearms, ammunition and other hunting related products. The funds are distributed to the states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service each year. Peterson reasoned, and quite rightly so, that therefore hunters and fishers should be able to hunt and fish undisturbed by paintballers and geocaching activities.

I take my hat off to the North Dakota Fish and Game Department for putting hunters, fishers and wildlife habitat first. I hope that the North Dakota decision is adopted by other states and Canadian provinces with the same showing of respect toward hunters and fishers who finance the bulk for the management of WMA’s and other public lands.

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Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Tags: North Dakota, Fish and Game Department, Hunters, Geocaching, Paintballing, New WMA Regulations, In North Dakota Hunters come first

Sunday hunting in Saskatchewan is coming

© By Othmar Vohringer

Here is a bit of good news for hunters in Saskatchewan. According to the
Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment the Sunday hunting ban will be lifted.

Hunters will enjoy an additional day of hunting in Saskatchewan, with province-wide Sunday hunting for all game species and hunters beginning with the 2009 hunting season.
This will bring Saskatchewan in line with the vast majority of North American jurisdictions, which already have Sunday hunting.

"Sunday hunting will provide economic benefits to our rural economy and strengthen tourism and recreational hunting opportunities," Environment Minister Nancy Heppner said.
A 2006 economic evaluation of hunting done for the Ministry of Environment showed that the total hunting-related expenditure in the province was $107 million and hunting created the equivalent of 1,000 full-time jobs.

"Bringing in Sunday hunting will lead to an additional $9 million in total expenditures," Heppner added. That estimate is from a July 2008 survey and analysis contracted by the ministry.
The Ministry of Environment will continue to ensure that wildlife resources are managed to provide priority to First Nations and Métis people under their Aboriginal and Treaty rights, after conservation needs are met.

This news item is brought to you by:
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors


Tags: Saskatchewan, Sunday Hunting, New Hunting Regulation, Sunday Hunting Ban Lifted, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment

BC Family Fishing Day in Merritt

© By Othmar Vohringer

On Fathers Day, June 21st the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club (NVFGC) held their traditional BC Family Fishing Day event at the children lake located between the Kentucky and the Alleyne lakes. Despite the cloudy weather with the occasional rain and drizzle, it did not deter families from attending. By 11:00 am over 50 adults and 59 children had signed up at the registration booth.

While the weather might not have been the usual sunny and hot it certainly was perfect for fishing. By the end of the event over 120 rainbow trout had been weighed in with the heavier ones exceeding two pounds. Neither did the weather negatively impact on the excitement, joy and determination of the many young fishers. The enthusiasm of the children and the joy they felt spending quality time with their parents and family on the lake had everybody in a good mood.

According to Bill Otway, the organizer of the Family Fishing Day for the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club, this year’s event has been one of the most successful since the club started to host the Family Fishing Day. Of course an event of this proportion would not be possible without the numerous hard working volunteers and members of the NVFGC and the many supporters from the Merritt business community. A big thank you to the Credit Union, Powderkeg Outdoor Supply Store, Ponderosa Tackle and Archery, Tim Hortons, McDonalds and many other individuals for donating prizes, tents, time and money to make this event possible and the success it was.

The local Conservation Officer detachment was present during the entire event providing assistance and showing children how to clean fish. The Conservation Officers also provided over 40 rod and reel combos plus other smaller prizes and gifts to be given away to the children that took part in the fishing derby. There were other prizes to be had as well; making sure that no child was left out. In the cozy refreshment tent the ladies of the NVFGC were busy providing hot coffee, donuts, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for the hungry fishers and spectators.

All in all this was a great event shared by many families and everybody had a good time. The BC Family Fishing Weekend purpose is to promote new fishing opportunities and British Columbia as a world-class fishing destination. For this special family event no fishing license was required and the lake had been stocked with additional fish. The NVFGC is proud to be the annual host of the Family Fishing Day and we look forward to next year’s Father’s day event. The NVFGC is a family orientated conservation and sportsman organization offering many events throughout the year for its members. Membership applications can be obtained at the Powderkeg Outdoor Supply Store in Merritt.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: British Columbia Fishing, Family Fishing Day, Nicola Valley fish and Game Club

Still taking it easy

© By Othmar Vohringer

It’s almost a week since I had the nosebleed of all nosebleeds which landed me in the hospital. I still feel drained of all strength due to the severe blood loss and have no other choice but to take it easy. We took this opportunity to drive around the countryside, rather than hiking, and it gave me a good opportunity to put my new camera though it paces.

Here are the results. Enjoy.


Typical landscape around our home in Merritt.


A mule deer doe on the side of the street enjoying a nibble on the fresh green. There where four more a bit further back in the woodlot.


This is one of lakes I frequent with the fishing rod in the middle of a beautiful and tranquil landscape.


Gazu, our loyal dog and my good hunting partner, having a good time at the lake fetching sticks and chasing little fish in the shallow shoreline or anything else that moves.


A snapshot of my photography tutor, wife and best friend at work. She's hidden behind tall grass waiting of the shy Loon to get into position for her to take a picture.

All pictures are taken with a Canon Rebel XSi Digital SLR and various fixed and zoom lenses.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit