Polar Bear Hunting In, Animal Rights Out

The nation’s sportsmen have stood up on behalf of polar bear conservation. Congressmen have refused to impose restrictions on big game hunters that would have crippled polar bear conservation.

On June 27, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated a last minute amendment to HR 2643, the House Interior Appropriations Bill, which would have banned the import of polar bear trophies. Voting 188 to 242, the House turned down anti-hunters’ efforts to prohibit American big game hunters from pursuing healthy, sustainable polar bear populations in Canada.

“It appears U.S. representatives recognized that the effort to ban Americans from polar bear hunting is baseless from a conservation standpoint,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Senior Vice President Rick Story. “Science that shows polar bear populations are at historic highs and that there are no imminent threats to the healthy, huntable populations.”

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance worked along with the National Rifle Association and other sportsmen’s groups to help defeat the amendment. The American Wildlife Conservation Partners sent a letter of opposition signed by many of its members to all congressional offices.

American sportsmen comprise approximately 90 percent of the foreign hunting clientele in Canada, annually pouring millions of dollars into polar bear conservation and management, not to mention the financial benefits to the local communities. American hunters are the primary source of essential funding for conservation and research that allows for continued success of the populations.

Language banning the hunt has already been included in the Senate Interior Appropriations Bill.

Source: www.ussportsmen.org

To view a breakdown of the votes and how your congressman voted on this topic read here.

If your Congressman voted against the animal rights agenda please pat him/her on the back. However, should your Congressman have voted in favor of the animal rights and to ban polar bear hunting contact them too and tell them about your disappointment and what that action means for him/her come next election.


Tags: Polar Bear, Animal Rights, Bear Hunting, Politics, U.S. Sportmen’s Alliance,U.S. Congress, Canada

The Crossbow Controversy

(Picture) Bill Troubridge, president of Excalibur Crossbows took this unusual color-phase Canadian whitetail with a crossbow.




With the archery hunting season only two to three months away - Is it already that time of year again? - the crossbow v. bow controversy is about to flare up again. How I personally feel about the crossbow becoming an integral part of the general archery season is made abundantly clear in my article; “Where I stand on Crossbows”.

From the beginning many states permitted crossbows only for disabled hunters. But in recent years this has changed as many states, like Canada years before, made the crossbow a legal hunting weapon for all hunters. While some states designated a special crossbow season others included the crossbow in the normal archery season, as it should be in my humble opinion.

So far the crossbow is legal for all hunters, not only disabled, in 9 states. Some states permit crossbow hunting all season long, including archery season. Some states permit the crossbow in the firearm season. While other states included the crossbow in the general archery season, of which Tennessee is the latest state to do so. Like it or not, in the next few years we will see more states following the trend and make crossbows a legal hunting weapon for all hunters.

How do you feel about the crossbow? In the right hand panel I have set up a poll. Should crossbows be legal during archery season? Let me know and vote now!


Tags: Crossbow, Archery, Bowhunting, Bow Hunting Season

Why I Blog

This is the title of an article I read on the Hunt Smart Think Safety blog. Kristine pointed out that she enjoys writing and uses the blog to bring a human face to the company. She said: “I blog to help people get to know, and hopefully like, Gun Safety Innovations. Companies are often sterile entities, and I didn’t want this company to join that group.” This is a very noble attitude and one I wish more companies would subscribe too.

Among other reasons, Kristine also blogs to establish credibility in the outdoor community as a person that has yet to pick up a gun and shoot it. Although grown up in a hunter family she herself has never hunted but is slowly getting into it. In that sense the blog is for Kristine also a vehicle to communicate with hunters.

About half way through the superbly written article I heard a tiny voice inside me asking; “and why are you blogging?” So here it is.

I am not complaining but blogging is hard work. After a long days work I often find that I really do not want to sit on the computer and rack my brain to come up with something interesting to write. Yet here I am every day or every other day blogging away. So what is it?

Kristine gave one part of the answer on her blog when she wrote: “It’s fun, and exciting and frustrating and sometimes exasperating, but I keep doing it because it satisfies something in me.” But that is not the only reason for me to sit here in front of my computer pounding the keyboard. When I started blogging I saw it as a good tool to improve my English grammar and spelling. As my seasoned readers know English is not my native language, German is and the two couldn’t be more different. Over the past year my grammar has improved partly because I blog and partly because my wife is a very patient teacher.

Another reason why I blog is to get my name in front of people and a blog is a good way to achieve this. You may ask why is it important for me to get my name in front of people and my answer is that I have a business interest in hunting through my seminars, promotion and hunting strategy consulting. The blog is a good promotion tool for a business. But the main reason why I blog is because a blog can and often will reach more people then a normal website or hunting magazine ever can.

It is the efficiency and far reaching capacity of the blog that gives me the opportunity to reach many people with a message that is very dear to me. I am dedicated to the promotion of our hunting heritage and the recruitment of more hunters to our ranks. It is important to me that I do my bit to secure the future of hunting for future generations. My blog gives me the possibility to do that and that alone to me is worth spending the time to write and research topics. As a nice side benefit my blogging has given me many new friends that I have never personally met but they come here every day and read what I have to say, many leave a comment or even send me an email telling me how much they like what I have to say and that is very gratifying in itself.

Such friendships can go very far and achieve great things. Let me give just one example of such far-reaching prospects. A few blogger friends and I got together and laid the cornerstone of, what very well could become the first outdoor blogging organization in history, the Outdoor Bloggers Summit.


Tags: Blog, Writing, Outdoors Blog, Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Canadian Barber Shop

My wife took this picture on a stroll through our new home town Maple Ridge, British Columbia.












This is the original quote my wife
posted with the picture on her Internet Art Gallery.

My husband and I were walking down the main drag of Maple Ridge and I caught site of all the mounts on the wall- then realized it was a barbershop!
The lady inside told us how they acquired some of the pieces while I took photos. I think this is such a classic Canadian image.

Maple Ridge is a typical frontier town, where the town border ends the wilderness begins. Everybody here hunts or knows of someone that is a hunter. How could I not love to live here? In fact I feel like I am in heaven.

When I saw that barbershop on our walk through town, I exclaimed happily, “Honey, love of my life, from now on THIS is where I go when I need a haircut.”

The photograph shows only one wall, there is more on the opposite wall. Can you see how many different game species are on display here? I’ll give you a hint. All the animals are typically found here in British Columbia.

Tags: Taxidermy, Trophy Wall, Frontier Town , British Columbia, Canada, Photography

Good News for Young Hunters in Oregon

Most times when I get press releases from the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance it’s depressing news of politicians siding with the anti hunters trying to bully a hunting ban/restriction of some sort or other through the legislator. But then, every once in a while good news comes down the pipe that makes me think that we still have a few law makers on our side of the fence.

The following press release is one of these events that somewhat restore my often faltering fait in a prosperous and bright future of our hunting heritage for generations to come.

Oregon Mentored Hunting Bill Becomes Law
Governor signs bill
June 22, 2007 (Oregon)

The recruitment of young sportsmen will be made easier now that Gov. Ted Kulongoski has signed legislation to allow mentored youth hunting.

On June 11, Gov. Kulongoski signed SB 892. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Roger Beyer, R-Molalla, establishes a mentored youth hunting program to allow children between nine and 14 years to hunt under supervision of a licensed adult. It stipulates that a single firearm may be carried during the hunt, and allows the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to develop safety and ethical standards for participation.

The bill was approved unanimously in the Senate on April 14 and passed in the House of Representatives on May 21 by a vote of 48 to 4.

This bill reflects the goals of the Families Afield campaign, established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Wild Turkey Federation, and National Shooting Sports Foundation. The campaign was developed to eliminate unnecessary hunting age restrictions and ease hunter education mandates for first-time hunters. The National Rifle Association assisted in the campaign for the measure.

Available data from states that have implemented mentored hunting programs show nearly 34,000 new hunters, both children and adults, were safely brought to the field in 2006. There has not been a single hunting-related shooting incident among the newcomers.

Tags: Youth Hunting Program, Oregon, Politics, Law, Legislation, Hunting, NRA, NWTF, NSSF, USSA

Where is Upland Hunter Dan?

On June 10, 2007 I posted an article In celebration of the 10th Birthday of the popular action figure Hunter Dan. As mentioned in the article, the action figure comes in a variety of characters such as, Hunter Dan Deer Hunter, Hunter Dan Rifle Hunter, Hunter Dan Bowhunter, Hunter Dan Elk Hunter plus goose, duck and turkey hunter. There is also a Hunter Dan Bass Angler and the female version Hunter Ann for most of the above male characters. Each of these characters comes with their own set of gadgets and game animal figures that can be additionally purchased.

Now yesterday I visited the Upland Feathers Blog and while reading Hunter Dan Conspiracy it became obvious to me that the Hunter Dan Company made one omission to the Hunter Dan action figure line up. There is NO Hunter Dan Upland bird Hunter. How can that be? Upland bird hunting is a very popular segment in our hunting heritage. I have to fully agree with the writer of the article in that the upland bird societies like the, Ruffed Grouse Society, Quail Unlimited and Pheasants Forever should lobby the creators of Hunter Dan for a Upland Hunter action figure. Perhaps even we could start a friendly letter writing campaign to that end. If you would like to see a Hunter Dan Upland Bird Hunter please contact Creative Outdoor Products, Inc. and let them know that you are an Upland game hunter and would like to see a Hunter Dan representing your hunting preference.

Tags: Hunter Dan, Upland Hunter, Upland Feathers, Blog

AlphaTrilogy.com Hunting & Fishing Exploits

Always looking for news and what other outdoor bloggers have to say I search the web at least once every day.

It was on one of these scouting trips when I cam across AlphaTrilogy.com, this is without brag one of the best blogs I have read in recent months. The post that got my attention was about the quality of blog content and quality links to gain search engine recognition and keep readers coming back for more. How true.

I knew then that Darrel is a force to be reckoned with in the outdoor bloggers world. AlphaTrilogy.com is a great information website for the avid hunter, providing tips, ideas, reviews and stories of Darrel’s many exiting hunting trips.

Eager to provide my readers with additional quality information of other bloggers, I suggested to Darrel that we exchange links with my blog. Darrel agreed and even found time to include me in his list of the Top Hunting and Fishing Sites on the Internet . Thanks Darrel, for the kind words you had to say about my blog and welcome to my blogroll.

To visit all the quality blogs that link here scroll down to the heading “Blogroll” in the right side panel where you will find links to blogs and websites covering just about any imaginable subject and interest of our great hunting and fishing heritage.

Tags: Blog, Hunting, Fishing, AlphaTrilogy.com ,

Blog Award Nomination

Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer has been nominated for “Best Sports Blog” by BloggersChoiceAwards. The award winners will be announced on November 10th at the PostieCon in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Of course I am thrilled to be nominated. But more important to me, than winning this thing, is that a nomination and your votes will take my message to many more people. I am appreciative to my many loyal readers but I want to carry my message further to folks that do not hunt and fish.

As the subtitle of this blog “Promoting the Hunting Heritage and Outdoor Sport” states I am dedicated to the promotion of our legacy. In light of the animal rights and anti hunting pressure plus waning hunter numbers, it has become more important than ever before to spread our message to the non-hunting part of society.

The nomination for this award will give me that important opportunity to reach these reader groups. However, to be noticed I need your votes to get this blog in front of as many readers as possible. So please vote for me.

Thank you for your support.

Tags: Blog Award, Award Nomination, Outdoor Blogs, Bloggers Choice Award

The Dam

Caution: This is a rather long post, but well worth it to read to the end.

This is a letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania. This guy's response is hilarious, but read the State's letter before you get to the response letter.

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality
that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced
parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner
and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:

Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams
across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.
A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity.

A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been
issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is
in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource
and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being
sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially
failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream
locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and
cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and
desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow
condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream
channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2006.

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that
a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff.

Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on
the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action..

We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.
Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative and Water Management Division.

Here is the actual response sent back by Mr. DeVries:

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. Price,

Your certified letter dated 12/17/02 has been handed to me to respond to.
I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane,
Trout Run, Pennsylvania.

A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing
and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my
Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project,
I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures
building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to
attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose.
I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam
skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam
persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.

As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must
first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.

My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or
(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?

If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the
Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other
applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued. Perhaps we will see
if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams,
of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the
Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania
Compiled Laws, annotated.

I have several concerns. My first concern is, aren't the beavers entitled
to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute
and are unable to pay for said representation -- so the State will have to
provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that
either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing
flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department
is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond
Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling their dam names.

If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please
contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously
did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English.

In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build
their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green
and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to
live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources
and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect
the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be
referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait
until 1/31/2006? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice
then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to
contact/harass them then.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real
environmental quality, health, problem in the area. It is the
bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely
believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and
leave the beavers alone.

If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step!
The bears are not careful where they dump!

Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable
to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this
response to your dam office.

THANK YOU.
RYAN DEVRIES & THE DAM BEAVERS

Tags: Beaver Dam, Beaver, Wildlife

World Record Rainbow Trout

The Trophy Trout Guide reports of a new world record rainbow trout weighing a staggering 43.6 pounds that came from Lake Diefenbacker. Adam Konrad, the lucky fisherman, has granted Trophy Trout Guide the exclusive rights to report the full story and to the use of the pictures. Not wanting to infringe on their exclusive rights you will have to visit the Trophy Trout Guide website to read the full story and view the amazing pictures. It is claimed that this fish breaks a 35-year standing world record.

Tags: World Record Trout, Trophy Trout Guide, Fishing, Lake Diefenbacker, Adam Konrad

Happy Fathers Day

My Hero
As I ponder the love that I saw in his eyes,
A Godly love, given without compromise....
I recall many times that he stood by my side,
And prodded me on with great vigor and pride.
His voice ever confident, firm and yet fair,
Always speaking with patience, tenderness and care.
The power and might of his hands was so sure,
I knew there was nothing we couldn't endure.
It's true, a few others provided insight,
Yet, he laid the foundation that kept me upright.
He's the grandest of men to have lived on this earth,
Although he's not royal by stature or birth.
He's a man of great dignity, honor and strength.
His merits are noble, and of admirable length.
He's far greater than all other men that I know,
He's my Dad, he's my mentor, my friend and hero.

-Poem by Debbie Hinton Young

Site Update

It’s been a while since I let my readers and visitors know what is happening on this blog.

First of all let me welcome two new bloggers that have added my link to their blogs.

Outdoor-U might just as well stand for “Outdoor University”, perhaps it does, I don’t know. What I do know is that Craig A. Manock, provides tips and advice to his readers on just about every imaginable subject pertaining to hunting and fishing. Want to know how to take better pictures of your trophy animal, how to become a better shooter or field judging animals and the list goes on, you’re likely to find the answers to all you questions at Outdoor-U

I also welcome, and this is a particular pleasure, a fellow Canadian blogger. Michele writes the Fishing Fiesta blog. In her profile she writes; “I enjoy the outdoors and fishing and snapping pictures of whatever the world shows me.” Fishing Fiesta has the typical woman touch. Lets face it, ladies are just more artistic inclined than us man. The blog is beautifully designed and laid out. The posts of Michele’s fishing trips are accompanied with lots of superb photographs showing everybody why our home province is called Beautiful British Columbia.

I also added in the last few days a few features to the blog that provide more service to my readers while other features make the blog more interactive.

I added a neat feature that lets you take part in live E-bay Auctions, enabling you to snap up a neat hunting or fishing gadget for a fraction of the price you would have to pay in a store. Check it out in the right hand panel of this blog. While you at it you may want to check out the advertising offered on this blog provided by “Ads by Google”.

In the “Interactive Blog” section you’ll find a new feature from MyBlogLog . This feature shows you the most recent readers of the blogger community. Connect with fellow readers and join communities of like-minded folks.

I also added a poll. This will help me to get an idea about my readers. This in turn will also help me to provide the right content to you. Please take the second it takes to click on an answer that applies to your Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer visiting habits.

And finally stay tuned for more news to come in the next one to two days. I am putting the finishing touches to my News from the Trail news letter. It turned out so huge and chocked full of information, news, videos and other features that I had to put it on a web space. So far the few people that reviewed News from the Trail where very impressed with it.

News from the Trail is yet another way to spread the word about the blogger community built up in my blogroll here at Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer.

Like I said you have to check back very soon here to read more about updates and how to subscribe to News from the Trail. I think you’re going to like it. Meanwhile I leave you here with a screen shot of News from the Trail.

Tags: Outdoor-U Blog, Fishing Fiesta Blog, Blog, news, Blog Poll, Hunting, Fishing, MyBlogLog, News Letter, News from the Trail

Bowhunting Author, Guide Indicted

A friend just emailed me the following article from The Outdoor Wire. I am shocked to learn about the accusations made against one of my favorite outdoor writers. First Jim Zumbo and now Dave Holt, it looks like this is turning out to become the year of outdoor writer scandales.

Here is the full article.

Bowhunting Author, Guide Indicted
The Outdoor Wire, June 14, 2007

He's best known in outdoor circles as a bowhunting expert, author and African guide, but David F. Holt, 60, is facing serious charges in conjunction with his long-past career as a Denver police officer.

Holt of Lakewood, Colorado, has been indicted on nine counts of forgery, two counts of theft and one count of making false statements in an indictment that charges he lied about his disability for 18 year, convincing doctors he suffered from serious psychological and physical problems. All the while Holt was bow hunting, leading guided trips to Africa and leading what prosecutors say was a normal life - subsidized by disability payments from the Denver Police Department.

Holt's attorney denies the charges, saying Holt "never intended to defraud anybody or any entity," further, Rick Kornfeld says, "We have 20 years of medical records that support the fact he was- and still is- disabled."

Holt, in Africa on a pre-scheduled trip, has made no statements at this point.

In 1968 Holt began a career as a Denver police officer. In 1986, he was supposedly injured while running a Denver Police Department obstacle course. Initial tests proved negative, but later tests say Holt may, in fact, have been suffering from a ruptured blood vessel just outside his brain. He also told doctors he was suffering severe psychological problems, including paranoia, short-term memory loss and an inability to control his emotions, the indictment states.

His girlfriend at the time said Holt walked with a shuffling gait, but the injury "resolved a couple of weeks after the accident, except when he went to a doctor," according to the indictment.

Holt was awarded temporary disability in 1986 and it was changed to full disability a year later.

In the meantime, investigators say, Holt was working on his first book, Balanced Bowhunting. In the following years, Holt traveled extensively, promoted the book, took hunting trips, wrote for magazines and appeared in promotional videos. In 1999, he formed "Dave Holt's Africa" to take bowhunters on overseas trips. He also published Balanced Bow-Hunting II in 2004 and was featured on the cover of a 2005 DVD "Africa With Stick and String."

In 2004, Denver hired private investigators to conduct surveillance on Holt. He was also required to attend an exam with a psychologist. In an exam the psychologist diagnosed Holt as "malingering" in essence, faking his illness, or as the indictment reads:

"According to Dr. Klein, Holt presented himself extremely depressed and downtrodden, and spoke in a soft voice. He sat far away in a corner, and presented himself as childlike and fearful. Holt claimed that he could not complete the patient form and that he was unable to read and write without a lot of help. Holt told Dr. Klein in the interview that his days consisted of watching TV, and reading and writing with a lot of assistance. He told Klein that he 'plays' with his bows and arrows and does target shooting outside. All of this seemed improbable to Klein, so she did some further investigation."

Denver moved to revoke his disability status and late last year his case was taken to a grand jury.

Now, Holt finds himself the poster-boy for abuse of workers compensation claims - and directly in the crosshairs of prosecutors.

Although Holt remains in Africa, his bond in Colorado has been set at one million dollars. His attorney says he doesn't know when Holt is scheduled to return.

Assembly Proposes to Alter New Jersey Fish and Game Council

Legislation that will revamp the New Jersey Fish and Game Council will be heard in the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on June 14. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its allies are concerned that such legislation will simplify anti-hunters’ involvement in wildlife decision-making.

Assembly Bill 3275, introduced by Assemblyman Michael Panter, D- Shrewsbury, will change the make up of the Fish & Game Council. It will remove the six sportsmen and three farmers who represent various geographical regions, and replace them with seven appointees recommended by the governor. The bill also directs the council to investigate non-lethal wildlife management options prior to setting hunting, fishing or trapping programs, and removes the council’s authority to consider the use and development of fish and wildlife resources for public recreation and food supply when adopting the State Fish and Game Code.

“We are concerned that this bill will result in the end of hunting in the long run,” said Rick Story, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance senior vice president. “The bill plays into the anti-hunting movement’s hands.”

Assembly Bill 3275 also proposes the transfer of the Division of Fish and Wildlife from the Department of Conservation and Economic Development to the Department of Environmental Protection. If the shift occurs, there is a risk that game management activities will take a back seat to environmental projects, and thus wildlife conservation will suffer.

The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee hearing is June 14 in Committee Room #9, State House Annex in Trenton. New Jersey sportsmen who cannot attend should contact their Assembly members and voice opposition to AB 3275. It is particularly important to make calls today if your Assembly member is on the Environment and Solid Waste Committee. Use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org to prepare your message.

Tags: Anti Hunters, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, New Jersey, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Wildlife Conservation, Politics, News, Alert, Assembly Bill 3275

Blog Buzz #4

It’s about time I compiled another Blog Buzz. I have been very busy lately with little time to spare and visit other blogs. I am still very busy but thought, “what the heck let’s visit my fellow outdoor bloggers, before they think I am ignorant or died and went to heaven.”

There are so many good hunting and fishing blogs that it gets harder and harder to choose which posts I shall add to the blog buzz. So here in no particular order are some of the posts of my fellow bloggers that caught my eye today.

Hunting Sense Blog

Hunting the Perfect Draw Weight?
I’m sure all archery hunters have found out what happens when we try to set the draw weight of our bow to a poundage greater than what we are able to draw back comfortably. I know I have. It was quite a surprise to me when after sitting in a stand for hours in the cold, a buck came in and I tried to draw my bow only to find I had to struggle with it. Needless to say, my macho ego of having a heavier draw weight cost me a nice buck that day, and taught me a valuable lesson…Read more>

Outdoor Odyssey

Arizona Ducks
In Arizona, Jack Shindler, another Texas boy and I, enjoyed many years of excellent hunting and fishing together. Our search for Quail, arrow heads, Indian artifacts and Bass, led us over the entire state from the beauty of the Mogillion Rim to the starkness of the Sonoran Desert and it also led us to find some, surprise, Ducks……Read more>

Deer Camp Blog

Where We Came From
A recent comment from my old friend, Two Feathers, reminded me of how we got here.
Many moon ago our tribe lived in the deep pine forest near the banks of the Tallahatchie River in north Mississippi. We hunted and enjoyed our 160 acres of land and everyone was happy…Read more>

The Hog Blog

Tejon Hunt Wrap-up
Two weekends in a row, hunting the paradise called “Tejon Ranch” has left me a little sore, but a lot satisfied. There aren’t enough ways to describe this place that will ever do it justice. I’ve certainly tried, and some folks probably get tired of me singing its praises. I wonder if they’d be willing to pay me for all the publicity?… …Read more>
Note: There is a cool video too.


Tags: Blog Buzz, Outdoors, Fishing, Hunting, Fly Fishing, Nature, Wildlife, Deer Hunting, Hog Hunting, Archery, Duck Hunting, Native Americans, Indians

Happy Birthday Hunter Dan

The popular action figure Hunter Dan® celebrates this month his 10th birthday.

His creator Dave Randard of Creative Outdoor Products, Inc soon discovered the potential of Hunter Dan® not only as toy for children but to promote hunting to the younger generation. Hunter Dan® was offered for sale for the very first time in the 1997 Cabela’s Christmas Catalog. Cabela’s continues to be one of Hunter Dan's® largest customers today.

Since that time, Randard has introduced bowhunting versions, as well as Duck-Hunting Dan, Goose-Hunting Dan, Angling Dan, Elk-Hunting Dan and Turkey Hunting Dan. In addition other figures where added such as the hunters best friend a faithful hunting dog, but also deer, elk, bears turkeys and other wildlife figures.

Hunter Dan® has gotten company, he now has a hunting buddy and often can be seen sharing a treestand with Hunter Ann® the female rifle hunter. Unlike the dainty Barbie, Hunter Ann® looks much more suited to roam the forests and fields in pursuit of wild game.

To that end, happy birthday Hunter Dan® and welcome Hunter Ann®.

Action Figure, Hunter Dan, Hunter Ann, Hunting, Deer Hunting, Elk Hunting, Turkey Hunting, Toys

In the News

Wildlife center is struggling to care for 9-orphaned bears
New Jersey's bear orphanage is overflowing.
The arrival of three, 6-month-old bruins yesterday afternoon brought the guest list to nine cubs at the nonprofit Woodlands Wildlife Refuge in Alexandria Township. It is the only facility certified by the state to care for orphaned and injured bears, and it needs money.
"We're at a crisis. We've never had this many, and we're breaking our budget," said Woodlands Director Tracy Leaver, cooling off one of the week's new arrivals with water, as the cub struggled to wake from tranquilization.
Read more>

Kayak Angler Encounters Hammerhead
Tampa kayaker Michael Rementer launched off Sanibel on Wednesday morning and found a nice happy bunch of tarpon. He hooked a monster within a few minutes and, as he was reeling it in, Rementer saw the mass of a huge 14-foot hammerhead shark protruding from under his craft.
The massive creature bumped his kayak two or three times while the tarpon found refuge under his partner's kayak. Happily, the tarpon got away and no one was hurt. Rementer said "it was the scariest day of my life," adding that "I won't be near a hooked tarpon in the Gulf of Mexico in a kayak ever again."
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Oregon Senate passes bill to relax cougar hunt restrictions
The state could allow volunteer hunters to use dogs while pursuing cougars under a bill that passed the Senate Friday and will soon go to the governor.
But the debate was much broader, focusing instead on the two-decade old emotional matter of cougar and bear hunting.
"I know there are bigger issues behind this bill," said Sen. Alan C. Bates, D-Ashland. "They are not in this bill."
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Dog Survives Fight with Deer
A dog who was attacked by a deer Thursday morning survived the fight.
Deana Smith, the attacked beagle's owner, said even though her dog, Sage, suffered two broken legs, two bite wounds and lost part of her lip, she now is OK. However, at about 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, she was scared for both her dogs' lives.
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Handfishing Comes to Kansas
The first-ever handfishing season in Kansas opens June 15. At a November 2006 meeting of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission, a regulation was passed allowing handfishing for flathead catfish. While Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff do not expect many anglers to participate in this challenging sport, it will offer another outdoor opportunity for the most intrepid outdoorsmen and women.
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HSUS Knows Anti-Hunting Agenda Will Tarnish “Mainstream” Reputation

Microsoft Funds the Anti-Hunting Movement Follow-up

The Humane Society of the United States is trying to dodge the spotlight that is illuminating its anti-hunting agenda.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), the nation’s premier sportsmen’s advocacy organization, exposed the group’s agenda when it called on Microsoft to end an enormous fundraising project that will finance HSUS campaigns to ban hunting.

In the wake of controversy over Microsoft’s donation to the animal rights group, HSUS Executive Vice President for External Affairs Michael Markarian made claims that his group has no agenda to eliminate hunting. He all but said such a stance would be unpopular as he highlighted his organization’s healthy membership base and said, “you don’t build that type of support unless you have a mainstream mission.”

The Humane Society of the United States tries to market itself as a ‘mainstream’ organization to which every dog and cat owner should belong, but the USSA won’t let HSUS hid the anti-hunting skeletons in its closet. Here are some recent examples of the Humane Society of the United States’ anti-hunting position:

• Led a 2006 ballot campaign to ban dove hunting in Michigan (contributing $1.6 million to the effort);
• Successfully lobbied for the cancellation of the 2006 New Jersey black bear hunt;
• Opposes hunting on National Wildlife Refuges and is a plaintiff in an ongoing federal lawsuit to ban hunting on federal lands;
• Took the lead in a 1994 ballot campaign to ban cougar hunting and bear hunting in Oregon, and has opposed recent efforts to allow hunting to control these wildlife populations;
• The organization’s Wildlife Land Trust Program permanently bans hunting and trapping on properties that come under its control.

A recent decree from HSUS President Wayne Pacelle spells out which aspects of the traditional lifestyle are next on the organization’s hit list.

Pacelle referenced HSUS opposition to hunter recruitment campaigns that encourage newcomers and children to participate in outdoor sports. He also highlighted the organization’s efforts to eliminate legal bear hunting practices and hunting with hounds.

“The Humane Society of the United States invests millions of dollars in efforts to ban hunting and trapping, and it’s time that companies like Microsoft stop adding to the warchest,” said USSA President Bud Pidgeon.

The USSA and American sportsmen have sounded off to Microsoft urging the company to end its relationship with HSUS.

On June 5, Microsoft brushed aside thousands of calls, letters and faxes it received from sportsmen and issued a statement that it “will continue its affiliation with the Humane Society of the United States.” It went on to express excitement with the partnership and tells sportsmen that it does “not plan to make changes in our relationships.”

Sportsmen have been protesting the relationship since the USSA last week informed the conservation community of the software giant’s $100,000 commitment to the anti-hunting group. The HSUS is also to be part of a pilot fundraising venture that will generate uncapped donations.

Sportsmen should continue to contact Microsoft and demand that its financial support of HSUS be terminated. Contact Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft, 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. Phone: (425) 882-8080. Fax: (425) 936-7329.

Source: U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, Join the Firght. The USSA meets and defeats antis' attacks against big game hunting, bowhunting, hunting with hounds, trapping and other aspects of the outdoor heritage.

Tags: Anti Hunters, Animal Rights Activists ,Microsoft, Bill Gates, HSUS

PETA Proposes Excise Tax on Meat

This is not exactly ha hunting or fishing topic, nonetheless it is interesting what our special friends from PETA are up to again. It is also an eye opener and reminder that animal rights activists are not only after hunters but after everybody remotely involved with animals, even the ordinary pet owners.

Are you a meat and potatoes kind of guy? If you like a good burger and fries, or fried chicken and biscuits, animal activists think you ought to pay more for your meal.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has kicked off a new “Tax Meat” Campaign, proposing a $.10 per pound excise tax to be paid on meat, the same way that gasoline, tobacco, and alcohol taxes are paid so that tax is calculated into the retail price.

PETA suggests that money raised by its “Tax Meat” scheme could be “put into health education and preventative medicine.” Translation – the money could be used to advocate vegetarian and vegan diets and promote the animal rights movement.

Animal activists have also asked federal lawmakers to give tax breaks to those who have sworn off the consumption of animals.

On May 30, PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk sent letters to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nanci Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urging them to extend vegetarians the tax breaks that hybrid car owners receive for purchasing vehicles with low carbon emissions. She claims vegetarians are responsible for fewer greenhouse-gas emissions and environmental degradations than meat-eaters.

Source: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Tags: PETA, USSA, Meat Tax, Ingrid Newkirk, Animal Rights Activists