Conservation

Should the government mandate American banks to share private transaction surveillance? Where do we draw the line on privacy protection? See the interview below. Dr. Ben Carson says, “Banking should be concerned with banking, not with politics.” By David Gray Earlier this year, I watched news reports about our government requesting banks share transactions ...

See and learn where milk comes from, cow to bottle – then taste the real deal. Enjoy breakfast or lunch at the farm kitchen and store. Kids can play in the 5-acre picnic area and dig for shark teeth there. Sunny days in Florida offer a chance for new wild adventures, especially now ...

Ducks Unlimited and the University of Florida work together for conservation at the DeLuca Preserve Land donated to the University of Florida by Elisabeth Deluca Thanks to the tremendous generosity of Elisabeth DeLuca, more than 27,000 acres of iconic Florida prairie and wetlands habitat have been permanently protected through a unique partnership ...

Be prepared for encounters, do your best not to disturb them Springtime is an active time for wildlife in Florida, with sea turtles beginning to nest on beaches, manatees leaving their warm-water winter refuges and gopher tortoises starting to stir outside their burrows. With warmer weather, a variety of species around the ...

Elk, Moose, Black Bear, Birds, Fish, Mountains – Great Views…Bring a Camera! Take note of National Park Entry Permit Requirements, VISIT www.RECREATION.GOV One memory here can last for All Time, especially when you stand on the Continental Divide, located here. East to the Atlantic, west to the Pacific. Wow. Black Bear in Rocky ...

Ideas to tap the Great Lakes water were essentially stopped in 2008, when the Great Lakes Compact was made law Instead of cities and states around the lakes worrying about keeping enough water along their lakefronts to float boats, they are now concerned about lakeside parking lots becoming marinas. Who is going ...

Snakes are common across the United States, the Georgia DNR can help us understand more about snakes, then venomous and non-venomous types.  By the Georgia DNR As spring hits full stride, Daniel Sollenberger from Georgia DNR will field more calls and emails about snakes. And most will involve two questions: What species ...

No matter where you hunt, turkey season is short and bag limits are small. NOT filling a limit, there is a reward, your time afield is maximized, the hunt is extended. The important thing is being “out there,” a day or two away from work, the anticipation for another hunt. By Mike Schoonveld I ...

Gopher tortoises are threatened due to habitat loss, let’s all share the need to be aware Florida gopher tortoise awareness day is April 10th Find gopher tortoises on a walk to any Florida beach, and at many other places    By Forrest Fisher Gopher tortoises are charming creatures. They are also beachgoer stoppers. “Hey look over ...

Bipartisan legislation to keep the government open and invest in conservation to become law  By Randall Williams Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed a bill to safeguard hunting traditions, while paving the way for new investments in conservation.   Bipartisan legislation to fund the government through September 2020 cleared both chambers and included language allowing excise taxes on ...

Kings, Cohos, Atlantic Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout…and their forage base Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead have more extended lives and thrive on different forage The Michigan DNR has an essential decision to make, in 2020: is the King dead? By Mike Schoonveld After the results of the coho salmon stocking experiment in Lake Michigan a ...

Lampreys, lampreys everywhere…some are part of nature Native species vs invasive species are always a concern for understanding Lampreys live in the Great Lakes, isolated northern lakes, the Mississippi River, other places By Mike Schoonveld A couple of years ago I fished for sturgeon on the Rainy River in Minnesota, just upstream from where ...

by Kristyn Brady In his third appearance before Congress this year, the TRCP’s president and CEO again pressed lawmakers to invest in surveillance and testing for the deer disease that has sent state wildlife agencies scrambling to respond In a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation ...

The WORLDWIDE BAN-THE-DRINKING-STRAW movement started with a single turtle’s straw-clogged nostril video…WHAT ABOUT GOLF BALLS? By Mike Schoonveld I confess to being a recovering golfer. I think I’m fully recovered since my urges to hit the links are now exceedingly infrequent. I haven’t owned a set of clubs since I got ...

Live Bison are typically transported to expand herds in other parts of the country – the auction is a 54-year-old tradition at Custer State Park Wild live Bison range in size from 400 to 1500 pounds, depending on sex and age The Bison auction program is exemplary in the world of Conservation By ...

“It is not what we have that will make us a great nation: it is the way in which we use it.” – Theodore Roosevelt By Jason Houser In my view, conservation can be broken down into three subcategories: Habitat, Wildlife, and Fish. Each plays a vital role in successful conservation practices. Within ...

Over 600 turtles were returned to the wild Illegal commercialization of wildlife ranks 4th behind guns, drugs and human smuggling Illegal trade of turtles is having a global impact on many turtle species and our ecosystems. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has charged two suspects for poaching thousands of ...

Red-winged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, White-throated Sparrows among highest losses – why have they disappeared? We have lost enormous numbers of familiar birds  Suspected contributors: climate change, habitat loss, pressure from invasive species and pesticide use To make a difference: Make windows safer – prevent window strikes, landscape with native plants, keep cats indoors, ...

Mussels and other invasive species have had effects Asian Carp could alter much more than is discussed Flying Asian Carp have become “YouTube Stars” By Mike Schoonveld None of the 180-plus invasive species found in, or threatening the Great Lakes, have more name recognition among average citizens than the Asian carp. Though people have ...

By Capt. Tom Marks I much prefer to write about fishing. Unfortunately, lately, all my time is being consumed by “fighting” to keep industrial wind developers from building wind projects in Lake Erie. In all my life, I could never have imagined being in such a dire place. “My lake,” Lake ...

As David Sobel pointed out, not one environmentalist became an environmentalist because they heard about deforestation, or poaching, or pollution in drinking water, or endangered ecosystems. They became environmentalists because they had a strong connection to the outdoors in their childhood; I know I did! I came to care about the ...

If we can see that the Earth and everything in it holds as much value and worth as the value of people themselves, then we might be headed in the right direction toward changing the mindset of over-harvest. Robin Kimmerer’s native people lived life by minimizing harm to plants and ...

Good news for America’s longest snake! 15 eastern indigo snakes just released in year three of the north Florida recovery effort Multiple partners collaborate to bring apex predator back to The Nature Conservancy’s Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve  Fifteen eastern indigo snakes, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, have just been ...

A wonderful effort to support the Apex Predator of our Ocean’s        Ocearch Sunglasses, Frames, Apparel…supporting Ocean research…and Shark Survival We’ve all wanted to see fish where they could not be usually seen with the naked eye, but anglers in the know also know…that the right kind of polarized sunglasses can actually help ...

If you currently possess one of the newly listed prohibited species and do not wish to obtain a grandfathered pet permit, PLEASE Don’t Let it Loose! By Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission New rules will help proactively protect Florida from invasive species becoming established in the state. The rules, which were ...

14 national groups and 70 local affiliate chapters oppose the proposed weakening of clean water standards that would threaten fish and wildlife habitat By Kristyn Brady Today (April 15, 2019), dozens of national, regional, and local hunting and fishing groups submitted final comments on the EPA’s proposed rollback of Clean Water Act ...

“We Keep It Wild” program set for needed help from Outdoor Industry EVERYDAY PEOPLE Can Support this program through product purchase and donation  Together, we have helped protect 51 million acres, 3,107 river miles, removed or halted 34 dams, purchased 14 climbing areas & designated 5 marine reserves A diverse assortment of 22 ...

Mining the base of the food chain is neither sustainable nor economically justifiable By Kristyn Brady Today, three recreational fishing groups filed a formal objection against the Marine Stewardship Council’s recommendation that Omega Protein should receive a certification of sustainability for its U.S. Atlantic menhaden purse-seining operations. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation ...

We learn from Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama Part of Long-term Longleaf Pine Restoration Alabama State Parks will conduct a prescribed burn of two longleaf pine tree zones at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Ala., during March 2019, weather permitting. The prescribed burns will take place in two ...

New Initiatives, Optimism, Support Land Access Improvements Looking for New Hunters Needs a Plan The National Shooting Sports Foundation®(NSSF®), along with several other organizations in the outdoor industry, announced at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade ShowSM (SHOT Show®) a number of initiatives designed to increase participation in hunting and target shooting both ...

Senate Bill 47 would reauthorize the expired Land and Water Conservation Fund By Drew Youngedyke, Feb. 5, 2019 Sportsmen and women are urging Congress to pass a comprehensive public lands and sportsmen’s package of legislation, once and for all, after failing to do so for multiple terms in a row. Senate Bill 47 ...

Morris is only 58th conservationist to receive the Audubon Medal in its 114-year history The National Audubon Society presented one of the most prestigious awards in conservation, the Audubon Medal, to Bass Pro Shops founder and legendary conservationist Johnny Morris and his family in a gala event February 7 at The ...

Grant Applications Accepted through Feb. 15, 2019 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that $3 million is available in the first round of the State’s newly consolidated Invasive Species Grant Program. To support projects that target both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species across the state, ...

Conservation, Mentorship, Hunting…all come together From their headquarters in Edgefield, South Carolina, one of the more storied organizations in conservation and hunting is partnering with the outdoors industry’s fasting growing tech startup. As the National Wild Turkey Federation expands upon its efforts to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters, it’s adding high ...

Tropical Rain Forests, Ecology and Coffee Endless Valleys, Lush Flora, Warm Climate Fauna Chalupas, Refried Beans, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Gallo Pinto…Delicious Food By Kiley Voss The word “surreal” had been in my vocabulary several few weeks before leaving the United States. As the plane slowly descends, the mountains seem different somehow. They are ...

Standards Plan to weaken protection for Americans…Mercury Contamination ROLLBACK Mercury is toxic to children and pregnant women By Casey Skeens Washington, DC: Oct. 9, 2018 — The National Wildlife Federation urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to halt moves to weaken standards designed to protect Americans against mercury pollution. The regulatory move, which ...

On October 3, Environmental Conservation Officer Jason Smith received a call from a resident of Woodstock (New York) regarding a snake close to his home. The caller was not certain of the species, but was concerned the snake might be venomous. ECO Smith met the caller at his residence and found ...

  By Chris Wood Some bad ideas rise above others: New Coke, Diet Water, the Red Sox trading Babe Ruth to the Yankees. One of the worst ideas of all time? The proposal to build a mine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Alaska. Vote Yes for Salmon.  Scientists during the during the Obama Administration ...

Program Invests in Parks, Trails Central to Our Wildlife Heritage, Public Lands By Mike Saccone, National Wildlife Federation WASHINGTON, DC — Congress’s inability to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, one of the United States’ most successful and popular conservation programs, is a “stunning failure,” the National ...

Waterfowl and Wetlands Emerge as Conservation Heroes Cooperation and Passion feed Understanding and New Science Ducks, Geese, People…all need Wetlands by Bob Holzhei      The novel, The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck, was published in 1939 and two years earlier, at the height of the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, dried up wetlands across ...

Lucky Man Survives Gaboon Viper Bite Snake Was Illegal Man Had No Permit New York – A Staten Island was bitten on the hand by a deadly Gaboon Viper (Bitis Gabonica) while the man was cleaning its cage and was transported to Jacobi Medical Center in Bronx County.  The Gaboon viper is a snake ...

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) is working on national policy issues that affect all sportsmen, here is an update: National Monuments  BHA responded in force to the Trump administration’s unprecedented rollback of monument protections on more than 2 million acres of American public lands. Thanks to many of you who have spoken up, ...

-November 8-10, 2016 -Goal: Asian Carp Population Survey -Benefit: Collected Fish Sold to Fish Processors By Forrest Fisher If you have ever fished Kentucky Lake or Barkley Lake for bass or crappie, especially in a tournament, you might have some idea about the size of the Asian Carp population there, but it’s just an ...

Lisa Mcdowell Snuggs  Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame By Jill J Easton Lisa McDowell Snuggs was chosen as the 2016 American Outdoor Sportsman of the Year by Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.  She was picked for her dedication in helping outdoor communicators – which she does 365 days a ...

Thanks to all Public Land Owners who supported Backwoods Hunters & Anglers (BHA) on #GivingTuesday.  We raised $25,818, crushing our goal of $10,000! Special thanks go to BHA Legacy Partners Ben Bailey, Blake Fischer, Paul Moseley and Adam Ratner for collectively matched the first $10,000 raised.  We’d also like to thank ...

Cited for Prestigious Beretta and SCI Foundation 2016 Conservation Leadership Award Joseph Hosmer, President, Safari Club International Foundation, announced that on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, was honored with the prestigious Beretta and SCI Foundation Conservation Leadership Award for demonstrating extensive international hunting experience ...

New two-year pilot program grants partial management responsibility of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery to the five Gulf states.  Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross commended the innovative, two-year pilot program that grants partial management responsibility of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery to the five Gulf states. Red ...

  MISSOULA, Mont.—A funding mechanism with a long name provides long-lasting benefits for hunters, anglers, hikers and others seeking improved access to America’s wild landscapes. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recently partnered with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to leverage more than $1 million in appropriations from the Land and ...

Anglers and fishing business owners urge comprehensive, thorough impact analysis and extended comment period. ANCHORAGE, AK - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it will open a 30-day public comment period, beginning April 1, to collect input on the scope of its analysis of Pebble Limited Partnership’s mine plan. This is the ...

I Bird NY Engages New Yorkers of All Ages and Abilities in Beginning Birding Connecting New Yorkers with Nature New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced the launch of two birding challenges for 2018 through the State’s “I BIRD NY” program.  I BIRD NY was launched ...

On March 26, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Scott Atwood investigated a complaint of a deer being taken out of season in the town of Clifton. When the officer arrived at a camp described in the complaint, he found fresh blood, drag marks, deer hair, and ...

Bright Beachfront Lighting Can MISDIRECT Nesting Sea Turtles -Turn it Off Loggerhead, Leatherback and Green SEA TURTLES are Nesting Right Now Report Sick, Injured or Entangled Sea Turtles to FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline, 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) Keeping beaches dark at night and free of obstacles will help sea turtles during their nesting season, which ...

Peace River Wildlife Center is a Rehabilitation Center for Injured Birds and Wildlife Burned Feathers, Trauma, but No Broken Bones Healing Process Details  by Robin Jenkins | Feb 22, 2018 In early January 2018, Peace River Wildlife Center admitted a bald eagle that had been burned by a power pole discharge.  While it isn’t ...

By Chris Wood So, I wrote a letter to Jeep. They ran an ad in the Super Bowl called “The Road,” that showed a Jeep running up the center of what looked like a stream. My eight year old son turned to me after it ran and said, “Dad, isn’t that really ...

Submitted by Brett Prettyman Story by Paul Burnett The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recently rolled out a Wildlife Migration Initiative, focused on the migration needs of wildlife and native fish throughout the state. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke came to Utah last week and applauded state efforts while introducing Secretarial ...

Good News from EPA….but We still need your communication support.  CLICK BELOW. Battle is Not Over Help Us Protect the World’s Largest Sockeye Salmon Fishery Contact Elected Officials With LINK BELOW By Rachel James During January (2018), we received some good news from the EPA about Pebble Mine, however there is still a long way ...

  2,677 Acres of Vital Elk Habitat is NOW PROTECTED Colorado Habitat Stamp Funding and Great Outdoors Colorado supplied KEY FUNDING Grateful Thanks to Rick Tingle for Easement on his Louisiana Purchase Ranch MISSOULA, MT.— Thanks to a conservation-minded landowner and a key state funding program, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined Colorado Parks ...

By Robin Jenkins, DVM As of Dec. 28, 2017, Peace River Wildlife Center has had a tragic influx of patients in the past few weeks.  We have taken in over 40 lesser scaups (locally called bluebills by many people), mostly found in the Port Charlotte Beach and Bayshore Park areas.  Many ...

Moms Take to the Woods and Streams with Their Kids More Industry is heading to Preserves and Protected Areas Global Warming, Invasive Species…More By Forrest Fisher In the lives of sportsmen and sportswomen, the outdoors is about fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, boating, safe shooting, all that and more. Today we know that many things ...

Protecting the Border Waters of Minnesota Asking for Your Help to Prevent Toxic Mining; Understand the Threat Defending a World Class Hunting and Fishing Destination By Lukas Leaf Who we are: Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters is a coalition of hunters, anglers, businesses and conservation organizations that work to protect the Boundary Waters and surrounding ...

Missouri Project WILL IMPROVE 1,890 acres of HABITAT Ducks Unlimited will break ground this year on a large conservation project at Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge in north-central Missouri. This project will improve 1,890 acres of habitat, including the restoration of 487 acres of wetlands, 293 acres of native grasslands and the ...

If you are opposed to drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, now is the time to speak up and let your senators and representatives know. Posted by Don Carpenter | December, 2017; w/Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) As an avid elk hunter in Idaho and Wyoming, I often marvel at how elk ...

Bristol Bay May Soon Be Endangered, Sign Up to Help After over a decade of threats, today the Pebble Partnership announced it will apply for permits to build a massive mine in Bristol Bay. Thousands of you have been fighting with us since we first learned about this proposal. Without your ...

Sportsmen Dedicated to Conserving Irreplaceable Habitats so Future Generations can Hunt and Fish on Public Lands Urge clear planning guidelines for Future Energy Development Led by Trout Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and National Wildlife Federation. WASHINGTON – As the Interior Department focuses on streamlining energy leasing and permitting on publics lands, a ...

ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 4, 2017 – This summer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked the public how much ethanol it wanted to be added to the nation’s gasoline supply and recreational boaters, as well as many other owners of gasoline engines and vehicles, spoke up against increasing ethanol volumes under ...

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers – The Sportsmen’s Voice for Our Wild Public Lands, Waters and Wildlife As Senate considers opening energy development in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, hunting/fishing opportunities in America’s ‘last frontier’ showcased in new film from BHA MISSOULA, Mont., Nov. 14, 2017 – As Senate members prepare to advance legislation that ...

Wonders of Wildlife provides Tribute to Fish and Wildlife Wonders of Wildlife NATIONAL MUSEUM & AQUARIUM is Extraordinary Founder, Johnny Morris, Has Provided a Trail to Lifelong Conservation in the Outdoors through Fishing, Bass Pro Shops and now, WONDERS OF WILDLIFE Rick Clunn will Attend By Forrest Fisher One of the most respected ...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ducks Unlimited (DU) has achieved a conservation milestone with more than 14 million acres of habitat conserved in North America.  The groundbreaking number is a cumulative accomplishment of the millions of DU volunteers and partners who have been a part of the organization over the past 80 ...

By Forrest Fisher The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) has gone beyond the norm to help people everywhere learn more about conservation and hunting, and why hunting is so important to conservation. Just having returned from a visit to Medora, North Dakota, and the National Park that Teddy Roosevelt created there, I ...

Bear struck by car, scared, climbed tree Bear was tranquilized and examined Released to Coyle Hill State Forest, Allegany County On July 5, Environmental Conservation Officer’s Russ Calanni and Jason Powers, and Lt. Don Pleakis and Division of Wildlife staff, worked to safely remove a black bear that had climbed a tree in ...

Black bears have been active stealing food. Campers, hikers, and rock climbers om alert in two locations Campers and hikers are encouraged to keep all food, toiletries, and garbage in a bear resistant canister to avoid attracting black bears. Campers are also advised to avoid cooking and eating after dark. Prepare and eat ...

Bristol Bay is the Spawning Home for FIVE SPECIES of SALMON Pebble Mine Could Destroy the Bristol Bay Fishery Many Groups, based on Science/data, OPPOSE Pebble Mine Review the Details By Forrest Fisher Not far from Anchorage, Alaska, generations of people among multiple nations of the world have relied on the fishery resources of Bristol ...

Top panel of bear specialists recommends US Fish and Wildlife Service develop a new proposal to delist Yellowstone grizzly population. Recently (December), the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) unanimously recommended the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) put out a new proposal for removing grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone ...

New York State Conservationist for Kids is FREE Useful Outdoor Discovery Articles Environmental Education Information for All Ages Many children learn about the outdoors from adults who accompany them as they explore. Plenty of times the kids teach the adults as well as the adults teaching the kids! If you are looking for ...

By Forrest Fisher While visitors are not normally familiar with catching fish that look like they might be from an aquarium, there are locals and visitors reporting many fantastic panfish catches.   Exotic panfish, such as oscar and Mayan cichlid, are biting almost as fast as you can cast or bait your hook. ...

By Robin Jenkins, DVM Peace River Wildlife Center received a frantic call from a landscaper recently.  A baby eagle had walked into his open equipment trailer and was just hanging around.  He had tried to shoo it away, but it wouldn’t leave.  I asked him to take a picture with his ...

Posted by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers | May 09, 2017 More than 100 hunting and fishing business owners and sporting organizations sent a letter today to Congress to show their support for national monuments and the responsible use of the Antiquities Act. “As someone who has helped develop the outdoor industry in Colorado ...

King Monarch Butterflies Weigh 1/20th as Much as Hummingbirds, but Migrate Just As Far. How You Can Help Ensure the Future of the Monarch Butterfly Milkweed Plants Are The Essential Key By Jim Low “Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets, but humbler folk may circumvent this restriction if they know ...

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Audubon Florida are reminding beachgoers and boaters to give nesting waterbirds and their young space to help keep them safe this nesting season.     Shorebirds build shallow nests out of sand and shells on beaches in spring and summer, and eggs and ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is proud to announce the official launch of its newly redesigned website at trcp.org. The site overhaul puts original content, educational resources, and opportunities for action front and center, so American sportsmen and women have the tools to advocate for conservation policy ...

Fish are Tagged, Electronically Monitored for Movement Angler Reward System ($100) Cooperative Study: Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS) By Forrest Fisher Trained biologists and technicians implant acoustic transmitters to understand fish movements and how they relate to fishing effort and harvest.  Walleye, lake trout and musky in eastern Lake Erie are netted, ...

Mushroom season is almost here. It’s likely to be earlier than usual. But if you are still seeing these flowers, it’s probably not here yet. By Jim Low Mushroom season is almost here, and as usual, I got the itch to hunt for them weeks ahead of their appearance.  My rational side told me ...

It’s not a four-letter word if you are trying to maintain high-quality habitat. It’s a prescription for healthy wildlife By Jim Low They probably didn’t understand the role of fire in nutrient cycling, but they knew that fire renewed landscapes.  They might not have known that periodic removal of dead vegetation from ground ...

Onondaga County, New York On Feb. 28, 2017, Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Mark Colesante received an anonymous tip that fishermen were catching and keeping over the legal limit of black crappies on the Oneida River.  Knowing that the location is private, secluded, and a fishing hot spot, ECO Colesante called ECO ...

USA Waterfowl Hunter Population Down 50% Canada Waterfowl Hunter Numbers Drop 70% Read the full report online at deltawaterfowl.org or in the Spring Issue of Delta Waterfowl magazine By STOadmin BISMARCK, N.D. — We need more waterfowl hunters, and so do the ducks. A Special Report in the Spring Issue of Delta Waterfowl ...

Longest Snakes in the World, Growing to 20 Feet. Reticulated Pythons Can be Dangerous. In New York, a Special Permit is Required to Keep Them MANHATTAN – Early in February – 2017, New York State Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Spencer Noyes came across a Craigslist ad offering an Albino Reticulated Python for sale ...

• White Male Deer, White Female Deer, Come Together • Indians Say this is Sacred and Special Sign By Forrest Fisher People everywhere are interested to see distinguished nature in the wilderness, white deer are one of those precious resources that create a sacred and reciprocal bond with nature for many of us. ...

• Learn Fly-Fishing, 3-Day Session, Low Cost • For Teachers, Everyday Workers, Friends of the Outdoors • Schooling for Adult Mentors, Community Outreach Mentors • Science Educator, Orvis Endorsed Guide Instructor By Forrest Fisher The summer of 2012 – it was a good year. A very special, dedicated group of outdoor educators held the first ...

Deer are well-nourished in many American yards, but a herding dog, such as a border collie, could be the solution if deer are damaging your landscape. Photo courtesy of MDC • Deer Problem: Deer Love Shrubs and Seedlings • Dogs Love to Chase Deer • Secret Fence and Dog Collar = Solution By Jim Low The ...

Recreational Boaters Benefit from Efforts Issues Include Everglades, Fisheries Management Reform   Boating Safety, Industry Standards By STOadmin WASHINGTON, DC- February 13, 2017: The Congressional Boating Caucus was formed in 1989 as an informal, bipartisan group of US Senators and Representatives to advocate for the interests of the recreational boating industry. Recreational boaters have ...

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Stuart, FL Feb. 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Guided Walks, Exhibits, Swamp Band Hay Rides, Kids Activities, Entertainment and Food Posted by Forrest Fisher Come celebrate this songbird at the 8th annual Florida Scrub-Jay Festival on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, about 12 miles south of Stuart ...

Public Comments Cause Hold 100+ Grizzlies Killed for Human or Livestock Attack  Social Tolerance Levels Reached Goal is to remove 700 Bears Posted by Forrest Fisher The removal of 700 grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from the protections of the Endangered Species Act has stalled after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife received more ...

Female Cat Noted in Shannon County Increasing Number of Reported Sightings    Ozarks May be Perfect Wilderness Nesting Area By Jim Low A famous author once said, “If you build it…”, you know the rest. Some of the brightest and darkest moments in conservation history have been the result of “unintended consequences.” The attempt to ...

We Watch Wildlife and Learn About Nature Sunflower Seeds Bring Birds to You in Winter It’s a Great Year for the Birds! By Jim Low What do you suppose is the most popular wildlife-based activity in Missouri and nationwide? If you guessed deer hunting or bass fishing, you missed the mark.  The U.S. Fish ...

A Father and Daughter True Story of Adventure Bone-Chilling Cold, Grizzly Bears, Polar Bears, Inner Strength Guidebook for Conquering Fear as a Parent Alaska Arctic National Wildlife Refuge By Forrest Fisher Adventure above the view of our modern Western culture is not traditional.  When James Campbell and his teenage daughter, Aiden, set off to visit ...

Management Plan Rule Changes Are In Effect Florida Wildlife Conservation Charting Essential Course   57 Species Identified with New Status Posted by Forrest Fisher, Managing Editor The Imperiled Species Management Plan rule changes are now in effect, including changes in listing status for many species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved ...

Hunting is Conservation 1,453 Acres of Habitat Protected   Coordinated by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation By STOadmin The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its conservation partners permanently protected and opened access to 1,453 acres of wildlife and riparian habitat in southwest Washington. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation worked with Merrill Lake Properties LLC and the ...

Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) Program  Hen Nesting Can Recur Telemetry Device is Harmless to Chicks Time of Day is Critical for Tagging Success By Brianna Randall, Sage Grouse Initiative Saving sage grouse saves more than 350 other species, including plants, insects and a host of wildlife.  The Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) is a partnership of ...

Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) Program  50-80 Chicks Tagged Each Year Chicks and Mother Hen Monitored for Health 1,450 Ranches Enrolled, Conserved 5.5 million Acres   By Brianna Randall, Sage Grouse Initiative Saving sage grouse saves more than 350 other species, including plants, insects and a host of wildlife.  The Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) is a partnership ...

Program Saves Hundreds of other Wildlife and Plants Provides Tracking for Researchers Identifies Preferred Sage Grouse Locations from Growth Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) Program By Brianna Randall, Sage Grouse Initiative The Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) is a partnership of ranchers, agencies, universities, non-profit groups, and businesses that embrace a common vision: wildlife conservation through sustainable ...

-New Refuge: Conserving Key Habitat in the Northeast -Provide Food and Shelter for Rabbits, Woodcock, Ruffed Grouse, Monarch Butterflies, Box Turtles, much more BY STOadmin Following an extensive public process, and with overwhelming public support, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized the creation of Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge, dedicated to ...

Ducks Unlimited: Science, Research, Biology By Forrest Fisher Ducks Unlimited is a dedicated group that may be underappreciated by all the rest of us outdoor folks.  The work that this group performs for others will provide fundamental and ecological improvements for many waterfowl species.  Their work will help waterfowl and other species ...

Ducks Unlimited: Science, Research, Biology By Forrest Fisher Ducks Unlimited is a dedicated group that may be underappreciated by all the rest of us outdoor folks.  The work that this group performs for others will provide fundamental and ecological improvements for many waterfowl species.  Their work will help waterfowl and other species ...

By Forrest Fisher, with excerpts from NYSDEC No matter what state you live in, children typically learn about conservation and the outdoors from adults who accompany them as they explore. Plenty of times the kids teach the adults as well as the adults teaching the kids! If you are looking for ...

Officials Ask for Help Invasive Species From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission News, Burmese python hatchlings have been spotted for the first time on Key Largo. This is a discovery that’s prompting officials to send postcards to homeowners there asking for help spotting the elusive snakes. The postcards show a picture ...

Saturday, September 24, 2016 Kids and Adults Invited to Discover the Fun of the Outdoors Johnny Morris named 2016 Honorary Chair National Hunting and Fishing Day, formalized by Congress in 1971, was created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate conservation successes of hunters and anglers. From shopping center exhibits to statewide ...

Infant Turtles Face Many Obstacles Let Nature Take Its Course Sea turtle hatchlings are digging out of their nests and clambering toward the ocean in September and October, the last months of Florida’s sea turtle nesting season. Just remember, “Hands off!” is the best policy for beachgoers encountering sea turtle hatchings. Well-meaning efforts ...

Unique Ecosystems Florida Springs Support All Florida Life Each year when winter travelers head south to Florida, one place that many seek to visit are the gin-clear spring-fed lakes and waterways. Visitors can see fish 25 feet down and they appear to be just a few feet away. The water is clear ...

Fisheries Ecology and Population Modeling By Mike Nussman, President and CEO, American Sportfishing Association Character assassination and innuendo seem to have replaced debate and open discussion of issues these days. If you cannot refute someone’s policy arguments, then invent an allegation, throw mud and make the attack personal. Surprisingly, I am not describing ...

From the Director of Communication at Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation headquarters in Missoula, Montana, there is news of success. A 320-acre property in southwestern Montana, vital to wildlife and linked to the pages of United States history, is now permanently protected thanks to a successful collaboration between the Rocky Mountain Elk ...

Standing in my front yard yesterday, waiting for my golden retriever to fetch a retrieving dummy, I glanced at a bluebird house hanging on a cedar nearby. It’s made of recycled plastic that would be indestructible if the surrounding woods did not harbor gray squirrels. Unfortunately, the bushy-tailed brigands are frightfully ...

Letchworth State Park in Western New York State A beautiful hidden oasis, one of many natural wonders in New York State, has earned the title of the “Grand Canyon of the East”. Why, you wonder?  In addition to having three natural GORGEous waterfalls, Letchworth State Park also contains wonderful overlooks of the ...

Sustainable Ranching is Renewable Goal for Field Staff The Sage Grouse Initiative is a new paradigm for conserving at-risk wildlife that works through voluntary cooperation, incentives, and community support. The Natural Resources Conservation Service launched SGI in 2010, applying the power of the Farm Bill to target lands where habitats are intact ...

Controlled Burns, Planting Food Plots, Pond Conservation Ideas “Hey buddy, can you spare me a food plot? I’ll pay you back in the fall.”  You’ll never hear this line, because deer, turkey and bass don’t ask for handouts.  Life can be harsh for the animals that bring hunters, anglers and nature ...

Connecting Students and Teachers with Marine Science The Bridge is a growing collection of the best marine education resources available on-line. It provides educators with a convenient source of accurate and useful information on global, national, and regional marine science topics, and gives researchers a contact point for educational outreach. Resources ...

Wetlands can be compared to rainforests and corals reefs in their abundance and importance of the biodiversity that they support and sustain.  The wetlands is a rare ecosystem that provide habitats for a variety of wildlife, supporting valuable species of fish, insects and animals that cannot live anywhere else. Wetlands support ...

Yellowstone National Park is celebrated for its pristine wilderness and the habitat it provides for countless creatures, from bison and wolves to eagles and hawks. Yellowstone was established as a protected area for the joy and pleasure of visitors in 1872, almost 40 years before the National Park Service was created ...

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) signed a partnership that will foster greater cooperation to jointly advance the outdoor traditions of hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping at the state and national levels of government.  This is where many of the decisions impacting these outdoor ...

While I enjoy shooting, fishing, photography and many other outdoor facets of fun, one of my personal goals through my education in Conservation Biology is to insure the survival of endangered species through the support of proper management and well-being of all native, wild species.  Early in January, I had ...

As lovers of the outdoors, most of us are inspired students of nature.  This past October, I gained the opportunity to spend an entire weekend in the Adirondacks as part of a university project that included hiking, canoeing and collecting data for ongoing research projects. On day one, half of our ...

The President’s Outdoor Scholar program at the University of Montevallo (UM) offers a unique opportunity where like-minded students enjoy the great outdoors, conduct course work on the environment and related academics, then join with faculty, students, staff, administrators and the community to solve environmental problems through their work on campus. For ...

Chickens can be like dogs – they can find a way into your heart. Reasons why are not difficult. On the farm I grew up on, Grandpa called them Chicken Hawks.  The kids from the family next door learned a little more about life that day. By Larry Whiteley The family next door got ...

Thanksgiving has a significant meaning for Americans, but an even more substantial meaning for Native Indians.  Black Friday is not just about pre-holiday sales, it is also Native American Heritage Day! Native Indian spirituality, tradition, and conservation ethics emphasize gratitude for creation, care for the environment, and recognition of the human need ...

TV Nature Shows are great, but Backyard Nature Shows are Incredible Birds, Rabbits, Squirrels, Butterflies, Deer, and so much more…PEACE. Sunrise and Sunset are the best times to Sip a Coffee on a Quiet Chair in your Backyard. By Larry Whiteley For some of you, your only experience with nature is watching shows on ...

Peace River Wildlife Center – Punta Gorda, FL By Dr. Robin Jenkens Rehabilitating baby birds is no small feat. Baby birds must be fed 4 times per hour for 14 hours each day. We can save wildlife because people support our mission. Support baby bird rehabilitation (and other species), please donate or shop our online gift store. Follow ...

It starts with a short, virtual, 3D submarine adventure ride to the bottom of the sea…where you buckle up. Gain up-close and personal physical contact with a variety of friendly sea creatures in the touch pool.  Visit the Lionfish! They get their name from their long, colorful fin rays that resemble a ...

By David Gray I grew up in a place that had many heroes. That place was the United States of America. During the time that I grew up, we did not need the news channels to tell us who our heroes should be. Though true heroes were pointed out to us so we would ...

A lifelong resident of Missouri and a Small Business owner. Public school teacher where she was Co-Director of the At-Risk Teens program, Launched the Missouri Drug-Free initiative. Lifelong farmer elected to the United States Congress in 2011 and Reelected to Congress in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021. Hartzler is a candidate for the Republican ...

By Larry Whiteley From time to time in life, you meet people with hearts as big as the outdoors they love. It is hard for those who know these two unforgettable people, Bob and Barb Kipfer, to think of one without thinking of the other. They are husband and wife, but ...

  by Larry Whiteley Bob and Barb Kipfer were honored with the 2017 Conservationist of the Year Award by the Conservation Federation of Missouri at their annual awards banquet held March 10th in Jefferson City, MO. Bob, a military veteran, and his wife Barb are both retired medical professionals who live in Springfield, ...

A School that Changes the Lives of Kids from 5th grade on Wolf School Program creates Conservationists Inspiration, Passion, Empowerment is Learned Here By Larry Whiteley The amount of time kids spend outdoors in nature is at an all-time low. Time in front of a television, playing video games and time on smart phones ...

Trees, People, Wildlife, Home and Air we Breath Shade, Shelter, Habitat, Leaves and Natural Fertilizer Fond Memories from Days Long Ago, some Thoughts for Days Ahead Let’s ALL Learn More About Trees By Larry Whiteley I was on my way to our cabin when I saw it. I am sure I’ve seen it lots of ...

Vision Clarity, Eye Protection, Seeing All Things Better About Sunglasses, Don’t Leave Home without These – Learn Why My Old Eyes Have Been Opened! …By a Company that CARES. By Larry Whiteley I have owned a lot of sunglasses in my lifetime. Most of them were inexpensive, made in China sunglasses that didn’t protect my ...

More than 350 Outdoor Business Leaders are Unified in Letter Keep Outdoor Industry Healthy and Jobs Growing $887B Recreation Economy Driver BOULDER, Colo. — Aug 17, 2017: Executives from more than 350 outdoor businesses representing the $887 billion recreation economy—that has emerged as one of our nation’s largest economic drivers—have jointly submitted a ...

Major new destination in heart of the Missouri Ozarks is now open. Imagine Understanding How Life on Earth Works for Animals, Birds and Fish…that’s what You Get Here. This Museum is about Adventure and Exploration  By Larry Whiteley I was recently invited to attend a media event at the new, not-for-profit, 350,000 square foot, ...

This past October, President David Gray, CEO of the new website service, www.ShareTheOutdoors.com, met with energy giant, Alabama Power Company, an electricity corporation that supplies half of the power to Alabama. The large corporation that serves over 1.4 million customers while managing 14 hydro-facilities along the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black ...