NWTF Introduces New Initiative to Combat Turkey Declines in Southeast

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — At its National Leadership Conference in Ridgedale, Missouri, the National Wild Turkey Federation revealed its new Habitat for the Hatch initiative, a southeastern landscape-scale effort that will directly combat the decline in wild turkey populations and improve overall ecosystem health.

Habitat for the Hatch will be laser focused on creating essential nesting habitat in close proximity to quality brood range. This new initiative seeks to create 1 million acres that fit these specific criteria in the next 10 years.

“We will continue our critical work addressing the complete annual cycle of wild turkey habitat needs,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “However, we must significantly increase the available acreage of quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat that is necessary for poult recruitment year after year. Habitat for the Hatch will do just that and on a scale that makes a quantifiable difference. This will result in more turkeys across the Southeast and ensure our beloved bird is conserved into perpetuity.”

Habitat for the Hatch encompasses all or portions of 17 southeastern states.

(The initiative area consists of NWTFs Americas Mid-South Rebirth and Americas Southern Piney Woods Big 6 Regions. Those regions include all or portions of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.) Read more

Papa Bear Statue to Be Built in Grayling, Michigan

Pope and Young, North America’s premier bowhunting conservation organization has a long history and fondness for Fred Bear and everything he did for bowhunting and conservation. To honor Fred and his many contributions to Bowhunting, Pope and Young is helping to raise funds for a seven-foot bronze statue of Mr. Bear.

Adorning the seven-foot bronze statue will be a bronze plaque that lists the history and accolades of Fred Bear. The statue and plaque will be set in place Grayling, Michigan in Grayling City Park.

Fred Bear not only played a vital role in the archery community as whole, but he was also a proud member and supporter of Pope and Young. Fred became a member of Pope and Young in 1961 and served on its first board. Fred is one of the most recognized bowhunters of the 20th century, with his early work filming and promoting bowhunting being unparalleled.

To support this noble cause, Pope and Young will match any donation members make, so donate now through the Pope and Young website by clicking, HERE. Read more

Nebraska: Unlimited Quota Deer, Antelope Permits Available July 10

CONTACT: Jerry Kane
Public Information Officer | jerry.kane@nebraska.gov | 402.471.5008

Hunters may begin purchasing unlimited quota Nebraska deer and antelope permits July 10.

Residents, nonresidents and eligible landowners may purchase permits through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission starting at 1 p.m. Central time.

Unlimited quota deer permits are resident statewide archery, resident statewide muzzleloader, youth, youth whitetail, nonresident restricted youth, limited landowner and special landowner.

Unlimited quota antelope permits are resident statewide archery and youth archery.

The remaining purchase periods are: Read more

House Committee Advances Top CSF Access Priorities Impacting Millions of Sportsmen and Women

(Washington, D.C.) – Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee passed two significant pieces of legislation for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (H.R. 615) and the Duck Stamp Modernization Act (H.R. 2872).

These pieces of legislation were developed with input from CSF and are spearheaded by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Rep. Rob Wittman and CSC Co-Chair Rep. Garret Graves. Prior to the Committee vote, CSF sent an alert to the Committee urging CSC Members to vote yes on both pieces of legislation. CSF also sent a letter to the Committee in May in strong support of these bills.

“These bills are common-sense, community priorities impacting millions of sportsmen and women across the nation and we thank the House Natural Resources Committee for prioritizing sportsmen and women by voting these two important CSF priorities out of Committee,” said Jeff Crane, CSF President and CEO. “The passing of priorities such as these are a testament to the continued leadership and dedication of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to our nation’s sporting community.”

The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act would prohibit the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior from banning the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on select federal lands and waters unless certain science-based and state agency triggers are met. Specifically, the federal lands of focus include lands and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service.

H.R. 615 would ensure that restrictions concerning lead ammunition or fishing tackle are supported by sampling data that demonstrates a negative fish and wildlife population impact for a specific unit of land or water. Secondly, any restrictions on the use of lead ammo and tackle must be consistent with the regulations of the impacted state fish and wildlife agency. Lastly, any restriction on the use of lead ammunition and tackle within the federal lands of focus must have the support of the respective state fish and wildlife agency.

The Duck Stamp Modernization Act is a bipartisan bill that will modernize the federal duck stamp process by allowing hunters to have an electronic Federal Duck Stamp on their smart phone for the entirety of the hunting season. Read more

QUWF Preliminary Nest Predator Data is Very Promising for Turkey and Ground Nesting Birds

Buffalo, MO: The populations of turkey and quail are affected by many environmental challenges. Extreme weather, quality habitat loss and by 2 types of predations; normal adult predation and that of nest predation. Nesting survival of ground nesting birds such as turkeys and quail is a critical focus across many parts of the country. It is a known fact; predators can negatively impact nesting survival across the landscape. How much so we are yet to totally measure but this preliminary data of a 3-year study by QUWF is showing a dramatic improvement swing where nest predation is being focused on. Even some biologists may themselves treat predation with blinders on at times, thinking it’s a natural condition that occurs. Unfortunately, when the balance is totally out of whack, science shows a different approach may be needed. Furthermore, predation control is not the total ultimate answer, it is just one of the tools in a land managers toolbox that can and should be used when needed and should no longer be ignored. Read more

OSCF Research Shows Decline in Gen Pop Support of Fishing, Target Shooting and Hunting

Middlebury, CT – A comprehensive research study conducted by Responsive Management for Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) looked to gain insights into the current attitudes of adult Americans regarding fishing, target shooting, hunting, and trapping.

The project was a continuation of similar studies conducted by Responsive Management and provides trend data dating as far back as 1995. As the longest running study on Americans’ attitudes toward these activities, it is a useful tool for understanding both historical trends as well as the current sentiments of Americans.

Report results paint an ominous picture for those that work within the outdoor industry. General population support for fishing, target shooting, and hunting has declined since the study was last conducted. For example, approval of both legal recreational fishing and recreational target shooting declined by three percent (3%) while approval of legal hunting went down by four percent (4%). Read more

Boone and Crockett Club and NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum Developing Online Hunter Ethics Learning Module

The Boone and Crockett Club and the National Rifle Association’s Hunters’ Leadership Forum (HLF) are working together to develop an online education platform to teach hunter ethics. The groups announced today that they have created a partnership for the educational programming to help communicate the importance of Fair Chase ethics when hunters head to the field. The Fair Chase Hunter Ethics curriculum will complement existing NRA hunter education modules to carry a positive message to new and existing hunters, as well as to the general public. The online course is expected to be launched in early 2024.

“The research that Hunters’ Leadership Forum conducted several years ago to understand American attitudes toward hunting reinforced to me that the future of hunting in America is not only rooted in recruitment of new hunters, but also in the acceptance by nonhunters. Nonhunters hold our future rights in their hands, so we need to do a better job of communicating our benefits in America,” commented HLF director Peter Churchbourne. “The Boone and Crockett Club is known as the experts on hunter ethics and it was clear to me that they were the perfect partners to help teach new hunters and remind seasoned hunters about Fair Chase ethics and conservation.” Read more

From the Boone and Crockett Club

Grab your gear because we’re hunting brown bears in Alaska with Grancel Fitz, spying on wildlife, listening to a bighorn sheep hunt in Montana, and learning how a tax lawyer transformed into a conservation warrior.

Adventures from the Archives – Grancel Fitz’s Alaska Brown Bear

Armed with a .30-06 that he took on every hunt in North America, Grancel Fitz was on a quest to find the biggest Alaska brown bear that Kodiak, Alaska, had to offer.

 

Women’s Outdoor Media Association: Renewed Mission, Fresh Look

FAYETTEVILLE, GA – June 12, 2023 – The Women’s Outdoor Media Association (WOMA), known for encouraging women in the outdoor endeavors of shooting sports, archery, fishing, and hunting, proudly announces a new WOMA logo and branding to coincide with their renewed commitment to promoting their efforts via social and mass media.

“As The WOMA continues to grow and evolve, we felt it essential to maintain a cohesive brand identity that reflects our values and mission,” stated WOMA President Erica Chin. “Through the last decade, our dedicated group of women has enthusiastically promoted their shooting, hunting, and fishing pursuits.”

Today, The WOMA organization boasts a growing membership of women from across the U.S. passionate about advancing the outdoor activities they love and sharing their experiences through all available media outlets. “Handing down the legacy of an outdoor lifestyle to the next generation of women is our responsibility,” Chin said. “The revitalized design and color scheme of our new branding, logo, and website helps us focus our energy toward that vital task.”

According to Chin, WOMA Vice President Jessica Adanich, the owner of DesignPod Tactical, tackled the project. “Her creativity and expertise made the entire process easy. Jessica listened to our input and created a design that perfectly embodies our mission. We selected royal blue as our new brand color because we believe it’s strong, confident, and patriotic,” Chin stated. Read more

Summer Special on Fall Duck Hunts with Fishing Tom Guide Service

SULPHER, La. (June 8, 2023 ) — In Southwestern Louisiana duck season doesn’t open until September 15, but saving on that duck hunt starts now. Fishing Tom Guide Service is offering a June special on its fall duck hunts. Book within the month of June and you can receive $100 off your hunt.

Usually, $300 per gun with a two person minimum, Fishing Tom Guide Service is offering a special for the first 20 that book their duck hunt in June. Each of those lucky people will receive $100 off their early booking. This full day hunt includes meeting your guide and retriever at a designated location and being escorted to your blind that will be set up with decoys. Hunters can expect to see a variety of ducks including but not limited to gadwall, ring neck, scalp, wigeon, pintail and teal being the most common. The most common geese are snow, blue and whitefronts (speckled bellies.) Read more

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