ThinkingAfield.org

By Steven W. Barnett, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Turkey hunters often ponder and are amazed at where they find gobbler signs, especially in the spring. Some of the best areas for finding gobblers often do not appear to be good habitats for turkeys. Appearances may be deceiving, however. Many times, hunters report hearing several gobblers gobbling in the areas of clearcuts, young pine plantations, fields, pastures, utility rights-of-way, wide roads and other openings. So, what is it about open areas that attract gobblers?

The answer is found in the life cycle of wild turkeys and is driven primarily by the instinct of procreation. After dispersal of winter flocks, hens seek more open habitats for nesting. This is a seasonal shift from woodland habitats where foraging for fall foods such as acorns was more prevalent in movement patterns. Wild turkeys will use openings periodically year round but open areas become a focus of use in the spring.

Gobblers respond in the spring by moving into more open habitats as well to seek out hens for mating. So for turkey hunters, the focus of scouting efforts and listening for gobbling ought to be near open habitats adjacent to roosting habitat along rivers, creeks and branches. Gobblers often use openings for courtship and display behavior (gobble, strut and drum) in an effort to attract hens. Openings may be referred to as “staging areas” for gobblers as they are “trolling” for receptive hens throughout their springtime home range. Also, it is important to remember that each adult gobbler began life as a two-ounce poult whose survival depended on grassy openings for feeding on insects and for providing protective cover during the brood-rearing season.

To put it in a nutshell, wild turkey survival and population growth is centered on the availability and quality of openings from spring hatch to fall flocks. Landowners and hunting clubs need to create, maintain and enhance openings throughout their property in order to provide optimum wild turkey habitat. The most important aspect of a wildlife opening is that it is maintained as an opening. This does not necessarily mean planted in crops.

A wise use of limited funds should focus on correcting soil pH and periodically fertilizing, mowing, burning and disking openings to encourage native grasses such as little bluestem, big bluestem, and Indian grass, to name a few. If you do plant crops, alternate these plantings with native plants and keep it simple with turkey-specific crops such as chufa and millets in the warm season and clovers in the cool season.

The take-home message for the landowner that turkey hunts is this: If your property consists of primarily unbroken and unmanaged woodlands with few openings and your neighbor has a balanced mix of managed forest and openings, then most of the gobbling you will hear will be across the property line.

For more information, contact Steven W. Barnett, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 30571 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL 36527; phone 251-626-5474.

Baltimore, MD — H.P. White Laboratory, Inc., the world’s largest independent ballistics and ballistics resistance test laboratory, is currently hosting (January – May, 2011) the US Army’s Familiarization Shoot and Compatibility Check (FSCC) so that carbine vendors competing this summer to replace the Army’s venerable M4 carbine have an opportunity to shoot the Army’s latest and most advanced 5.56mm ammunition (M855A1). Prospective vendors also have the opportunity to conduct compatibility checks of their carbines with Army enablers such as the under barrel M320 grenade launcher and M26 shotgun.

“Since M855A1 is not available on the commercial market and has different characteristics from other 5.56 x 45mm ammunition, the Army provided the M855A1 so that carbine vendors could shoot it, make changes to maximize their weapons’ performance, and then reshoot with M855A1 ammunition to confirm these changes prior to submitting their weapon to the Individual Carbine (IC) competition this summer,” said Ray McBride, general manager, H.P. White. “Carbine vendors not chambered for 5.56mm ammunition can participate solely in the compatibility check portion to ensure their carbine’s rail or bracket system can successfully attach Army enablers.”

Each carbine vendor is allotted 10,800 rounds of M855A1 ammunition to determine their weapon’s rate of fire, reliability, accuracy, barrel life, and other attributes. Firing takes place over a four day period on H.P. White’s 25 and 300 yard outdoor ranges, and its 100 meter indoor range. Instrumentation such as radar and high speed video recorders capture data and images of the bullet in flight and provide tell tale information to the vendor on their carbine’s performance with M855A1 ammunition.

“The FSCC is extremely important; it allows vendors to provide a better weapon to the Army’s IC competition and then ultimately to our soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Mike Parker, president, H.P. White. “We’re honored that the Army placed its trust and confidence in H.P. White to host this event. It’s not every day the Army looks to replace its primary weapon; so any organization participating in that evolution has to be on its game. Without exception, our team provides the Army and the gun makers the resources and confidentiality to test the performance of their weapons and ammunition.”

H.P. White Laboratory, Inc. was founded in 1936 by Mr. Henry Packard White as a ballistic research and development facility. In its 75th year of operation, HP White is world renowned as the leading ballistic and ballistic resistance test laboratory. The laboratory is located at 3114 Scarboro Road, in Street, Maryland. For more information, email info(at)hpwhite(dot)com, visit http://www.hpwhite.com, or call 1-410-838-6550.

About H.P. White Laboratory, Inc

H.P. White Laboratory, Inc. is an independent ballistics and ballistics resistance laboratory. For 75 years, H.P. White has specialized in research and development, validation testing, certification and quality control evaluations of body and vehicular armor systems, sub-components and materials. H.P. White developed many of the ballistics resistance standards, processes and methods used today to test body and vehicular armor for a full scope of applications (law enforcement, military, personal protection), threats (stab, slice, bullet, explosive), and environments (urban, war time, extreme heat/cold). H.P. White’s services add value throughout the entire supply chain, from research and development processes and product certification to production lot acceptance and post-production quality control. H.P. White serves the needs of Federal, State, Local and Foreign Government agencies, and the manufacturers dedicated to protecting the lives of law enforcement, war fighters, and civilians, globally.

Tracer RLI delivers the most advanced technology available in nock illumination and now incorporates a replaceable lithium battery. The patented Tracer system utilizes an on-board micro controller with a magnetically activated switch. Available in super-bright red, the lightweight Tracer RLi lights a track all the way to the target.

Tracer RLi features easy, adhesive-free installation and uses no moving parts. Tracer automatically lights at the shot by passing a magnet mounted on the riser or rest. The powerful LED lights for 10-seconds before the microchip automatically switches to flash mode. The unique flash mode provides greater visibility for recovery and longer battery life- up to 90 hours. Tracer RLi is available in S, X, H, Microlite and crossbow sizes to retrofit virtually any arrow or bolt. Multi-packs include free practice nocks for easy tuning and sighting in. The permanent ON/OFF switch deactivates the light to preserve batteries during storage, traveling, or practice.

Tracer RLi is available in two-packs with three batteries and weighted practice nocks. Additional replacement batteries are available in three packs.

MSRP 2 pack is: $25.99

Find Tracer RLi Lighted Nocks at your local archery dealer and see the complete line of Easton accessories and arrows at www.eastonarchery.com

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Follow the money. When searching for motives behind so many human endeavors, money is frequently in the mix. But, following the flow of cash is not always easy, and in the case of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), it’s been more than difficult; it’s been impossible.
Established some 30 years ago, Congress designed the EAJA as a vehicle for individuals, small businesses or public interest organizations to have a voice against unreasonable government actions threatening their rights, privileges, or interests. To sweeten the rewards for successful campaigns against government entities such as the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management, these “cash-poor” organizations – that is, those for-profit corporations worth less than $7 million – are able to recoup legal fees, if they fight the law and win. Hooray for the little people!

However, non-profit groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Defenders of Wildlife, and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) – although they are worth much more than a paltry $7 million – are exempt because of their non-profit standing, and therefore, are able to pocket huge sums of taxpayers’ cash at the rate of $150 to $350 per hour for attorney fees charged to us taxpayers.

However, since 1995, there has been no public accountability or Congressional oversight, because of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act. We’re not talking small potatoes here. Over the past 10 years, some 1500 cases have been filed by groups such as these against the federal government. The result is that millions, if not billions, have been paid out, which in effect, makes us all contributors to radical causes we may not support. Although winning should have its rewards, the abuse of the system is flagrant.

Their strategy is simple: Overwhelm the system and soak the public in the name of environmentalism or animal protection. As an example, in one petition the Center for Biological Diversity requested that the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) review 404 species in the Southeast alone for Endangered Species Act (ESA) consideration. Additionally, WildEarth Guardians filed two petitions listing 1,156 species for protection. Victories are often obtained because of technicalities such as missed deadlines and hardly ever for substantive matters.

Ever wonder why wolves are protected under the ESA, when in fact their numbers have exceeded recovery goals by 500 percent? It’s elementary, once again, by following the money. Animal rights and environmental groups have pocketed millions of dollars by filing petitions to prevent delisting. In Minnesota HSUS was granted $280,000 of your tax dollars after it successfully stopped the delisting of wolves from the ESA.

Want more? Taxpayers gave more than $436,000 to anti-hunting groups for blocking wolf management in the northern Rockies.

Beating the system is the name of the game, as evidenced by comments of CBD founder Kieran Suckling in 2009, as reported in the High Country News: ““At its simplest, by obtaining an injunction to shut down logging or prevent the filling of a dam, the power shifts to our hands. The Forest Service needs our agreement to get back to work, and we are in the position of being able to powerfully negotiate the terms of releasing the injunction.

“New injunctions, new species listings and new bad press take a terrible toll on agency morale. When we stop the same timber sale three or four times running, the timber planners want to tear their hair out. They feel like their careers are being mocked and destroyed—and they are. So they become much more willing to play by our rules and at least get something done. Psychological warfare is a very under-appreciated aspect of environmental campaigning.”

Follow along next week to discover how these groups use their funding. Better yet, learn how the taxpayer gravy train may itself become endangered.

Families Afield legislation has been introduced in Michigan that would allow new youth to take to the field under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

Senate Bill 207, introduced by Senator Joe Hune (R- Hamburg Township), would eliminate the state’s minimum hunting age and create a mentored youth hunting program for those under the age of 10. The new mentored youth hunting program, to be administered by the state’s Natural Resources Commission, would allow these youth to hunt under the supervision of an experienced adult mentor.

An identical bill, House Bill 4371, sponsored by Representative Peter Pettalia (R- Presque Isle) has been introduced on the House side.

Under current state law, youth under the age of 10 are prohibited from hunting, even if under the supervision of an adult mentor.

The bills aim to increase youth involvement in hunting by allowing young hunters to safely experience outdoor hunting traditions under the supervision of an experienced mentor.

“This bill is a major step forward for youth hunting recruitment and retention in the state of Michigan. Michigan is in the minority of states that arbitrarily limit when youth may hunt,” said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs. “Senate Bill 207 and House Bill 4371 allow parents to decide when their children are old enough to hunt and allow them to learn the fundamentals of hunter safety and wildlife conservation from an experienced adult mentor.”

“Michigan currently has some of the most stringent regulations on youth hunting in the nation, which are causing fewer young people to enjoy Michigan’s great outdoor tradition of hunting,” said Senator Hune. “The Mentored Youth Hunting Program promoted by this legislation will allow thousands of Michigan youngsters to learn how to hunt properly with an adult mentor. It’s also a great way to further promote safe hunting practices while further also improving Michigan’s last-in-the-nation hunter recruitment rate.”

The bills also create a new license, specifically designed for mentored youth, that would include a resident small game license, a combination deer license, a turkey hunting license, an all species fishing license, and a resident fur harvester license. This license is designed to be an inexpensive way for youth to try many different types of hunting.

If passed, they would be Michigan’s second Families Afield bill. In 2006, Michigan passed Families Afield legislation that created an apprentice hunting license for those 10 and older, while lowering the state’s minimum hunting age requirements for both big and small game.

Additionally, the statewide sportsmen’s group Michigan United Conservation Clubs has been instrumental in developing and advocating Senate Bill 207 and House Bill 4371.

“Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) would like to thank both Sen. Hune and Representative Pettalia their willingness to develop a positive solution to improve youth hunting safety and ethics,” said MUCC Executive Director Erin McDonough. “The ‘Hunter Heritage’ bill is long awaited by Michigan families who cherish our state’s great outdoor traditions. These bills will set Michigan in the right direction by curing our state’s last-in-the-nation hunter replacement rate, while rightfully allowing parents, not the government to decide when their kids are ready to enjoy the hunting experience.”

The Families Afield initiative was established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation in 2004 in order to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Recently, the National Rifle Association and the National Assembly of Sportsmen Caucuses have joined Families Afield with the common goal of reducing barriers to hunting. Since the program’s inception, Families Afield legislation has been passed in 30 states with more than 418,000 new hunters taking to the field as a result.

Washington, D.C.

Despite historical successes in bringing many wildlife species back from the brink of extinction, other species at risk have continued to decline, as evidenced by the staggering numbers listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. The Continuing Resolution, HR 1, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, would eliminate funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program, the nation’s most cost-effective program for preventing all wildlife from declining to the point of being endangered.

“While HR 1 cut spending to many important programs, elimination of funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants and the North American Wetland Conservation Fund was shocking and will be magnified because state fish and wildlife agencies and their partners use these funds to leverage tens of millions of dollars in non-federal fundsto put more conservation on the ground,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “More than 12,000 species that are known to be at-risk will be put in further peril if funding is not restored to these important programs.”

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program provides each state and territory with an average of $1.2 million annually to conserve fish and wildlife that are in decline and may be headed towards endangered species listing.According to the Government Accountability Office, once listed, the average cost of recovery of a single species can exceed $125 million.

The proposed elimination of funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program comes at a time when state fish and wildlife agencies are increasingly challenged to address the impacts of invasive species, habitat loss and degradation and the effects of climate change on wildlife.

“These extreme cuts endanger wildlife and our way of life. State and Tribal Wildlife Grants also protect jobs and local economies tied to the $45 billion wildlife recreation industry. Hunters, hikers, campers, nature watchers, natural resource managers, anglers and all outdoors enthusiasts will lose out if State and Tribal Wildlife Grants are stripped of funding”, said John Kostyack, Vice President, Wildlife Conservation for the National Wildlife Federation.

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, now in its 11th year, has served as a stable federal funding source for implementing congressionally required State Wildlife Action Plans in every state and territory. Each unique Plan assesses the health of the state’s wildlife and habitats and outlines the actions needed to conserve species of greatest conservation need and the full array of wildlife over the long term.

“Even in these difficult financial times when we all must shoulder some of the burden, we still need to ensure wildlife and vital habitats are conserved for the benefits they bring to Americans through cleaner and healthier environments and the legacy we leave for future generations,” said Michael Hutchins, Executive Director/CEO of The Wildlife Society. “Congressional funding for State and Tribal Wildlife Grants also goes hand-in-hand with job creation and economic sustainability since more than half a million U.S. jobs center around wildlife conservation and wildlife-related recreation.”

Funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program is supported by the Teaming With Wildlife coalition, a national coalition of 6,300+ conservation organizations and nature-based businesses including state fish and wildlife agencies, hunters and anglers, birdwatchers, hikers and other conservationists.

For more information about State and Tribal Wildlife Grants and State Wildlife Action Plans, go to www.teaming.com.

DALLAS – Three individuals have been arrested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), assisted by other state and local law enforcement, on federal firearms charges outlined in two complaints, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks for the Northern District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Champion of the ATF’s Dallas Field Office.

Ranferi Osorio, 27, and his brother, Otilio Osorio, 22, were arrested yesterday at their home on East Colonial Drive in Lancaster, Texas. Each Osorio brother is charged with possessing firearms with an obliterated serial number. Separately, according to information contained in one complaint, Mexican officials recently seized three firearms that were used in the deadly shooting on Feb. 15, 2011, of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. One of the firearms recovered was traced by ATF to Otilio Osorio.

An additional defendant, Kelvin Leon Morrison, 25, who is charged in a separate federal criminal complaint, was arrested at his home next door to the Osorio brothers. Morrison is charged with knowingly making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms and dealing in firearms without a license.

According to court documents filed in both cases, a Dallas ATF confidential informant (CI) arranged a meeting in early November 2010 with individuals who had firearms to be transported from Dallas to Laredo. The meeting was arranged related to an investigation of Los Zetas, a notoriously violent and ruthless drug trafficking organization. The weapons in question were ultimately seized by U.S. law enforcement near Laredo, before crossing the U.S./Mexico border.

According to the court documents, at the meeting, two men unloaded several large bags containing firearms into the CI’s vehicle, which was kept under surveillance until a traffic stop in Laredo. According to the court documents, the two men’s vehicle was later stopped by local police and the men were identified as Ranferi and Otilio Osorio. Morrison was the third passenger in the vehicle. The vehicle stopped in Laredo was searched and 40 firearms, all with obliterated serial numbers, were seized. Trace results indicated that three of these firearms could be specifically traced to Morrison, who bought them from federal firearms licensees (FFL) in the Dallas/Fort Worth area on Nov. 4, 2010. The investigation now has also revealed that on Aug. 7, 2010, a Romarm, model WASR, 7.62 caliber rifle was discovered by law enforcement officers in LaPryor, Texas, near the U.S./Mexico border. Trace results indicated that Morrison purchased this firearm on July 30, 2010, from aFFL. According to the affidavit, between July 10, 2010, and Nov. 4, 2010, Morrison purchased 24 firearms fromFFLs.

In addition, according to one affidavit filed in the case, one of the three firearms used in the Feb. 15, 2011, deadly assault of ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata that was seized by Mexican officials has been traced by ATF to Otilio Osorio. Otilio Osorio allegedly purchased that firearm on Oct.10, 2010, in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, prior to law enforcement’s awareness of the purchase. Ballistic testing conducted by Mexican authorities on this firearm indicated it was one of the three firearms used during the deadly assault on Special Agent Zapata’s vehicle.

A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offenses charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. If convicted, the penalty for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count. The penalty for knowingly making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count. The penalty for dealing in firearms without a license is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the ATF, DEA, FBI, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and the Lancaster, Texas, Police Department. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay for the Northern District of Texas.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska is experiencing an increase in the number of deer testing positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), as well as a wider distribution, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. There were a record 51 positives in 2010.

CWD is a disease that can affect deer and elk and is always fatal to the affected animal. Humans have never been known to contract CWD.

There were 3,645 lymph node samples collected from deer harvested during the November firearm season. The 51 positives were the most in Nebraska in one year.

The counties with the highest number of positives were: Sioux, 11; Sheridan, 7; Dawes, 6; Garden, 6; Box Butte, 4; Scotts Bluff, 4; and Morrill, 3. There were two positives each in Banner and Hitchcock counties and one each in Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Loup, Cherry, and Hall counties. The counties in which CWD was found for the first time are: Hitchcock, Hooker, Lincoln, and Loup.

No elk tested positive for CWD in 2010.

BELLEFONTAINE, OH – A Logan County man pled guilty to three wildlife violations stemming from the illegal taking of a trophy white-tailed deer in the Bellefontaine Municipal Court on Monday, January 3. As a result, he will be required to pay $23,816.59 in restitution, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

James C. Alspaugh, 39, of West Mansfield pled guilty to three charges including hunting by the aid of a motor vehicle, shooting from a roadway, and hunting without permission. The Honorable Judge John Ross presided over the case and ordered Alspaugh to pay $400 in fines, an additional $151.50 in court costs, and to forfeit the deer. Alspaugh was ordered to spend 48 hours in the Logan County Jail.

In addition, Alspaugh will lose his hunting privileges for two years. He will be entered into the Wildlife Violator’s Compact and most likely will lose hunting rights in 36 other states.

The Division of Wildlife is also imposing restitution for the deer in the amount of $23,816.95. This is in accordance with Ohio’s revised restitution law for illegal taking of white-tailed deer. The law went into effect March 2008 and allows the Division of Wildlife to seek an increased recovery value on all illegally harvested wildlife.

The non-typical trophy deer, scored according to Boone & Crockett (B&C) guidelines, netted an impressive 218 7/8.

A concerned citizen contacted Ohio wildlife officers Adam Smith and Jeff Tipton about the questionable shooting of the trophy deer in December 2010. Officers were able to recover the deer and determine that it was unlawfully taken.

The Division of Wildlife is encouraging citizens to report any illegal activity they observe by contacting the TIP line. Tips may be phoned anonymously to 1-800-POACHER.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com.

Presto® Mag Gun Blue from Birchwood Casey® is a special cold blue formulation that works well on all types of steel (Except Stainless) to provide a deep blue luster to metal finishes.

The new solution is easy to apply and comes with complete instructions for the do-it-yourself gunsmith to get professional results.

Presto Mag Gun Blue comes in a 3-oz. bottle and sells for a suggested retail price of $9.70.

For more information, consumers can log onto the Birchwood Casey website at www.birchwoodcasey.com, write to 7900 Fuller Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2195 or call 800.328.6156 x7933.