RAPID CITY, S.D.—Regulations for the early fall Canada goose hunting season and the youth waterfowl hunting season were finalized by the S.D.  Game, Fish and Parks Commission at its July meeting in Rapid City.  Much of South Dakota will be open for the early fall Canada goose season which runs from Sept. 6 through Sept. 26. The areas closed to hunting during this season include Unit 2 which encompasses most of the counties along the Missouri River as well as portions of Fall River and Custer counties and, in a change from previous seasons, Perkins County. Also included in the closed area is Bennett County.

A special Web site offers waterfowl hunters up-to-date information about all four of North America's flyways.  The site, www.Flyways.us <http://www.flyways.us/>, a joint effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service, was developed by biologists and waterfowl manager across the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific flyways.

The Game, Fish and Parks Commission approved proposals for the duck and goose hunting seasons at its July meeting in Rapid City. The seasons will be finalized at the commission's August meeting at Fort Sisseton. As proposed, Canada goose hunting along the Missouri River would get a little bit later start. The season in Unit 2, largely those counties along the river and portions of Custer and Fall River counties, would start on Nov. 1 and go through Feb. 13, 2009.

Jon Gafner would be more than happy to give away the $25,000 worth of merchandise his store sign promises if Brett Favre came back to the Packers.  The marquee sign on Gafner's Jackson Street business, Jon's Sport Shop, says, "Hey Brett, $25,000 shopping spree if you come back!"

The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department is gearing up for its 14th Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. The workshop will be held Sept. 19-21 at Outlaw Ranch, near Custer.

Minnesota’ s breeding mallard and blue-winged teal numbers are higher than last year and the total duck population estimate increased, according to the annual May breeding waterfowl survey results released by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Legendary handgun maker and rising star in hunting rifles and shotguns, Smith & Wesson has become the newest sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The annual celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation is set for Sept. 27, 2008.

Bucking a trend, sales of hunting and fishing licenses increased in California, according to a Sacremento Bee article that cites statistics from the state Department of Fish and Game. The increase for hunting, about 3 percent, is the first to stretch over two years since 1990. Although the state does not collect demographic information from license buyers that might indicate a trend, factors cited as potential causes of the increase include retiring baby boomers with more time to spend hunting and fishing, more women participants and a connection to the "eat local" movement that encourages finding sources of food close to home in order to benefit the environment.

A Pennsylvania judge last week struck down a Philadelphia City Council ban on so-called "assault weapons" and a second ordinance limiting handgun purchases to one a month. Read NSSF's statement on the ruling.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation recently signed an agreement with Daisy Outdoor Products that will help commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors outreach program.

CHAMA -- The Department of Game and Fish will conduct public meetings in Tierra Amarilla and Farmington on June 17 and 18 to review and listen to comments about the Department's recommendations for big-game hunting rules for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

The Department will consider public ideas and suggestions in developing the big-game hunting rules, which will be presented to the State Game Commission at the commission meeting July 23 in Las Vegas. The Commission will adopt the final rules Oct. 2 after further revisions and public comments.

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Iowa State Chapter continues to make public hunting access a priority, having already contributed $72,000 toward the purchase of 812 acres of land in the Hawkeye State in 2008.   Most recently in Iowa, NWTF volunteers helped purchase land that will be used for public hunting as part of four existing conservation areas in Allamekee, Buchanan, Woodbury and Webster counties. The NWTF, with help from project partners, purchased land to expand public hunting land in the Lansing Wildlife Management Area, along the Wapsipinicon River, in the Oak Ridge Conservation Area and in the Boone Forks WMA.

Framework for Conservation Title agreed upon, details expected early next week

– May 2, 2008 – Late last night, congressional leaders reached a framework agreement on the 2008 Farm Bill's Conservation Title. Lawmakers are still ironing out other titles to complete the new Farm Bill. Full conservation program specifics will not be publicly released until early next week, but the new Farm Bill appears to be moving forward with the possibility of floor votes in both the Senate and House next week.

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota’s hunting heritage has traditionally been passed from one generation to the next. Recognizing that linage, and wanting to help it along, the S.D. Legislature approved a bill this year that allows children as young as 10 years of age to take part in mentored hunting opportunities.

“Having youngsters in the field is nothing new in South Dakota,” said Tony Leif, director of the Wildlife Division of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Many South Dakotans learned about hunting and the outdoors well before they were old enough to hunt.”

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Each year, conservation-minded Americans celebrate National Arbor Day by joining forces on the last Friday in April to plant an estimated 18 million tree seedlings.

However, to improve wildlife habitat and the environment, tree-planting efforts must span much further than Arbor Day celebrations. Through the National Wild Turkey Federation's initiatives, private landowners and volunteers work year-round to rejuvenate forests by managing habitat and planting trees.

HURON, S.D.—With the arrival of spring, people are anxious to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather. The S.D. Outdoor Expo to be held on the S.D. State Fairgrounds on May 17-18 will be a great opportunity for the whole family to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and learn a few new activities that they can enjoy all summer long. There are nearly 100 activities and booths for people to visit. There is sure to be something for everyone.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Congressionally appointed celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation set for Sept. 27, welcomes Outdoor Channel as an official sponsor for 2008.

MAN to Leverage SEG’s Relationships with Hunting and Fishing TV Producers, Country Music Stars

Denver and Elba, ALABAMA., (April 23, 2008) – The Maximum Adventure Network (MAN), a 24-hour outdoors adventure-focused television channel, announced today a strategic alliance with Southern Entertainment Group (SEG) LLC, a video and online content distribution company that owns and operates the Artists and Fans Network and Country Lifestyles Network. The alliance will provide additional outdoors adventure TV programs for MAN, give MAN access to marketing opportunities with a variety of country music stars, and provide SEG TV producers with a national platform for airing hunting and fishing shows.

DOUBLE SPRINGS, Ala. — Ask any wildlife biologist what it takes to keep wildlife healthy, happy and close to home, and they'll tell you it's all about having good habitat.

KEOKUK - Tens of thousands of migrating lesser scaup ducks have arrived on Mississippi River Pool 19.

Freed from their five month entombment beneath ice and snow, Iowa wetlands are returning to life.

IOWA 2007-2008 HUNTING & TRAPPING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

PIERRE, SD—The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has identified the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program as a powerful tool to meet goals to provide additional undisturbed habitat for wildlife and public hunting access.

PIERRE, S.D.—Pheasant hunting will be a recurring topic when the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission conducts its April meeting in Brookings. The meeting will be held Thursday and Friday, April 3 and 4 at the Days Inn, Brookings.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Outdoor television star Michael Waddell has been selected as honorary chairman for this year's National Hunting and Fishing Day, set for Sept. 27.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Woolrich, a perennial supporter of National Hunting and Fishing Day, has again come aboard as a major sponsor of the annual commemoration set for Sept. 27.

New hunters are taking to the field, thanks to laws that remove unnecessary restrictions. Since 2004, more than 87,000 apprentice hunting licenses have been sold.

Simplifying deer hunting regulations will be a primary focus of public input meetings to be held by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in southern Minnesota in March and April.

PIERRE, S.D. – Enrollment in the 2008 Walk-In Area, S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department hunting access program, has begun and will be open for enrollment until June 1.

MISSISSIPPI — Ask any wildlife biologist what it takes to keep wildlife healthy, happy and close to home, and they'll tell you it's all about having good habitat.

Learn how to improve wildlife habitat on your property by attending the National Wild Turkey Federation's Wildlife Habitat Management Workshop Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at the Fluker Property in Winona, Miss.