The 2011 Kansas firearm deer season runs Wednesday, Nov. 30, through Sunday, Dec. 11, and hunters are sighting in their rifles and practicing their shooting skills in anticipation of one of the state's favorite hunting seasons. Deer are plentiful, and a good season is expected.

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Despite dry weather, high duck numbers should draw hunters to the Kansas Youth Hunt

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Meetings designed to glean public input on suggested new deer regulations

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he South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) and Department of Agriculture (SDDA) remind farmers and ranchers with unwanted prairie dogs to ask for assistance.

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Duck hunters will find plenty to cheer about in the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) annual breeding population and habitat survey, released in early July. Conducted each May by USFWS and the Canadian Wildlife Service, this year’s survey reveals the second-highest pond count and a record 45.6 million ducks, the most since the survey was started in 1955. Blue-winged teal, shovelers, and redheads soared to record levels, and mallard, pintail, canvasback, and gadwall numbers rose substantially from 2010.

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The Game, Fish and Parks Commission has finalized rules for the 2011 East River deer and antelope hunting seasons in South Dakota.

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The Game, Fish and Parks Commission has finalized rules for the 2011 East River deer and antelope hunting seasons in South Dakota.

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What started as a posting on the social media website Facebook, turned into the investigation of a South Dakota hunting trip.

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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reports that there were 17 hunting incidents in Kansas in 2010, five more than the record low of 12 in 2009. One of the accidents was fatal.

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Dates set at April 21 meeting of Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission in Wichita

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After some very interesting activities over the last few weeks, we have finally crossed a significant milestone in dealing with wolf issues and the impacts they are having on those wildlife populations for which we are so protective. After the failure of some last minute legal negotiations, Congress finally intervened and legislatively delisted the gray wolf in almost all of the Northern Rocky Mountains.

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Effingham County, Illinois, men plead guilty in Kansas turkey poaching case

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received confirmation from a national laboratory on Jan. 25 verifying that the sample from a southeastern Minnesota white-tailed deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

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First photo electronic deer registration in nation helps hunters comply with interstate transportation laws; phone registration not an option

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced results of the 2010 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, completed each spring, and numbers are similar to last year. The preliminary count of duck populations from the traditional survey areas estimates 40.9 million birds, similar to last year’s estimate of 42 million birds, and is 21 percent above the long-term average.

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The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is offering citizens an opportunity to review a draft of a new five-year management plan for mountain lions.

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Minnesota’ s 2010 breeding duck and goose populations are similar to last year, according to the results of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) spring waterfowl survey.

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Deer droppings are not usually thought of by hunters as providing much useful information--but they do. Typically, deer droppings will consist of small jelly bean-shaped droplets scattered about in little piles on trails.

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Most hunters who try to read deer sign look for tracks and deer trails. You can determine the size of a deer pretty accurately by looking at its track. There are a couple of things you want to look at

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Hours of tying, casting, baiting hooks, pulling weeds out of hooks was about to pay off. The trophy walleye we worked for all day was about to come to the surface. As the net hit the water disaster struck. The massive fish rolled, bumped the net support, and returned to it’s Mississippi River haunt.

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Buying a turkey tag is sort of like getting married. We don’t buy them with the expectation of it ending badly. Still, the statistics show that is what is most likely to happen. In fact, turkey hunting is so tough you have a better chance of having a successful marriage than a successful turkey hunt. Of course, unsuccessful turkey hunts are pretty cheap in comparison.

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When it comes to whitetail hunting, lots of hunters like to be elevated in tree stands. The human scent is above the deer, you're out of the direct line of sight, and you've got great vision all over. But, using a tree stand is not always possible or indeed even necessary. There are many instances when you need to make use of a ground blind.

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As the price of quality cameras continue to drop, more hunters are opting to film their hunts.

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Women who want to learn how to hunt, fish and develop skills in other outdoor activities can find more than 45 program offerings in the new Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW) catalog.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) and Turn In Poachers (TIP) have announced winners of the 17th annual Deer Hunter Ethics Award.

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If you own great property or know someone who has superb hunting property and is willing to allow you access for free, congratulations. You, my friend, have got it made. But for most of us, hunting is done on public land. Hunting public land can be quite good in some areas but often times it is frustrating.

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Lean what to do after you first set up of the day strikes out. Most turkeys are killed off the roost but if you aren't lucky enough to nail a big gobbler right away in the morning there is still hope.

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Where you place your duck blind is important if you want to come home with more than grimy boots. You can't just plop down in any old place and put up a blind. A little thought, knowledge about what you're hunting, and some common sense is all that's needed.

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Like all hunting, various individual parts make up the scenario of success when brought together properly. That's certainly true of goose hunting. Concealment and decoys are two of the items that meld into a successful goose hunt when used with proper calling.

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One of the key tools for hunting ducks is proper decoy placement. Proper blind placement is necessary. Proper DECOY placement is imperative!

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On March 2, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) announced that 10 white-tailed deer from northwestern Kansas had tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD)

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PRATT — It's been a long winter in the Sunflower State, but those who anticipate the thrill of spring turkey hunting can start preparing with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) 2010 Kansas Spring Turkey Atlas, now available for viewing and download on the agency's website, www.kdwp.state.ks.u

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The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is inviting the public to participate in the deer management planning process. Four public meetings have been held, and another four are occurring in the next couple weeks. The DNRE will present and discuss the draft statewide deer management plan. These meetings will be held 7 to 9 p.m. EST, with the exception of the Crystal Falls meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. CST.

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Taxidermists from across the country competed for top honors at the National Wild Turkey Federation's Grand National Taxidermy Contest during the NWTF's 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by MidwayUSA, in Nashville, Tenn.

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February is a down time for many hunters, but the Kansas woods still provide a challenge for avid outdoorsmen and women. Squirrel season is open through Feb. 28, and this elusive tree-dweller offers Kansans an exciting late winter hunt.

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The California Department of Fish & Game is conducting a Mourning Dove Banding Program this summer, requesting public assistance in evaluating California’s Mourning Dove population as part of a National Study.

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A strategy to achieve deer population goals by allowing hunters to harvest fewer deer succeeded in 2009, according to final deer harvest numbers the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released.

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The 2010 spring turkey season kicks off April 1 with the youth, archery, and disabled season April 1-13, followed by the regular season, which runs April 14-May 31. Hunters looking for a bargain can find it in the turkey permit/game tag combination, available through March 30 at a reduced price. By purchasing the combination early, hunters save $7.50 over the cost of purchasing each separately after March 30.

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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reports that the 2009 hunting seasons were the safest on record. Hunters reported 12 hunting accidents — and no fatalities. This is a decrease of four accidents from the previous year and one below the previous record low of 13.

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All novice turkey hunters are welcome; registration deadline March 11 EMPORIA — On March 27, the Flint Hills Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Tu...

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In a year when one word, "fewer," described life in America -- fewer jobs, fewer home sales, fewer purchases -- hunters were responsible for generating a welcome "more" category, as hunting license sales rose by 3.5 percent in 2009 in states that make up NSSF's Hunting License Sales Index.

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The first Bald Eagle I ever saw was on the western end of Mt Magazine in Arkansas. I was about half way up the highest point in the Ozark range when I saw a big black bird with a white head and a white tail flying over the the high point of the mountain, then I heard its high pitched scream. All I could do was stare in amazement, at this breathtaking sight, of which will be ingrained in my minds eye for ever.

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(Released January 25, 2010) First-time youth turkey hunters ages 12 to 17 have the chance to go afield this spring and learn from an experienced Nati...

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You don't have spend a lot of money planting a successful food plot. Do your homework and be proactive. If you follow through, chances are you may very well be exhibiting a big rack over the fireplace next season

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You can maximize your success next year by taking the time to jot down a few notes about this seasons dear hunt. You can keep your notes in a 3-ring binder, an archival quality album, or just a spiral bound notebook.

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The first thing any good hunter knows about tracking a wounded deer is that tracking starts way before you take your shot! Make sure you know the general terrain in the area, including any particular landmarks like a fallen tree, a special type of rock formation, or a marsh. This will help you immeasurably when it's time to track your deer.

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With the help of hunters, meat processors, and private donors, Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KSHFH) annually provides thousands of meals to those in need. The Kansas deer firearm season — Dec. 2-13 this year — is the busiest time for the organization. Hunters donate hundreds of deer and occasionally an elk or even a bison. The organization supplies meat to nearly 100 food banks across the state through cooperating meat processors.

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The 2009 Kansas firearm deer season runs Wednesday, Dec. 2, through Sunday, Dec. 13, and hunters are sighting in their rifles and practicing their shooting skills in anticipation of one of the state's favorite hunting seasons. Deer are plentiful, and a good season is expected.

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Have you ever thought about what goes into a deer hunt? While studying the philosophies of anti-hunters I came about some of their ideas on how easy it is to just go out in the woods and kill a deer. It would seem the author of this trash was convinced, semi-automatic weapons and telescopic sights made hunting so unfair that it made the hunter invincible at 400 yards. Truthfully I never killed a deer at 400 yards; however I did in fact get one at three hundred yards. This was one out of 134 deer over a span of a middle age lifetime.

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An owl landing less than a foot away from your face. A mother and baby porcupine waddling across the forest floor. Squirrels jumping from tree to tree. Deer munching apples near an orchard. These are some of the most memorable outdoor experiences that can occur while hunting in a tree stand.

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There are bills being attempted by anti hunters in several states to raise the legal hunting age to 16 before a youth may take to the field. It’s only a matter of time before it happens in this state. “ Balderdash,” is the closest word I can get away with here,

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Hunters taking a late summer hunters education class can still take advantage of fall hunting. Hunter education classes fill up fast, so now is the time to register.

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Ann Township are planning a major habitat restoration project for Hurricane Lake in Minnesota's prairie pot hole area.

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If you want to learn the basics of hunting deer join the Minnesota DNR for Annual Deer Day on Sunday Aug 16th. “Deer Day is a great opportunity to learn the basics of deer hunting in a supportive, safe and non-intimidating outdoor setting,” said Linda Bylander, who coordinates family and women’s outdoor skills classes. The event is open to men women and youth of all ages.

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More than 500 young hunters will have access to high-quality deer hunting this fall at six state parks, one state recreation area, two military reservations, two refuges and a nature preserve.

“Special youth hunts are a great way to provide a safe, structured and fun opportunity for a youngster and their parent or guardian to spend some quality time outdoors,” said Mike Kurre, mentor program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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PRATT -- For several years now, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has offered hunter education courses that provide a large percentage of the work online, followed by a day of mostly field training, including live fire. Several days before the class, students log on the International Hunter Education Association's (IHEA) home study website, http://homestudy.ihea.com. Here, they are taken through several pages of information regarding hunter education, including introduction to hunter education, hunting safety, hunter responsibility, outdoor safety, wildlife conservation, and hunting opportunities.

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New permit system designed to meet hunter demand, landowner preference
PRATT -- There is good news for nonresident deer hunters this year: all applicants for Nonresident Whitetail Either Sex Deer permits were successful. This is the first year all applicants have been successful, and this success is directly attributable to changes in the permit allocation process made by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) last year.

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COUNCIL GROVE – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission tentatively approved early teal seasons at its June 25 public meeting in Council Grove.

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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will host the annual Southwest Youth Program at Scott State Park on Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individuals attending the program will have the opportunity to draw one of 24 guided hunts, and two shotguns will be given away. To be eligible, youth must be at least 10 years old. Individuals older than 16 may participate in a guided hunt if they have never hunted before.

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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will conduct a basic wing-shooting clinic at the Pratt Gun Club this July. The course will include four sessions conducted on Tuesday evenings beginning July 14 and is open to anyone age 12 or older. The course is designed for beginning shotgun shooters and will provide instruction from the very basic to more advanced techniques.

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KDWP is looking for landowners to participate in a program that provides income in exchange for hunting access to their land. The program called the Special Hunts On Private Lands Program is trying to increase access in more urban areas of the state.

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“Cock your crossbows ladies and gentlemen of the South, the Great state of Louisiana will be first.” Right now we are looking at 3 major divisions, “Hunter Class” men or women using any crossbow and sighting system legal for hunting in Louisiana, this is for the advanced hunter using the offhand, standing position. Next is “Lady Hawk Division” made famous by Crossbow Connection Magazine, this is for our “She Safari Gals” that want to try Crossbow 3-D Shooting, all rules are the same except you may use African Shooting Sticks to steady your aim.

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These dates for the November segment of the dove season were published incorrectly in a June 18th news release. The proposed dates are Sept. 1-Oct. 31 and Nov. 7-15. KDWP asks that all interested parties note the correct dates for the second segment of the 2009 proposed dove season.

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The Game, Fish and Parks Department has produced the backyard bird booklet to give readers tips on how to identify and attract birds. A bird checklist will help you document your growing bird list.

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Thanks to several conservation partners including Gander Mountain and Pheasants Forever Over 200 acres of restored grasslands and wetlands in St. Croix County to be opened for public hunting. The area may be open for public hunting and outdoor recreational activities as early as this autumn.

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Wyoming- For more than 10 years Hunters in Wyoming and anglers The AccessYes program was set up shortly after the walk-in area program began as a method to provide a payment source to compensate landowners for providing access. Game and Fish state access coordinator Matt Buhler said that in 2008, hunters and fisherman gave $131,375 to AccessYes. An additional $45,261 was gifted by conservation organizations and sportsmen. "Most of the donations are made at the time of license purchase," according to Buhler.

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With enough noise and grunting to wake a deaf man (which pretty much describes me), two bears came crashing out of the dense Canadian bush on a dead run and stopped suddenly, smack dab in the middle of the clearing my stand overlooked. I had spent the last five hours napping and reading the better portions of a Reader’s Digest magazine, while consuming too much hard candy.

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So what is there to hunt in the spring and how does one go about participating in these hunts? For starters, there is the ever-growing pursuit of wild turkeys. Hunters who are a bit more hard core may wish to try their hand at one of Wyoming's more elusive species, the black bear. Wyoming does have spring hunts for black bear and has a very effective system for managing this species.

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CHEYENNE-- May is certainly not the time when big game hunts take place in Wyoming, but it is the time when residents start making plans for their fall hunting trips. The month of May is the resident application period for limited quota elk, deer and antelope licenses.

The application deadline is normally May 31, but since that falls on a weekend this year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will accept applications received by 5 p.m. mountain time on June 1. The Game and Fish advises hunters that all applications must be received in the Cheyenne office by the deadline date to be entered in the drawing regardless of the postmark date.

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CODY--The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has unveiled a new grizzly bear management Web page on the department's Web site. The new page provides up-to-date information on grizzly bear conflict, research and education efforts, including weekly updates on bear management activities in Wyoming.

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SHERIDAN-- Spring is the time to observe Wyoming's native sharp-tailed and sage-grouse on their leks, or courtship areas. Male members of these grouse families are competing for mates. This display takes place from March through early May.

The ultimate Wyoming status seeker is the sage-grouse. The sage-grouse, also known as the sage chicken, is so called because its winter diet is almost exclusively sagebrush. Sage-grouse leks can attract from 10 to more than 200 males. The dominant males are usually in the center of the lek. They are the ones who do most of the breeding. Spotting the males is quite easy because the front of the bird is white.

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SUNDANCE-- A steady rise in the wild turkey population in the Black Hills over the past number of years has wildlife managers forecasting a good spring turkey hunt this coming season.

Black Hills area wildlife biologist Joe Sandrini said that beginning with average productivity in 2002, the Black Hills wild turkey population has had a substantial increase. Although there have been a few years where production has fallen, the turkey population has increased steadily to what was believed a 20 year high in 2007.

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CHEYENNE-- If the winter of 2008-09 so far is any indication, wildlife should be entering the spring in good shape and biologists are looking forward to a good production year from Wyoming's major big game species.

However, game managers caution that more spring rains or snows are needed if the range is to be able to sustain the habitat improvements that were made with the moist conditions of the previous year. In general, it is an open winter in most parts of the state and the animals are getting through the cold months in very good condition.

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New WGFD system will make getting these licenses easier

CHEYENNNE-- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced dates for the sale of issue-after limited quota big game licenses for the 2009 hunting season. Issue-after licenses are licenses that were not sold during the initial limited quota license draws earlier in the year.

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I’m sure every hunter has heard some sort of derogatory comment made about the use of the crossbow in big game hunting. But then, if you lived long enough, you would have heard the same thing about compound bows, in-line muzzle loaders, and even semi-automatic shotguns. The controversy is usually sparked by lack of knowledge, which turns into misguided opinions as people go off half cocked starting crusades against whatever the subject dictates, do to good old human nature. In no small part the crossbow received its fair share of criticism, to say the least.

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The idea of being an Outdoor Mentor is not something we study for. It is the natural gift that goes along with being a good father and a good steward to the “Spirit of the Wild.” ….Uncle John

There is a wild Christmas Tree I know about way out in the woods that never an ornament will grace, but it reflects the spirit of the season never the less. It doesn’t grow as straight as the rest of the trees in the forest, because this big buck visits it periodically rubbing his antlers on the course bark. This would seem to be decoration enough, however. When I visit the tree, and point it out to a new young hunter, there is an inner excitement in knowing that such a great and powerful animal has displayed his strength telling all the brief visitors here that he is the king of the forest.

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Here we are at the great turning point in our society, “To hunt or not to hunt, that is the question.” It is up to us, all of us. We will start with the little guy that buys the hunting license, goes out on public land and tries to get a deer. This is the most important person in the whole chain. Without the grass roots hunter you may as well hang up the whole program nation wide. That clearly means you may as well turn over all your weapons, all of them, to your local Obama supporters that will eagerly run torches through them and sing to the praises of the liberals. This is coming soon and most of you will stand there and let it happen.

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They were chosen because life had not been fair to them, but the urge was still strong for the thrill of the chase. It was a long wait for the hunt of a lifetime, but 13 year old Kelton Smith was patient, you get that way if you’re confined to a wheel chair with muscular dystrophy. But you know, I don’t think I ever heard him complain about it.

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After the legalization of the crossbow in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries responds in pure ignorance.

“Can you believe this?” I try to be a strict adherer to game and fish laws, I read and interpret every word so I personally don’t make a mistake. This is probably due to the fact that a large part of my Army career in the Military Police was being a Game Warden on military posts including Fort Richardson Alaska, Fort Sill Oklahoma, Fort Ord and Hunter Ligget in California and Fort Chaffee Arkansas. Needless to say I became very familiar with game and fish laws and ethics. Over the years I developed a sense of fairness and understanding when it comes to why things are done in the world of game and fish laws. The by word is compromise, while trying to please the grass roots hunters that do in fact stir up a lot of unnecessary problems stemming from many reasons to include special interest and just plain selfishness.

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WHEATLAND-- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will offer a hunter education course at the Platte County Library, beginning May 26. Classes for the five-day course will be held on May 26 and 28 and June 2, 4 and 6. Classes the first four days will run from 5 to 9 p.m. each night. On Saturday, June 6, class will begin at 9 a.m.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to comment on a proposal that would simplify regulations for hunting Canada geese during the early fall season in the metro and southeast parts of the state.

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As part of ongoing efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in the state, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) contractors will conduct aerial deer removal operations starting on Monday, March 16. Aerial sharpshooters will work within the bovine TB core area in northwestern Minnesota for about two weeks.
An aerial survey in January resulted in an estimate of about 660 deer in the core area, down about 18 percent from 2008.

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Two juvenile teen brothers from Laporte and another juvenile teen from Akeley have been fined $1,600 and placed on probation after pleading guilty on Feb. 4 to killing 109 American Coots. Coots are defined as migratory game birds and protected by both state and federal law.

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On March 28, the Flint Hills Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Hunter Education Program will conduct its 8th Annual Spring Turkey Hunting Clinic. The event will take place at Camp Alexander, near Emporia, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to anyone interested in learning how to become a better turkey hunter, especially youth, and it's free.

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Too many kids are spending too little time outdoors. That's an issue that Pass It On-Outdoor Mentors would like to change. The Wichita-based organization works to find mentors for children who want outdoor experiences. Teaming with youth mentoring organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, which has more than 100 years of mentoring experience, Outdoor Mentors hopes to make a difference in the lives of Kansas Kids.

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U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced the distribution of more than $740 million to 56 state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund fish and wildlife conservation efforts, boat access, shooting ranges, and hunter education.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the National Wild Turkey Federation will again team up to offer special hunts for youth who are first-time turkey hunters. And thanks to NWTF volunteers, about 130 more young people - up from 407 last year - will get a shot at one of the 39 mentored events.

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Minnesota deer hunters harvested nearly 222,000 deer in 2008. This is a decline of 38,000, or about 19 percent, from 2007, but the ninth consecutive year the harvest has exceeded 200,000

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Don't hang up your bow just yet—opportunities still exist for archery deer hunting across Virginia. To assist towns and cities with urban deer management issues, the Department established an urban archery season in 2002. This year, the season extends until March 28, 2009, in 21 localities. Due to these areas being more developed, there may be additional restrictions for safety measures that hunters must follow.

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Hunters are reminded of the special late antlerless-only firearms deer season January 5 - March 28, 2009, in the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William, except on Department-owned lands.

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OSWEGO -- Five young hunters were drawn from more than 20 applicants for the first Youth Doe Hunt held Jan. 2. All five young hunters successfully harvested an antlerless deer. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employees Jared Eatmon, Alan Midcap, Rob Riggin, James Svaty, and David Jenkins assisted the young hunters, along with a parent of each youth.

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Regular season April 8-May 31; youth/disabled, archery seasons April 1-7 The 2009 spring turkey season runs April 8-May 31, and hunters across the state are already making preparations. Turkey permits allow hunters to use a shotgun, crossbow, or bow throughout the regular season. Archery-only and youth/disabled seasons run concurrently, April 1-7.

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PF’s Central Utah Runnin' Ring-Necks will help area youth involvement and habitat

Ephraim, Utah – January 26, 2009 – Pheasant hunters and conservationists within Sanpete County have formed Utah's newest Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter. Known as the Central Utah Runnin' Ring-Necks Chapter of PF, the group plans to have an impact on youth involvement in hunting and wildlife habitat conservation practices.

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PIERRE, S.D. –The Game Fish and Parks Commission made no changes to a coveted big game tag at their January meeting in Pierre. The “Special Buck” licenses, will remain at the same level as they were in 2008. These licenses are valid on private land only for either the East River Deer season or West River Deer season. Five hundred resident and 500 nonresident any deer licenses will be available for the West River Deer Season, and 400 resident any deer licenses for the East River Deer Season.

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Permits to be sold to raise money for conservation projects

Seven Kansas conservation organizations were awarded 2009 Commission Big Game permits in a drawing conducted at the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting Jan. 8 in Emporia. A total of 108 applications were submitted for the seven available permits.

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Regular season April 8-May 31; youth/disabled, archery seasons April 1-7

The 2009 spring turkey season runs April 8-May 31, and hunters across the state are already making preparations. Turkey permits allow hunters to use a shotgun, crossbow, or bow throughout the regular season. Archery-only and youth/disabled seasons run concurrently, April 1-7.

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The 2008-2009 pheasant season has ended or is winding down in a few states as quickly as the temperatures outside have been plummeting. To date, the winter of 2008-2009 has been harsher than recent years in many places across the pheasant range. This has created a myriad of inquiries to Pheasants Forever's offices from people concerned about pheasant populations.

Upland bird numbers fluctuate from year-to-year due to two main factors: the amount of quality habitat and weather. It is easy to predict that a prolonged period of severe weather will diminish populations, but pheasants are resilient creatures with an uncanny ability to bounce back, especially when given winter cover to make it through harsh weather and then nesting cover to ensure sufficient reproduction in the spring. So far, many of the calls and emails Pheasants Forever has received center on the ability of pheasants to find food.

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Saint Paul, Minn. – January 20, 2009 – Pheasants Forever Television, a production of Ron Schara Productions which airs on Outdoor Channel, was honored with the award for Best Bird Hunting Footage at Outdoor Channel's 9th Annual Golden Moose Awards this past Saturday evening at the Hard Rock Live/Café in Orlando. Pheasants Forever shared the award along with Benelli's American Birdhunter.

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Saint Paul, Minn. – January 20, 2009 – Pheasants Forever Television, a production of Ron Schara Productions which airs on Outdoor Channel, was honored with the award for Best Bird Hunting Footage at Outdoor Channel's 9th Annual Golden Moose Awards this past Saturday evening at the Hard Rock Live/Café in Orlando. Pheasants Forever shared the award along with Benelli's American Birdhunter.

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Saint Paul, Minn. – January 20, 2009 – Pheasants Forever Television, a production of Ron Schara Productions which airs on Outdoor Channel, was honored with the award for Best Bird Hunting Footage at Outdoor Channel's 9th Annual Golden Moose Awards this past Saturday evening at the Hard Rock Live/Café in Orlando. Pheasants Forever shared the award along with Benelli's American Birdhunter.

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Saint Paul, Minn. - January 20, 2009 - Pheasants Forever (PF) has learned the new President of the United States, Barack Obama, will dine on pheasant today at the inaugural luncheon. The President will be joined by new Vice President Joe Biden, both families, the Supreme Court, as well as the incoming Cabinet and Congress.

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Saint Paul, Minn. - January 20, 2009 - Pheasants Forever (PF) has learned the new President of the United States, Barack Obama, will dine on pheasant today at the inaugural luncheon. The President will be joined by new Vice President Joe Biden, both families, the Supreme Court, as well as the incoming Cabinet and Congress.

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Saint Paul, Minn. - January 20, 2009 - Pheasants Forever (PF) has learned the new President of the United States, Barack Obama, will dine on pheasant today at the inaugural luncheon. The President will be joined by new Vice President Joe Biden, both families, the Supreme Court, as well as the incoming Cabinet and Congress.

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Waldo, Ohio – January 19, 2009 – Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) announce the launch of the first annual Ohio Build a Wildlife Area (BAWA) campaign. Through the campaign, PF/QF and its partners will raise funds to be used for the acquisition and management of wildlife areas in Ohio. All funds raised through the campaign will be tripled by matching grants.

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Saint Paul, Minn. - January 19, 2009 - Wallace N. Weber, 65, of Russell County, Kansas ended 2008 with the single largest donation ever to Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) in the organization's 26-year history. Weber cites his desire to see his 1,700 acres stay together and managed as a wildlife habitat demonstration unit as critical factors in his decision to make Pheasants Forever the recipient of his gift.

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Buyers, exhibitors and media from around the globe flocked to Orlando for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry's largest trade show, the National Shooting Sports Foundation's SHOT Show.

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife managers are urging people not to feed deer this winter even though it may appear they need help to make it through the cold and snowy conditions.

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife managers are urging people not to feed deer this winter even though it may appear they need help to make it through the cold and snowy conditions.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments through Feb. 25 on a number of hunting regulations, including many temporary rules that would added to state game and fish laws this year.
The proposals cover a variety of areas pertaining to deer registration; deer licenses, deer zone descriptions, deer hunter selection, bear hunter selection and prairie chicken area designation.

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Avid Kansas waterfowl hunters never worry about the post-holiday blues. For them, January and February mean some of the best hunting of the year. Late-migrating mallards are often abundant when shallow waters freeze, and mallards concentrate on rivers and reservoirs. In much of the state, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has established a Jan. 17-25 duck season, so hunters can take advantage of this late migration.

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A painting of three turkeys near an old barn by Timothy Turenne, Richfield, will be featured on Minnesota’s 2010 Wild Turkey Stamp.

Turenne’s design was chosen from among 10 entries in a contest sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This is the second turkey stamp contest win for Turenne.

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Madison, Wis. - January 12, 2009 - No one can resist a dog. And who doesn't love a parade? Pheasants Forever has combined both into the Bird Dog Parade! The Parade will kick off Pheasants Forever's National Pheasant Fest 2009 presented by Cabela's. On Friday, February 6, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk will serve as Grand Marshal and head a parade of over 25 different sporting dog breeds and their owners through the main lobby of Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Pheasants Forever's Landowner Habitat Help Room offers FREE wildlife habitat consulting

Madison, Wis. – January 8, 2009 – Where can a landowner obtain a free, one-on-one wildlife habitat consultation with leading wildlife habitat experts? The place is Pheasants Forever's Landowner Habitat Help Room at National Pheasant Fest 2009 presented by Cabela's. The event will be held February 6, 7 & 8 at Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. At last year's event, over 560 landowners took advantage of the Landowner Habitat Help Room, and an estimated 45,000 habitat acres were evaluated for management recommendations.

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Three Kansas white-tailed deer taken by hunters during the 2008 deer season have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in analysis of tissue samples collected in recent weeks by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

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UTAH Because access to healthy public lands and waters for the enjoyment of responsible recreation is of paramount importance to both organizations, t...

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Number one show attraction coming to Madison, Wisconsin this Feb. 6, 7 & 8


Madison, Wis. – January 7, 2009 – The number one attraction at National Pheasant Fest presented by Cabela's, the Bird Dog Bonanza, will be back when the event comes to Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, February 6, 7 & 8 2009. The popularity of sporting dogs is such that an entire section of the National Pheasant Fest 2009 show floor will be dedicated to the National Bird Dog Bonanza presented by Native™ Performance Dog Foods and SportDOG Brand® electronic dog training systems.

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24 Percent Jump in December Amid Gun-Owner Concerns

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Despite a weak economy, gun sales are continuing to increase amid concerns that incoming lawmakers will institute a new gun ban on law-abiding Americans. Data derived from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) show a 24 percent increase in firearm purchaser background checks for the month of December 2008 (1,523,426 checks) over December 2007 (1,230,525 checks). This increase follows a 42 percent rise in NICS checks for the preceding month, the highest number of checks in NICS history. FBI background checks are required under federal law for all individuals purchasing firearms from federally licensed retailers. These checks serve as a strong indicator of actual sales.

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EDGEFIELD, S.C. The National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) Hunting Heritage Super Fund distributed more than $159,000 across North America in December of 2008 as it continues its mission of wild turkey conservation and protecting our hunting traditions.

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EDGEFIELD, S.C. The National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) Hunting Heritage Super Fund distributed more than $159,000 across North America in December of 2008 as it continues its mission of wild turkey conservation and protecting our hunting traditions.

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EDGEFIELD, S.C. The National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) Hunting Heritage Super Fund distributed more than $159,000 across North America in December of 2008 as it continues its mission of wild turkey conservation and protecting our hunting traditions.

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PIERRE, S.D. – While hunting seasons may be concluding, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is beginning the difficult process of determining the past year’s big game harvest as part of planning for 2009 management needs.

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Madison, Wis. – January 6, 2009 – Pheasants Forever (PF) announces special attractions highlighting Rudy's Youth Village at National Pheasant Fest 2009 presented by Cabela's. The event will take place February 6, 7 & 8 at Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Rudy's Youth Village offers activities aimed at keeping families entertained, educated and enthusiastic about conservation and the outdoors, including archery and air rifle ranges, a casting booth and the immensely popular Laser Shot Booth!

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Saint Paul, Minn. - January 6, 2009 - Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) are urging all its members take a moment and sign the Petition to Save America's Wetlands. The petition is part of the "We Are Wetlands" campaign. A campaign of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), "We Are Wetlands" is intended to raise awareness for the importance of wetlands and clean water in our daily lives and why this resource is now more at risk than ever. Sign the Petition Today!

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Federal grant program offers as much as $400,000 for large conservation projects
TOPEKA -- Application materials for the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) are now available from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). The SWG is a federal grant program funded in part by CFDA 15.634 Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, and administered in Kansas by KDWP. The priority of this program is to fund projects that benefit nongame fish and wildlife and their associated habitats. Federal regulations require that projects benefit “species of greatest conservation need,” which may include listed federal and state endangered and threatened species.

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The pheasant season will close at sunset on Sunday, Jan. 4, after a 79-day season.

“Despite some of the weather and crop conditions we had great hunter success,” said Game, Fish and Parks section leader Tom Kirschenmann. “We still have an abundance of pheasants in many areas, and the snow has helped concentrate birds into heavier cover.”

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PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is sending out two separate surveys to explore participation and activities of hunters in this state.

One survey will be tailored specifically to female deer hunters, asking a randomly selected sample of 2,000 their opinions, attitudes, motivations and constraints to their hunt.

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EDGEFIELD, S.C. - Tom Rodgers, founder of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), passed away Dec. 25 at the Edgefield County Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Rodgers, 64, was survived by his mother, his son Mark and two sisters.

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The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will conduct a seminar on wild turkey biology and management on February 7, 8 a.m.- 4:15 p.m. The seminar will be held at the Autauga County Extension Office located at 2226 Hwy 14 W, Autaugaville, AL.

Speakers will include representatives from the AL Cooperative Extension System, AL Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources, AL Wildlife Federation, Auburn University School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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Alabama artists can celebrate the New Year by entering the 2009 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest sponsored by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2010-11 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp, which is required to be purchased when hunting migratory waterfowl. Entries will be accepted from Jan. 1 - Feb. 17, 2009.

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A special late-season deer hunt will be held Dec. 27 through Jan. 11 in Permit Area 101 in northwestern Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The hunt is part of the state’s ongoing bovine tuberculosis (TB) surveillance and eradication efforts.

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Partners come together to protect one of the Southwest’s most ecologically significant rivers and a vital migratory bird corridor

The Upper San Pedro River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in Arizona, received additional protection last week as 122 acres just north of the United States/Mexico border were acquired by The Nature Conservancy and the Arizona Game and Fish Department with support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The property is one of the largest privately owned parcels adjacent to this stretch of the river, where groundwater pumping would directly impact the river’s flow.

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Arizona hunters are reminded they can help the Arizona Game and Fish Department monitor for chronic wasting disease this season by bringing in the head of their recently harvested deer or elk for sampling.

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Bird lovers: Forget the turkey—the Mearns’ quail season opened Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving.

“This will probably be one of the best Mearns’ seasons in my lifetime,” Randy Babb, an ardent quail hunter and the Information and Education Program Manager for the Game and Fish Department’s Mesa regional office.

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PIERRE, S.D. - Starting this Saturday, South Dakota hunters will get another chance to bag a deer.

The muzzleloader deer season will run December 13, 2008-January 31, 2009. All “any deer” tags will convert to “antlerless deer” after December 31, 2008. Hunters participating in the season must use a muzzleloader with open or peep sites and it must be capable of shooting a .44 caliber bullet or larger.

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PIERRE, S.D. – Applications for South Dakota’s 2008-09 resident big game depredation pool are now available. This is a no-cost, on-line application program only.

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PIERRE, S.D. –Sportsmen will once again get the opportunity to hunt light geese in South Dakota this spring.The South Dakota light goose conservation order will run from February 14 through May 3, 2009, will be open state-wide and will allow hunters a daily limit of 20 geese with no possession limit.

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PIERRE, S.D. – The Game Fish and Parks Commission tackled an issue that has resurfaced at meetings several times over the past decade, and in the end decided “no change”, for the present time, was the best course of action.

The 2009 Spring Turkey season will proceed with hunters still being able to use rifles in most of South Dakota, including the Black Hills.

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The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)’s Florida State Chapter recently provided more than $70,000 in funding for habitat improvement projects across Florida’s National Forests, as well as 22 state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), including several State Forests.

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There are plenty of leftover hunt permit-tags for spring javelina, turkey and bear available now by mail application on a first-come, first-served basis from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

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Turkey hunters have until Jan. 9 to apply for the 2009 spring hunt, wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“The spring turkey application deadline tends to sneak up on hunters, so we extended the process this year,” said Bill Penning, DNR farmland wildlife program leader. “Although we’ve allowed additional time, we encourage hunters to apply early and avoid the last-minute rush.”

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to remind archery-only deer hunters with over-the-counter permits there are a number of Game Management Units that are not open hunting areas for the 2008 December hunt, as in past years.

Game Management Units 17A, 20A, 22, 23, 37A, and 42 are not included in the December 2008 archery-only season. These units will not be open until the Jan. 1-31, 2009 season.

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Minnesota’s upcoming muzzleloader deer season is open to any eligible hunter even if that hunter participated in the regular firearm season, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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Annapolis, Md. — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to enter the 2008 Maryland Hunter Contest, where participants can win a complimentary 2009-2010 hunting license and the grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift certificate.

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Augusta – A limited two-week deer reduction season will begin Monday, Dec. 1, on two parcels of land owned by the City of Old Town.

The season was requested by the City of Old Town, and was unanimously approved by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council on Oct. 22 during an emergency rule-making session. The decision follows years of discussion with the public, the City of Old town, the Town of Orono and the University of Maine.

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CHEYENNE-- If the numbers of ducks and geese in the northern marshes and waterways are any indication, waterfowl hunting could be good this year according to Wyoming Game and Fish Department waterfowl biologist Larry Roberts.

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More than 15,000 ring-necked pheasants will be released on 29 public hunting areas across the state this fall, as part of a seasonal effort by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife to enhance hunting opportunities for this popular game bird.
Ring-necked pheasants will be released on the evenings of October 24 and 31 (both Fridays) in anticipation of the following weekends' small-game season for youth hunters. Releases will also take place on the evenings of November 6 and 14. The final release of the fall is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, November 26 to increase pheasant hunting opportunities during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Pheasant hunting season opens statewide on Friday, November 7 and remains open through January 11, 2009, with a daily bag limit of two rooster (male) birds. Hunting hours are sunrise to sunset.

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If you haven’t yet had a chance to see if you were drawn for the spring 2009 hunts, draw results are available by visiting the Arizona game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

Applicants can obtain draw results for spring turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear hunt tags by providing a department ID Number (usually the applicant's Social Security number) and date of birth. Draw results are also available by telephone at (602) 942-3000 (press 2).

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COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio's popular deer-gun season opens statewide on Monday, December 1, offering hunters a full week to harvest a whitetail. The upcoming season will again include an extra weekend of gun hunting on December 20-21, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

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EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Thirty hunters with disabilities from across the Southeast enjoyed two days of sharing stories, lots of laughs and some white-tailed deer hunting during the eighth annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF Ultimate Team-Up, held Nov. 12 to Nov. 13, 2008, at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s headquarters in Edgefield.

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Annapolis, Md. — Maryland hunters benefited from cool autumn temperatures this year and reported an increase in the fall turkey and early season deer harvests compared to 2007.

“The improved fall turkey harvest is due to a combination of favorable weather and a recent increase in the population in Western Maryland,” said Pete Jayne, DNR’s Associate Director for Game Management. “This time last year we were experiencing widespread impacts to deer from hemorrhagic disease, which attributed to a decrease in hunter success in 2007. I’m glad to say that Maryland is largely free of the disease this year and hunters are benefiting from a slight rebound in the population.”

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Annapolis, Md. — Maryland’s traditional two week deer firearm season opens Saturday, Nov. 29. It is the most popular deer hunting season, with nearly half of the annual harvest taken during this period. Total harvest over the two weeks is expected to be between 40,000 and 45,000 deer and is a crucial aspect of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ efforts to manage the white-tailed deer population in our state.

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Augusta – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife conducted its annual Any-Deer Permit Lottery today and is granting 51,850 permits to current hunting license holders.

A list of permit holders is now available for viewing on www.mefishwildlife.com

This year, 66,476 people entered the lottery. The permit allocation is follows: Resident: 39,578; Non-Resident: 3,579; Landowner: 8,421; Superpack: 272.

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Take advantage of all-day hunting, great weather, fewer crowds. The late dove season combines enjoyable hunting with great seasonal weather. Mourning doves are everywhere it seems.

By all indications, this should be one of the better late dove seasons. So be sure to pick up plenty of extra shotgun shells and mark your calendar for Friday, Nov. 21 for the return of dove hunting.

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Augusta - The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife would like to inform people of some changes in the law concerning the issuance of antlerless deer permits.

During its last session, the Maine Legislature passed Public Law Chapter 492 that went into effect as an emergency law on March 12, 2008. The new law does change the way the Superpack Licenses will deal with antlerless deer permits. Superpack license holders still will be eligible for entry into the Superpack antlerless lottery and if chosen, which most holders will be, can then take one more antlerless deer during the other deer seasons.

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Quail hunters are finding plenty of young birds in their harvest, according to Arizona Game and Fish biologists. Nearly 80 percent of the birds checked by hunters over the Oct. 4-5 opening weekend were juveniles.

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Annapolis, Md. — Hunting seasons for upland game species including cottontail rabbits and bobwhite quail start on Saturday, November 1. Seasons for other small game species are already underway. Squirrel season opened September 6 and ruffed grouse season began October 4. Rabbits and squirrels are common statewide and can be hunted close to home with minimal equipment.

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Augusta – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Snowmobile Association on Tuesday honored private, municipal and corporate landowners for their generosity in opening up their land to outdoor enthusiasts.

Six individuals or entities received recognition at the annual Landowner Relations Awards Banquet on Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Augusta, which was sponsored by IF&W and hosted by MSA.

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Dear Friend of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife:Here’s some important information from the Department we’d like you to know about.

HUNTING, TRAPPING AND FALL FISHING:
Any-Deer Permits: Please write down your number and keep with your hunting license. IF&W will not be sending out permits this year in an effort to conserve funds. For more information, see http://deer.informe.org/index.htm

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Augusta – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council on Wednesday, Oct. 22, unanimously approved an emergency rule to allow a limited two-week deer reduction season on two parcels of land owned by the City of Old Town.

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Augusta – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reminds waterfowl hunters that a State Migratory Waterfowl Permit is required for individuals 16 years of age or older.

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PIERRE, S.D. – Success on the opening day of the season varied throughout pheasant country as hunters dealt with crops providing excellent cover for the ringnecks and persistent winds making shooting difficult.

Personnel from the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department tracked hunter success throughout the pheasant range, with the best bag reports coming from the southeast region of the state.

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Augusta - Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland "Danny" Martin is giving considerable thought to an Old Town City Council's decision to support a limited deer reduction season on city-owned land.

Whether that season takes place in December, as suggested at the City Council's meeting on Monday night, is unknown at this time.

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The public is invited to meet Sherrie Russell Meline, the winning artist of the 2006-07 Federal Duck Stamp contest, at an open house on Friday, Nov. 7 from 1-5 p.m. at the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix.

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In both youth and regular seasons, the daily bag limit for ducks is five. This bag may include no more than two scaup, two redheads, and two wood ducks. In addition, only one duck from the following group may be included in the daily bag: hen mallard, pintail, canvasback, or mottled duck. For example, if a pintail is taken, no hen mallard, mottled duck, or canvasback may be taken that day; if a hen mallard is taken, no pintail, mottled duck, or canvasback may be taken that day, and so forth.

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Generous season and low hunting pressure provide high-quality opportunities

Fall turkey hunting is becoming increasingly popular. The season is long -- running Oct. 1-Dec. 2, Dec. 15-31, and Jan. 5-31, 2009. In addition, the fall season allows hunters to use dogs, much like upland game birds are hunted. (Use of dogs is not allowed during the spring season.) Hunters may take as many as four birds in eastern Kansas' Unit 2, which includes almost one-half the state. In the central and northwestern portions of the state, only one bird may be taken, and most of westcentral and southwest Kansas is closed.

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Kids hunt chukar, learn variety of hunting-related topics; registration deadline Oct. 13

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, in cooperation with Pheasant Runn and the Hunting Heritage Group, Inc., (HHG), will host the third annual youth upland hunt in memory of a former volunteer Darrell Brown. The event will be held 30 miles west of Hays at Pheasant Runn controlled shooting area.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that it is illegal to bait deer in Minnesota. In addition to fines, hunters stand to forfeit firearms and potentially loose hunting privileges if there are previous big game violations.

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Deer hunting will be an allowed use in Hemlock Ravine Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) beginning this fall, as part of the special five-day muzzleloader deer hunt at Jay Cooke State Park, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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Minnesota’s wolves have returned to the federal threatened species list following a federal judge’s ruling Monday that rescinded a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2007 decision to delist the western Great Lakes population of gray wolves.

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PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota’s first pheasant hunting season of the year will offer young hunters more and longer days in which to hunt. This year’s youth pheasant has been extended to five days, Oct. 4 through Oct. 8.

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October is the High Life for Pheasants Forever
Miller High Life will make donation to PF for every case of Miller High Life sold during October Saint Paul, Minn. - October 1, 2008 - To honor its long-standing connection with Pheasants Forever (PF) and the outdoors, Miller High Life will make a donation to PF for every case of Miller High Life sold during the month of October.

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Flintstone, Md. — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Park Service recently revised the available hunting areas for disabled sportsmen and women at Rocky Gap State Park to improve hunting opportunities and to avoid conflict with bathhouse renovations that are scheduled for the next two seasons. Interested hunters may now apply for permits to access eight sites within the park for the 2008 deer firearms season, which runs from November 29 through December 13.

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Annapolis, Md. — The first portion of Maryland’s Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting season opens Saturday, November 15. The AP Canada goose season is split into two parts, running from November 15 to November 28 and then from December 18 to January 24. The daily bag limit is two Canada geese.

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Augusta – Hunting and fall fishing seasons are underway in Maine, and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife wants hunters and anglers to be aware of rules and agency initiatives in order to have a safe season.

Hunters and anglers are reminded to read and carry with them their appropriate law books. The law books are available at any licensing agent and at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. For more information, call 287-8000.

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Augusta – One of Maine’s oldest traditions gets underway Saturday, Nov. 1, with the start of the 2008 Deer Season. And, in several locations in southe...

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A whole new way for sportsmen to learn about taxidermy is now available on the internet. www.TaxidermyTube.com, a joint venture between the television show Taxidermy For The Sportsman and Foremost Media, Inc. officially launched September 15th, 2008. The website offers aspiring taxidermists and curious hunters the opportunity to learn taxidermy by watching professionally produced instructional videos online and to corresponding with a panel of professional taxidermist via a private message board.

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winter and spring weather extremes negatively affected some areas

“Good to excellent.” That’s the general prognosis for pheasant, quail, and prairie chicken hunting in Kansas this fall. However, there are some areas where the prospects are not so good due to weather extremes since last fall, so hunters will need to do some pre-season homework and be flexible in where they hunt.

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With the prairie grouse season set to begin on Sept. 20, biologists with the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department are asking hunters for their cooperation in providing biological data that is valuable in estimating prairie grouse production.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Sometimes the best way to appreciate a special privilege is to imagine life without it. In recognition of American soldiers serving far from home this autumn, the U.S. Army is hosting a National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration at its Heidelberg Rod and Gun Club near the U.S. military base in Heidelberg, Germany. This lone overseas commemoration of National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 27 to coincide with hundreds of events across the U.S. Visit www.nhfday.org for listings.

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Turkey hunters who were unsuccessful in this year’s lottery for the fall hunting season may apply for 2,243 surplus permits starting at noon Monday, Sept. 15. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) makes surplus permits available at all Electronic Licensing System (ELS) outlets and online at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

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Sportsmen and women with disabilities now have improved access to more than 650 acres of public hunting land near Woodcock Dam in Crawford County, Pa., thanks to construction of a handicapped-accessible parking lot and a 520-foot access road leading to the property.

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Young waterfowl hunters and their mentors are being offered a special hunting opportunity at Neosho Wildlife Area during the upcoming early teal season, which runs Sept. 13 – 28 east of U.S. 283. Neosho Wildlife Area is located one mile east of St. Paul in Neosho County.

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PIERRE, S.D.—Maps of South Dakota’s public lands have gone interactive on the Game, Fish and Parks Department Web site. Users interested in finding public lands for hunting, fishing or outdoor recreation will find a wealth of information at www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/PublicLands/PubLand.htm.

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PIERRE, S.D.—Two of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department’s most popular publications are now available to the public.

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PIERRE, S.D. – With increased spring and summer rains experienced across much of the grouse range in South Dakota, biologists are optimistic about the outlook for grouse hunting in 2008.

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The Kansas University Endowment Association and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are joining forces to provide lucky young hunters high-quality opportunities to hunt deer during the two weekends of the upcoming youth/disabled deer season, which is open Sept. 13-21. More than 1,200 acres owned by the endowment association are being opened to limited hunting during the season. There are seven separate tracts, ranging in size from 54 to 320 acres, in four counties: Chase, Douglas, Osage, and Sumner.

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Hunters who have not applied for an either-sex deer permit by Sept. 4 will be restricted to taking only bucks in designated deer lottery areas.

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NEWTOWN, Conn. -- For many hunters, that 300-mile drive to deer camp may be put on hold this year. Unwilling -- or unable -- to spend more on gasoline than licenses and lodging, many hunters are checking out their options closer to home.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release its annual roadside wildlife survey on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

The report summarizes roadside counts of pheasants, gray (Hungarian) partridge, cottontail rabbits, white-tailed jackrabbits and other wildlife observed in the early morning hours during the first two weeks of August throughout the farmland region of Minnesota.

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Extensive research about youth participation in hunting has been conducted in recent years, and the results are in. Young people become hunters because adults take them hunting, and the earlier that kids start hunting the more likely they are to hunt for the rest of their lives.

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Most of the monitored bears are fitted with highly visible blaze orange colored collars. Many of the collars contain global positioning devices that collect and store data that is downloaded when researchers visit the bears in their winter dens.

“We’re asking that hunters find other bears to harvest,”
Garshelis said. “Researchers have invested an enormous amount of time and expense in these individuals, and the data stored in their collars is extremely valuable for monitoring the dynamics of our bear population.”

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Experienced hunters can adopt an apprentice this fall and introduce someone new to hunting with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) apprentice hunter validation.
“Apprentice hunter programs like Minnesota’s are providing more opportunities for participation and making it easier than ever for youth and young adults to try hunting,” said Jay Johnson, DNR hunter recruitment and retention program supervisor. “Enjoying Minnesota’s outdoors in the fall with family and friends is easier than ever.”

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Fish & Game Commission (CFGC) recently approved an additional special youth turkey hunting season for 2009.

The season will allow hunters 16 years of age and younger who hold a junior hunting license to hunt the weekend of March 21 to March 22, prior to the start of the general spring turkey season that runs March 28 to May 3.

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PIERRE, S.D.—Favorable weather conditions and good habitat have once again combined to produce a record pheasant crop in South Dakota.

Brood count surveys conducted by the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department tallied pheasant numbers that once again hearken back to the days of the Soil Bank era in the 1950s and ’60s.  Surveys that measure pheasants per mile from brood routes put the 2008 index at 8.56 pheasants per mile, a figure that’s 64 percent ahead of the 10-year average and the highest recorded since 1963.

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Vance Shearin at the VDGIF Information Desk in the Richmond Headquarters  reminds hunters they need to get a new HIP number before heading out for doves, geese and other migratory waterfowl.

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5000 hours is roughly the equivalent of 2-½ years of full-time work. Three active Virginia Hunter Education instructors have each contributed over 5000 hours to the VDGIF, together training over 27,000 students to be safe, responsible, and knowledgeable hunters. VDGIF Executive Director Bob Duncan acknowledged their contributions at the August 19, 2008 Board Meeting, with the Director's Volunteer Service Award.

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Wild Events You Don't Want to Miss- 

• Lynchburg Family Outdoors Day September 13
• Wheelin' Sportsmen To Host Numerous Events in September
• Conservation Celebration Event Recognizes Roanoke City September 14
• 16th Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival September 18-21
• Willis Wharf Dedication Set for September 19 on Eastern Shore
• Tracking Workshop at Holiday Lake October 10-12

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The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is proud to announce that Conservation Police Officer Sergeant Charlie Mullins has been named North American Wildlife Enforcement Officer of the Year by the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (NAWEOA).

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Hogansville, GA, August 28, 2008 --(PR.COM)-- Travis "T-Bone" Turner, the popular Realtree Outdoors Pro-staff hunter and former ASA 3-D Archery World Champion, announced today that he will appear at Bows R Us Archery Pro Shop Grand Opening in Lucedale, MS on September 5 - 6, 2008.

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A variety of resources are available at www.nhfday.org for media members covering National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Congressionally appointed annual commemoration of hunters, anglers and conservation.  This year's celebration is set for Sept. 27.

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The Northcoast Limbhangers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is hosting a Women in the Outdoors fishing event Saturday, August 16, at Grand River Marina in Grand River, Ohio.  Women can enjoy a half-day of perch fishing from a charter boat on Lake Erie and register for their choice of two classes. Alluring jewelry making, basic fishing techniques, fishing gear selection and filleting and cooking are just a few of the classes being offered.

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Watch Pheasants Forever Television on Outdoor Channel, American's Leader in Outdoor TV -- By the time December rolls around in South Dakota, roosters are hard to come by, as you'll see on this week's episode of Pheasants Forever Television, airing on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, Aug. 14th at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT. The episode will also air on Friday, Aug. 15th at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturday, Aug. 16th at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT.

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Angostura and Rocky Point Recreation Areas are hosting nature day camps for kids ages 7-12 on Aug. 20 and 21, respectively. The camps are great opportunities for kids to explore the surrounding recreation areas and focus on the outdoors. The camps run from 9:30 a.m.
to noon.  Angostura Recreation Area near Hot Springs will host the camp on Aug.
20. The theme of the day camp is "Animal Tracking for Kids." This nature day camp takes participants on a guided hike into a prairie setting and woody ravines to discover various signs of wildlife. Bring a sense of exploration and some excitable questions because the trek will leave you with lasting impressions of nature.

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The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission finalized the state goose hunting seasons at its August meeting amid reports that goose populations remain robust. "There will be a strong population of migrant birds," Wildlife Division Assistant Director George Vandel told commissioners. "Snow geese numbers should still be quite good as well."

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As it enters its third and final year, the Hunter's Choice experiment for duck hunters seems to be achieving its desired effects. That's what Game, Fish and Parks Commissioners heard prior to finalizing the state duck hunting season at their August meeting at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park.

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At 7 p.m. the amphitheater at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area will host a program highlighting the wild falcons in South Dakota and their relationship to people.  Dr. Gon Sanchez Jr. will be on hand to inform visitors on where the falcons live, what they eat, how to properly observe them, and the falcons’ positive and negative relationship/interactions with people over the years. In addition, Dr. Sanchez will have falcons on hand in order for visitors to get a close and personal look.

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On Saturday August 16th, starting at 8:30 p.m. the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area will offer its guests an “Evening with the Owls” Walk in the Park featuring Doug Backlund, a SD Game, Fish & Parks Park employee and local birding authority.

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The Wisconsin Sports Fest attracts more than 30,000 attendees each year, and the sixth edition, at the Sunnyview Exposition Center in Oshkosh, should be another crowd-pleasing festival. In addition to live musical entertainment, outdoor personalities will be on hand to speak and sign autographs.

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The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board of Director's, at the request of the Director's Quail Focus Group, passed the following resolution in January 2008:

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As the National Wild Turkey Federation celebrates its 35th year of promoting wildlife conservation and the preservation of North America's hunting heritage, the organization is reflecting on its rich history and honoring the man who started it all.  Tom Rodgers, of Edgefield, S.C., founder of the NWTF, received a one-of-a-kind Founder's Award during a ceremony at NWTF headquarters, Saturday, Aug. 9.

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Michael Waddell, the outdoor industry's charismatic television show host, has agreed to become the official spokesman for the National Wild Turkey Federation.  In this new role, Waddell will represent the NWTF as host of its television series, "Turkey Call," which airs on Outdoor Channel. In addition, Waddell will assume emcee duties at the organization's national convention, which will be held Feb. 19 to 22, 2009, in Nashville, Tenn. Members also will be treated to personal appearances by Waddell at many other NWTF events.

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There's nothing quite like a day at the shooting range to strengthen a marriage and make new friends - at least that's the case for Jeff and Lynn Montjoy of Greenwood, S.C.  Jeff Montjoy, an avid hunter and longtime member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, introduced his wife to sporting clay shooting after learning about the sport from a friend. What began as a hobby quickly turned into an obsession the couple credits with helping them meet new friends and make their 20-year marriage better than ever.

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Grand slams are usually reserved for the baseball diamond, but this week on Pheasants Forever Television, you'll see how wildlife artist John House stroked one out of the park. The episode airs on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, Aug. 7th at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT. The episode will also air on Friday, Aug. 8th at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturday, Aug. 9th at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT.

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The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has launched a public awareness campaign to inform Washington, D.C., residents—particularly those now considering purchasing a handgun—about the many educational resources it makes available to firearms owners. The campaign follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision (Washington, D.C., et. al. vs. Heller) reaffirming the Second Amendment as an individual right and ruling the district’s ban on handguns unconstitutional.

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The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) continues to make restoring the longleaf pine - one of America's most endangered ecosystems - a priority.  The NWTF recently signed a conservation agreement with the Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF) Partnership for Longleaf Pine Restoration to help restore the longleaf pine to areas in and near Fort Stewart in southeastern Georgia.

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Come learn about South Dakota’s mammals of the night on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Third Annual South Dakota Bat Festival. The Festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Tatanka Theater in the Game Lodge Campground of Custer State Park.   Wildlife experts and enthusiasts will be on hand to give presentations, answer questions and distribute information at this fun, family-orientated event. Bat research equipment and survey methods will be showcased from 8:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. As part of a continuing survey of the area, researchers will be actively capturing bats which visitors will be able to safely view up close.

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In addition to their regular business, Game, Fish and Parks Commissioners will get a history lesson when they conduct their August meeting at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park. The commission's agenda for the one-day meeting on Aug. 7 includes a tour of the park, located 10 miles southwest of Lake City. 

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The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has announced the grant recipients for this year's No Child Left Inside small grant program.  "We received nearly 60 applications for this year's funding. That was a tremendous response, especially since this was the first year we've offered the program," said Chad Tussing, education services coordinator for the GFP Division of Wildlife. Applications were scored by a team of reviewers. A total of $5,000 was allotted for the small grant program.  Applicants requested amounts between $500 and $1,000 each.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) reported an excellent wild turkey hunting season this spring, with a record harvest totaling 10,994 gobblers.  During the past 30 years, wild turkeys have flourished across the North Star State due to the efforts of the MDNR, the Minnesota State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and other partners.

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During the last five years, volunteers from the National Wild Turkey Federation's 62 New York chapters have raised and spent more than $490,000 through Hunting Heritage fundraising banquets. These dollars have helped fund habitat enhancement projects, outreach and education programs and research within the state.

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Shooters from throughout the industry stepped to the firing line at the 6th Annual Shooting Industry Masters July 26 to blast clays and ring steel, all in support of NSSF’s Step Outside program.  More than 150 shooters, including company CEOs, sales reps and factory craftsman, competed in the three-gun competition at the Hartford Gun Club in East Granby, Conn. Produced by FMG Publications, the event’s raffle raised $16,500 for the Step Outside program, which introduces newcomers to shooting.

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Glenn Sapir, of Putnam Valley, N.Y., was recognized as the National Wild Turkey Federation's 2008 Communicator of the Year recipient during a Professional Outdoor Media Association conference luncheon Saturday, Aug. 2, in Sioux Falls, S.D.

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Shooters from around the country are chomping at the bit to shatter clay targets at the National Wild Turkey Federation's 15th annual Turkey Shoot, held Aug. 15 to Aug. 17, 2008 at The Meadows National Gun Club in Forsyth, Ga.

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Last week, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever biologists met with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and political leaders in Washington, DC. The meetings focused on conservation opportunities in the new Farm Bill. For PF/QF, the meetings marked an important transition from the Farm Bill legislative process to implementation.

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The National Wild Turkey Federation's recently renewed agreement with Bank of America will help more than 500,000 NWTF volunteers and staff to continue to improve wildlife habitat and preserve our nation's hunting traditions.

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The National Wild Turkey Federation's recently renewed agreement with Bank of America will help more than 500,000 NWTF volunteers and staff to continue to improve wildlife habitat and preserve our nation's hunting traditions.

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On Aug. 15 and 16, the Steel Challenge World Speedshooting Championships will be offering first-time shooters a free introduction to shooting and firearm safety.  Several First Shots® seminars will be held each day starting at 9 a.m. Visitors to the range in Piru will have an opportunity to learn from professional instructors firearm safety and the basics of how to get started in handgun shooting. Afterward, seminar participants will be able to walk the competition course and see some of the world's fastest shooters as they compete for the world speed shooting title.

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Waterfowlers, this is a reminder that the VDGIF will be holding it's public meeting on Monday, August 4 from 7-9 pm at their main office at 4010 West Broad St. in Richmond to discuss this year's waterfowl hunting regulations. VDGIF will present the preliminary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Federal Frameworks for this year, discuss potential staff recommendations, and take public comments. The VDGIF Board will act on these regulations at their August 19th meeting, which will also be held at their main office on 4010 West Broad St. in Richmond, starting at 9 am. The public is welcome to attend the Board meeting and provide comments if desired.

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In a continuing effort to protect the environment, Anheuser-Busch has committed to contribute $2 million to support Duck’s Unlimited’s wetland habitat conservation mission.  As part of this ongoing commitment, the Budweiser brand is working with Anheuser-Busch wholesalers around the country to obtain the funds, which will be directed toward Ducks Unlimited’s “Wetlands for Tomorrow” campaign.

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National 4-H Headquarters recognized Bill Stevens, retired Conservation Manager, Federal Cartridge Corporation, for his lifelong dedication to the 4-H Shooting Sports Program during the 2008 National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in June.

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said today there would be no early releases of acres from the popular Conservation Reserve Program to be put into production without repayment. He cited robust corn and soybean yields and less-than-expected crop damage as the reasons to keep the program’s regulations unchanged. “This was a very tough decision for Sec. Schafer and USDA,” said Don Young, executive vice president of Ducks Unlimited, concerning the announcement.

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Austin-area firearms dealers may have the Democrats to thank for brisk sales this summer. The prospect that the next presidential administration might favor new gun-control laws has gun enthusiasts bringing dollars and concerns to local firearms stores ahead of the November election.

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The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces that the final framework for the 2008 dove season has been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This year the north and south zones in Alabama will hunt under a 70-day season with a 15-a-day bag limit. This change was finalized in late June and represents an increase in the bag limit for the south zone and an increase of the number of hunting days for the north zone.

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The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (ADWFF) has a new records and recognition program for white-tailed deer killed in Alabama, the Records of Alabama's White-tailed Deer (RAWD). This new program allows Alabama's deer hunters to compare deer taken in their region to other areas of Alabama, as well as other states in the Southeast. It also showcases the quality animals produced by management efforts and strategies within Alabama.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its forest classification and motor vehicle route designation proposal for six state forests in an eight-county planning area in east-central Minnesota. The east-central forests include Land O' Lakes in Cass/Crow Wing counties; Hill River, Savanna, and Waukenabo in Aitkin County, Snake River in Kanabec County, and DAR in Pine County. The proposal also designates roads and trails on scattered DNR lands in Anoka, Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, southern Cass, and Washington counties.

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With Governor Paterson signing New York's Junior Hunting bill July 23, the total number of states adopting legislation to reduce barriers to new hunters has climbed to 27 since the Families Afield program began in 2004. New data shows that across the United States, this program has opened doors to more than 131,000 youth and adults new to hunting.  New York state's Assembly Bill 11033 is expected to do the same as it lowers the age for mentored big game hunting to 14. Before this legislation was passed, New Yorkers had to be 16 years old, which was the oldest minimum age for big game hunting in the nation.

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Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever(QF) are proud to announce that Outdoor Channel is the organization's newest national corporate sponsor. The partnership teams the organization's conservation mission with Outdoor Channel's goal of delivering a conservation message to sportsmen and women across the country.  The fourth season of Pheasants Forever Television (produced by Ron Schara Enterprises) recently debuted on Outdoor Channel and is currently airing on Thursdays at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT, Fridays at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturdays at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT. Outdoor Channel will also sponsor Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's popular monthly eNewsletter, "On The Wing," beginning with the July edition.

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As the Olympics prepare to showcase shooters among the world's athletic elite, America's "Little League of Shooting Sports" is celebrating record participation as well as its influence on the Games in Beijing.  The U.S. Shooting Team has just eight spots for shotgun shooters. In trial competitions, 25 percent of those spots were won by alumni of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), a national youth shooting league that's become a phenomenon across the country.

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Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) have launched a new membership package to engage the whole family in wildlife habitat conservation. The new Family Membership will increase the awareness and participation in conservation efforts of people representing a wide range of ages.

"Families and conservation have always gone hand-in-hand," explains Cheryl Riley, PF/QF's Vice President of Education & Outreach. "We believe it is essential to the success of our conservation mission to involve even the youngest members of our society in the outdoors.
Enjoying the outdoors as a family builds bonds, memories, and a passion for nature that will last a lifetime."

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Thanks to a $10,000 donation from the National Wild Turkey Federation, raised through a unique auction, the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team is even closer to going for the gold this summer in Beijing.  The Federation donated a complete 2008 banquet package of 39 outdoor-inspired items for individual auction at GunBroker.com.

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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reports that there were 19 hunting accidents in 2007, with one fatality. This is an increase of two accidents over the previous year but still a very small number considering that approximately 271,000 hunters spent more than 3 million days afield in 2006 (the latest year for which figures are available), agency staff report.

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Controlled pheasant hunting opportunities will be available at 18 Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) sites this fall, and the 2008-09 season dates and permit reservation information are now available online.

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RAPID CITY, S.D.--Following action by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission, a framework of rules is in place to allow mentored youth hunting in South Dakota.

The commission’s action was prompted by a law passed in the last session of the Legislature that established mentored youth hunting. Now the rules are in place to allow youth who are accompanied by a mentor to hunt this fall.

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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.

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Stamp collectors, conservationists, birders, and waterfowl hunters: The 2008 Arizona Waterfowl Stamp is on sale now.  This year’s stamp features a majestic pair of swimming canvasbacks. The art was created by the 2006-2007 Federal Duck Stamp winner Sherrie Russell Meline.

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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.

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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.

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After a record year of antlerless deer donations, South Dakota's Sportsmen Against Hunger Program is expanding to include payments for the processing of doe and fawn antelope. The program will continue to offer a $50 processing certificate for antlerless deer and for 2008 will also offer a $40 processing certificate for doe and fawn antelope. The certificates are available directly from the processors with the majority of participating processors accepting the Sportsman Against Hunger certificate as the full payment for processing. After processing the meat is distributed to families who need meat.

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As South Dakota's antelope population reaches a near-record size, the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission has approved a hunting season that offers significantly more licenses and tags.  To increase the harvest of antelope, the 2008 season will offer two new types of licenses: a three-tag license good for any antelope and two doe/fawn antelope and a three-tag license good for three doe/fawn antelope.

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Since 1985, the National Wild Turkey Federation's Mississippi Chapter has raised and spent more than $1.8 million on conservation, hunter education, improving land access, research and many other projects within the state.

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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!"

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Eleven years ago, Christopher Kurilla lost his battle with leukemia.  Now, a 220-acre paradise suited for all the outdoor activities he loved doing bears his name in Stearns County, Minnesota. The story of the Christopher Kurilla Wildlife Management Area is one that will truly touch your heart.

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Contests Callers - Do you want the BRAGGING RIGHTS or not?  ARE YOU THE BEST- ARE YOU "THE KING"?  Well Put Up or Shut Up!!!  The VAWFA and Bass Pro Shops of Hampton,VA presents the 2008 VAWFA PINKS Duck & Goose Calling Contests "Lose in the contest - lose your call or Money"!

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Pheasant hunter Kim Stephens may be a better shot with one arm than you are with two. See for yourself this week on Pheasants Forever Television, airing on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, July 10th at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT. The episode will also air on Friday, July 11th at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturday, July 12th at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT.

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Members of the Virginia Waterfowlers’ Association attended a presentation by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

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More than 1,000 sporting clays enthusiasts will pour into Forsyth, Ga., Aug. 14 to Aug. 17, for the National Wild Turkey Federation's Turkey Shoot sporting clays tournament.

Over 600 of them will shoot in the event, held at the Meadows National Gun Club. Many will stop in the local Bass Pro Shops in Macon to purchase their ammunition, and will stay at local hotels throughout the four-day shoot, pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy.

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Based on data gathered during this past year, no evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected in Massachusetts deer or moose. MassWildlife recently received results from a federally certified veterinary diagnostic laboratory that indicate that all the brain, lymph node, and tonsil samples taken from deer during last fall's hunting season tested negative for the disease.

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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.

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It's that time of year again when white-tailed deer fawns are showing up in yards and hayfields and concerned citizens want to know how to help. In almost all cases, the best way to help is to simply give the fawn space and leave it alone. Fawns, born from April through July, are purposely left alone by their mothers. Female deer, called does, stay away from the fawns to avoid leading predators such as dogs or coyotes to their location. The white-spotted coat camouflages a fawn as it lies motionless in vegetation. By giving it a wide berth, you also reduce the risk of inadvertently leading predators to the hidden fawn. Does will return several times each day to move and/or feed their young. You probably will not see the doe at all since she only stays to feed the fawn for just a very few minutes before leaving it alone again.

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Call of the Loons! Conservation “Loon” Plate Holders Get Free Admission
to Most State Parks This Weekend

Augusta – In appreciation for their support of state parks and the protection of endangered and threatened species, drivers whose vehicles sport the Conservation “Loon” Registration Plate will receive free admission to state parks and historic sites this weekend (July 19 and 20).

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Hunters who want the chance to take an additional antlerless deer in Wildlife Management Unit M in southeastern New Hampshire during the fall hunting seasons can buy a special permit from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department starting July 1.

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Samples collected from more than 900 deer during the 2007-2008 Maryland deer hunting season showed no signs of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Recent laboratory test results confirmed no evidence of the disease in brain and lymph nodes collected from 983 deer. Additional samples from sick or injured deer also showed no signs of the disease. During the past six years, over 4600 Maryland deer have been tested and were CWD-free.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public hearing on whether to allow deer hunting in the Hemlock Ravine Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) on Wednesday, July 23, at the Carlton Fire Hall at 100 Forth St. N., Carlton, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. or until all testimony is heard.

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Ron, Raven, and Pheasants ForeverTelevision are back for the fourth season of the popular outdoor variety show. The show is slotted to air on Outdoor Channel on Thursdays at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT, Fridays at 10AM CDT / 11AM EDT and again on Saturdays at 5:30PM CDT / 6:30PM EDT. Season four of Pheasants Forever Television will debut on Thursday, July 3rd at 10PM CDT / 11PM EDT.

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During a contract signing ceremony today at brothers Jeff, Steve, Mike, and Brad Hemmer's farm, Pheasants Forever (PF), USDA, South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Department and elected officials celebrated the immediate success of a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practice; State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE). As part of the event, PF requested an additional 500,000 acres nationwide for the program based on strong interest and demand for SAFE in multiple states.

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The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms industry – hailed today's United States Supreme Court 5-4 decision written by Justice Scalia that determined authoritatively that the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms.

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Hunters interested in participating in game-damage hunting opportunities on private land this year need to register with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for the game damage hunt roster online. Prospective hunters have until July 15 to register at fwp.mt.gov. Click on "Game Damage Hunt Roster" listed on the home page under the For Hunters column.

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The VDGIF will begin selling its 2008 Virginia State Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp July 1, 2008. The stamp is mandatory for persons age 16 and older to hunt migratory waterfowl, unless license exempt. The stamp is valid July 1 through June 30, 2009.

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In an effort to manage increasing elk populations, more elk hunting permits will be available in 2008 in the traditional primary elk zone near Grygla and new permits will be offered in Kittson County, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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Ruffed grouse spring drumming counts are slightly higher than last year despite the concern of some hunters that last fall’s harvest didn’t meet their expectations.

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Women who want to experience archery, fishing and other outdoor activities are invited to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW)