Field & Stream’s Petzal Bags Kansas Buck Didn’t See Any Deer In Maine

While congratulations are in order for Dave Petzal in bagging a beauty of a buck in the cold and snow in Kansas, unfortunately he does nothing to help Maine’s cause for those hoping to make a few bucks (sorry) from drawing outsiders to the state for trophy whitetail.

Please don’t take me wrong, Petzal did nothing wrong and what he said in his “rantings and ravings“, is nothing more than what anybody else would have said – the truth and the truth is really going to hurt Maine’s whitetail hunting in the near and distant future.

Petzal began his article with, “And so, having hunted in Maine for a week without seeing a deer, I went to western Kansas where I could see 20 deer at a time, or 60 in a morning.” Unfortunately for Maine, this is the kind of negative advertising that is going to hurt for a long time.

For those not aware, Maine has suffered through two recent back-to-back severe winters, mostly above average years of snow. A combination of weather, diminishing habitat, overgrown predator populations and a deer management policy many are now questioning, the deer hunting in portions of Maine is abysmal.

Northern Maine, often just called “The Big Woods”, while never boasting great numbers of trophy whitetail bucks, has had a reputation of producing large-bodied, big-antlered beasts that avid hunters drooled at the prospects of bagging, willing to drop a few dollars on for the chance. The Big Woods is now the big empty woods.

In a previous article today, I shared a report that with over 5,500 hunters entering the Northern Maine Woods, only 90 deer were tagged. That’s worse than bad.

And as the word spreads and highly visible writers like Dave Petzal talk and write about their experiences, it’s not going to get very pretty for Maine hunting. Hunters, as we all know, are great for local economies come hunting season but they aren’t stupid either. They refuse to spend their money if there is no game to go hunt.

It will take years to repair the damage that has been done, both in whitetail deer management and to Maine’s shaky economy. This may destroy some of the guides and outfitters, as well as put “mom and pop” businesses under.

Congratulations Dave! Nice buck!

Note: I want to thank reader “Richard” for keeping me supplied with these news items.

Tom Remington

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Elk Foundation Grants for Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma

MISSOULA, Mont.? Elk and other wildlife in the nation?s breadbasket will benefit from $31,343 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The grants will help fund conservation and education initiatives in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Grant amounts are based on RMEF fundraisers held in the respective states.

?Elk Foundation volunteers drove the 2008 banquets, auctions and other fundraising events that made these grants possible. This is where their work begins to transform into on-the-ground conservation benefits, and it?s part of the payday for our supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors,? said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO.

RMEF grants will help fund the following projects, listed by state:

Kansas – ?Received RMEF 2009 grants totaling $15,250. Projects include reducing depredation on private land by managing about 200 forage plots covering 750 acres for elk and other wildlife at Fort Riley military reservation in Riley County; enhancing riparian habitat by treating noxious weeds and planting cottonwood, willow and native shrubs on 777 acres at Cimarron National Grasslands in Morton County; and sponsoring Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops statewide, Big Brothers Big Sisters Pass It On Outdoor Mentors programs statewide, and Ninnescah Valley Archery Club youth education programs in Pratt County. RMEF partners include the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and other conservation groups.

Nebraska – ?Received RMEF 2009 grants totaling $8,075. Projects include developing methodology for aerial elk surveys in the western panhandle of Nebraska including Dawes and Box Butte counties; and funding two scholarships for wildlife conservation students at Chadron State College. RMEF partners include the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Oklahoma? – Received RMEF 2009 grants totaling $8,018. Projects include creating forage openings for elk, rejuvenating water impoundments and maintaining firebreaks at Spavinaw Wildlife Management Area in Delaware and Mayes counties; and enhancing forage for elk and other wildlife by prescribe burning 8,195 acres at Pushmataha Wildlife Management Area in Pushmataha County. RMEF partners include the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and other conservation groups.

Since 1984 in these three states, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed 155 conservation and education projects with a value of more than $9.8 million.

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The Dangers Of Global Warming

Before some of you think I’ve flipped my lid and jumped on the global warming bandwagon, read on. There are other dangers that are beginning to surface because our society has too eagerly accepted one man’s theory about global warming and in particular the effects of carbon dioxide.

Just yesterday I shared with readers about the Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act, a bill proposed by some members of the U.S. Senate that would have far reaching affects on all citizens but more importantly for us hunters, trappers and fishermen. This act would give the federal government far too much authority over state’s fish and game management programs, strip you and I of our property rights and further put a cramping on business, development and industry dependent on natural resources.

We can add one more thing this morning to this growing list of threats to citizens as the result of something we’ve decided to call global warming. Whether we believe in global warming as is being pushed by the doom and gloom bunch, we have to at least consider the side effects of such.

In Kansas, the Department of Health and Environment has rejected a permit application by a cooperative that is seeking to build two 700-megawatt coal-fired power plants (New York Times article). The DHE rejected that permit based solely on a Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts vs. the Environmental Protection Agency in which the court ruled that carbon dioxide was a pollutant that could be regulated. This is the first time any regulatory agency has denied a permit of this kind based solely on the premise of global warming.

Granted there are many people who applaud such a rejection because of their concerns over pollution but at least consider the precedent that is being set here. A permit is being denied strictly on the premise that a theory – I’m sorry but there is just as much scientific evidence to disprove global warming as defined as there is to support it – about the effects of carbon dioxide is causing the end of the world.

Is this the beginning of a domino effect? Are we going to destroy our own society, our economies and livelihoods over global warming? If you are a promoter of global warming at least use some sense and sensibility about what steps we are taking to combat it. Yanking the rug out from under everything in the name of global warming is as irresponsible as doing nothing at all about cleaning up our atmosphere and environment.

We should all keep a close eye on every action that is being taken in the name of global warming. This could have devastating affects on us all.

Tom Remington

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Here’s One For You Wildlife Forensic Experts

My gut is telling me I shouldn’t be doing this but what the heck! I got this in my in box this morning from a reader. Below is the text of the email that arrived along with four photos taken. Here’s the chance for all you experts in tracking to weigh in.

These prints were taken last month here in Springhill Kansas. Actual address was our yard located 15380 w 231st Springhill, Kansas 66083 Timber area only a couple blocks away.

You will notice the large dog prints by some of the Black Bear prints.. The dog is a 60 pond lab.

There were two sets of prints. Several feet apart. Last week I was in Springfield MO. And looked at the paws of several stuffed Black Beats at Bass Pro. The photos were the same as the smaller Bear on display.;

Thought this might be of interest to some Kansas wild life people and residents in Kansas

Tom Remington

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Kansas Hunters Now Have Free Maps

Hunters in Kansas heading into the woods for the opening of dove season, can now go online to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website and get maps of all the Walk-in Hunting Areas across the state.

The site has a map of each county showing hunters exactly where they can go hunting. Each map can be downloaded and printed out to take with you. A printed version will be available later this fall.

Tom Remington

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Kansas Has Hunting Law Changes

When hunters take to the woods this hunting season, several changes are in affect. Here is a quick glance at them.

Big game

• After Dec. 30, deer hunters may purchase antlerless only deer game tags valid during the January season without having first purchased an antlered deer permit.

• Unlimited archery antelope permits are now available to nonresidents (firearms and muzzleloader permits still restricted to residents only).

• The elk unit has been expanded to include the entire state except Morton county.

Upland birds

• Pheasant season will open the first Saturday in November.

• Quail season will open the second Saturday in November.

• Quail units have been eliminated.

• Quail season will end the third Sunday in January.

• Prairie chicken season will the third Saturday in November, as it did last year.

Sandhill cranes

• All sandhill crane hunters must take an online crane identification test before obtaining a sandhill crane permit.

Hogs

• A new Department of Animal Health rule states that “no person shall engage in, sponsor, instigate, assist, or profit from the release, killing, wounding or attempted killing or wounding of feral swine for the purpose of sport, pleasure, amusement, or production of a trophy.”

• “Owners or legal occupants of land, the employees of such owners or legal occupants or persons designated by such owners or legal occupants may kill any feral swine when found on their premises or when destroying property. Such designees shall have a permit issued by the livestock commissioner in their possession at the time of the killing of the feral swine.”

Tom Remington

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New Concealed Weapons Permits for Kansas Residents

A new law to allow residents of Kansas to legally carry concealed weapons is underway but it is going to take a little time to get everything in place. Applications for such a permit will be available beginning July 1, 2006. Then you can go to the Attorney General’s website and print out an application.

But don’t expect to be legally carrying right away and don’t bother to fill out that application until you have taken the required safety course. Then perhaps, permits will begin being issued by January 1, 2007 at the earliest.

Permit cost is $150.00. $40 of that stays with the local sheriff’s office to be used for law enforcement and criminal prosecution and the remaining $110 goes to the Attorney General’s office.

Tom Remington

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Fewer Hunting Accidents in Kansas Last Season

Kansas Wildlife and Parks is reporting that last season there were 20 hunting related incidents compared to 26 in 2004. None of the incidents were fatal. Upland bird hunting accounted for over half of the incidents that occured.

Tom Remington

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Drought Conditions in Kansas Having Effects on All Wildlife

Kansas hasn’t had much rain for a long time and it’s beginning to have some real negative affects on the state’s wildlife. Much of that affect is in the waterfowl and birds like turkey and pheasant.

In wetlands where this time of year thousands of migratory birds hang out, the waters have dried up to almost nonexistent forcing the birds elsewhere to find food and water.

It has been so dry that insect hatches aren’t taking place as normal and birds like turkeys are struggling in some areas to find enough food.

Some recent rains have helped but locals are hoping for some good soaking rains.

Tom Remington

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Kansas Women Go Hunting Gobblers

Saturday is the date for the sixth annual Spring Turkey Hunt for women. It will take place near Council Grove. Hunters will be paired up with volunteer guides and taken into public and private locations in the Flint Hills. Volunteers will arrange for transportation to the sites and will also be available to assist in the hunt.

The event will include door prizes, a turkey hunting presentation and a hunters breakfast and lunch. Pre-registration is required.

For information call Brent Konen, Council Grove Area Wildlife Manager, (620)767-5900.

Tom Remington

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How Much Do You Value Your Hunting License?

On March 21, 2006, I brought you this story from out of Kansas, about a new law being proposed there that would prohibit deadbeat parents from purchasing hunting and fishing licenses. A deadbeat parent is someone who has failed to pay their child support payments.

This action and other creative methods are being employed more and more in order to collect some of the $95 billion delinquent child support payments across America.

Authorities in Colorado say the deadbeat parents fear losing their hunting license more than their drivers license. 41% of hunters and fishermen facing loss of their license paid up, compared to only 32% facing loss of driving licenses.

Now, that says something! What, I’m not sure. You tell me.

Tom Remington

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Kansas Hog Hunting Doomed

A bill that would ban feral hog hunting in Kansas has passed both House and Senate committees. The bill would make it illegal to release hogs into the wild for any reason but what lawmakers have in mind is to stop the practice for hunting purposes.

A fine of $5,000 could be levied against anyone caught hunting or releasing swine. The bill would also make it illegal to gain any profit from any hunting activity related to hog hunting.

Officials have been out with helicopters shooting flocks of pigs in hopes of eliminating them. Why is it that I think this isn’t going to work? Why do I think game officials will be spending too much time and money trying to stop the spread of feral hogs? In my opinion, we’ll be revisiting this issue soon when Kansas takes up the issue of how to deal with an overabundance of wild hogs.

Tom Remington

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Deadbeat Parents Won’t Be Able to Buy Hunting License in Kansas

A bill that would prevent deadbeat parents from buying a hunting and/or fishing license has passed House approval in Kansas and its on its way to the Senate where they already approved it once. The bill would place the names of parents who have not paid their child support payments on a database list. When anyone attempts to buy a license to hunt or fish, their name is compared to the list. If you are on the list you can’t hunt or fish legally in Kansas.

Hmmm? I wonder where the ACLU is on this one?

Tom Remington

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Kansas Plans New Hunt To Determine Extent of CWD

With testing of 2000 samples of brain tissue from this falls hunt still taking place, biologists in Kansas have found only the one case of chronic wasting disease in a doe shot in the northwestern part of the state. But officials don’t want to wait. They want to find out as fast as they can how widespread the disease has become.

Yesterday officials began meeting to determine how many more sample will be needed to make the determination. The deer will have to be killed as there is no test that exists for a live animal.

Read more information here.

Tom Remington

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How Will CWD Impact Kansas’ Economy

Yesterday, I brought you this story about chronic wasting disease confirmed to be present in deer in the state of Kansas. Now the discussion turns to the effect this is going to have on the economy of that state.

Like many other states, hunting is big business. Deer hunting in Kansas brings millions of dollars into the state coffers directly and indirectly – license fees, hunting gear, jobs, guides, meat processors, the list goes on and on.

New rules for the handling of meat for example, will change how deer meat processors will butcher and dispose of the remains to avoid the further spread of the disease.

Time will tell what kind of an impact the presence of CWD will have on the number of licenses sold to residents and non-residents.

Tom Remington

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