Category: CONSERVATION

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ALL FISHING ALL HUNTING BIG GAME CONSERVATION NEWS UPLAND BIRDS WATERFOWL

National Wildlife Refuges Expand Hunting Opportunities

Waterfowl hunters at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Waterfowl hunters at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Waterfowl hunters at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

3 National Wildlife Refuges Propose Expanded Hunting Opportunities

On the heels of a similar proposal last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to pair increased hunting and fishing opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges with a reduction in the use of lead tackle and ammo.
Sport Hawk | 6.22.2023

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) looks to to increase recreational access to public lands with the announcement of 48 new hunting opportunities spanning approximately 3,000 acres across the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Three national wildlife refuges managed by USFW are proposing expanded hunting opportunities. These public lands include Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama, Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota.

Additionally, the effort includes a rule to phase out lead ammunition and tackle at eight national wildlife refuges. The USFW says that the decision is based on scientific evidence demonstrating the negative impacts of lead on both human health and wildlife. The newly proposed hunting and fishing opportunities also ban the use of lead ammunition or tackle.

The Service welcomes public comments on the proposed rule for 60 days, starting from the publication in the Federal Register on June 23, 2023. Those interested can find more information and submit comments here, using Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-0038.

Hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities have a significant impact on the U.S. economy, contributing more than $156 billion in 2016, according to the Service’s most recent National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. More than 101 million Americans participate in wildlife-related recreation, including hunting and fishing.

Read more about the proposal:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Press Release
“U.S. Fish and Wildlife Promotes Public Access to Hunting and Fishing”

Related proposal from 2022:

Outdoor Life
“USFWS Wants to Open 19 More Wildlife Refuges to Hunting and Fishing. Lead Ammo and Tackle Would Be Banned There”

Photo | Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

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ALL FISHING CONSERVATION FLY FISHING SALTWATER TRIP TIPS Uncategorized

Summer Tarpon Migration on the Florida Coast

Tarpon caught on a hand line from a canoe.
Tarpon caught on a hand line from a canoe.
Tarpon caught on a hand line from a canoe.

Summer Tarpon Migration on the Florida Coast

Although tarpon fishing has changed over the decades, the Silver King still makes an annual journey in search of agreeable water temperatures, abundant prey, and maybe your favorite fly.
Sport Hawk | 7.6.2023

Tarpon are fascinating creatures renowned for some remarkable feats of migration. Though scientists still have a lot to learn about tarpon behavior, there are some predictable traits that anglers headed for the Sunshine State can use to their advantage. A basic understanding of seasonal movements is essential.

As spring arrives, tarpon embark on their annual northward migration along both coasts of Florida. In the Gulf of Mexico, they move from The Keys toward the Big Bend and then westward across the Panhandle of Florida toward Texas. On the Atlantic side, they head toward cooler waters found in the Carolinas and even Virginia.

Tarpon begin their northward journey in April and May, searching for ideal temperatures and feeding grounds. By mid-summer, their migration reaches its peak, and they gather in large numbers at specific locations along both coasts.

Line drawing of a tarpon.
Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus

An Epic Quest

Although they spawn offshore, tarpon prefer relatively shallow inshore waters, mangroves, estuaries, and river mouths. These areas provide an abundance of baitfish and crustaceans, which form their primary food source.

Water temperature plays a crucial role in whether tarpon will lay over in a particular location. Tarpon favor water ranging from the mid-70s to the low 80s Fahrenheit. These conditions offer anglers the best chances of encountering these majestic fish.

Tarpon are voracious predators that feed primarily on baitfish, such as mullet, pilchards, and menhaden. They also scoop up shrimp and crabs with gusto. All-purpose baitfish flies like Deceivers or Clouser Minnows in natural colors are always good choices for tarpon anglers. More tarpon-specific patterns include the Tarpon Toad, Cockroach, and Tarpon Bunny. For conventional anglers, soft-plastic swimbaits and topwater plugs in baitfish patterns can yield positive results.

Tarpon migration is a captivating phenomenon that presents thrilling opportunities for anglers. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts that encompass multiple regions and even cross international borders.

The learn more about tarpon habitat, behavior, and management, check out Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a leader in the conservation of shallow-water gamefish.

For further reading:

Coastal Angler Magazine
”Tarpon Migration During the Warm Waters of Summer”

Jacksonville.com
“Unlocking the Mysteries of Tarpon”

Reef and Reel
“Spring Tarpon Run in the Gulf of Mexico”

Salt Water Sportsman
“Tarpon Migration”

Photo: A.W. Dimmock’s The Book of Tarpon (1911) was the first treatise on sport fishing for tarpon. He pursued them in South Florida from a canoe with a fly rod, hand lines, and harpoons. (State Library and Archives of Florida)

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ALL FISHING CONSERVATION FLY FISHING FRESHWATER NEWS

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Mining Ban

Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Mining Halted Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

A copper-sulfide mine on the edge of one of America’s most popular wilderness areas may finally be six feet under.
Sport Hawk | 2.15.2023

The Biden administration has acted to halt mining efforts on Superior National Forest land near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The order places a 20-year moratorium on plans to extract copper from public lands adjacent to one of America’s most visited wildernesses.

Local mineral resources have long been the target of Chilean mining conglomerate Antofogasta plc, which would operate the mine under the banner of U.S. subsidiary Twin Metals Minnesota. Citing the essential nature of minerals critical to the nation’s commerce and security, Twin Metals claims the project would either directly or indirectly create more than 2,000 jobs. A peer-reviewed 2020 study by former chair of the economics department at Harvard University, James H. Stock, determined that protecting the area’s natural resources would lead to even greater employment and more revenue for the region.

Conservationists further point to the abysmal environmental record of hard rock mining, including sulfuric acid leaching from waste ore piles. The proposed mine is located near Birch Lake southeast of Ely, Minnesota, a gateway to the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area.

Over the years, successive administrations have played ping pong with this issue. In 2016, President Obama opted not to renew the lease. The Trump administration ordered the leases reinstated in 2018. President Biden, on his first day in office, placed a host of Trump orders under review, including the Twin Metals mineral lease. In late January 2023, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed the 20-year mining moratorium on 225,000 acres of national forest land upstream of the BWCA Wilderness. Twin Metals immediately announced plans to fight the order.

For further reading:

NEW YORK TIMES
“Biden Administration Sets a Mining Ban in Boundary Waters Wilderness”

CBS MINNESOTA
“Biden Admin Moves to Protect Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from Planned Mine”

E&E NEWS
“Twin Metals Vows to Fight for Mine near Boundary Waters”

boundary waters map

Image credit (2) | Wikimedia Commons


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ALL HUNTING CONSERVATION NEWS UPLAND BIRDS

JAILBIRDS: Montana Pheasants Released from State Prison

Montana pheasant stocking
Montana pheasant stocking
Montana pheasant stocking

Jailbirds: Montana Pheasants Released from State Prison

With the implementation of Montana’s new pheasant-stocking program, Big Sky bird hunting just got a little less wild.
Sport Hawk | 9.1.2022

In August, Montana approved a controversial program to farm pheasants at a state prison and then release the pen-raised birds on state game lands.

As much as $1 million of state and federal funds are now available to rear pheasants at the state prison in Deer Lodge. The hatchery birds will then be released at select wildlife management areas specifically to support opportunities for young hunters.

Montana’s legislature passed the bill containing the new pheasant-stocking program in spring of 2021. After a contentious public-input process, the state approved the program in August of 2022 with plans to implement it this fall. As many as 50,000 of the jailbirds may be released on select state game lands each year.

Montana pheasant-stocking controversy

Proponents of pheasant stocking, primarily Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, point to flagging participation in upland bird hunting. Releasing farmed pheasants on public land, they argue, is a good way to encourage young hunters to enter the field. It’s part of the nationwide R3 philosophy.

R3 stands for Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation, and it aims to promote hunting and fishing to the next generation while keeping current sportsmen active—and, of course, buying the licenses that fund all state game agencies.

Opponents argue that the money could have been better used to acquire or improve existing habitat for wild pheasant stocks. They further contend that teaching fledgling hunters to shoot pen-raised birds warps the sense of ethics and the satisfaction that is earned by fair chase of wild game. The kill becomes more important than the hunt, critics say. It’s target practice.

Opponents also worry that the release of pen-raise pheasants could introduce diseases, such as avian influenza, into Montana’s wild population.

Over the past year, public comments were weighted heavily against the new program. Conservation organizations, including Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Montana Wildlife Federation, and Pheasants Forever, all spoke out against the initiative.

On that note, Sport Hawk could provide a list of the state lands slated for stocking, but we would rather point you in the direction of some great opportunities for hunting wild birds in The Last, Best Place.

For further reading on Montana pheasant stocking:

OUTDOOR LIFE
“Montana’s Controversial Pheasant Stocking Program Moves Forward”

FIELD & STREAM
“Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Votes to Approve Controversial Pheasant Stocking Program”

PROJECT UPLAND
“Montana to Spend $1 Million Per Year on Pheasant Farming Instead of Habitat”

Staff photo

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CONSERVATION NEWS

Inflation Reduction Act and Sportsmen

Inflation Reduction Act_Birdhunters in Montana
Inflation Reduction Act_Birdhunters in Montana
Inflation Reduction Act_Birdhunters in Montana

Inflation Reduction Act and the Impact on Sportsmen

There is a little bit of everything in the new Inflation Reduction Act. What does the sprawling legislation mean for hunters and anglers?
Sport Hawk | 8.16.2022

Today President Biden signed into law the $737 billion Inflation Reduction Act. While it is certainly one of the most significant pieces of legislation the administration has passed, months of political wrangling and rebranding may confuse some as to the bill’s primary purpose. Is it an economic package or a climate bill? Will it impact prices at the pump or lower prescription drug costs? Is it a landmark achievement or more of an attempt to salvage the administration’s record heading into the mid-terms?

Like America’s energy policy itself, the Inflation Reduction Act is sort of all of the above. While no one will be completely satisfied with the new law—and although it is a shadow of former ambitions—there is something in the bill for everyone, including hunters and anglers.

What the IRA means for Sportsmen

The most direct impact on sportsmen is a huge investment in private and public lands. Nearly $20 billion will go to Farm Bill programs to support conservation measures on agricultural, riparian, and wetland areas. This means more and better habitat for deer, ducks, pheasants, and other game species. That is a definite win for sportsmen.

The impact on public lands is more of a mixed bag. BLM lands, national forests, national parks, and national wildlife refuges all will receive considerable funding. However, oil and gas development on public lands could increase due to streamlined permitting processes and mandated minimums on the amount of new acreage that must be opened to drillers.

To counter that increased pressure, the act raises bonding rates on fossil fuel companies. That means if something goes wrong, the oil company (rather than taxpayers) pays for the clean-up. Royalty rates also increase, giving taxpayers a greater return on the lease of public lands. And there will be stiffer penalties for methane emissions. These added costs may curb the desire of energy companies to lease on public lands to begin with. So, the net effect on petroleum development on public lands remains to be seen.

For further reading:

THEODORE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP
“Five Things Hunters and Anglers Should Know about [the Inflation Reduction Act.]”

OUTDOOR LIFE
“The Inflation Reduction Act Includes Billions of Dollars for Deer Habitat, Wildlife Refuges, and Coastal Projects.”

OUTDOOR ALLIANCE
“What Does the Inflation Reduction Act Mean for Climate, Public Lands, and Outdoor Recreation?”

GRIST
“The Inflation Reduction Act Promises Thousands of New Oil Leases. Drillers Might Not Want Them.”

Staff photo

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ALL HUNTING BIG GAME CONSERVATION NEWS

Chronic Wasting Disease in NC

Chronic Wasting Disease threatens deer populations.

Chronic Wasting Disease Continues to Spread in Southeast

North Carolina becomes the latest state to detect CWD in its deer population.
Sport Hawk | 4.4.2022

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission announced in March the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease in its white-tailed deer population. North Carolina is now the 29th state to report at least one infection of CWD and immediately took steps to implement its CWD Response Plan, which wildlife officials say has been decades in the making. To date, there are no confirmed cases of CWD transmission from cervids (deer, elk, moose) to humans. However, several studies on primates raise concerns that it might be possible, though seemingly unlikely. Hunters in all states with CWD are encouraged to have their deer tested prior to consumption, which not only ensures food safety but also helps biologist identify and manage the scope of the outbreak.

Staff photo

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ALL HUNTING BIG GAME CONSERVATION NEWS

Chronic Wasting Disease State by State

A map of chronic wasting disease incidence by state
Chronic Wasting Disease is now present in 23 states. The 100% fatal neurological disorder affects whitetails, mule deer, elk, and moose. It is not known whether CWD can be transmitted to humans.
A map of chronic wasting disease incidence by state
Chronic Wasting Disease is now present in 23 states. The 100% fatal neurological disorder affects whitetails, mule deer, elk, and moose. It is not known whether CWD can be transmitted to humans.
A map of chronic wasting disease incidence by state
Chronic Wasting Disease is now present in 23 states. The 100% fatal neurological disorder affects whitetails, mule deer, elk, and moose. It is not known whether CWD can be transmitted to humans.

Chronic Wasting Disease State by State

Out-of-state hunt planning now includes a different kind of map work—understanding the CWD landscape.
Sport Hawk | 1.4.2019

As the season for submitting out-of-state license applications approaches, DIY big game hunters are faced with an even more serious issue than questions of herd densities, license fees, and success rates. Traveling sportsmen may want to assess the health of the cervid population itself. As reported in Outdoor Life and other outlets earlier this year, CWD remains on the march. Currently, 23 states have confirmed incidence of the 100%-fatal neurological disorder in wild cervid populations, which can affect white-tailed and mule deer as well as elk and moose. Sportsmen who are considering an out-of-state hunt, or those who just want to assess the threat in their own region, can find state-by-state maps, FAQs, best-practices for field dressing, butchering and testing, along with other valuable insights at the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website.

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ALL FISHING CONSERVATION FLY FISHING FRESHWATER NEWS

Protecting Montana’s Hallowed Blackfoot River

Restoring Montana’s Storied Blackfoot River

Decades of restoration efforts have begun to pay off on Montana’s most famous river.
Sport Hawk | 3.8.19

Although the health of Montana’s most iconic fly fishing destination—the Blackfoot River—has improved dramatically during the last three decades, there is still much work to do. From native cutthroat and bull trout to majestic forests of larch and lodgepole, the Blackfoot River watershed is one of Big Sky country’s marquee natural attractions. During the 1970s and 80s, abusive logging and mining practices took their toll, leaving Montanans to wonder whether they’d ever again enjoy the river that was, as author Norman Maclean put it, “cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time.”

Today, thanks to years of clean-up, the Blackfoot is one of the most popular rivers in the state. The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA), introduced by Sen. Jon Tester (D) in 2017, aims to continue that effort. Touted as a model of local, broad-based conservation, bipartisan support, and reasoned compromise, the BCSA would add nearly 80,000 acres to the edges of the nearby Bob Marshall Wilderness, as well as provide for designated snowmobiling units, forest restoration efforts, and local jobs in both the logging and outdoor recreation industries. According to a University of Montana poll, the act enjoys majority support from both Democrat and Republican voters in the state. The Montana Wilderness Association has produced a video highlighting the natural attributes of Montana’s most famous watershed. To learn more and voice your support, visit the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project