Don't eat the ducks! - UT

High Mercury Levels Found in Two Duck Species

Hunters Should Not Eat Shovelers and Goldeneyes

High mercury levels have been found in two species of ducks on the
southern end of the Great Salt Lake, the Division of Wildlife Resources
announced today.

Northern shovelers and common goldeneyes are the two duck species with
the high levels.

On Sept. 29, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) issued a waterfowl
consumption advisory recommending people not eat either species of duck.
Officials from UDOH, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and
the DWR worked in partnership to issue the advisory.

The results of testing that's been done so far is available in a
Health Consultation document at the Department of Health's Web site
(www.health.utah.gov/enviroepi).

Eating meat from these two species could result in an intake of mercury
that exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's health
recommendations, according to the UDOH analysis. There is no health
risk to other recreationists on the lake.

Several other duck species also have been sampled. "Green-winged
teal and gadwalls were well below the screening level for mercury and
hunters should feel safe eating them," said Jim Karpowitz, director of
the DWR. "Mallards were just below the EPA's mercury screening
level of 0.3 parts per million. We'll be doing more sampling and
testing to further evaluate mallards and other duck species on the
lake."

Duck Hunting Season Opens Oct. 1

Utah's duck hunting season opens this Saturday, Oct. 1, and Karpowitz
recommends that duck hunters avoid shooting shovelers and goldeneyes.
"If you kill any of these birds, you must retrieve them and include
them as part of your bag limit," he said.

Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the DWR, says 487,000
ducks are currently on Utah's waterfowl management areas and the Bear
River Migratory Bird Refuge. Of those 487,000 ducks, less than 10
percent (47,000) are shovelers. No goldeneyes were found.

"It's very unlikely that hunters will bag a goldeneye in the next
few weeks," Aldrich said. "Goldeneyes represent only 2 percent of
the ducks harvested in Utah, and they usually don't arrive at the
Great Salt Lake until mid-November."

Hunters could bag plenty of shovelers, however. During the past three
years, 13 to 14 percent of the ducks taken by Utah hunters from
mid-October to mid-December have been shovelers.

DWR Will Expand Mercury Study

A study to determine the level of mercury in ducks began this July when
a small number of meat samples from several waterfowl species collected
on the southern end of the lake last winter were tested.

Mercury was found in several of the samples, so the DWR decided to
collect a larger number of waterfowl in August. Lab results from those
samples also were assessed by the Utah Department of Health, which led
to the Sept. 29 waterfowl consumption advisory.

"The Division of Wildlife Resources, along with the UDOH and the lab
at Utah State University, have worked hard to get these birds collected
and sampled before the start of the duck hunting season," Karpowitz
said. "Now we'll work hard, throughout the fall and winter, to
collect more birds and learn more about the mercury situation on the
lake."

"A lot of work still needs to be done," said Clay Perschon, Great
Salt Lake Ecosystem project leader for the DWR. "Only a small number
of birds have been sampled so far, and all of those birds have come from
the southern end of the lake. We don't know much about mercury levels
in waterfowl using other areas of the lake.

"The next steps are to expand the survey by collecting a larger
number of birds and collecting them from several areas on the lake."

Mercury Working Group

The officials who issued the advisory have established a Mercury Work
Group to coordinate and collaborate on mercury studies and
investigations that are ongoing in Utah. Stakeholders from a broad base
of state, federal and nonprofit agencies, industry and the public are
members of the group. Information about this work group is available at
www.deq.utah.gov/issues/Mercury/work_group.htm

Information about the waterfowl consumption advisory will also be
distributed locally, and will be available at
www.health.utah.gov/enviroepi and each of the agencies' Web sites.

More information about the health effects of mercury can be found at
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html

General information about mercury in Utah is available at
www.deq.utah.gov/issues/Mercury/index.htm

AFTER RITA, STATE PARKS DIG OUT, GAME WARDENS PATROL EAST TEXAS

AUSTIN, Texas - Close to 200 Texas game wardens were on patrol Monday to help maintain order and safety in East Texas, particularly in southeastern counties hardest hit by Hurricane Rita this past weekend. Meanwhile, five Texas state parks near the Louisiana border were heavily damaged by the hurricane, many others sustained moderate damage and some 20 state parks are still closed as teams assess damage.

About 100 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens normally stationed in East Texas worked throughout the weekend responding to calls for assistance and patrolling areas impacted by the storm. Another 50 wardens stationed in the Beaumont-Port Arthur region focused on that hardest hit area. And close to 50 game wardens from across West and North Texas have also been called to East Texas. All Texas agencies working Rita response are being coordinated through the Governor's Emergency Management Office.

Game wardens have special training, boats and equipment to aid in flood rescues, but maintaining law and order has emerged as another key task in Rita's wake. Communities left mostly empty by evacuations and the lack of fuel, water and power for lighting had increased the possibility of looting.

An additional 50 game wardens were deployed Sunday to four storm-ravaged counties where local officials had expressed public safety concerns: Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and Tyler.

"There was a concern that looting would increase at nighttime," said Lt. Col. Craig Hunter, who helped organize TPWD's efforts from the state emergency center in Austin. "We had a report of a bank burglary Sunday morning in east Texas, and there were some reports of localized looting."

Hunter said game wardens arrested four people Jasper on Sunday for looting. Also in that area, wardens used boats to evacuate 26 elderly people from a nursing home threatened by rising floodwaters.

On Saturday afternoon, game wardens, sheriff's deputies, state troopers, and local fire rescue workers evacuated some 1,500 people from housing subdivisions below Lake Livingston dam north of Houston, where Rita's waters had compelled authorities to release a high volume of water, causing flooding. Game wardens ferried nine boatloads of evacuees to safety in the area late Saturday.

Texas state parks suffered widespread facilities damage across East Texas, although no one was hurt.

About 30 families were evacuated from Lake Livingston State Park shortly before high winds and heavy rains began lashing the area late Saturday. Park peace officers and game wardens evacuated the families to a school that had been converted to a shelter nine miles away.

"Most of those families were hurricane evacuees who were road-weary and worn out after plowing through traffic from Houston, and many of them did not want to leave, but I was certainly glad we did evacuate the park," said Brent Leisure, state park regional director for eastern Central Texas. "There were many, many big trees that blew down all over that park and several downed power lines."

Leisure helped lead a disaster response team for TPWD's State Parks Division that involved dozens of employees. Several regional directors and others monitored the storm and coordinated statewide efforts from Bastrop State Park. Recovery teams that had prepared in advance began field work Sunday and Monday. Fifty state park employees have been deployed to provide security for park resources, assess damage and begin initial cleanup and stabilization.

Five state parks near the storm's direct path were heavily damaged. These include Sea Rim, Sabine Pass, Village Creek, Lake Livingston and Martin Dies, Jr.

The hardest hit was Martin Dies, Jr. State Park just west of Jasper, where division employees described the damage as "catastrophic." The hurricane blew down dozens of trees, blocking access along all roadways and causing extensive damage to facilities and structures. Impacts include minor roof damage to seven buildings; major roof damage to one cabin, one restroom, the park nature center and six screened shelters; and structural damage to the assistant manager's residence. Three screened shelters and two host camp sites were destroyed.

At Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site, where about $2 million in facility improvements was done in 2004, 16 new shade shelters and the park residence were destroyed. According to reports, the storm also "completely eroded" a concrete bulkhead along the Sabine River/Ship Channel, posing the threat that it could lean or fall toward the channel. TPWD had rebuilt 1,400 feet of the bulkhead in 2004, adding handrails and making it wheelchair-accessible, with breaks in the rails to provide fishing and overlook stations.

At Sea Rim State Park on the beach near Port Arthur, teams reported "severe, widespread damage." This includes minor damage to the park residences and wastewater plant; major damage to the state park maintenance area and boat barn.

At Village Creek State Park northeast of Houston, although manmade structures were relatively undamaged, reports said the widespread debris "will take a commercial salvage operation before the site can be cleared enough to re-open the park."

Lake Livingston State Park, like many other parks across forested East Texas, had many downed trees. Managers say earlier evacuations and park closures helped prevent injuries and damage that can result from storm-blown trees and large limbs. At Lake Livingston, as in other parks, cleanup and debris removal is already underway.

At TPWD's Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson, the combination fish hatchery and visitor aquarium center lost 97 percent of its red drum, spotted seatrout and flounder broodfish when water temperatures soared after backup power generators failed. The good news is fish in the front aquariums which are accessible to visitors somehow survived the power outage.

Employees from TPWD's Infrastructure, State Parks, Wildlife, Coastal and Inland Fisheries divisions began meeting Monday to devise plans to assess damage to various agency sites and begin prioritizing repairs. Although it's too early to say what the cost will be, it is expected to be significant.

Currently, 20 Texas state parks are closed temporarily because of the hurricane. Some are expected to begin reopening this week, starting Tuesday. State parks continue to provide free entry and campsites to hundreds of evacuees.

For the latest information about state park temporary closures and state parks able to host hurricane evacuees, people should phone the TPWD state park Customer Service Center reservations line at (512) 389-8900. A complete list of state parks, including a statewide map and regional maps showing park locations, is on the TPWD Web site.

On The Net: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest

TEXAS PROPOSAL - Make your voices heard.

I received the below e-mail and wanted to pass it along. This instance is happening in Texas, but similar proposals are popping up all around the Country and it is a practice of taking away one small segmented right at a time. I encourage you all to get involved! Stop these initiatives now. Do not let one small proposal slip past without you speaking your voice. - Cris

ATTENTION ROCKPORT HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN:

Your Rockport City Council is working on a proposed amendment that will make it illegal to clean and process your game and fish at YOUR PLACE OF RESIDENCE! The first workshop discussion was to regulate the butchering of “meat animals”.

On Monday September 26, the discussion was changed to read the processing of “animal friends.” Give me a break. Nobody is going to! butcher “Rover”.

According to the Texas State Parks and Wildlife Department, a deer has to remain intact or at least quartered till you reach the final destination for processing. As far as fish, a fish may be “gutted” at a pier or dock, but you may not fillet the fish till you reach the final destination for processing.

Are we going to pass a city ordinance that forces us to break a State Law? By the way, the public, you and me, don’t even get a chance to vote on this proposed amendment. The City Council has the power to pass what ever they feel is in “our” best interest.

You may not be a hunter or a fisherman. This may not even matter to you. But it’s not only about cleaning game. It’s about OUR RIGHTS being taken away.

How many more rights will us as American Citizens sit back and allow “our” government (local, state, and federal) to take away from us? Already in New Orleans we have seen American Citizens being FORCED to give up their rights to have a legal gun.

We allowed “our” government to remove prayer in public schools. We allowed “our” government to FORBID the reciting of THE PLEDGE of ALEGENCE to THE FLAG.

People, make your voices heard! Surely I am not the only person in Rockport that is concerned about this. Call or write the people that WE PUT IN OFFICE! THEY WORK FOR US! Or do they?? Mayor - Todd W. Pearson ,Ward 1 - George Marriott, Ward 2 - Council Member - Leo Villa, Ward 3 - Council Member - Frank Reilly, Ward 4 - Council Member - Jerry Beattie

William A. Campbell TREC # 6372

This Ole House-Home Inspections

Serving the Texas Coastal Bend out of Rockport Texas

www.thisolehouse.org

BOATING SAFETY ENCOURAGED DURING DUCK HUNT

Salt Lake - Utah State Parks boating officials urge duck hunters to use extreme caution this hunting season while using vessels to access hunting grounds. Utah State Parks Boating Education Specialist Richard Droesbeke offers the following safe boating tips:

- Wear a personal floatation device (PFD) at all times while in the water. PFDs are available in a variety of styles, including camouflage vests and float coats.

- Know and obey all boating laws and safe boating rules.

- Possess a valid hunting license, tag, and permit for the hunt.

- Take all precautions to avoid capsizing or swamping the vessel:
small, flat-bottom vessels are prone to capsizing; distribute gear evenly; do not exceed the vessel's capacity; take only well-trained dogs on board a small vessel.

- Cold water can be a killer. When hunting on cold water, wear several layers of clothing under your PFD.

- Always check weather forecasts, and stay as close to shore as possible.

- Fire no shots or release any arrows until the vessel it stopped, the motor is turned off, and the vessel is secured or properly anchored. Always remain seated when shooting.

- Firearms should always be unloaded, have the safety on, and be secured in a gun case when being transported in a vessel.

- Airboats operated on the Great Salt Lake or adjacent marshes must have a compass and at least one of the following: approved flares, a strobe light, or other visual distress signal, on board.

For more information or for a copy of Utah's Boating Highlights, please call (801) 538-7220.

IDAHO - Utah hunter wastes elk

In September 2005, while on a routine inspection of a local meat storage facility, Fish and Game officers discovered the cape and antlers of a 6x6 bull elk and 66 pounds of elk meat. Realizing that this was far short of the nearly 250 pounds of boned meat harvestable from such a large animal, officers attempted to locate the hunter. After an unsuccessful search, officers seized the antlers, cape and meat from the facility.

Several days later, a Utah hunter contacted officers and gave them a brief description of the area where he killed the elk. The hunter also stated that he had taken all of the meat from the animal that he thought he needed to take. Immediately following this conversation, two officers traveled to the area in which the hunter stated he killed the elk. After a short search, officers were able to locate the remains of the bull elk. Laying in the snow only two miles from the trailhead lay the remains of a mature bull elk. The elk had not been field dressed and was only partially skinned. The only meat that had been harvested from the animal were 10 small chunks of meat from the back straps and rear quarters of the animal. Approximately 184 pounds of prime elk meat had been left to waste. During the course of this investigation, officers discovered that the hunter spent two additional days in the same area where he killed the elk, but he made no attempt to retrieve any additional meat. This was truly a blatant case of "waste of game" which is a misdemeanor under Idaho Code 36-1202.

This so-called "hunter" pled guilty to the charge of waste of game and received the following fines and penalties: $500 in criminal fines; $750 in civil penalties; and $561.50 in public defender fees. In addition, he was given 60 days in jail with 12 days to be served and the remainder held at the discretion of the court along with 2 years probation. He also received 16 hours of community service as well as a 3 year revocation of his hunting and fishing privileges. This revocation is honored in 19 states that participate in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. He also forfeited the right to retain the meat, cape, and antlers from the bull elk.

IDAHO - special youth pheasant hunt & clinic set for first weekend of october

ROBERTS - Young people today need all the help they can get to be exposed to the wonderful world of hunting. The days of coming home from school, grabbing a shotgun and heading out the backdoor to shoot a few pheasants is long gone. Neither kids nor parents seem to have the time anymore, no matter how many labor saving devices have been created for us. In addition to providing a special hunting opportunity, IDFG is also hosting a clinic to help young hunters brush up on their shooting skills, safe gun handling and knowledge of pheasants.

While the special youth only hunts apply statewide, youth are likely to have the best success at IDFG operated wildlife management areas (WMA), where pen-raised pheasants have been purchased from private game farms for release. In the Upper Snake Region, 50 birds have been ordered for release at Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Roberts, Idaho. More birds will be released when the general season starts.

The clinic being planned for Saturday, October 1 at the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is being offered on a first come basis. Young people interested in taking part need to call the Idaho Falls IDFG Office at 525-7290 and reserve a space. IDFG will be providing shotgun shells and clay pigeons for youth to hone their shooting skills, but hunters will need to provide their own shotguns. The events are free, but youth must still have valid hunting licenses.

Because regulations specify that the hunt cannot start until noon on Saturday, October 1 in the Upper Snake Region, IDFG will have staff available from 9 AM to noon for the clinic and the kids will also have the chance to help release the farm raised pheasants for the hunt.

Possession of a WMA pheasant permit has been waived for the duration of this special hunt. A sponsor who is at least 18 years of age must also be willing to accompany the youth throughout the hunt. Unlike the youth waterfowl hunt regulations, the accompanying adult is not required to have a hunting license. This difference is due to the fact that waterfowl are managed jointly with the Federal government as migratory species and therefore subject to different rules.

Once again this year to help insure a positive first outing, a special 130 acre area at Market Lake WMA has been set aside for this youth hunt and stocked with the pen-raised pheasants. Only participants of the youth hunts and their guardians will be allowed in the area during the special hunt. This special area will once again be set aside for youth and their mentors the entire pheasant season. The special youth hunt in the southern half of the state starts at noon on Saturday, October 1 and runs until one-half hour after sunset that day. It resumes one-half hour before sunset on Sunday, and runs until one-half hour after sunset. The season then closes until the start of the regular season at noon on Saturday, October 15. Normal bag and possession limits will be in place for this hunt. The daily bag limit is 3 cocks; possession limit after the first day of the season is 6 cocks. No harvest of female pheasants is allowed.

Upland game regulations booklets are now available free of charge at any IDFG license vendor, IDFG regional office, or at IDFG's website:

http://www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/ug

Contact: Gregg Losinski

(208) 525-7290

Utah DWR checks deer for chronic wasting disease

PRICE, UTAH — Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) personnel are in the process of monitoring the presence and prevalence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the State of Utah. A small number of deer harvested in the state have tested positive for CWD during the past four years. Sportsmen participating in next week's muzzleloader deer hunt are encouraged to participate in this disease monitoring effort.

DWR wildlife biologist Brad Crompton completes paperwork associated with a CWD sample.
Testing for the disease is done by removing the lymph nodes in the throat of the deer. The abnormal prions (proteins) indicative of CWD tend to accumulate in these lymph node tissues. Lymph node samples from each deer sampled are sent to a laboratory in Logan and hunters can learn whether the deer has tested positive for CWD within four weeks.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans by eating or handling meat of infected animals. However, it is advised that hunters avoid consumption and direct contact with brain tissues, spinal fluids, and lymph nodes.

DWR personnel will be taking disease samples from deer harvested throughout the southeastern region. Hunters may encounter officers in the field or at check stations. Hunters who are not contacted and have questions regarding CWD can contact the Price DWR office at (435) 636-0260 during business hours or (435) 820-8921 during non-business hours.

Castle Country hunters can also have deer tested at a checking station behind the Walker=s Truck Stop in Wellington between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2. Sampling will resume during the rifle deer hunt, which runs from October 22–26.