tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-150192152008-07-14T12:15:21.101-06:00Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-29301325731549138972008-07-14T12:14:00.000-06:002008-07-14T12:15:21.162-06:00

2008 Waterfowl Survey shows ducks breeding farther north, bypassing dry prairies The preliminary estimate of total ducks from the 2008 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey was just over 37 million, which is a nine percent decline from last year's estimate, but still 11 percent greater than the 1955-2007 average. In the U.S. and Canadian prairies, population estimates of many species

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-13204753434228503082008-06-05T14:01:00.000-06:002008-06-05T14:02:34.099-06:00

Overland Park, KS — Bushnell Outdoor Products and Field & Stream magazine want you to find Sasquatch this year and they are providing a good reason to search — one million reasons to be exact — with the “$1,000,000 Sasquatch Photo Challenge” that runs from June 3 through December 15, 2008. “We’re not saying we believe in Sasquatch,” says Nate Matthews, online editor for Field & Stream. “But if

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-37598403789419667282008-06-05T13:58:00.001-06:002008-06-05T13:58:50.691-06:00

Permits available starting June 12 If you don’t have a permit to hunt buck deer in Utah this fall, your next chance to get one begins June 12. That’s when permits not taken in this year’s big game draw go on sale. Most of Utah’s buck deer permits were taken in the draw, but more than 9,300 Northern Region rifle and muzzleloader, and 6,600 statewide general archery permits, are still available.

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-58756450625900087752008-05-28T09:27:00.000-06:002008-05-28T09:29:24.954-06:00

Ducks Unlimited supports opening land to haying and grazing WASHINGTON – May 27, 2008 – Ducks Unlimited applauds the Department of Agriculture for their commitment to the viability of the Conservation Reserve Program, by allowing haying and grazing on qualifying CRP lands. In keeping CRP a practical option for landowners, it reinforces the importance of grasslands to the nation, especially in

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-85295194384999732492008-05-14T09:01:00.001-06:002008-05-14T09:01:39.201-06:00

WASHINGTON – May 8, 2008 – With a Farm Bill being readied for a final floor vote in the House and Senate, agricultural conservation initiatives are being treated differently than they were in earlier versions of this year's bill and in previous Farm Bills.     "This bill has mixed results for ducks," said Dr. Alan Wentz, Senior Group Manager for Conservation and Communications. "We were pleased

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-19861032922576075072008-05-14T08:50:00.001-06:002008-05-14T08:50:00.606-06:00

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Safari Club International, a leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting conservation worldwide, has stepped up as a major sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day, the annual celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation. The 2008 celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 27. At the urging of the National Shooting Sports

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-37972610619409909592008-05-14T07:52:00.001-06:002008-05-14T07:52:52.867-06:00

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- An organization formed to help hunters and shooters "give back" to their traditional passions, the Hunting Heritage Trust is also the newest sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day. This special day, tabbed for Sept. 27, annually celebrates the conservation leadership of hunters and anglers. "When Congress formalized National Hunting and Fishing Day in 1971, it did so

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-67299057483003029802008-05-12T08:29:00.001-06:002008-05-12T08:29:37.187-06:00

BELLEVUE, WA – New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has moved from outrage to atrocity by asking anti-gun activist federal Judge Jack B. Weinstein to ban any reference to the Seco! nd Amendment during a civil lawsuit trial beginning May 27 against Georgia gun dealer Jay Wallace, proprietor at Adventure Outdoors. The New York Sun reported that Bloomberg’s attorneys made the request. Alan Gottlieb,

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-31950303561530573022008-05-12T08:03:00.001-06:002008-05-12T08:03:54.281-06:00

 NRA UPDATES - As we reported last week, the U.S. Department of the Interior has issued a proposed rule to eliminate the prohibition on Right-to-Carry in national parks and wildlife refuges. The National Rifle Association led the effort to change this policy and we are very close to winning this important battle. However, the new rules cannot take effect until after a period of public comment.

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-20982800514059618922008-05-01T09:35:00.001-06:002008-05-01T09:35:47.968-06:00

(Washington, D.C. – April 30, 2008) Studies of several bird species, including the endangered California Condor, have provided extensive documentation of the health hazard posed to birds that ingest lead ammunition residues in the remains of gun-killed animals. Now, new studies suggest that humans who eat game shot with lead ammunition may also be at risk. A conference to further explore these

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-73288785715175969732008-04-23T11:20:00.000-06:002008-04-23T11:21:47.794-06:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has announced its first-round grants for 2008 conservation projects in Wyoming. Sixteen conservation grants totaling $215,000 have been awarded. Another $103,663 is available for allocation in second-round grants to be decided in July. First-round grants will affect Albany, Carbon, Converse, Fremont, Lincoln, Natrona, Park, Sheridan, Sublette

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-49558216258867804122008-04-14T11:47:00.001-06:002008-04-14T11:47:57.516-06:00

WASHINGTON – April 14, 2008 – After months of behind-closed-door debate and negotiation, the U.S. House of Representatives has named its members chosen to take part in the House-Senate conference to negotiate a final version of the Farm Bill with the U.S. Senate. The latest extension of the 2002 Farm Bill expires on April 18, so the conferees must agree to a final bill and pass it through the

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-28516216994433783542008-03-28T11:25:00.000-06:002008-03-28T11:26:09.154-06:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week hopes to remove wolves from endangered species lists in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. But with anti-hunting emotions and lawsuits threatening to forestall sound conservation science, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is reaffirming its longstanding support of hunter-based wolf management. Wolf populations are now well above federal

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-56853819005540291002008-03-18T22:52:00.001-06:002008-03-18T22:52:37.716-06:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, an international conservation organization with a focus on habitat protection and enhancement, has announced its 2008 project grants for Oregon. Grants will affect Baker, Benton, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties. An additional project has statewide

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-24582950275447128632008-03-05T12:29:00.000-07:002008-03-05T12:30:02.904-07:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—A record $1.6 million was raised for conservation via auctions held at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s annual convention, which concluded Feb. 24 in Reno, Nev. Items sold included firearms, art, furniture, jewelry, Harley-Davidson motorcycle, log doghouse, handcrafted guitar, vacations, hunts and a sociable mule named Tulip. Highlights of these annual fundraisers also

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-12148369244236184272008-03-05T12:04:00.000-07:002008-03-05T12:05:09.655-07:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—To the average American eye, it’s a forgotten scrap of windswept prairie with horizons broken only by weathered fencerows. But to the American spirit of conservation, it’s sacred ground. Today this North Dakota landscape—Theodore Roosevelt’s historic Elkhorn Ranch—is permanently protected, now held by the U.S. Forest Service, following a long, collaborative effort by reverent

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-75931079124121724592008-02-27T16:13:00.000-07:002008-02-27T16:14:13.358-07:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—New world champion elk callers from California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Washington were crowned during the weekend in Reno. Competition was held in six divisions as part of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 24th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo. The event was held for the third straight year at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center. Next year the

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-27861354097921152602008-02-17T10:33:00.001-07:002008-02-17T10:33:39.578-07:00

The number of elk roaming the nation's parks is booming, and that's bad news for them. A debate has started among wildlife and conservation officials about how the animals should be culled - by sharpshooters' bullets or by their natural enemy, wolves. The National Park Service has no firm estimate on the total number of elk in national parks, simply because they live in the wild and migrate in

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-2064295549842462902008-02-17T09:52:00.001-07:002008-02-17T09:54:59.206-07:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—Responding to an emergency declaration by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is sending funds to help feed thousands of elk, deer and antelope starving in deep-snow conditions. But the Elk Foundation’s financial support comes with a warning about severe winterkill as a symptom of an even more debilitating disease—habitat loss. “Artificially

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-77456433464268206742008-02-17T09:35:00.003-07:002008-02-17T09:42:13.996-07:00

Snow Goose Festival set for Feb. 29 and March 1 and 2 Delta -- Those who have watched snow geese fly in and out of Gunnison Bend Reservoir call it one of the greatest spectacles of nature. You can see that spectacle Feb. 29, and March 1 and 2, at the Eleventh Annual Snow Goose Festival. The festival will be held at and near the reservoir, just west of Delta. Admission is free. As many as

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-75161309421530599592008-02-17T09:32:00.001-07:002008-02-17T09:34:19.343-07:00

Applications accepted until Feb. 29 Even if you won’t be hunting big game in Utah this fall, you can increase the chance you’ll be chasing big game in the future by applying for a bonus point or a preference point. You can apply for a point until Feb. 29. Applications are being accepted through the Division of Wildlife Resource’s Web site (wildlife.utah.gov). You can apply through the site

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-34599658828200778402008-01-15T10:45:00.000-07:002008-01-15T10:48:16.013-07:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—Five veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were recently welcomed home to Kentucky with news that they’d been selected for elk hunts of a lifetime, sponsored by grateful volunteers and supporters of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Kentucky servicemen receiving cow elk tags, fully guided hunts, tent camps, meals and more include: 1. Lt. Col. Gene Hughes

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-86951800443453732182008-01-15T10:43:00.000-07:002008-01-15T10:44:14.442-07:00

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation congratulates Team Elk member Rich “Goose” Gossage on his election and upcoming induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The nine-time All-Star relief pitcher, only the fifth reliever to be immortalized in Cooperstown, is an avid elk hunter and conservationist who last year helped start Team Elk, a cast of sports celebrities who support and

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-28879048167667601302008-01-15T10:39:00.000-07:002008-01-15T10:40:40.125-07:00

COLUMBUS, Georgia, Jan. 14, 2008 – Realtree Inc. Photographer Erika Larsen spent a year traveling across the United States looking for its next generation of hunters. With an open mind and a curious eye, her photography exhibit "Young Blood" puts a fresh face on an ancient practice. Setting out from New Mexico, Larsen traveled through Wyoming, Illinois, New York, Maryland, North Carolina,

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019215.post-15678665418836473092008-01-03T09:07:00.001-07:002008-01-03T09:07:56.827-07:00

Weather Forecast: Today ...Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 10 to 15 in the morning. Tonight...Mostly clear. Lows around 15. North winds 5 mph in the evening...becoming light and variable after midnight. Thursday...Sunny. Highs in the lower 40s. East winds 5 mph in the morning...becoming southeast in the afternoon. Thursday Night...Partly

Cris Draper, the Trail Masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17708300165246498605noreply@blogger.com