Hunt Report
MyOutdoorBuddy.com MAY0908
By Frank Galusha, EasyWriter (c) 2008

CWA BANQUETS COMING SOON TO MT. SHASTA AND LOLETA
Mt. Shasta - The CWA 5th Annual Siskiyou Dinner is set for Saturday May 17 at the Mt. Shasta Community Building, 629 Alder Street. Seating is limited to 170, the food and drawing prizes are always terrific and the cost is just $55 per person ($85 per couple) so you better call Kevin Meline at 530-926-3477 immediately if you want a seat. The fee includes CWA membership and a gift.

Loleta - The California Waterfowl Association's 19th Annual North Coast Dinner is set for Saturday, June 14 at the Loleta Fireman's Pavillion on Loleta Drive. This event includes an outstanding auction and bidding for wildlife fine art and fine sporting merchandise. Cocktail bar will open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets purchased before May 25 qualify for a chance to win $300 in general raffle tickets. Dinner tickets are $65 per person ($40 for a CWA Life Member) and $25 for a Sprig and $85 for a couple. Those who purchase raffle tickets by May 24th will receive extra General and Progressive Drawing tickets. $100 gets $140 in tickets and 2 Progressives; $300 is worth $500 in General drawing tickets and 8 Progressive drawing tickets; $500 provides $800 in General drawing tickets and 18 Progressive drawing tickets. For information or to make a donation call Jim Holdner at 707-443-9244 or Phil Grunert at 707-725-3637.

ELK FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW MEXICO CONSERVATION GRANTS
MISSOULA, Mont.-The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has announced its 2008 grants for conservation projects in New Mexico.

Seven grants, totaling $109,000, have been awarded. Grants will affect Catron, Lincoln, Mora, Otero and Taos counties. This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in New Mexico," said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. "Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fundraising banquets as well as auction proceeds from special hunting tags in New Mexico."
Elk Foundation grants will help fund the following New Mexico conservation projects, listed by county:

Catron County-Prescribe burn 38,042 acres of BLM lands to remove pinion and juniper and enhance habitat for elk and other wildlife.

Lincoln County - Thin encroaching pinion/juniper to improve forage for elk, deer and other species on 800 acres in Lincoln National Forest.

Mora County-Install structures to divert runoff water for wetting a wildlife foraging area, improving the region's elk habitat; prescribe burn 200 acres to enhance habitat in Santa Fe National Forest; restore cottonwood, willow, currant, chokecherry, wild plum and other browse plants on 50 acres of year-round elk habitat.

Otero County - Create five-acre openings in pinion/juniper-choked area, improving a total of 800 acres of forage for elk in Lincoln National Forest

Taos County-Re-seed native grasses to improve summer and winter range for elk on up to 2,243 acres of BLM lands.
Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 200 conservation projects in New Mexico with a value of nearly $16 million. Partners for 2008 projects in New Mexico include Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, corporations, landowners and organizations.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced over 5.2 million acres, a land area larger than Connecticut, Delaware and District of Columbia combined. More than 500,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation. To help protect wild elk country or learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL-ELK.

BIG GAME BOOKLETS AT DEALERS
Sacramento -- The deadline is approaching for several special hunting opportunities announced in the 2008 California Hunting Digest Big Game book.

"The publication is the 'must have' book for the hunter and outdoors enthusiast as it is a comprehensive source for big game hunting opportunities," says James Fong, License and Revenue Branch Chief for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG).

The book, filled with news items, applications for special hunting opportunities and harvest statistics, is now available to subscribers and is at all DFG license offices, as well as independent license agents.

One of the major changes in hunting this year is the new requirement for hunting in California condor range. Beginning July 1, 2008, it will be illegal to use lead ammunition for hunting deer, bear, wild pig, elk, pronghorn sheep and antelope in areas designated as California condor range. The areas affected are most of deer hunt Zone A, South Unit 110 and all of deer D7-11, and D13. More information and a map of the range area can be found in the magazine. DFG and the Fish and Game Commission will continue to provide information to hunters and identify which ammunition is legal to use by July 1, 2008 when the new law takes effect. June 2 is the due date for hunters wishing to participate in the Big Game Drawing as described in the book. This special drawing requires any licensed hunter over the age of 16 to complete and submit an application which is located in the booklet. Each application must be submitted with a non-refundable fee of $7.50. Each hunter has the opportunity to state their hunting preferences in these special drawings.

In addition, DFG continues to offer hunting opportunities for beginner hunters. These Apprentice Hunts offer various levels of instruction for new and junior hunters. Instruction includes a pre-hunt safety orientation and hunters will receive expert direction and hands-on oversight from Apprentice Hunt instructors. These junior hunters also are typically accompanied by an adult. Most of these hunts are still open only to hunters in possession of a Junior Hunting License.
Pending approval by the Fish and Game Commission, elk hunters also can look forward to an additional 10 tags for the Northwestern California Roosevelt Elk Hunt. DFG proposed offering these additional tags to help with the increasing elk populations and the overall success of this hunt during last year's hunting season.
For information on how to apply for a special hunt, please pick up a free copy of DFG's California Hunting Digest Big Game book from the outlets noted above or sign-up electronically to regularly receive this quarterly publication at publications@dfg.ca.gov. Hunters can also find a mail order form to purchase a license and tag applications at the DFG website.

$1 MILLION GRANT BECOMES $1.8 MILLION FOR VALLEY HABITAT
Sacramento - The California Waterfowl Association received $1 million in grant funds to improve 4,957 acres of wetlands in the North Sacramento River Valley. Eight federal and state listed species will benefit from the work as will 29 listed waterfowl species. In total $1.8 million will be used to improve habitat management capabilities and increase wildlife habitat through this two-year grant. Photos and additional info available upon request from the CWA see contact info below.

This grant will allow CWA to continue its restoration efforts that have been improving conditions in the north valley for wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts for the last four years.

"By increasing and improving overall habitat conditions for all species that rely on wetland and riparian habitats this grant and the partners involved are making a difference for all wildlife." said Chadd Santerre, senior biologist and project supervisor with CWA.

"CWA has been working for more than 20 years to restore the state's wetlands, and this grant continues with our extensive conservation efforts in the north Sacramento Valley,"

CWA and its partners are working to address current threats to wetland values in the project area from an increasing human population, urban development, agriculture, and watershed and drainage encroachment. Natural wetlands in California have declined by over 90 percent from an estimated five million acres historically, to less than 450,000 acres at the present time.
The North Sacramento Valley Wetland Habitat Project, Phase II was funded in March of 2008. The grant was awarded by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Work on the project will begin in the spring of 2008 and will continue through the end of 2009. Major contributing partners include the state's Wildlife Conservation Board, 20 private landowners and CWA.
CWA is a widely respected nonprofit, hunter-supported conservation organization with a mission to conserve the state's waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting heritage. The association has received numerous awards, including Conservationist of the Year in 2006 from The Wildlife Society. In the last 20 years the association has restored, protected or enhanced more than 320,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of birds and animals, and introduced more than 250,000 children to the wonders of the great outdoors.

For more info, please visit calwaterfowl.org or contact Sarah Swenty, Public Information Officer, California Waterfowl Association, 4630 Northgate Blvd., Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95834 (916) 648-1406 - office, (916) 275-1018 - cell
California Waterfowl is a widely respected nonprofit, hunter-supported conservation organization with a mission to conserve the state's waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting heritage. The association has received numerous awards, including Conservationist of the Year in 2006 from The Wildlife Society. In the last 20 years they've restored, protected or enhanced more than 320,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of birds and animals, and introduced more than 250,000 children to the wonders of the outdoors.

ELK CHRONICLES TO PREMIER IN JULY ON OUTDOOR CHANNEL
MISSOULA, MT.-A new television show, Elk Chronicles, from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is set to premier July 3 at 8:30 p.m. on Outdoor Channel.

Elk Chronicles will feature outdoor adventures including hunting, recreation, wildlife and conservation in North America. The show will carry the Elk Foundation brand and message into 31 million homes three times a week: Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m.

"Bugling bulls, spectacular landscapes, packhorses and wall tents. It's the stuff that every hunter dreams about and we're pleased to bring it to Outdoor Channel viewers," said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation. "We hope Elk Chronicles conveys both the excitement of the hunt as well as the urgent need to conserve elk habitat."
Founded in 1984, the nonprofit Elk Foundation has led a massive conservation movement that has helped conserve or enhance over 5.2 million acres, a land area larger than Connecticut, Delaware and District of Columbia combined. More than 500,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation.

"We're thrilled to partner with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation," said Tom Hornish, chief operating officer for Outdoor Channel, America's Leader in Outdoor TV. "Elk Chronicles is a special show, capturing the excitement of hunting and showcasing best practices in conservation. Adding Elk Chronicles to our programming lineup is just another part of Outdoor Channel's commitment to conservation, our outdoor heritage and the highest caliber programming in the outdoor genre."
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

DFG TO OFFER BIG GAME CLIINIC IN MAY
Williams -- The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will hold a big game hunting clinic for hunters of all skill levels at the Wilderness Unlimited RV Park in Williams.

"DFG is offering this course at the perfect time of year to assist hunters who are planning their big game hunts for the upcoming hunting season," said Susan Herrgesell, Advanced Hunter Education Program Coordinator.
Four instructional sessions will be conducted over a two-day period beginning Saturday, May 17 and ending Sunday, May 18. The sessions are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Cost is $60 for the four sessions and space is limited.
The clinic focuses primarily on deer hunting but will offer information on hunting other big game species. Session I covers hunt preparation, including deer habits and habitat, hunting regulations, basic gear, survival gear, pre-season scouting, first aid and navigation. Session II focuses on marksmanship and will include rifles, shotguns, pistols, bows and muzzleloaders. Instruction will be given on sighting-in and time will be allotted for live-fire.
Session III covers hunting strategies and provides information on deer senses, identifying scrapes, rubs and trails and various hunting methods including still hunting and the use of stands and blinds. Instruction will be given on where to aim and "shoot-don't shoot" scenarios.

Session IV covers information on actions taken after the shot including trailing and locating the deer, photography, tagging, field dressing, caping, skinning, butchering and cooking.
DFG's Advanced Hunter Education Program will provide all necessary class equipment. A potluck barbecue will be held Saturday evening.

Instructors will attend the potluck to interact with clinic participants. There will be a raffle and prizes.
Tent and RV camping accommodations are available at the Wilderness Unlimited RV Park. Camping is free to participants. Motel accommodations are also available in nearby Williams. Registration forms are available online or call (530) 347-3980.

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