Learn More About Recreating in Arizona’s Great Outdoors
September 19, 2008
Hands-on workshop will teach the core basics of camping, fishing and hunting
Are you new to Arizona or would you like to learn more about how to participate in the exciting outdoor recreational opportunities that the state has to offer? The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting a weekend campout at Cataract Lake in the Coconino County Campground near Williams from Oct. 4-5.
The workshop is targeted at residents that are new to Arizona, and families and individuals who want to learn hands-on the basics of camping, fishing, hunting, how to prepare fish and game, and other outdoor activities. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday with registration, camp information and welcome. Classes will be offered throughout the day on a variety of topics focused on how to enjoy Arizona’s great outdoors. The day will conclude with instruction on how to prepare – and enjoy – a Dutch oven dinner and a campfire. Sunday will include an activity and wrap-up.
“We really want to reach those residents who have yet to experience the great Arizona outdoors. It’s a great opportunity for new residents, families or single parents who want to get outdoors, but don’t know how to get started,” says Arizona Game and Fish Public Information Officer Shelly Shepherd. “It will be a non-intimidating environment to learn the basics. We hope that participants will feel comfortable going out on their own after the workshop to enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities.”
The workshop is being hosted in cooperation with the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department.
Cataract Lake and the Coconino County Campground are located on the west side of Williams, off of Interstate 40 at exit #161. From the exit, go north under the railroad tunnel and continue on for another ½ mile. The campground will be on the right hand side of the road, on the west side of the lake. The campground will accommodate trailers, campers or tents.
Workshop participants should pack appropriate clothing, be prepared for one night of camping, and should bring food, water, and snacks for the weekend. Participants that have their own fishing equipment or binoculars are encouraged to bring them.
For more information and to register for the workshop, contact the Game and Fish office in Flagstaff at (928) 774-5045. The deadline for registration is Sept. 30. The workshop will be limited to 50 people, and a nominal fee of no more than $10 will be required when participants arrive at camp.
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Handicapped Hunters Are Key Players in Goose Island Conservation Plan In Wisconsin
July 31, 2008
LA CROSSE – A popular and effective two-day gun deer hunt for people with disabilities returns for a third year this December to Goose Island on the Mississippi River.
Wildlife officials said the 2006 and 2007 managed deer hunts earned high marks from the participants and the public as well as from local, state and federal officials who designed and monitored the hunts.
“I get excited about the Goose Island hunt,” said Ron Lichtie, wildlife biologist with the Department of Natural Resources. “It’s like a larger version of deer camp. Besides accomplishing our ecological goals, we are making new friends and sharing the special bond that develops during a hunt.”
This year’s hunt takes place Dec. 13-14. The deadline for applications is Oct. 31. About 25 participants will be randomly selected for the hunt with preference going to applicants not drawn last year. Those selected will be contacted in early November.
The managed hunt is administered by a locally based, non-profit organization, the North American Squirrel Association. The association, which provides opportunities for the physically challenged to enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities, will be collecting applications from anyone who carries a Class A, Long-term B or Class C disabled permit. Applications can be found at North American Squirrel Association under the event updates tab.
Goose Island is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Part of the island is leased to La Crosse County and is managed as a county park and campground. The remainder is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.
Excessive deer numbers on the island have resulted in undersized, malnourished deer and damage to wildlife habitat caused by heavy browsing. At public meetings, a clear majority of people said they would prefer to see healthy deer over high numbers of deer.
The Goose Island deer management plan is the result of a collaborative effort by representatives from the county, the Town of Shelby, the two federal agencies and the DNR.
On the first day of the 2006 hunt, 28 physically challenged hunters harvested 18 deer. On day two, 21 hunters harvested 19 deer. Of the 37 deer taken, 29 were does or fawns. Four of the 8 bucks harvested had already shed their antlers, a sign of stress on the herd that can be attributed to overpopulation. Half the bucks were 30 or more pounds under average weights and most does were underweight, some by more than 40 pounds.
During the two-day hunt in December, 2007, a total of 24 physically handicapped hunters harvested 26 deer, 23 of them antlerless.
Lichtie said these deer appeared healthier than those from the 2006 hunt but were still generally underweight. The inter-agency task force has determined that another hunt this year will be beneficial to herd management.
“Thanks to the Badger State Sportsman’s Club and other volunteers, we have enough information to develop a long-term management plan,” Lichtie said. “I’ve enjoyed seeing these volunteers come together and give their time to accomplish this managed hunt. The participants and volunteers make it work.”
The flat terrain and the roads and trails associated with the campground create an ideal opportunity for physically challenged hunters, Lichtie said. The special hunt is well managed and no concerns about safety arose from the earlier hunts, he said.
The early morning hunts come to an end each day at 11 a.m. and by noon the island is re-opened to the public.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Lichtie, (608) 785-9992 or Randy Hansen, North American Squirrel Association (608) 781-2026
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Lewistown To Receive Fwp Trail Of The Year Award
May 30, 2008
The Lewistown Rails to Trails system will receive Montana’s Trail of the Year award from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Governor Brian Schweitzer during a celebration of National Trails Day on June 7 in Lewistown.
The Lewistown rails to trails conversion began December 2005 when the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad filed to discontinue use of the rail lines and abandon the right of way. The community of Lewistown immediately filed for a Notice of Interim Trail Use with the National Surface Transportation Board.
“This is a great example of seizing an opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “The community of Lewistown took the initiative to say ‘no’ to a full abandonment by the railroad, and committed to transforming this resource into a community asset.”
Projects related to the trail building included rebuilding bridges, resurfacing the trail, and putting a hardened surface on some rail line in Lewistown with volunteer labor.
The City of Lewistown applied to FWP for a $375,000 federal trails grant for the project and it is about 65 percent complete in town. FWP administers Montana’s federal trails grant funds.
The Lewistown Rails to Trails system will encompass 14.25 miles of hiking and biking trail from Lewistown to near Moore when completed.
“The Rails to Trails project brings some great outdoor recreational opportunities to Lewistown on a trail that literally runs through most of our community,” said Duane Ferdinand, the City Planner for Lewistown. “As time and money allow, additional neighborhoods will be linked to the system.”
“This is another instance of a community working with a railroad to keep the rail line intact for community trail development,” said Clint Blackwood, the Trail Coordinator for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “The BNSF has been great to work with in creating a new resource for Lewistown that will benefit its citizens and help improve it’s economy. It will soon be known as a place with a great rails to trails program.”
For more on Montana’s State Trails Plan and trails grants, contact Clint Blackwood at 406-444-4585, or go to the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov and click on Parks and Recreation and then Recreation.
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ODNR and Madison County Celebrate Completion of Roberts Pass and The Prairie Grass Trail
May 6, 2008
$210,000 from Clean Ohio Trails Fund supported the projects
COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and its local partners in Madison County celebrated the benefits of recreational trails completed through the Clean Ohio Fund at a ceremony today in London.
The festivities lauded the recently completed Roberts Pass and its companion trailway, the Prairie Grass Trail, which terminate in the city.
Grants totaling $210,000 from the Clean Ohio Trails Fund helped build these two trails, which are important segments of the growing Ohio To Erie Trail system. Various local governments matched this amount with $52,500.
“Our economic and social health calls for us to strengthen our connection to our natural world,” said ODNR Director Sean D. Logan. “The completion of this trail represents a new way to connect to nature and is another great example of what can be accomplished when communities, businesses and conservationists work together toward a common goal.”
Paving of Roberts Pass was completed last winter. The trail runs from Maple Street on London’s east side to Wilson Road in Fairfield Township. The Prairie Grass Trail runs west from London toward Clark County and an eventual juncture with the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Completion of these two trail segments allows cyclists, rollerbladers and hikers to travel unhindered from Wilson Road in Madison County to Avoca Park in suburban Cincinnati - a distance of nearly 100 miles.
The Clean Ohio Fund, approved by voters in November 2000, is a $400 million bond program aimed at revitalizing blighted urban areas, protecting rivers and watersheds, preserving green space and farmland and expanding Ohio’s system of recreational trails.
More than 219 miles of recreational trails were constructed with $25 million allocated for that purpose under the original initiative. These trails improve quality of life and boost outdoor recreational opportunities for all Ohioans. Local governments, parks and joint recreation districts, soil and water conservancy districts and non-profit organizations applied for the trail funds, agreeing to provide a 25 percent match. The local matches included contributions of land, labor or materials.
Recognizing the importance of this program, Governor Ted Strickland proposed renewal of the Clean Ohio Fund through the bi-partisan job stimulus package. The issue is expected to appear on the November ballot.
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12th Annual CEWC Outdoor Festival and JAKES Day
May 6, 2008
Looking for a way for the whole family to enjoy the outdoors this spring? Come to Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center’s Outdoor Festival and JAKES Day Sat., May 17! This fun-filled event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center’s (CEWC) Discovery Area in Mansfield. Sponsors for the Outdoor Festival include the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) and the Georgia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).
Admission is free and includes an array of activities that focus on wildlife, conservation efforts and outdoor recreational opportunities in Georgia. Children can try their hands at archery, fishing, shooting sports, and can go on a mini-boat ride with a WRD Conservation Ranger. Show your spirit for the outdoors by getting your face decorated with wildlife art! Presentations scheduled for this event include puppet shows from Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful and live snake and bird of prey programs. Several exhibitors from wildlife-related organizations also will be on hand to give out information and goodies to those interested in expanding their outdoor horizons.
The first 500 kids will receive a free t-shirt and a free hot dog lunch from the Ga. Chapter of NWTF (adults can eat for a nominal fee). For kids under 17 years old, memberships in the NWTF’s JAKES club (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, & Sportsmanship) will be available. Door prizes will be given away at the close of the event too! For a bonus prize, be sure to stop by the Visitors’ Center for a fun Museum Scavenger Hunt. Participants will get a free wildlife poster (limited quantity) and discounts on several gift gallery items (excludes hunting & fishing licenses and Charlie Elliott books).
For further information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com
or call CEWC at (770) 784-3059. To get to CEWC, take I-20 to Exit 98. Travel south on Highway 11, go through Mansfield and continue three miles south to the entrance at Marben Farms Road on the left. Then follow the Outdoor Festival signs to the Discovery Area. Hope to see you there!
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ODNR and Butler County Dedicate 1.38-Mile Phase of the Port Union-Gilmore Ponds Historic Canal Trail
May 4, 2008
$500,000 from the Clean Ohio Trails Fund supported the project
COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and its local partners in Butler County dedicated phase two of the Port Union-Gilmore Ponds Historic Canal Trail today, as part of an ongoing celebration of the Clean Ohio Fund and its support of recreational trail construction statewide.
An award of $500,000 from the Clean Ohio Trails Fund helped build this portion of the trail, which is part of the Miami 2 Miami trail network. The network aims at connecting the Great Miami River Recreation Trail in Butler County and the Little Miami Scenic Trail in Warren County. The City of Fairfield, the Butler County Commissioners, Butler County Engineer’s Office and MetroParks of Butler County collaborated on the project.
“Our economic and social health calls for us to strengthen our connection to our natural world,” said ODNR Director Sean D. Logan. “The dedication of this trail represents a new way to connect to nature and is another great example of what can be accomplished when communities, businesses and conservationists work together toward a common goal.”
Phase one of the trail, totaling 1.55 miles, was constructed by West Chester Township with a $275,000 Clean Ohio Grant. That portion of the trail runs from Port Union Road along the historic Miami-Erie Canal to Firebird Lane. Phase two of the project, totaling 1.38 miles, extends the trail from Firebird Lane to the Gilmore Ponds Interpretive Preserve in Fairfield.
The Clean Ohio Fund, approved by voters in November 2000, is a $400 million bond program aimed at revitalizing blighted urban areas, protecting rivers and watersheds, preserving green space and farmland and expanding Ohio’s system of recreational trails.
More than 219 miles of recreational trails were constructed with $25 million allocated for that purpose under the original initiative. These trails improve quality of life and boost outdoor recreational opportunities for all Ohioans. Local governments, parks and joint recreation districts, conservancy districts, soil and water conservancy districts and non-profit organizations applied for the trail funds, agreeing to provide a 25 percent match. The local matches included contributions of land, labor or materials.
Recognizing the importance of this program, Governor Ted Strickland proposed renewal of the Clean Ohio Fund through the bi-partisan job stimulus package. The issue is expected to appear on the November ballot.
For Additional Information, Contact:
Jason Fallon, ODNR Marketing & Communications
(614) 265-6842
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860
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