NM hunters get a larger slice of elk, other big game licenses under Senate-passed bill :: The Republic
March 8, 2011
SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexicans will get a larger share of licenses to hunt elk and other big game under a bill heading to the House.
The Senate approved a measure 38-3 Wednesday to earmark 84 percent of licenses for New Mexico hunters in the yearly drawing for the right to hunt elk, deer and other big game on public land.
Currently, 78 percent of licenses are designated for New Mexicans and 22 percent go to out-of-state hunters.
The bill by Democratic Sen. George Munoz of Gallup reserves 10 percent of licenses for nonresidents guided by a New Mexico outfitter, down from 12 percent currently. Six percent of licenses will go to other out-of-state hunters.
Drawing applicants must buy a small game license, costing $65 for nonresidents and $15 for New Mexicans.
No improvement with deer harvest numbers – news-herald.com
March 8, 2011
By Jeffrey L. FrischkornJFrischkorn@News-Herald.com
Though the figures are a little different from what was reported late last month, the net result is the same. More Ohio deer managed to give hunters the slip last year than during the various combined 2009-2010 deer hunting seasons.The difference between the set of previous figures and these official figures is one of statistical gathering. Last year was the final time the Ohio Division of Wildlife issued preliminary deer kill results.Beginning with this season, the agency will have the ability to issue near real-time kill figures due to the establishment of the new $16 million online license-issuing and animal check-in process.Last month, the state could only give results based on where the deer were checked in and not necessarily where they were actually taken. The latter detail required hand-checking and sorting, which took additional time. Regardless, the number of deer killed by Ohio’s approximately 400,000 white-tail hunters stood at 239,260 deer, down from the official 2009-2010 all-seasons total of 261,260.Counties reporting the highest number of deer checked during the season were Coshocton 8,837, Tuscarawas 8,164, Licking 7,819, Muskingum 7,130, Guernsey 6,990, Harrison 6,965, Knox 6,335, Carroll 5,721, Holmes 5,635 and Ashtabula 5,333.Ohio’s first modern deer-gun season opened in 1943 in three counties where hunters killed 168 deer. In 1956, deer hunting was allowed in all 88 counties, and hunters killed 3,911 deer during a one-week season. Now such a total figure wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow as to being a top deer hunting county.A statewide hearing on all the proposed 2011-2012 rules will be held on March 10 at 9 a.m. at the Division of Wildlife’s District One office, which is located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. After considering public input, the eight-member Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during its April 6 meeting.However, there is virtually no change in the regulations — which are complicated in their own right — between the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 respective sets of deer-hunting rules.The best hunters can do is lobby for changes to the 2012-2013 deer hunting regulations, often a lengthy process with the Wildlife Division and its equally cautious Wildlife Council. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via Outdoors: No improvement with deer harvest numbers – news-herald.com.
Minnesota Deer Classic: If you go | StarTribune.com
March 8, 2011
Where: Coliseum Building, Minnesota State Fairgrounds
When: 3-9 p.m. Friday; 9-6 Saturday; 10-4 Sunday.
What: Want to see antlers? More than 600 were entered last year. Hunters can get their trophies measured, including non-Minnesota game species. More than 200 vendors will be there. Seminars include bear hunting, turkey hunting tactics, finding shed antlers with your dog and attracting and holding wildlife on your land. Featured speakers: Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo of the Outdoor Channel’s “Archer’s Choice.”
Information: Go online to the Deer Classic’s website at www.deer-expo.com or call 763-746-2656. Click Link Below for Full Story!
via Minnesota Deer Classic: If you go | StarTribune.com.
Catch-and-Release Survival Rates Could Open More Tuna Fishing | Outdoor Life
March 8, 2011
by Rick Bach
Fifty-seven happy, healthy bluefin tuna might be cause for thousands of elated fishermen next season in what some consider to be the tuna capital of the world.
In a fisherman-funded study, 59 bluefin tuna that were captured last summer near Prince Edward Island were released with a tag that is capable of tracking their activity by satellite.
The fishermen behind the study, and many others, contend that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ assumption that 11 percent of tuna die after release (data which is used for the issuing of licenses) is way too high.
The 57 living tuna that are still swimming after last summer’s release would suggest that perhaps they have a legitimate gripe.
Anglers contend that catch-and-release regulations for bluefin would bring added industry to the area, and make better use of their resource. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via Catch-and-Release Survival Rates Could Open More Tuna Fishing | Outdoor Life.
ODNR News Releases – Man Pleads Guilty to Poaching Near $24,000 Trophy Buck
March 8, 2011
Largest restitution for a poached deer ever imposed in Ohio
BELLEFONTAINE, OH – A Logan County man pled guilty to three wildlife violations stemming from the illegal taking of a trophy white-tailed deer in the Bellefontaine Municipal Court on Monday, January 3. As a result, he will be required to pay $23,816.59 in restitution, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
James C. Alspaugh, 39, of West Mansfield pled guilty to three charges including hunting by the aid of a motor vehicle, shooting from a roadway, and hunting without permission. The Honorable Judge John Ross presided over the case and ordered Alspaugh to pay $400 in fines, an additional $151.50 in court costs, and to forfeit the deer. Alspaugh was ordered to spend 48 hours in the Logan County Jail
In addition, Alspaugh will lose his hunting privileges for two years. He will be entered into the Wildlife Violator’s Compact and most likely will lose hunting rights in 36 other states.
The Division of Wildlife is also imposing restitution for the deer in the amount of $23,816.95. This is in accordance with Ohio’s revised restitution law for illegal taking of white-tailed deer. The law went into effect March 2008 and allows the Division of Wildlife to seek an increased recovery value on all illegally harvested wildlife.
The non-typical trophy deer, scored according to Boone & Crockett (B&C) guidelines, netted an impressive 218 7/8.
A concerned citizen contacted Ohio wildlife officers Adam Smith and Jeff Tipton about the questionable shooting of the trophy deer in December 2010. Officers were able to recover the deer and determine that it was unlawfully taken.
The Division of Wildlife is encouraging citizens to report any illegal activity they observe by contacting the TIP line. Tips may be phoned anonymously to 1-800-POACHER.
Editor’s Note on Restitution: The recovery value for an individual white-tailed deer is derived from the formula listed in 1531.201 of the Ohio Revised Code. The value is determined by measuring the antlers and using the following formula plus the value derived for wildlife. The formula for white-tailed deer may be applied to all illegally taken deer whose gross antler score exceeds 125 Boone and Crockett (B&C) inches. The formula is:
Recovery Value = [(gross score - 100)2 x $1.65] + the value derived in the Wildlife Value Formula ($500 as of 3/08).
For further information contact:
ODNR Division of Wildlife Law Enforcement
614. 644. 3925
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Communications
614. 265. 6860
via ODNR News Releases – Man Pleads Guilty to Poaching Near $24,000 Trophy Buck.
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