News

Announcement affirms 2007 Executive Order signed by President Bush

Announcement includes updated soil rental rates and added incentives for allowing hunting access to CRP lands

PAYSON - The thrashing rainbow was so large it almost filled the large stocking net as Payson Mayor Kenny Evans released the first trout of the season on Oct. 17 to welcome back the trout to the Green Valley Lakes here.

Mayor Evans, who has fished around the world and held various line-class records for large bill fish using a fly rod, tucked the tie into his shirt and expertly dipped the net into the clear lake water to release the feisty 4-pound rainbow trout.

The Green Valley Lakes along Main Street are operated by the Town of Payson but are also part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Urban Fishing Program. So to fish here you will need a special urban fishing license (you can visit www.azgfd.gov/fishing for license information and an interactive map of the location).

HARRISBURG, PA - Legislation allowing conservation organizaitons to auction off elk licenses to generate funds for the state Game Commission has passed the Pennsylvia General Assembly and is now waiting the expected signature of Governor Rendell.

Authored and introduced by Pennsylvania State Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair, state Rep. Marc Gergely and supported by the Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Caucus, the legislation (H.B. 747) will allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to offer a special elk conservation hunting tag through an auction every year in which the proceeds would go toward improving elk habitats in the Commonwealth. The Game Commission will be required to prepare an annual report for the General Assembly detailing how the proceeds are used.

Both residents and nonresidents will be eligible to participate in the auction.

TEMECULA, California - Outdoor Channel, America's Leader in Outdoor TV, has partnered with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) to encourage outdoorsmen to vote in the upcoming 2008 presidential election. The on-air campaign launched this week features Outdoor Channel on-air personalities highlighting the role of hunters and anglers as a voting constituency with a call to action.

According to a national poll of outdoorsmen conducted by CSF, nine out of ten sportsmen are registered to vote with a solid majority of sportsmen (83%) saying they will vote in the November election. It is estimated that over 40 million hunters and anglers are of voting age.

Springfield, Missouri-The second annual Outdoor Fitness Festival expands to 2 weekends this year and features fitness events, outdoor adventures, health & wellness activities and wildlife conservation programs. America's most comprehensive outdoor fitness festival includes competitive and fun running/walking events, trail runs, canoe/kayak races, fitness and health fair, a corporate wellness conference, youth and kid's activities and outdoor education classes. National running celebrities Dick Beardsley, Frank Shorter, Jeff Galloway, and Bill Rodgers will be helping us host this great event. In addition this year, we have Eric Meyer, Himalayan High Altitude Climber/Doctor & Member K2 Rescue Team 2008 with his story about the recent K2 rescue at Mount Everest.

"Our goal continues to be to create a destination event for individuals and families promoting physical activities and experiences in the great outdoors," stated event co-chairman Martin MacDonald of Bass Pro Shops. "We want this event to encourage people of all ages and lifestyles to enhance their fitness level by participating in running, walking, and various outdoor adventures."

Overland Park, Kansas - With a 6.5x magnification range (1:6.5 ratio from low to high power), the Elite 6500 riflescopes offer one of the widest zoom ranges in the industry. These scopes have proven their popularity with target shooters, hunters and tactical marksmen.

Bushnell adds three new models for 2009. For those who hunt in brush country with lever-actions, compact rifles, shotguns or muzzleloaders, the new 1.25-8x32 with 5 inches of eye relief is a great choice. The lower 1.25x magnification is perfect for quick, easy target acquisition in heavy cover, and the 8x top-end magnification provides versatility for longer range shots. The Multi-X reticle is also standard.

KINGSPORT, Tennessee --- Gary Myers, one of the longest serving leaders of a state conservation agency in United States history, has announced his retirement as the executive director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, effective March 1, 2009. Myers announcement came during the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission meeting on Wednesday (October 21).

Myers, 73, has been associated with the TWRA since 1974 when he came to Tennessee following 11 years with the Colorado Game and Fish Department. He served as TWRA Assistant Director of Field Operations.

He was named as TWRA Executive Director in 1978 and celebrated his 30th anniversary in the position this year. Widely recognized by his peers and conservation organizations throughout the country, Myers has received numerous honors during his acclaimed career.

DALLAS-In the October 24 issue of Lone Star Outdoor News, available for downloading at www.lsonews.com, while the opener of the deer gun season takes center stage, the first November weekend is the favorite of many Texas hunters for more reasons, with chances to hunt deer, quail, ducks, doves, turkey and other species - and in South Texas - all in the same weekend.

Offshore, fishing for tuna has been affected by a reduction in shrimp boats, but those determined or fortunate enough to find the shrimpers are still finding tuna.

Two Texas bowhunters decided getting to the blind quietly was of utmost importance on their small hunting lease. Mountain bikes turned out to be their answer.

Lone Star Outdoor News covers hunting and fishing news across Texas. It brings the most credible and timely information to sportsmen and women two times per month. The print version is 40,000 copies.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana—An American woman survived a deadly boat accident in Guyana by clinging to a bucket that helped keep her afloat in the muddy river for a day and a half, police said Monday.

Sherry Campayne-Haynes, 40, traveled to her native South American country to scatter her brother's ashes in the Corentyne River, where the wooden speedboat capsized near sunset Friday. Six other people died, including the Brooklyn woman's sister and a nephew, according to Deputy Police Commander Simon McBean.Campayne-Haynes was still holding the 5-gallon plastic bucket when she reached a sandbank Sunday morning, a friend said.

"She is taking back that plastic bucket and the life jacket to New York for keeps," family friend Guy Wilson said from a hotel where Campayne-Haynes was recovering from the ordeal.