Water temperatures in streams feeding larger Kansas reservoirs have begun to warm, spurring white bass on their annual spring spawning run. According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), anglers are just beginning to catch white bass in streams above reservoirs typically known to harbor good numbers of this popular species. These include most major reservoirs statewide. Click on KDWP TV to view a current news video on the run.

This year's reservoir ratings for white bass (and all fish) may be found in KDWP's Fishing Forecast. In addition, the most currently-recorded biologists' fishing reports may be found on the agency's Fishing

OLYMPIA - The status of pinto abalone will be the subject of a public meeting scheduled Monday, April 28, in Anacortes by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

WDFW staff will discuss a proposal to list the pinto abalone as a state "species of greatest conservation need," which could provide additional funding for efforts to recover the native mollusk.

Public comments on that proposal will also be heard at the meeting, scheduled from 7-9 p.m. at the Anacortes Public Library.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) is proud to announce their new safety initiative – Project STAND (Stop Tree Stand Accidents N’ Deaths.) Project STANDis a comprehensive educational outreach program promoting tree stand safety and awareness. Recent studies tell us that 10% of hunters who hunt from an elevated tree stand will have some type of hunting incident at some point. This could mean an extended hospital stay, life in a wheel chair or even death. As the popularity of hunting from elevated stands continues to grow, then the chances of tree stand accidents will also grow.

Project STAND wants to deliver this extremely important safety message to the entire hunting community.

The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) will be hosting a special youth shooting sports program forum in Montgomery, AL on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Tukabatchee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America Headquarters, 3067 Carter Hill Road, Montgomery, AL 36111.

The forum will begin at 9:00 AM with lunch provided to all attendees. Directions to the facility can be obtained by calling (864) 233-8363.

This forum will provide an opportunity for youth program leaders and representatives of archery clubs, gun

Passed during the 2008 legislative session, SB-238 gives Utah law enforcement officers and port-of-entry

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announces the expansion of the east section of the Great Florida Birding Trail to include new sites in 15 counties.

Both novice and expert birdwatchers will enjoy the newly-added sites, including such famed birding destinations as Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge near Vero Beach, and Viera Wetlands near Cocoa, as well as little-known gems like Vaill Point Park in St. Augustine and North Sebastian Conservation Area in Sebastian.

Juneau, Alaska – Alaska’s hunters and fishermen can look to the new Alaska State Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus to be the ‘sportsmen’s voice’ in the State Legislature. In its first session as a unified group, the caucus directed important legislation that is tough on poachers and challenges federal intrusion into a state’s issue.

As the Alaska State Legislature came to a close, the Alaska State Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus was able to point to its accomplishments for Alaska’s 149,000 sportsmen.

GARDEN CITY -- The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission listened to recommendations concerning the deer and antelope seasons at its public hearing Thursday night in Garden City. Commissioners approved the following season dates for deer.

The archery season will begin Sept. 22, 2008, and close Dec. 31, 2008. The urban antlerless-only white-tailed deer archery season (Deer Management Unit 19 only) will open Jan. 5, 2009, and close Jan. 31, 2009. The urban firearm deer season (Deer Management Unit 19 only) will open Oct. 11, 2008, and close Oct. 19, 2008. The Muzzleloader-only season will open Sept. 22, 2008, and run through Oct. 5, 2008. The season

Washington, DC – The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted a Capitol Hill breakfast briefing yesterday, sponsored by Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), where members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) and other interested parties were informed about the importance and status of The Clean Boating Act of 2008. If the legislation passes, it could save recreational boaters and anglers from having to comply with Clean Water Act regulations originally designed for cargo container ships, cruise ships and supertankers - not recreational boats.

THE PROBLEM - For thirty-five years, the Environmental Protection Agency has exempted recreational

Barrington, Illinois The ZipVac Portable Food Storage System is a new, unique vacuum-packing product for edibles or other items that need protection. It utilizes reusable, freezable, boilable ZipVac bags and a portable, rechargeable electric vacuum pump that fits the patent-pending valve system built into the ZipVac bags. A compact manual hand pump is also included.

“The ZipVac system is so simple. Other vacuum-packing products use big machines, open-ended bags and heat welding. With ZipVac you just load and zip the bag, then suck the air out with the pump,” said Babe Winkelman who has enthusiastically endorsed the product.

CONCORD, N.H. -- Sharpen up your turkey hunting skills by signing up for a free seminar called "Talking Turkey," with Tooky River Calls pro-staff members and Wildlife Biologist Mark Ellingwood, on Wednesday, April 23, from 7 - 9 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, call Mark Beauchesne at 603-271-6355.

This free talk will get you ready for the spring gobbler season. Tooky River Calls pro-staff will explain how to use locator calls, along with traditional box calls, slate call and mouth calls. Pro-staffers will also discuss hunting setup, ethics and turkey hunting safety. Ellingwood will explore turkey ecology, behavior and

Mid-April, 2 a.m. -- A woman hears a loud noise and looks out the window to see a black bear sniffing around her trash can. She secured the lid on the can with a bungee cord. She watches as the bear lifts the can and throws it. The lid flies off and the bear has found something to eat.

It's that time of year when Colorado's bears emerge from hibernation. Male bears come out first. Depending on the weather and elevation, they start coming out in early to mid-April. If they don't find green grass or new plant growth to eat, they might go back into the den. Females with cubs come out later, but they will all be out by May.

The DNR Division of Forestry recently released its Strategic Plan for 2008-2013. The plan was based on considerable public input.

“This plan expanded on the public input process to include open houses, public meetings and opportunities to comment on draft plans” said State Forester John Seifert. “We addressed each and every comment received from the public to the extent possible. Those comments covered a wide range of topics, from timber harvesting and wildlife habitat to recreation, ecosystem protection, funding and organizational efficiency.”

SEATAC - With low returns of coho and wild chinook salmon expected back to several rivers in Washington, salmon fisheries approved today include increased restrictions this year for anglers in the ocean, Puget Sound, and the Columbia River.

"Many salmon runs on the west coast are alarmingly low this year," said Jeff Koenings, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "It's more important than ever that we take a cautious and conservative

Every April, a natural phenomenon draws throngs of anglers to the Arkansas River between Canon City and Leadville. It's the annual caddisfly hatch.

The starting time can vary from year to year depending on the weather, but make no mistake, once it starts, the air with be thick with millions of insects buzzing about -- and the fly fishing community will be abuzz with details of where the hatch is thickest on any given day.

Now in effect, the new Strategic White-tailed Deer Management Plan of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission addresses the deer-human issue as one of six categories, labeling it Sociological. The other categories of the plan are Resource, Education, Communication, Habitat and Enforcement.

Anglers are landing increasing numbers of spring chinook salmon on the lower Columbia River, the lingcod season is under way on a large portion of the Washington coast and hundreds of lakes throughout the state open for trout fishing April 26.

Those are just a few of the reasons why anglers might want to purchase a 2008-09 fishing license before current licenses expire at midnight March 31.

Hunters also have good reason to plan ahead. A spring wild turkey season for hunters under age

A few days are still left to help songbirds, river otters and other wildlife that people don't hunt or fish for.

You can help by giving a few dollars to Utah's Nongame Wildlife Fund before the income tax deadline on April 15. To give a donation, go to line 19 on your 2007 Utah State Income Tax form. Once you're there, enter code 01 and the amount you want to donate.