NEW YORK, March 21 (Reuters) – Sportsman’s Warehouse, a Utah-based sporting goods retailer, on Saturday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection citing a liquidity crisis triggered by declining sales and the global economic slowdown.

The company, which sells goods relating to fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor activities, said it intends to operate 29 stores as a going concern, after already announcing plans to close 23 stores, and sell another 15.

It listed assets of $436.4 million and liabilities of $452.1 million, according to court papers.

The company is 25 percent owned by an affiliate of Seidler Equity Partners, according to court papers. The company said it has about 3,245 employees.

The case is In re: Sportsman’s Warehouse Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, No. 09-10990.

(Reporting by Emily Chasan; Editing by Eric Walsh)

Courtesy of KDWP

In 2000, above average river flows allowed the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to experiment with seasonal rainbow trout stocking in the South Fork of the Solomon River above Webster Reservoir. Habitat was enhanced in three zones between the upper end of the reservoir and the Damar Blacktop (2 Road) to help hold trout in place, and fish were released in these locations in February and March of that year. Fort Hays State University Biology Department staff and students assisted with an environmental assessment of this pilot project. Results were favorable, and trout were again stocked in the river in the winter and spring of 2001 and 2002.

Dry conditions returned after the third year of the program, and river flows were considered too low to support a trout fishery in 2003. (A rate of flow exceeding 30 cubic feet per second is considered adequate for supporting a seasonal trout fishery in this stretch of river.) Drought was prevalent from 2003 through 2007. Then wet conditions throughout most of 2008 within much of the Solomon River Basin rejuvenated river flows. As a result, KDWP biologists are planning to stock rainbow trout in the river this year with the first release tentatively scheduled for Jan. 26.

This year’s program, in response to budget and manpower limitations, will be a reduced version of the previous efforts. For 2009, habitat will be enhanced in a single zone that can be accessed at the N Road low-water crossing just west of 5 Road. This will be the only site stocked this year. Anglers should be able to find the best concentrations of trout within a zone ranging approximately ½ mile upstream and ½ mile downstream of the crossing. This site will likely be stocked again in March, and possibly in February, depending upon flow and the amount of angler use and harvest.

The stretch of the South Fork of the Solomon River lying between the Damar Blacktop and Webster Reservoir is a Type 2 designated trout water, meaning that during trout season — which runs Oct. 15-April 15 — a trout permit is required for anglers fishing for or possessing trout except that youth under 16 years of age may fish without a permit with a reduced daily limit of two trout, or they can keep five per day if they possess a permit. In addition, all residents 16 through 64 years old and nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid fishing license. Anglers fishing for or possessing only species other than trout in this stretch of river during trout season are not required to have a trout permit. All anglers may fish for and possess trout without a permit once the season ends April 15.

The following map describes the stocking locations or view an enlarged map HERE:

Courtesy of KDWP
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced the opening of a new rental cabin at Atchison State Fishing Lake (3 ½ miles north and 2 miles west of Atchison). The cabin is available year-round. With a double bed, a double fold out futon, a single futon, and a Murphy bed, the air conditioned and heated cabin will sleep six. Renters must provide their own bedding, pillows, towels, and toiletries. A hot shower, complete kitchen, refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave will make a stay as comfortable as home.

Atchison State Fishing Lake includes a lake that covers approximately 66 acres with 182 acres of land adjoining the lake. Of this, approximately 136 acres and the lake are open to hunting. The wildlife area is comprised of native grass and timber. Wildlife watching is a popular activity on the area, as well. The east side of the lake from the shoreline to the east property line is closed to hunting.

Reserving KDWP cabins more is convenient than ever. From the KDWP home page, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, click “Cabin Reservations” in the top right-hand corner. Select the desired state park or wildlife area and cabin from the onscreen list, and a list of cabins will appear. Select your destination, and information on securing reservations will appear. All cabins offer secure online payment with a credit card. Users must log into the system and set up an account to complete a transaction. In addition to complete written instructions detailing the reservation process, an instructional video provides an overview of the online reservation system.

Many than 60 cabins are available at 22 locations in state parks and wildlife areas. Most cabins feature amenities such as bathrooms, kitchens, refrigerators, stoves, heating and air conditioning, and ADA accessibility.

Courtesy of KDWP

Cabins, reduced prices, uncrowded conditions make parks attractive in fall and winter
PRATT — Summer is over, but for many outdoorsmen and women, that doesn’t mean the end of Kansas state park visitation. Many hunters and anglers — and even campers looking for a cool-season adventure — take advantage of the “off-season” in Kansas state parks. Lower prices during the off-season — Oct. 1-March 31 — make trips even more attractive.

Hunters and anglers probably use parks more than other visitors, and the growing number of cabins in parks makes stays more inviting. Cabins provide all the amenities of home and proximity to popular outdoor activities. Cabin rental fees vary depending on size, days of the week, and time of year.

Standard off-season state park permit fees are as follow:

• Daily Vehicle permit — $3.70 (senior/disabled, $2.60);
• Annual Vehicle permit — $19.70 (senior/disabled, $11.10);
• additional Annual Vehicle permit — $12.20 (senior/disabled, $7.35):
• Daily Camping permit — $7.50; and
• 14-Day Camping permit — $87.50.

Costs listed include applicable service fees, except online purchase convenience fee. Annual permits purchased in either the off-season or the prime season are valid for the remainder of the calendar year. 2009 permits go on sale Dec. 15.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Parks Division operates a system of 25 parks and the Prairie Spirit Rail-Trail. In addition to cabins, most state parks provide utilities and primitive camping and are located adjacent to lakes or reservoirs. Utility fees remain unchanged although some camping fees are cheaper if purchased in the off-season.

In addition to camping facilities, parks offer boat ramps, courtesy docks, shelter houses, trails, and a variety of other amenities. Parks also host numerous special events, such as concerts and festivals, throughout the year.

More information on state park fees is available at the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

Courtesy of KDWP

Field Dressed Apparel is a Texas based company.  Chad started an outdoor apparel line focusing on the rich history of archery, gun hunting, and

fishing. The Classic and Roots lines carry the trademarked terms Nock-Up (archery), Load-Up (gun) and Hook-Up (fishing) while referring to the established dates of each sport. The Evolutions line depicts and dates how each sport has evolved over time. Demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the sport you love by ordering a custom tee from Field Dressed. Check back often as new designs are currently in production.

Come check them out at

www.fielddressed.com

Courtesy of NSSF

NEWTOWN, Conn. — For many hunters, that 300-mile drive to deer camp may be put on hold this year. Unwilling — or unable — to spend more on gasoline than licenses and lodging, many hunters are checking out their options closer to home.

Recent surveys have shown that this is a national trend among American hunters. According to research conducted by Southwick Associates’ HunterSurvey.com, “40 percent of hunters indicated that rising gas prices will cause them to reduce their outdoor activities or reduce their travel distance.”

Realizing that gaining access to both public and private land can be one of a hunter’s most daunting challenges, some state fish and game departments have developed innovative programs to address the problem.

Pennsylvania, for example, provides the public with detailed maps that show areas accessible by local hunters. These include state game, forest and park lands, and national forest property, totaling over 3.5 million acres. Through a “landowner cooperator” program, an additional two million acres of private property have also been opened up to the state’s hunters.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) recently unveiled a state-of-the-art mapping program using Google Maps. It’s a user-friendly service especially valuable for those new to hunting or new to the state. “Every hunter knows scouting is key to success, and these Google Maps make it easy to start scouting at home,” said Matthew Keenan, ODFW’s Access and Habitat Program Coordinator. The map features state wildlife areas, national wildlife refuges and private lands open to hunting through the state’s Access and Habitat and Upland Cooperative Access programs. Each area even has a descriptive bubble that provides information about the principal species hunted, size of the area, access periods and special regulations.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), working with sportsmen and landowners, provides sportsmen access to private land and through private land to public lands with a program called “Access Yes!”

“The ‘Access Yes!’ program is an exciting opportunity to get sportsmen and landowners together to improve habitat, increase hunting access and benefit private landowners. An additional benefit is that landowners and sportsmen get to know and respect each other,” commented Jim Unsworth, deputy director for IDFG.

In 2008 IDFG has made 444,735 private acres accessible to sportsmen and access to an additional 381,310 acres of public ground by working with private landowners. “We are doing our part to keep our hunters hunting at home in Idaho,” said Unsworth.

These programs, and similar ones in other states, have received significant funding from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, through its Hunting Heritage Partnership Program.

The NSSF helps sportsmen and women locate places to hunt at www.huntandshoot.org.

Courtesy of Kansas WIldlife and Parks
WICHITA — The votes are in, the judging complete, and the final design and layout completed for the Great Plains Nature Center’s (GNPC) second “Kansas Critters” book. On Saturday, Aug. 23, GNPC will honor the 223 young artists and authors grades K-8 whose 238 art and text entries comprise the second book in the series, Kansas Critters: A Wildlife Book Written and Illustrated by Kansas Kids. Four book receptions will be staged throughout the day to individually acknowledge each artist and author.

“This book is a result of Kansas kids learning about 26 kinds of birds,” says GPNC director Bob Gress. “Kids throughout Kansas accepted our challenge to research and then draw, paint, or write about their favorite birds. We received more than 3,200 entries and are proud to showcase this collection.”

Beginning Monday, Aug. 25, complimentary copies of Kansas Critters: A Wildlife Book Written and Illustrated by Kansas Kids will be available free in the Owl’s Nest Gift shop at the GPNC, 6232 E. 29th Street North in Wichita. For more information, phone 316-683-5499

Courtesy of Kansas Wildlife and Parks

Printed copies of the 2008 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available at Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offices and license vendors around the state soon, but hunters can view or download the summary now from the KDWP website.

This year’s booklet contains several changes, in both format and new regulations. A few of the more significant new regulations include the following:

• Annual hunting and fishing licenses are available at no cost to honorably discharged resident veterans with certified service-related disabilities of 30 percent or more, effective Jan.1, 2009.
• A season for Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves will run Nov.20 through Feb.28.
• Resident Any-Season Whitetail permits will be valid statewide during any season with equipment legal for that season.
• Resident Either-species/Either-sex Archery permits will be valid statewide.
• No big game permit may be transferred to another person.
• Big game or turkey permits for residents younger than 16 are half-price.
• Special Hunt-Own-Land deer permits may be issued to a landowner’s or tenant’s siblings and lineal family members and spouses, regardless of residency.
• Nonresident deer hunters are restricted to two adjacent deer management units.
• Nonresident hunters are required to select one season (archery, muzzleloader, or firearms) at the time of application.
• Scopes are allowed for early muzzleloader deer season.
• Knapped broad heads allowed during the archery deer season.
• Crossbows are allowed for deer hunting in the firearm season.

The most significant change in format this year involves the way the public hunting areas section is presented. Each KDWP-owned or operated property is listed, including size, directions to the area, and special regulations that apply to that area.

As always, most season dates have changed to some degree, and other regulations are covered in this indispensable booklet. Printed copies of the 2008 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available in September at department offices and license vendors around the state.