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Marine Resources Division Receives $50,000 For State’s Offshore Artificial Reef Program

John Stabley — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:31:13 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Vern Minton

December 4, 2007 251-968-7576

Marine Resources Division Receives $50,000

For State’s Offshore Artificial Reef Program

Captain Maurice Fitzsimmons, Tom Steber and Tony Kennon of the Red Snapper World Championship presented Marine Resources Division Director Vern Minton a check for $50,000 on Nov. 26 at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The money will be used as match for the Sportfish Restoration monies to continue building offshore artificial reefs.

“Since its inception in 2004, the Red Snapper World Championship has been a very successful tournament and has helped generate a lot of revenue for coastal Alabama,” said Gov. Bob Riley. “Their continued commitment in supporting Alabama’s Artificial Offshore Reef Program is very much appreciated.”

In partnership with the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), the tournament has donated $50,000 each year to be used as matching money for the federal SportFish Restoration program. The 3:1 match creates $200,000 yearly.

“This is a great cooperative effort that has produced a tremendous amount of habitat to the benefit of the fishery resources and the fishermen,” said Minton. “The program has been able to place 864 artificial reefs in the permit area, creating excellent habitat for reef fishes like red snapper and grouper.” Approximately 1,200 square miles of offshore waters are included in the artificial reef general permit areas of Alabama, making this the largest artificial reef program in the United States.

ADCNR Commissioner M. Barnett Lawley said, “We look forward to continuing this successful working relationship in the future and appreciate the opportunity to share in this tremendous tournament.” The Red Snapper World Championship is held each spring in Orange Beach, Alabama. Hundreds of anglers from all over the nation participate in the tournament for cash and prizes.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

From left-right: Chief Marine Biologist Steve Heath, Tournament Director Tony Kennon, ADCNR Comm. M. Barnett Lawley, Tom Steber, Gov. Bob Riley, Captain Maurice Fitzsimmons, Marine Resources Division Dir. R. Vernon Minton

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Hunter Harvests Doe With 5th Leg in West Bend Wisconsin!!

John Stabley — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:13:09 +0000

Hunter Harvests Doe With 5th Leg in West Bend Wisconsin!!

Hunter Josh Kropp harvests a doe with a 5th leg.

You can watch the Video Clip here.

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Video Clip- Pennsylvania Bear Being Released

John Stabley — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:11:08 +0000

Video Clip- Pennsylvania Bear Being Released
Video Clip- Pennsylvania Bear Being Released

This is a Video of the PA Game Commission releasing a canned bear. Great Footage!

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. Check This Out

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Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Gift ideas for the outdoorswoman

John Stabley — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 02:55:36 +0000

Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Gift ideas for the outdoorswoman

Frankfort, Kentucky – Hunting and fishing are not just for men. Nationally, 9 percent of hunters and 25 percent of anglers are women. But it can still be tough to find a gift for the outdoorswoman on your Christmas list.

Consider the most common problems experienced by women who hunt and fish: It’s difficult to get started in the first place, well-fitting clothes are hard to find, and guns often don’t fit properly. These three issues are perfect opportunities for gift-giving this Christmas. Some great ideas to address them include outdoor instruction, waders, boots and clothing made specifically for women, and gun alterations.

National research shows that women who hunt and fish often start later in life and may have less experience than men. Instruction in the outdoors is the perfect gift for women who are just getting started. Consider shooting or casting lessons, a guided fishing trip or instructional books and DVDs. If you’re experienced in an outdoor activity she’s interested in, create a homemade coupon for a day of your time at the range, in the woods or on the water.

One of the best gifts you can give a beginner is a gift certificate for a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. The three-day workshops, offered by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources several times a year, introduce women to hunting, fishing, hiking and more. Participants are taught by experienced instructors, both men and women. It’s a great way for women new to the outdoors to meet female role models, strike up friendships with other budding outdoorswomen and learn the basics in a non-intimidating atmosphere. Go to fw.ky.gov and click on “Special Programs” or call 1-800-858-1549 to learn more. Gift certificates are available in any amount up to the full workshop fee by mailing a check or money order to KDFWR BOW Program, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, Ky. 40601.

For women already active in hunting or fishing, it can be difficult to find clothes, boots and other equipment that fits. But several companies now offer a small selection of women-specific items, and a couple of small specialty companies cater only to the outdoorswoman.

There are several models of full-length waders on the market made just for women. Good women’s waders are cut to fit a female shape and proportions, but are as tough and well-designed as men’s versions. Look for the same features you’d want in any good pair of waders – breathable materials, reinforced knees, comfortable suspenders and a strong belt.

Men’s boots are made for men. Unfortunately, many wading or hunting boots, including some of the best models available, are not made in women’s sizes. A smaller men’s size may work with some boots on some women, but many outdoorswomen find men’s boots too wide and tall. Even if you need to choose something other than the latest, greatest boot on the market in order to get a women’s size, that’s probably going to fit the woman on your list better than a cutting-edge model that trips her on the way to the tree stand.

Hunting clothing is notoriously hard to find in women’s sizes. While stores stock a variety of materials, camo patterns and sizes for men, the women’s section tends to be sparse or nonexistent. Make the extra effort and find what’s available. Men’s shirts and jackets are usually too large in the shoulder, binding in the chest and narrow at the hip, and pants are too big in the waist, small in the hip and inches too long. The more buyers choose to purchase women-specific clothing – not men’s sizes – the more women’s models will come on the market in the future.

Many people, especially women, shoot production guns that simply don’t fit. For the female hunter or shooter on your list, consider a custom fitting by a stockmaker or gunsmith. Precision fitting can be as simple as swapping recoil pads or as complex as shortening a stock or raising a comb, which means it is not a good surprise gift. Take her with you to the gunsmith for exact measurements.

Buying gifts for the outdoorswoman can be a challenge. You may need to get creative with your gift ideas, or peruse catalogs, go online or drive a little farther to find a store that carries outdoor items tailored for women. But the effort is worth it. Women who are comfortable in the outdoors, thanks to well-fitting clothes and equipment and enough know-how to have a safe and fun day outside tend to stick with hunting and fishing for the long haul. That’s the best gift of all.

Hayley Lynch is an award-winning writer for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. She is an avid hunter and shotgun shooter.

Media Contact:
Hayley Lynch (800) 852-0943 ext.424