March 6, 2009

Richmond, VA — “Bob-white, Bob-white” was a frequent bird call heard across Virginia some forty years ago. Today, with the loss of habitat, Northern Bobwhite Quail numbers have fallen off and are heard far less frequently. Virginia has not only seen a decline in these great birds but also a decline in the hunters devoted […]

Des Moines, Iowa (AP) — A Senate committee approved plans Thursday to charge out-of-state visitors more to hunt and fish in Iowa. Some outdoor groups had signaled a willingness to see fees increased if the money would help habitat or pay for trails. But lawmakers have focused on out-of-state visitors because Gov. Chet Culver opposed

Austwell, Texas (AP) — Eighteen whooping crane deaths around a South Texas wildlife refuge has made this winter the second-worst for whooper mortality in 20 years. Another 34 cranes from last year failed to return to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and are presumed dead. Federal wildlife officials say a low food supply and malnutrition

Detroit (AP) — Despite warnings, a Michigan dentist repeatedly turned to eBay to spend thousands of dollars on dried insects without reporting the imports to federal wildlife officials. The details are in a plea agreement signed by Kevin Rucinski and filed in federal court in Bay City, where the Roscommon County man pleaded guilty Wednesday

Lewiston, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is trapping fishers in northern Idaho’s Clearwater Basin and fitting them with radio collars to learn more about their habits. Joel Sauder, a non-game biologist with the agency, is in the midst of a multiyear study of the small predators and how they select

Austin, Texas (AP) _ Here is the weekly fishing report as compiled for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for March 4. (Report also available on Web as www.txfishing.com.) CENTRAL BASTROP: Water lightly stained. Black bass are very good on watermelon and watermelon red spinnerbaits, crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, and soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Board of Game has loosened hunting rules in Chugach State Park. The decision Wednesday followed recommendations by state biologists who hope the changes lead hunters to kill some of the boldest bears in the park edging Anchorage before they wander into the city and hurt somebody. Last summer, there

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, in a notational vote, yesterday gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change that would allow hunters to use magnifying scopes on bows or crossbows during the archery deer and archery bear seasons. At its January meeting, the Board gave final approval to a regulatory change to permit

Savannah, Ga. (AP) — After three decades as a charter fishing guide, Steve Amick says he’s never seen red snapper as large or plentiful as he did last year off Georgia’s Atlantic coast. Soon, catching them could be illegal. Scientists for the federal government say the bountiful catch reported from Florida to North Carolina is