Quail Hunt in Harmony

Our condolences to those members who were unable to attend our latest "More Often Than Annual Quail Release" due to family duties over the busy Thanksgiving weekend. Twenty plus members and esteemed guests had plenty of shooting (no less than 114 feathered missiles) plus great burgers and dove poppers on the grill prepared by our newly minted Grillmaster Lonnie Hales--who also pulled photo duty and organized and ran an air rifle and pistol side event.
We even had a surprise visit by three local dignitaries, representing our own NC Wildlife Enforcement Dep't, who, after checking only a handful of licenses, gave up the effort and hung around to chat for about 45 minutes and offered (three separate times) to come visit the next time we have a need for a guest speaker.
Shot of the day, in my humble opinion, was made by Jack Hurley's young grandson, Jake, who snapshot--at about 5 yds. a bird as it juked a hard left heading for the treeline. (I didn't see all the good shots in the thick pines some of Philipp Stahala's group was talking about.)
Anyway, the dog owners were bragging on their dogs' good work and the weather was just about perfect--sunny with some "Souther Wind" to speed up the birds and keep the dogs and shooters from getting overheated.
For those who left before the cocktail hour/confab--you should have hung around to hear Bill Curry again establish himself as Club Raconteur. He warned me that my pet story I had just told about the encounter with the hooker at the Davidson Car Wash was about to be slam dunked and he did it better than LeBron himself. Bill had us wide eyed with amazement and all but rolling on the ground with laughter.
Thanks to the Huntmasters, Mike Thomasson and Ed Braxton, who again orchestrated a great event and for those who planted bird after bird for the shooters and dog handlers.
Mike promised that we would have another similar event soon. He and Ed kept the costs super low at $3.25 a bird plus great food and our usual camraderie supplied by all those who attended. (Mike told me not to mention it but a couple of members forgot to pay their $20 so please get it to him ASAP.)
Also please take a minute to see the photos attached to this email. The last one, which I decided to include but couldn't label correctly, is the Boesels' newest addition to their family, another English Spaniel who will soon be carrying the ball for our entire team.

Submitted by Ken Conrad

UPCOMING MADISON RIVER OUTING

To go along with the tailwater fishing that I offer all summer, I also am hosting a great 2 day overnight wild trout trip to the smokys this month.  I do 2 of these a year, and the first is coming up in July.  Going to take a very small group (3) total), so if you think you want in on this one then lock it quick.

July 20th and 21st.

The Big East Fork of the Pigeon on Friday, then the Caldwell Fork of the Cattaloochee on Saturday.

Both offer very good, and challenging wild brown, rainbow and brooks.  The treat of this trip is the access to true wild brooks way up the Caldwell Fork in the smoky mtn. national park on Saturday.  We will park and walk in about 1 mile, then start fishing.  Very fun and enjoyable.

1.  Transportation provided.  .  .we all ride in my truck.

2.  Double occupancy at the Best Western smoky mtn Inn in Waynesville, NC for the night

3.  Dinner provided at Fat Buddies BBQ Friday night

4.  Lunch both days (packed and ready for you to pack in / waters provided

5.  Selection of 12 dry flies for each fisherman for wild trout fishing

6.  (2) full days of wild trout fishing with me as your host.

$350 per person. ($100 deposit required to lock)

 

Sign up and let me take you to some Western NC wild trout territory in the slap middle of the summer.  Fishing is great right now, you just have to get to the right places.  That is where I come in.  Come on, let's go.  CALL to lock this trip.  704 896 3676

Sincerely,

Rob Domico

Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters.

704 896 3676

WILDLIFE WIRE

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North Carolina Wildlife Federation wildlife and habitat news In This Issue NCWF's Executive Director Wins National Award 49th Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards Species Highlight: Bald Eagle NCWF Launches the Franc White Legacy Fund for Conservation Education Fund Seasonal Calendar Wildlife in the News  NCWF's Richard Mode Testifies at EPA Hearing (Video) Legislature moves to let cities protect trees Lawmakers debate science as sea level rises faster along East Coast Historic Senate Vote Supports Clean Air and Water Farm Bill Victory: Senate Closes Loophole to Protect Wetlands, Soil and Wildlife Habitat Spread of deadly fungus threatens bat species Case of three slain elk in Haywood County remains a mystery Volume 10, Issue 7           The mission of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation is to be the leading advocate for all North Carolina wildlife and its habitat. To support our work please make a secure online tax-deductible donation by clicking here. NCWF's Executive Director Wins National Award Tim Gestwicki, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, has received the National Wildlife Federation's prestigious 2012 Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award. This is the highest award given by the 4-million member organization, and honors a conservation leader who fosters strong partnerships between NWF and its affiliates and works to mentor new leaders. "Tim Gestwicki borrows from the same spirit and ambitions as Charlie Shaw, and has an unending willingness to find new ways of broadening the relationship between NCWF and NWF," said Julie Sibbing, NWF's director of Agriculture and Forestry.  "He takes an open view of the NWF affiliate partnership, always asking for information on what needs to be done and how NCWF can play a role in accomplishing shared conservation goals.  His 'can-do' attitude is always present."   Shaw, a past president of NCWF, was NWF's southeastern regional executive at the time of his passing in March 1990. "Charlie rightly saw all of us as part of one big family - many of us different, but all working toward our goal of protecting wildlife and habitat," wrote Larry Schweiger, NWF's President and CEO. Gestwicki was presented with his award at the NWF's 76th Annual Meeting.  "We know who gets the job done and now America does as well," said Richard Mode, NCWF Affiliate Representative and an NWF Outreach Coordinator. "This is a great honor that I humbly and proudly accept on behalf of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation - its board, staff, members, and supporters from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, said Gestwicki.  Click here for full remarks (video).  The Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award is given once a year to an individual nominated by their peers and is a NWF staff member, volunteer or staff member of an affiliate organization. 49th Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards The North Carolina Wildlife Federation invites you to the 49th Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards Reception and Banquet 6:00 P.M. Saturday Evening September 8, 2012 Embassy Suites RTP, Cary, NC Each year the North Carolina Wildlife Federation presents the prestigious Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards, an effort to honor individuals, governmental bodies, organizations, and others who have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conservation in North Carolina. These are the highest natural resource honors given in the state. By recognizing, publicizing, and honoring these conservation leaders-young and old, professional and volunteer-the North Carolina Wildlife Federation hopes to inspire all North Carolinians to take a more active role in protecting the natural resources of our state. Click here to register for the event and more information. Species Highlight:  Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Found throughout North America, the bald eagle has been a symbol of pride and freedom for the United States for many decades. This magnificent bird has a wing span that reaches approximately eight feet as an adult, and it can weigh more than 15 pounds. The bald eagle prefers to live in areas near a source of water because it feeds primarily on fish. The American bald eagle forms life-long pair bonds and will usually return to the same nesting area every year. With a relatively long life span of up to 40 years, the bald eagle does not need to produce very many offspring per year - a female bald eagle will lay one to three eggs every year. In 1982, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission began the North Carolina Bald Eagle Project with NCWF support. One of the first objectives of this project was a "hacking" program, which involved raising eagles in captivity and reintroducing them into the wild which started at Lake Mattamuskeet in Hyde County. North Carolina now has over one hundred nesting pairs, and hundreds of immature and unmated birds. Populations recovered and stabilized, so the species was removed from the U.S. federal government's list of endangered species and transferred to the list of threatened species on July 12, 1995, and it was removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States on June 28, 2007.  NCWF Launches the Franc White Legacy Fund for Conservation Education Franc White, 85, producer of the Southern Sportsman television show from 1972 to 1996, passed away June 6, 2012 at his home in Hookerton, NC. In 1966 Franc White was named "Conservation Educator of the Year" by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, an organization he long supported. Franc and his family ask that in lieu of flowers or cards, please join them in launching the Franc White Legacy Fund for Conservation Education. Click here to contribute to the new fund. Seasonal Calendar July 1: Black skimmers are nesting on our more remote beaches and barrier islands. July 4: Blackberries are ripe. July 5: Bobwhite eggs are hatching. July 7: Summer runs of white perch make for good fishing on the Chowan River. July 8: Bog turtles are nesting in mountain and foothill wetlands. Unlike most turtles, this rare species usually does not excavate a nest in soil, but instead conceals its small egg clutch in a moss or sedge clump. July 10: Squirrel treefrogs, eastern narrowmouth toads, and oak toads breed in temporary wetlands after heavy summer thunderstorms. July 12: American goldfinches are nesting. These familiar and colorful finches depend on mature thistles for food and nesting material, and are thus among our latest nesters, raising only one brood per year. July 15: Peak flight period for our largest butterfly, the giant swallowtail, in the outer Coastal Plain. July 16: Black bear mating peaks. July 20: On hot, humid afternoons, watch and listen for the impressive dives and "boom displays" of the common nighthawk. July 21: Black-eyed Susan, jewelweed, and Joe-pye weed are in bloom. July 22: Our largest beetle and heaviest insect-the eastern Hercules beetle is flying. Look for adults around lights at night. July 23: Indian pipe is in bloom. July 26: Garter snakes and ribbon snakes are giving birth. July 27-29: Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower. Best viewing is usually just before dawn. Open fields, beaches, or other remote areas make the best viewing spots. July 30: Royal walnut moths and imperial moths are flying. July 31: Turk's-cap, Michaux's, and Sandhills lilies are in bloom. Fence lizard eggs are hatching. To support our work, please make a secure online tax-deductible donation. FIND US ON FACEBOOK

North Carolina Wildlife Federation | 2155 McClintock Rd. | Charlotte | NC | 28205

NC LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

NC Camo Legislative Report More Info     NC Camo Report on legislation affecting fish and wildlife interests in the 2012 legislative Short Session NC Camo, with the support of Camo members and our sportsmen partners, has been hard at work in the NC General Assembly.  Several bills affecting fish and wildlife programs were considered in the Short Session of the NCGA.  Given herein are those bills and the final actions on them. Senate Bill 868.  An act to eliminate the unintended penalty when a hunting or fishing license is renewed before its expiration date.  This bill passed and is now law.  Previously, a person would lose several to many days on a hunting or fishing license when it was renewed early because the law specified that all licenses are valid for one year from the date of issue.  Under this new law, hunting and fishing licenses are valid for one year from the date on the face of the license.  So the time overlap from the previous license is not lost.  A minor thing in most cases, but a good move for the sportsman. Senate Bill 850.  An act to create an oversight committee of 16 legislators to oversee fish and wildlife management programs.  This was a very bad idea, which never got any legs due to conversations with Senate leaders.  Once the problems were explained to sponsors, they decided not to move this bill.  Fish and wildlife management programs do not need legislative oversight, in fact, a system like that would have serious negative effects.  Another good move for sportsmen. Senate Bill 821.  An act to consolidate several issues raised in the Marine Fisheries Study Committee.  The several issues are addressed below:   Directs the agency heads of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, and Wildlife to study the organizational structure and function of the various fisheries management programs of NC and to report their findings and recommendations for change to the General Assembly in October, 2012. Directs the agency heads of Transportation, Wildlife, and Marine Fisheries to study all available sources of funds to create a new fund to be used for boat navigation projects including channel dredging.  Specifically mentioned are fishing license fees, gasoline taxes, and boat registration fees. Prohibits fishing for menhaden using a mother ship and purse seine runner boats in NC waters after January 1, 2013. Requires a supermajority vote of the Marine Fisheries Commission to override a staff recommendation related to eliminating overfishing or restoration of overfished stocks. Consolidated several of the marine fisheries advisory committees for efficiency. With regard to budget issues, the Wildlife Resources Fund was not cut from last year’s level, in fact, funds for the wildlife conservation program were restored.  The Clean Water Management Trust Fund was further cut to $10.75 million, a level far below that needed to meet the land conservation program for North Carolina.  The Natural Heritage Trust Fund was not cut.  It is funded from specific sources and not from general revenues. NC Camo will continue to monitor developments in the General Assembly and report happenings in the interim between now and next January, when the 2013-14 Session will convene. NC Camo Coalition is a project of the NC Wildlife Federation.

UPDATE FROM NC CAMO COALITION

Public Lands for hunting/fishing Under Assault Take Action!     IF YOU TRAVEL OUT WEST TO HUNT OR FISH, OR TO THE NORTHERN BORDER OR TO ALASKA, OR IF YOU EVER WANT TO, YOU HAVE A DOG IN THIS FIGHT Under H.R. 1505, put forth by Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), the Department of Homeland Security would be explicitly exempt from complying with over a dozen of environmental, public health, and safety laws for activities needed to help achieve “operational control” of the US border on Federal public and tribal lands within 100 miles of the border. The exemption includes an incredibly broad array of environmental laws – land conservation (Wilderness Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act), biodiversity preservation (Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Act), river protections (Wild and Scenic Rivers Act), and key public processes (National Environmental Policy Act). H.R. 1505, the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, now incorporated as Title XIV in H.R. 2578 will create a non-compliance “operational zone” where conservation and environmental laws are allowed to be ignored on public lands within 100 miles of a US land border.  This gives the US Customs and Border Protection the ability to circumvent 16 laws, including the Endangered Species Act, Wilderness Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. The dissenting view of the committee report states: “The purpose of H.R. 1505 is not to make the border more secure. Rather the purpose of the bill is to use border security as cover to effectively repeal more than a century of environmental protection for Americans living and working along our borders with Canada and Mexico.” Please take a few minutes and contact your Congressman and ask them to oppose H.R. 1505 now incorporated as Title XIV in H.R. 2578 by going here. Continental US and Alaska maps that will be impacted by this legislation.   H.R. 1505 is over-reaching and unnecessary. The 100-mile exemption is an extreme overreach – it covers huge swaths of the American landscape across eighteen states, and puts those areas at risk.  Moreover, the Border Patrol has testified that they do not need this bill.  Multiagency coordination has been occurring on Federal lands since a 2006 Memorandum of Agreement between the Departments of Homeland Security, Interior, and Agriculture that has led to increased cooperation and leveraged resources.  The bill would override this coordination. Such a sweeping waiver of environmental laws, especially laws such as NEPA that require interagency consultation, would result in a dramatic decrease in interagency coordination, consultation and trust – all key ingredients to improving national security along our borders.  If there is no problem to fix, why do we need sweeping and precedent-setting exemptions? The bill would allow damage to wildlife habitats; diminish hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation pursuits. The bill would damage local economies.  Outdoor recreation is big business, generating nearly $821 billion a year, more than 6.4 million jobs and $99 billion in federal and state tax revenues.  Federal public lands play a major role in generating these significant economic benefits for local communities, including Hispanic communities along the border.  For example, nature-based tourism in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, which is anchored by 2 national wildlife refuges, was recently found to generate $463 million per year in economic benefits for the four surrounding counties.  Undermining sound management of wildlife and habitat would likely have detrimental impacts on local economies around the nation. Please take a few minutes and contact your Congressman and ask them to oppose H.R. 1505 now incorporated as Title XIV in H.R. 2578 by going here. To stay up on federal legislation that impacts the public lands we all use check out the following web site developed by National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership titled “Sportsmen For Public Land Protecting our Back Country Sporting Heritage” http://sportsmenforpublicland.org/ NC Camo Coalition is a project of the NC Wildlife Federation.