Go to any pond at any park in Colorado and carp will be swimming lazily near the shore. Most rivers and streams are the same. The large fish, often weighing between 10 and 20 pounds, has been shunned by fisherman in the United States for years. However, there is a small group of fly fisherman who are setting out to catch carp as their sole target, and their numbers are growing.

Even some of the prominent members of the nation’s fly fishing community are coming forward with tales of catching carp. One of these is Dave Whitlock, a world renkowned fly tyer and fly caster. In his article, “Stalking the Golden Ghost”, he shares his insight on catching carp. He claims that carp “are faster than a trout, stronger than a permit, and have more staying power than a small mouth bass.”

Whitlock talks about stalking carp on the limestone flats of Lake Michigan. However, such opportunities also abound in Colorado. The state is of course famous for its abundant trout numbers in the high mountain streams, but from the Front Range extending to the Kansas border, almost any water will have carp, most holding staggering numbers. Carp outnumber any other fish species combined giving anglers a good chance at having success. The South Platte running through Denver is full of them as is any lake or pond where a person might wet a line.

The Wall Street Journal recently did an interview and article with Denver’s own Tom Teasdale, manager of Denver’s Disount Fishing. Check it out for a taste of what carp fishing in Denver is all about.

by Jeremy Kaiser at  examiner.com

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With recent estimates placing the size of the Delaware wild turkey flock around 4,000 birds, more first-time turkey hunters are taking to the Delaware woods each spring in pursuit of gobblers.

Although few have seen them, Delaware absolutely has eastern wild turkeys. Thanks to efforts by the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and neighboring states, wild turkeys were re-introduced to Delaware in 1984. Once thought to be gone from Delaware forever, wild turkeys now inhabit forested areas and agricultural fields in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties.

Although turkey hunting is not yet received with the same fervor as deer or waterfowl hunting in Delaware, it is slowly catching on. Delaware offers a spring turkey hunting season, which this year runs from April 11 to May 1 and controls the turkey harvest by offering a limited number of public land turkey permits and restricting the number of birds a hunter can harvest. Public land turkey permits are issued via a lottery system, and each permit is valid for a specific hunting area and season segment. Private land hunters may hunt turkeys during the entire season, but all hunters are limited to harvesting only one bird per year.

If you are planning to hunt Delaware turkeys, have a game plan. Trust me. Waking up at 3 a.m., driving to a hunting spot, swatting mosquitoes, sitting in poison ivy for seven hours, and encountering zero turkeys is not the best way to spend a morning.

Turkeys are smart birds, but they tend to follow established routines. Spending some time scouting your hunting areas before opening day can increase your chances of success. Look for turkey tracks, feathers, and scratch marks, and try to observe turkeys as they move from their roosts in the morning and to their roosts in evening. If you find patterns in the birds’ daily routines, plan to set up your hunting locations near their travel routes.

In addition to preseason scouting, spend some time and money making sure your gear is adequate. With turkeys having eyesight that may be better than a deer’s and with you sitting at the turkey’s eye level, it’s important to have camouflage that matches the surroundings of your hunting spots. Cover as much of your body as possible and remain as still as possible when turkeys are present.

Likewise, bring several turkey calls out with you, but more importantly, know how to use them. Eastern wild turkeys typically begin breeding in early spring, so mature male turkeys are actively competing for mates and are more apt to respond to hen calls. Turkey hens will yelp, cluck, purr, cackle, cut and putt, but the sound that attracts the most responses by gobblers is the yelp. Learn to produce the hen yelp on your turkey calls by listening to actual turkeys in the woods or by listening to audio files that can be found online.

News Article by

Steven Kendus  on delawareonline.com

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The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday voted to open a black bear hunting season beginning Oct. 1 in four southeastern Oklahoma counties.

The bear season (archery and muzzleloader only) is contingent upon lawmakers passing a black bear hunting license, but commissioners on Wednesday also created two other new hunting seasons that do not need legislative approval.

Bow hunters will get a two-week archery season for antelope in the Panhandle beginning Sept. 14. In northeastern Oklahoma, elk hunting will be allowed on private lands.

State wildlife officials say the antelope population in Cimarron and Texas counties is now more than 5,000 and can support additional hunting.

“Since there is a limited percentage of success with archery on antelope, we think the population can withstand the (hunting) pressure very easily,” said Richard Hatcher, assistant director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Antelope archery licenses will be sold to the general public and will not be part of the state’s controlled hunts program, which is a drawing for state hunts.

An archery antelope permit will cost $51 for residents. A state hunting license also will be required.

For non-residents, an archery antelope permit will cost $301, which includes a hunting license. The bag limit will be two antelope but only one buck.

In northeastern Oklahoma, elk hunting will be allowed in Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Mayes, Sequoyah and Muskogee counties. The northeast elk season will be open from the start of deer archery season to the end of deer gun season.

Elk herds are growing on some of the public wildlife management areas in northeast Oklahoma and the Nickel Preserve in Cherokee County, state wildlife officials said.

The herds are spilling over onto private lands and eating crops. Opening a hunting season will provide more opportunities for Oklahoma sportsmen as well as reducing agricultural losses, state wildlife officials said.

As written by the Press Row at newsok.com

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From the Missouri Department of Conservation

– Hunters planning vacations around Missouri’s firearms deer season should look carefully at 2009 deer hunting seasons approved by the Conservation Commission last year.

The structure of Missouri’s firearms deer season has remained relatively stable for several years, starting with an early urban portion, then a youth hunt, followed by the traditional November portion, a portion for hunters using muzzle-loading rifles and then a late antlerless-only portion. During the 2008-2009 season young hunters got the last word with a two-day youth hunt in January. This year the order of the portions is different, and the overall season is four days longer.

The season kicks off with the Urban Portion Oct. 9 through 12. This is the same length and general time period as in the past. However, the boundaries of all four Urban Deer Zones have changed this year.

The Kansas City Zone now includes all of Clay, Jackson and Platte counties, as last year, but only that portion of northern Cass County north of Route 2.

The Springfield Zone now includes all of Greene County, plus that portion of Christian County north and west of a boundary formed by Route 14 and Highway 125.

The St. Louis Zone includes all of St. Louis and St. Charles Counties, as last year, plus that portion of Franklin County north and east of a boundary formed by Highway 50, Interstate 44, Route O and Route NN and that portion of Jefferson County north of a boundary formed by Route NN, Highway 30, Route MM, Route M, Highway 61 and Glaize Creek.

The Columbia-Jefferson City Zone includes only the portion of Boone County south of a boundary formed by Highway 124, Route OO, Doris Boulevard and Route DD and that portion of Cole County north and east of a boundary formed by Highway 50, Route D, Highway 54, Route E, Route B, Route M and Highway 50.

Next on the calendar is the early portion of the Youth Portion Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Again, this is the same length and general timing as last year.

The November Portion of Firearms Deer Season will run from Nov. 14 through 24, the same length and timing as last year.

The traditional order of the Muzzleloader and Antlerless portions will be reversed this year, with the Antlerless Portion running from Nov. 25 through Dec. 6 (three days longer than last year) and the Muzzleloader Portion running from Dec. 19 through 29 (one day longer than last year).

A two-day late portion of the Youth Portion closes the season again on Jan. 2 and 3.

This year’s firearms deer season will run for a total of 42 days, four days longer than last year.

Full details of fall deer hunting regulations will be available in July in the 2009 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulation and Information booklet, at permit vendors statewide, and at www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt.

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Undercover investigation reveals significant black market for feathers and other bird parts

Four men have been arrested by special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the result of an undercover investigation into the illegal killing and trade of bald and golden eagles and other protected birds, as well as their feathers and parts, the Justice Department and the Fish and Wildlife Service announced today.  The men are charged with alleged violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Lacey Act.

Arrested were Ricky Sam Wahchumwah, of Granger, Washington, Alfred L. Hawk Jr., of White Swan, Washington, William Wahsise, also of White Swan, Washington, and Reginald Dale Akeen, also known as J.J. Lonelodge, of Anadarko, Oklahoma.

The charging documents allege that the individuals were involved in killing eagles and selling feathers and other bird parts in violation of federal law.

According to an affidavit filed along with the complaints, special agents working undercover were able to document the sales of protected migratory bird parts. One complaint alleges that a single covert purchase from Hawk Jr. yielded a bald eagle tail, two golden eagle tails, one set of golden eagle wings, four red-shafted northern flicker tails, four rough-legged hawk tails, and two northern harrier tails for a total of $3,000.  According to the documents, Hawk, Jr. and Wahsise allegedly hunted and killed three bald eagles the morning of the sale, by sitting near some wild horses killed to bait and attract eagles. A third complaint alleges that Wahchumwah sold one golden eagle tail in violation of the law. The sworn affidavit accompanying the complaint states that Wahchumwah sold the tail to an undercover special agent for $500.

A fourth complaint, filed in the District of Oregon, alleges that Akeen made several sales to an undercover agent, including two fans made from juvenile golden eagle feathers worth over $3,000.

“As with so many instances regarding the conservation and use of our natural resources, the illegal actions of a few selfish individuals have the potential to hurt the interests of the majority of people who respect the resource,” said Paul Chang, Special Agent in Charge of Law Enforcement for the Service’s Pacific Region. “It is alarming that eagles, sacred to many, could be at risk because of the illegal greed-driven actions of relatively few individuals.”

For example, a recent survey of 129 historic golden eagle nesting sites in Washington revealed that only 48 are currently occupied. Of those, only half are producing young.

Eagles and other protected migratory birds are viewed as sacred in many Native American cultures and the feathers of the birds are central to religious and spiritual Native American customs.  By law, enrolled members of federally recognized Native American tribes are entitled to obtain permits to possess eagle parts for religious purposes but federal law strictly prohibits the sale of eagles or their feathers and parts under any circumstance.  The Fish and Wildlife Service operates the National Eagle Repository, which collects eagles that die naturally, by accident or other means to supply enrolled members of federally recognized tribes with eagle parts for religious use.  The Service has worked to increase the number of salvaged eagles sent to the Repository and make it easier to send birds to the facility by providing shipping materials at no charge.  The Repository obtains eagles from state and federal agencies as well as zoos.

The agency encourages anyone who finds an eagle carcass or eagle feathers or other parts to contact a Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement office (see http://www.fws.gov/le/ContactsSites/le_chart.htm ).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.  The arrests announced today are part of an on-going investigation into the illegal killing of bald and golden eagles and other protected birds and the sale of their feathers and parts. The agency is conducting the investigation with the help and cooperation of state, federal and tribal law enforcement agencies.

The cases will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices of the Eastern District of Washington, the District of Oregon, and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section. The maximum penalty per violation of the MBTA is two years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine; per violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Act is one year imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for a first offense; and per violation of the Lacey Act is five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

For photos, video and more information on bald and golden eagles go to http://www.fws.gov/pacific/lawenforcement/eaglelaws/

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

News from U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicesU.S S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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A look at the calendar will tell you that spring is still over a month away and won’t officially arrive here until the equinox occurs on March 20. But a visit to the banks of your favorite local trout streams this week might suggest a different timetable. For avid trout fishermen, spring begins when the folks from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) arrive at streamside carrying buckets full of feisty trout as that most anticipated rite of spring, preseason stocking, finally begins anew.

Here in Chester County, preseason stocking begins Wednesday when trout are set free on the Fly-Fishing Only stretch of French Creek and the Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only stretches of Pickering Creek and West Valley Creek. Then, on Thursday, the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only stretches of the East Brandywine Creek will get a visit from the folks from the PFBC and their volunteers laden with more fresh trout stocked for the enjoyment of county anglers.

If you’re eager to try your luck on these uneducated trout, here’s the list of Chester County waters where you can legally practice your angling arts without fear of getting arrested by your local Waterways Conservation Officer – as long as you have a current 2009 Pennsylvania fishing license and trout stamp, immediately release all the fish you catch, and use the designated flies and/or lures.

Brandywine Creek, East Branch – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.2 miles; From the Dorlans Mill Road downstream to Forge Road.

French Creek – Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only – 0.9 mile; From the dam at Camp Sleepy Hollow downstream to Hollow Road.

Pickering Creek – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.5 miles. From SR 1019 (Charlestown Rd.) downstream to 330 yards upstream from the railroad bridge.

Valley Creek and tributaries (Chester/Montgomery) – Catch and Release All-Tackle – Valley Creek at Valley Forge and tributaries including Little Valley Creek. Special bait restrictions exist within Valley Forge National Historic Park.

White Clay Creek, Middle Branch – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.7 miles; From SR 3009 (Good Hope Road) downstream to the confluence with the East Branch.

West Valley Creek – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.2 miles; From the mouth of Colebrook Run downstream to about 0.25 mile below the railroad tunnel.

Later in March the PFBC forces will be out with more fresh trout slated to stock Big Elk Creek and the East Branch of Big elk Creek on March 4, the East Branch of White Clay Creek and the Middle Branch of White Clay Creek on March 13, more trout on both French and Pickering Creeks on March 18 with other stockings slated later in the month in anticipation of opening day of trout season here on April 4. Incidentally, once again there will be two opening days here in the Keystone State with April 18 serving as the opener for all commonwealth counties that lie beyond our southeastern counties of Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties.

According to Chester County Waterways Conservation Officer Bob Bonney, the streams, although cold, are in great shape, as they should be this time of the year. “Water temps are in the mid 30’s at the moment, which means the trout fishing will be slow for the next couple of weeks. Hares ears and pheasant tail nymphs fished slow near the bottom and wooly buggers in olive, white and black should produce well. Spin fishermen should consider jigs, and trout magnet type lures,” reported Bonney, who added, “The best fishing in Chester County at the moment is Marsh Creek Lake. Good size perch are being caught on minnows and jigs as well as crappie and bass.”

Bonney also reminds anglers fishing on the special regulations stretches to make sure you don’t have any live bait or non-artificial baits (like corn, cheese, bread, or Power Bait) on your person. Having it in your possession is considered the same as using it. In light of this cautionary tale, better double check your fishing vest or tackle box to make sure you don’t have any residual bait still left over from last season hiding in that pocket or tackle box compartment or a fine day on the stream could turn into a, well, fined day on the stream, if you know what I mean.

And speaking of policing our waterways, the Southeast Law Enforcement Region of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is looking for individuals interested in becoming a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer (DWCO). DWCOs perform work in fisheries conservation and watercraft safety under the jurisdiction of the Commission, blending law enforcement and public relations skills. Interested candidates can contact the Southeast Region Office at 717-626-0228 for more information.

Here in Chester County, preseason stocking begins Wednesday when trout are set free on the Fly-Fishing Only stretch of French Creek and the Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only stretches of Pickering Creek and West Valley Creek. Then, on Thursday, the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only stretches of the East Brandywine Creek will get a visit from the folks from the PFBC and their volunteers laden with more fresh trout stocked for the enjoyment of county anglers.

If you’re eager to try your luck on these uneducated trout, here’s the list of Chester County waters where you can legally practice your angling arts without fear of getting arrested by your local Waterways Conservation Officer – as long as you have a current 2009 Pennsylvania fishing license and trout stamp, immediately release all the fish you catch, and use the designated flies and/or lures.

Brandywine Creek, East Branch – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.2 miles; From the Dorlans Mill Road downstream to Forge Road.

French Creek – Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only – 0.9 mile; From the dam at Camp Sleepy Hollow downstream to Hollow Road.

Pickering Creek – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.5 miles. From SR 1019 (Charlestown Rd.) downstream to 330 yards upstream from the railroad bridge.

Valley Creek and tributaries (Chester/Montgomery) – Catch and Release All-Tackle – Valley Creek at Valley Forge and tributaries including Little Valley Creek. Special bait restrictions exist within Valley Forge National Historic Park.

White Clay Creek, Middle Branch – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.7 miles; From SR 3009 (Good Hope Road) downstream to the confluence with the East Branch.

West Valley Creek – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.2 miles; From the mouth of Colebrook Run downstream to about 0.25 mile below the railroad tunnel.

Later in March the PFBC forces will be out with more fresh trout slated to stock Big Elk Creek and the East Branch of Big elk Creek on March 4, the East Branch of White Clay Creek and the Middle Branch of White Clay Creek on March 13, more trout on both French and Pickering Creeks on March 18 with other stockings slated later in the month in anticipation of opening day of trout season here on April 4. Incidentally, once again there will be two opening days here in the Keystone State with April 18 serving as the opener for all commonwealth counties that lie beyond our southeastern counties of Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties.

According to Chester County Waterways Conservation Officer Bob Bonney, the streams, although cold, are in great shape, as they should be this time of the year. “Water temps are in the mid 30’s at the moment, which means the trout fishing will be slow for the next couple of weeks. Hares ears and pheasant tail nymphs fished slow near the bottom and wooly buggers in olive, white and black should produce well. Spin fishermen should consider jigs, and trout magnet type lures,” reported Bonney, who added, “The best fishing in Chester County at the moment is Marsh Creek Lake. Good size perch are being caught on minnows and jigs as well as crappie and bass.”

Bonney also reminds anglers fishing on the special regulations stretches to make sure you don’t have any live bait or non-artificial baits (like corn, cheese, bread, or Power Bait) on your person. Having it in your possession is considered the same as using it. In light of this cautionary tale, better double check your fishing vest or tackle box to make sure you don’t have any residual bait still left over from last season hiding in that pocket or tackle box compartment or a fine day on the stream could turn into a, well, fined day on the stream, if you know what I mean.

And speaking of policing our waterways, the Southeast Law Enforcement Region of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is looking for individuals interested in becoming a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer (DWCO). DWCOs perform work in fisheries conservation and watercraft safety under the jurisdiction of the Commission, blending law enforcement and public relations skills. Interested candidates can contact the Southeast Region Office at 717-626-0228 for more information.

©Tri County Record 2009

No fishing of any considerable scale occurs in the Arctic, and the few surveys of fish stocks done there have not shown large populations. But some experts say it’s that commercially valuable seafood species such as pollock or crab populations could expand in the Arctic, especially as water warms and ice unlocks.

The retreat of sea ice has kicked-off interest in the Arctic’s potential not only for fisheries but for energy development and for new shipping routes, including the long sought-after Northwest Passage.

Audubon Alaska, Oceana, Ocean Conservancy and the Pew Environment Group partnered with scientists, local Arctic communities, and fishermen to call for a science-based, precautionary approach before any industrial fishing activities are allowed to expand into the Arctic Ocean. The coalition pushed for the ban.

“Today’s decision signals a new day in the Arctic, where science comes first and where we think about the consequences of our actions before we take them,” said Janis Searles Jones, vice president with Ocean Conservancy, in a statement. Jones also called on drilling and shipping industries to follow the Council’s leadership to help keep the Arctic environment healthy.

Josh Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group also praised the decision. “Protecting our Arctic waters from a rush of commercial development is a wise move,” said Reichart. “The cumulative effect of commercial fishing and shipping, as well as open-ended oil and gas development could be devastating to this highly fragile system if not done correctly. Rarely are we given a chance to put an area’s value as an ecosystem ahead of its commercial potential.

Congress passed a resolution last spring with Russia, Canada, and other countries to cooperate on the management of transboundary migratory fish stocks in the Northern Arctic.

Image: courtesy of Pew Charitable Trusts

A decline in the population of northwestern Montana’s white-tailed deer prompted the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission last week to limit hunting opportunities.

During last Thursday’s meeting in Helena, the commission approved a plan to reduce the availability of B tags from hundreds to 25 in most northwestern Montana hunting districts. In addition, the commission also voted to shorten by four days the general hunting season for antlerless white-tailed deer.

In recent years, hunters could harvest antlerless deer during the first week and last four days of the season. For 2009, antlerless deer hunting will not be allowed during the last four days of rifle season.

Wildlife officials said extreme winter weather and predators have lowered the deer fawn population to necessitate the changes. Heavy snowfall limited deer movement to give mountain lions and wolves a better chance to make a kill.

During a field survey last spring, officials counted 29 fawns per 100 adult deer, much lower than the usual average of 50 fawns per 100 does.

White tailed Deer

Hunters in the region did not find much success this last hunting season with difficult conditions stemming from the delayed arrival of winter weather. Check station counts and the number of whitetail bucks taken were significantly lower.

One bill by Republican Rep. Steve Drazkowski of Wabasha would extend the firearms deer season in southeastern Minnesota. It gets a hearing Monday before the House Game, Fish and Forestry Division.

It will also hear Monday a bill that would allow recently discharged members of the military to get a permit to hunt either does or bucks.

Another House proposal would make hunting and fishing licenses free for residents that have served in the military during the last two years. And volunteer firearms safety instructors would get a free lifetime deer hunting license under a proposal by Rep. Dave Olin, a Democrat from Thief River Falls.

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