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Archive for the ‘Florida Freshwater Conservation’ Category
Saturday, July 24th, 2010
Council members will advise Departments of Interior and Agriculture on wildlife and conservation endeavors
SIDNEY, Neb. (July 23, 2010) – Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer Tommy Millner was appointed today to the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, an official advisory group established by U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to provide input on wildlife and conservation endeavors.
The 18-member council includes representatives of national organizations, resource management agencies, outreach groups, tourism industries, tribal commissions and the community at large – all with strong ties to hunting, wildlife and shooting sports – who will serve two-year terms effective immediately.
“Dating back to President Theodore Roosevelt, our nation’s hunters have taken the lead in the conservation of wildlife and its habitat,” Salazar said. “They have contributed billions of dollars through licenses, permits, and excise taxes to conservation programs and they have been among the most ardent volunteers through a wide variety of sportsmen’s organizations.”
Millner, the only appointee representing a retail corporation, and other council members are also charged with preserving America’s hunting heritage for future generations through the development of policies and programs aimed at conserving wildlife populations and their habitat.
“I’m honored to be included in such a coordinated effort to keep our country’s hunting traditions strong,” Millner said. “I look forward to serving Secretaries Salazar and Vilsack, who clearly value the enduring legacy of American conversation that Cabela’s has long celebrated and strived to uphold.”
The new council replaces and improves upon the previously existing Sporting Conservation Council by expanding membership to include the hunting and shooting sports industries, as well as including broader representation from the nation’s major hunting organizations.
The council’s charter also more clearly defines its responsibilities in supporting the public, the sporting conservation community, the shooting and hunting sports industry, wildlife conservation organizations, and state and federal governments.
Appointees to the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council:
- Tommy Millner (Cabela’s Inc.)
- M. David Allen (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)
- Jeffrey S. Crane (Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation)
- Robert R. Fithian (Alaska Professional Hunters Association, Inc.)
- John E. Frampton (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources)
- Thomas Franklin (Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership)
- Ron Heward (rancher, Bates Hole/Shirley Basin Sage Grouse Working Group)
- Robert Manes (The Nature Conservancy)
- Frederick D. Maulson (Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission)
- Robert Model (Boone and Crockett Club)
- Joanna Prukop (Freedom to Roam)
- Stephen L. Sanetti (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
- Larry Schweiger (National Wildlife Federation)
- Christine L. Thomas (College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin)
- George C. Thornton (National Wild Turkey Federation)
- John Tomke (Ducks Unlimited)
- Howard K. Vincent (Pheasants Forever)
- Steve Williams (Wildlife Management Institute)
Tags: conservation, conservationist, fishing, hunting
Posted in Florida Freshwater Conservation | 1 Comment »
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
Bob Wattendorf, a fisheries biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), recently received the “Conservation Educator of the Year” award from the Florida Wildlife Federation.
In 2008, Wattendorf initiated an effort to bring together a statewide coalition of agencies, universities and businesses to encourage families and children to participate in nature-based recreation. The collaborative effort resulted in formation of Get Outdoors Florida! (www.GetOutdoorsFlorida.org), a coalition of more than 100 active partners, including major state and federal agencies and diverse groups interested in offsetting the problems associated with “nature-deficit disorder,” a term coined by Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods.”
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and his Cabinet recognized the Get Outdoors Florida! Coalition in 2009, when they signed a resolution recognizing the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights for Florida. The coalition, integrated into the Children and Nature Network, is working to extend the reach of such programs as President Barack Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative (www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors), and first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Outside (www.LetsMove.gov) program to combat obesity.
“Conservation education today is all about integrating efforts to introduce newcomers to the beauty and value of an active, nature-based lifestyle,” Wattendorf said.
Researchers have documented the health, education and societal problems associated with too much time spent indoors and dealing with electronic media. Research now shows that embracing a lifestyle change — spending more time outdoors in nature, whether, fishing, birding, paddling, gardening or just hiking in the woods — leads to a happier, healthier and smarter population (www.childrenandnature.org).
During his 31-year career with the FWC, Wattendorf has served to promote Florida as the Fishing Capital of the World, worked with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to bring about best practices for “Boating, Fishing and Aquatic Resources Stewardship Education” and helped craft the “Federal Aid Supplement for Aquatic Education Programs.”
The Florida Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit conservation education organization composed of thousands of concerned Floridians and people from all walks of life who have a common interest in preserving, managing and improving Florida’s fish, wildlife, soil, water and plant life. As the state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, it has been helping Florida’s wildlife since 1937.
In presenting the award on behalf of the Federation, Preston Robertson, vice president for conservation, praised Wattendorf “for his tremendous efforts on behalf of conservation and the need to get Floridians outside and into the natural world.”
Till next time tight lines and good fishing….
From Staff Writer BASSonline – fishing@bassonline.com
BassOnline.com / 888-829-BASS
Tags: bob wattendorf, conservationist, Florida Freshwater Conservation, FWC, getoutdoorsflorida.org, myfwc
Posted in Florida Freshwater Conservation, Our FWC | No Comments »
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Catch a Record Bass in Florida for a chance to win a Million. Just which one of Florida freshwater fishery has the biggest bass? No doubt Central has a chance with Legendary Lake Toho and the Big “O” both famous for trophy’s bass. Central Florida fishery’s have some of most sought after bass fishing lakes in the Country. The Certified state record is 17 pounds 4-1/4 ounces, caught in an unnamed lake in Polk County in 1986. Can’t’ wait to see someone break that record & win the Florida Bass Bounty.
The fishing in Central Florida has been great, just look at the pictures above from May & June has been hot! July is just going to get hotter, and with Florida Million Dollar Bass Bounty, you never know what can happen. Contest starts July 05 to Aug 1, 2010 open to all anglers legally fishing in public body of water in Florida. Please Read & Sign up in order to win: http://www.bountyfishing.com/floridabass
Come enjoy a fishing excursion with Florida’s Largest Fishing Guide Service, specializing in bass fishing and Trophy bass hunting. Explore Florida’s most famous lakes known for producing Trophy Bass, while you experience Florida Wildlife. See exotic birds in their nature habitat & gators. You can fish with Confidence, No Fish, and No Pay Policy. All equipment is furnished, adjustable times, and lessons provided.
BassOnline.com is Florida’s Largest Freshwater Guide Service and Outfitter, specializing in Florida bass fishing on Florida lakes, canals and rivers.
To learn more about Florida bass fishing, visit Bass Fishing Blog. Also visit or sister website Florida Bass Fishing, Lake Okeechobee Fishing, Bass Fishing Florida, Florida Peacock Bass, Everglades Fishing
Tags: bass fishing, bounty fishing, central florida fishing, Florida bass fishing, lake okeechobee, lake toho, largemouth bass, Trophy Bass
Posted in Florida Bass Fishing, Florida Freshwater Conservation, North Florida Reports | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
05/26/10 — Bass fishing enthusiasts will want to stow a digital camera in the tackle box this summer for a chance to win $1 million for catching a record largemouth bass anywhere in Florida.BountyFishing.com, the place where anglers compete for cash prizes uploading photos of the biggest fish, announced the Florida Million Dollar Bass Bounty — an Internet-managed fishing tournament that will pay $1 million to the fisherman who sets the new state largemouth bass record.
The Million Dollar Bass Bounty is open to all anglers legally fishing in any public body of water in Florida from July 5 to Aug. 1, 2010. Sign-up costs $7 per day or $19 for one week. The first 1,000 entrants will receive a 50 percent discount by paying only $38 for all four weeks.
BountyFishing.com has partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the nonprofit Wildlife Foundation of Florida to use a portion of the proceeds to conserve Florida’s fish and wildlife habitats for future generations.
BountyFishing.com makes tournament fishing accessible to the remaining 40 million anglers across North America, allowing them to compete when they want, where they want for just a few dollars. BountyFishing.com’s patent-pending remote tournament technology and licensed “FBI-Strength” imaging forensics determine fishing contest winners by analyzing catch photos. Validating pictures at the end of the week, instead of weighing fish at the end of the day, allows BountyFishing.com competitors to practice immediate catch-and-release fishing, which puts minimal stress on the fish and habitat.
Florida’s current largemouth bass record of 17 pounds, 4 ounces set July 1986 is impressive but not insurmountable. In 2008, an 18 pound, 8 ounce bass caught in Florida exceeded the record but was never certified by an FWC biologist (nor was a 20-pound, 2-ounce behemoth hooked in 1923).
Tom Champeau, FWC’s Director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management said, “We are convinced there are state-record breaking bass swimming somewhere in Florida waters, and we want your help to find them. Thanks to BountyFishing.com, you now have a million more reasons to go fishing in Florida.”
BountyFishing CEO and Founder, Richard Shafter added, “If you are a bass angler grab a digital camera and come to Florida this July to take your shot at winning a million dollars.”
To sign-up for the Florida Million Dollar Bass Bounty visit BountyFishing.com/FL, and half of your registration fee will be donated to the Wildlife Foundation of Florida to fund wildlife conservation projects and related public education efforts across the state of Florida.
About BountyFishing.com
BountyFishing.com provides anglers across North America the opportunity to compete in fishing contests throughout the year to win cash and prizes from the convenience of their favorite fishing spots (over $250,000 already won). BountyFishing licensed FBI-strength image analysis software and developed patent-pending techniques to validate winners based on uploaded catch photos. BountyFishing.com also hosts the best online fishing community of thousands who post photos, share stories, and discuss fishing topics. For more information about BountyFishing.com and free trial of an Internet-managed fishing tournament, visit www.BountyFishing.com/FL.
About The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is a constitutional agency whose mission is to manage fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. The FWC builds on collaborations with other stakeholders who are interested in preserving our rich natural heritage. To protect and manage more than 575 species of wildlife and 700 species of freshwater and saltwater fish, the FWC and its partners apply the best available science to critical issues of climate change, human population growth and habitat loss and degradation.
About The Wildlife Foundation of Florida
The Wildlife Foundation of Florida works closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to ensure the conservation of Florida’s fish and wildlife resources by identifying crucial projects, funding these projects, and educating the public about the need to conserve fish and wildlife resources.
Till next time tight lines and good fishing….
From Staff Writer BASSonline – fishing@bassonline.com
BassOnline.com / 888-829-BASS
Tags: bass fishing tournament, bounty fishing, Florida bass fishing, Florida Bass Fishing Events, myfwc
Posted in Florida Bass Fishing, Florida Freshwater Conservation, Our FWC, Tournament Fishing | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 10th, 2010
Dear Florida Angler,
Whether you are an occasional angler or an avid, whether you fish with a cane pole in your back yard or traveling to Florida “The Fishing Capital of the World” from afar, or if you have a business that depends on quality sportfishing–we want your opinion. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is developing a “Long-Term Black Bass Management Plan” and is interested in your input.
The following links provide some introductory material that you may want to review prior to taking this survey, but it is not critical that you do so. We mostly need your opinions to help ensure that we create a plan that addresses everyone’s concerns.
Background article published by Fish Busters’
First-Draft Black Bass Management Plan.
PowerPoint presentation (PDF 3 mb), first given October 2009 to the Florida Freshwater Fishing Coalition.
To take the survey click HERE.
Thank you for participating,
Darrell Scovell, Director
Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management
Till next time tight lines and good fishing….
From Staff Writer BASSonline – fishing@bassonline.com
BassOnline.com / 888-829-BASS
Tags: black bass, flffc, Florida bass fishing, Florida Freshwater Conservation, florida freshwater fishing coalition, FWC, myfwc
Posted in Florida Bass Fishing, Florida Freshwater Conservation, Our FWC | Comments Off
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