• 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)

National Hunting and Fishing Day occurs on the fourth Saturday in September (Sept. 26) and recognizes the contributions anglers and hunters make to fish and wildlife conservation. Since 1972, every president has formally proclaimed National Hunting and Fishing Day. This year, country music star Luke Bryan is the honorary chairman, and the official Web site (NHFday.org) offers great tips on getting started fishing, shooting or hunting and on where to go.

 Hunting and fishing as active outdoor recreation are recognized for the traditional values that they have contributed to our society since Colonial days. More than a century ago, hunters and anglers were the first to recognize that development and unregulated uses of wildlife were threatening the future of many species. President Theodore Roosevelt, a very active hunter and angler, was a vocal proponent and supported their call for the first laws to restrict commercial harvest of wildlife.

They urged sustainable use of fish and game, created hunting and fishing licenses, and lobbied for taxes on sporting equipment to provide funds for state conservation agencies. These user-driven actions were the foundation for some of the most dramatic conservation successes of all time. Populations of largemouth bass, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, wood ducks and many other species began to recover from decades of unregulated exploitation. Sportsmen and women have also contributed countless hours to clean up, protect and enhance millions of acres of habitat for the use and enjoyment of everyone.

In 1971, U.S. Sen. Thomas McIntyre of New Hampshire  and U.S. Rep. Bob Sikes of Florida introduced an identical measure in the House and Senate authorizing National Hunting and Fishing Day. In early 1972, Congress unanimously passed both resolutions, and soon after that,  President Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

This day is considered by many to be the most effective grassroots effort ever undertaken to promote these outdoor sports and conservation. In modern times, this celebration of the enjoyment and health benefits that hunting and fishing bring to participants is especially important. The country is being swept by messages of how being disconnected with nature and spending too much time indoors are affecting the health of the nation. From unprecedented rates of obesity and associated increases in heart disease and diabetes, to a virtual epidemic of attention deficit disorder and increasing prevalence of asthma and allergies among children, research is showing that active, nature-based recreation can significantly contribute to the cure.

Not only is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) a supporter of National Hunting and Fishing Day but it is also a major promoter of the Get Outdoors Florida! coalition (GetOutdoorsFlorida.com).  Get Outdoors Florida! is working to address these health issues that are described as “nature deficit disorder.”  Besides that, by getting outdoors and engaging in activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing, research shows that youth develop greater self-confidence, a sense of responsibility and better social networking skills.  That’s the old type of social networking ─ being face to face with people and with the quiet of nature to facilitate calm conversations in a relaxed setting, rather than the frenetic action of an electronic game or Facebook exchange.

The FWC and most conservation agencies in the United States generally adhere to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which is the envy of almost every other country in the world and key to habitat and species conservation. While celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day, it may be worthwhile to consider the conservation model’s seven basic principles, which enable you to have such great hunting and fishing opportunities:

1. Fish and wildlife are public resources. Throughout the U.S., wildlife is held in common ownership by the state for the benefit of all people.

2. Markets for trade in black bass and other wildlife and sportfish are carefully restricted, removing a huge threat to sustaining those species.

3. States allow sustainable use of sport fish and wildlife by law, not by market pressures, land ownership or special privilege. The public has input into how these resources are allocated.

4. The democracy of hunting is emphasized. In the European model, wildlife was allocated by land ownership and privilege. In North America, anyone in good standing can participate.

5. Hunters and anglers fund conservation, including protections for wildlife species that are not harvested, by purchasing hunting and fishing licenses and paying excise taxes on recreational equipment.

6. Many fish and wildlife species are an international resource. Species, such as migratory fish transcend boundaries, requiring cooperative management.

7. Science is the proper tool for developing fisheries policy. This is a key concept of fish and wildlife management emphasized by Theodore Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold and many other conservation leaders.

We hope you find an opportunity this Hunting and Fishing Day to celebrate the conservation successes brought about by hunters and anglers.  However, more importantly, we hope you find a way to take a youth with you to have a wonderful, fun and healthy day enjoying Florida’s tremendous fishing, hunting and wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). Report violators by calling *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or 888-404-3922. Visit http://www.myfwc.com/Fishing/ for more Fish Busters’ columns.

Till next time tight lines and good fishing….
From Staff Writer BASSonline) fishing@bassonline.com
BassOnline.com / 888-829-BASS

MINNEAPOLIS — FLW Outdoors announced that it has filed a lawsuit in Minnesota State Court against BRP/Evinrude for its failure to pay agreed upon sponsorship fees for the entire 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season.

“FLW Outdoors has had a long-term sponsorship and working relationship with Evinrude as a premier sponsor of FLW Outdoors and its tournaments,” said Irwin L. Jacobs, chairman of FLW Outdoors. “In 2009, FLW Outdoors received confirmation from Evinrude officials both in writing and verbally that Evinrude had agreed to the continuance of their sponsorship with FLW Outdoors at about the same level of sponsorship fees for 2009 as they had in 2008.”

Throughout FLW Outdoors’ 2009 tournament season, Evinrude’s representatives and/or management have participated in all of FLW Outdoors tournaments.

“FLW Outdoors has fully supported Evinrude’s sponsorship throughout the 2009 FLW Outdoors’ tournament season,” Jacobs said. “Evinrude has enjoyed all of the same contractual marketing commitments that FLW Outdoors supported Evinrude with in 2008, including, but not limited to, substantial onsite space for displaying and marketing their products at all tournament locations; Evinrude engines installed on half of all FLW Outdoors/Ranger stage and tournament boats throughout all tournaments; signage throughout all FLW Outdoors tournament locations; television commercials on all FLW Outdoors television programming worldwide; magazine advertising; internet marketing and advertising; and heavily-promoted Evinrude on all marketing materials and advertising as part of FLW Fantasy Fishing, an international game worth $10 million in cash and prizes. Yet Evinrude has refused to pay FLW Outdoors any of the amounts it promised as consideration for those benefits.”

Jacobs further stated, “Not only are we terribly disappointed in the fact that Evinrude hasn’t paid any of their agreed-upon sponsorship fees for 2009, but they also haven’t paid any of the committed contingency dollars on behalf of their Evinrude Pro Staff anglers through the 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season.”

“FLW Outdoors has advanced on Evinrude’s behalf almost $100,000 to those Evinrude Pro Staff anglers who had cash commitments from Evinrude based upon their performance this season. To date, Evinrude hasn’t reimbursed FLW Outdoors a single dollar for the money that FLW Outdoors advanced on its behalf to the Evinrude Pro Staff anglers.”

In nearly 15 years of business and tournament operations, FLW Outdoors has never had to sue a single sponsor for failure to pay their sponsorship fees.

The Simon brothers from Texas, came on board July 30, 2009 for a little Everglades fishing action.  Those Texans love to fish, and can they!

We had 12 largemouth bass up to 6lbs in just over 3 hours, all fish were caught on artificial baits using plastics.

Till next time tight lines and good fishing….
From Staff Writer Capt Tony Masiello (tonym@bassonline.com)
BassOnline.com / 888-829-BASS

By MARK S. KRZOS • mkrzos@news-press.com • August 2, 2008A city of Bonita Springs’ plan to turn a piece of land near Interstate 75 into a small park will get a helping hand from the state.

Carpenter Lane River Park in Bonita Springs has been named as one of four Lee County parks that will get a slice of $24 million earmarked by the state for improvements.

“That property near the McDonald’s is going to be part of the river trail,” said Gary Price, Bonita’s city manager.

The river trail will be a walking trail along the Imperial River. The trail will work in conjunction with a canoe/kayak trail planned for the eastern reaches of the river, Price said.

“The city and the county both bought some land in that area,” Price said. “The walking trail is being planned between Bonita Grande Drive and Quinn Street.”

Part of the state’s budget for 2008-09 includes $24 million to expand and improve local parks statewide.

The money Bonita Springs receives from the state will be used for a new sheltered pavilion, a multi-use trail and landscaping.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) will grant Lee County $542,000 to develop and enhance community parks, providing outdoor recreation opportunities and improving public access to Florida’s natural resources.

“Outdoor recreation areas and facilities are a vital part of Florida’s economy, drawing both Floridians and visitors to experience the state’s natural resources,” said Michael Sole DEP secretary. “With the support of Gov. Crist and the Florida Legislature, FRDAP funding allows Florida cities and counties to develop and enhance local parks while uniting their communities through recreational opportunities.”

Other Lee County projects funded in this year’s budget include:

• City of Fort Myers, Clemente Park – The money will be used for a new picnic pavilion, walking trail, restroom, landscaping and to renovate picnic pavilions.

• Lee County, Three Oaks Community Park – The money will be used for a new tennis court, fishing pier, picnic pavilion, parking and lighting.

• City of Cape Coral, Chantry Park – The money will be used for new picnic facilities, a boat ramp, walking trails and lighting.

“Reserving space and funds for recreation is essential to the healthy growth of Florida’s communities and citizens,” said Mike Bullock, the director of the DEP’s Florida Division of Recreation and Parks.

Administered by DEP, the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) is a competitive grant program, providing funds to local communities for public outdoor recreation.

Over the past decade, Florida has invested more than $250 million to improve local park facilities through this grant program, funding more than 2,000 projects statewide.

We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact us if you would like to help or suggest a body of water in your area. If you have any questions on the videos or if you are interested in a fishing trip in Florida or you would like additional information on the fishing trips or fishing videos please contact us on this form, thanks you and good fishin!.

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