More than 250 comments were received during the 30-day public comment period on the proposed expansion. Only 18 comments opposed the amended regulations.
us.vocuspr.comThis is why I promote writing your representative and commenting on draft policies. Writing works. Only 18 letters were received in opposition of the FWS expanding hunting and fishing in 10 pristine wild-life refuges. Refuges are set aside by the Federal Government as protectionist sanctuaries for wild-life and habitat, not to be trammeled by the public nor hunters and fisherman. I’m not against hunting and fishing. I’m against f*cking with the intent of creating wild-life refuges.
USFWS Expands Hunting and Fishing Opportunities on 10 Refuges Across the Nation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the opening of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota to big game hunting of deer and upland game hunting of turkey for the first time, while expanding hunting and fishing activities at nine other refuges. Notice of the final 2011-2012 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2011.
More than 250 comments were received during the 30-day public comment period on the proposed expansion. Only 18 comments opposed the amended regulations.
“The National Wildlife Refuge System, a vital part of our shared natural heritage, offers Americans more than 320 hunting programs across the country. The Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to these programs – especially for youth and those with disabilities – wherever they are compatible with refuge purposes,” said Service Director Dan Ashe.
Among the changes are:
- Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, CO, increases big game hunting by offering elk hunting for the first time. The refuge also allows migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and fishing.
- Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, LA, adds waterfowl and coot hunting to its list of migratory bird hunting activities. The refuge also allows fishing.
- Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge, MS, adds duck and geese hunting to its migratory bird hunting activities; squirrel, rabbit and raccoon hunting to its upland game hunting activities; and deer and hog hunting to its big game hunting activities. The refuge also permits fishing.
- Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, NC, opens to big game hunting of deer and hogs.
- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, MN, increases acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.
- Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, MN/IA, increases acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting, and expands the species for migratory bird and upland game hunting.
- Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, UT, allows upland game hunting of turkey and big game hunting of elk for the first time. The refuge also allows migratory bird hunting and fishing.
- Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, MN, opens new areas to migratory bird hunting. It allows big game hunting of turkey and deer for the first time. The refuge is also open to fishing.
- Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, TX, opens three new units to upland game hunting of squirrels and rabbits, and big game hunting of feral hogs and white-tailed deer. The refuge is also open for migratory bird hunting and fishing.
While definitions of hunting categories vary by refuge and state, migratory bird hunting generally includes ducks and geese. Upland game hunting may cover such animals as game birds, rabbit, squirrel, opossum and coyote. Big game hunting may include such animals as wild turkey, deer and feral hogs.
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 directs the Service to permit hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation where they are compatible with refuge purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is offered on more than 300 national wildlife refuges. Fishing is offered on more than 270 national wildlife refuges. Other wildlife-dependent recreation on national wildlife refuges includes wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation.
To find hunting programs offered in the National Wildlife Refuge System, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/.
To find the final regulations, please visit: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-09/pdf/2011-22752.pdf.
Day Four: Koala Holding and Other Things
My proudest moment in Australia and major bucket list item has finally been accomplished.
I HELD A KOALA. That means you can finally stop reading my blog!
I have finally met my favorite animal in the world. I could not be happier.
Here’s a little background info: Our tour bus took us to the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat about a half hour outside of Cairns. The road we drove on was where the rainforest and the GBR met. Coolest sandwich ever! The habitat was divided up into three sections: The wetlands, rainforest and the grasslands, but we only ended up seeing the grasslands (I would have liked to see the rest of the exhibits instead of the other trips that day..). It was a large, open space with a canopy that was made to recreate the animals’ natural habitat. We ran into some birds, wallabies, snakes, crocodiles and kangaroos! We even got some food to feed the wallabies and kangaroos out of our hands. Absolutely adorable. They were extremely friendly creatures, but I could tell they were scared of the big crowds of people.
I was lucky enough to get up close and personal with this guy:
These guys did not want to be friends but they are still cute:
The rest of the day was kind of downhill from there. The excitement of holding a koala and seeing kangaroos and wallabies couldn’t possibly be paralleled with anything else on the tour. After we left the wildlife habitat, we explored a different part of the rainforest, went on a crocodile search along the river and visited the famous Cape Tribulation. The Cape is comprised of a beach surrounded by rainforest, but we weren’t allowed to swim because of dangerous animals (crocs?) in the water.
The day peaked pretty early, but I had a moment with that koala that I will never forget. This trip let me come out of my comfort zone in so many ways. I learned a lot, and most importantly, had the time of my life in a country that I’m slowly starting to call home.
Animal Deaths are Rubbish
bellaonline.com
Each year more than one million aquatic animals die from exposure to garbage islands.
Wildlife Habitat, Merry Christmas
Written by Gary Sullivan, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas,
Ho Ho Ho and a bag full of Snakes and Crocodiles.
Well its nearly that time of year again ( where did 2011 go ? ) and we have joined forces with the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre to run a huge X-mas raffle valued at over $3000 dollars ( Runs from November 1st until 17th December drawn at 3.00pm at the Wildlife Habitat).
Along with the raffle draw on the 17th we are holding a Free photo with Santa day with animals day for the kids. It’s also combined with a 20% of all retail product’s Christmas sale at the Wildlife Habitat . The Neighbourhood Centre does great work and supports all types of charities and people in and around Port Douglas/Mossman and the Daintree region so get behind this charity event, tickets can be purchased at the Wildlife Habitat, The Nik Nak shop and the Neighbourhood Centre, we will also be selling tickets outside of IGA on the weekends in December before the 17th.
We would like to thank all the operators that are supportin g this worthy cause, they are listed below.
Aquarius and Tropical Journeys / The Solar Whisper Daintree River Cruise / Central Hotel / Daintree Discover Tours / Sublime Bar & Grill (Peppers Beach Club) / Brian ‘Binna; Swindley (Janbal Gallery) / Mango Tree/Kuranda Scenic Railway / Skyrail / Bistro 3 / Hi-Tide Restaurant / Daintree River Cruise Centre / Sea Temple / Jungle Surfing / Combined Club / Sailaway / Quicksilver/ Wildlife Habitat / CAPTA group and K-Star walking Tours.
Port Douglas and the Daintree operators really do get behind their community, please do the same and by a ticket or 20.
People Preserving New Jersey Wildlife, by Carol Raffo
Through a combination of public and private efforts, the wildlife habitat of New Jersey has steadily improved in recent years. Many species that were presumed to have been extirpated by the end of the 1970s, such as bobcat and osprey, can once again be seen with some regularity in the state’s forests, fields and waterways.
Since the 1980s, a steady increase in community involvement in environmental programs has contributed to the natural revival of the state. Individual landowners can apply for Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) funding to develop habitat on their own properties. WHIP is a federal program that is managed through the United States Department of Agriculture.
New Jersey citizens may also participate in Sustainable Jersey, a state-funded program that sets forth environmental goals at the municipal level. The program gives grants to qualifying communities, provides guidance on sustainability issues, and holds an annual awards banquet to recognize the progress of its participants.
In addition to these publicly funded programs, there has been a proliferation of unique opportunities among privately funded organizations. The New Jersey Audubon Society, for example, has begun to market locally grown wood and sunflower seeds that benefit wildlife habitat.
These are only a few of the programs that have contributed to the preservation of nature in the state, and there are many others. All of them, large or small, depend on the participation of local people for their success.
About the author: Carol Raffo is a New Jersey resident and outdoor enthusiast. She supports the preservation of the state’s wildlife through local charities, including the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge and Common Sense for Animals.
The Progressive Mind » Court Okays Genetically Modified Crops On Wildlife Refuges | News - Indiana Public Media
theprogressivemind.info“A recent court ruling has reaffirmed the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s practice of planting genetically modified crops in Midwest wildlife refuges. Environmental groups argue the decision will have negative impacts on the sensitive habitats. The Fish & Wildlife Service uses genetically modified crops as extra food sources for wildlife and to maintain and restore land that it says could otherwise be over-run by invasive species. The Midwest region conducted an environmental assessment last year that looked at the impacts the crops were having. After the assessment was complete, three environmental organizations sued, saying it was not comprehensive and did not follow national standards. A judge threw out that claim. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Assistant Refuge Supervisor for the Midwest Rick Speer says his region has been careful to only use genetically modified crops when absolutely necessary—something required by federal law…”
