Gifts Ideas for Turkey Hunters

When searching for wild turkey or turkey hunting gifts, there are plenty of choices. Popular gift ideas for turkey hunters include apparel and accessories that celebrate the sport of turkey hunting.

An incredible range of turkey hunting gear is available online, featuring wild turkey photography, illustrations, line art and other logos.

Wild Turkey Gobblers coffee mug by north_america 

This turkey gobblers logo is available on coffee mugs, t shirts, sweatshirts, hats, stickers, and other accessories.

2011-2012 MD Wildlife Management Area Trapping Rights

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service is currently accepting bids for the 2011-2012 trapping seasons at LeCompte, Linkwood, Taylor’s Island, Fishing Bay, Idylwild, Ellis Bay, Wetipquin and Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Areas.

Bid packages must be picked up from and returned to LeCompte Wildlife Management Area at 4220 Steeles Neck Road, Vienna, Md. 21869 by 12 p.m. on October 21, 2011.

Sealed bids will be opened at 1 p.m. on October 21, 2011. For additional information please call 410-376-3236 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

source: MD DNR

National Hunting and Fishing Day 2011

The Izaak Walton League of America is supporting wildlife conservation by sponsoring National Hunting and Fishing Day. NHF Day promotes conservation efforts by sportsmen and takes place each year on the fourth Saturday in September. This year the event is set for September 24, 2011.

The Izaak Walton League is one of the most respected conservation organizations in America. Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League takes a common-sense approach toward protecting our country’s natural heritage and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans.

The Izaak Walton League’s sponsorship supports the Wonders of Wildlife museum, the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Sponsorship of NHF Day 2011 continues to grow and includes Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Izaak Walton League of America and Pope and Young Club.

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org

Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Hunting

In Arizona, dove hunters are gearing up for the start of hunting season. A number of changes have been made to the dove regulations that have removed many barriers to this Arizona hunting tradition, most notably:

Hunting access re-opened to approximately a million acres of open uninhabited lands within municipalities


Daily bag limit increased for white-winged dove to 10 birds


Hunting hours extended until sunset statewide

The increased access is a result of two recently revised state laws. Those changes transferred the authority to regulate the use of firearms for the take of wildlife within municipal boundaries to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

Because of these changes, dove hunters will no longer have to drive long distances to partake in this Arizona hunting tradition.

However, Game and Fish has taken a prudent approach in its deployment of these shifted authorities and has closed hunting in many well-defined, densely populated metro areas. The flip side of this for dove hunters, especially those in the Phoenix metro area, is you will now be able to easily determine where you can and cannot hunt doves.

In addition to the closed area descriptions, hunters are reminded of the quarter-mile law, and while that is a minimum, responsible, ethical hunters will find an area where there is plenty of open space in all directions to hunt, in order to prevent any conflicts with other recreationists or homeowners, and to have an enjoyable hunting experience.

The early dove season opens on a Thursday this year, and runs from Sept. 1-15, statewide, with a 10-bird daily bag limit of mourning or white-winged dove. Printed copies of the dove regulations are anticipated to be available the first week of August statewide at license dealers and Game and Fish offices.

Dove hunters are reminded they will need a general hunting license and an Arizona migratory bird stamp. Both are available online, at Game and Fish offices and licensed dealers.

Overall, dove populations are doing well in Arizona. Many farms are growing grains, including corn, which are excellent dove attractants. Working a corridor in these areas will bode well for many hunters.

In addition, monsoonal rains have been adequate throughout the state bringing much needed new growth to desert flora, another excellent dove attractant. Finding a lone water tank in these newly opened desert areas could also provide some fast wing shooting action.

In either case, success will come to those that scout their areas the weekend before they go hunting, as much can happen between now and that 3 a.m. wake up on opening day.

For more information about the recent law changes, the Phoenix metro no hunting map, a PDF copy of the dove regulations, or to buy your hunting license and dove stamp visit www.azgfd.gov/dove

Basic season information, boundary description, and other field reference facts are available for smartphone users at www.azgfd.gov/m.dove

Looking to try dove hunting?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has teamed up with local sportsmen-conservation organization to offer “how-to dove hunt” events that are designed for kids and for first-time hunters. These events are a great way to get a “hands on” experience hunting doves.

Sept. 4-5, Juniors Dove Hunt - Robbins Butte Wildlife Area near Buckeye - Game and Fish actively manages the land, and due to the water corridor it is rich with mesquite trees, wildlife food crops, and nesting habitat that attracts an abundance of dove (white-winged and mourning) and other wildlife. Pancake breakfast provided, hosted by the Chandler Rod and Gun Club, for details visit www.azgfd.gov.

Sept. 10, First-time Hunters Dove Seminar and Hunt - East Valley (Phoenix/Mesa/Chandler) - This is for first-time hunters for kids and adults. A safety seminar will be held on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and the hunt will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 5 a.m. Some loaner shotguns and ammunition are available. Hosted by the Chandler Rod and Gun Club, contact David Carson at dcarson@azgfd.gov.

For a listing of other hunting events for youth and new hunters throughout the season, visit www.azgfd.gov/outdoorskills

FWS Proposes Increased Hunting Access in National Wildlife Refuges

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced a proposal to open Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota to deer and turkey hunting for the first time, while expanding hunting activities at nine other refuges in eight states.

If approved, the proposal would provide additional public hunting opportunities in fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.

In addition to the new deer and turkey program at Crane Meadows, other proposed changes include:  

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, CO, would increase 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, would open for the first time to migratory bird hunting of waterfowl and coot. The refuge also allows fishing.

Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge, MS, would open for the first time to migratory bird hunting of duck and geese; upland game hunting of squirrel, rabbit and raccoon; and big game hunting of deer and hogs. The refuge also permits fishing.

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, NC, would open for the first time to big game hunting of deer and hogs.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, MN, would increase acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, MN/IA, would increase acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge would expand the species for migratory bird and upland game hunting.

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, UT, would allow for the first time upland game hunting of turkey and big game hunting of elk. The refuge also allows migratory bird hunting and fishing.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, MN, would open new areas to migratory bird hunting. It would allow big game hunting of turkey and deer for the first time. The refuge is also open for fishing.

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, TX, would open 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.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service can permit hunting and fishing as well as four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation where they are compatible with refuge purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is permitted on more than 300 national wildlife refuges.

Fishing is permitted on more than 270 national wildlife refuges. Other wildlife-dependent recreation on national wildlife refuges includes wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation.

Notice of the proposal was published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2011; the public has until August 4, 2011, to provide comments.

To comment on the proposed hunting rule changes, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/news/pdfs/2011-12RefugeSpecificPropRule.PDF

source: USFWS