MNR Volunteers

The Guelph MNR recognized all the hard work and effort the local volunteers contributed to project in the area.

One volunteer group with new tee shirts

Staff prepared a BBQ feast for all the volunteer contributors and groups to meet last Wednesday evening and enjoy some fine food.

On display in the parking lot with the new MNR trailer Conservation Officer Pegg with information concerning local projects. field work and confiscated illegal items.

Hunters Are Reminded Of Earlier Deadline This Year

The deadline for hunters to apply for the antlerless deer validation tag draw is fast approaching. This year, the deadline has been moved forward a month, to June 30.

Seasons are starting earlier in many areas, so the draw deadline was moved up to help ensure that hunters receive their tags before the season opens.

Hunters with a valid hunting version Outdoors Card can apply to the Antlerless Deer Tag Draw by phone or in person:
• Apply using the automated phone system 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-800-288-1155. (A credit card is required.) The deadline for telephone applications is 11:55 p.m. (ET) on June 30.
• Apply at a ServiceOntario/Government Information Centre during their regular business hours. The deadline for paper applications to be received at a ServiceOntario Centre is 5:00 p.m. (ET) on June 30.

QUICK FACTS
▪ All revenue from sales of hunting and fishing licences in Ontario is used for wildlife and fisheries management.
▪ Read more information about the tag draw application process and seasons for deer hunters.
▪ For more information on hunting anywhere in the province, read the 2009-10 Hunting Regulations Summary or call the Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940.

BassTalk conclusion Dave Johnson#155

Episode Resources

Ripple Outdoors

Episode Credits

Voice by Chuck Lefleur
Music by Jon Schmidt from the Podsafe Music Network

Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association announced it’s award winners for National Fishing Week during the Outdoor Writers of Canada convention held in Peterbourgh June 6th.

The CSIA developed the National Fishing Week Writers Award for the best newspaper or magazine article/column that, promotes the benefits of sportfishing in Canada and/or National Fishing Week.

Choosing the winners this year is always a challenge for the Awards Committee when they have to review so many very well written articles received. The winning articles cover a range of benefits and memories about fishing : the simplest request from a child wanting to go fishing, the memories of a red and white bobber, and the easiest list of ideas for ice fishing with your family.

First Place – “Successful Family Ice Fishing” by James Smedley. ( I believe James won 1st place back in 2004)
In this article, James provides the reader with the most comprehensive list on how to approach ice fishing with your family. Creating lasting memories ice fishing doesn’t have to be complicated and he lays out the simple guidelines to follow. I encourage everyone to read his article to find out about the “Day of the lost Mystery Trout” and the long lasting memory it created for him about his family. Everyone who reads this How-to guide will be encouraged to try ice fishing with their family _ well deserving of a first place award.

Second Place – “Memories of a Bobber” by Peter Wood. (won last year)
I bet everyone in this room could share their own “memories of a bobber”. Peter explains how there is magic in that red and white bobber because sometimes the fanciest sportfishing equipment isn’t the most effective. His story reminds us that a simple red and white bobber probably got most of us hooked on fishing, so why not take the time during National Fishing Week to take a kid fishing and create your own “memories of a bobber”.

Third Place – “Fishing with ‘Pop’ ”, by Bob Scammell
Bob’s article reminds us that it’s never too early to take a kid fishing, especially when they request it directly. When that little kid is your granddaughter, how can you say no? Fly fishing – why not? During National Fishing Week – even better ! Bob reminds us how sad it is that many parents choose work over doing something special like fishing with their children over a long weekend. You soon realize that the least important thing about taking kids fishing is the fish – it’s about the time and the memories.

The CSIA Awards Committee wants to thank everyone who submitted articles and the OWC for their participation on behalf of promoting fishing across Canada. Help us celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Fishing Week during July 4-12th by taking someone new fishing.

Episode Resources

Ripple Outdoors

Episode Credits

Voice by Chuck Lefleur
Music by Jon Schmidt from the Podsafe Music Network

On May 15, 2009, Candice Hoeppner, Conservative M.P. for Portage-Lisgar, Manitoba, introduced Bill C-391, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of the long-gun registry).

This is the third gun bill currently in Parliament, but the only one that has a real chance at passing and finally scrapping the long-gun registry. Bill C-301, introduced earlier this year by Saskatchewan M.P. Garry Breitkreuz, and Bill S-5, introduced in the Senate on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety, have flaws in them that has resulted in a lack of support from Members of Parliament and the firearms community in general. Neither of those bills is expected to proceed. Bill C-391, which is likely the last chance to achieve the scrapping of the long-gun registry, is a simple and straightforward bill that does one thing only — abolish the long-gun registry.

With the Conservatives in a minority situation, it will take at least 12 members of the opposition parties to vote in favor of the bill to have it passed. Three members of the NDP party, two from Ontario and one from Nova Scotia, have already publicly declared their support for the bill. There are a number of other opposition members in Ontario and across the country who will likely support the bill, but they need to hear from the outdoor community.

We have included a downloadable list of Ontario Liberal and NDP M.P.’s, the ridings they represent and the phone number (and where provided, an email address) for their constituency offices. It is important that they hear from firearms owners in their constituency who want them to support the bill. Quite simply, the more calls they get, the more likely they are to support it.

It is critical that O.F.A.H. members, their families and friends, look at the list, and call the constituency office of the local Liberal or NDP M.P., and ask them to support Bill C-391.

If a Conservative M.P. represents your riding, you don’t have to call; they will be supporting the bill. Both John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer, NDP members for Thunder Bay, issued a press release in support of the bill. If either of these is your Member, please call them to say “thanks.” For the others, particularly for the other NDP members in northern Ontario, they need to hear from you, frequently, and in large numbers, to convince them that this is the right thing to do.

The long-gun registry, which was supposed to cost no more that $2 million when introduced, will have cost the taxpayers of Canada $2 billion by 2012. The Auditor General of Canada has stated that the registry is a mess, and that the Canadian Firearms Centre has failed to demonstrate the long-gun registry has enhanced public safety, prevented gun crime, or saved lives. Several large police associations have also declared the registry to be a waste, many are supporting Bill C-391, and the suggestion that all police support the registry is simply false. Every major poll in the last six years has supported scrapping the long-gun registry. Criminals don’t register firearms, and because of this, the registry was doomed to failure from the start.

We also wish to remind you of the national online petition at www.scrapthelonggunregistry.com, which can also be accessed through the O.F.A.H. website www.ofah.org Please go online and sign the petition. These petitions will soon be delivered to the House of Commons, and the more who sign, the more influence we will have on the vote to support Bill C-391.

This is quite simply our best, and perhaps final, chance to scrap the long-gun registry. Please call opposition M.P.’s in your riding or immediate area in support of Bill C-391.

Episode Resources

Ripple Outdoors

Episode Credits

Voice by Chuck Lefleur
Music by Jon Schmidt from the Podsafe Music Network

You know the sound,

BBBBBBbZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

There’s NO Need to GO Insane as you sprint to your vehicle or home.

If your hands are swatting and your arms are flailing your loosing valuable time fishing, hunting or ATVing!

Worse,,,, you likely alerted that Gobbler headed your way after trying to sit still for the last two hours!
I know the spring Gobbler season is all but over but I have been wearing these Insect Defend Patches with good success.

I still wore my camo with long sleeves and gloves but the squeeters just seemed to move on and not “bug” me as much.

I still sprayed some “deet” on my outer clothes as an additional layer against biting bugs.
I even had my Therma-cell running when the hoard of bugs attacked at the first sound of a gobble!

All in all my “bug defense system” worked extremely well. Start with my Bug Bite Patch, some deet on the clothing and my Thermo-cell at the ready for those deep wood or swamp conditions.

At the beach using just the patch works fine as its waterprooof.

These Insect Defend Patches are :  All Natural – NO DEET – Mosquito Bite Deterrent

         Only ingredient 75mg Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)        

Apply directly on your skin min. 2 hours before exposure to Mosquitoes 

    B1 discreetly comes out through your pores as you perspire

    Mosquitoes don’t like how you taste      

 The more you perspire…. the better it works !      

 Lasts for 36 Hours     

Leave it on!   24 hr timed release formula with a 12 hour residual effect     

Safe for Children as young as 1 year old     

 Simply place in middle of back to avoid choking risk 

 Patch can be worn while swimming or bathing              

  I put  patch on today a 4am for turkey hunting. (never got bit)

I cut the lawn about 3pm with just shorts and a tee and never got bit once!

More info available at www.safetyinmotion.net

You can listen to the podcast this week, RippleOutdoors.com episode #153

James Krane &  Rawne Whittick and I chatted about the B1 patch and it’s ability to repel biting bugs.

If you spend any time outdoors you will want to check out these patches.

Can’t find a patch,,,,contact me, info [at] rippleoutdoors [dot] com

Check out my Bug Bite Patch Page

Steve raised money at the Toronto Sportsmen Show with an action shoot video console in his custom Backyard Wildlife trailer.

Loonies and Toonies were donated by both young and old for the Hunters Education Program.

To find out additional information O.F.A.H.  Hunter Education Program

The money raised will be used for by O.F.A.H Hunter Education  Program to help young kids become safe and informed hunters.

Steve is a long time supporter of O.F.A.H.

So check out Backyard Wildlife Products for wildlife supplements, food plots seeds, soil testing and mineral mixes.

Manitoba M.P. introduces clear, simple, supportable legislation

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), applauds the introduction of Bill C-391, a new private members’ bill tabled in the House of Commons earlier today by Candice Hoeppner, Conservative Member of Parliament for the riding of Portage-Lisgar, Manitoba.

The legislation, which is the third and most clearly defined firearms bill introduced this year, addresses the need to abolish the badly flawed federal long gun registry, nothing more, nothing less.“The O.F.A.H., provincial and territorial wildlife federations, national and provincial wildlife and outdoor groups, legal, law abiding firearms owners, hunters, farmers, and recreational sport shooters across Canada had expressed support for the two previous bills introduced earlier this year,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director Mike Reader. “Unfortunately, it was apparent that each of those contained language that made it difficult for some Members of Parliament and others who support abolition of the long gun registry to fully support them.

By introducing a clear, concise, straightforward piece of legislation, Ms. Hoeppner has addressed those concerns and presented the House with a bill that does one thing and one thing only; scrap the long gun registry. In the past, many members of the opposition parties, particularly those whose constituents have been adversely affected by the current system, have spoken out against the long gun registry.We expect that the new legislation will allow Members of Parliament from all parties to work with Ms. Hoeppner and the government to pass the bill.”

Since the creation of the long gun registry under Bill C-68, the legal, law abiding firearms community has contended that the government of the day had aimed at the wrong target.

Many front line officers, police associations and even some Chiefs of Police have also gone on record stating that the registry is flawed and has not helped them do their job.

“The long gun registry, which will have cost Canadian taxpayers $2 billion dollars by 2012, a cost overrun of over 1,000%, ignores the fact that criminals do not register firearms. Instead of focusing its attention on the lawbreakers, who obtain firearms illegally and use them to commit crimes in our communities, the previous government targeted the law abiding, and in the process, criminalized legal, licensed, trained, farmers, hunters and recreational sport shooters, including Olympic athletes.

Despite claims that the long gun registry provided for enhanced public safety, the Auditor General of Canada pronounced it to be one of the biggest messes every created by a government, and made it clear that Canadian Firearms Centre had failed to demonstrate how the registry helped to minimize risks to public safety by providing evidence that it had helped reduce deaths, injuries and threats from firearms,” said Reader.

Given all of the evidence that the long gun registry hasn’t worked, that it doesn’t contribute to making our communities safer and that it tracks only lawful firearms owners, and not the criminal or the prohibited offender, it is imperative that Members of Parliament bring an end to this exercise in futility.

With over 100,000 members, supporters and subscribers and 660 member clubs across Ontario, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable conservation-based fishing and hunting organization in the province, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

Once again it will be held at Binbrook Conservation Authority Park.

The derby will run from 8am- 1pm.

 Ticket cost are adults $15.00 kids $10.00 ,  BBQ , draw prizes and awards will follow.  Please note ticket sales will end at 8 am once the derby starts. 

For additional information  http://icenews.proboards.com:80/index.cgi

With the upcoming Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leadership nomination in early June I wanted to offer my support for MPP Frank Klees.

During the Canada in the Rough interview I learned Mr. Klees is a dedicated and committed twenty-five year conservative member. He also operated a successful business 14 years prior to that. Frank understands what the outdoor person wants and how government decisions affect our lifestyle.

Klees understands what it takes to run a successful business and how government regulations can hinder or more importantly help a business prosper. Best of all Klees understand what an outdoor lifestyle means to individuals and families who share a passion for the outdoors.

The PC leadership convention takes place in early June so become a registered PC member and vote for the man who will continue to support your outdoor lifestyle. It may be the best $10 you spend this year.

If you want your vote to count do it NOW,

 yep, right NOW it’s that important.

It takes about two minutes to register as a Provincial Conservative member http://www.frankklees.com/join

It’s your lifestyle and your way of enjoying Ontario’s outdoors. This is YOUR chance to protect what we have now and in the future. It takes two minutes right from your chair and only cost $10 bucks!

Here your chance to preserve & promote your OUTDOOR lifestyle Join the Ontario PCs

Alfie filled his first tag the day before on a 22 pounder also. 

I leave Tuesday for Montana to chase some Merriam Gobblers with my Excalibur crossbow to continue my Turkey Grand Slam with a crossbow.

When I return hopefully tag #2 will be sealed after using my Excalibur crossbow.

This ones in the freezer for an upcoming BBQ! 

Good luck to all the other hunters.

I have been using a Thermocell since 2003 to fend off squeeters and it still works great.  I use it turkey hunting or out in my fishing boat & kayak. I toss it in the storage compartment of my ATV when riding the trails and use it as required if those nasty biting bugs show up.

 There are 3 ways to receive a FREE(plus $2.95 for shipping & handling) ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent.Purchase 1 box of Supreme Elite® Xtended Range® Hi-Density turkey loads
Purchase 2 boxes of Supreme® turkey loads
Purchase 3 boxes of Super-X® turkey loads
Offer Stipulations:Fill out downloadable form (redemption card).
Valid on qualifying purchases made between February 15, 2009 and June 30, 2009.
Expires and all requests must be received by July 15, 2009.
Limited to one offer per household while supplies last.
Offer valid in the U.S. and Canada.
Allow 3-4 weeks for shipment.
Mail in UPC codes, downloadable form (redemption card), cash register receipt, and check for $2.95 shipping and handling made out to Repco Logistics.

Mail to: Repco Logistics
Attn: Winchester/ThermaCELL Spring Turkey Promotion
8405 St. Charles Rock Rd.,
St. Louis, MO 63114