• Federal & CCI allocate 20 million rounds .22 LR for Youth Programs

• Essential Legislation to Protect Hunting Introduced in U.S. Congress

• Great Lakes Water Levels for May 3, 2013

• Navigation resumes along Illinois River

• SAF Wins Permanent Injunction in Illinois

• "Fish for Millions" Contest open until July 7

• Fish Free in Wisconsin June 1-2

Grate Chef Grill Wipes

Grill Wipes attach to the bristles of any grill brush and apply high heat grilling oil to any grill grate, hot or cold, preventing food from sticking.  Specially formulated accompanying grilling oil won�t burn off like conventional cooking sprays.  Specially designed fiber of the wipes allows them to be used on heated grill grates for optimal no-stick performance.  Easily give food distinct grill marks without any worry of food sticking.  Makes achieving professional results simple and convenient. 

 Not flammable like spray products.  No more using highly flammable paper towels which are ineffective in cleaning an abrasive grilling surface.  Grill Wipes are non-toxic and biodegradable. 

Features include:

Oils your grill grate to prevent foods from sticking!

Delivers professional-grade high heat grilling oil directly to the grilling surface

Won�t burn-off like conventional cooking sprays

Cleans debris from cooking surface

Enhances grill marks for professional results

Designed for convenience and safety,

Grill Wipes cling to the bristles of any grill brush for easy application.

The Grate Chef team has over 40 years combined experience in the foodservice and retail food sales business. Most products from Grate Chef are consumer-friendly versions of �methods� that have been used by the restaurant industry for years. We make it practical for you to achieve the same professional results that many executive chefs would prefer we keep locked in secrecy.

The company�s growing line of grilling accessories can be found in most major retailers in North America, online and beyond. 

About $8.99 per 3-pak

877- 900-8415

[email protected]          http://gratechef.com/

Federal & CCI allocate 20 million rounds .22 LR for Youth Programs

ANOKA, MN - Federal Premium Ammunition and sister company CCI have dedicated 20 million rounds of rimfire ammunition to youth shooting sports programs. The Boy Scouts of America will receive 10 million .22 LR shells, and another 10 million will be sent to other organizations. This product sold at a discounted price will ship directly to the 4-H Shooting Sports, Boy Scouts and other qualified youth organizations. The ammunition distribution process was in cooperation with the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA). Delivery is expected in May and will help ensure that many camps, shooting programs and trainings can occur over the summer.

The consumer demand for ammunition over the last several months has put a strain on manufacturers across the country. Both Federal Premium and CCI continue to run their plants 24 hours a day, seven days a week�as they have for years. Despite the best efforts of over 2,000 employees working around the clock, customers are having trouble finding ammunition.

We work very closely with several youth organizations who promote the youth shooting sports,� said Federal Premium Conservation Manager

Ryan Bronson.

�Their efforts are very important to us, and always have been. Many of them rely on rimfire ammunition to educate and teach tomorrow�s hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts. The current demand has put a strain on their ability to continue to operate. We hope this special allocation will ease some of the pressure, and keep our young people doing what they love�shooting and hunting.�

Federal Premium and CCI took applications and requests until April 30. Through a regimented process all 20 million rounds have been allocated. The recipients of this ammunition include notable organizations like the 4-H Shooting Sports, Boy Scouts of America, Scholastic Steel Challenge and other friends of the Youth Shootings Sports Alliance. All participants in this program have been vetted and are well-documented supporters of the youth shooting sports.

Federal Premium and CCI have been dedicated to conservation and youth outreach programs for decades. The latest allocation of 20 Million .22 LR rounds supports the need for affordable and reliable ammunition.

Essential Legislation to Protect Hunting Introduced in U.S. Congress
Washington, D.C. � Safari Club International (SCI) supports the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act introduced by Congressman Dan Benishek (MI) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK). H.R. 1825 and S. 170 will require the U.S. Forest Serce (FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to manage their lands for hunting, angling, and target- shooting based recreation.  

Members of Safari Club International will be traveling to Washington, D.C. on May 9^th to advocate for H.R. 1825 and S. 170.  �For hunters, it is critical that legislation be passed that will ensure future generations of sportsmen and women have every opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors,� said SCI President John Whipple. �We are extremely thankful

for the leadership that Congressman Dan Benishek of Michigan and

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have shown with the introduction of this needed legislation.�

The U.S. House of Representatives passed this language with bi-partisan support as part of the Sportsmen�s Act of 2012, whereas the Senate never took final action during the 112^th Congress.  �We hope to have this common sense legislation move quickly through both the House and Senate,� concluded Whipple.

More than 200 meetings will take place on May 9, 2013, as part of Safari Club International�s overall advocacy efforts to protect the future of hunting. The grassroots involvement from SCI members enhances the year-round efforts of SCI�s D.C. office..

Great Lakes Water Levels for May 3, 2013

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Precipitation totals across the Great Lakes for the month of April were well above average. The Lake Michigan-Huron and Lake Erie basins each received over 4.5 inches of precipitation in April. The Great Lakes basin as a whole received 4 inches, which is 1.5 inches more than the average April amount. The basin saw warmer than average temperatures this week which have remained in most areas, but temperatures in western regions dropped on Wednesday and Thursday. Expect some precipitation over the next couple days in areas to the west, while the rest of the basin should have sunny skies for much of the weekend.

LAKE LEVEL CONDITIONS

The water levels of the Great Lakes rose significantly over the past month. Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are 1 and 6 inches, respectively, lower than their levels of a year ago. Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 5, 7, and 2 inches, respectively, lower than at this time last year. Over the next month, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are both forecasted to rise 3 inches. The water levels of lakes St. Clair and Erie are each expected to rise 1 inch over the next month, while Lake Ontario is predicted incline 4 inches.

FORECASTED MONTHLY OUTFLOWS/CHANNEL CONDITIONS

Lake Superior�s outflow through the St. Marys River is projected to be below average for the month of May. Lake Huron�s outflow into the St.

Clair River and the outflow from Lake St. Clair into the Detroit River are also expected to be below average throughout the month of May. Lake

Erie�s outflow through the Niagara River is predicted to be below average and the outflow of Lake Ontario into the St. Lawrence River is expected to be below average in May.

ALERTS

Official records are based on monthly average water levels and not daily water levels. Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are below chart datum. Users of the Great Lakes, connecting channels and St. Lawrence River should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities that could be affected by changing water levels. Mariners should utilize navigation charts and refer to current water level readings

Navigation resumes along Illinois River

MARSEILLES, Ill. � The Unified Command announced Friday that navigation will resume Saturday morning along a section of the Illinois River that has been closed to river traffic after seven barges broke free from a tow during heavy weather and came to rest against the Marseilles Dam, April 18.    

The U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, plans to permit restricted navigation for recreational and commercial from the Dresden Lock and Dam at Mile Marker 271.4 and Mile Marker 240.

The Coast Guard has established a Regulated Navigation Area to protect the general public, vessels and tows from hazards associated with obstructions in the Marseilles Lock canal, and salvage operations being conducted in the vicinity.

Vessels intending to pass through the Marseilles Lock must notify the Coast Guard Watch, located at the Marseilles Lock, by contacting 630-336-0300 at least one hour in advance of intended lockage.

Northbound vessels must obtain a lockage authorization code from the

Coast Guard Watch prior to mile marker 240, while southbound vessels

must obtain authorization prior to mile marker 250.

All vessels are prohibited from transiting, anchoring, or operating within the authorized navigation area without approval from the Captain of the Port. This rule is in effect from May 4 through June 30.     

The Marseilles Dam, which was damaged during an accident April 18, has been undergoing salvage and repair operations requiring restricted navigation in the areas upstream of the dam. Those operations continue, but after a thorough review of Marseilles survey data, the Corps has deemed the stability of the dam to be safe and can allow navigation to resume with safety restrictions.

 

The Coast Guard established a persistent website to keep the public informed of ongoing operations and provide the latest Unified Command updates on vessel transit restrictions for the Illinois River between the Starved Rock and Dresden Dams. Information can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/marseillesdamincident

SAF Wins Permanent Injunction in Illinois

BELLEVUE, WA - The Second Amendment Foundation has won a permanent injunction against the Warren County, Ill. Housing Authority's ban on the possession of firearms by residents or guests.

The case was filed more than a year ago in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Rock Island Division. Ronald G. Winbigler, a resident of Costello Terrace in Monmouth, is a physically disabled former police officer who wanted to keep a handgun in his residence for personal protection.

SAF filed the lawsuit on his behalf, and they were represented by attorney David Sigale, who noted, "People do not lose their Second Amendment rights just because they are of limited means. It is an indignity to make the waiver of constitutional rights a condition of government-subsidized housing."

SAF Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb was delighted with the ruling.

"We brought this case because it was unconscionable," Gottlieb said, "in the wake of our victory in McDonald v. City of Chicago that a public entity in Illinois would engage in this kind of discrimination against a citizen. The WCHA has removed the lease provisions, and agreed that they were unconstitutional."

In an order signed by District Judge Sara Darrow, plaintiffs are awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs. In her ruling, however, she did not make a constitutional declaration, but only recognized that SAF and the WCHA had agreed in that issue.

"Public housing is the last place one would expect to encounter residency provisions that run counter to the Bill of Rights," Gottlieb said. "We're delighted that this issue has been resolved to the benefit of Mr. Winbigler and citizens like him.

"Fish for Millions" Contest open until July 7

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Starting Saturday, May 4, Pennsylvania anglers will have a chance to fish for, and win, millions of dollars in cash and prizes in Cabela's "Fish for Millions?" contest.

As a "warm-up" to the May 4 contest start date, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will be hosting an exhibit at the Pennsylvania Cabela's store in Hamburg on May 3 - 4. PFBC staff will be present to provide free publications, posters and educational materials, including the list of Pennsylvania contest waters. As a special offer, Cabela's is providing its yardstick fishing decal as a free giveaway during the in-store event.

Cabela's started accepting registrations on its website on April 15. The contest begins on May 4 and ends July 7. The premise is simple: catch specially tagged fish and win prizes ranging from Cabela's gift cards to $2 million.

All rules and requirements, as well as contest details and registration information, can be found at Cabela's contest website, www.cabelas.com/fishformillions. In addition, the PFBC will maintain its own contest web page at www.fishandboat.com/fishformillions.htm.

Remember, you've got to fish to win, and your fishing license is your gateway to participating in the third year of this contest.

Fish Free in Wisconsin June 1-2

Fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp on Free Fishing Weekend. This includes all inland waters and Wisconsin's side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River.

Other fishing rules apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species. So, pack up the family or call your friends and head to the water for fishing fun.

Pssst! We also have Winter Free Fishing Weekend. Next year it will be on January 18-19, 2014.

Plan your own fishing clinic to usher in a summer of fishing fun. Use these events to kick off summertime youth fishing clubs and get anglers of all

ages out to the water's edge.

Download and complete the Free Fishing Weekend Planning Form [PDF]. Simply submit your completed form to the Angler Education Office at the DNR and we'll post your event. Then, we'll and send you educational materials to share with participants. Contact Kim Anderson, 608-261-6431, if you would like a planning form mailed to you.

Get free instruction and gear to use at fishing clinics.

Dozens of free fishing clinics are offered on Free Fishing Weekend by many fishing clubs, local parks departments, community centers and civic organizations. Learn the basics and fish using equipment provided at most of these events.