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Week of September 20 , 2004 |
Product Review Berkley Gulp! Soft Baits
Fishing beyond the Great Lakes
Hunting stand rules have changed on Consolidated Conservation Lands
Know where you are; know the rules, when hunting, when riding
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Fishing the Great Lakes
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Showcasing Missouri’s premier trout program
One of the state’s oldest and most popular parks, Bennett Spring State Park is 12 miles west of Lebanon on Hwy. 64, and includes a visitor center, swimming pool, dining lodge, cabins, and many campsites. Many recreational activities are available at the park including canoeing, tubing, swimming, hiking and camping.
Bennett Spring Trout Park Under the fishing regulations, brown trout in the Niangua River and its tributaries (including Bennett Spring Branch and the Trout Park) must be 18” to be harvested or possessed. The daily limit in the Trout Park is still five trout, but only one may be a brown trout.
There are three fishing zones. ♦ Zone 1 starts at the spring and runs downstream to the dam near the hatchery. Only flies may be used in zone 1.
♦ Zone 2 runs from the dam
downstream to the whistle bridge. Only selected artificial lures may be used
in zone 2. These are manufactured lures, including flies, not containing natural food substances or fluids. Soft plastic worms, synthetic grubs, synthetic eggs or pork rinds are not allowed in zone 2. ♦ Zone 3 runs from the whistle bridge downstream to the confluence with the Niangua River. Only natural baits and the artificial lures prohibited in other zones may be used in zone 3.
Trout Parks Missouri has four trout parks with trout hatcheries on the park grounds; all are heavily stocked to ensure angler success. The parks host two seasons, one running from March 1 through October 31. The second season begins the second weekend of November and extends through the second weekend of February.
All four parks require a Missouri fishing license, along with a daily tag (adults $3.00, kids 15 and under $2.00) during the March – October season. Fish are stocked nightly at a rate of 2.25 fish per tag sold.
Each year the parks host
two special events that encourage
At Montauk, Bennett Spring,
Roaring River and Maramec
Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery regularly stocks Lake Taneycomo with trout. People come from many states to fish in this popular lake. Several other Missouri streams are stocked throughout the year. Trout fishermen in these areas must have an annual trout stamp and valid Missouri fishing license.
Each fall in October or November about 5,000 brown trout are stocked into the Niangua River with the goal of someday reaching a stable population.
Fishing
Brown trout in the Niangua
River and its tributaries, including Bennett Spring Branch and the Trout harvested or possessed. The daily limit is five trout, but only one may be a brown trout. Brown trout are stocked annually. Rainbow trout are stocked downstream from the Bennett Spring Branch throughout the year. There is no size limit on rainbow trout.
Flies, spinners and small crank baits work well.
Smallmouth bass and rock bass (goggle-eye) provide much of the fishing action in the portion of the Niangua River above Bennett Spring. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are found around boulders and rootwads, especially when they are close to good current. Crankbaits, plastic grubs and worms, and earthworms fished close to rootwads and boulders are good producers.
Largemouth bass and spotted bass are more common in downstream reaches and in backwaters and eddies.
The Niangua River is a
great place to take kids fishing for sunfish. Longear sunfish and bluegill
are plentiful throughout the river and are easy to catch with a cane pole,
bobber and hook baited with worms or crickets. The no-creel permit has been
discontinued. Now, winter-fishing privileges at the four trout parks are
included in the $7 statewide trout permit.
The entire stream may be fished, but only Zone-1-legal lures |
may be used. Lures have to be single hook and made out of fur, feathers or yarn. Outside of the state park, anglers can take advantage of the bountiful fishing waters by canoeing or hiking along the banks. The range of fish found in the waters varies as much as the age of anglers on the river. With plenty of trout, bass and bluegill, the Niangua River offers challenges for the experienced fishermen as well as the young beginner.
Bennett Spring State Park
Over a million visitors
come to Bennett Spring State Park to fish, hike, camp and picnic. The park
has 3,100 acres including its own fish hatchery. Bennett Spring is the
favorite Midwest fishing destination of those surveyed at the Lebanon booth
at last year’s sports show in Kansas City. The survey showed it beat out
Lake of the Ozarks, Truman lake, Table
Rock Lake, Branson and Lake
Taneycomo.
Bennett Spring is
HikingThere are plenty of hiking trails to explore. Bennett Spring State Park has seven hiking trails with beautiful scenery, winding through the hills surrounding the stream, ranging from ¼-mile to 7-1/2-miles long. About 12 miles of hiking trails wind through Bennett Spring State Park.
CanoeingNearly all the private campgrounds offer canoe rentals. Trips can range from a short float that goes just a couple of miles and lasts a few hours to an all-day affair or even an overnight float. The river is a level 1 water, but some canoeing experience is encouraged before taking to the waters. CampingCampers at Bennett Spring State park now check in at the park’s new fee booth near Campground 1. A new reservation system allows campers to plan six months to two days in advance of arrival. You may call 1-877-422-6766 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or go online 24-hours a day at www.mostateparks.com. To reserve a cabin at the park, call 417-532-4307. The park has 189 campsites.
BackgroundWhile Bennett Spring pumps 103 million gallons of water each day, it also pumps out 165 cubic feet of water per second. The spring runs underground for much of its life before resurfacing in the state park. It has been a state park since 1924.
You'll want to stay at a small motel in the area while you're fishing Bennett Springs' Niangua River. You can still make Springfield your headquarters because that's where all the action is and that's where you'll want to put up your family. Of course there's Bass Pro Shop, Wonders of Wildlife Zooquarium, Discovery Center, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Springfield Conservation Nature Center and much more.
Consider the Sheraton Hawthorne Hotel on North Glenstone Avenue, just a few short minutes from Bass Pro Shops. They have special weekend rates for families, and have pleasant surroundings, indoor pool, fitness center, a game room and other amenities that make the property family friendly. The staff is friendly, supportive and low-key. Where your family can enjoy the sights and sounds of a classy facility and pleasant surroundings; they probably won’t even miss you. It's also the place for quiet a get-away for two when you're visiting the Springfield, MO area.
Contact information is below.
Contacts/Information
Sheraton Hawthorne Hotel 2431 North Glenstone Ave
Springfield, MO 65803
417-831-3131
Missouri Division of
Tourism
573-751-4133 Missouri Department of Conservation
2901 W. Truman Blvd., P.O.
Box 180 Missouri Department of Conservation
Southwest Regional Office
Missouri Department of
Natural Resources
Missouri Division of State
Parks
Bennett Spring State Park 26250 Highway 64A Lebanon, MO 65536 800-334-6946, 417-532-4338 or E-mail: moparks@dnr.mo.gov www.mostateparks.com/bennett.htm
Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau 3315 E Battlefield Rd Springfield, MO 65804 800-678-8767 E-mail cvb@springfieldmo.org
Bass Pro Shops 2500 E. Kearney Springfield, MO 65898 800-227-7776 (800-BASSPRO )
Scott Pauley 800-647-7687
Trout Hatcheries and Locations:
Bennett Spring Hatchery Bennett Spring State Park Lebanon, Missouri 65536
Maramec Spring Hatchery Maramec Spring Park owned by the James Foundation St. James, Missouri 65559
Montauk Hatchery Montak State Park Salem, Missouri 65560
Roaring River Hatchery Roaring River State Park Cassville, Missouri 65625
Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery Branson, Missouri 65616
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National
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Help Protect the Great Lakes - Your help is needed We need your financial help to fund the operations of the Illinois Waterway electronic barrier – to prevent Asian carp and other nasty critters from entering our lakes
A second larger, longer-life barrier is now under construction, but the cost of the design exceeds available funds by $1.8 million.
Illinois has contributed $2 million to the project, but the other Great Lakes Governors say they are not able to contribute the balance – $1.8 million. Their states do not have the money. The need for the additional $1.8 million is critical.
Contributions from any non-federal source will help. That’s where clubs, individuals and corporate America can help
Use of Contributed Funds Funds will be held by the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council and distributed based on the direction of a board of non- |
agency trustees including the president of the GLSFC.
All contributions are tax deductible and will only be used to:
1) Implement the Asian Carp Rapid Response Plan 2) Improve or operate Barrier I 3) Construct and operate Barrier II
Send your donations to: GLSFC – carp fund P.O. Box 297 Elmhurst, IL 60126
Or use our PayPal for credit card donations. Go to www.great-lakes.org/carp
For more information and photos go to:
Thanks for your help in preventing the invasion of these harmful critters into our lakes. |
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The electric fish barrier
in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship
A second larger, more
powerful barrier has been designed
We Need Your Help to Protect the Great Lakes The Second Barrier
A second larger,
longer-life barrier is planned for construction
The State of Illinois has
already contributed $2 million to the project and it will be difficult to
obtain the
We are applying to other sources for the needed funds, but every contribution from any non-federal source will help.
Asian Carp Rapid Response A Rapid response Committee has developed a Rapid Response Plan to address the presence of Asian carp in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal if they begin to congregate |
below the existing barrier before the second barrier is constructed.
The Asian Carp Rapid
Response Plan would involve
We need your financial
support to help keep Asian carp out of
The second use for the
funds would be to maintain and
Use of Contributed Funds The collected funds will be held by the Great Lakes Sportfishing Council and will be distributed based on the direction of a board of non-agency trustees including the executive director of the Great Lakes Sportfishing Council. All contributions are tax deductible and 100 percent of the contributions will be used towards Asian carp prevention. Contributions will be used to:
1) 1)Implement the Asian Carp Rapid Response Plan 2) 2)Construct Barrier II 3) 3)Improve or operate Barrier I
The funds will not be used for agency labor or overhead and will not be used for research. Collected donations will be used to pay for barrier construction, carp control chemicals or if absolutely necessary, for operating expenses of the barrier.
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STEP OUTSIDE For National Hunting & Fishing Day – Sept 25National Hunting & Fishing Day (NHF) marks its 33rd year as a nationwide celebration on Saturday, September 25, 2004. NHF day commemorates the conservation and economic contributions of hunters, anglers, target shooters and other sportsmen. It also provides a great opportunity for outdoors enthusiasts to STEP OUTSIDE and participate in various outdoor activities.
“There are 48 million men and women who would accept an invitation to try target shooting and other outdoor activities. NHF Day is the perfect opportunity to extend that invitation to a friend or family member,” explained Cynthia Dalena, national coordinator of STEP OUTSIDE.
According to the National Sporting Goods Association sports participation, over 18.5 million men, women and children actively hunt and 51.2 million actively fish in the United States. These hunters and anglers represent big business in terms of dollars and cents. The economic importance of hunting in America generates $67 billion, while anglers generate $116 billion, both in 2003. |
To help celebrate NHF Day, many organizations around the country arrange special opportunities for non-outdoorsmen and women, of all ages and levels of experience. Check your area for hands-on events featuring archery, firearms and muzzleloader shooting, fishing, canoeing, cooking or duck calling. There is no better time to STEP OUTSIDE with friends and family and introduce somebody new to some of America’s favorite pastimes.
To find out about NHF Day and other events in your area, check out the STEP OUTSIDE Web site map for detailed info – by state, month and year. http://www.stepoutside.org/calendar.asp NHF Day helps others to have a better understanding of the outdoor sports and also recognize the past conservation efforts and achievements of American sportsmen and sportswomen.
STEP OUTSIDE is a program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that encourages outdoor enthusiasts to introduce friends, family and other acquaintances to the fun and excitement of target shooting, archery, hunting or fishing. For more information about the STEP OUTSIDE program, please visit www.stepoutside.org. |
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Court halts logging in forest burned by 2002 fire
Obstructionist
environmentalists sue to block logging burned acreage |
Todd True, an attorney representing environmentalists.
The ruling comes a week before environmentalists, the Forest Service, the timber industry, and Oregon officials were to begin mediation in an attempt to reach a settlement. "This plays right into the continuing agenda of the environmental community to litigate and obstruct lawful and sound land management practices," said Chris West, vice president of the American Forest Resource Council, a pro-timber group.
The timber
industry may ask the full 9th Circuit to review the injunction because the
judge's ruling makes logging unlikely before next spring, when the trees
will be worth little after standing dead for nearly three years, West said. |
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Coast Guard Auxiliary gets
a new chief |
government and domestic contract management.
“The 36,000 members of the auxiliary are moving into new and uncharted areas of responsibilities due to the events of Sept, 11, 2001, the move to the Department of Homeland Security and the increased responsibilities of the Coast Guard,” Seibert said in a statement. “We will balance our missions of recreational boating safety and Coast Guard support with maritime homeland security and other challenges that emerge as a result of our growing understanding of changes required in the post-9/11 era.” |
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Charter group names three
to board |
in Baltimore. He served as a naval officer on a frigate between 1975 and 1979, and now practices a variety of maritime law disciplines. These include maritime towing and salvage, wrongful death and personal injury claims, Jones Act claims, collision cases, marina fires, marine insurance fraud, vessel arrests and maritime debt collection, Coast Guard hearings, and Longshoremen and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims.
Robinson, of The Shoreline Resort in Door County, Wis., offers a full-service resort with a waterfront motel and restaurant, as well as diving, fishing and sightseeing charters. He currently serves on the boards of directors of the Door County Chamber of Commerce, and the county maritime museum.
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ESPN and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to co-host fundraising event Clint Eastwood to Receive National Conservation Award WASHINGTON – Sept. 13, 2004 – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Foundation) announced today that it will honor film icon Clint Eastwood for his efforts in conservation at a special fundraising dinner. Eastwood will receive the Foundation’s “Chairman’s Award” – the highest accolade bestowed by one of the nation’s leading conservation organizations.
The Foundation will hand out the award at a private fundraising event on New York City’s Randall’s Island Sept. 22, 2004, and Eastwood will attend the event if his production schedule allows. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in the conservation of America’s natural resources. Past recipients of the Chairman’s Award have included former presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
Eastwood, whose film career spans more than four decades, is a longtime advocate for conservation issues and describes himself as a “preservationist” who encourages people to take advantage of state parks.
When he was appointed a commissioner of the California State Board of Parks and Recreation in 2002, Eastwood said that his biggest priority was maintenance “to protect and preserve our existing natural and cultural resources for future generations.”
Eastwood’s natural resource and conservation-related efforts also include the following: * Elected as vice-chair of the California State Board of Parks and Recreation in July 2004. * Served as spokesperson for the Take Pride in America volunteer stewardship initiative in the 1980s. |
* Currently sits on the boards of the Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation and the Monterey Peninsula Golf Foundation. * Taped public service announcements for Take Pride in America, California Department of Parks and Recreation and the California State Fish and Wildlife Service.
The conservation ethic embraced by Eastwood, the Foundation and ESPN Outdoors is central to the American lifestyle and quality of life. Millions of Americans pursue outdoor activities. Eastwood sets a powerful example for them and for us.
ESPN’s Dan Patrick will serve as host at the casual blue jeans event. Guests will dine on chicken and ribs, and have an opportunity to participate in target, timber, fishing and other fun outdoor activities. In accordance with the outdoors theme, fundraising auction items will include an autographed Lance Armstrong jersey worn in the 2003 Tour de France, a fishing-themed shadowbox signed by Ted Williams, a VIP trip to the 2005 Great Outdoor Games, a deepwater fishing trip in the Bahamas and more. The evening will end with fabulous fireworks.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by Congress in 1984 and dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife and plants, and the habitat on which they depend. The Foundation creates partnerships between the public and private sectors to strategically invest in conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. The Foundation distributed 687 grants in 2003 and has leveraged $261 million in federal funds since its establishment, for a total of more than $786 million in on-the-ground conservation. This year, the Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary. |
Regional
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Help Protect the Great Lakes - Your help is needed We need your financial help to fund the operations of the Illinois Waterway electronic barrier – to prevent Asian carp and other nasty critters from entering our lakes
A second larger, longer-life barrier is now under construction, but the cost of the design exceeds available funds by $1.8 million.
Illinois has contributed $2 million to the project, but the other Great Lakes Governors say they are not able to contribute the balance – $1.8 million. Their states do not have the money. The need for the additional $1.8 million is critical.
Contributions from any non-federal source will help. That’s where clubs, individuals and corporate America can help
Use of Contributed Funds Funds will be held by the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council and distributed based on the direction of a board of non- |
agency trustees including the president of the GLSFC.
All contributions are tax deductible and will only be used to:
1) Implement the Asian Carp Rapid Response Plan 2) Improve or operate Barrier I 3) Construct and operate Barrier II
Send your donations to: GLSFC – carp fund P.O. Box 297 Elmhurst, IL 60126
Or use our PayPal for credit card donations. Go to www.great-lakes.org/carp
For more information and photos go to:
Thanks for your help in preventing the invasion of these harmful critters into our lakes. |
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Asian Carp Prevention Fund
The electric fish barrier
in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship
A second larger, more
powerful barrier has been designed
We Need Your Help to Protect the Great Lakes The Second Barrier
A second larger,
longer-life barrier is planned for construction
The State of Illinois has
already contributed $2 million to the project and it will be difficult to
obtain the
We are applying to other sources for the needed funds, but every contribution from any non-federal source will help.
Asian Carp Rapid Response A Rapid response Committee has developed a Rapid Response Plan to address the presence of Asian carp in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal if they begin to congregate |
below the existing barrier before the second barrier is constructed.
The Asian Carp Rapid
Response Plan would involve
We need your financial
support to help keep Asian carp out of
The second use for the
funds would be to maintain and
Use of Contributed Funds The collected funds will be held by the Great Lakes Sportfishing Council and will be distributed based on the direction of a board of non-agency trustees including the executive director of the Great Lakes Sportfishing Council. All contributions are tax deductible and 100 percent of the contributions will be used towards Asian carp prevention. Contributions will be used to:
1) 1)Implement the Asian Carp Rapid Response Plan 2) 2)Construct Barrier II 3) 3)Improve or operate Barrier I
The funds will not be used for agency labor or overhead and will not be used for research. Collected donations will be used to pay for barrier construction, carp control chemicals or if absolutely necessary, for operating expenses of the barrier.
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Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for September 17, 2004 Current Lake Levels: Currently, all of the Great Lakes are higher than the levels of a year ago, ranging from 7 to 14 inches higher than last year’s levels. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, and St. Clair are still below their long-time averages by 4, 10, and 2 inches, respectively. Lakes Erie and Ontario are above their long-time averages by 4 and 11 inches, respectively. Lake Ontario jumped up 4 inches at the end of last week, as the remnants of Hurricane Frances brought heavy rain to the basin.
The Lake Superior outflow through the St. Marys River into Lake Huron is expected to be near average during the month of September. Flows in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are expected to be below average in September. The Niagara and St. Lawrence River flows are projected to be above average for the month of September. |
Temperature/Precipitation Outlook: The weekend looks quite pleasant across the Great Lakes basin. Mostly sunny skies will lead to temperatures in the 70s on both Saturday and Sunday. Next week is expected to be dry as well, with warmer than average temperatures.
Forecasted Water Levels: Lake Superior is approaching the end of its seasonal rise and is expected to remain steady over the next month. Lake Michigan-Huron is in its seasonal decline and its level is expected to fall 2 inches over the next month. Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are continuing their seasonal decline, and are expected to drop by 5-9 inches over the next month.
Alerts: 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. |
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IJC releases its 12th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality The International Joint Commission released its Twelfth Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality. The report not only addresses the current issues facing the health and vitality of the Great Lakes - it triggers the official review, by the United States and Canada, of the historic Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
In this report to the governments of the U.S. and Canada, the IJC highlights key issues for all who live in the Great Lakes region. It contains specific recommendations relating to the effects of urbanization on our lakes; threats associated with alien invasive species; pathogens and disease bearing microorganisms in drinking water sources; chemical contamination, methyl mercury and human health; and the recent ecological changes taking place in Lake Erie.
Significantly, this report triggers the much anticipated review, by governments, of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The current Agreement was signed in 1978 and was amended in 1987. It has not been updated or changed in more than 17 years. During this time, technology and our scientific knowledge and understanding have grown immensely. We need to keep pace with what we know and |
review the effectiveness of the Agreement with an eye toward the future.
Fact sheets providing detailed information and the IJC's recommendations about each individual topic and illustrations and graphics for use from the Twelfth Biennial Report are available at www.ijc.org .
The Twelfth Biennial Report is available in hard copy or CD in both English and French free of charge and may also be obtained on IJC's website at www.ijc.org . Obtain a hard copy by contacting the IJC's Great Lakes Regional Office in Canada at 100 Ouellette Ave., Suite 800, Windsor, ON N9A 6T3; 519-257-6733; in the U.S. at P.O. Box 32869, Detroit, MI 48232, 313-226-2170 ext. 6733; or email to commission@windsor.ijc.org .
For more information, please contact:
Windsor/Detroit: Jennifer Day 519-257-6733 or 313-226-2170 Washington, D.C.: Frank Bevacqua 202-736-9024 Ottawa: Nick Heisler 613-992-8367 |
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Bush likely to support Apostle Islands plan Federal wilderness label would be applied A top Bush administration official will be in Bayfield, Wis., today, apparently to announce support for a plan to designate 80 percent of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore as federal wilderness. Craig Manson, assistant secretary of interior for fish and wildlife, has scheduled an announcement on the city's waterfront within view of the Apostle Islands.
The announcement will come on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, signed by President Lyndon Johnson. "This signals the end of a very long process. This means that our wilderness plan is the official National Park Service position," said Jim Nepstad, chief of planning and resource management for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Nepstad said the wilderness plan would be printed in the Federal Register on Friday. After that, it is expected that Interior Secretary Gail Norton, Manson's boss, will bring the wilderness plan to President Bush, who would then be expected to propose legislation to Congress.
Wisconsin's congressional delegation would be expected to introduce the legislation, including U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, whose district includes the islands. "I am happy to see the Department of the Interior has come to a final decision on the |
Apostle Islands wilderness recommendation," Obey said Wednesday. "In my view, the Apostle Islands are the crown jewels of Lake Superior, and I hope we can always have a consensus on the need to protect them.''
Only Congress can officially designate federal lands as wilderness. But support from the administration is seen as critical for legislation to advance. "The islands already are being managed as wilderness. But it's important to get the designation.
The park service plans to designate 33,500 acres of the 42,160 acres of land on the park's islands as wilderness, prohibiting mechanized travel and development. The park's mainland unit - areas around docks and visitor facilities and historic sites — such as lighthouses — all have been excluded from wilderness. All of Sand, Basswood and Long islands also are excluded from wilderness.
The plan won't affect the park's waters or boats moving between islands. Powerboats will continue to be able to be beached, even on wilderness islands. Park service officials announced the plan in March after two years of review and public input. The plan has been among the least controversial wilderness proposals in recent years because it will have little effect on current recreation. |
General
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Solutions to wildlife nuisance problems HARRISBURG, PA - Each passing year, wildlife problems and conflicts appear to be increasing in the state, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which has been managing the state's wildlife for more than 100 years. And not just in the country. More and more, wildlife is getting into trouble in urban and suburban areas. In fact, wildlife nuisance control work has become a thriving business in most cities and suburban areas.
Many of Pennsylvania's furbearer populations have increased significantly as market prices for pelts have dropped over the past 20 years. This has led to increases in the numbers of opossums, raccoons, skunks and beavers - even mink and coyotes - in many areas. In addition, expanding communities and new rural housing developments are placing more and more homes right on the doorstep of thriving wildlife habitats. As a result, deer, bears, groundhogs, squirrels, and myriad songbirds are becoming increasingly comfortable hanging out in backyards and similar places.
"Sometimes wildlife is attracted to our properties because we intentionally or unintentionally coax it there with feeder handouts, tossed out table scraps or garbage leftovers," said Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross. "Few of us would argue that wildlife is not worth watching, or having around occasionally. But when deer are stripping your ornamental shrubbery, or a bear has demolished your $60 bird-feeder, or the pitter-patter of squirrel feet running across your bare attic floor is keeping you awake at night, it's a different story!
"However, the problems don't end there. More often than not, it's going to cost you at least time and probably money to alleviate a wildlife nuisance problem. In a lot of situations, though, homeowners can help themselves. They simply need to be armed with the right information and equipment to get the job done. Trying to resolve a problem blindly can result in more headaches, more expenses and the embarrassment of being outwitted by an animal that will become even more difficult to deter or catch because of the education you've provided it."
One of the most common wildlife problems Pennsylvanians face is garden raiding. The culprits are usually rabbits, groundhogs and deer, but occasionally a raccoon or bear will drop in for things like sweet corn and berries. Inexpensive solutions include using scarecrows, hanging pie tins and spraying peppery liquids on plants. But animals will adjust to these tactics. Many home gardeners also place fences around their gardens. But if animals climb over or dig under a fence, you may have to consider setting a live-trap to apprehend your raider.
Live-traps come in a variety of sizes and are of a cage-with-closing-door design. These traps are ideal for residential areas because if you catch the neighbor's pet by mistake, all you have to do is open the door to release the dog or cat from the trap. Troublesome rabbits and squirrels can be relocated to another area. However, anyone who sets one of these traps must recognize it has the potential to catch something other than he or she may have ever expected; namely a skunk.
Every year, the Game Commission receives calls from people who set live traps and catch skunks by mistake. The problem, of course, is what to do with the skunk. It's liable to spray just about anyone who comes near the trap, even if the person is just trying to release it. Questions that usually come to mind are: How can it be released? Who will help me?
Since skunks - as well as raccoons, bats, groundhogs, foxes and coyotes - are rabies vector species, they cannot be relocated like other wildlife. Homeowners who set traps and catch these species face the choice of killing the animal or releasing it. Releasing a skunk or a raccoon can be a risky situation. There's a chance that you could be sprayed by the skunk, or bitten or scratched. What follows promises to be unpleasant. You'll either have to be deodorized or anxiously await test results on the trapped animal's brain tissue to determine if it's rabid.
"A person should put a great deal of thought into any plan that calls for using a trap to resolve a nuisance wildlife problem," explained Dubaich. "Getting and setting the trap is the easy part. Dealing with what happens after the door closes, however, truly can be more than most homeowners bargained for."
Before you set a trap to resolve a wildlife conflict, ask yourself these questions:
1.) Are you prepared to kill the trapped animal? 2.) Do you know how to properly dispose of an animal carcass? 3.) Do you know how to release a trapped animal? 4.) Do you know what bait should be used to ensure you catch the targeted species? 5.) Do you know how frequently you must check a trap set to capture wildlife?
If you can answer "yes" to the aforementioned questions then you should know what you're getting into when you set a trap. Landowners and homeowners may not trap beavers, bobcats, migratory birds, big game, threatened species or endangered species. Landowners also will want to contact their district Wildlife Conservation Officer through the Region Office before trapping nuisance wildlife. Also, once traps are set, they must be checked regularly.
Wildlife also has a habit of establishing homes under our sheds, in the banks of our ponds, even in our houses. These intrusions can range from bats or flying squirrels in the attic to chipmunks under the sidewalk and songbirds nesting in your hanging fuchsia or prized rosebush.
Sometimes it's rewarding to have wildlife living on your property, because it can be fun to watch. But that enjoyment can change quickly when wildlife begins to invade your living quarters, causes significant property damage or has close, |
uncomfortable encounters with people around your home.
The solutions to these problems vary, but they include everything from hiring a wildlife pest control agent, using traps and making modifications to your home, to removing certain vegetation, placing fence and hunting. Exclusion and trapping are probably the two most commonly used approaches for dealing with nuisance wildlife.
Exclusion can be effective for some species, such as rabbits, bats, squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, groundhogs, Canada geese and other waterfowl. But such work shouldn't be considered a panacea. Animals sometimes make adjustments to access your property, instead of moving on.
Timing for exclusion work also is important. For instance, it would be a bad idea to make modifications that would exclude bats from your attic during summer. That's when these sites serve as maternity colonies; summer exclusions force bats trapped inside to enter your home's living quarters in their search for a way out.
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component to the ecosystem but these fish add an element of
personal risk to boaters and others using recreational watercraft. We must
do whatever we can to keep these fish out of the Great Lakes. 
Canal stops the passage of large fish. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built this as a temporary project with
only a three-year life span. The electrodes in this barrier are expected to
wear out in about April 2005. Asian carp have been captured only 22 miles
downstream of the barrier. We have a monitoring plan in place to determine
the leading edge of the Asian carp population as they move closer to the
barrier site and are working on a rapid response plan to kill the fish if
they begin to accumulate in number below the barrier. 
