“economic”

With the prices of hunting-related gear at near-ludicrous levels, one must question the necessity of much of it. Simply stated, what’s necessary and what isn’t? Here is what you need to know to shop smartly.

Wildlife, shooting, fraternal and nonprofit civic organizations can submit an application for the Encouraging Tomorrow’s Hunters program, a North Dakota Game and Fish Department grant program developed to assist in the recruitment, retention and reactivation of hunters. Application deadline is May 1 and the maximum grant allowed is $3,000.

Utah’s innovative Watershed Restoration Initiative improved and restored 168,882 acres of high-priority watersheds and habitats during the state’s past fiscal year.

Late last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memorandum to conserve and restore wildlife habitat connectivity in the United States, directing agencies within the USDA to consider habitat connectivity in planning and programs in a manner that recognizes State and Tribal authorities and respects private property rights.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced a proposal to add “… 53 new distinct hunting and sport fishing opportunities on approximately 211,000 acres nationwide in the National Wildlife Refuge System” on Aug. 1. The change will improve access for sportsmen in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

In an update to our July 19 article, a ban on Colorado cat hunting will be on the state's ballot in November, asking citizens of the state to decide on the future of big-cat hunting.

The 10^th Annual Women’s Antelope Hunt sponsored by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation fosters teamwork to focus on recruiting new hunters and investing in the economic self-sufficiency of women throughout the Cowboy State.

Knowing all you can about the habitat the local deer herd calls home is critical to understanding their patterns, knowing where to place stands and how to plan and adjust for the coming hunting seasons.

Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus Co-Chairs Bob Zimmer and Ken McDonald sent a letter to Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, about the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s decision to ban the importation of hunter-harvested wild game birds from Canada into the United States and requesting that the ban be rescinded.