Friday, February 20, 2009

OutdoorsVT 2-20-09

Snowshoeing is growing in popularity every year, which means a lot of people are buying snowshoes.

Snowshoes are made for recreational, backcountry and running uses and each has features that make them slightly different from one another.

I run through the various details about buying snowshoes including sizing, construction and accessories.

Read the full column here.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Jaguar Trapped in Arizona

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

After keeping tabs on a wild jaguar in southeastern Arizona for more than a decade, Arizona Game and Fish officials accidantally capture the big cat Feb. 18 while trying to trap mountain lions and black bears.

During a study to monitor habitat connectivity for cougars and bears, the jaguar was captured southwest of Tuscon, Ariz. It was captured, fitted with a GPS tracking collar and released. The collar will relay the cat's location every three hours allowing biologist to track the animal and learn about it's feeding and traveling habits.

Ironically, more than 10 years ago the department tried to trap a jaguar, after a big cat was accidentally treed and photographed by a mountain lion hunter in 1996. Biologists were unsuccessful but jaguars have been captured on trail cameras many times and tracks found over the last decade.

While not immediately confirmed, the jaguar is believed to be "Macho B" a cat that has been photographed multiple times over the last 13 years.

The trapped cat weighed 118 pounds and appeared to be healthy.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Outdoor Products Recalled

Skis, mountain bike forks and a campstove. All three of these items have been recalled recently after they were found to have dangerous defects.


XBi ALU Skis

About 4,500 pairs of skis made in Italy and distributed by Nordica USA have been recalled because a binding plate can crack or break. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

The skis were sold nationwide from August 2006 to December 2008 and retailed for between $800 and $1,500.

The recall includes Nordica ski models: 2006 MACH3POWER; 2007 DOBSPIT; 2007 MACH3POWER; 2007 MACH3; 2007 MACH2; 2007 HELLCAT; 2007 FIREFOX; 2007 DOBPROSL; 2008 FIREFOX; 2008 DOBPROSL; 2008 DOBPROGS. The skis were sold at ski retailers nationwide from August 2006 through December last year.

Consumers should stop using the skis immediately and return them to the retailer for a free replacement of the binding plate.

For more information: Nordica USA at (800) 892-2668 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, info@nordicausa.com, or www.nordicausa.com.


Marzocchi Mountain Bike Forks

Bicycle forks made by Tenneco-Marzocchi of Bologna, Italy, have been recalled because the fork could become compressed and fail to rebound.

There have been eight reported incidents including one that called injuries.

The recalled forks include certain 2008 model year 888RC3 and 888RC3WC suspensions with date codes beginning with T07D07, T07D08 and T07D09. The forks are white or black with red and black artwork on the legs.

The forks sold nationwide from July 2007 to September 2007 for between $1,000 and $1,700.
Consumers should stop using the forks immediately and return them to the dealer for a free repair.

For more information: Marzocchi at (800) 227-5579 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PST Monday through Friday, Techinfo@Marzocchiusa.com, or www.marzocchi.com.


Field & Stream Dual Burner Camp Stoves

About 6,700 dual burner camp stoves sold under the Field & Stream brand at Dick's Sporting Goods have been recalled because of burner problems that could cause higher-than-expected flames unexpected ignition. There have been no reported incidents or injuries.

The stoves carry a style number of #CEH00475 and sold for between $100 and $120.

The stoves should not be used and consumers should contact Dick's Sporting Goods for a free repair kit.

For more information: Dick’s Sporting Goods 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday (888) 837-1380, CampStove@rankam.com, www.dickssportinggoods.com.

OutdoorsVT 2-13-09

Man, getting old sucks.

On top of it, I've let myself go and now I find myself way out of shape and it's hurting my outdoor pursuits.

This is mostly about weight as I'm in pretty decent shape considering my size. Well, as good a shape as a guy with a gut my size can be in.

It doesn't stop my outdoor pursuits. I still hit the trail, but there's no denying I could go faster and farther if I wasn't lugging along the extra poundage.

I'm getting old. When I was hauling around 225 pounds at 30, it wasn't as big a deal. But I'll be 42 in a month and 225 is a long-gone fond memory.

So I've decided to do something about it.

Follow my efforts to get in shape at www.fitoutdoors.blogspot.com/.


And read the rest of my column about being fat and broke here.


Read all about my upcoming effort to get fit for the outdoors here.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Outdoor Expo Grinds to a Close

Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition ground to a halt after four days in Worcester, Mass. It was a four-day outdoor smorgasborg offering knowledge, entertainment and good old-fashioned American capitalism.

There were many highlights, but for me, it was the people that will prove to be the highlights over time. I was able to meet and have conversations with some really nice and knowledgeable folks during the two days I was there.

Make yourself a promise of attending next year. Mark your calendar now and start checking the Web site toward the end of 2009 for the 2010 Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Fishing & Outdoor Expo

Man, this thing is everything I hoped it would be.

The Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition completed its third (of four) day today. It was my first day here and I'm worn out. I'm also buzzing after a day of looking at trophy animals and outdoor gear, watching seminars and talking about hunting, fishing, boating, camping and general outdoor fun all day.

I met a lot of great people and made many great contacts that will be paying off down the road in terms of articles and better knowledge. I already have books in hand for review and a line on another. I've come across a great turkey hunting product I plan on writing about this spring and made contact with a guy making his own fishing lures for a variety of freshwater fish I expect to be hooking up with in the future in some regard.

The great thing is that I only scratched the surface. I have a full day tomorrow still before returning home Monday with a bag full of literature and notes.

Stay tuned.

Friday, February 6, 2009

OutdoorsVT 2-6-09

All over the Green Mountain State, winter events are in full swing.

From winter carnivals and festivals to ice-fishing competitions, snowshoeing and animal tracking.

It's an outdoor paradise here year-round, but the winter activity is quite varied.

So, layer up the clothing, find the hat, gloves, scarf and waterproof boots and hit a few of these events.

Read the column here.

Heading to Worcester, Mass.

As soon as I can get away from the office today (and go home and pack) I'm hitting the road for Worcester, Mass., for the 33rd annual Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition.

The Worcester show is one of three the group is putting on. Although each has a slightly different focus, they all feature impressive lineups. See www.sportshows.com/ for more about the upcoming show in Suffern, N.Y., March 5-8 as well as the details about this weekend's show. A saltwater show is scheduled for March 20-22 in New Jersey.

This weekend's four-day event is chock full of top-notch seminars, acres of displays, and what sounds like a impressive slate of fun demonstrations.

Some of the outdoor industry's biggest names will be teaching their skills. From the bass-fishing world Kevin Van Dam, Mike Iaconelli and Ish Monroe will be on hand. Greg Ritz, host of Thompson Center Arms Game Trails TV show will talk about hunting white-tailed deer; Shane Benoit, Vermont's own famous trophy whitetail deer hunter; and New England legend Stu Bristol will talk about turkey hunting and using a GPS unit to improve your hunting success.

Among the other events, some of the highlights are easy to pick out in advance. Others will likely be a surprise.

There will also be a 40-foot mobile fish tank that doubles as a water dog jumping and retrieving platform, as well as a display and activities by the Maine Primitive School, dangerous reptiles of the world, a bird of prey display and presentations.

If that's not enough, there will be more than 350 exhibitors displaying their wares, trips, guiding services and others to take in.

Can't wait. I'll let you know how it goes and what I find.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Women Outdoor Media Association launched

A new group has formed aimed at outdoor women communicators and professionals.

The Women's Outdoor Media Association launched Jan. 17 at the National Shooting Sports Foundation's annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades Show in Orlando, Fla.

This is what the group says about itself on its Web site:

"The intention is to complement other media organizations. The difference is that the focus of The WOMA is on what women are doing, and what is being done for them, in the outdoor areas of shooting sports, hunting and fishing."

Involving more women is an important part of growing the ranks of outdoor enthusiasts and only by helping women feel welcome will that happen. Hopefully, this organization will bring more women into the fold, and as a result, their daughters down the road.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Aldo Leopold's Shack Made a Landmark

Aldo Leopold, the father of modern scientific conservation, has had his Wisconsin shack named a National Historic Landmark.

Former Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne made the designation before he left office in December.

Leopold is largely given credit for his contribution to conservation through his leadership and his thoughtful essays in "A Sand County Almanac."

Leopold died at 61 in 1948 just before the book was published.

Friday, January 30, 2009

OutdoorsVT 1-30-09

Vermont's State Parks aren't just warm-weather destinations.


The camping, fishing, hiking, biking and other activities that can be found at Vermont's parks throughout the warm-weather months are well-known among Vermont's outdoor recreation crowd.

But because many of Vermont State Parks are open for winter activities and are popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.

Read about the winter fun at Vermont State Parks here.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Good Article on "Critter Groups"

Great Falls (Montana) Tribune Outdoor Editor Michael Babcock has written a great piece on how the economy is affecting outdoor organizations dedicated to specific species.

Babcock writes: "'Critter groups' — species-specific, hunter- and angler-supported foundations that watch out for elk, mule deer, wild sheep, wild trout and others — seem to have weathered the recession well."

Organizations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Trout Unlimited, Wild Sheep Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation and Pheasants Forever talk about how they are dealing with members expected to be a little tighter with their purse strings.

Read the article here.

Friday, January 23, 2009

OutdoorsVT 1-23-09

Exploring the backcountry in the middle of winter on a pair of skinny skis can be intimidating for someone not accustomed to venturing out in what can be an unforgiving environment.

If a person gets lost while hiking in the summer, an uncomfortable night in the woods is about the worst that will happen. But in winter, it can be deadly.

With a little knowledge and the right gear, heading into the woods on skis can be a way to escape the stress of life and enjoy the beautiful Vermont backcountry.

Sunday, newcomers to cross-country skiing will have the chance to learn the basics of the sport while experienced skiers can learn additional skills.

The Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival on Sunday is the work of Bolton Valley Resort and the Catamount Trail Association.

Read about the event here.

TRCP Leader Dies

The chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has died.

James D. Range, 63, died Jan. 20 after losing a battle to cancer.

Range was widely respected for his dedicated work in fish and wildlife circles. He had worked as an advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker who said Range "helped to fashion some of this country's most vital environmental legislation.”

Range was involved with Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, the Wetlands America Trust, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association, the American Bird Conservatory, the Pacific Forest Trust, the Yellowstone Foundation and the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.

He was also a board member and chair of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a White House appointee to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, the Sportfishing and Boating Partnership Council and the Valles Caldera Trust.

The Department of Interior honored Range with the 2003 Great Blue Heron Award, the highest honor given to an individual.

Also in 2003, he was named the Outdoor Life Magazine Conservationist of the Year and the Norville Prosser Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given by the American Sportfishing Association.

For more details on Range's achievements and life, see the release at the TRCP site here.

Friday, January 16, 2009

OutdoorsVT 1-16-09

Downhill skiing is a thrilling sport that allows a person to pick their type of fun.

There are bumps for those who appreciate the challenge of precision turns and strong thighs, terrifyingly steep drops for the thrill seekers, nearly flat routes for those who are learning their skills but refuse to be relegated to the beginner hills at the bottom, flowing blue runs with rippled corduroy for relaxed cruising, deep powder and even terrain parks.

But one thing all these types of terrain have in common is the need for safety.

Beginning Saturday, ski areas nationwide will be focusing on safety as they participate in National Ski Areas Association's National Safety Week.

Read the rest of the column here.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Article Claims Hunting Results in Smaller Animals

Found this interesting article that seems to claim that trophy hunting -- and hunting in general -- is causing rapid evolution of species resulting in smaller animals with smaller antlers/horns.

It is based on a study that says that hunting trophy animals leaves a disproportionate number of smaller animals to reproduce and is creating an artificial "natural selection" resulting in smaller animals with reduced headgear.

It's an interesting theory, but I can't judge if it is biologically sound science. What do you think?

To read the full story, click here.

Friday, January 9, 2009

OutdoorsVT 1-9-09

A national celebration aimed at getting people out onto the trails on snowshoes and cross-country skis.

The 14th-annual Winter Trails offers people a chance to try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at more than 100 locations across the United States and Canada for free.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are among the fastest growing winter sports. There were 1.4 million snowshoers, a number that has increased 60 percent in the last decade. Cross-country skiers number 2.4 million participants, which is a 21.6 percent increase since 2003-04.

Read more about Winter Trails in my column here.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

New World Record Elk






478-5/8

Bull Elk
Utah








A Utah hunter has killed what appears to be a new world record bull elk while on a public-land hunt in south-central Utah.

Denny Austad of Ammon, Idaho, killed the nontypical bull in the Monroe Mountains on Sept. 30.

The bull was confirmed Jan. 2 by the Boone and Crockett Club as measuring 478 5/8 after it was taped by a special judges panel. The elk, which sported a 14x9 rack, gross scored 499 3/8 inches.

The bull was officially recognized after it was measured for a final time and an investigation into the hunt proved the bull met requirements for inclusion into the trophy record book for big-game animals taken with a firearm.

"Through our entry process, signed affidavits and follow-up interviews with the hunter, his guides, and state and federal officials, we were satisfied that this bull was indeed a wild, free-ranging trophy and that the tenets of fair chase were used in the harvest," said Eldon Buckner, chairman of the Club's Records of North American Big Game committee.

Austad had hunted for 13 days before connecting with the trophy, which was called "spider bull" because of its antler configuration.

The old world record for a nontypical elk was 465 2/8 B&C points, but that bull was found dead in British Columbia. The previous largest hunter-killed elk scored 450 6/8 B&C points. That elk was killed in 1998 in Apache County, Ariz., by Alan Hamberlin.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

NWTF Founder Dies


The National Wild Turkey Federation has announced the death of Tom Rodgers.

Rodgers, 64, died Dec. 25 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Rodgers is the man who started the NWTF in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1973. He was recently honored with the one-of-a-kind Founder's Award.

"Tom is the reason the Federation is here, working daily to promote wildlife conservation and preserve North America's hunting heritage," said James Earl Kennamer, NWTF chief conservation officer. "The organization is reflecting on its rich history and honoring the man who started it all. He was a great friend personally, a great asset for wildlife and he'll be greatly missed."

NWTF CEO George Thornton said Tom's influence on the conservation industry, wildlife and hunters' rights was immeasurable.

"Without him, the NWTF wouldn't exist, and wild turkeys literally would not be where they are today," Thornton said. "Knowing the man who created the NWTF and recognizing his contributions, which helped make NWTF one of the most dynamic and respected conservation organizations in North America, is truly an honor. "

Today, the NWTF is one of the nation's premier conservation organizations.

Friday, January 2, 2009

OutdoorsVT 1-2-09

Happy New Year!

In the spirit of celebration, which hopefully isn't still pounding between your temples, I propose a belated toast.

Raise your coffee mugs please: To the outdoors, to wild places, and to having smart, ethical outdoor fun while in those wild places.

Read the New Year's column by clicking here.