Ripple Outdoors Hunting and Fishing Podcast

Hunters encouraged to share the wealth
Food banks may welcome donations of wild game as need for assistance increases

Each fall, tens of thousands of Ontario residents take to the field during moose and deer seasons, which provides them with an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy our valuable natural resources. Those who are fortunate enough to succeed are able to return home with nutritious wild game. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), reminds hunters across the province that any who may have a surplus of meat, should consider sharing this bounty by making a donation to a food bank in their community.

“In many cases, people have been hit hard by the recent economic downturn, and families may be struggling to put food on the table. Hunters are fortunate to have a chance to harvest their own meat, and many are in a position to share this with others less fortunate,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director.”Wild game is low in fat, high in protein, and we encourage anyone who has extra wild game in the freezer to think of the needs of others, particularly at this time of year.”

A recent report by the Ontario Association of Food Banks confirms that there has been a 19 percent increase in the number of people turning to food banks to make ends meet in 2009. In fact, it is estimated that every month, 375,000 Ontarians are forced to turn to food banks as the only alternative. By donating just a portion of the wild game harvested, hunters can make a significant contribution to families in reduced circumstances, who might otherwise have to go without meat in their diets, an expensive item that is not often available to local food banks.

In Ontario, all wild game that is not for personal consumption must be processed at a provincially approved and licensed facility. Some food banks may have a policy that does not allow them to accept wild game, and hunters should check to determine whether a donation of this type would be useful.

“The O.F.A.H. also wishes to remind our members across Ontario that in addition to donations of meat, local food banks have an ongoing need for other high demand items such as vegetables, dairy products and canned goods. The donation of wild game, when available, is an excellent supplement to the donations made by the food industry and individuals each year, and we encourage all anglers and hunters, hunt camps, clubs and others to consider supporting their local food bank,” said Reader. “For instance, hunters in the Toronto area should contact groups like the Scott Mission to discuss making a donation.”

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

New Fisheries Management Plan includes regulations for the Kawartha Lakes area

Anglers in Ontario spend more than a million days fishing every year, and that number may soon rise. The Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.) has announced a new Fisheries Management Plan for Zone 17 that includes a year-round fishing season for panfish. Already a popular destination for anglers, the Kawartha Lakes and surrounding waters within Fisheries Management Zone (F.M.Z.) 17 will no doubt benefit from the new recreational fishing opportunities.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) is delighted with the new regulations, which include a year round panfish season. Bluegill and black crappie are plentiful species that have invaded, become naturalized and now support a popular resident and tourism fishery. The Fisheries Management Zone 17 Advisory Council, comprised of representatives from the O.F.A.H., as well as tourism, the recreational fishery and naturalists, supports the move as part of the implementation of the larger F.M.Z. 17 Fisheries Management Plan.

“Not only is a winter season in F.M.Z. 17 great news for recreational anglers, it also provides economic opportunities for the communities surrounding these lakes,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “Ice fishing is a great way to introduce new anglers and children to the joys of fishing, and to the outdoors. A winter season in the Kawartha Lakes is something that the O.F.A.H. has been working toward for several years now. We’re pleased that the M.N.R. took the advice of the F.M.Z. Advisory Council to move forward with these changes.”

Under the new regulations, dozens of area lakes, including such popular angling destinations as Sturgeon, Balsam, Buckhorn, Chemong, and Rice Lake, will see winter fishing seasons for bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie. Walleye seasons will remain closed during the winter in F.M.Z. 17 with the exception of where they previously existed on Lake Scugog, Crowe Lake and the lower Trent River.

Fast Facts:

* As of January 1, year round fishing is in place for yellow perch, crappie bluegill and northern pike.
* New sunfish catch limits are included in the regulations.
* Bass and muskellunge fall fishing seasons are extended to December 15.
* New limits for walleye have been introduced.
* Panfish are important for introducing new anglers to fishing.
* Licence-free Ontario Family Fishing Weekend events, held in February, will expand to F.M.Z. 17
* The regulations take effect January 1 and are included in the 2010 Fishing Regulations Summary (available in print and online on January 1, 2010, www.ontario.ca/fishing).

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

O.F.A.H. applauds move to celebrate our nation’s founding traditions

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), the province’s largest hunting and fishing conservation organization, applauds the introduction of Bill C-465, An Act respecting a National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day by Rick Norlock, Conservative M.P. for Northumberland-Quinte West on October 26, 2009.

“Mr. Norlock has been a staunch supporter of the outdoor community in Canada, and we appreciate this gesture and formal acknowledgement of the significant role that angling, hunting and trapping has played and continues to play in the foundation of Canada,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “For millions of Canadians, these outdoor activities provide important cultural and social benefits. Through license fees and voluntary efforts, anglers, hunters and trappers also contribute hundreds of millions to fish and wildlife conservation programs across Canada, and billions of dollars annually to the national economy. Mr. Norlock’s bill recognizes these contributions and serves to re-affirm the value of these heritage activities.”

The simple, straightforward bill seeks to designate September 23 as an annual National Hunting Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day. It mirrors similar legislation in other jurisdictions, including the U.S., which has celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day since 1972 when it was passed by Congress, proclaimed into law by the President of the United States, and re-affirmed by every President since that time.

Over a century ago, anglers and hunters became the earliest and most diligent supporters of conservation, long before laws or fish and wildlife agencies protecting our valuable natural resources even existed, and helped to create the North American Model of Wildlife Management, the underpinning of all fish and wildlife conservation efforts in both U.S. and Canada. Anglers and hunters were also the first to recognize that development and unregulated use of natural resources were a threat to the future of many species, and supported the creation of laws and regulations governing the sustainable use of these resources.

“Bill C-465 should serve to remind Canadians that anglers, hunters and trappers are wise stewards of our valuable fish and wildlife resources, the driving force behind the re-introduction and protection of many species that may have otherwise been threatened, and are among the leaders of the conservation movement that dates back to the 19th century,” said Reader.

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

Toronto police off target

Toronto’s Safe City campaign should be targeting criminals

Despite clear evidence that targeting law-abiding gun owners for registration or licensing paperwork violations does nothing to stem violent crime, Toronto police are currently going door to door looking for lapsed firearms license holders, in a self-professed bid to make their city safer. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), the largest nonprofit conservation based angling and hunting organization in Ontario, condemns this ‘make work’ project as yet another example of law enforcement aiming at the wrong target in an attempt to address the very real problem of violent gun crime.

“It is more than a little ironic that Toronto police are carrying out this activity under the guise of their ‘Safe City Project.’ Instead of working to stem the tide of illegal firearms that are smuggled into Canada and sold on the streets of Toronto and other major urban centres, police are knocking on the doors of law-abiding citizens, in the hopes of finding a legally owned firearm with a lapsed registration,” said Greg Farrant, O.F.A.H. Manager of Government Relations & Communications. “In the process, they are claiming to have tracked down 400 firearms that in their words ‘could have fallen into the hands of criminals.’ Unless they have developed the ability to predict the future, this leap in logic in truly breathtaking. To suggest that a lapse in paperwork is one step removed from the firearm ending up on the streets defies all logic. There are far more productive ways to spend enforcement dollars, such as tracking those individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms, and working with all levels of government to halt the flow of illegal firearms coming into Canada, firearms that are being used to commit crimes in our communities.”

In 1995, the amended federal Firearms Act made it mandatory for every long gun (shotgun or rifle) in the country to be registered. Despite assurances that public safety would be well served by the creation of the $2 billion dollar ‘investment‘ in the long gun registry, the Auditor General of Canada stated in her reports to Parliament in 2002 and 2006, that the department had not been able to demonstrate that the system had enhanced the public safety or had saved lives.

“The Canadian Firearms Centre (C.F.C.) is responsible for notifying firearms owners about renewal of their licenses, but despite their efforts to remain in compliance, thousands of legal, law-abiding firearms owners have failed to receive these notifications or have had their paperwork disappear into some bureaucratic black hole. Given the inherent flaws in the system, well publicized computer failures, repeated violations of privacy, and massive cost overruns, the Justice department has admitted that the program has become overly complex, costly to deliver and difficult for firearms owners to comply. All Canadians, not just hunters, sport shooters and farmers, should be alarmed by Canada’s colossal failure to protect us from violent offenders. This latest futile campaign in Toronto has firearms owners across the country shaking their heads in frustration,” added Farrant.

If found to be in non-compliance with the registration and licensing requirements, firearms owners are provided with an opportunity to come into compliance, but the firearms are removed from their possession until the process is complete. The targeting of legal firearms owners and claims that such actions are resulting in a reduced threat to public safety lacks credibility, and diverts attention away from the fact that the registration system is badly flawed, does nothing to prevent criminals from obtaining illegal firearms and is nothing more than a glorified public relations exercise, which ignores the real problem and threat to the public.

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

The Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters will be making a presentation to the Township of West Lincoln in support of allowing Sunday gun hunting:

WHEN;

Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, 6:30 pm

WHERE;

Township of West Lincoln Council Chambers

Smithville, Ontario.

This has been initiated by a pro-hunting Councilor, but the Council seems to be split on this issue.

Your support  is essential, especially if you live or own land in West Lincoln.

Write, phone or e-mail the Council, come to the meeting if you can.

Spread the word!

Mark it on your calender or digital calender NOW – DON’T Forget !

You can e-mail the Township through the Town clerk at:

carolynlangley@westlincoln.com