Ripple Outdoors Hunting and Fishing Podcast

The Peaceful Parks Coalition Aims and Objectives on Sport Hunting:

On the PPC website their view on Sport Hunting  states:

While the sport hunting lobby is well-organized and aggressive, they represent a very small and declining portion of the overall population. Both angling and sport hunting are no longer popular outdoor activities. According to a federal report released in 2000, “The Importance of Nature to Canadians”, only 3.5% of Ontarians engage in the sport of hunting but yet they are given 100% of Ontario’s natural resources including our parks and conservation areas, affording wildlife no protection

I disagree as hunters and anglers spend considerably more on conservation by purchasing licences and promoting a healthy outdoor lifestyle year round. There are numerous areas restricting hunting and trapping. Hunting  is just one proven method to balance over population of deer and geese. It’s already known the damage overpopulation of wildlife causes. Cormorant nesting colonies  is another problem quickly arising in Ontario and must be addressed soon.

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.

Invitation to Public Discussions about the Management of Lake Simcoe’s Recreational Fisheries

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) would like to invite you or any other interested party to one of three upcoming public discussion sessions to learn more about the following fisheries management initiatives on Lake Simcoe:

1) The Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee

2) Lake Simcoe Protection Plan policies related to fisheries

3) Coldwater fish populations and related fishing trends

4) Recent evidence of natural reproduction of coldwater fish

5) Proposed changes to stocking program

6) Restoration initiatives and other fisheries management projects

The dates, locations and times are as follows:

Georgina: Monday September 21, 2009 (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm,)

Kin Hall, 1 Fairpark Lane, Sutton

Orillia: Thursday September 24, 2009 (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm,)

Odas Park Banquet Hall, 4500 Fairgrounds Rd, Orillia

Barrie: Saturday September 26, 2009 (9:00 am to 12 pm,)

Victoria Village Activity Centre, 146 Toronto St., Barrie

Lake Simcoe has a long history of degraded water quality and phosphorus related issues (please see http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/lakesimcoe/docs/PublicReport-watershed.pdf for more details). A key indicator of ecosystem health for Lake Simcoe, is its lake trout population, along with other cold-water fish species. Given their sensitivity to water quality changes it is like a “canary in the coalmine”. The 1960’s and 70’s saw dramatic declines and recruitment failure of important coldwater species, first lake trout, then lake whitefish. This was due to low oxygen levels in the deep coldwater habitat caused by excess loading of phosphorus to the lake. In response to these recruitment failures, MNR started large-scale rehabilitative stocking efforts in 1966 for lake trout and in 1982 for whitefish. These stocking programs have been successful in maintaining these native stocks while at the same time providing the benefits of a sport fishery.

Until recently, the coldwater fishery was essentially comprised of stocked fish with no production of wild lake trout and only a small number of old natural lake whitefish and a few wild recruits. Results from our monitoring programs have now documented the presence of naturally produced (wild) adult lake trout, something we haven’t seen for over 20 years. The number of wild lake trout, lake whitefish and even lake herring (cisco) has all increased in angler’s catches and our monitoring programs in the last few years.

This is a positive sign that Lake Simcoe has the potential to recover, and there is more action being taken to improve the overall health of the Lake. As part of the Provincial Government’s overall strategy to protect and restore the ecological health of the Lake Simcoe watershed, the Lake Simcoe Protection Act was passed in December of 2008 giving authority to develop the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan that was approved and released in June 2009. The Plan will implement a number of actions to reduce phosphorus inputs to the Lake and improve overall water quality in order to meet one of its main objectives of restoring a self-sustaining coldwater fish community to Lake Simcoe. The Plan also has a number of fisheries related policies that will guide MNR’s activities on the Lake for the next several years such as the development of Fish Community Objectives.

Given the intensity and economic impact of Lake Simcoe’s fishery, managing its valuable resources has always been a priority for MNR. To further strengthen our management and improve community partner input into the decision making process, the MNR formed the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee in June of 2007. Membership on the Fisheries Stakeholder Committee represents the diverse interests in the fisheries resources of Lake Simcoe. One of the initiatives that this Committee has been working on is the review of Lake Simcoe’s cold water stocking programs as directed by the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.

The lake trout and whitefish stocking programs have accomplished their objective of maintaining the native populations while ecosystem restoration initiatives were implemented to improve water quality and habitat conditions required for future successful natural reproduction and survival of these species. We have now documented significant natural reproduction and survival of wild lake trout. Given this recent development and the lake trout’s role as top predator, the MNR is proposing to decrease the number of lake trout stocked annually for the next five years.

This proposal has been reviewed by MNR’s scientists and biologists as well as thoroughly evaluated by the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee to ensure appropriate precautionary measures have been taken to maintain the quality of Lake Simcoe’s coldwater fishery. It has also been proposed that no change to the present whitefish-stocking program occur at this time.

Please come out and join us to learn more about these and other exciting initiatives (e.g., Lake Simcoe Muskellunge Restoration Project and the Bass Tagging Research Project) underway in order to better manage Lake Simcoe’s valuable fisheries resources. These meetings are open to the public, so please feel free to invite interested family, friends and neighbours.

For more information please call Jason Borwick at 905-713-7404.

Georgina: Monday September 21, 2009 (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm,)

Kin Hall, 1 Fairpark Lane, Sutton

Orillia: Thursday September 24, 2009 (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm,)

Odas Park Banquet Hall, 4500 Fairgrounds Rd, Orillia

Barrie: Saturday September 26, 2009 (9:00 am to 12 pm,)

Victoria Village Activity Centre, 146 Toronto St., Barrie

This is for all the target shooters, hunters, farmers, collectors, sportsmen and sportswomen involved with or own a firearm.

Is it time for you to get  involved?

Help make our community strong.

Register today – http://www.manningcentre.ca/en/activity_description/54

In keeping with our mandate to strengthen the political impact of firearms owners and encourage grassroots political activism we have partnered with the Manning Institute in bringing a number of training seminars across the country.

During this school, you’ll learn

How to influence policy-makers using peer-to-peer, online, and letter

campaigns.

How to help pro-firearms candidates get nominated as candidates for major parties.

How to effectively support pro-firearms candidates during elections.

How to network with like-minded individuals and build strength through

numbers.

How to properly communicate your message to appeal to the broadest level of support.

How to use the internet to spread your message more effectively.

How to raise the funds necessary for a successful advocacy campaign.

You’ll learn from experience operatives in the political advocacy field and take home the skills necessary to advance your political objectives through the public policy process.

Dinner will be served

Edmonton, AB – Thursday, September 17th, 5-9 PM

Alumni House, University of Alberta. 11515 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB

_____

Toronto, ON – Thursday, September 24th, 5-9 PM

Sheraton Parkway Toronto North, 600 Highway 7 East, Richmond Hill, ON

Register Here – http://www.manningcentre.ca/en/activity_description/54

(flyer attached)

_____

Vancouver, BC – Thursday, October 1st, 5-9 PM

Century Plaza Spa and Hotel, 1015 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Register Here – <http://www.manningcentre.ca/en/activity_description/53>

http://www.manningcentre.ca/en/activity_description/53

Moncton, NB – Thursday October 15th, 5-9 PM

Crowne Plaza Moncton Downtown, 1005 Main Street Moncton, NB

Register Here – http://www.manningcentre.ca/en/activity_description/55

We are asking for your help to spread the word and encourage participation.

Register today and pass this on to friend.

Please circulate the flyer to your friends and firearms owners.

Thank you.

Hope to see you there.

Jim Newman

Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Firearms Institute

Institut Canadien des Armes a Feu

P O Box 667

Barrie, ON L4M 4Y5

jim@canadianfirearmsinstitute.

705.252.0477 direct

800.749.3108

The Community Stream Steward Program (C.S.S.P.) has secured funding from federal and provincial government agencies as well as private sources, for numerous stream restoration projects within its catchment area.

Hosted by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), the C.S.S.P. educates and engages individuals and groups to act as stewards in restoring community streams, with associated benefits for healthy fish and wildlife populations.

“Landowners are willing and committed stewards of our water resources. The Community Stream Steward Program (C.S.S.P.) assists them in undertaking projects by providing training and financial support, which are key components to success,” says C.S.S.P. Coordinator, Erin Carroll. “We are grateful for these grants that acknowledge the value of stewardship initiatives such as planting shorelines, stabilizing banks, improving fish habitat, installing livestock fencing and creating alternate watering sources for livestock.

Every project, large or small, contributes to a healthier ecosystem.”

Environment Canada’s Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund is contributing $96,000 to the second phase of C.S.S.P.’s Lake Simcoe clean-up plan. Several shoreline restoration projects will be planned and implemented on lake tributaries.

The RBC Foundation is providing a $55,000 leadership grant to the C.S.S.P. through its RBC Blue Water Project, a wide-ranging, multi-year program that helps foster a culture of water stewardship globally.

The provincial Species at Risk (S.A.R.) Stewardship fund is providing the C.S.S.P. with $40,000 to aid in protecting six species at risk—Redside dace (Threatened), Channel darter (Threatened), Atlantic salmon (Extirpated), American eel (Endangered), Blanding’s turtle (Threatened) and Wood turtle (Endangered). With assistance from the C.S.S.P., landowners and volunteers will undertake stream restoration projects in the watersheds within Northumberland County, Peterborough County, the City of Kawartha Lakes and Region of Durham.

The Ontario Wildlife Foundation (O.W.F.) is contributing over $9,000 to support C.S.S.P. initiatives. The O.W.F. is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Ontario’s fish and wildlife habitat through research and restoration.

The C.S.S.P. is a multi-partner initiative that is focused on creating a sense of community by assisting dedicated individuals and groups in restoring local streams. To learn more, visit www.ofah.org/stream.

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