Washington Set To Close 13 State Parks

Washington state will be forced to close 13 state parks under a new budget proposal set forth by Governor Chris Gregoire.  The new budget will be focusing on saving the state $3.5 billion and allow them to not raise any new taxes in the coming year.  The state park cuts come on the heels of a similar measure in Illinois that recently sent shock-waves through the outdoors community.  Governor Gregoire claims that the state park cuts will save the state an annual $5.2 million dollars if the parks are closed. Washington will also be taking away $35.8 million in Natural Resources funding.

Click through the jump to read the details and see a list of what Washington state parks are set to close.

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President-Elect Obama Meets With Conservation Groups

Incoming President Barack Obama is being championed for recently meeting with some of the top national conservation organizations, a step that many say is unheard of from an incoming President.  Seven representatives from Obama’s transition team recently met up with officials from Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, The Izaak Walton League of America, The National Wild Turkey Federations, and the Boone & Crockett club.

You can read more about this important meeting by Clicking Here>>>

Alaska Alright With Allowing Guns in National Parks

The state of Alaska was quick to jump to the tune of President George W. Bush’s decision to allow loaded and concealed weapons in national parks and wildlife refuges.  As a matter of fact, Alaska says that their gun laws have allowed for guns in most of their parks for quite some time.  They think it is nice that the nation is finally catching up to what they have been doing for years.

If you are not aware of the new rules that have recently been enacted concerning national park gun laws, then I can direct you to the latest update found at U.S. Outdoors Today.

We’ve had guns in the ANILCA parks since 1980 with no real troubles,” noted Alaska region spokesman John Quinley. The legislation creating the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, or ANILCA, parks has always allowed for guns to be carried.

This quote is coming from an article in today’s Anchorage Daily News.  The article then goes on to say that there are so many in guns in Alaska, that everyone just thought that this was the norm–that everyone was allowed to carry.

To read the full extent of the article and to get more Alaska thoughts on the recent national park gun laws, Click Here>>>>

Idaho Offers Reward For Geese Poachers

Two southeast Idaho residents have donated $1,000 in reward money to Citizens Against Poaching in an effort to draw out information regarding the recent wasting of 46 geese in Soda Springs.

Greg Maag of Pocatello and Wayne Taysom of McCammon stepped forward with their donations after learning of the incident.

“This time of year we too often see the heinous, illegal acts that people commit against our wildlife resource, and then we are quickly reminded of how wonderful people in southeast Idaho are when two individuals like Maag and Taysom selflessly step forward to help,” said Jennifer Jackson, regional conservation educator for Fish and Game’s southeast region.

On October 5, 46 geese were found in three Dumpsters along East 1st South near City Park in Soda Springs. The geese had apparently been shot on October 4.

The geese were most likely shot over decoys in grain fields or from boats on or around Blackfoot Reservoir, though the exact location is unknown. Officials suspect that several people were involved.

After an investigation, Fish and Game officers determined that the geese were unsalvageable.

Landowners who had requests from large parties for permission to hunt over the weekend are encouraged to provide any information.

Anyone with information about this incident may contact Conservation Officer Brandon Chamberlin at 339-3520 or the Fish and Game regional office at 232-4703. Or call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999; callers may remain anonymous.

Obama’s Environmental Promises

Barack Obama’s stunning win in the 2008 Presidential Election has signified a new turn in the face of Environmental initiatives.   These ititiatives and promises range from fighting global warming, to protecting our national park heritage.

From the start, political pundits and the people alike, began discussing who would be involved in a Presidency that has promised some radical initiatives and plans for our nation’s future.  U.S. News and World Report has went out on a limb and taken a long, hard look at some of the candidates that may be involved in a more environentally friendly, action oriented presidency.  These range from former vice-president Al Gore to some litle known, but highly effective personnel that may be worth taking a second look at.

To catch some of the names and initiatives being discussed with a Barack Obama presidency, be sure to check out U.S. News and World Report’s article “How Obama Will Tackle The Environment“.

Maine’s Salmon Getting ‘Endangered’ Listing?

Maine’s Atlantic Salmon population has been decreasing in significant numbers over the last few years.  A new initiative to get maine’s Atlantic salmon listed as endangered has sparked many of the same debates that surround wildlife in other corridors of our country.  The pros and cons of such a listing were recently aired out in the first of two meetings between the federal government and Maine residence.

The areas being discussed for protection include three rivers that are known to support the paper and pulp industry of Maine. Advocates from Maine’s paper and pulp industry say that an endangered listing could force them out of business, while proponents for the listing say that the Atlantic salmon species has reached a critical point of survival.  Fishermen, while not siding with one side or the other, say that a lesser control of listing the species as ‘threatened’ may be a better option for all involved.

A second meeting will be taking place on this issue where those that attended the first are hoping for a better turnout and more input from the public.  For more information on this issue and follow-up updates, please visit the Foster’s Daily Democrat.

Toxic Algae Killing Dogs?

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued a warning to hunters and dog owners regarding a toxic form of algae that has killed three dogs across the state.   With the advent of duck hunting season in Wisconsin, this warning is being sent out towards all hunters and dog owners who may not know of the danger.  The Wisconsin DNR mentions that if the water looks green do not go in or around it and keep your pets and hunting dogs a safe distance away.

To read more about this notice from the Wisconsin DNR, be sure to read this article which explains more details.

Gray Wolves Once Again Endangered

The federal government has put the northern Rockies gray wolf back on the endangered species list.  This follows the recent delisting of the gray wolves over speculations that their populations had grown large enough to mandate some kind of control efforts.  (control efforts=hunting)

Wyoming recently held the first legal hunt of gray wolves and many other states would be following on their heels.  Once a few other states decided to run state-sponsored wolf hunts, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction protecting the wolves from any more destruction.

The wolf hunts sparked a large outcry from the conservation groups.  They cited that just because numbers were on the rise, that this did not mean the wolves were out of the danger zone.  As soon as states mentioned hunting the wolves, conservation groups were quick to sue.

Now it seems they’ve caught a major break: Wolves will now stay on the Endangered Species list for the foreseeable future, according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service coordinator Ed Bangs. They plan to withdraw their rule that declared wolves officially recovered in the Northern Rockies. Wolves will enjoy full protection under the Endangered Species Act until the USFWS can draw new plans that better provide for wolf protection after de-listing.

This is coming from the Backpacker Magazine blog, The Daily Dirt, in relation to an Associated Press article that was released today.  This article goes on to explain that not enough information was known of the dangers of holding these types of hunts, and now the government will rely more upon studies that will be conducted by the Fish and Game Commission in the future.

I think that what was originally thought of as a good idea, has now been reconsidered.  Whichever side you are on, that of the hunter, or that of the hunted, you can expect that the gray wolf will still be protected for the foreseable future.

It is probably better for all of us that we know exactly what is going on before we jump the gun (figure of speech) of hunting a species that everyone was so adament about bringing back from extinction.  Now, at least, more studies can be done before deciding the best route to take in the future.

Federal Judge Rules Against More Snowmobiles In Yellowstone

A federal judge has struch down an effort by the Bush administration to allow more snowmobile access to Yellowstone National Park.  Judge Emmett Sullivan struck down the idea after disclosing that the National Park Service Organic Act protected the park from such usage in an effort to ‘conserve park resources and values’.

This has ben a long-running debate among many in the outdoor world.  Those FOR added snowmobile usage say that everyone has a right to enjoy our National Park System–by golly, they pay taxes, too.  Those against it suggest the noise and destruction of such behavior will undoubtably hurt the Parks and hamper conservation efforts to protect these areas from destruction.

Well—the judge has spoken.

To read more on this issue, check out this article on Thinking Outside.

The World In 50 Hikes

A columnist for the U.K.’s Telegraph has recently put up a list of his 50 best hikes in the world.  It is quite an extraordinary list of some of the world’s most scenic and beautiful trails.  Christopher Somerville’s list offers up a variety of terrains for the beginner, as well as the more experienced.

I do have to add that there is a heavy emphasis on European trails, and only one mention in the United States (The Grand Canyon), but none-the-less, it is an interesting read and should offer some inspiration and guidance for those looking to experience the world in a more personal level.  Go check out the article.

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