fly fishing, conservation and politics.
By Tom Sadler
Trout Unlimited applauds Federal Judge’s decision to prevent West Virginia mountaintop removal mining companies from filling valleys with mining waste. Here is TU’s Press Release.
This destructive practice has go on for far to long. Finally some much needed scrutiny and review is taking place.
By Tom Sadler
One of the most important tools for conservation is the tax deduction available for land owners who donate the value of conservation easements that permanently protect protect their land under that conservation easement.
The deduction is set to expire at the end of the year.
On March 31, Representatives Thompson (D-CA) and Cantor (R-VA) introduced the Conservation Easement Incentive Act, H.R. 1831, making this valuable conservation tool permanent.
Donating a conservation easement is a big financial decision for many landowners. Under current law conservation easement donors can:
• Deduct up to 50% of their adjusted gross income in any year;
• Deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income if the majority of that income came from farming, ranching or forestry; and
• Continue to take deductions for as long as 16 years.
Making the conservation easement incentive permanent will help working lands stay working lands and provide important conservation benefits for everyone.
By Tom Sadler
First stop TU’s National Capital Angling Show, Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Georgetown Preparatory School, 10900 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD
This show is always fun with national known and local fly-fishing pros and celebs, casting classes and clinics, and great vendors.
Next week I will be at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, March 16-21, Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, Virginia.
This is the premier gathering of professionals from the hunting, fishing and natural resources community. Loaded with special sessions, workshops, meetings and great changes to socialize with friends and colleagues.
By Tom Sadler
These days it is hard not to be concerned about our national economy.
Closer to home we are all bearing the burdens of the economic hard times we face. Layoffs, bank mergers and going out of business signs are part of our daily life.
In times like these we should try and “buy local” whenever we can.
Here in the Valley we have some wonderful small businesses that provide the goods and services for hunting and fishing.
Hunting and fishing are economic engines that support our local economy. Not only do the sales of gear and equipment mean jobs for those who make and sell those things, but there are jobs and economic benefits beyond those businesses.
People who work in manufacturing and retail live in the local communities. They buy goods and services like food, cars, gas and hardware locally. They are our friends and neighbors.
In Virginia hunters and anglers historically spend more than $1 billion annually. That annual spending accounted for 24,000 jobs with salaries and wages of more than $680 million.
Here are a few of my favorite hunting and fishing businesses in the Valley. These are shops and businesses I have visited and are by no means the only ones in the Valley.
Are you a bow hunter? Did you know that Parker Bows are made right here in Mint Spring? That’s right, the Valley is home to one of the largest producers of compound bows and crossbows in the world.
Full disclosure here, my brother-in-law works there, so I won’t offer an opinion on the equipment. My point is that this is a local business employing local people, supporting the local economy making equipment for bow hunters.
You cannot buy the bows at the factory, you need to buy them from local dealers. Here in the Valley you can buy Parker Bows at Dominion Outdoors in Fishersville and the Rockingham County Farm Cooperatives.
Kevin Harris and Todd Reed started Dominion Outdoors with a small storefront in 1994. The new store off Tinkling Springs Road is a hunter’s and fisherman’s delight.
If there is a local “one-stop shop” for hunting and fishing gear Dominion Outdoors fits the bill. They strive for good customer service and in my case succeeded.
They have a complete archery department, of course with a bow technician on site to help with set up.
The gun racks and cases hold hundreds of rifles, shotguns and pistols. They are well stocked with ammunition and shooting supplies and have a gunsmith on hand as well.
The clerk behind the counter in the fishing department was very friendly and helpful. They have a wide selection of conventional rods, reels and fishing tackle although they were a little thin on the fly-fishing gear.
Besides hunting and fishing gear you will find clothing and footwear to meet just about every outdoor need.
Because of his work with the Izaak Walton League of America I am a big fan of Jon Ritenour and his Homestead Gun Shop in Harrisonburg.
Besides selling guns, ammo and shooting supplies, Ritenour is also a gunsmith.
His is an old time shop without frills, a shooter’s hangout. He is well known in the community and sought out by many for his views and advice.
Ritenour’s work as President of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America is a great example of a local business giving back to the community of customers they serve.
For the fly-fishers there are three great shops here in the Valley.
Mossy Creek Fly Fishing is an Orvis shop in Harrisonburg. Brian and Colby Trow not only sell fly-fishing and fly tying gear and equipment, they also offer instruction and guided trips.
They have fishing trips to the mountains, spring creeks, private water or the James and Shenandoah Rivers. They teach fly fishing classes at their Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing School in Harrisonburg or at Wintergreen Resort. They also offer fly tying clinics during the winter and fly tying classes year round.
Like Ritenour, the Trow brothers are involved in the local community. They are active in Trout Unlimited and Project Healing Waters, two groups I strongly support.
Harry Murray’s Fly Shop in Edinburg is another great shop. Murray’s local knowledge and skill has made him a legend. Murray routinely writes articles sharing his vast knowledge and experience with others.
He also offers lessons, guided trips and is always happy to give you the latest hot spots.
Over the mountain in Charlottesville is the Albemarle Angler. Along with fly-fishing gear they offer instruction and guided trips. Like Mossy Creek Fly Fishing they are involved in the local conservation efforts of Trout Unlimited. They are also strong supporters of Project Healing Waters.
The shop is billed as a “Sporting Lifestyle Outfitter”. They have lots more than just hunting and fishing gear. You can find dog beds, gift items and fancy sporting clothes as well.
These days of economic challenges make it tough for all of us. Here in the Valley we are fortunate to have friends and neighbors who work in businesses that make our days in the field or on the water better.
Next time you need some gear stop in your local shop and buy local.
There are two sports shows coming up at the end of the month.
The Greater Virginia Sports & Big Game Show kicks off its second year on Feb. 20 that runs through Feb. 22. The show is held at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds.
The show features hunting and fishing outfitters, vendors and experts giving demonstrations, seminars and advice. There will also be chances to win guided hunts and door prizes.You can get more information on the show’s Web site at http://www.vasportsshow.com
The 22nd Annual Western Virginia Sport Show takes place at Augusta Expoland in Fishersville Feb. 27 through March 1.
Along with hunting and fishing outfitters and vendors, the Western Virginia Sport Show offers free seminars, hourly door prize drawings, contests and demonstrations during the entire three-day event.
You can get more information on the show’s Web site at http://www.westernvasportshow.com
You can read more of my columns in the News Virginian.
By Tom Sadler
A few weeks ago some colleagues of mine sent me a final copy of the Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Plan. The plan provides some great recommendations for conservation in this country.
In the plan, Valley hunters and conservationists can find a number of important policy actions that are important at the federal, state and local level.
It chronicles the efforts and captures the recommendations of the Sporting Conservation Council, a federally charted advisory committee, and others as they worked with the Council on Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies to assist in the implementation of Executive Order 13443: Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation.
In August 2007, President Bush issued the order, directing federal agencies “to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitat.”
The plan is the collaborative work product, crafted by members of the Sporting Conservation Council, conservation and hunting organizations, state agency volunteers and others. This final version was released in December.
The chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality was tasked with organizing and holding the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy. In addition, the executive order requires that a ten-year Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Plan be prepared.
That was just the first step. The Sporting Conservation Council then started working on a framework for implementing it. Working with a variety of hunting and conservation groups, they drafted research papers on the various issues facing hunting and conservation in the United States.
The next step was to hold a conference with all the various groups to hash out those issues. The conference took place in Reno, Nev., in October.
Participants reviewed the council’s research and offered comments and ideas on how to enhance conservation and hunting in the next ten years.
Staff from the U.S. Department of Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Council on Environmental Quality held meetings and briefings with various stakeholder groups to get more comments and suggestions.
This final plan is the result of many meetings, workshops and discussions with federal, state, local and tribal government officials, members of Congress and their staffs, hunting and conservation organizations and private individuals.
There are seven focus or “topic” areas in the final plan. They are: Increasing Public and Private Funding for Wildlife Conservation; Improving Wildlife Habitat Conservation; Expanding Access to Public and Private Lands; Educating, Recruiting and Retaining Hunters; Coordinating Federal, State, Tribal and International Action; Understanding Climate Change and Wildlife Effects; and Conserving Wildlife and Developing Oil and Gas On Public Land.
All of these are important conservation challenges in their own right. Together, they provide a compelling list of opportunities for the Obama Administration and Congress.
From those seven topics, 58 action items were recommended. Let’s look at a few of these focus areas and actions in more detail.
Funding for fish and wildlife habitat conservation has long been a challenge in our country. Hunters and anglers have helped fund much of the important conservation work of the last century.
Unfortunately, the conservation needs to far exceed the current funding levels. In the future, creative ideas will be needed to fund conservation and outdoor recreation.
The plan recommends looking to climate change legislation and dedicating some of the adaptation funding for wildlife, habitat and conservation education. It also recommends creating incentive-based programs for private landowners to maintain and increase habitat and encourage public access for hunting opportunities.
When it comes to increasing access to private land, the plan offers a key recommendation. To remove uncertainty about liability, create model state legislation so landowners are protected if they provide public access to their property.
For public land the plan recommends establishing a “one-stop-shop” Web site with information on hunting opportunities on federal land. By the way, here in Virginia we already have that for state land.
Hunter recruitment and retention is essential for conservation and outdoor recreation. The plan recommends some important actions.
Taking a page from the fishing and boating community, the plan recommends creating a Hunting and Shooting Heritage Foundation patterned after the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.
These days it is essential to connect with young people through the medium they use most. Social marketing offers a great opportunity. Action steps in the plan include using tools like YouTube and Facebook to reach the next generation of hunters and anglers.
Another excellent suggestion is waiving or discounting any entrance fees to federal land for veterans and active duty military personnel. The plan recommends this for hunting on federal land. Extending that for all recreation and on state lands, as well also makes a lot of sense.
This plan is full of lots more great suggestions for hunting and conservation. It is well worth your time to read it. Being better informed on what can be done to protect and promote our hunting heritage and protect and conserve fish and wildlife habitat is essential.
For more information on the Executive Order on Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation or the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy go to http://wildlifeconservation.gov/
You can get a copy of The Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Plan at: http://wildlifeconservation.gov/documents/RecHuntingActionPlan11009dp.pdf
You can read more of my columns in the News Virginian.
By Tom Sadler
Valley hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists of all forms need to take some time and pay attention to the George Washington National Forest’s Land and Resource Management Plan revision process. As the schedule now stands, the draft plan may be ready in late spring 2009.
According to their Web site, “The purpose of this land management plan is to provide broad guidance and information for project and activity decision making needed to manage the George Washington National Forest [GW].”
The forest’s planning staff has been holding public workshops on various aspects of the plan revisions since early 2007. Two more workshops are coming up with the subject: Forest Plan Components, fitting the workshops and other information together toward a Draft Plan.
There is a workshop today from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Rockbridge Co. High School in Lexington and another on Feb. 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School in Woodstock.
The U.S. Forest Service held seven public meetings last March to introduce people to the Forest Plan revision process. In July, five meetings were held to continue the discussions on changes needed and what to concentrate on in the Forest Plan revision process.
This fall workshops were held to discuss three different subjects, Vegetation Management, Road and Trail Access and Wilderness, Roadless and Potential Wilderness Areas.
These workshops are the most important ones for recreational users. The challenges surrounding access, timber harvesting, wilderness designations and off road vehicle use can really get people’s blood boiling.
Of special interest is the amount of Potential Wilderness Area and the impact that could have on hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation.
Let me be clear from the outset. Because land is included in a Potential Wilderness Area doesn’t change the way it is managed today. Only Congress has the authority to designate wilderness.
Today, 37 areas totaling 370,000 acres are identified as Potential Wilderness Areas in the George Washington National Forest. An additional 42,000 acres are designated Wilderness Area and 7,700 acres are National Scenic Areas. That represents just over 40 percent of the forest.
Don’t get me wrong Wilderness Areas are great. They provide a number of very important ecological and recreational benefits. They are some of my favorite places to fish and hunt.
Having more in the George Washington National Forest is a good idea. Where they are is going to be the challenge.
Most types of recreational uses are allowed in Wilderness Areas except those involving motorized equipment.
Wilderness Areas by federal law have significant restrictions, however. Timber harvesting, road building, clearing and waterhole development, and other wildlife management techniques cannot be performed in Wilderness Areas.
These activities, if done correctly, are important tools for enhancing recreational activities. If the land base available for wildlife habitat management is significantly reduced then hunting could suffer.
Over the years, the U.S. Forest Service, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries along with the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Ruffed Grouse Society have invested manpower and money developing and maintaining wildlife habitats.
Some of the lands identified for Potential Wilderness Area include many existing wildlife habitat developments, including clearings and waterholes. These wildlife clearings provide much-needed habitat. Designating all these areas as Wilderness could eliminate these clearings as natural succession returns them over time to a forested state.
Much of this area is popular with wildlife recreational users who depend on the George Washington National Forest for access to wildlife populations. Fishing for native Brook Trout takes place in some of these areas. Bear, deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, raccoon, rabbit, squirrel and other species are hunted in these areas. The wildlife habitat value of these lands has been enhanced by previous timber harvesting and wildlife habitat work.
So there needs to be a balance.
There is a lot of good information on the George Washington National Forest Plan Revision Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/forestplan/revision/index.shtml.
There you will find documents, schedules and how to make your views known.
I won’t kid you. This can be hard stuff to wade through. It takes time and effort to read all the information and comments. But our ability to enjoy our public lands requires engagement on our part.
Take some time to offer your thoughts to the Forest Service. Your ideas are just as important and count as much as the next guy’s, but only if you share them.
On a more personal note, thank you for the kind words about my friends Jim Range and Jean Ince. They were warmly appreciated.
Jim’s memorial service took place on Tuesday January 27, along the banks of the Potomac River at Fletchers Cove in Washington. More than 200 of his friends and colleagues joined with his family in celebrating his life and many accomplishments.
Mixed in with the copious tears were many moments of hearty laughter as those in attendance responded to tales and reflections of Range. His life was magic for all us and in celebrating his life we relived that magic.
You can go to JimRange.com to capture a glimpse of his remarkable life. The Web site, created to honor and memorialize his life, has a wonderful collection of stories, pictures and tributes to Range.