America's Wild Legacy

The Sierra Club is starting a movement to protect 52 areas throughout the country that they feel could be threatened or lost if action is not taken. That's one place for every state, as well as, locations in Puerto Rico and Washington DC.

It is hard for many people to understand the gravity of dwindling open space, and the loss of wildlife habitat. Living in New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the country, I see open space gobbled up by development every day. There is only so much room available, and if something isn't done we could lose the rest.

The Sierra Club will be pushing to support the protecting of the Delaware Bay Shore. A popular hang out for millions of migratory birds every year, the bay shore area is very delicate. According to the report explaining the nature of the "52 Places" project, the support of the Delaware Bay Shore will include pushing for the acquisition of open space, stricter water quality restrictions, and forcing power plants to reduce their environmental impact.

Check out the link above to read, in greater detail the nature of the program.

Support for this project will ensure that the next time you visit the Jersey shore (Atlantic or Delaware Bay side) you'll be able to enjoy everything this threatened environment has to offer, like watching a few Sandpipers take flight.

What makes an Environmentalist?

This week in a local paper there was an editorial posted by an anti-hunter. This person supports Assembly Bill 3275 that was introduced in New Jersey this past year. The bill calls for sweeping changes in the state's Wildlife Council, and has been discussed in greater detail here on Othmar Vohringer's Blog, and here at the Upland Feathers Blog

The bill itself is frustrating, and has been strongly opposed by sports men and women throughout the state, and while I may discuss it at length in a future post, my goal here is to focus on the editorial that so riled me on Tuesday.

The editorial attacked hunters, claiming we are nothing more than killers with an "avarice of power." One of the more ridiculous statements in the letter was that "taxpayers are subsidizing recreational hunting." I will also refrain from dipping into a treatise on the amount of money that pours into NJ and every sate in the country thanks to the Wildlife Restoration Act or the Sport Fish Restoration Act. The money that is raised to allow for this act's existence comes solely from purchasing and participating in activities like hunting and fishing.

My real problem with the tone of the editorial is that it suggests that as hunter or angler's we are not environmentally conscious. I argue that as outdoor enthusiasts we are more environmentally conscious than most of the general population. What does more harm to the environment, the harvesting of wild game or apathy to the struggle of dwindling open space, polluted water systems, and urban sprawl?

I am a hunter, I am an angler, and I am an environmentalist. Without hunting, over population of game animals will lead to starvation and disease.

Tips and Tricks....

My favorite articles in most outdoor magazines are short ones that offer simple tips for improving techniques, streamlining best prectices, and just plain making life just a touch easier...So I thought I would post some of my favorites here:

1. The White-Out Ruler: I never have a ruler to measure the fish I catch, but there is a simple solution. Mark out one-inch measurements on the back of your fishing rod using whiteout. This way where ever the rod goes, so goes your honesty.

2. The fishing line sewing kit: When I read about keeping fishing line in your backpack during hikes and camping trips those fancy braided lines were only starting to become popular. The tip called for 8lb monofilament line...but using a braided line might be more advantageous these days. A spool of fishing line has allowed me to mend my back pack, pants, as well as create a light weight, portable clothes line for those sweaty socks at the end of the day.

3. Topwater Trailer hooks: Sure, we've all seen the trailer hooks on Buzzbaits and Spinnerbaits, but adding trailer hooks to other top water lures will also help increase your catch. Especially effective are trailers on jitterbugs. I don't know how many fish have slashed at my black jitterbug only to miss by only a fraction. A small trailer hook on the rear treble has helped me land more fish more frequently.

4. Captains Log: It seems like a simple idea, but rarely do I cross paths with a hunter/angler who keeps a detailed log book. This one practice can help improve your outdoor experiences more than any gimic or quick fix. If you permanently log where, when, and how you tackled your last deer or fish, you will be better off the following season. You'll keep meat in the freezer, and fish on the line by simply writing it all down at the end of the day.

Do you have any quick tips? If so let me hear them...

Got any advice?

New look for South Jersey Outdoors...Granted, it's just another version of the same pre-made template I was using before, but it's a little brighter. The black was starting to depress me.

I'm trying to turn things around, I've had some back luck in the woods this bow season and I was starting to get bummed. So I have decided, to choose my attitude. To make this transformation from pessimist to optimist a brighter color was necessary. By choosing my attitude I will have more success in the woods or on the water, and even if I don't I will not take the outdoors for granted. I will enjoy my time outside.

Okay, that it's it for the "I'm good enough, and dog-gone-it people like me" speech. Let's get to the point....This one will require some audience participation (should I actually have an audience).

I work at a high school here in Jersey and another teacher and myself have decided to start an outdoors club for the kids. The idea was to get some of these kids to appreciate the outdoors and learn about some of the things that exist outside the realm of their video game systems or favorite TV shows.

The interest for the club has been phenomenal, but getting kids to actually show up has proven more difficult. So, I'm looking for ideas. Now, some of the kids have legitimate reasons for not showing up, like sports or work, but a few seem to be dragging their feet.

I'd really like this club to catch on so we can do community service or conservation projects, and have some of these kids start hobby that doesn't involve a video game controller. The growth process is slow and I am wondering if anyone out there has tried to do something similar in their communities?

You comments or suggestions would be much appreciated.