Got 8SG?

Got 8SG?

Coming soon..to a truck window near you.

New 8SG stickers. More european..less 8 ball.

Now using Yeti Coolers..

Nothing keeps ice longer. Looking forwarding to getting our Yeti Coolers now that we have been asked to help spread the word about the superior ice retention capabilities and unmatched durability of YETI Coolers.

Opening Weekend

Had a great opener. 4 hunters on the go-devil. 4 limits. 24 ducks and 7 different species. Looking forward to 4 days of ducks later this week.

Hearing before House Natural Resources Committee

My written testimony can be found here: http://naturalresources.house.gov/UploadedFiles/GutierrezTestimony11.03.11.pdf

The video can be watched here: http://resources.edgeboss.net/wmedia/resources/112/2011_11_03_fwoia.wvx

Secret to good grilling..

Wood charcoal...

11/12/11

You will hear about it..if you are invited

History is a great indicator of future performance.

History is indeed a great indicator of future USFWS actions on the Headwaters refuge. Only 6 of the 28 refuges provide for hunting. Of the ones that do, its limited in the ways you can access it (i.e. limited areas open within the refuge, limited mechanical conveyances, restrictions on days and times of use as well as onerous regulations and restrictions on use which make it difficult if not impossible to really recreate on the area).

Florida National Wildlife Refuges

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Limited Hunting)
Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Island Bay National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Key West National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (Limited hunting is permitted on the Refuge on a permit basis)
Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (Limited hunting is permitted on the refuge on a permit basis in designated areas)
National Key Deer Refuge (No Hunting)
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge (No Hunting)
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Limited Hunting is permitted on the refuge on a permit basis in designated areas)
St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (Limited Hunting is permitted on the refuge on a permit basis in designated areas)
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge (Limited Hunting is permitted on a permit basis in designated areas)

Refuge is a Bad Idea..Better Options for Sportsmen

The Proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge
A Bad Idea for Florida Sportsmen

Over the past few months there have been ramblings from D.C. and beyond about the need for a National Wildlife Refuge in Florida on approximately 150,000 acres of farm and ranch land between Orlando and Lake Okeechobee. Now a plan has been released.

After a number of scoping meetings throughout the area in question, there seems to be several issues which when mentioned alone cause apprehension, but when combined with the rest of them can only lead folks to say pass on such an expensive undertaking, especially in today's economic climate.

1. Other Options Are Available

Initially, the conservation easements are meant for the large landowners. Without question, once this land is placed under a Federal heading such a refuge, the landowner will in fact lose some control over the property. There are a number of Federal programs that could help these farmers with easements etc. without having to place the property inside the boundaries of a refuge or having it fall under the auspices of the USFWS or the Federal Government and its litany of red tape, bureaucracy and rules.

Under the 1997 Refuge Improvement Act, existing compatible wildlife dependent recreational uses (i.e. hunting etc) shall continue on an interim basis pending the completion of the comprehensive conservation plan for a new refuge. Thus any lands which become part of the refuge would continue be recreated or used in the same manner upon creation, however it would not ensure that it would stay open since that determination gets made in the CCP, subject to NEPA and is also subject to funding limitations. Things such as how the land is used, what practices are used and such simple issues as hunting leases which generate revenue, could be limited, eliminated or affected by such things as NEPA, the Endangered Species Act and other regulations.

2. History of Refuges in Florida

In Florida, there has already been ample opportunities to evaluate access for sportsmen on refuges. Without question, in Florida, the UWFWS has been extremely restrictive when compared to the more hunter friendly Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. As an example, in Merritt Island, there are limitations on access in several different ways: 1) time and day restrictions (no afternoon hunting, certain days of the week etc.); 2) elimination of and/or limitations on the use of mechanical conveyances within the refuge (no airboats and/or mud motors/longtail engines); and 3) Only small sections the refuge open to hunting. This example is repeated at all the Florida refuges where duck hunting is allowed including Loxahatchee Refuge and Ten Thousand Islands. Some refuges do not permit hunting at all.

The problems are not limited to just duck hunting, but other types of hunting as well. In fact USFWS has refused to allow hunting on the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge just north of Alligator Alley in Collier County (although allowed by law). They have removed Off-Road vehicles for hunting in the Picayune Strand State Forest restoration project and destroyed the true Florida panther with a cross-bred cat that has eliminated the feral hog and is now eliminating the white-tailed deer in the Big Cypress National Preserve to the point that areas for deer hunting have been closed as the problem continues to spread.

3. We Know the Eventual Outcome

Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge in Highlands County serves as the best example of what can surely occur if this refuge gets any farther...land that once open is closed. As the Refuge's very own website indicates, its closed to public use. If fact the website states "There is no public access". No hiking, camping, bird watching etc.
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41577
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/recEdMore.cfm?ID=41577

This is a small refuge of a few thousand acres which compared to the 150,000 acres of proposed refuge is a nullity, but yet if the USFWS can’t even open this parcel and/or obtain funding for staff etc., how can the public believe a bigger and more costly to maintain project will have better access?

By admission, even if the properties were acquired by USFWS, they would have to be additional funding sources for staff and maintenance. In essence, the property could be acquired and placed into Federal Control, but left closed due to lack of funding for staff, equipment and other necessary items. Moreover, we already know there is already a maintenance backlog for existing properties nationwide.

4. Loss of Tax Revenues by the Counties

With the land falling into federal control, there is an absolute loss of tax revenue for the counties and municipalities. Once again, we have history on our side. For example, when the Picayune Strand and Ten Thousand Islands were taken over by the Federal government, Collier County lost tax revenue. To date, the federal government has not fulfilled its promise to reimburse the counties for lost revenue.

5. State is better partner

FWC is a much better steward of these lands as they are local and know the areas. They already do a great job on millions of acres of state lands. The state provides better access, facilities and more recreational opportunities than the USFWS could ever dream of or hope to provide under the best of circumstances.

This is a work in progress and is just a sample of why this isn't all its cracked up to be.

Refuge Press Release

AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: Salazar Unveils Proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area

September 7, 2011

Contacts:
Adam Fetcher, DOI
(202) 208-6416
adam_fetcher@ios.doi.gov

Stacy Shelton, FWS
(404) 679-7290
stacy_shelton@fws.gov

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — As part of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today formally proposed the establishment of a new national wildlife refuge and conservation area in the Kissimmee River Valley, south of Orlando, Fla., to preserve one of the last remaining grassland and longleaf pine savanna landscapes in eastern North America.

Building on the conservation work of private landowners, state and federal conservation agencies, conservation groups, and the public, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal is a strong example of how conservation partners are working to preserve the area’s rich ranching heritage and way of life, while protecting the headwaters of the Everglades in the Kissimmee River Basin and connecting valuable habitats benefiting the area’s rich fish and wildlife resources.

“We established the America’s Great Outdoors initiative to help support the efforts of local communities, private landowners and other key stakeholders to protect working lands and signature landscapes like the northern Everglades,” Secretary Salazar said. “This initiative honors the stewardship of generations of Florida cattle ranchers and other landowners who understood that we all have a stake in preserving the health of our land, water, and wildlife. This proposal, which will continue to be shaped by the local communities and landowners, will help protect both the ranching traditions in the area and the wildlife that call this area home. The establishment of this refuge promotes one of our key Everglades restoration goals, which is to restore habitat and protect species.”

Two-thirds of the proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, or up to 100,000 acres, would be protected through conservation easements purchased from willing sellers. Private landowners would retain ownership of their land, as well as the right to work the land to raise cattle or crops. The easements would ensure the land could not be developed.

The Service would also purchase up to 50,000 acres outright from willing sellers to create the proposed national wildlife refuge where visitors could hunt, fish, hike and view wildlife. The Service has identified six areas where these refuge lands could potentially be purchased. In some cases, the refuge acquisitions would augment existing conservation lands, such as state parks and wildlife management areas.

Today’s announcement builds on several other key conservation priorities championed by Secretary Salazar as part of the America’s Great Outdoor initiative and developed with the input of private landowners, conservation stakeholders, and state, local and tribal elected officials, including:

· The proposed Dakota Grassland Conservation Area, which will conserve prairie landscapes, wildlife resources and working lands in the Prairie Pothole Region, an area that supports more than half of the nation’s migratory waterfowl;

· The successful community-based conservation initiatives taking place in the Crown of the Continent, a vast and intact landscape that includes portions of northwestern Montana as well as British Columbia and Alberta; and

· The 1-million-acre Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area in Kansas – the first new unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System established under the Obama administration.

A preliminary proposal for the project was first announced in January 2011. By the end of March, the Service had held four public meetings and received more than 38,000 comments. The public input was used to refine the proposal.

Details of the proposal, including maps, are in a Draft Land Protection Plan and Environmental Assessment that can be viewed at: http://www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters.

During the six-week public review and comment period that ends Oct. 24, 2011, the Service will host two additional public meetings to answer questions and gather comments. The first hour of each meeting will be in an informal open-house format, during which the Service and its partners will present information and answer questions. Following that, the session will be in a formal public hearing format. Speakers will sign up to speak and will be given a specified time limit in which to offer comments.

The public meetings are scheduled for:

1 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
South Florida Community College Theatre for the Performing Arts
600 W. College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825

1 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011
Osceola Heritage Park
The Exhibition Building – Hall A
1901 Chief Osceola Trail
Kissimmee, FL 34744

Comments may also be submitted in writing to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Proposed Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area:

By email to EvergladesHeadwatersProposal@fws.gov;
By mail to P.O. Box 2683, Titusville, FL 32781-2683;
By fax to 321-861-1276.

Time permitting, the Service is also planning to consider requests from organizations for informational presentations held in the local area during the public review and comment period. During these sessions, the Service would be able to share information about the proposed refuge and conservation area, but would be unable to accept verbal public comments at these meetings. However, written comments could be submitted to the Service representative.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov/. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwshq/ and www.facebook.com/usfwssoutheast/ follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usfwshq or www.twitter.com/usfwssoutheast, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/, or www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast/

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